I Am Ann Arbor

When you think of Downtown Ann Arbor, there is usually one name that springs to mind: Susan Pollay. The former longtime director of the Downtown Development Authority talks to Rishi about her decades of service in community centered organizations in Ann Arbor, along with some great stories about the Downtown!

Prashant Salla is an Ann Arbor transplant from India whose personal story is as endearing as his startup story. His A2 based company, FixMyCar, is providing convenience for consumers looking for repairs as well as new opportunities for mechanics.

This week Ed Feng talks to us about how he created The Power Rank, a premier sports analytics site that discusses "data, analytics and betting in an enjoyable way". Ed founded The Power Rank after moving to Ann Arbor from the Bay Area, and talks about his transition from Academia to Entrepreneurship. You know Rishi has a soft spot for former Engineers who follow the path less traveled!

Rishi is back! Season 2 of podcast (slightly delayed due to a global pandemic) features a new name, a new logo, a revised focus, and all new guests! Rishi brings his old friend Zac Logsdon, host of sister pod "I Am Norman" to explain more about the new focus and the new company, Podcasts United.

In Ann Arbor, Ari Weinzweig needs no introduction. The founder of Zingerman's Deli is a legend in the worlds of entreprenuership and food, and the story of Zingerman's is a source of pride for Ann Arbor Townies and UM Alumni around the globe. In late January of 2020, Rishi sat down with Ari at Zingerman's Roadhouse to get the story behind some of the Deli's most iconic sandwiches (and also an amazing story about Big Bad Voodoo Daddy!)

College is tough. But going to the University of Michigan after serving your country for almost a decade? That takes a dedication not often found. And starting your first business from scratch while you are in your second career as an undergrad? That's downright amazing, and exactly what Anthony Taylor did. Anthony and his partner Shannon Kozyra come on the pod to tell us the their personal journey, and the legend of Axe Ventura.

For over 15 years, students at UofM enjoy a study break during the Fall semester in order to refresh and rejuvenate after midterms. However, for many older alumni, there was no such thing as "Fall Break". Matt Nolan (LSA '03, LAW '06) comes on the podcast to tell the story of how Fall Break was conceived and brought to life.

Shoutout to Good Time Charley's for letting us record the episode at their place! https://www.charleysannarbor.com/

We all know that Pearl Jam and Nirvana played the Blind Pig. But do you know any actual stories from the legendary music venue? Jason Berry, managing partner and longtime talent buyer, welcomes Rishi and Mason to green room at the Pig to tell them some epic stories from its storied history.

Mary & Nick Lemmer are proud UofM alumni, and the sibling team behind Iorio's Gelato in Ann Arbor. Mary & Nick recount their tasty startup story, how they started the business as kids, the difficulties of running a store as college students and young graduates, and some lessons learned along the way.

We all think we know interesting facts about the Law Quad...but do we? This week we play mythbusters with Michele Fraser Wing, Chief Operating Officer, and Lois Harden, Facilities Manager, of the UM Law School. Michele, Lois, and Rishi run through some of the most common rumors heard throughout the decades and unearth the origin of one of campus' most well known traditions.