Lola Aré, MBA
President | Principal Consultant at Strategic Thinktank, Inc.- Claim this Profile
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English Native or bilingual proficiency
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French Elementary proficiency
Topline Score
Bio
Dr. Diana Wong
Lola provides a unique portfolio of talent to solve problems in challenging business situations. She has a clear understanding of priorities when situations make it difficult for others to move forward. Based on a variety of challenges, I witness how Lola engages others to collaborate and solve problems in a positive manner. Lola moves through our world with a high level of graciousness that supports her ability to build high quality relations, develop others, and help unravel bureaucracy.
Ara Topouzian
Lola shoots from the hip when working with the small business community. An expert in identifying the issues that keep business owners awake at night. I can always count on Lola for her straight forward and sound advice not only to me as an economic developer, but as a business professional. Everyone should have a Lola in their lives! She is simply one of the best.
Michael Levens, PhD
Lola has done an excellent job teaching Small Business Management at Walsh College. She is an expert in her field and consistently receives outstanding evaluations from her students. She is a pleasure to work with!
Dr. Diana Wong
Lola provides a unique portfolio of talent to solve problems in challenging business situations. She has a clear understanding of priorities when situations make it difficult for others to move forward. Based on a variety of challenges, I witness how Lola engages others to collaborate and solve problems in a positive manner. Lola moves through our world with a high level of graciousness that supports her ability to build high quality relations, develop others, and help unravel bureaucracy.
Ara Topouzian
Lola shoots from the hip when working with the small business community. An expert in identifying the issues that keep business owners awake at night. I can always count on Lola for her straight forward and sound advice not only to me as an economic developer, but as a business professional. Everyone should have a Lola in their lives! She is simply one of the best.
Michael Levens, PhD
Lola has done an excellent job teaching Small Business Management at Walsh College. She is an expert in her field and consistently receives outstanding evaluations from her students. She is a pleasure to work with!
Dr. Diana Wong
Lola provides a unique portfolio of talent to solve problems in challenging business situations. She has a clear understanding of priorities when situations make it difficult for others to move forward. Based on a variety of challenges, I witness how Lola engages others to collaborate and solve problems in a positive manner. Lola moves through our world with a high level of graciousness that supports her ability to build high quality relations, develop others, and help unravel bureaucracy.
Ara Topouzian
Lola shoots from the hip when working with the small business community. An expert in identifying the issues that keep business owners awake at night. I can always count on Lola for her straight forward and sound advice not only to me as an economic developer, but as a business professional. Everyone should have a Lola in their lives! She is simply one of the best.
Michael Levens, PhD
Lola has done an excellent job teaching Small Business Management at Walsh College. She is an expert in her field and consistently receives outstanding evaluations from her students. She is a pleasure to work with!
Dr. Diana Wong
Lola provides a unique portfolio of talent to solve problems in challenging business situations. She has a clear understanding of priorities when situations make it difficult for others to move forward. Based on a variety of challenges, I witness how Lola engages others to collaborate and solve problems in a positive manner. Lola moves through our world with a high level of graciousness that supports her ability to build high quality relations, develop others, and help unravel bureaucracy.
Ara Topouzian
Lola shoots from the hip when working with the small business community. An expert in identifying the issues that keep business owners awake at night. I can always count on Lola for her straight forward and sound advice not only to me as an economic developer, but as a business professional. Everyone should have a Lola in their lives! She is simply one of the best.
Michael Levens, PhD
Lola has done an excellent job teaching Small Business Management at Walsh College. She is an expert in her field and consistently receives outstanding evaluations from her students. She is a pleasure to work with!
Credentials
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Certified FastTrac TechVenture Facilitator
Kauffman FoundationJan, 2008- Nov, 2024 -
Certified FastTrac GrowthVenture Facilitator
Kauffman FoundationJan, 2006- Nov, 2024 -
Certified FastTrac NewVenture Facilitator
Kauffman FoundationJan, 2006- Nov, 2024 -
Certified NxLevel Instructor
NxLeveL EducationJan, 2004- Nov, 2024 -
Michigan Certified Small Business Consultant
Michigan Small Business Development CenterJan, 2004- Nov, 2024 -
WBE Certification
WBENCJul, 2022- Nov, 2024
Experience
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Strategic Thinktank, Inc.
