Invented at Britten

Over 33 years, Britten has evolved from simple banners to one of northern Michigan's biggest success stories.

Having morphed from Britten Banners to Britten Studios, the company is now known as Britten, Inc., a multi-million dollar banner production, advertising and large-format printing company. Several proprietary innovations have closed business with …

20Fathoms Goes Deep for Start-Ups: Entrepreneur incubator opens shop on Front Street

After a number of false starts over the past few years, 20Fathoms opened in late July, moving in to 5,700 square feet of space on the second floor of 101 North Park at the corner of Front and Park streets.

The technology business incubator, which has signed nine entrepreneurs/tenants hoping …

The Ultimate Integrator: Ascomnorth dives into the details of data, video and telephony

When Ascom of Northern Michigan began offering professional communications services in 1983, Sony had just introduced its first CD player, Apple was a year away from launching its MacIntosh computer, and fiber optic cable was used for long distance digital audio transmissions for the first time.

Technology has changed dramatically …

Reshaping an Industry: Paul Bandrowski and a "dream team" of local investors are betting big they can reshape home construction

The way most homes are built is archaic: Materials, ordered from hundreds of suppliers, arrive at one place for on-site assembly.

Former tech exec Paul Bandrowski believes it’s a costly, time-consuming, mistake-laden process.

“Why are we doing it this way? The construction industry is ripe for disruption,” said Bandrowski, who …

Promising Trends in Local Housing Policy

Traverse City – northwest lower Michigan’s business and cultural capital – is at a defining moment in its history. Faced with skyrocketing home prices and swelling rents, we can sit back and watch as the housing issues escalate, or we can take action to create a bright future.

Fortunately, some …

The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups

By Daniel Coyle

Reviewed by Chris Wendel

304 pages; published by Bantam Books, January 2018. Hardcover $28; softcover $14.95; E-read edition $13.95; audio book version $14.95

In a nutshell: Virtual office places and technology have drastically changed the modern workplace. With this in mind, how do groups work best in …

Be Careful What You Wish For

A community’s economic and social well-being is invariably linked to the strength of its institutions. Some are new; some have been around for decades or longer. When it comes to attracting talent and investment, however, some stand out as particularly important and need to be carefully stewarded and nurtured.

The …