In the heart of Dowagiac, a mother-daughter duo is turning a long-held dream into a vibrant reality. Debby and Teather Uhrik are the creative forces behind Isabella Grace LLC, a unique retreat center and retail shop designed for the crafting community. Their vision to transform a historic downtown building into a haven for knitters, quilters and other artists had its challenges, but with commitment–and a little help from the Michigan SBDC–they’ve created a space that fosters creativity and connection.

Isabella Grace was chartered as a destination for creatives to gather, relax and work on projects. Debby and Teather envisioned a space with high-end accommodations for overnight stays, dedicated craft workspaces and a retail store stocked with high quality supplies. They found what they thought was the perfect commercial building downtown, and that’s when Debby and Teather reached out to the Michigan SBDC for help in navigating the challenges of purchasing a commercial building and securing the necessary capital to acquire it.

They were connected with Business Growth Consultant Bernard Drew, who worked with them on strategy plus a detailed business plan with financial projections. Bernard also referred them to Michigan First Credit Union, who provided additional operational capital. This funding, combined with the business plans they developed, allowed them to purchase the building in late 2024.

With the building secured, the real work began. The duo faced unexpected setbacks, including two HVAC units that failed within the first eight months. But the challenges didn’t stop them: with their tremendous work ethic, they were able to complete renovations and open their doors to the public in early 2025. The first phase included the retail fabric shop, which houses an impressive inventory of over 5,000 bolts of fabric, and the retreat spaces, which officially opened in February.

The retreat center is already gaining traction, with eight retreats booked for the upcoming year. Debby and Teather plan to expand their offerings to include classes for kids to encourage them to explore the arts, and to collaborate with travel agencies and other local businesses to create a referral network. It is noteworthy that the retreat center’s impeccably quaint, yet readily accessible location — positioned with close proximity to both Lake Michigan and Notre Dame, with an Amtrak station nearby — offers a highly beneficial and unique value proposition.

“I think Isabella Grace is a beautiful, creative space to get people, like-minded people, together and reconnect,” says Teather. “I think one of the things that we’re missing in our lives right now is that human factor. It’s been a crazy journey! And when it’s crazy, our first call is to Bernard. Whenever we get new news, a challenge arises, or we simply need to vent, he helps us steady the chaos and bring clarity to what’s going on.” Debby and Teather’s journey shows that with the right guidance and a lot of heart, you can not only achieve your dreams but also create a space that inspires others.