Oakland Thrive

10/13/2026

10/13/2026

Each year the annual Oakland Thrive Spotlight Awards gets better! This year we’ve turned it up a notch and added a new component.

The Oakland Thrive Spotlight Awards 2026: The Pitch Series Presented by Fifth Third Bank provides business owners an opportunity to compete in business pitch competitions, and learn how to sell their product.

Join us on Thursday, October 22 between 4 and 8 PM at PEARLS Event Center to celebrate business development.

Learn more about our event in the Michigan Chronicle 👉https://bit.ly/4hDkSve

Or by visiting our website 👉 https://oaklandthrive.org/small-business-spotlight/

10/13/2026

This week’s presenters are all about preparing you for the future. But from two very different approaches. Run Your Race is all about preparing young adults for the workplace. Frank’s Chaos is all about preparing mind and body for stress management and self-defense.

Founder Laurie Washington will share the business barriers she’s facing with Run Your Race, which is an organization designed to equip justice-impacted and underserved individuals with the mindset, language and strategies to move from survival mode into a stable job market. She is looking for insights on ways to make this a sustainable business and help more people.

Founder Frank (Online) -Chris Finn is looking for insights on how to grow the business with focus and strategy. Frank’s Chaos help people recognize their challenges, refocus in the moment, improve their situation and perform when the chaos of life hits. Training includes CPR, First Aid, Stop the Bleed, self defense and real world preparedness.

Come for a morning of coffee, conversation and community. Listen to your fellow entrepreneurs and business owners, learn something that can help you and perhaps offer some great advice of your own! Plus, enjoy free coffee and breakfast treats!

JOIN US:
📆 When: Wednesday, October 14, starting at 8:30 am
🏢 Where: 1938 Burdette St. Ferndale
☕️ FREE Coffee and snacks from our coffee sponsor: Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
🎙Thank you to our co-sponsors: Incubizo and Oakland Thrive

Find our events every week at https://lnkd.in/g98ECnRm

Our YouTube page is a great way to view on-demand content. Watch the presentation LIVE every Wednesday or catch up on past presentations. You can also check out the testimonials from the Wednesday events.

10/12/2026

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Dr. Maricela Castillo-MacKenzie Elle MD one of our amazing Oakland Thrive clients! 💜

October is also Menopause Awareness Month, a perfect opportunity to highlight the importance of women’s health, education, and wellness.

Dr. Castillo offers bilingual services, helping make healthcare more accessible to our Hispanic community visit Elle MD located in Royal Oak!

10/09/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Turn Content Into Customers with Tanesha Reed. Tanesha delivered practical strategies, honest insights, and actionable tips to help entrepreneurs strengthen their brands, connect with their audiences and turn content into customers.

We’re grateful to Tanesha for sharing her expertise and energy. We are also grateful to our valued partners for helping to make this event a success. Thank you to the Southfield Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Southfield, the Southfield Public Library, and the Tri-Cities Business Partnership representing Southfield, Oak Park and Lathrup Village.

Check out our upcoming workshops and events here: https://oaklandthrive.org/workshops-events.

10/08/2026

Things just got a lot sweeter here in Oakland County. Check out DOLCE Bakery Gourmet! 🤤

10/08/2026

When you attend the Oakland Thrive Spotlight Awards you support local businesses in more ways than one! You not only support Oakland Thrive’s work to help businesses succeed in Oakland County, but you also get the opportunity to directly support a select group of local small businesses. At this year’s event, celebrate entrepreneurs across retail, beauty and cosmetics, artisan goods, food and gourmet products, plants, and cleaning services. Look and feel good all for a good cause. Get your tickets today.

https://oaklandthrive.org/small-business-spotlight/

10/05/2026

Sairy Garcia, Oakland Thrive’s Manager of Global Resources & Entrepreneur Support Programs, had the opportunity to attend Global Detroit's Small Business One Stop Shop, an initiative that brings together organizations dedicated to supporting immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs by connecting them with the resources, guidance, and partnerships they need to start and grow successful businesses. “I was grateful to collaborate with organizations that share the same mission of empowering entrepreneurs, strengthening our communities, and creating lasting economic development,” said Sairy. “Together, we're making it easier for small business owners to access the support they need to thrive.”

10/02/2026

Oakland Thrive’s Manager of Global Resources & Entrepreneur Support Programs Sairy Garcia was on hand to celebrate the ribbon cutting at DOLCE Bakery Gourmet in Farmington.

Sairy worked closely with Cecilia on business development, identifying growth opportunities, making strategic connections, exploring partnerships and events, and preparing for the transition into her first brick-and-mortar location.
Next time you’re in Farmington, be sure to stop by Dolce Bakery Gourmet for handcrafted Mexican breads, artisanal cakes, pastries, cinnamon rolls, desserts, and more.



https://dolcebakerygourmet.com/

09/28/2026

Sometimes we have the perfect business idea and just need the funding to bring it to life. Visit Oakland Thrive’s website today to explore small business grants that could help take your business to a new level.

Apply now by visiting https://oaklandthrive.org/grants-september-2026/