How a pair of soggy, smelly gloves sparked a Michigan-made business
Karen Smoots of Portage turned a household problem into The EcoDryer, a Michigan-made invention now helping keep students' winter gear dry in schools.
Momentum
The People and Companies shaping what’s next
This is a weekly series highlighting entrepreneurs, small businesses, and the ideas driving Southwest Michigan forward. Through original reporting, Second Wave shares stories of local founders, growing companies, and the organizations supporting entrepreneurship across Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Berrien, St. Joseph, Van Buren, Cass, and Barry counties. The series aims to raise awareness of the region’s entrepreneurial energy, strengthen community connection to local businesses, and spotlight what’s next for Southwest Michigan’s economy. Support for the series is provided by Southwest Michigan First.
Gluten-free Kalamazoo Cookie Company finds sweet success
After years of baking from home, Tyler Dilworth has opened the first storefront for Kalamazoo Cookie Co., building a growing business around fresh-baked, gluten-free cookies.
Vicksburg’s revitalized downtown drives growth, community spirit, and local spending — with incentives
Vicksburg has revitalized its historic downtown and introduced a bonus-incentivized community spending card to boost local business amid changing retail trends.
Back in business: How the Southwest Michigan First Chamber rebuilt membership and renewed its mission
After years of declining membership and organizational change, the Southwest Michigan First Chamber is rebuilding its influence by expanding business connections, fostering inclusion, and helping strengthen Kalamazoo's small business community.
The 12-Year journey that put Junkless on grocery shelves nationwide
Former Kellogg executives Ernie Pang and Larry Beyer spent 12 years building Junkless Foods into a national granola bar brand focused on simple ingredients before selling a majority stake to Impact Capital.
Battle Creek taps experts to create a recipe for success as a food entrepreneur
Battle Creek Food Reimagined focuses on food companies ready to accelerate their growth by helping them remove barriers to regional or national distribution of their products.
Catching Tsunami Lab’s first wave: A diverse cohort prepares to keep local businesses thriving
The inaugural cohort of Kalamazoo Forward Ventures’ Tsunami Lab brings together 13 aspiring business owners from more than 100 applicants to learn how to acquire and lead existing small businesses, addressing the growing need for succession planning as Baby Boomer owners retire.
Cheesesteak maker KatchaSteak is warming up a permanent location in Kalamazoo
KatchaSteak, a popular Philadelphia-style cheesesteak pop-up in Kalamazoo, is opening its first permanent location on Portage Street, bringing authentic cheesesteaks, hoagies and other Philly favorites to Southwest Michigan.
PitchMI offers Michigan startups a shot at $1.25 Million
Recognizing that lack of capital is a leading cause of startup failure, Michigan's PitchMI competition offers young companies a chance to secure up to $1.25 million in funding while showcasing the state's growing innovation ecosystem.
How one Michigan food truck went from seasonal shutdowns to doubling sales
Michigan’s award-winning Munchie Man Food Truck expanded into a year-round business with state support, a second truck, and growing demand from Holtec Palisades workers and Southwest Michigan events.
