The Jackson Crossing Mall has been a staple of our community for decades. It’s where you may have bought your new shoes for the school year, your mom’s favorite Christmas gifts, or even made the quick Target run. There are huge developments coming and big dreams behind closed revolving doors.

Jane Flores, General Manager of the Jackson Crossing, oversees the three sections of the mall. The first of those sections is the Jackson Plaza, which includes the restaurants and shops along Boardman Road like Texas Roadhouse, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Best Buy. The next is the Jackson Crossing Mall, which of course has your Target, Kohl’s, and TJ Maxx. Then, finally, the third of the triad is Jackson West located along Wisner Street, which includes places like the Michael’s, Office Max, and Xfinity.

Jane is new to the Jackson Crossing as of this year and absolutely loves it. She is all about what the mall gives to visitors, not just to maintain what’s already there, but to attract, improve, and repair the mall Jackson has known and loved for years. After spending the last 20 years in San Antonio, she’s excited to implement what she’s learned in her previous position and bring some of that excitement to the Jackson Crossing. So far, in the short time that Jane has been at the Crossing, she has made a more family-friendly area over by Jackson Popcorn Depot, to suit visitors of all ages. She has also resurrected some horses that were found in storage and used back when the mall had a carousel back around the time it was built in 1960.

Beginning in July, the Crossing will have food trucks for employees of the mall and shoppers to enjoy, and that’s only the beginning of some of the exciting things coming to the mall. Though she can’t reveal everything that’s in store, she hopes to bring in massage chairs for shoppers to kick their feet up after a long afternoon of walking the mall. Subtle aesthetic changes are coming, but as always, the mall will revolve around the same thing: fun for the whole family. With the expansion of what the mall has to offer, Jane is looking to hire a part-time social media manager to really showcase what’s going on. This position will offer flexible hours and plenty of creative freedom.

The Crossing has experienced some sleepiness in recent years. That can be attributed to the fact that we’re all used to online shopping since the pandemic, or because you may think you already know what’s there. However, slowly but surely, Jane has noticed an increase in foot traffic in recent months. She shared that there’s even a group of seniors who walk the mall in the mornings together. The mall is a great place to explore and see what’s new. Next time you run in for an errand or to return some clothes, take the time to walk the mall. You may come across a jewelry repairer who can fix that broken chain that’s been in your drawer for months or an acupuncturist who can fix that back pain that doesn’t seem to be going away.

Those at the Crossing are excited to see entrepreneurs and local businesses expand into the mall. There are a few vacancies waiting to be filled by local businesses. Jackson Crossing is a great place for a local business to thrive. There isn’t anything Jane and her team wouldn’t love to see open in the mall. The sky is the limit! It’s time to re-acquaint yourself with what the Crossing is and can be.

Though Jane has a lot of new and exciting ideas for the future of the Crossing, she hopes to bring back tradition at the same time. The Crossing was once known as a place to spend the day to hang out with friends, socialize, walk around, and even grab some food. Jane hopes to see the Crossing become that sort of destination again in the future. She said proudly “If they did it then, I can do it now.”

If your business is looking to open a brick-and-mortar, or you or someone you know may be interested in becoming Jackson Crossing’s Social Media Manager, contact Jane at Jane@ShopJacksonCrossing.com. to take the first step.

Would you believe there’s a massive plant in Jackson that makes products you use every day, but never thought about? The sticky stuff on your bandages, your tape, your windows, even the stuff that keeps your toilet paper together; it’s all made at H.B. Fuller.

A few Chamber team members had the opportunity to get the full behind-the-scenes at H.B. Fuller, led by Dan Dixon, Senior Project Engineering Manager. Dan works on the major capital projects, mainly at the facility in Michigan Center. The Michigan Center facility is H.B. Fuller’s largest. At this facility, they produce adhesives and sealants that you can find in some places that may surprise you.

H.B. Fuller produces everyday products like glue, superglue, PIB (polyisobutylene), caulk, roofing primers, and more. Some brands you may recognize, like Gorilla Glue and Red Devil, contain material made right in the Michigan Center facility. Odds are, if you look in your toolbox, garage, or even your junk drawer, you’re bound to find one of these things. However, you won’t see an H.B. Fuller label during your next trip to the hardware store. They create the material that makes these products sticky or sealed. A name brand you see on the shelf takes that material and sells it under their brand.

