Getting Schooled in Business

By Karen Stein

Two years ago, Traverse City’s Trinity Lutheran School board of directors set out to revitalize the school and push it to the cutting edge of best practices. One of the upshots of the subsequent year of strategic planning and research was the Trinity Treasures school store, which …

On The Health Care Job Hunt? Consider Medical Coding.

By Al Parker

As Baby Boomers age, the need to employ a growing number of qualified health care workers to both prevent and treat medical conditions grows as well.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the nation needs to retain its corps of qualified workers and also add …

Let's Create A Standing Ovation For Division Street

BY HANS VOSS

I love standing ovations.

Nothing beats the energy of a crowd spontaneously drawn to their feet, when there’s a palpable sense they want to do more to show appreciation than just stand and clap, but there is nothing more to do, so they just keep on standing …

2-Minute Business Lesson

Start from Scratch or Buy a Business

The Case Study:

Jackie Winslow always knew she would run her own business one day. An admitted business geek, Jackie had been reading Fast Company and Entrepreneur since she was a teenager. She used to fantasize she’d actually been adopted and Seth Godin …

Local Micro Loans Spur Small Businesses

By Amy Lane

Over the last three years, Dakota and Garret Porter have built an idea hatched while snowboarding into a patent-pending product that’s lit up attention, and sales.

Their Action Glow LED lighting kit for sporting equipment – available for 10 types of uses, ranging from surfboards to skis …

Newsmakers: People On The Move

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Donna McAvoy has been promoted to Regional President – North of Chemical Bank. She will be instrumental in the management and oversight of business development and philanthropic efforts for Chemical Bank’s network across northern Michigan. She has been with Chemical Bank since 1983.

Honor Bank has announced the …

Briefly: Big News In A Small Format

EPIC POWERSPORTS MOVES TO TC

Epic Powersports has expanded and relocated to Traverse City and can now be found at 3201 LaFranier Road (just behind the former Lear building at LaFranier and S. Airport). Founded in Kingsley in 2010, Epic sells both new and pre-owned powersports units. The new 1,200 …

Sled Mania!

By Mike Terrell

Snowmobilers from all around the Great Lakes come to ride thousands of miles of groomed trails crisscrossing the Wolverine State, and in turn support many small businesses that depend on that infusion of cash during the slower winter months to survive.

It’s a win-win situation, according to …

Accountable Care Organization – What is it and what does it look like?

By Marie Hooper

The current health care landscape is a complicated one but, when it comes to an individual’s health and wellness, it doesn’t have to be. Medicare has defined an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) as a group of doctors, hospitals and other health care providers who come together voluntarily …

Munson Set To Acquire Mercy Hospitals

Barring any unforeseen delays, Munson Healthcare will close on the purchase of Mercy Hospital Cadillac and Mercy Hospital Grayling on February 1, 2015.

When Munson Healthcare first announced news of the planned purchase in May, president and CEO Ed Ness described it as “the next practical step” in their partnership …

Inviting Guests To Your Home (Town)

By Scott Lankford

I understand that Traverse City has the richest Rotary Club in the world. I have heard that Traverse City boasts one of the most active Chamber of Commerce in the nation. If you look at our Visitor Center, it is located, as is the Chamber of Commerce …

Plenty Of Work To Do In 2015

By Doug Luciani

It was nice to see – people exiting the Traverse City Area Chamber’s Economic Outlook breakfast last month with some upbeat business data and trends to feel good about. It was a welcome change from the forecasts that ranged from tepid to downright gloomy since the throes …

Banking Market Share: Who's Gaining, Who's Not?

By Luke Haase

Things have changed a lot in the past two decades of northern Michigan banking. Gone are names like First of America, NBD, Republic, North Country, and others. Some banks have changed hands (and names) multiple times, like NBD-turned-Bank One-turned-Chase.

So which bank is biggest here these days? …

No Business Like Snow Business

By Lynn Geiger

In theory, snowmaking sounds simple enough – turning water into small ice crystals.

But ask any northern Michigan snowmaker and it’s a fine balance of water pressure, horsepower, compressed air and mad math skills.

For the second year in a row, snow guns have geared up across …