Success Stories

Creating prosperous communities and thriving businesses

Featured Success Stories

Messersmith Manufacturing

Bark River, Michigan
Messersmith Manufacturing of Bark River, Mich., designs, manufactures and installs biomass boiler systems. Messersmith was incorporated in 1982 by Gailyn and Valerie Messersmith and is…
Story More Stories

A | M Floral and Gifts

Newaygo, Michigan
Amy McKinley has run businesses before and even has a degree in business. But she knows enough about business to know she doesn’t know enough.…
Story More Stories

Brewery Outré

Kalamazoo, Michigan
Ted Linabury wrote his first business plan in high school. It was for custom rollercoasters rich people could build in their yards. The second one,…
Story More Stories

Supermercado Mexico

Grand Rapids, Michigan
  “Northern Initiatives saw the potential we saw and was the first lender who helped us ... You are the ones who made this happen.”…
Story More Stories

Snackwerks

Battle Creek, Michigan
The sweet smells of cinnamon and apples waft through a northside Battle Creek neighborhood that is traditionally one of the poorest in the state. A…
Story More Stories

All Success Stories

1668 Winery
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
“Northern Initiatives helped pinpoint our deficiencies and provided coaching and advice that resulted in changes for the better." - Ray Bauer, owner of 1668 Winery…
Story
Paddle Hard Brewing
Grayling, Michigan
“Their new loan helped us move from a one-barrel system to a 10-barrel system. We hope this increased capacity will help us keep up with…
Story
Lake Effect Associates, LLC
Traverse City, Michigan
  "I needed a lending partner that understood my business model and could finance it. Because I had worked with Northern Initiatives on the tourism…
Story
Huron Mountain Bakery
Marquette and Ishpeming, Michigan
"[Northern Initiatives’ Profit Mastery Course] was an amazing class and I’d take it again if I had the time.” - John Scheidt, owner of Huron…
Story
Roz’s Diner
Rosebush, Michigan
“Northern Initiatives took a chance on us. I think they recognized that no matter what, we’d make it happen.” - Chris Bair, owner Roz’s Diner,…
Story
Newaygo Brewing Company
Newaygo, Michigan
“Due in large measure to Northern Initiatives’ business services and early financial support, we experienced almost spontaneous success. From the moment of our soft launch,…
Story
Rialto Theater
Grayling, Michigan
Not only has it operated continuously for a century, the Rialto has always been owned by the Stancil family. It is probably the oldest family-run…
Story
Upper Peninsula Audiology
Houghton, Michigan
Since the first day, the clinic has been busy. In fact, Dr. Collard decided to postpone planning a grand opening reception until spring of 2016…
Story
Rare Bird Brewpub
Traverse City, Michigan
As they prepare to celebrate their first year anniversary, Rare Bird is on pace for at least 20% net growth in 2015 delighting everyone involved…
Story