Natalie Burg Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Source: Dorothy Morris, Dorothy's Discovery Daycare

Dorothy Morris was a nursing student and a mother before switching her major to education and dedicating her career to caring for children.

"I have three daughters, and they ended up being at the daycare at I used to work at, and I wanted to be around them," Morris says. Coming form a nursing background, I believe you need to provide the educations and academics, but also need think about the individual needs of each child, so I try to make a family-like environment."

That philosophy has taken her childcare facility, Dorothy's Discovery Daycare, from a home business licensed for 12 a decade ago to the commercial business she operates today, which is licensed for 75 children, employs a staff of up to 14 and has recently more than doubled in size with a 3,800 square foot addition.

"We 're able to provide care for the whole family," says Morris. "It's nice for a moms and dads who don't have to run all over town to pick up their kids different places."

Work on the expansion began in June and was completed just in time to open for the new school year. The addition, which was built on to the original, 2,5000 square foot facility on Merritt Rd. in Ypsilanti has grown Dorothy's Discovery Daycare to include six classrooms, including separate rooms for infants, toddlers, two preschool classrooms and two school-age classrooms. An second playground for infants and toddlers was also added to the facility, which accepts children up to 13 years old.

Also spurring the daycare's growth has been a contract with the nearby East Arbor Charter Academy, for which Dorothy's Discovery Daycare provides before- and after-school care. The relationship allowed Morris to take on more children and increase her staff by four employees. Morris hopes to continue to grow her connections to the community and other school districts in the future.

Source: Dorothy Morris, Dorothy's Discovery Daycare Writer: Natalie Burg

Entrepreneurship

Maple Village will be home to new Bikram yoga studio

Natalie Burg Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Source: Lora Rosenbaum, Bikram Yoga Ann Arbor West

Bikram Yoga changed Lora Rosenbaum's life 13 years ago, and she's been committed to bringing others to the practice ever since. After the hot yoga regime inspired her to quit smoking and become healthier, she became a certified teacher, offered the first Bikram Yoga classes in Michigan, and is now opening a new studio in Maple Village Shopping Center, Bikram Yoga Ann Arbor West.

"I think that the demographics in Ann Arbor support two studios," says Rosenbaum, who recently sold her eastside studio, Bikram Yoga Ann Arbor to open the new location. "It's the same type of yoga, all the teachers will be certified to teach Bikram Yoga, we just have different ownership."

The 4,000 square foot studio will offer a large practice area, lounge, men's and women's showers, patio area and more to create a space for healing and relaxation. The Maple Rd. location appealed to Rosenbaum because of its size, parking, as well as proximity to Plum Market.

"I think that this is a great space for the health conscious people on the west side," Rosenbaum says. "I like to be able lead yoga and go get a juice from Plum. It's also a really pretty space that has nice eastern exposure."

Work on Bikram Yoga Ann Arbor West began about a month ago, and Rosenbaum hopes to begin classes in November. Her classes are available on a drop-in basis, and she says every class is suitable for beginners, as well as all levels of yoga practitioners. Rosenbaum anticipates bringing in additional instructors to teach classes as the studio gets closer to opening.

Source: Lora Rosenbaum, Bikram Yoga Ann Arbor West Writer: Natalie Burg

Arts and Culture

Today Clothing brings men's attire to Fourth Ave. retail community

Natalie Burg Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Source: Kevin Pearson, Today Clothing

In his previous job in the wholesale business, Kevin Pearson used to travel frequently. It was during these trips that he typically did his apparel shopping, as he just couldn't find the types of clothes he wanted in Ann Arbor. Now that he and partner Eric Harden have opened Today Clothing on Fourth Ave., he doesn't have to go far at all.

"There are stores similar to this around the world, but we'd like to curate a slightly different mix of products," says Pearson. "We've got a strong focus on clothes make in the US, and handful of European designers mixed in. It's mostly items you can't get anywhere else."

Today Clothing opened about a month ago in the former location of the Gallery Project. While it was the white-walled, hardwood-floored space that attracted Pearson and Harden to the location, the burgeoning retail community on Fourth Ave. turned out to be the perfect location for the store.

"Literati is a great addition to the block," Pearson says. I think there's a lot more foot traffic on Fourth than people give it credit for. Sava's new restaurant around the corner is going to be great, hopefully, the development across the street is coming. Within a year or two these intersections of Fourth will look pretty great."

Pearson and Harden have been hard at work on the space since taking over the space in May. Though they opened quietly with no advertising, or even a sign, Pearson says word about Today Clothing has gotten out through social media, and they've been happy with business thus far.

