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Congratulations to our Shop Small Winners!
 
Status Winner Prize
Grand Prize
   
 
Business Name:  Saturn Booksellers
First Name:  Darcie
Comments: (0)
City:  Gaylord
What Type of Business is This?:  Bookstore
Name of Business Owner:  Jill Miner
Business Website:  www.saturnbooksellers.com
What Makes This Business Special?:  Saturn Booksellers is my favorite place on earth. It's an eclectic small town bookstore in the heart of Gaylord, MI. It's a staple in the community, a safe haven for ideas and opinions, and just the all-around coolest place to come hang out.

The staff are knowledgeable and helpful, and the atmosphere is welcoming and unique. Jill Miner, owner of the store, is community-minded and often donates to local causes, whether in the form of a monetary donation or goods for a raffle or auction. The store also participates in local fundraisers, gives discounts to libraries and teachers, and brings bestselling authors to the small Northern Michigan town so patrons get the chance to meet them.

The selection of items at Saturn ranges from books in all genres, to gifts, toys and games. They truly have something for everyone.

Saturn Booksellers is unlike any other store, and they are celebrating their 25th year in business in April, so what better way to honor them than to gift them with this awesome prize.
How Do You Feel When You Shop Small There?:  When I shop at Saturn Booksellers, I feel heard. The staff doesn't have sales goals so they aren't pushy about what they are showing to you, but rather actually take the time to listen to what you're interested in and what you've read before, and make smart recommendations to help you find your next favorite book. They are a one-stop shop offering the greatest customer service, a fine selection of books, and the coolest gifts and toys that you can't find anywhere else. Shopping at Saturn feels like shopping in a bigger city, and being in the know about the best up and coming authors or newest gadgets and games, or even finding that unique gift for a friend. They make every customer feel extremely welcome.
What's Your Favorite Item or Service There?:  I love the way they work one on one to find the best selection of books for a customer. If they don't have what you are looking for, they will order it or find you something else that is on that level. They actually read the books so they are very knowledgeable about what they are promoting. Their customer service is truly unbeatable.
How Does This Business Build Strong Relationships with Their Customers and Community?:  Saturn Booksellers knows how important their community is in keeping their doors open. Each customer is thanked for shopping, shopping local, and supporting a downtown business. They offer a great selection for their customers, and Jill and the staff can anticipate what members of the community and bookstore patrons will want to read. She is savvy in finding the best deals on cool new items, and often there is a list of people to call for certain books or products because they just know who will want them. They pay attention to the wants and needs of the community, they support other local businesses and events, and they are always willing to help teachers and community members get books to children. They are a pillar in the community, so it is no surprise they've been able to stick around for 25 years.

