GLBM April 2019 by M3 Group Publications

APRIL 2019

2019

ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS The annual award ceremony shines a light on the risk takers and dream makers that are redefining business and success on their own terms. IN THIS ISSUE • Entrepreneurial Awards Judges share what it takes to obtain self-made success • Mayor Andy Schor outlines his roadmap for Lansing at annual State of The City address • A look into the anxiety that’s stunted Electric Vehicle growth in the U.S.

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APRIL 2019 ON THE COVER A look into the anxiety that’s stunted Electric Vehicle growth in the U.S................................................................................ 8 Mayor Andy Schor outlines his roadmap for Lansing at annual State of The City address................................................ 16 2019 Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Awards................. 18

Entrepreneurial Awards Judges share what it takes to obtain self-made success................................................................ 40

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NEWS Whitmer’s Pit Crew................................................................................................................................... 6 Coming to a Planet Near You.............................................................................................................10 Reclaiming the Riverfront for Recreation....................................................................................12 Delta Township recognizes Autism Awareness Day...............................................................14

FEATURES

2019

Matters of representation for Lansing-area entrepreneurs............................................... 48

ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS

Get Me Back in the Game, Coach!................................................................................................... 50

The annual award ceremony shines a light on the risk takers and dream makers that are redefining business and success on their own terms.

Behind the Scenes.................................................................................................................................... 52

IN THIS ISSUE • Entrepreneurial Awards Judges share what it takes to obtain self-made success • Mayor Andy Schor outlines his roadmap for Lansing at annual State of The City address • A look into the anxiety that’s stunted Electric Vehicle growth in the U.S.

Visual Breakdown..................................................................................................................................... 54 The Road to Improvement................................................................................................................... 56 Business Calendar.................................................................................................................................... 58 Notable News............................................................................................................................................. 60

Cover photography by Mary Gajda

Greater Lansing Business Monthly | Volume 32, Issue 4

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Greater Lansing Business Monthly is published monthly by M3 Group at 221 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Periodicals postage paid at Lansing, Michigan USPO. USPS number 020w807.

Subscriptions: Subscriptions are available at $22 per year for postage and handling or $38 for two years. Call (517) 203-3333 or visit lansingbusinessnews.com to subscribe. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, 221 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Send additional subscription requests and address changes to The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, Inc., 221 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Copyright © 2016 The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, Inc. All rights reserved. Editorial Office: 221 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48933 lansingbusinessnews.com 2

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COMMENTARY

Publisher: Tiffany Dowling, tiffany@m3group.biz Sales Manager: Jennifer Hodges, jhodges@m3group.biz Editor: Kelly Mazurkiewicz, kelly@m3group.biz Asst. Editor: Mary Gajda, mary@m3group.biz Media Specialist: Carey Jarvis Account Managers: Megan Fleming Liz Reno-Hayes Zack Krieger Adam Smith Art Director: Mark Warner Publication Designer: Cody Fell Graphic Designers: Jeanette Wummel Quandrel Ollie Communications Specialists: Alicia Finch Christopher Nagy Rich Adams Adam Lansdell Photographer: Mary Gajda Videographer: Michael Cagney GLBM Editorial Board: April Clobes — President and CEO, MSU Federal Credit Union Calvin Jones — Government Relations Director, Lansing Board of Water & Light Lisa Parker — Director of Alumni Career and Business Services, Michigan State University Alumni Association Deb Muchmore Consulting — Owner, Deb Muchmore Consulting Tom Ruis — Vice President, Fifth Third Bank Doug Klein — Executive Director, Mason Area Chamber of Commerce

SMALL SUCCESSES PROVIDE A GREATER GOOD

I can’t stress enough the importance of small businesses nationally, regionally and locally. Most employment in Michigan is a result of small businesses with fewer than 99 employees creating 63 percent of all businesses, according to the 2017 Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship report. Over half of that percentage has fewer than 25 employees, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. While large corporations tend to get most of the attention and discussion from media, it’s the small enterprises that keep the economic engine running with their lower headcounts but mightier crews. It’s the drive to succeed and the passion to create innovative products and services that make the entrepreneurs stay invested day after day. And, according to WalletHub’s financial team, innovation is the principal driver of the economy. Those small companies are a huge factor in helping the United States stay ranked as No. 6 in the Global Innovation Index. In the statewide breakdown by WalletHub, Michigan didn’t make the top 10 or the worst 10 for innovation. We were snuggly set in the middle of the pack at 19. The 24 indicators the report is based on help provide a climate of factors that foster innovation friendliness, including areas like STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) preparation, in addition to research and development spending per capita. While most small businesses are not following this type of data or are just in it for the glory, it’s important to recognize and understand how hard these organizations work and the impact they make in our local area. That’s why this publication curates and hosts the GLBM Entrepreneurial Awards event. We want to shine a light on businesses that generally fly under the radar but are creating an impact larger than we realize. I want to send a heartfelt congratulations to all those who were nominated by their peers. It’s truly an honor that those in the community really see your effort. This year was particularly great because we gave out our most Innovative Business of the Year Award to Niowave. The organization created a commercial application of a particle accelerator that sends electron beams near the speed of light that are then split, creating medical isotopes used to attack cancer cells without damage to healthy cells. This innovation from a company in downtown Lansing will change lives. I also want to recognize the Entrepreneur of the Year, Brian Posey. He is the epitome of a passion-driven entrepreneur. He utilized his love of sports and entertainment to create an enterprise where he really loves coming to work every day. My admiration also extends to our other winners, Missy Trudell as our Leadership Award winner, Brian Town as our Entrepreneurial Spirit awardee and Kathy Valentine as our Socially Responsible winner. Each one of their businesses are making an impact in our community. I appreciate them, and I hope you do too.

Mark Hooper — Partner, Andrews Hooper Pavlik Diontrae Hayes — Supervisor, Charter Township of Lansing

Tiffany Dowling | Publisher

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WHITMER’S PIT CREW Meet the leaders tasked with keeping our state beautiful and safe BY NICK MCCORMICK Last December Michigan’s governor-elect, Gretchen Whitmer, named the 10 cabinet members who would head departments focused on infrastructure, environment, public safety and consumer protections. These new directors boast an impressive array of diverse experiences and ideals, all coming together to aid the new governor in her moves to keep Michigan great and make it greater. Former state Rep. Gary McDowell heads the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development under Whitmer. “I am a lifelong devotee to Michigan’s food and ag community,” McDowell said. “I was born and raised on a farm in Rudyard, Michigan.” McDowell described his vision for the department as three-fold: “(We want to) continue to provide a high level of customer service, educate before regulate and continue our employee engagement efforts.” Hailing from Grand Ledge, Lisa McCormick serves as the director of the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman. Prior to holding this new position, McCormick served an impressive 21 6

years as Ingham County chief assistant prosecutor. This coupled with her two-year stint as an adjunct professor of philosophy and ethics in correctional facilities at Baker College of Owosso qualifies her nicely to navigate the complicated world of Michigan’s child welfare system. Whitmer appointed Liesl Clark to direct the Department of Environmental Quality. Clark stated that in her time as director she will be “committed to protecting public health and the environment while implementing Governor Whitmer’s vision for cleaning up our drinking water, conserving our natural resources, improving our outdoor quality of life and growing the state’s economy.” After almost 30 years within the Michigan Department of Transportation, Paul Ajegba now sits as its director. Having overseen projects like the America’s Transportation Award-nominated U.S. 23 Flex Route in Washtenaw and Livingston counties, Ajegba was the obvious choice for Whitmer, who pushed to “fix the damn roads” on the campaign trail.

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Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers will direct Michigan’s Department of Military and Veteran Affairs. “As Maj. Gen. Rogers engages statewide with the airmen, soldiers, veterans and civilians of the Michigan National Guard. he is emphasizing that readiness is his No. 1 priority," said department representative John C. Hall. “This means that we take a holistic and adaptive approach that sets objectives, prioritizes resources and focuses efforts at all levels.” Anita Fox now heads the Department of Insurance and Financial Services. “I’m ready to hit the ground running,” Fox said. “I look forward to discussing key issues that impact the insurance and financial services sectors with department staff and stakeholders and ensuring that the department remains committed to protecting consumers and growing industries that are so important to Michigan’s economy.” Whitmer named Daniel Eichinger as director of the Department of Natural Resources. According to Ed Golder, the department’s public information

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officer, Eichinger will be primarily focused on fish and wildlife diseases, invasive species, engagement with the department’s base, legacy infrastructure and management of public lands. The Michigan Department of Corrections is led by Heidi Washington. “Director Washington plans to continue the department’s focus on recruiting and retaining the next generation of corrections employees,” said Holly Kramer, a department spokesperson. “The department will be doing that through enhanced recruitment strategies to attract highly qualified staff, through an emphasis on staff well-being with our new Wellness Unit and the development of a formal mentoring program for new employees.” Col. Joe Gasper will serve as director of the Michigan State Police. According to Shanon Banner, the department’s public affairs director, Gasper will be focused on meeting with as many State Police department members as possible to learn about their issues and gain insight into their daily responsibilities. He completed a one-week tour of our Upper Peninsula work sites during the first week in February. Former Children’s Ombudsman Orlene Hawks has been appointed director of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Concerning

WHERE BUSINESS GETS DONE #LOVELANSING, MICHIGAN

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McCormick

Clark

Ajegba

Rogers

Fox

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Hawks’ plans for Michigan’s upcoming “green boom,” Matthew Erickson of LARA said: “As the medical marijuana industry takes shape and LARA plans for the oversight of adult-use marijuana later this year, Director Hawks will be focused on educating business customers and implementing regulations that are administered fairly, efficiently, consistently and transparently.”

Nick McCormack is a fourth-year advertising major at Michigan State University and a freelance contributor for the Greater Lansing Business Monthly. He enjoys covering surfacing trends and local innovators. In his free time, he busies himself with good books, scenic hikes and shooting his bow.

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THE REALITY OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES ‘Range anxiety’ remains a barrier to widespread use BY RICH ADAMS If you’re a baby boomer, you know that every depiction of the future in the 1950s and ‘60s promised flying cars. According to the futurists, we all would soon be George Jetsons, zooming to and from work through cluttered skies. That was fantasy. Today’s reality is the electric car. Electric vehicles, or EVs, have been on the road since the 1800s. Between 1900 and 1912, it is estimated a third of all vehicles on American roads were powered by electricity. Henry Ford’s affordable gasoline-fed Model T brought an 8

end to EV development, and it was not picked up again until General Motors developed a prototype for an urban electric car, which the company displayed at the First Symposium on Low Pollution Power Systems Development in 1973, during the oil shortage in America. While plug-in electric cars have often been cited as the cars of the future, Consumers Energy is not expecting any spike in the number of electric vehicles in Michigan, according to a report in Michigan Capitol Confidential. In June, the utility released its plans for changes to its electricity generation and distribution

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through the year 2040. Consumers estimated there are 8 million total registered vehicles in Michigan, and electric vehicles account for a mere 0.2 percent of total registered vehicles in the company’s service territory. According to the report, 12,500 to 15,000 electric vehicles were registered in the state in 2017. So why is growth in plug-in vehicles so slow? The Michigan Agency for Energy reported there are 423 charging stations across the state, providing a total of 722 charging ports for battery-powered cars.

