MARCH 4, 2015
In recognition of the West Michigan women-owned businesses adding strength and diversity to the local economy.
Here’s to the entrepreneurs
912 WEALTHY STREET SE, GRAND RAPIDS
REAGANMARKETING.COM
Part of a fast-growing, job-creating crowd W
omen-owned firms are among the fastest-growing businesses in the nation: Women now start businesses at twice the rate of all companies. About 7.7 million firms are majority-owned by women (51 percent or more), employing about 7.1 million people and generating $1.1 trillion in sales, according to the Center for Women’s Business Research. The U.S. Bureau of Labor estimates women will create 5.5 million jobs by 2018. Grand Rapids Business Journal notes such growth also is apparent in the West Michigan region. The Business Journal received a record 50 nominations of women-owned businesses in the Greater Grand Rapids area for consideration in the bi-annual spotlight on this group of entrepreneurs. The judges then selected the top 32 finalists in four financial categories, all of whom are profiled is this supplement. The March 4 event to recognize the diversity of this entrepreneurial community is deliberately set during International Women’s History Month. It is with local pride that the Business Journal notes Anna Bissell was America’s first female chief executive officer of a manufacturing company. The company remains family owned and headquartered in Grand Rapids. A new generation of women business leaders is represented and recognized in the profiles written here. Grand Rapids Business Journal will announce the Top Woman-Owned Business Owner in each revenue category during the luncheon March 4 at the JW Marriott. Keynote speaker at the event is Mary Cantando, an internationally recognized author and speaker who focuses exclusively on helping women grow their businesses.
She’s founded, led and expanded businesses for over 20 years. As the author of four books on women entrepreneurs, she serves as a media expert for O (Oprah Magazine), The Wall Street Journal, Inc. Magazine, PINK, Entrepreneur, Fortune Small Business and PBS TV and NPR radio. We are grateful for the assistance of Carol Kirkland, Michelle Richards and Eric Larson as judges for this recognition. Kirkland built a family business, AVE Office Supplies, initially while working as medical transcription department director at St. John Hospital and Medical Center. Her business was named to the 2009 Outstanding Women’s Business Enterprise Council-Great Lakes Division. She is currently president of the National Association of Women Business Owners Greater Detroit Chapter. Michelle Richards has been the executive director of the Center for Empowerment & Economic Development for more than 20 years. CEED provides small business training, counseling, financing and other assistance to women and minorities, and one of its programs is certification of women-owned businesses. In 2010, she was named the Women’s Council of Washtenaw County’s Athena Award recipient. Eric Larson, CPA/ABV, Beene Garter accounting agency in Grand Rapids, has extensive practical and theoretical experience in the field of financial valuation, transaction negotiation, merger/acquisition representation and corporate financial analysis. He volunteered his time in confidential assurance of the revenue categories and review. Congratulations to the finalists! Carole Valade Editor, Grand Rapids Business Journal
GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES 3
Meet this year’s TWOB judges Carol Kirkland has built her career on the principles of planning, innovation and leadership. She began as a medical transcriptionist and quickly ascended to department director at St. John Hospital and Medical Center, where Kirkland she led more than 65 individuals for more than two decades. Simultaneously, Kirkland built a family business, AVE Office Supplies. With a master’s degree in business management and a bachelor’s in human resource management, Kirkland’s expertise lies in making personal connections toward the goal of differentiating her company in the marketplace as the best resource for quality products, great prices and friendly faces. She is owner and executive vice president of the firm, responsible for all marketing, sales and accounting functions. In 2009 Kirkland was named Outstanding WBE of the Year by the Women’s Business Enterprise Council-Great Lakes. Kirkland is lauded for her devotion to the cause and commitment to supporting the Women’s Business Enterprise Council. Kirkland is currently president of the National Association of Women Business Owners-Greater Detroit Chapter.
Michelle Richards has been the executive director of the Center for Empowerment & Economic Development for more than 20 years. CEED provides small business training, counseling, financing and other assistance to Richards women and minorities. One CEED program is the Michigan Women’s Business Council, which provides certification and procurement assistance to women-owned businesses. The council provides information and assistance to more than 2,500 women business owners per year; it is affiliated with the national organization Women’s Business Enterprise Council. Richards has served as president of the Michigan Women’s Business Council and as a board member of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. She has been honored with the Michigan Small Business Administration Women’s Business Advocate of the Year Award. She also was a participant in the Women’s Economic Summit at the White House. The city of Ypsilanti and the Women’s Council of Washtenaw County selected Richards as the 2010 Athena Award recipient.
Eric Larson, CPA/ ABV, is with the Beene Garter accounting and professional services agency in Grand Rapids. He has extensive practical and theoretical experience in the field of financial valuation, transaction negotiation, Larson merger/acquisition representation and corporate financial analysis. His business valuation projects have been performed for numerous purposes, including estate and gift taxation, succession planning, employee stock ownership plans, purchase and sale advisement, purchase price allocation, fairness opinions, marital dissolution, and other tax and corporate related matters. Larson has worked with a wide range of industries, including agriculture, general and specialty contracting, plastics and metal manufacturing, packaging and printing, automobile and truck transportation, finance and insurance, health care, professional and technical service, eating and drinking establishments, and retail and wholesale distribution of specialty and commodity products. Larson graduated with a B.S. in economics and an MBA in finance from Grand Valley State University.