Today Clothing carries men's apparel including young professional and casual attire. The store also offers bags, accessories and shoes. Their online store is in the works, and Pearson expect it to be up and running in the new few weeks.

Source: Kevin Pearson, Today Clothing Writer: Natalie Burg

Entrepreneurship

V2V opens Arbor Hills Crossing location with new look, brands, 10 new jobs

Natalie Burg Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Source: Mia Bell, V2V Arbor Hills Crossing

If you think you know everything longtime Ann Arbor retailer V2V has to offer, then you haven't been to the store's newest location in Arbor Hills Crossing. The 3,200 square foot store not only has a more modern design than its Kerrytown predecessor, it also carries a new array of products.

"I think Tes [Haas, V2V owner] was looking for a different feel," says Mia Bell, store manager of the new V2V location. "She also wanted to carry things that are different from Kerrytown. We have some of the same brands but more products, as well as different brands like Fossil and Vince Camuto."

Entirely new types of products can be found as well, including lingerie, more body products and home goods. The new V2V opened about two weeks ago in the new Washtenaw Ave. shopping center. A few finishing touches are still in the works, such as a forthcoming chandelier for the center of the store, and the shop's official grand opening will take place Oct. 5.

"Coming here was a kind of a no-brainer," says Bell. "Washtenaw Ave. is busy, people have a place to park, and we're next to some national brands we can compete with."

V2V Arbor Hills Crossing currently employs a staff of 10 workers, and some hiring is still underway. According to Bell, the ultimate goal of the new V2V location is simple: to become every woman's favorite place to shop.

Source: Mia Bell, V2V Arbor Hills Crossing Writer: Natalie Burg

Technology and Innovation

Tangent Medical hires 7 as it commercializes technology

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Source: Concentrate

Tangent Medical began commercializing its new catheter technology this summer and the company is already starting to show some traction for it. Earlier this month the Ann Arbor-based startup won a Gold Stevie Award in the Best New Product or Service for Health & Pharmaceuticals category and a Silver Stevie Award for Tech Innovation of the Year at the The 11th Annual American Business Awards in San Francisco. The awards came courtesy of the company’s NovaCath Integrated IV Catheter System. "We have launched a new product that is being recognized both inside and outside of the industry as breakthrough technology," says Curtis Bloch, vice president of sales & marketing for Tangent Medical. Bloch adds that catheter technology has been largely unchanged for about half a century. Tangent Medical describes its NovaCath Integrated IV Catheter System as "combine advanced catheter stabilization, passive needle encapsulation, tubing management and blood control." The idea is to better stabilize the catheter, improve safety for healthcare workers safety and make it more comfortable for patients. Its passive needle shielding technology and closed system design is meant to minimize risk of needlestick injuries. Tangent Medical raised $8.6 million in a Series B round of venture capital last year. That money helped provided the final push toward commercialization. The 3-year-old company received its FDA clearance in June and began marketing NovaCath Integrated IV Catheter System shortly after. To make that possible it has beefed up its staff to 23 employees thanks to seven new hires over the last year. "We went from company formation to commercialization within four years," Bloch says. Source: Curtis Bloch, vice president of sales & marketing for Tangent Medical Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Kids and Education

Meritful opens Austin office, focuses on landing clients

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Source: Concentrate

Meritful has opened an office in Austin, launched its college recruitment software this summer and is signing up its first clients. The Ann Arbor-based start-up makes what it describes as "relationship management software designed specifically for hiring students" for companies that want to recruit hires from college campuses. The software helps its users organize teams, plan events, engage candidates and measure the success of recruiting efforts. "We provide a set of tools and make it very easy for the users to manage this process," says Azarias Reda, CEO of Meritful. The company launched its technology in May. It also won the Move Your Startup to Austin For Free contest at SXSW this spring. That allowed Meritful to open an office in Austin, but it is still headquartered in Ann Arbor. "We're using that to build more of the company and product and land some new clients," Reda says. Meritful is currently working with some big-name brands in Metro Detroit, including American Axel Manufacturing and DTE Energy. The 1-year-old start-up and its team of three people are helping those companies with their college recruiting. Meritful plans to spend the rest of the year improving its software and expanding its client list. Source: Azarias Reda, CEO of Meritful Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Technology and Innovation

