100K Ideas, a nonprofit centered in Flint, Michigan provides diverse resources for aspiring entrepreneurs. Executive Director Brandee Cook Brown discusses the organization’s evolution, including the initial challenges they faced in their infancy and subsequent community outreach efforts. Brandee also shares how 100K Ideas expanded its resource center to include a multitude of programs aimed to equip members with business-critical skills such as accounting and usage of QuickBooks. One vital success story highlighted is that of Miracle McGlone, a former client of 100K Ideas who began with crafting handmade leather bags and has now grown his business into a thriving venture.
Links:
100k Ideas Website: https://100kideas.org/
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Show Notes:
01:04 Understanding 100K Ideas
02:01 The Process and Services of 100K Ideas
03:46 Expansion and Impact of 100K Ideas
04:27 Shops on Saginaw: A Platform for Local Businesses
07:35 Brandee’s Journey to 100K Ideas
11:23 The Decision to Join 100K Ideas
13:48 Discussing Challenges
14:21 Navigating Community Boundaries
15:29 Addressing Community Engagement
19:38 Highlighting Member Programs
22:46 Sharing Success Stories
Transcript
Brandee Cooke-Brown: But there
was a panelist next to me who said
2
:something to the effect of you
have to, get outside your doors.
3
:You're not reaching the community.
4
:Like, it was like a full call out right?
5
:Cliff Duvernois: but
it was a good call out.
6
:Brandee Cooke-Brown: it was, so it was.
7
:It was not directed to me personally.
8
:It was meant to really just say, Hey,
you can do all these great things.
9
:But do you understand the
community you're working in?
10
:Cliff Duvernois: Hello, everyone,
and welcome back to Total Michigan,
11
:where we talk to ordinary Michiganders
doing some extraordinary things.
12
:I'm your host, Cliff DuVernois.
13
:Today, I'm in the city of Flint.
14
:The more time I spend with here,
the more I'm impressed with just
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:how much Flint is, is really coming
back and working very hard to shake
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:off the reputation that they've had.
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:And anybody who's been a fan
of the show knows that I love
18
:talking to entrepreneurs, whether
that's for profit or nonprofit.
19
:because I really do believe
that entrepreneurship is the
20
:great economic equalizer.
21
:So with that being said, today
I'm at a 100K Ideas, in Flint.
22
:And I'm talking with the executive
director, Brandee Cook Brown.
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:Brandee, how are you?
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:Brandee Cooke-Brown: I am great,
thank you so much for asking.
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:Cliff Duvernois: Before I jump
into it, why don't you talk to us?
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:What is 100K Ideas?
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:Brandee Cooke-Brown: That used to
be such a simple question and now
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:it's so low now it's so loaded.
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:as you've
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:Cliff Duvernois: It's, nothing's ever
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:Brandee Cooke-Brown: No.
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:100k ideas is a nonprofit
designed to relieve the innovator
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:of the entrepreneurial burden.
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:So we know everyone has an idea at some
point in somebody's life they've had
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:an idea for a business that they're
like you know this could make me rich.
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:Or You know, I think I can handle
that, but a lot of them do not
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:have a place to go to get started.
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:Because, everyone has an idea.
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:But not everybody has the ability to
start a business, if that makes sense.
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:That's a very specific skill set that
requires, sometimes knowing people
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:who have started a business that
requires some knowledge pieces that
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:aren't always accessible to everyone.
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:So we were created to bridge that gap.
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:if you have an idea for a business,
it can be a service, a product,
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:a nonprofit, whatever it is.
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:You can come to us.
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:And we'll help you determine how
you would like to move forward.
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:And so we do that with our direct
client services, which is how we
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:started in our bread and butter.
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:We sit with you, we learn about
your idea, your inspiration, your
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:skill set, where you need some help.
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:And from there, we put together
a detailed research assessment.
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:Not to tell you whether it's
a good idea or a bad idea.
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:People ask us that a lot.
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:Like, is this a good idea?
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:Is it a bad idea?
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:I don't, I don't know.
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:I don't have the answer to that.
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:and that's by design because sometimes,
you know, you see those as seen on TV ads.
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:I say this all the time to people.
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:And there are things where I'm
like, I would never buy that.
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:But they obviously are selling.
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:I say all that to say, it's very
subjective of who would support what.
