Kiddo’s Korner Boutique Now Open
Kiddo’s Korner Boutique held a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at its new location at 1610 Ludington Street, Escanaba. Pictured, from left, are: Terri-Lynn Thompson, Delta County Chamber of Commerce administrative assistant; Taylor Seymour, owner of Kiddo’s Korner Boutique; Barb Lindstrom, Delta County ambassador; Ed Legault, executive director of the Delta County Economic Development Alliance; and Julie Mallard, Delta County ambassador. For more information on joining the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, please call (906) 786-2192
ESCANABA - -Kiddo’s Korner Boutique held a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, Sept. 10. Located at 1610 Ludington Street (formerly LaPorte Studio), Kiddos Corner Boutique offers new and gently used children’s apparel, shoes, and custom keepsake apparel, and limited adult apparel, including maternity clothing. Customers can bring in gently-used or new clothing items and get store credit to be used on future purchases.
“It has been exactly one year since I was given the opportunity to open Kiddo’s Korner Boutique. Since being open, we have helped dozens of families, and helped them save over $6,000 just by bringing their outgrown items in. My goal with Kiddo’s Korner Boutique has always been to help families. I am beyond excited for the opportunity to now be open in Escanaba, and to see how many more families we can help in the years to come! From babies to big kids, we have it all. Come check it out,” Owner Taylor Seymour said.
Kiddo’s Korner Boutique is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call (906) 241-4654 or search Kiddo’s Korner Boutique LLC on Facebook.
PUBLISHER
Sarah Maki • smaki@dailypress.net CIRCULATION
Jennifer Flynn •jflynn@ironmountaindailynews.com
ADVERTISING/EDITORIAL SUBMISSION
Dan Trumble • dtrumble@dailypress.net
Phone: 906-786-2021 ext. 156 / Fax: 906-786-3752 issuu.com/upbusinesstoday
Upper Peninsula Business today is published monthly by the Daily Press, 600 Ludington Street, Escanaba, Michigan 49829. Periodical Postage paid at Escanaba, Michigan 49829, publication No. 022165. “Postmaster” Send address changes to Upper Peninsula Business Today, Escanaba, Michigan 49829
October 2024 • Vol. 36 • Number 10
COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES
The Chamber of Commerce Helps Businesses in Many Ways
By Dan Trumble
Joining a chamber of commerce offers businesses a wealth of opportunities that can significantly enhance their growth and reputation within a community. For businesses of all sizes, being a member of a local chamber provides access to a network of fellow business leaders, potential customers, and key stakeholders, facilitating important relationships that may not have been accessible otherwise. One of the most valuable aspects of chamber membership is the access to networking events, business development opportunities, and advocacy on behalf of the business community.
Chambers of commerce are often viewed as the heartbeat of local economies, providing businesses with an influential platform to engage directly with community leaders and decision-makers. By being involved, companies position themselves to influence local policy decisions that can impact their operations. This advocacy role is crucial, as chambers often represent the collective interests of businesses, ensuring that government policies promote a favorable business climate. Whether it’s addressing tax policies, zoning regulations, or workforce development, chambers serve as a voice for their members.
Beyond advocacy, chambers of commerce often provide educational resources and tools that can help businesses improve operational
efficiency and stay competitive. Through workshops, seminars, and conferences, businesses have access to the latest industry trends, technology, and business strategies. These opportunities are valuable for professional development and can be particularly beneficial for small to mid-sized companies that may not have the resources to invest in extensive training or market research. By leveraging these resources, businesses can sharpen their skills, innovate, and adapt to changing market conditions more effectively.
Businesses gain significant marketing exposure by joining a chamber of commerce. Chambers often promote their members through directories, websites, newsletters, and community events, creating visibility and brand recognition within the local market. This can help businesses attract new customers, build partnerships, and establish themselves as key players in the community. Participating in chamber events, whether as a sponsor, speaker, or attendee, further strengthens a business’s presence and credibility. The goodwill associated with chamber membership can also foster trust among consumers, who often prefer to do business with organizations that are actively involved in the community.
Chambers offer businesses a chance to give back to their communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. Many chambers coordinate
charity events, mentorship programs, and community improvement projects, which allow businesses to contribute in meaningful ways. This community involvement not only enhances a company’s corporate social responsibility efforts but also builds goodwill among local residents and other businesses. The reputational benefits of being seen as a community-minded business can lead to greater customer loyalty and brand loyalty, which are crucial for long-term success.
Being a part of a chamber of commerce also provides a competitive advantage in terms of credibility. Membership can be a signal of legitimacy and professionalism to potential clients, partners, and investors. The chamber’s endorsement gives businesses a form of validation that can help attract new customers and business partners who trust the chamber’s reputation. This level of credibility can be especially important for newer businesses seeking to establish themselves in a crowded marketplace.