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stations, Cheboygan is within 30 miles of three chargers and Gaylord has access to four stations. Drivers along the east coast of Michigan are not so fortunate. Solving EV shows three stations within 30 miles of Tawas City, but not one near Greenbush, Alpena or Rogers City. Drivers in the Upper Peninsula also have a lack of plug-in stations. St. Ignace is near two stations, Escanaba has access to four chargers, and both Houghton and Copper Harbor are within 30 miles of just one charger. The Detroit Free Press reported in May that too many drivers might have â&#x20AC;&#x153;range anxiety,â&#x20AC;? which is the worry that electric vehicles might not have enough juice to get to their driversâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; destination. Supporters of electric vehicles believe range anxiety is a major barrier to widespread public acceptance of electric vehicles. Consumers Energy said the state should have almost 1,100 public chargers and 60 fast chargers for the number of electric vehicles on Michigan roads. According to a report compiled by M.J. Bradley and Associates, If Michigan plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) adoption follows the trajectory assumed by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, the net present value from greater PEV use in Michigan will exceed $8.6 billion statewide by 2050. If projections from Bloomberg for national EV sales are achieved in Michigan, which would result in even greater PEV penetration, the net present value from greater PEV use in Michigan could exceed $31 billion statewide by 2050.

That question might be answered by the distribution of those charging stations in both peninsulas. Solving EV reported there are 180 charging stations within 30 miles of Detroit, Lansing has 48 stations within 30 miles and there are 67 stations within 30 miles of Grand Rapids. Niles has access to 168 nearby chargers. Monroe, on the other side of the state, has 170 stations within 30 miles. The west side of the state has a significant number as well. Traverse City is within range of 15 chargers, Ludington has access to five stations and 66 are within 30 miles of Muskegon.

Aside from plug-in technology, several companies, including Qualcomm and WiTricity, are developing wireless vehicle charging, according to Charged magazine. The process involves parking an electric vehicle over a ground charging pad, which would communicate with technology beneath the car and restore battery power without cords or adapters. The power will originate in a stationary control unit mounted near the ground pad. Rich Adams is a communications specialist at M3 Group and was a print and broadcast journalist for more than four decades. When he is not watching his beloved Chicago Cubs, he is counting the days until spring training begins.

Even drivers at the tip of the mitt have access to charging stations. Petoskey has access to seven L

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COMING TO A PLANET NEAR YOU Several eco-friendly suggestions for Earth Day 2019 BY TEECE ARONIN Earth Day has been coming around every year on April 22 since 1970. This year, businesses all over the world have plans for honoring the magnificent planet we humans started shambling around on some 300,000 years ago. If you’re a business owner, what can you do to help protect the environment and our natural resources? GLBM has some suggestions, several of which apply to all of us, business owners or not.

ELECTRONICS:

Think eco-friendly the next time you buy an electronic device, especially if you’re considering the purchase of a desktop computer. As a rule, laptops and smaller 10

electronic devices consume less energy than desktop computers. Not only that, but rechargeable batteries are a better choice than so-called disposable batteries, which cost money to recycle.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES:

Using both sides of a piece of paper and then recycling it when you’re done cuts down on waste and helps reduce the need to fell another tree. The same is true of reusing or repurposing cardboard boxes. Unplug what’s not in use and turn off lights you don’t need. Consider your commute and whether public transportation, carpooling or even biking and walking are ways you can switch things up.

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DONATING:

Giving away what you don’t use anymore is a good alternative to simply dumping it. Too often, things that could be donated or recycled just get pitched in the trash, where they create hazards to the environment. If you don’t think anyone will benefit from what you want to scrap, and it’s recyclable, try to get it to a recycling center. The MidMichigan Environmental Action Council sponsors Recycle Rama, scheduled this year for April 13. Find them online or call them at (517) 292-3078 for information.

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ENERGY STAR:

MARKETING:

The U.S. Small Business Administration has commented on what it described as “a new focus on environmental responsibility.” It suggested “adding sustainability and green marketing to your business strategy that may enhance your brand image and secure your market.” Contact your local Small Business Administration office for help.

Some ways LBRA acts to protect the environment include eliminating vacant and blighted properties, optimizing existing infrastructure, creating compact communities using infill development and saving historic structures. Other areas of interest to LBRA are public health and welfare, creating jobs as a means of developing a tax base to pay for public services, and attracting new residents and talent to urban areas.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY:

What others are doing: If you’re a business owner and the Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (LBRA) doesn’t ring a bell, you might want to become better acquainted. LBRA promotes sustainability through recycling of vacant buildings, protecting green space and performing environmental cleanups.

This year, get inspired by groups like LBRA. Ask yourself what you can do in your house, your business or your community to make Mother Earth healthier. If she could talk, she’d say thanks; but since she can’t, she’ll speak volumes by making a lusher, greener and even more amazing home for everyone.

This energy conservation initiative, originating with the Environmental Protection Agency, is a great source for anyone seeking reliable information about energy use. The Energy Star symbol is said to be recognized by 90 percent of American households. Look for it when shopping for new appliances, buying a new home or looking for ways to make your existing home more energyefficient. If you’re an industrial or commercial business owner, consult the Energy Star Portfolio Manager for help in tracking and controlling energy consumption. You’ll be in good company since it’s a popular tool among Fortune 500 companies.

Looking to outfit your business or home or donate items you no longer need? Consider a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. When Habitat for Humanity builds houses for people in need, they strive to make the homes energyefficient. Buying from or donating to Habitat for Humanity ReStores is one way to keep conservation efforts alive. You can also volunteer in one or make a monetary donation.

Karl Dorshimer, director of business development for Lansing Economic Area Partnership said, “LBRA is operated by the Lansing Economic Development Corp., which offers financial and tax incentives to businesses for cleaning up and redeveloping contaminated and obsolete sites within the city of Lansing.”

Teece Aronin is a writer and career coach. She works with individuals from all walks of life, including persons with disabilities and career-changers. Contact her at teecearonin8@gmail.com, and read her blog, Chipped Demitasse at chippeddemitasse. blogspot.com.

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RECLAIMING THE RIVERFRONT FOR RECREATION Private-public partnership bringing Rotary Park to life on water’s edge BY CHRISTOPHER NAGY Lansing residents and visitors will soon have an enhanced opportunity to enjoy one of the city’s natural recreational amenities, as construction for the incoming Rotary Park begins on the banks of the Grand River in the city’s Downtown and Stadium districts. Mayor Andy Schor signed an executive order at a Jan. 22 ceremony setting the public-private partnership in motion to begin construction on the park along the Lansing River Trail south of the Shiawassee Street bridge to the Lansing Center. The roughly $2 million project includes monetary and in-kind donations from more than a dozen private organizations and individuals as well as matching funding from the Capital Region Community Foundation. Work on the park is expected to wrap up this fall.

“Revitalization and activation of the Lansing riverfront is a priority of my administration,” said Schor. “The various projects planned for the riverfront will be transformative for residents and visitors alike. We appreciate all of our partners that are providing funding and ideas toward this effort and will continue to seek inspiration from other communities, as well.” In addition to the funds contributed by four anonymous individual donors, the Rotary Club of Lansing Foundation dedicated $400,000 to the park project for naming rights. Other local businesses that stepped to the plate on the project include Delta Dental of Michigan, which provided $250,000 for the plaza; Dewpoint, which donated $100,000 for the beach; Auto-Owners Insurance, which is sponsoring an outdoor

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fireplace and lighted forest for $75,000; Red Cedar Investment Management, which gave $40,000 for a sculpture patio adjacent to the beach; and Gillespie Group and the Team Lansing Foundation of the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau, which are each donating $30,000 to co-sponsor the Happening Under the Bridge (HUB) performance venue. Wieland Construction and the Lansing Board of Water and Light are providing in-kind donations for construction management and electrical work. “They all raised their hands and stood up and said, ‘This is exactly what we want. This is what we need,’” Schor said of the local sponsors. The city will provide existing brownfield development reimbursement funds for part

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of the project to assist in generating more private investment along the riverfront. The Capital Region Community Foundation will be managing the progression of the work as well as establishing an endowment fund for the future maintenance of the area, according to Laurie Baumer, the foundation’s executive vice president.

Dewpoint President and CEO Ken Theis called the project “awesome,” adding that his company’s financial dedication to the beach portion of the work reflects Dewpoint’s commitment to be an active and engaged partner in the city’s continued communitycentric attitude and endeavors.

“In 2016, the community foundation took a leadership role in developing the downtown riverfront,” she said. “Rotary Park is the first of many projects we are planning in partnership with the city of Lansing, helping to create a vibrant community that will attract and retain the talent our businesses desperately need.”

“We’re a company that went from 30 employees in 2010 to 425 employees today,” Theis said. “We’re committed to Lansing and we’re excited to be a part of this. This is something that really offers our employees and the area students and the young people a way to stay engaged in the community. We’re excited to be a part of what’s taking place downtown.”

Kevin Schumacher, board member of the Rotary Club of Lansing Foundation, noted that the grant from the organization to aid in the creation of the community space is emblematic of the Rotary’s motto of service before self.

The projects slated for Rotary Park were gleaned from a community feedback initiative as well as drawn from other successful placemaking efforts in growing Michigan communities such as Port Huron, Muskegon and Detroit.

“The members of Lansing Rotary are proud to partner with the community foundation on this impact grant for the betterment of the great city of Lansing,” he said. “We look forward to the many fun activities here and to a more active riverfront.”

Christopher Nagy is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and has more than 20 years of experience in journalism. He rarely misses a Motor City Comic Con or Michigan Renaissance Festival.

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Mayor Schor signs the executive order to set the public the public-private partnership in motion L

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Kellie Dean, Xavier DeGroat, Mary Clark, Ken Fletcher, Fonda Brewer, Karen Mojica, Howard Pizzo, Andrea Cascarilla

Photo by Matthew Mitchel

DELTA TOWNSHIP RECOGNIZES AUTISM AWARENESS DAY Local man makes autism awareness his mission BY MARY GAJDA At age 4, Xavier DeGroat was diagnosed with autism. He endured years of bullying, discrimination, and educational and career setbacks. “Throughout elementary school, I faced many obstacles and was misunderstood by my peers and teachers. I was bullied by my classmates because they knew that I was different from others. I was also disciplined many times by school administrators for miscommunications,” DeGroat said. “This was a period of time with a lot of change in the perception of what autism is and what those who are diagnosed are capable of.” Kellie Dean, Brian Reed (Manager of Delta Township), Xavier DeGroat, Ingham County Undersheriff Andrew Bouck, and attorney David Gregory 14

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DeGroat decided to flip the switch and take control by dedicating his life to helping others.