Website: www.grbj.com; General Editorial Inquiries: editorial@grbj.com; General Sales Inquiries: advertisingsales@grbj.com
PUBLISHER John H. Zwarensteyn: jzwarensteyn@geminipub.com EDITOR Carole Valade: cvalade@geminipub.com MANAGING EDITOR Tim Gortsema: tgortsema@geminipub.com COPY EDITOR Donna Ferraro: dferraro@geminipub.com ONLINE EDITOR Chris Ehrlich: cehrlich@geminipub.com STAFF REPORTERS Pete Daly: pdaly@grbj.com
Charlsie Dewey: cdewey@grbj.com Mike Nichols: mnichols@grbj.com Rachel Weick: rweick@grbj.com
STAFF RESEARCHER/REPORTER Pat Evans: pevans@geminipub.com NEW MEDIA, DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGER Scott Sommerfeld: ssommerfeld@geminipub.com ASSISTANT DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGER Chris Pastotnik: chrisp@geminipub.com ART COORDINATOR Kelly J. Nugent: knugent@geminipub.com DESIGNERS/PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS Melissa Brooks: mbrooks@geminipub.com Kristen VanOostenbrugge: kristenv@geminipub.com Robin Vargo: rvargo@geminipub.com CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Johnny Quirin
4 TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT
GENERAL SALES MANAGER Randy D. Prichard: rprichard@geminipub.com ADVERTISING SALES CONSULTANTS Christina McDonald Meister: cmeister@geminipub.com Jenn Maksimowski: jmaksimowski@geminipub.com Craig R. Rich: crich@geminipub.com ADVER. SALES ASSISTANT/ COORDINATOR Karla Jeltema: kjeltema@geminipub.com CIRCULATION & MARKETING MANAGER Scott T. Miller: smiller@geminipub.com CIRCULATION & MARKETING COORDINATOR Alex Fluegel: afluegel@geminipub.com
CIRCULATION & MARKETING ASSISTANT Katrina Peshka: kpeshka@geminipub.com FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION MANAGER Pamela Brocato, CPA: pbrocato@geminipub.com ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Tina Gillman: tgillman@geminipub.com RECEPTIONIST/CLERICAL ASSISTANT General Inquiries: info@grbj.com Addie Donley: recept@geminipub.com TO ORDER REPRINTS Karla Jeltema: kjeltema@geminipub.com, (616) 459-4545
ALEXIS ADER ROBYN ALLISON JILL BATKA DOREEN BOLHUIS LISA CHANG MEG GOEBEL LYNN HAPPEL SHERI HOLSTEGE DIANA KASZA CYNTHIA KAY BETH KELLY DENISE KOLESAR RHODA KREUZER JULIE LOUGH PEACHES M c CAHILL ELAINE MEYERS GWEN O’BRIEN MARY REAGAN SHAPTON AMY RITSEMA AND MARY KLINE AMY RUIS MARY ANN SABO KAREN SCARPINO GINNY SEYFERTH SARA SHERRY SANDRA SLAGER MEREDITH SMEDLEY SANDRA FROST STEENSMA BRIDGETT TUBBS-CARLON BRENDA VANDER PLOEG ANN VIDRO AND MENDA WRIGHT LINDA VOS-GRAHAM BEVERLY WALL
Thirty-four reasons why West Michigan’s economic engine continues to roar. We’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate the women on the Grand Rapids Business Journal’s 2015 list of Top Women Owned Businesses. A prestigious list of women who deserve our appreciation for contributing millions of dollars in economic growth, thousands of jobs and invaluable inspiration to our community.
AMWYAY GRAND PLAZA HOTEL JW MARRIOTT THE DOWNTOWN COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT
GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES 5
TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES
$0-$1.49 MILLION Alexis Ader Signs with Design Owner
$0-$1.49 MILLION
I
f there is a sign of a top-performing small business, it’s probably a very large increase in sales — for at least the last three years running. Signs with Design, founded in 2000 by Alexis Ader, had an increase in sales averaging more than 40 percent in each of the last two years. In 2012, the increase was 25 percent. Ader’s business is in Rockford, and she describes her role as “owner/designer.” She manages the sales and operations, with vital support from an assistant designer and a production manager. They design and fabricate signs, banners, business cards and other communication products from raw materials in an industry that revolves around rapidly-changing technology. She is the resident expert on the equipment and in training others on tooling processes. Ader has had a lot of experience in
the sign industry. As production manager, she led all production and creative design at Sign Pro in Grand Rapids from 1998 to January 2000, when she launched Signs with Design. Before that, she was production coordinator at Commercial Images/ Rick Weese Design, also in Grand Rapids. Ader has high self-expectations, with an emphasis on “realistic, honest and accurate results.” She is a practitioner of out-of-the-box thinking for ways to increase marketability. She serves on the Kent Career Technical Center Advisory Board, Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs and Business Networking International. She is also active in the Cedar Springs Area Parks and Recreation as board member since 2013.
Robyn Allison The Rental Co. Member/Owner
$0-$1.49 MILLION
I
n 2004, Robyn Allison bought a rental company that was in bankruptcy, and more than quadrupled its sales over the next 10 years. The Rental Co. in Holland impacts the West Michigan community through economic development, promotion of sustainability and charitable outreach. The company supplies equipment to outdoor weddings and corporate/institutional events — everything from tents and tables to kitchen equipment and tableware. It employs almost 30 people, a significant share of them in their first job of real responsibility. The firm is also a major proponent of sustainability. “We provide information to our clients about having ‘eco-chic’ sustainable events and practice sustainability in everything we do at The Rental Company,” said Allison. 6 TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT
The company has started a threepronged approach to charitable giving. “We call the program our Compassion Connection,” she explained. “We offer a discount to clients when they write a check to one of our three nonprofits chosen for the year, and encourage our staff to donate time to the same agencies.” The company also helps nonprofit events by giving advice and in-kind donations of products and services. The Rental Co. specializes in using vintage furniture and dishes, lounge seating groups and fabric draping. “None of these options were offered in our area in the past. I think that by reviving a dying business, employing wonderful young people — frequently in their first job — and elevating the options for events in our area, we are improving the community,” said Allison.
Doreen Bolhuis Gymco Inc. President/CEO
$0-$1.49 MILLION
D
oreen Bolhuis started Gymco Inc. at a time when there were few female entrepreneurs. Nearly 35 years later, after developing her business model and setting up a unique culture, she’s executing the first step of a succession plan that will keep Gymco under female leadership for years to come. Gymco is regularly recognized as a great place to work, including five times on the 101 Best and Brightest Places to Work in West Michigan list. Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce named Gymco its Small Business of the Year in 2004. Bolhuis was honored with the Women’s Resource Center Pillar Award in 2007 and with the Corp! Magazine Diversity Award in 2009. The Business Journal has named her to its 50 Most Influential Women four times.
She currently serves on the board of the West Michigan Policy Forum, Michigan Fitness Foundation and Governor’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Health. She has also served on the board and executive committee for Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and West Michigan Council of Inforum of Michigan. She’s proud of how she has built her business during the past three and a half decades. “I have excelled as a leader in business and a pioneer in my industry,” Bolhuis said. “I developed a unique, successful business model where none previously existed and at a time when female business owners were almost non-existent.”
F E AT U R E D S P E A K E R RACHAEL CHONG, FOUNDER & CEO OF CATCHAFIRE
2015 TRILLIUM AWARD
2015 WEST MICHIGAN HONOREES
Rachael Chong is founder and CEO of Catchafire, the nation’s leading online pro bono network that connects talent and purpose. Chong is a social entrepreneur and a visionary leader. Prior to Catchafire, she helped start up BRAC USA by strategically utilizing pro bono talent. Fresh off this success, Chong founded Catchafire in 2009 with a vision to create a more efficient and effective social good sector, and a world where it is commonplace to serve for the greater good. Catchafire has been featured in The New York Times, Mashable, NPR, FOX Business, CNN Money, Crain’s, Forbes, Fast Company, TechCrunch and Daily Candy. In 2012, Chong received the prestigious NYC Venture Fellowship, the Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Award, and was named one of Fast Company’s most 100 creative people in Business 2012. She has a Master of Public Policy Degree from Duke University and graduated magna cum laude from Barnard College at Columbia University.
