VINA Tailgate Returns for 18th Year
VINA Community Dental Center invites the community to celebrate the annual VINA Tailgate fundraiser on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Crystal Gardens Event Center in Howell, MI. The event begins at 5:30 PM. As part of the tailgate festivities, attendees can enjoy a buffet dinner, cash bar, silent auction, raffles, games, a photo booth, and more. The VINA Tailgate is a football-themed fundraiser, and attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite team’s colors, apparel, or jersey. College, professional, or
Omnichannel Marketing - A game changer for Local Businesses
Your customers don’t experience your business one channel at a time. They experience your brand as a whole. They might see your ad in a local magazine. Then notice your business on Facebook. Google you a week later. Read your reviews. Visit your website. And finally, walk through your door. That’s omnichannel marketing. It’s not simply being on multiple platforms. It’s making sure every touchpoint feels connected, consistent, and trustworthy. Why does this matter for local businesses? Because
44% of Employers Report Unfilled Roles as Hiring Process Takes Longer
The hiring process itself may be getting in the way of filling open jobs, as U.S. companies report more unfilled roles, longer timelines and positions closing without a hire while job seekers say automated systems are making it harder to feel heard, according to a newly released Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey. The disconnect comes as 44% of U.S. hiring managers say their company currently has open positions they cannot fill, significantly increasing from 36% in the fall of 2025 and
Statement Data Into Your Own Model: A Guide for Brighton Businesses
Brighton sits in the comfortable middle of southeast Michigan, a Livingston County city of lakes and small businesses positioned between Detroit and Ann Arbor, with the kind of independent, owner-run business base that does its own books more often than not. For those businesses, a recurring frustration arrives in the mail and the inbox every month: statements. The bank statement, the merchant-services summary, the loan statement, the vendor account — the figures a business actually needs to fold into its
New digital makeover for Quality Outdoor Services
Quality Outdoor Services is a landscape design and maintenance company providing professional outdoor services for homeowners and commercial properties in Livingston County. In order to expedite growth and brand visibility, Founder and President Shawn Nester made a decision to invest in a new website overhaul with a focus on improving online visibility and brand representation. After a few years of using a larger digital agency, he became fed up with poor communication and lack of results. After vetting a
Building Your First Team in Livingston County's Tightest Job Market
The best practices for hiring in a new business come down to four things: define the role precisely, source candidates deliberately, evaluate them consistently, and make an offer worth accepting. Livingston County has the lowest unemployment rate of all 83 Michigan counties — around 4% — which means qualified candidates have options. Small businesses contributed 55% of net new jobs nationally from 2013 to 2023, so the stakes of getting your first hires right are higher than they might appear from the
Most Onboarding Packets Miss the Point. Here's What Actually Helps New Hires Stay.
A well-built onboarding packet gives new employees the tools, context, and compliance paperwork they need to contribute quickly and feel genuinely welcomed — but most employers fall well short of that bar. Only 12% of employees strongly agree their organization does a great job onboarding new employees, according to Gallup research. For small businesses in the Brighton area competing for talent against Ann Arbor's tech corridor and University of Michigan health system, that gap has real consequences."We
Cybersecurity Mistakes Brighton Area Small Businesses Can't Keep Making
Small businesses face a growing cybersecurity threat — and the most dangerous gaps are the ones owners don't know they have. Ransomware, credential theft, and phishing all exploit the same set of avoidable mistakes, and most fixes don't require a dedicated IT team. For businesses across the Greater Brighton Area, in a regional economy that includes healthcare providers, tech firms, and Main Street retailers, cybersecurity hygiene is less a competitive edge than a basic requirement.You're More Targeted
Workers’ Compensation Chamber Discounts (Accident Fund)
Accident Fund is best known for workers’ compensation insurance, and this is where their most meaningful discounts exist.? Group Program Discounts Through the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce and Agency partners like us here at Willow Insurance Group with Accident Fund. Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce Members typically receive a 5% up-front discount on their workers’ comp premium. These programs reward businesses that promote workplace safety
Stop Leaving Your Business Story to Google: Build a Media Kit
A media kit — also called a press kit — is a curated package of information about your business that makes it easy for journalists, partners, and investors to understand who you are and why you matter. It's your best first impression, available on demand. What happens without one? When a reporter can't find a kit, they turn to Google instead — piecing together your brand from whatever surfaces, which means you lose control of the story before it's written. For any Greater Brighton Area business competing
Hiring Practices That Help New Brighton-Area Businesses Thrive
Launching a business in the Greater Brighton Area means building more than a product or service—you’re building a team that reflects your values, fuels growth, and helps you navigate early-stage uncertainty. Strong hiring practices don’t just fill roles; they minimize risk, protect culture, and set the tone for long-term stability. In brief: Clear roles reduce early churn and clarify expectations. Thoughtful sourcing attracts candidates aligned with your mission. Structured evaluation and
Simple Ways Small Businesses Can Inject Creativity Into Their Marketing
When you're running a small business, especially during moments of transition—like hiring your first employee, moving into a new space, or launching a product—marketing can either spark growth or stall momentum. The key? Staying creatively relevant without exhausting your budget or audience.Start with What Your Audience Feels, Not Just What You Sell Creative marketing that performs over time doesn’t always come from flashy budgets—it comes from a real connection to what your audience is going through.
Color Your Brand: DIY Design That Doesn’t Eat Up Your Week
Small business owners don’t need a design degree or a six-figure budget to make graphics that look polished and professional. The myth that branding has to be complicated is mostly a relic from a time when Photoshop and agency retainers were the only options. Today, streamlined tools and a sharper sense of visual literacy have made good design more accessible. For entrepreneurs juggling invoices, clients, and supply runs, the key is speed without looking slapdash—and yes, that’s possible. Create Print
Picture Power: How Small Business Visual Content Turns Browsers into Buyers
Every corner of the internet runs on visuals. Whether it’s a fleeting Instagram story or a full-blown branded TikTok, content anchored in imagery continues to outperform text-only posts by wide margins. For small businesses that live and die by visibility, compelling visuals are more than window dressing—they’re currency. The way a photo, video, or graphic is crafted can mean the difference between engagement and invisibility in a sea of algorithmically sorted noise. First Impressions Are
Urgent: FinCEN Requires BOI Filings from Brighton, MI by 01/01/2025
The Corporate Transparency Act mandates that certain U.S. companies report details about their beneficial owners to combat financial crimes. As of today, 12/04/2024, Brighton, MI business owners have 27 calendar days(or 20 business days) left to file their Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report with FinCEN—don’t wait, or you could face fines of $500 per day! 1. Determine if Your Business Must File. Most LLCs, corporations, and small businesses qualify as “reporting companies.” Exemptions apply
Turning Challenges into Triumphs for Lasting Business Success
Starting and growing a business is a dynamic journey that demands both creativity and strategic planning. In today’s competitive landscape, entrepreneurs must harness the power of technology and innovative practices to carve out a niche in the market. From leveraging digital platforms to understanding consumer behavior, the tools available today can significantly enhance business operations and customer engagement. By focusing on sustainable practices and integrating advanced technologies, businesses can
