This year has been a whirlwind for April Anderson, the Pastry Chef and Co-Owner of Good Cakes and Bakes on Livernois in Detroit.

Last week, her successful bakery business won a massive $200,000 investment at Detroit Demo Day. This week, she is attending the Mackinac Policy Conference as a “Future Leader,” soaking in the atmosphere and information shared at the prestigious event.

The Mackinac Policy Conference is a four-day event on Mackinac Island that brings 1,700 business leaders, civic boosters, non-profit experts and public-policy gurus to one picturesque place. The Conference agenda focuses this year in part on increasing economic opportunity for all, especially entrepreneurs like Anderson.

A Mackinac Future Leader is defined as “a forward-thinking professional making an impact in his or her organization and community,” according to the Detroit Regional Chamber. This individual shows future promise in leading business or community initiatives. Mackinac Future Leaders are between 23 and 35 years old, welcome change, view challenges as opportunities, and continue to influence everything they approach with fresh ideas and innovative thinking.

An eligible entrepreneur is a creative doer who has taken a non-traditional business idea from concept to the marketplace using innovative methods and practices. These entrepreneurs are relentless in pursuit of their entrepreneurial aspirations and have high-growth potential. In addition, these individuals provide a a product/service that is closing a gap in an underserved market/community or helping to solve a societal/community problem, the Chamber notes.

Anderson is experiencing her first Mackinac Policy Conference – here’s what the brains behind Good Cakes and Bakes had to say as she thought about what will happen to her and her business while she is on the Island.

Q: Why did you want to attend the conference?
A: For the past 2-3 years I’ve seen some great leaders and entrepreneurs attend and felt that would be a great opportunity for me/GCB to be a part of this conference.

Q: What does it mean to you to be a Future Leader there? (Although you’ve had a business and been a leader for a while.)
A: I welcome the idea of being a future leader, because I’m still learning. I’m looking at this opportunity to bring my experience and knowledge to the table of a lot of corporate perspective.

Q: How do you feel having a greater representation of females and people of color in the audience and on the stage affects the conference for you and for everyone?
A: I love that each year the conference becomes more diverse with women and POC. I think in order for real change to happen we must be invited to the table. Not only invited to the table, but allowed to talk and make changes.

Q: What do you hope to learn/gain from the experience?
A: Because this is my first time attending, I think I’ll be soaking in all the information and bringing back all the information to dissect later. But I’m excited to make new connections.

  April Anderson, detroit, Mackinac Island, Mackinac Policy Conference