I’m the Chief of Staff at mHUB, where I drive operational efficiency and support execution of the organization’s strategic priorities. I work closely with leadership to align teams, manage initiatives, and ensure we are building toward long-term growth and impact. Prior to mHUB, I was a consultant at Deloitte, advising private and nonprofit organizations on strategy and operations. I’ve also worked across the economic development and nonprofit sectors, and supported student entrepreneurs at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. I’m passionate about helping organizations translate strategy into execution and build systems that support sustainable growth.

QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER

• How do I translate my strategy into clear, actionable priorities?
• How do I build systems and processes that support growth?
• How do I align teams and stakeholders around a shared vision?

I’m an Attorney at Cooley, where I specialize in supporting early-stage and high-growth companies. I help founders navigate business formation, venture financing, and intellectual property so they can build on a strong legal foundation. I’m especially passionate about supporting entrepreneurs through fundraising and translating complex legal concepts into clear, actionable steps.

QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER

• What legal steps should I take before raising capital?
• How does fundraising impact my equity?
• What are the differences between SAFEs, convertible notes, and priced rounds?

What are the legal diligence items that I need to make sure are in order before raising a round of financing from venture capital investors?

What are the legal steps involved in raising a venture capital round of financing, and what happens to my equity?

What is the difference between a SAFE note, convertible note, warrants, and a priced equity round?

I’m the VP and General Manager at UL, where I lead global businesses focused on technology, sustainability, and data-driven solutions. With over 20 years of experience, I’ve led product transformations, built new business lines, and completed more than 30 acquisitions. I work closely with founders on commercialization, global expansion, fundraising strategy, and building high-performing teams.

QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER

• How do I commercialize and scale my business?
• How do I expand into global markets?
• How do I raise capital and build a financial model?
• How do I build and grow an effective team?

1. How do I know if my service or product fits the market needs (including alternative markets/extensions and market trends)?
2. How do I commercialize my business? - from client acquisition to account management, or partnerships.
3. How do I go global? What are my options? Where do I source? What are my markets?
4. How do I raise money effectively? What is a financial model?
5. How do I grow my team? What are effective team building strategies? How to complement my, as a founder, skills when building a team?

I’m the Executive Vice President at Farm Journal and the founder of MedCity News, with a background in building and leading high-impact media brands. I oversee content, audience development, and digital strategy, and I help founders leverage media, refine their messaging, and connect more effectively with investors, customers, and key stakeholders.

QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER

• How do I use media to increase visibility and credibility?
• How do I improve my storytelling for investors?
• How do I engage the right audiences effectively?

• How do I leverage digital media to raise awareness to stakeholders.
• How do I engage with the media?
• How do I improve my pitch to/network with investors?

I bring over 20 years of experience combining technical expertise with systemization and automation to build and grow small businesses. I started my career as a Field Engineer and later moved into technical sales, working with instrumentation products and engineering software. Over time, I’ve developed end-to-end systems for product development, marketing, and sales—from lead generation and direct mail campaigns to database management and revenue tracking. I’ve built and operated businesses using tools like PHP and private cloud systems to manage customer data and streamline outreach. I enjoy helping founders create practical, efficient systems to bring products to market and generate consistent revenue.

QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER

• How do I find and identify the right customer for my product?

• How do I effectively reach customers and communicate my value?

• How does the sales process work, and how can I build one that converts?

How can I find a consumer for my product?

How can I identify the customer, send my product solution message to them efficiently?

How does the sales process work?

• What legal considerations should I keep in mind when starting a small business?
• How can I protect my business from potential legal disputes?
• What do I need to know about HR practices and compliance as a small business owner?

I’m a commercial leader with over 20 years of experience across consumer and B2B businesses, currently leading eCommerce and customer development initiatives. I’ve held leadership roles at companies including Johnson & Johnson, Kimberly-Clark, Procter & Gamble, L’Oréal, and Unilever, driving go-to-market strategy and channel expansion. I specialize in integrated marketing, eCommerce strategy, and sales channel development, helping businesses build strong brands and scale across direct-to-consumer and marketplace platforms. I’m also an investor, advisor, and educator passionate about supporting founders as they grow.

QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER

• Do I have a differentiated and winning brand strategy?
• Which sales channels best support my go-to-market strategy?
• How do I succeed in direct-to-consumer and marketplace eCommerce?

As you look to commercialize your business, do you have a differentiated and winning brand strategy?

Which sales channels can best support your go-to-market strategy?

Is your go-to-market strategy set up for success if selling through direct-to-consumer e-commerce or at online marketplaces?

I’m an experienced executive and board leader with a background spanning complex market and financial environments. I bring a strategic perspective shaped by leading through challenging business conditions, along with a strong focus on financial discipline and operational effectiveness. I’m passionate about leadership development and advancing gender inclusion, and I value mentoring as an opportunity to give back while supporting founders in building resilient, high-performing businesses.

QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER

• What financial metrics should I track to stay on course?
• Which sales channels are best for my product, and how do I use them effectively?
• How should I market and manage my product information, including e-commerce?

What are the financial metrics to keep me on track?

What sales channels are best for my products and how do I best utilize them?

How best to market and manage my product information, including e-commerce?

I’m a Partner and Managing Director at Newport LLC, a national business advisory firm, where I advise executives, founders, and boards on growth strategy, leadership, and innovation. I’m also a board director, author of Fun and Fulfilling Careers One Question at a Time, and host of the Growth + Exit Podcast. With over 25 years of experience advising entrepreneurs and business leaders, I specialize in C-suite advisory, revenue growth, new product launch, leadership development, AI policy and strategy, and integrated marketing. I work with companies at pivotal moments to help them scale, prepare for investment, and execute high-impact growth strategies.

QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER

• How do I build a go-to-market strategy that drives revenue growth?
• What makes an effective board of directors for a private company?
• How do I scale my business and prepare for investment?

• How do I build a go-to-market strategy that drives revenue growth?
• What makes an effective board of directors for a private company?
• How do I scale my business and prepare for investment?

• How can I validate that my engineering concept fits into a real-world clinical workflow before finalizing the design?
• What are the key commercial milestones I need to reach to transform this prototype into a scalable, market-ready medical device?
• Who are the potential commercial partners I should explore to develop my go-to-market strategy and ensure successful execution?

I’m a Product Lead at Deloitte, where I oversee renewable energy solutions for Fortune 500 clients. I bring over 15 years of global experience across customer research, design, branding, and product management, helping organizations build solutions that align with real customer needs. I’ve mentored startups across industries including agriculture, education, consumer products, media, and financial services, and previously co-founded an innovation center in Brazil working with companies like Santander, Visa, and Unilever. I’m passionate about helping founders deeply understand their customers, define strong product strategies, and build businesses that remain competitive over time.

QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER

• How do I ensure my product is meeting real customer needs?
• How should I position my brand and define my go-to-market strategy?
• How do I build a business that stays competitive long term?

How can I ensure my product is meeting my customers’ true needs?

How should I position my brand and what should be my go-to-market strategy?

How can I plan a business that will stay competitive in the long run?

I’m the CEO and Founder of FosterWorks LLC, where I specialize in designing and manufacturing metal products. I bring over 20 years of experience working with metals, including sourcing materials, manufacturing processes, and surface treatment and finishing. My career spans finance and manufacturing—I began in investment banking at Lehman Brothers and Morgan Stanley, working on emerging market IPOs and privatizations, before transitioning into hands-on manufacturing. I’ve since spent over a decade working in high-end metal fabrication and finishing for architects, designers, and artists, both as an owner and operator. I enjoy helping founders understand what’s possible with metal and how to design products that can be efficiently manufactured.

QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER

• Can my product be made out of metal?
• What is the best manufacturing process for my design?
• How do I design a product for efficient metal manufacturing?

• Can I make this out of metal?
• What is the best process to use to make this out of metal?
• How can I design for manufacture in metal?

m the Chief Operating Officer at mHUB, where I focus on ensuring the organization operates efficiently and scales toward long-term financial success. I bring over 15 years of experience working with innovative products and solutions, helping organizations improve performance and execute strategic initiatives. My background includes building and scaling organizations, including helping define the strategy and business plan that led to the creation of mHUB as a World Business Chicago fellow. Prior to mHUB, I worked at UL (Underwriters Laboratories), partnering with manufacturers to bring safe, high-quality products to market across multiple industries. I specialize in process improvement, operational efficiency, and cross-functional team leadership, and I’m passionate about helping founders build strong, scalable businesses.

QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER

• How do I scale my operations efficiently as my business grows?
• How can I improve processes and increase productivity with limited resources?
• How do I align strategy, operations, and team execution to drive business performance?

I’m the Owner of Howard Medical Company, a medical distribution business focused on solving healthcare supply chain challenges. I’ve scaled the company significantly while navigating real-world operational and leadership challenges. I enjoy helping founders clarify their vision, build execution plans, and improve operations.

QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER

• How do I turn my business vision into a clear roadmap?
• How do I define and reach my target market?
• How do I improve operations and execution?

How do I create a roadmap to realize the vision I have for my business?

How can I more effectively establish and execute goals for myself?

How do I define my target market and implement a strategy to serve them?

I’m a Senior Product Manager at UL, where I focus on turning strategy into scalable, market-ready products. I specialize in product lifecycle management, go-to-market strategy, and leveraging market insights to drive adoption—particularly in supply chain platforms and emerging technologies like AI. I’ve led cross-industry product teams and enjoy helping founders validate ideas, build products customers love, and bring them successfully to market.

QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER

• How do I validate product-market fit?
• How do I build and launch a product successfully?
• How do I develop a strong go-to-market strategy?

• How do I know if my service or product fits my customer's market needs and brings value to market more broadly?
• How can I ensure my product will delight my customers?
• How do I commercialize my business and develop my go to market strategy?

I’m a Major Accounts Manager at the Better Business Bureau and a former founder and inventor with deep experience in sales and business growth. After launching my own startup, I spent nearly two decades at ADP building and leading high-performing sales efforts. I enjoy helping founders identify their target market, build effective sales processes, and convert opportunities into revenue.

QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER

• How do I identify and reach my target customers?
• How do I build a repeatable sales process?
• How do I accelerate my sales pipeline and close deals?

How to identify a target market and where to find a way to contact them.

How to identify a sales process which would also include who are the decision makers.

How to launch your sales process or to accelerate the sales process.

I’m a fractional Chief Growth Officer, where I help organizations drive revenue through strategic marketing operations and execution. I focus on aligning marketing strategy with business goals, optimizing performance, and ensuring teams are using the right tools and technologies—including AI—to scale effectively. I work closely with founders to identify the highest-impact opportunities across short-, mid-, and long-term horizons, and to build systems that support sustainable growth. I’m passionate about helping teams streamline their marketing efforts and turn strategy into measurable results.

QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER

• How do I optimize marketing to drive revenue and growth?
• What should I prioritize in the near, mid, and long term?
• What tools, technology, and resources do I need to execute effectively?

I’m the Founder of MP Smith Strategies, LLC, where I provide legal and strategic guidance to entrepreneurs and startups across all stages of their business lifecycle. With over 20 years of experience, including senior leadership roles as an in-house attorney at Fortune 500 companies, I’ve worked across litigation, compliance, regulation, supply chain, and business strategy. I now focus on supporting founders with practical, business-minded legal guidance—from entity formation and contracts to regulatory strategy, risk management, and fundraising. I help companies anticipate challenges early, navigate complex regulatory environments, and build strong, scalable foundations for growth.

QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER

• What regulatory issues could impact my product launch, and how do I prepare?
• What legal and compliance considerations should I address during product development?
• What should I consider when engaging suppliers and managing supply chain risk?

What are the regulatory issues that could impact the launch of my new product? How do I prepare for these risks?

Are there any regulatory issues that I should consider in the development/prototype phase?


Are there any strategic or regulatory considerations to consider in engaging with suppliers and supply chain partners?

MP Consulting is a full-service product development firm specializing in multidisciplinary engineering across hardware, software, and AI-driven solutions. From mechanical and electrical engineering to AI/ML and software integration, the team helps bridge the gap between concept and commercialization.

Whether supporting an existing engineering team or building a product from the ground up, MP Consulting provides expertise across the full product development lifecycle. The firm is focused on helping innovators accelerate development, solve technical challenges, and bring scalable, high-impact products to market.

