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.
Ken has a passion for growth. Throughout his journey as an entrepreneur, he has had some pretty cool successes and fantastic failures. Learning a lot about the lean startup method and is passionate about helping other companies and startups through the lean startup methodology.
Brandon is the visionary founder of Lean Rocket Lab, driven by a passion for nurturing and empowering startup companies. With a relentless commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurial success, Brandon has created a thriving ecosystem within Lean Rocket Lab.
Retired-Associate Regional Director guiding entrepreneurs and small businesses to start and stay in business. Formerly, an entrepreneur with over 9 years experience in business management, event planning, marketing, communications, accounting, and kitchen management.
Leland is one of our EIR's at Lean Rocket Lab. Leland has a diverse skill set spanning business analytics, software development, manufacturing, and technology. With a wealth of knowledge and experience in these pivotal areas, Leland is a valuable asset to the Lean Rocket Lab community, providing invaluable insights and guidance to fellow members and entrepreneurs.
Devon is the owner of Epic Blue Marketing, a full-service creative agency serving clients across Mid-Michigan and the U.S. with branding, press and communication plans, social media management, web development, and video storytelling campaigns. Devon is also the owner of Belle Row Boutique, a women's online and traveling clothing boutique. Before launching Epic Blue, Devon held senior leadership roles as Director of Public Relations at Lansing Community College and Marketing Director at TiiCKER, building deep experience in media relations, event management, public affairs, and advertising. She's passionate about mentoring young professionals and giving back to her community, having volunteered with organizations including Junior Achievement USA, the MI-ACE Women's Network, the Children's Trust Fund, and Michigan Tribe.
Thomas Harris is a Small Business Financial Wellness Specialist at American 1 Credit Union, where he helps local business owners strengthen their financial footing and make smarter money decisions. A natural leader since his teens, he pairs hands-on experience with a genuine passion for helping people, bringing energy and approachability to the often-intimidating world of business finances. A Jackson College graduate and proud Jackson local, Thomas is deeply involved in the community — including the Drive Jackson committee — and has long been an advocate for causes like local hunger relief.
Upcoming LOCAL events
Workshops, bootcamps, and gatherings tied to LOCAL.
No LOCAL events scheduled
New events are added regularly. Check back soon.
LOCAL 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!