Mary Lemmer
Student and Entrepreneur
| Headline: | Entrepreneur |
| Work status: | Full-Time Student |
| Industries: | Cleantech, Food and Drink, Internet, Lifestyle, Retail, Travel |
| Skills: | Business, Entrepreneurship, Languages, Leadership, Management |
| Interested in: | Advising startups, Brainstorming, Consulting opportunities, Finding business partners, Finding cofounders, Finding engineers, Finding experts, Finding mentors, Finding team mates, Getting press, Meeting new people, Mentoring, Professional opportunities, Promoting my startups, Raising money, Receiving feedback, Recruiting for my startup |
| Schools: | University of Michigan System - Ann Arbor |
FEATURED STARTUP
paperfeet by TOMBOLO
paperfeet by TOMBOLO
TOMBOLO designs, creates, and sells eco-beach adventure gear like "paperfeet" - minimalist sandals made with durable & waterproof repurposed billboard vinyl.
- Startup type: Competition Entry
- Status: Active
- Stage: Growth
FULL BIO
Mary has been pursuing entrepreneurial ventures since high school and her efforts have been awarded with grants and awards. She has completed business plans for, pitched, launched, and developed companies in the food and beverage and clean tech industries, and social ventures. She helped the Michigan Economic Development Corporation raise $12 million for its supplier diversification program, increased online consumer sales and managed online marketing investments for Maggie’s Organics, and has grown her family’s Italian treats retail/catering business by over 30% since its launch. She has advised individuals and organizations on carbon instruments and her carbon market research is published on the University of Michigan Erb Institute website http://erb.umich.edu/Research/Student-Projects.htm. Mary will graduate in May 2010 with a BBA from the Ross School of Business, minor in Environmental Studies, and College of Engineering Certificate of Entrepreneurship. In her "free time" Mary enjoys film/performance, horseback riding, rock climbing, gardening, reading, playing guitar, and plotting her path to make a positive impact on the world
WORK EXPERIENCE
| Employer: | MICHIGAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION |
| Position: | Capital Markets Development Intern |
| Time period: | January 2009 - Present |
| Description: | Composed information packet on MI Supplier Diversification Fund resulting in $12
million in MI funding and U.S. Treasury and White House interest and meetings Prepared CEO for a dozen meetings to review stateʹs alternative investments Organized inaugural Entrepreneurial Tailgate, bringing together Michigan entrepreneurial community; event approved for subsequent years. |
| Employer: | ZINGERMANʹS DELICATESSEN, INC., Ann Arbor, MI |
| Position: | Sandwich Sales and Service Lead Cashier |
| Time period: | January 2007 - Present |
| Description: | Marketed promotional program to benefit non‑profit; sold 37% of one‑day ticket sales
Developed “Planet Zing,” leading sustainable initiatives to improve profitability Designed internal system that reduced order errors and improved customer satisfaction |
| Employer: | IORIO ITALIAN ICE, Grand Ledge, MI |
| Position: | Co‑Founder and General Manager |
| Time period: | January 2004 - Present |
| Description: | Conducted market research and launched business in Lansing and Ann Arbor venues
Implement sustainable initiatives such as converting to compostable packaging Negotiated arrangements to sell with other merchants during Ann Arbor Street Fair five years in a row, tripled sales revenue and doubled wholesale accounts. |
| Employer: | VORTEX HYDRO ENERGY, Ann Arbor, MI |
| Position: | Business Consultant |
| Time period: | January 2008 - December 2009 |
| Description: | Presented business in 2009 Michigan Business Challenge and DTE Clean Energy Prize,
Researched power generation equipment market and financials in report to DTE Energy Revised business plan for grant applications and investor review |
| Employer: | MAGGIEʹS ORGANICS, Ypsilanti, MI |
| Position: | Online Marketing Associate |
| Time period: | January 2008 - December 2009 |
| Description: | Managed online marketing strategy and identified profitable marketing investments
Created database with more than 200 marketing opportunities to organize promotional activities; increased consumer sales by 5% from ʹ07 to ʹ08 in three months Researched labor laws to inform Fair Trade clothing pilot program with TransFair USA |
| Employer: | MICHIGAN CERTIFIED DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Lansing, MI |
| Position: | Intern |
| Time period: | December 2006 |
| Description: | Calculated credit scores to inform financing decisions
Created presentation for annual Michigan Economic Development Meeting |
EDUCATION
| University: | University of Michigan System - Ann Arbor |
| Time period: | 2010 |
| Degree: | Entrepreneurial Studies |
INFORMATION
| Awards: | 2009 U-M Center for Entrepreneurship Student Entrepreneur of the Year.
2009 Lakeshore Advantage Next Top Entrepreneur. 2009 U-M Center for Entrepreneurship Social Entrepreneurship Award Winner. Graham Scholar, Sustainable Energy Development in South America, Winter 2009 Semi-finalist, 2009, and Quarter-finalist, 2008 Michigan Business Challenge Sustainable Energy Fellowship participant (2008) and counselor (2009) |
Mary's Startups (2)
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paperfeet by TOMBOLO
TOMBOLO designs, creates, and sells eco-beach adventure gear like "paperfeet" - minimalist sandals made with durable & waterproof repurposed billboard vinyl.
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TerraPerks
TerraPerks was founded to recognize people for making environmentally responsible decisions. Our first product, Energy Flair, helps homeowners lower their energy bills.
Mary's Contacts (2)
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Jimmy Tomczak
University of Michigan - BS Neuroscience; Program in Entrepreneurship | Founder, Tombolo LLC (paper-feet.com)
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Rajesh Nerlikar
Working at the intersection of technology, consumer marketing, and energy efficiency.