At the Michigan Center plant, they have around 300 employees, each working in three shifts. H.B. Fuller is a global facility that’s divided into three different business units or divisions:

When you’re buying caulk for your latest home improvement project, you’re not thinking of the process of how it got to the shelf of your local hardware store. It’s surprisingly fascinating to watch it happen.

Caulk starts out as a butyl rubber base, which is masticated (blended to break down) in process equipment. Out of this comes what Dan called a “master batch.” This then is made into pellets and put into another mixer where powder is added. Oil is added to help break the rubber down and is mixed until it softens. Powders are used as extenders to make the batch bigger, then a solvent is added. It’s at this point that the material won’t harden until it is exposed to air. That material is then put in a quart, pint, or tube, ready to be added to your toolbox.

Beyond the machinery and materials of it all, H.B. Fuller does more than just create. Dan explained that H.B. Fuller is always working on making eco-friendly improvements. They’re currently looking into lower VOC (volatile organic compounds) for primers and caulks. Some solvents can be bad for the atmosphere, and H.B. Fuller is looking for more ways to replace things that are harmful while increasing safety and sustainability.

H.B. fuller also participates in Earth Day cleanups, recognizes a Volunteer of the Year, and organizes food and blood drives. “It’s a pretty giving organization,” Dan stated as he explained the many ways H.B. Fuller is involved in the community. Their generosity is seen continuously through volunteer work and community involvement.

Next time you’re looking through a window, wrapping a gift, or fixing a broken toy, you can thank H.B. Fuller for turning your sticky situation into a problem solved. You can learn more about H.B. Fuller by going to their website to see community involvement, what they do, and job openings.

The Grande Golf Club is undoubtedly one of the premier courses Jackson County has to offer. With scenic water features, forestry, and fairways as far as the eye can see, it’s a course that stands out among the rest not only the course, but the homes that line the course are truly jaw-dropping.

It’s any homeowner’s dream to reside in a secluded sanctuary. Now, at the Grande Estates, you can cozy up in your luxury home and quaint community, while still just being a short drive from the grocery store or your favorite local restaurant. The Grande Estates is run by two talented real estate brokers, Shannon Jackson, and Teresa Schenk, both of which wear many hats. Teresa is the builder and developer of the estates and golf club. She is the mastermind behind each beautiful home that becomes part of the Grande Estates. Teresa is accompanied by Shannon, who shows the homes, works on events and marketing, and assists Teresa on the projects that make the Grande Estates possible.

The Grande Estates is an on-course community located at the Grande Golf Club that consists of custom homes. Each home is built in a different variety of modern farmhouse styles. Those styles include ranch and cape cod, each with a view-out or walk-out and daylight basements. All homes fit the same feel but are completely unique at the same time. Each home is custom built in partnership with architect of Wayne Visbeen of Visbeen Architects.

The homes built within the Grande Estates each have an indoor-outdoor feel, having large windows that allow the beautiful nature scenes of the course to come in. Along with that is an open floor plan, designed to make every home feel open and airy. Each home is complete with a first-floor master suite, two to three bedroom floor plans, basements that allow for natural light to come in, and flexible spaces for offices, bedrooms, and entertaining. Teresa is able to take what each person envisions in their home and bring it to life. She is continuously trying to hit features that clients are looking for with modern features and open kitchens and living spaces.

The Grande Golf Club is an 18-hole course that has been originally rated as one of the top 10 courses in the nation. Over the past year alone, there have been a million and a half dollars put into improvements. It is an expansive course with elevation changes, highly rated course play, massive wetlands, rolling hills, and water features. Renovations and improvements won’t stop there, Teresa mentioned that they have big plans for the future. “Golf brings people together,” she explained. That’s why it’s important for the Grande Estates to have a place where residents can gather and further enjoy their community. One of the existing perks of living in this community is discounted golf for residents.

Even with the golfers that regularly play the course and residents who live in the community, those that live or even visit the Grande Estates routinely see wildlife, including deer, otters, sandhill cranes, blue heron, and ducks. This serene course and community is secluded enough to let wildlife roam, and the trees and wetlands that surround the course feed into the wildlife they regularly see. Houses at the Grande Estates aren’t side by side, so they allow for space for wildlife to roam and privacy for its residents.

