Michigan SBDC

10/02/2026

The Capital Region's own Regional Director Laurie Lonsdorf has weighed in on the common financial habits of thriving businesses in an article in 517 Business Magazine.

Habits that distinguish thriving businesses from those that struggle.

09/18/2026

📣 U.P. small business owners—don’t miss this opportunity!

The SBA is coming to Manistique to hear from local entrepreneurs and connect you with valuable resources to help your business grow, including access to capital, counseling and more.

Bring your questions, challenges and ideas! 💡

📍 The Hive on Cedar, Manistique
🗓️ September 23
🎟️ Free event—register today! https://hubs.ly/Q04xPM-R0

09/17/2026

📣 U.P. small business owners—this one’s for you!

The SBA is coming to Houghton on September 22 to hear directly from local entrepreneurs and connect you with resources for growing your business, including access to capital, free counseling and more.

Bring your questions, challenges and big ideas! 💡

📍 The Bluffs, Houghton
🗓️ September 22 | 11 AM–1 PM
🎟️ Free event—register today! https://hubs.la/Q04xPJVG0

09/14/2026

We’re proud to sponsor the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Michigan Chapter 2026 Fall Conference: Crossing the Bridge – Connecting Michigan’s Care!
Members of the Michigan SBDC's Growth Team will be in attendance.
🗓️ September 14 - 15
📍The Lansing Center in Lansing, Michigan

You won’t want to miss this year’s sessions:
● Agentic AI Transforming Clinical Workflows
● Michigan’s Role in National Innovation
● Connected for Michigan — a statewide interoperability update
● Michigan’s Health IT Roadmap & the Bridge to Better Health
● HealthFocus – A rapid‑fire session on emerging trends in digital health, analytics, and care transformation
● 2026 Patient Satisfaction Report – What Clinicians Are Saying

Join us as we tackle the future of health IT. Register today! https://hubs.ly/Q04xnlZf0

09/11/2026

When Kate and Jason Meyer purchased LaFontsee Galleries & Framing, they faced unexpected expenses, financial challenges and a location that limited their potential. With guidance from the Michigan SBDC, they made strategic changes that strengthened the business and opened a new door to growth.

Today, LaFontsee Galleries is focused and positioning themselves for future growth. Beautify your office and home by visiting them at their galleries in Grand Rapids and Douglas!

Listen to their story and see how the Michigan SBDC can help your business. https://tinyurl.com/bdd549et

09/09/2026

Michigan's small business community is filled with innovators, risk-takers, and leaders who deserve to be recognized.
Nominations are now open for the 2027 Michigan Celebrates Small Business Awards!
If you know a Michigan small business making an impact in its community, industry, or region, now is the time to nominate them.
Let's celebrate the entrepreneurs and small business leaders helping Michigan thrive.
Submit a nomination today: https://hubs.la/Q04x1XPh0

09/02/2026

Under the direction of Michigan SBDC Lead Center leadership, the Centralized Client Intake Manager is a critical leadership role responsible for transforming the Michigan SBDC’s intake process from a regional "patchwork" into a high-performance, standardized statewide model. This individual will oversee a centralized team of Intake Specialists to provide a professional, consistent, and efficient "front door" for all clients. The Manager balances high-level systems orchestration—including AI integration and tech stack management—with daily team supervision to ensure every client is efficiently triaged and matched with the right consultant based on geography and expertise. This position is grant-funded and subject to the availability of funding. https://hubs.la/Q04wfFC-0

09/02/2026

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Regional Director will play a key role in catalyzing business development efforts across the Capital Region (Ingham, Eaton, Clinton Counties). SBDC is a grant-funded department of LCC’s Community Education & Workforce Development (CEWD) division, and the program contributes to the growth and vitality of the Michigan economy. This program helps new and existing small businesses to start, grow, improve profitability, and create jobs. This position guides the strategic alignment, long-term planning, management oversight, and outreach efforts in order to promote Michigan SBDC’s mission in the region. The Regional Director ensures that all programs are operating in compliance with Federal, State and College statutes, contractual requirements, and policies.

This position requires an in-person presence on LCC’s Downtown campus. https://hubs.la/Q04wfv5N0

08/27/2026

SBA Business Recovery Centers listed below are scheduled to close permanently on Friday August 28th at close of business.

