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Shop Small, Support Big

Share the goods.

Kim Bode talks about small businesses in the 8THIRTYFOUR office

Support your community this Saturday, November 24th, by shopping small for Small Business Saturday.
The team at 8THIRTYFOUR has taken all the work out of Small Business Saturday by highlighting some of our favorite businesses to get you ready to shop small. Be sure to watch the video and see each team member’s favorite small biz.

The Paper Studio

Ya’ll know we love handwritten notes, and The Paper Studio on Monroe Center just gets us. Stop in and pick up cards, stationery, notebooks, art, or sign up for one of their amazing classes.
On Small Business Saturday, they will giving away a product with every $40 purchase, offering holiday cards at a discount, and collaborating with neighboring retailers on Monroe Center for additional goodies.

Rustic City Living

If you have ever been to the 8THIRTYFOUR office, chances are you’ve seen our amazing wall featuring reclaimed wood, built by our friends at Rustic City Living.
Get to know these amazing best friends who specialize in farmhouse chic with custom woodworking solutions, signage, art, and more. Their retail location off of Plainfield is chock full of goodies and they will be paying the sales tax on all orders and gift wrap it to boot!

Schuil Coffee Co.

Did you really think we would have a list that didn’t include coffee? You are going to need that caffeine to fuel all your shopping on Small Business Saturday, so stop in and grab a latte, holiday blend, tea, or some sweet gear.
If you spend $40, you’ll even get a free tote to carry all of your goodies on Saturday.

Rebel Reclaimed

Avoid this adorable boutique at all costs if you are on a budget, it is impossible to not spend money buying unique and sassy gifts. They have everything from jewelry to books to cards to art to home decor – if you want to be the most popular person at a holiday party, then visit Eastown and stock up.
On November 24th 10% of all sales will be donated to Grand Rapids Pride Center, because they are just that wonderful.
 
These are just a few of the many fabulous retailers in our fair city, be sure to check out the likes of Gina’s Boutique, Kula Yoga, Books & Mortar and more.
What are your favorite local shops? Be sure to tag them and use the hashtags #shopsmall #smallbusinesssaturday to spread the small movement.

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Recent Musings

Something on Your Mind?

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 the rest of 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.
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?
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.
Meet our first speaker spotlight: Dr. Karen May, DC, CCSP, CCIP.

Dr. May owns and operates @mhneuropathycenter, and she's joining us for Uncomfortable Community Conversations: The Pause on September 24th to talk about something we don't talk about enough. 

Her career has spanned from elite sports medicine, including a stint as team physician for USA Bobsled and Skeleton as well as caring for pregnant moms and newborns and helping women navigate life’s transitions, always grounded in a belief in food as medicine and the body’s own capacity to heal. In 2017, that expertise was tested when a rare surgical complication left her fighting nerve damage in her own body. 

Drawing on decades of clinical practice and training, she rebuilt her health from the ground up — and has since helped thousands of people do the same. With over 20 years in holistic health care, she speaks today as both physician and peer.

Join us for The Pause on September 24th. Link in bio.
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