Small Business Support Hub Success Story: Gabby’s Guppies
One of the recipients of support through our Small Business Support Hub is Gabby’s Guppies, a locally owned childcare center offering play-based early education in a nurturing, family-centered environment.
Founded by Gabby Hodges, Gabby’s Guppies is helping to fill a critical gap in childcare services across Houghton and Keweenaw County. With a dedicated and qualified staff, the center emphasizes the importance of nurturing care, the power of play, and the magic of childhood core values that guide everything they do.
Now operating across two locations with more than 62 childcare seats, Gabby’s Guppies continues to maintain a close-knit, family-like atmosphere. Their original center in Lake Linden has recently been joined by a new, expanded facility in Hancock, allowing them to serve a growing number of local families.
Gabby’s journey into childcare began in 2023 under heartbreaking circumstances. After the unexpected passing of her family’s long-time provider, she, like many local parents, struggled to find available, quality childcare. Recognizing a deep need in the community, Gabby stepped up to meet that demand.
“[After being met] with long waitlists, or unlicensed daycare who did not do activities with the children, I decided to open my own licensed daycare and provide the high-quality care I wanted for my children.” – Gabby Hodges, Founder
In 2024, her husband Nick Hodges made the pivotal decision to step away from his seven-year career to support the growth of their in-home daycare business.
“A lot of people thought we were crazy at first, with my husband and I working and living together 24/7. Even from day one, Nick was the one to encourage me to follow this childcare dream of mind. He supports me and gives me space to think and work when needed. I could not have done this without my husband.”
With increasing demand and long waitlists, Gabby’s Guppies expanded to accommodate more families while staying true to its heartfelt mission.
“Signing the lease to open a childcare center was the scariest thing I had ever done. However, the community was incredibly supportive, and being able to relieve that “stress” of finding childcare, and help make others’ lives easier is very motivating.”
Thanks to funding from the Small Business Support Hub, Gabby’s Guppies was able to invest in new equipment and resources to outfit their care facilities and better serve the community.
More childcare opportunities mean more families can return to the workforce, dedicate more time to their careers, or transition back into in-person roles, an economic win that extends beyond childcare to strengthen the entire local ecosystem.
Gabby’s story is a powerful reminder that small businesses can grow from personal challenges and make a lasting impact on their communities and why investing in local entrepreneurs truly matters.
Explore more about Gabby’s Guppies at gabbysguppies.com
Learn more about the Small Business Support Hub at mtecsz.com
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About MTEC
Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation (MTEC) is one of 21 SmartZone Incubators in the State of Michigan. MTEC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Its mission is to facilitate the creation and ongoing success of high-tech value propositions in conjunction with the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. Since 2003, the MTEC SmartZone has provided mentoring, technical support, and other services to local companies, leading to the creation of over 800 high-tech jobs in the Houghton and Hancock, Michigan area.
About MEDC
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, in collaboration with more than 100 economic development partners, markets Michigan as the place to do business, assists businesses in their growth strategies, and fosters the growth of vibrant communities across the state. MEDC’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation initiative establishes Michigan as the place to create and grow a business by providing high-tech start-up companies with access to a variety of critical resources, such as funding and expert counsel, from ideation to maturation. For more on MEDC Entrepreneurship & Innovation, visit michiganbusiness.org/entrepreneurship.