There’s been much discussion around significant investments Downtown and Midtown. However, questions continue to surface about investing in and providing jobs in neighborhoods. Meet Ron Bartell, an ex-NFL player, has come home and invested in the neighborhood where he was raised. Bartell, who played for both the St. Louis Rams and the Detroit Lions, has…

We’ve heard how Detroit is beginning to attract entrepreneurs from other parts of the country and, in particular, young, energetic millennials wanting to make a difference. Venture for America (VFA), a two-year Fellowship program which is focused on recent college graduates, is providing support to young entrepreneurs in cities across the country who desire to…

In a recent blog, I put out a call tfor Detroit-area entrepreneurs to contact me directly so I can share their story this year. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed by the number of responses. What is clear to me is we live in a region where entrepreneurs not only want to be successful, but…

Detroit experienced positive signs last year–from establishing a solid financial foundation to generating momentum which is now being recognized nationally. For example, I just returned from New York for the New Year and, while on a recent flight, I noticed a wonderful article in Delta’s Sky magazine under the heading “Detroit’s Next Chapter”. The article…

It’s official and as announced​, Detroit is exiting bankruptcy and is, hopefully, on the road to recovery and growth. As we head into the 2014 Holiday season and the remaining days of this hectic year, let me share with you my thoughts on Detroit based my observations and conversations I’ve had with others throughout this…

There are many reasons why entrepreneurs might start a business–from being a life-long dream for some to losing a job due to financial and budgetary constraints. Regarding the latter, meet Denise Kulak, a highly-enthusiastic entrepreneur with a positive and infectious attitude. She lost her job three times in ten years, but rebounded in the world…

During the recent bankruptcy proceedings, the potential sale of art was focal point of negotiations. Clearly, that didn’t happen, but it did rally the region around another Detroit cultural gem–art–and its role in Detroit’s cultural fabric. And an integral part of Detroit’s art scene is the N’Nambdi Center for Contemporary Art. It was created by…

In this space, I have previously written about Detroit’s bankruptcy and, as a native Detroiter, its emotional impact on me when first announced. I have also discussed Detroit’s future at various times on TV and and my Small Talk radio broadcast. While Friday was a momentous day for the city, it is only a start…

There are many locally-based organizations focused on entrepreneurship and supporting small business development across the Detroit region. However, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is a statewide agency which is focused on economic development. It is a public/private partnership that is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, talent and jobs, tourism,…

The entrepreneurial journey continues… If you’re a regular reader of “Small Talk”, you know we’ve been tracking Brian Clark, a 25-year old Detroit native, U-M graduate and fledgling entrepreneur. In 2013, Clark suddenly quit his corporate job, packed up and moved to San Francisco after winning a Hackathon, in Detroit, to focus on developing technology…