Advisory Services | Accounting Systems | Financial Statement Prep | Tax Prep | Budget Dev/Analysis | Strategic Planning | Year-End Closing

With over 25 years of professional and educational experience, Lawrence Price, Jr has a wealth of knowledge and experience in consulting, finance, accounting, and education. Mr. Price is currently the principal consultant of The PLLUS Group, which launched in 2009, and provides
a host of business consulting services for small to medium-sized businesses and non-profit

Accounting Systems I Consulting Services I Tax Prep I Financial Statement Prep I Internal Controls

As a native Detroiter, Diamond earned both her Bachelor's in Accounting and Master of Science in Accounting from Wayne State University. She began her career in public accounting in 2013 and became a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Michigan in 2016. Diamond has an extensive background in for-profit accounting, taxes, employee benefits plans, and is also certified in Blockchain Technology.

Accounting Systems I Financial Statement Prep + Analysis I Tax Prep I Consulting

The founder and CEO of By the Numberz CPA, PLLC, Nicole offers peace
of mind, greater vision, and methods for financial success to entrepreneurs. Nicole’s passion not only helps business owners realize their full potential by encountering consistent profitability—she also aids them in operating more efficiently and effectively. A Certified Public Accountant, Nicole holds an MBA from Eastern Michigan University.​

Digital Design I Software I User Experience

Keith is a user experience consultant that specializes in supporting startups with UX activities. He has expertise in customer journey map creation, usability testing, and science-based user interface design. With over 10 years of experience, Keith is passionate about helping entrepreneurs understand human behavior as it relates to technology.

Technical Writing I User Experience I User Interface

Dr. Jared Grogan is the coordinator of a partnership between Wayne State University and TechTown that pairs technical communication students with startups to work on collaborative writing and design projects. He specializes is supporting startups with website
copy, User Interface and User Experience studies, design for manufacturing, software documentation, and social media. Jared has been connecting startups to WSU resources since 2016.

Legal I Contract Attorney I Cybersecurity I Software I Risk Assessment

Lauren is the owner of Nervy Mise PLLC, a legal consulting firm specializing in technology contracts and transactions. A native Detroiter, she has expertise in providing legal services to technology-based companies, ensuring that products, services, and intellectual property are protected.

Corporate Law I Contracts + Negotiations I Trademark + Copyright I Operating Agreements I Intellectual Property

Hadi A. Harp is the founding attorney of HARP LAW, a Los Angeles and Detroit based law firm providing legal services to startups and small businesses, bridging the access to justice gap. He specializes in corporate law, trademarks, copyrights, and contract negotiation. Hadi studied public policy and economics at U of M and received his law degree from the UCLA School of Law.

Cybersecurity | Contracts + Negotiation | Tech Transfer | Copyright | Trademarks

Max focuses his practice on intellectual property protection + litigation, entertainment law, and commercial contracts, including drafting + negotiation of contracts + licenses. He has extensive experience prosecuting trademark applications with the US Patent and Trademark Office, as well as litigating trademark disputes. Max appears before state, federal + appellate courts related to all aspects of civil business litigation

Wholesale | E-Commerce

After a 25+ year career in sales and marketing with Kimberly-Clark Corporation, I co-founded a company six years ago, Thumbprint Artifacts. We import handcrafted items from South Africa and distribute to the US market - both wholesale and e-commerce. Four years ago when we had distribution with 200+ retailers, my home could no longer hold the inventory. So, in 2018 we opened our own fulfillment center in Detroit to service Thumbprint Artifacts + the needs of other small businesses.

Diversity + Inclusion I Social Media Marketing I Branding I Public Relations I Digital Design I Strategy + Business Development

Juan Carlos Dueweke-Pérez is an immigrant, social entrepreneur, photographer, and futurist. The founder of Featherstone Moments, a multicultural marketing agency, his expertise ranges from content development and strategy to public relations for minority-owned businesses. Juan Carlos believes his biggest impact is providing trust and resourcefulness in working relationships.

Diversity + Inclusion | Art | Branding | Marketing + Advertising | Music | Public Relations | Strategy + Business Development

Lydia Michael is the President and Founder of Blended Collective, a multicultural marketing and brand consultancy. Her experience spans from the entertainment and music industry to international project work with Deloitte and L’Oréal. Lydia’s experience also includes cross-cultural trainings, workshops and webinars for automotive expatriates and other business professionals.

Retail I Brick + Mortar Operations I Retail Pop-Up Support I Visual Merchandising I Customer Service

Carrie has been on the front lines of retail operations having been a small business owner for twelve years. She enjoys mentoring and supporting others, and has a strong background in merchandising, product selection, customer service, promotions, shopping trade shows, store events, and pop-ups.

