Southwest Michigan Childcare Business Owner Named 2026 Small Business Advocate of the Year  

LANSING, MI –  The Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) has recognized Battle Creek small business owner Lindsey Potter, of Bright Light Early Care & Education, as its 2026 Advocate of the Year. 

“Lindsey Potter has become a go-to advocate for small business owners in the childcare space, using her background and expertise to reduce the obstacles childcare providers must deal with to serve Michigan families,” said Brian Calley, President and CEO of SBAM. “Lindsey goes above and beyond on behalf of her fellow childcare providers, advocating to cut red tape on unnecessary regulations while providing the utmost safety standards. Her expert knowledge and commitment to improvement is a big reason childcare has become a policy priority in Lansing and we are proud to name her our SBAM Advocate of the Year.” 

Potter’s expertise and commitment to her field and to small businesses as a whole led to her appointment as the inaugural chair of SBAM’s Childcare Policy Council. In this role, she has led group discussion on policy priorities for providers.

“The recognition as SBAM’s Advocate of the Year is a great honor,” said Lindsey Potter, owner of Bright Light Early Care & Education. “I’m proud to represent childcare providers across Michigan and help bring attention to the challenges we face. By working together, we can find solutions that make it easier for providers to serve children, families and communities.”

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