GRAND RAPIDS – The Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC) received multiple awards at the Michigan Celebrates Small Business Awards Gala. Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business is the host institution for the Michigan SBDC.
Thirty-two small businesses that worked with the SBDC took the stage for awards ranging from “Michigan 50 Companies to Watch” to “Best Small Businesses” and more. The SBDC for Southeast Michigan won the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) award for SBDC of the year for the state.
“It was great to see the entrepreneurs with whom we’ve partnered celebrate and get recognized for all the hard work and passion that goes into their businesses,” said J.D. Collins, state director of Michigan SBDC. “The SBDC’s mission is to help small businesses succeed, and the evening proved that’s exactly the impact we’re having.”
Wendy Thomas, regional director of Southeast Michigan SBDC hosted by Eastern Michigan University, said: “It’s an honor to have been recognized by the SBA as the best SBDC in the state this year. Our team shares a common goal with all Michigan SBDCs: to make Michigan the best place to start or grow a business.”
Small businesses honored that partnered with the SBDC include:
2022 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch
• ADHD Online – Kent County
• Dechen Consulting Group, Inc. – Oakland County
• Great Lakes Segway – Oakland County
• Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate – Leelanau County
• Root – Kent County
• Shine Water – Bay County
• Singh Automation, LLC – Kalamazoo County
• Ultimation – Macomb County
Michigan SBDC Best Small Businesses
• 876 Michigan, LLC – Lake County
• Artigiano – Bay County
• DRM International Learning Center – Ingham County
• Envision Health, LLC – Washtenaw County
• Fitness Coliseum – Shiawassee County
• Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate – Leelanau County
• Hungry Hippie – Alpena County
• Kall Morris, Inc. (KMI) – Marquette County
• Not So Shabby Gifts and Primitives, LLC – Clare County
• Supply Line International, LLC – Oakland County
• SWMI Health Matters – Kalamazoo County
Veteran Owned Small Business Person of the Year
• West Michigan K9 – West Olive
PTAC Best Small Businesses
• Calderwood Enterprises – Ontonagon County
• Environmental Testing & Consulting, Inc. – Wayne County
• Jem Tech Group – Macomb County
• Swint Logistics Group, Inc. – Wayne County
Smart Zone Best Small Business
• Great Lakes Crystal Technologies – Ingham County
• LoanSense – Washtenaw County
• Lilypad Labs – Ottawa County
• Livegistics – Wayne County
• Med 5 – Muskegon County
• Medproshare – Marquette
• Rene, Inc. – Sanilac County
• VersaWare Technologies – Jackson County
State Small Business Person of the Year
• Tarolyn Buckles, Onyx Enterprises – Wayne County
The Michigan Small Business Development Center provides no-cost consulting, business education, market research and technology commercialization to new and existing businesses throughout Michigan’s 83 counties. Michiganders looking to start or grow a business can connect to free export services, market research, cybersecurity resources, business education and more offered through the Michigan SBDC.
About the Michigan SBDC: The Michigan Small Business Development Center provides no-cost consulting, business education, market research and technology commercialization to new and existing businesses throughout Michigan’s 83 counties. Michigan SBDC services are available through the support of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). The Michigan SBDC is committed to fostering and sustaining a culture of inclusion through equitable outreach and service to Michigan’s diverse business community.
Entrepreneurs and small business owners may access the services of their nearest Michigan SBDC by visiting michigansbdc.org.
