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The year was 2007, and Michigan’s economy was decimated. People were losing jobs left and right. Businesses were folding. Homes were being foreclosed upon. I wanted to do something to help, but wasn’t sure what. Eventually I took a trip to South Africa that changed everything. Afterwards, I decided to start paying attention to where my dollars
It closed in 1988, and yet, I don’t have a single memory of Michigan Central Station as a place where trains came in and out of my hometown. To me, it has felt abandoned for as long as I can remember. This week marks the return of the iconic Detroit building, as a buzzing hub of activity,
Home to over 140 wineries, it stands to reason that Michigan deserves to have its own wine competition once again. Last month the Michigan Wine Collaborative (MWC), in partnership with the Beverage Testing Institute (BTI) launched the inaugural Michigan Governor’s Cup wine competition. Out of 300 entries from 46 wineries around the state, St. Julian scored uncorked
They say the best thing isn't owning a boat, it's having a friend who does. Whether you are that friend, or just someone who longs to spend summer hours out on the water, it’s time to hop aboard a Michigan boat. Luckily, there are some incredible options. Tall Ships There are few sights more majestic on a
Consumers in all 50 states and 18 international markets know the convenience of Little Caesar’s Hot-n-Ready pizzas. I personally can make a meal out of their Crazy Bread. It was quite interesting to me to find out that this famed chain all started with a blind date. Mike Ilitch was born in 1929, in Detroit, to Macedonian
What do you get when you combine entrepreneurial ingenuity, capital investment, and a public eager to support new endeavors? The answer is Hatch Detroit. The competition recently announced its Top 10 semi-finalists, and now it’s your turn to weigh in and help determine which new brick and mortar business you most want to see added to the
After 7 years in Chicago, attorney Nick Gorga, moved back to Detroit. He knew he wanted to help revitalize the city. Over a decade later, what started out as an idea captured on a cocktail napkin, is now a thriving economic development program called Hatch Detroit. The organization was founded in 2011 with the intention of giving
Any time is a fun time to visit Glass Academy in Dearborn, but this July may be one of the best times ever. Guests can try their lungs at glassblowing, support a local community organization, and help break a Guiness World Record, all at the same time. The project is aptly-named Breath of Michigan, and it runs
Applications for Renaissance Venture Capital’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) UnDemo Day® are now open. Early-stage companies seeking capital in the next 18 months are encouraged to apply. UnDemo Day is a virtual extension of Renaissance’s biannual event that connects regional startups with hundreds of venture capital funds from around the country. It will be held Wednesday, April 27,
Our state, like most of the world, is still reeling from the effects of the pandemic both from a health perspective and an economic one. Many small businesses in particular have been devastated by closures, supply chain issues, and ongoing employment challenges. With so many global events affecting us, it can feel like there isn’t much that
Capitalizing on a growing trend in the beverage industry, Long Road Distillers released a line-up of three canned craft cocktails in August of last year. At the time, co-owner and co-founder of Long Road Distillers, Kyle VanStrien, remarked, “We’re excited to bring some of our favorites to market, and we look forward to expanding offerings and distribution
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is a quasi-state agency that exists to help Michigan’s economy flourish through investments in communities, connecting businesses to potential new clients, promoting the state’s image as a business destination and a variety of other services. Its latest endeavor is the release of a new podcast aimed at global trends with an eye
Michigan women sure have come a long way when it comes to our careers. From a pioneering woman named Magdelaine Laframboise, who was our state's first female fur mogul to current General Motors CEO Mary Barra, the first women to ever lead a major automotive company. While both of those women may have had to carve out
Since the pandemic hit, a number of cities and towns across the state identified specific areas to provide additional outdoor dining space for their restaurants. Some utilized the sidewalk in front of each eatery, while others did full street closures either for the entire period, or at designated times and days each week. Now, with COVID-numbers rising
Once you meet Dorothy Zehnder, it’s hard to forget her. She may be a tad diminutive in stature, but she’s definitely not short on kindness, charm or energy. In fact, the 98-year young matriarch of the Zehnder family still works full time six days a week! She is the co-founder and co-owner of the Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn,
A year ago, over even six months back, no one could’ve predicted the fashion trend sweeping the nation would be face masks. Yes, they are a necessary precaution during the pandemic, but in typical American form, they are now taking on stylish looks as well. Fabric masks can be washed and reused, yet for style’s sake, there
The global COVID-19 health crisis will affect virtually every business. The depth of that effect and whether it is primarily negative or positive, depends on each businesses ability to adapt to the ever-changing predicament. Here are some tips experts advise to mitigate damage and set a course to survive and thrive. Review and revise business plans For
We first introduced Jackson Riegler to our community when he was just a high school student developing a brand new, inspiring idea to help preserve the Great Lakes. He won our Up & Coming Entrepreneur Contest at the tender age of seventeen, back in 2017. Today, he’s a student at the University of Michigan with a full-blown
There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic will take a toll on our economy, but we can work together to minimize the negative impact. Place carryout orders from local restaurants One of the easiest ways to help, and let’s face it, give yourself a break too, is to pick up a curbside carry-out from your favorite
There’s no question that the Lake Huron shore is an incredible place to gaze at the stars, but could it also soon be reaching for them? That’s the plan, according to the Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association (MAMA), who has named the Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport as its top candidate for a potential horizontal space launch site in Michigan. The
The 12th Annual Global Automotive and Mobility Innovation Challenge (GAMIC) semi-finals will take place in the Architectural Engineering Building on the campus of Lawrence Technological University on Thursday, February 27. GAMIC was created in 2008 out of a partnership between what is now SAE International and the MI Innovation Alliance. The purpose is to identify innovative companies
Three prominent entities have banded together to give Michigan a leap forward in manufacturing amidst the 4th Industrial Revolution. Automation Alley, Lean Rocket Lab and Lawrence Technological University’s (LTU) Centrepolis Accelerator have created a new Industry 4.0 Accelerator program, which is the first of its kind in the U.S. The goal is to help small and medium-sized
The team at Ann Arbor-based Ripple Science has plenty to smile about these days. The company, which designs research management software, recently completed a $2.5M equity financing round, and it just signed its 100th customer. Like many local companies, it all started in at the University of Michigan where Dr. Nestor Lopez-Duran ran into some challenges managing
A report released earlier this month by Coldwell Banker as part of its A Look at Wealth series, examines the desires and real estate preferences of millionaire millennials. It defined the group as those Americans between the ages of 23 and 37 who have a net worth of more than $1 million. As one might expect, eight of the
Before it became a powerhouse in Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan got its start through humble beginnings in the heart of Detroit. It was originally known as Catholepistemiad or University of Michigania. The cornerstone of the first building was laid on September 24, 1817, near the corner of Bates and Congress, but the school eventually moved
