December 2018 Issue

Yes, we can be charming and prosperous

By McKeel Hagerty

Last year, I spoke to the Front Street Irregulars, a group of local men and women who run many of the most successful companies in the region. Among their goals is improving the business climate so more high-value businesses can succeed and scale here. They asked for my opinion on ways to accomplish that goal, so here is a version of what I told them.

First of all, we are lucky to live here. Ours is a truly special area, possessing many of the amenities of much larger cities – a thriving arts scene, excellent dining, wineries, breweries, festivals and …

Intentional Technology for Startups

By Beth Holmes-Bozung

I’ve been there. There are probably only a couple of you and only so many hours in a week. I vividly remember watching Saturday parades go down Front Street from the window upstairs, our baby boy napping in his Pack ‘n Play next to the desk, the smell of Murdick’s fudge wafting up from below, and telling myself to focus and get back to what I was doing. If you’re like my partner and I …

Does Michigan Law Prohibit Discrimination Against LGBT Employees?

By Anders Gillis

Does Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act protect gay and transgender people from employment discrimination?

It is a question which has been hotly debated in 2018. This past May, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission interpreted the term “sex” within the act to include sexual orientation and gender identity. The interpretation was a clear signal to employers and employees that the Michigan Department of Civil Rights viewed state law as protecting LGBT employees against employment discrimination and …

A Good Fit for Entrepreneurs: Tru Fit Trouser owner adds third building

By Ross Boissoneau

When Eric Gerstner decided he wanted to rehabilitate the Tru Fit Trouser building on Woodmere Avenue, neither it nor the surrounding area were especially desirable locations.

Today the corridor includes several businesses which have injected new life into the area. That includes Gerstner's property, which is now more accurately called a campus with the addition of a third building that faces Barlow Street.

Though trained originally as an architect, Gerstner opted for the construction side …

Movin' On Up: Team Bob's gets ready to relocate

Ten years ago, Charlie King had a decision to make: Purchase a bigger building for Team Bob's, or acquire another business to grow his heating and cooling operation even larger.

The owner and CEO chose to do the latter ... just in time for the Great Recession to hit. “The …

By Ross Boissoneau

Small Grants, Big Returns: Venture North's new program assists clients with cost of doing business

Tax assistance. Product labeling, rebranding and marketing. Surveying land.

These are services that can be small business building blocks, but sometimes are not so easy to afford. Enter Venture North Funding & Development, with a new program to assist its loan clients with such costs.The organization, which in 2017 became …

By Amy Lane

Buying at a Discount: Will Michigan farmland hit the market at bargain prices?

What is northern Michigan’s most valuable asset? According to Kevin Query, of local commercial real estate company Three West, the answer might just be farmland.

There are many reasons that Michigan’s arable land is so inherently valuable. Statistically, Michigan’s fruit-producing regions – including the Traverse City area – are able …

By Craig Manning

'In a Better Position': Bank consolidation prompts State Savings Bank to open branches in TC, Gaylord

State Savings Bank in Frankfort and Central State Bank in Beulah operated separately in Benzie County under common ownership for more than 30 years. But that all changed in October.

The two banks have combined under the State Savings Bank name and are expanding beyond their Benzie County roots, where …

By Rick Haglund

No Flood of New Money: Deposits flat at TC banks

By Rick Haglund

The Right Time for a Nerd

“Observe due measure, for right timing is in all things the most important factor.” – Hesiod, Greek poet, ~800 BC

“Timing is everything.” Have truer words ever been spoken? That well-worn and universal phrase applies to so many circumstances in everyday life – business decisions, personal and professional matters, relationships, …

By Doug Luciani

Thirst: A Story of Redemption, Compassion, and a Mission to Bring Clean Water to the World

By Scott Harrison (author) and Lisa Sweetingham (contributor)

336 pages; published by Currency, October 2, 2018

Hardcover $28, softcover $21.95, e-read edition $13.95, audio book version $14.95

In a nutshell: A hard-partying night club promoter finds religion and turns his boundless energy into making a difference in third world countries.

…

By Chris Wendel

LochenHeath on the Rebound: New cottages part of the plan to go private again

LochenHeath – the exclusive waterfront golf development on the shores of East Grand Traverse Bay – could soon become a private golf club again. Owners have greenlit construction of upscale “statement” cottages on the course, which could be a key step in attracting outside members – and returning the club …

By Luke Haase

PAST ISSUES

View this Issue in Archives