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Season 1: Owen & Abbey#35

Creating Tables and Accessories from Reclaimed Lumber from Detroit and other Michigan Cities Kimberly Watts shared her story that takes the phrase, “If you want something done right, do it yourself,” to a whole new level. She explains how she added table maker and social entrepreneur to her impressive resume that includes more than 25…

Season 1: Catherine Johnson#34

Catherine Johnson, Assistant Director of the University of Michigan Center for Social Impact Catherine Johnson came home to Michigan, from Portland, Oregon, to take an important job. She’s the assistant director of the University of Michigan’s Center for Social Impact, which is “housed” at the Ross School of Business. This episode of the Bonfires of…

Season 1: Give Lyrics#32

Detroit music scene pro, April Woodard is the winner of this summer’s Detroit StartUp Weekend contest. That’s where she met Romy Gingras, of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise podcast. Romy and April talk about her award winning idea, called “Give Lyrics.”

Season 1: Bonfires-Los Angeles, A Preview#29

A Short Podcast to Preview Upcoming Episodes Recorded in L.A.   This is a short podcast from The Bonfires of Social Enterprise, a preview of upcoming episodes about Romy Gingras’ visit to Los Angeles. Romy discusses the inspiring social entrepreneurs whom she met at the invitation of Cecily Jackson-Zapata of the Sustainable Law Group. Jackson-Zapata…

Season 1: Cecily Jackson-Zapata#28

Two Sustainable Business Consultants Rapping About Social Enterprise Los Angeles Attorney Cecily Jackson-Zapata Joins Romy Gingras on Bonfires In This Episode of The Bonfires of Social Enterprise Romy Gingras and Los Angeles based attorney Cecily Jackson-Zapata rap about the business of consulting and advising social enterprise businesses. You’ll be able to listen into a conversation…

Season 1: Detroit Ento#25

Don’t Step on That Bug! They’re Making Food & Medicine Out of Them! Detroit Ento is a a research and development firm that is doing research on all the things humankind can do with bugs, from crickets to meely worms to maggots, and more. Really. It’s about creating protein rich powders and other products from…

Season 1: Bamboo Detroit#24

Exploring a Collaborative Workspace In Downtown Detroit The Bonfires of Social Enterprise visits with Bamboo Detroit,a business incubator site in a historic Detroit building. Romy talks about why this place has a more “homey” feel to it than other businesses like it, with Bamboo Detroit’s “Community Lady’ Amanda Lewan. Despite it’s name, Detroit Bamboo isn’t…

Season 1: SPLT Rideshare#23

Romy Gingras, host of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise, introduces us to the team behind a brand new app,SPLT Rideshare. Splitting Fares. She met them through an organization called Techstars Mobility, which is mentorship driven business incubator, with locations in cities throughout the U.S. Romy’s venture into the field found her in Ford Field, the…

Season 1: Kicks 4 Kids Foundation#19

How A Teacher Provides Athletic Shoes for Children The Kicks for Kids Foundation Romy visits her friend Chekeita Jones in Pontiac, Michigan. Ms. Jones is a teacher and talks about what inspired her to create the Kicks 4 Kids Foundation, which gives brand named sneakers for needy children. Romy and Chekeita talk about the impact…

Season 1: Build Institute-Detroit#16

Training The Next Gen of Detroit’s Business Owners The Build Institute of Detroit is the focus of this episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. Host Romy Gingras, of Gingras Global, talks about programs, that over 450 business owners have taken, at the Build Institute in Detroit. Institute co-founder April Jones Boyle serves on various…

Season 1: Nate Griswold-Inhabitect#10

Traverse City based Nate Griswold, owner of Inhabitect builds green roofs.Romy Gingras visited with Nate in a re-purposed Traverse City landmark to learn more social enterprise aspects of his small business. Social Enterprise is the most rapidly growing business sector in the United States. They are known for employing people who typically have a hard…

Season 1: Bonfires of Social Enterprise Intro: Romy Gingras#5

Bonfires of Social Enterprise Intro: Romy Gingras Storytelling by Romy Gingras about the Social Enterprise activity in Detroit and broader Michigan. Romy Gingras, Managing Partner, of Gingras Global, LLC and Gingras Global Groups, L3C has been in the financial industry since 1988 and has a passion for efficient, profitable, social enterprises and the impact investors…