In the heart of Detroit, Peter Wojcik and Anne Hiddema are making waves with Shining Sea Fish Co., their company dedicated to smoking and curing fish primarily from the Great Lakes Region. Shining Sea Fish Co. offers a delicious array of products, including cold smoked salmon, hot smoked salmon, whitefish and lake trout. Peter honed his skills with the best mentors on the East Coast, in Los Angeles, and in Seattle, and has developed innovative processes to produce a quality of fish that is arguably unmatched in the country. 

Like many entrepreneurs, they faced challenges in honing their mission, financials, and business plan. As a veteran, Peter discovered the Michigan SBDC through the VA and veteran services, which recommended the organization to help him start his business from the ground up.

Peter describes himself as an expert on smoked fish, but admits he lacked experience in starting a business or navigating the financial complexities involved. “I’m mostly a production guy,” Peter explained. “I understand smoked fish, but I didn’t really have much experience in starting a business or the financials.” 

Peter and Anne’s Michigan SBDC Consultant Meri Dembrow recognized their great business idea, noting that they had investors interested, but needed help structuring their business appropriately. Peter noted, “We were super lucky to come across Meri when we were putting together our business plan. Meri assisted with spreadsheets and the financials, guiding us in determining what to offer investors and how to establish a solid foundation for the business’s growth.”

“I think the best thing about working for the Michigan SBDC is the vast variety of clients and being able to give them the confidence, the knowledge and the skill set to build a plan and then to help them see it through to fruition,” Meri shared. 

Now, with Shining Sea Fish Co. open and operating, Peter and Anne are excited about the future, planning to expand existing brands and launch new products into the marketplace. As Meri says, “It’s really about the clients and watching them be proud of launching and starting and growing their businesses.”