$5,000 American Express Gift Card and a Valpak marketing campaign.
Secondary Prize
Business Name:  Club MMA
First Name:  John
Comments: (0)
City:  Cincinnati
What Type of Business is This?:  Martial Arts and Fitness Center
Name of Business Owner:  Jeff Robison
Business Website:  www.club-mma.com
What Makes This Business Special?:  They care. Honestly, I could attempt to write down what this school means to my community, but it wouldn't do it justice. This is a wonderful establishment. It helps those who want to change their body or lifestyle. It helps kids who need structure and discipline. It helps adults who need more motivation, and gives them a place to find others in the same spot. This place makes my town better, and it's as much the people who teach as it is what is taught. A variety of martial arts, from striking disciplines such as TKD and Muay Thai kickboxing, to grappling arts such as Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and many others. This place gives kids a chance to meet friends, by hosting pizza parties on weekends, and playing games with the kids while their parents get a chance to run errands or relax a bit. They also travel to state and regional tournaments, giving the students a chance to compete with others, and helping them to grow in their chosen disciplines. I can't say enough good things about Club MMA, because they really do give my community something to be proud of. They've helped my daughters become happier, healthier little girls. They've helped many parents become more confident in their children's abilities to make responsible decisions. They've shown our community how to start a business with nothing other than hard work, resilience, positive attitude and an honest approach. They've also given back to my community by building a responsible team of young people, a team who'll will be going out into the world and trying to make it for themselves soon. Those kids would all tell you that they have gotten more from Club MMA than they could ever have imagined in the beginning. Kids are the future. The folks at Club MMA are helping to make sure that our children are equipped with skills and confidence. The world needs places like this, badly. Not just my town, but everywhere. We need to find our way back to having unity within our communities. Club MMA is promoting acceptance to all who are willing to put in the work. They are a team and a family, and they offer a place in that family to any who believe enough in themselves to show up to class. In my opinion, that is more valuable than just about any service available.
How Do You Feel When You Shop Small There?:  The classes at the Club are top notch, but it also has a fully-stocked pro shop complete with original graphic tees, customizable training gear, and many other items that make your experience at the Club a better one. All very original, durable and reasonably priced. Classes are very affordable, but if students can't make it in all of the time, Jeff and his crew have put together a web series of training videos that can aid in keeping up the skills of those training. The Club has a toy area for young kids to play in, a fully stocked exercise room with weights and other equipment, and ample space for movement in between. The staff and Coaches are really the difference makers though. They make you feel welcome, and help you learn at your own pace. That makes a big difference for people who are taking the class for fitness reasons, or have been idle due to surgeries or pregnancies, because often it is easier to become fatigued or exhausted after long periods of inactivity. Working too hard too fast can often lead to failure or injury, and the Coaches at Club MMA know that. They treat everyone with a degree of individual care, and really strive to bring everyone to the same level, even if it requires a range of tactics to achieve the goal. I am continually impressed with the abilities of the Coaches of the kids classes, to not only maintain control over a varied group of energetic and occasionally obstinate youngsters, but to succeed in relaying their martial arts knowledge in a manner that sinks in and is retained by the students. It really does amaze me, and is one of the things that makes me confident that my children will be attending classes at the Club for a good portion of their lives. There I am completely secure in my children's safety and well-being, and know that they are receiving skills and confidence that will help them to shine in the future. As a Dad, that makes me feel great.
What's Your Favorite Item or Service There?:  I go to the Club more for my kids these days than for any other reason, and I love the kids programs, but I've taken my own classes there as well. I've taken their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class, their Muay Thai kickboxing class, and their Kali stick class. I would highly recommend all of them. All of the class are taught by highly trained individual who've spent years, if not decades, honing their abilities. They've travelled around the world learning new skills, and are both active and successful in local and regional competitions. Of the classes, I would say that the most energy and focus is to be found in either the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or the Muay Thai class, depending on whether or not a striking or grappling focus is sought. Both classes will take a completely unskilled and non-athletetic individual, and will help them through the steps necessary to begin to change the things about them that they'd like to. Not only is getting into shape easier when you have others showing you how to do it, it's more fun when you are getting fit while learning an active form of self defense. For those who'd rather not train in rigorous martial arts, the Club offers both certified personal training and yoga classes.
How Does This Business Build Strong Relationships with Their Customers and Community?:  My personal story is one that is not always easy to tell, but is one that the Club has helped me to tell along the way. I first began taking classes at the club when I was a young man looking for a way to escape from life's burdens. I was in my 30's, in a dead-end job, and was in a rut. After talking with Jeff, he convinced me to come down train. It started in me a push to want to better myself, in many ways. I began exercising more, and eating better. I stopped going out so much, and started getting more sleep at night. I even stopped meeting some of the negative relationships in my life half way, and left them in the dust behind me. It gave me a kind of "restart button" for my life, and at just the right time. My Wife and I had been trying for many years to have a family, had spend much money on unsuccessful fertility treatments, and were close to what I would call being depressed. I really needed a positive out for the energy building inside me, and the Club was there for me. Years have since gone by, and my Wife and I have chosen to adopt 2 beautiful little girls. They are the world to us, but they've had a rough start, and have needed some special care throughout their adjustment period with us. We immediately began taking the kids up to "ninja classes" as they are lovingly referred to at home, and the kids loved them. They've both gone from 1 day a week to 2 days a week, have made friends, and love their Coaches. They look forward to every day that they know they are going, and ask the night before if they get to go to "ninja class". It makes me feel so good. Not only has the Club done this for myself and my family, they do this for so many others. They are always hosting community events to bring the kids and families together, they are always teaching unity and equality, and because of these things, they are the #1 martial arts school in the area. They are community. They are our neighborhood heroes, and what they do for us can't really be done justice with typed words. You have to see the children and students, how Club MMA helps them to grow, to understand it. Club MMA gives back to the community more than they take, which is very hard to find today. They are a special place doing great things for the lives of their students and the families of those students.

