Lisa Chang
Lynn Happel
Sheri Holstege
Erb Thai President
Eastown Veterinary Clinic President/Veterinarian
ESSTEE Inc. President
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isa Chang thought she wanted to be a chef, but while attending Grand Rapids Community College’s culinary program, the opportunity arose for her to open her own restaurant. Today, she is a thriving entrepreneur with multiple businesses to her name. Chang opened her first restaurant, Erb Thai, in 2010 on the busy corner of Wealthy Street and Diamond Avenue. It was one of the initial businesses that helped provide momentum for the Wealthy Street corridor’s resurgence as a thriving business district. After four years of success with that location, she opened Asian tea shop Boba Bliss next door. She also branded Erb Thai Café, which opened in Standale, and just recently celebrated the opening of Erb Thai Xpress on Michigan Street. Erb Thai and Boba Bliss were both recognized in the Wealthy Street neighborhood as Best New Neighborhood Businesses the years they opened. “I feel that as long as you believe — despite background, age or gender — achievements can be accomplished when striving hard for a goal,” Chang said. When Chang started Erb Thai it was a family affair, and today that is still the case, but Chang has also been able to hire additional employees outside of her tight-knit family. She manages up to 10 people between her various enterprises. She’s also hinted that she’d like to open more businesses in the future.
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eterinarian Lynn Happel saw a need in the Eastown community for a veterinary clinic to provide care for the area’s cats and dogs, and she decided to be the one to provide it. “I located in an area that was underserved in the area of veterinary medicine and established a clinic,” she said. Happel transformed a former bank building into Eastown Veterinary Clinic, launching her business in 2011. She received recognition for the building’s transformation in the form of the Neighborhood Business Award for Best Exterior Renovation. The neighborhood has embraced the clinic’s services and today it grosses more than $1 million annually and employs 14 people. Happel is a committed veterinarian and businesswoman, giving back to the Grand Rapids community in several ways. She volunteers her time with John Ball Zoo and the Kent County Animal Shelter by providing advanced dental care services to the animals. She also serves as the vice chair of the Michigan State Board of Veterinary Medicine and is a member of the Uptown Business Improvement District and the Eastown Business Association. “I feel that I truly embody the spirit of a regular person who had a dream, followed that dream despite obstacles, and created a successful business as well as nurtured continued success in myself,” she said.
8 TOP WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT
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heri Holstege, president and majority owner of ESSTEE Real Estate Management, launched the full-service firm in 2003 and has facilitated its growth for more than a decade. With personalization at the core of its strategy, ESSTEE provides individualized management services for commercial condominiums, homeowners associations and owner-occupied facility clients. In 11 years, Holstege has grown the business to employ seven people who manage 12 commercial sites and 28 associations. “When training new hires, I stress the importance of equipping themselves with the necessary knowledge so they are confident in their decisions,” said Holstege. “Real estate management, especially commercial properties, is a male-dominated industry. Training, knowledge and confidence are critical to successful interaction with peers.” Holstege is involved in a number of community organizations and supports a variety of businesses and events including Good Samaritan Ministries, Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area. She is currently active with Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce, Community Action Agency and the Zeeland Planning Commission. She was nominated for the Lakeshore ATHENA Award in 2014. “Helping women achieve success on a professional and personal level is very important to me. As the majority owner … my goal is to groom another woman to take over the business when I am ready to retire,” said Holstege.