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:And so instead, what we do is we close
that research out with two to three
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:things they can do now to move forward.
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:And so Some of those next step
services we can assist with.
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:We have designers on staff that
can help with your branding
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:and your website and your logo.
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:And then we also have engineers on
staff to help prototype something
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:that you're looking to build.
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:And we have relationships across the
state to kind of fine tune things
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:as it's time to get to market.
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:And test the market.
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:See what happens.
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:You lose nothing, because our goal
is, we want to get you there without
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:making a crazy investment at this stage.
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:Because we also know a lot of
people we work with, they don't have
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:thousands of dollars to invest in a
mold for a product that's going to
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:be manufactured in 10, 000 units.
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:That's just not who we're serving.
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:And instead, we found ways to be
able to get them to market in a
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:very low investment kind of way.
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:That allows them to really learn
and see did people buy this?
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:Did they like it?
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:Did they have suggestions?
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:Should I modify this?
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:Or they're using it.
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:So they're giving feedback.
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:And it's very practical is how we work.
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:We don't work in philosophical.
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:I guess if that is the
best way to say that.
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:We work in very much rooted in reality.
93
:Here's the steps to get to your
business and get it started.
94
:So that's what we do in a nutshell.
95
:We've expanded it quite a bit over
the last couple years by adding
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:workshops and pitch competitions.
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:And now a resource center and a
shop that you can sell products at.
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:But the core of it remains the same.
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:It still is very much about, we just want
to provide access to entrepreneurship
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:to those that have ideas, regardless
of your background, regardless of your
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:network, but knowing that it's attainable.
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:Cliff Duvernois: And where you're
located in Flint, and this was actually
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:a very like pleasant surprise for me.
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:So you've got a building, it's
open, the public can come in.
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:And many of the people that are
members of this organization can
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:actually have a shop set up here.
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:Brandee Cooke-Brown: It's
called Shops on Saginaw.
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:And it was actually created
prior to us taking it over.
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:So the building that we're in now,
the Dryden Building, they, the
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:first floor used to be all shops.
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:And it was local businesses for
the most part, small businesses.
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:A lot of them did not
have other storefronts.
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:The goal was to bring
retail back to downtown.
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:That was the goal of that project.
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:Because there was a time and
actually people tell us all the
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:time even where we're sitting It
used to be the kids section of
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:JCPenney's or Sears or some Macy's.
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:I keep I keep forgetting.
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:Somebody tells me every time.
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:We do a tour and They tell me.
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:So retail was a part of a downtown area.
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:And so that's why Shops was created
was like hey, let's bring that
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:back Let's provide access to that
obviously a little differently.
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:But there's an opportunity for that.
125
:As the building was being
transitioned in terms of ownership,
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:they did end up closing shops.
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:What ended up happening was
people were very disappointed.
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:A lot of people were supporting shops.
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:Because if they wanted to support
local, this was a way they could
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:do so and support multiple local
businesses at the same time.
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:But also the vendors itself, they
were, they counted on this as a
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:way to enter the marketplace at a
very low risk level and do well.
133
:After being yelled on in the street
by a couple of people, even though
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:we did not run shops, for the
record, we did not run it initially.
135
:It kind of screamed to us like,
okay, it has somehow become our
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:mission to bring this battle, there,
no one asked us to, to be fair.
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:But we just took it on as something
that we were like, hey, this is
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:something that matters to the community.
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:Let's figure out how we can bring it back.
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:And so that was the catalyst even for
our move from our previous location
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:at the Ferris Hall building was,
okay, we have to bring back shops.
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:And so that's really where
the inspiration came from.
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:We brought it back a little
bit on a smaller scale.
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:Because we obviously are using
the space a little bit more
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:multi use than it was before.
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:But it's the same structure.
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:There's no upfront fee.
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:So nobody pays a booth rent to be here.
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:It's just 15 percent commission on sales.
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:And then.
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:They just have to give
us their inventory list.
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:Because we are a nonprofit and we want
it to we want everyone to do well.
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:We do have a little bit more programmatic
components to it than it did before.
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:So we do ask that the business
actually be registered.
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:That they have their bank account.
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:They have their EIN number.
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:Our checks are only
written to the businesses.
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:And so it's really about if you're
really ready to sell in the market.
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:This is what it takes.
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:You know, you want to
have everything lined up.
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:So also you can track your
business expenses and your
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:finances and see how you're doing.
