Come join your fellow WestSiders and learn about what is going on in the StockBridge Business District. This meet up will be from noon to 1 p.m.
Location: Arnie’s Bakery
Address: 815 Leonard St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Presenters:
Jimmy Fahlen, Arnie’s Bakery
Mark Secchia, SILVA & River North
Mark Secchia is a global entrepreneur and visionary business leader known for building innovative, customer-focused companies across cultures and continents. He is the founder of Sherpa’s Delivery Service, China’s first multi-city food and beverage delivery platform, and the founder and owner of SILVA, a boundary-pushing dinnertainment complex in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Mark attended high school in Rome, Italy and holds a BA in Economics from the University of Miami (Ohio). He made history as the first Westerner to earn an MBA from the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) in Shanghai, where he is also the only two-time recipient of the Distinguished Graduate Award.
Sherpa’s began as a business school internship project in 1999 and has since grown into a company with over 400 employees and nearly $30 million in annual revenue, serving major cities across China. Mark is known for his hands-on leadership, often answering customer service calls himself, a habit that keeps him connected to both his team and customers.
In 2023, Mark returned to his hometown roots to launch SILVA, a one-of-a-kind venue that blends upscale dining, live entertainment, immersive events, and community energy—all under one roof. SILVA reflects Mark’s lifelong passion for creating unforgettable guest experiences.
Before his entrepreneurial ventures, Mark worked in Chinese media, serving as Sales Manager for That’s Shanghai and later as General Manager for City Weekend China. He also briefly worked in sourcing and quality control services. Mark had lived in Shanghai since 1997 and is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Shanghai.
With a unique mix of East-meets-West perspective, entrepreneurial grit, and creative hospitality, Mark continues to build bridges between cultures and industries—one great idea (and great meal) at a time.
Erica Curry, Urban Curry Consulting
Erica is the founder of Urban Curry Consulting and the creator of Catalyze AI and the AI Ready Leader credential. She inspires, empowers, and equips mission-driven leaders to harness AI as a force for good through building practical skills, team capacity, and the confidence to lead boldly in a rapidly changing world. Her work is rooted in one belief: the leaders closest to the community deserve the best tools to serve it. contact info: urbancurry@gmail.com
FAQ: What’s a typical event like? We meet from 12-1 p.m. Sometimes lunch is provided, and sometimes just something light. We have 3-5 speakers present and share a quick update or overview about relevant topics to the WestSide. It's very casual, very authentic, and our meetings are used as a launching pad to create meaningful relationships with our neighbors and fellow business people.