The SBSH Scoop | Winter SMART Workshop #4 with Zach Meyer
What you'll actually get done on Wednesday, January 21 - 8:30-noon at the SmartZone office in SSM:
The Big Choice: We'll demystify the alphabet soup of business structures (LLC, S-Corp, etc.). You'll figure out which one is actually best for you—not just for taxes, but for keeping your business and personal assets safe and sound. (Yes, even if you’re already established, you need to know this!)
The "Who's On First?" Agreements: Stop relying on vague agreements! We'll cover and bring templates for the essential contracts you need with:
- Partners (The folks you share the dream with)
- Vendors & Contractors (The awesome people who help make it happen)
- Customers (The heart of your business!)
The Hands-On Approach: This isn't a lecture! Our guide, Zach Meyer of Varnum Law, will help you apply these concepts directly to your business. You'll walk out the door having actually started some of this important work, so you can spend less time stressing about your business structure and more time working in your business!
Your Goal: Trade confusion for confidence in just three hours. Let's get this foundational stuff locked down so you can focus on making money!
Business Spotlight | The Beauty Shop and the new Heart Head Spa
What this SBSH grant funding truly represents is an opportunity for a more sustainable business.
In a world that moves too fast and asks too much, Miss Patti’s Beauty Shop in St. Ignace has taken a bold, beautiful step into something deeper. Owner Patti McGreevy is expanding her long-loved salon into a sanctuary for self-care, intuition, and genuine restoration—with the brand-new Heart Head Spa.
Patti describes her journey this way: “I teach the graceful art of allowing all of the rewards.” And that’s exactly what this transformation represents. With help from the SBSH grant, she is creating a lush, healing space complete with natural linens, a head-spa wash bowl with a waterfall attachment, and a portable heated water system that makes every treatment feel like a warm exhale. It’s all designed to help clients pause, soften, and experience care not just on the surface—but at the soul level.
This evolution isn’t just a business upgrade; it’s Patti leaning fully into who she is now—an intuitive, empathetic guide who helps others reconnect to themselves. And yes, don’t worry: you can still get your hair done and enjoy facials, too!
A new website is on the way, but appointments are already happening, and the buzz is real. Miss Patti’s is no longer “just” a beauty shop (though it remains a great one). It’s now a gem of a wellness destination—an invitation to experience the kind of care we sometimes secretly wish for.
If you're craving renewal, grounding, or simply a moment that’s just for you, Patti’s chair—and her heart—are ready.
Arrange a time with Miss Patti
SMART Sessions | Your Summer Dream Lineup?
We know you’ve got needs—marketing mysteries, hiring headaches, financial fog, customer-service chaos… and probably a few things we haven’t imagined yet. We’ve done pretty well at guessing so far, but honestly? You know best.
SMART Sessions are simple:
1-hour Zoom workshops (no driving, no parking), with friendly experts who give you practical tools you can use immediately. It’s all about making your business easier to run—yes, really.
So tell us:
- What topics would make your summer smoother?
- What skills would help you sleep better at night?
- What would make your business life feel just a little more easeful?
Send your ideas—big, small, or delightfully weird—to us now. Pretty please? Your future self will thank you.
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