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.

B2B I Accounting Systems I Consulting Services I Tax Prep I Cashflow Projections

Dale Grant is a CPA, QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor and Owner of Ashton Business Consulting, PLLC, an accounting firm that specializes in business accounting, tax and advisory services. Ashton BC a full service accounting firm designed specifically to meet the needs of individuals, non-profits and business owners throughout Southeastern Michigan.

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.

Food + Beverage

With over 20 years in the restaurant industry, Ederique co-founded In the Business of Food, a foodservice-based consulting agency and is also the co-owner of Gabriel Hall, an upcoming Creole restaurant.

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.

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

A healthcare technology startup with an AI solution to increase efficacy for patients with multiple chronic
conditions by 60-80% over current standards.

The founder of Pitch Black and has more than 20 years experience in Internet design and development. His experience covers various industry sectors, most extensively travel and tourism. Strategy, web design, UX/UI, web development, SEO, content strategy, analytics and digital marketing.

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.

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.

For more than 20 years, I have concentrated my practice in the areas of intellectual property, commercial litigation, contract drafting and negotiation, and corporate transactions, representing clients that include large publicly-held companies, privately-held companies, startups, artists and entertainers, and individuals.

My intellectual property work involves trademark and copyright protection, negotiation of publishing and recording contracts, commercial contracts, technology licenses.

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 I Market Research

Kay Reisen provides marketing, market research, website development, and search engine optimization (SEO) for start-up and existing businesses. She has 20+ years’ successful experience in consulting businesses on all facets of starting and running a business and is a certified small business consultant.

Branding | PR | Strategy + Business Development

Renée is a brand and communications expert, entrepreneur, business strategist, executive coach, accredited public relations executive, speaker, vlogger and author. Honing her business, brand, communication and leadership expertise through executive positions with multimillion and billion-dollar brands, Renée is on a mission to help entrepreneurs, executives and organizations communicate strategically to achieve higher performance, productivity and profits

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.

Multicultural Marketing | Brand Development | Digital Marketing | Diversity + Inclusion | Content and Marketing Strategy | Communications | Copywriting

Lydia Michael is the Owner of Blended Collective, a multicultural marketing and brand consultancy. Her 14-year experience spans various industries to international project work with Deloitte and L’Oréal. Lydia has consulted 50+ small businesses on their marketing efforts during the pandemic.

Operations : Food + Beverage | Retail I Childcare

I grew up in a family business, after college I worked in sales for a Fortune 500 company and earned my Masters Degree in Business. I then went on to open my first business and over the following 30 years have owned and operated over 4 small businesses. I began facilitating workshops for the SBDC in 2016 and became a Senior Business Consultant in 2018. I enjoy working with small businesses with their business needs.

Human Capital Optimization I Organizational Design I Work-Life Balance

Dena Pflieger is a people and performance champion with demonstrated leadership in establishing vision, purpose, strategy, and systems that help organizations and individuals thrive. She spent most of her career at Dow, recently as Corporate Strategy Leader – Employee Wellbeing and Global Engagement Leader – Sustainability. Dena has an MBA from Northwood University.

An entrepreneurial leader with over fifteen years of operations experience, well suited for organizational reform and improvement. My experiences reflect competencies in organizational leadership by way of building and leading high performing teams, crafting and implementing policy and tactical procedural reforms to promote efficiency, and planning the strategic allocation of resources to support growth and sustainability.

Marketing + Advertising | Public Relations | Real Estate | Retail

With more than 15 years of experience in the public relations and social media sectors, Jennifer L. Foster is the founder and president of Catalyst Media Factory (CMF). The company provides media relations (public relations) and social media support to small and growing businesses in Detroit and across the country. Named as one of Crain Detroit's 2018 Notable Women in Marketing, she holds multiple degrees from the University of Michigan.

E-Commerce | Online Marketplace | Strategy | Retail Marketing + Advertising | Product Marketing + Development | Strategy + Business Dev | User Experience

Rob is the product owner for a big data platform that powers analytics + production data pipelines for global eCommerce businesses. Rob has lead product + design teams that facilitated 200+ teams' ability to launch projects on Seller Central for Amazon. Rob spent 15+ years working in eCommerce business + technology at several large scale companies.

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.

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 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.

Jaunice has over 15 years of experience working in the financial services industry. During her time working with financial institutions she has held positions in the Banks’s Retail, Operations, Trust, Middle Market, Community Reinvestment, Compliance and Public Affairs departments. Prior to joining Tech Town as a Capital Strategist, she served as a Financial Coach for a local non-profit agency.
a Bachelor of Science Degree in Community Development and MS Degree in Administration from Central Mich.

Mack obtained a Bachelor and Masters of Science in Computer Science from Oakland University. He has worked for large Silicon Valley-based companies for most of his 20-year career, including 5 years at Sun Microsystems and 10 years at Oracle Corporation. In parallel, Mack has built companies in the restaurant and technology sector. His current focus areas are Unified Communications, DevOps and Distributed Technologies such as Blockchain.

Jamesha brings a one-of-a-kind perspective to her role here at TechTown. Her experience as a small business owner in the city is amplified by nearly 10 years of business account management, strategy and relationship management. Prior to launching her retail business which includes an e-commerce platform, she was an advertising strategist for Google. Jamesha was adopted by Detroit after receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Clark Atlanta University and beginning her career.

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.