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Success Stories

The Story

Beth Millner launched in Beth Millner Jewelry in 2007 as a home-based business from her kitchen table in Marquette, Mich.  From its inception, Millner has run her jewelry business by looking forward, selling her exquisitely crafted jewelry inspired by the natural landscape of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula at art fairs and music festivals.

The Challenge

Five years after opening, Millner had an opportunity to expand her business by opening a brick and mortar storefront in downtown Marquette.  But she would need a business plan and financial projections that would be critical in accessing any type of business loan.  She turned to the SBA-powered Small Business Development Center for guidance in developing a solid plan with financial projections grounded in market research.  This proved to be the winning combination and Millner was approved for an SBA microloan from Northern Initiatives, a regional community development financial institution. 

The... Read More

Some people are born with a keen sense of purpose--a passion to heal and help their communities. Dr. Cecil Forbes is one of those people. A highly respected and established community leader in Detroit, Dr. Forbes has been providing chiropractic care and physical therapy to patients in the metro Detroit area since 2011, through his practice, ICare Spine and Rehabilitation Center. He has two locations, one on the Historic Livernois Avenue of Fashion, and a second location in midtown Detroit, that he opened due to a high demand for his outstanding and professional services.

Due to the shelter-in-place restrictions on nonessential businesses, Dr. Forbes was unable to see his patients, forced to close both of his businesses, and quickly found himself in need of financial assistance to keep all four of his employees on payroll. He turned to his accountant to discuss his options, and his accountant informed him about the SBA Paycheck Protection Program. Dr. Forbes then contacted an... Read More

The historic village of Frankenmuth is one of the top tourist destinations in Michigan, and one of its most popular stops is Zehnder's of Frankenmuth, enjoyed by millions of people each year.  The Zehnder legacy began when William and Emilie Zehnder sold their 80-acre farm and borrowed money for the $8,000 down payment to purchase the New Exchange Hotel.  After an extensive remodel, taking inspiration from Mount Vernon (the home of George Washington), the hotel re-opened as Zehnder’s on Mother’s Day 1929. 

Chairman and CEO Albert F. Zehnder, as well as many third and fourth generation family members are fulfilling the company’s mission to be the number one destination in Frankenmuth. The company is focused our four core areas of business - dining, lodging, retail and golf , making Zehnder’s a year round attraction.   The company currently has 942 full and part-time employees. 

In 2005, Zehnder’s opened a 30,000 square feet indoor water park, arcade, dining room, and... Read More

Background

Greg Saltzman worked in the meat department at a local grocery store for many years, venturing into entrepreneurship with a part-time deer processing business  based out of his home in Olivet, Michigan.  After noting the lack of stores offering fresh meat and deli products in his hometown, he decided to pursue entrepreneurship full-time, and began work on plans to build his own store to supplement the needs of his community.  

 

SBA Assistance

Saltzman connected with the SBA-funded Small Business Development Center and attended five business seminars in 2011 to prepare for the journey into business ownership.  He worked with SBDC business consultant Kellie Hanford over the next three years to develop a business plan, financial projections, and a commercial loan package. 

 

Success

Hastings City Bank provided a $221,000 SBA-guaranteed loan to finance the new building and refrigeration equipment.  Whitetail Farms Farm Fresh... Read More

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