Maya Denslow’s love of travel and new experiences carried her around the world – all the way to her husband’s small hometown outside of Mt. Pleasant. The South Korean native had never lived in a rural area before, but agreed that it would be a good place to raise their children.

The trained artist was already a part-time stay-at-home mom and part-time substitute teacher, but longed for an additional creative outlet. “I had never thought about opening a restaurant, but needed my own food,” said Denslow. “Opening Jib-Bob would allow me to bring my tastes, my culture to this area.”

Once Denslow decided to go all in, she sought counsel from the Michigan SBDC. Her trust in the organization grew as she worked with several consultants, most recently Jeff Punches. Punches helped her set up a POS system, as well as get funding assistance. “For people like me, the MI-SBDC is a great resource. I would definitely recommend them,” added Denslow.

Jib-Bob opened in 2019, and then COVID hit. Denslow attributes hard work and persistence for the restaurant’s survival and success – to the point that she recently purchased a new building, which she is now decorating with her art.

“For me, Jib-Bob is not just about the money. It’s about providing a unique experience for our customers to enjoy,” concluded Denslow.