From play to pay, Hazel Park kid finds success with business

Simms has been with Ann Arbor SPARK since it was founded.

His work will be a part of New York Fashion Week.

They say to give a person a fish and you would have fed them for a day. But teach a person how to fish, and you’ve fed them for an entire lifetime.That same concept is being applied in the sense of how one local entrepreneur has helped launch over 60 small businesses all over the region.

Denovo Fertility was the Best of Boot Camp winner at Ann Arbor SPARK's 2022 Entrepreneur Boot Camp Celebration.

Jennyfer Crawford, known for All Things Detroit, is curating the weekday food truck fest for Detroit for the first time.

For small business owners in Detroit, Eastern Market was the place to be this weekend.

As part of EMU’s eight-week Executive Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Venture Challenge program, enrolled entrepreneurs pitched their ideas to local business leaders for the chance to win funding.

CEO and “Chief Storyteller” of Menlo Innovations, Richard Sheridan, will be speaking as part of CUAA's MBA Industry Leaders Seminar Series.

A Michigan entrepreneur decided to pivot her business when the COVID pandemic triggered a shut down of the avenue for her to sell her goods.

The CEO of Black Leaders Detroit is biking the distance to make a difference.

The James Group is awarding entrepreneurs and students up to a total of $100,000 to celebrate the 50-year anniversary, legacy and spirit of The James Group Founder, John A. James.

The James Group is awarding entrepreneurs and students up to a total of $100,000 to celebrate the 50-year anniversary, legacy and spirit of The James Group Founder, John A. James.

This entrepreneur went form the legal bench to her own beauty bar

Parents will go above and beyond to make sure their kids have everything they need to have enriching educational experiences. One dad, who used to call Metro Detroit home, is no exception.

Prentice 4M says it is Michigan's first co-living, co-working space.

These courses will teach you how to start a t-shirt business from home

A group of young entrepreneurs have seen their lawn and snow removal business broken into three times in the last five years.

The internships will be funded by Ann Arbor SPARK and a grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund. ANN ARBOR – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) will partner with Ann Arbor SPARK to launch the Michigan STEM Forward internship program on a statewide level. SPARK has run the program on a local level through the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti SmartZone with a decade of positive results. In scaling the program up, MEDC will work in partnership with SPARK to place 425-450 STEM students currently attending Michigan colleges annually into STEM-focused internships throughout Michigan. “Ann Arbor SPARK is thrilled to leverage our decade of experience running our own Ann Arbor-based internship program and take the opportunity to administer the Michigan STEM Forward program on behalf of the state,” said Bill Mayer, Ann Arbor SPARK’s vice president of entrepreneurial services.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation will partner with Ann Arbor SPARK to launch the Michigan STEM Forward internship program on a statewide level.

ANN ARBOR – Michigan House is again preparing to serve as a platform for the state’s innovators and creatives to connect with the worldwide audience that attends the South by Southwest Conference and Festival (SXSW) next week. In the moment it was devastating, but even within a couple days it was clear the right decision had been made,” said Ted Velie, a co-founder of Michigan House. We were thrilled then, that SXSW found a way for us to still connect this year.”AdOver the course of the five day virtual conference, Michigan House will host three Official SXSW Panel Discussions, a virtual meet-up for entrepreneurs, a Michigan Startup Portfolio, and a Michigan House Booth on SXSW’s digital platform. AdSee the schedule below for the panels, organized by Ann Arbor SPARK’s Komal Doshi, and the Michigan-focused SXSW event. Hosted by Start Garden, Ann Arbor SPARK, Detroit Startup Week & MEDCTo attend the free event, register here.

SXSW will have a series of Michigan-focused events this year.

