Paddock Counseling
Located in a CDFI target market and deeply rooted in its mission to serve vulnerable populations, Paddock Counseling exemplifies the kind of client Venture North is committed to supporting. When local banks declined to finance their much-needed expansion, founders Trina Paddock and her daughter Brenna Edwards turned to Venture North and found a partner ready […]
L.A. Gymnastics
Lindsay Arsnoe, owner of L.A. Gymnastics, needed a loan to purchase a new space for her popular Kalkaska kids’ gymnastics studio after challenges with COVID and changes in her previous lease agreement forced her to move locations. Venture North capital allowed her to move to a bigger, more ideal location and purchase additional equipment for […]
Brinks Family Creamery
Brinks Family Creamery is a multi-generational business that has been successful in their niche of local dairy products for years. To remain competitive in today’s market, they needed capital so that they could purchase a separator and new walk-in cooler – equipment essential to expanding their product line. With their Venture North loan and a […]
Symmetry Concepts
Tom and Shannon Westgate know a bit about business. They’ve owned and grown individual companies and jointly operate Arcadia’s Pleasant Valley Resort, purchased in 2012. Now, with the help of Venture North Funding & Development, they’re starting down a new path. Fueling Growth in Arcadia The husband-and-wife duo have launched Symmetry Concepts LLC, a company […]
Saltless Sea Creamery
When you talk with Dave and Joy Omar about their rapidly growing business, Saltless Sea Creamery, you are left with two seemingly disparate but closely connected impressions. One, they love what they do with unbridled passion. And, second, time is what makes cheese special. Dave and Joy make artisan cheese that has Mediterranean roots and […]
Eclipse Communications
In 1996, Christopher Varenhorst got his first computer. And it wasn’t long before he was fixing those of others. “I had a penchant to fix everything,” Varenhorst recalls. Now, the 40-year-old entrepreneur is running a million-dollar company, applying his technical expertise and knowledge to solutions on a bigger scale: Bringing high-speed Internet service to rural […]
MJ Design Co.
“Earrings, pendants, ornaments, signs, mugs, apparel and more – let your imagination run wild and bring your ideas to me!” says Jennie Zoll, owner of MJ Design Co., a new laser engraving business based in Mancelona. Zoll brings her expertise and passion for art and design to help all her clients design something special and […]
Hearth Sauna
A national tradition of Finland that likely originated in northern Europe around 2000 BC is now available to northern Michigan residents at Mt. Holiday thanks to the energy, inspiration and experience of entrepreneur Nick Olson, owner of Hearth Sauna. “We offer a high-quality Nordic sauna experience in a clean, thoughtful setting,” says Olson. “We greet […]