Michigan Women’s Foundation is devoted to fostering economic empowerment for the state’s women and girls through philanthropy and investment. GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES 7
Lisa Chang
Lynn Happel
Sheri Holstege
Erb Thai President
Eastown Veterinary Clinic President/Veterinarian
ESSTEE Inc. President
$0-$1.49 MILLION
L
isa Chang thought she wanted to be a chef, but while attending Grand Rapids Community College’s culinary program, the opportunity arose for her to open her own restaurant. Today, she is a thriving entrepreneur with multiple businesses to her name. Chang opened her first restaurant, Erb Thai, in 2010 on the busy corner of Wealthy Street and Diamond Avenue. It was one of the initial businesses that helped provide momentum for the Wealthy Street corridor’s resurgence as a thriving business district. After four years of success with that location, she opened Asian tea shop Boba Bliss next door. She also branded Erb Thai Café, which opened in Standale, and just recently celebrated the opening of Erb Thai Xpress on Michigan Street. Erb Thai and Boba Bliss were both recognized in the Wealthy Street neighborhood as Best New Neighborhood Businesses the years they opened. “I feel that as long as you believe — despite background, age or gender — achievements can be accomplished when striving hard for a goal,” Chang said. When Chang started Erb Thai it was a family affair, and today that is still the case, but Chang has also been able to hire additional employees outside of her tight-knit family. She manages up to 10 people between her various enterprises. She’s also hinted that she’d like to open more businesses in the future.
$0-$1.49 MILLION
V
eterinarian Lynn Happel saw a need in the Eastown community for a veterinary clinic to provide care for the area’s cats and dogs, and she decided to be the one to provide it. “I located in an area that was underserved in the area of veterinary medicine and established a clinic,” she said. Happel transformed a former bank building into Eastown Veterinary Clinic, launching her business in 2011. She received recognition for the building’s transformation in the form of the Neighborhood Business Award for Best Exterior Renovation. The neighborhood has embraced the clinic’s services and today it grosses more than $1 million annually and employs 14 people. Happel is a committed veterinarian and businesswoman, giving back to the Grand Rapids community in several ways. She volunteers her time with John Ball Zoo and the Kent County Animal Shelter by providing advanced dental care services to the animals. She also serves as the vice chair of the Michigan State Board of Veterinary Medicine and is a member of the Uptown Business Improvement District and the Eastown Business Association. “I feel that I truly embody the spirit of a regular person who had a dream, followed that dream despite obstacles, and created a successful business as well as nurtured continued success in myself,” she said.
8 TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT
$0-$1.49 MILLION
S
heri Holstege, president and majority owner of ESSTEE Real Estate Management, launched the full-service firm in 2003 and has facilitated its growth for more than a decade. With personalization at the core of its strategy, ESSTEE provides individualized management services for commercial condominiums, homeowners associations and owner-occupied facility clients. In 11 years, Holstege has grown the business to employ seven people who manage 12 commercial sites and 28 associations. “When training new hires, I stress the importance of equipping themselves with the necessary knowledge so they are confident in their decisions,” said Holstege. “Real estate management, especially commercial properties, is a male-dominated industry. Training, knowledge and confidence are critical to successful interaction with peers.” Holstege is involved in a number of community organizations and supports a variety of businesses and events including Good Samaritan Ministries, Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area. She is currently active with Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce, Community Action Agency and the Zeeland Planning Commission. She was nominated for the Lakeshore ATHENA Award in 2014. “Helping women achieve success on a professional and personal level is very important to me. As the majority owner … my goal is to groom another woman to take over the business when I am ready to retire,” said Holstege.
Diana Kasza Simply Counted Business Services Inc. Owner
$0-$1.49 MILLION
D
iana Kasza has a passion for supporting small businesses and their owners in their never-ending struggle for financial and personal success, especially those with grit, determination and cheerful enthusiasm for their work. Located in Holland, Kasza’s firm, Simply Counted Business Services, was founded in 2001 (originally called Mammen Group) after she had worked five years as a sole proprietor. “I truly love what I do, which is teaming up with businesses to assist them with knowing where they are financially, a necessary component to any business model and secure lifestyle,” said Kasza. Her business is a public accounting firm offering a variety of services, including CFO services, payroll, consulting, bookkeeping, personal and business income tax and more. The seven-person team includes profes-
sional accountants and an HR expert and consultant. They serve industries in four states in e-commerce, health care, horticulture, insurance, manufacturing, nonprofit, skilled trades, trucking/transportation and web development. Kasza is an accredited business accountant and registered tax return preparer with more than 20 years of experience. She started her career at an accounting firm in Big Rapids and later was a controller with a manufacturing company before starting her own business. Early in the firm’s history, it assumed financial responsibility for two companies in bankruptcy; both were solvent five years later. More recently, the firm developed a financial plan for a company with $850,000 in debt. In three years the debt was reduced $625,000 and the company had a positive cash flow.
Congratulations to Bridgett Tubbs-Carlon and the rest of the 2015 honorees of the Grand Rapids Business Journal’s Top Women Owned Businesses!
www.appletreekids.cc
(616) 454-5432 GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES 9
Cynthia Kay Cynthia Kay and Co. President/CEO
$0-$1.49 MILLION
C
ynthia Kay travels across the country to speak to small business owners and organizations, while being president and CEO of Cynthia Kay and Co., a media production company she founded in 1987. She is also the author of “Small Business for Big Thinkers: Unconventional Strategies to Connect With and Win Big Business.” “My most significant achievement is the ability to lead an award-winning media production company and at the same time advocate for small business on the state and national level,” she said. Kay has spent more than five years with the Small Business Association of Michigan and Cascade Community Foundation, both of which acknowledged her with awards in 2014. She currently is vice chair of advocacy of the National Small Business Association, chair of the SBAM Political Action
Committee and board member of MiQuest Foundation. Her company won Telly Awards in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2014. In 2008, the West Michigan MSU Alumni Association awarded Kay its Business Person of the Year award. She’s been on the Business Journal’s 50 Most Influential Women list five times and her company was first included as a Top Woman Owned Business in 2005. Kay takes pride in the work she has done outside her company. “I have been a leader in the business community and have used my talents not only for the benefit of my customers and employees but to help other business organizations excel,” she said.
Beth Kelly HR Collaborative Managing Partner
$0-$1.49 MILLION
B
eth Kelly is managing partner of HR Collaborative, which provides coaching and assistance in services such as selection management, human resource policies and practices, compensation planning, human resource strategy, performance management and interim human resource management. “HR Collaborative provides personal, professional human resource services to small and medium-sized employers,” said Kelly. “Through our services, clients have hired exceptional talent, built human resource systems informing and supporting their business growth, and gained confidence that policies and practices are legally sound and compliant.” The company has grown from two employees to seven in 12 months. The number of clients has also grown in the last three years, reaching a total of more than 50 businesses. HR Collaborative cli-
10 TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT
ents include John Ball Zoo, Natural Choice Foods, The Right Place, KConnect, Legacy Trust and Experience Grand Rapids. Helping clients become a great place to work and assisting them in hiring key personnel is among her most significant business achievements, according to Kelly. “We have partnered with several key nonprofit organizations to help them hire executive directors and presidents that will lead their organizations into the future,” said Kelly. “Our clients often report we have fundamentally changed the trajectory of their business by hiring employees who are the best fit for their company.” Kelly is involved in the Grand Rapids community through serving on the board of the Women’s Resource Center for nine years and previously serving with Leadership Grand Rapids for three years.
