Gordon Ford College of Business News

Michael Lemon shared how he built a business based on his career as a detective with the Bowling Green Police Department with WKU students on Tuesday, November 14 as part of the Entrepreneurship Speaker Series, sponsored by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

While working for BGPD, Lemon said he enjoyed bringing justice to those that exploited young children as the Lead Detective and Forensics Examiner for more than 20 years. He was one of the first officers in the nation to attend the U.S. Secret Service National Computer Forensic Institute in 2008, and has more than 1,000 hours of forensic training. With his experience, he recognized that not every law enforcement facility was equipped with the technology to conduct more in-depth investigations. With this realization, he took advantage of this opportunity to launch Millstone Labs, LLC.

Millstone Labs, LLC, currently in its second year of operations, is a digital forensics company that supplies technical equipment and educational training to law enforcement agencies. Their resources assist small law enforcement agencies improve their investigations of cases related to cybercrimes. With today’s technology, nearly all crimes are related to cybercrimes.

“How you handle the tough things is what defines you,” Lemon said.

Lemon’s road to entrepreneurial success has not been an easy one. Through his life, he had to fight against personal road blocks that stood in the way of figuring out what he truly wanted. Lemon discussed with the students that the adversity you face in life should be used to make you a more successful entrepreneur. Every aspect in life can be used as a teaching moment.

Mr. Lemon has been a partner with the Gordon Ford College of Business by serving as a client to Dr. Whitney Peake’s Small Business Analysis and Strategy course and hiring a marketing intern for Millstone Labs.

 “I cannot say enough about how impressed I am with WKU after working with Dr. Peake and her students this last year,” Lemon said. “The student advisory group was so good that they are likely on their way to the national finals and our Marketing Intern has been more than we could have hoped for. WKU has been an incredible resource for our business.”