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Cakes, Franchising and Marketing

Share the goods.

Today’s Your Biz, Your Town show guests are a diverse bunch, and we love it.
I would like to point out that I am not sure how Shelley manages her radio, TV show, emceeing 3 times a week, running 8 days a week and being mom to 3 little fur balls..has anyone checked to make sure there is only one of her? Or does she not sleep?
Well onto our guests.

Grand River Signs, FranNet
When Clark Communications told me about FranNet and local business owners, Russ & Donna Ramsay from Grand River Signs…I was very interested. FranNet provides education and support to individuals who are interested in exploring self employment as a career option through franchised business ownership. I have often had conversations with my husband about starting a business and we have always said that running an existing franchise is the way to go…but so many choices..where do you even start?

Local business owners, Russ & Donna Ramsay will share their story.
Here are some quick facts about franchising:

  • 42% higher success rate for franchises over startups.
  • Provide $660.9 billion of annual payrolls
  • Over 3,100 franchise concepts in over 90 different categories
  • There is no correlation between the cost of a franchise and the potential return.
  • Over $2.3 trillion business

Cakabakery
Local. Yummy. Creative. Those are the words that come to mind when I think of Cakabakery…and the fact that I hear the greatest things about owner, Jason Kakabaker. Yes, that is really his last name and if that isn’t fate, I don’t know what is.
Cakabakery  makes all of their cakes and desserts just for you from raw ingredients. That means they can make just about anything you’d like. They create desserts of all flavors, fillings, shapes and sizes.
Oh…did we mention he submitted an entry for the Food Network Cupcake Wars?

AMA West Michigan
The American Marketing Association of west Michigan  is a professional association for individuals and organizations involved in the practice, teaching and study of marketing worldwide. It is an organization that holds educational programs centered around current trends, topics and issues in the world of marketing.

Check out their upcoming programs.

Every month Your Biz, Your Town strives to highlight professional associations, nonprofits, upcoming events and spotlight small business.

Interested in being profiled? *@*******gn.com“>Email us.

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Recent Musings

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FUN FACT FRIDAY: It’s only fitting for us to own a building where a trailblazing female operated her businesses in 1906. The Phillips family represented one of the longest-running retail tenures in Grand Rapids history; L.E. Phillips Jewelry in the 1365 Plainfield Ave. building from 1906 until 1973. 
Dr. Eva Phillips, a certified and licensed optometrist ran her practice out of the jewelry store’s secondary parlor and was an equal partner in the jewelry store. 

Together, they offered a unique one-stop shot which expanded to include appliances, record players, and more. The couple operated the shop through two World Wars and the Great Depression, acting as the neighborhood matriarch and patriarch. 

@crestongr @crestoncorridor @crestongrandrapids @citygrandrapids @grandrapidspubliclibrary
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.
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