February 2021 Issue

Full Court Press: Meet the players working to bring more businesses to northern Michigan

By Craig Manning

Sure, over the years there was the occasional entrepreneur who relocated his/her family and small business to Traverse City.

But today, that trickle has become a wave: From insurance agencies to aerospace innovators, companies and professionals are streaming into northern Michigan. And it's not by accident.

There's a very active set of organizations working tirelessly to diversify Traverse City's economy well beyond tourism. Meet those players and hear about their increasing efforts to bring more here.

Traverse Connect

The entity: Traverse Connect was the parent company to the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce until the two entities merged as …

Post Corona - From Crisis to Opportunity

By Chris Wendel

By Scott Galloway; reviewed by Chris Wendel

Published by Portfolio/Penguin Books, 255 pages, Nov. 2020

In a Nutshell: “Post Corona” takes stock of the flaws in our economic system while charting the course recent upheaval will take us next.

Author’s Quote: “There are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks where decades happen.”

The impacts of COVID-19 are being assessed as we slowly rise out of our bunkers in 2021. Hunkered down in isolation, …

A Web of Food and Bev: Michael 'Chet' Chetcuti's Farm + Ferment expands its profile

By Craig Manning

For years, the assumption has been that northern Michigan’s booming industry of wineries and craft breweries would eventually oversaturate.

When asked about how close the region might be to that breaking point, though, Michael “Chet” Chetcuti has a unique perspective.

“I don’t even think we’re close,” Chetcuti said. “I don’t even think we’re scratching the surface.”

Chetcuti would know a thing or two about those industries. While his background is rooted in automotive manufacturing, the …

New Year, New Relief: COVID relief package and supplemental Biden proposal aid families, small businesses

By Lindsay Raymond

At the eleventh hour of 2020, then President Donald Trump signed supplemental COVID-19 relief legislation into law. This included a $900 billion economic stimulus package as well as additional relief for business owners.

With a month of 2021 under our belts and a new administration in the White House, it is important for business owners to understand how this relief package and the future relief proposed by President Joe Biden will impact their operations.

Key …

Northern Lights: What it takes to recruit professionals here – and for natives to return

By Craig Manning

Unique Nonprofit: Native American business incubator is one of few in country

By Ross Boissoneau

The Need for Speed: Broadband internet gets a boost in northern Michigan

By Craig Manning

'Pretty Freaking Worried': Changing times spark TentCraft's new product line

By Ross Boissoneau

Working In Pajamas And The New Office: Some workplace changes are here to stay

By Todd VanSickle

Quick Change: Business owners credit innovation, resilience and luck to COVID survival

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown caused economic disruption and prompted local businesses to pivot and take new approaches to business strategy.

As our community prepares to emerge from the lockdown, businesses are struggling to recover from its after effects. Here's an inside look at some local business owners, …

By Connie Deneweth

'A Complete Reset': Going back to work in a post-COVID world

Gregg Popovich, the legendary head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, is the longest-serving head coach in the NBA. Over his 22-year career, Coach Popovich holds the record for the most wins of any NBA coach and is one of only a few coaches to have five NBA championship titles.

…

By Warren Call

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