Comerica, GROW hosting next virtual Business $ense Boot Camp

Mike DeMartelaere Courtesy Comerica Bank

The next installment in Comerica Bank and Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women’s Business $ense Boot Camp will be held this week.

The program, taking place at 1 p.m. Thursday, will provide resources and guidance for small West Michigan businesses to aid in recovery amid the pandemic.

“Comerica Bank’s valued partnership with GROW has allowed us to help a variety of small business owners throughout the West Michigan region,” said Mike DeMartelaere, vice president, external affairs market manager for Comerica Bank. “Our goal is to provide valuable knowledge and access to expertise that allows small business owners and entrepreneurs reach their goals.”

The upcoming event is entitled “Planning for a Healthy Business.” Participants will learn:

  • The importance of a healthy personal credit score and healthy relationships with lenders
  • How a business plan helps motivate stakeholders to understand and support business ideas
  • The benefits of creating a day-to-day action plan for running a small business
  • How to convert a vague idea into a resource plan
  • How an evolving planning process can help make decisions as a business owner

Those interested in attending the free webinar can register online.

“The Comerica Business $ense was well worth my time. I was impressed with how well the facilitators were able to differentiate the information for the varied needs of the participants,” said Lea Sevigny, owner of Johnny D’s Bike Bags. “Whether we were just starting out or had been in business for years, their ability to answer our questions and provide information was invaluable. The webinar helped me develop a list of tasks to do and areas to learn more about.”

Comerica Bank has been partnering with GROW for more than 20 years, providing financial, educational and technical support. Last year, Comerica Bank partnered with GROW to provide virtual Business $ense Boot Camp sessions to help small West Michigan business owners and entrepreneurs understand credit and financials during the height of the pandemic.

As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), GROW is focused on deploying equitable business loans into marginalized communities to create a more empowered West Michigan through business ownership. Additionally, the organization provides technical assistance by connecting entrepreneurs with mentors, business coaches, counselors and peers to help build professional networks. Its professional services include business assessment, planning, training and education. The organization provided a COVID-19 working capital loan earlier this spring to those whose businesses were directly impacted by COVID-19.