Economic Impact

• 59% of family businesses grew in 2023, while 36% of those grew by ten percent or more.
• 74% of family businesses have been operating for 30 years or more, showcasing their resilience and stability.
• Family-owned firms generate 54% of U.S. GDP and employ 59% of the American workforce, accounting for 83.3 million jobs and contributing $7.7 trillion annually.

Community and Workforce Impact

• 46% of family businesses report paying above-average wages and benefits, reflecting their commitment to employee well-being.

• Michigan has an average wage of $53,733 at family-owned businesses, ranking it 13^th highest in the nation.

• 70% of family businesses have nonfamily employees who have worked within the company for multiple generations, fostering a sense of community and loyalty.

Public Perception

• According to the 2025 Report on Public Perception of Family Businesses, 70% of respondents say family businesses have the most genuine and authentic identity.
• 67% of respondents in Edelman’s 2020 report said they trusted family businesses compared to 58% for public companies.
• A study published in the Journal of Small Business Strategy found that 87% of respondents held favorable views of family businesses based on organizational values.

https://www.fbagr.org/family-owned-business-day-referral-contest/

This Privacy Policy is designed to help you understand how the Family Business Alliance (“we”, “us”, or “our”), collects, uses and shares personal information collected through this website. We value your privacy, and we will not share your personal information with third parties except as described in this Policy without your consent.

BY USING THIS SITE, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THIS POLICY. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH ANY OF THE TERMS OF THE POLICY, PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE OR PROVIDE US WITH YOUR INFORMATION.

What this Policy Covers
This Policy applies to our collection, use and sharing of your personal information (a) when you visit our website and its related sites (the “Site”), (b) receive our communications or participate in our online or offline activities or events, (c) fill out a membership application, and (d) that we obtain from third parties such as social media companies, database vendors, content publishers, and suppliers. This Policy does not apply to any other information or websites not owned or operated by us or information collected by us by other means.

Personal Information We Collect
This section of our Policy describes the categories of personal information we collect about you and the different ways in which we collect your personal information.

Information You Give Us. Personal information you may provide through the Site or otherwise communicate to us includes:
• Contact information. We collect information about you when you provide contact information to us via email or through the Site, including as a result of creating an account, or registering for a program or event. This information may include your first and last name, email address, mailing address, phone number.
• Payment information. We collect your payment information, such as credit card or bank account number, when you register for a program or event or pay for your membership or other service offerings.
• Correspondence. We may collect personal information you provide when you request information, respond to surveys, or otherwise correspond with us.
• Other information. We may collect other information from you that is not specifically listed here. We may use such information in accordance with this Policy.

Information Automatically Collected. Our servers and third party service providers may automatically record cookie information in connection with your use of the Site, which includes information such as your Internet Protocol (IP) address, device and browser type, operating system, DNS, the pages or features of the Site that you browsed and the time spent on those pages or features, the frequency with which you use the Site, the links that you click on or use, and other statistics. We use this information to gain a better understanding of the users of our Site, to improve our Site, and to improve our services. We collect this information in server logs and by using cookies and similar tracking technologies. See our Cookie Policy, below, for more information.

Photographs, Videos and other Recordings. We make capture your name, image, voice, or likeness when you attend our program and events via picture, video, or other recordings.

Information We Get From Others. We may obtain additional information about you from third party sources, such as service providers, vendors, social media sites, and advertising agencies to provide you with more relevant information about our services. This information may include your contact information or cookie information.

How We Use Your Personal Information
This section of our Policy describes the different purposes for which we may use the personal information we collect about you.

To Provide our Services and Communicate With You. We use your contact information, payment information and other personal information to:
• provide you with our Products/Services;
• register you for events, programs, and contests; and
• to respond to your requests, questions, comments, and feedback.

To Improve our Site. We use your cookie information to:
• provide, maintain and improve the Site;
• better understand your needs and interests, and personalize your experience with the Site; and
• perform website analytics and database management services.

