Entrepreneurship

Progressive Turnkey Solutions seeks nat’l distributor for sustainable lighting systems

By Newsroom

●

March 17, 2011

Nick Tuza did a lot of work in the auto industry, then the industry took a big hit a few years ago. That downturn created an opportunity for Tuza to go another route, creating Progressive Turnkey Solutions.The Wixom-based company sells energy-efficient lighting systems and the software to control them. Since starting with two employees, it has grown to 10 employees and five independent contractors. The 2-year-old company offers a number of energy-efficient products, such as LED lights, the poster child of sustainability. It also offers software systems that can dim parking lot lights when no one is around or utilize motion detectors. "It's a way of mixing products and solutions together," Tuza says.A number of Tuza's customers have come around to the idea of energy efficient products in the last 3-6 months as energy prices have climbed. He expects that increased perception of financial viability for sustainable products, along with plans to begin utilizing national distributors, should allow his company to keep expanding and hiring."We can get a return on investment within 12 months," Tuza says.Source: Nick Tuza, president of Progressive Turnkey SolutionsWriter: Jon ZemkeRead more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Latest in Entrepreneurship

Automation Alley to open International Business Center

By Newsroom

●

Arts and Culture

●

March 17, 2011

Automation Alley will open a new International Business Center at its Troy headquarters April 28, providing a place for companies around the world to bring business -- and opportunities for local companies -- to southeast Michigan.The center, located on Bellingham off 16 Mile Road between Rochester Road and John R, will provide three private offices, three Skype-enabled conference rooms, an open office area, a private entrance, and high-tech equipment. Access to high definition video conferencing will be provided by LifeSize and its local partner, Insight Technologies.There is also a three-person a three-person international business staff dedicated to providing a wide range of assistance and information to international guests interested in conducting business in Southeast Michigan and local companies looking to connect with the visitors. "The new expansion will allow international companies to become familiar with the open business culture, technical workforce and quality of life in Southeast Michigan. We anticipate that once they become established, their business will grow and new jobs will be created," says Ken Rogers, Automation Alley executive director. Kelly Kozlowski, Automation Alley's Business Accelerator client coordinator, says the cost of the 3,200-square-foot expansion was $394,800 and came through Urban Development grants from the U.S Department of Housing with support from Congressman Gary Peters and U.S. Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow. The expansion was completed by Bloomfield Hills-based Synergy Group, Inc.."Automation Alley has done 13 trade missions since 2001 and in that time we've continued to strengthen the international business component of our services here…This was the next logical step," Kozlowski says. "We're able to make a lot of connections for companies located here and companies looking to relocate to the region."More specifically, users of the International Business Center get access to Automation Alley's 1,000 member companies, its training seminars and information sessions, use of the conference rooms and atrium for meetings with clients, investors and consultants and a copy, print and fax center as well a professional services information and pre- and post- export trade mission support as well as connections to county governments and economic development partners in the city of Detroit and surrounding eight-county region.Automation Alley is Michigan's largest technology business association. The nonprofit helps drive growth and economic prosperity through workforce and business development projects covering a wide array of technologies from a various industries around the world. Automation Alley work stretches from Detroit, Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties across to Genesee, Livingston, Monroe and St. Clair counties.Sources: Ken Rogers, Automation Alley executive director; Kelly Kozlowski, business accelerator client coordinator for Automation AlleyWriter: Kim North Shine

Nuspire expands office, adds jobs, spreads into Latin American & European markets

By Newsroom

●

Arts and Culture

●

March 17, 2011

Nuspire is going far abroad to create a few jobs in its home base of Commerce Twp.The 11-year-old IT security firm has traditionally worked in the local automotive industry. While that shrunk, Nuspire reached out to new industries in new markets to find business. It locked down customers in Brazil, Spain and Panama in the health-care and retail markets. That has allowed the firm to continue its five-year streak of double-digit revenue growth with solid prospects on the horizon."We've got a lot of projects that are in the hopper we're just starting to realize now," says Saylor Frase, president of Nuspire. "2011 will be one of our biggest years for revenue jumps."The company has hired 10 people in the last eight months, expanding its staff to 60 employees and 370 independent contractors around the globe. It also has six job openings and one intern position available now for application developers and network security specialists. There are plans to add at least another 10 jobs over the next year.Nuspire is expanding its home office, recently taking over 10,000 square feet and turning it into space for new employees. It is also looking at adding on again in the near future. "It's basically a new facility," Frase says.Source: Saylor Frase, president of NuspireWriter: Jon ZemkeRead more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Technology Solutions doubles staffing, preps for 100% revenue jump in 2011