Denise Kolesar Kohler Expos Inc. President
$0-$1.49 MILLION
D
enise Kolesar, president of Kohler Expos Inc., is the woman behind six of Michigan’s biggest annual expos: West Michigan Women’s Expo in Grand Rapids, Mid-Michigan Women’s Expo in Lansing, Kids and Family Expo in Grand Rapids, Winter Bridal Show of West Michigan, Fall Bridal Show of West Michigan and Spring Bridal Show of West Michigan. She’s been producing successful expos for 17 years and her Women’s Expos are the largest events for women in two key markets, she said, adding the events have been incubators for women-owned and womenfocused businesses. “Our focus continues to be local entrepreneurs as we assist them with the development of their businesses, giving them the opportunity to put their product and services in front of thousands of consumers,” she said. “In a nutshell we assist over 500 small
PGG_TopWomen_ad 2015.ai
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
1/26/15
businesses in meeting their target market face-to-face with our annual events.” In 2014, Kolesar joined the Kent County Parks Foundation board and the Established Women Business Owners Division of GROW. “My drive is inspired by my continuous belief that women are the economic heartbeat of society. I continue to challenge local women’s organizations to work and collaborate more,” she said. “We are focused not only on helping businesses, but also bringing the women of the community education on many levels in an entertaining setting. We want to, and continue to, put knowledge in front of women in an entertaining environment.”
10:47:44 AM
Bravo! Congratulations to Meg Goebel and the rest of the 2015 honorees of the Grand Rapids Business Journal’s Top Women Owned Businesses. (800) 632-4591
www.paulgoebelgroup.com
GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES 11
Rhoda Kreuzer Partners in Action Inc. President
$0-$1.49 MILLION
R
hoda Kreuzer likes to see people succeed. She likes it so much she started Partners in Action, a business consulting firm, in 1999 to help business leaders achieve their goals. Her dedication to helping others succeed also includes writing an internationally distributed book, “The Art of Natural Leadership,” and creating and co-producing “Good News & Success,” airing on local NPR station WGVU. The radio show was designed to combat negative media and foster the community’s leadership. Kreuzer has helped Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women establish two new divisions, which helped expand membership by more than 50 members. She’s chair of the Regional Alliance for Diversity in Public Purchasing and a board member for Center of Empowerment and Economic Development. In the past, Kreuzer has served as presi-
dent and regional alliance coordinator for Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs and secretary of the West Michigan Volunteer Managers. She also serves as the facilitator of the CEO Round Table for Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. Kreuzer was a finalist for the Chamber’s Athena Award in 2014 and received the Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs Leadership Award in 2012. She was CEED’s Volunteer of the Year in the Great Lakes region in 2008 and 2010, and Woman of the Year and AWE Member of the Year in 2001 and 2002, respectively. “My positive spirit and willingness to collaborate and promote the well-being of others will never change,” Kreuzer said. “I am a lifelong learner committed to excellence.”
Julie Lough Micro Visions Inc. President
$0-$1.49 MILLION
I
n a time when there were few costeffective resources available for a small technology company, Julie Lough had a vision. That vision was to serve a niche business market: business computer users. Taking $5,000 from personal savings to buy a computer, register a company name, design a logo and take classes to get certification, she started her company in her living room in January 1989. Now she’s the president of a major local tech firm. “Micro Visions remains debt-free and has successfully served over 500 clients to deliver solutions tailored to their specific needs. I’m very proud of our longevity,” she said. “By fostering a culture that thrives on assisting others, Micro Visions has enabled a remarkable team of people to achieve their personal goals and objectives and add 12 TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT
outstanding value to the marketplace for 25 years now.” Lough, nominated for a number of prestigious awards including the Athena Award, is now looking to open the maledominated tech industry to more women. “Women hold more than half of all professional occupations in the U.S. but fewer than 26 percent hold professional positions in the IT industry. Even fewer womenowned businesses perform the technical business services Micro Visions provides,” she said. Lough and her company serve not only as an example for women entrepreneurs, but also commit time and resources to organizations such as GROW, CEED and the Michigan Celebration of Women in Computing.
Elaine Meyers Meyers Cleaning Service Inc. President
$0-$1.49 MILLION
T
hirty years ago, Elaine Meyers would get up at 5 a.m. to service her two small cleaning accounts. That work evolved into what is now Meyers Cleaning Service, a corporation with 90 employees. “It’s quite simple to look back at numbers and marvel at the fact that we had had 30 years of continued growth in revenues and or profits, even through the years of economic recession,” she said. But with success comes struggle, and at no other moment did this ring truer for Meyers than when in January 2012, her husband, Bob, passed away suddenly. She said she survived with the help of a local nonprofit organization called Widowed Persons Service, which she currently serves as a board member. Being on the receiving end of a nonprofit was a powerful learning experience, Myers said, and for the 30th anniversary of
her business, she decided to put her money where her heart was and make a donation to area nonprofits that would serve the community for the next 30 years and beyond. “I didn’t necessarily agree with all of his decisions, but after a while, I realized (Bob’s) generosity was one of the many traits I loved about him,” she said. “So after consulting with my accountant, my decision was confirmed to donate my 2014 salary to various nonprofits in West Michigan as a way to give back and at the same time honor the memory of my husband.”
Congratulations to an inspiring group of women business owners. Your leadership and accomplishments make all of West Michigan a better place to do business.
GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES 13
Amy Ruis Art of the Table/Aperitivo Owner/Co-Owner
$0-$1.49 MILLION
A
my Ruis doesn’t shy away from struggling neighborhoods. Instead, she invests in them. Ruis opened her retail business Art of the Table on Wealthy Street in 2003 — years before the corridor would begin experiencing its current resurgence. Then, in 2013, she took a chance on the new Downtown Market venture as coowner of indoor vendor Aperitivo. The risks have paid off. Ruis said her proudest achievements have been “having two thriving local businesses that began in struggling neighborhoods (that are) now doing well,” and having “long-term employees who love working alongside me and I with them.” In addition to growing her businesses, Ruis is committed to helping others find success with their endeavors. She has been secretary of the Uptown Corridor Improvement District for the past three
years, watching the corridor “progress beyond my wildest dreams.” Ruis also has spent 12 years as a member of the Wealthy Street Business Alliance, serving in a variety of roles. She currently serves as vice president and secretary and previously was the organization’s president and treasurer. Former board memberships have included Downtown Market and Local First. “I love the Grand Rapids business community and am so inspired daily by what Grand Rapids has become and continues to become,” she said. “There is so much potential for all of us.”
