Spencer Alverson learned to fish on the rivers around Midland—wading into the Titabawassee and Chippewa as a kid, casting lines where curiosity mattered more than technique. Years later, those same rivers pulled him downtown to Little Forks Outfitters, a fly-fishing shop just a block from their confluence. At first, he came for the camaraderie: the stories, the advice, the quiet wisdom traded among anglers.
Then he stayed to learn the business.
Over seven years as an employee, Spencer absorbed everything—from inventory and cash flow to marketing and customer relationships. When the opportunity came to buy the business, he was ready. Traditional banks, however, saw the purchase as a startup and said no. That’s when Northern Initiatives stepped in. Using an SBA Community Advantage loan—paired with a seller who believed deeply in Spencer—Northern Initiatives helped him cross the line from employee to owner.
Once he had the keys, Spencer focused on preserving what already worked. Little Forks Outfitters occupies half a city block and serves as a true downtown anchor. Its experienced team of three full-time employees continues to outfit outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds, host fly-tying and fishing classes, and share the expertise that keeps customers coming back. Spencer also embraces the store’s role in the community, welcoming holiday Cocoa Crawlers, summer street concerts, and celebrating the region’s history and natural heritage.
That heritage runs deep. The store’s name honors the Chippewa people and the area’s wilderness roots, reflected in local murals and supported through the Little Forks Conservancy. Today, the business thrives both in-store and online, ships packages daily across the country, and leads guided fishing trips from Michigan’s “sacred” Upper Manistee River to winter waters in the Bahamas and Mexico.
With the right financing and a strong belief in the entrepreneur behind the vision, Northern Initiatives helped keep a beloved business—and a community gathering place—right where it belongs.
