Blog
Tips, Tricks and Expert Advice to
Help You Grow Your Business
An Evidence-Based Approach to Crushing Your Goals this Year
An Evidence-Based Approach to Crushing Your Goals this Year Whatever you want to achieve this year– start your business, grow your business, expand a product line– SMART goal framework is almost guaranteed to help you get there. What are SMART Goals? How often do we declare vague goals (“I want to have more customers this … Read more
We’re Ready for You, 2021
We’re Ready for You, 2021 2020 was challenging in ways we couldn’t have imagined in our wildest — seriously, wildest — dreams. We are proud to have pivoted and persisted in the face of the pandemic to give entrepreneurs in West Michigan the tools they needed to make it through the challenges of COVID-19. As … Read more
Preparing Your Business for the Holidays
Preparing Your Business for the Holidays The holiday season is upon us! For retail businesses, this typically means ramping up for their most profitable quarter. While this year’s holiday shopping season undoubtedly different, consulting firm Deloitte predicts that retail spending will go up 1-1.5% during the holiday shopping season. We spoke with retail veteran Michelle Krick for … Read more
How to Show Gratitude to Your Team While Working Remotely
How to Show Gratitude to Your Team While Working Remotely Businesses that cultivate a culture of gratitude tend to perform better than those that don’t. According to a 2016 study conducted by Gallup, employees that feel appreciated are more engaged, productive and loyal. As the pandemic continues and COVID19 numbers rise, many companies are … Read more
How to Write an Email Newsletter
How to Write an Email Newsletter Email marketing is wildly important to most marketing strategies, especially if you’re looking for true success as it leaves a stronger impression than social media and other digital tactics. But it’s critical that your email marketing campaigns function properly, especially newsletters—these are usually how you get folks to … Read more
How to Foster Diversity in the Workplace
How to Foster Diversity in the Workplace Diversity in West Michigan is a driving force in the entrepreneurial community, where it’s been a focus for many small businesses and supporters for years, including the team here at GROW. Diversity brings representation, perspective, and creativity to businesses, and fostering a team that prioritizes racial and economic … Read more
Ways to Support Local Businesses During the Coronavirus
Ways to Support Local Businesses During the Coronavirus Although states are reopening around the country, the coronavirus is still an issue affecting community members and local businesses. With stay-at-home orders, businesses have taken a hit, especially small, locally-owned ones. At GROW, our mission is to help business owners in all stages of entrepreneurship, even a … Read more
How to Thrive and Be Intentional During Uncertainty, Part 4: Focus & Overwhelm
A 4-part blog series by Rebecca Thomas As entrepreneurs, we face our own set of challenges. That’s part of what we sign up for when we step out on our own. Now that we’re facing a pandemic, it’s easy to spiral even further into overwhelm, frustration, and isolation that are already commonplace for us. What … Read more
How to Thrive & Be Intentional During Uncertainty, Part 3: Boundaries, Self-Care, and the Sweet Spot
How to Thrive and Be Intentional During Uncertainty – Boundaries, Self-Care, and the Sweet Spot with The EnerChi Architect A 4-part blog series by Rebecca Thomas As entrepreneurs we face our own set of challenges. That’s part of what we sign up for when we step out on our own. Now that we’re facing a … Read more
Keeping Calm in the Storm: Navigating Your Small Business in Uncertain Times
As we write this in March for the May edition with the theme of mental health, we have an abundance of questions weighing on the psyche of small business owners that we can discuss. These are trying times for everyone both emotionally and financially. Small business owners are experiencing extreme pressure due to the … Read more