FHBA Breakfast Meeting Recap - August 13, 2026
/Catalyzing Entrepreneurship & Innovation in West Michigan
Today’s Forest Hills Business Association breakfast centered on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the resources available to help local businesses grow. Even with a last‑minute venue change, our community showed up strong — a testament to the resilience and collaboration that defines FHBA.
A Special Thank You
We extend a huge thank you to Mary Free Bed YMCA for graciously hosting us on short notice. Executive Director Alesha Clayton and her team ensured everything ran smoothly and provided a welcoming space for our members and guests.
We also appreciate Katie Madison of Sonder CPA for stepping in as our breakfast host. Her flexibility and support helped the morning come together seamlessly.
Featured Speaker: Mike Taylor
Mike Taylor, Director of Venture Creation at the MSU Research Foundation, shared an insightful overview of Michigan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem — including SmartZones, Business Accelerator Funds, and the innovation happening within the Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building.
He highlighted how businesses and entrepreneurs can access funding, expert guidance, and strategic support to scale to the next level, offering practical pathways for founders across West Michigan.
Welcoming New Faces
We were thrilled to welcome several first‑time guests this morning and to introduce our newest FHBA member, Ken Vanderveen, owner of Clean Eatz. Please join us in congratulating and connecting with Ken as he becomes part of our growing business community.