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He began to visit local leaders and be a catalyst for thoughtful discussions to raise awareness about autism. That work gave him the confidence to develop a bigger plan to educate society on autism and also enable those with autism to achieve success in personal, educational and career-related goals. The Delta Township resident established the Xavier DeGroat Autism Foundation (XDAF) in 2018 with the help of his attorney, David Gregory of the Kelley-Cawthorne law firm. The foundation has a mission of creating and promoting opportunities for people with autism through advocacy, education, economic opportunities and humanitarian efforts.

“I will begin my process of asking all other local area governments to do the same, including Ingham County, Eaton and Meridian townships, and beyond,” DeGroat said. He would also like to see those townships hold an annual dinner like the one in Delta Township, as well.

influential connections he has made, it’s safe to say his chances of continued success are high. To contact DeGroat and find out more information about the proclamation or his foundation, visit xavierdegroatfoundation.org.

DeGroat’s inspirations include Magic Johnson, Michigan State University football coach Mark Dantonio and others in high-profile positions who also spend time serving their communities. With the amount of work he’s putting in as an ambassador for autism awareness and the

Mary Gajda a multi-media specialist at M3 Group. She is a wife, mom and photographer who loves music, Pinterest and all things chocolate.

A winner of the Citizens of the Year award from Delta Township in October 2018, DeGroat wanted to do much more. “As a person on the autism spectrum I have been looking to increase autism awareness, and we’re just now getting started in mid-Michigan,” DeGroat said, “But it takes local institutions in the Lansing regional area to create awareness proclamations to begin the process and work together as a team of leaders. Much like Kellie Dean, CEO of Dean Transportation, does with the city of Lansing for the Lansing Promise.” Delta Township is a big part of making DeGroat’s goal come to fruition. Officials and XDAF worked together to plant the seeds of growth, and the township became the first to sign a proclamation to recognize April 2 as International Autism Awareness Day. The township also proclaimed the month of April as National Autism Awareness Month. By signing the proclamation, Delta Township was the first mid-Michigan local municipality to show its support of those with autism on that level. “International Autism Awareness Day has been recognized for years by the United Nations on April 2, as well as National Autism Awareness Month,” DeGroat said. “Yet many local governments don’t recognize its importance as they do other awareness months, so I inspired Delta Township to do a proclamation to recognize the importance of providing autism awareness.” The proclamation was signed March 18 by Delta Township Supervisor Ken Fletcher and the Delta Township board of trustees. It’s been a busy year for DeGroat and the foundation. The first annual XDAF annual autism awareness dinner was scheduled for April with plans for marked growth by 2020. He plans to push forward with getting recognition from other townships and pursue continued autism awareness.

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LANSING FORWARD Schor delivers hopeful message in 2019 State of the City BY ALLISON SPOONER Lansing Mayor Andy Schor gave his second State of the City address Feb. 6 at the Riverwalk Theatre. At the time of the address, it had been a year and a month since Schor took office, and he expressed excitement over all that had happened in that year and looked at the ways Lansing is ready to take on the future. Schor began by highlighting some of his favorite moments of the past year. Some of those included announcing a number of developments like a Meijer-sponsored urban grocer, hotel, and housing in downtown Lansing; bringing Michigan’s only professional soccer team, Lansing Ignite, to the city; and announcing a number of major housing and mixed-use projects on both the south and east sides of Lansing. 16

Schor dug into the many economic development opportunities across the city by reminding the audience of his mantra over the last year, “Lansing’s time is now.” From the $41.5 million dollar Meijer project, to finally beginning work on the long-vacant Oliver Towers, Schor highlighted the downtown projects that “are just the beginning of our capacity building for people to live in and enjoy Lansing’s downtown.” Schor highlighted the fact that many of the economic development projects underway are the result of the community bringing ideas to him, which is why so many of the projects, like a new town square and the Beacon Field Southwest outdoor soccer field project on the southside, focus on community building.

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“In order to keep this great growth momentum going, I am announcing that the city will send out a request for proposals for many city-owned parcels over the next few months so that we can activate some of our city-owned open space,” he said. Another area of focus was Lansing’s corridors. “In my budget last year, we increased funding for corridor façade grants from $15,000 to $150,000, enabling local businesses to enhance their storefronts and increase traffic,” which resulted in improvements to various storefronts throughout Lansing, Schor explained. “Corridors are the backbone of commercial activity and the front door to our neighbors.”

NEWS

Schor also stressed that simply developing the city isn’t enough and spoke about projects happening in Lansing neighborhoods. “We must have great neighborhoods and places for our residents,” he said. “My first executive order created our new Department of Neighborhoods and Citizen Engagement, which focuses its efforts on engaging Lansing residents and using what we learn to drive decision-making.” To reflect the city’s vibrant cultural community, the mayor said, “I created the Mayor’s Arts and Culture Commission last spring. This commission ... has been working over the last six months to get its arms around where gaps exist in our arts and culture community. “Public art is an expression of the creativity of our community, a powerful economic development tool, and will be a big part of our strategy to grow and sell the city of Lansing,” Schor added, noting that last month, the city announced $140,000 in Lansing art grants to fund art projects in the city. As a result of last year’s Road Map Neighborhood Tour in each ward of the city, Schor said: “We developed a roads plan that

provides digital maps with transparent data about street repairs and funding. This roads plan is on the city website and shows all of the roads that have been fixed in the last few years, as well as the thousands of potholes that have been filled. It also shows the work that will be done on roads moving forward.”

Schor looked to the future by announcing a new logo for Lansing and a new vision plan called Lansing 2030. This plan will address three main areas: Lansing’s existing employment opportunities, city design and diversifying living options. You can learn more about the plan at lansingforward.com.

To go beyond roads, Schor highlighted the technology and techniques the city is using to fix sidewalks and reduce trip hazards.

“Lansing’s time is now: 2018 was an exceptional year, and I am thrilled to kick off 2019 with a positive vision and campaign,” he said.

Schor addressed the challenges the city still needs to face in regard to its financial situation. He highlighted plans to address long-term pension and health care liabilities using the state-required corrective action plan. “We can’t ignore this problem, and we appreciate the diverse voices and advice from the members of our financial health team,” he said. Other highlights of the speech included the addition of new parking apps for downtown meters, tremendous job growth, and the introduction of programs like Grow with Google and the eBay Retail program.

Allison Spooner is a writer, storyteller, copywriter, marketing content creator, and communicator. She uses her communication and creative writing skills to articulate the stories and messages that businesses can't express themselves. She has been telling the stories of businesses across the state of Michigan for ten years. You can find both her professional and her creative writing on her website, www.allisonspoonerwriter.com and follow her musings on Twitter @allyspoon.

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2019 GREATER LANSING ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS SPECIAL SECTION

2019 GREATER LANSING ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS SPECIAL SECTION Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Awards: Past Winners..............................20 A Night to Celebrate Entrepreneurs................................................................. 22 2019 Entrepreneur of the Year: The Ticket Machine................................24 The Plant Professionals........................................................................................... 30 Missey Trudell: Standing tall in the face of adversity.................................32 Niowave Sharpens the Cutting Edge of Nuclear Medicine.....................34 Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Awards Photos............................................36 Creative strategies can advance a startup......................................................40 The ABCs of the Five Cs.......................................................................................... 42 Curvaceous Lingerie: Making Every Body Beautiful..................................44

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Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Awards

PAST WINNERS NAME

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Lauren Palmer

POSITION

COMPANY

Owner

Curvaceous Lingerie

AWARD Emerging Entrepreneur

LOCATION Lansing

Jennifer Hinze Owner Polka Dots Boutique Socially Responsible Entrepreneur

Lansing

Molly Chan

Owner and CEO

Alliance Payment Solutions Entrepreneurial Spirit

Okemos

Rick Preuss

Owner

Preuss Pets

Entrepreneur of the Year

Lansing

Karen and Robert Schroeder

Founders

Mayberry Homes

Business of the Year

East Lansing

Sam Short Aaron Matthews Alan Hooper

Owner

Potent Potables Project

Emerging Entrepreneur

Lansing

Lynn Ross

Owner

Mother & Earth Baby Boutique

Socially Responsible Entrepreneur

Lansing

Dawn-Marie Joseph

Owner

Estate Planning & Preservation

Entrepreneurial Spirit

Williamston

Jill Marlan

Founder

Peak Performance

Entrepreneur of the Year

Lansing

Pat Malby

Chief Operating Officer

Dewpoint

Business of the Year

Lansing

Jeffrey McWherter

Owner

Gravity Works Design

Emerging Entrepreneur

Lansing

Keith Granger

CEO

Granger

Socially Responsible Entrepreneur

Lansing

Kellie Johnson

Owner

Kellieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Consignments

Entrepreneurial Spirit

Okemos

Pat Gillespie

Founder/President

Gillespie Group

Entrepreneur of the Year

Lansing

Tom Kuschinski Nick Uppal Colin Cronin Raji Uppal

Co-Founder/President Co-Founder/ Corporate Treasurer Co-Owner/ Vice President Co-Owner/ Vice President

DTN Management Co.

Business of the Year

Lansing

Ian Richardson

Founder/CEO

Doberman Technologies

Emerging Entrepeneur

Mason

Don McNabb

Founder/CEO

Triterra

Socially Responsible Entrepreneur

Lansing

Mike Maddox

President and CEO

ASK

Entrepreneurial Spirit

Lansing

Ron Boji

President

Boji Group

Entrepreneur of the Year

Lansing

Jeff Kresnak

Owner

Superior Asphalt

Business of the Year

Grand Rapids

Crispin Velasquez

President

C&E Pipeline

Emerging Entrepreneur

Lansing

Chris Johnson

Founder/CEO

On Target Living

Socially Responsible Entrepreneur

Bath

Ryan Lowe & Nikali Luke

Owners

Simplified Tax and Accounting Services

Entrepreneurial Spirit

Lansing

Mark Kraushaar & Leigh Kraushaar

Owners

Bell Title Company

Entrepreneur of the Year

Okemos

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A NIGHT TO CELEBRATE ENTREPRENEURS 2019 Entrepreneurial Awards Honors Local Businesses BY ALICIA FINCH On March 7 community members, business leaders and supporters gathered for the 2019 Entrepreneurial Awards to celebrate local entrepreneurs in the Greater Lansing area. Greater Lansing Business Monthly welcomed guests with a networking cocktail hour followed by dinner in the Grand Garden room of Eagle Eye Golf Club.

Attendees laughed and socialized while enjoying one another’s company during the cocktail hour while waiting for the ceremony to begin. As guests made their way to their seats, emcees Tiffany Dowling, president and CEO of M3 Group and publisher of Greater Lansing Business Monthly, and Tony Willis, the director of new economy at the Lansing Economic Area Partnership and president of

Lansing PROTO, took the stage to begin the festivities everyone was patiently waiting for. “I believe it is the responsibility of our business community to support and encourage the local businesses making strides,” said Dowling. “It’s a privilege to be surrounded by so many innovators and risk-takers, and we love to celebrate those making a positive impact.”

