Drop-in Startup Coaching: Benzonia

Happens the third Thursday of the month. No RSVP required. Just show up and bring your questions!

Connect with startup experts who can help you grow.

Startup coaches share their time, wisdom, and connections to help entrepreneurs build successful businesses and avoid common mistakes. They can provide guidance to entrepreneurs with new and growing businesses on a full range of topics including business planning and entity formation, funding strategy, sales, operations, human resources, and much more.

New business owners routinely state that mentorship and connections are very important. However, entrepreneurs must be open and committed to learning, as well as willing to make the time to meet with their coach.

What to expect:

• For your small business, startup, or idea
• A private, one-on-one meeting with a startup expert
• Troubleshoot your business goals and challenges
• Honest, supportive feedback
• Recommendations on resources and tools

Meet your coach:

Gretchen Swanson leads talent initiatives at 20Fathoms to address the region’s need for qualified tech and startup professionals. Working with local employers and regional partners to identify critical skill areas, she develops programming and resources for tech professionals of all experience levels, helping job seekers successfully navigate their tech careers.

Gretchen is a long-time champion of innovative workforce development partnerships in the Grand Traverse Region. She has supported entrepreneurs and growing organizations as a Business Consultant with Michigan Small Business Development Center and through independent consulting where she specialized in technology integration and talent development.