A Muskegon Chronicle article reports that a new bistro on the lower level of Muskegon's Frauenthal Center focuses on live entertainment, DJs and other performance fun to attract patrons.According to excerpts from the story:When Paul and Lisa Broussard opened the 411 Bistro-Lounge in the lower level of the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts, they knew they would need more than just a good menu if they were to succeed. The Broussards have taken over the restaurant space that was once the City Cafe but have taken it in a new direction. They say the want to be true to the "performing" center and are offering a growing selection of live entertainment in the lounge. Read the complete story here.

The fact that over the past several decades "nothing has changed in the title industry" is really an opportunity according to Tom Cronkright and Lawrence Duthler, co-owners of Sun Title. After sifting through "stacks of market research, we listened to what's important for our clients," Cronkright says. The result was a thorough streamlining of their processes so they could offer what he says is the first guarantee of having the title process wrapped up in 15 days or less. Besides listening to their clients, market forces also played a huge role in their decision to offer this guarantee. "The most dramatic change in the industry, which is essentially a commodity, is the dramatic rise in foreclosures and short sales," he says. According to Duthler, with the stress of dealing with foreclosures and short sales, both the buyer and seller want resolution in a timelier fashion. "Our guarantee reflects the new realities and what our clients want. The real estate market is radically different. Two years ago, banks were reluctant to have a short sale, now short sales are much more common."    As the real estate market continues to struggle in West Michigan (and elsewhere), there are some bright spots says Cronkright. "Lenders are more willing to work with existing homeowners," which has led to the increase in short sales. On the other hand, a dark spot remains as home values continue to drop, making it tougher to get money and tougher to get appraised at previous levels. To learn more about Sun Titles' new approach, you can visit their website here. Source: Tom Cronkright and Lawrence Duthler, Sun Title Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs Editor

It's a simple idea and the tagline says it all: "never let another great idea go down the drain." As a "consummate shower thinker," Mark Knudson saw an opportunity to create a product that allowed him to capture his ideas where he does his best thinking: in the shower. "For years I had a notepad near the shower," he says, but explains the  paper always got wet and soggy and the writing became illegible. Sensing he wasn't the only "shower thinker," Knudson began searching for a solution. He tried several ideas, including using a diver's slate, before coming up with the concept of using waterproof paper in notepad form with a pencil that attaches via a suction cup in the shower. Established two years ago, the Grand Haven-based Aqua Notes, which sells the majority of its products through its website, now has its waterproof notepads being shipped to over 30 countries and has over 32,000 followers on Twitter, which, according to Knudson, is the only marketing communications tool they use besides their website.   However, Knudson indicates that this will be changing soon due to increased volume. He is stepping up his marketing efforts through new retail packaging and distribution channels. To learn more about Aqua Notes, you can visit their website here or you can follow them on Twitter at @showerthinker. Source: Mark Knudson, AquaNotes Writer: John Rumery, Jobs and Innovation Editor

It takes more than a good business idea and hard work to grow it into a thriving enterprise. It also takes the right business climate, and that climate is what the City of Grand Rapids Economic Development Department wants to create for second-stage businesses in the city. "Economic gardening," an economic development process touted by Governor Rick Snyder, the Small Business Association of Michigan and the Edward Lowe Foundation, helps existing businesses grow by providing them with the information they need to succeed, community partners that can help them get to the next level, and by developing a culture of growth and change. "It's about cultivating what you already have in a community in terms of the business mix before trying to attract new business," says Economic Development Director Kara Wood. "It's a lot of what's happening in East Hills, on Wealthy Street and other places in the city where there are more small businesses. It creates a sense of place, and that's what helps us create and attract new businesses."Wood says the city has already used state tools and incentives to keep growing businesses like Dematic and DornerWorks in the city, but "economic gardening" is also about raising awareness that Grand Rapids is a great place to start a business and be an entrepreneur. "There will be no wrong door for entrepreneurs," she says. "All service providers will be equipped with resources to help them, so if they approach the Chamber or the SBTDC or another of our partners they'll be able to get the direction they need."The city has reached out to a handful of its 30 service providers to-date, including Local First, the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and Neighborhood Ventures, who have all taken leading roles in developing the initiative. Next steps are the creation of measurables for the program with the help of the Edward Lowe Foundation, and then launching the program in the next 60 to 90 days. Source: Kara Wood, City of Grand Rapids Economic Development DirectorWriter: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News EditorRelated ArticlesGrand Rapids approved $235M in new development projects in 2010, reaps $1.5M in new tax revenue