By Newsroom

●

Arts and Culture

●

March 17, 2011

Since it began offering services for phone systems and data networks, Livonia-based Technology Solutions has become a one-stop shop for telecommunication services. "We are a single-source solution," says Steve Futrell, CEO of Technology Solutions.The 16-year-old firm has grown its existing client base with its new, bundled offerings. It has also attracted some new clients, such as Clarkston State Bank and Professional Pump. Revenue was up 85 percent in 2010 and Futrell expects it to jump 100 percent this year.This allowed the company to hire two more employees, two independent contractors, and two interns in the last year. That rounds up its staff to a dozen people, with plans to add more this year."We've got some large clients to potentially add," Futrell says. "And some of our existing clients are growing dramatically."Source: Steve Futrell, CEO of Technology SolutionsWriter: Jon ZemkeRead more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

$5M call center expansion means 230 more jobs at Dialogue Marketing

By Newsroom

●

Arts and Culture

●

March 17, 2011

Dialogue Marketing is sinking $5 million into its Troy operations, an investment that is expected to create 230 new jobs over the next five years.The Auburn Hills-based firm worked out a tax incentive deal with the Michigan Economic Development Corp to make the investment in Michigan instead of a competing site in Utah where the company also has a facility. To Alejandro Vargas, the president & CEO of Dialogue Marketing, the decision also came down to the people in the state."People here actually appreciate the job," Vargas says. "In our office there is a sense of pride. There is that 'I like my job' and 'I want to do well.'"Dialogue Marketing is expanding its call center in Troy. The newly expanded operations are set to begin hiring within the next 60 days. During the first year the company plans to hire 73 people to handle everything from technology and custom software development and support services for the company's retail, health insurance, and business services client base. Another attractive prospect for Vargas is the cost-effectiveness and flexibility of the new space. "We have a lot of options and a lot of flexibility," Vargas says.Source: Alejandro Vargas, president & CEO of Dialogue MarketingWriter: Jon ZemkeRead more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Metro Detroit attorney’s thoughts on talent-repelling sprawl go viral

By Newsroom

●

Arts and Culture

●

March 17, 2011

Andrew Basile Jr. is no stranger to the pages of Metromode. A few months ago he penned a pointed letter of frustration about Metro Detroit's lack of leadership when it comes to issues of suburban sprawl. It seems to have struck a nerve. Bloggers around the net are rerunning his impassioned and opinionated missive. Excerpt: "The fundamental problem, it seems to me, is that our region has gone berserk on suburbia to the expense of having any type of nearby open space or viable urban communities, which are the two primary spatial assets that attract and retain the best human capital. For example, I noted sadly the other day that the entire Oakland Country government complex was built in a field five miles outside of downtown Pontiac. I find that decision shocking. What a wasted opportunity for maintaining a viable downtown Pontiac, not to mention the open space now consumed by the existing complex. What possibly could have been going through their minds? Happily, most of the men who made those foolish decisions 30 or 40 years ago are no longer in policy-making roles. A younger generation needs to recognize the immense folly that they perpetrated and begin the costly, decades long task of cleaning up the wreckage. These are problems, sure, but they could be easily overcome, especially in Oakland County, which is widely recognized as one of the best-run large counties in the country. But despite our talents and resources, the region's problem of place may be intractable for one simple, sorry reason: Our political and business leadership does not view poor quality of place as a problem and certainly lacks motivation to address the issue." Read the rest of the letter/story here. Or here. Or here.

