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This year's finalists for the Annual Entrepreneur Award are creative, passionate, and innovative entrepreneurs who are making a difference along the Muskegon Lakeshore. They provide our community with in-demand products and services, and have made a positive impact with the creation of new quality jobs.
 Harold Hall is the owner of Hall's Sports Center, a boat dealership and service center with locations in Muskegon, Grand Haven and Grand Rapids. Harold began his career as a boat salesman in high school and now employs 34 people between his three locations.
Michelle Harris is one of four partners in Harris Hospitality, which started with one restaurant and 30 employees in 2003 and has since grown to four restaurants and a catering business employing up to 175 people during the summer season. The Harris Group's establishments include Pints & Quarts Pub and Grill, C.F. Prime Chophouse & Wine Bar, Dockers Fish House & Lounge and their newest venture - Verdoni's Italian Restaurant.
 Frank and Gina Lister are the owners of the Hearthstone Restaurant. They have owned and/or operated a number of local establishments including the Brownstone at Muskegon County Airport, City Café, Rafferty's and others. In recent years, they have narrowed their focus to the Hearthstone and increasing their catering business. They currently employ upwards of 75 people.
 John Sytsema is the owner of Sytsema Funeral Homes
with three locations in Muskegon including Sytsema Chapel on Apple Avenue, Walburn Chapel on Sherman Boulevard, and Lee Chapel on Harvey Street. What began as a one man operation now has a full time staff of 34, including 12 licensed funeral directors, who serve approximately 700 families each year.
Find out who will win this prestigious award at the Annual Entrepreneur Award Luncheon on April 17. This event will also honor one high school student as the Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and feature a keynote presentation from Chris Lampen-Crowell, co-founder of Gazelle Sports. Click here to reserve your seats for this popular event.
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A Meeting with Governor Snyder...
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Your Chamber President, Cindy Larsen, and Board member Lee Coggin, President of Baker College, traveled to Lansing this week to hear Governor Snyder's latest message.
The Michigan State Chamber organized a "Chamber Day" at the capital and 27 chambers attended. The Governor repeated his message the we all need to be committed to "relentless positive action" in our efforts to rebuild our businesses, our community and our state.
Larsen and Coggin also heard updates on the progress made in reinventing state government. The Governor stressed the importance of making sure Chambers communicate business issues to elected officials. "I encourage chamber members to let us know about your experiences with state government," says Larsen. " Positive or negative, our elected officials need to hear about specific experiences to help them in their efforts to make Michigan the best that it can be!".
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New benefit helps maximize marketing $$
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 We have a new benefit for Chamber members and it's much more than email marketing! Announced earlier this year, Chamber members can now save up to 25% on email, event and social marketing services through Constant Contact.
If you are looking to maximize your marketing dollars and email marketing presence, we have just the tools to help!! Chamber members have access to an exclusive marketing playbook to help walk you through the ins and outs of email marketing.
Also, if you sign up with the member discount, Constant Contact will create a FREE custom email template to match your website ($100 value!). For more information on these services, click here.
To take your email marketing to the next level, come to our FREE email marketing seminar on May 22. Click here for more information.
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 Earlier this week the Muskegon City Commission voted 6-1 in favor of moving the County's Farmer's Market to a new location in Downtown Muskegon on Market Street.
Farmer's Markets are incubators for small business, and when strategically located, they are often catalysts for new commercial and residential development in surrounding neighborhoods.
"The Chamber Board supports the Market's move to Downtown Muskegon, says Chamber President Cindy Larsen. "Farmer's markets play an important role in communities as they can be a driving force for economic development and a destination for visitors." Click here if you are interested in learning more or donating to this project. |
Do you provide children's services or activities?
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 If you have a product or service that focuses specifically on children and/or families. You could be part of one of Muskegon's newest events -
The Lakeshore Art Festival, being managed by your Chamber, is partnering with the Muskegon Family YMCA to bring a new offering to the popular downtown art fair - The Children's Lane. The Children's Lane will feature free or low-cost, family-friendly, kid-centered arts, crafts, entertainment, retail and more. Additionally, the event will focus on engaging children (and families) in a healthy way, to educate them on positive living and to include elements of creativity, good eating habits and staying active. We are currently seeking organizations that are interested in participating in this event and we believe your organization could be a perfect fit. Click here for a summary of ways to get involved along with a form to identify your level of interest. |
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Date: 4.12.13
Time: 2 - 6 pm Ribbon Cutting at 2pm
Topic: Join us for a grand opening celebration at Christian Care Nursing Center & Memory Care Unit
Where: 2053 S. Sheridan
Cost: FREE to attend!
Date: 4.17.13
Time: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Topic: Entrepreneurs Run, not walk!
Where: Watermark 920
Cost: $40/member, $50/general admission
EVENT SPONSORS: Parmenter O'Toole, Fifth Third Bank, GoodTemps, Bank of Holland, Eagle Alloy, Hines Corporation, Muskegon Intermediate School District and NeXt I.T.
Date: 4.18.13
Time: 3 - 6 pm
Topic: Join us for an Open House celebration at Lake Woods Nursing & Rehab Center. Come see their newly remodeled facilities
Where: 1684 Vulcan Street in Muskegon
Cost: FREE to attend!
Date: 4.19.13
Time: 10 am Ribbon Cutting
Topic: Join us to celebrate the business expansion of Lakeshore Federal Credit Union!
Where: 2182 Lakeshore Drive
Cost: FREE to attend!
Date: 4.26.13
Time: 7:30 - 9 am
Topic: Blue Economy
Where: Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor
Cost: $16/member, $26/general admission
EVENT SPONSOR: Community Foundation for Muskegon County
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Date: 5.9.13
Time: 1 - 6 pm
Topic: The Lakeshore's premiere business to business expo
Where: Trillium Events
Cost: Booths still available for only $405!
Date: 5.16.13
Time: 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Topic: Summer Kick-Off Party
Where: Hall's Sports Center, 759 E. Broadway in Muskegon
Cost: $5 donation to the MLCC Foundation Date: 5.21.13
Time: 4:30 - 6 p.m.
Topic: A new networking event to introduce innovators to entrepreneurs who can make science and technology business developments happen.
Where: MAREC, 200 Veridian Dr. 49440
Cost: $5 donation to benefit the e-merge Entrepreneur Network Register: Call 231-722-4371 to register | |
Date: 5.22.13
Time: Noon - 1:30 (brown bag luncheon - lunch not provided)
Topic: Learn how to maximize your marketing dollars through the power of email marketing with Constant Contact authorized expert, Kim Schott.
Where: Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce
Cost: FREE to attend!
EVENT PARTNER: White Lake Chamber of Commerce
An alternative session is being offered at the White Lake Community Library on March 22, from 8 - 10 am.
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Use your Go Muskegon! mobile app for easy event registration.
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G & L Chili Dogs - Apple
G & L Chili Dogs - Sherman
G & L Chili Dogs - Sternberg
Handsome Hobo's
Hank's Tavern
Kids' Food Basket
O'Reilly Auto Parts - Apple
Pierson-Gibbs Homes, Inc.
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