Founded by Kathy Sample and Bill Brinkerhoff, Argus set out to solve a simple but stubborn problem: how to make it easy for people to buy local food year-round, in a way that’s fair to farmers and convenient for customers.
In the ten years since opening their first café and market, Argus has become a beloved Ann Arbor institution — and a national model for strengthening local food economies. Through a mix of deep customer discovery, careful data tracking, and close partnerships with local producers, they’ve shown that a community-driven, farmer-first retail model can thrive.
At our November Sustainable Innovation Meet Up, Kathy Sample will share the Argus origin story and lessons learned along the way: what’s changed since launch, the challenges of scaling local food systems, and how Argus is helping others build their own “farm stops” across the country.
Event Details
8:00–8:30 AM – Coffee and conversation
8:30–9:00 AM – Featured talk
9:00–9:30 AM – Q&A and more networking
Join us to connect with local innovators and explore what it takes to build sustainable food systems that truly feed both people and place.
We’re excited to launch a new season of the Sustainable Innovation Meet Up on Thursday, September 18 from 8:00–9:30 AM at Mothfire Brewing in Ann Arbor.
This month’s session—“Crafting Community: Sustainability & Creativity at Mothfire Brewing”—features David Becker, Co-Founder of Mothfire Brewing. David will share how sustainability and local partnerships are at the heart of Mothfire’s mission.
This September event also serves as a lead-in to the Sustainable Future Forum, part of a2tech360—our region’s biggest week celebrating innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Event details Wednesday, September 18 8:00–9:30 AM Mothfire Brewing, 713 W. Ellsworth Rd., Ann Arbor Coffee and light breakfast will be provided
The Sustainable Innovation Meet-Up is a monthly gathering that highlights corporate sustainability innovations and fosters networking and community. Each session brings together professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders to exchange ideas, learn from local case studies, and spark collaborations that drive positive change.
We’re grateful to our sponsors—Ann Arbor SPARK and the Green Business Challenge—for supporting this series. Like the new look? Thanks to Cathy Colson for graphic design.
Join our September 10 mentorship circle with Thressa Nichols to learn how to turn your versatility into your career superpower and find your niche as a generalist.
Wednesday, September 10, 11AM–noon
Cahoots Coworking, 206 E Huron St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Finding your niche as a generalist is about more than just skills—it’s about mindset. Thressa Nichols will discuss how to embrace the “human first” approach, cultivate inclusive environments, and turn your versatility into your competitive edge. Thressa currently serves as VP of Operations for Snappt and is on the board of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority. A community builder and People Ops leader, she is also gearing up to launch her own entrepreneurship journey.
The Cahoots Mentorship Circle, hosted by Ayishwariya Menon and Dunrie Greiling, is an occasional series featuring guest speakers and open discussions for founders, innovators, and community builders.
Join us for the June Sustainability & Innovation Coffee Meet Up.
50 States of Sustainability: Lessons from Veridian A short film and live Q&A on reimagining development in America
Join us for an inspiring morning under the tent at Veridian at County Farm! We’ll screen the 20-minute documentary 50 States of Sustainability: Veridian, followed by a live conversation with sustainable development leaders Matthew Grocoff and Sara Hammerschmidt.
This event offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at a groundbreaking net-zero community. Hear from the team reshaping how we think about housing, neighborhoods, and the future of development.
Join us for the May Sustainability & Innovation Coffee, a monthly gathering of changemakers, entrepreneurs, and leaders advancing climate and sustainability solutions across Michigan and the Great Lakes region.
This month’s conversation explores the future of water in a changing climate.
We’re excited to welcome two featured speakers:
Val Brader – Principal at Rivenoak Law and Rivenoak Consulting, and former Director of the Michigan Agency for Energy. Val brings deep expertise at the intersection of law, policy, and clean energy innovation.
Joel Brammeier – President and CEO of the Alliance for the Great Lakes, a leading voice on freshwater protection, policy, and community engagement throughout the Great Lakes region.
Michigan’s legal history viewed water as a common enemy and prioritized converting swamps into farmland. As precipitation patterns change, Michigan faces increasing concerns about flooding. At the same time, the state must consider how to manage areas where water levels may be lower than ever—potentially requiring new limitations on water use. Given these challenges, what lessons can Michigan, a water-rich state, learn from its arid “frontier” sister states as its own climate becomes more volatile?
Matt Kirsch speaking at the Sustainability & Innovation Meet-Up – February 2025
If it seems like I’m suddenly, loudly everywhere, here’s why: I’m intentionally reconnecting with people, with ideas, and with what’s next.
Remote Work Was Great Until It Wasn’t Enough
Like many of us, I have been working remotely for years now. My work—mostly with scientific and technical teams at universities and early-stage startups—is location-independent and often global.
And I’ve loved it. Remote collaboration is flexible, efficient, and creates the space—mental and physical—for deep, focused work.
But something shifted and connecting only online became strangely draining. Even as someone who values solitude, I missed people in the same room. I needed the friendly waves, the raised eyebrows, the casual sidebars. I missed being a part of a local community.
Coworking Helped. IRL Events Even More
That shift led me to join a coworking office in Ann Arbor. I wasn’t just looking for a desk, I wanted casual, familiar camaraderie: “non-work work friends.”
I don’t go every day, and if I have a schedule packed with video calls, it’s simpler to stay in my home office. Yet, on days and tasks when I need to work through something tangled, think deeply, write, or resist the urge to procrastinate, I need my coworking desk. There’s something grounding about the quiet hum of others working nearby—it helps me settle in, focus, and work through problems.
But coworking was just the start.
I wanted to connect more intentionally and IRL (in real life) with people I admire, with communities I care about, and with the local ecosystem of mission driven leaders and entrepreneurs. So I started organizing and attending more events.
Exploring What’s Next
I’m also in a moment of transition, exploring what’s next in my career. That’s a big part of why I’m showing up to more events, and why I’m investing energy into hosting some of my own.
Sustainability & Innovation Coffee Meet-Up at Bamboo Ann Arbor, March 2025
These gatherings have been a joy to me. I’m grateful to be surrounded by people who are curious, generous, and community-oriented.
Let’s Connect
If you’re also navigating change, looking for connection, or just feeling the need to get out of the house, I hope you’ll join one of these meetups. Or shoot me a note—I’d love to hear what you’re working on, what you’re excited about, or what kind of community you’re craving right now.
Here’s to finding energy, inspiration, and opportunity—together, and in person.