Mary Ann Sabo Sabo Public Relations President
$0-$1.49 MILLION
P
rior to making the move to public relations, Mary Ann Sabo was an awardwinning journalist. She made the switch to PR in 1999, joining Lambert Edwards as a partner before starting her own firm in 2003. Since beginning Sabo Public Relations, she’s built it up from a one-woman firm to a full-service public relations company with six employees. “During the nearly 12 years we have been in business, we have experienced steady growth, allowing us to represent some of West Michigan’s leading businesses,” Sabo said. “We enjoy a good reputation with both our clients and the media we deal with.” With that solid reputation, which includes a PRoof Award from the West Michigan Public Relations Society of America for its Hospice of Michigan campaign last year, Sabo said the company likes
14 TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT
to give back to the nonprofit sector. Sabo currently serves on the board of the Legacy Trust Award Collection and The House That Andy Built, which helped raise funds needed to build a Habitat for Humanity home in honor of former Grand Rapids Press News Editor Andy Angelo. She also has served on the boards of the Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities, DEAF Etc. and Grand Rapids Area Humanities Council. Sabo said she founded her company on the principle of doing good work at a fair price. “We earn a good living by helping people tell their stories,” she said.
Sara Sherry Mixed Staffing President
$0-$1.49 MILLION
A
t age 27, Sara Sherry has taken the initial vision for the company she launched in 2012 and expanded it into three divisions. The boutique staffing firm has grown to include Mixed Professional Staffing and Recruiting, Mixed Inclusive and Diversity Staffing and Recruiting, and Mixed Workforce Staffing. “Through these three divisions, we aim to help our community and those in it. We educate and employ those often discriminated against: women, minorities, ex-offenders and military veterans,” said Sherry. Blending standard drug screening, background checks and skilled résumé evaluation procedures with educational opportunities, strategic workforce planning and motivational seminars, Mixed Staffing strives to personalize the job market one person at a time. Since 2012, Mixed Staffing has had
sales grow from roughly $18,500 to more than $782,000 in 2014. To Sherry, her most successful business achievements are the company’s annual revenue growth, her young age and becoming an official Woman-Owned Business Nov. 1, 2014. “I run a successful business, constantly growing and striving to do better,” she said. “Throughout the next five years, I am confident Mixed Staffing will expand throughout not only Michigan but the United States. We are and will continue to be the new modern day staffing agency.” Sherry is actively engaged in the community, including working as head volleyball coach at Ottawa Hills High School, being involved in Grand C.I.T.Y., serving as director of community engagement and marketing for Endless Opportunities, and being involved with the educational seminar program at Kent County Jail.
Congratulations
Diana Kasza
On being a finalist for the Top Women Owned Business Awards in West Michigan for 2015!
Your passion and dedication to helping small businesses thrive and succeed is one of your greatest gifts. Namaste~~ Serving small & medium sized businesses
www.simplycounted.com 616-738-0044
GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES 15
Sandra Slager Walters Seed Co. President
$0-$1.49 MILLION
T
he roots of Walters Seed Co. in Holland were planted in 1958, when Henry and Connie Walters started Walters Seed & Nursery, a perennial plant farm. The Walters began the practice of including a seed packet as a free gift with orders they filled by mail. In 1996, Henry Walters retired and Walters Seed became a separate entity, owned by daughter Sandra Walters Slager and a partner. In December 2011, she bought out the partner and now owns 100 percent of the business. It is challenging for a woman-owned business to succeed in the male-dominated agriculture industry, but today, Walters Seed Co. is a recognized leader in the production of seed packets as gifts to accompany perennial purchases or for use as promotional premiums by businesses and organizations. The firm has expertise in the develop-
ment of promotional initiatives that focus on sustainability, health, nutrition, recycling, ecological stewardship and natural beauty. Walters Seed does not just supply seed packets as promotional items; it takes the lead in helping worldwide organizations put earth-friendly principles into action. Through efforts such as anti-hunger campaigns and corporate-sponsored educational programs for children, Walters Seed is having a positive impact worldwide. “My greatest business achievement has been the design and launch of our retail product line of SeedGems Paper Planter seed-starting kits,” said Slager, an idea she wanted to try for years. “It has been very rewarding to see something I designed and developed from the concept stages become available on store shelves.”
Meredith Smedley Smedley Dental Owner/Dentist
$0-$1.49 MILLION
W
hen Meredith Smedley launched her small business in 2010, she also began building a dental practice from the ground up. Since opening Smedley Dental in the heart of downtown Zeeland, the practice has grown to serve more than 1,700 patients in roughly four years, and Smedley considers her most significant business achievement mastering the art of hiring and firing. “I have found having employees who embody your philosophy and have an ‘ownership mentality’ will make the business not only survive, but thrive,” said Smedley. “I did not buy an existing practice or a list of patients. I have made mistakes and learned how to run a successful business as I go.” Smedley Dental provides patients preventive, cosmetic and restorative care dental services. It also incorporates eco-
16 TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT
friendly practices: The office uses re-purposed furniture, digital radiography emitting 90 percent less radiation than traditional X-rays, is chartless to reduce paper consumption, and has Energy Star compliant appliances and machines. “I have surrounded myself with other smart and motivated women who I am blessed to work with,” said Smedley. “I could not be a successful woman-owned business if it were not for the women who ‘run’ the business with me day-to-day.” Smedley has been an active member on industry-related associations in the past, including serving as president of the Holland-Zeeland Dental Society for three years, and as the Ottawa County representative for the West Michigan District Dental Society for two years.
Sandra Frost Steensma Parrish Consulting President/Principal Consultant
$0-$1.49 MILLION
P
arrish Consulting is one of the largest full-service fundraising consulting firms in West Michigan, serving up to 60 nonprofits each year. The firm is committed to the success of its clients and to the individuals who work in the fundraising profession. The firm’s eight professionals are each invested in building clients’ capacity and providing leadership in the community. Sandi Frost Steensma started Parrish Consulting in 2007. Today, her firm’s long-term clients include the Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation, Grand Rapids Symphony, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids Civic Theater, Heartside Ministry, CASA, Baxter Community Center and Arbor Circle. “We are involved in the community and serve on multiple boards,” said Steensma, working to raise the level of ethical and effective fundraising practices. This
includes mentoring young fundraising professionals to help them reach the highest level of achievement. “It is critically important that each senior level professional take it upon themselves to teach and train the next generation,” she said, to sustain nonprofits in the future. “We are committed to this mission.” Steensma’s community service began more than 30 years ago. One of her most visible roles was as a member of the Kent County Board of Commissioners, where she was chair. Currently a Lake Superior State University trustee and member of the John Ball Zoo Task Force, she has served as a board member of Grand Rapids Rotary and the Junior Chamber Family AIDS Network.
GRBJ Print Ad Good Ideas 3.5x4.975.pdf 1 2/4/2015 3:05:30 PM
BRINGING MORE GOOD IDEAS TO THE TABLE.
Congratulations C
Top Women Owned Businesses
M
Y
CM
To our president and co-founder Brenda Vander Ploeg, we say congratulations on being named one of West Michigan’s leading women entrepreneurs. Direct Supply, Inc., has flourished into the family-owned and operated distributor of commercial and residential countertop materials, hardware, and cabinetry that it is today under your leadership over the past twenty-five years. Congratulations to you and the rest of the Direct Supply, Inc., team!
