The West Shore Inventors Network is an association of inventors and professionals helping to turn inventions into marketable products.  WIN encourages its members to further their creative ideas and nurture the new inventor toward professional growth and product realization. It also is an opportunity for inventors, marketers, and creative people to learn and network. Meetings are held in room 751 at the West Shore Community College Schoenherr Campus Center, 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville, MI.  First meeting is free.  Contact Julie Van Dyke at 231-843-5903 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to RSVP.

Free Dale Carnegie training with certified instructor Darlene Regula. Hosted by The Stream business incubator, 1 State Rd., Newaygo, MI. Free. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to register.

If you are thinking about starting your own business, this free workshop will help you identify and release your fears about starting a business, recognize business opportunities, prepare to conduct market research, assess and grow your network, and evaluate whether you should enroll in the 8-week FastTrac New Venture entrepreneur training course that begins March 8.  Room 751, West Shore Community College Schoenherr Campus Center, 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville, MI.  Call Michelle Herron at 231-660-0253 to register.

The caliber of the people who work for you will arguably have more impact on the success of your company than any other factor. When world-class organizations are asked how they find such great employees, you will find that the answer is they ask the right questions. This workshop will provide a practical approach to interviewing that you can use the next day. Learn to look beneath the surface of those shiny resumes and discover what interviewees may be trying to hide from you. Hosted by the Employers Association of West Michigan, 380 W. Western Ave., Suite 202, Muskegon, MI. $125 Employers Association members/$135 Chamber members/$145 future members. To register, call 231-759-0916 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Designed for those who want to increase their chances for successful self-employment or business launch, this course cover business planning in detail. topics include: specifics of marketing, finance, legal, regulatory issues, operations, information-based planning, and management. The first steps for drafting a business plan will also be included, and live examples of effective business plans are used in course materials. Hosted by the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (Mi-SBTDC). Workshop will be held at the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC), 200 Viridian Drive, Muskegon. Free. To register, call 616-331-7370 or go to https://www.misbtdc.net/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=72320013 .

This intensive 8-week course will walk you through all aspects of launching your business.  Topics covered include: exploring entrepreneurship, evaluating your business concept, developing a working knowledge of business fundamentals such as marketing, product/service development, management, financials, business infrastructure, assessing risk, and building an actionable business plan.  Co-sponsored by the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center (Mi-SBTDC) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).  Class will be held Thursdays from March 8 - April 26 from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. in room 751 at the West Shore Community College Schoenherr Center, 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville, MI.  $140 for 8-week course and materials.  To register, contact Julie Van Dyke at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 231-843-5903.

The Grand Rapids Inventors Network (GRIN) assists its members to further their creative ideas. It also is a place where inventors, marketers, and creative people can learn and network. GRIN helps inventors help themselves via networking and experience sharing with other inventors. The organization encourages and nurtures the new inventor toward professional growth and product realization. GRIN's March meeting will focus on the right way to set up your legal entity, and attorneys TJ Ackert and Matt Johnson will even share some horror stories about businesses that did it the wrong way and paid the price.  Your first meeting is free, then $50 per year to join. Meetings are held at Grand Valley State University's Cook-Devos Center for Health Sciences, room 119, 301 Michigan St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to RSVP.

The Grand Rapids Inventors Network (GRIN) assists its members to further their creative ideas. It also is a place where inventors, marketers, and creative people can learn and network. GRIN helps inventors help themselves via networking and experience sharing with other inventors. The organization encourages and nurtures the new inventor toward professional growth and product realization. GRIN's March meeting will focus on the right way to set up your legal entity, and attorneys TJ Ackert and Matt Johnson will even share some horror stories about businesses that did it the wrong way and paid the price.  Your first meeting is free, then $50 per year to join. Meetings are held at Grand Valley State University's Cook-Devos Center for Health Sciences, room 119, 301 Michigan St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to RSVP.

This Business Briefing  will include a panel discussion about how interns can help enhance your staff and grow your business.  Experts from some of the area's leading organization that use interns regularly will discuss pros and cons of having interns, where to look to hire interns, and the best way to utilize them.  Hosted by the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, 380 W. Western Ave. in Muskegon.  $20 Chamber members/$35 future members.  Register online at www.muskegon.org or call 231-722-3751.

Meet and network with other business people at the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce's March Business After Hours celebration.   This is a great opportunity to meet and connect with other professionals who may be able to help you start and/or grow your business!  Door prizes and refreshments provided.  Celebration will be held at the Seminole Corporate Centre, 3587 Henry St. in Muskegon.  Cost: $5 donation.  Please RSVP online at www.muskegon.org or call 231-722-3751.

