The Michigan Opportunity

Connecting the Dots for Detroit’s Entrepreneurs: Justin Onwenu on Building Opportunity.  As the City of Detroit ’s first Director of Entrepreneurship and Economic Opportunity, Justin Onwenu is on a mission to create real pathways to better work, higher wages, and long-term wealth for Detroiters. From startup support to access to capital , Justin is helping shape a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem...

A hidden giant in our backyard: build-to-print CNC machining company, NTL Industries Inc. is changing the game in manufacturing. This week we talk with Greg McArthur , Owner of NTL Industries Inc. in Sterling Heights, MI. He gives insight into CNC manufacturing and shares his recent win as the 2025 US SBA Small Business Persons of the Year . NTL Industries specializes in CNC milling, CNC turning,...

From 1885 to tomorrow — Michigan Technological University’s president takes us on a virtual tour of this R1 research leader. We connect with Michigan Technological University President, Richard Koubek , as he explains the University’s tech and research resources. He also discusses the University’s efforts in preparing career opportunities for students and keeping top talent in the state. Founded i...

AI Software, Web and Mobile Apps, Product Design and more! Discover what Michigan company has been custom building software for 200+ Organizations since 2001. In this episode we welcome Jonah Bailey , Managing Partner at Atomic Object , as he talks about the future of AI and software technology . Atomic Object is a software development and design consultancy that customizes programs for each uniqu...

In the Southwest Corner of Michigan is the economic powerhouse Cornerstone Alliance, doing business retention and expansion, physical development, and placemaking As President and CEO, Marla Schneider oversees Cornerstone Alliance ’s comprehensive efforts to attract and retain businesses, foster entrepreneurship, and create a thriving economic landscape in Southwest Michigan . She shares with us s...

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. This week we chat with Everett Woodel, Jr. , the Great Lakes Regional Administrator for the U.S. SBA , about how the SBA helps small businesses throughout the Great Lakes area, from crises and disaster resistance services to loan forgiveness and more. Prior to his appointment as the Great Lakes Regiona...

With more than 200 years of rocket science experience combined, scientists and engineers are propelling technology from the Upper Peninsula to the outer corners of the solar system We welcome Dr. Brad King , CEO of Orbion Space Technology in Houghton, Michigan, as he shares the story of how Orbion came to be, the companies they have partnered with, and his connection to the Upper Peninsula . The h...

Detroit City FC: Where 7,000 strong pack the stands — and a bold new soccer stadium is on the way. Detroit City Football Club is Detroit's professional soccer team and has established itself as one of the most talked about soccer teams in North America. The club has generated media coverage from publications across the globe. CEO Sean Mann has been involved in every facet of the growing organ...

From skateboards to hunting blinds, fly fishing gear to motorcycles — Brad Garmon is hitting the road across Michigan, connecting with outdoor recreation entrepreneurs who are building, innovating, and making things happen! As we continue our series Around Michigan in Under 30 Minutes , we talk with Brad Garmon , Executive Director of the Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office . He discusses...

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Drives Growth and Talent Retention with Northern Michigan University, InvestUP and Local Experts We talk with Lexi Hagan , Executive Director of Menominee Business Development Corporation and Marty Fittante , CEO of Invest UP , about the Rural Leadership Fellowship Program at Northern Michigan University . The Fellowship is a paid and scholarship-supported applied learni...

Explore a new AI venture born in Michigan — led by a seasoned tech veteran, focused on strengthening affinity relationships for member-based organizations. We welcome back Trista Van Tine as she shares the story behind her innovative Michigan-based startup and her deep roots in the tech startup ecosystem. Her latest venture, Nunchi , is an AI-powered people intelligence platform built to help memb...

Connecting the Future of Smart Cities and Beyond Eric Gannaway , Director of Traffic at D2 Traffic Technologies , has over 20 years of traffic transportation experience with a manufacturing background. In this episode he shares how D2 Traffic Technologies delivers cutting-edge traffic management solutions in the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) industry. They specifically bring products an...

