Historias de éxito

Creando comunidades prósperas y negocios prósperos

Featured Success Stories

Fox and Hen Vineyards

Grand Haven, Michigan
Wil Malski was pretty excited when he planted his first grapes in 2014. The heartbreak was equally strong when he had to rip them out…
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Tastefull Vegan

Wyoming, Michigan
Kalene McElveen grew up on the east side of Detroit in a food desert. “Our closest grocery store was a liquor store,” she says. There…
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Suipi’s East End Eatery

Battle Creek, Michigan
Za Nei Thuai knows her gift is feeding people. “God gave me the talent to cook,” says the 49-year-old Burmese refugee known as Suipi (Swee-Pee).…
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Yummy Delights on the Lakeshore

Muskegon, Michigan
If you need another example of how business ownership builds generational wealth, there’s one happening in Muskegon. Mari Romero owns Yummy Delights by the Lakeshore,…
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Dabney & Co.

Kalamazoo, Michigan
For years, Daniel May has been a driving force behind community celebrations in Kalamazoo, including a Juneteenth bar crawl that left an indelible mark on…
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All Success Stories

Little Black Rake
Gladwin, Michigan
“(Northern Initiatives) has been so much better than any other lending institution.” - Dave Moore, Little Black Rake Mary Moore just wanted to continue selling…
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Mosley School of Cosmetology
Grand Rapids, Michigan
“I want to make sure I’m dealing with people the right way. I want everyone to be successful and yet feel loved and wanted.” –…
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The Only Cannoli
Muskegon, Michigan
“You have a dream and you think you know how to make that dream come true, but it’s so wonderful to have the resources available.…
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Five Pillars Farm
Eau Claire, Michigan
  Sherman Reed has always been a thorough researcher, so when his research pointed him to Northern Initiatives, he researched some more and surprised even…
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Tip’N The Mitten
Grayling, Michigan
A chance to give back to the community popped up during the summer of 2020 when another downtown business owner announced he was ready to…
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PM Power Group
White Pine, Michigan
“Northern Initiatives told us, 'It's an honor. We've got faith in you.' That means a lot.” Zach Halkola, COO, PM Power Group Zach Halkola remembers…
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Ragsdale Home Furnishings
Battle Creek, Michigan
"I started my business using credit cards to purchase inventory and equipment. At the time, I didn't know groups like Northern Initiatives were out there…
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Drifa (Marquette Brewing Cooperative)
Marquette, Michigan
"Northern Initiatives took us from the days when we couldn't sell beer to when we could sell again!" David Gill, President of Drifa A global…
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Advanced Interactive Response Systems (AIRS)
Newaygo, Michigan
"I kept seeing issues with patients running out of oxygen or getting low. I knew I could design something." - Valerie Obenchain, founder of Advanced…
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