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Nominees included business owners and CEOs from in and around the Greater Lansing area and winners were selected through a distinguished panel of judges. Each judge was presented with a binder full of business profiles, narratives and financial information to choose a winner for five broad business categories: Socially Responsible Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Leadership Award, Entrepreneur of the Year and Innovative Company.

Hamp of AdviCoach, Kathryn Burkholder of Consumers Energy, Michael Debri of Huntington Bank, Scott Norman of Physicians Health Plan, Steve Piesko of Maner Costerisan, Bo Garcia of Lansing Community College, Jessica Stark of Transworld Business Advisors, Jennifer Marsh of First National Bank of Michigan, Jason Brunette of Martin Property Development, Don McNabb of Triterra, Debbie Petersmark of WILX and the support of Auto-Owners Insurance.

organizations that make a big impact, just like those honored at the annual Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Awards dinner.

Dr. Tami Peterson, founder and CEO of Oxford Recovery Center, a world-renowned integrative treatment facility with locations in Brighton and Troy, addressed the crowd as the keynote speaker of the evening. She told her reasoning and story of the recovery center and what it means to be an entrepreneur.

The recipients of Greater Lansing Business Monthly’s 2019 Entrepreneurial Awards are:

To learn more about the annual Entrepreneurial Awards or the Greater Lansing Business Monthly, visit glbmawards. com or lansingbusinessnews.com.

Among the speakers of the night was Jeff Jackson, chief lending officer of Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, who addressed the audience as a representative for the judges’ panel. The judges all spent their independent time reviewing the nominee information before coming together to make unanimous decisions. In addition to Jackson, this year’s judges included Reuben Levinsohn of Washington Avenue Advisors, Melody Warzecha of Union Bank, Tom

• Entrepreneur of the Year: Brian Posey of The Ticket Machine Inc. • Innovative Company Award: Niowave, Inc. • Entrepreneurial Spirit: Brian Town of Michigan Creative • Socially Responsible Entrepreneur: Kathy Valentine of The Plant Professionals • Leadership Award: Missey Trudell of Paper Image

As the evening ended, many attendees wished their congratulatory best, and award winners made their way to the stage for a group photo. It is with the support of the community that this year's honorees will continue their success and continue to keep the local economy in Lansing thriving.

Alicia is a 2016 journalism graduate of The University of Akron. She is a Mason, MI resident. She enjoys all things fitness related and has a yorkie poo named Oscar Mayer.

Every business is different, from the leadership that runs it to the unique selling propositions; however, there is one thing all businesses have in common: They continue to be the lifeblood of the economy. The Greater Lansing region is home to some amazing

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2019 AWARD RECIPIENTS!

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ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

2019 ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR:

THE TICKET MACHINE

From college kid to dream gig – how CEO Brian Posey reimagined the ticket-buying experience BY ADAM LANSDELL At the heart of it all, entrepreneurs are driven by their passion. They live for the opportunity to live out their dreams on their terms or break free from the chains of a career that’s kept their desires at bay. However, there’s always the off chance that an entrepreneur’s journey might begin without much intention or expectations. Sometimes your dream role can catch you by surprise. As a Michigan State University student, Brian Posey found his calling and created his dream job … even though he never intended to.

UNINTENTIONALLY CREATING A DREAM JOB Brian Posey, owner and CEO of The Ticket Machine Inc. admitted that he’s always been a sports and entertainment fanatic, but at the dawn of the ‘90s he decided to apply his passion, as a hobby, to make ends meet. His experience 24

with venues, their seating charts, how to obtain tickets to premier shows and score the best deals allowed him to create a side hustle selling tickets to fellow Michigan State University students and others in the area. Primarily focused on concerts, things snowballed quickly, and Posey realized that opportunities within the admissions segment of the overarching entertainment industry were vast. He quickly realized that many others simply didn’t have knowledge of how the industry worked, what the best seats in specific venues were or what was a reasonable price point. He looked to not just provide them with a home for ticketing but provide his customers with experience-based expertise. Yet, like any innovative business, there is risk involved. “It started with a few buddies of mine and a concert, but with my knowledge about sports I

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quickly found an advantage. I knew what sports teams to buy tickets for and who had up-andcoming teams being developed. Because once a team takes off, it’s difficult to get involved,” explained Posey. “It started out as a way to pay bills and get along but quickly turned into something where you realize you could do this infinitely and hopefully do while you’re always taking huge risks. I mean, it’s not like you’re buying tires, where you can sell the same tire a year from now; tickets go away as soon as the event’s done. And so, there is pressure to sell seats.” It wasn’t long before he brought his concepts and visionary market knowledge together to create what is know today as The Ticket Machine Inc. The company officially took shape in 1993 and has been growing ever since.

2019 GREATER LANSING ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS SPECIAL SECTION

AN INDUSTRY OF EVOLUTION At its core, The Ticket Machine is – and has always stood as – a trusted source for fans of sports and entertainment to obtain all their ticketing needs. For the past 26 years the Okemos entertainment purveyor has connected passionate fans with the best seats in the house with a 200-percent satisfaction guarantee. Through its easy-to-use site, customers can seek out tickets to events around the country and Canada to access hard-to-find tickets, often at more affordable prices than competitors. However, when Posey got started, the concept of using the internet for e-ticketing was in its infancy. Buying a ticket to an event you wanted to see meant you needed to be on top of your game, having your ear to the ground to get the latest information about on-sale times at the box office, scouring posters in shop windows or seeking out ads in newspapers. Today, things are much different. “I started this before the internet came around. Back then it was hard to get tickets, let alone know when they went on sale. And when online sales came around things started changing drastically, it really opened up the market for us to connect with more potential customers. It enabled us to sell beyond the region and Detroit area where we focused initially. So, really, drastically is an understatement. It’s something you don’t consider on a daily basis, but over time you start to realize how things have changed.”

BRIAN HAS REALLY CREATED A FAMILY ENVIRONMENT HERE AND HAS SORT OF INVOLVED ALL OF US IN THE INTRICACIES OF THE BUSINESS and professional teams in attempts to obtain the throne. Yet The Ticket Machine offers something these brands simply can’t: a personal connection. When walking into the organization’s Okemos offices, it’s immediately obvious that the team is comprised of fans who get it. With memorabilia scattered literally from floor to ceiling – you’d be insane to not notice the original Breslin Center hardwood that takes up roughly half of the main office space – there is no doubt that the organization lives and breathes regional teams from Michigan State, the Detroit Lions and Red Wings. As such, employees cherish the thrill of conversing with customers and community members about their mutual passion for sports and entertainment.

“I love talking to people about Michigan State or a specific concert or venue or even where to sit. But we want to create relationships first and foremost,” said Posey. “You know, if we see that they would be better off purchasing from StubHub or another competitor, we will let them know. It doesn’t matter if they come in and buy from us, because we still get to offer advice and hopefully that means they’ll come back or tell their friends about us. If we lose a sale or two, it doesn’t matter.” With that enthusiasm comes superiority in customer service. They’ve been to the venues, they know the layouts, they know where to park, they know what side of the stage your favorite artist tends to favor – they know how to make the best of the experience to ensure that guests don’t

According to a study conducted by Grand View Research, the online event ticketing market size was valued at $46.59 billion in 2017 – and as the ever-so-lucrative entertainment industry has continued to evolve, so has The Ticket Machine. The industry is only expected to grow in the years to come, but so might the difficulty grow for fans to find tickets in the face of online scalpers, ticketing bots and intricate digital purchasing queues. These digital hurdles are common complaints from eventgoers today and prevent true fans from connecting to their teams and artists. The Ticket Machine recognizes those hinderances and is adamant about making the process of attending a show and finding a great seat simpler.

CONNECTING AS FANS FIRST One may question how The Ticket Machine has managed to not just survive but thrive in such a highly competitive industry. Giants like Live Nation, Ticketmaster and AXS have dominated the entertainment industry in recent years, obtaining exclusive contracts with touring artists

Back Row Left to Right: Maggi Zwiernik, Brian Posey, Rachel Vincent, Cara McSurely Front Row Left to Right: Jake Iannarelli, Courtney Sokoloski, Jessica Phelps, Kristin Sesti L

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feel underwhelmed by their purchase. These are aspects of the business that create a customized approach to ticket purchasing that goes beyond a seat in the building – creating a level of service customers simple can’t find anywhere else.

The Ticket Machine’s director of financial services. “He’s helped all of us to be successful in our own ways. Even though it’s his business, he gives us a sense that we have a stake in all of it. It’s what motivates me.”

“If I’ve been there, it allows me to make suggestions. For example, explaining to a customer that they might want to consider sitting in a specific section because the performer sits on that side of the stage,” explained Posey. “Or saying, ‘I see that you’re 6-foot-6, can we get you an aisle seat so you’re more comfortable?’ Things they might not otherwise have ever considered or had the opportunity to.”

The staff at The Ticket Machine appreciates how the company has managed to make an impact in the lives of community members as a beacon for regional sports and music fanatics. The company’s history is deeply rooted in East Lansing where it all began. As such, Posey is adamant about hiring fellow Michigan State University alumni to fill roles. It’s a way to not only give back to the university and celebrate the organization’s origins but maintain that connection to the area and keep its ears to the ground.

IT’S ALL ABOUT FAMILY According to Posey, the success of The Ticket Machine Inc. is in no way solely his. Impressively, the average tenure of its current workforce is 10 years or more. Posey has fostered a workplace culture that turns coworkers into family. Posey exemplifies what it means to be a leader through his generosity and an unwavering commitment to both his team members and the community. “Brian has really created a family environment here and has sort of involved all of us in the intricacies of the business,” said Cara McSurely,

“We love having the opportunity to sell fun for a living, especially in this area. We’re driven by our chance to make an impact and support local teams – really be a part of the fabric of this community,” said Maggi Zwiernik, The Ticket Machine’s director of sales and marketing.

THE WINNING FORMULA It comes as no surprise that the organization’s innovative model and continued success have led The Ticket Machine to become the recipient

of the Greater Lansing Business Monthly's 2019 Entrepreneur of the Year. Yet, it was in fact a surprise to Posey. “It came out of nowhere – I guess I didn’t even know we’d been nominated. But it feels really great to receive that recognition, and it all just culminated into this awesome event with tons of terrific businesses and community members that represent the Lansing area,” said Posey. “The judges and people we were nominated with are extraordinary, so our inclusion was humbling. It’s staggering how many people have reached out since the ceremony to congratulate us and introduce themselves. You always hope that there are big opportunities out there, but this is one that I’ve never even thought or dreamed about, so it’s been really cool.” You can learn more about The Ticket Machine by visiting theticketmachine.com. Adam Lansdell is a Grand Valley State University alumnus, and currently a Communications Specialist with M3 Group of Lansing. With a passion for all things creative it comes as no surprise that he’s also a musician, movie buff and graphic designer. Adam spends his down time biking, and spending too much of his personal income on concert tickets or vinyl records.

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SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE ENTREPRENEUR

THE PLANT PROFESSIONALS Spreading green throughout the Capital City BY RICH ADAMS When Kathy Valentine joined, the stillgerminating, The Plant Professionals (then known as the The Plant Therapist of Lansing) in 1980 as a newly hired plant care technician, the firm was just beginning to sprout out from the original one-person operation selling tropical indoor plants.

