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Safie Specialty Foods: How Michigan SBDC Helped a Family Business Expand Operations & Exports

July 8, 2026

Meet Mary Safie, president and owner of Safie Specialty Foods Company, Inc., a true go-getter and excellent entrepreneur who’s turning a family legacy into a modern manufacturing powerhouse.

More than just a job, this business is a century-long tradition of Michigan agriculture and pickled perfection. Located in Chesterfield Township, Macomb County, Safie Specialty Foods has expanded from a home-based startup—in the very house Mary’s grandfather began his business during the Great Depression—to a thriving enterprise, focusing on clean, natural, hand-packed specialty pickled vegetables while working with and giving back to the community. Her tenacious spirit and visionary leadership have been the driving forces behind the company’s incredible growth.

As the business grew, Mary and her dedicated team knew they needed strategic support. She relies on the exceptional talents of Chuck Drogosch, who runs Operations, and the incredible efforts of the Human Resources team, including Theresa M. Pavone and Sandra Collias. Their collective expertise and commitment are vital to the company’s success and expansion.

Seeking direction, Mary and her team turned to the Macomb County Planning and Economic Development team, who connected them with the Michigan SBDC and Business Growth Consultant Julie Oldham.

Julie began with a comprehensive assessment, helping Safie’s establish a stronger foundation and answer critical questions about growth, mission, and how the SBDC could help them achieve their goals. Julie’s extensive background in food & beverage, export and strategic analysis was instrumental in several key areas:

  • Financial Analysis: Securing crucial information to conduct a financial analysis to obtain a loan.
  • Export & International Growth: Assisting with export knowledge, connecting the company with the export community, and helping with foreign labeling compliance and landed costs analysis.
  • Market Expansion: Strategizing on gaining new accounts both domestically and internationally.
  • Digital Presence: Enhancing the company’s online visibility with domestic and international Search Engine Optimization (SEO) reporting.

The Safie’s partnership with Julie and the Michigan SBDC has been a game-changer. The result? A significant increase in revenue and staff expansion. Mary purchased necessary equipment, added an entire shift, and successfully branched into a new territory: food service (institutional sales). This division, primarily focused on peppers—an item Mary’s family was the largest U.S. producer of decades ago—is now a major area of growth, with a new dedicated production line being installed.

Julie shared that she has had the wonderful pleasure of being able to work with such a dedicated and talented group of people, including Mary, Chuck, Theresa and Sandra.

Mary extended her deepest gratitude to the Michigan SBDC, stating they were “instrumental in our foundation” and helped Safie’s “to grow and to achieve the success we have had.”

How Wyoming SBDC Helped a Combat Veteran Turn Animal Rescue Into a Statewide Wellness Business

June 24, 2026

For Jennifer Clark, entrepreneurship grew from a deeply personal mission. As a combat veteran and mother to an autistic daughter, Clark experienced firsthand the transformative power of animal-assisted eco-therapy. This profound personal healing inspired her to found J&J Second Chance Smallholdings, an animal rescue and sanctuary in Laramie. Two years later, to expand her community impact and help sustain her mission, she launched the for-profit side of her venture: The Goat Ladies.

While many mistake the business for a standard petting zoo, Clark’s operations are focused entirely on community wellness and mental health support. The Goat Ladies offer unique services ranging from birthday parties, weddings, and gender reveals to indoor therapeutic gatherings. Beyond these events, the versatile animal crew also assists the community through local mowing and fire mitigation services.

By using animals for therapy, we (help) people by using one fluffy at a time. It is really hard to do something permanent when an animal comes up to you and feels comfortable and loves you.

Jennifer Clark, Owner of The Goat Ladies Tweet

Navigating the Business Landscape with the Wyoming SBDC

Transitioning from a passionate caretaker to a business owner presented a steep learning curve. To bridge the gap, Clark turned to the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network. Her SBDC advisor, Jeff Engell, provided mentorship and suggestions, including an intensive eight-week business planning workshop where Jennifer mapped out her strategic goals.

The Wyoming SBDC Network also played a role in helping Clark structure her for-profit expansion, connecting her with grant opportunities, and resources to navigate regulations. The SBDC introduced Jennifer to Cyber Wyoming, enabling her to implement critical cybersecurity policies and procedures.

The SBDC has been my favorite. They’ve helped me the most with connecting with new people.

Jennifer Clark, Owner of The Goat Ladies Tweet

A Bright and Self-Sufficient Future

Today, The Goat Ladies are a popular attraction across Wyoming. This summer alone, Clark and her animal ambassadors are scheduled for 100 events across 150 days. The business has also successfully expanded into custom merchandise and children’s books authored by Clark, featuring real rescue animals like Magic Panda and Isabella.

Looking ahead, Clark aims to achieve complete self-sufficiency within the next five years. Backed by a recent Department of Workforce Services grant to hire new staff, she plans to secure government contracts for national forest fire mitigation, ensuring her life-saving mission continues to grow.

Nevada SBDC Helps The Wine Down’s Joelle Bolton Turn a Dream Into a Destination Bar

June 10, 2026

The concept for The Wine Down was developed around a kitchen table by owner Joelle Bolton, her best friend, and her husband. Having spent years working in nightlife and hospitality, they set out to create a bar aligned with their own preferences—one that was approachable, distinctive, and designed with intention rather than trend.

Bolton’s husband played a leading role in shaping the bar’s design. He proposed several unconventional ideas that challenged more traditional approaches. While some of these concepts initially raised questions, they were ultimately incorporated into the final build. Over time, those design choices became defining characteristics of the space and contributed to its differentiation within the local market.

The process of opening the business proved more complex than expected. Bolton underestimated the scope of the licensing and regulatory requirements involved, later noting that navigating the process was more difficult than purchasing a home. During this period, the business was also managing multiple loans tied to both the bar and her husband’s vineyard management company. In December, her husband passed away, adding further complexity to an already demanding operational and financial situation.

To address these challenges, Bolton worked with the Nevada Small Business Development Center, where advisor Donna Corey provided ongoing guidance. The SBDC assisted with reviewing financial options, placing loans on hold, and later consolidating them into more manageable payments. In addition to technical support, Corey served as a consistent point of contact as Bolton evaluated next steps and navigated operational hurdles.

My SBDC advisor was full of good advice, full of positivity. So my relationship with SBDC is not strictly financial – sometimes you just need a sounding board…‘What do I do next?’ or ‘I’ve run into this hurdle, have you seen this before?’ SBDC had great advice for those questions. It’s okay to dream, do it.

Joelle Bolton, Owner of The Wine Down Tweet

Today, The Wine Down is an established business that continues to attract new and returning customers. Bolton frequently encourages others considering entrepreneurship to pursue their ideas and often refers them to the SBDC as a practical resource. The business reflects both careful planning and the support systems that helped bring it to completion.