Founders : Year of the Gazelle

“Brandon and I started cutting lawns together in high school,” Durrant says. “We turned a tiny lawncare company into a multi-million-dollar business.” What gives the Wixom-based startup an edge is its participation in the 500 Startups accelerator program in Silicon Valley.

Questions with Skye Durrant discusses his aspirations to make LawnGuru the Uber of landscaping and snowplowing

"You need to come in every day and take swings for the fences," says Mark Forchette, president & CEO of Delphinus Medical Technologies. "That is our culture."

Questions with Swinging for the fences powers Delphinus Medical Technologies

"It's super important to go as fast as possible when you know you’re facing the right direction," says Jeff Epstein, founder & CEO of Ambassador. "However, going really fast in the wrong direction can kill you."

Questions with Ambassador kicks growth into hyperdrive with VC round

Dwight Carlson knows what it's like to be on top of the world one day and have the weight of the world crushing you the next. Now he and his startup, Coherix, are back on top as they make the most of a crisis.

Questions with Coherix goes from surviving to thriving after Great Recession

Jen Baird doesn't count on miracles to survive in the business world, but she doesn't turn them down either.

Questions with Jen Baird on finding a way to fund breakthrough technology

There is a glut of startup accelerators out there, but the guys behind the property management startup Castle got into the most prestigious one around, Y Combinator. The Detroit-based startup's team tells how it shot the moon and got in.

Questions with Castle explains how it got into Y Combinator

"The over-arching theme is we represent the outdoors," says Hyaat Chaudhary, CEO of Carbon Media Group. "Our customers are outdoor enthusiasts. ... That's our sandbox."

Questions with Great outdoors leads Carbon Media Group to big things

"It's a slow process for us," Richard Chang, CEO of NewFoundry, says about adding staff. "We hire slow hire smart. ... It's really about taking the time to make sure these folks are a good fit. I want to make sure these folks have the right criteria to grow with us."

Questions with NewFoundry's growth comes down to four words: hire slow hire smart

"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

"We were six employees and then 20," says Jesse Cory, CEO of 1xRUN. "We needed to figure out how to make that work and create different departments."

Questions with 1xRUN team building turns startup into second-stage star

"Most users find MyFab5 through Instagram," says Omeid Seirafi-Pour, co-founder & CEO of MyFab5. "We give them value through our ability to introduce people to new options. You will find some awesome restaurants by following us."

Questions with MyFab5 hits key milestones without reinventing social media wheel

"As soon as they see it operating they see the value in it," says MJ Cartwright, CEO of Court Innovations. "They really get it and want to start using it."

Questions with Seeing is believing spurs growth for Court Innovations

"Make sure the production side of things is something you have a passion for," Ellis-Brown says. "It's not easy. It's one of the hardest things I have ever done."

Questions with Ellis Infinity Beverage Co figures out the recipe for finding the first home away from home

"We're in great shape for future expansion," Rieth says. "We want to have a capacity of 150,000 barrels and this gives us that. We want to continue growing in Detroit because the city is an important part of what we’re about."

Questions with No place like home for Atwater Brewery