Upcoming Events
speaker series: Lord Milan Oiseau
Wednesday, January 28
6:30pm-7:30pm
Calvin School of Business
1810 E Beltline Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Lord Milan Oiseau is a mindset architect and transformational coach who helps entrepreneurs, business leaders, and real-estate professionals rewire negative mental patterns, build resilience, and step into their full potential. After surviving a life-changing injury, he turned his personal setback into a mission of purpose-driven leadership and empowerment. Lord Milan will share insights on mastering mindset, overcoming limiting beliefs, and building unshakeable confidence in the face of adversity.
speaker series: Mya Stone
Wednesday, February 4
6:30pm-7:30pm
Calvin School of Business
1810 E Beltline Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Mya Stone is the Founder and Executive Director of Stone Capital Partners and an expert in strategic planning, leadership development, and human capital strategy. With credentials including CEPA and SHRM-SCP, she partners with founders to drive sustainable growth, align teams, and prepare for succession and exit planning. Mya brings a people-centered approach to building resilient organizations and will share practical insights on leadership, culture, and long-term business health.
speaker series: Paul Hontz
Wednesday, February 11
6:30pm-7:30pm
Calvin School of Business
1810 E Beltline Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Paul Hontz is a serial entrepreneur and Y Combinator alum (S17) who has built and exited multiple startups, generating over $85 million in revenue. With deep experience in AI, automation, and robotics, Paul helps founders combine technical innovation with strategic thinking to create true “unfair advantages.” In this session, he’ll share lessons from building high-growth companies, spotting opportunities early, and leveraging technology to scale with clarity and confidence.
WORKSHOP: Turning Vision Into Venture
Tuesday, February 17
5:00pm-7:00pm
Grace Christian University
1011 Aldon St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49509
Turning Vision Into Venture is a hands-on workshop designed for entrepreneurs in the ideation to early stages of their business journey who want to bring their ideas to life. Using the framework of a pitch deck, participants will clarify their concept, validate their assumptions, and shape a strong foundation for launch. This session equips founders with practical tools and confidence to take their next step toward building a viable venture.
WORKSHOP: Social MEdia & HEadshots
Wednesday, February 18
6:30pm-8:30pm
Calvin School of Business
1810 E Beltline Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Join us for a FREE workshop focused on using social media to grow your brand, strengthen your online presence, and build authentic professional connections.
You’ll gain practical tools you can apply right away, plus enjoy free dinner and complimentary updated professional headshots.
This event is designed for founders, students, and working professionals who want to show up online with clarity and purpose.
speaker series: Mike King
Wednesday, March 4
6:30pm-7:30pm
Calvin School of Business
1810 E Beltline Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Mike King is a growth marketer and client acquisition strategist who helps businesses build scalable systems for lead generation, offers, and follow-up. With experience in high-performance marketing environments including Grant Cardone Enterprises and AdSkills, Mike specializes in turning marketing into a predictable growth engine. In this session, he’ll share frameworks for attracting the right clients, optimizing conversion, and building repeatable revenue systems.
WORKSHOP: Network with Confidence
Wednesday, March 18
6:30pm-8:30pm
Calvin School of Business
1810 E Beltline Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Networking does not have to feel awkward, forced, or transactional.
Students, emerging professionals, and small business owners often struggle with networking in two key ways. Their introduction feels unclear or forgettable, and they overthink conversations instead of being present, missing opportunities for real connection.
This workshop changes that.
In this interactive two-hour workshop, you will learn how to introduce yourself with clarity and confidence and how to move beyond small talk into meaningful, human-first conversations.
Led by two networking experts, this workshop combines practical tools, real-world frameworks, and guided practice so you leave feeling confident using these skills right away.
LinkedIn: Sara Barco and Leslie Fiorenzo
WORKSHOP: Pitch Principles
Wednesday, March 25
3:00pm-4:00pm
Cornerstone University
1001 E Beltline Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Pitch Principles is an interactive, experiential workshop designed to help students transform the way they present their ideas. Too often, pitches become rehearsed scripts delivered to slides instead of compelling stories delivered to people. In this session, students will learn how to communicate with confidence, clarity, and authentic presence.
Led by Jon VerLee, serial entrepreneur and founder of Startup Garage, this workshop focuses on practical techniques to improve delivery, storytelling, body language, and audience connection. Through live practice and real-time feedback, students will be challenged to step outside their comfort zones and develop pitching skills that resonate with investors, judges, and peers alike.
Whether preparing for competitions, classrooms, or future ventures, this session equips students to pitch like professionals, not presenters.
speaker series: Jim Mallekoote
Wednesday, April 1
6:30pm-7:30pm
Calvin School of Business
1810 E Beltline Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Jim Mallekoote spent nearly 30 years at Apple, serving as Senior Director of Retail Sales and working directly with Steve Jobs in both Apple’s early and revival eras. He played a key role in launching the original iPod team in 2002, helping Apple transition from a computer company to a consumer technology leader. Jim will share behind-the-scenes stories and leadership lessons from one of the most innovative companies in the world.
speaker series: Sheena Brown
Wednesday, April 22
6:30pm-7:30pm
Calvin School of Business
1810 E Beltline Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Sheena Brown is the founder of Fatirah’s Designs and a creative visionary with over 20 years of experience designing and producing transformational events. A former special education educator turned entrepreneur, Sheena blends artistic excellence with deep care for client experience. Recognized in national and local publications, she will share her journey of building a creative business rooted in vision, purpose, and excellence.