To Promote Our Services. We may use your feedback, testimonials, and event images and recordings on our website and other media to promote us and our services. By providing us with feedback or attending our events, unless otherwise agreed, you grant us a perpetual, irrevocable, unrestricted, worldwide, royalty-free, and transferrable license, right, and permission to use, copy, publicly display, and distribute your name, image, personal information, and likeness, as photographed, videotaped, or otherwise recorded, and to modify and create derivative works of the same, in each case for the advertising and promotion of us and our services or for any other purpose, in any form or media, without compensation.

To Send You Marketing Communications. We may use your contact information to send you newsletters, promotions or other marketing communications, but you may opt out of receiving them as described in the Your Choices section below.

To Create and Maintain Your Account. In order to utilize certain services provided through the Site, you may need to create an account using certain personal information, including your name, email address, and phone number. You have choices about the information included in your account.

To Personalize This Site and Advertise To You. We may use your cookie information to personalize your Site experience and communications and to manage and serve ads you see on the Site or on third party sites. See our Cookie Policy, below, for more information.

For Compliance, Fraud Prevention and Safety. We may use some or all of your personal information as we believe appropriate to: (a) investigate or prevent violation of the law or your agreements with us; (b) protect our, your or others’ rights, safety or property (including by prosecuting and defending legal claims); (c) protect, investigate and deter against fraudulent, harmful, unauthorized, unethical or illegal activity; (d) comply with applicable laws, lawful requests and legal process, such as to respond to subpoenas or requests from government authorities; and (e) where permitted by law in connection with a legal investigation. For example, we may share information with law enforcement to reduce the risk of fraud or if someone uses or attempts to use our site for illegal reasons.

With Your Consent. In some cases we may ask for your consent to collect, use or share your personal information.

How We Share your Personal Information
This section of our Policy describes the categories of personal information we share with third parties and the types of third parties with whom we share that information.

We do not sell your personal information; however we may share your personal information with third parties for a number of reasons. For example, we may use third parties to help us design and operate the Site, provide services to support the Site, help us analyze our data, process your credit card information, or send information on our behalf about services and events in which you may be interested. Unless otherwise indicated at the time we collect your information, if we allow third parties to access the personal information we collect, we will have contractual provisions or other appropriate protections in place to ensure such access is for limited purposes and in compliance with this Policy. Specifically, we share your personal information with the following categories of third parties:

Related and Affiliated Organizations. We may share all of the personal information we collect about you with our affiliates and related organizations for use consistent with this Policy.

Service Providers and Business Partners. We may share your personal information with third party companies and individuals as needed for them to provide us with services that help us with our business activities and to promote our services to you. This information may include your contact information, payment information, and cookie information. We may also share your contact information and cookie information with our business partners who offer a service to you jointly with us.

Compliance, Fraud Prevention and Safety. We may disclose some or all of the personal information we have collected about you as we believe appropriate to government or law enforcement officials or private parties for the purposes described above under the section “For Compliance, Fraud Prevention and Safety.”

Business Transfers. We may sell, transfer or otherwise share some or all of our business or assets, including all of the personal information we have collected about you, in connection with a business deal (or potential business deal) such as a merger, consolidation, acquisition, reorganization or sale of assets, or in the event of bankruptcy.

Your Choices
This section of our Policy describes your choices with respect to the personal information you provide and the communications you may receive.

Opt Out of Communications. You may opt out of marketing-related emails and other communications by changing the communication preferences in your account settings or by following the opt-out prompt in the email. If you are having trouble opting out of communications, please contact us using the contact information provided at the end of this Policy.

Consequences of Not Providing Personal Information. You are not required to provide all personal information identified in this Policy to use our Site or to interact with us offline, but certain functionality will not be available if you do not provide personal information. For example, if you do not provide personal information, we may not be able to respond to your request, perform a transaction with you, or provide you with marketing that we believe you would find valuable.

