Entrepreneurship

Michigan Vein Care Specialists opens Ann Arbor clinic

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May 1, 2013

It may come as a surprise to many that 40 to 60 percent of people have some sort of vein disease. Even those that may be aware of their issues may not realize that non-invasive procedures are available to treat them. That is one of the reasons that after working with Chelsea Surgical Associates for several years, Dr. Suzanne Jones decided to focus her energies on vein issues, opening Michigan Vein Care Specialists on W. Eisenhower Pkwy. "A lot of people are surprised to find out that their vein problems can be corrected so quickly," says Jones. "Some people go back to work the same day." Michigan Vein Care Specialists offers laser and radiofrequency treatment in their new, 2,200 square-foot office. The business began seeing patients in January and will celebrate its grand opening on May 20. "I love the location," says Jones of the W. Eisenhower Pkwy office. "It's very easy for patients to get to. I see a lot of patients from this side of town." Including Jones, the new office employs a staff of five. As the business continues to grow, Jones hopes to bring in another practitioner and perhaps expand into a second Ann Arbor-area location. Michigan Vein Specialists will host a free screening event for vein issues on May 16. Source: Dr. Suzanne Jones, Michigan Vein Care Specialists Writer: Natalie Burg

Latest in Entrepreneurship

Environmentalist grows passion into Ann Arbor Seed Co.

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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May 1, 2013

Eric Kampe has a couple of passions and two are taking priority in his life right now. The Ann Arbor resident is an environmentalist and seed-saving enthusiast. Seed savers will save and collect seeds for farming. The idea is to keep local ecosystems fresh and diverse through using local, organic and native seeds. That hobby got Kampe started on creating his own business, Ann Arbor Seed Co. "I am very passionate about growing food in a healthy and organic way," Kampe says. "I am also passionate about seed saving." Ann Arbor Seed Co. sells 10 varieties of fruits and vegetables, such as an heirloom tomato called Cherokee Purple and a sunflower called Tigers Eye. The 1-year-old business sells its seeds at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Growing Hope in Ypsilanti and The Garden Mill in Chelsea. It recently sold out of its line of spinach seeds. Kampe splits his time between the two full-time jobs of running Ann Arbor Seed Co. and driving a delivery truck. He hopes to make Ann Arbor Seed Co his only job by tripling or even quadrupling his product portfolio this year. It would allow him to follow his passion in agriculture and keep working his hands. "It's a rewarding lifestyle," Kampe says. Source: Eric Kampe, owner of Ann Arbor Seed Co Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Jiffy mix has baked-in business success

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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April 24, 2013

At age 83, the Jiffy mix company is rather vintage, but there's a reason it's had such a long run. And the muffins are still fresh. Excerpt: "Anyone who has dared venture down a grocery store's baking aisle or opened their grandparent's cupboard has probably seen one of the timeless white and blue "Jiffy" boxes that haven't changed much since the mixes were first invented by Holmes' Grandmother in 1930. What I didn't know until I did some homework, was just how great of a company is behind Jiffy mix. After a 16-minute long chat with the Jiffy mix CEO, and 11 years of studying business and economics, I knew I had discovered one of America's last great businesses. Here is seven reasons why... 5. Jiffy mix staff find meaning and purpose through their work. When I commented on Holmes' decision not to sell off even part of his multi-million dollar company, he said "What would I do if I sold-out? Spend my life vacationing somewhere?!" The CEO of Jiffy has the right attitude. Our occupations, in balance with our relationships, give our lives meaning. To work a job just for money or to escape from community and family responsibilities is shallow at best. A visiting reporter from Fortune magazine described Jiffy mix as "a decidedly chipper workplace, with friendly employees who seem to be genuinely enjoying their jobs. They greet Holmes warmly, he appears to know virtually all of them by name, and none of it feels phony." More here.

Suds up! Michigan is 5th in nation for craft brewing

By Newsroom

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Arts & Culture

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April 24, 2013

Michigan is a craft brewer sophisticate among the states. Excerpt: 5. Michigan, 102 craft breweries "Michigan is quickly moving up the ladder in the world of craft beers with over 100 breweries in the state. You may not find the big name craft brews of other states, but what you will find is some hidden gems -- and maybe your new favorite -- at local institutions like Bells Brewery and Founders Brewery." More here.

The Eyrie to bring Michigan-made goods to Depot Town

By Natalie Burg

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Development News

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April 24, 2013

After traveling the world for more than a decade as a flight attendant, Janette Rook knew just what kind of gifts she wanted to feature in her new Depot Town shop, The Eyrie, set to open April 25. "You don't see the regional differences or the unique local items like I remember more from when I was a kid, and from other countries," says Rook, who also worked as a union activist before deciding to open her own business. "I'd like to recreate that more vibrant experience as much as I can in our little corner of Michigan." Rook decided the beautiful historic storefront in Ypsilanti's Depot Town was the perfect place to showcase a variety of goods from Michigan artisans including art, accessories, home décor items and potted plants. "I'd love for this place to be one more reason folks come to Ypsilanti and see what I see," says Rook, "not only in Depot Town, but in downtown Ypsilanti. There is a feeling of new beginnings here that is interesting, exciting and hopeful." Even the renovations put into the 750 square-foot shop were Michigan-made, as Rook painted, stained and fixed up the place herself. Rook will be staffing The Eyrie herself initially, but plans to add up to two new positions at the shop in the upcoming months. Source: Janette Rook, The Eyrie Writer: Natalie Burg

The BollyFit Blend: A Q&A with Anuja Rajendra

By Natalie Burg

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General

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April 17, 2013

Some might call it an accidental career, but when a passionate hobby becomes a successful business it seems more like an inevitability. Anuja Rajendra's zeal for fitness and Bollywood-style dance inspired Bollyfit, both a lifestyle and growing brand.

