Lean Rocket LOCAL
We help small businesses in our community grow and succeed by providing the necessary education, mentorship, resources, and milestone-based funding.
173
Companies Served
70+
Businesses Started
275
Jobs Created
$211K
Grants Awarded
Running a local small business shouldn't feel like a constant uphill battle
Operational Burnout
"I’m the only person who knows how to run this place, and I’m exhausted." We install systems to delegate and scale.
Financial Fog
"I have revenue, but I don’t have clear financial reporting or the capital I need to expand." We clarify your margins.
The Local Struggle
Small businesses are the backbone of Jackson, but are often the last to receive high-level consulting and grant support.
We live and work in Jackson
We know the unique challenges of our local economy. The LOCAL program was built specifically to bridge the gap between "surviving" and "thriving" for our neighborhood entrepreneurs across Jackson and Hillsdale counties.
How to engage through LOCAL
Who is LOCAL for?
We focus on helping retail, trade, and service based businesses in Jackson and Hillsdale counties. If that sounds like you and you are trying to grow, then the Lean Rocket LOCAL program is for you.
What do I get?
Through the Lean Rocket LOCAL program you get access to education, coaching, mentorship, community, events, exposure, resources, and funding opportunities. These are delivered in multiple ways including cohort based bootcamp programs, community groups called collectives, and 1-1 coaching with local business experts.
How do I apply?
Click the Apply button anywhere on this page. Our application for the cohort based bootcamp is currently closed but we would love to meet with you to understand how Lean Rocket Lab can support you via coaching, events, resources, and exposure. Fill out our intake form to get connected with a member of our team.
Fellows Bootcamp
12 small businesses are selected annually to participate in our Fellows program. This intensive business bootcamp provides milestone-based financial incentives, as well as access to coaches, mentors, and resources.
Bootcamp Education
Workshops on pricing, unit economics, cash flow, digital marketing, hiring, and retention.
Milestone Grants
Fellows access milestone grant funding used directly for marketing, legal, CPA, or technical assistance.
Coaching & Exposure
1-on-1 office hours with seasoned business owners, plus customer exposure through Lean Rocket Lab events.
Mainstreet Readiness (MSRL) & LOCAL scaling
For retail shops, service providers, and brick-and-mortar storefronts, we evaluate your progress using our Mainstreet Readiness Level framework. We define quarter-by-quarter milestones so your business can steadily expand without founder burnout.
Demand
Do enough of the right people want this, at this price, again?
Catches: The business nobody actually needs
Model
Does the money work per sale, per month, and across a full year?
Catches: The busy business that loses money on every job
Operations
Can it be delivered consistently without the owner doing everything?
Catches: The owner who bought themselves a job
The 4-step Milestone Acceleration Loop
Our continuous growth cadence — reviewed and rescored quarterly.
AI Intake & Scoring
Complete our intake form. Our AI-assisted intake engine scores your business against TRL, MRL, CRL, or MSRL scales.
Intake Meeting & Map
Meet one-on-one with our leadership. We deep-dive into your numbers and define 3–5 pivotal, achievable milestones.
Ecosystem Connection
Get plugged into the exact programs, EIR mentors, grants, and collectives tailored to hit your milestone goals.
Quarterly Rescoring
Accomplish your milestones, return each quarter to re-score your readiness levels, and unlock the next tier of growth capital.
LOCAL team & experts
The coaches, experts in residence, and team members guiding LOCAL.
Brandon Bartel is a sales and revenue-growth professional currently at SWYFT Solutions, where the focus is on guiding innovative startups and growing manufacturing teams. He specializes in sales coaching and strategy, a client testimonial credits him with helping develop a sales playbook that nearly doubled the business year-over-year. He's also active in the Jackson, Michigan community, having served on the Drive Jackson Key Leadership Committee, which fits with the local focus of your funders project.
Veronica is passionate about marketing, entrepreneurship, and building a life that blends family, faith, creativity, and self-sufficiency. She is the director of marketing at Creature Control, owns and co-owns businesses specializing in digital marketing and custom wood mantels, and bring years of experience growing brands through digital strategy and design.
Sally Clark is the Director of the Economic Development Partnership of Hillsdale County, leading the organization's efforts to attract, retain, and grow business across the region. She works directly with companies — whether they're relocating to the area or already established — to identify resources, incentives, and programs that support their success.
Jake is a creative storyteller and video production specialist who helps businesses and organizations bring their brand to life on screen. Through his company, Uncharted Film Co., based in Jackson, MI, Jake partners with clients to produce compelling brand films, promotional videos, and visual content that connect with audiences and drive results. As a local entrepreneur, he understands what it takes to grow a business and brings that same passion and hustle to every project he takes on. Jake holds a degree from Huntington University and combines technical skill behind the camera with a genuine eye for the stories that make a company stand out. He's driven by helping clients turn their vision into visuals that leave a lasting impression.
Margaux is an Expert in Residence at Lean Rocket Lab, providing grant matching, grant writing, and fundraising strategy to organizations across conservation, preservation, education, museums, community development, and housing. She has managed over $10 million in grant funding over the past seven years and brings more than a decade of experience working with nonprofits and government entities. Her mission is to connect people to the resources they need to make the world a better place.
Lauren is the founder of Taurusroad Creative, a creative and strategic marketing agency. She helps businesses and nonprofits clarify their brand, simplify their marketing, and build strategy that actually works -- bringing clarity to the chaos of branding, marketing, and content. Lauren believes every organization deserves high-quality design and marketing regardless of size or location. She works with organizations at every stage, from first-time founders to established companies and community-rooted nonprofits, acting as a strategic partner who helps leaders step back, see the bigger picture, and build marketing systems that support growth instead of creating stress.
Upcoming LOCAL events
Workshops, bootcamps, and gatherings tied to LOCAL.
You Can’t Do It All (And You Shouldn’t)
Practical Strategies for Delegation, Accountability, and Protecting Your Well-Being | Bring a friend and you’re entered to win in some great prizes!
133 W Michigan Ave, Jackson, MI 49201
RegisterLOCAL resources
Curated software, services, and support available to LOCAL participants.
Hillsdale county business support
Free business consulting/workshops
Meet our graduates
See and hear from past Fellows Bootcamp participants!