As Scott Kiaunis built a career in construction and building inspection, he kept noticing something important—every time he stepped into a compromised building, he stepped into a much bigger story. As a Municipal Dangerous Buildings Inspector, his work regularly brought him into contact with community and neighborhood services, the Red Cross, Child Protective Services, and other agencies responding to crisis. Those intersections deepened his belief that safe housing isn’t just about walls and roofs — it’s about stability, dignity, and community well-being.
Scott wanted to make an impact earlier in the process, before problems became emergencies. So he and his wife Kaila founded Fresh Coast Inspections in Norton Shores, an inspection business built on the idea that knowledge and prevention can change lives. With his deep experience in structural safety, and her business expertise, they help homeowners and prospective buyers understand the true condition of a property — empowering them to make informed, confident decisions that protect both their families and their investments.
But starting a mission-driven small business is rarely simple. Despite their expertise and vision, traditional lenders weren’t willing to provide the capital they needed for equipment, insurance, and early operating expenses. That’s when Northern Initiatives stepped in. With support from the Grand Haven Community Foundation, Northern Initiatives provided the financing Scott and Kaila needed to open the doors and begin serving their community.
Today, Fresh Coast Inspections is doing more than evaluating homes — it’s strengthening neighborhoods, preventing crises, and ensuring that more families in West Michigan have access to safe, reliable housing from the very start.