Detroit’s growing creative class and a call for A2-Detroit transit

By Newsroom

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Arts & Culture

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April 17, 2013

A super article on the growing spread of Metro Detroit's creative class, including input from U-M professors and a call for extending mass transit between Ann Arbor and Detroit. Excerpt: "In an email to me, Christian Unverzagt, a Detroit-based architect who lives in Lafayette Park and teaches at the University of Michigan's Taubman College, pointed out the transformation that the Cass Corridor has undergone. Long home to activists and artists, its gritty, windowless galleries and practice spaces have given way to a variety of renovated spaces including Green Garage (a co-working space), Great Lakes Coffee, and small retail shops such as City Bird, Nest, Hugh, and Nora, along with several yoga studios... With $200 billion in economic output, its economy is the same size as Ireland's, Hong Kong's, or Singapore's. It is connected to the world through its airport. On top of this, the region is home to an incredible cluster of universities and knowledge based institutions, the University of Michigan in nearby Ann Arbor, long a center for top researchers and now an emerging nexus for tech start-ups, Michigan State in East Lansing, and Wayne State in Detroit. The region's talent base is especially deep in engineering, design, and industrial know-how. Before all those assets can be fully-leveraged, suburban interests must come to the table, and transit must be extended outside the core to the suburbs and ultimately all the way out to Ann Arbor." More here.

Unique twist on Asian sandwiches comes to S. University

By Natalie Burg

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Arts & Culture

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April 17, 2013

With the popularity of Vietnamese bánh mì sandwiches on the rise nationwide, it seemed like a perfect time for restaurateur Eric Joh and his partner to bring the trend to Ann Arbor – with their own take on the cuisine. "Our sandwiches are inspired by bánh mì , but they aren't really authentic bánh mì,"says Joh of his new S. University restaurant, Belly Deli's specialty. "The only difference is that our meats are hot, and we have Korean-style beef. It's our own unique spin on the sandwich." The breads used at Belly Deli are unique as well. While they have been using authentic Vietnamese breads made in Detroit, the owners are currently working with Great Harvest Breads to develop a new roll produced especially for them. "Right now we're still working on the bread," says Joh. "Great Harvest is local, and they mill their own flour, so we're happy to be working with them. It's been hard to find the right kind of bread." The new restaurant opened just over two weeks ago and employs a staff of 12. Belly Deli opened in the former, 700 square-foot No Thai location that was vacated after the popular eatery moved into the first floor of the Landmark building nearby. Joh is friends with the owners of No Thai, and says they have been helpful in developing the business. Some of the five Belly Deli co-owners are also co-owners of No Thai. Joh says he hopes to soon add delivery service and eventually expand into multiple locations. Source: Eric Joh, Belly Deli Writer: Natalie Burg

Phone Home Repair finds a home on E. Liberty

By Natalie Burg

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Development News

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April 3, 2013

Smartphone repair may have a reputation for being the territory of big box stores, but Kort Linden and Katrina Chizek are looking to change that image with Phone Home Repair on E. Liberty St. in downtown Ann Arbor. "We wanted a retail setting," says Linden, "and to offer more unusual products, and have access to the downtown foot traffic in this area." Phone Home Repair isn't Linden's first venture in the industry. Prior to moving to Ann Arbor with his fiancé, Chizek owned three phone repair shops in California. When the pair decided to move closer to Chizek's family in Plymouth, he sold his West Coast locations to set up shop on Liberty. "There's not a lot of high-quality competition in this area," says Linden." So far, people have been really receptive." The small, 700 sq. ft. shop opened March 26, and offers mobile device repair, customization and accessories. In addition to being independently owned, Linden says Phone Home Repair offers faster turnaround on repairs and lower prices on retail items. Chizek and Linden spent about a month renovating the space themselves. The store is also staffed by the couple. Linden says he hopes to eventually expand Phone Home Repair by opening locations in other Michigan cities. Source: Kort Linden, Phone Home Repair Writer: Natalie Burg

Centri Cycle goes from engineering project to start-up

By Newsroom

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Education

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April 3, 2013

What started as a freshman-level engineering project meant to help make the world a better place has become a socially entrepreneurial start-up that aims to do just that. Centri Cycle is creating a cost-effective and easy-to-use centrifuge that can be used to perform simple medical tests in the Third World. The idea is to make this self-powered technology available in places like India to help combat preventable suffering and death from disease. "We took the idea and ran with it," says Carolyn Yarina, CEO of Centri Cycle. Yarina and her co-founder (both University of Michigan students) have gotten the technology to the prototype phase where it is being tested at the University of Michigan Hospital. The TechArb-based start-up hopes to bring its technology to market in the U.S. next year and to India by fall of 2014. "It should be ready for market in March or April," Yarina says. Source: Carolyn Yarina, CEO of Centri Cycle Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.