Employee Benefits + Compensation I Diversity + Inclusion I Compliance I Policy Development

TeQuion Brookins, a Detroit native, is the founder and owner of TeQuionBrookins.com, a business consultancy designed to support startups. She holds Masters degrees in Business Administration and in Finance from Walsh College of Business & Accountancy. TeQuion offers expertise in human resources including: employee benefits and compensation, recruitment and retention strategy, compliance, and policy development.

Cybersecurity Services I Data + Analytics I IT Solutions

A native Michigander, Evan received his Master of Science in Management Information Systems from Central Michigan University. He specializes in cybersecurity operations, network defense, vulnerability assessments, IT support services, and cloud storage. As the owner of TeamLogic IT, his passion is to educate and assist businesses with their technology investments.

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.

Legal | IP | Real Estate | Business

Jonathan represents clients in a variety of entertainment, intellectual property, business, employment, and real estate legal matters. Helping clients: form + grow tech-related businesses; register + protect intellectual property; launch TV shows (including a recently Emmy-nominated program); draft and enforce contracts; negotiate and close deals; structure, sell and acquire businesses, real estate + assets; defend reputations + collect debts; and solve legal problems.

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

Logistics I Supply Chain Management I Operations

​David is the founder of the Crysler Club, a consulting company that helps small business owners streamline their internal processes and improve logistics. Prior to entrepreneurship, David worked for a large nationwide manufacturer and supplier, and he is passionate about using the knowledge he acquired to support the small business economy. He has extensive experience with system implementation and increasing supply chain efficiency.

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.

Art | Marketing + Advertising | Branding | Public Relations | Digital Design

Jodie first started consulting with small businesses as a Peace Corps in Nicaragua. She later joined corporate America and managed multi-faceted marketing strategy and implementation for large brands in the travel industry. Now, as the Principal of Standby Marketing, Jodie works with a variety of business types to create and refine their marketing approach.

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: Microlending | Banking Financing | Start-up Support + Brick and Mortar | Business Plans

Warren Galloway is a strong advocate of microlending, and has taken the lead in promoting it as an important resource for small businesses throughout Michigan. He is an author of four books and the founder of the National Microloan Conference—an annual conference for microlending industry professionals (lenders, entrepreneurs, bankers, and service providers).

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.

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 se connecta personalmente con empresario

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: 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: 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: 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: 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.

Lease Analysis + Negotiation I Purchase Contracts I Commercial + Residential Real Estate

Kristin has decades of experience working in the commercial real estate industry, and has worked with several national companies. She has expertise analyzing and negotiating lease agreements and purchase contracts, site selection and acquisition, and real estate strategy. Kristin is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with small business owners as they continue to grow.

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.

Financial Structure + Operations I Financial Strategy

Bill has been at the Conrad Insurance Agency for the past 11 years. With several years of his career previously dedicated to working as a business banking officer, Bill interacted with small businesses to finance their growth. He is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs as they manage the financial operations and structure of their business, including payroll and bookkeeping.