Birmingham – May 21, 2019

Birmingham – May 21, 2019

by | May 21, 2019 | Birmingham News

Business Leader Training Available From Oakland County One Stop Shop Business Center

Oakland County business owners interested in improving their leadership skills are encouraged to enroll in Oakland County “Business of Leadership” classes.

The Business of Leadership classes begin in August and are designed to address the special demands faced during the growth stage of a successful business. Effective leadership improves employee morale, customer satisfaction, product/service quality and profitability. As small businesses grow, more advanced leadership skills are required to manage progress and rapid change.

Classes are offered in two cohort models. The first is aimed at manager-level participants who supervise at least two people. This class meets once a week for six weeks, starting Aug. 9.

The second is for C-suite level employees, primarily CEOs and business owners. It starts Oct. 18 and runs for five weeks. A broad range of topics will be covered, including situational leadership, leading with personality style, leading with emotional intelligence, effective communication skills for managers, problem solving and making effective decisions.

The Business of Leadership courses are taught by One Stop Shop Business Center business counselors and Oakland County human resources professionals. Both the manager level and C-suite level cohort courses are limited to 20 people per class. The enrollment fee is $500, with a $100 discount available for early registrants if paid two weeks or more in advance. Classes are expected to fill quickly. Register at AdvantageOakland.EventBrite.com.

Bernhard Brenner, the president and founder of Knitcraft

Superheroes Invited to Walk for Miracles at Detroit Zoo

Superheroes of all ages are invited to Beaumont Children’s “Walk for Miracles” at the Detroit Zoo, Saturday, June 15.

On-site registration opens at 7:30 a.m. The walk starts at 8:15 a.m. All proceeds benefit Children’s Miracle Network programming at Beaumont Children’s.

Participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite superhero or fantasy character. Children will meet Super Beau, the Beaumont Children’s mascot bear, and other popular fairytale and comic book heroes. Each child will receive a superhero cape. Walkers will also have the opportunity to meet former Detroit Red Wing defenseman Jason Woolley.

Breakfast and refreshments are included with each walk registration.

Walkers must register for the event and make a minimum donation: $20 per adult and $5 per child, ages 3 to 14. Children 2 and under are free. Walk registration also includes same-day family admission to the Detroit Zoo. Additional fundraising is encouraged. Visit www.beaumont.org/walk-for-miracles to register in advance.

 

Rebecca Calappi

Rebecca Calappi

City News Editor

To share your news, announcements, and events, please email citynewseditor@localbiznews.net
Clawson – May 21, 2019

Clawson – May 21, 2019

by | May 21, 2019 | Clawson News

Business Leadership Training Available from Oakland County One Stop Shop Business Center

Oakland County business owners interested in improving their leadership skills are encouraged to enroll in Oakland County “Business of Leadership” classes.

The Business of Leadership classes begin in August and are designed to address the special demands faced during the growth stage of a successful business. Effective leadership improves employee morale, customer satisfaction, product/service quality and profitability. As small businesses grow, more advanced leadership skills are required to manage progress and rapid change.

Classes are offered in two cohort models. The first is aimed at manager-level participants who supervise at least two people. This class meets once a week for six weeks, starting Aug. 9.

The second is for C-suite level employees, primarily CEOs and business owners. It starts Oct. 18 and runs for five weeks. A broad range of topics will be covered, including situational leadership, leading with personality style, leading with emotional intelligence, effective communication skills for managers, problem-solving and making effective decisions.

The Business of Leadership courses are taught by One Stop Shop Business Center business counselors and Oakland County human resources professionals. Both the manager level and C-suite level cohort courses are limited to 20 people per class. The enrollment fee is $500, with a $100 discount available for early registrants if paid two weeks or more in advance. Classes are expected to fill quickly. Register at AdvantageOakland.EventBrite.com.

 

Superheroes Invited to Walk for Miracles at Detroit Zoo

Superheroes of all ages are invited to Beaumont Children’s “Walk for Miracles” at the Detroit Zoo, Saturday, June 15.

On-site registration opens at 7:30 a.m. The walk starts at 8:15 a.m. All proceeds benefit Children’s Miracle Network programming at Beaumont Children’s.

Participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite superhero or fantasy character. Children will meet Super Beau, the Beaumont Children’s mascot bear, and other popular fairytale and comic book heroes. Each child will receive a superhero cape. Walkers will also have the opportunity to meet former Detroit Red Wing defenseman Jason Woolley.

Breakfast and refreshments are included with each walk registration.

Walkers must register for the event and make a minimum donation: $20 per adult and $5 per child, ages 3 to 14. Children 2 and under are free. Walk registration also includes same-day family admission to the Detroit Zoo. Additional fundraising is encouraged. Visit www.beaumont.org/walk-for-miracles to register in advance.

 

 

 

Rebecca Calappi

Rebecca Calappi

City News Editor

To share your news, announcements, and events, please email citynewseditor@localbiznews.net

Royal Oak – May 21, 2019

Royal Oak – May 21, 2019

by | May 21, 2019 | Royal Oak News

Loans Available for Home Repairs

Zero-interest loans and grants of up to $10,000 are available through the city’s Housing Office to help qualified homeowners repair their homes.

