Mighty Detroit has done it again.  Just like the rest of the country they have got wrapped up in the amazing story that is the US Women’s Soccer Team.  They are offering a 15% discount on all women’s apparel from Today until Sunday July 17th. All you need to do is use Promo Code Women15.  Cheer on the US Women’s Team and help Support Detroit.

A little about Mighty Detroit:

Through our apparel, we hope to capture and present the love Detroiters feel for their City.  We draw from the City’s culture, grit and hard-work ethic.  We are influenced by our sports teams, our innovative automobile industry and the underlying pride that unites us all.  Our apparel is designed to reflect these influences and to show everyone that Detroit is still Mighty.  Most importantly, a portion of the proceeds from each shirt sold are donated to a local charity.

Over the past year, I have really started to enjoy granola and yogurt for breakfast.  In my continued quest to purchase as much local products as possible, I stumbled across Simply Suzanne Granola (formally Randy’s Granola) at my local grocery store.  My favorite flavors are Lotsa Chocolate and So Very Cherry.  Both are the perfect balance of rich flavor and sweetness that is a true breakfast indulgence.  For a true treat, nothing beats mixing the two flavors together.  I am a sucker for chocolate and cherry.  Simply Suzanne also offers an Original Granola and new as of last month, Dark Chocolate and Coffee.

Each bag of Simply Suzanne Granola is all natural and handcrafted in small batches using whole grain rolled oats. Local farmers and suppliers are used as much as possible in the process, too.  All flavors are all natural and made without preservatives, artificial flavors, trans fat, cholesterol and high fructose corn syrup. Each batch is produced in the Detroit area, but there are also production facilities in West Michigan and a warehouse in Detroit’s New Center area.

Since I first found Simply Suzanne I have been following them on twitter at @SuzanneVier.  As a big supporter of anything that is made in Michigan, I have been very happy to see that 2011 has meant 6 months of growth for the company.  Besides adding the Chocolate & Coffee flavor, they have expanded their distribution to selected Whole Foods and Michigan Meijer’s next week (June 18th), along with being sold at various grocers and restaurants in metro Detroit, Chicago, and New York.  To support all this growth, Simply Suzanne is also hiring many potions.  They are currently looking for:

Kitchen Production Manager
Baking Assistants
Farmers Market Managers
Production Intern (non-paid)
In-store Product Marketing Demonstrators

For more information on these positions please Direct Message @SuzanneVier on twitter.

Today on Twitter the Detroit Regional Office of the US Census Bureau ask me what would bring people back to Detroit? We all heard this week that Detroit has dropped to a 100 year low of population living in the city.  Detroit has gone from the 11th largest city in the US, to the 14th.  They are now behind Columbus Ohio.  This is not a new problem for the City of Detroit, they have been losing population for the past 50 years.  Michigan was the only state in the country not to grow in the past 10 years according to the 2010 Census.  There are many reason why this has happened, and we could dwell on the reasons forever, that was not the question.  The question was what is needed to bring people back to Detroit?

The short of my answer is Entrepreneurs, Schools, and Neighborhoods. 

I believe that the key to Detroit recovery will lie on the shoulders of the entrepreneurs, who are going to set up their businesses in Detroit.  Let’s face it, Detroit really needs people give it a chance.  Entrepreneurs are the exact type of person who would take a chance on a city that most believe is in decline.  There are definitely political issues that I do not want to get into that can make it hard for big companies to open up shop in Detroit.  Some of the advantages that Detroit holds is that real estate is cheap, labor is cheap, and there are groups out there that are dieing to help people start companies in Detroit.  These entrepreneurial companies are going to bring jobs to the city.  Lets face it, people are not going to live in Detroit if they have to leave to go to work.  These start-up companies also could attract the type of person that Detroit really needs to start a trend of moving back to Detroit.  They are young, risk taking, and are looking for a urban experience.

The second facet of what will bring people back to Detroit is Neighbor hoods.  Cities are built on small neighborhoods.   There is a strength in these small communities that bonds them together and makes it a home.  When I hear my father and grandfather talk about when they used to live in Detroit, most things they did were around their neighborhood.  These neighborhoods need to have local grocery stores, drug stores, parks, and restaurants.  A reason for people to stick around after work.  The would be that these neighborhoods would build up around the new companies.  Detroit has a few areas like this,  Corktown, Midtown, New Center, etc.  We just need a few more.  Once the jobs and the neighborhoods start to pop up, then the stabilizer will be the biggest and hardest to have that is a school system. 

If Detroit really want to attract people who are going to not only move to Detroit but also invest in their homes, and build striving neighborhoods, they are going to need a much better school system.  For Detroit really to make a come back, they need to attract families.  The only way to this is have a school system that rivals those of the suburbs.  Without this, then people will only live in Detroit for 3-5 years, and then will be off to the suburbs.  Once families move into the city they are making a long term investment.  It is hard for families to move all the time, they accumulate much more stuff.  Most families buy a home expect to live in the home for a longer time.  Since they plan to live in these homes longer they have a better sense of ownership, and will improve and take care of the house, which in turn with make the neighborhood better.  Again if the families can send their kids to school in the city, then there is no reason to live in the city.

This is a very simplist view of what will attract people to move into Detroit.  There are a lot of factors that need to be taken in to account, with all these factors that were not discussed in this blog.  The three factors that I think will attact the people to Detroit, will take a period of time that could be as long as 25 years.  I would really love to hear your ideas and thoughts on what will bring people to Detroit?

