Big Business Starts Small

“A big business starts small.” - Richard Branson Tune in for Food First Michigan with Dr. Phil Knight, Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, and Rob Fowler, CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM), tonight at 11 PM or tomorrow at 9 PM on WJR Radio. Rob is no stranger to excellence and growth as he has led SBAM to major growth over the past 21 years. SBAM started with approximately 5,000 members and has since grown to 30,000 members! Rob recently announced his retirement and shared his excitement for Brian Calley, president of SBAM, to become the new CEO as well. Rob has dedicated a large portion of his life to standing in the gap for the families who own small businesses, specifically aiming to be the voice of small businesses amid the pandemic. With Michigan being the 5th most expensive state for childcare, parents were put in an even harder place than they already were to begin with. Phil, Gerry, and Rob delve into the benefits cliff, the Self-Sufficiency Standard for Michigan [https://bit.ly/3hYyt1K], and policy changes. The benefits cliff has been around for far too long. It did not arise due to the pandemic and the pandemic has heightened its impact on Michiganders. Wouldn’t it be tremendous if work supports, food, childcare, and housing actually supported work? Instead, we de-incentivize work with policies currently in place. When people are finally able to earn $13 / hour, they become ineligible for work supports, but are still $6 - $8 away from being self-sufficient. SBAM has stood strong and firmly on work supports and helping the families that are impacted. The first step out of poverty is food security; you cannot focus on solving any other toxic stressors if you are not well fed. George Washington Carver’s quote, “No one has the right to come into this world and go out of it without leaving behind him or her a distinct and legitimate reason for having passed through it,” embodies Rob. Although Rob is retiring, we have no doubt that he will continue to go into the world and do good! Find this episode and all past Food First Michigan episodes at foodfirstmi.org, on Apple Podcasts, or iHeartRadio. Apple Podcasts --> https://apple.co/38UUpFk iHeartRadio --> https://ihr.fm/38WJ2wN #FoodFirstMI #FoodSecurity #MoreFoodMoreOften2MorePeople