Teresa expanded on being a builder for the Grande Estates and Golf Club. She mentioned that builders have pride and attachment to what they build, and seeing visitors being in awe of what they’ve built is such a rewarding feeling. Walking into a home she’s built and worked on from start to finish, from framing to interior design, it’s hard to believe one person can create something so beautiful in such a short amount of time. It only takes about four to six months from the initial point of contract to being able to move in, based on what’s currently being built. Another piece of that is being able to purchase a lot and start a new build within a year, and clients can even bring in their own builder if they prefer.

Judging by the look of the existing homes at the Grande Estates, you won’t have to look far with Teresa already on the project. Shannon explained that she’s never worked with someone with the same amount of drive and passion that Teresa pours into her projects. She continued that she is constantly being inspired by Teresa, being as strong as she is in this industry. Being a female builder for as long as she has and building something so incredible has been she’s always admired. Right when they met, Shannon continued, it was as if they were in sync.

Homes at the Grande Estates start in the upper $300 thousands and go up from there and are typically sold at $480,000-$550,000. Phase one is currently being developed, with some beautiful lots still remaining. Teresa and Shannon are inviting all prospective residents to come take a look and reserve one of their own. You can contact the Grande Estates by phone, (517)921-5290, or on their website. You can also follow the Grande Estates on Facebook and Instagram, where they’re continuously posting updates on showings, models, and more.

It’s no secret that Jackson has seen a surge in startup and entrepreneurial culture in recent years. This new wave comes with opportunities for people who never thought they could achieve their small business dreams. It’s overwhelming to be a business owner of any kind, that’s why T. Smith Business Consulting is here, to save you time so you can focus on your bigger picture.

T. Smith Business Consulting, run by Toneka Smith, is a consulting company tailored to small business owners. Toneka supports small business owners by helping them grow, providing structure, and essentially getting their business off the ground.

Toneka has always had a passion for helping others and subsequently decided to go back to school. While studying at Jackson College, Toneka took on an internship at the Launch Pad as a business coach, helping start small businesses. With the Launch Pad being based on helping minorities, Toneka fell in love with the process of hearing other entrepreneurs’ stories and how they don’t have the resources to turn their idea into a business. Business coaching was something that was completely new to Toneka, something she had never seen before. Upon graduating, she realized she wanted to take on business coaching herself.

T. Smith Business Consulting offers social media management, social media planning, business consulting, event promotions, project management, as well as the “Build a Business” plan. These services, according to Toneka, are something all small business owners should take advantage of and are unique to helping clients build a business. Toneka has seen that social media has been the most popular service the local business owners. She also works with clients to add on services as they go, to create a plan that best suits their business; she’s done her research and has come up with strategic business plans for each service to work for each individual client.

In Jackson, it’s rare to find a business consultant who offers social media management, where you sit down one on one with a business consultant to go over trending hashtags and designing content. T. Smith Business Consultant offers just that. Toneka wanted to be her own kind of unique; other consulting firms can offer a business plan, but a lot of it is based on a much bigger scale. She offers more of a personal service that tailors exactly to what the client’s business is.

Toneka firmly believes every small business owner has a need for a consultant. From project management to event promotion, T. Smith Business Consultant can handle it all. She explains that it’s easy to hire a big event planner, but they can’t offer the same opinion as someone who is looking through the eyes of a small business owner. There are plenty of benefits to hiring an independent consultant, vs. the big-name company that doesn’t know your business through and through.

Toneka credits her early success to a few things. First, rather than sitting behind a desk, Toneka is constantly bettering her business by being involved in local nonprofits and participating in Chamber events. Second, Toneka is a very active patron of Lean Rocket Lab, which she excitedly shared was a huge resource to her when it came to starting her business. It’s become a home away from home and the perfect place to meet great, entrepreneurial minds alike. A piece of advice Toneka shared was that her favorite Chamber event is Live at the Lab because it’s the perfect setting for members and nonmembers to introduce themselves in a laid-back setting.

Finally, working with her business mentor, another Chamber member, Felicia Carter from Shortie’s Sweets, Eats, & Treats, who she met through the Launch Pad. She explained that it’s great to have someone similar to her who she can bounce ideas off and brainstorm with. Having a mentor like Felicia has been great for someone who is an independent business owner, like Toneka.

Toneka primarily works through her Facebook page for bookings. She also is available by email at tsmithbusinessconsultingllc@gmail.com and by phone at (734)210-0218. She prides herself on her quick response time; she’ll even answer a quick Facebook message, as she likes to make each experience with clients and potential clients personal. Toneka is local to Jackson, the best networker your business will find, and ready to work with you.

