Any slightly-observant Detroit resident -- or even an intermittent Model D reader -- has likely noticed that new businesses are sprouting up all around the city. It's just not happening quickly enough for a couple of local entrepreneurs who have started Open City, a networking group for would-be Detroit business owners.
Over 60 people, a mix of aspiring and actual business owners, attended the group's kick-off meeting at Cliff Bell's on September 18. "We wanted to introduce people to the concept of having a group whose purpose is simply to encourage them and educate them about opening a business in Detroit in an informal manner," says co-founder Liz Blondy of
Canine to Five Detroit Dog Daycare.
Blondy and her cohort, Clare Nelson of
The Bureau of Urban Living, realized that there were plenty of hurdles standing in the way of starting up a business in Detroit, such as red tape, the perception that the city is unsafe and is not a place where money can be made. Start-up financing is also an issue.
They think the effort is worth it. "People will be so appreciative. They will notice it more then if you
open in the suburbs," Blondy said in her opening remarks. "You’ll get more PR for opening in Detroit.
Detroiters crave new exciting businesses. Being located in Detroit
will help distinguish your business. A high end modern furniture store
in Birmingham? There are like four of them. In Detroit, it is unique."
Detroiter Dave Mancini has been contemplating opening up a pizza parlor in the city for several years. "I gave up on Detroit, to be honest," Mancini says. "It was difficult to get in touch with the type of people I needed to get in touch with, and I was having trouble finding space that was not prohibitively expensive to rehab." He attended the meeting as a last-ditch effort at the urging of a friend.
He's glad he did. "There was such good energy from so many people," Mancini says. He was greatly encouraged by keynote speaker Jackie Victor of Avalon Breads. "Having talked to her made me feel better about my prospects down here," he says. "Since the meeting, I've been making more calls. I realize that I haven't turned over every rock yet."
Open City's next meeting will take place October 16. For more information, contact Blondy at
[email protected].
Source: Liz Blondy, Open City
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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