The Michigan Celebrates Small Business Summit has always been about more than inspiration—it’s about equipping entrepreneurs with practical tools they can use immediately. In 2026, that mission is front and center in a breakout session lineup designed to help small business owners navigate complexity, scale with intention, and lead with confidence in a rapidly changing environment.
This year’s speakers bring deep, hands‑on experience across talent, leadership, technology, marketing, finance, cybersecurity, and owner transitions. From AI and systems building to culture, HR, and exit readiness, the sessions reflect the real decisions Michigan business owners are making every day.
Building Strong Teams and Cultures That Scale
Several breakout sessions focus on one of the most persistent challenges for growing businesses: people.
Talent strategist Sheri Welsh of Welsh & Associates tackles the hiring and retention crisis head‑on in “Finders, Keepers: An Insider’s Guide to Securing and Retaining Top Talent.” Her session provides practical approaches for building a talent strategy that fits a small business’s size, budget, and growth stage—without relying on one‑size‑fits‑all solutions.
Leadership and communication take center stage with Kim Bode, CEO of 8THIRTYFOUR, in “The Hard Costs of Soft Skills.” Bode reframes “soft skills” as essential business drivers, connecting communication breakdowns directly to operational delays, turnover, and lost performance—and showing leaders how to turn alignment into a competitive advantage.
Additional leadership and culture sessions explore how organizations can remain resilient amid constant change. Todd Gustafson of Kinexus Group presents a framework for leading through uncertainty, while Elena Stegemann of EMS Leadership Advisory shares lessons from award‑winning Michigan companies that have translated strong culture into scalable performance systems.
Practical HR Foundations for Growing Businesses
For many entrepreneurs, HR evolves reactively. Several speakers aim to change that.
Lisa Cooper, founder of Cooper People Group LLC, leads “Building Your First HR Function: What Every Small Business Needs,” offering a roadmap for implementing scalable people practices without enterprise‑level resources. Her session emphasizes how intentional HR systems directly impact profitability, retention, and operational efficiency.
Complementing that perspective, Matt Jemilo and Marcy McMahon of HR Collaborative present “Talent & Culture Transformation for Business Success,” focusing on leadership behaviors, psychological safety, and the measurable ROI of investing in retention and engagement.
Technology, AI, and Cybersecurity—Without the Hype
Technology sessions at the 2026 Summit are refreshingly grounded in reality.
Matthew Russell of Cynerge addresses a common pain point in “Digital Transformation or Digital Chaos?” His session helps business owners simplify bloated tech stacks, evaluate ROI, and make smarter decisions about tools—while also touching on accessibility and compliance as foundational elements of modern digital operations.
AI takes a practical turn with Justin Ayers of Grand Rapids Tech, who demystifies automation in “AI on a Budget.” Designed specifically for small and mid‑sized businesses, the session highlights affordable tools and frameworks that save time without requiring technical expertise.
Cybersecurity is tackled through a growth‑stage lens by Rich Miller of STACK Cybersecurity. His session introduces a scalable security maturity model, helping businesses make the right security investments at the right time—especially as compliance requirements continue to evolve.
Marketing, Visibility, and Brand Clarity in an AI‑First World
As search and discovery change, marketing sessions focus on visibility and clarity rather than vanity metrics.
Jason Dodge of BlackTruck Media + Marketing explores how businesses are being “discovered, not clicked” in the age of AI search. His session helps owners understand how platforms like AI overviews and assistants shape brand perception—often before a customer ever visits a website.
Brand strategist Camron Gnass of Traction Brands offers a hands‑on approach in “Brand Clarity Lab,” guiding participants through a framework that sharpens positioning, aligns teams, and reduces wasted marketing spend.
Financial Strength, Exit Readiness, and Owner Transitions
The Summit also addresses topics many owners postpone—until it’s too late.
Dr. Brenda Oldham of RAM Educational Business Solutions brings energy and clarity to business finances in “Profit Power Moves,” offering straightforward strategies to strengthen profitability and sustainability.
Exit readiness is covered from both strategic and emotional angles. Jessica Starks of Exit Factor of Grand Rapids & Lansing outlines how to build a sellable business long before an exit is imminent, while Cynthia Kay of Cynthia Kay Biz addresses the deeply personal question of whether to stay, go, or redefine one’s role as an owner.
Rounding out the systems conversation, Nikki Thompson Frazier of Sweet Encounter Bakery shares her journey scaling a national brand—and rebuilding after burnout—in “Systems: Your Roadmap to Sustainable Growth.”
A Lineup Designed for Real‑World Impact
What sets the 2026 breakout sessions apart is their focus on application. These are not theoretical conversations—they are playbooks built from lived experience, tailored to the realities of Michigan’s small business community.
Whether attendees are hiring their first employees, navigating AI adoption, strengthening leadership, or planning for the next chapter of ownership, the Summit’s breakout speakers offer tools designed to create momentum long after the event concludes.