T. Smith Business Consultant’s Chamber membership is made possible by the help of Monster Motors. Monster Motors has said time and time again that they see so much value in being able to work one on one and support the small business owners in the community.

A bank is something every person is familiar with. You stop by the ATM on your way home from work. You call them when there’s a problem with your card. You set up a savings account for your future. County National Bank (CNB) does so much more than a traditional banking institution. Celebrating its 88^th birthday, CNB proudly serves small businesses and corporate offices alike. Headquartered in Hillsdale, CNB has opened twelve branches over the past 88 years and plans to open their thirteenth on Spring Arbor Road very soon.

Melissa Stroede has been with CNB since 2002. She is the definition of “moving up the ladder.” Starting out as a teller in college, Melissa is now the VP of Treasury Management and has 20 years of banking experience. This department is newer, starting in 2017, and covers all business banking needs; from business online banking to fraud prevention, Treasury Management can be beneficial to your local mom and pop to a worldwide corporation.

CNB sets itself apart from your big-name commercial banks. The difference between CNB’s philosophy and that of commercial banking is not only on the deposit side but also the lending side. Melissa explained, “We strive to make sure that business wants for nothing when it comes to a banking relationship.” With that, CNB is able to cover commercial loans and deposits, talk to owners about their investments, and even help with 401Ks and retirement plans. Melissa further said that it’s more than just an account number with CNB, they’ll offer anything a business owner needs guidance with financially.

Banking locally, especially for businesses, has countless benefits. CNB has seen tremendous growth in Jackson’s market, and still has flexibility when it comes to loan approval because of community bank philosophy. They’re able to consider the individual business and work to make a financing plan that suits their needs. Whether you’re a small business ready to expand or a large corporation needing increased line of credit, CNB works to accommodate the individual business.

For a small business, there’s a lot of value in banking with a local institution, simply based on the fact that they know your area and can offer local decision making. They have the ability to think outside the box, rather than just go through the motions of creating an account for you. Melissa shared that being able to see a small business grow firsthand is the most fulfilling thing for CNB to see. Utilizing CNB and having someone on your team that’s also local can be a huge benefit because they live and work here too. If you have a small business, CNB has a huge portfolio of loan types they can help with. There’s rarely something they can’t do, no matter the size.

On the deposit side, CNB also works differently than your typical commercial bank. Commercial banks often charge clients a fee per transaction. CNB has a hard monthly charge that is a fraction of what other commercial banks charge for services. They’ve found ways to build a better, stronger business, without charging additional fees to your local shops, restaurants, and businesses. Therefore, businesses’ relationship with CNB can be focused on strictly helping their business, rather than sweating over the small fees.

CNB also assists with wealth management. For a long time, CNB has had a wealth management department, which specializes in business banking. CNB has a great team of financial advisors local to Jackson, and just like they personalize banking, they give that extra, personalized effort to manage the wealth of their clients. To have one business owner have one holistic relationship with one bank can be huge, and there’s not a lot that CNB can’t handle when it comes to business owners big and small managing their finances.

Aside from being different than commercial banks, CNB is so much more than a place to deposit a check. Melissa took the time to explain CNB’s deep commitment to the Jackson community. All employees serve on boards, volunteer for local nonprofits, and more. Their work culture is based highly on community involvement. Their involvement translates to the events they sponsor; they choose sponsorships very specific to community needs. For example, CNB is the presenting sponsor of the Art, Beer, and Wine Festival, because they find huge value in helping sustain the Ella Sharp Museum. It gives them the opportunity to be really involved in big, local events.

“What’s cool,” Melissa continues, “is hearing CNB mentioned on JTV or the radio.” Everything they do is local, so it’s easy to be involved on a local board. People who work at CNB are local and are involved in the community organizations and are visible to those in the community. Visibility is what sets them apart, and it’s something they pride themselves on. Melissa shared that John Waldren, President of CNB, doesn’t want to see the employees in their offices. He expects them to be out, involved in the community.

When asked “What one thing you want the people of Jackson to know?” Melissa said “We were there during the pandemic. Flexible and quick with implementing loans, and I firmly believe that we saved some small businesses.” Melissa then went on to say that CNB doesn’t do what they do for accolades, they do it because they care. From commercial business owners to small businesses downtown, County National Bank is highly committed to Jackson and the people and businesses who call this home.