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:So, we made it a little programmatic.
164
:So there's a small change
from where it was before.
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:But, overall it's, it's
been so great to see.
166
:And luckily last year we had opened
just in time for August in Flint.
167
:And I don't know if you've
been here in August.
168
:But it's like festival after
festival after festival
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:Cliff Duvernois: Oh, with the Art Walk and
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:Brandee Cooke-Brown: Between Art Walk and
Back to the Bricks and Crim and, Alley
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:Fast and like everything's happening.
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:So we were open.
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:We were able to be open
during that time and it's not
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:actually as full as it is now.
175
:But even with where it was like
people just you know came in and
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:enjoyed supporting businesses.
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:And the vendors were here.
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:So they were able to show off their stuff
and tell the stories of the businesses.
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:So it was a cool thing So
we're very excited that we get
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:to keep that program going.
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:Cliff Duvernois: And there's so much there
that, I want to unpack, um, because what
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:you're doing here is absolutely amazing.
183
:And, and how you're working
with other businesses and state
184
:organizations for that matter,
to help out these entrepreneurs.
185
:And before we jump into all that first,
why don't you tell us where you're from?
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:Where did you grow up?
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:Brandee Cooke-Brown: up?
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:Yep, I grew up in Lansing, Michigan.
189
:So, about 45 minutes,
down the road from here.
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:I went to Sexton High School.
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:For college, I went to University
of Michigan because Michigan
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:State was way too close.
193
:My mom would have been knocking on
the door every chance she could.
194
:But yes, I went to U of M.
195
:I actually got my first taste of non
profit work right outside of college.
196
:In my desire to be endlessly
nomadic, I majored in psychology
197
:and had no desire to be a researcher
or a professor or a therapist.
198
:So, what's left after that?
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:Cliff Duvernois: Which
you kind of have to be
200
:Brandee Cooke-Brown: You have to be all of
those things you know, so it does come in
201
:handy, you know, I do use it occasionally.
202
:No, ironically, actually, the time
I was graduating, I learned about
203
:a program they were starting called
Mission College Access Network.
204
:It actually was going
into its second year.
205
:The model was placing recent
college graduates into high
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:schools to be college advisors.
207
:Similar, if you're familiar with Teach
for America, it's kind of a similar
208
:structure except not in the classroom.
209
:You're strictly focused on college access.
210
:And it's a near peer model, putting
individuals with similar experiences
211
:to high school students to hopefully
increase their college going success.
212
:My high school actually was on the
list to be a new location that year.
213
:And it all was very, serendipitous, I
guess I could say, literally my track
214
:coach was the one that was there for
the interview, that was there so, uh,
215
:and, you know, it was, like, fantastic
to see her, and she was excited to
216
:see me, and we were very much, like,
we're ready to kind of move forward.
217
:And as a non profit program, that
was my first It's real experience
218
:into that space and knowing, okay,
I think this is where I see myself.
219
:Like I see my career.
220
:moving in.
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:So I did that for two years.
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:It was fantastic.
223
:I spent a couple years
in the private sector.
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:which I, even though it was not the best
fit for me professionally, I attribute
225
:that to my ability to be professional
in settings, if that makes sense.
226
:It was very corporate.
227
:So you had a certain way you
sent an email, you had a certain
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:way you engaged with clients.
229
:But learning all those soft skills
in a very rigid environment is
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:really what helped craft, you know,
the professional you come to be.
231
:And my husband though is
actually originally from Flint.
232
:He always had a desire, we were
living in Lansing, but he had
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:a desire to come back to Flint.
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:And I had said, I'm not going
unless, like, I'm working
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:there, like, that's silly.
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:We're not just gonna move to
Flint, and I have to commute,
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:back and forth, that's wild.
238
:And he brought me to a networking
event taking place in the newly
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:renovated Ferris Wheel Building.
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:and We actually missed
all the presentations.
241
:That is when I met the co founder, David
Ohl of 100k Ideas, who had worked with
242
:the company that was renovating the
building and bringing 100k ideas to Flint.
243
:And we were talking and he was
like, So what's your background?
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:And we kind of just got
the talking and rolling.
245
:and yeah, I think I put in my
two weeks, like maybe two, three
246
:weeks after that conversation.
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:It was pretty done at that point.
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:Oh, yeah, because they had just started.
