Erin Strang is the champion of Central Connect, formally the President and CEO of Central Michigan University Research Corporation (CMURC) + the Executive Director of the BlueWater Angels, where she leads the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem supporting founders across the State of Michigan. She has guided the expansion from a single location into a multi-community network, building coworking spaces, programs, and partnerships that help entrepreneurs start and grow sustainable businesses. When COVID-19 disrupted operations, Erin led a rapid pivot to virtual programming, expanding access and strengthening services for founders. Today, the hybrid model has increased its reach and impact, and she credits much of that success to strong leadership and a committed team that executes with consistency and purpose.
Erin’s path to leadership was shaped by discipline and consistency, not a predefined plan. A former student-athlete, she learned early that effort builds confidence, a mindset that continues to guide her leadership. In addition to her work leading this initiative, she is an entrepreneur, investing in short-term rentals and a commercial redevelopment project focused on creating spaces for community and connection. Following the unexpected loss of a business partner, Erin remains committed to completing their shared vision. She leads with a simple philosophy: take ownership, build strong teams, adapt when needed, and finish what you start.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN:
- That true confidence is not an innate trait but a byproduct of consistent, disciplined effort.
- How to pivot an entire business model during a crisis to actually increase your market reach.
- Why taking total ownership is the first and most critical step of effective leadership.
- That building a sustainable ecosystem requires bridging the gap between academia, government, and private capital.
- How to maintain a "finish what you start" mentality even when faced with the loss of a key partner.
- Why high-performing teams must be empowered to execute with purpose and consistency.
- That economic impact is driven by moving innovation from the research phase to the first sale.
- How to scale a physical community into a multi-location network without losing brand mission.
- Why discipline in your personal habits directly translates to resilience in your professional ventures.
- That the most successful leaders view challenges as opportunities to strengthen their core services.
about the show
Next Level CEO is a high-impact business educational series hosted by Daymond John, designed to spotlight the world’s most elite and insightful entrepreneurs.
In each episode, Daymond’s handpicked expert CEOs, founders, and industry leaders who’ve built powerful brands, scaled successfully, and led with vision, share their story and expertise. From disruptive startups to billion-dollar empires, Next Level CEO gives viewers a front-row seat to the real strategies, mindset shifts, and leadership moves behind business excellence.
This is what works.
It’s a rare look inside the minds of those who’ve actually built something that lasts.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to grow, a business owner ready to level up, or a leader who’s hungry to learn from the best, Next Level CEO delivers the playbook from those who’ve already won.
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