Have you ever stopped by the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, or maybe Experience Jackson? If you have, you ended up in the same office. What comes as a surprise to most, however, is that the Chamber and Experience Jackson are two completely separate entities. This can be confusing, given that some of the team members overlap and each organization collaborates on some of the same projects. However, even with their similarities and overlap, the Chamber and Experience Jackson offer two entirely different purposes to Jackson.

Rachel Buchanan, Marketing & Development Director of Experience Jackson, described the two the following way: The Chamber is here to equip and grow your business and grow your professional connections. Experience Jackson is meant to attract people to those businesses.

The Chamber puts on events meant for networking and growing your business. It also provides business resources, advertising and sponsorship opportunities, legislatives support, and leadership development to its members. The Chamber is member-based, whereas Experience Jackson focuses more on the promotion of all local attractions.

Experience Jackson draws people to the community by promoting what Jackson County has to offer. They do so by sponsoring events or highlighting local restaurants and attractions to those that may not be familiar with the area.

Experience Jackson enjoys taking a hands-on approach when sponsoring and promoting local events, rather than just being a recognizable brand. Playing a role in the growth of Jackson is a large part of their mission, and they love seeing just how many visitors come to explore events like Bright Walls, Museum Day, Gus Macker Tournament, downtown events, and many more. The organization develops deep relationships with tourism locations and offers support where needed, to make sure new faces and returning visitors have plenty of reasons to return.

Outside of event promotion, Experience Jackson also works closely with the local hotels and can set visitors up with hotel blocks, private meeting spaces, or recommend beautiful local venues to host your next event. Experience Jackson also offers golf packages to help bring visitors from all across the Midwest to Jackson’s award-winning courses. Golf is just one thing Experience Jackson focuses on throughout the year, they also push campaigns for fishing, hiking, festivals, food and beverage, and more. Maybe you’re simply wondering how you can fill your weekend plans? Experience Jackson sends out monthly newsletters and weekly updates about local events and happenings. Sign up here.

Experience Jackson specializes in staying involved with the community by investing in the Chamber. Since the Chamber is naturally recognized as a huge professional asset to the community, Experience Jackson takes advantage of its partnership by taking the opportunity to network with other members at Chamber events. By doing so, this opens the door to new partnerships and chances to continue to help bring people to those local businesses.

A must-visit destination is made by having healthy businesses. Therefore, Experience Jackson plays a role in helping those businesses thrive and keep the community vibrant by continuing to highlight them on their social media pages, blog, in publications, and their website. Say you have a friend from out of the area staying for the weekend and you want to plan a visit full of local eats, one-of-a-kind entertainment, and unique nightlife, look no further than ExperienceJackson.com.

There are plenty of ways that Experience Jackson makes the most of their Chamber membership. Experience Jackson loves being a part of is the MLK Diversity Celebration. Not only did Experience Jackson help sponsor, but the team also helped promote professionally and did some assisting behind the scenes. Experience Jackson is also excited to be the presenting sponsor of Disney’s Approach to Employee Engagement, put on by the Chamber. If you kept tabs on Community Awards Week, you may have noticed that the Omotenashi Award was also sponsored by Experience Jackson.

Experience Jackson has a Community Champion-Level Membership, which means that they proudly sponsor a few Chamber memberships as well and bring that opportunity to a business that may be just getting started or needs some financial assistance to get their foot in the door and their name out into the community.

The Chamber is proud to have an organization dedicated to the growth of Jackson’s tourism, and to have it “in-house” at the Chamber makes the team feel especially lucky. To learn more about what Experience Jackson does for the community, click here.

Cancer hits close to home for many people. You may know someone affected by cancer: a coworker, a family member, a friend. It may be yourself. Unfortunately, cancer has likely affected most, if not all, people in some way.

You’ve probably heard of the 5Ks, the fundraisers, the GoFundMe pages, but have you heard of Mission of Hope Cancer Fund? A local nonprofit determined to help those affected by cancer. Mission of Hope Cancer Fund is made up of a dynamic duo, Executive Director, Maria Ethridge, and her secretary Sara Cyphers. Along with Maria and Sarah, there are eight members that sit on the Board of Directors. These board members offer support in many areas, including helping at events and visiting patients.

