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jobs created by 13 Endeavor Detroit companies
At Endeavor, our high-impact entrepreneurs go beyond building a business. Whether they are leading a manufacturing business team or a high-tech firm, Endeavor Entrepreneurs strive to improve the lives of those in their companies through education and workforce development, leading to upward mobility at work and in life.
In the first three years of Endeavor in Michigan, we selected 23 entrepreneurs, 13 companies, and have 1 alumnus. We are proud of every single one.
Keep reading to learn more about three of our Michigan companies and their leaders who are making a significant impact on the workforce in Michigan.
Industry: Food & Beverage | Jobs: 140
Acknowledging the need for skilled trade workers and growing talent in Michigan, MOVE System CEO, James Meeks, created Knights STEM academy—a stem-focused academy—in the same factory that manufactures the MOVE Systems food carts.
Students are taught science, technology, engineering and math skills which they can immediately apply to their hands-on learning in the co-located classroom. Along with the stem academy, Meeks, a U.S. Army Veteran, also recognized the major hurdles veterans face entering the workforce. MOVE Systems works to help ease this transition, comprising one-third of its workforce with veterans.
Industry: Manufacturing | Jobs: 87
A few of the Endeavor Entrepreneurs featured in our first impact report are dedicated to altering the stereotype of manufacturing jobs. DWM Holdings is a lighting pole manufacturing company that has seen success in the past through strategic partnership. A shift in ownership sparked an innovative trajectory for continued success into the future.
Siblings Kelly MacVoy Guffey and Ryan MacVoy established the parent company DWM Holdings as an umbrella company to their subsidiary brands. Leveraging Ryan’s long history in the business and Kelly’s experience with high tech and consumer products in Silicon Valley, they designed an inclusive culture within the team to shift the stigma of manufacturing careers.
To do so, DWM Holdings implements and encourages upward mobility for their employees by offering tuition reimbursement for higher education or manufacturing certifications for all employees, including production team members. This opportunity allows for growth into higher positions and, in-turn, earning higher wages.
Industry: Food & Beverage | Jobs: 40
McClure’s is a family affair that trickles down throughout the whole company—from using their grandmother’s recipe to both brothers and parents working every day to show off Michigan and McClure family pride.
Endeavor Entrepreneurs, Bob and Joe McClure, exemplify what it means to be committed to their employees. Employees who started their career at McClure’s at an entry level grew along with the company and were an integral part of the McClure’s success. Now, they are overseeing and managing McClure’s product production. Through internal training and career development, McClure’s was able to breed a culture through investing in dedicated employees to help them achieve their goals.
While Endeavor focuses on supporting entrepreneurs who lead scaling companies, our impact is multiplied by their workforce.
We are impressed with the impact of all our entrepreneurs. And we hope you are too. We look forward to their continued success in Michigan and beyond.
Download the digital version of our 2018 Impact Report.