The SBSH Scoop | SMART Session Double Whammy from the SBA
Two FREE Zoom events next week! Join experts from the SBA and IRS for essential, practical advice on business taxes, resources, and accessing capital. Sixty minutes each and zero fluff. Jan 27: Business Taxes & Resources (9–10 am ET) with Brandon Adolph (SBA) & Dan Arnell Belarmino (IRS) Jan 29: SBA’s Access to Capital (11 am–noon ET) with Latifa Bradwell (…
Two FREE Zoom events next week! Join experts from the SBA and IRS for essential, practical advice on business taxes, resources, and accessing capital. Sixty minutes each and zero fluff. Jan 27: Business Taxes & Resources (9–10 am ET) with Brandon Adolph (SBA) & Dan Arnell Belarmino (IRS) Jan 29: SBA’s Access to Capital (11 am–noon ET) with Latifa Bradwell (…
Headwaters North is proud to participate as a community partner in Northern Michigan University’s Rural Leadership Fellowship Program, a paid and scholarship-supported applied learning experience designed to prepare students for careers in rural economic development and public service.Through this public-private partnership, a Northern Michigan University student fellow is embedded directly within Headwaters North’s MEDC-designated SmartZone to…
The SBSH Scoop | SMART no matter what!
Our Hub (the Eastern Upper Peninsula Hub) has two recurring programs that you should be aware of:
SMART Sessions - 1-hour Zoom sessions meant to provide quick practical help on specific topics. There are 12 already set up for the Winter 2026 series. Check them out here! SMART Workshops - 3.6-hour in person meetings meant to get you tangible traction on a particular area of your…
Our Hub (the Eastern Upper Peninsula Hub) has two recurring programs that you should be aware of:
SMART Sessions - 1-hour Zoom sessions meant to provide quick practical help on specific topics. There are 12 already set up for the Winter 2026 series. Check them out here! SMART Workshops - 3.6-hour in person meetings meant to get you tangible traction on a particular area of your…
The SBSH Scoop | SMART Sessions - Take As Many As You Want!
Happy New Year! We hope your 2026 is off to a flying start. If your "fresh start" currently looks like a pile of receipts on a desk and a vague sense of dread about tax season, don't worry—we’ve got the ultimate rescue squad ready to help you get organized. SMART Session #3 is all about clarity. We want you to stop reacting to your finances and start designing your actions…
Happy New Year! We hope your 2026 is off to a flying start. If your "fresh start" currently looks like a pile of receipts on a desk and a vague sense of dread about tax season, don't worry—we’ve got the ultimate rescue squad ready to help you get organized. SMART Session #3 is all about clarity. We want you to stop reacting to your finances and start designing your actions…
The SBSH Scoop | SMART Sessions - Take As Many As You Want!
We’ve put together eleven power-packed sessions designed to help EUP small business owners and employees tackle the big stuff. These are 100% Zoom-based, generally happening Tuesday mornings from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. It’s the most productive hour you’ll spend all week—no snow tires required. Highlight - Veterans in Business with Abron Andrews While the whole lineup is "…
We’ve put together eleven power-packed sessions designed to help EUP small business owners and employees tackle the big stuff. These are 100% Zoom-based, generally happening Tuesday mornings from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. It’s the most productive hour you’ll spend all week—no snow tires required. Highlight - Veterans in Business with Abron Andrews While the whole lineup is "…
The SBSH Scoop | Hands-On Financial Skills & Beyond!
Many of you have expressed an interest in having more hands-on help with QuickBooks—specifically, with setup, cleanup, and ongoing management of your books. We totally get it! While QuickBooks is a great tool, using it effectively requires a foundational understanding of how to read your business's core financials: the Income Statement, the Balance Sheet, and the Cash Flow…
Many of you have expressed an interest in having more hands-on help with QuickBooks—specifically, with setup, cleanup, and ongoing management of your books. We totally get it! While QuickBooks is a great tool, using it effectively requires a foundational understanding of how to read your business's core financials: the Income Statement, the Balance Sheet, and the Cash Flow…
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,…
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,…
The SBSH Scoop | Winter SMART Sessions Are Back - Grab Your Spot!
When winter roads get questionable, your business support shouldn’t. That’s why SMART Sessions are returning this winter—Zoom-based, one-hour, high-impact conversations with experts who can help you cut through the noise and move your business forward.Every Tuesday morning from 9–10 am, you’ll hop onto a live session with a domain expert in finance, HR, marketing,…
When winter roads get questionable, your business support shouldn’t. That’s why SMART Sessions are returning this winter—Zoom-based, one-hour, high-impact conversations with experts who can help you cut through the noise and move your business forward.Every Tuesday morning from 9–10 am, you’ll hop onto a live session with a domain expert in finance, HR, marketing,…
The SBSH Scoop | Workshop momentum. Three down. What's next?
Running a business means you’re constantly juggling—customers, cash flow, operations, team issues… all the things. And while you’re excellent at what your business does, no one hands you a handbook for everything else. That’s where SMART Workshops come in: practical, guided support for the parts of running a business that don’t come with an instruction manual.
At our…
Running a business means you’re constantly juggling—customers, cash flow, operations, team issues… all the things. And while you’re excellent at what your business does, no one hands you a handbook for everything else. That’s where SMART Workshops come in: practical, guided support for the parts of running a business that don’t come with an instruction manual.
