Books Club, a 20Fathoms Breakfast Lab

Instead of a typical financial presentation, we’re shaking things up with Books Club led by Beth Melcher. This is a hands-on, working session where participants bring their real bookkeeping questions, challenges, and even their laptops or records.

Beth will help troubleshoot in real time, offer practical advice, and guide everyone through the next steps in getting their books in order.

We’ll focus on:

• Answering your specific bookkeeping and financial questions
• Helping you understand where your numbers stand and what they’re telling you
• Sharing best practices for simple, clean bookkeeping
• Identifying common pitfalls and how to avoid them
• Providing tips on how to prepare for taxes, funding, or growth conversations

About Breakfast Lab

Breakfast Lab is a weekly event at 20Fathoms where you’ll get expert guidance to help meet your most pressing startup needs, providing access to the right tools and the right people at the right time.

These events are held in person and there is no cost to attend. Coffee and a light breakfast are provided. Walk-ins are welcome.

There are two parts to each Breakfast Lab:

• Startup Workshop: 9 – 10:30 am

• Startup Coaching: 10:30 am – noon

Attend both parts, or just one.

Learn more about Breakfast Lab.

Who should attend:

Breakfast Lab was designed specifically to support:

• Idea and early-stage startup founders with scalable innovations and technologies

• Entrepreneurs navigating strategic growth or a pivot in their business model

Prerequisite:

You need to have your business model canvas outlined to benefit from the Breakfast Lab workshops.

Don’t have a canvas yet? No sweat – join a Business Model Kick-off or Startup Bootcamp to get started.

Meet this week’s facilitator:

Beth Melcher is the Founder of MoneyFit. Throughout her life, she has been fascinated by language; English and French in college and in business school, it was the language of finance. With 25 years of experience in commercial banking, product management and small business financial consulting, Beth has learned that companies have a unique language all of their own. Success happens when owners learn how to listen and respond to their companies—and Beth loves being the person to teach them how to do it. She has seen what success and failure look like. Most often, the difference between one and the other is vision, grit and a willingness to collaborate with trainers who can show you the way. Beth feels that the best part of her work is when she gets to be that trainer and see the spark between a company and its owner. When that partnership develops, it forges a path toward true achievement.

Breakfast Lab Advisors:

After Breakfast Lab, join us for open Q&A time with local advisors who can help you take the next step in your business. Bring your questions, roadblocks, or ideas — they’re here to help.

Advisors this session include:

• Beth Cavanaugh, Insight and Analysis, Research Strategies, Change Management, Marketing Communications, Branding, Process & System Implementation, Training, Business & Corporate Strategy and Execution

Presenting Partner:

Supporting Partner:

About 20Fathoms: 

20Fathoms is the home of entrepreneurship and innovation in Northwest Michigan. Based in Traverse City and serving all of Northwest Lower Michigan, 20Fathoms is a nonprofit startup incubator and resource center for entrepreneurs and growing businesses. The organization works with entrepreneurs of all stages and industries, and specializes in working with technology-focused companies. Programs include startup education, business coaching, connections, funding, and general support.