innovation spotlight
Riolo Creative Engineering thrives on innovation
by (erictank)
Submitted 01-13-2015 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
Marco Riolo helps people to realize their vision and then breathes life into that vision. Under his business name Riolo Creative Engineering, he spends his days finding solutions to people's problems. He believes he has a talent and believes...
Rockford Construction works to practice what they preach in new headquarters on West Side
by (eschroeder)
Submitted 06-04-2013 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
This July, Rockford Construction will be moving their headquarters to the West Side, from Cascade Township where they resided for eight years. President and CEO Mike VanGessel explains that they were able to redevelop a long disused paper factory...
Stiletto Sweets turns hobby into sophisticated cakery success
by (lizstudt)
Submitted 10-31-2012 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
Stiletto Sweets is a special order, in house cake and cupcake bakery that specializes in unique creations and designs for every client. Founder Noddea Moore Skidmore’s vision takes Stiletto Sweets beyond the typical bakery. “It’s...
Dance program makes art more accessible to children
by (lizstudt)
Submitted 08-06-2012 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
Hearts in Motion Dance Project was founded two years ago with a simple mission: make dance more accessible for families with children. Alison Brown, founder and head instructor of the project, felt the need for a new type of dance studio: one in...
Trillium Haven owners grow into restaurateurs, support local agriculture and economy
by (lizstudt)
Submitted 07-26-2012 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
Trillium Haven, a new restaurant in Eastown, has now been open for almost a month, and owners Michael VanderBrug and Anja Mast are still adjusting to the differences between restaurant ownership and their previous project, a community supported...
Radix Tavern to focus on more than food
by (lizstudt)
Submitted 07-03-2012 under LOCAL LIFE
Balwinder Bal, owner of Bombay Cuisine, and Jayson Leek, former sous chef at the B.O.B., are collaborating to create a new restaurant that will focus on Southern style cooking. The food at Radix Tavern is not the only thing getting attention. The...
ROWSTER owner steps in "Regular" direction
by (lizstudt)
Submitted 06-25-2012 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
To say that Kurt Stauffer, owner of ROWSTER New American Coffee, has a passion for coffee is an understatement. The self-proclaimed “coffee nerd,” shop owner and founder of upcoming Regular Coffee has a connection to roasting coffee that...
BISSELL: A journey through time
by (lizstudt)
Submitted 06-12-2012 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
BISSELL, a globally recognized brand with a goal to expand to all continents of the world, has not always had such wide-spread success. The Grand Rapids-based company has journeyed through time to become the well-known household name it is today,...
Changing the world through design
by (kcaralis)
Submitted 03-27-2012 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
Within a few minutes of meeting Seth Starner, it becomes clear he’s not the kind of guy who sits in one place for very long. It may be his bright blue eyes or the way he gestures in continuous motion as he speaks, but his excitement for...
Martha’s Vineyard: no ordinary corner shop
by (eschroeder)
Submitted 03-01-2012 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
Every year hundreds of businesses open up all over Grand Rapids. Making sure a business doesn’t merely survive but also thrives is a difficult and complicated process- requiring constant innovation and research. Where better to garner some...