Michigan woman combines bail bonds, small business support initiative

  Starting a business in Michigan takes a little something extra these days, and Niki Sherman has a lot of whatever that is.
  Her present reality as a bail bonds recovery agent and small business owner seems far removed from her start in life, armed with a degree in child psychology from Kalamazoo College. Sherman credits a year of study in France with inspiring a shift of interest, to the world of Islamic and Arabic cultures.
  "When I got back, I got involved in the foreign student mission," said Sherman, now a resident of Sturgis. "I decided to work in the international community."
  That led to a Master's degree in counseling foreign students from Western Michigan University. But half-way through her doctorate in Middle Eastern Affairs, the university dumped the program. What happened next started her on the entrepreneurial path.
  "I went to Washington D.C. to take classes and started a business doing administrative services to put myself through school," she said. "The business grew and grew and morphed into different things. I found myself being more of a coach. I was the 'go to' person for administrative stuff." Sherman also started one of the first networking groups in Arlington, West Virginia, and it's still in existence today.

A new life in Strugis   Sherman's parents needed help with the business they had started in her hometown, so she has returned to Sturgis. There is a wonderful new man in her life, who wanted to be a bail bonds recovery agent.
   Think Dog, the Bounty Hunter.
   Because they would be, in effect, insurance agents, the state required a strictly regulated licensing test, for which they studied and studied and studied some more. Both passed and are now licensed. Sherman said she really handles the administrative side of the business, moreso than the chasing after criminals who have skipped bail.
  "The economy has been real rough," she said. "We're looking forward to be able to work at something we're good at and will generate an income. It's sad to say, but more people are doing things they probably shouldn't be doing. A bail agent is probably one of the better businesses in this economy."

Passion for business   And while she loves being in business with the love of her life, Sherman's real passion lies in the Strategic Small Business Initiative (SSBI), a support network she has launched for business owners who have survived the "start up" phase and are ready to push themselves and their businesses to the next level.
  "I'm focusing on brand new businesses that need all the help they can get," Sherman said. "In a small town, there's no access to some of the larger help organizations. There's the Chamber, but small companies may not be able to afford the membership."
  SSBI membership is just $75 a year, and benefits include networking events, member-only events, access to industry white papers, discounts from SSBI partners, a mastermind group, a membership directory listing and much more. Sherman's goal is to get business people together to help one another. She'd like to see the organization grow not only in numbers, but in state-wide influence to help Michigan small businesses grow and prosper.  "I want to see the local economy grow, and we can do it, if we all work together," she said.
To learn more visit http://www.ssbinitiative.com or http://www.workplaceadmin.com

Niki's Best Advice
Don't give up. Go for your dreams, but do it in a smart way. There are so many "get rich quick" schemes out there. Know that you've got to put in a lot of effort.
Start out small. Partner with someone who may have the skills you lack. Keep your job. It'll happen.

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