Source: David Merritt, Merit Writer: Natalie Burg

Heather Dupuis wasn't actively shopping for a second location for her Vie Fitness & Spa, but as the business mix at Arbor Hills Crossing developed, she saw a perfect opportunity to grow her bustling downtown business.   "Café Zola was kind of my trigger point," Dupuis says. "The same clients that go to Vie go to Café Zola, and the same clients also go to Lululemon. I thought this might be a good opportunity for us, and for our clients."   While some of her clients already come from the Washtenaw Ave. area, Dupuis also anticipates a new surge of members who may have been put off by dealing with downtown parking in the past. The new 3,000 square foot, second-floor studio will feature plenty of free parking, as well as a rear-entrance.   "The back entrance will be very private and discreet," says Dupuis. "It will be nice for people who don't want to look all sweaty coming in and out of the studio."   The original Vie location began as 3,000-square foot studio as well a decade ago. Since then, the location has doubled in size. Dupuis says expansion at her forthcoming Arbor Hills Crossing is also an option, though for now, the studio will offer fewer services than the original location, with a focus on Pilates and fitness classes.   Dupuis hopes to open the new Vie location by January of 2014. She anticipates the second location will employ a staff of 20. It will be located above the North Face and Anthropologie stores. Source: Heather Dupuis, Vie Vitness & Spa Writer: Natalie Burg

Digital marketing agency re:group is quickly reaching the point where it needs to make a decision. Add more office space or start thinking of innovative ways to accommodate its new employees, like stacking desks on top of each other. Actually, that last option probably isn't feasible. Look for re:group to handle its growth in a more traditional manner. "We're looking at adding space because we're running out of places to put people," Carey Jernigan, vice president of development for re:group. The downtown Ann Arbor-based company has hired four people over the last year, expanding its staff to 25 people. It is also looking to make six hires, specifically for positions in computer programming, account executive and social media, among others. It is also looking for an intern. Behind re:group's growth is a jump in its overall workload. The 10-year-old company has kept its existing clients, like DTE Energy and Health Plus, while also adding a number of new customers. Its new clients include Tutor Doctor and Community Bank & Trust of Florida. "We tripled our revenue last year," Jernigan says. "It's a combination of hard work and bringing in new clients." Jernigan expect this growth curve to continue through as re:group keeps focusing on grow its business in the normal sectors it serves, such as bio-tech, financial services and franchising. "This is where we continue to grow and attract clients," Jernigan says. Source: Carey Jernigan, vice president of development for re:group Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Miss sunshine on a cloudy day? Or perhaps in a room with no windows and wish you had a sunbeam? Arborlight thinks it has an solution for you. The Ann Arbor-based start-up is creating a "daylight emulation systems," which is basically an LED light that does a convincing impression of a skylight. The light it emits mimics the color, a and temperature of natural sunlight, along with other subtle details. For instance, the technology has an algorithm that is connected to a weather forecast, allowing the LED to behave in the same way as the outside lighting. "It looks, acts and feels like a real skylight," says Mike Forbis, CEO of Arborlight. The start-up has developed a prototype at the University of Michigan North Campus Research Complex and is currently working on its first demonstration units. Arborlight has also assembled a team of five people and is in the process of bringing No. 6 onboard. The company has raised its first $500,000 in seed capital and is looking to raise a Series A next year. "We expect to begin making sales in early 2014," Forbis says. Source: Mike Forbis, CEO of Arborlight Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Rich Grousset and Raphael Meyer enjoyed eating out while going to college at the University of Michigan. However, the recent grads didn’t feel right about the disposable take-home containers that their food came in. That's what turned on the CFL above their heads. "We both really liked going out to restaurants but we both really disliked the waste," Grousset says. The partners started BizeeBox last summer with the idea of supplying reusable plastic container to local restaurants for take-out meals. The idea is the eateries would supply it to their customers who would then send it back, for a small fee, and eliminate more landfill waste. The customers can drop off the empty containers at a central location for cleaning within a certain time period. "As long as you get it back to us within 30 days we won’t charge you," Grousset says. The business started as Go Blue Box at the tail end of their college careers and has taken off as they begin their professional careers as entrepreneurs. "After graduating we decided we wanted to do this after school," says Rich Grousset, co-founder of BizeeBox. The partners are now ironing out the wrinkles in their business plan, such specifically what reusable container to use or how to set up a rewards program to coincide with restaurant patronage. The company plans to running a crowd-funding campaign to launch a small pilot program in Ann Arbor early next year. Source: Rich Grousset, co-founder of BizeeBox Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.