On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Gina Jacquart Thorsen, CEO of Jacquart Fabric Products, home of the iconic Michigan brand Stormy Kromer. Gina was named SBAM's 2024 Advocate of the Year. “Small business owners, you know, we hear politicians all the time say that small businesses are the backbone of the economy. But they don't really understand what that means. Many of them are not, have never been and will never be small business owners. We have to be the ones that tell our stories. We have to be the ones that share both our successes and our triumphs and the great work we're doing, but also the challenges and how different systems and organizations and infrastructure can help support us. There is just no one better than you to tell your story.” 

The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan’s small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We’re located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol.

Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own. 

Our 32,000 members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it!

(music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)