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:Right.
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:So I, as I knew, as much about nonprofit
as I did as a college advisor, right?
251
:I knew we were grant funded.
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:I knew there were like mechanisms there.
253
:But as far as knowing, like,
no, this is a new nonprofit.
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:Like I didn't even ask them,
what's the funding look like?
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:Like, what's all the, how long have
you, I asked none of these questions.
256
:I was like, yeah, sure.
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:let's do it.
258
:and so, no, but I mean, honestly,
it's been the best journey.
259
:I've learned so much, in the process.
260
:And really it has been challenging.
261
:Because you do It's a little
bit of a learning curve, right?
262
:Like when you're put into the space
and you may know things high level.
263
:But then to get into the details
and have to figure it out.
264
:and I do appreciate having a very
supportive team here that allows mistakes.
265
:I mean, and not anything crazy, you
know, we don't have the building
266
:coming, crashing down on us.
267
:But you know, when you,
there's a huge learning curve.
268
:I mean, people have been incredibly
patient with me as I figure things out.
269
:And as I get more comfortable.
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:So yeah, but that's the
journey to, to Flint for us.
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:Cliff Duvernois: I got for you
is, so you had this chance meeting
272
:with the co founder of 100K Ideas.
273
:What was it that made you say, you
know what, I'm gonna go all in on this.
274
:What was it in particular
that drew you to this?
275
:Brandee Cooke-Brown: Yeah, it's
funny because, I mean, I knew at my
276
:current, at my job at that time, that
I just wouldn't be there forever.
277
:Like, I just kind of knew, okay, there's
something else I kind of want to do.
278
:There's a stepping
stone to something else.
279
:So there's, that's like
the first realization.
280
:The second thing was, I had always said,
because I was good at my job, you know,
281
:I really didn't have any complaints.
282
:I was like, if I do leave, it's got to
be something that's really pulling at me.
283
:And I couldn't stop thinking
about the organization.
284
:And I just really felt like,
you know what, if I didn't do
285
:this, I'd probably regret it.
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:I don't know how to explain it.
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:but there was something exciting about it.
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:It was a challenge.
289
:I've, you know, not been in
a situation like that before.
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:So it really did push me out of
my comfort zone, but I also think
291
:that's what I was looking for.
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:I was looking for something that
would require me to really be
293
:uncomfortable if that makes sense.
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:So, and it continues to do that.
295
:And really being able to say, okay,
you're a part of something that has
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:really started to make a difference.
297
:Really, you know.
298
:And also making sure it did that, right?
299
:Like it wasn't just something
that came in, not that I felt this
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:responsibility in the beginning.
301
:Making sure we're not just here to make
a quick splash and then we're gone.
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:There's a longevity component
we want to see happen.
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:Cliff Duvernois: We're going to
take a break and thank our sponsors.
304
:When we come back, we're going to talk
to Brandee a lot more about what it
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:is that they're doing here and how
they are supporting the community.
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:We'll see you after the break.
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:Hello, everyone, and welcome back to
Total Michigan, where we interview
325
:ordinary Michiganders doing some
pretty extraordinary things.
326
:I'm your host, Cliff DuVernois.
327
:Today, I'm at 100K Ideas in Flint.
328
:And we're talking with the Executive
Director, Brandee Cook Brown.
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:Now, Brandee, before the break, we
were talking about how you basically,
330
:threw caution to the wind, and
jumped on board with 100K Ideas.
331
:You were all in.
332
:What are, like, maybe, one or two of
the key challenges that you were facing?
333
:Either, either personally,
you coming through the door,
334
:or just as an organization.
335
:But talk to us about some of those
336
:Brandee Cooke-Brown: A community like
Flint, there are unspoken boundaries
337
:and rules that needed to be navigated.
338
:Our co founder, he had,
was not from the community.
339
:wonderful idea, great concept.
340
:But there are nuances, right,
that you have to learn whenever
341
:you're coming into a new community.
342
:And to be fair, I'm not
from here either, right?
343
:So, it's kind of really learning
how, okay, let's take a step back.
344
:Let's listen to what people are telling
us and are we meeting what people expect?
345
:And so there was, we were maybe,
six, seven months in or so.
346
:And we were looking at the data
and we're like, Oh, this is great.
347
:You know, it's going good.
348
:We have, you know, all
these ideas coming through.
