Coffee with Jon - Think Big. Get Unstuck. Grow Your Business

Today's guests are the five finalists for the Comerica Hatch Detroit contest. All of these aspiring entrepreneurs are competing for $100,000 in startup funds from Comerica Bank, as well as $200,000 in pro bono support from Hatch Detroit and its partners, to open a brick and mortar business in Detroit, Hamtramck or Highland Park.

The five finalists vying to take home $100,000 in this year's Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest are:

• 27th Letter Books: an independent bookstore and audio recording space. Their mission is to connect and inspire people through stories, highlighting excellent writing and underrepresented voices.

• Brix Wine and Charcuterie: a gathering place in the Liv/7 neighborhood built on the love of wine, offering a curated wine and small plates menu along with Brix Concierge, a wine curation service.

• ILERA Apothecary: an organic and vegan beauty tech company catering to customers who want the highest quality ingredients in their skin products, without compromising the environment or their budget. ILERA is expected to open a retail store in Detroit containing a curation of skincare items that are carefully sourced and made without toxic ingredients.

• Street Beet: a 100-percent vegan food pop-up based in Detroit pairing creativity and passion to offer a dining experience that is approachable and delicious for all. Street Beet hopes to eventually open a brick and mortar space to provide Detroiters with affordable and nostalgic vegan comfort food – with a focus on allergen-friendly options.

• The French Cow: started as a pop-up when owner Marie Wallace moved to Detroit after realizing there wasn't food here that she grew up eating in France. Currently a popup at Eastern Market, The French Cow aims to open a brick and mortar space serving crepes, cheese, ice creams and other French cuisines in authentic French environment.

Connect with Jon Dwoskin:

Website: http://jondwoskin.com/

Twitter: @jdwoskin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Thejondwoskinexperience/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/

Email: [email protected]

Adam Hergenrother is Founder and CEO of Adam Hergenrother Companies. In less than ten years, Adam has built this rapidly growing company through his commitment to thinking big and never giving up. Fearless and purposeful; unconventional and systematic, Adam sets a seemingly impossible goal then quickly gets to work on closing the gap to achieve it: no limits, no regrets. A real estate industry leader and speaker, Adam is known for his commitment to transformational personal growth, developing high performing teams leadership training. Adam is a graduate of The University of Vermont. He lives in South Burlington, Vermont, with his wife and three young children.

Connect with Adam Hergenrother:

Website: adamhergenrother.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ahergenrother

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adamhergenrother/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhergenrother/

Connect with Jon Dwoskin:

Website: http://jondwoskin.com/

Twitter: @jdwoskin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Thejondwoskinexperience/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jond

Lisa MacDonald is the owner for Driven, a boutique fitness studio with the mission of providing world-class health and wellness services with a simple commitment: To never compromise on the level of service or expertise provided to our clients. Lisa and her team always put clients – and their goals – above all else. They offer unparalleled personal training expertise, state-of-the-art equipment, and an inspiring space meticulously designed to bring out the best in each and every person who walks through their doors. Put simply, they're devoted to making sure members are happy and challenged.

Connect with Lisa MacDonald:

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://drivenbylm.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drivenbylisamacdonald/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-macdonald-58389118/

Connect with Jon Dwoskin:

Website: http://jondwoskin.com/

Twitter: @jdwoskin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Thejondwoskinexperience/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/

Email: [email protected]

Michael Huey is the Founder and CEO at He-Fluence - the elite society for motivated men to "level up" in their health, relationships, and business; so every year, you get better, stronger, and more successful. Michael earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Ohio State University specializing in Exercise Science & Sports Nutrition and an Associate's Degree from Christian Life School of Theology with a focus on relationship counseling.

Michael has made an impact by stepping out and having a live event with some of the biggest influencers in the world. A forward thinker who has been at the top of his industry for years, he thinks about how technology is changing and how he can make his brand a blue ocean by using up to date technology that best helps the client and not only his pocketbook.

Connect with Michael Huey:

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.hefluence.com/

Twitter Handle: @HeFluence

Connect with Jon Dwoskin:

Website: http://jondwoskin.com/

Twitter: @jdwoskin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Thejondwoskinexperience/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/

Email: [email protected]

Lainie Ishbia is a mom, wife, blogger, and licensed therapist. She has a blended family of seven and lives in Michigan. Lainie is also a former girl empowerment speaker and educator. She has a neuromuscular disorder called Charcot Marie Tooth and wears braces for walking and balance. She also struggles with buttons and other fine motor tasks. Lainie doesn't let her disability affect her style and is very confident. She started Trend-Able, a fashion and lifestyle website to help other women with invisible lifestyle disabilities to find clothing and answers to everyday challenges.

