Pivoting Past 2020

A wide ranging conversation with Dug Song, Founder of Duo and General Manager at Cisco, and Andrea Wallace, Founder of Fortifeye and Partner in Motu Viget Spirits.  We touch on the perils and opportunities of starting up a new venture during volatile times and so much more. 

Lisa is the Co-Founding Principal and CEO of Synecdoche Design Studio (si-nek-duh-kee) an award winning design/make architecture practice with studios in Ann Arbor and Detroit. Also the Co-founder of StudioStudio, a modern venue and co-working space for creatives and photographers in Ann Arbor. Lisa was also recently named Crain’s Detroit Notable Women in Design in 2020. Lisa is a small business investor and incremental development partner on projects with an interest revolve around how the built environment can strengthen community and connection in creative new ways that results in the core mission of Do Good Work. Music by Pink Sky

Karissma is the Founder/CEO of Gildform, Detroit's only full-service, on-demand jewelry manufacturing facility and design house specializing in jewelry from concept to creation. Redefining the relationship between brands and manufacturers with services ranging from CAD, SLA 3D Printing, Casting, Mold Making/Injections and more.Music by Pink Sky

James Chapman is:"James Chapman is the Founder and CEO of Plain Sight. The Detroit-based, serial entrepreneur has a passion for helping other budding entrepreneurs. This has been evident throughout his business career over the years. He moved to Detroit for the opportunity to work with Rock Ventures (the holding company for businessman Dan Gilbert’s portfolio of companies, investments, and real estate), where he helped local entrepreneurs start, grow, and scale their businesses. He realized how important it was to provide startups throughout the city access to founder-friendly capital, which led him to launch the first ever Detroit Demo Day. In just three years, Detroit Demo Day has provided nearly $4 million in funding to small businesses throughout the city; the majority of which have been minority and woman-owned. Prior to moving to Detroit, he ran a workspace in his hometown Chattanooga from 6pm – midnight for side-hustlers that work full-time during the day."This conversation between he and Amanda Lewan of Bamboo covers life as the founder of a networking app during a pandemic as well as Plain Sight's unique ideas around equity, access, and bias. (That sweet intro music is by Pink Sky!!! Check them out!!!) 

Jason Mejeur is CEO and Co-Founder of MaxOne a virtual coaching platform that allows athletes and coaches to connect & train virtually. Jason, a former head basketball coach at Holland Christian High School, founded MaxOne in 2014.This conversation between he and Ted Velie of Michigan House discusses  the sacrifices his team had to make to handle the platform's growth during the early stages of the pandemic, as well as some of the lesson's he's learned as a leader over the coarse of the year. (That sweet intro music is by Pink Sky!!! Check them out!!!) 

None of us are sorry to see 2020 go, but it’s fair to say it a year we won’t soon forget. Michigan House & Bamboo have partnered  to create a unique week of audio programming to look back and to shift our gaze towards what comes next.  Over the course of five days, you’ll hear from 10 leaders and entrepreneurs from across the state that have weathered the storm and come out the other side looking towards the future.