Q LTD adds to staff as it grows organically in Ann Arbor

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Source: Concentrate

Q LTD has enjoyed a sizable bit of growth so far this year, taking on a number of new projects and one new employee. The Ann Arbor-based company has recently hired a web developer, expanding its team to 11 employees and one intern. The new hire, a University of Michigan alumni, got his start with the digital branding company as an independent contractor last year before coming on as a full-time employee last spring. “He was just a good fit,” says Paul Koch, creative strategist for Q LTD. “He is very passionate about web design.” Q LTD focuses on helping companies and non-profits with their online presence and corporate branding efforts. Some of its recent projects include helping Wayne State University Press design and develop its new website. It provided similar services for North Star Reach, an organization that provides a camp experience for children with chronic and life-threatening health problems. The 31-year-old company also helped create a new identity and packaging for Aldea Coffee, a small, high-quality, fair trade roaster. It also is working with NuStep, a long-time client that is launching a newly designed recumbent cross trainer machine. “Several of these are long-time clients that are busy doing new things,” Koch says. He adds, “the more good work we do the more work comes our way.” Source: Paul Koch, creative strategist for Q LTD Writer: Jon Zemke

Economic Development

Reconsider sets up local investment advisory firm

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Source: Concentrate

Angela Barbash has worked as a financial advisor for a decade. She saw the financial crash in 2008, the recession that followed and how it impacted middle-class investors. She saw how colleagues in her industry pushed their customers toward higher-priced products that were arguably not the best fit for their financial future. She also saw the rise of social entrepreneurship and how a growing number of people wanted to invest in their local economies. She saw the market shifting a decided she wanted to get ahead of it with her own financial research firm, Reconsider. "I saw all of this coalescing and launched Reconsider," Barbash says. She describes the Ypsilanti-based business as a "center for thought leadership, providing services that include research and education about community capital and social entrepreneurship, and investment readiness assessments for companies who are preparing to raise capital." It is also working on helping increase financial literacy with everyday people. The firm and its team of six people are also working to create more avenues for people to invest locally. Reconsider also launched a sister company called Revalue. Barbash describes Revalue as "a registered investment advisory firm that provides investment advisory services to individuals and organizations who want to feel good about where they have chosen to invest their money." Reconsider and Revalue recently landed financing from the Michigan Microloan Fund, which provides five-figure microloans to small startups. That money has helped the two companies pay for its legal, accounting, branding and IT needs. "It's covering all of those expenses," Barbash says. "The legal bill was the biggest by far." Source: Angela Barbash, CEO of Reconsider and Revalue Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Healthy Communities

Ann Arbor-based EatBlue.com launches mobile app

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Source: Concentrate

EatBlue got its start a decade ago and has since established itself as the go-to restaurant guide for University of Michigan students, staff and Ann Arbor residents. The downtown Ann Arbor-based company has now launched its own mobile app to better serve its customer base. The app is free for both iPhone and Andriod devices. "We tried to emulate the experience a user has on their desktop," says Andrea Garcia, operations director for EatBlue. "It's like a restaurant guide for your phone." EatBlue also allows users to order food from their favorite restaurants through its website and mobile app. Today 70 percent of its users browse the site for restaurant information. The other 30 percent place food orders. That last number is up from 5-10 percent. "That's a very big increase," Garcia says. EatBlue is owned by Baltimore-based Hungry Media. It hired Garcia about a year ago. She overseas a staff of 15 interns. Source: Andrea Garcia, operations director for EatBlue Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Technology and Innovation

EXO Dynamics set to finish prototype early next year

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Source: Concentrate

EXO Dynamics is in the final stretch of commercializing its mechatronic back brace in Ann Arbor and hopes to begin commercializing it next year. The 1-year-old company is working on an electro-mechanical back brace for medical professionals. The brace is to help patients prevent injury and lessen pain without reducing mobility. "We're probably 4-5 months away from putting it all together," says Mushir Khwaja, chief commercial officer for EXO Dynamics. The start-up launched out of the TechArb last year and has since transitioned its team of six employees and few summer interns to the Venture Accelerator in the university's North Campus Research Complex. The company is also in the process of bringing on a new CEO with experience commercializing bio-technology before the end of the year. "We're hoping once we have that solidified we can make a better run at landing seed capital," Khwaja says. EXO Dynamics has raised $90,000 in grants and convertible notes so far. That number includes financing from the Michigan Micrloan Fund it received earlier this fall. Source: Mushir Khwaja, chief commercial officer for EXO Dynamics Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Feature Story

Community Development

Guest Blogger: Jean Henry

Jean HenryWednesday, September 18, 2013

Study after study has shown that dollars spent at the neighborhood shop instead of the big box get reinvested into the local community at much higher rates than those going into chain store coffers. Jean Henry, co-founder of Small & Mighty, a first-stage business support group, writes on how and why local spending is paying it forward.