Connect with Lainie Ishbia:

Website: www.trend-able.com

Twitter: @LainieIshbia

Connect with Jon Dwoskin:

Website: http://jondwoskin.com/

Twitter: @jdwoskin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Thejondwoskinexperience/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/

Email: [email protected]

Sam Huber is the founder of Admix, a funded startup based between London and SF. Sam is considered a VR/AR thought leader, frequently invited to speak at industry conferences, from Virtuality, Tech Open Air, or VR World. He is a contributor at VRFocus and VRScout, and his work has been featured on websites like Venture Beat.

Before Admix, Sam has 4 years' experience running startups in the ad tech space, as co-founder of Kout.io, and founder of a mobile game studio, which he exited. Before that, he spent 2 years as a strategy engineer for Mercedes Formula One. Samuel has an MSc degree from Cranfield University (UK), and BSc Physics from EPF Lausanne (Switzerland) and Uppsala University (Sweden).

Connect with Sam Huber:

Website:http://www.samhuber.com

Twitter: @SamHuber

Connect with Jon Dwoskin:

Website: http://jondwoskin.com/

Twitter: @jdwoskin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Thejondwoskinexperience/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/

Before becoming a certified coach and NLP practitioner, Lisa Gillette spent 25 years climbing the corporate ladder in the entertainment industry. Working in Sports Television, she had to own her expertise and communicate her talent without appearing "pushy" or labeled aggressive or bossy while being the only woman at the table. After hitting the glass ceiling, she began actively advocating, mentoring, sponsoring, and educating in support of women's career advancement. Her company, BIG SKY Coaching + Consulting, is a natural progression of her desire to guide more women into the ranks of leadership.

Connect with Lisa Gillette:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-gillette

Website: https://bigsky.coach

Instagram: @bigsky_lisa_gillette

Connect with Jon Dwoskin:

Website: http://jondwoskin.com/

Twitter: @jdwoskin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Thejondwoskinexperience/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/

Email: [email protected]

Chris Moschovitis is an expert in cybersecurity and information technology with an important message to all business owners "cybersecurity is failing". In1989, Chris started his own company, the Technology Management Group, focused on providing independent technology and cybersecurity managed services and is a published co-author of "History of the Internet: 1843 to the Present".

As someone with 30 years of experience, Chris wants to help businesses understand the importance of having and implementing a cybersecurity plan from day one. Chris created a planning guide in his new book, "Cybersecurity Program Development for Business: The Essential Planning Guide" (Wiley 2018), to help anyone with a business create a strategy to keep their data and products safe.

Connect with Chris Moschovitis:

Phone: Phone: 12126452900

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.tmgr.com and cybersecurity-for-business.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CMoschovitis

Connect with Jon Dwoskin:

Website: http://jondwoskin.com/

Twitter: @jdwoskin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Thejondwoskinexperience/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/

Email: [email protected]

As the Co-Founder and Vice President of Purple Squirrel Advisors, Amy Whipple is passionate about positively impacting companies and careers with exceptionally matched opportunities. Amy prides herself on building strong relationships and providing caring and trusting guidance to clients, candidates and strategic partners. Amy and the Purple Squirrel Advisors team believes that recruiting is both an "art" and a "science" and use many unique steps in their process to bring forward "Purple Squirrel" talent for clients. Amy is passionate about impacting the community and co-founded 100 Women Who Care – Greater Rochester Area and 100 Businesses Who Care.

Connect with Amy Whipple:

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.purplesquirreladvisors.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amywhipple/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purplesquirreladvisors/

Connect with Jon Dwoskin:

Website: http://jondwoskin.com/

Twitter: @jdwoskin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Thejondwoskinexperience/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/

Email: [email protected]

Manuel Amezcua is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, public speaker, & executive in the financial planning, wealth management, & insurance industry. He currently serves as President, CEO for MassMutual Great Lakes. MassMutual Great Lakes is one of the leading brands in helping to create financial security, stability & success on behalf of the individuals, business owners, and institutions it serves in the United States. Manuel is also the co-founder of One Life Advisory, a national planning practice focused on serving entrepreneurs, executives, & professional athletes.

Manuel was recognized with MassMutual's Community Service Award in 2015, appointed to the Sales Manager Advisory Board in 2015, & invited to join the Field Leadership Development program in 2016. Manuel has spoken at MassMutual Academy, Summit, NAIFA Chicago's Taste of MDRT, GAMA's global LAMP conference, NAIFA Illinois's annual conference, and FUND Conference.

Connect with Manuel Amezcua:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannyamezcua/

Website: https://greatlakes.massmutual.com/

Connect with Jon Dwoskin:

Website: http://jondwoskin.com/

Twitter: @jdwoskin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Thejondwoskinexperience/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/

Email: [email protected]