Retail I Brick + Mortar Operations I Retail Pop-Up Support I Visual Merchandising I Customer Service

Carrie has been on the front lines of retail operations having been a small business owner for twelve years. She enjoys mentoring and supporting others, and has a strong background in merchandising, product selection, customer service, promotions, shopping trade shows, store events, and pop-ups.

Retail I Operations I Visual Merchandising I Business Strategy I Brick & Mortar Operations I Pop-Up Support

Christina provides support to small business owners as they strengthen business concepts, open physical locations, and continue to grow. She has over 20 years experience in retail management, operations, product development and non-profit leadership. Her areas of specialty include business strategy, operations, staff training, visual merchandising, pop-ups, and inventory management.

Areas of Specialty: Microlending | Banking Financing | Start-up Support + Brick and Mortar | Business Plans

Warren Galloway is a strong advocate of microlending, and has taken the lead in promoting it as an important resource for small businesses throughout Michigan. He is an author of four books and the founder of the National Microloan Conference—an annual conference for microlending industry professionals (lenders, entrepreneurs, bankers, and service providers).

Areas of Specialty: Bilingual | Community Resources | Event Planning + Outreach

A native of Durango, Mexico, Mayté has lived in Michigan for over 25 years. Mayté brings a tremendous network to TechTown from over 20 years of service to Southwest Detroit communities through a mix of community and economic development. Her background allows for an understanding of the unique bicultural/bilingual circumstances of the SW community. Because of this, she is able to personally connect with entrepreneurs.

Zonas de Especialidad: Bilingüe I Recursos Comunitarios I Planificación de Eventos

Originalmente de Durango, México, Mayté lleva más de 25 años viviendo en Michigan. Ella trae una red enorme a TechTown, cultivada sobre más de 20 años de servicio a las comunidades del suroeste a través de una mezcla de desarrollo comunitario y económico. Su experiencia permite un conocimiento de las circunstancias biculturales únicas de la comunidad. Debido a esto, ella se connecta personalmente con empresario

Areas of Specialty: Start-up Support + Brick and Mortar (especially restaurants and retail) | Operational Support for Restaurants

As the owner of 2 local businesses, Heather enjoys helping neighborhood businesses work through their challenges, from obtaining a liquor license to hiring their first employee to implementing operational processes and procedures. Heather gained considerable experience through her 10+ years negotiating leases and other agreement for large commercial property owners.

Areas of Specialty: Web/Mobile Apps | Growth | Strategy

David has a rich background in tech with a deep focus on software. Over the last 20 years, he has helped small businesses to Fortune 100 companies build and maintain critical software apps on various platforms. In 2008, he realized his dream of entrepreneurship + started a B2B consulting firm servicing small to medium-sized businesses in Web and iOS product development. In March of 2015, David became the 4th employee at StockX.

Areas of Specialty: Strategy | Intellectual Property | Fundraising | Hardware

Fathi is a tech entrepreneur based out of San Jose and Detroit. He is very passionate about developing solutions that have substantial social and economic impact and is a member of several entrepreneurial communities, including TechStars, Sprint Accelerator, Jumpstart Foundry, Startup Weekend, and Seamless IoT. He has served as a mentor and entrepreneur-in-residence within several economic development orgs around the world.

Areas of Specialty: Product Launch | Marketing | Customer Discovery | Business Models

Jeff Ponders II is a modern-day Batman. By day, he leverages experience as an exec with agencies like Leo Burnett and Digitas to develop marketing & innovation strategies for ambitious brands. By night, he performs as a jazz saxophonist. In between, the serial tech entrepreneur coaches startups and helps orgs achieve peak performance as a keynote speaker.