Founders : Food

Ben Newman is the co-founder of the Detroit Institute of Bagels, a craft food business based in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood.

Questions with Ben Newman

Suzanne Vier is the CEO of Simply Suzanne, a craft-food firm based in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood.

Questions with Suzanne Vier

Tawnya Clark is the founder of The Batata Shop, a craft food firm that specializes in food made from sweet potato.

Questions with Tawnya Clark

Joseph McClure is the co-founder of McClure's Pickles, a craft food firm based on the Hamtramck/Detroit border.

Questions with Joseph McClure

Angelique Robinson is the founder of Treats by Angelique, a craft food company based in Detroit.

Questions with Angelique Robinson

Cara Rosaen is the co-founder of Real Time Farms, an Ann Arbor-based startup that specializes in food chain transparency.

Questions with Cara Rosaen

Mike Plesz is the owner of Rochester Mills Beer Company microbrewery and one of the first craft brewers in Michigan.

Questions with Mike Plesz

Rodrigo Padilla is a visionary business owner that has reached his goal: founding one of the best authentic Mexican food restaurants in Southeast Michigan, El Nacimiento.

Questions with Rodrigo Padilla

Café con Leche was founded on the basis that strong communities need a central gathering space. Jordi Carbonell, originally from Barcelona, Spain, and wife Melissa Fernandez, a second generation resident of Southwest Detroit,had the vision that this community could benefit from a café that recognized and reflected the diversity of the neighborhood.

Questions with Jordi Carbonell & Mellissa Fernandez

Alberto Pimentel is a Mexican entrepreneur, and is owner of Casa Real Mexican restaurants in Michigan. 

Questions with Alberto Pimentel

Cupcakes and popcorn are so “last year,” according to Josh Charlip, longtime owner of the Bagel Factory in Southfield. The newest trend? Custom ice cream sandwiches. Charlip launched Eskimo Jacks this summer to serve up the tasty treats inside the Bagel Factory and at events throughout Metro Detroit.

Questions with Josh Charlip

Matt & Rene Greff are the co-founders of Arbor Brewing Company, a microbrewery based in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.

Questions with Matt & Rene Greff

Phil Jones is the general manager of Colors Restaurant, a workforce training eatery in downtown Detroit.

Questions with Phil Jones

Kwang Lim owns E Mart, one of the largest supermarkets owned by an Asian-American in Michigan.

Questions with Kwang Lim

Rena Basch is the founder of Locavorious, a local-food start-up based in Ann Arbor.

Questions with Rena Basch