The Home Improvement Program is intended to maintain and improve the city’s neighborhoods by helping low- and moderate-income homeowners make necessary repairs.

Eligible applicants must be the owner and occupant of a single-family home in the City of Royal Oak with a household income within the established guidelines. Interested? Contact Debbie Murray at 248-246-3292.

Come On and Take a Free Ride! Skoop INC is Coming to Royal Oak This Summer

With free parking every Thursday, Friday and Saturday starting June 6 in all four downtown structures, and Skoop starting up, there’s no such thing as a bad parking spot in Royal Oak.

The private pedicab service, Skoop, will give free rides in downtown during the free parking promotion. Three pedicabs will operate in June on Thursdays from 5 to 11 p.m.; Fridays from 6 p.m. to midnight; Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. then 6 p.m. to midnight; and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.

Superheroes Invited to Walk for Miracles at Detroit Zoo

Superheroes of all ages are invited to Beaumont Children’s “Walk for Miracles” at the Detroit Zoo, Saturday, June 15.

On-site registration opens at 7:30 a.m. The walk starts at 8:15 a.m. All proceeds benefit Children’s Miracle Network programming at Beaumont Children’s.

Participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite superhero or fantasy character. Children will meet Super Beau, the Beaumont Children’s mascot bear, and other popular fairytale and comic book heroes. Each child will receive a superhero cape. Walkers will also have the opportunity to meet former Detroit Red Wing defenseman Jason Woolley.

Breakfast and refreshments are included with each walk registration.

Walkers must register for the event and make a minimum donation: $20 per adult and $5 per child, ages 3 to 14. Children 2 and under are free. Walk registration also includes same-day family admission to the Detroit Zoo. Additional fundraising is encouraged. Visit www.beaumont.org/walk-for-miracles to register in advance.

Business Leadership Training Available from Oakland County One Stop Shop Business Center

Oakland County business owners interested in improving their leadership skills are encouraged to enroll in Oakland County “Business of Leadership” classes.

The Business of Leadership classes begin in August and are designed to address the special demands faced during the growth stage of a successful business. Effective leadership improves employee morale, customer satisfaction, product/service quality and profitability. As small businesses grow, more advanced leadership skills are required to manage progress and rapid change.

Classes are offered in two cohort models. The first is aimed at manager-level participants who supervise at least two people. This class meets once a week for six weeks, starting Aug. 9.

The second is for C-suite level employees, primarily CEOs and business owners. It starts Oct. 18 and runs for five weeks. A broad range of topics will be covered, including situational leadership, leading with personality style, leading with emotional intelligence, effective communication skills for managers, problem solving and making effective decisions.

The Business of Leadership courses are taught by One Stop Shop Business Center business counselors and Oakland County human resources professionals. Both the manager level and C-suite level cohort courses are limited to 20 people per class. The enrollment fee is $500, with a $100 discount available for early registrants if paid two weeks or more in advance. Classes are expected to fill quickly. Register at AdvantageOakland.EventBrite.com.

Rebecca Calappi

Rebecca Calappi

City News Editor

To share your news, announcements, and events, please email citynewseditor@localbiznews.net
Business Background Helps New Venture Capital Association Chief

Business Background Helps New Venture Capital Association Chief

by | May 16, 2019 | LBN Community Series

Business Background Helps New Venture Capital Association Chief

16

MAY 2019
BY BRAD KADRICH
LBN Community Series
For a guy who isn’t even using the college degree he earned, Ara Topouzian is doing pretty well.

Topouzian, who graduated Wayne State University with a degree in journalism, instead walked a path into the business world and has found success along the way.

Topouzian took over as the executive director of the Michigan Venture Capital Association in March, following an economic development career that has taken him to the Farmington community, Novi and Troy.

ARA TOPOUZIAN

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
MICHIGAN VENTURE CAPITAL ASSOCIATION
“I found a couple of things interesting about this position,” said Topouzian, who was hired away after six years leading the Troy Chamber of Commerce. “It’s still working with the business community, which I love doing. I can utilize some of my economic development experience, and it’s running an association. Those are three things I do well.”

Tony Grover, the managing director of Ann Arbor-based RPM Ventures, agrees those are things Topouzian does well. Grover, the immediate past chairman of the MVCA’s board of directors, was part of the hiring team that brought Topouzian aboard.

Grover said Topouzian’s experience both in Novi and Troy were significant factors in his hiring.

“He’s worked with a diverse membership, from small retailers to Fortune 500 companies,” Grover said. “He understands these startups … as part of an economic engine, and how it can strengthen and diversify the state’s economy.”

According to its website, the MVCA’s vision is to increase the amount of capital and talent available to venture and angel investors so we can fund Michigan’s most innovative entrepreneurs and work closely with them to transform breakthrough ideas into new companies and industries that drive Michigan job creation and economic growth.

