Members in the News!
Stars, Stripes & Smiles 2026 March 21st at the American Spirit Centre
VINA Community Dental Center invites the community to attend its upcoming Stars, Stripes & Smiles fundraising event, dedicated to raising funds for affordable dental care for underserved adults in Livingston County, with a special focus on veterans in need. Event activities include dancing, music, a buffet dinner, silent auction, wine pull, 50/50 raffle, and entry into a door prize raffle for a $200 Minerva’s Salon certificate and a dinner for two at Pacific Rim. Individual tickets are $65. Dress in
Gen Z Leads a 66% Surge in Self-Taught Job Skills, Creating a Verification Headache
From YouTube crash courses to TikTok tutorials promising “job-ready skills in under 10 minutes,” self-taught learning is exploding, and it’s beginning to reshape resumes across the country. A recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey shows 74% of job seekers and 71% of hiring managers believe skills learned through informal online platforms are credible. Yet with nearly half of job seekers (47%) now adding these self-taught skills to their resumes, employers say evaluating them is
86% of US Hiring Managers Say AI Makes It Too Easy to Exaggerate Skills on Resumes
A new Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll reveals a startling truth about today’s hiring landscape: job seekers may be stretching the truth on their resumes far more than they admit — and employers say they can spot the exaggerations a mile away. According to U.S. hiring managers, 80% say candidates' resumes don’t match their real-world skills at least sometimes, with 34% reporting it happens all the time or often. Meanwhile, just 22% of job seekers confess to listing skills they don’t actually
Hiring Practices That Help New Brighton-Area Businesses Thrive
Launching a business in the Greater Brighton Area means building more than a product or service—you’re building a team that reflects your values, fuels growth, and helps you navigate early-stage uncertainty. Strong hiring practices don’t just fill roles; they minimize risk, protect culture, and set the tone for long-term stability. In brief: Clear roles reduce early churn and clarify expectations. Thoughtful sourcing attracts candidates aligned with your mission. Structured evaluation and
Simple Ways Small Businesses Can Inject Creativity Into Their Marketing
When you're running a small business, especially during moments of transition—like hiring your first employee, moving into a new space, or launching a product—marketing can either spark growth or stall momentum. The key? Staying creatively relevant without exhausting your budget or audience.Start with What Your Audience Feels, Not Just What You Sell Creative marketing that performs over time doesn’t always come from flashy budgets—it comes from a real connection to what your audience is going through.
Color Your Brand: DIY Design That Doesn’t Eat Up Your Week
Small business owners don’t need a design degree or a six-figure budget to make graphics that look polished and professional. The myth that branding has to be complicated is mostly a relic from a time when Photoshop and agency retainers were the only options. Today, streamlined tools and a sharper sense of visual literacy have made good design more accessible. For entrepreneurs juggling invoices, clients, and supply runs, the key is speed without looking slapdash—and yes, that’s possible. Create Print
Picture Power: How Small Business Visual Content Turns Browsers into Buyers
Every corner of the internet runs on visuals. Whether it’s a fleeting Instagram story or a full-blown branded TikTok, content anchored in imagery continues to outperform text-only posts by wide margins. For small businesses that live and die by visibility, compelling visuals are more than window dressing—they’re currency. The way a photo, video, or graphic is crafted can mean the difference between engagement and invisibility in a sea of algorithmically sorted noise. First Impressions Are
Urgent: FinCEN Requires BOI Filings from Brighton, MI by 01/01/2025
The Corporate Transparency Act mandates that certain U.S. companies report details about their beneficial owners to combat financial crimes. As of today, 12/04/2024, Brighton, MI business owners have 27 calendar days(or 20 business days) left to file their Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report with FinCEN—don’t wait, or you could face fines of $500 per day! 1. Determine if Your Business Must File. Most LLCs, corporations, and small businesses qualify as “reporting companies.” Exemptions apply
Turning Challenges into Triumphs for Lasting Business Success
Starting and growing a business is a dynamic journey that demands both creativity and strategic planning. In today’s competitive landscape, entrepreneurs must harness the power of technology and innovative practices to carve out a niche in the market. From leveraging digital platforms to understanding consumer behavior, the tools available today can significantly enhance business operations and customer engagement. By focusing on sustainable practices and integrating advanced technologies, businesses can