MY
CY
CMY
K
directsupplyinc.com | 1055 36th St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508
GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES 17
Beverly Wall Languages International CEO
$0-$1.49 MILLION
B
everly Wall wants aspiring women business owners to know they can be successful. To do this, she often speaks at business events and judges business pitch competitions. Following her involvement with the Michigan Women’s Foundation’s Entrepreneur YOU event, she met an aspiring entrepreneur, Susan Sprentall. Since the pitch competition, Wall took on the CFO role, has helped Sprentall through the investor phase, and is now hiring a team of approximately 40 engineers for the company SurClean. Since 2002, Wall has been CEO of Languages International, a foreign language translation, instruction and interpreting company. In 2010, she founded Wall2Wall Marketing, which provides marketing services to women-owned businesses. Wall has twice been named Outstanding Volunteer in the Great Lakes region of
the Women’s Business Enterprise Council. She’s been recognized by Inforum Inner Circle for her mentorship of local business women and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council for her leadership in the community. The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce awarded her the Athena Award in 2003. In 2008, Wall was named a Distinguished Alumni of the Grand Valley State University Seidman College of Business. She’s currently a Grand Rapids Township planning commissioner. The Business Journal has recognized Wall four times for Most Influential Women in West Michigan and five times for Top Woman Owned Businesses. “My passion is for the women in West Michigan to know that they too can run a business by following the successful patterns already being performed by today’s women business owners,” Wall said.
Congratulations
Honorees Especially Bridgett Tubbs-Carlon, Alumna Brenda L. Vander Ploeg, Alumna Ann Vidro, Alumna, Alumni Board Member Beverly Wall, Alumna and Meg Goebel, Foundation Board Member
Get the best of Grand Rapids every month!
800-686-1600 | davenport.edu Subscribe now at grmag.com
Get where the world is going 18 TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT
facebook.com/grmag twitter.com/grmagazine
Amy Ritsema and Mary Kline OnSite Wellness Owners
$0-$1.49 MILLION
F
or roughly 22 years, Amy Ritsema and Mary Kline have been providing customized wellness programs to support employer business strategies and promote employee health and well-being. As owners of OnSite Wellness, Ritsema and Kline feel their most significant accomplishment is launching a thriving company that continues to experience growth. Ritsema says OnSite Wellness has successfully built a new business from the ground up. “We have maintained continued growth every year while staying debt free. We started the business with small personal loans and had those paid off in the first year of business. We have never had to borrow money since.” Overseeing an experienced team of exercise science, nutrition and health professionals who are certified in worksite wellness and coaching, Ritsema and Kline
provide consulting, individualized coaching and comprehensive strategies to companies of any size. The tailored wellness programs include preventive screenings, nutrition tracking, personal training, industrial stretching, physical health classes, lifestyle coaching, tobacco cessation and stress management. “It has been our strongest year, with increased revenues and client growth of 20 percent,” said Ritsema. “We also believe we are making strides to improve the health and well-being of Michigan families, one organization at a time.” In 2014, Ritsema and Kline were finalists for Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce’s EPIC Award for Women Owned Business. Kline is engaged in working in her church, while Ritsema serves on the leadership team for the Established Business Owners Division of GROW.
GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES 19
TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES
$1.5 MILLION-$3.99 MILLION Meg Goebel Paul Goebel Group President/CEO
$1.5 MILLION-$3.99 MILLION
O
ver the course of her successful career, Meg Goebel, president and CEO of Grand Rapids-based Paul Goebel Group, which designs, markets and administers a number of types of insurance plans, has made a difference through community and business outreach. She currently serves on a number of community and business boards, including as chairperson of the Broadway Grand Rapids board, immediate past chairperson of the Planned Parenthood Centers of West and Northern Michigan, and trustee for Davenport University Foundation. She previously served as chairperson of the board of directors for Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, and as a member of the board of directors for both the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and YWCA Center for Women. Goebel has been ranked in the Grand Rapids Business Journal’s 50 Most Influ-
ential Women in West Michigan six times, and as a Top Women Owned Business five times. Goebel said her most significant business achievement was deciding to purchase her father’s insurance agency in 1994 at age 36 and retaining him to ensure a smooth business transition. “My agency has been in Grand Rapids for 82 years, and I have worked there 32 years full time and 20 years as CEO and owner,” she said. “I not only run a successful small business. I also contribute my time and money to various organizations in West Michigan.”
Peaches McCahill The McCahill Group President
$1.5 MILLION-$3.99 MILLION
P
eaches McCahill embodies the mission of her 28-year sustainable business: to inspire and empower people to live healthy and meaningful lives. Armed with a vision for wellness and an entrepreneurial spirit, McCahill built her business in an undeveloped industry, providing customized and creative health, wellness and beauty services and programs to clients. “I took passion and my entrepreneurial concept into a category that was lacking both, and grew it into a successful and influential company,” said McCahill. Her latest venture is a web-based platform designed to help individuals develop and maintain healthy habits through challenges, educational material and simple daily tasks, while being held accountable through social networking. In 2013, McCahill graduated from the inaugural class of Grand Rapids-based
20 TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT
Jandernoa Entrepreneur Mentoring program and strives to serve as a strong female role model. “This was a great honor as I was the only woman selected for this program when it began in 2010,” said McCahill. “My motto is: just make sure you can always buy your own lipstick. I had little to no role models to guide me. I have mentored dozens of women and my hope is they will continue to ‘pay this forward’ in their own ways.” McCahill currently serves as chair of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, providing educational programs, funding allocations and support, and as chair of the Michigan Fitness Foundation.
Gwen O’Brien Plenty Principal/Creative Director
$1.5 MILLION-$3.99 MILLION
G
wen O’Brien said she has been lucky enough to spend the past 11 years doing what she loves to do. Since opening in 2001, O’Brien’s firm, Plenty, which is a branding, graphic and digital design studio, has done work for Haworth, Centre for Plastic Surgery, Reserve Wine & Food, Grand Valley State University Art Gallery, Grand Rapids Community Foundation and Green Gala, among many others. The firm recently has been honored with the 2014 U360 Award, a competition hosted by Appleton Coated, for its work on the Haworth Collection Portfolio Book. Plenty also was an American Alliance of Museums 2014 Museum Publications Design Competition winner for its work promoting Grand Valley State University’s Cyril Lixenberg exhibition. In addition to running Plenty, O’Brien is president of professional association
for design AIGA West Michigan and has helped grow the organization’s membership to more than 300 within the past five years. She is actively involved with AIGA West Michigan’s Design Week and the Fellows Program. O’Brien also received the Kendall College of Art & Design Distinguished Alumni Award and remains actively involved with her alma mater. She serves as president of Kendall’s Alumni Association, where she has created multiple opportunities for alumni to reengage with the college.
you make all the
difference
in the world Top Women Owned Businesses Aquinas celebrates our alumnae: Julie Lough ‘86 MICRO VISIONS, INC.
