Contact: Deborah Nale
Business Income Development Specialist
Manistee County Economic Development Office
231-723-4325
dnale@manistee.com

For Immediate Release

MICRO BUSINESSES SUCCEEDING IN MANISTEE AND BENZIE COUNTIES

Manistee, Michigan – Desk top publishing, custom jewelry and a new devotional book about the 23rd Psalm are examples of new products being successfully sold by entrepreneurs in a project initiated by Manistee-Benzie Community Mental Health in collaboration with the Manistee County Economic Development Office and funded by the Michigan Department of Community Health.

The Manistee-Benzie Micro-Business Initiative is helping people with disabilities start up micro businesses. The Manistee County Economic Development Office is coordinating the project for both counties to provide product development, marketing and networking services to the aspiring entrepreneurs.

One of the new businesses, Native Creations, sells hand-crafted jewelry made from glass beads and semi-precious stones. The custom designed earrings, bracelets and necklaces have been sold at recent Manistee area festivals, arts shows and to other retailers on wholesale or consignment terms. Victoria, the business owner, became involved with the Micro-Business Initiative in April by developing a marketing plan for the summer months. Her sales have exceeded expectations to the point that she is now running a sale of existing inventory so that she can gear up production for the winter months.

At another business, 3D Enterprize, business owner Dennis designs, formats, prints and fills orders for brochures, business cards and flyers and offers scanning, binding and laminating services in his new desk top publishing service. His customers include Michigan Easter Seals that placed an order for brochures, as well as business cards, flyers, invoices and signage. Dennis works with each customer to make sure that his design fits their needs. He uses a top-of-the-line laser printer and computer, digital camera, laminating machine, scanner, fax and software and has all forms of paper in stock to meet customer specifications.

Benzie County Artist, David began working on a coloring book that appeals to both children and adults. When this initiative began this spring, he had already produced and sold many of his finished books. With over 27 different versions of his coloring book in the market, Dave is a prolific artist, and was sure to copyright his works with Washington, DC. This spring, the Manistee County Economic Development Office helped him with marketing, cash flow projection, as well as securing his retail sales tax license. Dave says on his inside front book cover, “I hope you enjoy my book as much as I have enjoyed making it. It is my creative expression of the way that I see things.”
Local author Sheryl Ann completed a devotional book about the 23rd Psalm early in 2007 and entered the Micro-Business Initiative in April. She worked with the Economic Development Office to identify her initial funding needs which she secured with the help of her church which Sheryl hopes to repay through book sales. On June 5, Sheryl began her business. She has sold books at a Lansing conference, to the general public and then sold the balance of her inventory during Manistee’s Art Fair in late June. In less than one month, she generated enough sales to achieve her goal of a Mackinac Island trip and is now printing additional copies of her book.

According to project coordinator, Deborah Nale, the Micro-Business Initiative is just beginning to pick up steam. Orders are being taken at (231) 723-4325.

“We now have twelve entrepreneurs hard at work on their micro businesses,” Nale said. “We will soon have a Micro-Business Catalog to spark sales during the fall months that will showcase these Manistee and Benzie County businesses and their products. We’re learning that virtually everyone has an idea, talent or attribute that they can convert into a successful micro business. With persistence, creativity and old-fashioned hard work, our entrepreneurs are showing that micro business pays off!”