The Muskegon Inventors Network (MIN) is a non-profit organization that has monthly meetings for its members and visitors who have an idea or invention. The group supports and guides its members to help them decide if their idea is marketable. MIN can also assist in steps needed to build a successful business. Through networking at monthly meetings, which take place the third Tuesday of each month, members find help in prototyping, manufacturing, packaging, marketing, writing a business plan, legal information and much more. Most meetings are held at the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC), 200 Viridian Drive in Muskegon. Your first meeting is free, $50 membership fee applies after that. Email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to RSVP.

This course is an introduction to the different types of legal entities that are appropriate for structuring and starting a new business.  Tax and liability issues are covered, along with basic elements of a contract, collections, licenses, registrations, employment and property issues, leasing and insurance.  Workshop is designed to guide prospective business owners in setting up the organizational structure that will help protect them from unnecessary legal challenges.  Hosted by the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (Mi-SBTDC). Workshop will be held at the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC), 200 Viridian Drive, Muskegon. Free. To register, call 616-331-7370 or go to
https://www.misbtdc.net/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=72320001.

The West Shore Inventors Network is an association of inventors and professionals helping to turn inventions into marketable products. WIN encourages its members to further their creative ideas and nurture the new inventor toward professional growth and product realization. It also is an opportunity for inventors, marketers, and creative people to learn and network. Meetings are held in room 751 at the West Shore Community College Schoenherr Campus Center, 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville, MI. First meeting is free. Contact Julie Van Dyke at 231-843-5903 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to RSVP.

The Grand Rapids Inventors Network (GRIN) assists its members to further their creative ideas. It also is a place where inventors, marketers, and creative people can learn and network. GRIN helps inventors help themselves via networking and experience sharing with other inventors. The organization encourages and nurtures the new inventor toward professional growth and product realization. GRIN's April meeting will feature several local organizations that are ready to help people like you.  Learn more about what they have to offer, and talk one-on-one with their representatives to find out how their services can help your specific business.  Your first meeting is free, then $50 per year to join. Meetings are held at Grand Valley State University's Cook-Devos Center for Health Sciences, room 119, 301 Michigan St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to RSVP.

This course presents practical applications of marketing concepts designed to grow a small business.  Workshop will cover basic marketing tools including market analysis and research, target marketing, assessing competitors, and key marketing implementation tools.  A strategic, well-planned approach to marketing is demonstrated, with several examples of effective hands-on marketing techniques.  Focus is on creating and keeping customers.  Hosted by the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (Mi-SBTDC).  Workshop will be held at the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC), 200 Viridian Drive, Muskegon.  Free.  To register, call 616-331-7370 or go to https://www.misbtdc.net/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=72320005.

The Muskegon Inventors Network (MIN) is a non-profit organization that has monthly meetings for its members and visitors who have an idea or invention. The group supports and guides its members to help them decide if their idea is marketable. MIN can also assist in steps needed to build a successful business. Through networking at monthly meetings, which take place the third Tuesday of each month, members find help in prototyping, manufacturing, packaging, marketing, writing a business plan, legal information and much more. Most meetings are held at the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC), 200 Viridian Drive in Muskegon. Your first meeting is free, $50 membership fee applies after that. Email Melba Mulder at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to RSVP.

The West Shore Inventors Network is an association of inventors and professionals helping to turn inventions into marketable products.  WIN encourages its members to further their creative ideas and nurture the new inventor toward professional growth and product realization. It also is an opportunity for inventors, marketers, and creative people to learn and network. Meetings are held in room 751 at the West Shore Community College Schoenherr Campus Center, 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville, MI.  First meeting is free.  Contact Julie Van Dyke at 231-843-5903 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to RSVP.

This course will introduce basic accounting concepts and how to apply financial information to help you manage your business more effectively.  Key documents such as cash flow statements, profit and loss statements, and balance sheets are explained using specific examples from small business.  Entrepreneurs will gain a better understanding of accounting principles and financial statements, and how to work more effectively with their accounting team.  Hosted by the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (Mi-SBTDC).  Workshop will be held at the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC), 200 Viridian Drive, Muskegon.  Free.  To register, call 616-331-7370 or go to https://www.misbtdc.net/reg.aspx?mode=event&event=72320009.

The Hudsonville Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors this 5-week golf league where for five consecutive weeks, participating golfers will be paired with a new group of golfers for nine holes. 
Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. beginning April 26 and running through May 24.  League will be played at The Meadows Golf Course at GVSU, 4645 West Campus Drive, Allendale, MI.  $100 members/$125 non-members (includes 5 weeks of golf and cart).  Register online at http://business.hudsonvillechamber.com/events/details/networking-league.