Innovation + Job News

Similar to other MoDiv retailers profiled in Rapid Growth Media (here and here),  the owner of Sofia Bella Couture is keen on being part of the rebirth of downtown Grand Rapids retail. 

According to store founder  Brandice Labadie, a refugee from the corporate world, the opportunity that MoDiv provided was too enticing. "I knew downtown real estate was expensive, but the MoDiv price point was perfect," she says. "I love being downtown. There's a great buzz and great people."

As an owner-operated business, Sofia Belle Couture sells original, high-quality clothes and accessories for children. But, the store also provides an opportunity for aspiring fashion designers and micro-entrepreneurs to sell their own creations.

"We offer unique, one-of-a-kind clothing -- not many national brands," says Labadie. She adds that much of her inventory consists of handcrafted products designed and made by local individuals. A win-win situation, as Labadie's customers can select from a wide range of original fashions and the local designers earn exposure (and income) for their products.

To learn more about Sofia Belle Couture, you can visit their Facebook page here.

Source:  Brandice Labadie, Sofia Belle Couture
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor

There is no place like home. And although Washington D.C. is not exactly Oz, for Megan Sall, that sentiment is pretty accurate.

Sall, the former City of Wyoming Downtown Development Authority Director, has joined The Right Place as a business development manager, leaving D.C. where she served as a program manager for the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

"There is something about Grand Rapids," says Sall. "It's a smaller city, and there is a lot of opportunity to make a difference. In West Michigan, you can see change right before your eyes."

Sall's initial focus will be on business retention, helping existing businesses access more resources and achieve new successes. "The biggest opportunities are in manufacturing, which is making a comeback," says Sall. She uses the term "reshoring" to describe the migration of production coming back to West Michigan from elsewhere due to the demand for higher quality and the existing capacity to absorb more work due to the infrastructure that is already in place.

To learn more about The Right Place and their initiatives, you can visit their website here.

Source: Megan Sall, The Right Place
Writer: John Rumery, Innovations and Jobs News Editor.

There is a new deli in town by the name of Fatty Lumpkins Sandwich Shack. The owner-operated deli, nestled in a downtown Muskegon neighborhood, hit its stride early and never slowed down.

Brett Gilbert, co-founder of the sandwich shop with his long-time girlfriend Jera Cook, describes the genesis of Fatty Lumpkin as "couple of young kids with few resources" who decided to put their background in hospitality management to work and open a deli.

They soon found a location in downtown Muskegon -- in a non-traditional, "but affordable" retail neighborhood -- and opened up shop.

Gilbert recalls his initial thoughts. "First, we [thought we'd] better keep our night jobs, but within weeks we needed longer hours. By the end of August, business exploded and it has barely leveled off."

Fatty Lumpkins features high-quality deli meats and fresh ingredients. They currently have three employees, besides Cook and Gilbert.

As for the name? "We traveled a lot. In Ft. Lauderdale, there was  a neighborhood deli," he says. "One of the guys working there named a sandwich I liked the Fatty Lumpkin. We had a list of names (which included Fatty Lumpkin), and we couldn't decide. We thought maybe we should let others look at the list. There was an overwhelming response to Fatty Lumpkin." The rest is sandwich history.

To learn more about Fatty Lumpkins, you can visit their Facebook or check out their menu on Urban Spoon here.


Source: Brett Gilbert, Fatty Lumpkins Sandwich Shack
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor

It's been a little over two years since siblings Barry and Jackson Van Dyke and Heather Van Dyke-Titus decided to remake the dilapidated former Jack's Liquor store into an inviting neighborhood brewpub, Harmony Brewing. But the pub swung wide its doors at 1551 Lake Drive SE on Feb. 1 with five microbrews on tap.

When the Van Dykes began their hiring blitz in December, they estimated filling one full-time and 25 part-time positions. At the last headcount, they ended up with one full-time general manager and 30 part-time servers, bartenders, bar backs, hosts and dishwashers, says Van Dyke-Titus.

"It wasn't intentional, but I would say 90 percent of our employees are from a two-block radius of the brewery," she adds. "At least half of them are professional musicians who are already out there in the community. We hired people who are very experienced in the hospitality field."

Barry and Jackson have been home brewers for over 10 years and decided to bring their craft to the public. While the siblings are still figuring out what their mainstay beer offerings will be, they opened with five taps, including Crossroads, a rye pale ale; Fiddle Stix, an India pale ale; and Star Stuff, a Belgian ale. Van Dyke-Titus says they're also offering an entry level option for patrons just beginning to explore craft beers, the Golden Lion Tamarin, which is a mild beer with just four percent alcohol.

