The Michigan small business owner's briefing
What's happening, what's worth trying, and what can wait.
In your inbox every Thursday.
Okay, but what's actually in it?
One sponsor, not a marketplace
We're not renting out your inbox to a dozen brands. Just one sponsor a week, boxed off and easy to spot.
Three things, not thirty
We read it so you don't have to, then tell you why it actually matters for your Michigan business.
We see a lot of it
One pick a week, pulled from everything we've been reading and watching around Michigan. Just trust us, it's good.
Recommended, not rented
One newsletter we actually read ourselves, starting with a fellow Grand Rapids publication worth your time.
Only the Michigan dates worth knowing
Just a few to keep on your radar. We know your calendar's full enough already.
Backed by a person, not a corporation
Reply to any edition and we'll actually get back to you. We're right here in Grand Rapids.
Happy Thursday. There's a lot going right for Michigan small businesses this week, from Lansing to Woodward Avenue. Let's get into it.
Brought to you by
Bamboo
Modern coworking and office space for doers. Community hubs with coworking, private offices, and innovative gathering spaces, built to support the next creations made here in Michigan.
One sponsor, not a marketplace
We're not renting out your inbox to a dozen brands. Just one sponsor a week, boxed off and easy to spot.
The Front Table
Michigan's small business funding survives the new budget
The Legislature passed a $75.2 billion state budget this week, and small business funding came through the process intact, including MEDC programs like Support Hubs. Worth watching for the next application window.
One metro Detroit skincare brand is riding the slow unboxing wave
A small skincare brand out of Ferndale swapped its polished product ads for slow, ASMR style unboxing videos this spring, and weekly sales followed the shift. The format has been quietly outperforming traditional ads across TikTok and Instagram all summer. If your product photographs or films well, it might be worth a test batch of content before you spend another dollar on paid ads.
Detroit created the Director of Retail Attraction role that Grand Rapids just completed
Six years of Richard App's retail role in Grand Rapids helped bring Detroit brands like Shinola and Greyson across the state, which is a fair proof of what one dedicated person can do for a city's storefronts. Detroit named former Bedrock exec Addofio Addo its first Director of Retail Attraction on July 13, so if you're a non-Detroit brand that's considered a Detroit location, you now have someone to get in touch with directly.
Three things, not thirty
We read it so you don't have to, then tell you why it actually matters for your Michigan business.
Staff Pick
FSDI Archetype Assessment, by The Human Solution
A quick, science backed assessment that reveals your instinctive reactions to failure, stress, and discomfort, plus your personal Leadership Archetype. Useful if you've been meaning to get more self aware about how you lead under pressure. Downloadable PDF, lifetime access.
Find Your ArchetypeWe see a lot of it
One pick a week, pulled from everything we've been reading and watching around Michigan. Just trust us, it's good.
Read Next
Calder News
Get the best events and news around Grand Rapids sent to your inbox every Tuesday and Friday, alongside 7,500+ locals. 100% free, 100% local.
SubscribeRecommended, not rented
One newsletter we actually read ourselves, starting with a fellow Grand Rapids publication worth your time.
Save the Dates
Only the Michigan dates worth knowing
Just a few to keep on your radar. We know your calendar's full enough already.
That's a wrap. See you Tuesday for the national edition.
Matt Gira
Creator @ Bookmark
Backed by a person, not a corporation
Reply to any edition and we'll actually get back to you. We're right here in Grand Rapids.