GROW (Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women) has been working with thousands of entrepreneurs since in 1989; all with dreams of becoming economically independent. GROW's entrepreneurial training, business counseling, networking opportunities, and financial resources provide the tools needed to start, run, sustain, and expand the businesses in our community. Whether the topic is finance, management, marketing, or strategic planning, GROW offers professional, high quality training and business counseling. GROW is an SBA certified Women's Business Center and receives a portion of their funding from the Small Business Administration (SMA). The remainder of their funding comes from local foundations, corporation, and individuals. The funds provided are to support our local organization's operational costs as well as helping to underwrite our trainings to further serve our economic disadvantaged markets.
Since 2010, GROW has served 3,068 clients with a result of 167 new businesses opening their doors and an addition of 324 jobs to our community. In 2012, GROW served 93% women, 32% minorities, 47% extremely low to moderate households and 11% single mother households. In addition, GROW provided the following: 983 attendees took advantage of 208 hours of entrepreneurial training and 546 sessions of free business counseling were conducted in 630 total hours. All of that adds up to huge local impact for Grand Rapids!
GROW
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From this issue
For nine years, Mimi Fritz, President and CEO of the Grand Rapids Downtown Market, worked as the director of the city of Holland Principal Shopping District. Included in that role was the creation, management and marketing of many seasonal events and programs, among them organizing the annual Kerstmarkt, an outdoor, European-style market with holiday items, delicious food and artisan demonstrations.
Our lives wouldn't be what they are without the stellar local establishments found around every corner of West Michigan, from the newly founded to the well-established and everything in between. Those local staples are what the West Michigan Woman Readers' Choice Awards are all about.
Many women know just how debilitating a migraine attack can be. Aside from the pain, they make functioning in our day to day lives feel close to impossible. And did you know women are much more susceptible to this delightful type of headache?
Looking for something different to do this holiday season and beyond?
There are plenty of options in greater West Michigan that may not be on your radar. Here, we've gathered some lesser-known attractions for you to explore—from galleries to performance venues to shops.