08/20/2026

FREE Lunch & Learn Webinar

Stay informed on the latest federal updates impacting innovative and defense-focused small businesses.
📅 Thursday, August 27, 2026
🕛 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

-Learn about the latest SBIR program updates
-Understand the CMMC Phase II suspension
-Discover new federal funding opportunities
-Hear from industry experts

Free to attend • Registration required
Register today! https://tinyurl.com/hk8p4zft

08/17/2026

Join the SBA Michigan District Office and the Department of Labor (DOL) for the Federal Exchange webinar on Tuesday, August 25th.. This virtual event will discuss information to navigate, comply and succeed as a small business owner. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/5y4thhb2

08/10/2026

We're hiring at the Michigan SBDC. We're looking for a part-time program assistant to provide administrative, marketing and database support to our center. Please share with your networks!
https://jobs.lcc.edu/en/job/493760/pt-support-program-assistant-small-business-development-center

07/02/2026

Lissy Torres is the owner of PATO, which stands for Play at the Office. Her mission is to change how we approach work, so that teams are engaged, connected, and creative, which she does through imaginative play. Lissy worked with SBDC Business Consultant Dr. Janet Atkinson to start the business and refine her direction. Lissy is proof that success often comes from remaining flexible, believing in yourself, and refusing to give up when the original plan does not work. Her willingness to research, learn, pivot, and continue working until she achieved results demonstrates the qualities of a successful business owner. We recently celebrated PATO’s opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Congratulations Lissy, and we wish you many years of success.

This program is supported through a grant from LEAP and Michigan Economic Development Corporation as part of the Small Business Support Hub Initiative. These dollars are part of the American Rescue Plan.

06/24/2026

Congratulations to Deyasia Todd, owner of Twistsbyyeasia who recently celebrated the opening of her salon with a ribbon cutting. Deyasia is a salon owner, product creator, and growing entrepreneur who worked with SBDC's Dr. Janet Atkinson to get her idea off the ground. Congratulations, Deasia. You deserve this moment!

This program is supported through a grant from LEAP and Michigan Economic Development Corporation as part of the Small Business Support Hub Initiative. These dollars are part of the American Rescue Plan.

05/08/2026

It is with a heavy heart that we share that Seth Murphy is leaving the SBDC family. Seth joined the Capital Region in June of 2019 as the Intake Consultant, coming to us from Shinola and the Kellogg Center. He arrived embodying a philosophy that all customer service is hospitality, a principle he has lived every day.

He has a rare gift for handling clients with such ease, transforming what could be stressful interactions into seamless experiences, and sometimes talking clients off the ledge when their emotions run high. Seth’s exceptional service has always remained a constant; he has a way of making every client feel heard and supported, no matter their needs.

His impact has not gone unnoticed by the SBDC Network. He was awarded Intake Consultant of the Year in 2020 and has been nominated for the award every year since. In 2023, he was the resounding winner of the People’s Choice Award. The Capital Region staff have always appreciated Seth’s upbeat personality and joyful attitude. He has made it a pleasure to work alongside him during these nearly seven years.

Please join us in congratulating Seth and wishing him a fond farewell as he pursues his next position at the State of Michigan at LARA in the Bureau of Community Health Systems.

05/07/2026

Thank you all for coming out and attending the SBDC Capitol Day Celebration of National Small Business Week. The moving testimonials from DRM International Learning Center, The Comfort Zone Cigar Lounge & Bistro, Preuss Pets and Baryames Tuxedo and Suit were absolutely inspiring. Here's to the mighty engines that are our small business owners doing great work and creating jobs in our community!

05/04/2026

All this week we're celebrating the small businesses that keep our economy pumping along. If you're a small business owner, give a shout!

04/27/2026

Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming essential for small businesses, with the majority now using multiple AI tools to improve efficiency, marketing, customer service, and financial management. Rather than relying on a single solution, many are building “AI stacks” that combine tools to automate tasks, reduce costs, and drive growth. Marketing and workflow automation are leading use cases, while emerging tools like AI-powered pricing are helping businesses increase revenue and stay competitive. As adoption continues to grow, small businesses that strategically invest in AI are better positioned to innovate, scale, and succeed.

By Karen Kerrigan – Artificial intelligence is no longer experimental for small businesses. According to SBE Council’s 2026 Small Business Tech Use Survey, 82% of small business employers have invested in AI tools and they are rapidly being embedded across daily functions and workflows. In fact,...

04/14/2026

In times of economic uncertainty, small businesses can stay resilient by focusing on a few key strategies. Consistent marketing is essential—even during downturns—as cutting back can lead to lost customers and slower growth. Streamlining operations through automation or outsourcing can improve efficiency and free up time for high-impact work. Finally, using data to guide decisions helps business owners focus on what’s working, optimize resources, and plan confidently for the future.

Resilience is more important than ever. Here are five ways you can future-proof your small business in times of economic uncertainty.