$1,000 American Express Gift Card and a Valpak marketing campaign.
Secondary Prize
Business Name:  BAXTER & ME
First Name:  KAREN
Comments: (0)
City:  CORINTH
What Type of Business is This?:  SMALL GIFT SHOP
Name of Business Owner:  CHANNING BAXTER
Business Website:  BAXTER & ME / FACEBOOK
What Makes This Business Special?:  Finding herself as a young single mother after her divorce, she worked in real estate and then taught herself to paint, opened her gift shop featuring her art and continued to work both jobs to support herself & her son. After her shop started to pay the bills she stepped out and decided to let it be her income so she would have more time to paint, but more importantly to spend time with her son Baxter.
She works harder than anyone I have known, trying to find that balance between job and being a mom. I know all this because she hired me about a year and 1/2 ago to work on Saturdays so she could be off weekends with her son. She gives generously, helping her community when the cause arises. Recently adopting St Jude's in Memphis as her cause for November 2016 (as she adopts one every holiday season)and featured a local little girl Gracie Mae (who is a cancer patient there) to model for her, filling the store with her photos', selling 'Grace Wins' tee-shirts, and donating 100 % of sale of those shirts and 10 % of sales for the whole month of Nov. to St. Judes. It was a special day when she allowed Gracie to give the check when St Jude's came to receive it. She is always helping someone with a leg up, a kind word, or encouragement. Channing created a bucket list of things to accomplish this year and has been making those things happen, visiting Washington, running a marathon with her family, etc. I admire her courage, her determination, and love her kind heart and generous spirit. Our community loves her little store, I do too. I think her getting a nice surprise would be nothing more than paying her back a small amount for all she does.
How Do You Feel When You Shop Small There?:  Not only do I work there on Saturdays but I spend my money there as well! I can't wait to see how she has redefined her small store each week, she changes it up constantly, making it fresh and new to the eye, for her customers who stroll downtown each week. I work there and love to see the changes from week to week. She has received 'Best Window' award from the Alliance several years running, and its deserved.. She makes up for her lack of space by utilizing every single inch, and then Changing it, over and over. I had ladies last week exclaiming how wonderful the store made them feel, it was their first time visiting, and they now have a new favorite store! Its words like that that make it so worth all the hard work for her.
What's Your Favorite Item or Service There?:  Her paintings. They are simple, and uplifting. They make people smile, and everyone finds one that speaks to their heart. Or they know of someone who 'needs' that painting. I love she always tries to use local artists, or feature local items, such as the goat milk soap two ladies created because store bought brand broke their children out. She features local pottery, or at least within the state if not local. She wants to give 'them' a boost also which I admire. If someone brings her a window from their grandparents old home that has been torn down, or the church they were married in, she gladly paints whatever they want on it, giving them a really wonderful keepsake. Those things are priceless. It means so much to so many to have somewhere they can go and have that done, making it into a valuable and beautiful art peace for their wall.
How Does This Business Build Strong Relationships with Their Customers and Community?:  She gets involved with the Alliance here, she laid out a whole binder with plans for the downtown of ideas to revamp and add special things to do in the summer. She wanted to have the head position that had come available, and they asked her what exactly would she do if she received the position. But they said it would be a conflict of interest since she had a shop downtown, she totally understood and let them keep her binder. They implemented almost every single thing in that binder that she had laid out, from art camps to movie nights. She didn't care who did it, as long as someone did. Her ideas benefitted the community, and that is all she cared about. It made her so happy they were able to use her idea's. Her customers love the 'flash' sales, and how she keeps her store filled with fun upbeat happy clothes & quotes, and they always leave with a smile. She is a business woman, but also someone who loves their community. It shows.