Maria stepped into the role of Executive Director recently. With experience working in education and human services and substance abuse, Maria has always had a passion for helping people. The essence of helping people has always been her focus, so when the opportunity came for her to alleviate one of the most stressful components of people’s lives, becoming the Executive Director of MHCF was perfect for her.

MHCF provides direct financial assistance, starting with something as simple as an online form. It’s easy, and only takes about ten minutes to complete once a doctor confirms the diagnosis. From there, MHCF is able to provide assistance for medical bills, insurance, supplies, and field costs. There are countless great things about what MHCF does, but to name a few, MHCF is able to assist with every type of cancer. Whatever diagnosis you or someone you love may have, MHCF is able to help in some way. It can be as small as providing a gas card to get patients to and from chemotherapy, and as large as assisting with medical expenses.

Fill out the form here.

Recently, the MHCF put on Concert for a Cause at the Michigan Theatre, where guests enjoyed an evening out featuring bands such as B!g L Code Blu & Kung Fu Diesel. Maria recalled that she heard stories of patients experiencing a sense of normalcy at the concert for the first time since their diagnosis. Another concert patron was struggling with her husband’s diagnosis, and the Concert for a Cause gave her reason to enjoy a girls’ night out.

In the future, MHCF hopes to continue to build their existing programs, like Concert for a Cause. They are also looking to expand their travel program. This could be ways to cover travel costs for patients going to and from treatments, or even having volunteers drive patients who are incapable of driving themselves. They hope to get out into the community more and connect people with MHCF. Maria and Sara have found that so many community members want to find ways to help, and MHCF is looking to give back in a similar way. With the state of the world being what it is, we need each other, and need to help in any way we are capable.

Maria and Sara have helped a number of patients, from the newly diagnosed who are overwhelmed with the treatments ahead, or a family member who is struggling with support. In many situations, friends and family of those with cancer want to help, but don’t know what they can do; Mission of Hope does. Sara explained that Maria is incredible with clients and patients, and always knows exactly what to say. If MHCF can’t assist you with exactly what you’re looking for, they will point you in the direction of a nonprofit who can.

Mission of Hope Cancer Fund is always accepting donations to continue offering assistance to cancer patients and those affected by this disease. To donate, click here.

If you or someone you know could benefit from the help Mission of Hope Cancer fund provides, click here. Mission of Hope is always open to community members to get involved and are always looking to partner with fundraising. If you hope to get involved in Mission of Hope Cancer Fund, you can reach Maria at mhcf@cancerfund.org.

In their early twenties, most people are trying to finish college or just figure out what field they want to dive into. For Tyler Boyer (21) and Ean Warren (20), they are working on wrapping up their first year of business with Jacob & Fritz Audio. 

J&F Audio is an audio retailer that specializes in selling audio equipment for events and spaces of any kind. A common demographic J&F Audio targets are churches, since that is where their passion for audio stems from. Tyler’s audio experience began when he was just ten years old when he helped with the internal sound system in his church. From there, he became involved with other churches as well. He and Ean have been friends for as long as they can remember and aren’t surprised that their friendship has grown into a professional partnership. 

Tyler is currently training to be a lineman and loves working on electronics on the side, like building RC cars or the wood casing for speakers. Ean is studying computer science at Spring Arbor University and enjoys tinkering with computers and electronics while dabbling a bit in the culinary world on the side. It’s no secret that these two have a knack for what they do, and both agreed that if you’re doing something you love, it doesn’t feel like work at all.

When starting J&F Audio, Tyler and Ean found the process surprising, as they didn’t realize how much of a need Jackson had for an audio retailer until they got into it. Now, after a few months of growth, Tyler and Ean offer services unlike any other to accommodate clients’ audio needs. J&F Audio even offers free consultations to determine exactly what fits your vision and budget. Whether that be mixers, speakers, soundboards, or even equipment for live music.

When asked what their favorite piece of equipment to sell is, that answer was easy: speakers. Tyler and Ean explained that speakers provide a way to be somewhere you’re not through sound; good sound transports you. With an increase in media trends that more and more businesses are taking advantage of, J&F Audio has recommendations regarding things like podcast and video equipment, like shotgun mics, headsets, interface, and much more. Interested, but seems a bit beyond your capabilities? That’s where J&F Audio comes in. J&F Audio is available for consultations and troubleshooting. One thing Tyler and Ean love for clients to remember is that there is so much when it comes to audio, and if you’re overwhelmed with choices, it doesn’t hurt to just ask. Most often, they’ll have an answer, and if they don’t, they will lead you in the right direction. “Phone calls are free,” they continued, “and will probably leave you happier than before you called.”