Joining a chamber of commerce provides tangible and intangible benefits that can help businesses thrive. From networking and advocacy to professional development and community engagement, chamber membership supports the growth, reputation, and success of businesses in ways that extend far beyond their initial investment.
Bink II Has Joined The Company
Bink’s Coca-Cola Bottling Company and Bink’s Wines & Beverages are proud to announce Nicholas R. Bink II has joined the company as an Operations Manager. He is the fifth generation to join Bink’s since it was founded by his Great Great Grandfather in 1903. Nicholas attended Shattuck-St. Mary’s High School in Faribault, Minnesota and was an active member of their hockey program. Following his graduation from Shattuck, Nicholas attended Michigan State University where he graduated with a degree in Supply Chain Management. He worked for Reyes Beverage Group Beer Division for over two years learning a number of positions most recently as a Warehouse Supervisor in Pompano Beach, Florida before moving back to Escanaba with his wife Isabella.
“We are proud to have Nick join with us to continue serving the Central Upper Peninsula with our outstanding inventory of beverages. He will bring his talent and dedication of service to our many customers. We are blessed with an outstanding staff of dedicated, hardworking individuals and Nicholas will add to that staff and to the continued growth of our company” said Robert Bink, President.
The House of Ludington
St.Francis Welcomes Two New OB/GYM Providers ESCANABA — OSF HealthCare St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group announces the addition of two new providers to serve the health needs of women in the community.
Kimberly Baker, DO, specializes in OB/GYN. She has joined the Women’s Health Clinic in suite 204 of the OSF Medical Group in Escanaba. Dr. Baker earned her bachelor of science in biomedical sciences from Western Michigan University, and her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her residency with Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital in Wyandotte, Michigan. Since 2013, Dr. Baker has served the Ishpeming community providing a full scope of OB/GYN care. When not in the clinic, she enjoys spending time outside with her husband and three children as well as baking and cooking.
women’s health services and understand the unique challenges we have in the upper peninsula,” said Samantha Larson, director of Physician Offices at OSF HealthCare St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group.
OSF Medical Group is in the medical office building at 3409 Ludington St. in Escanaba. New patients are welcome. For more information or to schedule an appointment with any of the new providers call (906)786-1356.
~~~~~~~~
U-Haul Dealer NEtwork Welcomes
Iverson’s Home Center
GLADSTONE, Mich. (July 9, 2024) — U-Haul Co. of Michigan is pleased to announce that Iverson’s Home Center signed on as a U-Haul® neighborhood dealer to serve the Gladstone community.
Iverson’s Home Center at 404 N. 8th St. will offer essential services like U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment, and moving supplies.
tional challenges, helping her develop techniques to best serve her clients.
“Divorcing couples are going through one of the most stressful times in their lives and need all the help they can get,” Sawicky reported. “A real estate professional specializing in divorcing clients can streamline the process and be beneficial to all parties involved.”
Sawicky has been active and successful in real estate for more than 20 years and also holds professional designations as an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) and Graduate, Realtors Institute (GRI). She can be reached at Stephens’ office at 1320 Carpenter Avenue in Iron Mountain, by calling 906-282-0752, or via email at betsysawicky@hotmail.com.
OB/GYN Kelly Menge, DO, is also joining the Women’s Health clinic to serve the eastern UP. Dr. Menge graduated from Central Michigan University with her bachelor of science in biology before completing her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree with Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is coming from UP Health System in Ishpeming where she has served the community since 2011. In her spare time, Dr. Menge enjoys running, CrossFit, reading and spending time with family and friends.
“We are so excited to have Dr. Baker and Dr. Menge join our team of clinicians and look forward to the impact they will make in our community. They bring experience and a passion for
Normal business hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. MondayFriday and 8 a.m.- 1 p.m. Saturday. Reserve U-Haul products at this dealer location by calling (906) 428-6045 or visiting https://www. uhaul.com/Locations/
~~~~~~~~
Sawicky Earns Specialist Certification
Betsy Sawicky, an Associate Broker with Stephens Real Estate’s Iron Mountain office, recently earned certification as a Real Estate Divorce Specialist after successfully completing a comprehensive program offered by the Residential Real Estate Council. Much of Sawicky’s training focused on the legal aspects of selling properties through a divorce as well as the emo-
Stephens Real Estate also has offices in Iron River and Florence, Wisconsin and has been the area’s top-selling real estate office fifteen years in a row, with over $100 million in sales in 2023. They have been providing residential and commercial real estate services throughout central and western Upper Michigan and northeastern Wisconsin since 1979.