DETROIT – For Women’s History Month, meet a woman who like many of us had no idea how difficult 2020 would be. “I said, ‘Thank you for the responsibility that I have.’”It’s safe to say Grant is winning. The self-described serial entrepreneur is the owner of a number of Metro Detroit based businesses including one she’s most proud of, 2050 Partners Inc.“2050 Partners Incorporated is an integrated marketing agency. This Women’s History Month is important to Grant because she shares her story of triumph through tragedy in hopes that it inspires other women. “I want my place in women’s history to be a serial entrepreneur and mother who seized opportunities and created and built opportunities for other people.”Grant calls herself not just a serial entrepreneur, but an overall “master of making it happen.”More: Women’s History Month stories

ANN ARBOR – One of Tree Town’s very own has been named to the Forbes Next 1000 list. Sauve applied for the list and had a feeling she was picked when representatives continued to contact her. For now, she is the only Ann Arborite to make it on the list. AdCredit: IVEY Salon | Synecdoche DesignLiving by the motto “Do Good Work,” Sauve said the practice is expanding its charitable arm. A lean operation with five employees, architects Sauve, Smith and Sidney Migoski design projects remotely while design-makers Julia Hunt and Lindsey Sieja work in the shop.

“The morning of, I had an idea for a scrunchie shot,” said Chief Executive Officer Gaynor, who was a junior at the time. They sold their first Scrunchie Shots on campus at a deep discount in November ahead of the U-M vs. Michigan State game. Scrunchie Shot co-founders Justine Abbo (left) wearing Mojito, Catherine (middle) wearing Mojito, Heather Gaynor (right) wearing Shamrock Shooter. AdTo date, they have sold more than 300 units and e-commerce platform Shopify placed Scrunchie Shot in the top 6% of all stores that launched same week they did. Scrunchie Shot launched its St. Patrick's Day collection on Feb. 22, 2021.

DETROIT – Between the pandemic and holiday season, people are relying on home deliveries more than ever. A pair of Detroit entrepreneurs aims to change the industry, taking it from a corporate concept to a more personalized service. Dinessa and Wilbur Hughes III believe the future of retail and running errands will involve smaller, more individualized delivery services. The family-owned business wanted to expand and, with so many relying on home deliveries, they decided to rebrand their trucks and offer a new service. Do what you can do.”More information on Zoom 2Day can be found on its official website, its official Facebook page or by phone at 248-855-8600.

While many businesses have struggled to keep up during the pandemic, Gwen Jimmere has not only kept her business afloat, but has also earned herself the title of Entrepreneur Of The Year. Ernst & Young awarded her the honor in the 2020 Michigan and Northwest Ohio category. Jimmere is the founder and CEO of Naturalicious hair care company, a business that sells products to help repair natural hair, and teaches customers about hair care. Jimmere said she started the company with only 32 dollars in investments after getting out of an abusive marriage. So far over 400 women have participated, and Jimmere says the results are “mind-blowing.”To find out more about Naturalicious and the Repair your Hair Challenge, watch the video above.

ANN ARBOR – Ann Arbor SPARK won a gold category award for its Ann Arbor as a Mobility Living Lab, a project in the Public-Private Partnerships category of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)'s 2020 Excellence in Economic Development Awards Program. “Once again, Ann Arbor is recognized as a region that excels in innovation and collaboration,” said Paul Krutko, Ann Arbor SPARK president and CEO. Ann Arbor SPARK works closely with the region’s academic institutions, public officials, and private sector businesses to build an environment that attracts mobility companies and talent to the region. Ford has partnered with the city of Ann Arbor for its Ford City Insights Platform. “The winners of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the very best of economic development and exemplify the ingenuity, integrity, and leadership that our profession strives for each and every day,” said 2020 IEDC Board Chair and One Columbus CEO Kenny McDonald.

The honor was presented at an awards ceremony during the IEDC Annual Conference.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. Watch six regional startups pitch their businesses for the chance to win $20,000. The pitch competition has been organized by the Ann Arbor Entrepreneurs Fund and will be hosted by Dug Song, Founder of Duo Security and A2EF steering committee member. Applications for the pitch competition were open to startups serving Washtenaw and Wayne counties that focused on social impact. Ann Arbor Entrepreneurs Fund is an initiative lead by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. Related: Ann Arbor Entrepreneurs Fund launches pitch competition for entrepreneurs making an impact

NEW YORK Jay-Z and Pharrell Williams have teamed up to release a new song about Black ambition titled Entrepreneur." Black Twitter, whats that? When Jack gets paid, do you? raps Jay-Z, referring to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. For every one Gucci, support two FUBUs.On the track, Williams sings: In this position with no choice/The system imprison young Black boys/Distract with white noise." Williams told TIME the song is about how tough it is to be an entrepreneur in our country to begin with."