Founded in 2025, Consortium Business Ventures was created by three Walsh College Alumni all with a passion for entrepreneurship and small business ownership. The primary purpose of the partnership is to acquire, operate, and modernize small businesses, with a focus on preserving and enhancing their legacy, improving operational efficiency, and increasing financial performance. Learn about each of the partners below to find out the unique skillset they bring to the organization.
Alex Bartell | LinkedIn Profile
Alex is passionate about preserving and enhancing the legacy of small businesses. With over a decade of experience across multiple industries including manufacturing, software, business services, and IT, Alex specializes in building strong relationships and driving revenue growth. He focuses on establishing meaningful connections with business owners and creating scalable strategies through modernization of operations that honor the company’s original vision.
As a co-founder of Consortium Business Ventures, Alex takes a hands-on, relationship-driven approach to ensure smooth transitions and long-term success for the businesses he works with.
Outside of work, Alex enjoys discovering new music, staying active, and spending time with friends and family.
Kim Nowik | LinkedIn Profile
Kimberly combines entrepreneurial vision with financial expertise, making her an invaluable asset to Consortium Business Ventures. She is currently the owner of three businesses, Rang O Matic, Paragon Tax and Accounting Solutions and Custom Printing. Drawing on her extensive experience as both a seasoned accountant and business owner, she excels in streamlining processes, optimizing performance, and driving sustainable growth, all while maintaining a strong focus on exceptional customer service.
As a co-founder of Consortium Business Ventures, Kimberly is dedicated to supporting small businesses by preserving their legacies and implementing innovative strategies to ensure long-term success.
Outside of work, Kimberly is passionate about lifelong learning, exploring new destinations, reading, photography, and spending quality time with her husband and four adult children.
Paul Gunnels | LinkedIn Profile
Paul is an experienced professional in both the healthcare and automotive industries. His roles have ranged from process improvement engineering to software engineering management. Throughout his career, Paul has focused on large, transformational projects and intrapreneurship. At Henry Ford Health System, he was part of Henry Ford Davidson Fellowship for Healthcare Innovation and was also as a participant and 3x mentor for an annual internal hackathon for General Motors. After years of dreaming of owning his own business, he and his wife took their passion of overlanding in 2023 and founded Radio Chatter, a conversation starter game for off-road enthusiasts.
As co-founder of Consortium Business Ventures, Paul is passionate about keeping local, small business alive while using his two decades of experience in process and technology to modernize the businesses to ensure future success.
Outside of work, Paul is passionate about the music and the outdoors with an emphasis on overlanding (off-roading + camping) and is an off-road trail guide with the popular YouTube channel Mountain State Overland. He has an amazing wife and son who he enjoys spending his time off-grid with.