Farmington - Partner City

Beringea expands staff, investment portfolio

By Newsroom

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November 15, 2012

Beringea is adding to both its company portfolio and staff, taking advantage of the Michigan Venture Fellowship Program to grow its office of 25 people. "We needed more hands on the oars," says Charlie Rothstein, founder & senior managing director of Beringea. "(Our Michigan Venture Fellows Program fellow) brings experience and great analytical ability to the team. It's a reflection that we are a growing business and we wanted to add to our team here in Michigan." Beringea is Michigan's largest venture capital firm. It's based in Farmington Hills but also has an office in London. It make late-stage investments and has a portfolio of about 60 companies. There are a number of Michigan-based firms in that mix, including Ann Arbor-based Molecular Imaging Research and Mophie, a smartphone accessory maker that is hitting its stride. "It will do $115 million in sales volume this year," Rothstein says. "It's doing fantastically well." The Michigan Venture Fellowship Program is a new talent-placement initiative headed up by the Michigan Venture Capital Association. This is its first year, placing four individuals looking to break into the venture capital investment sector with prominent local VCs, like Beringea and Detroit Venture Partners. "It's a great model that others can follow," Rothstein says. "We are using it to tap into the talent we have here in Michigan." Source: Charlie Rothstein, founder & senior managing director of Beingea Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Level One acquires Oxford Bank, creates bigger local bank

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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November 15, 2012

Level One Bank is becoming one of the largest banks in Oakland County now that it has acquired Oxford Bank, putting it just behind the likes of Flagstar Bank, Talmer Bank & Trust and Sterling Bank & Trust. Level One Bank now has combined assets of approximately $750 million and 15 bank branches. It opened a new branch in Bloomfield Township earlier this year and has hired 30 people before the acquisition. The newer, bigger Level One Bank now employs 195 people. The Farmington Hills-based bank now has branches in both southern and northern Oakland County after the acquisition. "Oakland County is the eighth wealthiest county with more than 1 million people," says Dave Walker, executive vice president & CFO of Level One Bank. "Most of the rest of those counties are on the coasts." Level One Bank is also moving into a new office in Farmington Hills overlooking I-696. The new space clocks in at 65,000 square feet of space, which nearly triple the size of it current offices. Walker expects to occupy about half of that space right away and use the rest of it to accommodate growth in the next few years. Source: Dave Walker, executive vice president & CFO of Level One Bank Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Metro Detroit Maker: John Parker Glick

By Patrick Dunn

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General

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November 15, 2012

From dinner tables to galleries to the Smithsonian, master potter John Parker Glick has been working with clay for most of his life. And for nearly 50 years, his Plum Tree Pottery studio has become a destination for both collectors and those looking for one-of-a-kind dinner ware.

Annoying, little bugs create growth for Rapunzel’s Lice Boutique

By Newsroom

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Arts and Culture

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November 8, 2012

Little lice - and the families who so desperately want to get rid of them - are responsible for the big growth of the Rapunzel's Lice Boutique, which opened its fourth salon last week in Farmington Hills. Owner Sarah Casello-Rees, who opened the first boutique in Ann Arbor in 2009, says, "We've been doubling our growth every year." Sure the ipads, lego tables and TVs have attracted notice for the family-oriented salons but for Rapunzel's growth has come because those pesky head bugs have built up a resistance to traditional treatments and parents want to avoid pesticides to treat a problem that can consume hours, days, weeks, looking for lice and picking nits. The determined removal specialists at Rapunzel's use a heat treatment and manual removal, a one-time process that is guaranteed. Rapunzel's started as a mobile operation called the Lice Brigrade in 2008. "When we opened our first boutique we thought the name was a little too militaristic. We wanted something more comforting," says Casello-Rees. About 15 employees work for the company and there are more job openings for removal technicians who are paid $25-$35 an hour. Rapunzel's recently started offering a benefits package to employees. "As an owner of the company we strive to offer outstanding customer service to the families…and what's equally important is being a good employer," Casello-Rees says. Employees receive health care coverage and a retirement plan. "When we started in 2008 we were at the lowest point in our economy, so to do this is no small feat…I call it a recession proof business because people are always willing to pay to get ride of their parasites," says Casello-Rees. " The Farmington Hills location on Farmington Road opened in response to the large number of Oakland County customers traveling to other shops in other counties. Besides the Ann Arbor location, which is on Plymouth Road, there are boutiques in Sterling Heights on Metro Parkway and in Grand Rapids. "It's just like a salon…The only difference is we don't cut hair or wash hair….Licensed hair sons can't treat head lice or service customers with lice," she says. "The hair industry is thrilled we are here….That's where we a get lot of referrals." And with all the amenities, "the kids love coming there." "They sometimes ask to come back," she says. "Usually the parents aren't too keen on that." Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Sarah Casello-Rees, owner Rapunzel's Lice Boutique

