About Propaganda Doughnuts’ Closing and West Michigan Business. Working to Build a Better Community.

A few days ago MLIVE posted about Propaganda Doughnuts’ closing on South Division in Downtown Grand Rapids. I was a fan of Propaganda Doughnuts. Occasionally on Sundays after church my family would pick up some doughnuts and go to a park with some friends. I am sorry that I won’t be able to do that any more.Continue reading “About Propaganda Doughnuts’ Closing and West Michigan Business. Working to Build a Better Community.”

Lesson for Businesses: “Words Matter.” Court of Appeals Reverses in favor of Bank of America.

Words Matter. Contracts are about risk allocation. In a transaction, who bears what risk? Back in April I posted on a recent Supreme Court case – Bank of America v First American Title, et. al. If you recall, that case involved allegations of mortgage fraud perpetrated against BOA to the tune of millions of dollars. AboutContinue reading “Lesson for Businesses: “Words Matter.” Court of Appeals Reverses in favor of Bank of America.”

West Michigan and its Thriving Culture of Social Entrepreneurship

Today I read an article by MLIVE  titled “Michigan Companies could act like non-profits under proposed law” commenting on Michigan’s new Benefit Corporation Legislation – I posted about the new BCorp Legislation a week ago Something caught my attention in this article: in Michigan, the biggest concentration of the B-Corp businesses are in the Grand RapidsContinue reading “West Michigan and its Thriving Culture of Social Entrepreneurship”

B-Corporations and the Rise of Social Entrepreneurship

  A few months back I sat on a panel to discuss Non-Profit Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship. You can check out the video here. I was asked to provide some comments on B Corps – or Benefit Corporations. To cover some basics – B-Corps have a dual purpose – To create profit and “create aContinue reading “B-Corporations and the Rise of Social Entrepreneurship”

Startups – Don’t Make this Mistake!

Happy Friday! A few months back I wrote a post titled Business Startups: Don’t make these mistakes. I discussed a recent case that highlighted mistakes that business startups can make – including, shutting down a business, then starting a new one just to avoid debts/creditors. Generally speaking, that doesn’t work! A May 3rd Cour of appealsContinue reading “Startups – Don’t Make this Mistake!”

Small Business Owners: Avoid these Pitfalls

Happy Friday, and a conclusion to “Small Business Week”. President Barack Obama has proclaimed May 1-7, 2016 “National Small Business Week.” I follow the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, if you are a small business owner you should check the organization out. In regards to National Small Business Week, SBE Council president & CEO KarenContinue reading “Small Business Owners: Avoid these Pitfalls”

“Prince Died Without a Will.” Business Owners Should Ask the Question: Who Are My Advisers?

Yesterday, the ABAJournal posted that Prince’s sister filed in court claiming Prince died without a will. A year ago I posted about some lessons from Robin Williams’ Estate. I wrote about Robin Williams’ Estate as “an example of the problems that can erupt after a loved one passes away – even if that loved oneContinue reading ““Prince Died Without a Will.” Business Owners Should Ask the Question: Who Are My Advisers?”

Michigan Entrepreneurs and Start-ups: House Resolution Supports Crowdfunding for Start-up Businesses

On March 3,  Representative Tom Barrett introduced House resolution 235 (HR 235).  Today HR 235 was on the agenda for the Commerce and Trade Committee Meeting. HR 235 is a  “resolution to support the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s recent adoption of rules pursuant to Title III of the JOBS Act which are designed to facilitate small and start-upContinue reading “Michigan Entrepreneurs and Start-ups: House Resolution Supports Crowdfunding for Start-up Businesses”

Business Owners: Understand the Real Cost of Litigation.

This morning I was reading a legal blog  “Above the Law” – the article was written by an attorney named John Balestriere  The article was titled “The Un-Sweet Spot Of Litigation“ This article provides very practical advice for my clients – small/closely-held businesses. John makes a great point – the court system is impractical for “most disputes”.Continue reading “Business Owners: Understand the Real Cost of Litigation.”

Working to Build Better Communities: Lending Barriers to Stabilizing Neighborhoods in Detroit.

Today Thomas J. Curry,  of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) spoke at the 2016 National Interagency Community Reinvestment Conference in LA. You can read Mr. Curry’s complete remarks here. Mr. Curry acknowledged the many groups and organizations “working to build better communities and improve the financial lives of low- and moderate-income individuals” AContinue reading “Working to Build Better Communities: Lending Barriers to Stabilizing Neighborhoods in Detroit.”