Innovation + Job News

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

Technology jobs are available in West Michigan, and Coopersville-based IT Resource aims to fill at least one specialized position soon.

The company (701 W. Randall St.) provides IT engineering and consulting services to small- and mid-sized companies that either don't have an IT department and need one, or that have a small IT department and need a bigger one. IT Resource provides onsite and remote services to help clients build their own networking infrastructure with servers, voice over IP, data storage, disaster recovery planning and more.

"We're currently looking for a senior level Cisco-certified voice over security engineer," says Carrie Borchers, director of sales. "We will be looking to add to our sales team as the business grows and we'll add engineers as our volume of work increases."

Business growth doesn't seem to be a problem.

"I joined the company four years ago and I was the tenth employee. Now we have 19," Borchers says. "Our sales were up 13 percent for 2011 over 2010, and 2010 was up 27 percent over 2009."

IT Resource recently hired an inside sales rep, which Borchers says is a new role within the company. The firm also recently added two senior account managers who will start next month. In the past six months, Borchers says they've also hired a helpdesk analyst and an IT engineer.

"I think new employees want to know they're in an organization that's going to be around a long time," Borchers says. "IT Resource has a track record of growth; where we're going to be three years from now is not where we are today -- we're not stagnant, we're always growing."

Source: Carrie Borchers, IT Resource
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor

Grand Rapids-based Right Place, Inc., has been so busy helping West Michigan companies grow and create jobs it has had to add new positions to its own staff to keep new programs running.

Right Place bills itself as a regional economic development organization, and its annual report indicates that in 2011, the firm assisted in the creation of 1,400 new jobs in Kent County, alone. The organization has also expanded services from a previous seven-county area to 13 counties. That growth, plus new programs like Innovation West Michigan, created the need for four new positions within the company.

"We've added a business development specialist that serves only Ionia County, a director of fund development, administrative support and a director of innovation services," says Tim Mroz, VP of marketing and communications. "Each one of our new hires fills a gap that was created with the addition of new initiatives. Without adding these resources, those initiatives would not have been launched."

Mroz says business owners turn to Right Place, Inc. for workforce development, workforce training, expansion assistance, or even help in downsizing with workforce placement.

"A large part of our work is networking -- helping businesses understand what businesses are in, say, Ionia County, and getting them to know each other," Mroz says. "Why use businesses in Indiana or Ohio when there might be three businesses nearby that can do the same thing and be part of your supply chain?"

Mroz adds that in 2011, the 1,400 Kent County jobs created an estimated $45.9 million in new payroll.

Source: Tim Mroz, Right Place, Inc.
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor

A new medical e-records collaboration in West Michigan has already brought seven new jobs to Greater Grand Rapids and looks to create several new technology positions in coming months.

Michigan Health Connect (4829 E. Beltline Grand Rapids), a collaborative effort of Spectrum Health, Metro Health and Trinity Health (Saint Mary's Health Care), launched in 2009 as a collaborative effort to connect all area hospitals, physicians, laboratories and pharmacies through a common electronic data-sharing network. What began with one employee and three hospitals has grown to become a nonprofit organization with eight staff members who are working with 50 Michigan hospitals and over 800 physicians' offices to connect patient data.

"A patient can opt out, but if they participate, this system will allow their data to be collected, so if they show up at the emergency room or their physician's office, the [healthcare network] can pull up the patient's record and understand what's going on," says Executive Director Doug Dietzman. "This system will get rid of the need for records to be faxed, the need for patients to fill out new forms, and patients won't need to remember who they've seen or what was diagnosed."

Dietzman says the goal is to connect patient records within a healthcare system, as well as between different healthcare systems, so patients can receive informed care no matter where they're being treated.
 
In addition to the efforts to get interested healthcare facilities on one electronic database developed by Salt Lake City, Utah-based Medicity, Michigan Health Connect helps individual offices customize the system and trains users.

"We'll need more project managers and analysts to help us deploy the solutions and conduct training sessions," Dietzman says. "We'll also be taking on our own human resources, IT and financial support, which is outsourced now."

Source: Doug Dietzman, George Bosnjak, Michigan Health Connect
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor

As highlighted last week in Rapid Growth, the transit millage of 2011 has had significant impact for The Rapid. However, the service enhancements are just one part of the story.

According to Jennifer Kalczuk, external relations manager at The Rapid, several jobs have been added, with the first batch of new hires beginning last October with the addition of one supervisory position and 12 bus operators. For the upcoming improvements in August, another supervisory position is expected to be added along with 16 more bus operators.

Unlike other industries, the hiring process is quite lengthy due to the necessity of background checks and training. For bus operators, "It's a 2-3 month process to get someone on the road," states Sandy Martin, recruitment administrator at The Rapid. To service the increased fleet, six maintenance technicians were also hired.

There will also be more employment opportunities when the third round of service enhancements are phased in, sometime later in 2012. 

Individuals interested in applying for jobs at The Rapid can apply online here.

Source: Jennifer Kalczuk and Sandy Martin, The Rapid
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor

Since August 2011, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital has added 75 new positions for both in-patient and out-patient services.

According to Joe Hufnagel, manager of human resources, the growth has been a direct result of a "significant increase" in the patient census at the 80-bed facility. Hufnagel also indicates that Mary Free Bed is still aggressively hiring in 2012, adding that job hunters can review all open positions on their website.

Along with being a nationally recognized hospital, Hufnagel describes the "very caring culture" at Mary Free Bed as a tremendous asset in recruiting applicants for the open positions.

To learn more about Mary Free Bed, you can visit their site here.

Source: Joe Hufnagel, Mary Free Bed
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor

A year ago, Jonathan Kumar was a student at the University of Michigan, and FoodCircles was an idea being formulated around the concept of a "social network" for friends who enjoyed dining out.

A year and a whole lot of feedback and testing later, Kumar now has a clearer vision for his venture and a definitive benchmark he needs to hit to make it to the next level. "10 customers a day using FoodCircles," to be precise.

FoodCircles' business model is focused on helping local restaurants acquire new customers and helping consumers find (and support) local restaurants.  The business also has a philanthropic side, tying into the regular transactions a mechanism to provide healthy meals to children living in poverty.

Although still in beta and with more work to be do, Kumar explains the business will soon be at a point where he will be looking to add staff to his team, primarily programming talent, once the 10 customer per day mark is holding steady. This is a milestone he feels is reasonable in 2012.

To learn more about FoodCircles and sign up for their services, you can visit their site here.

Source: Jonathan Kumar, Food Circles
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor