Business Support

Every business owner
needs money
and know-how

Our business support doesn’t stop at access to capital

We want to maximize your growth opportunities and position you for success. Our personalized business coaching focuses on cash flow and profitability to help ensure that a business’s sales and marketing efforts align with its financial goals.

We also started Initiate to give our customers, startups, and mission-driven lenders, 24/7 access to our online business resources, including 100s of interactive tools, templates, videos, and guides.

“Initiate has been a great tool for our technical assistance program. We send clients curated content based on their needs, which reinforces concepts we covered during our coaching sessions. Best of all, as a bilingual business coach, I can pull from content in English and Spanish!”

– Aldo Medina Martinez, Business Services Program Lead, Craft3

Aldo Medina Martinez

How It Works

For Customers

We support our customers throughout the life of their loan, with blended learning through one-on-one coaching, cohorts and group training, our online learning portal Initiate, and customized consulting.
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For Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Looking to learn more about how to get your business off the ground? We support startups every step of the way, from business planning to market analysis to financing options. We help you create a successful business with our online resources, one-on-one coaching, and partnerships throughout the state.
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For Mission Lenders

Provide your entrepreneurs with the business support they need with a subscription to Initiate, our powerful online learning portal. Each subscription comes with extensive onboarding and training, and in-depth reporting.
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Helping Businesses be Good Stewards

Our Good Jobs work, partly supported by the Aspen Institute and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is designed to create businesses that are good stewards – of their employees, their communities, and the planet.

We’ve partnered with Good For Michigan to created specialized cohorts, typically grouped geographically. Cohort members gather regularly to collaborate on creating a local impact. They also utilize tools such as the SDG Action Manager and B Impact Assessment to set and achieve positive and measurable place-based impacts.

Learn More about the Cohorts

Our Business Support Focus Areas

Startups

A Strong Beginning

We help with:
  • Business Planning
  • Smart Growth
  • Capacity Planning
  • Hiring Resources and Training

Money

Cash Flow and Profitability

We help with:
  • Creating and Reviewing Financial Statements
  • Break-Even and Profit Planning
  • Pricing for Profitability
  • Financial Systems

Marketing

Sales Growth and Awareness

We help with:
  • Creating an Effective Marketing Plan
  • Branding and Positioning
  • Finding and Keeping Customers
  • Building Online Awareness

Management

Enhance Business Operations

We help with:
  • Time Management
  • Risk Management
  • Technology Systems
  • Cybersecurity

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
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Our Support Doesn’t Stop There

More Business Resources

Entrepreneur Education Programs

You provide the big idea, and we’ll work alongside you to help bring it to reality. You’ll be in the driver’s seat, but we’ll walk alongside you with resources from online resources to bi-lingual personal coaching.

Learn More
Support of All Sizes

Northern Initiatives knows one size doesn’t fit all. We work with everyone from global manufacturers to sole proprietorships. Their success is our success.

Read More
Initiate Resources

Get to know the power of Initiate with resources open to all, including the 5Cs of Credit, and a Business Plan template.

Learn More

Ready to get Started?

Want to learn more about our business services? Get in touch with us to find out how we can support you!

Get Started