"We opened with five taps of our own beer, but sold out down to two taps," says Van Dyke-Titus, "so now we have guest taps open until we get more brewed. We're also brewing some beers for Valentine's Day -- a cranberry wheat beer called Oh Be Joyful, and a chocolate honey porter called the AphrodisiAle, which is definitely a brew for Valentine's Day!"

The pub is open 12/7, from noon to midnight, and serves woodfired pizza, ice cream and draft root beer.

Source: Heather Van Dyke-Titus, Harmony Brewing
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor

Related Articles
Harmony Brewing begins hiring process in time for opening of new Grand Rapids brewpub
Local developers eye vacant Eastown storefront for Grand Rapids' brewpub

As Grand Rapids-based DJ's Landscape Management gets ready for spring and summer, the company looks to fill several job vacancies with people who have a team spirit and a passion for the industry.

The company is based at 4720 52nd St. SW with satellite operations in Kalamazoo and Holland. Liz Siebert, client care administration, says DJ's has added 14 new corporate office positions in the past two years.

The majority of DJ's clients are corporate and commercial accounts with large green spaces or plantings that need regular maintenance. The company handles everything from landscape design, landscape installations and maintenance, and also provides winter snow removal services.

Right now, DJ's has openings for lawn maintenance crew leaders, landscape maintenance crew leaders, a lawn maintenance supervisor and a client care account manager.

"For the client care account manager, we're looking for someone who can identify different species of trees and tree diseases; possibly someone with a horticulture degree," says Human Resources Recruiter Amanda Roden. "The crew leader positions require someone who can lead a team and who can coach future team leaders. We want people with an upbeat attitude, a get-it-done type of person who will do a great job for our clients and our team."

Siebert says the company has 60 year-round employees, up from 35 in 2008. In that same period of time, she says client accounts for landscape services have increased 57 percent, and there's been 63 percent growth in snow removal clients. DJ's Landscape Management recently added 12,000-square-foot multi-use to its facility to serve as a training center, a recycling yard, a nursery and equipment storage.

To find out more about the jobs that are available, click here.

Source: Liz Siebert and Amanda Roden, DJ's Landscape Management
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor

Holland realtor Tom Smolinski discovered he had a knack for negotiating short sales for homeowners struggling to avoid foreclosure. He decided to formalize that knack into a niche market with a new agency he launched in January, Tom Smolinski Realty, and brought a few realty team members along with him.

In addition to a team of two realtors and two mortgage negotiators, Smolinski says he's hired a full-time administrative support person and filled a new realtor position.

Short sales happen when a lender agrees to forgive the debt owed for a home and accepts the sale of the property for less than the mortgaged amount. The housing market crash reduced home values and, coupled with situations where there's a loss of income, some homeowners find themselves in desperate need to sell their home to avoid foreclosure. But the new lower value of their home falls far short of the amount they owe.

"We help them sell the home for what it's worth in today's market, and we negotiate the remaining debt with the bank to get that debt forgiven," Smolinski says. "We've seen people take money out of their 401k [to make the mortgage payments], advances from their credit card, take money out of savings, and after a year and half they're completely out of money and they still end up doing the short sale."

Smolinski says the national average of successful short sales is 24 percent. "We're averaging a 95 percent success rate dealing with the banks and mortgage companies," Smolinski says. "We've helped about 50 clients with short sales and negotiated an average of $75,000 in completely forgiven debt."

Smolinski just opened a new office at 305 Hoover in Holland. By the end of 2012, he hopes to add two more mortgage negotiators and two more buyers' agents.

Source: Tom Smolinski, Tom Smolinski Realty
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor

The specialty retailer and stationery design firm (formerly known as Syd Design) was one of the first businesses to call MoDiv home, opening on the first day of ArtPrize in 2011.

Since then, Abbey Fowler, founder, has been delighted with the move from working out of her home to the innovative retail space in downtown Grand Rapids.

Although the move has necessitated changes in her work flow (like not being able to wear pajamas while working), Fowler loves the dynamic of downtown retail. "Having to be on my toes at all times," she says, "I never know who is going to walk into the store, from a TV crew to a potential client. This great exposure makes my business far more approachable than it was before."

With the new location, business is going well and they are just entering the busy season brought upon by spring and summer weddings. To keep up with demand, Fowler has brought on several part-time employees that work at both the store and in production at her studio.

