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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250710T090000
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SUMMARY:Branding\, a 20Fathoms Breakfast Lab
DESCRIPTION:Learn how to tell your brand’s story\n\n\nYour brand is more than a logo — it’s the story you tell\, the emotions you spark\, and the experience you create.  \nJoin branding expert Jaime Edmondson for a hands-on workshop designed to help startups define and communicate their brand with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re just starting out\, you’re looking to sharpen your messaging\, or your startup’s growth momentum has stagnated\, this session will walk you through why branding matters and how to use it as a powerful growth tool. Expect a mix of expert insights\, playful & nerdy interactive activities\, and practical takeaways you can apply right away.  \nYou’ll learn: \n\nWhy branding is critical in the early stages of your startup \nHow to know if you’re ready for professional branding vs putting it together yourself \nHow to craft a clear\, authentic brand story \nExercises to define your brand voice and connect with your audience \n\nAbout Breakfast Lab \nBreakfast Lab is a weekly event at 20Fathoms where you’ll get expert guidance to help meet your most pressing startup needs\, providing access to the right tools and the right people at the right time.   \nThese events are held in person and there is no cost to attend. Coffee and a light breakfast are provided. Walk-ins are welcome.  \nThere are two parts to each Breakfast Lab:  \n\nStartup Workshop: 9 – 10:30 am \nStartup Coaching: 10:30 am – noon \n\nAttend both parts\, or just one.  \nLearn more about Breakfast Lab.   \nWho should attend: \nBreakfast Lab was designed specifically to support:  \n\nIdea and early-stage startup founders with scalable innovations and technologies \nEntrepreneurs navigating strategic growth or a pivot in their business model \n\nPrerequisite: \nYou are encouraged to have your business model canvas outlined to benefit from the Breakfast Lab workshops.   \nDon’t have a canvas yet? No sweat – join a Startup Bootcamp to get started or Download the instructions and a blank canvas to work through on your own time.  \n\n\nMeet this week’s facilitator:\nJaime Edmondson is a Traverse City native\, Michigan State University grad\, and the founder of Spellbound Creative Studio. As a lifelong multi-passionate creative who has also always enjoyed puzzles\, learning\, and logical challenges\, she delights in combining the left & right sides of her brain to create something truly unique. She earned her degree in Digital Media Communications with a minor in Game Design & Development\, heavily focusing on environment art and visual storytelling. \nAfter graduating from MSU\, she moved back to Traverse City with her husband and their four parrots–a flock which has since doubled in size–and she has worked as an in-house marketing designer\, a 3D generalist\, a freelance creative\, and a software tester in the years since. After having her son in 2023\, she knew that testing software was not what she was meant to be doing with her career and dove back into entrepreneurship head-first. \nShe launched Spellbound Creative Studio in 2024–a premier creative studio currently specializing in brand development and website design via strategic and immersive storytelling. \nSince launching\, she has helped ecommerce and service-based business owners find alignment within their brand\, audience\, messaging\, visuals\, and overall experience\, allowing them to show up in their businesses with excitement and confidence\, smoothing the way for a more genuine connection with their customers and clients\, and fostering brand loyalty. \nSupporting Partners:\n\n\n\nAbout 20Fathoms:\n20Fathoms is the home of entrepreneurship and innovation in Northwest Michigan. Based in Traverse City and serving all of Northwest Lower Michigan\, 20Fathoms is a nonprofit startup incubator and resource center for entrepreneurs and growing businesses. The organization works with entrepreneurs of all stages and industries\, and specializes in working with technology-focused companies. Programs include startup education\, business coaching\, connections\, funding\, and general support. 
