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McDonalds, Happy Cows, Nonprofit Camp and Shelley Irwin

Share the goods.

I gotta tell ya, I love cramming Shelley Irwin’s WGVU studio with guests every month for Your Biz, Your Town. This month was no different, lots of exciting guests – all with a unique story to tell.

Listen here.

Michael Rodewald, whose family owns several local McDonalds was able to educate listeners on the many misconceptions the community has about the restaurant. Did you know that Michigan is a test market for new menu items? If the new product is approved here, it is then rolled out nationally. Wonder what that says about us? Rodewald also informed listeners that ingredients come from local growers and that the majority of the money spent in the community, stays within the community – I believe 80% – 85%. I think that is pretty fantastic, feel free to disagree with me.

We then chatted with Ryan Cappelletti who is one of several employees at Bartertown Diner, which focuses on vegi/vegan/raw and is worker owned and operated. Ryan explained that being worker owned and operated means that all employees are part of the decision making process, make the same wage and all tips are shared. How great is that? I am thinking of applying, hopefully it isn’t necessary for me to have any skill in the kitchen. Oh and did I mention they only work with happy cows.

Shelley and I were also excited to welcome GR GiveCamp board members – Adam Bird and Jonathan Tower. I happen to think that GR GiveCamp is one of the coolest services out there for nonprofits. And the best part? It’s free! GiveCamp is a weekend-long event where technology professionals – from designers, developers and database administrators to marketers and web strategists – donate their time to provide solutions for non-profit organizations. The guys mentioned that they are in need of lots more VOLUNTEERS – programmers, designers and those that just want to hang out and assist. Yep, it is on a weekend, but think how much you are giving back…get it…GIVEcamp.

Tune in next month on the 4th Friday as we chat all things business, nonprofits and Grand Rapids. Shelley is a rock star and I tag along.

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Recent Musings

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We love Dr. Karen May’s mission.

What if we taught our daughters AND our sons about women’s health, hormones, and pregnancy? Not as a whispered “talk” or a one-time awkward conversation. Just normal dinner-table stuff.

The girls deserve to know what’s coming (perimenopause shouldn’t be a surprise party nobody wanted). And the boys? They’ll be partners, dads, coworkers, and bosses to women going through all of it.

Thank you, Dr. May, for sharing your best practices to keep the women’s health conversation going at our Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause event.
Showing up to an interview with an iced coffee? Not the move… unless it’s for @bodespeaks

#icedcoffee #agency #PR #trending #grandrapids
… and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Meet Joey, one of @bodespeaks’ nine rescues and 8THIRTYFOUR’s self-appointed office manager. She’ll happily accept head pats and belly rubs, but make no mistake: she’s always watching.
The Women’s Owners Network (WON) is built for smaller businesses that are ready for the next level and need the right support to get there, whatever that looks like.

The six-month program combines the practical side of business with the emotional side. Participants work on leadership, finance, operations, and access to capital. They also get structured support for isolation, emotional volatility, and decision fatigue that come with owning a business.

WON is designed by entrepreneurs who have been there. They know that lasting business growth depends on personal growth and the resilience it takes to keep going.

This program gives women business owners thoughtful, well-rounded support to reach their next chapter, however they define it.

Who is WON built for?
Women founders who are in the thick of it and are:

- Past the idea stage: actively generating revenue and serving customers
- Committed to growth: ready to invest six months in the work, starting in November

Apply for the upcoming cohort at the link in bio. Applications close Oct 1.
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