Lake Trust Credit Union Launches ‘Lake Trust Entrepreneurship Institute' at Clearly University, Supports Local Business Owners
The free, online program offers six self-paced, entrepreneurship-focused courses plus the opportunity to win a business grant through a pitch competition
BRIGHTON, Mich., March 26, 2025 — Lake Trust Credit Union (Lake Trust), a community-based credit union serving nearly 200,000 members and businesses throughout Michigan, has announced it is launching the Lake Trust Entrepreneurship Institute, a free entrepreneurship program for local business owners, at Cleary University. Registration for the program will open on March 26 and close on April 30.
“At Lake Trust, we believe in the power of small businesses and their ability to create vibrant neighborhoods. Locally owned and operated businesses are at the heart of every community and the foundation of our economy. When they thrive, we all thrive,” said David Snodgrass, president and CEO at Lake Trust Credit Union. “The Lake Trust Entrepreneurship Institute is reflective of our commitment to uplift small business owners in their journey to success. This one-of-a-kind program will help local entrepreneurs set the stage for continued growth as they take their business to the next level.”
The Lake Trust Entrepreneurship Institute is a free online program developed in partnership with Cleary University. Designed to support new and existing small business owners across the state, the 10-week program includes six self-paced courses covering the following topics:
- Introduction to entrepreneurship
- Recognizing and assessing opportunities
- Strategic planning and management
- Marketing
- Financial metrics
- Scaling your business and growth
“Cleary University is proud to expand on our partnership with Lake Trust to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs through practical, real-world education,” said Dr. Alan Drimmer, President & CEO of Cleary University. “With a long-standing commitment to workforce development and business innovation, Cleary brings deep expertise in preparing students and professionals to navigate today’s complex business landscape. The Lake Trust Entrepreneurship Institute reflects our shared mission to foster economic growth by equipping small business owners with the tools, strategies, and confidence needed to succeed.”
The program’s initial cohort will begin coursework on May 8. A certificate of completion will be awarded to all participants at the end of the program. After completing the program, participants will also have an opportunity to participate in a pitch competition to showcase their new skills and potentially win a grant for their business.
For more information or to register for the Lake Trust Entrepreneurship Institute, visit laketrust.org/ClearyLTEI.
Cleary University has been recognized for its exceptional return on investment, ranking #1 in Michigan among private, nonprofit business schools for ROI and earnings post-graduation (FREOPP). It is also ranked #5 nationally for student debt-to-salary ratio (Wall Street Journal) and has been named a top institution for its MBA and online programs. A military-friendly university, Cleary has earned Gold Level Veteran-Friendly status from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency for its dedication to serving military-connected students. To learn more, visit www.cleary.edu.