Cookie Policy
This section of our Policy describes how we and our business partners may collect and store information about you and your use of the Site through cookies and other tracking technologies.

What are Cookies? Cookies are small data files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. Cookies set by the website are called “first party cookies.” Cookies set by parties other than the website are called “third party cookies.” Third party cookies enable third party features or functionality, such as advertising or website analytics, to be provided on or through the website. The parties that set these third party cookies can recognize your computer or device both when it visits the website in question and also when it visits certain other websites and/or mobile apps.

What Cookies and Other Tracking Technologies do We Use? We may use several different kinds of cookies on this Site, including strictly necessary cookies, which are cookies that are necessary for the Site to function and cannot be switched off in our systems; performance cookies, which allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our Site; and functional cookies, which enable the Site to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. Cookies are not the only way to track visitors to a website. We may use similar technologies from time to time, like web beacons (sometimes called “tracking pixels” or “clear gifs”). These are tiny graphics files that contain a unique identifier that enable us to recognize when someone has visited our Sites. These technologies often depend on cookies to function properly, and so disabling cookies may impair their functioning. If you sign up to receive our e-mails, we will also use cookies in conjunction with these emails. When your browser downloads any graphic content in the e-mail, we will also place a cookie on your computer that will tell us if you come to our website at a later date.

Third-Party Cookies. In addition to our own cookies, we may collaborate with various third-party service providers who also use cookies to help us optimize our website and to help us understand more about the visitors to our website.

Google Services. We use Google Analytics to help us gather statistical information about the visitors to our Site and how they use the Site. This information is collected via cookies and other identifiers that we and third parties place on our site. We and our third party partners may use this information to gain a better understanding of the users of our Site, to improve our Site, and to improve our services. However, we will not associate this data with your personally identifiable data unless required to do so to cooperate with law enforcement activity or other governmental request or to comply with law. To understand how Google Analytics collects and processes data, including through the use of cookies and other technologies, please visit https://policies.google.com/technologies/cookies#how-google-uses-cookies. To opt out of the Google Analytics, we encourage you to check out Google Analytics’ currently available opt-outs for the web.

How Can You Disable Cookies and Other Tracking Technology? Depending on the type of browser and device that you use, you may have the ability to control the type of information that these tools use. To do this, follow the instructions in your browser settings. Many browsers accept cookies by default until you change your settings. For more information about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set on your computer or mobile device and how to manage and delete them, visit www.allaboutcookies.org and www.youronlinechoices.com. Some Internet browsers also may be configured to send “Do Not Track” signals to the online services that you visit. We currently do not respond to “Do Not Track” or similar signals. To find out more about “Do Not Track,” please visit http://www.allaboutdnt.com.

Other Important Privacy Information
Third Party Sites and Services. The Site may contain links to other websites and services operated by third parties. These links are not an endorsement of, or representation that we are affiliated with, any third party. We do not control third party websites, applications or services, and we are not responsible for their actions. Other websites and services follow different rules regarding their collection, use and sharing of your personal information. We encourage you to read their privacy policies to learn more.

Security. The security of your personal information is important to us. We take a number of organizational, technical and physical measures that are designed to protect the personal information we collect. However, security risk is inherent in all internet and information technologies and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your personal information.

International Data Use and Cross-Border Transfers. We are located in the United States, and your personal information may be collected, used and stored in the United States or other locations outside of your home country. Privacy laws in the locations where we handle your personal information may not be as protective as the privacy laws in your home country. However, we will handle your personal information in accordance with this Policy regardless of where your personal information is kept. Where required by law, you may request a copy of the suitable mechanisms we have in place by contacting us as detailed below. If you reside in other non-US jurisdictions, your use of the Site or provision of any personal information constitutes your consent for the transfer of such data to the United States for the purposes identified in this Policy. If you have questions about cross-border transfers, please contact us as detailed at the end of this Policy.