According to Topouzian, there are 27 different venture capital firms in Michigan, with total capital under management of some $3.7 billion. Venture capital, he said, is “money invested in high-tech, high-growth companies.”

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Venture capital firms are companies, Topouzian explained, interested in areas such as the life-science and health fields and IT software development.

“Firms help entrepreneurs who are too early in their development to be able to get traditional funding from banks,” Topouzian said. “(VC firms) go in early with these startup companies and help provide capital for them.”

The MVCA’s mission, according to Topouzian, is primarily to be an advocate for the venture capital industry, maintaining a variety of investment data, advocating for policies encouraging innovation and growing and sustaining a “vibrant and resilient venture … investment community,” according to its website.

Topouzian called it a “trade organization of sorts,” advocating for increased funding and “telling the success stories. That’s something we’ve done a bit, but we could do more of, how venture capital affects the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“It’s not just banks, and it’s not just economic development dollars,” he added. “These venture capital firms, in my opinion, play a very important role in helping seed these companies.”

Topouzian was hired in March, and admits there’s a learning curve. The appointment followed his time in Troy. But his career started with his own small business in the Farmington community, where he first got involved with a chamber of commerce.

At first he just joined the Greater Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce, but ended up running it for 10 years, he said. He moved from there to shepherd economic development in Novi, where he spent seven years before moving on to Troy.

“My entire career has been working with the business community,” he said. “What makes me feel good is a success story and helping business grow. If you’ve got a successful business, they’re going to put money right back into the community, and that’s important.”

Statistics suggest venture capitalists like Michigan. According to Topouzian, there is some $385 million in venture capital invested in 61 Michigan startup companies. For every dollar spent in Michigan, Topouzian said, some $7.85 comes in from out of state.

“What it says is there is interest coming in from out of state,” Topouzian said. “But it also says there’s not enough money here. We need more funding.”

To help find it, Topouzian said the MVCA does “a lot of different things,” including the production of guides such as the Michigan Entrepreneurial & Investment Landscape Guide, a compilation of venture capital firms, and the MVCA Research Report, a comprehensive statistical look at the venture capital landscape in Michigan.

Grover said research like that is critical.

“The data generated in the annual report – I don’t think there is anything that compares, except maybe the national research report,” Grover said. “The MVCA has been a good, strong partner.”

Topouzian said the other way the group advocates is by telling success stories to legislators and to in-state and out-of-state venture capital firms. He said those stories are “important to tell” because most likely “they were venture backed.”

“The end result is these firms invest in entrepreneurs, and this could result in the next cure for something, or maybe it’s mobility or a new software development that will make our lives a lot easier,” Topouzian said. “By encouraging entrepreneurs to develop their product, the hope is they’re going to stay here and that they’re going to grow their business here, which means the talent will stay here.”
Michigan Venture Capital Association
303 Detroit Street, Suite 105
Ann Arbor, MI

734-369-4632

www.michiganvca.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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LATEST BIRMINGHAM POSTS

Royal Oak – May 14, 2019

Royal Oak – May 14, 2019

by | May 14, 2019 | Royal Oak News

Mental Health Fair May 29 at Beaumont, Royal Oak

Beaumont Health and Easterseals Michigan are hosting a free mental health fair Wednesday, May 29, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. The fair will take place in the South Tower lobby at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, 3601 W. Thirteen Mile Road. Free parking is available in the South Tower parking structure.

Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoon May 17-18

The Detroit Zoological Society and Michigan Humane Society, in collaboration with more than 40 local animal welfare organizations, will co-host the spring 2019 Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo on Friday, May 17, noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hundreds of dogs, cats, puppies and kittens will be available for immediate adoption to loving homes at one of the nation’s largest off-site companion animal adoption events.

Metals in Time Jeweler Takes Over Former Andiamo’s Space

Longtime jeweler in downtown Royal Oak, Metals in Time, will be leaving their location at 400 South Main Street and relocating to 129 South Main Street, which is formerly known as Andiamos Trattoria.

Metals in Time’s new location will be adjacent to a 581-space parking deck in the heart of downtown, which will provide its customers with ample sheltered parking. The owner of Metals in Time, Sergio Basmajian, said he and his company weighed the options about leaving for the Woodward corridor, but ultimately decided that staying in downtown Royal Oak was best for his business because of the downtown’s bright future.

City Launches “Thank You for Parking” Campaign

Royal Oak is partnering with local businesses to launch a ‘Thank You for Parking’ campaign to encourage visitors and residents to park in one of the nearly 2,000 available spaces in the three city-owned downtown parking garages.

Four downtown Royal Oak businesses joined in on the campaign, offering anything from free fries to 15 percent off a purchase for parking in a garage. The promotion is designed to raise awareness of the multitude of parking options throughout downtown Royal Oak. Each week of May, a different business will provide a discount or special.

Rebecca Calappi

Rebecca Calappi

City News Editor

To share your news, announcements, and events, please email citynewseditor@localbiznews.net