Southwest Michigan First Chamber

This morning's Rise & Thrive Coffee Connect at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport was full of energy and great conversations! The Chamber is for YOU. So get out here! Our goal is to create a welcoming space where everyone can connect, grow, and get an insider's look at a community gem, all while having a great time.???Join us next month and make a connection before you start your day! If you met someone today, tag?them in the comments or tag a colleague you’d love to bring to the next Coffee Connect. Let’s keep growing and thriving together. Who knows where it may lead!? ? Shout out to our Rise & Thrive Coffee Connect partner, Honor Credit Union - the official sponsor of this morning’s brew. ??

Have you explored the first edition of The Chamber Connector yet? We’re spotlighting the latest Chamber news, showcasing our amazing member organizations, and delivering must-read content for your business. In this issue, we dive deep into strategies for attracting and retaining early-career professionals. Don’t miss out and stay tuned for our Winter 2024 edition in partnership with Town Square Publications! Check out The Chamber Connector Summer 2024 ??https://lnkd.in/gTKyTQ9a

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our Connect for a Cause event yesterday evening! Because of YOU we broke a period product repackaging record at Care Collective of Southwest Michigan! Volunteers from AVB, PNC, Greenleaf Hospitality Group, West Michigan Interiors, Flynn Thiel P.C., Public Media Network, 1st Source Bank, Hobby-Sports.com, and United Bay Community Credit Union helped us make a real impact. Together, we repackaged 286 tampon kits—totaling 14,300 products—providing worry-free menstrual cycles for 286 Kalamazoo teens. We couldn’t be more grateful for your support and commitment to making our community a better place. Thank you for showing up, working hard, and making a difference!

Reminder: Seeds for Growth event – this Thursday! Don’t miss the final Seeds for Growth – Kitchen Table Conversations this Thursday, October 10, from 4:30PM - 6:30PM at the Catalyst Center in Downtown Kalamazoo in partnership with Huntington Bank. Join us for insightful panel discussions with local business support experts and successful entrepreneurs, all while enjoying great music from DJ Kee, bites from Dabney & Co., and drinks from Stamped Robin. This free event is your chance to gain valuable tools to help grow your business! RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/g3i52e-6

We’re excited to highlight The Barton Group, sponsor of the Women-Owned Business of the Year award for this year’s Chamber’s Choice Awards! With their expert consulting and advisory services in construction and commercial real estate, The Barton Group is driving success for businesses across the board. Thank you for championing entrepreneurship and supporting and empowering women-owned businesses. Learn more about their team at bartongroupllc.com.

We’re excited to partner with Moxie Mastermind, a powerful organization that’s making a real impact for professional women in our community. Moxie Mastermind’s mission is to connect, encourage, and advance women in business through meaningful conversations, networking, and professional development. Don’t miss their October Mastermind Luncheon next week, happening at the Southwest Michigan First Catalyst Center in Downtown Kalamazoo! This event brings together local women entrepreneurs, leaders, and professionals for an afternoon of insight, collaboration, and inspiration. You’ll hear from expert speakers on topics designed to fuel your personal and professional growth, and you'll walk away with fresh ideas, motivation, and maybe even a few new business connections! Tag your fellow women in business, and let’s make this an empowering event to remember! For more details and to register, visit: https://lnkd.in/gnxKk-wC Did you know Moxie is the “mastermind” behind the Kalamazoo Women’s Lifestyle Expo? Follow their page and tap into this resource for women in Southwest Michigan. Do you have Moxie?

As we wrap up celebrating last year’s Chamber’s Choice winners, we’re shining a light on Jeannie Cleaning, our 2023 Woman-Owned Business of the Year! Not only does Jeannie Cleaning provide exceptional cleaning services, but they also go above and beyond by offering free cleaning for cancer patients—a truly inspiring way to give back to our community. We’re so proud to have such a compassionate and dedicated business in our Chamber! Check out the video and visit jeanniecleaning.com to learn more. https://lnkd.in/gH38Asuz

?? You’re invited to the final Seeds for Growth – Kitchen Table Conversations! ?? Join us for the third and final event in the Seeds for Growth series, designed to help entrepreneurs in the greater Kalamazoo region navigate the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. This free event is specifically for business owners and founders, offering valuable insights and real-life success stories to empower and inspire you on your business journey. ? What to Expect: Panel One: Hear from business support resource providers, including experts from the Small Business Development Center, Local Support Initiatives Corporation, Kalamazoo Entrepreneurial Network, El Concilio, and more. They’ll share how their teams can help you with everything from business planning and funding to connecting with fellow entrepreneurs. Panel Two: Listen to successful founders like Jeremiah Smith (Allegiant Linen Services), Joshua Gipson (Precision Productions), Doreen Gardner (Papa’s Peanut Brittle), Kim Guess (The Xperience by Luxury Escapes), and Greg Wallace (iAtO Fitness) as they share the highs and lows of navigating the local ecosystem to grow their businesses. Their stories will highlight both the successes and the challenges, helping guide the next generation of entrepreneurs. ? Event Highlights: Sounds by DJ Kee, delicious bites from Dabney & Co., and drinks from Stamped Robin. A focus on closing gaps in entrepreneurship for Black and Brown communities, in partnership with Huntington Bank’s Lift Local Business program. Insights on preparing your business for funding, building a capital stack, and transitioning from self-employment to scalable entrepreneurship. ?? Date: Thursday, October 10 ?? Time: 4:30PM - 6:30PM ?? Location: Catalyst Center, 180 E Water Street, Kalamazoo, MI Let’s close out this series with impactful conversations, actionable insights, and new connections. RSVP today and be part of this empowering event! ?? RSVP Here https://lnkd.in/gAwYeCwf #SeedsForGrowth #KitchenTableSeries #Entrepreneurship #KalamazooBusiness #SMFChamber #HuntingtonBank