~~~~~~~
Erickson Joins Stephens Real Estate
Stephens Real Estate has announced the addition of Courtney Erickson to its Florence, Wis., office. As a fifth-generation resident of Florence County and a third-generation Realtor, Erickson holds a unique familiarity of Florence and the surrounding area. Erickson holds her real estate license in Wisconsin and is pursuing a degree in education and business. Courtney can be reached at courtneysellsrealestate@outlook.com, by calling 906- 221-0389,
Halsa Chiropractic
Has Ribbon Cutting
IRON MOUNTAIN —
Halsa Chiropractic has opened at 1205 Pyle Drive in Kingsford. Dr. Tomas Hemgren and Dr. Corrina Shampo have joined to continue providing quality chiropractic care for Iron Mountain, Kingsford and surrounding areas.
Halsa is a Swedish word that translates to “well-being” and that is their top priority with every patient, Hemgren said.
He has 23 years of experience, practicing in England, Ireland, Sweden, Iron Mountain and now Kingsford.
Shampo is certified in advanced pediatric, pregnancy and post-partum chiropractic care and can work with the entire family.
Chiropractic is not just “cracking bones” — it is a philosophy, science and art in which the art is the actual adjustment. The doctors are constantly learning and training to become better. Chiropractic results come with specificity — “pushing the right button” — and that is their focus, they said. They have x-ray facilities in the office to further increase the specificity and safety of each adjustment.
Halsa Chiropractic will have a grand opening from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20. All are welcome. The office can be reached at 906-828-1349 or by stopping in from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. ~~~~~~~~
Best Friends Open
Bes.Teas Tea Stand
IRON MOUNTAIN — Friends Emilie Stevens and Kennedy Ashbacher realized a dream Wednesday when they opened Bes.Teas Tea Stand, a boba tea shop.
“We have been best friends for a long time,
so that is where the name Bes.Teas comes from, everything is based on our friendship,” Stevens said.
Getting Bes.Teas Tea Stand up and running was a year in the making, they said.
“I just always enjoyed drinking boba tea and when I lived in Green Bay for awhile I had access to it,” Stevens said. “We did not have much up here and my friend and I talked about it and made it a real thing.”
Originally envisioned as a pop-up tea stand, Stevens said they fell into the Carpenter Avenue location when her mother and stepfather purchased the building.
Before they could open, the future Bes.Teas Tea Stand shop received extensive plumbing updates and a vibrant new paint job. Behind the drop ceiling they discovered a classic metal ceiling they incorporated into the design.
“Everybody that has walked in just loves how colorful and fun it is,” Stevens said.
While the new shop was being fixed up, Stevens and Ashbacher operated Bes.Teas Tea Stand on a temporary license out of the kitchen at Venue 906, making their drinks available through DoorDash, and they quickly developed a following.
Boba tea, or bubble tea, is a milk tea that has bitesized chewy tapioca pearls. Boba tea was invented in Taiwan in the 1980s and made its way to the United States in recent years, rapidly gaining popularity. One boba tea that emerged as a favorite on Bes. Teas Tea Stand’s first day was the Strawberry Matcha, with strawberry jam and strawberry boba. In demand as well was the Tiger, with brown sugar and whole milk. Also available at Bes. Teas Tea Stand are lotus drinks. Stevens said
they were the top seller when Bes.Teas Tea Stand was only on DoorDash. In the coming days, Bes. Teas Tea Stand plans to offer salads, sandwiches and wraps from Venue 906. It is not just a takeout shop — seating is available to come in and relax and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Stevens said they even have an area for children and also sell flavored lemonade. Bes.Teas Tea Stand is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Orders can be done online at order.online/business/besteas-13020127 or through DoorDash.
Advanta Print Celebrates Move IRON MOUNTAIN
— Advanta Print celebrated its recent move to a new location in Iron Mountain by having a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce.
Advanta Print is now at 1220 S. Stephenson Ave., after formerly being at 407 Carpenter Ave. The business offers custom screen printing and embroidery as well as promotional items. They have an assortment of local school apparel to support favorite teams. They also have a large selection of Yooper and Michigan-related T-shirts, hoodies and other gifts. They have more than 20 years of experience in the industry, according to their website. Turnaround times for orders average seven to 10 days.
Advanta Print is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays. They are closed Saturdays and Sundays. The website is at www.advantaprint.com.
Paul’s Plumbing & Appliance,
Standard Operating Procedures & Six Sigma: Scalable Growth For Any Business
By Dan Trumble
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are detailed instructions that outline the steps necessary to perform tasks consistently and efficiently within an organization. They are essential in ensuring that processes are carried out in a standardized way, reducing variability, and improving operational performance. SOPs offer immense value to businesses, particularly in terms of cost reduction, error minimization, and quality improvement. This article explores these benefits and connects them to methodologies like Six Sigma.
