Feature Stories

You may be surprised to learn that Chad Paalman, founding partner of NuWave Technology Partners and winner of the 2012 Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Award in Technology, is a budding radio talk show host.

Read more: Technology Entrepreneur - NuWave Technology Partners

Amy Trahey, president of Great Lakes Engineering Group, LLC, who won the 2012 Engineering Entrepreneur award, said during her acceptance speech that people often ask her what it takes to be an entrepreneur, and the path she took. “I like to use the analogy of the path less traveled,” she says.

Read more: Engineering Entrepreneur - Great Lakes Engineering

The 2012 Printing Entrepreneur award went to Bo Noles, owner of Capital Imaging in Lansing, who, on award night, joked to the captivated audience that, “I became a business owner and entrepreneur because I didn’t want to work.”

Read more: Printing Entrepreneur - Capital Imaging

When Lorri Rishar Jandron and Angela Witwer missed the 2012 Greater Lansing Business Monthly Entrepreneurial Awards in March—subsequently missing a chance to pick up the Service Entrepreneurs Award in person—they had an excellent excuse.

Read more: Service Entrepreneurs - EDGE Partnerships

Dr. John Wycoff has been a physician for some time, but when he opened Wycoff Wellness Center in 2006, he also became an entrepreneur. The success of this venture led to his becoming the recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the healthcare category.

Read more: Healthcare Entrepreneur - Wycoff Wellness

Dill pickle, gravy and salsa are not the words normally used to describe flavors of popcorn. However, Chad Jordan doesn’t think in terms of convention. Jordan, the self-proclaimed master popper and owner of Cravings Gourmet Popcorn & Soda Pop Market, was recently recognized as Emerging Entrepreneur at the 2012 Greater Lansing Entrepreneurial Awards.

Read more: Emerging Entrepreneur - Cravings Gourmet Popcorn, LLC

Justin Caine knows what it’s like to be underestimated. But judging by the standing ovation he received on being named the recipient of the Socially Responsible Entrepreneur Award, those days are over.

Read more: Socially Responsible Entrepreneur - Good Fruit Video

Listening to Barb Fails Raftshol’s experiences as an entrepreneur and as someone who is currently teaching an online course called the Entrepreneurial Mindset at Michigan State University, it’s obvious that she’s not merely a supporter of entrepreneurs—she’s a champion for them.

Read more: Socially Responsible Entrepreneur - Barb Fails Raftshol