Partner Content

Community Development

50 years, 50 stories: Story #20 Ypsilanti District LibraryAnn Arbor Area Community Foundation

Ann Arbor Area Community FoundationWednesday, September 18, 2013

Last year the Ypsilanti District Library logged over 520,000 visits from area residents and offered nearly 2,700 programs and events – from book clubs, art exhibits, story times for children, author visits, to computer training classes and job search resources. An endowment at the Ypsilanti Area Community Fund, a geographic affiliate of the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, helps support the library’s great services and secure its future.

Feature Story

Leslie Raymond at the Ann Arbor Film Festival office

Arts and Culture

New Leadership at the Ann Arbor Film Festival Eyes Next Gen of Filmgoer

Patrick DunnWednesday, September 18, 2013

It's not easy being on the cutting edge. For 50+ years the Ann Arbor Film Festival has been internationally respected as a venue for experimental work. Drawing new audiences to film and video that challenges the conventions of entertainment, however, can be daunting. Patrick Dunn chats with Leslie Raymond, the festival's new executive director, about her plans for AAFF's future.

Healthy Communities

U-M researchers say: love thy neighbor, live longer

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Source: Healthcanal.com

Haters take note: good will for your neighbor equals good health. It's science. Man, we feel sorry for all those short-lived commenters on AnnArbor.com

Excerpt:

"A new University of Michigan study shows that adults in this age bracket who live in a good neighborhood with trustworthy people lowered their risk of stroke up to 48 percent.

Feeling connected with neighbors builds what researchers describe as "neighborhood social cohesion." The trust and connection with neighbors was associated with a reduced risk of stroke above and beyond the effects of negative psychological factors—such as depression and anxiety, said Eric Kim, a doctoral student in the U-M Department of Psychology and the study's lead author."

Read the rest here.

Economic Development

HealPay uses young techies and happy faces to collect debt

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Source: Forbes

An Ann Arbor start-up is getting noticed for its kinder, gentler, more tech-savvy approach to debt collection.

Excerpt:

"As HealPay co-founder Erick Bzovi says, debt collection “is a dirty world and the technology sucks.” The solutions he and cofounder Lance Carlson have developed streamline collections and provide electronic options that they say improve chances of collecting receivables.

HealPay’s SettlementApp, for instance, is designed to let large billers such as hospitals, collection attorneys, and collection agencies create payment options so that debtors can make payoffs over time. Pointing to the Home Shopping Network’s enticing sales pitches that let customers “make three easy payments” or “get flexible payment options,” Bzovi says, “People are more likely to buy a service, or pay off their debt, if you give them options."

Read the rest here.

Arts and Culture

Guide to freshman eats in Ann Arbor

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Source: The Michigan Daily

For those of you who wondered what college kids are eating these days...

Excerpt:

7. Best Greasy Eat: Frita Batidos. I’m kind of obsessed with this Cuban spot just off Main Street. The name comes from its classic offerings: fritas (Cuban burgers served with shoestring fries on top) and batidos (refreshing smoothie-milkshake hybrids). Order the classic chorizo frita with your choice of toppings (mine is muenster, thick-cut bacon, avocado spread and a sunny-side-up egg) and a coconut cream batido for a meal you’ll never forget.

8. Best Lunch Spot: babo. At this pay-by-the-pound deli counter, you can rest assured that you’re in for an exceptional lunch. With a variety of fresh and creative salads, pressed sandwiches and funky-cool drinks, you’ll never run out of new things to try. Seating is limited, but classy and casual out on the patio.

Read the rest here.

Healthy Communities

In Ann Arbor the Dude could abide... and reside

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Source: Estately.com

WWTDD (What Would The Dude Do)? According to the geniuses at Estately, he'd live in Ann Arbor. Why? We have the right mix of bowling alleys, bars, lenient marijuana laws and affordable housing (huh?).

Other possible places the Big Lebowski would find desirable? Minneapolis, Minn., Austin, Texas, Houston, Texas, Portland, Ore., Tuscaloosa, Ala., Louisville, Ky., Ventura, Calif., Honolulu, Seattle and Chicago.

Excerpt:

"The Dude believes in pacifism, something that can be studied in Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan, particularly as it relates to World War I. The Dude enjoys White Russian cocktails, the ingredients of which—vodka, Kahlúa and cream—can be purchased at virtually any grocery store in Ann Arbor. The Dude smokes marijuana, and this hippie haven was named by High Times as one of America’s Best Cities for Pot. This is completely primo Dude territory if ever there was."

Read the rest here.

Entrepreneurship

Oriental Rose brings Chinese medicine with an Australian accent to Ypsi

Natalie Burg Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Source: Rob Noonan, Oriental Rose

Rob and Rose Noonan came to Ypsilanti from their native Australia by way of Chinese Medicine. The route doesn't seem like an obvious choice, but after considering opening their business, Oriental Rose, in their homeland, it seemed like the only logical choice.