Very similar to the sentiments from the owner of another MoDiv retailer highlighted last week, Fowler is delighted with her downtown space. "I feel like my little footprint is making a difference in the perception of what downtown is becoming," she says.

To learn more about 6.25 Paper Studio, you can visit their website here.

Source:  Abbey Fowler, 6.25 Paper Studio
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor

DevPie, a 5-year-old web development firm, has recently added two members to its team and has shifted its focus to the unique needs of startup firms.

According to Trenton Broughton, co-founder of DevPie, he noticed the growing number of entrepreneurs and events like Startup Weekend in the area and felt there was an opportunity to focus their efforts to serve this niche market. Startups have some very specific challenges, different than larger and more mature organizations.

"Many startups want to reinvent the wheel and then burn time and investment money," he says, "when they can get dollars they need to make the money go farther. So, we try to help empower them to do that."

Services provided by DevPie include technical, development and consulting.   To learn more about DevPie, you can visit their site here.

Source: Trenton Broughton, DevPie
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs Editor

NAI Wisinski of West Michigan has just announced the addition of three new hires. According to Jim Decker, president, these hires were not replacements, but new positions and an indication that the commercial real estate market is brightening after a couple dismal years. 

"We are exercising our optimism," adds Decker, who then explains that the positions are also a commitment to further growth.

The three individuals added are Jeremy Veenstra, who will be specializing in office sales and leasing as well as investment sales, Dan Wiarda to the property management team and Shane Ikola, a recent graduate of GVSU who will be focusing on promotional strategies and corporate branding.

Although Decker does not anticipate any new positions to be added in the near future, he adds that he is always looking for experienced commercial real estate brokers.

To learn more about NAI Wisinski of West Michigan, you can visit their site here.

Source: Jim Decker, NAI Wisinski of West Michigan
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor

Kalamazoo-based Consumers Credit Union hired 10 new employees last week and expects to add another 30 before year's end. The jobs are in response to the addition of an expanded mortgage loan service, a new business assistance department and the construction of two new branch offices in Mattawan and on Portage Road near I-94.

Besides the Kalamazoo offices, Consumers Credit Union has branches in Holland, South Haven, Coldwater, Lawton and Portage and employs 162.

"We've averaged 18 percent growth in assets and deposits over the last 25 years," says CEO Kit Snyder. "We've never had a goal to grow that much, but this year we've set an asset goal of 9 percent growth and a deposit growth of 12 percent."

The growth initiatives include expanding mortgage services, which Snyder says handled $50 million in residential loans last year, to include offering mortgage loans for non-members, says Snyder. He also expects to add some 8,000 new members in 2012, which would bring total membership to about 53,000.

To handle that growth, the company has hired its first VP of human resources, created a chief marketing officer position, plus added seven jobs in a new operations department, two risk management/auditor positions and four positions in the phone center. Snyder says the company is recruiting now for a high-level position in the new business services department.

Future jobs, such as, loan officer and compliance officer positions, member service representatives, tellers and an accountant position, are all tethered to the opening the two new branches in June.

"It looks like we'll hire 10 people each quarter," Snyder says. "Some will be replacements, but some will be for new positions. We're about having the right team, and if you don't fit, let us get you in a department where you will fit."

Source: Kit Snyder, Consumers Credit Union
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor

Think your business is paying too much for its Internet carrier, phone services or mobile communications? Well, Grand Rapids-based Symplicity Communications has developed a niche business around helping companies wade through complicated communications packages and verifying that their monthly bill is accurate.

Those services are behind Symplicity's growth over the past five years from one person to seven employees. An eighth employee will join the company in April, and owner Catherine Lazarock expects to add three full-time positions in the mobile communications department this year.

Symplicity Communications represents telecommunications carriers -- a list that includes AT&T, TDS Metrocom, Nortel and US Signal -- and connects clients with services that fit the clients' needs, says Lazarock.

"We have access to most carriers worldwide and typically there's a cost savings [to the client], but we don't focus on savings," Lazarock says. "We focus on what they need and let the savings be a byproduct of making the right decision. Having access to all the carriers helps the clients because I can explain to them why to use a particular carrier."

Lazarock says that because her company receives payment from the carriers, most clients don't have to pay for Symplicity's services. She adds that it's an industry standard that 85 percent of monthly communications bills are wrong -- that clients are overcharged and not billed according to their contract terms. That's where her staff can make a difference.

"We look at clients' monthly bills to find errors and correct them," she says. "The savings is amazing." Lazarock says one client reduced communications cost from $10,000 a month to $6,000 as a result of her company's expertise.

Symplicity Communications also provides project management services and oversees technology upgrades and implementation.