Valentine’s emerging role, first as a junior partner and then as sole owner of the company in 1990, came full blossom recently as she was named Socially Responsible Entrepreneur at the 2019 Greater Lansing Business Monthly Entrepreneurial Awards banquet at Eagle Eye Golf Club in Bath Township.

Armed with a bachelor’s degree in horticulture from Michigan State University, Valentine helped sow the seeds for growth that would turn The Plant Professionals into a midMichigan powerhouse that manages displays at locations such as Jackson National Life Insurance Co., the Lansing Mall and various state office buildings.

“Kathy Valentine of The Plant Professionals puts the community and the environment at the forefront of decision-making, and her business has earned the right to be viewed as a beacon of inspiration for others in the area,” said Tiffany Dowling, president and CEO of M3 Group, which publishes the magazine and hosts the awards banquet. “By placing an

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emphasis on going green, this is definitely a business that is pushing boundaries for a better tomorrow for all.” Valentine, who has been instrumental in the rapid growth of The Plant Professionals, said she has always been socially responsible with a mindset toward maintaining an ecological balance. “I have always been mindful of sustainability, both in the environment and the community,” Valentine said. “I grew up on a farm, and learned pretty quickly that on a small cashcrop farm nothing is wasted. All life is interrelated.”

2019 GREATER LANSING ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS SPECIAL SECTION

She entered the horticulture field never realizing it would lead to ownership of an awardwinning venture. “No, I was afraid to talk to people,” Valentine said when asked if she ever envisioned being recognized as a top entrepreneur. “I was in the plant business because plants don’t talk back, you don’t have to converse with plants.” Valentine conquered that reluctance for conversation and has been instrumental in The Plant Professionals branching out around the Greater Lansing region since becoming sole owner. She came about management in a manner – and is following suit by passing on management skills – that sounds like the successive iterations of Dread Pirate Roberts from “The Princess Bride.” “I started out on the very bottom rung and then became a junior partner,” Valentine explained. “Debbie Dortch began working at The Plant Therapist of Flint and became a junior partner,

then founded The Plant Therapist of Lansing, which became The Plant Professionals. “She realized early on that I wanted to learn everything about the business and got some advice from her dad and brought me on as a junior partner,” Valentine continued. “I took a lot of pride that she wanted me to be a business partner.” Now Valentine has a junior partner of her own, sharing her knowledge and skills for when Valentine decides to hang up her gardening gloves. When The Plant Professionals was announced the winner in the Socially Responsible Business category, Valentine was very surprised. “I was shocked at first, but then just took great pride in my team,” she said. “They are wonderful and talented people.” You can learn more about The Plant Professionals at theplantprofessionals.com.

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Kathy Valentine accepts her award

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ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT

GIVING GREAT JOBS TO GREAT PEOPLE

MICHIGAN CREATIVE BY ADAM LANSDELL

Many entrepreneurs believe they have the next big idea. The one that will fill that market gap. The one that will catapult into multimillion-dollar success. But for one area business, it’s not about the money, recognition or the fame – it’s simply about creating an opportunity for others to live their best life. “Just as I said when I took the stage to receive the award, we’ve been proud to provide great jobs for great people,” said Michigan Creative founder and CEO Brian Town. “My main goal when starting the company, from day one, was to create a culture where people’s lives were improved, and a place they could come to and actually enjoy.” Brian Town celebrates the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award with the Michigan Creative team

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2019 GREATER LANSING ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS SPECIAL SECTION

traditional mindset – where financial gains define success. That very same people-and-culture-first focus of Michigan Creative is just one of the reasons the organization was selected as the 2019 Entrepreneurial Spirit Award recipient. So how does one measure success when not fueled solely by financial success? “The biggest accomplishment of the business, I think, was finding the people that we found. It just seems like we’ve really, without much purpose, been able to stumble into these great relationships with the people that work for us,” said Town. “We look for other entrepreneurs. Obviously, we also look for creative people, but not everyone here is a designer. We seek out creative thinkers that feel every problem has a solution.” Beyond the goals of creating a satisfying opportunity for area creatives to unify as an agency, Michigan Creative hopes to enable organizations around the state of Michigan to reach their goals through innovative and

inspiring marketing solutions. From graphic design services to website production, Michigan Creative helps brands and organizations build their foundation and solidify their identity to stand out amongst the rest. “We want to help people be more creative in their business. And it gives us the sense that we’re making Michigan a better place,” said Town. “I think we have people here that see the greater good in what we do. They know that if they do what they can for the success of our company and those we work with, it’s going to come back around to them.” Located in REO Town, the organization has already helped make the region a better place to work and do business, thanks to a mantra and ethos that goes above and beyond to do things on behalf of the greater good. The spirit is an inspiration to others aiming to do great things for those around them, something all business owners and entrepreneurs should not soon forget in their own pursuit of success.

Brian Town accepts his award

We’re big fans of people who look out for people. Congratulations to all of the 2019 Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Award recipients. Hard work doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves, so when it makes a community better, we take notice. We appreciate all your efforts, and keep making us stronger.

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LEADERSHIP AWARDS

MISSEY TRUDELL:

STANDING TALL IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY BY CHRISTOPHER NAGY There are two types of leaders: Those who demand respect and those who command respect. Missey Trudell falls firmly into the latter camp, knowing that true respect doesn’t simply come with a job title. It is something to be earned through actions and resolve, as well as the faith and support in and from the surrounding team. The co-owner of Paper Image, 1900 Cedar St. in Holt, has helped nimbly navigate her company through the choppy seas of early adversity and obstacles with the full-throated backing of her staff and community, earning Trudell the Leadership Award at the 2019 Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Awards. “I am in no way, as you probably can tell, someone who is usually speechless, but I was

Missy Trudell accepts award with Todd Wallis

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speechless,” Trudell said. “It really is a privilege and it really validates everything that we worked so hard for, who have we have made it with and who we have made it for – our clients.” Serving the area since 1975, Paper Image is a full-service design, print and mail company as well as a marketing firm for small business. Initially a long-time employee, Trudell now owns Paper Image with fellow long-time employee Todd Wallis. Together, the pair helped bring the business back from the brink of closure in 2014. Trudell and Wallis had long discussed one day purchasing Paper Image, so it came as a shock to them both when, four-and-a-half years ago, the company’s founder said she was shuttering the doors. Mortgage payments had not been made, taxes had not been paid, and closing Paper Image permanently appeared to be the only option because keeping it up and running was a seemingly insurmountable task. Trudell and Wallis, however, weren’t having it. “This wasn’t just something that affected me and my family,” Trudell said. “It was something that would be affecting Todd and his family and 10 other families.”

Spending several weeks’ worth of late nights around Trudell’s dining room table, she and Wallis chiseled out a business plan to keep Paper Image afloat. Trudell described it as getting back to basics with “Marketing 101: Start in your own backyard and expand out. We started doing all the things that I had been helping other companies do.” Once a plan was crafted, Trudell, Wallis and their attorney met with six bankers to state their case. A bank wound up giving Paper Image six months to implement the tactics outlined in the turnaround plan. Six months later, Paper Image received another six-month reprieve. After the initial year, the bank was so impressed with the efforts and progress made by Paper Image, as well as the company’s reputation in the community, that long-term agreements were drawn up. While hard choices were made and hard work was rewarded, Trudell also credited the representatives at the Masonheadquartered Dart Bank, which Paper Image has had a working relationship with for more than a quarter-century. She said the endeavor reaffirmed her commitment to local businesses supporting each other toward a greater community good.

“What I wish I had said from that stage tonight is that they taught us how important it is to work with local companies,” Trudell wrote in a Facebook post hours after the Entrepreneurial Awards. “If it had been another big-name bank, we just would have been a number. No relationship. This became so important to us that I now sit on the board of Local First Mid Michigan. That bank is Dart Bank.” Yet while she feels Dart Bank played a large role of support in the turnaround of Paper Image, Trudell also is quick to sing praise to the Paper Image staff and community. “I say on a regular basis that I have been so blessed to be surrounded by people who help me shine,” Trudell said. “I love hiring somebody who not only will bring strengths and skill sets to improve our company but to be able to share with them skills for their own growth. At Paper Image it does not matter if you have been here for 33 years or for the past three months, everyone has a voice. … We care about our community – and that starts with our own staff.”

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INNOVATIVE COMPANY AWARD

NIOWAVE SHARPENS THE CUTTING EDGE OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE BY RICH ADAMS

Dr. Terry Grimm

Dr. Terry Grimm has won many awards as president and senior scientist of Niowave Inc.

accepted the Tibbetts Award from the U.S. Small Business Association in the Indian Treaty Room of the White House.

The Lansing-based firm – operating out of a former elementary school that was built during the decade when the Model T and electric toaster were considered high technology – is a worldwide leader in research, development and manufacturing of the radioactive isotopes used to treat cancer.

In March, he added to that list of awards, with Niowave being named Innovative Company during the Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Awards ceremony at Eagle Eye Golf Course in Bath Township.

In 2010, Niowave won the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Entrepreneurship Award in Applied Superconductivity. That same year, the U.S. Department of Energy named it as Small Business of the Year. And in 2017, Grimm

The BWL is working to be Michigan’s cleanest utility by providing customers with 30 percent clean energy by 2020 and 40 percent by 2030.

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“We are really thrilled to win this award,” said Grimm “We are honored, very much so. This is such a big deal – it’s been a long time getting to this point.” The “this point” Grimm is referring to is the actual commercial application of the product he and his company have worked years to create. Through the use of, in

2019 GREATER LANSING ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS SPECIAL SECTION

layman’s terms, a particle accelerator sending electron beams near the speed of light that are then split, medical isotopes are created that are used to attack cancer cells without damage to healthy cells. Through his work on the Michigan State University’s cyclotron and on the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, Grimm realized there are real-world applications for less-rare isotopes to treat cancer. In the ramp-up to the point where commercial applications for the isotopes were achieved, Niowave served as a parts supplier to the MSU programs and other national labs. “We make the isotopes, then we get with the nuclear medicine groups that attach the isotopes to the pharmaceuticals,” Grimm said. “That drug takes the isotope to the tumor, and once it is in the tumor, the isotope does damage – and that’s a good thing – killing the tumor.”

Michael Zamiara accepts the award on behalf of Niowave

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Dr. Tami Peterson is welcomed to the stage by Tiffany Dowling and Tony Willis

Attendees enjoyed a cocktail hour before the awards

Michael Zamiara accepts the award for Niowave Dr. Tami Peterson was the evening's keynote speaker

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GREATER LANSING

ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS The event was held at Eagle Eye's Grand Garden banquet room

Kathy Valentine of The Plant Professionals accepts her award

Businesses come in all shapes and sizes, with unique missions and selling propositions. The one thing every business has in common is their undeniable position as the lifeblood of the local economy. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a car dealership, an engineering firm, a bakery or anything in between; their work begins with an idea, passion and willingness to take a risk. Companies in the greater Lansing region have the amazing spirit and determination to make a big impact. These characteristics hold true among the winners of the 2019 Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Award Dinner. Photos by Mark Warner

Attendees check in for the awards

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Photos by Chelsey Freedman

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Susan Angel, Lisa Young, Kelly Ellsworth Etchison and Carmen Thomas

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CREATIVE STRATEGIES CAN ADVANCE A STARTUP In a startup, using creative human capital strategies can enable work to be done, even when resources are scarce. BY REUBEN LEVINSOHN AND ANGIE POPE SUPPORTING POINT/TIP 1: DECONSTRUCT THE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE

• What specifically needs to be done for us to connect with our potential customers?

