ANN ARBOR – Millie
Chu is a Business Consultant for the Greater Washtenaw County region at
Washtenaw Community College. Her mission is to ignite the fervor in
entrepreneurs and leaders today and cultivate leaders and entrepreneurs of
tomorrow.
It is for
that purpose that she has chosen to devote her life to encouraging those to
live beyond their grasp, revolutionize, educate, and improve economic
development in our communities.
Business
start-ups and operations management has been a part of Millie’s life since she
was a child. At the age of 11 years old, Millie began learning and working side
by side, helping her parents from China open their first restaurant in Ann
Arbor.
By early
adulthood, she helped her family open and managed 2 restaurants, established
and managed a start-up accounting firm, owned and operated a mini-grocery
store, a college tutoring business for international students, and launched a
professional writing service.
Coupled with
her corporate management and entrepreneurship experience, she has an extensive
background in higher education having served as the Graduate Admissions Program
Counselor for Concordia University’s MBA and Leadership programs, Corporate
Relations Admissions and Student Services Campus Coordinator for Spring Arbor
University�s Troy Campus, and taught at Washtenaw Community College for their
business program.
In addition
to her work as a Business Consultant at SBDC, she is currently a part-time
Business Instructor at Washtenaw Community College, Volunteer Producer for a
live pitch competition show for entrepreneurs at Entre-SLAM, serves as a member
of the Economic Restructuring and Design committee for the Ypsilanti DDA and is
the Founder of the professional development group at A2 LEAP.
Her role at
A2 LEAP generated interest from editors of business magazines who have invited
her to write articles, one of which includes, “Top 10 Tips for Accomplishing
Your Dreams,” a 5 part document to support and motivate entrepreneurs as one of
the featured experts in “The Happy Entrepreneur” Magazine. Amongst her many
on-going speaking engagements, Millie has presented at the University of
Michigan’s Center for the Education of Women, Eastern Michigan University’s
Women’s Resource Center Department of Diversity and Community Involvement, and
Washtenaw Community College�s Entrepreneurship Center ranging in the topics of
entrepreneurship, diversity, education, leadership, and business formation.
Millie
earned a Master in Business Administration from Spring Arbor University, a
Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Management from Davenport University
and a Bachelor of Religious Education from Great Lakes College.
She is
grateful to be a resource for the community equipping entrepreneurs and
aspiring leaders with the tools for life-long learning and the motivation
necessary to live their vision, realize their authentic self, and reach their
fullest potential.
How has
technology impacted the way businesses operate?
“It is no
secret that technology plays an enormous role in business operations today from
improving the efficiencies of data management, market analytics, communication,
logistics, and much, much, more. One of the most significant ways technology
have impacted small businesses is in the area of e-commerce.
“With the
increasing innovation of Mobile Apps, Internet Marketing, and online tools,
operating and owning a business has become more efficient and affordable. For
instance, entrepreneurs can launch a successful business selling goods and
services online without the cost of a store front which would include large
overhead costs that a brick-and-mortar business would entail.
Businesses
have the ability to extend geographically, market to potential customers,
outsource, and communicate with suppliers by providing targeted information
specifically designed for outside territories while eliminating the cost of
travel. Online business owners can literally make money while they sleep. This,
however, makes it increasingly important to have access to experts that can
create a winning online presence as competition rises so businesses can
communicate their brand effectively while maximizing profitable opportunities.”
