entrepreneur

Starting a new business—even a small business—takes a lot of work and resources. Fortunately, Ann Arbor SPARK East in Ypsilanti is there to provide such resources with its Small Business Support Hub. Lee Van Roth talked all about what the program does for budding entrepreneurs with Ann Arbor SPARK's director of entrepreneurial services, Kristine Nash-Wong.

Inside a shared commercial kitchen in Ypsilanti, Growing Hope is helping local food entrepreneurs turn ideas into sustainable livelihoods, offering not only space, but support, mentorship, and community. Among the graduates of Growing Hope's "Incubator Kitchen" program is Eric Kinsler-Holloway, owner/operator of EK's Cheesecakes. He shares his culinary success story with Lee Van Roth for this week's "On the Ground Ypsi."

Thousands across Michigan proudly decide to become Girl Scouts. The program is robustly present in Washtenaw County, too. The mission of the organization is to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. Still, scouting has had its fair share of controversies through the years. Brenna West is Chief Communications Officer with the Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan. She talked to WEMU's David Fair about the drive for equity, equality and inclusion and about some of the hurdles in helping girls get to that place.

As technology evolves, more businesses are using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones. To keep up with industry demand, Ypsilanti Community High School (YCHS) is training students to become federally licensed drone pilots and business owners. WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor reports.

Startup businesses fostered by Ann Arbor SPARK saw financial growth this year amid a turbulent economy. WEMU’s Ana Longoria reports.

Prospective business entrepreneurs can get a head start on turning innovative ideas into a robust business strategy at Washtenaw Community College’s Winter Startup Bootcamp. WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor has more.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) has named Ann Arbor SPARK as one of the first-ever recipients of the Michigan Innovation Fund. WEMU’s Ana Longoria reports.

Downtown Saline has experienced its problems over the years, but there is a movement to turn the area into a destination for arts, shopping and entertainment. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Incubator kitchens are commercial kitchen spaces for food-based entrepreneurs to rent and share, and they're an integral resource to those with big food ideas but lack of access to specific equipment. They also provide information and assistance both on business matters, like marketing and advertising, and food matters, like food safety and product testing. Ypsilanti nonprofit Growing Hope offers its own incubator kitchen program to any Ypsilanti resident with food business dreams. Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale talks about the program with its manager, Deante Brand.

Eastern Michigan University is partnering with several Michigan and Middle Eastern North African (MENA) universities to exchange undergraduate entrepreneurial ideas to address climate change. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has more.