Verifying, Changing, and Deleting Your Information. If you have created an account through our Site, you can access, review and manage many changes yourself via your account, including updating your profile information and changing your communication preferences. If the information you are seeking is not available within your account, you can contact us as detailed below and ask us to change, update or fix your information in certain cases, particularly if it is inaccurate. You can also request that we erase or delete all or some of your personal information or otherwise object to, limit, or restrict the use of such information (if we have no legal right or legitimate business interest in retaining such information).

Children.
The Site is not intended for use by anyone under the age of 13, nor do we knowingly collect or solicit personal information from anyone under the age of 13. If you are under 13, you should not attempt to use the Site or send any information about yourself to us.

Changes to this Policy
We reserve the right to modify this Policy at any time. If we make changes to this Policy, we will post them on the Site and indicate the effective date of the change. If we make material changes to this Policy we will notify you by email or through the Site.

How to Contact Us
Family Business Alliance
250 Monroe Ave. NW, Suite #150
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616.771.0575
Email: fba@fbagr.org

This Policy was last updated May 7, 2025.

Click Here to Download the Family Business Constitution Document

https://www.fbagr.org/click-here-to-download-the-family-business-constitution-document/

https://www.fbagr.org/learn-more-and-subscribe/

Family Business Alliance Ambassadors are volunteers for FBA who are committed to helping members get the most out of their membership. They are all individuals who have been very involved with the organization and have used resources and programs to help strengthen their businesses and families. Ambassadors are available as a resource to our members for any questions they may have from a member’s perspective. 

Matt Maczka is one of FBA’s committed ambassadors serving the family business community on his own time. Get to know Matt with his answers to our questionnaire below.

How did you first get involved in FBA?

I had been invited to a handful of events as a guest and really found the content to be very informative.  I also wanted to participate in the Now Gen peer group which was great.

Why is FBA important to you?

The FBA is important to me because there are so many family businesses in West Michigan that all share the same opportunities, issues and areas for growth.  Its is nice to have resources and others to share with and learn from.

What has been your favorite FBA event or activity?

The peer group has been my favorite activity and has the potential for the largest impact for members.

Why do you think family businesses are important to West Michigan?

Family businesses are a vital part of the community as employers who all share in the common goal great places to work first and foremost.  They also provide resources for so many philanthropic endeavors of the area and community investments.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

I enjoy playing and coaching sports for my 4 children as well as golfing, hunting and fishing.

Family Business Alliance Ambassadors are volunteers for FBA who are committed to helping members get the most out of their membership. They are all individuals who have been very involved with the organization and have used resources and programs to help strengthen their businesses and families. Ambassadors are available as a resource to our members for any questions they may have from a member’s perspective. 

Mitchell Rasch is one of FBA’s committed ambassadors serving the family business community on his own time. Get to know Mitchell with his answers to our questionnaire below.

How did you first get involved in FBA?

A family friend and FBA member highly recommended joining. Since then, I have attended multiple FBA events and joined a peer group.

Why is FBA important to you?

Coming into a family business can be intimidating. The pressure is on to maintain the family business. Every family business has its own unique strengths and challenges. FBA provides a great learning environment that allows members to discuss their own goals and challenges both professionally and personally. I am a believer that an individual is a lot of who they surround themselves with. Being a part of FBA has given me the opportunity to get to know other likeminded next generation family business owners. The peer groups and events are excellent for networking, exchanging ideas and sharing the inner challenges that every family business faces.

What has been your favorite FBA event or activity?

The CEO Summit in 2023 with the panel on Family Business. The speakers were top tier and the knowledge that was shared was priceless.

Why do you think family businesses are important to West Michigan?

Family businesses are the backbone of the US economy and West Michigan. Entrepreneurship gives individuals the opportunity to make an impact and give back to society for the better.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

Traveling, golf, hiking, family time and water sports.

