For Customers

It’s more than just a loan - it’s about helping your business thrive

Tammy and James Roerig Tri-Lakes Appliance Repair

Tri-Lakes Appliance Repair provides in-shop and in-home appliance repair, sells appliance parts, and offers Speed Queen washers and dryers. Beyond business, Tammy and James Roerigs mission includes giving back — repairing and donating used appliances to families in need.

Like many new business owners, the Roerigs’ early days were focused on simply keeping up. On top of just trying to learn the business, they were determining ways to streamline their procedures, and figure out things like employee policies, taxes, legal protections, accounting, and so much more; all of this felt overwhelming and unclear.

Thanks to Initiate, the online learning platform, the Roerigs gained access to structured, easy-to-use resources that helped them move from reactive to proactive.

Read The Success Story

Personal business coaching
every step of the way

In addition to providing loans to small businesses, Northern Initiatives wants to position you for success. Our business advisors work with you to focus on your business goals and objectives. Initiate, our online resource platform, provides over 130 interactive business guides, templates, videos, and calculators. 

View an Initiate Demo

Exclusive training for Northern Initiatives Customers

Initiate began as a way to gather and share our best practice business resources. Today, Initiate is a popular TA platform used by Northern Initiatives and other organizations throughout the United States. Its easy-to-use format standardizes the business advisor’s approach for working consistently with business clients. The focus is on areas that matter most to small businesses: Startups, Money, Marketing, and Management.

THE CHALLENGE
Before using Initiate, the vision for Flowers Automotive Recyclers lived
entirely in Ronald Flowers’ head. While the potential was clear, translating that vision into something tangible  especially for business lenders and partners — was a major hurdle.

HOW INITIATE HELPED
Initiate provided the tools and structure needed to turn Ronald’s ideas into action, connecting that day-to-day work with long-term business goals.

He actively used:
• Financial tools for cash flow, budgeting, and pricing
• Credit/lending readiness content
• Business planning and growth guides
• Operational tools

For Ronald, the most impactful support came from the financial and lending readiness tools. These resources helped him translate real-world work into a format that made sense to external stakeholders making the business not just understandable, but fundable.

READ THE SUCCESS STORY

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What Our Customers Are Saying

“When I first looked at the Northern Initiatives website I told my wife that if what they are saying here is true I hope we get our loan from them. Long story short, they are who they claim to be! They have a sincere appreciation for us and what we do. The resources they offer are priceless and make us feel as though we have an entire team walking right beside us through this journey. We are forever grateful for all they have done to make our dream a reality.”
Leslie MeyetteGrand Alpaca Company, Montague
Leslie Meyette
"There is help available, and from good people. Northern Initiatives brought technical, financial, and marketing tools to my business. I intend to share what I have learned with other small businesses in Battle Creek. We need to support each other."
Javier FortosoTorti Taco, Battle Creek
Javier Fortoso
“I am a significantly different person and businessman because of my relationship with Northern Initiatives. They have always been there for me, and have been a big part of my company’s success.”
Bob JacquartJacquart Fabric Products, Ironwood
Bob Jacquart
“I’ve been able to now calculate and see my break even and profitability numbers in addition to setting prices that are fair but will produce profits.”
Beth MillnerBeth Millner Jewelry, Marquette
Beth Millner
“This bakery would have not happened if Northern Initiatives didn’t exist. I went to every bank and it was the same story: nice plan, but we’re not giving out any money. One bank turned me on to Northern Initiatives and they were happy with the business plan. They helped us secure a loan for the building and equipment.”
Andrew BrandBake Superior Bread, Ironwood
Andrew Brand
“Northern Initiatives really raised the roof of possibility for me. They took the time to see what I was doing in the business and saw the potential and gave me opportunities.”
Richard FlowersReliable Medical Transport, Grand Rapids
Richard Flowers
“We are thankful Northern Initiatives came through for us because as young entrepreneurs starting a new business, we didn’t qualify for a traditional loan. Without NI we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
Brice SturmerVelodrome Coffee, Marquette
Brice Sturmer