Grand Rapids-based professional services firm, dMStrategists, LLC, has developed Sustainability 360° (SBP360), a combination of web tools and strategic support services that enable companies of all sizes to plan, measure and monitor their internal and external sustainable business practices in real time and across multiple enterprises. According to Tom Melcher, president and CEO, the SBP360 is a platform designed to handle a wide variety of needs, such as  data collection, assessment and compliance. Melcher states that organizations that have begun in sustainability "find it to be a data monster." He goes on to say that SBP360 "can help any organization of any size gain traction in the sustainability marketplace." Their product is especially helpful for companies with multiple facilities and extended supply chains. SBP360 can be purchased with its standard features or customized and branded. Melcher says their product is intended to help organizations "move beyond data collection and focus more on analysis," which he feels will lead to a much higher level of operational efficiency and cost savings.   Melcher and dmStrategists developed Sustainability 360° in partnership with the Center for Sustainability at Aquinas College, Cascade Engineering/Quest Sustainable Solutions, and Florida-based NextLife. The product platform is now being rolled out nationally, although Melcher and his team will remain based in Grand Rapids. An online demonstration is available for anyone who is interested in more information. Source:  Tom Melcher, dMStrategists, LLC Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs Writer

Four entrepreneurs pitched their ideas for businesses at The Factory on Thursday, Nov. 18, at the fifth in a series of scheduled events to promote entrepreneurism and build a "startup culture" in West Michigan. Dan Ryan pitched Canvas Hosting, a service that Ryan says "helps entrepreneurs focus on their idea by handling the hosting process." Ryan identified their market as primarily as entrepreneurs and non-enterprise "startups." Jason James explained his business, Michigan Film Reel, a site that was started nine months prior at a similar event. James was looking for feedback on structuring his operation as a non-profit. The third person to pitch was Jack Slingerland of CampaignAlytics, an email tracking and analytics service. Having used other campaign services, Slingerland felt his product offered superior analytics at a more affordable price. The eventual "winner" of the evening, as voted by the attendees, was Nathan Bashaw from Lansing. Bashaw pitched Thoughtback, a business launched at the Lansing Startup Weekend only two weeks prior. His concept is a web application that allows a user to capture their thoughts, ideas and  inspirations digitally "when they happen," and then access at a later time for follow-up. At the Startup West Michigan pitch night events, presenters have five minutes to pitch and five minutes for Q & A. For more information you can visit their website. Sources: Jason James, Nathan Bashaw, Jack Slingerland, Dan Ryan Writer: John Rumery

Grand Rapids DJs Chia and DJames have had years of kickin' out the jams at local haunts and they've had it up to here with watching intoxicated patrons stagger out, car keys in hand. That's why Michael "Chia" Kowalczyk and James "DJames" Littell launched GR Safe Ride this week, a service that provides safe passage home for tipsy peeps… in their own cars. "We feel passionately about this service," Kowalczyk says. "We see too many people leave the bar and drive home. And we've taken too many friends back to their cars after taking a taxi home the night before only to find they've gotten a ticket. The cost is really high."Not to mention the extreme costs and complications of receiving a DUI, as well as the dangers a drunk driver poses to themselves and others. GR Safe Ride sends two drivers on every call; Driver 1 takes the client home in the client's own car -- an arrangement that keeps any unexpected "cookie tossing" within the client's own four walls, so to speak. Driver 2 follows the car and picks up Driver 1 after the client arrives safely at his/her destination. Riders can make arrangements in advance, but Kowalczyk says he expects most of the business will come from people who didn't expect to have one too many at an office party or at dinner. Kowalczyk, 34, and Littell, 36, have placed $5-off coupons at various bars and eateries in downtown Grand Rapids. They're getting the word out about the service on their Facebook page and other social media, and they plan to have bumper stickers and T-shirts available soon. Bartenders, bouncers or folks needing a Safe Ride home from anywhere in downtown Grand Rapids can call 616-401-0359. GR Safe Ride will pick up the rider and drive them anywhere within 10 miles of the pickup point for $45 (cash only, for now). Any ride beyond 10 miles is an additional $5 for every three miles. First time riders get $5 off the ride. GR Safe Ride currently employs four drivers. Kowalczyk hopes to expand the service area and the number of drivers throughout West Michigan. Source: Michael Kowalczyk, GR Safe RideWriter: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor

After downsizing in 2008, Carlton Technologies has been experiencing robust growth for two years. According to excerpts from the story in Mlive: Unlike for many companies, 2009 was a good year for Carlton Technologies Inc., which repairs and services bar code scanners and data collection devices for the food and retail industries. The company improved its bottom line by 21 percent last year and is projecting a 2010 sales increase of 30 percent, according to company President Ryan Bracken. You can read the entire story here:

WZZM13 News reports that Calvin College has 421 students studying abroad, including studies in 30 countries on six continents. That participation has garnered the institution the number two spot on the national ranking by the Institute of International Education.According to excerpts from the story:The 2010 Open Doors report ranks Calvin second nationally among baccal.aureate institutions for the total number of students who participate in a short-term duration study abroad. The school ranks sixth in that same category for number of international students studying on campus. According to the 2010 report, which recounts data from the previous school year, Calvin ranks second in its category with 421 students studying abroad in semester programs, interims and other programs. Read the complete story here.

