There’s an old saying, apparently dating back to a 1698 article titled Discourses Concerning Government, penned by Algernon Sydney that simply says, “help those who help themselves”. It could be argued that in this economy the rational interpretation of this statement centers on the ideal that helping yourself may best come in the form of finding help. Here in the U.P. this notion is alive and well and exemplified by a recent agreement reached between an up-and-coming internet retailer and an entrepreneurial support consultant. In local terms, we call it “Yoopers helping Yoopers”.
MIUpperHand (www.miupperhand.com), a web-based retailer of Upper Peninsula based products and services, has announced a strategic partnership with The e-Loft to serve as its General Manager. This concerted effort comes from the need to align a business idea with a tactical business plan. “MIUpperHand continues to take huge strides in solidifying its business model,” stated Stu Bradley, CEO of MIUpperHand. “We have greatly expanded the breadth of our market reach by adding unique U.P. based artwork, edibles, fashion, sports and recreation, and home and garden products and services. We have come to the conclusion that if we want to move our company to another level of market presence and operational success, it is in our best interests to align our company with the professionals at The e-Loft.”
The e-Loft, an entrepreneurial support company, will manage the daily operations of MIUpperHand. “We are excited to bring our business experience and expertise to the aid of another U.P. entrepreneur,” said David Saint-Onge, President of The e-Loft. “MIUpperHand has a great story and they have done a masterful job in creating an awareness of U.P. made goods. But taking the step from great story to great results is challenging and good entrepreneurs align themselves with advisors who have the talent and know-how to get things done; that’s where The e-Loft comes in.”
The business plan for MIUpperHand was originally crafted from the ideal that the creative class of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula could sell U.P. made goods to everyone around the world. “We boast an array of unique, practical, U.P. inspired products. Our goal is to expand our selection and reach, making owning a piece of the U.P. available to everyone everywhere,” Bradley went on to say. “We considered a number of options to help us achieve our goals and came to the conclusion that The e-Loft gives us the expertise, knowledge and business acumen needed in this economy.”
The e-Loft has responsibility for all daily aspects of MIUpperHand, from marketing and business development, to vendor selection and coordination, to web operations and order processing. In addition, The e-Loft will seek to expand the business growth options available to MIUpperHand through strategic partnerships, product selection and availability, and establishment of a more recognizable local presence to take advantage of tourism, business-to-business marketing, and the State of Michigan’s focus on entrepreneurial gardening and its Pure Michigan public relations campaign. “We intend to take all the good MIUpperHand has already achieved and mobilize creative business ideas to move this aspiring entrepreneurial company to another level of success,” stated Saint-Onge.
In a tight economy, it takes new thinking and new action to achieve new results. To marry the size, scope and growth potential of the internet to the culture, work ethic, creativity, and spirit of the Upper Peninsula is an ingenious idea; now made even better by a team that understands how to do it.
For more information about this strategic partnership, visit MIUpperHand online at www.miupperhand.com or The e-Loft at www.theeloft.com.
