Chanell
Chanell is a new-school entrepreneur that has combined her love for Detroit, entrepreneurship, and sustainability into the business she co-founded - Guffly.com. Guffly is the stylish consumer’s source for unique and creative gifts that ease the conscience by being eco-friendly or fair trade. Together with business partner, Jordan Contreras, she came up with Guffly's unique business model - a style-hunting internet retail store that features a new product every weekday in addition to its customers' favorites and top sellers that are always available in the store’s "Top Guffs" catalog. Prior to launching Guffly, Chanell began her career at Detroit’s Mosaic Youth Theater working to organize hundreds of performances and events around Detroit, Michigan, as well as nationally. Her BA in Sociology & Communications from the University of Michigan was the springboard to her role as Guffly's "Chief Guffly Love Distributor" (or CEO) where she steers the path for the new eco-stylish company.
Jordan
Before his Bizdom U training Jordan managed a successful athletic club, quickly moving through the ranks with hard work and execution. During his training he started the Guffly Blog, which discusses unsuspectingly Eco-friendly and fair trade products that are appealing to those who live a modern and hip lifestyle. It didn't take long for the Guffly blog to begin to develop a following of like-minded readers. These readers let him know that there was an opportunity to be had. Guffly.com, the Internet's premier Eco-friendly gifts retail store was born. Together with his business partner Chanell Scott, he pitched for and successfully attained a substantial capital investment to launch Guffly. With his experience in management and team leadership he is rightly suited to take on leading Guffly's operations as the company’s "Chief Strategic Friendship Ninja" or COO. He has lead their team in creating and maintaining relationships with their network of over 100 suppliers which include independent artists, small businesses, and local Michigan producers.
Tawnya
Born and raised in the city of Detroit, Tawnya was attending Wayne State University pursing a major in Marketing when the Bizdom U entrepreneur program caught her attention. At this time she was working with a business professor at Wayne State University developing a business plan. Upon completing the Bizdom U program Tawnya began exploring an opportunity to provide an affordable marketing platform to the small business sector. Her passion for shopping with local and independent businesses will allow her to launch the marketing platform in spring 2010. In her spare time she promotes local music artists and enjoys networking with eco-friendly social groups.