Prime HealthCare Staffing doubles head count in Farmington Hills

By Newsroom

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Healthy Communities

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November 1, 2012

Prime HealthCare Staffing is celebrating its 10th anniversary and doing so with a big expansion. The Farmington Hills-based company specializes in health-care staffing both at medical centers and for home care. It now employs 14 people after hiring seven over the last year. It also has another 40 temporary workers in the field. "We expect to add more internal staff in 2013 and beyond," says Scott Ragland, partner with Prime HealthCare Staffing. The firm expects its revenue to increase by 16-18 percent for 2012 by the time the year is out. That growth number should expand to 20-25 percent in 2013, according to Ragland and Elizabeth Rozelle, founder and president of Prime HealthCare Staffing. However, that growth is not the only thing that comforts those two partners. "We're not just a temp agency providing a job in the field," Ragland says. "We're offering care to patients that helps them ease back into society." Source: Scott Ragland, partner with Prime HealthCare Staffing and Elizabeth Rozelle, founder and president of Prime HealthCare Staffing Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Illuminating Concepts leverages global work for 10 new hires

By Newsroom

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Arts and Culture

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November 1, 2012

When the amount of work in the U.S. began to contract a few years ago with the onset of the recession, Illuminating Concepts reached overseas to fill the gap. The Farmington Hills-based company that specializes in architectural lighting has buffeted its bottom line with work in the hospitality and gaming industries abroad in recent years. "The casino industry in particular has expanded into southern Europe and Asia," says Ron Harwood, CEO of Illuminating Concepts. "That has added volume and a lot of creative work." It has also allowed Illuminating Concepts to continue to grow its staff. The 30-year-old company now employs 60 people and a handful of interns after it hired 10 people over the last year. Those hire were in people in multi-media, software and electronic specialties. Illuminating Concepts also sees significant promise in its Intellistreets product. Intellistreets gives municipalities wireless control of its streetlights and signage, which should allow it control digital signage, the level of street lighting and help direct traffic through streetlights in emergencies. Harwood points out it would have been useful during Hurricane Sandy but could be utilized in the next U.S. disaster. "It (Intellistreets) will be deployed in at least five of the 10 major cities in the U.S.," Harwood says. Source: Ron Harwood, CEO of Illuminating Concepts Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Investors, DDA plan several changes to downtown Farmington

By Newsroom

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Arts and Culture

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October 11, 2012

The Farmington Downtown Development Authority is working with an investment firm that specializes in repositioning old or unused yet promising commercial spaces. At the same time that the firm, Manifold Ventures, takes over a shopping center that is anchored by TJ Maxx. Other improvements to downtown are unfolding. Annette Knowles, executive director of the Farmington DDA, says Manifold Ventures, was attracted by the DDA's offers to contribute funds toward facade improvements to a closed store and by the financial assistance they offered toward the interior renovation. "Manifold Ventures seeks to acquire buildings that exist in excellent locations but are in need of repositioning or recapitalization," says a statement distributed by Knowles. "The owners believe Farmington matches their vision of creating a walkable community with great potential." She says as the space occupied by TJ Maxx is renovated Manifold will look for high-quality tenants that contribute to a new vision of downtown Farmington, one that's more walkable and accessible to different transportation options. Work should begin in early spring 2013 and will coincide with improvements to Grove Street and a project that will add parking spaces to the center of downtown. “Our vision is to help transform Farmington into a walkable neighborhood community, with integrated shopping, dining, and recreation,” Ricky Singh, Manifold Ventures principal, says. Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Annette Knowles, executive director, Farmington DDA

