After years of living in Denver, Tyler Groth and Bailey Truesdale — originally from Michigan and Massachusetts — wanted to cultivate a new way of life in the heart of Leelanau County. “My parents started Lavender Bliss Flower Farm in Bridgman about five years ago, and we got to watch their business grow,” said Tyler. “We saw the potential in their business model and realized this was a lifestyle change we wanted to pursue sooner rather than later.”

Tyler and Bailey envisioned developing Manitou Acres, a small business that not only offered the beauty and tranquility of a lavender farm but also provided a unique experience for visitors. However, they faced the challenge of identifying the right property and seamlessly integrating into a new community.  “I had been vacationing in Northern Michigan my whole life, but I knew I needed to back up our ideas with data,” Tyler explained. “A friend at Huntington Bank recommended the Michigan SBDC, and after an introductory call, we were connected with Joni.”

Michigan SBDC Business Consultant Joni Krolczyk provided invaluable support, offering market research on traffic counts, housing occupancy and agritourism trends. She also guided them through the nuances of operating a seasonal business in Northern Michigan.

Beyond data and operational strategies, Joni connected Tyler and Bailey with other successful local businesses in the Traverse City and Leelanau County areas. This allowed Tyler and Bailey to study different business models, refine their brand identity and understand how to create the immersive experience they envisioned for Manitou Acres.

“We had never started a business with a physical product and space before,” Bailey said. “Seeing how other businesses marketed themselves and what their branding looked like helped us shape our own. We could pull ideas from various places to build our unique brand.”

Manitou Acres officially opened its doors in June 2025, welcoming visitors to wander through its fragrant fields, pick their own lavender and browse farm-made products in their renovated garden shed. The property boasts 2,000 mature lavender plants, and Tyler and Bailey have added new plantings to expand their offerings.

While the season started slowly due to a late spring, Tyler and Bailey quickly gained momentum through a strong social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and Google. “We’ve pushed very hard on social media and Google reviews, and we’re starting to see a snowball effect,” Tyler noted. “People are telling us they saw our posts or found us at the top of their Google search results.”

For Tyler and Bailey, success at Manitou Acres is measured by more than just financial metrics. It’s about the lifestyle, the balance, and the genuine connections they make with their visitors. “When we have a lot of people come to the farm and we have wonderful conversations, it truly fills our cup,” Bailey said. “People come here to relax and leave feeling lighter. That’s incredibly rewarding.”

Looking back, Tyler and Bailey emphasize the importance of patience and pacing in their entrepreneurial journey. “We tried to run really fast at first,” Tyler reflected. “If I could go back, I’d tell myself to pace myself more like a marathon than a sprint. It makes the journey more enjoyable.” Bailey added, “It’s important to be patient and realize that it’s not going to be perfect. It’s one big experiment, and you might lose your way a little bit, but as long as you’re patient and don’t get discouraged, you’ll get there.”

The Michigan SBDC is proud to support entrepreneurs like Tyler and Bailey as they cultivate their dreams and enrich the vibrant landscape of Michigan’s small business community.