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Heart Your Kidneys, Friends of Ford and Racing for the Cure

Share the goods.

Okay, so perhaps one of my longer blog titles…but admit it, pretty catchy.
I don’t know how to even begin relating or explaining to all of you, how thankful 834 is to have a friend in Shelley Irwin and to be able to chat with her once a month on all things nonprofit, small business and networking on our segment Your Biz, Your Town.

This month is no different, besides being right before a holiday and maybe having a few less listeners, we have amazing guests. The Grand Rapids African American Health Institute has been doing phenomenal outreach, advocacy and education within the community, specifically to the African American population. Their latest endeavor is the Heart Your Kidneys’ campaign. Did you know that due to the high rate of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, African Americans have an increased risk of developing kidney failure and requiring dialysis treatments or a kidney transplant to live? Kind of a staggering fact, and one that GRAAHI is working to combat. I encourage you to check it out, did I mention they are giving away some pretty sweet prizes? Oh and take the kidney quiz, I dare you.

I am proud to say, that as of last week Team 834 signed up for the Susan G. Komen West Michigan Race for the Cure. Did you know that this is the 15th year for Race for the Cure and that the first year, our very own Betty Ford was the honorary chair? This year Betty Ford’s daughter, Susan Ford Bales has signed on to be the honorary 15 year ambassador. Talk about coming full circle! Get on board, join Team 834 or start your own team and help this amazing organization fund critical breast cancer services in our community. What is given local, stays local. Join here, I challenge you.
I am full of challenges and dares today.

Now, who doesn’t love President Ford? If you don’t, you are unAmerican or at the very least not from west Michigan. Did you know that we have the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation housed within our very own Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum? Pretty cool. They host some amazing educational events every year. I encourage you to check them out.

Get involved people! We have great organizations such as these right in our backyard, and they need support, assistance and community love.

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Recent Musings

Something on Your Mind?

Have you tuned into The Happy Hour Hustle Podcast yet?
If not, a) you’re missing out and b) you need to follow immediately. Hosted by @bodespeaks, episodes drop every other week, and feature some pretty bada$$ guests if we do say so ourselves.

This week, Kim sits down with @kelsey_orchard , VP of Marketing and Communications at @fifthwheelfreight to chat building a personal brand, Gen Z entering the workforce, misconceptions about logistics, spotting fake LinkedIn profiles – oh and why your GPA doesn’t matter anymore.

Grab a watermelon margarita, sit back and enjoy for lots of laughs and real talk.

Listen now at the link in bio.
National Perimenopause Month starts today. We have a LOT to say, and we’re not going to be quiet about it, especially this month, so buckle up.

We were not prepared for perimenopause, much like our periods, sex, or anything else to do with our bodies. God forbid we talk about it openly.

We were taught to be ashamed, keep quiet, and to accept that it is just part of being a woman. We reject that narrative. In fact, like @bodespeaks, we want to bring it up in every conversation. 

When we normalize perimenopause and the conversation around it, we stop isolating, and we’re all more prepared.
Join us for Uncomfortable Conversations: The Pause on September 24th — a powerful conversation hosted alongside the @smallbusinessassocofmichigan 
Women’s Business Council, featuring some kicka$$ experts who will give you the real talk on perimenopause (more to come on them later).

Register at the link in bio.
You asked, we delivered.

Introducing the Women's Owners Network - a new program built for what comes first, joining our proven Fellowship model to support Michigan women at every stage of business ownership.

Whether you've got a team of 10 or it's just you and your laptop, you deserve a room full of women who get it.

Six months of leadership, finance, operations, capital access, paired with real support for the isolation, emotional volatility, and decision fatigue that come with owning your own business.

You'll have your own board of directors in your corner, including @bodespeaks plus a group of mentors, instructors, and coaches who've been exactly where you are.

Applications due October 1. Apply now at the link in bio.
"I am big enough to admit that I am often inspired by myself" - Leslie F*ucking Knope 

You are the hero in your own story. Be like Leslie and believe it. 

Come to the Big Deal Energy Workshop, @bodespeaks will show you how.

It's personal branding with a shot of tequila. Register in bio.
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