Farmington equity firm director writes about cutting-edge tech investment

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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October 4, 2012

Jeff Bocan of Farmington's private equity firm Beringea talks about his time at the National Science Foundation's I-Corps, a program at U-M designed to fast-track research from the lab to the real world, and how the government can help foster greater entrepreneurship by funding cutting edge R&D Excerpt: "I have just completed a tour of duty as a venture capital faculty member at the National Science Foundation's I-Corps (short for NSF's Innovation Corps - a program designed to fast-track research from the lab to the real world), delivered in partnership with the University of Michigan. I-Corps is like the scientific version of PBS' Antiques Roadshow -- NSF-funded technological gems that have largely been tucked away in the labs of America's research institutions are being dusted off, given a heavy dose of commercial polish and have been unearthed to unlock the potential to create a lot of value for the technologists, their universities and society in general." Read the rest here.

Painting With a Twist opens second location in downtown Farmington

By Newsroom

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Arts and Culture

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August 23, 2012

The attraction of painting over a glass of wine has proven so strong that one metro Detroit business, Painting with a Twist, is thriving at a second location. Owner Michelle Lewis has added a downtown Farmington location at 33033 Grand River Ave. Her first was in Ferndale at 320 W. 9 Mile. Annette Knowles, executive director of the Farmington Downtown Development Authority, says "it's a fantastic business" and part of several changes lighting up downtown Farmington's Grand River Avenue. "Michelle Lewis is a very sharp woman," she says. "What she's done is bring a business that's serving as a destination, something we all would like to have." Painting with a Twist pairs groups - or individuals - with an artist who teaches them how to work with a brush. Often parties are held that have the students sipping on beverages they bring. Everyone leaves with a canvas of their own creation. Source: Annette Knowles, executive director, Farmington DDA Writer: Kim North Shine

Farmington’s DDA purchases restaurant to provide development opportunity

By Newsroom

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Arts and Culture

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August 16, 2012

The closing of one of Farmington's long-established restaurants is being seen as an opportunity to shape the development of the city's downtown as it moves through a resurgence. Annette Knowles, executive director of the Farmington DDA, says the DDA decided to purchase the parcel that includes Dimitri's restaurant, 33200 Grand River, as a way to control what comes to the stretch of road that is downtown Farmington's Main Street. The cost: $430,000 to be paid back to the City of Farmington, which approved a loan to the DDA earlier this month. "The DDA does have an interest in bringing something to downtown that will really add to the energy and excitement that's going on here," said Annettesaid. "We are looking to kick it up a notch…We are looking to attract a restaurant or redevelopment project that will really contribute to the progress being made." Now the DDA is entertaining potential buyers, and Knowles is holding open houses for the spot "so people can come through casually, without pressure. One open house was Aug. 14. The next is Monday, Aug. 20, from noon to 2. "Interest has been pretty brisk," Knowles said. "We have had numerous folks come who are interested in the restaurant component…We're still debating and discussing the options and opportunities." The proactive development approach gives the DDA and city officials control over a crucial spot of downtown, one that is across the street from a city park and pavilion that hosts summer concerts and events throughout the year. "It does have a good location in a central part of downtown that's accessible and walkable," Knowles says. The restaurant is 3,000 square feet, she says, and "there's room for expansion. The building could be re-used or demolished, depending on the proposals that come in. What's known for sure is that a parking lot will be added behind the building, part of a larger plan to improve parking options downtown, Knowles said. "The bigger picture is there are a lot of redevelopment opportunities here," she said. "This is one we where we hope to start a major trend of investment in our community." Source: Annette Knowles, executive director, Farmington Downtown Development Authority Writer: Kim North Shine