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Of Course GR is a Great Place to Start a Small Business

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A mug filled with pens at the 8THIRTYFOUR office

On March 1, ***@*******gn.com&utm_content=2662%253A%2520GRBJ%2520Daily%253A%2520Partners%2520revamping%2520urban%2520bar&ut” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>The GRBJ reported that Grand Rapids is the Number 2 city for “new small businesses” and we aren’t a bit surprised.
As a small business in our 11th year, we can attest that this City is an amazing place to take the leap and start a new company. Like all good things, starting a new business takes a lot of hard work, determination, and the ability to learn (quickly) from failure.
Lucky for us, and the other small businesses in our area, Grand Rapids offers a host of resources to help…there are actually so many we can’t list them all, but we do want to give a shout out to a few that have been instrumental in our growth:

The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce

We are proud Chamber members. Access to great programs and networking opportunities is really priceless, and we love that the Chamber works hard to connect with small companies. They are a great team that listens to our concerns and helps find solutions. They are moving into a new space soon to even better serve their membership, which shows how committed they are to Grand Rapids.

Small Business Association of Michigan

Ok, yes, this is technically a state-wide organization, but hear us out: we have met so many incredible business owners operating right here in West Michigan through our involvement with SBAM, in addition to great people all over the state. Being able to connect with local community members who have experienced the exact same challenges that we have is key to moving forward successfully.

Our Clients

8THIRTYFOUR works with hyper-local companies, international companies, and everything in-between, and we love them all for different reasons. There is, however, something cool about getting to work with members of our own City on their integrated communications needs. We have been able to help other people launch their own small businesses right here in Grand Rapids. People in this community are visionary, smart, and creative – and we get to be a part of their success.
So, what are you waiting for? Small businesses power the economy, and Grand Rapids is the perfect place to do it! Take advantage of all that our City has to offer, and take the leap!

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We’re officially two days out…

Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause is happening this Thursday, Sept 24, and we’re getting real about perimenopause with a panel of industry experts who have the answers (see our speaker spotlights for more details).

Come for the expert insight. Stay because you get to hang with us.

Registration closes soon. Grab your spot at the link in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18067707920767584
We’re officially two days out… Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause is happening this Thursday, Sept 24, and we’re getting real about perimenopause with a panel of industry experts who have the answers (see our speaker spotlights for more details). Come for the expert insight. Stay because you get to hang with us. Registration closes soon. Grab your spot at the link in bio.

Introducing our third speaker for Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause, happening this Thursday.

Meet @bitnermd, co-founder of @true.womenshealth, a concierge practice in West Michigan, focused on helping women thrive through midlife while reducing chronic conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, depression, and diabetes.

Dr. Bitner is a board-certified OB/GYN specializing in midlife, menopause, and sexual health. She’s the author of I Want to Age Like That! and has published peer-reviewed research on menopause care. She was named Menopause Practitioner of the Year by The Menopause Society in 2015. Dr. Bitner is committed to translating evidence into practical, scalable solutions that improve women’s health, confidence, and participation at work and in life. We’re beyond excited to have her join our panel discussion this Thursday.

Register now to hear from Dr. Bitner and our industry experts at The Pause on September 24th.

Secure your spot at the link in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18013559684753405
Introducing our third speaker for Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause, happening this Thursday. Meet @bitnermd, co-founder of @true.womenshealth, a concierge practice in West Michigan, focused on helping women thrive through midlife while reducing chronic conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, depression, and diabetes. Dr. Bitner is a board-certified OB/GYN specializing in midlife, menopause, and sexual health. She’s the author of I Want to Age Like That! and has published peer-reviewed research on menopause care. She was named Menopause Practitioner of the Year by The Menopause Society in 2015. Dr. Bitner is committed to translating evidence into practical, scalable solutions that improve women’s health, confidence, and participation at work and in life. We’re beyond excited to have her join our panel discussion this Thursday. Register now to hear from Dr. Bitner and our industry experts at The Pause on September 24th. Secure your spot at the link in bio.

Every WOSB deserves support, access, guidance, and a network, because when they have it, they’re unstoppable.

Just because you be small, does not mean you are not mighty. The Women’s Owners Network will accept its first cohort this November. Applications are due October 1.

Thank you to @lakemichigan_cu for partnering with us to provide this program. Their support means we can offer this at a significantly lower cost to business owners.

Go apply at the link in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18247359124310352
Every WOSB deserves support, access, guidance, and a network, because when they have it, they’re unstoppable. Just because you be small, does not mean you are not mighty. The Women’s Owners Network will accept its first cohort this November. Applications are due October 1. Thank you to @lakemichigan_cu for partnering with us to provide this program. Their support means we can offer this at a significantly lower cost to business owners. Go apply at the link in bio.

Introducing our second speaker for Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause, happening this Thursday.

Meet Cheryl Bergman, Executive Director of the @miwomenscomm.

Cheryl is a statewide policy leader driving economic opportunity and better health outcomes for women across Michigan. Appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2019, she brings together employers, healthcare experts, advocates, and policymakers to tackle the issues that actually move the needle - economic security, affordable childcare, and midlife women`s health.

Before this role, Cheryl helped elect Michigan`s first woman U.S. Senator and first woman Governor, and served as Senior Advisor on Governor Whitmer`s 2018 campaign.

She`s exactly the voice this conversation needs.

Join Cheryl and our powerhouse lineup of industry experts at The Pause on September 24th.

Link in bio to register - spaces are going fast.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 17876488173630026
Introducing our second speaker for Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause, happening this Thursday. Meet Cheryl Bergman, Executive Director of the @miwomenscomm. Cheryl is a statewide policy leader driving economic opportunity and better health outcomes for women across Michigan. Appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2019, she brings together employers, healthcare experts, advocates, and policymakers to tackle the issues that actually move the needle - economic security, affordable childcare, and midlife women's health. Before this role, Cheryl helped elect Michigan's first woman U.S. Senator and first woman Governor, and served as Senior Advisor on Governor Whitmer's 2018 campaign. She's exactly the voice this conversation needs. Join Cheryl and our powerhouse lineup of industry experts at The Pause on September 24th. Link in bio to register - spaces are going fast.

We love this trend, so we thought we’d jump on it and ask the team some “hard-hitting questions” to end the week.

We’re a team made up of Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. Find out who knows the most about the classics. Any guesses?

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 17917175178450239
We love this trend, so we thought we’d jump on it and ask the team some “hard-hitting questions” to end the week. We’re a team made up of Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. Find out who knows the most about the classics. Any guesses?

We`ve received so many questions from new grads about breaking into a competitive market as a young professional. It starts with one thing according to @bodespeaks: being the salesperson of YOU. Emulate the leaders in your industry and show up where they show up.

It`s not who you know, it`s who knows you
Use the playbook of people you admire
Show up consistently and be seen
A handwritten note beats 100 LinkedIn messages, always.

See more Bode wisdom at her YouTube channel linked in our bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18092872106558307
We've received so many questions from new grads about breaking into a competitive market as a young professional. It starts with one thing according to @bodespeaks: being the salesperson of YOU. Emulate the leaders in your industry and show up where they show up. It's not who you know, it's who knows you Use the playbook of people you admire Show up consistently and be seen A handwritten note beats 100 LinkedIn messages, always. See more Bode wisdom at her YouTube channel linked in our bio.
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