First determine the critical, few work items that need to be done from the broadest perspective. For example, we need to build a technology platform, we need to connect with our potential customers, and we need to respond quickly to user needs. Then ask the following questions for each category of work to deconstruct the broad categories of work:

• How would we connect with our potential customers?

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• What has to happen on a daily or weekly basis to effectively connect with our potential customers? This analysis will leave you with a list of important work activities. Consider what knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) are required to complete these tasks. Knowledge is what an employee

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SUPPORTING POINT/TIP 2: ASSESS CURRENT TEAM AGAINST THE KSAS If you already have a team in place, you can use the list of knowledge, skills and abilities required to assess where your current team has strengths and gaps. One consideration is that abilities are often described as transferrable skills. So, if an employee has successfully demonstrated an ability in one environment, like a social setting, it is likely he or she would exhibit success with this ability in another environment, like business. SUPPORTING POINT/TIP 3: INVENTORY AND FILL KSA GAPS

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would need to know or understand to complete the work activity (e.g., the building blocks of customer engagement). A skill is what an employee needs to know how to do in order to complete the work activity (e.g., how to use a CRM). An ability is what an employee needs to be (i.e., an innate trait) in order to complete the work activities (e.g., a focused, engaged communicator). There are many free, excellent resources online to help with this type of analysis.

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Once you have compared your current team against the critical KSAs to launch your business, it is time find strategies to fill the gaps. Often at this point an organization determines to hire a full-time employee or outsource the work; but during times of scarce resources, there are other options to consider.

• Building talent: Are there people on your team that would love an opportunity to learn new concepts or skills? Is there time? If an employee has the desire and the business has the time, allowing an employee to develop new skills is a great way to build morale and internal capacity. Even if there is no interest on the team to learn a new skill, if it makes sense to build it internally, find incentives that might make that skill development more appealing. There are many free or low-cost knowledge and skill development resources available to new businesses. Start with the Small Business Administration. • Borrowing talent: Are there local resources available that provide the support for you at no or low cost? Can you partner or create a give/take relationship with another organization that would plug gaps? There are mentoring organizations like SCORE that allow you to borrow the business expertise of another successful executive to support your growth. What local organizations are seeking “real-world” development opportunities for their members/students in the skills you need? • Buying talent: Finally, if the business needs to “own” the work or there is a lack of talent to build or borrow, a business can buy talent without adding a full-time team member. Assess talent

2019 GREATER LANSING ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS SPECIAL SECTION

you are considering to pay against the whole list of KSAs needed. Maybe the person you are considering hiring to design marketing materials also has a knack for spreadsheets and can support the inventory management for the near future. You could consider short-term or gig workers to plug gaps. Tap into local schools and universities to find talent that desires to find experience and works alongside someone more experienced (e.g., teacher, professor). Search out programs that offer incentives for businesses to provide experiences to a target population (e.g., underserved populations, career changers). Determining how to do so much with limited resources be overwhelming, but taking after thoughtful approach initially can lay out a plan to provide some structure to the chaos.

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THE ABCs OF THE FIVE Cs BY JENNIFER MARSH You’ve got loads of ambition, endless ideas and at least one nice suit. What else do you need to receive a business loan? For starters: character, capacity, conditions, collateral and capital (aka “The Five Cs of Credit”). Although “C” might sound like an average grade, you can significantly improve your odds of winning your banker’s confidence by demonstrating your knowledge of the five credit dimensions of this all-important letter. 1. Character. What’s your reputation in the community? Do you have integrity? Your character from a lender’s perspective is as straightforward as it sounds: your over-all trustworthiness, credibility and personality. When applying for a business loan, your banker will evaluate your past history with repayment of both personal and business obligations. This will involve viewing your personal credit report to de-termine your borrowing track record and reliability in loan repayment.

2. Capacity. Also called cash flow, capacity verifies you’ll be able to repay your business loan. What is your debt-to-income ratio (monthly debt payments versus monthly income)? Be prepared to answer this question. You should have sufficient cash flow to support your business expenses and debts while also paying your own salary (and any other principal/employee salaries). If your business is in its infancy, have a solid business plan and financial projections you’re ready to share with your lender. The U.S. Small Business Administration website (sba. gov) offers tips and templates for writing a business plan. 3. Conditions. What environmental and economic conditions might impact your business, as well as your ability to repay the loan? How do you plan on using the money? When looking at conditions, your banker weighs the economic landscape – the scope of your local market and your competition – to determine the viability of your business and financial health of your industry. Are economic conditions likely to change, deteriorate

or improve? How will you react to these potential challenges and shifts? Thoughtful, conscientious entrepreneurs/business owners possess a keen awareness of the bigger picture. 4. Collateral. Consider this your lender’s safety net or parachute in the event you’re unable to repay your loan. Should you default, collateral represents what a bank can take – e.g., real estate, inventory, equipment, accounts receivable – to recover its losses. In situations where a borrower has already demonstrated strong levels of capital, cash and/or historical cash-flow performance, a lender may not require collateral. 5. Capital. Bankers will often look more favorably on your request for a loan when you’ve made a tangible personal investment in your business. In the lender’s eyes, a large contribution by you lowers the risk of default. For example, homebuyers who provide a down payment usually have an easier path to obtaining a mortgage. Capital includes things like cash contributions, retained earnings or

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other assets pledged as collateral. While it never hurts to dress for success, your banker will use “The Five Cs of Credit” as the true yardstick of your “loan worthiness.” So whether you’re hoping to launch a clothing store or expand your existing information technology firm, understanding the ins and outs of your business’ character, capacity, conditions, collateral, and capital will increase your chances of securing that loan. Beyond passing the Five Cs test, you shouldn’t go it alone either. Surround yourself with a topnotch certified public accountant, attorney, insurance agent and other experts who can advise you and nurture the long-term success of your business. Don’t just dream big – plan big when it comes to growth options and succession planning.

Does this sound familiar? • You show a profit at the end of the year, but you can’t find it in any bank account • You need to have a budget, but you don’t know where to start • You are working more hours and making less money than you think you should be • You own a family business and have no processes in place to help the business run smoothly • You feel you are struggling check-to-check with your business and fear a negative setback will be devastating • You feel your leadership skills need to be better in order to lead your company If you answered YES to any of these, AdviCoach can help. A study conducted in part by the SBA identified that 83% of companies generating $25M in revenue or less are financially struggling check-to-check. In other words, most entrepreneurs are barely surviving, financially speaking. Let’s set up a time to review where you are with your business.

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CURVACEOUS LINGERIE Making every body feel beautiful BY KERRY HART Lauren Palmer is sending a strong message to women in the Lansing area to love the skin they are in. Taking female empowerment into her own hands, Palmer opened up Curvaceous Lingerie in Old Town Lansing and has been improving self-esteem and women’s fashion ever since. Her business has grown tremendously since its start and has won Top 3 out of the Top of the Town competition for the past four years, earning Palmer a well-deserved Emerging Entrepreneur at the 2018 GLBM Entrepreneurial Awards.

Lauren Palmer, owner of Curvaceous Lingerie

LAST YEAR, YOU WON EMERGING ENTREPRENEUR AT THE GLBM ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS. HOW DID THAT FEEL? WHY WAS THAT IMPORTANT TO YOU?

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It felt a bit overwhelming. I’ve won other awards before, but this was the first that truly made me feel recognized and empowered by our community. It felt important because I was acknowledged by other business owners and executives as someone doing a good job. That feeling gives me momentum to plow forward and accomplish even greater things. WHAT HAS CHANGED FOR YOUR BUSINESS SINCE WE SPOKE AFTER THE AWARDS LAST YEAR? We are still on a projected plan for growth. Currently we’re converting our entire system to integrate with an e-commerce platform, based on demand from customers who live out of town. We’re expanding our core essential product inventory and are feeling really good about our direction. We have exciting things in the works for 2019.

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WHY DO YOU THINK YOUR BUSINESS STANDS OUT AGAINST THE COMPETITION? There aren’t many shops out there that cater to the size range of women we are able to fit. I’m happy to be able to offer bra-fitting services to those who have never found a bra that works. Our company culture is extremely positive and welcoming, and we celebrate each customer that walks into our door. By providing such an upbeat

experience for people, we ensure they remember how great we are compared to other places they’ve shopped. We aim to make the customer experience easy and fun ... and as we know, many of us dread bra shopping. WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR BUSINESS FIVE YEARS FROM NOW? The plan is to have a fully functioning online shop that reaches national and international

2019 GREATER L ANSING

ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS We are proud to sponsor this year’s Entrepreneurial Awards and congratulate all the nominees and winners!

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customers as well as our flagship shop in Old Town Lansing. My ultimate dream is a private label brand that I’ll have a hand in designing. It will fulfill a lot of customer demands that just aren’t offered on the market right now, plus it will add a fun challenge to my current abilities. DID YOU HAVE AN “AHA” MOMENT AS AN ENTREPRENEUR? The best moment I can think of was when the idea of the business was introduced to me as a random suggestion from a friend. It simply “clicked” as the perfect thing for the Greater Lansing area. We all need great fitting bras and lingerie. Since opening, there really hasn’t been any major moments – I track my data and run analytics, speak with customers and employees, and make decisions based on everything as a whole. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEAVE UP-AND-COMING ENTREPRENEURS WITH? Use your resources. There are a lot of – sometimes free – resources in the Lansing area that you can tap into. That includes the community you’d like to be a part of and open your business in. Reach out, talk to people, ask advice. A successful business is rarely driven by one person alone. If you have people around you that want you to succeed, you will.

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MATTERS OF REPRESENTATION FOR LANSING-AREA ENTREPRENEURS Supporting business owners of diverse backgrounds helps move Michigan forward BY STEFANIE POHL The spirit of entrepreneurship is a part of Michigan’s heritage. To recapture that legacy for Michigan’s future success as a state, organizations must work to embrace and support aspiring business owners who reflect the state’s diverse population.

one university in our state that had a degree in entrepreneurship. Now it’s pretty common. A lot has changed.”

Rob Fowler, CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan, said the growing presence of opportunities for the state’s young talent is helping with that renaissance.

While programs are in place to support those who wish to start businesses, Fowler said it’s difficult to say how Michigan is faring at this moment because of outdated data.