Sandra Frost Steensma MM ‘87 KENNARI CONSULTING
Beverly Wall ‘83 LANGUAGES INTERNATIONAL INC.
Meredith Smedley ‘97 prayer | study | service | community
SMEDLEY DENTAL
aquinas.edu • (616) 632-8900
GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES 21
Karen Scarpino Promotional Impact and Green Giftz President/Owner
$1.5 MILLION-$3.99 MILLION
K
aren Scarpino has a passion for success and a drive to build strong relationships with clients to help them stand out among their peers. As owner of Promotional Impact and Green Giftz, Scarpino said a significant business achievement came when two top clients resold more than $500,000 worth of her branded merchandise. “When our clients are successful, we’re successful. When our client can re-sell the items we sell them, their program is sustainable. In an industry sometimes referred to as ‘trinkets and trash’ these numbers are rare for corporate re-sale.” The communications and advertising firm has expanded its services to clients located across the globe, including France, Germany, Asia, Colombia, Mexico, Canada, Thailand and the Czech Republic. “We make this happen by understanding our client’s corporate culture, audience
and studying top retail trends. Then we combine this, add in our creativity, and it’s a win-win for all. We create custom items exclusively for our clients that meet corporate objectives.” Not only is the branded merchandise specifically designed for each client, but it’s also earth-friendly. In 2013, Promotional Impact and Green Giftz was named a 101 Best and Brightest Sustainable Companies. “Relationship is key. Building strong, trustworthy relationships in our marketplace could determine if we thrive or dive in today’s economy. Our client may have a need for something we’ve never sold before, but if they need it, they trust us to come through for them, and we make it happen.”
Ginny Seyferth SeyferthPR President
$1.5 MILLION-$3.99 MILLION
G
inny Seyferth started SeyferthPR while in her 20s, and three decades later the firm has facilitated some of Grand Rapids’ biggest news. Seyferth counts the successful launches of ArtPrize and LaughFest and the opening of Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park as a few of its crowning achievements. The firm also was responsible for the success of the 100th anniversary celebration of the Grand Rapids Art Museum, the GRAM’s Princess Diana exhibition and the opening of Grand Valley State University’s downtown campus. “We not only made it through three decades of rapid-fire changes; we are more successful than ever,” Seyferth said. She currently runs a staff of 26 employees. Over 30 years, Seyferth and her firm have received numerous accolades. A sampling includes acceptance into the Arthur
22 TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT
W. Page Society, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist in 2002 and 2003, West Michigan’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For Elite Award for Community Initiatives, Public Relations Society of America’s 2010 Award of Excellence for ArtPrize, and the 2000 PR News Platinum Award: Best Event: da Vinci Horse unveiling at Frederik Meijer Gardens. Seyferth is actively involved in the community. She currently serves on the executive board for Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids and as program chair for the Economic Club of Grand Rapids. She is a founding member and executive board member for Talent 2025, which she considers one of her most important recent achievements.
Mary Reagan Shapton Reagan Marketing + Design Member
$1.5 MILLION-$3.99 MILLION
R
eagan Marketing + Design is used to receiving awards. When Mary Reagan Shapton left Steelcase to start her own communications firm in 1991, she worked from home. Now, she leads a company of more than 30 employees in an Eastown space that won the Neighborhood Business Alliance Best Re-Use of Space Award in 2011 and an Honor Award from AIA Grand Rapids in 2012. The firm has won eight Aster awards for medical marketing for its work with Spectrum Health. The firm’s work on the Spectrum Health Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion opening won it a Medical Marketing Association International Award of Excellence. Reagan Marketing + Design has received 10 ADDY Awards from the American Advertising Federation and a Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce EPIC
Award as Woman-Owned Business of the Year in 2011. Reagan Shapton is a two-time nominee for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, in 2007 and 2011. She currently serves on the East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation and Grand Rapids Community Foundation Advisory Council. Her team has donated more than 1,500 hours of time to area nonprofits. “Mary quietly leads by example and is a mentor to employees as well as clients,” her employees and partners wrote on the nomination form. “Mary is passionate about the Grand Rapids community and actively participates in supporting community events, philanthropy and improving the local business climate.”
It started with a pair of bunny slippers... Twelve years ago, a former journalist put on a pair of pink bunny slippers, climbed the stairs to her attic office and opened Sabo PR. Fast forward to 2015: We now have seven dynamic team members and the best client list around. From media relations to photo and video production, social media management to crisis communications, Sabo PR assists West Michigan's leading businesses, non-profits and municipalities in telling their stories. gi us a call — whether you’re in So give bunny slippers or stilettos, we’re here to tell your story.
www.sabo-pr.com
616.485.1432
Twitter: @sabopr
Facebook: /sabopr
GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES 23
Brenda Vander Ploeg Direct Supply Inc. President
$1.5 MILLION-$3.99 MILLION
D
irect Supply Inc. was founded as a family-owned business in the summer of 1989. In the beginning it was primarily a decorative and functional hardware supplier to retailers and casework manufacturers. Eventually, however, the company began distribution of solid surface and related fabrication sundries. “Since taking over Direct Supply solely in 2007, I had to build a new level of confidence and stability with our vendors, customers and employees,” said Brenda Vander Ploeg, president of Direct Supply. “Since the 2009 economic downturn, Direct Supply has grown sales by 40 percent, expanded product offerings by 15 percent, and continues to be recognized as an industry leader in customer service and innovation.” After receiving an associate’s degree in accounting from Davenport University, Vander Ploeg began her career at Kammin-
ga and Roodvoets Inc., where she worked as an accountant for seven years before becoming an accountant at Workman Contractors Inc. for another seven years. She joined Direct Supply in 1989. In 2014, Vander Ploeg was named by The Alternative Board, a non-competing business owners advisory board, as its Member of the Year. “I think it is important for other women to recognize that no matter where your starting point is, whether starting from scratch or purchasing an existing business, you can overcome any obstacles if you love what you do and have the drive, passion and desire to succeed,” she said. “A great community of other women-owned businesses helps too!”
Ann Vidro and Menda Wright Creative Studio Promotions Co-owners
$1.5 MILLION-$3.99 MILLION
I
n just two years, Ann Vidro and Menda Wright not only launched a new business, but also gave it a solid footing. Creative Studio Promotions, a branded merchandising startup, was founded in 2012 and in the past year alone has seen its sales double. “We have grown in leaps and bounds,” remarked Vidro. Today, Creative Studio Promotions counts some of the largest employers in Michigan as clients, including Spectrum Health. The company has an exclusive contract with Spectrum for its entire branded merchandise program. In addition to branded merchandise, Creative Studio Promotions also creates online stores, manages decorating on demand, and picks up, packs and ships globally from its local warehouse. Vidro and Wright manage 10 employees.