349
:But where are they coming from and
they weren't as many from Flint
350
:as we would have liked to see.
351
:Cause I think the initial anticipation
was we're going to open the doors.
352
:People know this is a
resource that can help them.
353
:They're going to come.
354
:And this is before virtual
was a thing, right?
355
:So you physically are
coming to the location.
356
:And so it was really kind of
like, okay, so how do we fix this?
357
:Because, you know, now you have, funders,
like, oh, how's it going in Flint?
358
:Are people engaging?
359
:How does this work?
360
:And so, that became a little bit
of a thing we had to reconcile.
361
:And actually, I remember,
my role changed slightly.
362
:I turned, I started going into more
community engagement for the organization
363
:to ensure that we're doing outreach
and that people know what's going on.
364
:And I was sitting on a panel, with a
couple of different resources that, an
365
:organization locally was putting on.
366
:And they had asked the question,
I forgot what question it was.
367
:But, the facilitator of the
panel knew we had just decided
368
:to start doing office hours.
369
:So we ourselves, in addition to our
partners here, which we'll talk more soon,
370
:we actually go out to local community
centers for once a week to engage with
371
:residents and their spaces that they
might be a little bit more comfortable.
372
:We realized, hey, we're creating
an invisible barrier that we didn't
373
:realize for people that do not
believe downtown Flint is for them.
374
:So in order to rectify that, we're like,
okay, maybe at some point they will.
375
:But we got to meet them where
they are and really engage.
376
:And that became, through tabling
at community events and really
377
:getting outside of our own doors.
378
:And putting ourselves in
different positions as well.
379
:And so I remember sitting on a panel
right before this program was launching.
380
:And I had just said something.
381
:I don't remember exactly what the
question was or what I was referring
382
:to, but there was a panelist next
to me who said something to the
383
:effect of not staying downtown, you
have to, get outside your doors.
384
:You're not reaching the community.
385
:Like, it was like a full call out right?
386
:and it took me,
387
:Cliff Duvernois: but
it was a good call out.
388
:Brandee Cooke-Brown: it was, so it was.
389
:It was not directed to me personally.
390
:That's what I do realize.
391
:It was meant to, and I really do believe
the person's intent was not malice.
392
:It was meant to really just say, Hey,
you can do all these great things.
393
:But do you understand the
community you're working in?
394
:And I think that was the mirror.
395
:And that's a valid point, right.
396
:I will never argue with that.
397
:Luckily we were planning
to launch Office Hours.
398
:We just had not announced it yet.
399
:So they got a sneak peek announcement
at that point because then I was able
400
:to point out like we hear you, like we,
this is not something we have overlooked.
401
:This is not something we, take lightly.
402
:We get it.
403
:This is what we're doing to address that.
404
:Cliff Duvernois: Right.
405
:Brandee Cooke-Brown: So that
was a a challenge because I'm a
406
:very non confrontational person.
407
:So I'm just like, oh God.
408
:But I mean it was it was a turning
point for the organization and at
409
:that point my focus became how do
we become more community centric?
410
:Like where do we need to be?
411
:Who do we need to talk to?
412
:And it became almost like a Gosh, like a
track down, have I talked to everybody.
413
:And I'm fortunate because even
though I'm not from Flint, my husband
414
:being from Flint and him having
connections that I'm able to utilize.
415
:I was able to get in rooms and talk to
people just simply off of the strength
416
:of saying, Hey, I'm not from Flint, but
my in laws, they own the barbecue spot
417
:at the farmer's market, do you know them?
418
:You know?
419
:And honestly, and that's why I will always
say Flint is such a welcoming community.
420
:I have never seen them shut anybody out.
421
:You just have to come in very authentic.
422
:And that is the one thing
they just want to see.
423
:If you are authentically
you, they're open arms.
424
:They are ready.
425
:They, they're like, Oh, my
gosh, this is so awesome.
426
:Because even when I would talk to
people, we were maybe like year in.
427
:And, people were like, Oh, I
didn't know you guys were here.
428
:And we're like, that's not good.
429
:So, it's really being conscious of that.
430
:So we really took a lot of time to
craft and a community outreach program.
431
:And how do we do that?
432
:And that's since evolved.
433
:So we still have our office hours.