“Here at the SBAM, it feels that there’s a rebirth of entrepreneurship at the college and high school level,” Fowler said. “Ten years ago, there was only

“Data lags,” he said. “I think the data for the 2018 status of small business in Michigan doesn’t

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Fowler

Willis

FEATURE

really reflect what’s going on today. It’s 2015 data. It doesn’t tend to tell the story as we know it.” According to the 2018 Small Business Profile from the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration, there were 1.8 million small-business employees in Michigan. Of the 870,000 small businesses, 158,000 were minorityowned businesses. Fowler said he thinks the reality of it is better than that. Tony Willis, director of the new economy division at Lansing Economic Area Partnership, believes the Lansing area is doing well when it comes to diversity in entrepreneurship. “My initial impression is that Lansing is doing a good job when it comes to both promoting diversity and inclusion,” Willis said. “There have been a number of efforts along the way to make our employers more understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion.” LEAP works with partner organizations – such as the Small Business Development Center, the Lansing Black Chamber of Commerce and Greater Lansing Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – to reach out to certain groups and demographics that might feel disenfranchised. “We always go above and beyond to assist those who might need it,” Willis said. One of LEAP’s notable collaborations over the last few years has been with the Refugee Development Center. Through that partnership, LEAP helped to host pitch competitions called Newcomers, New Ideas. Newcomers is a term used to designate those who are foreign-born and are here seeking refuge.

For Willis, these collaborations are a way for the Lansing area’s diversity in entrepreneurship to improve.

individuals of under-represented groups to take action and be involved in the community.”

“One specific thing as a region that we can do more is that we need a unified voice to help promote entrepreneurs of different backgrounds,” he said. “There’s an organization called Lansing Mosaic that does a good job in terms of highlighting entrepreneurs with diverse backgrounds.” Founded in 2016 by Willis’ spouse, Ashlee, Lansing Mosaic seeks to act as an advocate for diversity and entrepreneurship in the region. Its mission is to “promote and educate the diverse business culture in Lansing through projects, events, videos and article content,” as well as partnering with local businesses and organizations that embrace inclusion in their practices. Willis also sees potential for success with the help of larger organizations, whose support would inspire groups through championing and representation. “A lot of folks might not see themselves to be entrepreneurs because they don’t see anyone like themselves as entrepreneurs,” Willis said. “I think that’s a way we can both promote and encourage

IMAGINE

Willis views inclusivity in business as vital not only for the future of the Lansing region, but for the state of Michigan as a whole. “Michigan being a welcoming community is of the utmost importance for us for our long-term viability as a state. Just by population alone, we need folks to be inspired,” Willis said. “We need to engage groups that might not have been engaged before to keep turning out the economic drivers the state needs to stay significant in the long term. While some organizations might shy away from the topic, it only benefits Michigan to be the state we want it to be in the future.” Stefanie Pohl earned a BA in English and Creative Writing from Michigan State University and an MA in Writing and Publishing from DePaul University. She is currently a freelance writer raising her two young daughters with her Spartan sweetheart. Find her musings about motherhood and more on her blog, www.mostefinitely.com. Stefanie has been spelling out her name since 1985.

the possibilities

“We in Lansing are a welcoming community,” Willis said. “Those were more geared toward folks that are in the younger age range. We asked them to pitch ideas. ‘What do you think Lansing can improve upon?’ We wanted to incorporate those voices into the community.” LEAP has also worked in the past with the Small Business Administration on its InnovateHER Challenge, a workshop and competition geared to engage female entrepreneurs. “Instead of creating things on our own, we look at other opportunities and strategies already laid out and plug ourselves into those,” Willis said. “I think we have to take it seriously and look at how we are planning to engage this demographic. It needs to be on the list of priorities as an organization, and act accordingly. You’ll see that it’s tough to do that by yourself, so it’s good to collaborate with organizations that are already catering to a certain demographic.”

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GET ME BACK IN THE GAME, COACH! Business trainers provide support, advice to business owners

BY TERESA J. FRITH If your business is struggling to meet its goals or having issues with communication, teamwork or strategic planning, then it just might be time to hire a business coach to get you back on the right track. Similar to the way a sports coach helps athletes improve their game; a business coach provides support and advice to help businesses identify ways to improve the efficiency. The coach works with you to improve leadership, employee accountability, teamwork, sales, communication, goal setting, strategic planning and more. “As a business coach, I work with businesses and organizations in various capacities, working to achieve the entity’s goals,” explained Lisa Fisher, business trainer and coach. “In most cases, I work with key leadership, business owners and teams or departments within the organization.” According to Fisher, she first conducts a needs analysis to identify where the business wants or needs to move forward by using focus and accountability. Then she helps leadership narrow down the activities that the business can commit to that will lead to the results they are looking for and, ultimately, create and execute the strategies that will achieve those activities. Key metrics are then checked either weekly or biweekly to ensure everyone is on track or if anything needs to be changed. 50

A critical factor of business coaching is accountability. A business coach is not a consultant. They don’t do the work for a business. Their job is instead to focus on the end result and remind the business why that is vital and to help the business stay committed.

work-life counterbalance, systems and models, marketing, and expansion,” said Fisher. “I love being a business coach because I am helping people achieve their definition of success. I also get to meet a lot of great people and, as I continue to meet more, connect them with each other.”

Fisher stressed that business coaching is much different from consulting in that a consultant evaluates and then makes suggestions that advise the client what he or she should do. A business coach works like a partner with a business to measure performance, watch for gaps and work to close them, all while keeping eyes on the target and working to improve the business’ game.

The bottom line is that business coaching is a relationship between the coach and the client. A business coach is the person the business goes to for guidance and support who helps figure out what’s stopping someone from creating the business he or she wants.

“Through questions, we find out about what you want to achieve, not what I think you should do,” said Fisher. “We mastermind around what that might look like and measure the progress. If something is not working, we will dive into it.” On a typical day, Fisher asks a lot of questions. She meets her clients wherever they are most comfortable and gets to business doing a complimentary strategy session to find out what that client needs and what they want to make better in the business. “I help clients with things like increasing revenue, developing leadership, increasing productivity,

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“The wins that come from coaching are the client’s wins. They come from the actions you, the client, are willing to commit to take,” stressed Fisher. “I can only help you identify and hold you accountable to those actions you say you want to do. If you are unwilling to commit to do what you say it takes, you will not get the results you are seeking.” Teresa Frith is a Navy veteran now residing in Nashville, Mich. She's been writing and editing as a freelancer since retiring from the Navy in 2011, where she was a military journalist. She holds a BA in English from Western Illinois University. Her hobbies include reading, writing and working to help stray and feral cats.

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2425 E. Grand River Ave., Ste. 1 Lansing MI 48912

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BY STEFANIE POHL | PHOTO BY MARY GAJDA

JEFF ROSTONI

OWNER AND OPERATOR AT AIR QUALITY CONSULTANTS Jeff Rostoni is the owner and operator of Air Quality Consultants in Haslett. When he graduated from Michigan State University in 1995 with an environmental degree, he wasn’t sure what type of job he would get out of college. After working at an environmental firm for several years, Rostoni started Air Quality Consultants in 2012.

HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO PURSUE A CAREER IN THE WORLD OF AIR QUALITY? It was a good 15 to 18 years ago, when there was a big mold scare. There was a lot of news media that occurred over a short period of time. People started understanding that mold and moisture in buildings is a big problem. A lot of what I started doing began back then. That concern has never gone away. I started AQC in 2012, and our focus is mainly helping residential homeowners. We do commercial and hospitals, but we’re really geared toward doing building diagnostics for homeowners and helping them resolve their issues. We identify what is going on in the building and what is the appropriate way to fix the issue.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A BUSINESS OWNER? 52

The larger environmental firm I used to work for stopped providing the service of building diagnostics. I went on my own and started my own company to continue that service. It’s a type of service that is better suited for owneroperators as opposed to larger environmental companies. When you’re dealing with residential customers, and they’re having these types of issues, there’s a lot of education and personal time that goes into it. That’s not a well-suited service for some of these bigger companies. Most environmental firms operate much like an attorney with billable hours, so it can feel like the meter is running when you’re talking to a client. The residential market needs a more personal touch, and that’s what has driven me to start my own business and continue doing those types of services.

Often, we don’t know why we’re going to the site initially. It could be anything from a particle source to mold to anything else that can be an indoor air quality issue. A lot of the calls we get are based on someone drawing the conclusion that their house is making them sick. Another thing we get calls about is chasing down odors. That can be just about anything. People don’t know who to call when there’s a strange odor, so we do a lot of building diagnostics to figure out where the odor is coming from. Another type of call we get, from landlords or building operators, is meth testing. Whenever there is a meth lab in a dwelling, whether that be a hotel or mobile home community or a house, the health department condemns the structure. That’s where we come in to figure what the extent of contamination is and write a remediation plan.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMON REASONS WHY HOMEOWNERS AND COMPANIES REACH OUT TO YOUR BUSINESS?

HAVE YOU NOTICED AN INCREASE IN NEED FOR ASSESSMENTS AS RELATED TO METHAMPHETAMINE?

When there’s visible water and mold damage, homeowners don’t know what to do and how to do it. Oftentimes, a lot of the calls that I get are people having health symptoms, and they start figuring out that it’s coming from their house.

I would not say that there’s been an increase or a decrease in meth usage. It’s more that there’s been a decline in police identifying meth labs. Police are often limited to budgets as well as what the directives are. Oftentimes, they have certain things that they’re going after that is

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more of an issue. It’s all about enforcement and what is left in the budget. There is a lot of methamphetamine and fentanyl activity that no one knows about.

WHAT DO YOU SEE ON THE HORIZON IN TERMS OF AIR QUALITY CONTROL TRENDS OR NEEDS IN THE FUTURE? Specific to my industry, what we’re going to be seeing a lot more than we already are is that houses are being constructed differently now. There’s a much bigger emphasis on energy efficiency, so whenever you have a focus on that, houses are being built tighter. That means less air coming in from outdoors. And, unfortunately, we’re using cheaper and different types of building materials. Simply put, we’re seeing a lot of different air quality issues in houses, resulting from tight buildings and those materials. I think that trend is going to increase. That’s why I pride myself on being knowledgeable about all aspects of a building – not just air testing but true building diagnostics and how everything is functioning together. We’re going to see a lot more indoor quality issues as a result of these changes.

community, such as the sailing center, a new bakery that opened up and a chocolatier in town – businesses that people who live nearby wouldn’t know exist. I really believe strongly in supporting and promoting small businesses even if I personally don’t get anything out of it in return. That’s not my style. I have seen the impact on brick-and-mortar stores with online businesses. The other thing I’ve noticed in my professional career is that all of my work comes from referrals and networking, not from marketing per se. Networking is pretty simple: It’s people looking out for other people. It’s

that simple. I’ve always been a proponent for promoting small business and others’ businesses. It’s something I’ve always felt strongly about. Living in a smaller community amongst a bigger community in Haslett, we have some really major anchor tenant spaces that have gone unrented for a long time. I see what that does to surrounding businesses, so any opportunity I have to help someone’s business locally or regionally, I do it.

