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Top Women Owned Businesses Event /Deidra McClelland
Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW) has released an announcement congratulating the Top Women Owned Businesses and urges others to take advantage of entrepreneurial training and small business resources.
Grand Rapids Business Journal holds a biennial event to recognize the Top Women Owned Businesses in West Michigan. The event celebrates “West Michigan women-owned businesses adding strength and diversity to the local economy” and features the most impactful and successful women with everything from small businesses to multi-million dollar companies. The event was held March 6, 2013 and highlighted several prominent business owners.
As a long-standing resource for entrepreneurs in West Michigan, Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW) is proud to have worked with seventeen of the thirty-five women honored as leaders of Top Women Owned Businesses. Many of the women have been involved with GROW in more than one way—as members of the Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE, a division of GROW), community facilitators for GROW programs, mentors for Business Wellness Checkup, or even clients who took advantage of free business counseling, networking events, or entrepreneurial training.
Bonnie Knopf won the award for the $0–$1.49 million category. Bonnie is the President of Intrepid Plastics Manufacturing, and has been a member of the Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs. Intrepid Manufacturing has succeeded because of Bonnie’s passion and dedication to her business. As noted in the Top Women Owned Business piece, her “perseverance is hard to fathom.” Bonnie also stated, “We are on an upward trend with incredible opportunities in sight.” GROW is honored to have worked with Bonnie Knopf as a member of the Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs.
Joyce Lovse, President and Owner of AngelCare Home Care, won the Top Women Owned Business award for the $1.5–$3.99 million level. Joyce has been a GROW volunteer for the Seeds of GROWth annual fundraising event, and a marketing mentor for the Business Wellness Checkup program. GROW is grateful for Joyce’s involvement and her willingness to share her expertise with other women business owners.
GROW would like to congratulate the other members of the Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs, as well as women business owners who have volunteered their time and talent giving back through GROW, who were selected as Top Women Owned Business nominees:
Roxanne Dudicz – Owner of Rivertown Finance
Floriza Genautis – CEO of Management Business Solutions
Meg Goebel – President and Owner of Paul Goebel Group
Denise Kohler-Kolesar – President of Kohler Expos Inc.
Rhoda Kreuzer – President of Partners In Action Inc.
Catherine Lazarock – President of Symplicity Communication Inc.
Cindy Locklin – President and CEO of Busy Bea’s Services Inc.
Julie Lough – President of Micro Visions Inc.
Barbara Meconis – Owner and CEO of Holistic Care Approach
Amy Ruis – Owner and President of Art of the Table
Natalia M. Schotte – Owner and President of La Vie de la Rose Flower Essences
Mary Reagan Shapton – Reagan Marketing + Design LLC
Sandi Frost Steenma – President of Parrish Consulting
Janice S. Vanderbilt – President of Vanderbilt CPA Group
Beverly Wall – CEO of Languages International Inc.
Members of the Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs enjoy many valuable benefits. As a member of AWE, women can be nominated for prestigious awards like the Top Women Owned Business and many others. Women business owners deserve recognition for their hard work, and AWE is happy to provide nominations when possible.
The Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs also provides special financial resources to women looking to engage in leadership and growth activities. Members are able to apply for assistance through the Leadership Development Fund to empower them in achieving professional growth. Some of the most successful female entrepreneurs in West Michigan have taken advantage of this opportunity.
GROW would like to extend congratulations to all of the top women-owned business, and to all of the women working hard today to achieve success in business.
To learn more about GROW and AWE and how local entrepreneurs can take advantage of what they have to offer, visit growbusiness.org.
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