Family Business Alliance Ambassadors are volunteers for FBA who are committed to helping members get the most out of their membership. They are all individuals who have been very involved with the organization and have used resources and programs to help strengthen their businesses and families. Ambassadors are available as a resource to our members for any questions they may have from a member’s perspective. 

Spencer Welsh is one of FBA’s committed ambassadors serving the family business community on his own time. Get to know Spencer with his answers to our questionnaire below.

How did you first get involved in FBA?

We have been platinum underwriters for FBA since 2018 and produce the FBA podcast through our
network, The Welsh Wire. When I joined the firm in 2019, We officially became a family business and also became members of FBA.

Why is FBA important to you?

FBA creates a community of people in similar seasons of life and gives them a safe place to learn, collaborate, grow, and counsel together. Being able to discuss the unique challenges and dynamics of a family business with other family businesses, provides a perspective that you can’t get anywhere else. FBA provides family businesses with the resources and encouragement necessary to ensure success for generations to come.

What has been your favorite FBA event or activity?

Joining a peer group is strongly recommended. The peer group allows you to develop deep relationships with leaders and future leaders of family businesses. In the peer group, you navigate the relational and business aspects of a family business.

Why do you think family businesses are important to West Michigan?

Family businesses play a huge role in economic impact, community engagement, longevity, and innovation in West Michigan. These businesses are major drivers of economic growth, supporting local suppliers and other businesses while reinvesting profits into the community. Family businesses take a long-term perspective focusing on sustainable growth contributing to economic resilience in the region. We are continually innovating and adapting to keep our region strong.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

My hobbies include golf, reading, almost any sport, and exploring the outdoors.

Family Business Alliance Ambassadors are volunteers for FBA who are committed to helping members get the most out of their membership. They are all individuals who have been very involved with the organization and have used resources and programs to help strengthen their businesses and families. Ambassadors are available as a resource to our members for any questions they may have from a member’s perspective. 

Tom Duisterhof is one of FBA’s committed ambassadors serving the family business community on her own time. Get to know Tom with his answers to our questionnaire below.

How did you first get involved in FBA?

I found out about the FBA many years ago via the GR Chamber and another family owned business making the recommendation.

Why is FBA important to you?

The FBA has helped us as a company with contacts both in other family owned businesses as well as associate members that help with issues as they arise. The main reason I tell folks about the FBA is that regardless of industry and size, the issues with Family in a business makes for different challenges than a non-family owned business and each of us are not an “island”. We can talk to others
formally or informally and get support, ideas and feedback.

What has been your favorite FBA event or activity?

I enjoy all the meetings and especially the more fun activities like the golf outing, the sporting clay shoot and the networking opportunities. Again, when issues arise and we can reach out and realize others have experienced something we are going through it feels great to have the support and input.

Why do you think family businesses are important to West Michigan?

Where does one start? As a recent FBA presentation made us aware of, family owned businesses account for 59% of the GDP. We employ 51% of all those employed in the USA. We provide a huge amount of local support to the communities we live and work. We strengthen the moral fiber of the country. We
are quick to respond to needs and changes that occur in our communities and customers.

Family Business Alliance Ambassadors are volunteers for FBA who are committed to helping members get the most out of their membership. They are all individuals who have been very involved with the organization and have used resources and programs to help strengthen their businesses and families. Ambassadors are available as a resource to our members for any questions they may have from a member’s perspective. 

Melissa Miller is one of FBA’s committed ambassadors serving the family business community on her own time. Get to know Melissa with his answers to our questionnaire below.

How did you first get involved in FBA?

I loved launching new FBA peer groups. FBA’s peer groups are invaluable, so it was exciting to witness a new group of family business leaders engage and benefit from FBA’s peer groups.

Our family business, Grand Rapids Chair Co., has been a member of FBA for many years and my husband, Geoff, greatly benefited from participating in a NextGen peer group at the start of his career. I personally became involved in FBA more recently when I began working as FBA’s Membership Coordinator 4 years ago.

