Muskegon Women in Business Share Their Successful Journeys
The Muskegon Lakeshore is a hub for thriving businesses, and at the heart of much of that success are women business owners. These leaders bring a powerful combination of expertise, resilience and vision to every endeavor. Read ahead to learn about their significant contributions, paths to entrepreneurship, influence within their respective fields and the pivotal role Muskegon has played in their achievements.
Striking Out on Their Own
Karmen Gearhart, owner of Kar-Mel Financial Planners, co-founded her business in 2012, along with Melissa Myers. Upon receiving their certified financial planner designations, both Gearhart and Myers realized there was some conflict between being a fiduciary and meeting the monthly goals at the bank they worked at. They were spending many hours a day on the bank agenda in retail hours, and they felt they could work smarter and more efficiently independently.
“We felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of clients and really wanted to do more planning, not product sales,” Gearhart explains.
With backgrounds in corporate investments, both women envisioned a highly personalized approach for clients, free from corporate constraints and distractions.
“We wanted fewer clients with deeper, ongoing relationships,” Gearhart says.
So, Kar-Mel Financial Planners was born as a small women-owned business that provides customized and personalized plans and service with support from a large independent national broker dealer.
“Since our first little leased house, we now have two locations on the lakeshore,” Gearhart says. “We are both bestselling authors, and we love educating and empowering others to dream big and live their best lives.”
Gearhart is now the primary associate at Kar-Mel Financial Planners. As a native of Muskegon, she has great pride in the community.
“We are the perfect mix of nature and commerce with the most beautiful view of the lakes and sunsets mixed with great food, fun and four seasons,” Gearhart says. “You’ll find Midwestern values with a focus on family from loyal, hardworking and trustworthy people. It’s the perfect place to raise a family.”
Fulfilling a Purpose
RandiLynn and Jason Talsma transformed a personal tragedy into a source of inspiration, opening Blended Furniture Market in 2016 after their son was killed in a distracted driving accident.
“This difficult time in our lives helped us solidify our purpose: We desired to encourage each other and the people around us – and we opened Blended Furniture Market in order to live out this purpose,” RandiLynn says.
Blended Furniture Market carries approximately 35 product lines for the home, including accessories and artwork. “I love the opportunity to build something based on my priorities and the things that make me happy,” RandiLynn says. “It’s a really great feeling to have my opinions matter so much in a business. Creating a uniquely magical atmosphere for our team and our customers brings me so much joy.”
The atmosphere at Blended Furniture Market is unlike a typical furniture store. With a team-based sales crew, customers (not commissions) are in charge of the fun shopping experience.
“Our goal is that clients feel cared for, heard and eager to return. We want to be team players who respect each other and understand that there is more to life than sales goals,” she says.
Ultimately, RandiLynn aims to offer guests a shopping experience that’s unique, comfortable and exciting.
“The store focuses on quality and good design that’s accessible to everyone within a budget they feel comfortable with. Because of our varied price points in the store, we deliver to homes on the spectrum from limited income to multi-million-dollar second homes,” RandiLynn says.
She also prioritizes supporting other small businesses and artists in the neighborhood. Since opening their doors, they’ve participated in multiple nonprofit fundraisers each year and hosted community events like a floral arrangement class, a painting night, and a fashion and Enneagram workshop.
RandiLynn credits the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce for its role in making the region stand out.
“The Chamber has done an amazing job in highlighting Muskegon to the rest of the state, and it has helped our business grow,” she says. “We’re so pleased with the direction of Muskegon’s growth and evolution.”
The Impact of the Business Equity Initiative Fund
The Business Equity Initiative Fund was started in late 2021 by Mary Anne Gorman, Nancy McCarthy and Kim Suarez. They understand that disparities and inequities exist in business, and their goal is to help break down barriers and offer support to entrepreneurs. Since 2021, they have raised over $225,000 and awarded grants totaling $149,000 to 35 women.
“Nationally, 21% of businesses are female owned,” Suarez says. “In Kent County, that number is 14.6% and Muskegon is at 13.9%. We are committed to changing that statistic. We hope to inspire more women to start their own business.”
Specifically, the fund provides grants between $1,000 and $5,000. It is focused on businesses that have been operational for at least a year, but not more than five years. The business and the owner must be in Muskegon County.
Through special grant funding, Route 31 Credit Union offers low interest loans to grantees who engage in the mentoring services. In addition, Rotary Club of Muskegon provided a grant to enhance coaching and mentoring.
“The fund is essential for helping women-owned businesses, especially those led by women of color,” says Jocelyn Hines, development analyst for the City of Muskegon. “It’s not just supporting entrepreneurs; it’s helping build capacity where it is needed the most.”