HFC Small Business and Entrepreneurship Hub Fall 2026 events
The HFC Small Business and Entrepreneurship Hub (Room E-146) on the first floor of the Technology Building (Building E on the main campus) will host six events during the Fall 2026 semester.
The events are free. We request but do not require registration, as it helps us plan the food.
Zingerman’s: The Art of Delivering Exceptional Customer Service
Founded in Ann Arbor circa 1982, Zingerman’s Delicatessen appeared in the 2012 romcom The Five-Year Engagement. The “Zingerman’s: The Art of Delivering Exceptional Customer Service” workshop will be on Thursday, October 15, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 4:30 p.m.). It is open to all HFC students, employees, and the public. A light dinner will be provided. Zingerman’s will serve its famous brownie bites.
Register for the Zingerman’s workshop
Breakthrough Challenge (November 5 and 12)
The Breakthrough Challenge is a week-long entrepreneurial mindset competition open to all HFC students. Three Dearborn businesses will each present a real-world challenge they’re facing. Four competing teams of four students will work exclusively on one business challenge, supported by a volunteer coach, and will pitch their best solution one week later.
The Breakthrough Challenge is open to HFC students only. Pizza and soft drinks will be provided on both evenings. It will be in Room E-146 and three nearby breakout rooms with presentation monitors.
- The “Breakthrough Challenge Day 1: Challenge Reveal” will be on Thursday, November 5, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- The “Breakthrough Challenge Day 2: Final Pitch Competition” will be on Thursday, November 12, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Register for the Breakthrough Challenge
Protecting Your Small Business
The “Protecting Your Small Business with Joe Morrison of Barnes & Thornburg, LLP” workshop will be on Tuesday, November 10, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:00 p.m.). This workshop is open to all HFC students, employees, and the public. A light dinner will be provided.
Register for “Protecting Your Small Business”
For questions or more information about any of these events, contact MariAnn Apley at 313-317-4136 or mmapley@hfcc.edu.
Prior events in the series
Is Entrepreneurship Right for You?
The “Is Entrepreneurship Right for You?” workshop is sponsored by the Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Monday, September 14, from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. Open to all HFC students, employees, and the public.
Hawks Ignite!
The “Hawks Ignite! Student Entrepreneurship and Innovation Club Launch” is recruiting new members. Tuesday, September 22, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Open to HFC students.
“Leveraging AI for Entrepreneurial Innovation”
Join renowned speaker Hajj Flemings for the "Leveraging AI for Entrepreneurial Innovation" workshop Wednesday, September 30, from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. Open to all HFC students, employees, and the public.