Grand Rapids will probably always be known as a furniture city, but as the local music scenes continues to grow, there might be a need in the not too distant future to add another industry to its marque. The latest example of a local talent helping to shine a light on Grand Rapids is DJ SuperDre. The Grand Rapids-based DJ and producer recently signed contract with the Madero Group, a high-profile, San Diego talent management firm. Richie Lampani, Dre's personal manager, is very excited about how the Madero Group will dramatically increase her national exposure with a strong marketing program and also develop and refine her personal brand. Lampani is equally enthused about the impact of this contract on other area musicians. "The West Michigan music scene is a wonderful example of the growth that we are experiencing on this side of the state," he says. "It's young and fresh and inspiring, regardless of the current economic climate. It is obvious proof of the pride and inventiveness that exemplifies our community."     SuperDre is a classically trained musician, well-known for many performances at various venues and events. One of the first fruits of the new contract will be a sold-out show for New Years Eve in Atlanta opening for national electronic act Bassnectar at the Tabernacle. Recalling the hard work that Dre has demonstrated over the last several years, Lampani feels her success validates the idea that if "you put in the time (and) work hard, big breaks can happen for musicians." Source: Richie Lampani, CEO/Founder Rocket Entertainment Group LLC Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs Editor

Grand Rapids artist Lisa J. Lehmann's business is on fire. Thanks could be attributed to a heavy dose of social media marketing, a consumer trend towards buying local, a community increasingly supporting artists and a new business coach that helps her balance the ethos of being of an artist with the daily rigors of running a business. From her home studio, Lehmann uses traditional metal-smithing techniques, combining metals & semi-precious stones to create her wearable designs. Relying primarily on social media for marketing, business has been steadily growing for the last 18 months, bringing her to the point where she "hit the glass ceiling" and knew she had taken the business as far as she could being a "lone wolf entrepreneur." With an ambitious goal of "becoming a household name in jewelry," Lehmann attended an artist conference in Asheville, NC. There, she became "absolutely awestruck" and inspired by other creative women and business owners. Subsequently, she made the decision to hire a business coach and is now invigorated by the advice to focus on her "genius work," which is creating jewelry, and to get help from others to handle day-to-day operations. Moving forward, Lehmann is in the process of interviewing interns to add to her team. She is also making plans to open a working studio with retail hours to support her growing local customer base.  You can follow Lehmann on Twitter (@thebeadgirl) and you can visit her website to learn more about her studio or purchase her products. Source:  Lisa Lehmann, artist, owner Studio Jewel Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs Editor.

Heather McGartland launched her eclectic boutique of repurposed goods and its in-store hair salon five years ago when the creative shop owner moved into one of Dwelling Place's live/work studios at 120 S. Division Ave. in Grand Rapids.Now Imagination Creations has outgrown its four walls and is moving to 337 Diamond Ave., the former Darcy's Hair Studio. McGartland, a licensed hair stylist who specializes in helping people who have had hair loss from chemo or alopecia, will use two of the building's four styling chairs for her own clients and will rent out the other two – all of which are in a private salon area. "We'll have a small waiting area within the retail shop," McGartland says. "Customers can shop if they want to while they're waiting for their stylist."The retail space will feature McGartland's repurposed creations, collectibles and vintage fashions, for instance, a collection of hats from the '30s through the '60s."In the new space, I'm able to departmentalize into a shoe shop, a hat shop, a seasonal shop, a jewelry shop," she says. "I sell mostly jewelry, clothing and fashion accessories for head-to-toe day and evening wear." McGartland, her mom Susan Edwards and two friends handpick the fashions, which they procure from resale shops, garage and estate sales, and Goodwill stores. The items are cleaned, deconstructed and restructured into something brand new, like the hanging plant rooters made out of old light bulbs or the jewelry and sculpture made from melted vinyl records. "I personally get dressed for under ten bucks by adding frill and crinoline to clothes made from four or five pieces I've torn apart and remade," McGartland says.She adds, "Imagination Creations is a treasure trove, a visual explosion. We have something for everybody."The new location opens the first weekend in December. Retail hours are Thursday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 11 to 8. The salon is open for appointments the remainder of the week. For more information, call 616.458.1250.Source: Heather McGartland, Imagination CreationsWriter: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News EditorRelated Articles17th Annual Neighborhood Business Alliance Awards honor local businessesAnd the nominees for Best Re-use of a Building and Best Window Display are…