After seeing the challenges faced by small business owners, such as his grandparents, Sen. Kevin Hertel reflects on the vital role small businesses play in Michigan communities and how we all can do our part to support them
Michigan’s economy is fueled by our vibrant array of small businesses. From local retailers and restaurants to health care providers and innovative startups — each of these enterprises help create jobs and promote economic prosperity. For every dollar spent at a local business, more than two-thirds stay in our community to support local families, causes, and other businesses.
It’s no small feat to run a small business, though. It involves long hours, juggling multiple responsibilities, and working hard to keep everything on track with no certainty of success. Yet, despite all the challenges small business owners face, they continue working day in and day out, striving to achieve their own American Dream while supporting others who are looking to make it here in Michigan.
My family knows this well. After returning home from serving in World War II, my grandfather Jack Hertel and his wife Marie took ownership of Kaufmann’s Café, a small bar on the east side of Detroit. They were no strangers to 60-hour work weeks, yet my grandparents managed it all while raising a family and being active members in their community.
Their hard work and service-oriented mindset has inspired my family for generations and continues to motivate me every day in the Senate. As I travel across District 12 to connect with constituents from Grosse Pointe to Harsens Island, it’s clear that small businesses are crucial to our community’s success. That’s why I introduced legislation to provide expanded tax relief to small businesses and supported budget investments that help small businesses get off the ground, grow their operations, support their hardworking employees, and more.
While crafting legislation to protect servers’ tips, I spent time with local workers and small business owners to learn more about the importance of the tipped wage and discuss potential policy solutions to preserve it. Photo Credit: Megan Dombrowski, Michigan Senate Democrats
This year, I also championed legislation to protect servers’ tips and guarantee all Michigan workers can take time off to care for themselves or their loved ones, while also ensuring small businesses can continue to keep their doors open and serving our community. This legislation passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both the Senate and House and were the first bills the governor signed into law this year.
Since taking office, I’ve also had the pleasure of traveling across our lakeshore district to welcome countless small businesses to the area, tour local establishments, and connect budding entrepreneurs with the many resources available to them. These interactions have highlighted the unique challenges our local business owners continue to face, the incredible successes they have been able to achieve, and the work that still lies ahead in building a state where these businesses can thrive.
This National Small Business Week, and all year round, I encourage you to recognize the dedication and grit of small business owners by shopping local. Whether it’s your favorite neighborhood café, a local clothing shop, or a family-owned hardware store, every dollar spent at a small business makes a big impact. And together, we can ensure they remain a vital part of our communities for generations to come.
Read more from Senator Kevin Hertel at SenatorKevinHertel.com/press.