QUESTIONS WE CAN ANSWER

• How do I move from concept to a manufacturable product?
• What technical resources and expertise do I need to scale development?
• How can AI, software, and hardware work together to strengthen my product?

I'm the Coleman Foundation Clinical Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Illinois Tech Stuart School of Business, where I teach entrepreneurship at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and develop tools and frameworks to increase students’ chances of success. I also serve as Chair of the Entrepreneurship Academy Council and support the Kaplan Family Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship. I bring over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience across engineering, manufacturing, sales, marketing, and international operations. As a lifelong entrepreneur, advisor, and investor, I’m passionate about helping founders build strong businesses while navigating the strategic, financial, and personal challenges that come with entrepreneurship.

QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER

• How do I navigate founder challenges, including family dynamics, investor relationships, and board management?
• What critical questions should I be asking at this stage of my business?
• How can I access and leverage university resources to support my venture?

How do you deal with founder issues? family relationships? investor relations? board development and management?

What questions should I be asking that I haven't asked yet?

How do I access university resources?

I’m an Associate Director of Marketing at AbbVie, where I support multiple brand teams across a range of therapeutic areas, bringing expertise in marketing, strategy, and innovation. My work focuses on brand and product marketing, new product commercialization, and leading cross-functional teams to drive growth. I have experience across the full innovation lifecycle—from idea generation through launch and in-market growth—and have served as a Commercial Business Lead for both MedTech and Biotech startups emerging from university research. I’ve helped guide startups through accelerator programs like Nucleate and NSF I-Corps, and I bring a cross-industry background spanning biopharma, consumer products, and engineering. I enjoy helping founders translate technical innovation into successful, market-ready products.
    

QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER

• How do I take a product from idea to successful commercialization?
• How do I align marketing, product, and strategy to drive growth?
• How do I evaluate and refine my go-to-market approach?

What should I consider in developing a marketing strategy for my product?

What is the difference between marketing, sales and business development and how do I integrate them?

How do I evaluate marketing and promotional materials and provide feedback to creative agencies?

I’m an executive leader and board member at Consequence Forum, with experience driving global programs and solving complex business challenges through technology and innovation. I specialize in building strategic roadmaps, aligning product development with business goals, and leading cross-functional teams. I’m passionate about helping founders scale thoughtfully while building strong, collaborative team cultures.

QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER

• How do I build a scalable and adaptive technology roadmap?
• How do I prioritize resources effectively as a startup?
• How do I hire and retain the right team as I grow?

1. How can founders develop an adaptive technology roadmap that aligns your product innovation with business objectives while responding to the rapidly changing landscape?
   
2. How can startup leaders effectively prioritize and allocate limited resources while delivering results?
   
3. As a startup grows, how can founders hire and retain team members that are aligned with company vision, culture and goals?

I’m a Consultant at Khoj Lab, where I focus on design strategy, user experience research, and innovation. My work centers on helping organizations define the right problems, understand their customers deeply, and align product and business strategy for long-term impact.With experience across design, research, and strategy, I help teams clarify their value proposition, shape product direction, and build solutions that are both meaningful and market-relevant. I’m passionate about guiding founders through early-stage thinking and strategic decision-making.

QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER

• Who is my customer, and what problem am I solving?
• What value does my offering create for users and the market?
• How should I position my product and build a strategic roadmap?

Who is the customer?
What is the problem your offering is solving? What value does your offering bring to society and your business?
What's your strategic roadmap for how you position your offering?

I’m a Partner at Navigant Law, where I provide legal counsel to entrepreneurs, closely held businesses, and growing companies across business law, employment law, intellectual property, and commercial transactions. With more than 20 years of legal and entrepreneurial experience, I work with clients ranging from early-stage ventures to complex organizations.I specialize in helping businesses navigate contracts, expansion, and employment policies, ensuring they are protected and positioned for growth. I’m passionate about helping founders build strong legal foundations that support long-term success.

QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER

• What legal considerations should I address when forming and structuring my business?

• What should I consider when negotiating supply chain and vendor contracts?

• How do I establish effective employee policies and procedures?

Legal considerations related to entity formation and asset protection strategies for growing companies.
Legal considerations when negotiating supply chain contracts.
Establishing policies and procedures for employees.