Reflections on the Guy with the Jack Hammer…

This morning I was making my commute to work on the highway – traffic was backed up and at a stand still. Eventually, all cars started to roll along slowly (at this point, I was happy that at least traffic was moving). Fifteen minutes and a few miles later I slowly passed the root cause of theContinue reading “Reflections on the Guy with the Jack Hammer…”

Celebrating Entrepreneurs: National Startup Day

Yesterday August 4 was the 4th Annual National Startup Day Across America. According to the website, National Startup Day Across America was created to: “raise awareness of startup activity and job creation and help catalyze support for your local entrepreneurial community. On the importance of startups in the U.S.: “Startup companies act as entrepreneurial leaders, innovators, and jobContinue reading “Celebrating Entrepreneurs: National Startup Day”

Another West Michigan Business becomes a Certified B Corp

Happy Friday! Yesterday MIBiz reported on the latest West Michigan Business to obtain B -Corp Certification The Highland Group becomes certified B Corp. I’ve previously posted on West Michigan’s Thriving Culture of Social Entrepreneurship in Michigan, the biggest concentration of the B-Corp businesses are in the Grand Rapids area, where there are 11 — twice as manyContinue reading “Another West Michigan Business becomes a Certified B Corp”

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.”

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”

Michigan Business Law Update: B-Corp Legislation Introduced On May 31st

Just days ago I posted on B-Corps and the Rise of Social Entrepreneurship Yesterday House Bill 5710 was introduced in the State House. The House Bill is tie barred with HB 5711 and HB 5712 As I’ve previously written, B-Corps have a dual purpose – To create profit and “create a material positive impact on societyContinue reading “Michigan Business Law Update: B-Corp Legislation Introduced On May 31st”

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!”

Looking for Social Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders to Prosper our Local Communities

Last week I attended an event held by the Koeze Business Ethics Initiative at Grand Valley State University. the conversation was titled: “Social Capital, Economic Diversity and Civic Well-Being in Flint and Grand Rapids” The room was packed full of leaders in the Grand Rapids and Flint Communities interested in hearing about, in the words of Dr. MichaelContinue reading “Looking for Social Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders to Prosper our Local Communities”

Recent Crowdfunding Success a Good Sign for Social Entrepreneurs

Last week MIBiz reported a somewhat surprising result of the MEDC’s grant-matching initiative (Public Places Community Spaces Initiative).  I  wrote about this initiative in a prior post. The MIBiz article headline: “State-backed crowdfunding initiative hits 97% success rate in first year” This is an amazing success rate by any calculation As stated by Ebrahim Varachia, president and co-founderContinue reading “Recent Crowdfunding Success a Good Sign for Social Entrepreneurs”