Today we're thrilled to welcome Amanda Lewan, Co-founder and CEO of Bamboo, Michigan's premier coworking network serving nearly 700 companies across four locations. Amanda shares the raw story of building from a speakeasy-style office above a bail bondsman to becoming a central force in Michigan's entrepreneurial transformation—creating authentic community, not just coworking spaces.

Key Topics Covered:
• From rejection to revolution: Starting Bamboo with $5K borrowed from a partner's dad
• The power of density: Why diverse communities beat exclusive accelerators
• Community-led development: How Amanda co-created a 40,000 sq ft Grand Rapids hub with 100+ stakeholders
• Building through COVID: Opening Royal Oak during the pandemic while WeWork collapsed
• The launch committee model: Turning customers into co-creators
• Career elevator vs. corporate ladder: Surrounding yourself with people who lift you up
• Michigan's ecosystem transformation: From bankruptcy to #1 emerging tech hub globally
• Bridging writing and entrepreneurship: Lessons from being a Pushcart Prize-nominated author and CEO

Links:
Bamboo Detroit: https://www.bamboocowork.com/locations/downtown-detroit
Bamboo Royal Oak: https://www.bamboocowork.com/locations/royal-oak
Bamboo Ann Arbor: https://www.bamboocowork.com/locations/ann-arbor
Bamboo Grand Rapids: https://www.bamboocowork.com/locations/grand-rapids
Amanda's Website: https://www.amandahudson.co/
Midwest Humble Substack: https://midwesthumble.substack.com/
Start Garden: https://startgarden.com/

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