Founders : General Retail/Wholesale

"Leon Speakers is a company filled with leaders," says Noah Kaplan, president of Leon Speakers. "It's not just about the president and executive team as leaders. Every employee should be a leader."

Questions with CORDIAL company culture spikes Leon Speakers' growth

"Right now we're adding 1,000 restaurants per month," says Travis O Johnson, co-founder & CEO of foodjunky. "A year from now we hope to be in 20,000 restaurants."

Questions with Automation equals gazelle growth for Detroit's foodjunky

"It started off with a clunky, iPod-like prototype," Olson says. "Then we realized we can fit all of that technology into a card."

Questions with Technology breakthrough sets stage for growth at Stratos

Joe Hessling spent a couple years building 365 Retail Markets from nothing, but he was able to grow the Troy startup's revenues quickly after scoring $1 million in seed capital. That hockey stick spike in growth is why 365 Retail Markets is one of the Gazelle 100, a year-long exploration of the fastest-growing startups in Metro Detroit as part of SEMichiganStartup's Year of the Gazelle series.

Questions with Seed capital fuels 365 Retail Markets rapid growth rate

Noah Kaplan knows a growing company is only as good as its culture and it's why he is always working to comprehensively improve the culture at Leon Speakers.

Questions with Noah Kaplan on evolving a company to match its culture

Joe Hessling is the founder & CEO of 365 Retail Markets, which means he has to balance a shareholder's need to create value and a executive's impulse to build a business.

Questions with Joe Hessling, balancing CEO and shareholder duties

Jeff Plott is the co-founder of Flipsi Bottle, an Ann Arbor-based startup developing a baby bottle that can be turned inside out for easy cleaning.

Questions with Jeff Plott

Rifino Valentine is the founder of Valentine Distilling Co, a micro-distillery based in downtown Ferndale.

Questions with Rifino Valentine

Emily Thornhill is the founder of Homeslice Clothing, a sustainable fashion line based in Detroit.

Questions with Emily Thornhill

David Lin is the co-founder of Molocard.com, an Ann Arbor-based start-up developing a smart phone app that keeps track of retailer reward points.

Questions with David Lin

Luke Song is a designer and owner of Mr. Song Millinery, a designer of women's hats and headwear.

Questions with Luke Song

Alan Barnosky is a team member at Tree Fort Bikes, a custom bicycle shop and Internet retailer based in Ypsilanti.

Questions with Alan Barnosky

Justin Draplin is the managing partner of PowerCapes, a small business that makes super hero capes for kids and adults.

Questions with Justin Draplin

Tom Sesti is the president of Bandals, a footwear accessory startup based out of Rochester.

Questions with Tom Sesti

Lisa Glush is the CEO of Macprofessionals, a Novi-based startup that specializes in everything Apple Computer.

Questions with Lisa Glush