At our…
The SBSH Scoop | Direct Grants - Read All About It!
This round of grant awards represents more than $215,000 in direct support to local businesses and 46 rewards. The 2025 SBSH direct grant recipients include:Andy's Feed StationBarbeaux FisheriesBayside Coin LaundryBear Creek Tree Service LLCBee Wise Farms LLCBelonga Plumbing and HeatingByce's Michihistrigan Campground Bar and CabinsCanusa, LLC dba Bins Ahoy OverstockParish…
This round of grant awards represents more than $215,000 in direct support to local businesses and 46 rewards. The 2025 SBSH direct grant recipients include:Andy's Feed StationBarbeaux FisheriesBayside Coin LaundryBear Creek Tree Service LLCBee Wise Farms LLCBelonga Plumbing and HeatingByce's Michihistrigan Campground Bar and CabinsCanusa, LLC dba Bins Ahoy OverstockParish…
46 Eastern Upper Peninsula Businesses Awarded Direct Grants Through the Small Business Support Hub ProgramEASTERN UPPER PENINSULA, MI — The Eastern Upper Peninsula Small Business Support Hub (SBSH) has announced 46 businesses selected to receive direct grants in the program’s second and final round. The application window opened June 16, 2025, and closed August 15, 2025, followed by a rigorous review process culminating in final selections and…
The SBSH Scoop | SMART Workshop #2 Was a Hit — and #3 Is Coming Up Fast!
The last SMART Workshop, An Employee Handbook without the Headache, lived up to its name — no headaches, just progress. Participants got real work done and walked away with solid next steps. “Robin was easy to understand and very knowledgeable. I’m grateful this workshop was available!”“Any size business would have benefited. Great stuff.”“Everyone felt…
The last SMART Workshop, An Employee Handbook without the Headache, lived up to its name — no headaches, just progress. Participants got real work done and walked away with solid next steps. “Robin was easy to understand and very knowledgeable. I’m grateful this workshop was available!”“Any size business would have benefited. Great stuff.”“Everyone felt…
November 18, 2025 | 4:00 PM | Lake Superior State University, Considine Hall Atrium Sault Ste. Marie, MI - Headwaters North SmartZone, in partnership with Lake Superior State University, announces the first event in its Innovations on the Rise series: “Innovations in Outdoor Recreation” featuring Joe Thiel, a nationally recognized entrepreneur, investor, and innovation leader dedicated to sustainable economic growth across Michigan’s Upper…
The SBSH Scoop | Making Business Feel Less Like a Solo SportSince the beginning, the Small Business Support Hub here in the Eastern UP has been driven by one simple goal: help the businesses that already make our communities tick become stronger and more sustainable. Sure, we love cheering on the new startups too—but what really fuels us is making a lasting impact on the Eastern UP’s economic health.
So what are we up to? Glad you…
So what are we up to? Glad you…
The SBSH Scoop | You Don’t Need A Grant Check To BenefitOver the last two years, the SBSH Grant Program has touched hundreds of small businesses across the Eastern UP—and we want you to know you haven’t been forgotten. This month, a panel of small business experts reviewed the final round of direct grant applications, awarding more than $200K in funding. The creativity and resilience of our regional businesses blew us away. Choosing winners felt…
The SBSH Scoop | Retail Bootcamp?Retail is at the heart of so many of our Eastern U.P. communities—whether it’s a shop on a main street, a pop-up at the market, or a family business that’s been around for decades. But let’s be real: starting, jump-starting, or even resurrecting a retail business isn’t easy. Here’s the good news: TechTown in Detroit created a Retail Bootcamp that has already helped countless businesses get off the ground and…
The SBSH Scoop | Get Help (The Good Kind)Running a business in the Eastern U.P. can feel like you’ve got to do it all yourself—but that’s just the old “go it alone” mindset talking. The truth? Even the strongest business owners need people in their corner. That’s exactly what the Small Business Support Hub is here for. Our focus for the next year is simple: help as many businesses—and the people behind them—as we can.We’ve built a network of…
The SBSH Scoop | Expert Help You Need—On Us!Let’s keep this simple: you can’t run a strong business without expert help. No one is an expert in everything — marketing, finance, HR, hiring, team dynamics, product development, and still delivering the products and services your customers love.That’s where the Small Business Support Hub comes in. We’ll help you connect with the right experts and we’ll help pay for it. (Yes, even in areas we don’t…
Here’s the SBSH Scoop | SMART Workshops starting Simple. Measurable. Actionable. Real. Tangible.These aren’t “sit-and-listen” training sessions. They’re get-it-done-together workshops for small business owners in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. What makes them different?You don’t just learn about systems — you build them.You’ll leave with real tools and documents ready to use in your business tomorrow.Expert guides (local and approachable…
Here’s the SBSH Scoop | SMART Session Recordings on line now!Here’s your chance to get connected with the people you actually need to know. Most of us start a business because we love what we do—the product we make, the service we provide, the value we bring. What we don’t usually sign up for is being:An attorney who knows contract lawA marketing strategistAn HR proA financial wizard who thrives on balance sheets and bookkeepingThat’s where…