Success Stories

Creating prosperous communities and thriving businesses

Featured Success Stories

Smith Truck Body

Rosebush, Michigan

Curtis Smith is sure of one thing: There will always be garbage. Smith has worked nearly a decade in waste hauling and recycling. He opened…

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Blossom Bird Bubble Tea

Marquette, Michigan

Kaila and Daniel Ball, newly married during the pandemic, had dreams of something fresh, away from metro Detroit. “We had plans to move to Oregon,”…

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PM School

Escanaba, Michigan

Mary Doyen and Peg Lippens have made some pretty savvy decisions for a couple of new business owners. “We had students who were completing school…

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Sleepy Dog Books

Mt. Pleasant, Michigan

Riley and Jennifer Justis had always dreamed of owning a bookstore. The pandemic gave them more time to dream. And plan. And make it happen.…

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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…

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All Success Stories

Bauman Engraving & Signs

Kingsford, Michigan

"Northern Initiatives helped us develop solid business and marketing plans, set future goals and take care of other details related to running and growing…

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HOTplate Pottery

Marquette, Michigan

"I’m so grateful Northern Initiatives was willing to take a chance by helping me secure a loan to purchase all of the assets and equipment."…

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Zilke Farm Kitchen

Milan, Michigan

"Northern Initiatives helped us manage securing our loan, putting ‘money in the bank.’ We can already see the fruits of that, after only two short…

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Right Away Restoration & Cleaning, LLC

Alpena, Michigan

"[Northern Initiatives has] really been there for moral support as well, and that's valuable." - Juli Sauve, owner of Right Away Restoration & Cleaning, LLC…

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Busy Boys Home Solutions

Marquette, Michigan

“I don’t think there’s one aspect of our business Northern Initiatives hasn’t helped us with.” – Barrett Kaib, Co-Owner of Busy Boys Home Solutions…

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Terroir Wood Studio

Boyne City, Michigan

“Northern Initiatives met with me in my studio, provided me with the funding to expand my customer reach, and helped with web page development,…

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51st State Brewing Company

Kingsford, Michigan

“Money is obviously a big part of starting a business, so we really appreciated Northern Initiatives’ help in that area. They also provided training…

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Ruff Life Pet Outfitters

Petoskey, Michigan

"We’re thankful for Northern Initiatives’ support in the form of working capital, but more for their guidance. They’ve helped us advance our understanding of inventory…

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