Contact
Us
Give us a call or stop by
Phone:
616-647-7810
Adress:
560 5th Street NW, Suite 205, Grand Rapids 49504
Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday
09:00 am – 05:00 pm
Saturday – Sunday – Closed
All Inquiries
We’ll be happy to answer all of your questions.
Our People
Owner; Managing Director of Grow Hub GR & Grow Business Today
Stephanie grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Her Nonie and Poppy were first generation Italian immigrants from Italy who taught here the importance of faith, family and service.
She spent 16 years in corporate America as a leader in the media sector. Leading local, regional and national sales teams in radio, television, digital and local programming. Over her career, she has worked with hundreds of companies on marketing and growth strategies, with a focus on encouraging companies to lead with social impact and people on the forefront. Known as an “Idea” person, she is natural born innovator. Where others see problems, she sees opportunity. She believes in working together to connect people, planet, profit and purpose for impact. She believes all should have equitable access and opportunity to achieve their dreams.
As a first-generation entrepreneur she chooses to spend her time, energy and talent focused on people, planet, profit and living in purpose. Noticing the lack of diversity, specifically with female entrepreneurship & feeling firsthand the frustration as a female raising capital. Stephanie set out to serve others on their business growth journeys and create a company and hub on the Westside of Grand Rapids that all who want to build business and impact have a community and location to thrive in.
Stephanie is a proud wife to Edward a retired Kent County Sherriff who now works as an Educator for the KENT ISD. She is also the mom of three girls. An angel baby, Madyson, 23-year-old stepdaughter, Monique and 11-year-old daughter, Gabby, who is her inspiration, along with two fur babies Teddy and Ralphie.
She is passionate about the Grand Rapids Community and has served as;
- Next Gen Board, Wedgewood Christian Services
- President, Projects for Purpose MI inc.
- Coach at Spring GR
- Facilitator, Transformando, West Michigan
- Member of the VFB (Voice Fort the Badge)
- Past Chair, March of Dimes Signature Chef Event
- Past Chair, March for Babies
- Idea Generator/Facilitator GR Summer Project
- Presenter/Facilitator National Association Of Broadcasters (2012)
B & J Enterprises, LLC
Dr. Andrea Blue hails from Baldwin; MI. Dr. Blue is a mentor, personal and business coach, entrepreneur, author, and educator. Her education includes a Doctorate of Management and Organizational Development and Change in Higher Education Organizations; Colorado Technical University; 2 Masters Degrees; Ferris State University in Business Administration and Career Technical Education with a focus on management, business, and education. Dr. Blue is the Founder and CEO of B & J Enterprises, LLC where Blue Pathways Educational Mentorship Services and Paramount Recruitment Agency were birthed.
Our ideal client is driven, overwhelmed, working with outdated systems and processes, and professionals that desire to move towards the next steps with patience. Our clients may have questions about the unknown but are willing to do the work to find clarity and complete the processes. These services are offered from a certified transformational mindset mentor and coach to our corporate clients, business owners, and individuals that operate a business that works with underprivileged and underrepresented populations both locally and globally. Our clients are planning for career, education, entrepreneurship, personal/professional development, and employment goals. Our clients dare to dream big with authenticity and integrity. that need training and development and personal/professional development. We offer support by helping corporations, business owners, and individuals find and use their passion and purpose with a plan of action.
We know this client because we are this client. We are intentional about working with clients that are closely connected to this affirmation statement. We bring 15 plus years of business, management, and education experience along with DISC Certification Training. We will be intentional with our corporations, business owners, and individual clients to help transform lives through mindset mentorship and coach strategies.
These plans are designed to increase student retention rates and decrease dropout rates with black and brown individuals in underprivileged and underrepresented populations. She is excited to work with all global and community members that are connected to the mission and vision of B & J Enterprises, LLC. Dr. Blue is a CASA (court-appointed advocate for children of Kent County) and a mentor for Affinity Mentorship. Dr. Blue currently serves for-profit and non-profit organizations where she connects with the community of Grand Rapids, MI, and makes global connections to transform the lives of individuals.
Thrive Aquisitions
Thrive Acquisition helps clients transition in or out of business ownership. Thrive also helps business owners find real estate that meets their needs and offers management consulting services. Business owners contact Kathy DeVries, managing broker, when they have questions about buying or selling a closely held business and need to know more about how that process works. Sometimes life happens, and the need to transition the business becomes urgent. Because every business is unique, and opportunities and challenges are critical to success, Thrive Acquisition and Thrive Business Consulting, LLC provides a wide range of service offerings to assist clients.
Kathy DeVries is a Certified Business Intermediary, business consultant, and licensed Realtor®.
Kathy spent many years as a second-generation business owner of a packaging company in the agribusiness sector. Kathy understands that business owners sometimes need someone to turn to, someone to give them a second opinion about next steps, and someone to help problem-solve and set attainable goals personally and professionally. Business owners appreciate being able to leverage Kathy’s experience and education to solve complex business problems, especially involving owners of closely held family businesses.
Since divesting of her role in family business, Kathy has worked with small business owners in several capacities including start-up consulting, management consulting, and in facilitating business transitions.
An ideal client for Thrive Acquisition is a business owner who wants to know their options in an eventual transition of their business to a family member, trusted employee, or outside party. Most business owners need to sell their business to fund retirement yet have no idea what their business is worth or how the process works.
Outside of Thrive Acquisition, Kathy has been an active volunteer for Rotary Club of Holland chairing the International Service Committee, Good Samaritan Ministries working to reduce poverty and homelessness in the community, the Cascade Township Brownfield Board, the WEHOP organization helping to bring solutions for clean water and humanitarian aid throughout the world, and other organizations. She also serves as treasurer for the Michigan Business Broker Association.
Kathy is a licensed real estate professional. She earned her undergraduate degree at Calvin University and Master of Business Administration at Northwood University.
Kathy says, “I used to ‘Mind my own business!’ Now I specialize in helping other business owners with theirs.’”
Contact Thrive Acquisition for a free one-hour confidential conversation about your business goals.
Security
Ed Kolakowski retired with 28 years in law enforcement January 14th, 2021, from the Kent County Sheriff department. He spent 15 years in the detective bureau investigating crimes such as homicides, child sex abuse cases, domestic investigations, fraud investigations, private investigations and beyond. He was recognized in 2013 for his bravery, running into a burning building to rescue a mom and her children. He is a devoted family man, Husband, Father and Grand Father. Ed is a problem solver who works hand in hand with those in need of help and healing. As owner of Shield Private Investigations he works hand in hand with families, legal professionals, business owners, facilities and people to provide security and investigation resources.
Below is a list of his certifications and expertise during his time in law enforcement:
- 15 years as a Detective
- 3 years as a school resource officer for the KENT ISD
- De-Escalation Trainer
- Certified field officer
- Hostage Negotiator
- Alice active shooter instructor
- Child forensic interviewer and instructor
- Currently instructor/para pro at KCTC criminal justice