434
:Every quarter we do a community engagement
with another organization So, that
435
:includes like, you know going to the
food bank that includes reading for
436
:schools that include You know a cleanup
at a park like it includes some sort of
437
:engagement to let people know not just
What 100K is but that we actually are
438
:here and we you know We share the same.
439
:And that we care right.
440
:Like we're not just here to be here
and you know Say that we're in Flint
441
:for whatever Notoriety that gives
us it's really intentional and we
442
:really want to make sure people
know we're a part of the community.
443
:And we care just as much so
444
:That was a huge thing in that space.
445
:And then shortly after we're making
all these changes leadership shifted
446
:a little bit in the organization.
447
:And I I was asked to step into that space
of like, okay, are you ready to do this?
448
:And I said, yes, not knowing I
was ready not knowing to do it.
449
:And that was just a time of learning
curves, Right, Like I went from knowing
450
:every project that came through the door
to almost being pulled completely out
451
:of it because there was so much on the
back end I had to learn pretty quickly.
452
:Cliff Duvernois: One of the things
that you have, that you offer
453
:here to your membership is all
of these different programs that
454
:were coming through the door.
455
:So, talk to us, maybe, like, highlight,
maybe one or two of those that,
456
:members can take advantage of, whether
it's, if it's a presentation once
457
:a month, once a quarter, Mm-Hmm.
458
:Brandee Cooke-Brown: whatever that Yeah.
459
:So, to us about some of those programs.
460
:Yeah.
461
:So as opening the startup hub,
which is what we, call it, we, in
462
:addition to physical equipment,
we also knew knowledge-based
463
:resources were incredibly important.
464
:So in working with the thousand or so
people we've worked with since we opened.
465
:Those are the things that kept
coming up of just like, well, I
466
:don't know anything about accounting.
467
:I don't know anything
about a business plan.
468
:And to clarify, we do not
help with business plans.
469
:And that's strategic 'cause there's other
organizations in our community that does.
470
:So we are big on referrals and
making sure that, we don't take
471
:on projects we don't need to.
472
:and so In building out this new
resource center, we were like, Hey,
473
:we really need to make sure we have
office hours for people to come here.
474
:It's a central meeting place.
475
:people know us, they're comfortable
with us, but they can get help from
476
:different organizations they may
not have had contact with prior.
477
:And so one of those, accounting being
like one of the number one things on
478
:the book, we reached out to the John L.
479
:Group.
480
:They have an interesting story.
481
:They're three brothers who
started an accounting firm.
482
:Actually, it was logistics accounting
and then construction firm.
483
:They actually just, I shouldn't
say just, they've been opening
484
:their brick and mortar for a while.
485
:they actually were a
client as well of ours.
486
:And so to see them grow into this full
fledged business that they are now is
487
:phenomenal and being able to utilize
them now for our clients, as a client,
488
:is such a full circle moment for us.
489
:They come in once a month and they're
going to provide accounting help.
490
:So, in talking with their COO, Luther
Brown, he, me and him talked through it.
491
:I was like, these are the struggles
that we see people having.
492
:Is that something you can help with?
493
:He's like, Oh yeah, that's no problem.
494
:And, so.
495
:they'll be here not just for office hours
to answer your accounting questions.
496
:They're also going to be doing
QuickBooks trainings twice a month.
497
:one session's for you've not used
QuickBooks ever before in your life.
498
:and You just need help.
499
:And the other one's a little
bit more experience, but I use
500
:the term experience loosely.
501
:Um, you have the platform, you might
have some information in there.
502
:But you need help organizing it and
getting it, to a point where you
503
:can run reports and the reports will
tell you what you're looking for.
504
:Because our goal is we really want
people to be financially stable.
505
:We see too many, especially
early stage businesses that.
506
:One, the investment into
QuickBooks is already a thing.
507
:And then if you don't feel like
you've used it, you're letting it go.
508
:Because obviously you're like,
oh, I didn't use it that much.
509
:I'm just letting, as you're,
reflected on expenses and trying
510
:to make sure you're utilizing what
revenue you do have responsibly.
511
:But we also know without proper
financial and accounting practices, the
512
:likelihood of your success is is less.
513
:And it's also hard to afford an
accountant at that stage of your business.
514
:So how do we bridge that gap?
515
:And that's really what we We have
like a two pronged approach to that.
516
:Well, really three tiered because
there's bringing in an accountant.
517
:There's the actual trainings.