 J&F Audio had just joined the Chamber right before JAXPO. Days before the event, the Chamber had a cancellation and offered a last-minute booth to J&F Audio. Even with the short notice, J&F Audio was able to win third place for best booth at the whole event! Tyler and Ean share an impressive work ethic and initiative, seen both by the Chamber staff and by their Membership Sponsor, Monster Motors.

Monster Motors has enjoyed being an Executive Member of the Chamber because it gives them an opportunity to offer sponsored memberships to new businesses, like J&F Audio. Ron O’Rourke (Fixed Operations) and Lori Jackson (Owner) both agreed that being able to sponsor memberships is the perfect way to give back to the community. Ron continued that Tyler and Ean both have great vision and hope to utilize this sponsorship as a mentorship as well, meeting with Ean and Tyler, giving business insight, and helping them reach their goals. Monster Motors plans to continue developing relationships like this in the future by sponsoring more memberships for small businesses who want to get involved with the Chamber.

With all this expertise under their belt, it’s hard to believe that the two friends started their business just in July of 2021. In the future, Tyler and Ean hope to open an interactive storefront where customers can see, touch, and hear equipment for themselves. They hope to fill the store with music and electronics that will enhance each customer’s experience while appealing to each of their needs. While they’re still structuring their business plan and assessing the needs Jackson has, Tyler explained that the story is still being written. The two of them want J&F Audio to be a known asset to Jackson, something everyone knows about, and no matter what passion you have, you can go to the J&F Audio store and have some fun. For now, whatever your audio needs may be, J&F Audio is here and eager to help.

For help with your audio and electronic needs, you can contact J&F Audio on their website, send an email, or give a quick call or text at 517-499-1412.

Starting a business can be intimidating. You have an idea, now what? How do you protect that idea? The startup scene is something more and more entrepreneurs in the Jackson area are dipping their toes into. For that reason, the Jackson entrepreneurial community is lucky to have dedicated intellectual property (“IP”) expertise in Endurance Law Group PLC. Jon Shackelford, one of the partners, explained that Endurance Law is made up of patent lawyers, a rare breed who are as much engineers as they are attorneys, which makes them unique in the legal field.

Endurance Law was formed by Jon and law partner Brad Smith, who each left big Ann Arbor firms in 2012 to set-up shop in Jackson. The motivation was different for each. For Jon, he always admired clients who were entrepreneurs, taking risks on ideas and new ventures. The thought of starting a business seemed exhilarating to Jon. Brad was motivated by the prospects of a better quality of life and the ability to closely manage the working family farm in Addison.  Leaving the security of large firms and steady incomes to start a boutique IP practice in Jackson was daunting, to say the least, but the pair have never had any regrets for taking that leap of faith, now ten years ago. 

A patent lawyer must be able to understand an invention in order to write an effective patent. Brad and Jon both come from a mechanical engineering backgrounds, meaning they love inventions made of gears and springs and moving parts, but have less experience dealing with inventions based in electrical, software, and E-commerce tech. That’s why they’ve recently made an important addition to the firm, Jim Yee.  Jim is an electrical engineer and specializes in exactly these areas. With Jim, Endurance Law is able to better serve clients in the electrical, software and E-commerce spaces at a competitive cost.

All three lawyers that make up Endurance Law came from big firms, posh offices and expensive hourly rates.  Here they are now, in Jackson, the very same lawyers without the flashy surroundings and big city rates.  When the Lean Rocket Lab was established in downtown Jackson (2018), Endurance Law jumped at the opportunity to relocate its offices within the hub of the city’s entrepreneurial heartbeat.  The Lab offers Jim, Brad and Jon the ability to easily connect with Jackson’s best and brightest rising stars on the entrepreneurial scene.  Endurance Law passionately believes that the future entrepreneurs of Jackson are to be found flowing through the Lean Rocket Lab in some capacity, and that’s why the firm is exactly where it needs to be. Jon testified that after observing the entrepreneurial scene in Jackson over the past 10+ years, the Lean Rocket Lab has done a remarkable – make that miraculous — job establishing a genuine, fully-functioning, entrepreneurial community in Jackson. Being in this environment allows the Endurance lawyers to be one step closer to their clients, while offering their specialized type of support to this important growth sector of our community.