Brewing up a batch of India Pale Ale, cherry wine, hard cider or even champagne could be easier in a couple of weeks when O'Connor's Home Brew Supply opens in Grand Rapids' Midtown neighborhood.The store (613 Lyon NE) is the first retail effort of entrepreneurs Ben and Allison O'Connor. Ben, 29, a Grand Haven native, quit his job in Raleigh, N.C. as a computer mapmaker for engineers and architects, and Allison, 28, a native North Carolinian, quit hers as a high school history teacher to move to Michigan and become part of what Ben O'Connor calls a "mini stimulus" economic solution. Setting up shop just doors from Martha's Vineyard, a favorite haunt of wine and beer connoisseurs, could be a good start. "When I was living in North Carolina a friend told me how fun it was to brew," says O'Connor. "I went to a home brew shop and bought a starter kit and just kept getting more and more into it." The 800-square-foot shop has a rustic feel with its painted wood floors, a functioning antique Kenmore freestanding gas stove and custom-made wood shelving. Product offerings range from starter kits for wannabe brewers of beers, wines and hard ciders to equipment and fresh barley and other grains for advanced brewers. "We'll sell a couple of premade mash tuns for all-grain brewing, and specialty parts like valves, high-temp rubber tubing, keg systems, stirring paddles and fermenting buckets," O'Connor says."We wanted to do something different with our lives and we were blessed enough to be able to do it," he adds. "I was tired of hearing everyone write Michigan off as dead. I wanted to do my part and I wanted to let people know it's not over and we can get out of this rut we're in."The O'Connors hope to open in mid-March. Their hours will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tues. through Fri., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat. and Sun. Source: Ben O'Connor, O'Connor's Home Brew SupplyWriter: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor

The Dean Energy Harvester, a new invention by Dean Rosendall, has the potential to make an impact on sustainability efforts in several sectors. According to the article in MLive: Dean Rosendall felt there was a need to reclaim wasted energy from certain processes, and no one seemed to be filling that need. So he invented the Dean Energy Harvester, DEH for short, which utilizes wasted process energy in mining and similar industries. You can read the complete story here.

Cybergolf.com reports that the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame has elected four new honorees to be inducted in May. Among them are two golfers who have influenced golf in West Michigan for many years. According to excerpts from the story:Public links veteran Jim Briegel, golf course architect Arthur Hills, journalist Terry Moore and Don Perne, co-founder of the PGA of America's Professional Golf Management at Ferris State University have been elected to the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame. Hills was captain of the Michigan State University golf team while working toward a degree in Agronomy, and Lansing native Perne was a teammate and served three years prior to Hills as captain. Hills designed 16 courses in Michigan, including the Arthur Hills Course at Boyne Highlands, Bay Harbor in Petoskey, Egypt Valley in Ada, Hawkshead in South Haven, Shepherd's Hollow and Pine Trace in metropolitan Detroit, and Red Hawk in Tawas. Read the complete story here.

Grand Rapids-based business consulting firm DPT had a great year in 2010, resulting in growth of their on-premise staff by 50%, according to Henry Morley, managing partner.   Giving credit first and foremost to "excellent client relationships," Morley indicated that two of their service offerings, customer relationship management (CRM) and project management, were the driving forces in 2010.    Ironically, the poor economy played a big role too. "CRM is primarily based around business development," Morley says. "Our services help our clients drive sales." Morley indicates this is especially important for businesses in a downturn as many organizations need to do more with less. Morley also explains that many of today's businesses tend to be leaner and project-driven, which requires a more sophisticated project management process, another of DPT's core consulting competencies. Morley states that their organization is constantly looking for talent. "We're looking for people that can effect business change," he says. Morley also points out the equally critical importance of having the ability to effectively communicate. "Communication skills are paramount for us, both verbal and written," he says. For individuals interested in working at DPT, Randy Shier, a principal at DPT stresses face-to-face networking, especially for recent graduates. "We do a lot of recruiting through business networking sites and events," he says. "Younger people typically have limited exposure to these events, so go get exposure. You can't rely on social media totally to build those relationships." To learn more about DPT, both as a service provider and as a potential employer, you can visit their website or check out their corporate profile on LinkedIn. Source: Henry Morley, Randy Shier and Jennifer Jenks, DPT Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs Editor