From Skill to Business: Trades, Food, and Service Entrepreneurs

Wednesday, June 17, 2026
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Detroit Center, Off Campus
Alumni, Community, Faculty, Staff, Students

FROM SKILL TO BUSINESS: TRADES, FOOD, AND SERVICE ENTREPRENEURS
Wednesday, June 17th | Northwest Activities Center | 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Facilitator: Vaughn Arrington, President of Human Fliers

A discussion for people who are great at what they do and are starting to think about what it means to build something around that work. This session is designed for early-stage entrepreneurs navigating the shift from doing the work themselves to managing the business behind it. The conversation will focus on practical steps like setting prices, getting paid, and handling the logistics of being your own boss.

The conversation includes people exploring food-based ideas like catering or pop-ups, skilled trades and manufacturing work, and service businesses like lawn care or cleaning. Participants will learn from others making this same transition and talk through what next steps might look like.

Meet Our Facilitator

Vaughn leads a highly sought after Detroit Community Engagement firm that specializes in wrapping its arms around governmental, social, health care or educational movements & successfully driving them into communities. Mr. Arrington's expertise lies in the macro strategic planning & micro execution of Data Extraction, Community Awareness & Community Buy In.
When Vaughn shares his life story, audiences around the world have been shocked to learn about his early life as an abused child, teen drug dealer, gang affiliate, and convicted felon, growing up in an infamous neighborhood in Detroit known as Baby Bronx. Consequently, carjacking & armed robbery led to a ten year prison term. By 26, Vaughn completed years of therapy, ran into God, retired from gang activity, and grew an appetite for education while attending vocational courses in prison. He realized his life purpose & after ten years incarcerated, was released in overdrive to change the trajectory of at risk youth.

Marygrove College was first on his to do list. Vaughn graduated with a background in Social Work, Sociology & Political Science. Mixed into that degree was an International Leadership Training that took Vaughn to 5 countries throughout Europe. After establishing Team Strength Detroit (not for profit), Vaughn focused on the personal and entrepreneurial development of young men in an area MSNBC stated has held the highest murder and crime rate in America, it is known as Detroit’s Red Zone. Vaughn has served as a teacher, counselor, mentor, community activist, and social worker while instructing professional communication, life skills, and youth entrepreneurship to children in Osborn’s Youth Entrepreneurship Center which he owns.

Location Information

Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers Rd, Detroit, MI 48235

https://detroitmi.gov/departments/detroit-parks-recreation/recreation-centers/northwest-activities-center

View on Google Maps

Download parking map for the Detroit Center

Contact Information

Shawntae Harris Mintline

Director, Southeast Michigan

313-380-4424

[email protected]

Hosting Department, Organization, or Business

GVSU Southeast Michigan

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This event was added to the calendar by Shawntae Mintline (mintlins@gvsu.edu) on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 and was last updated on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 10:24 a.m.