Endurance Law specializes in Intellectual Property Law, IP law for short, which is an umbrella term for four different legal tools/devices created to protect different facets of human creativity: patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. They work mainly with inventors and creators to protect and defend their creations.

If a client has an invention, they need a patent. If a client has created a work of art, they need copyright. If a client has come up with their own brand, they need a trademark. Confidential formulations need a trade secret.  Brad, a seasoned litigator, handles IP disputes for the firm.  Jon described their services as a sort of cocktail. Depending on what each client creates or needs, Endurance Law devises a “cocktail” of intellectual property ingredients to maximize protection.  With that, the partners at Endurance Law see themselves as “mixologists” for Intellectual Property – custom IP cocktails made to order.

Entrepreneurs have something unique to offer their customers. Businesses without a unique offering at least want to be distinguishable from their competition.  In both cases, the path to distinctiveness in the business world travels through Intellectual Property. Though needs differ from business to business, Endurance Law helps entrepreneurs and businesses of all kinds establish themselves in a unique way so that they can maintain, and hopefully grow, their market share.

One major point that Endurance Law wants to get across is – why pay for showiness? Jon explained, “If someone is looking for a flashy, expensive IP lawyer, go to a big city like Ann Arbor, Detroit or Grand Rapids.” Rather, the Endurance lawyers are highly qualified, experienced “IP mixologists” that know the ins and outs of entrepreneurship.  For day-in, day-out IP legal affairs, come to Endurance Law for the same quality of service as you will find in the big firms, just with lower rates and skipping the superficial stuff.

To find out how Endurance Law Group PLC can mix a custom IP cocktail for your business, give them a call at 517-879-0261, visit their website, or find them on LinkedIn.

The Feeding America Network defines much of the city of Jackson as a “food desert.” It’s hard to believe that such a jarring issue can be found so close to home. It seems as though most people are able to make that quick run to the grocery store after work to pick up those last few ingredients to put a meal on the table. For Jacob Inosencio, founder of Grow Jackson, his involvement in extracurriculars and classes during college and growing up volunteering at the local food pantry opened his eyes to the environmental inequalities found in the food system. It may not seem like it, but every county in the United States has food insecurity, and no demographic has consistency in their diet.

The basic need for food seems like it should be widely attainable. Waking up, making breakfast – it should be as simple as that. Jacob points out that food insecurity harms many people in our own city but disproportionately affects children, the elderly, and people of color. It could be affecting someone as close as your next-door neighbor, a coworker, or even a friend.

Knowing this pushed Jacob to put an end to food insecurity, starting in his own hometown. Jacob founded Grow Jackson, a non-profit 5O1c3 dedicated to ending food insecurity in Jackson through inclusive access to organic produce. Grow Jackson rescues food from being thrown away and has built a number of local urban community gardens. These gardens not only grow produce to sustain the people of Jackson who may need it but grow our community as well.

They continue their involvement by managing the gardens, growing organic produce, and keeping that produce available for people to harvest their own flowers or vegetables, or to be given away. Volunteers have the opportunity to get their hands dirty and be rewarded by seeing the product of their hard work, as well as the faces of those they are feeding when they harvest. Just recently, Grow Jackson was able to dedicate Martin Luther King Jr. Day to rescuing boxes of food from landfills, and giving them out to communities in the Jackson area.

Grow Jackson offers a variety of programs in the area to further its mission. One of which is the Garden Education Initiative, in cooperation with St. Mary’s School, the City of Jackson, and Young People of Purpose, where students K through 8 have the opportunity to learn about environmental science, plant and soil science, the food system, and home gardening skills.

Jacob and Grow Jackson are especially excited to be partnered with Orthopedic Rehab Specialists to put on this year’s Groundhog Gallop, sponsored by Experience Jackson. This 5k race is a great opportunity to raise money during the season of giving. Grow Jackson believes food and nutrition are a human right and being active as a community is a great way to support wellness, as well as Grow Jackson’s mission to end food insecurity. The Groundhog Gallop matches up with Orthopedic Rehab’s race series, this being the first of the year.

Even though it’s winter, Grow Jackson is gearing up for another busy spring and summer full of gardening and giving. More information will be posted, come summer. To donate, visit GrowJackson.org/Donate. If you or someone you know may be interested in volunteering at a community garden or packaging food, visit GrowJackson.org/Volunteer.