ePrize’s Linkner debuts at #8 on NYT Best Seller list

By Newsroom

●

Economic Development

●

March 10, 2011

As the founder, chairman, and former CEO of the largest interactive promotion agency in the world (ePrize, dontcha know) Josh Linkner has a few ideas about how business can nurture and harness creative thinking. Good thing he jotted those ideas down in his book, Disciplined Dreaming: A Proven System to Drive Breakthrough Creativity. Even better, said book debuted 8th on the New York Times Best Selling Business Book List. Bill Ford says... "Josh Linkner lays out a road map that will guide individuals, teams, and companies to higher levels of creativity. It is a journey that will lead to better ideas and breakthrough thinking-and those who take it will also have a lot of fun along the way." And we bet he'd say that even if he didn't know him.. You can read Linkner's blog here (he weighs in on Charlie Sheen).You can order his book here.

Ideal Recycling aims to recycle 20,000 tons of shingles this year

By Newsroom

●

Arts and Culture

●

March 10, 2011

Ideal Recycling's bottom line gains weight every year. Tons of it.The Southfield-based start-up recycles asphalt shingles and has increased the tonnage of recycled material each year since it started in 2009, when it collected 14,500 tons of old shingles, keeping them out of landfills and putting them into roads. That went up to 16,000 tons last year, and the company is aiming for 20,000 tons this year."Every year we get a little more," says Chris Edwards, vice president of Ideal Recycling. "More customers learn about us every day. It's a slow go because we're changing the industry."Old asphalt shingles are normally torn off a roof and disposed of in a landfill or places like the Detroit Incinerator. Ideal Recycling takes those old shingles and recycles the petroleum-based product into asphalt road material. The company also recycles the old wood and metal that comes with tearing off an old roof.Ideal Recycling employs four people during the slow time of year but will often increase its staff to half a dozen during the busy summer season. Edwards hopes to add even more jobs as the company continues to educate roofers, builders and people in construction trades that there are sustainable ways to dispose of construction waste.Source: Chris Edwards, vice president of Ideal RecyclingWriter: Jon Zemke

Intellitrends adds 10 new clients, grows staff

By Newsroom

●

Arts and Culture

●

March 10, 2011

Intellitrends has been doing its homework and it's starting to show on the Clarkston-based company's bottom line.Intellitrends has added 10 new customers over the last year. Most of those came from the food industry, such as Biggby Coffee and Bagger Dave's. This allowed for the hiring of three people over the last year, expanding its staff to 10 employees, a stable of independent contractors, and a few summer interns.The market research firm also creates market strategies for its clients. The idea is to help these businesses become better focused on their customers' wants and needs. "We answer the 'So what?'" says Keith Stone, executive vice president of Intellitrends. "So what does it mean at the end of the day?" The firm has found an increasing demand for its services as businesses look to maximize revenue streams in tough economic times. Stone expects that demand to grow even as the economy improves. He anticipates adding new clients, expanding existing customer relationships, and creating a few new jobs in 2011.Source: Keith Stone, executive vice president of IntellitrendsWriter: Jon ZemkeRead more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

MyInsuranceExpert expands into life insurance, adds 10 jobs

By Newsroom

●

Arts and Culture

●

March 10, 2011

MyInsuranceExpert.com was cruising along in its first year, employing 90 people who helped individuals find health-insurance plans. Then the health-care reform laws took place, cutting in half the Troy-based firm's average compensation per policy.Faced with shrinking revenue streams, MyInsuranceExpert reinvented itself as the life-insurance version of its former self. That forced it to shrink to 40 people, but allowed it to regroup for future growth."It was a defining moment for us," says Lorne Zalesin, CEO of MyInsuranceExpert. "It was clear that it was a must have, not a maybe. It was either change or go out of business in the next 18 months."The change quickly turned into new jobs. MyInsuranceExpert has hired 10 people over the last few months and hopes to hire another 100 people over the next year. The company sold 900 term life insurance policies in its first month and now ranks in the Top 20 in its industry."Our goal is to be the second-biggest company in the next 18 months," Zalesin says.Source: Lorne Zalesin, CEO of MyInsuranceExpertWriter: Jon ZemkeRead more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.