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Meet the 2025 Michigan and Northwest Ohio winners

Congratulations to the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2025 Michigan and Northwest Ohio winners, the shapers of our future! These ambitious visionaries are boldly disrupting markets, revolutionizing industries, and transforming lives, paving the way for a brighter tomorrow.

Learn more about our winners

Jen Julien and Jon Julien | Braveworks, Inc. | Houghton, Michigan

Braveworks manages and oversees the real estate developments and portfolio of young entrepreneurs, Jen and Jon Julien, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Their portfolio, all founded and owned by Jen and Jon Julien, includes Citrus Salon, Hampton Inn & Suites Houghton, The Vault Hotel, Observatory Lounge, The Counting Room, LJJ Construction, Julien Properties, The Elements Apartments Houghton, The Vault Hotel Marquette & future developments, and various historic properties with apartments and commercial tenants.

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Patrick Hines | Functional Fluidics | Detroit, Michigan

Functional Fluidics is a global health technology company pioneering advancements in red blood cell (RBC) health to transform patient care and therapeutic development. RBC health is foundational to overall health and wellness. Our mission is to make RBC health an achievable and measurable endpoint, improving quality of life worldwide. By commercializing proprietary diagnostic technology and AI analytics, we accelerate the development of life-changing therapies, support clinical trials, and bridge the gap between clinical research and patient care.

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Pat Gillespie | Gillespie Group | Lansing, Michigan

Gillespie Group, based in Lansing, Michigan, has been a pioneer in real estate since 1994, driving innovation and building powerful alliances. With a diverse portfolio exceeding 2.7 million+ square feet, we specialize in retail, office, hotel, medical, multifamily, and mixed-use developments. With vast experience in Public-Private Partnerships (P3), regional district creation, and strategic planning, we transform ambitious visions into reality.

Our work spans suburban and urban landscapes, earning recognition as a top entrepreneurial force by local and state agencies. We deliver comprehensive services, including P3 projects, incentive management, financing solutions, stakeholder alignment, and five-star lease-up strategies.

Trusted by industry leaders, we excel in balancing risk and reward, exceeding expectations, and fostering strong partnerships. Our deep community ties and reputation for excellence position us as the premier partner for transformative projects across Michigan. Passionate about innovation and delivering results, Gillespie Group continues to shape the state’s real estate landscape.

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Charlie Schaefer | Greyson Clothiers | Detroit, Michigan

Greyson creates premium lifestyle apparel inspired by sport and the active daily routine – an integration of golf, racquet, fitness, and everyday essentials with an elevated perspective and refined sophistication. As a values-based business, Greyson has evolved into a community, built on the values of creativity, loyalty, and camaraderie.

Founded in 2015, Greyson delivers elevated everyday pieces that are designed with top technical properties to effortlessly transition through daily routines. With 13 years of design experience, specifically in design and sport, founder Charlie Schaefer set out to build products that create the perfect juxtaposition of sport and luxury.

Greyson is available across multiple countries around the globe through a network of retail locations, e-commerce, and strategic partnerships with key national and regional retailers.

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Linzie Venegas and Jesse Venegas | Ideal Group | Detroit, Michigan

The Ideal Group is a diverse organization comprising seven businesses that operate across three distinct areas: facility guarding and protection, construction services, and manufacturing supply chain services. Established in 1979, Ideal Steel specializes in fabricating structural and miscellaneous steel for buildings from its expansive 40,000 square foot fabrication shop. In 1995, Ideal Shield emerged as the inventor of the Bollard Cover, along with a range of other facility protection products widely utilized in banks, big-box retailers, and gas stations across the nation. Ideal Contracting, founded in 1997, has grown to become one of the largest general contractors in Michigan, expanding its steel construction operations throughout the United States. In 2003, Ideal Setech Share-The-Spare was created to assist a major manufacturer in addressing supply chain challenges related to spare parts for processing machinery. Subsequently, Ideal Setech, established in 2007, and Ideal Setech Canada, launched in 2019, focus on managing the physical machinery repair components for large manufacturing clients. Lastly, Ideal Surplus was founded in 2010 during the global recession to support companies in effectively decommissioning their unused machinery spares.

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Avinash Rachmale, PE | LGC Global Inc. | Detroit, Michigan

LGC Global has a proven and successful history in construction, water and wastewater infrastructure development, federal and government infrastructure development, integrated facility management, project management and construction management dating back to 1994.

