Thinking through whether to start a business – whether to take the risk, whether to go out on your own – isn’t easy. So we asked some entrepreneurs we admire to tell us about how they thought through the process of starting a business.

Jennifer Makowski | Founder & CEO Boochie Bar

It really stemmed from not being able to find what I needed for my body all in one location to be easily accessible. My story starts as a very healthy, thirty-something, with no health issues. After a minor surgery went wrong in 2013, my life completely changed. I went from a healthy thirty something corporate Buyer to a very sick human with very little energy – You could say I lost my “Spark”. The minor surgery ended up with me being in hospitals for 40 nights, 5 Ambulance rides,4 surgeries, Loss of some Organ function and my going away prize was an absolutely insane amount of prescription medications. The next 10 years were spent trying to figure out what was “Wrong” with me. Doctor after Doctor, Second and third opinions, Prescription med on top of Prescription Med – Each being prescribed to cover another “Symptom”. One day I looked at the medications I was taking and thought to myself, My Great Granny who is in her 90’s only takes one daily med, how is it I am in my 30’s and taking 12 plus! That day I threw them away, started researching Auto Immune Diseases, read SO many books (Grain Brain being a total fave!). I was obsessed and fascinated with the body, Auto Immune Diseases and food AS MEDICINE. However skeptical at first, as I implemented Fermented food and drink, Raw Juice, and all natural diet, and removed Gluten, Dairy, Processed foods and sugar it CHANGED MY LIFE. I went from being extremely ill, (my hair was breaking off and falling out from nutrient deficiency – My body literally couldn’t absorb the nutrients I was eating. I had rashes all over my hands, I could barely lift my arms from the inflammation, Had massive brain fog, dark circles under my eyes, Fatigue and so much more.) Weeks turned into months and into years and I am now FULLY off of any Prescription medication. Outside of a flare up here and there (Maybe once or twice every few YEARS) I am symptom free! I knew I needed to share this with others. To put myself in a place where I could educate and promote that same wellness that I found over the last 10 years. ENTER Boochie! This is an idea I created in my thoughts, I then put it together creatively on a vision board, then digitally, and then was able to open our physical location in January 2023. The idea was to create a Hyper-Local little wellness bar that would offer Kombucha off the tap, Raw Juices, Protein Shakes, Smoothies, Acai Bowls, Salads, Wraps, House made dressings, Fresh Guac and more. A place where we welcome those with any type of Disease, Auto Immune disorder, and Food allergy, where EVERYONE gets to hang out and feel welcome. This isn’t a “Take the Bun off” type of Gluten free – This is we make this All Natural beautiful food that is Gluten free for you! Kombucha is something that I am deeply passionate about. I had trouble finding an Organic, Low sugar, Low Caffeine option off tap. I researched it a ton and found Lively Up – A local Kombucha brewer out of Muskegon, MI. When we met to discuss Boochie Bar, I knew I had found the one. Zack Smith is the owner and his Kombucha just lined up perfectly with what we were trying to create. All Natural, Organic Low sugar Kombucha with beautiful and unique flavors! Kombucha quite literally changed my life as when I started drinking it, my body changed – My Microbiome was more balanced, My Gut was finally absorbing the good nutrients that I was eating and I could almost feel the life coming back inside me as I was drinking it. We wanted a space that is quite frankly the Anti – Big Corp, Anti – Franchise place. The Little Fish in the Big Pond. The place you walk in and say – Whooaaa this is different! We are super specific about what we offer and we use no Food Dyes, No Preservatives, No Artificial flavors, No GMO’s and we make everything TO ORDER. If your looking to walk in and out in 3-4 minutes like a McDonald’s – We wouldn’t be the place for you. We take pride in everything being fresh and prepared to order – Not pre-packaged! We created a funky little local spot where on the weekends you find music outside, yard games, a tent with a fresh Guacamole bar, we will have fresh flowers from a local farm this spring, fresh fruits and veggies “Farmers market style” and unique artisans on some weekends! If you haven’t given us a try, we would welcome you to come on in, We offer free Kombucha sample cups for you to try out our On Tap flavors! Bring a friend and come and get your Booch on! Read more>>

Brad Osantoski | Cinematographer & Photographer

For over 15 years, I’ve refined my process of video production, photography, and design to help businesses and entrepreneurs amplify their voice and image to authentically resonate with their audience. So many businesses are great at their expertise, but perhaps don’t have the skills, bandwidth or creative vision to market their own product or service. With Brad Oz Cinema I want to create a one-stop-shop for marketing solutions. Read more>>

Attorney Shakeena Melbourne | Principal Attorney of Upton Law PLLC

When I started my law firm, Upton Law PLLC, the thought process was simple, how can I help veterans with affordable legal services especially the individuals that were recently coming home from active duty work. My inspiration stemmed from my older brother. 1 year before starting the law firm, my brother came home with PTSD from being in war in Afghanistan. When he came home he suffered from many mental traumas but more importantly when I was assisting him with his legal affairs such as updating his will and other legal documents I was concerned because most of the language inside of the documents included “while in active duty status.” However, he was no longer in “active duty status” and what that meant was that the JAG attorneys could no longer assist him. We went to the VA and several other veteran service providers and was unable to find a sources that would help with legal services. For this reason, my passion began to assist veterans with legal matters such as landlord-tenant work, updating wills and estate planning, assisting with bankruptcy advice and so on. And through that passion, I also helped others in my community that may be deemed as low-income, business start ups, and small business companies making under $5 million with my skillsets and expertise. Read more>>

Wrifton Graham | Owner; Rockhound Rock Shop

Being my own boss meant I didn’t have to work long hours, be told what to do anymore and I could make a lot of money, is what everyone told me when I wanted to start my own business. Boy were they wrong. I am the last one to get paid if money is tight, work pretty much 24/7, because if you aren’t thinking about work every waking hour, then your hearts just not in it, and when someone calls in sick, you’re dropping everything and taking up the slack. Read more>>

Jennifer Ott | Garden Coach, Designer, & Business Consultant

I wanted to work outside with the plants, to interact with the earth and watch the wonders of the ecosystems around. I don’t think I ever thought I would own my own business, but I knew I wanted to pour into this passion that fed my soul. I kept getting closed doors as I applied to local companies after our move to southeast Michigan from Traverse City. So one day, I just got the wild idea to just do it myself. I opened a Facebook page, started advertising and offering my services to the neighborhood. After 1 year, I quit my part time job because I had so much business I couldn’t keep up. Read more>>

Terri Williams | Owner of So Icy Italian Ice

I started my business during summer of 2020 right after Quarantine ended. I originally was looking for an Ice cream truck or brick and mortar shop. During quarantine I would get up every morning pray , work out and think of ways to make more money so that I could eventually quit my job. During the time when Covid first hit, I didn’t like how the company that I worked for handled the safety of their employees. So I used the time wisely to come up with an exit plan. Read more>>