One of our longtime partners at Chi Ishobak has been Steve Rider, Government Manager at Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. We started working with Steve when he lived in Seattle. Despite not growing up in the Michigan area, he began learning about his tribe as it started communicating with citizens afar.
He learned about Chi Ishobak from this connection at the perfect time. He and his wife were beginning a women’s self-defense training studio in Seattle and needed the capital to start the business. Not only were they able to get funding, but they received coaching from Sean and our team to build their business plan.
Later, Steve retired from his career as a law enforcement officer and relocated to Michigan to get to know the tribe better. He re-entered the workforce in our area and later became Government Manager with the tribal government, a role which he describes as “Ensuring that what the council sets forth is accomplished.”
Over the years, he’s also taken out auto loans with Chi on a few occasions. Steve praises Chi’s ability to deduct payments from stipends so that it’s easy to stay up-to-date on payments. Then over time, clients build up a credit history and a good credit score without ever having to think about it.
He also adds, “I’ve been impressed from the government perspective on how much effort goes into citizen services from Chi.”
To anyone that wants to improve their financial health, Steve recommends starting with a phone call to Chi. Because they are so focused on helping citizens, they will happily refer you to someone who can help if you aren’t a fit for the loans they offer. They want to be a true partner with tribal citizens and give them the tools they need to be successful. “To those on the fence about working with Chi, contact them and they’ll point you in the right direction.”
One of the most important things that Chi Ishobak offers is its budgeting tools and philosophies. Steve says for him it’s been life-changing and, “After just a few years of working with Chi and taking their advice and guiding my own personal finances, it has really paid dividends for me.”
We’re happy to work with Steve both as a client and as a partner in helping to empower tribal citizens.
(July 2020) After years of working in Human Resources and Talent Development – along with a stint in Culinary school in NYC – J Dutton has taken a much-loved hobby and side hustle and is turning it into a full-fledged business. A very sweet one.
J elaborates: \”I created BrOn’s Confections in 2012. It has been a hobby/home business since then. I am now purchasing commercial equipment and am trying to transition this into a true business.
Inspired by the single mother who raised the family working 2 or 3 jobs, the name BrOn\’s is a combination of her maiden name and the family\’s last name: Br’ from Bristol/Brown and ‘On’ from Dutton. J recalls \”She was the proudest and strongest person I ever knew. She sacrificed a lot for us kids. She passed in 2005 from complications from COPD that she developed while working in a plastic factory. This is a way to honor her and keep her memory alive.\”
While he is still currently looking for investors, J expounded on how he connected with Chi Ishobak for help launching his business. \”I’ve worked with Chi since I began working for the Pokagon Government in 2016. I embraced the history and culture completely. When I was furloughed and my position eliminated due to the COVID shutdown, part of my soul was taken. I was able to work with Chi as part of the Pokagon umbrella but have also been able to collaborate with them on projects. When I started looking for funding to start purchasing some equipment to start the transition to a full business, Chi was my only thought. I trust them and know they have my back.\” Sean Winters, Chi Ishobak\’s Executive Director said “Our CDFI was created as an effort of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indian tribal government to assist businesses get started or expand, and J\’s venture is right up our alley. Happy to be part of this growing business!\”
With bon bon\’s, barks, bars and cheesecakes, BrOn\’s has got something for every sweet tooth and appetite. Take a look (and a bite!) at www.bronsconfections.com.
About Chi-Ishobak
Chi Ishobak is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 2009 promote the improvement of the financial capacity of all Tribal members by equipping them with the skills, knowledge and confidence that they need to make informed judgments and to make effective decisions with respect to their current and future personal and household circumstances. Chi Ishobak provides tribal citizens with the tools and opportunities needed for meaningful lives and self-sufficiency, whether through employment, self-employment, or traditional life-ways.
By building capacity for Tribal Citizens, Chi Ishobak is helping rebuild the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi as well as Indian Country into supportive and nurturing communities, strong in language and culture. For more information: www.chiishobak.org
It was a dream of Lesley and Greg Morano to have a thriving family business back in 2009. With their own funding, they made Morano Foods, Inc. a reality. In 2011 their signature spaghetti sauce, which dates back over a century, was already in 82 stores across Michigan and growing in popularity in the gourmet market. To increase their exposure to larger chain stores they would have to have a family of sauces. In early 2012 Chi Ishobak was able to provide Morano Foods, Inc. with access to capital that would allow them to secure a new co-packer and distributor allowing them the opportunity to expand their product line and venture into new markets due to increasing market demand.
“The assistance from Chi Ishobak is going to allow us to grow our business substantially.” Lesley Morano said. “The support we received from Chi Ishobak was phenomenal.”
Michael Carney started The Front Porch as a hobby business in 2014 that repurposed and restored vintage furniture and home décor pieces. He and his wife, Irma, had the vision of expanding this business into a local shop. Financing for start-up businesses can be extremely hard to obtain. Chi Ishobak was able to provide business development resources and loan capital for this new venture. With financing in place, the Carney’s were able to secure and build-out retail space, obtain necessary inventory, fixtures, and equipment to open their doors to the public. Their new location has access to numerous community functions and foot traffic that will bring a variety of customers into the store.
“It has been amazing having the Chi Ishobak team believe in our dream just as much as we do and refreshing knowing that they sincerely care about our success,” added Michael and Irma. “Chi Ishobak pushed us to think about all aspects of opening and operation a thriving business.”
Wayne Roberts, along with his family, Jordan, Justin, Meagan, and Julie, founded Great Lakes Flooring Specialists, Inc. in 2015. Despite his over 35 years of commercial flooring experience and the company’s growing reputation, Wayne’s business was a start-up, which unfortunately meant that many financial institutions were reluctant to work with him, except for Chi Ishobak. They worked with Great Lakes Flooring Specialists to develop their business plan, financial projections, and growth strategy to ultimately secure financing that will allow them to obtain additional larger contracts.
“From the start, Chi Ishobak welcomed us as family rather than clients,” Julie Roberts said, “Making such a daunting process simple and easy, we couldn’t be more excited for our partnership with them.”
For David Martin being an extremely talented artist wasn’t enough. He wanted the freedom that being an entrepreneur offered. In 2012 he incorporated Bicycle Tattooing LLC and began pursuit of his dream, owning his own business. In preparation for this new venture he received unanimous support from the Common Council of Downtown South Bend, Indiana. He received the support of numerous local businesses and organizations. It was at that point when his personal investment ran out, and Chi Ishobak was able to provide the remainder of Bicycle’s start-up financing. David was able to finish his build-out and receive the thumbs up from the City of South Bend and the Health Department to be the only high-end custom tattoo gallery within Downtown South Bend. He and his talented staff are now off to the races and are booked well in advance.
“Chi Ishobak was there for me throughout this entire process and gave me the support I needed.” David Martin said, “I can’t wait to get to work.”
