Entrepreneurs in Elevators

Forged in Flint: Kalm Clothing and Kuhmute

Based in Flint, Michigan, 100K Ideas is a nonprofit with a mission to make the process from ideation to commercialization easier on innovators. Supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, 100K Ideas is a community of student professionals who provide entrepreneurs a helping hand in business development. As of February 2020, 100K Ideas has helped grow 481 ideas and given out 340 assessments. Two startups that have grown to fruition as a result of 100K Ideas are Kuhmute and Kalm Klothing.

Lumi Apparel

Mandy and Michelle Walters have been designers and sewers for years—growing up participating in 4-H, a youth development organization where children learn hands-on life skills such as sewing, cooking, crafting and more. Today, they have put these skills to good use through their startup, Lumi, a handcrafted, earth-friendly line of women’s clothing made in their Marquette, Michigan, studio.