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.

Matt holds a Bachelor in Business Administration and is currently pursing a Masters in Accounting at the University of Michigan. After the graduate program, he will be working at PwC in New York, as part of their Assurance department. He is originally from Boca Raton, Florida, and is grateful for the opportunity to meet so many great people with different backgrounds and experiences.

Software + Web Development I Data + Analytics I MVP Prototype

A native Metro Detroiter, co-founder and CEO of Development By Futures, Brandyn offers expertise in software development. He can provide insight in web and software development and solutions, database development and solutions, analytics, and IT solutions. Development by Futures specializes in startup prototypes and MVP's, with a passion for helping you get your ideas up and moving!

Customer Experience I Consulting I Customer Journey Mapping I Customer Success

Jennifer Ashman is a global (CXPA Certified Customer Experience Professional) with over 20 years of experience in marketing and bringing the consumer voice to life. She is the president of CX Amplified, a boutique consulting firm that provides consulting, customer journey mapping, and CX training to help companies of all sizes deliver best in class customer experiences.

Manufacturing / Distribution | Operations | Space Design | Strategy + Business Development

Shane serves as Director of Engineering for Seraph Biosciences, Inc. drawing upon 10+ years of laboratory research, engineering design, + business management. As the founder + president of the Sustainable Consulting Group, Shane successfully managed engineering design efforts for both startup companies + established medical device + engineering clients throughout the United States as well as Eastern Africa.

Human Resources I Compliance I Hiring + Interview Processes I Employee Support

Your People Solutions is here to guide you through all "your people" questions and challenges. We ensure you are compliant with “your people” processes and practices including but not limited to; handbook, forms, job descriptions, posting requirements, employee issues, etc. Our consultants have over 50 years combined experience in Human Resources working with a myriad of difference industries.

HR I Policy + Programs I Employee Retention I Investigations

Jill Zientarski is an HR consultant and strategic business partner with a track record of creating rewarding workplaces that achieve results. She's led HR teams for nationwide real estate, senior living, telecom, logistics, and retail companies. Jill has a Bachelor's in Organizational Studies with a focus on Leadership & Management from The University of Michigan and a Master's in Training and Development from Oakland University.​

Expertise: Talent Acquisition, Recruitment, Training, Retention

Brianna supports the manufacturing and retail/hospitality sectors in finding, hiring and retaining Detroiters to meet their talent needs. She provides one-on-one virtual guidance to local businesses to assist with:

- Identify upcoming talent needs
- Identify skills and training needs for your team
- Offer guidance on hiring and retention policies

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 Entity Formation I Business + Partnership Contracts I Real Estate I Intellectual Property

Canvas Legal was founded by Erin Bonahoom to make legal counsel accessible to small businesses in the Detroit area. Canvas Legal offers a range of legal services to companies of all sizes including, but not limited to, legal entity formation, partnership contracts, employment and hiring practices, real estate, business contracts, and intellectual property.

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.

Supply Chain Management I Outsourcing I Logistics I Costing/BOM

Ajay is a small business owner, investor and advisor. He is the Co-President and Owner of Electro-Technic Products, an industrial and scientific equipment manufacturing company. Ajay has an extensive background in Supply Chain Management, Outsourcing, Logistics, Data Analysis, and Costing.

Retail I E-Commerce I B2B

The founder and owner of DW LLC, Dianne specializes in E-Commerce support for businesses as they create platforms to connect and grow their client base digitally. With extensive experience as a service provider, she can also offer valuable insight for creating successful marketing strategies by using social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram.

Digital Marketing I Content Creation I Branding I Marketing Strategy I Copywriting I Mobile App Marketing

Khaliph specializes in digital marketing, content creation, branding, and mobile app marketing. He has a strong eye for design, copywriting, and the ability to create compelling digital content. Khaliph also has experience with mobile app marketing and can provide insight into mobile ad networks, as well as app publishing processes to mobile portals.

Marketing + Advertising I Market Research I B2B

Kay Reisen is a business consultant with a decade of successful experience in providing counseling, training, and market research assistance to new and existing companies. She holds an M.B.A. from San Francisco State University and is a certified small business development consultant.

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 comes to TechTown with 20+ years of professional experience in various industries including wholesale distribution and retail. Having been on the front lines in her shop for 12 years, Carrie brings a high level of understanding and experience in retail operations including, but not limited to: product pricing, visual merchandising, inventory sourcing and management, and pop-up development/strategy.

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.

Event Planning | Best Practices | Brainstorming | Choosing/Using Virtual Platforms

Whether you need to educate, train, inform, connect or engage your team or attendees, planning is the key to smooth-running events and meetings. Michelle brings to TechTown 10 years of planning and executing events in many types of settings, most recently, virtually. Events involve keen attention to detail and Michelle can provide insight from ideation, to choosing online platforms and tools, and creating a run of show.

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.

Mortgage Loan Readiness I Credit Building I Residential Real Estate

Our vision is to serve those thirsty for knowledge, education and personal growth around balancing life's debt, employment, and building credit. With over 35 years of experience in Mortgages, Credit, and the Real Estate industry, Natalie and Gita can help entrepreneurs learn more about the process of purchasing property and what it means to be mortgage ready.

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.