From Goals to Growth: Mapping Your 2026 Strategy

This installment of our Start-Up to Success series brings together some of Kalamazoo’s leading business coaches and strategic advisors to share their insights and proven strategies.

Whether you’re looking to strengthen your foundation, grow your team, or simply gain fresh perspective, this panel will give you the tools and inspiration to take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey.

What to Expect:
✅ Clarify your vision for the year ahead
✅ Build actionable plans to support growth
✅ Hear real-world experiences
✅ Formulate strategies that maximize both people and processes

Who Should Attend:

• Start-up and small business owners
• Entrepreneurs looking to scale
• Anyone who wants a roadmap for growth in 2026

Featured Panelists

Toni Will is a trailblazing leader, speaker, and author dedicated to empowering women to thrive in male-dominated industries and embrace an alcohol-free lifestyle. As the first female general manager in the history of the ECHL’s Kalamazoo Wings, Toni has built a reputation for breaking barriers, driving growth, and inspiring others through authentic leadership. A sought-after keynote speaker, Toni captivates audiences with her engaging storytelling and practical strategies for navigating leadership challenges, cultivating confidence, and redefining success on your own terms. She has spoken at conferences across the country, including TEDx, and will release her first book on March 1, 2026. Toni’s work extends beyond sports and business—she’s passionate about sparking conversations around living alcohol-free, challenging societal norms, and empowering individuals to make choices that align with their values. Her podcast, *Women In…*, showcases inspiring stories from women across industries, fostering connection, mentorship, and growth. Whether she’s consulting with professional sports teams, speaking to corporate leaders, or guiding individuals through personal transformation, Toni’s mission is clear: to inspire courage, authenticity, and possibility.

Josh Baird grew up in an entrepreneurial family and naturally gravitated toward roles that required problem-solving, leadership, and transformation. Known as the “fix-it” guy throughout his career, he thrived on tackling big challenges, building strong teams, and driving meaningful growth. This passion ultimately led him to pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions.

In 2015, he took a bold step and left his corporate role to purchase a sports facility. Despite previous business success, he quickly realized that running a business alone was far more difficult than anticipated. What began as a dream of freedom and independence became an all-consuming reality that left him feeling trapped.

After four years of struggling, he implemented the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a decision that transformed both his business and his life. Today, the company is thriving, and he has experienced firsthand the powerful impact EOS can have—not just on business performance, but on team dynamics and personal fulfillment.

Now, he is dedicated to helping other entrepreneurs and business leaders gain clarity, traction, and balance—faster. Through sharing his journey and expertise, he aims to empower others to get everything they want from their business and their life.

Tamara Davis is the director of the WMU Starting Gate student accelerator and teaches within the Departments of Management and Finance at the Haworth College of Business, Western Michigan University. Prior to joining the ranks of full-time faculty, she served as the Southwest Michigan regional director of the Michigan Small Business Development Center (MI-SBDC) from 2009 to 2022. Tamara mixes an extensive academic background as well as practical business experience from both the private and public sectors when working with small business clients. She has served as a business manager for the Governor of the State of Vermont, director of operations of the L. Lee Stryker Center at Kalamazoo College and is a small business owner.

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