Mike has extensive experience as a successful entrepreneur, business consultant and university professor. He is the founder and former chairman of Golden Swirl Management Company, and a founder of Northern Lights. Both companies were sold to CoolBrands International, a world leader in the frozen dessert industry. Mike has consulted with numerous corporations in the areas of business strategy, market research, organizational effectiveness and leadership development. His clients have included Associated Food Stores, The Boeing Company, Clinical Innovations, Department of Workforce Services, Esso of Inter-America, Harmon Music Group, Saudi Consolidated Services and USANA Health Sciences.

Mike has held faculty positions at the University of North Carolina, the University of Petroleum & Minerals, and Westminster College. He has designed and taught courses in business strategy, entrepreneurship, management, organizational behavior, and small business consulting. Mike has published numerous articles in professional journals and magazines, and published three books on entrepreneurship: Glorious Accidents, The Business of Heart, and Main Street Entrepreneur, which chronicles his 4,000 mile bicycle ride across America to interview remarkable entrepreneurs who have successfully merged livelihood and lifestyle in places they want to live. He has appeared on Great Day America, First Business from Washington, The G. Gordon Liddy Show, Voice of America, Kansas City Live, Good Morning Chicago, Associated Press Radio, and many other radio and TV programs.