faqs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do you have day passes?
Yes, we do have day passes and they include parking, printing, wifi and coffee. The cost is $50.00 for coworking desk. Conference room drop in rate is $75.00 per hour. Podcast studio drop in is $25.00 per hour.
What makes a membership unique?
We provide annual memberships for those businesses looking to truly grow their business and work together on growth and business development.
Is parking available?
Yes, free onsite parking is included
Is there storage for bikes?
Yes we have storage and bike accessibly outside and inside building.
Is your building handicap accessible?
Yes, we have handicap doorways, elevators, restrooms and showers. It is important all members feel safe, have access and are welcomed in our space.
How close are you to downtown Grand Rapids?
We are 0.5 miles, located on the heart of the Westside in Stockbridge Business District.
I am looking to grow my business how do I start?
As a business incubator and community Co-working space we are here to provide not only space but connections to grow and scale your life and business. Start your one on one business consulting today by filling out this form.
What types of businesses are members at Grow Hub GR?
We dont discriminate we have business brokers, marketing and sales leaders, Pet nutrition companies, financial services, private investigation, security companies, Mental heath professionals, non profits all housed in Grow Hub GR. We also promote and work with faith organizations, corporate partners and business organizations just getting started. Our goal here is to meet you where are and be a hope dealer and connector on your growth journey.
Do you offer Minority Owned Business Certifications?
Grow Business Today and Stephanie Scott-Kolakowski does serve as a consultant for Minority Owned Business Certification. Inclusive of Minority, Women and Veteran Owned Businesses. We work with individuals and supplier of companies like Meijer who are committed to bridging the gap in supplier diversity. You can learn more about certification by clicking this link.
Do you have an anchor office open?
Yes we do have one physical office open and remote options.
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)
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.
Next Generation Pet Wellness
A pioneer in the personalized pet nutrition space, Samantha Henson is the award-winning clinical pet nutritionist and founder of Next Generation Pet Wellness. She started her career as the CPN for Premier Pet, before moving on to start NGPW in 2017. Driven by a mission to help positively impact one million pets, Samantha is best known for inspiring pet owners everywhere to better care for their companions.
When Samantha isn’t living and breathing all things pet nutrition, she’s at home spending time with her husband, 3 kids, and a zoo’s worth of beloved pets!
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
After 8 ½ years of serving my country, working with Border Patrol, and alongside the CIA, Josh Berg has developed this passion to protect other’s and provide any kind of reassurance a client may need, with anything they may be going through. We are a husband-and-wife team; Katelyn is his backbone, and Empire is the same way when it comes to our clients. We stand with the core military values. We respect, honor, and value our clients. We are loyal and honest to them. We are very family-orientated, when there comes a case regarding child custody, there is a special place in our hearts for the children and families. With any case or any situation, you can count on us to not only do the work you need, but to listen, have compassion and kindness.
We are so happy to have Katlynn and Joshua’s expertise and background here at Grow Hub GR.
