The SBSH Scoop | Get Financial Clarity
(For People Who’d Rather Be Doing Literally Anything Else)
Let’s be honest: hardly anyone starts a business because they’re dying to spend their Saturday nights staring at a spreadsheet. If "the money stuff" is what keeps you awake at 2:00 AM, you aren't alone—and you don't have to tackle it by yourself.
You’re a Pro at Your Craft, Not a CPA (unless of course you are a CPA lol). We got you covered.
Whether you’re brewing the perfect cup of coffee or building homes, that’s your "zone of genius." But suddenly, you're expected to be an expert in Marketing, HR, and Finance all at once. That is a heavy lift for anyone. Expecting yourself to master every wing of your business perfectly isn't just stressful; it’s just impossible.
Enter Diana Goode | Your Financial "Translator"
That’s why we created the SMART Workshop series. We aren’t interested in dry, academic lectures. We’re here for practical, "roll-up-your-sleeves" help.
We’ve invited Diana Goode of Ops to lead this session. Diana is a fantastic human who translates complex financial "mumbo-jumbo" into plain English. She knows where small business owners get stuck and how to get you back to the work you actually love. Join us for a 3.5 hour workshop with zero-judgment, actionable advice, and walk away with a lot less dread.
Register for SMART Workshop on Finance
Business Spotlight | Kisro’s Lakeside Market - Deli-ightful!
What this SBSH grant funding truly represents is an opportunity for a more sustainable business.
In Luce County, the heart of the community often beats loudest at the local market. For Kisro’s Lakeside Market, that beat just got a high-tech boost. As a second-round recipient of the Small Business Support Hub (SBSH) direct grant, Kisro’s has been "stocking up" on more than just groceries—they’ve been investing in a more efficient future.
Running a market has its ups and downs, but for Kisro’s, the arrow is pointing decidedly up! Business is ahead of last year, thanks in part to some shiny new teammates: a state-of-the-art POS (Point of Sale) system, a label-printing scale, and a sleek new deli case.
Before the new system arrived, tracking inventory was a bit more labor intensive and harder to know exactly where it stood in any given moment. Now, the entire ordering process is streamlined, making it easier than ever to keep the shelves full of exactly what the neighborhood needs.
The "grate" (sorry couldn't help it) news is in the deli. Thanks to the new label-printing scale, staff can now print out scannable stickers for every order. It sounds like a small detail, but in the middle of a lunch or dinner rush, it makes the whole operation run like a well-oiled machine. It’s faster for the staff, more accurate for the customers, and a total game-changer for the local workforce who depend on this for a nightly meal. In a region where dinner options can be slim, Kisro’s deli is a vital resource for a meal after a long day.
Kisro’s Lakeside Market is proof that when a local staple gets the right support, the whole community wins. We are so proud to celebrate their growth and their commitment to keeping Luce County fed and fueled.
Next time you’re in the area, stop by, check out the new deli case, and grab a scan-ready sandwich. It’s the perfect way to support a business that is truly "scaling" to new heights!
SMART Sessions | Resources from SBA funding and financing
Latifa was ready and provided these great resources for the SMART Session earlier this week.
The SBA is funded to help you get some of the stuff you need to have a healthy business. Check out these resources.
Veteran Business Outreach Centers (VBOC)/VetBizCentral (Coverage area: Statewide) (Available to Veterans and their Spouses) https://www.vetbizcentral.org
Northern Great Lakes Initiatives – SBA Microlender Community Advantage SBLC
Home - Northern Initiatives
504 Lenders - Certified Development Company (CDC) - Statewide
Grow Michigan | (glcf.org)
SBA Small Business Loans (BFC) | Business Loans (oakgov.com)
Small Business Start-Up Loans in Michigan | MCDC (michigancdc.org)
Michigan Small Business Development Center (Coverage area: Statewide)
Get Started - Michigan SBDC
Mariah Goos - MGoos@MTU.EDU
SCORE (Coverage area: Statewide)
Find a Mentor | SCORE
Your Turn | How Are We Doing?
You’re out there running businesses, juggling everything from inventory to snowbanks — so you know better than anyone what works, what doesn’t, and what you wish we’d do next.
Help us make our programming and communications even better.
Totally anonymous. Zero pressure.
Got a minute? Share what you are thinking.
And yes, we appreciate compliments but would hear criticism with a humble and grateful heart too!
People in the Know | Your Local Economic Development Peeps
Here are more people you can connect with when you are looking for resources and connections.
- Bob Sawruk - Sault Tribe - RSawruk@saulttribe.net
- Chris Olson - Chippewa County - admin@chippewacountyedc.com
- Nikki Radke - City of Sault Ste Marie - nradke@saultcity.com
- Miche Rayment - EUP region at large (and Mackinac County) - Miche@HeadwatersNorth.org
- Tammy Henry - Luce County - director@lucecoedc.com
- Tara Parrish - Bay Mills Indian Community - tparrish@baymills.org