Why is FBA important to you?

I have witnessed first hand the incredible support and impact that FBA has on family businesses. The peer support and education was crucial in aiding a smooth transition from first generation leadership to second generation leadership at GR Chair.

What has been your favorite FBA event or activity?

I loved launching new FBA peer groups. FBA’s peer groups are invaluable, so it was exciting to witness a new group of family business leaders engage and benefit from FBA’s peer groups.

Our family business, Grand Rapids Chair Co., has been a member of FBA for many years and my husband, Geoff, greatly benefited from participating in a NextGen peer group at the start of his career. I personally became involved in FBA more recently when I began working as FBA’s Membership Coordinator 4 years ago.

Why do you think family businesses are important to West Michigan?

The culture of family businesses is second to none. Family businesses give back to the community via philanthropy, are loyal and committed to their employees, and are the backbone of our local economy.

Family Business Alliance Ambassadors are volunteers for FBA who are committed to helping members get the most out of their membership. They are all individuals who have been very involved with the organization and have used resources and programs to help strengthen their businesses and families. Ambassadors are available as a resource to our members for any questions they may have from a member’s perspective. 

Mark Kimball is one of FBA’s committed ambassadors serving the family business community on his own time. Get to know Mark with his answers to our questionnaire below.

How did you first get involved in FBA?

I first got involved in 2019.

Why is FBA important to you?

It has been a lifelong goal to be an owner of a family business.

What has been your favorite FBA event or activity?

Being recognized as the Epic award winner for Family Business of the Year in 2022.

Why do you think family businesses are important to West Michigan?

Family businesses have deep roots in their communities, making close and long-term relationships with all stakeholders possible and important.  Eastern Floral was founded over 70 years ago by Frank & Esther DeVos who had a deep commitment to the West Michigan community and that tradition continues with our family. We are committed to our amazing staff, to our new and returning customers, and we are committed to partnering with and supporting other businesses and organizations that also make a difference in our community.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

Golf.

Some fun facts about Mark:

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Butter Pecan

Favorite GR Restaurant: Red Hot Inn when it was open!

Favorite TV Show or Movie: Yellowstone

Family Business Alliance Ambassadors are volunteers for FBA who are committed to helping members get the most out of their membership. They are all individuals who have been very involved with the organization and have used resources and programs to help strengthen their businesses and families. Ambassadors are available as a resource to our members for any questions they may have from a member’s perspective.

Hugh Ingalls is one of FBA’s committed ambassadors serving the family business community on his own time. Get to know Hugh with his answers to our questionnaire below.

How did you first get involved in FBA?

I was looking for a network of folks who understood what it truly meant to work and grow a business with family and thankfully I was exposed to FBA by being a member of the GR Chamber of Commerce!

Why is FBA important to you?

It is important to me because it’s a central hub of people and information that make West Michigan a great place to work, live, and play.

What has been your favorite FBA event?

Any event where we hear stories of how family businesses have continued to grow and scale at or greater than the initial vision.

Why do you think family businesses are important to West Michigan?

They represent what stitches our country together and what a business means to a community in organizing people (family) around a purpose.

What is your favorite (non-work related!) hobby?

Playing Sunday night beer league hockey!

Tell us some fun facts about yourself

Favorite ice cream flavor: Cookie dough all the way.

Favorite Grand Rapids restaurant: Butchers Union

Favorite TV show/movie: Succession

Favorite book: Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill

Family Business Alliance Ambassadors are volunteers for FBA who are committed to helping members get the most out of their membership. They are all individuals who have been very involved with the organization and have used resources and programs to help strengthen their businesses and families. Ambassadors are available as a resource to our members for any questions they may have from a member’s perspective. 

Alex Richert is one of FBA’s committed ambassadors serving the family business community on his own time. Get to know Alex with his answers to our questionnaire below.

