Southwest Michigan Entrepreneurs Take Center Stage at ELEVATE 2026
Southwest Michigan Entrepreneurs Take Center Stage at ELEVATE 2026
Cornerstone Alliance celebrates the second Business Plan Certified cohort and the regional partnerships helping entrepreneurs move forward
Twelve entrepreneurs from Southwest Michigan took center stage on October 1 at ELEVATE 2026, an event showcasing the businesses, ideas, and momentum emerging from Cornerstone Alliance's 2026 Business Plan Certified program. Held at Blue Dress Barn in Benton Harbor, the event celebrated the entrepreneurs' accomplishments and the next chapter of growth for their businesses.
The event marked the culmination of eight months of focused work, while highlighting the broader entrepreneurial momentum building across Southwest Michigan. It also reflected the strength of a growing network of organizations, financial institutions, and community partners investing their expertise and resources in the region's small businesses.
Throughout the Business Plan Certified program, participants transformed their ideas and goals into capital-ready business plans, strengthened their ability to present to lenders and investors, and built a stronger foundation for growth. ELEVATE gave graduates the opportunity to put that work into action, sharing their businesses, their progress, and their vision for what comes next.
Applications are now open for the 2027 Business Plan Certified cohort. Entrepreneurs interested in strengthening their business plans, preparing for capital and connecting with resources throughout their business journey can submit their application today.
"These entrepreneurs brought tremendous commitment to this program while continuing to run their businesses, care for their families, and manage everything else life brings," said Brandy Jaquez, managing director of Cornerstone Alliance's Entrepreneurial Services. "They came ready to learn, challenge themselves, and turn their ideas into stronger, more sustainable businesses. Our role is to walk alongside them, connecting them with the expertise, resources, and relationships that can help them grow. What they have accomplished is theirs, and we are incredibly proud to be part of their journey."
The celebration also highlighted Cornerstone Alliance's work to strengthen the resources and connections available to entrepreneurs in Berrien County, an effort increasingly supported by collaboration across Southwest Michigan. As part of a growing regional network of Entrepreneur Support Organizations, Cornerstone Alliance works alongside Southwest Michigan First and other partners to connect local business owners with expertise, resources and opportunities that extend beyond county lines.
That collaborative effort is expanding through a $930,000 Small Business Support Hubs 2.0 grant awarded by the Michigan Strategic Fund to Southwest Michigan First and its network of 10 regional partners. Clarence Lloyd, vice president of the Kalamazoo Chamber and the Southwest Michigan First Entrepreneur Hub, shared the news during ELEVATE. Through the initiative, Cornerstone Alliance and EMERGE Innovation Hub serve as the group's Berrien County partners, expanding local access to business coaching, technical assistance, mentorship, capital-readiness resources and industry-specific programming.
Chris Rishko, managing director of Small Business and Talent at the Michigan Economic Development Corp., brought a statewide perspective to the conversation, highlighting the important role small businesses play in Michigan's economy and the state's continued investment in entrepreneurship.
Together, the conversations reinforced a central theme of ELEVATE: entrepreneurs build their businesses, but they do not have to build them alone.
That message carried into the keynote address, given by Amelia and Kirby Briske, owners of Blue Dress Barn, Sundance & The Secret Garden, and Millcreek Wilde. Drawing from their experience building multiple businesses in Southwest Michigan, the Briskes shared lessons about innovation, adapting to changing markets, and navigating entrepreneurship together as partners in business and in life.
At the heart of ELEVATE were the 12 entrepreneurs who completed the 2026 Business Plan Certified program. Among them, Donnakay Owusu-Agyei, owner of DK's Creations, was named the 2026 Business Plan Certified valedictorian.
Owusu-Agyei was recognized for the clarity and depth of her business plan, the sustainable foundation she is building for DK's Creations, and the encouragement she consistently offered her fellow entrepreneurs throughout the program. The award, made possible by title sponsor United Federal Credit Union, was presented by Natalie Polaskey, senior market development manager with United Federal Credit Union, and Marla Schneider, president and CEO of Cornerstone Alliance.
"Entrepreneurs bring the ideas, determination, and courage to build something of their own. Our responsibility is to make sure Southwest Michigan is a place where those ideas have the opportunity to grow," Schneider said. "That means bringing together the relationships, resources, and expertise that help businesses move from an idea to a plan, and from a plan to what comes next. ELEVATE is a celebration of these entrepreneurs, but it also reflects what is possible when local, regional, and state partners work together to strengthen the entrepreneurial community across Southwest Michigan."
Owusu-Agyei's story is one example of that momentum. Through DK's Creations, she has spent eight years building a business around artisan, made-from-scratch cakes, including Jamaican Black Cake and Hummingbird Cake. She is now working toward her next chapter: opening Evolving Blessings, a licensed commercial kitchen that will allow her to expand production and serve more customers across Southwest Michigan. ELEVATE guests had the opportunity to experience her work firsthand, with desserts from DK's Creations featured as part of the celebration.
The 2026 Business Plan Certified graduates are:
- Terri Albers, Resilient Connections LLC
- Ahealhi Ashbrook, Intellegon
- Jalisha Cummings, Sky Rollers
- Laretha Lewis, Angelic Haircare
- Philip M. Medo, Gauged Hemp Block Systems Corp.
- Donnakay Owusu-Agyei, DK's Creations
- Tina Ramsey, Drive
- Tatiyana Stankovic, Naturally You Aesthetics Medical Spa
- Shawn Vankampen, Its Between Friends LLC
- Bekah Yates, Salon ET Jungle
- Mike Yates, Salon ET Jungle
- Tiara Zimmerman, Lake Effect HVAC Company
ELEVATE 2026 was made possible through the support of title sponsor United Federal Credit Union, along with 1st Source Bank, Horizon Bank, Sturgis Bank, Northern Initiatives, and Sunset Coast Living. The event also showcased the strength of the local business community, with DeFay's Catering, DG Media, Kitty Lee Photography, Precision Syrups, Sticky Spoons Jam, Classic Catering, Blue Dress Barn, and DK's Creations, all contributing to the celebration.
Entrepreneurs with questions about the 2027 Business Plan Certified program, or who are interested in learning whether it is the right fit for their business, are encouraged to contact Cornerstone Alliance's Entrepreneurial Services team at bjaquez@cstoneallliance.org. Team members can share details about the program, the time commitment and the application process, and help connect entrepreneurs with resources that fit where they are in their business journey. The program application is available here
About Cornerstone Alliance
Cornerstone Alliance is the economic development organization dedicated to fostering growth and prosperity in Michigan’s Great Southwest. Through strategic initiatives and collaborative partnerships, Cornerstone Alliance drives innovation and opportunity, positioning the region for sustainable economic success. As the leading advocate for the local business and development sector, Cornerstone Alliance delivers tailored business assistance across Berrien County.
