BUILD Institute’s BUILD Bench is curated for specialized subject matter experts, many of whom are BUILD grads themselves, who can address the needs of BUILD’s alumni, micro-entrepreneurs and aspiring ideators by meeting them where they are in the life of the business. Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, Financial Coaches, and more, work to bring personalized, wrap-around support to help micro-entrepreneurs grow and scale. Let us connect you to the experts who can give you the boost you need to face challenges, achieve your goals, and take your business or idea to the next level.
Entrepreneurs-in-Residence
Meet our Entrepreneurs-in-Residence! Our EIRs are here to provide tailored 1:1 personalized assistance and coaching designed to meet the specialized needs of your business.
EIRs are experienced entrepreneurs that have an interest in giving back to BUILD Institute, the start-up community, and to micro-entrepreneurs. EIRs are recognized for making a significant contribution to their industry or working to drive key industry initiatives forward.
Meet Janae
Janae’ Griggs is a Business Growth Strategist who helps creatives develop “out of the box” strategies and solutions to increase their bank accounts and clientele. She has been a serial entrepreneur for the past 10 years and her work is rooted in helping women of color break through barriers of systemic inequity. Janae’ earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree double majoring in Women & Gender Studies, as well as African American Studies in 2012 from Eastern Michigan University. She used her knowledge and experience to start a 501(c)3 nonprofit mentoring organization for at-risk young girls, in the Metro Detroit area, called P.I.N.K. Detroit.
As someone always looking for ways to serve and enhance the lives of others, she looks for opportunities to create social impact, into everything that she does. In 2018, she launched a business consulting agency to help small business entrepreneurs achieve optimal success, by providing them with guidance and resources to help grow their businesses. As an avid learner, she spends her free time taking various courses, attending training workshops, as well as reading books related to new strategies that business owners could implement in their businesses. And she uses this knowledge to help educate small business owners on industry leading best practices and techniques that they could use to improve and scale their respective businesses.
Janae is ready to help problem solve, share resources, and discuss specific industry pain points at no charge. Working 1:1 with an experienced entrepreneur allows you to quickly find the answers and support you are looking for.
Meet Onni
Onni is ready to help problem solve, share resources, and operationalize strategies to help with credit, capital readiness, and Kiva loans, at no charge to you. Working 1:1 with a capital and loan expert allows you to find answers to address your specific needs. It is important that you understand what your funding options are and what funders will look for from you so you can successfully apply for and receive funding when the time is right for you and your business. Onni can help you apply for a Kiva loan, a BUILD loan, or refer you to other funding sources in the area. Will you take the first step? Sign up for a 1:1 with our subject matter expert Onni.