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United States
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Business Consulting and Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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President | Principal Consultant
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Jan 1994 - Present
Consult with and advise CEOs/Founders of rapidly growing privately held small to mid-sized businesses with 6 to 99 full-time equivalents, and annual revenue ranges of $750K to $50 million. Help clients become bankable and able to access various levels of capital depending on their stage of development. We start with the foundational principles of financial wellness and develop a financial strategy to address our clients' growth and scaling trajectory. Specialize in developing financial benchmarks, ensuring clients are in better shape than their competitors and creating marketing and growth strategies. Show less
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CEO
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Jan 2017 - Present
Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of the company. Plan, direct, and coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of founders, and remaining executives. Zukeit (pronounced Zook-it) is a start-up Michigan Corporation that produces a revolutionary, intentionally designed new product that literally supports women in all of their fashion choices. Our flagship product is an industry disrupter specifically designed for full-busted women to sculpt their cleavage lines beneath an existing bra or to go completely bra-less in bathing suits, backless garments and/or garments with plunging necklines. Show less
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Vistage Michigan
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United States
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Professional Training and Coaching
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1 - 100 Employee
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Vistage Chair
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Oct 2016 - Sep 2017
As a Vistage Chair, I led a private advisory board for CEOs, Presidents, and Business owners from varied and non-competing industries and with no competing interests. These individuals were growth oriented and understood that with growth came challenges and opportunities. Members engaged in the peer experience as a means of overcoming their work and life challenges. As a Vistage Chair, I led a private advisory board for CEOs, Presidents, and Business owners from varied and non-competing industries and with no competing interests. These individuals were growth oriented and understood that with growth came challenges and opportunities. Members engaged in the peer experience as a means of overcoming their work and life challenges.
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MIYAN
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United States
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Advertising Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Contract Chief Marketing Officer
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Nov 2012 - Mar 2013
Leveraged vast strategic, marketing and branding experience while spearheading internal teams charged with developing marketing and sales initiatives. Customized small business assessments for the purpose of diagnosing inherent client issues. Prioritized management initiatives; refined client goals, objectives and action steps. Assigned responsibilities/timelines. Supervised a staff of five including a marketing director, creative director, business development director and marketing strategists. Show less
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Oakland County, Michigan Government
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United States
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Government Administration
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700 & Above Employee
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Supervisor, One Stop Shop Business Center
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Nov 2011 - Nov 2012
Charged with putting Oakland County, Michigan's Economic Development services on the map through increased resident and business owner awareness of our rich suite of products and services. Re-engineered the One Stop Shop Business Center (OSS-BC) into a viable revenue center from the increased sale of map and digital data products. The OSS-BC’s client base was traditionally real estate brokers, developers and appraisers. With the 2008 recession the center lost 80% of its revenue due to the significant loss of its original client base. Targeted new recession proof industries and customers and reached out to them with a series of direct marketing campaigns. The One Stop Shop Business Center is Oakland County’s entry point for Economic Development services including community planning, business development, market research, financing and small business. Supervised the Oakland County MI-SBDC and One Stop Shop Business Center combined staff of eight.Effectively procured GIS experts, IT support and one full-time research consultant and was able to convert a part-time business consultant to a full-time equivalent during highly-competitive moments. Show less
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Center Director | Sr. Business Consultant, Oakland County MI-SBDC
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Apr 2009 - Nov 2012
Transitioned client base from predominantly startup to 60/40 existing business to startup entity mix resulting in significant economic impact (capital formation, sales increases and number of jobs created and retained). In 2011 the most significant economic impact increase was from small business capital formation; increasing from $5 million in 2010 to $8.5 million in 2011 and exceeding our 2011 annual goal of $8 million.Collaborated with internal and external stakeholders including planners, IT professionals, local, county and state economic developers, financial professionals (microlenders, bankers, and credit union managers), corporate sponsors and local, county, state and federal government to obtain necessary resources for our small business client base. Worked with small business users and extracted information to be used in preparation of website RFP.Revamped 10 year old outdated small business website. Researched competitive websites took into consideration client’s needs and developed relevant content. Created various online forms and templates, automated workshop registrations, paper counseling requests and business plan document submissions. Show less
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Senior Business Development Rep - Business Consultant
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Jan 2007 - Nov 2011
Worked closely with my Business Development peers on the County and State level to identify and assist existing/growth companies while still tending to startup needs. Economic Impact variables shifted significantly from a focus on number of startups and startup workshops to capital formation, jobs created/retained, sales increases and export potential.Successfully engaged existing/growing companies by listening to their needs and customizing programs to solve their specific problems. Utilized small business workshops to educate clients prior to engaging them on a one-on-one basis.Tripled annual number of workshop attendees (from 400 to 1200) through aggressive marketing and partner sponsorships within 12 months of role. Maintained this level during my 5 year tenure. Show less