$1,000 American Express Gift Card and a Valpak marketing campaign.
Secondary Prize
   
 
Business Name:  The Columbus Idea Foundry
First Name:  Diane
Comments: (0)
City:  Columbus
What Type of Business is This?:  Makerspace/Learning Center
Name of Business Owner:  Alex Bandar
Business Website:  http://www.columbusideafoundry.com
What Makes This Business Special?:  How many places can you go to take a blacksmithing class? Or welding and 3D-printing classes, for that matter? The Columbus Idea Foundry provides a unique opportunity for hobbyists and budding entrepreneurs to gain hands-on experience with a wide range of skills. I’d describe it as a 24/7 gym for people who want to create. You pay monthly dues for access to the community workshop space, which also grants you discounts on classes for everything from leather working to making podcasts.

This for-profit small business has since become the largest “makerspace” in the world, giving me yet another reason to have pride in my hometown. I’ve watched the founder’s TEDx presentation, and it’s clear to me that he values giving back to the Columbus community and empowering other small businesses.
How Do You Feel When You Shop Small There?:  When you step inside the Idea Foundry, you’ll find a warehouse abuzz with creativity. There are individual workstations for every manner of metal or wood-working. Upstairs, you’ll find a more digital-oriented tinkering space. Earlier today, I was texting my fiancé about something I saw on the CIF Facebook page. I told him, “I found something awesome that I’m going to surprise you with. I’ve never seen anything like it!!!” He replied, “Oh my goodness! You have me on the edge of my seat. o_o” The surprise is a drone flight class, wherein you get to navigate a nano quadcopter through a two-story obstacle course. Then, you put on first-person-view goggles and experience flying from the drone’s cockpit. The class will be capped off with a drone race! I’m beyond excited for this experience, all the more because I know it will make my fiancé squeal like a little kid.
What's Your Favorite Item or Service There?:  As a fiction writer, I find that it’s easiest to describe something when I’ve done it myself, which is why I signed up for the Columbus Idea Foundry’s blacksmithing class: I wanted to enrich my descriptions of a female blacksmith character in my latest work-in-progress. Under the guidance of a talented professional, I hammered the metal, swiveling between the forge and anvil until the blade was sufficiently flattened. Then, I used a special tool to curl the end of the knife into an ornate handle. We relied on more modern machines to sharpen the blade, but I still loved watching the sparks fly. The finished product is what you see in the attached photo.
How Does This Business Build Strong Relationships with Their Customers and Community?:  The Franklinton neighborhood is known for being, quite frankly, the cesspool of Columbus. However, the Idea Foundry is changing that by helping to revitalize this area into an arts district. The Foundry has become the anchor point around which new restaurants and galleries can form. Recently, they hosted a Product Hunt Meetup with another local company to showcase Columbus startups. They also have a Family Maker Night series with STEM-oriented projects, which I think is a great way to get kids interested in building technology.

I’ve also appreciated the addition of the women’s-only blacksmithing classes. As a fellow lady, it can feel intimidating or embarrassing to be the physically weakest person in the room. By offering classes oriented toward women, I think that CIF is successfully broadening their appeal and spreading the message that “Hey, this isn’t just a place for guys who don’t have a tricked out garage—it’s for everybody.” In the classes I’ve attended, I have enjoyed the laid-back environment and the palpable excitement that comes with new ideas.

$1,000 American Express Gift Card and a Valpak marketing campaign.
 
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