Since 2009
Grand Rapids Area Professionals for ExcellenceMore About GRAPE
Our Mission
“To build a community of professionals who inspire others to reach their fullest potential: personally, professionally, and neighborly!”
Connect With Us
CLICK here to get our APP for easy convenient access: user friendly, no downloading necessary!
Sign up for real time text message alerts. Simply text GRAPE to 313131.
Become A Sponsor
We appreciate your support. Click here for more information. We are always looking to promote area venues too!
Meet GRAPE’s Leadership Team
Carolyn Lund
Board President
Co-Founder & Managing Partner with Earnest Apps (A division of Earnest Enterprises)
Lisa Kosak
Social Media Consultant
Horizon Bank
Patty Vanderklok
Board Secretary
Real Estate Investor
John Potter
Executive Director
Academic Librarian
GRAPE Events
Annual Inspire Event October 17, 2019
GRAPE's Annual Inspire Event October 17, 2019 Olivet Nazarene University Ste 111 625 Kenmoor SE 11:15-1:15 "Legalized Marijuana", now what? 11:15 - Sign In, Meet, Greet, and Network 11:45 - Lunch Buffet, Announcements, and Sponsors' Recognition 12:00 - Guest...
Educate Event August 15, 2019
Small Business Benefits of Recycling Recycling can reduce waste... In your bottom line! Learn how recycling can lead to reduced waste management fees and cost-savings on new purchases. 11:30 Sign-In. Meet & Greet. 11:50 Lunch, Catered by Fred's Italian Restaurant...
Speed Networking Event Thursday June 20, 2019
"Ignite Business Relationships" Join us for Speed Networking! What a great way for fun, fast, quality connections! Bring business cards and/or flyers to pass out to those you meet at this special event. 11:30-11:45 Meet & Greet 11:45-12:00 Lunch and a 10 minute...
Connect Event Wednesday May 22, 2019
GRAPE is invited to join BNB on Wednesday May 22nd 5pm-8pm. Connect with Grand Rapids Area Professionals for Excellence and the Business Networking and Beers group at Broad Leaf Local Beer. Bring plenty of business cards and meet up for casual networking, drinks, and...
Educate Event Thursday April 25, 2019
"Mastery Essentials for Business Growth in Today's Economy" Thursday April 25th, 11:30-1p Olivet Nazarene University, 625 Kenmoor SE Lunch Catered by Fred's Italian Restaurant Single Tickets Just $15! Increments of 5 5 Tickets $50.00 USD 10 Tickets $100.00 USD 15...
Educate Event Thursday February 21, 2019
"Dream Big & Dare to Fail – How starting with 'why', authenticity, and leading with your heart will transform how you do business", Scott Vogel. We are excited to welcome Scott, Owner and Operator of Nothing Bundt Cakes. Along with free cake and door prizes, Scott...
Join our GRAPE Sponsorship program
Support. Recognition. Appreciated.
Please visit our sponsors.
What we do
Creating a Community of Excellence
Connect
Connect events are opportunities for entrepreneurs to meet and build relationships with others in the Grand Rapids area.
Educate
Every quarter, GRAPE hosts special meetings that provide members with relevant and helpful information.
Inspire
Annually, GRAPE highlights an issue or charity that members can learn about and support.
What Drives Us
Our Mission
To build a community of professionals who inspire each other to reach their fullest potential: personally, professionally, and neighborly!
Get Involved
As a non-profit organization, GRAPE always appreciates the support of volunteers!
Our Next Event
Connect Event October 15, 2020
"Ignite Business Relationships" Join us for our Annual Speed Networking Event! Let's spend some time together!! Share your business with other local professionals!!! Even though we can't get everyone together in person yet, we can meet via ZOOM PRO and still help each...
Read
Articles
A Jewelry Store with a Soul
Paul Medawar Fine Jewelry store on Plainfield Avenue exemplifies a jeweler with an effective marketing strategy. This includes all the elements a good marketer ought to offer: a defined target market, excellent products, interesting packaging, and superior customer service.
The Insidious Nature of Competing Corporate Myths
Competing corporate myths are the less-than-glowing myths employees hold about their employer. Often flying below management’s radar, competing myths are also prone to self-fulfilling prophecy. And being somewhat insidious to company health, this means that they’re especially damaging.
Five Apps That Increase Employee Productivity & Engagement
Is the annual performance review dead? Such reviews place undue weight upon an employee’s recent performance, generate unconstructive anxiety /defensiveness, and have little to no developmental impact. Quickly taking its place are instant feedback apps that allow for frequent employee evaluations.
How Unchallenged Assumptions Imperil Workforce Productivity
Unchallenged assumptions influence how a company engages its workforce as well. This is especially true for executives in larger companies, notorious for insulating themselves from their own workforce.
Online Mentoring to be the Next Big Thing
Although inexpensive online courseware is not uncommon, online mentoring programs such as Everwise, Chronus, and MentorCloud are starting to make headway as a learning complement.
How office layout affects productivity
In an insecure economy with rising rental, heating, and benefit costs, businesses look to where they can save money, and one of those areas is space. This, more than the touted differences in Millenials’ work and interaction preferences, may be driving the workplace trends in design.
A Leader’s Greatest Challenge is Employee Fear
Every one of us – from the C-suite to the shop floor – can relate to that statement by Lovecraft. We want to feel safe and in control, and we are much more comfortable when our life is predictable.
Bridging the Digital Divide: Bringing Technology into the Workplace Part II Leandra Williams, Owner, Stingray Advisory Group LLC
According to a recent article on Social Times, 46% of web users turn to social media when making buying decisions. To proactively capitalize on this, more and more small-to-medium size businesses (SMB) are incorporating social media into their marketing strategy.