Retail I Operations I Visual Merchandising I Business Strategy I Brick & Mortar Operations I Pop-Up Support

Christina provides support to small business owners as they strengthen business concepts, open physical locations, and continue to grow. She has over 20 years experience in retail management, operations, product development and non-profit leadership. Her areas of specialty include business strategy, operations, staff training, visual merchandising, pop-ups, and inventory management.

Areas of Specialty: Start-up Support + Brick and Mortar (especially restaurants and retail) | Operational Support for Restaurants

As the owner of 2 local businesses, Heather enjoys helping neighborhood businesses work through their challenges, from obtaining a liquor license to hiring their first employee to implementing operational processes and procedures. Heather gained considerable experience through her 10+ years negotiating leases and other agreement for large commercial property owners.

Areas of Specialty: Finance + Accounting | Financial Projections | Business Plans | Start-up Support + Brick and Mortar

Lawrence has been an advisor and business advocate to profit and nonprofit businesses for over 20 years. His strength is the development and implementation of action plans by analyzing the financial profiles of the enterprise. His customer service orientation is the basis for his knowledge and expertise in: banking products, analysis and problem solving, and workshop facilitation.

Areas of Specialty: Bilingual | Community Resources | Event Planning + Outreach

A native of Durango, Mexico, Mayté has lived in Michigan for over 25 years. Mayté brings a tremendous network to TechTown from over 20 years of service to Southwest Detroit communities through a mix of community and economic development. Her background allows for an understanding of the unique bicultural/bilingual circumstances of the SW community. Because of this, she is able to personally connect with entrepreneurs.

Areas of Specialty: Branding, Strategy, Intellectual Property, Bootstrapping

Jenifer leads the WSU Innovation helping students create + launch new business ventures. A brand strategist by profession, she founded Colorstock, the first diverse stock photo marketplace and advises The PLUG: investigative news on the Black innovation economy. She has delivered talks on branding, strategy, and startups at TEDxCharlotte, CUNY, IABC World Conference, Charlotte Startup Weekend, and Netroots Nation.

Zonas de Especialidad: Bilingüe I Recursos Comunitarios I Planificación de Eventos

Originalmente de Durango, México, Mayté lleva más de 25 años viviendo en Michigan. Ella trae una red enorme a TechTown, cultivada sobre más de 20 años de servicio a las comunidades del suroeste a través de una mezcla de desarrollo comunitario y económico. Su experiencia permite un conocimiento de las circunstancias biculturales únicas de la comunidad. Debido a esto, ella connecta personalmente con empresarios.

Areas of Specialty: Web/Mobile Apps | Growth | Strategy

David has a rich background in tech with a deep focus on software. Over the last 20 years, he has helped small businesses to Fortune 100 companies build and maintain critical software apps on various platforms. In 2008, he realized his dream of entrepreneurship + started a B2B consulting firm servicing small to medium-sized businesses in Web and iOS product development. In March of 2015, David became the 4th employee at StockX.

Areas of Specialty: Start-up Support + Brick and Mortar | Food Manufacturing | Food Product Development

Micah became passionate about small business after being tasked with creating a culinary training and catering social enterprise. After creating a sustainable business and moving to Detroit, he has provided technical and strategic consulting to hundreds of local food businesses throughout SE Michigan. Micah enjoys helping entrepreneurs develop products, understand their costs, and brand their company.

Areas of Specialty: Strategy | Intellectual Property | Fundraising | Hardware

Fathi is a tech entrepreneur based out of San Jose and Detroit. He is very passionate about developing solutions that have substantial social and economic impact and is a member of several entrepreneurial communities, including TechStars, Sprint Accelerator, Jumpstart Foundry, Startup Weekend, and Seamless IoT. He has served as a mentor and entrepreneur-in-residence within several economic development orgs around the world.

Areas of Specialty: Product Launch | Marketing | Customer Discovery | Business Models

Jeff Ponders II is a modern-day Batman. By day, he leverages experience as an exec with agencies like Leo Burnett and Digitas to develop marketing & innovation strategies for ambitious brands. By night, he performs as a jazz saxophonist. In between, the serial tech entrepreneur coaches startups and helps orgs achieve peak performance as a keynote speaker.

Retail I Visual Merchandising I Space Design I Sales Analysis I Design Process

With over 7 years experience in visual merchandising, Amanda's passion is supporting small businesses in creating unforgettable retail experiences. She works with clients to use sales analysis data to guide merchandising decisions. Amanda has extensive experience in planning, designing, and staging retail spaces. She holds a Bachelor's of Science in Interior Design from Western Michigan University.