200 small businesses, 12,000 attendees at "All Things Detroit" event at the Eastern Market, food trucks at the NFL Draft, Ask Jennyfer, LLC defines hustle in the new economy! Among other services at Ask Jennyfer , Jennyfer Crawford-Williams conceptualizes, manages and executes the successful small business showcase All Things Detroit, which draws as many as 12,000 attendees and connects...

We continue coverage of the Pure Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism , a three-day conference focusing on education, networking, and collaboration opportunities to advance the state's tourism industry. The Michigan Opportunity talks with tourism and hospitality leaders about current trends in the travel industry, the economic impact of travel and tourism on Michigan’s economy, and...

The Pure Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism is an annual event hosted in Michigan for tourism and hospitality professionals. The three-day conference focuses on education, networking, and collaboration opportunities to advance the state's tourism industry. The Michigan Opportunity talks with tourism and hospitality leaders about current trends in the travel industry, the economic...

From the hardwood forests of the Upper Peninsula to the Final 4, this Amasa based company brings Michigan power to March Madness courts Listen as Connor Sports Marketing Director, Zach Riberdy , shares how the company got started, their sustainability practices, an NCAA partnership, and more. Through their partnership with the NCAA® they provide over 14 floors for the March Madness® Division I Men...

As the #2 credit union in Michigan, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) has 23 branches, 358,000+ members, $7.7B in assets, and 1,100+ employees. April Clobes , President and CEO of MSUFCU , discusses the history of the credit union and what the credit union offers to Michigan residents. She joined the Credit Union in 1996 and moved through many positions within the organizatio...

Giffels Webster: Shaping Michigan’s Communities with Engineering, Planning & Innovation  Jill Bahm is a Partner at Giffels Webster , a Michigan-based firm serving public, private, and institutional clients with their community planning, infrastructure, and land development needs. In this episode, she discusses how Giffels Webster helps communities with their vision for the future, working with...

Bridging Divides: The Michigan Political Leadership Program takes a bipartisan approach to public policy at Michigan State University Since 1992, over 800 Michigan Political Leadership Program (MPLP) graduates have applied the skills and relationships they learned to work in their communities and serve in statewide offices. Tonya Schuitmaker and Rudy Hobbs are Co-Directors at the Michigan Politica...

Using innovation to attract urban talent to sustainable cities including: NYC, LA County, and Detroit (plus a touch of London and Italy)! CIV:LAB was born out of a need for more coordination and collaboration between the various stakeholders that work to make cities more sustainable . We sit down with Founder and Executive Director, Simon Sylvester-Chaudhuri , and Chief of Staff, Allison Lucas , t...

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (U.P.) is filled with exceptional views and exceptional talent. From Ironwood to Sault Ste. Marie, the UP is home to three state universities, several manufacturing companies, and many national outdoor recreation events a year.  We welcome back InvestUP CEO, Marty Fittante as part of our Around Michigan in Under 30 Minutes series, to discuss the current projects happenin...

From work commutes to connecting people with destinations across Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties, SMART has been Southeast Michigan’s trusted transit provider since 1967. As the General Manager of the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), Dwight A. Ferrell oversees a complex organization that provides essential public transit and paratransit services to the residents...

Around the World in 30 Minutes: Insights from the Executive Director of Grand Rapids’ 75+ Year-Old World Affairs Council This week we talk with Michael Van Denend , Executive Director of the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan . He discusses how the World Affairs Council is dedicated to educating people in western Michigan about other countries, cultures, and regions of the world and provide...

Uniting the Voices of Chambers and Economic Leaders Across Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula On this episode we chat with Haley Bennett , Director of Government Relations for Traverse Connect and the Norther Michigan Chamber Alliance , about how Traverse Connect is supporting area businesses through a combination of business attraction and retention strategies, talent development efforts,...

Michigan’s University Research Corridor (URC) works with Michigan’s three leading research institutions: Michigan State University, University of Michigan and Wayne State University, on a growing interest in technology based economic development.  We welcome back Michigan’s URC Executive Director, Dr. Britany Affolter-Caine , as she discusses the future of R&D in their four main initiatives (...