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/branding-a-20fathoms-breakfast-lab/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
CATEGORIES:Breakfast Lab
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250717T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250717T120000
DTSTAMP:20250710T184814Z
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SUMMARY:MVP Development & Product-Market Fit\, a 20Fathoms Breakfast Lab
DESCRIPTION:Define your minimum viable product (MVP) and develop a plan to test and refine it\n\n\nWhether you’re just starting out with an idea or ready to start up\, Breakfast Lab takes your business model to the next level. \nIn this week’s session facilitated by Brittany Vanderbeek\, you’ll learn how to define your minimum viable product (MVP) and develop a plan to test and refine it. \nWe’ll focus on:\n\nPrototyping\nGathering feedback\nIterating toward product-market fit\n\nAbout Breakfast Lab\nBreakfast Lab is a weekly event at 20Fathoms where you’ll get expert guidance to help meet your most pressing startup needs\, providing access to the right tools and the right people at the right time. \nThese events are held in person and there is no cost to attend. Coffee and a light breakfast are provided. Walk-ins are welcome. \nThere are two parts to each Breakfast Lab: \n\nStartup Workshop: 9 – 10:30 am\n\n\nStartup Coaching: 10:30 am – noon\n\nAttend both parts\, or just one. \nLearn more about Breakfast Lab. \nWho should attend:\nBreakfast Lab was designed specifically to support: \n\nIdea and early-stage startup founders with scalable innovations and technologies\n\n\nEntrepreneurs navigating strategic growth or a pivot in their business model\n\nPrerequisite:\nYou need to have your business model canvas outlined to benefit from the Breakfast Lab workshops. \nDon’t have a canvas yet? No sweat – join a Business Model Kick-off or Startup Bootcamp to get started. \nMeet this week’s facilitator:\nBrittany VanderBeek\, founder of Illuminate Opportunity LLC\, operates at the nexus of business\, higher education\, and the nonprofit sector\, championing business as a force for good and preparing the next generation for success. She is passionate about helping individuals and organizations innovate and positively impact the world. \nBrittany’s diverse experience spans sustainability strategy consulting at BrownFlynn\, Michelin’s Global Leadership Program\, corporate philanthropy and ESG strategy at Hagerty\, fundraising and community engagement at 20Fathoms\, teaching design thinking and innovation at Northwestern Michigan College\, and business development at AquaAction. \nShe has an International MBA from the University of South Carolina and a BBA from the University of Michigan. In the community\, she serves on the Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Center board and is a Traverse Connect Creative Coast Northern Navigator. \nPresenting Partner:\n\n\n\nSupporting Partner:\n\n\n\nAbout 20Fathoms:\n20Fathoms is the home of entrepreneurship and innovation in Northwest Michigan. Based in Traverse City and serving all of Northwest Lower Michigan\, 20Fathoms is a nonprofit startup incubator and resource center for entrepreneurs and growing businesses. The organization works with entrepreneurs of all stages and industries\, and specializes in working with technology-focused companies. Programs include startup education\, business coaching\, connections\, funding\, and general support.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/breakfast-lab-mvp-development-product-market-fit-5/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
CATEGORIES:Breakfast Lab,Networking
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250724T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250724T120000
DTSTAMP:20250723T193345Z
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SUMMARY:Books Club\, a 20Fathoms Breakfast Lab
DESCRIPTION:How to read\, understand\, and act on what your numbers are telling you\n\n\nNumbers don’t just add up—they tell a story. \nThis workshop will help startup founders and business owners decode their financial reports and use them to make better decisions. Framed around the idea that accounting is the language of business\, participants will learn how to read key financial documents\, interpret what’s driving their numbers\, forecast the future\, and take clear\, strategic actions. \nThrough an engaging mix of slides\, discussion\, and hands-on activities\, we’ll walk through the four key types of business analytics: descriptive (what’s happening)\, diagnostic (why it’s happening)\, predictive (what might happen)\, and prescriptive (what to do about it). \nYou’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how to “listen” to your business\, make data-informed decisions\, and forecast with confidence—no finance degree required. \nYou’ll learn: \n\nHow to read and understand basic financial reports like a P&L and balance sheet\nThe key metrics (KPIs) that help describe what’s happening in your business\nHow to identify why certain trends or changes are occurring using diagnostic tools\nSimple forecasting techniques to predict what might happen next\nHow to use data to make smarter\, action-oriented decisions for your business\nA practical\, jargon-free framework for thinking about numbers as a language\n\nAbout Breakfast Lab \nBreakfast Lab is a weekly event at 20Fathoms where you’ll get expert guidance to help meet your most pressing startup needs\, providing access to the right tools and the right people at the right time. \nThese events are held in person and there is no cost to attend. Coffee and a light breakfast are provided. Walk-ins are welcome. \nThere are two parts to each Breakfast Lab: \n\nStartup Workshop: 9 – 10:30 am\nStartup Coaching: 10:30 am – noon\n\nAttend both parts\, or just one. \nLearn more about Breakfast Lab. \nWho should attend: \nBreakfast Lab was designed specifically to support: \n\nIdea and early-stage startup founders with scalable innovations and technologies\nEntrepreneurs navigating strategic growth or a pivot in their business model\n\nPrerequisite: \nYou are encouraged to have your business model canvas outlined to benefit from the Breakfast Lab workshops. \nDon’t have a canvas yet? No sweat – join a Startup Bootcamp to get started or Download the instructions and a blank canvas to work through on your own time. \nMeet this week’s facilitator:\nJim Eatmon is the Founder of Four Pillars Analytics and your go-to guide on turning raw data into practical wins. Jim keeps things approachable and structured—walking business owners through the four pillars of analytics (What happened\, Why it happened\, What’s likely next\, and What you should do about it)\, so strategic planning\, goal setting\, and data-driven decisions aren’t just buzzwords\, but part of your playbook. By breaking down complex data into clear visuals\, digging into the “why” behind trends\, forecasting future moves\, and mapping out tailored action plans\, he will help you take the guesswork out of growth. \nBeyond advisory work\, Jim is passionate about supporting local businesses through education and hands-on guidance\, helping entrepreneurs build skills\, confidence\, and a data-smart mindset. \nBreakfast Lab Advisors:\nAfter Breakfast Lab\, join us for open Q&A time with local advisors who can help you take the next step in your business. Bring your questions\, roadblocks\, or ideas — they’re here to help. \nAdvisors this session include: \n\nAshley Sloat\, USPTO-registered patent practitioner who specializes in the development and management of patent portfolios for startup ventures and emerging growth companies.\nBeth Cavanaugh\, Insight and Analysis\, Research Strategies\, Change Management\, Marketing Communications\, Branding\, Process & System Implementation\, Training\, Business & Corporate Strategy and Execution\n\nSupporting Partners:\n\n\n\nAbout 20Fathoms:\n20Fathoms is the home of entrepreneurship and innovation in Northwest Michigan. Based in Traverse City and serving all of Northwest Lower Michigan\, 20Fathoms is a nonprofit startup incubator and resource center for entrepreneurs and growing businesses. The organization works with entrepreneurs of all stages and industries\, and specializes in working with technology-focused companies. Programs include startup education\, business coaching\, connections\, funding\, and general support.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/speaking-business-a-20fathoms-breakfast-lab/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
CATEGORIES:Breakfast Lab,Coaching,Networking
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250731T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250731T120000
DTSTAMP:20250728T162237Z
CREATED:20250728T162033Z
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SUMMARY:Connecting the Dots\, a 20Fathoms Breakfast Lab
DESCRIPTION:Reflect\, ask questions\, and turn insights into action\n\n\nOver the past few months\, we’ve explored key topics every founder needs to know—from customer discovery and MVPs to marketing\, fundraising\, and financials. Now it’s time to zoom out and see how it all fits together. \nJoin us for a special wrap-up session hosted by Tex Criqui\, where we’ll connect the dots between each Breakfast Lab and help you turn insights into action. \nWhether you attended one session or all of them\, this is a chance to reflect\, ask questions\, and leave with a clearer picture of how to move forward with your business. \nYou’ll learn: \n\nA practical roadmap for applying the tools you’ve learned — and knowing when to use them\n\n\nInsights on how to build and refine your business model\, revenue strategy\, and customer process\n\n\nGuidance on developing a meaningful financial forecast and identifying key metrics (KPIs)\n\n\nTips for assembling the right team and understanding the resources you’ll need\n\n\nA sense of how to prepare for next steps like fundraising or scaling\n\n\nReflection on your best next moves as of today\, even if they evolve tomorrow\n\nAbout Breakfast Lab\nBreakfast Lab is a weekly event at 20Fathoms where you’ll get expert guidance to help meet your most pressing startup needs\, providing access to the right tools and the right people at the right time. \nThese events are held in person and there is no cost to attend. Coffee and a light breakfast are provided. Walk-ins are welcome. \nThere are two parts to each Breakfast Lab: \n\nStartup Workshop: 9 – 10:30 am\n\n\nStartup Coaching: 10:30 am – noon\n\nAttend both parts\, or just one. \nLearn more about Breakfast Lab. \nWho should attend:\nBreakfast Lab was designed specifically to support: \n\nIdea and early-stage startup founders with scalable innovations and technologies\n\n\nEntrepreneurs navigating strategic growth or a pivot in their business model\n\nPrerequisite:\nYou are encouraged to have your business model canvas outlined to benefit from the Breakfast Lab workshops. \nDon’t have a canvas yet? No sweat – join a Startup Bootcamp to get started or Download the instructions and a blank canvas to work through on your own time. \nMeet this week’s facilitator:\nFollowing a 40 year career with General Motors\, Mr. Criqui was Regional Director for an engineering consulting firm for five years and worked another five years as Director of Operations for a management consulting firm prior to his position as President of Francis Criqui & Associates\, LLC.  He has extensive experience in technology and innovation\, strategic planning\, lifecycle management\, product data management\, process design and definition\, standards and regulatory compliance\, project management\, and organizational performance.  In addition\, he has championed the design\, development\, and deployment of the Michigan I-Corps@LTU program for startups\, delivered in 9-week sessions which integrated Design Thinking principles and Lean Launch Pad protocols.  Mr. Criqui has helped approximately 300 Michigan companies evaluate their commercialization potential\, assisted 6 companies in securing provisional patents\, and coached 100+ companies to advance to early-stage operations. \nMr. Criqui was on the board of several local and national non-profit companies and was elected to five terms as Mayor of his hometown. Mr. Criqui is an SAE Registered Consultant and a Mentor with TC SCORE.  He earned a BSME from Lawrence Technical University and an MBA from the University of Detroit. \nSupporting Partners:\n\n\n\nAbout 20Fathoms:\n20Fathoms is the home of entrepreneurship and innovation in Northwest Michigan. Based in Traverse City and serving all of Northwest Lower Michigan\, 20Fathoms is a nonprofit startup incubator and resource center for entrepreneurs and growing businesses. The organization works with entrepreneurs of all stages and industries\, and specializes in working with technology-focused companies. Programs include startup education\, business coaching\, connections\, funding\, and general support.
URL:https://20fathoms.org/event/connecting-the-dots-a-20fathoms-breakfast-lab-2/
LOCATION:20Fathoms\, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy\, Ste. 4400\, Traverse City\, MI\, 49684\, United States
CATEGORIES:Breakfast Lab,Coaching
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