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
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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
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...
Read
Articles
Going into Business with a Partner? Plan Ahead to Protect Yourself from Future Disputes
by Jeshua Lauka In my previous guest post I talked about some of the important considerations when starting your own business. The primary person of choosing a business entity such as a limited liability company or a corporation is to limit your personal liability....
6 Ways to Sabotage Your Leaders and Your Team
by Michelle Steffes What if your team supported your vision, your ideals and the excellence you desire for your organization? What if they had an unstoppable sense of ownership, loyalty and passion to expand your business? When we invest in hiring, training and...
10 Ways to Minimize Work Stress
by Kyle Johnson Overcome stress at work Most every job has some form of work related stress. Whether it’s deadlines, sales quotas, or other various performance measurements, nearly every role has its up’s and down’s. According to an article published by the Huffington...
The Effect of Transportation on a Business Community
by Rachel Potter Yesterday the citizens of Grand Rapids voted on the income tax rate continuation as a way of funding local road repairs. The measure passed which hopefully means we will see some improvement in our streets and roads. As a community we have to address...
Business Brokers in Grand Rapids Succeed With Trust
by Rachel Potter To discuss the business community and the climate for mergers and acquisitions and business transitioning here, I spoke to Grand Rapids business broker Max Friar of Calder Capital. He has a unique perspective on business brokers in Grand Rapids. What...
Creating Cohesion in the Work Place
by Whitney Ehresman Interviewing for a new job can be intimidating and stressful for a job seeker. However, having the role of the interviewer has its own sets of challenges. When hiring a candidate for an open position, many thoughts come to mind. Will the candidate...
How will the shale energy boom create new jobs in Michigan?
by Rachel Potter There’s no doubt that the recent shale energy boom is a game changer for America. Gas extraction from shale through a combination of horizontal drilling techniques and hydraulic fracturing (also known as “fracking”) will have a huge effect on matters...
Starting a Business? Limit Your Liability. The Basics of Legal Business Formation
Introduction to the Legal Basics of Business Formation by Jeshua Lauka 1. Why form a business entity? You could technically operate your business as a “sole proprietor” – give your business a name and then your off! Why take the time to incorporate a business...
So What’s The Big Deal About Meditation?
by Karen Palaszek There may be quite a few of you already meditating on a regular basis. On the flip side, there are likely a lot more of you who aren’t. We hear a lot about meditation as it begins to find its way into the media. But really, what is the big deal...