The primary purpose of an SOP is to ensure consistency in operations. When processes are standardized, they are performed the same way each time, regardless of who is doing the work. This leads to predictable outcomes and
reduces variability, which is essential for maintaining product or service quality. Consistency not only fosters customer satisfaction but also strengthens a company’s reputation in the marketplace. One of the most significant advantages of implementing SOPs is cost reduction. When businesses follow standardized procedures, they reduce inefficiencies and eliminate unnecessary steps in workflows. SOPs ensure that employees know exactly what is required, reducing the time spent on decision-making or redundant activities. This efficiency translates into lower labor costs, improved resource allocation, and minimized waste. Furthermore, SOPs help prevent costly mistakes. Without clear guidance, employees are more likely to make errors that could result in expensive rework, product recalls, or even regulatory
fines. By reducing errors, SOPs help businesses avoid these unexpected costs, leading to more predictable financial performance. Errors in business processes can be expensive and damaging to reputation. They can lead to product defects, service failures, and dissatisfied customers. SOPs are instrumental in error reduction because they provide employees with step-by-step instructions that guide them through complex or routine tasks. By following a structured procedure, employees are less likely to skip critical steps or perform actions incorrectly.
Moreover, well-documented SOPs serve as a critical risk mitigation tool. They help businesses stay compliant with industry standards and regulatory requirements, particularly in highly regulated industries like healthcare, pharmaceuticals,
and manufacturing. When organizations fail to comply with these regulations, they may face hefty fines or legal action, which can be avoided by adhering to clear and comprehensive SOPs.
Six Sigma (a methodology developed by Bill Smith an engineer at Motorola in 1986) is focused on reducing defects and improving quality. It relies heavily on the establishment and use of SOPs. Six Sigma aims to reduce process variability to within 3.4 defects per million opportunities. To achieve this level of precision, standardized procedures are vital. SOPs provide the foundation for defining, measuring, analyzing, improving, and controlling processes, which are the core phases of Six Sigma projects. Often shortened to DMAIC these principles are a cornerstone for scalable growth.
By integrating SOPs with Six Sigma principles, businesses can continuously refine their operations. Regular reviews of SOPs allow companies to identify inefficiencies or potential areas for improvement. As processes evolve, updating SOPs ensures that improvements are consistently applied across the organization. A critical component to implementing or changing an SOP is collaboration. This allows all affected employees to have input and, ultimately, buy in to the impending changes. This gives employees more ownership of the process and will make implementation much easier. SOPs are invaluable tools for training new employees. They serve as comprehensive guides for performing tasks, reducing the time required for onboarding and minimizing the learning curve. Employees can quickly become
productive by following well-documented procedures, leading to reduced training costs and faster integration into the workforce. Standard Operating Procedures are critical for businesses looking to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize errors. When integrated with methodologies like Six Sigma, SOPs become even more powerful, driving continuous improvement and quality control. By investing in the development and maintenance of SOPs, businesses can achieve greater consistency, lower operational costs, reduce costly errors and improve overall performance. In a competitive marketplace, these advantages are not just valuable—they are essential for long-term success.
MI • (906) 452-7004
(906) 452-6662
(906) 202-0391
(906) 630-2139
Are you a Top U.P. Business? Then Don’t get left out!
Include your business in the U.P. Business Today’s Annual Register & Market Facts Guide Please complete form below. Advertising space is also available.
Deadline is December 15th 2024
Submit form and Payment to: UP Business Today, 600 Ludington Street, Escanaba, MI 49829
Please Answer all questions. Thank You!
Company Name:
Company Contact/Title:
Address: Year Established
City: State: Zip:
Phone: Fax:
Website: Email:
Description of business/service (10 words or less)
Available Categories: Please check all desired categories. ($45 each)
__Accounting Firms
__Advertising Firms
__Airport/Aviation
__Architectural Firms
__Auto Dealers
__Business Associations
__Business Consultants
__Business Maintenance Firms
__Business Rental Firms
__Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Offices
__Chemical Consultants
__Colleges/Universities
__Computer Companies
__Construction Supplies/Equipment
__Contractors
__Economic Development
__Employment Firms
__Engineering Firms
__Environmental
__Financial Consultants
__Financial Institutions
__Healthcare Provider
__Hospitals
__Industrial Suppliers
__Insurance Agencies
__Law Firms
__Lodging
__Manufacturers
__Office Supplies
__Printers
__Real Estate Services
__Surveyors
__Telecommunications
__Tool & Die Companies
__Training Firms
__Transportation
__Various/Other
Don’t see your category? I will create one for you. Fax back to Dawn LaPine
UPBT/Daily Press 906-786-3752 or email dlapine@dailypress.nett
Beautiful Hardwood Veneers from Well-managed Forests Learnmoreattimberproducts.com
