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SUMMARY:Brick & Mortar Retail\, Restaurant & Service Storefront Growth Lab
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a six-week intensive for Southwest Michigan storefront business owners.\n\n\nRunning a storefront is one of the hardest jobs in business right now. Inventory\, staffing\, margins\, marketing\, customer expectations — it all lands on you. The Brick & Mortar Retail Growth Lab was built for owners who are ready to step back\, get clear\, and build a sharper\, more sustainable business. \nThis is not a seminar. It is not a networking event. It is a working cohort of up to 15 local retail\, restaurant or service storefront owners who will spend six Tuesday mornings digging into their actual numbers\, solving real problems\, and walking away with tools they can use immediately. \n \nWhat to expect\nSix consecutive Tuesday mornings starting May 12\, 2025 8:30 to 10:00am each session. Light breakfast and free parking available. \nEach week builds on the last: \n\nWeek 1 — Know your numbers\, for real. We break down prime cost\, margins\, and break-even using your actual figures. You will leave knowing exactly what it costs to keep your doors open and where profit may be quietly leaking.\nWeek 2 — Increase sales without increasing stress. Average ticket growth\, smarter bundling\, pricing clarity\, and making your square footage work harder.\nWeek 3 — Make your space sell. Layout flow\, merchandising\, revenue per square foot\, and the small in-store shifts that can increase conversion.\nWeek 4 — Marketing that actually moves the needle. No random posting. Practical campaigns\, local partnerships\, and repeatable systems that bring customers back and produce sales.\nWeek 5 — Tighten operations without burning out. Labor alignment\, inventory discipline\, waste control\, and the behind-the-scenes decisions that protect your margin and your sanity.\nWeek 6 — Build your 90-day plan. You will leave with a clear growth roadmap\, defined revenue targets\, and a plan you can actually execute.\n\n \nWho this is for\nThis program is designed for owners of retail stores and restaurants who are already open and operating\, and who are ready to invest focused time and energy into growing smarter. Whether you have been open six months or sixteen years\, if you want more clarity and more confidence in how your business runs\, you belong in this room. YOU DON’T NEED TO BE A CHAMBER MEMBER TO PARTICIPATE. \n \nWhy a cohort\nThe cohort structure is intentional. You will not be working through hypothetical case studies. You will be working through your own business alongside other local owners doing the same. That shared yet confidential environment creates honest conversation\, real accountability\, and connections that tend to extend well beyond the six weeks. \n \nYour facilitator\nJulie Reinhardt is the Founder and Principal of Brick & Mortar Retail Consulting Group. With more than 25 years of retail industry experience — including owning her own retail business\, leading municipal economic development\, and consulting with retail and hospitality brands at every stage of growth — Julie brings practical\, real-world insight to every session. She has educated hundreds of business owners on financial clarity\, operational discipline\, and revenue strategy\, and she understands the realities of running a storefront because she has lived them. \n \nInvestment\nSouthwest Michigan First Chamber members: $299 Non-members: $499 \nNot yet a Chamber member? Learn more about membership at https://www.southwestmichiganfirst.com/chamber/chamber-membership \nSpots are limited to 15 businesses. \n \nQuestions?\nReach out to chamber@southwestmichiganfirst.com. \nWe look forward to seeing you there.
URL:https://firstand42.media/event_test/brick-mortar-retail-restaurant-service-storefront-growth-lab/
LOCATION:The Catalyst Center\, 180 E Water Street\, Suite 1000\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49007\, United States
CATEGORIES:Chamber Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260603T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260603T130000
DTSTAMP:20260513T053833
CREATED:20260303T210805Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T125709Z
UID:13367-1780488000-1780491600@firstand42.media
SUMMARY:Southwest Michigan First | Chamber Member Orientation
DESCRIPTION:Join us for this member-exclusive event to learn how you can get the most out of your Southwest Michigan First Chamber membership.\n\n\nJoining the Chamber is an important step for many businesses. But what is the best way to maximize your investment? The Southwest Michigan First Chamber invites all new or returning members to our Chamber Member Orientation to help answer those questions and set you up for success. At this in-person event\, we’ll share: \n\nAn overview of the Southwest Michigan First Chamber\nHow to leverage your benefits to get the most out of your membership\nKey members of the Southwest Michigan First and Chamber team\nAnswers to all your questions!\n\nWho should attend? \nYour Chamber membership serves the entire team\, from your executives to marketing and sales to your HR professionals. Anyone in your organization is encouraged to engage with us. This event will help ensure the alignment needed to maximize your investment. \nPlease note this event is for Chamber members only. If you’d like to learn more about all the benefits of becoming a member of the Southwest Michigan First Chamber\, click here or email chamber@southwestmichiganfirst.com. \nYou must register in advance for this complimentary and member-exclusive event. Lunch will be provided. Learn how to make the most of your investment. Register today! \nThank you for your membership. We look forward to serving you. \nPlease park in the structure off Edwards Street. Parking will be validated at the event. \n\n\n\nThe Southwest Michigan First Chamber would like to thank Millennium Catering & Events for sponsoring this series.
