Success Stories

With A Cherry On Top

Jeanette (Jet) Conrady knew the moment she started working in a local coffee shop while in college that she wanted to own her own small specialty food business. “I just felt a connection to that industry – establishments like coffee houses, bakeries, and ice cream parlors that offer specialty products to customers who end up returning again and again because it’s a small specialty business,” stated Jet. Jet’s dream of business ownership came to fruition in May 2012 when she opened her own ice cream shop in Pellston, Michigan called With a Cherry On Top.

Diamond Performance

Jerry Neuman knew his automotive machining and engine building business would be a success long before he ventured into moving into a storefront in East Jordan in January 2012. “When I had to turn down work because I didn’t have the equipment, the time or the space, I knew I needed to take the next step and open up a full service shop of my own”, said Jerry.

Lah Lah's

Starting her own clothing boutique was a dream that Laura Esford never gave up on! Esford, a member of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, had successfully managed a local clothing business for several years, and the experience motivated her to want to someday open a store for herself, to include her two daughters Adrienne and Haley. That dream came to fruition in September 2011 with the opening of Lah Lah’s Preloved Clothing Boutique (incorporating the first initials of Laura and her daughter’s names; Adrienne and Haley) in Petoskey, MI.

Lakeview Home Furnishings

Lakeview Home Furnishings, a new custom woodworking and home furnishing design business located in Petoskey and owned by Stephanie Sevener, is the latest business to benefit from loan assistance from Northern Shores Loan Fund, Inc. (NSLF) for expansion of its services.

North Shore Lawn Works

North Shore Lawn Works, a new Harbor Springs based lawn maintenance business, is well on its way to success with help from Northern Shores Loan Fund, Inc.

Rosetta's Cottage Interiors

Kaye Zitka's dream to one day have her own business creating and producing original interior furnishings finally came true with the assistance of Northern Shores Loan Fund, Inc.

Trillium, A Complete Salon

Trillium, A Complete Salon, L.L.C. located at 430 E. Mitchell, Petoskey, MI was the first client to receive financing from Northern Shores Loan Fund, Inc. for business inventory needs.

Tannery Creek Market

Tannery Creek Market, L.L.C., located at 1210 N. US 31, Petoskey, MI is the second business to receive financing from Northern Shores Loan Fund, Inc. in March, 2009. Tannery Creek is owned and operated by Mary Jo and Dee Schultz, long-time business owners in the community and founders of Tannery Creek Market, L.L.C. in 2005.