South Haven Region Business Hub

Helping small businesses grow.

South Haven Area

Growth Series

Work on your business, not just in your business.

The South Haven Region Business Hub’s Growth Series is designed for organizations at least 3 years old who want to grow. The process starts with technology called the Growth Wheel that identifies gaps and sets up a customized milestone-based plan for the organization to follow.

Along with one-on-one individual mentoring during the 14 weeks participants will attend in-person workshops focusing on additional processes for consistency and growth not identified through the Growth Wheel.

Entrepreneur Application

By participating in the South Haven Region Business Hub Growth Series for small businesses you’ll have the opportunity to take a step back, look at the big picture and work on your business, not just in your business. Over the 14 weeks of the series, you will have the opportunity to build your business strategy, create your vision, determine your competitive advantage, and align all aspects of your business for growth.

Program Requirements

  • Applicant is required to have been in business three years or more, have at least one employee, and have annual revenues or $100,000 or more.
  • Applicant must agree to attending the 14 workshop sessions.
  • Applicant must agree to meet either via Zoom or in person for one-on-one mentoring for a minimum number of agreed upon meetings over the 14-week program.
  • Applicant agrees to meet the weekly and monthly milestones assigned (milestones are discussed and agreed upon by mentor and mentee).

To qualify for consideration into the program, please complete this application by April 15 by 6 p.m.

The Business Concept Paper should be single-spaced, size 11 font in either Calibri or Times New Roman font and should not exceed 2 pages for the narrative (sections 1-4) and no more than 1 page for financials (section 8). No logos, visuals, website addresses, social media handles, or external links may be used. Concept papers that do not meet these requirements will NOT be accepted for review.
  1. Business Summary
    • Describe the product or service that you will offer and the market that you serve.
    • Describe how your product or services helps solve a need your potential customers have.
  2. Target Audiences
    • Identify your customers and how you will reach them.
    • How are you addressing an unmet need they have?
  3. Market/Industry Analysis/Competition
    • Identify the specific market segment(s) addressed by your business and its approximate size.
  4. Value Proposition
    • Describe the advantages or unique qualities (value proposition) of your product or service.
  5. Industry Trends
    • Outline Industry trends or regulations that might affect the growth of your business.
  6. Management Team
    • Describe the current management team and include a brief description of the team’s relevant experience.
  7. Marketing
    • Describe current marketing/sales activities of your business.
    • Describe what marketing/sales activities you will use moving ahead.
  8. Financials
    • Explain how your business currently generates or will generate revenue Additionally, explain any future sources of funding.
    • Describe any key partnerships that your business requires to operate (examples: vendors, suppliers, distribution partners)
You must complete the form online and click Submit. You may email attachments or this printed and completed document to Debi Howe at debihowe1960@gmail.com. If you have extra attachments you may email them as well. If you have any questions call Debi Howe at (269) 207-0747.

All South Haven Region Business Hub programs or co-sponsored events are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Arrangements for persons with disabilities are made when requested two weeks in advance.

Thank you so much for the help. This wouldn’t have been possible without you. Am very grateful for your help and support and all the encouragement and positive vibes. God bless you!

—Isa Clark

I appreciate all that you do to support small businesses in the region. You are knocking it out of the park!

—Sonja A. Dean, Senior Program Officer, LISC

Thank you so much for your help and direction! Thank you so much for always being here for me to help, motivate, direct, and encourage me. Underground Hu$tle would really be nonexistent if it weren’t for you!  Thank you so much for being you and everything you continue to do.

—Jäquil Short

We look forward to seeing more programing and resources from the South Haven Region Business Hub.

—Josh Musinski, Water and Wheat, Vegan Chef Crafted Creations

WE GOT APPROVED FOR OUR NEW RESTAURANT!!! I can’t thank you enough for your guidance, mentorship, expertise, and motivation. We greatly appreciate your efforts towards the growth of Fruit Street Kitchen!

—Mo’Nique Crowley, Fruit Street Kitchen

Thank you for all your help as always I can’t sing your praises enough.

—Brent Wedding, Business Banking Relationship Manager, PNC Bank

I do appreciate your help with all my heart and am not particularly sure how to express the gratitude that dwells in my heart right now. Thank you and may you be blessed always!

—Isa Clark, Clark Special Kitchen

Can't thank you enough for being at my presentation this morning. I'm so thankful for absolutely everything you have done for me and The Donut Cart thus far. Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!

—Amber Gille, Realtor, The Donut Cart

Thank you so much; I knew when I met you, you were like an angel. I appreciate you so much and I won’t let you down. Your hard work in what you are doing in the community is appreciated.

—Jamie Bigby, Entrepreneur

I just wanted to say thank you for sharing so much information. I look forward to being able to be involved in this great networking experience. I really will call on your assistance for help with this Business Plan.

—Joanna Partee, Silver Fox Assistant, LLC

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South Haven Region Business Hub - A partnership between the City of South Haven, the South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce, and Lake Michigan College. Powered by the South Haven Community Foundation.

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