Skip to main content
Join Now

SBAM Leadership Council

What is the Leadership Council?

The SBAM Leadership Council is a special, secret group formed over 10 years ago by your very own peers. This is a statewide network of over 200 second-stage small business owners from all across the state, and they are in the prime of their careers. This group of owners are genuinely interested in connecting with peers and growing their network, not so much selling their products and services. But, the selling does happen once relationships are formed, which makes this group that much more powerful!

SBAM brings the Leadership Council together three times a year for in-person events that include education and peer-to-peer connection in a safe space.

The events are:

  • February (Winter Advocacy Day in Lansing)
  • June (Evening Reception the night before the SBAM Small Business Summit & Annual Meeting)
  • October (Fall Summit, usually 2 nights away)

Evening Reception

June 12, 2024

Our next Leadership Council event will be the Evening Reception on June 12, 2024 in Lansing! 

Details

  • June 12, 2024
  • 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
  • Lansing Shuffle (325 Riverfront Dr., Lansing MI 48912

**The SBAM Small Business Summit & Annual Meeting will take place the following day, June 13, at the Lansing Center!

Register Here

Small Biz PAC Fundraiser

May 9, 2024

Where: Lansing Brewing Company from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. (518 E Shiawassee St, Lansing, MI 48912)

Join SBAM at our Small Biz PAC Fundraiser and enjoy food, beverages, networking and live music by ‘The Persuaders’ featuring Brian Calley!

  • Private Sponsor Reception 4:30 pm – 5:15 pm
  • General Reception 5:15 pm – 6:30 pm

**Donations & Registration required to attend!

Register Here
AI graphic overlaying a person in a suit

Resources to Leadership Council Members

During the LC Fall Summit, there was a session AI Guard Rails & Best Practices presented by Heather Isch, LKF Marketing, and Brian Wassom, Warner, Norcross + Judd. They referenced a Policy Template and would like to offer a $500 discount to LC Members. Please click the button below for further details from Warner, Norcross + Judd.

WNJ Offer to Leadership Council

Upcoming 2024 LC Events

LC Summer Reception

  • June 12, 2024 at the Lansing Shuffle
  • This reception takes place the night before the SBAM Annual Meeting on June 13, 2024

LC Fall Summit 

  • October 23-25, 2024 at Crystal Mountain

Leadership Council Winter Event Resources

February 26, 2024

ICYMI or are interested in reviewing the presentations from our speakers at the event, please check out the below information:

Leadership Council Challenges

Contribute to the SBAM Political Action Committee (PAC)

Interested in learning more about contributing to the PAC or become a reoccuring donor? Contact SBAM’s Kelli Saunders at kelli.saunders@sbam.org for all the details.
Learn more
Image of a hand placing the last piece of a puzzle

Recruit a New Member using the NEW Referral Link

The Referral Link can be found on our webpage: sbam.org/member-referrals/

Recruit a member!

Schedule a FREE Energy Assessment!

Interested in learning more about energy solutions for your business? Contact SBAM’s Chad Huson at chad.huson@sbam.org for all the details.

Learn more

Employee Retention Recommendations

  • Retirement Plan
  • Raises
  • $1 per hour raise if you work the full week (no calling off sick)
  • “Appreciate Pay” vs Bonus Pay
  • Close Fridays at 4 instead of 5
  • Birth/Miscarriage Leave
  • Bring your dog to work
  • Be kind
  • Flexible work schedule
  • Set goals/expectations and standards to adhere to; then adhere to them!

  • Teach Leaders Interpersonal Skills
  • Buy everyone nerf guns and use them!
  • Write a personal annual note of thanks to each staff person
  • Have annual “stay” interviews with current staff
  • Quarterly or Bi-annual All Employee Open Mic Sessions
  • Formal wellness program
  • Establish personal & professional development plans with staff

  • Invest in employee development
  • Re-onboarding your team
  • Team Outing with cocktails
  • Unlimited Vacation
  • Creative Benefits
  • Sign on bonus after 90 days of hire
  • Equity in the business
  • Talk about their future goals/dreams
  • Give them love!
  • All employee involvement in charity giving

  • Mental Health Days
  • Coffee Date with all employees one on one with President if possible
  • Employer Paid Wills
  • Wine Tasting
  • Build Culture:  Day of Service together in community
  • Thank them!
  • Empowerment
  • In person virtual flexibility
  • EAP