Intercoastal

Date: 7/30/2015
Time: 5:30 PM

200 Viridian Drive
Muskegon, MI 49440

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Event Description: emerge West Michigan has began a quest of connecting two entrepreneurial coasts, the Lakeshore and Grand Rapids. Come aboard Intercoastal, the Lakeshore's highest concentration of entrepreneurial stakeholders, as we fuse two booming ecosystems. Intercoastal is an interactive matrix of entrepreneurs and support organizations that will help individuals navigate their business development path. As a flagship event, we will amass a concentration of regional entrepreneurs, investors, and support organizations to exchange ideas and tools over local bites and pints. KEYNOTE WORDS BY THE CHEESE LADY: Kathleen Fagan Riegler is a reluctant entrepreneur. After a lifetime of outside sales,she found herself following her husband, John's entrepreneurial ways. She began by selling cheese at the farmers market. After 2 ½ years she opened a brick and mortar shop. And now has a growing retail business selling cheese. She owns, and with John, operates The Cheese Lady in Downtown Muskegon, Michigan. The Cheese Lady specializes in the cheese experience by knowing about the product and by encouraging customers to taste before they buy. The business model has allowed them to succeed and grow. Recently they've opened a bulk olive oil and balsamic vinegar store next door, using the same tasting model. And Cheese Lady franchiseshave opened in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Traverse City and Farmington. In 2016 Rochester will open. Passion and enthusiasm for good food is contagious. Here's a bit of insight from Kathleen into her speech... "Sometimes there is a shift in ones life that they didn't see coming. In 2004 I had one. I quit my job, thinking to slow down and learned that by slowing down, I could find passion in selling cheese. My growing passion for cheese taught me lessons about life. And my growing business has reinforced those lessons. Be positive. Grow in your knowledge. Focus on your strengths. Incorporate them into your life. And you may find yourself going a direction that will pleasantly surprise you." You know she'll be bringing some cheese to the party. FARE AND LIBATIONS AS FOLLOWED: REBEL PIES: serving carnivorous / vegan / vegitarian pizzas Fatty Lumpkins Sandwich Shack: serving carnivorous / vegan / vegitariansandwiches Ice Box Brand: serving dairy / non-dairy artisan icecream bars Unruly Brewing Co.: pouring beer all evening MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT BY HOW TO KILL RECORDS


Directions:
Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center

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