24 TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT
“We feel our company represents the amazing opportunity for women in Michigan to realize their dreams,” Wright said. In its short history, the company has racked up some nice honors. It was a nominee in 2014 for Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce’s EPIC Award and for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. While building their business, Vidro and Wright have continued their strong commitment to the community through board positions. Vidro has served for the past three years on the Davenport University Alumni board, and Wright has spent four years as a member of the Compassionate Ministries board.
TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES
$4 MILLION-$6.99 MILLION
Jill Batka Dynamic Conveyor Corp. President
$4 MILLION-$6.99 MILLION
D
ynamic Conveyor Corp.’s introduction in 2011 of a new conveyor line for the food-processing industry has brought the company much success, and President Jill Batka couldn’t be happier. Dynamic Conveyor saw its personnel increase by 17 percent in the past year, as a result of the introduction of the DynaClean food-processing conveyors. The new line marked the company’s first foray into the food-processing market. Thanks to the growth, Batka now oversees 24 employees. Additionally, Michigan Celebrates Small Business named Dynamic Conveyor Corp. one of Michigan’s Top 50 to Watch Companies in 2014. Batka said she is proud to be “growing a manufacturing company in West Michigan that brings additional jobs and security to families in my community.” Through two board positions, Batka
advocates for better health care and education in the West Michigan community. For three years, she has been a member of the Mercy Health Partners Business Health Alliance Committee, for which she solicited $2 million in philanthropic funding for the Mercy Health Comprehensive Breast Center, which provides care for all aspects of breast health. She has also served for three years on the Muskegon Community College Entrepreneur Advisory Board, where she has used her business acumen to help develop MCC’s new entrepreneur program curriculum. In the past, Batka spent eight years providing business advice as a member of the Wee Care Child Development Center board of directors.
groW salutes our own We are proud of our program participants, volunteers and donors who are being recognized as our communities’ Top Women Owned Businesses.
Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women
Alexis Ader
kAren sCArpino
owner of Signs with Design
Beth kelly
Jill BAtkA
president of Dynamic Conveyor Corp.
Meg goeBel
rhodA kreuzer
president of Partners in Action
president and owner of Vos Glass
diAnA kAszA
owner of Simply Counted Business Services
CynthiA kAy
president and CEO of Cynthia Kay and Company
denise kolesAr
president of Kohler Expos
president and CEO of Paul Goebel Group
lindA Vos-grAhAM
Managing partner of HR Collaborative
Julie lough
president of Micro Visions
AMy ritseMA & MAry kline owners of OnSite Wellness
AMy ruis
owner and co-owner, Art of the Table and Aperitivo
owner of Promotional Impact/Green Giftz
MAry reAgAn shApton
member of Reagan Marketing + Design
sAndrA slAger
president of Walters Seed Company
sAndrA Frost steensMA
president and principal consultant of Parrish Consulting
Bridgett tuBBs-CArlon founder and owner of AppleTree Learning Centers
BeVerly WAll
CEO of Languages International
Congratulations to all the nominated entrepreneurs impacting the West Michigan business community.
www.growbusiness.org GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES 25
TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES
$7 MILLION OR MORE Bridgett Tubbs-Carlon AppleTree Learning Centers Founder/Owner
$7 MILLION OR MORE
A
ppleTree Learning Centers became a pioneer in Michigan when it introduced the first secure webcam access at its schools for parents, not long after it opened in 1998. Parents can “visit” at will during the day from home or work, using their computer or mobile device to see how their child is doing. The idea was so new that one day founder Bridgett Tubbs-Carlon got a phone call from John Engler. The governor told her they had heard about the AppleTree webcam and wanted to make sure it wasn’t something unauthorized individuals could hack into. State people were sent to check it out, and AppleTree passed with flying colors. Since the first AppleTree was opened with a dozen kids and a staff of six, it has grown to 17 schools in Michigan and employs 175 people. Each location offers
preschool classes in math, science, reading and more. Three more AppleTrees are scheduled to open this year in Lansing and Kalamazoo, and in 2014, Tubbs-Carlon launched Gilden Woods, child care centers that are “exactly the same as AppleTree,” she said, but designed to be a national chain, poised for growth. For years she felt pre-school education funded by the state was unfair competition, so Tubbs-Carlon went to Lansing to meet with legislators, with the help of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. She helped draft language that became part of a bill making changes in pre-school funding, signed into law by Gov. Rick Snyder in 2014.
Linda Vos-Graham Vos Glass Inc. President/Owner
$7 MILLION OR MORE
L
inda Vos-Graham is arguably the local construction industry’s most influential woman of her generation. Just trying to list all the awards she has earned over the course of her career could fill a book. In 2013, she became the first woman inducted into the Michigan Construction Hall of Fame. That year, U.S. Glass Magazine named her company, Vos Glass Inc., one of the top 10 womenowned glazing contractors in the country. A founder of the Construction Workforce Development Alliance, Vos-Graham also has been honored with multiple Awards of Excellence from the Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. In the seven years after she was named president of Vos Glass, she more than doubled the size of her company. But she cemented her professional legacy as a mover and shaker when she helped develop the Construction Workforce Development
26 TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT
Alliance, which works to raise awareness about the educational and career opportunities in the industry. “What I have accomplished in the last year, I find to be very rewarding. I was inducted into the Michigan Construction Hall of Fame at Ferris State along with receiving the Award of Excellence from ABC West Michigan,” she said. “I am also proud of the collaboration with several contractors on great projects — to name a few: Meijer HQ, Jenison Public Schools and Northview Public Schools, Mary Free Bed and Spectrum East Beltline. Through my business success and my leadership, I hope I will encourage more women to consider construction-related careers.”
Congratulations
TO THE TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES With sincere appreciation for your leadership and for all of your contributions to the community, thank you!
Thank you to our sponsors PLATINUM SPONSORS
EVENT SPONSORS
IN ASSOCIATION WITH:
Something to feel good about! There is nothing like it. For and about women. Find the latest cutting edge advancements in women’s products and services: Your Health, Your Home, Your Fashion & Style, Ideas, Food, Shopping and Fun.
Brain Santos The Wall Wizard Painting & Wallpapering Tips, Tricks & Techniques Color Your Home Beautiful All Three Days
Join the 17 year celebration and put these dates on your calendar now! • 400 Exhibits, Seminars & Shopping • Enjoy the guest Speakers & Presenters • Something Pinteresting Returns! • Great Lakes Book Expo
Michael O’Rourke “Rock Your Hair” World-Renowned LA Celebrity Stylist Bringing Back “Big Hair” Ideas and Demos
• Big Hair craze with Rock your Hair • Color your Home Beautiful •
Cooking Stage & Healthy Living Area
• Wine & Canvas & Casino Fun
Full Circle Design Studio CeCe Caldwell’s Paints Something Pinteresting is Going On! Giving New Life to Old Treasures On Stage Daily
• Caribbean Themed Celebration! • Win a $2000 value Caribbean Vacation! • Tickets at door or in advance discounted at Follow us on facebook