For Tiffany Klingensmith, the drive to launch and grow her own business began with a strong desire to stay in her home state of Michigan.
Tiffany’s husband wanted to move to Connecticut for new opportunities in industrial sales.
“I didn’t want to relocate, so we decided to start a new business in Michigan,” she said.
That was twenty years ago. Today, Tiffany is the president of Unconventional Solutions, Inc. (USI), a DTE-certified diverse supplier and growing women-owned business with 15 employees located in Wixom, Michigan.
USI helps DTE protect pipelines and other infrastructure from corrosion by providing high-performance protective coatings. They also inspect existing coatings and install and repair protective coatings on floors.
Initial Challenges
Early on, Klingensmith successfully navigated the trials of developing a good business plan and finding financing. As a woman in a male-dominated industrial field, she also encountered additional challenges.
One of her first experiences was teaching a class on how to inspect and apply pipeline coatings.
“A few students gave me a hard time,” she said. “I asked them to read a lengthy and technical data sheet word for word. I also let them know they would need to show me they learned how to apply the coatings before receiving certification for taking the class. They were much more attentive after that. Being a woman was a challenge in the beginning but with confidence and experience, I overcame those challenges.”
Relationship with DTE
Initially, USI sold products to end users in the DTE power plants. In 2010, they became a certified woman-owned business and Klingensmith was introduced to DTE’s supplier diversity team.
For the past several years, she’s been part of Elevate, DTE’s diverse supplier mentoring program.
“The one-on-one interaction with the supplier diversity team helped me learn how to navigate the supply chain process,” she said. “Since then, we’ve taken advantage of additional opportunities in different areas of DTE.”
Today, Klingensmith’s commitment to excellence, innovation and hard work is earning her recognition. Last spring, she was named the US Small Business Administration 2024 State Small Business Persons of the Year.
Giving Back
She also credits DTE Corporate Services Vice President Jaspreet Singh with teaching her the value of giving back.
USI supports a Labor Day 30k race in Milford, Michigan. Proceeds from the race are donated to the local high school track team. The funds donated afforded the team the chance to attend special camps and other training which helps them excel.
Klingensmith is a member of DTE’s Supplier Diversity Advisory Council. She is also the Southeastern Michigan’s Vice Chair of the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council WBE Forum. In June, she was part of a panel at the WBENC national conference and in 2021 participated along with Singh on a panel. She also recently helped 10 female entrepreneurs learn how to earn contracts with large corporations. She says giving back delivers unexpected benefits.
“Whenever I give time and expertise, I flourish,” she said. “I learn more when I teach others. I boost my own confidence as I’m helping to increase the confidence of others. This is what I’ve learned from partnering with DTE. It’s been a great opportunity and I’m extremely grateful.”