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Advanced Trainer
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Mar 2004 - Nov 2012
Assumed concurrent responsibilities for ten-year period to act as Certified FastTrac New Venture/Growth Venture Facilitator, Certified Joel Barker Implications Wheel Trainer, and Certified NxLevel Trainer/Program Manager. Led staff members and administered sectional budget. Facilitated FastTrac Growth Venture (10 week program) and NxLevel Entrepreneur series (12 week program) two to four times a year to existing businesses looking to expand and grow. Classes were sponsored by local banks/corporations and involved a combination of class facilitation, peer interaction, homework assignments, work sessions and participation by invited guest speakers. Graduation was marked by a satisfactory attendance record, a brief PowerPoint presentation and business or marketing plan completion. Met with clients on a one-on-one basis between classes to assist them with problem areas and keep them moving forward on their assignments and business plans.Developed 3 hour long marketing basics curriculum (from scratch) to complete small business fundamentals series. Trained advanced technology small business owners to understand the shifting dynamics of their target audience, market and environment and how these variables impact their bottom line. Modified curriculum content to suit audience and time allotted. Presentation materials were inclusive of graphs, charts and audience specific content. Utilized multiple media including handouts, Microsoft PowerPoint, video and audio. Show less
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Part-Time Business Consultant
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Jan 2004 - Jan 2007
The Michigan Small Business Development Center (MI-SBDC) is a statewide network of 11 regional offices providing counseling, training and information based planning for emerging and growing small businesses throughout the state. The MI-SBDC is also one of two counseling partners of the SBA; SCORE being the second.Utilized vast startup expertise to engage entities in analysis of business plans for SBA and Non-SBA loan purposes and sign off on plans at request of financial institutions. Additionally, inquired about market research documentation enabling assessment of business roadmaps.Succeeded in interfacing with growing entities through effective communication processes and orchestration of customized initiatives. Show less
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Walsh College
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United States
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Higher Education
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100 - 200 Employee
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Adjunct Faculty
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Mar 2006 - Jul 2012
Tapped to apply vast knowledge of managing growing and startup companies instructing students in small business management processes. Actively involved students in group projects with existing clients leading to real-life instruction, researching and writing of strategic business plans. Semester-end students directed and presented finished business plans and recommendations to their business owners who implemented a number of these changes immediately following the end of class. Innovated customer satisfaction, supplier, business, marketing, and strategic planning surveys supporting collection of necessary data from key customers, vendors, and staff members of client base leading to enhanced data gathering functions and high-levels of quality. Show less
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General Motors
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United States
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Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
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700 & Above Employee
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Contract Technical Writer | Process Consultant - Corporate Card Division & Financial Shared Services
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Feb 2000 - Jun 2002
Restructured GM’s Facilitator training brochure applied during distribution of new corporate card to cross-functional departments. Interviewed numerous Subject Matter Experts within Financial Shared Services division to document 100+ business processes leading to coordination of transactional activity to Affiliated Computer Systems, Inc. (ACS). Played an integral role in defining weekly mentoring sessions and deploying materials. Analyzed current online training to guarantee migration to cohesive training platform. Show less
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IHS Markit
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United Kingdom
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Information Services
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700 & Above Employee
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Account Executive
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Jun 1995 - Nov 1996
Analyzed, improved and documented changes to the Chrysler Dealer Network System. Researched and improved upon two annual Dealer Network questionnaires with input from Sales, Marketing and Top Management. Questionnaire represented prime source of promotion and evaluation data on the dealer level. Worked with internal technical consultants to build edits into the system in an effort to minimize data entry errors. Documented ongoing changes to the system and supervised production of Field training and Management Level Evaluation manuals. Show less
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Grant Thornton LLP (US)
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United States
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Accounting
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700 & Above Employee
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Senior Management Consultant
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Jun 1991 - Dec 1993
Utilized consulting expertise to mentor and coach bookkeepers and temporary employees to use CMHC mental health software system. Researched and became proficient in using the accounting modules for the CMHC mental health software system. Successfully validated and implemented the system one month prior to project deadline enabling positive audit fulfilled by Big 5 Accounting Firm. Served as a key player in pinpointing 20 possible divestiture/out-licensing candidates in addition to mergers and acquisitions broker within the healthcare space. Played an integral role in producing creative support for new branding opportunities. Show less
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Education
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University of Michigan
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University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business
MBA, Marketing/Finance -
University of Michigan-Flint
BBA, General Business
Community