Source: Catherine Lazarock, Symplicity Communications
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor

Northern Physical Therapy practices what it preaches: keep moving to stay healthy. The Coopersville-based physical therapy, occupational therapy and fitness company is staying healthy by moving on job creation as the practice grows.

Physical therapists Janis Kemper and Gina Otterbein bought the business in 2003 and now have locations in Coopersville, Cedar Springs, Sparta, Grant and Wayland. The practice has 43 employees, up 15 percent in 2011 with the addition of eight full-time equivalent therapist and fitness positions.

"Our numbers have grown in the last year because we've recently moved into health and fitness and have added massage therapists and fitness instructors," says Otterbein. "Our main business is physical therapy and occupational therapy in an outpatient setting. We also provide niche physical therapy for women who have urinary incontinence or pelvic floor pain, which is a unique service for small towns."

Otterbein says Northern Physical Therapy provides trained staff for Wayland Union Schools Community Fitness Center and employs high school students as certified lifeguards for the school's pool. The company also works with high school interns and coordinates physical therapy and occupational therapy internships with local community colleges, Grand Valley State University and Central Michigan University.

For 2012, Otterbein hopes to add at least one more full-time equivalent therapy position.

"Most of our locations employ people who are local," Otterbein says. "We try to be involved in the communities we serve. We want people to know that they have a choice in who to use for physical therapy and wellness."

Source: Gina Otterbein, Northern Physical Therapy; Andrea Snyder, Studio3Twenty
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor

ProLegal Systems takes the lead from its affiliate in the healthcare industry. "What ProCare did for doctors' offices is what we want to do for lawyers and law firms," explains Douglas Poland, own of two principals for the Grand Rapids-based business.

The value proposition of ProLegal Systems is that they provide a full range of services needed to run a law firm such as I.T., billing, office space an administrative support, but also have a laser-like focus in the legal industry. According to Poland, this is unique.

"We allow small firms or sole practitioners who might not have an office manager to tap into resources that are only available to large firms," says Poland. He explains that there are other services in the marketplace, but none that focus solely on the legal industry.

Although ProLegal Systems has a physical office presence at 61 Commerce, allowing for shared office space, its services are also available "À la carte."

According to Jerimie Ike, director of operations, ProLegal Systems has doubled its team in the past year and anticipates to add more staff in 20102.

To learn more about ProLegal Systems, you can visit their site here.

Source: Douglas Poland, ProLegal Systems
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor

CompuCraft was "Apple-cool" before Apple was cool. The longterm Apple experts, located on the west side of Grand Rapids, continues to not only experience sales growth, but also an increase in employees count and market expansion. 

According to Joe Smith, marketing communication manager, sales are up 20% year-to-year and the firm added a full-time customer service representative, replacing a position previously handled by an intern. Plans are also in the works to add both sales and service staff in 2012.

One factor to account for the growth spurt is the popularity of the iPad. "We are developing new markets and starting to do more consulting with small and large businesses," Smith says. "The iPad is no longer a gadget, but now is a tool for the real life work environment." Smith adds that many organizations and sales staff can use iPads instead of laptops for a variety of business functions, such as point-of-sale and digital display.

CompuCraft is always accepting resumes and cover letters at info@compucraft.net. "You  never know when you find a diamond in the rough," Smith says. He also describes the CompuCraft culture as high-energy, precise and customer-centered. "We work in a fast-paced environment and on multiple problems," he says.

To learn more about CompuCraft, you can view their website here.

Source: Joe Smith, CompuCraft
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor

The MoDiv development in downtown Grand Rapids appears to have scored a trifecta: It provides affordable rent for retail entrepreneurs, a reason for shoppers to consider downtown Grand Rapids, and it adds more owner-operators to the downtown workforce.

For Sarah Ables, the owner of Chai Boutique, a specialty fashion store,  the move from a strip mall on the NE side of Grand Rapids to the downtown destination as been transformational. "I fell in love with the concept of MoDiv as well as the atmosphere," Ables says. "I had always dreamed of a shop downtown and MoDiv made it possible due to lower rent payments and shorter lease options. The people in the area are a wonderful mix of individuals. From young to old, all ages and groups are starting to come back to the area. It is a great feeling just walking the streets of downtown [and] seeing life here again!"

Able takes inspiration for her store's selection from both vintage and contemporary fashions and says she positions her merchandise as boutique, style and budget friendly.

To learn more about Chai Boutique, visit their Facebook page here.

Source:  Sarah Ables, Chai Boutique
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor