Kerry Doman isn't the only reason
After 5 Detroit is so youth oriented. The 27-year-old isn't only the founder and CEO of the almost-3-year-old start-up geared toward enhancing the social lives of young pros in Detroit, but she also employs 5-7 college interns and a healthy stable of independent contractors.
Her success with After 5 Detroit has resulted in a spin-off (
Connect After 5) and a number of corporate copycats. Not bad for a Detroiter who found her way back to the Motor City from the Windy City.
Why did you decide to set up shop in Detroit?In September 2005, I moved back to Detroit after being away for five years -- first at college, and then living and working in Chicago. When I returned, I
found that I pretty much had to start from scratch in terms of learning my way around town and meeting new friends. It was harder than it needed to be. I realized that there was a real need and an exciting opportunity to connect young people to each other and to the community more quickly and positively, whether they are moving into town for the first time, are returning after college or work experience elsewhere, or have lived here forever. And that is how After 5 Detroit was born.
What advice would you give to someone who was thinking about opening a business in the Motor City?Detroit is a city that is built on personal relationships. It is a big city with a small town heart. The community is very supportive of people who are trying to make a difference. If you take the time to get to know people and work with them, doing business in Detroit can be very fun and rewarding.
What do you see in Detroit that other people who live outside the city don't?I see people who are resilient and who love their city despite its ups and downs. Unlike more transient cities like Chicago, most of the young people who live and work in Detroit are here for the long haul so they really do want to get engaged in the community.
If you could change one thing about Detroit, what would it be?If we could truly come together as a metropolitan community and develop a positive, constructive vision of the future, it would be incredibly powerful. We certainly know how to roll up our sleeves and work hard, but we have to set aside the divisions and finger-pointing and decide our future course.
Source: Kerry Doman, CEO and founder of After 5 Detroit
Writer: Jon Zemke
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