As a company, LGC has three decades of experience with a comprehensive team of approximately 600 employees, who possess hundreds of years of experience collectively.  Each and every LGC professional champions our company’s vision to continue to be a best-in-class general contractor and facility manager.

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Todd Stamper | Priority Waste | Clinton Township, Michigan

Headquartered in Clinton Township, Michigan, Priority Waste is a rapidly growing waste management company providing residential and commercial waste services, heavy haul, and transfer station operations. Soon, Priority will expand its capabilities with the opening of a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Flint, Michigan.

With over 1,200 employees across Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana, Priority Waste has quickly become one of the largest privately held waste companies in the country. Its success is driven by technology-enabled operations, a world-class customer experience, and an industry-leading employee culture. By fostering a dynamic workplace, Priority Waste is attracting a new generation of workers who may not have previously considered a career in the waste industry. Priority is an industry disruptor as its owner and founder, Todd Stamper, has brought new solutions to an antiquated industry. Priority boasts an operating model which is unique in the industry and technology fueled. Core to all aspects of Priority is utilizing technology to create an exceptional customer and employee experience.

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Jocelyn Ho | Rare Plant Fairy | Detroit, Michigan

Rare Plant Fairy is a premier grower and supplier of luxurious tropical plants, redefining the industry through ethical sourcing, innovation, and sustainability. Vertical integration via our in-house tissue culture lab allows us to propagate rare species responsibly while reducing reliance on overseas suppliers.

We offer exclusive wholesale specimens to over 300 plant shops and independent garden centers nationwide in addition to our direct-to-consumer e-commerce operations. Rapid expansion into new online marketplaces this year will complement Rare Plant Fairy’s website and social media-based sales channels.

Rare Plant Fairy fosters a strong community of collectors and enthusiasts. Customer engagement through multiple daily livestreams and a private online group of over 8,000 members promotes knowledge sharing, camaraderie, and collaboration. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in over 1,000 positive reviews.

Sustainability is at the core of our business. We operate entirely on wind/solar renewable energy and offset carbon emissions from shipping. Ecological prosperity equals economic prosperity!

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Patrick Kelly | Signal Advisors | Detroit, Michigan

Signal Advisors is an entrepreneurship company, and we help independent financial advisors build a business that aligns with their own unique version of success.  Our technology platform enables these business owners to manage their business in completely new ways across annuities, life insurance, and asset management. Signal enhances advisors' ability to efficiently manage and grow their practices.

As a B2B2C company, Signal improves access to crucial financial planning services, addressing America's retirement planning needs. Signal's community-driven platform encourages knowledge sharing and innovation among advisors, boosting their capacity to deliver superior financial advice. This transformative approach positions Signal as a leader in the industry, reshaping financial advisory services and increasing client satisfaction.

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Anthony Ahee | Together Women's Health | Grosse Pointe, Michigan

Together Women’s Health (TWH) is a premier women’s health management services organization dedicated to partnering with leading physicians to create a top-tier network of obstetricians, gynecologists, and women's healthcare providers. Recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in America, TWH empowers its affiliated practices and physician partners across multiple states with strategic guidance, operational expertise, and comprehensive administrative support—including revenue cycle management, marketing, human resources, finance, accounting, and IT. By providing the resources and capital necessary for growth, TWH enables physicians to focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional care to the communities they serve. With a physician-led culture, TWH is committed to building a network of top clinicians who are shaping the future of women’s healthcare.

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Stephen Ezell | Truly Free, Inc. | Williamsburg, Michigan

Founded in 2015, Truly Free Home is renowned for its plant-based, non-toxic cleaning and laundry products, having pioneered the refillable cleaning revolution as MyGreenRefills in 2009. To date, Truly Free Home has freed more than 468,000 homes from harmful chemicals and eliminated 13.5 million single-use plastics from the environment. Purchases of its all-natural formulas and products like Dryer Angels—handmade by women rescued from poverty and trafficking—support global give-back projects by donating proceeds to local communities worldwide. Named to Inc.'s Best in Business List for Consumer Products in 2022 and 2023, thousands of families rely on best-sellers like Laundry Wash to make cleaning safe and easy. The company recently expanded its business portfolio with the launch of Truly Free, a revolutionary social commerce platform that merges shopping, socializing and revenue sharing for brands, consumers and partners. As the world’s first decentralized marketplace, Truly Free redistributes its revenue in real-time so members benefit directly. With products from over 100 conscious brands and 400,000+ families already on board, Truly Free is reimagining e-commerce by turning everyday purchases into an opportunity for impact. 

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