[Kim Bode / 8ThirtyFour Integrated Communications' spotlight, participant in SBAM's Women’s Entrepreneurial Fellowship] 
Chris Holman welcomes Nancy Marshall, Owner of Marshall Sales Incorporated, Detroit area, MI.

This is the first of four interviews in a series.
There were several questions Chris wanted to find out from Nancy:
What makes your business unique?
What are the biggest things you’ve learned as a woman business owner?
How did you learn about the SBAM fellowship?
Why did you decide to apply?
How did you feel when you heard you were accepted?
What are the biggest things you learned from the fellowship?

Small Business Association of Michigan Foundation Announces Inaugural Women's Entrepreneurial Fellowship New Program Addresses Multiple Challenges for Second-Stage, Women-Owned Businesses

LANSING, Mich. – The SBAM Foundation (SBAMF), supported by its parent organization, the Small Business Association of Michigan, has launched its Women's Entrepreneurial Fellowship (WEF) program and chosen 11 businesses for the first cohort. The eight-month initiative will equip these second-stage, women-owned businesses with resources to overcome diverse challenges and scale their operations. Women-owned businesses are a vital part of Michigan's economy, representing 43.2% of the state's 902,131 small businesses—higher than the national average. Detroit, in particular, was ranked as the top U.S. metropolitan area for growth in women-owned businesses between 2014 and 2019.

Qualifying businesses have more than one employee in addition to the owner, have been in operation for at least two years, and generate a minimum of $500,000 in annual revenue. Here are the businesses that were selected for the inaugural cohort: ● Eagle Specialties, LLC ● Elderly Instruments ● Fido & Stitch ● Groovy Donuts ● Jungle Jane Promotions ● Marshall Holding ● Neuco Furniture & Upholstery ● Pioneer Machine and Technology, Inc ● The Betty Brigade ● Winsome Travel Design ● Wolverine Pickleball

To address these issues, the Women's Entrepreneurial Fellowship offers:

● One-on-one mentorship with established business leaders

● Monthly learning sessions on critical business topics

● Networking opportunities with investors and industry leaders

● Guidance on accessing capital and growth resources

● Support in obtaining relevant business certifications

● Specialized courses on financial management, marketing, and operational efficiency

The program runs from November to June 2025 and is currently recruiting for 2025/26 cohorts. Interested women-owned small businesses can find more information on the WEF website or contact Kim Bode, WEF program director. The Women Entrepreneurial Fellowship is free of cost and funded by the Small Business Support Hub Grant Program in collaboration with the MEDC.

About SBAM Foundation: The SBAM Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that promotes small business growth in Michigan through education, research, and innovative programs.

Funding provided by the Small Business Support Hub Grant Program from the SBAM Foundation in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRP0127 awarded to the State of Michigan by the U.S. Department of the Treasury

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Michigan Business Beat | Nancy Marshall a member of SBAM's First Women’s Entrepreneurial Fellowship!

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