"To attract the kind of demographic that would be interested in Chinese Medicine [in Australia] we'd have to be in a large city where we might pay half a million dollars a year for a lease," says Rob Noonan. "The options really were do it part time further out from a city, or look elsewhere. And we fell in love in Michigan."

The married couple visited Michigan two years ago and decided the Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor area would be perfect for their business. Between the relative affordability of commercial space and an open-minded community including college students, the Noonans decided the market was worth the global trek. He anticipates a positive response to the business by those who haven't found satisfactory treatments with traditional doctors.

"Chinese medicine is a complete system of medicine," says Noonan. "What we focus on are chronic conditions. The ones where you see your doctor and they say, 'Well, it just kind of sucks to be you, but there's not much we can do.'"

Rose Noonan is a doctor of Chinese Medicine, having studied at Victoria University in Melbourne. Through Oriental Rose she offers such services as acupuncture, acupressure, massage therapy, herbal formulas and more.

The business opened on Pearl St. about two weeks ago. Rob Noonan serves as office manager and they have employed one additional administrative employee. Noonan plans to eventually expand both the business' offerings and staff, including additional practitioners and more cost effective treatments to allow more people to benefit from their work.

Source: Rob Noonan, Oriental Rose Writer: Natalie Burg

Economic Development

Online Tech doubles footprint in expanded, 10,000 sq ft Ann Arbor office

Natalie Burg Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Source: April Sage, Online Tech

Ann Arbor data center operator Online Tech has been in a growth pattern for some time. Finally, the firm has grown right out of its own office space. Fortunately, Online Tech's Burlington Office Center home on Eisenhower Parkway offered them the opportunity to stay in one place doubling their footprint to 10,000 square feet.

"We were hiring so quickly that we needed more space to keep our team together, and keep that creativity and collaboration going," says April Sage, marketing director for Online Tech. "We really wanted it to be as least disruptive as possible, so when the opportunity came about to add space here, we took it."

Work to renovate the neighboring space in their third floor suite began about six months ago. Knocking out walls has allowed Online Tech to create collaborative spaces for teams, some of which were previously separated into offsite data centers.

The firm eventually plans to take of the entire 13,000 square foot floor, and it's looking like they're going to need it. After hiring 9 staffers earlier this year, Online Tech intends to hire another ten staff members in the third quarter.

"We have about a dozen empty desks yet, so we do have some room," Sage says. "But I don't see any signs of it stopping."

Online Tech's growth comes along with the company's plans to expand beyond Michigan's borders and into the Midwest. News of expansions to their data center footprint is expected in the near future.

Source: April Sage, Online Tech Writer: Natalie Burg

Economic Development

Restored, historic barn to be raised again at Zingerman's Cornman Farms

Natalie Burg Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Source: Eric Olsen, Zingerman's

When faced with a historic barn in disrepair, people can get pretty creative. Some sell the "reclaimed barn wood" to be used as flooring or décor, others might slap a coat of paint on it and cross their fingers it doesn't fall over, but neither approach is really up Zingerman's alley. So they decided to deal with the 1837 barn on their Cornman Farms property in Dexter in a way that better fit their style: having it completely disassembled, shipped to a barnwright, restored, and shipped back for reassembly.

"They're basically sparing no expense," says Zingerman's Marketing and Communications Specialist Eric Olsen. "Most people don't send off a barn to be rehabbed, but that's what we're about. We believe in sustaining this property."

The final stage of the process will officially kickoff with the raising of the barn on Sept. 29. During the private, all-day event, workers will raise the barn and begin the process of reassembling and refurbishing it for its future use as an events space. Though the project is a lengthy one, expected to continue through next summer, Olsen explains that preserving this piece of history is simply worth it.

"It's a classic, beautiful barn," he says. "It's also an integral part of the at property. It's also been a landmark in Dexter for well over 100 years. We wanted to make sure we didn't disrupt anything out there."

Private events have already been booked at the future events space for 2014. Zingerman's vision for the barn includes hosting weddings, business meetings and other events in the two-story structure.

Source: Eric Olsen, Zingerman's Writer: Natalie Burg

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Hasini and Harshini Anand are members of Corner Health Center's Youth Leadership Council and mental health advocates.

Voices of Youth

Concentrate's Voices of Youth series features content created by Washtenaw County youth in partnership with Concentrate mentors, as well as feature stories by adult writers that examine issues of importance to local youth. Click here for a full list of the latest content from this series.