Michael Walters is Founder and President of Minneapolis-based studio503, a strategic business development company specializing in large retail and wholesale distribution. The prolific entrepreneur has also founded Payload Group, Twin City Trading, and TEAM503. He’s currently set to launch another new business and a host of brands and products across a range of new categories.

In 2021, Michael led studio503 – a one-person company – to the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America list, ranking #1 in Minnesota, #4 in the Consumer Products category and #43 overall in the U.S. As a result, he has recently become an Inc. Magazine contributor.

Michael attributes his success to an innovative approach that blends creative partnerships and problem-solving to boldly disrupt existing mindsets, categories, and conventional wisdom. His expertise ranges from sales, marketing, manufacturing, distribution and global sourcing to organizational redesign, turn-around, real estate and consulting. Michael upends traditional roadblocks by refusing to compromise and specifically committing to finding the “and” instead of the “or.”

When he’s not transforming brands and businesses, Michael is a sponsored, professional angler. (A Minnesotan to his core.)