518
:And then there's also, we are providing
QuickBooks subscriptions to our
519
:members for the first year for free.
520
:So giving them a chance, not just saying,
hey, here's a subscription, you get
521
:one, you get one, but really, we want
to teach you how to use it as well.
522
:And that's really how we're, if that's
a great example of just how we're
523
:approaching the space in general
and the resources that we have here.
524
:It's not just meant to
be like a one off thing.
525
:We want you to develop these
relationships, expand your network.
526
:If you have a question, we
have someone that can help you.
527
:And that's the message we
want to make sure is clear.
528
:Cliff Duvernois: I was wondering if you
could like maybe share a story of somebody
529
:that came in, maybe started from scratch.
530
:and has been able to use your
resources and be able to grow like
531
:a real business from from this.
532
:Brandee Cooke-Brown: It's wild
because I have so many examples.
533
:So I feel bad like if I call
one specific person out.
534
:But I'll talk about Miracle
McGlone a little bit.
535
:You saw his bags downstairs.
536
:So he actually, he came
to us at a weird stage.
537
:So we actually, previously a
partner with the John L Group.
538
:We got a grant to be able to provide
accounting hours for businesses.
539
:And I believe that's how he
somehow found his way to us.
540
:or it was a grant program or
something else we had going on.
541
:And we got to know him.
542
:And we're like you make these bags by
hand, so we're like what is going on.
543
:Like what is what are you doing?
544
:So he had been making these bags by hand.
545
:And he had been selling them like like
custom bags as they were ordered So,
546
:you know you could do that and stuff.
547
:But he had some very specific things
He needed to become more efficient
548
:and he wanted to make sure he knew
what they were So we ended up working
549
:with him took him through our process.
550
:But, he learned his craft
while he was serving time.
551
:So he learned lever working at that point
and really just found a passion for it.
552
:And he was, provided clemency
under President Obama.
553
:So from there, he really was looking for
resources to help him keep doing this.
554
:Because he just genuinely enjoyed it.
555
:We're just incredibly grateful
that we're along for his journey
556
:And so now he's in shops.
557
:He's also in I believe Comma Bookstore,
which is a black owned bookstore downtown.
558
:And they both also have his bags.
559
:And so we have them available.
560
:You can see him on display.
561
:He also does custom and
that's what he said.
562
:He's like, you know, I make sales here.
563
:And he's had some really cool
months here since he we've opened.
564
:But he said, you know the referral
piece is what's crazy for me
565
:He's like people take my card
after seeing the bags and shops.
566
:And they'll call me and say hey can you
do this or that and he's able to do that.
567
:And so he's even hosting
Flint does It's Art Walk.
568
:second Friday of the month.
569
:And we open it up to vendors to host.
570
:And he will be hosting the first one where
he'll be to Actually, he's going to do a
571
:demonstration of how he makes these bags.
572
:And I mean they're actually real
leather that he is stitching by hand.
573
:And measuring and cutting and
doing all of these things.
574
:Cliff Duvernois: Brandee if somebody
is listening to this and they want to
575
:check out what it is that you're doing.
576
:Maybe they have a 100k idea.
577
:Where can they find you?
578
:Where can they find you online?
579
:Brandee Cooke-Brown: So online,
it's 1 0 0 K I D E A S dot org.
580
:That's where you can find us.
581
:It has links to all of
our programs on there.
582
:Right on the first page.
583
:From our direct client services
shops, as well as, our startup hub,
584
:the shops link is awesome because
it also shows you all our vendors.
585
:So it gives you a little sneak
peek of who's all in here.
586
:We are physically located at
601 South Saginaw Street, Flint,
587
:Michigan right on the bricks.
588
:So you can't miss us.
589
:We're right on the corner.
590
:And in any social media platform.
591
:We're just 100k ideas 100k.
592
:So
593
:Cliff Duvernois: K.
594
:Nice.
595
:Brandee, thank you so
much for taking time to
596
:Brandee Cooke-Brown: Yeah.
597
:No, thank you so much for having me.
598
:This is awesome.
599
:I really enjoyed it.
600
:Cliff Duvernois: And for our audience You
can always roll on over to TotalMichigan.
601
:com click on Brandee's interview and
get the links that she mentioned above.
602
:We'll see you next time when we talk
to another ordinary Michigander doing
603
:some pretty extraordinary things.
604
:We'll see you then.