My Master’s degree studies in Social Innovation at Grand Valley State University is underway, and this business idea is my final project. About 10 years ago, I discovered that although I was raised as a white upper-Middle Class woman, my grandfather’s grandfather is actually of Native descent. He fled to Grand Rapids (presumably from boarding school) and stated that he was a French-Canadian Fur Trader. Being invited into Indigenous Knowledge Systems and traditions through my involvement in the Mno’Chegewin Native American Student Association at GVSU has increasingly opened my eyes to the disparity between existing economic systems for small business start-ups in middle to upper class versus the lower class in America. My husband and I were able to overcome poor credit history (residual from medical challenges) and lack of start up capital because we were approached by a micro-investor who provided the seed money to launch us.
We have also benefitted from an impromptu collective of other small business owners who have exchanged the use of their equipment for jobs done, discounted services, and collaboration for internet service. We have a small community of entrepreneurs surrounding us, and we wish to eventually provide the same for other entrepreneurs. We additionally want to offer internships and apprenticeships specifically to indigenous and minority youth so that the art of upholstery and craftsmanship in the old world traditions doesn’t stop with our generation. In the next few months, I am eager to begin a sustained dialogue initiative among Native American Entrepreneurs and other Minority Entrepreneurs so that we can share our knowledge and begin investing into those around us.