Progress Lakeshore, Inc.

Did you miss this morning’s episode of the Lakeshore Business Compass? You can catch up on this episode, or any past episodes, right here: https://lnkd.in/giGHRRAV In this week’s conversation, Jamie and Abbey dive into a topic that’s central to both organizations: collaboration and partnership. Why are partnerships so essential, and how do they shape the work of Progress Lakeshore and The Chamber of Manitowoc County? Tune in to learn how working together drives greater impact for our community.

Have you ever thought about starting a childcare business, or are you curious about what it takes to begin one? Childcare is in high demand in our community, and this Entrepreneurial Boot Camp is designed to help you explore the opportunity. So You Want to Start a Childcare Business Boot Camp will cover essential topics, including: ➡Licensing & certification requirements and benefits ➡Start-up costs and financial considerations Date: Tuesday, October 7 Time: 5:30 – 7:00 PM Format: Virtual Cost: $10 per person If you’ve considered opening a childcare business or simply want to learn more about the process, this boot camp will provide the knowledge and resources you need to take the next step.  Register today to secure your spot. ➡https://lnkd.in/gSwDxx3B

Circles of Seven – Spots Still Open! Are you ready to grow your business, learn from other owners, and tackle the challenges of entrepreneurship together? Circles of Seven (C7) is a peer mentorship group designed for business owners like you. Each group meets once a month for 9 months to connect, share ideas, and talk about everything related to running a business. Groups available in Manitowoc and Kiel Limited spots remain – register now before they’re filled! Register Today: https://lnkd.in/gij2K9Pz

We had a fantastic morning at our Exclusive Member Investor Acceleration Breakfast! Thank you to everyone who joined us. It was wonderful to see so many of you there, from networking and connecting to gaining valuable insights. A special thank you to Craig Culver for sharing his story and wisdom with us. We appreciate our investors and supporters who make events like this possible, and we look forward to growing Manitowoc County together. #AccelerationBreakfast #ProgressLakeshore #CraigCulver #Networking #CommunityGrowth

Local Box Manitowoc County Sales Are OPEN! 🎉 Support local AND surprise someone special with a gift filled with Manitowoc County favorites! Each box is packed with unique products from small businesses right here in our community. ✨ Only $45 each 📅 Available September 15 – October 15 (or until sold out!) Order now at: https://lnkd.in/gjTtr4W9 The Calm & Cozy Edition Includes: • Goat’s Milk Lotion - Dreaming Willow Homestead & Creations • Small Space/Car Air Freshener - graced • Essential Oil Roll-On - Organic Crush • 2 Handmade Car Coasters - Pink Petal Boutique • Wisconsin Themed Wood Magnet - Raider MFG • Shower Steamer - Shoto Heights Soapery • Healthy Cool-Aid - Sunshine & Sass Creations The Taste & Sip Edition Includes:  • Apple Cinnamon Shrub – Adam’s Heirlooms • Cone of Roasted Almonds – Beerntsen’s Confectionary  • Strawberry Rhubarb Jam – Blue Flamingo Homestead  • Malted Milk Balls – Briess • Cherry Pecan Granola – Peggy Bakes  • Blue Collar Krewe American Pilsner – PetSkull Brewing Company • Sharp Cheddar Snack Spread – Pine River Dairy  • Happy Rancher Freeze Dried Candy – Sub Zero Confectionary Perfect for holiday gifting, client appreciation, or treating yourself while supporting local entrepreneurs. Pickup Only (No Shipping Available): Progress Lakeshore Office | 202 N 8th St, Manitowoc, WI 54220 🗓️ Pickup Dates: Friday, November 21 | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Monday, November 24 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday, November 25 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Grab yours before they're gone: https://lnkd.in/gjTtr4W9 Thank you to our sponsors: Local Champion – Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry Local Supporters – TDS Telecommunications LLC, Prevea Health, Skana Aluminum Co., and Bartow Builders #LocalBoxManitowoc #SupportLocalWI #ProgressLakeshore

Small business owners, take 12 minutes to describe your past year! The Federal Reserve’s 2025 Small Business Credit Survey is now open, and Progress Lakeshore is a partner in this effort. Owners and key financial decisionmakers of for-profit businesses, share your recent experiences about whether and how you use debt, what financial conditions you face, and more. Answers to these questions contribute to data that directly inform the Fed, federal government agencies, service providers, policymakers, and others—a public good ultimately benefiting your business and others like yours. Take the 12-minute survey now: https://lnkd.in/gJh-ETnZ

🚨 We’re less than a month away from our Annual Acceleration Breakfast—an exclusive event for Progress Lakeshore member investors! This year’s featured guest is none other than Craig Culver, Co-Founder of Culver’s and Chairman of the Board. Don’t miss your chance to: ➡️ Hear Craig’s story of turning Culver’s into a Wisconsin staple ➡️ Gain insights on leadership, growth, and entrepreneurship ➡️ Ask him your burning questions Seats are limited! If you’re a Progress Lakeshore member investor, register today to secure your spot for you and your team. 👉 https://lnkd.in/g8p5pYk9

🎙️ New week, new episode of the Lakeshore Business Compass podcast! This week, Jamie Zastrow and Abbey Quistorf sit down with Ann Flad-Jesion, Progress Lakeshore’s Director of Entrepreneurship & Business Development, to talk about one of the biggest challenges for entrepreneurs: funding a startup. From bootstrapping to business loans (and everything in between), Ann shares insight on the options available to help get your business off the ground. Tune in here: https://lnkd.in/giGHRRAV

‼️ Deadline Extended! Our 2025 Wage & Employment Survey now closes Friday, August 22. Your input matters—whether you’re in manufacturing, healthcare, construction, retail, or professional services. This survey collects valuable local wage data and explores critical workforce topics like: ✔ Employment types ✔ Scheduling & remote work ✔ Hiring & retention practices ⚠️ Remember: Only those who complete the survey will receive the full results. 👉 Take the survey here: https://lnkd.in/gy_JhE_u

Did you know we offer monthly visits to our municipal partners? This Wednesday, August 13, we’ll be in Mishicot. Ann Flad Jesion, our Director of Entrepreneurship & Development, will be in town providing FREE, one-on-one business guidance—right in your community. ➡Thinking about starting a business? ➡Looking to grow or expand? Ann can connect you with local, state, and federal resources, guide you through your next steps, and answer any questions or concerns you may have about your business. Schedule your appointment today by emailing ann@progresslakeshore.org or calling 920-482-0540.