ON THE OTHER HAND, WOULD YOU SAY THAT THE “OPEN CONCEPT” LAYOUT TREND IN HOMES ALSO PRESENTS POTENTIAL CHALLENGES FOR ASSESSING AIR QUALITY? Yes, it actually makes it harder for me. That means whatever is going on in the house, whether it’s an odor issue or a chemical exposure or particles, it goes throughout the whole house. Sampling sometimes does not point the finger at which area it’s coming from. Honestly, we have to do a lot of detective work and use sampling as a means to determine whether our work is correct or not. Openconcept houses actually make our job more challenging, but I wouldn’t say they cause any additional environmental issues.

FINALLY, YOU’RE A BIG SUPPORTER OF OTHER LOCAL BUSINESSES. CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY THAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU? I’ve been in several business groups. When I have done tapings for “Morning Blend,” I looked for unique treasures of the Haslett L

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KEY IN-DEMAND JOBS POISED FOR LONG-TERM GROWTH BY RICH ADAMS

Robert Half, an international employment agency, collected data and determined the 12 jobs having the greatest long-term potential, including their midpoint salaries in the Lansing area from the firm’s salary calculator.

Customer service manager

Member services/ enrollment manager

Litigation support/ eDiscovery analyst

Business analyst

Compliance analyst

Digital strategist

$38,462

$47,175

$53,762

$58,225

$63,750

$65,875

These professionals direct a team of customer service specialists and help resolve escalated or difficult issues regarding customer complaints and other problems. They evaluate overall team performance and work closely with managers in other departments.

In the health care field, member services managers are responsible for the quality assurance of the organization. They supervise other customer service staff who answer inquiries from providers and members about coverage, claims, benefits and other issues.

Employers seek litigation support/eDiscovery analysts with a law degree or bachelor’s degree and proficiency in the latest industry software. Strong project management abilities, attention to detail and interpersonal skills are needed to support litigation matters.

Business analysts determine business unit needs and plan, implement and improve information systems across multiple departments, ensuring data and reporting needs are met.

A compliance analyst in the legal field assists in the development of risk controls and works with the compliance administration team to implement internal procedures, processes and programs.

Digital strategists identify digital marketing strategies and campaigns for meeting a company’s or client’s goals utilizing web analytics and optimization, search engine optimization and search engine marketing, and customer relationship management software.

Digital marketing manager

Systems analyst

UX designer

Business intelligence analyst

Data architect

Mobile applications developer

$67,575

$78,838

$85,212

$90,100

$113,475

$115,388

These professionals develop, implement and oversee digital marketing campaigns that promote a company by enhancing brand awareness within the digital space and driving website traffic, sales and leads.

Systems analysts help business and IT teams find technical solutions to business problems. Duties include analyzing hardware and software issues, writing and maintaining systems documentation, and translating user and system requirements into functional, technical specifications.

User experience (UX) designers zero in on usersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; underlying emotional and functional needs and help create an enjoyable digital experience based on those discoveries.

Again, businesses are collecting big data. Business intelligence analysts turns raw data into actionable insights and developing reporting solutions that work across the organization

Plenty of businesses collect data, but to do what with it? The translation, analysis and ability to find data-based solutions is in high demand, and data architects can deliver the information.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an app for that, but where does that app originate? The demand for app developers will continue to increase. These professionals work on new deployments, app coding, testing and debugging.

LEGISLATIVE

THE ROAD TO IMPROVEMENT Focus on infrastructure lays groundwork for Lansing’s future BY STEVE JAPINGA The Lansing region has undergone a wide range of changes and improvements in the way we live, work and play. Entrepreneurship has been a key catalyst in the transformation. Entrepreneurship leads to job creation, an improved standard of living and a more prosperous community. In the Lansing region, the Lansing Economic Area Partnership and the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce continue to work together to create an environment for innovation and to help entrepreneurs and businesses connect, grow and thrive. We have all the right tools to help entrepreneurs get started and businesses grow, but the Lansing region is not where we need to be in terms of our infrastructure. Having quality infrastructure is vital to creating a positive ecosystem that will retain future entrepreneurs, allow current businesses to thrive and attract new businesses to the region. In 2018, we made significant breakthroughs for our region’s infrastructure through the efforts of the Capital Councils of Governments (CAPCOG), a regional partnership between the Clinton, Eaton and Ingham County boards of commissioners; the Lansing chamber; and Michigan State University, formed to advocate for improvement that 56

benefits our region. There were three substantial infrastructure projects that will have a significant return on investment and improve our community:

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Coleman Road Extension: We secured $7.6 million to extend Coleman Road to ease traffic on Lake Lansing and State roads while creating new economic development opportunities and jobs. Heritage Hall (Michigan Capitol): We secured $40 million to add a new welcome center to the Michigan Capitol, serving as an educational resource for Michiganders and visitors. Two-way street conversion in downtown Lansing: We secured $3.3 million to convert downtown Lansing streets from one-way to two-way traffic flow.

More recently, CAPCOG adopted its 2019 priorities, outlining several key regional infrastructure projects to make the region more prosperous. One of those major regional infrastructure projects is the Interstate 496 and U.S. 127 interchange. CAPCOG is also focused on working with all three of the public transit bus systems to deliver better public transit services to residents and businesses.

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Although these projects are great for the community, the Lansing region has been significantly underfunded, preventing the community from making the necessary improvements to our infrastructure. Over the next year, CAPCOG will be working with the Legislature to rework the funding formula that is administered by Michigan Department of Transportation to allocate more funding dollars for the Lansing region. There is no doubt that Lansing is a great place to live and work. CAPCOG is working relentlessly to ensure our region has the funding and approval to make infrastructure improvements that will continue to cultivate an atmosphere for entrepreneurship. Steve Japinga is Director of Government Relations for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. He is responsible for developing and managing the Chamber’s policy priorities as well as monitoring local, state, and federal issues that may impact the business community and the Greater Lansing region. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and lives in Lansing with his wife Katherine and dogs, Charlie and George.

“The training I received gave me exactly what I needed.” -Erica Spitzfaden, Senior Network Engineer

We can help you find the candidate who’s exactly what you need.

CONNECTING WITH BUSINESS. STRENGTHENING OUR WORKFORCE. camw.org | 1-800-285-WORK

Capital Area Michigan Works! is a proud partner of the American Job Center network. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this piece will be made available in an alternative format upon request to Capital Area Michigan Works! Relay Center. Call 711 or 844-578- 5653 (Voice and TDD). Funding for Capital Area Michigan Works! is received in part from the U.S. Department of Labor, the State of Michigan Department of Health L a nand s i nHuman g B u s Services, i n e s s N and e w s . c o m the Talent Investment Agency. An Equal Opportunity Employer/Center.

BUSINESS CALENDAR

APRIL 2019 APRIL 1 FOUNDER BRAINSTORMING SESSION, LANSING Starting a company is hard. David Smith wants to help you. Smith has started four businesses and helped grow two others to various levels of success. Two of the businesses he founded in Lansing ended up winning service contracts with multibillion-dollar organizations. He’s also been part of three businesses that didn't go well at all, so he knows how painful and how rewarding founding a company can be. This event can help you move forward with ideas, shared experiences, network connections and resources. Visit this event on Eventbrite for more information.

APRIL 17 BURGESS NEW VENTURE CHALLENGE FINAL EVENT, EAST LANSING The Burgess New Venture Challenge is Michigan State University’s premier student entrepreneurial showcase. The program represents best-in-class experiential learning focused on innovation, business planning and proactive initiative. Our goal is to empower the entrepreneurial mindset and create a lasting impact on our students as they transition into their careers in the global marketplace.

APRIL 18 THE DRINKING LUNCH, LANSING There was a time when it was expected that you’d have a few at your business lunch – and then it vanished. The Drinking Lunch is proud to bring back that afternoon libation – without the judgment. So, bring your business cards and raise a toast to The Drinking Lunch. Visit TheDrinkingLunch.com for more information.

APRIL 18 PACE AWARDS 2019, EAST LANSING The PACE Awards are mid-Michigan’s highest honor of public relations activities and are awarded annually to practitioners who, in the judgment of their out-of-state peers, have successfully addressed a contemporary issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness. More than 58

300 organizations have been recognized for excellence in public relations over the past two decades. Nonprofit organizations, corporations, and public and private agencies in Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Ingham, Jackson, Livingston and Shiawassee counties can submit entries. Visit cmprsa.com/awards/paceawards for more information.

You can find more information about Pitch Club by visiting PitchClubMI.com.

APRIL 24 CXM BEST PRACTICES SYMPOSIUM, EAST LANSING

Join the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council for the seventh annual member meeting at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing. This full-day conference – EIBC’s most popular event of the year – provides attendees an opportunity to network, learn about innovations in advanced energy and get an overview on the latest policy developments. There will be several breakout panels throughout the day and dozens of expert panelists. The event brings together leaders in Michigan’s advanced energy industry, utility executives, policymakers, regulators and others. Visit mieibc.org/event/7th-annualmember-meeting for more information.

Hosted twice each year by CXM@MSU, the CXM Best Practices Symposium is designed to provide participants with practical insights and the tools necessary to address what is quickly becoming an imperative for success in today’s competitive business world. In fact, according to Gartner, 89 percent of companies plan to compete primarily on the basis of customer experience this year. The spring 2019 CXM Best Practices Symposium is focused on providing attendees with practical and actionable tools and practices illustrated through a series of keynote speakers, breakout sessions, roundtable discussions and a networking reception. The symposium covers the spectrum of customer experience management practices, with a special focus on understanding customers and engaging employees as part of the customer experience management process. Visit this event on Eventbrite for more information.

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APRIL 23 MICHIGAN EIBC MEMBER MEETING, EAST LANSING

PITCH CLUB LANSING AT MSU INNOVATION CENTER Pitch Club is a unique mentoring and funding program hosted across Michigan in cities such as Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing and Grand Rapids. Pitch Club has ongoing monthly events that provide entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn from seasoned entrepreneurs and investors. The events are meant to educate, network, inspire and provide valuable experiences for being investable. As part of the events, three lucky entrepreneurs will receive the opportunity to practice their pitches and discuss their business plans with funding experts, giving them a better understanding the mindset of an investor. Presenters will be given milestones to complete. In addition to guidance from the host and guest experts, attendees will be given a survey to provide additional feedback to the presenters. Pitch Club will also feature a guest keynote who can speak on topics related to starting a company, technology and opportunities for entrepreneurs.

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GRUBSTAKE INVESTOR EDUCATION TRAIN THE TRAINER WORKSHOP, LANSING Local investing education is a communitywide responsibility. You’re invited to learn how to bring that education to your own backyard. The event runs from 9:30-11 a.m. at the Michigan Municipal League in Lansing. You’ll learn how to host a mock pitch event and how to manage a nuanced conversation, and you’ll leave the Train the Trainer event with a rough game plan that you and your colleagues will work on during the session, so you have action items to guide your next steps. Visit eventbrite. com/e/grubstake-investor-education-train-thetrainer-workshop-2-tickets-54764642520 for more details.