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/
#AmandaLewan #Bamboo #MichiganStartups #Entrepreneurship #CoworkingSpace #StartupEcosystem #DetroitBusiness #CommunityBuilding #TheRyanMorrisonShow #StartupCommunity #MichiganBusiness #Founders
What is The Ryan Morrison Show?
Welcome to The Ryan Morrison Show.Each week, I sit down with CEOs, founders, and unconventional thinkers to unpack the stories behind their success — and the inner work it took to get there. We go beyond the highlight reel to explore mindset, leadership, business, and what it really takes to build something that matters.If you're building a business, a brand, or a better version of yourself — you're in the right place.🎙️ New episodes weekly💡 Unfiltered insights from the front lines📍For CEOs, founders, unconventional thinkersSubscribe now.