Oakland Thrive

09/02/2026

Our favorite time of the year has arrived! Join Oakland Thrive for our annual Pitch Competition, Small Business Spotlight & Awards event where we feature local businesses, highlight the contributions they’re making to our community, and present them with honorable awards!

Interested in supporting Oakland County and shopping locally? Purchase your sponsorship (or individual) ticket at: https://oaklandthrive.org/small-business-spotlight/

Presented by Fifth Third Bank

09/01/2026

1 Million Cups Auburn Hills, which brings entrepreneurs together to discuss ideas and learn from one another while enjoying a cup of coffee, is off to an amazing start! While we expected 30 guests, we had 50 come through the door—a warm reminder of the strength of North Oakland County’s local entrepreneurial community.
Ready to make your next business connection? Join us for our next 1 Million Cups Auburn Hills.

Register now at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1mc-entrepreneur-coffee-meet-up-tickets-1996820325346.

Address:
419 Golf View Lane in Rochester
Oakland University INC,
SmartZone Business Accelerator

1 Million Cups

08/31/2026

Michigan Shuttle, Inc. is a Southfield-based company providing transportation throughout Metro Detroit and across Michigan.

Michigan Shuttle has been working with Oakland Thrive B2B Consultant Justin Ibe since June 2026 and has received strategic and capacity-building support. Oakland Thrive has helped Michigan Shuttle clarify its growth strategy, identify potential financing resources, build connections with lenders and acquisition-support programs, and look beyond its existing customer base toward larger contracts and additional industries.

Visit https://michiganshuttleinc.com/ to learn more.

08/28/2026

Joyce Kreger is an experienced entrepreneur and consultant with 17 years of business experience. She has worked with Fortune 500 companies like General Motors and McDonald’s and offers comprehensive guidance in areas such as Google listings and presentation skills. She has a strong passion for helping small businesses access the resources that she wishes she’d had when she was starting out in business.
Reach out to Joyce now.
E: [email protected]

08/27/2026

September is all about building, using, and improving credit. Join us for a workshop centered on business growth, utilizing AI, and preparing for success!

Upcoming Workshops:
September 1 & 15, 2026: Fish Tank
September 9, 2026: Grow Your Audience and Generate Consistent Sales
September 17, 2026: Get your Money: Access to Capital and Funding
September 21, 2026: AI-Ready for Small Businesses
September 24, 2026: Get your Money: Access to Capital and Funding

https://oaklandthrive.org/workshops-events/

08/25/2026

The Oakland Thrive team came together with Board of Directors members Laura Dood, Alan Kiriluk, Grace Lee, and Cinnamon Plonka for a strategic planning session focused on shaping the future of our organization. Through collaboration and thoughtful discussion, our committees presented recommendations centered on:

✔️ Financial sustainability
✔️ Operational excellence
✔️ Program effectiveness
✔️ Data-driven decision making
✔️ Stronger partnerships
✔️ Measurable community impact

These conversations are more than planning, they're about ensuring Oakland Thrive continues to empower entrepreneurs, strengthen small businesses, and create lasting economic opportunity throughout our communities. Thank you to our Board and staff for their leadership, collaboration, and commitment to our mission. Together, we're building an even stronger Oakland Thrive.

08/24/2026

08/20/2026

Oakland Thrive started working with Mark Raymond, TMI Properties in August 2024. We provided a digital marketing consultant that helped Mark to create a podcast called The Running Commode. Mark and another client, Erik host a monthly, 60-minute show featuring local skilled trades. It airs on Oxford Community TV and surrounding areas. This has brought inquiries to Mark and actual business to the guests. We’re so happy we could help him bring his dream to life.

08/18/2026

We are proud to celebrate Sairy on being named a 2026 Most Valuable Professional (MVP) by Corp! Magazine. This prestigious recognition honors professionals who demonstrate outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment to making a positive impact in their organizations and communities.

As Oakland Thrive's Global Resource Program Manager, Sairy is passionate about empowering entrepreneurs, strengthening community partnerships, and expanding access to resources for small businesses across Oakland County. Her dedication to supporting business owners and creating meaningful connections continues to make a lasting impact.
Sairy will be recognized at the 2026 MVP Awards on Thursday, August 20, at The Colony Club in Detroit.

Interested in attending the celebration? Register here: https://www.corpmagazine.com/events/2026-mvp-awards/registration/
Please join us in congratulating Sairy on this well-deserved achievement!
https://www.corpmagazine.com/events/2026-mvp-awards/winners/

08/17/2026

Thank you to everyone who made Oakland Thrive’s 4th Annual Golf Scramble, a.k.a. "The Coulter Cup," a success! We're grateful to all of our sponsors for their commitment to the community and helping Oakland County businesses thrive.

A special thanks to:
Presenting Sponsor Farbman Group
Lunch & Hole Sponsor Walker-Miller Energy Services
Registration/Breakfast Sponsors The Paper Plate Diner Saunteel Jenkins
Foursome & Hole Sponsors: Floor Transformations, Oakland County, Michigan Government, Granger Construction Company , HED, Brinker, Plante Moran, Vandeveer Garzia

In-Kind Sponsors The Fine Wine Source
First State Bank Empanada My Love Coffee Home Minuteman Press