URL:https://firstand42.media/event_test/southwest-michigan-first-chamber-member-orientation-4/
LOCATION:The Catalyst Center\, 180 E Water Street\, Suite 1000\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49007\, United States
CATEGORIES:Chamber Events
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SUMMARY:Southwest Michigan First Intern Mixer Series 2026
DESCRIPTION:Make the most of your internship! Connect\, grow\, and explore with our Intern Mixer Series.\n\n\nBuild Connections. Grow Professionally. Experience Kalamazoo. \nYour talent pipeline is crucial to the future of your business. That’s why the Southwest Michigan First Intern Mixer Series is an essential part of our talent initiative\, designed to provide interns across the region with opportunities to network\, develop professionally\, and experience what makes Southwest Michigan an incredible place to start a career. \n \nEvent Schedule & Ticket Options\nDiscovering Kalamazoo – $30\nThursday\, June 25 | 11:30 am – 6 PMThe Catalyst CenterStart your internship experience with a half-day professional development program\, designed to equip interns with valuable skills\, insights\, and networking opportunities. Participants will build relationships with peers\, learn about career growth\, and discover the many assets our region has to offer. We will engage in an interactive tour of downtown\, hearing from industry experts\, and ending our day celebrating all of the things our region has to offer our interns \n \nIntern Appreciation Day + Link Kalamazoo – $30\nThursday\, July 30 | 5 – 7:30 PMHaymarket PlazaContinue expanding your network at this mid-summer mixer\, hosted in collaboration with Link Kalamazoo. This relaxed event at Haymarket Plaza is a chance to meet other interns\, connect with local professionals\, and enjoy everything Kalamazoo’s vibrant community has. This is also National Intern Appreciation day! \n \nHow to Register\n✔️ Choose the individual events you’d like to attend and purchase tickets accordingly.✔️ If attending the full series\, select the Intern Mixer Series Pass for a full series registration.✔️ Keep an eye out for additional pop-up events that may be added based on intern interest! \n \nWhy Join the Intern Mixer Series?\n✨ Build Your Network – Connect with fellow interns and young professionals across Southwest Michigan.📍 Explore the Region – Get an insider’s look at Kalamazoo and its thriving business community.🎤 Gain Professional Insights – Learn valuable career and workplace skills from industry leaders.🌟 Have Fun! – Enjoy food\, conversation\, and activities in a relaxed and engaging environment. \n \nFor more information about the Intern Mixer Series\, visit southwestmichiganfirst.com or contact Rachael Tiesenga at (269) 553-9588 | rtiesenga@southwestmichiganfirst.com
URL:https://firstand42.media/event_test/southwest-michigan-first-intern-mixer-series-2026/
LOCATION:The Catalyst Center\, 180 E Water Street\, Suite 1000\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49007\, United States
CATEGORIES:Chamber Events
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UID:13609-1785430800-1785438000@firstand42.media
SUMMARY:Southwest Michigan First Intern Mixer Series 2026
DESCRIPTION:Make the most of your internship! Connect\, grow\, and explore with our Intern Mixer Series.\n\n\nBuild Connections. Grow Professionally. Experience Kalamazoo. \nYour talent pipeline is crucial to the future of your business. That’s why the Southwest Michigan First Intern Mixer Series is an essential part of our talent initiative\, designed to provide interns across the region with opportunities to network\, develop professionally\, and experience what makes Southwest Michigan an incredible place to start a career. \n \nEvent Schedule & Ticket Options\nDiscovering Kalamazoo – $30\nThursday\, June 25 | 11:30 am – 6 PMThe Catalyst CenterStart your internship experience with a half-day professional development program\, designed to equip interns with valuable skills\, insights\, and networking opportunities. Participants will build relationships with peers\, learn about career growth\, and discover the many assets our region has to offer. We will engage in an interactive tour of downtown\, hearing from industry experts\, and ending our day celebrating all of the things our region has to offer our interns \n \nIntern Appreciation Day + Link Kalamazoo – $30\nThursday\, July 30 | 5 – 7:30 PMHaymarket PlazaContinue expanding your network at this mid-summer mixer\, hosted in collaboration with Link Kalamazoo. This relaxed event at Haymarket Plaza is a chance to meet other interns\, connect with local professionals\, and enjoy everything Kalamazoo’s vibrant community has. This is also National Intern Appreciation day! \n \nHow to Register\n✔️ Choose the individual events you’d like to attend and purchase tickets accordingly.✔️ If attending the full series\, select the Intern Mixer Series Pass for a full series registration.✔️ Keep an eye out for additional pop-up events that may be added based on intern interest! \n \nWhy Join the Intern Mixer Series?\n✨ Build Your Network – Connect with fellow interns and young professionals across Southwest Michigan.📍 Explore the Region – Get an insider’s look at Kalamazoo and its thriving business community.🎤 Gain Professional Insights – Learn valuable career and workplace skills from industry leaders.🌟 Have Fun! – Enjoy food\, conversation\, and activities in a relaxed and engaging environment. \n \nFor more information about the Intern Mixer Series\, visit southwestmichiganfirst.com or contact Rachael Tiesenga at (269) 553-9588 | rtiesenga@southwestmichiganfirst.com
URL:https://firstand42.media/event_test/southwest-michigan-first-intern-mixer-series-2026-2/
LOCATION:The Catalyst Center\, 180 E Water Street\, Suite 1000\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49007\, United States
CATEGORIES:Chamber Events
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