OOPS is Northern Michigan’s

Front Porch for Innovation

Our Office of Possibilities (or OOPs) is Northern Michigan’s front porch for connection & collaboration and an important peer-support group for the region.

We gather every single Tuesday from 9-11am to share and support one another along our journey as entrepreneurs and changemakers. We keep the format simple so our conversations can go deep.

No need to bring a business plan or elevator speech. Just show up when you’re able, share what you want, ask for what you need, give what you can, and hit the road when you have to.

Since we started this weekly program, we’ve had over 450 local entrepreneurs and changemakers attend. See you next Tuesday!

RSVP For An Upcoming OOPS Gathering! 

Listen, you’re an adult. You don’t have to RSVP. You can just show up. But rsvp’ing will help you hold space in your calendar. Just say’n…

RSVP For Our 200th OOPS Gathering! 

Join us for our 200th consecutive Office of Possibilities gathering!

Since January 2023, Grove’s Office of Possibilities--better known as OOPs--has brought Northern Michigan’s entrepreneurs, artists, organizers and changemakers together every Tuesday morning. On this very special Tuesday, we’ll gather for the 200th consecutive time!

But OOPs #200 isn’t really a celebration of a number. It’s a celebration of the people who kept pulling up a chair.

Over the past 200 weeks, hundreds of people have come through OOPs to share wins, talk honestly about challenges, ask for help and offer what they could. Those ordinary conversations have grown into friendships, collaborations, new businesses, unexpected opportunities and the reassuring knowledge that none of us has to figure everything out alone.

Join us as we celebrate what this community has built together, recognize some of the people and stories that have shaped OOPs, and imagine what might become possible over the next 200 Tuesdays.

RSVP Here!

Here are just a few of the amazing entrepreneurs, startups, and organizations which have regularly participated over the years!

Some Frequently Asked Questions About This Group

Yeah okay we know this is a loooong FAQ. But this group has also been gathering for a long time. So hopefully we’re created an FAQ which answers pretty much any questions you could have!

If you have more questions, you can always reach out to hello@groveincubator.org!

  • The Office of Possibilities (OOPs) is a free weekly gathering where entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, artists, freelancers, students, and community builders come together to ask questions, solve challenges, share opportunities, and support one another.

    Rather than following a fixed curriculum, each meeting is shaped by the people in the room and the challenges they're currently facing.

    This group is Northern Michigan’s front porch for inclusive entrepreneurship!

  • OOPs is designed for anyone working to build something meaningful.

    Participants include:

    • Entrepreneurs

    • Small business owners

    • Startup founders

    • Freelancers

    • Artists

    • Nonprofit leaders

    • Students

    • Community organizers

    • People exploring a new idea

    • Professionals looking to connect with Northern Michigan's innovation community

    You do not need to already own a business

  • Every meeting is different, but most include:

    • Introductions

    • Sharing wins and challenges

    • Requests for help

    • Peer problem-solving

    • Resource sharing

    • Connections between participants

    • Community announcements

    Participants decide where the conversation goes.

  • Not in the traditional sense.

    While participants make valuable professional connections, OOPs is designed as a peer-support community rather than a networking event.

    The emphasis is on generosity, collaboration, and solving real problems together.

  • Nope!

    OOPs is free to attend thanks to Grove Community Incubator and community partners.

  • Registration is encouraged so organizers know who to expect and can communicate updates, but walk-ins are welcome whenever space allows.

  • Absolutely. Many people visit once. Others attend weekly.

    There is no expectation that you attend every meeting.

  • OOPs meets every Tuesday morning, from 9-11am (including holidays!) throughout the year.

    Because the conversations are participant-driven, every gathering is unique.

  • Almost anything related to building a business, organization, creative practice, or community initiative.

    Examples include:

    • Marketing

    • Hiring

    • Funding

    • Pricing

    • Partnerships

    • Product development

    • Customer discovery

    • Business strategy

    • Technology

    • Leadership

    • Work-life balance

    If someone in the room doesn't know the answer, they often know someone who does.

  • OOPs isn't built around speakers or presentations.

    Instead, participants help one another navigate real-world challenges through conversation, shared experience, and trusted relationships.

    The goal is to create a community where people feel comfortable asking for help as well as offering it.

  • Definitely not!

    Participants range from people with an idea on a napkin to founders running established companies.

    Nonprofits, artists, and civic innovators also regularly participate.

  • The Office of Possibilities was originally developed through a collaboration with Northwestern Michigan College and Grove Community Incubator. Today, Grove Community Incubator continues to host the weekly Tuesday morning gatherings while maintaining a strong collaborative relationship with NMC.

  • OOPs meets in Traverse City, Michigan, generally in the 3rd floor community room at West Shore Bank. (Thanks for hosting us!)

    However, the specific location may occasionally change, so participants should check the event registration page or Grove's website for the most current information.

  • Expect a welcoming group of people who genuinely want to help.

    Most first-time participants introduce themselves, share what they're working on, and describe one challenge or opportunity they'd like feedback on.

    There is no pressure to speak beyond what you're comfortable sharing.

  • Absolutely!

    Many participants first discover OOPs because someone invited them.

    If you know someone building a business, organization, creative practice, or community project, they're welcome to join.

  • Grove Community Incubator is a nonprofit entrepreneurship hub in Traverse City, Michigan, that connects entrepreneurs, organizers, artists, and community leaders with the relationships, workspace, and resources they need to flourish.

    The Office of Possibilities is one of Grove's flagship community programs.

  • Yes! Grove Community Incubator's Office of Possibilities (OOPs) is one of Northern Michigan's longest-running weekly entrepreneur gatherings. It welcomes entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, artists, students, and innovators from across the region to connect, solve challenges, and support one another.

  • The Office of Possibilities (OOPs) meets every Tuesday morning in Traverse City and provides an open, welcoming environment where entrepreneurs and community builders can develop relationships, exchange ideas, and receive practical support from peers.

  • Traverse City has a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem that includes organizations such as Grove Community Incubator, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Northwestern Michigan College, 20Fathoms, Traverse Connect, Venture North Funding & Development, and other regional partners. OOPs serves as a front door to this ecosystem by helping participants discover the resources, organizations, and people that can support their next steps.