Main Street
Founders
PaPa’s Brittle
Doreen Gardner
Sweet-making is a science, but for Ms. Doreen Gardner, it’s also a legacy. Rooted in her mother’s recipe and powered by generations of love, PaPa’s Brittle has become a regional favorite—growing from a home kitchen to shelves in 42 locations across Michigan. Doreen’s grit, vision, and unapologetic excellence embody what it means to scale with purpose. Now armed with a new commercial kitchen and a deep belief in generational wealth, she’s proving that Kalamazoo-made really can mean Midwest-wide.
Website: papasbrittle.com
RJ’s Printing
Sean Hollins
At RJ’s Printing, quality isn’t just a standard—it’s a philosophy. Owned and operated by Sean Hollins, this Kalamazoo-based print shop has become a local institution known for its union-certified work, quick turnaround, and creative edge. But it’s Sean’s unwavering commitment to integrity, community, and legacy that sets RJ’s apart. Whether it’s printing flyers for grassroots campaigns or designing materials for local leaders, this is a business that doesn’t just deliver—it uplifts.
Website: rjsprinting.com
Meknology
Daniel Hodges
Meknology, born out of a desire to address issues like the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, creates sustainable technology to turn wastewater into salable products. Currently focused on the beverage and agricultural industries, their wastewater management systems turn grains and other organic wastes into potable water, distillers’ dried grains, and phosphorus enhanced biochar soil enhancement. They then resell the products and offer profit sharing to their customers. This creates new revenue from waste, avoids fines, and protects local aquaculture from toxic bacteria and algae blooms. Protecting people, the environment, and the bottom line… that’s not technology, it’s Meknology!
Website: meknology.com
At Kalamazoo Forward Ventures, we believe in the transformative power of investing in underrepresented founders, unique entrepreneurs and driven innovators. Here’s why:
1. Driving Economic Growth in the Kalamazoo Area:
Minority-owned businesses play a crucial role in our economy. A report by McKinsey estimates that closing the racial wealth gap could add $1.5 trillion to U.S. GDP by 2028.
These businesses have the potential to generate significant revenue and create jobs, particularly in underserved neighborhoods.
2. Closing the Wealth Gap:
The racial wealth gap is a critical issue in the Kalamazoo area, as it is across the nation. Minority communities in our area, especially Black and Latinx populations, face substantial economic disparities.
The median net worth of white households is about 8 times higher than that of Black households, making it harder for minority entrepreneurs to access personal or family capital to start or grow businesses.
3. Fostering Innovation and Diversity:
Minority entrepreneurs bring unique perspectives and innovative ideas to the table, enriching the entire business landscape. Diverse teams are 70% more likely to capture new markets compared to non-diverse teams. This is due to the variety of perspectives that minority entrepreneurs bring.
Also, Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S., accounting for 42% of new women-owned businesses in 2019, illustrating a key source of innovation.
By investing in underrepresented founders, unique entrepreneurs and driven innovators, our Mainstreet Fund is not only supporting diversity in the marketplace but also encouraging the development of products and services that better meet the needs of our diverse population.
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