How did you first get involved in FBA?

My first involvement with FBA was when my mom asked if I would learn more about joining a peer group in early 2020. I attended the virtual Peer Group training (just a few months after COVID first hit) and was blown away by how quickly I got to know several other Next-Gen business leaders who also work in their family business. My involvement grew from there as I learned more about the opportunities available within the FBA for learning, development, and networking.

Why is FBA important to you?

Our family business (like many others) has unique strengths and challenges operating a business together with family and non-family member leadership. I saw FBA as an organization that would allows us to connect and learn from other Family Businesses who have experienced all of those same challenges. I believe in the first year of our FBA involvement our family business was able to experience internal growth and development that would have taken 3-5 years without the insight we gained from being so connected to other family owned and operated businesses.

What has been your favorite FBA event?

The annual FBA event at the Amway Grand in 2021 was a great experience and my first in-person opportunity to meet other FBA members outside of my Peer Group.

Why do you think family businesses are important to West Michigan?

There are all the obvious reasons such as how family businesses makeup over half of the total employment in the state, they regularly take better care of their employees, and they are huge contributors to our thriving economy in West Michigan. One of the less known or thought of reasons Family Businesses are good for West Michigan is when the business gets handed down or transitioned to the next generation. During this transition I have seen successful family businesses transition not only their operations to the next generation but also their hard working, innovative, and charitable values as well. I’ve seen these strong, positive values adopted by not only the Next-Gen family leaders but also in the employees as well.

What is your favorite (non-work related!) hobby?

The yearly hunting trip to Montana and my wife and I love to take our family on a vacation each quarter

Tell us some fun facts about yourself

Favorite ice cream flavor: Eskimo Kisses from our local House of Flavors in Ludington, MI

Favorite Grand Rapids restaurant: The HopCat!

Favorite TV show/movie: Band of Brothers

Favorite book: The Millionaire Nextdoor by Thomas Stanley

Family Business Alliance Ambassadors are volunteers for FBA who are committed to helping members get the most out of their membership. They are all individuals who have been very involved with the organization and have used resources and programs to help strengthen their businesses and families. Ambassadors are available as a resource to our members for any questions they may have from a member’s perspective. 

Elyse Arsulowicz is one of FBA’s committed ambassadors serving the family business community on her own time. Get to know Elyse with her answers to our questionnaire below.

How did you first get involved in FBA?

Very unknowingly! Our Director of Finance sent me a link and said he thought it would be a good opportunity for me to join a peer group, I wasn’t sure what it was or what it entailed but I signed up to attend the Peer Group Recruitment dinner and the rest is history!

Why is FBA important to you?

FBA has provided me not only a safe space (Peer Group) to openly discuss issues, challenges, success, etc of working in a family business, but resources to help better myself, our company, and our community. The networking opportunities, the relationships, and the lifelong friendships that I have made within FBA is truly invaluable.

What has been your favorite FBA event or activity?

The Peer Group experience has exceeded my expectations exponentially. I also always find value in all the events; the time and effort to seek out each speaker, series, or roundtable is apparent. I always enjoy the events that are held at different member’s locations – it’s such a fun way to learn more about your fellow FBA members and to learn more about local businesses.

Why do you think family businesses are important to West Michigan?

Family Businesses are the foundation of West Michigan! From small, two-person businesses to large, multi-million-dollar companies – they are everywhere! We are such a huge driver of our local economy and what makes WM so amazing! The comradery and the support for one another is an amazing thing to be apart of.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

Spending time with my family and friends while enjoying good food & drinks and traveling!

Some fun facts about Elyse:

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Rum Raisin

Favorite GR Restaurant: – I absolutely cannot name just one! See above favorite hobby!

Favorite TV Show or Movie: Game of Thrones or Schitt’s Creek

Favorite book:  Pillars of the Earth or anything Stephen King