After the devastating ating catastrophe that recently occurred in Japan, there has been an unbelievable amount of support and aid offered from groups, individuals and businesses, here in the US and worldwide.  I wanted to call your attention to the efforts of one company in particular, Mighty Detroit.  Mighty Detroit is an apparel company that was started by two young Detroit ex-pats, who hope to capture and present the love Detroiters feel for their City through their unique designs.  A portion of the proceeds from every sale go to a charity committed to rejuvenating and restoring Detroit.  While civic pride and commitment to returning Detroit to its former glory is what drives Mighty Detroit everyday as a company, the compassion and giving nature of the two inspiring entrepreneurs behind the brand, is what really makes it so special.  In an effort to help those in need, Mighty Detroit has created a Mighty Japan tee, of which 100% of the profits benefit the rescue/relief efforts in Japan.  Below is a note from the Mighty Detroit team, as well as a link to where you can purchase the tee’s.

Since 1805 Detroit’s city motto has been “Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus” which translates to “We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes.”  With every test and every obstacle, Detroit has bounced back and lifted itself up.  As much as Detroit was, is and will continue to be a “come-back” story, we, here at Mighty Detroit, cannot ignore a Japanese culture and society that has faced immeasurable obstacles and has always made a come-back.  Today, Mighty Detroit offers its help to Japan.  For an unlimited time, Mighty Detroit will donate 100% of the proceeds from every sale of the Mighty Japan t-shirt to rebuilding efforts in Japan.  Be Mighty.

To order a Mighty Japan t-shirt, click here.

Noah Babcock is the principle owner of NxtGen Marketing along with editor of WonderMichigan.  He is the proud father of twin boys, avid Michigan State supporter, and huge Detroit sports fan.

My love for Michigan is three fold; I love the Michigan of the past.  The memories that I have from growing up in Michigan have shaped me into the person that I am today.  It has allowed me to have many experiences and adventures that no other place in America allows.  The present day Michigan has allowed me to fulfill my lifelong goals and dreams.  And the Michigan of the future is the motivation that I use to continue to better myself and my family.

I grew up hearing stories about Detroit from my grandparents.  The Detroit of the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s was a place of wonder.  I would listen to tales of working downtown having lunches at Joe Muers, and dinners at the London Chop House.  Shopping at Hudson’s downtown and watching Lions football in the freezing cold in the fall and basking in the sunshine watching Tigers baseball.  This was the time to be in Detroit.  My family made Detroit their home during this time.  Both my grandfather’s built own businesses in Detroit.  One had a small chain of furniture stores located throughout the city, while the other built an industrial laundry business.  The Midwestern blue collar work ethic has been passed down to throughout the generations.  I am the third generation to start a business in Michigan.  My own memories of Michigan are of the Bob-lo boat and island, Belle Isle Aquarium, Huckleberry Railroad, Detroit Zoo, Trappers Alley, and Tigers Stadium.  Some of these places from my childhood only exist in my memories now.  Present day Michigan has new places to explore and enjoy.

As I write this post today, the travel campaign of the early 80’s of Yes Michigan, which had a tag line of “the feeling is forever” comes to mind.  Everything that I have accomplished is because of Michigan.  I received a great education from Michigan State University and Oakland University.  The work ethic that I picked up my parents and grandparents, along with the blue collar culture of Michigan’s workforce has allowed me to fulfill my dream of starting and running my own business.  I met my wife in Michigan and we were blessed this past year to start our own family in Michigan, now I get to share all the wonders of Michigan with my family.  The pure beauty of Michigan allows me to enjoy hikes up north, great wine, beautiful lakes, and amazing golf.  Present day Michigan may be having a few problems, but there is so much to look forward to in the future.     

I am a dreamer, when I look at Michigan; I see all the potential that is around the state.  Michigan has more to offer then most other states in the country.  We have a natural resource in our lakes that no other state has.  With the proposed Aerotropolis around Metro Airport Michigan has the opportunity to become a hub for any company that is looking to produce products and ship them not only nationally but internationally.  If the shrinking of Detroit happens, there is going to be another resource around a major city that is not available in any other state in our country.  Detroit will have an abundance of land that can be used for whatever a person can think of.  A large company looking to build a new manufacturing plant, urban farming, research facility that needs a lot of space, the options are endless.  The last resource that Michigan has that ties all these together is the large amount of higher education that could be the feeder for any company that is in Michigan, and also the feeder for eager college graduates that are looking to start their own thing.  The Michigan of the future is whatever we want it to be there are very few places that have such an opportunity.  My third reason that I love Michigan is because I see a bright future that I am excited to participate in. 

I love Michigan because it is my past, present, and future.  Michigan is in my blood, it is who I am.

Josh Linkner is the Founder & Chairman of ePrize, a four-time entrepreneur, a professional-level jazz musician, and author of two books.  Josh is also a founding member of Detroit Venture Partners, LLC., a Detroit-based Venture Capital firm whose purpose is to help rebuild the Detroit area through entrepreneurial fire.  Here is why Josh believes Michigan is the place to do business.

As I travel the world and tell people I’m a technology entrepreneur for Michigan, they give me a strange look.  You know the look – the kind a dog makes when she tilts her head sideways and stares as if to say, “you make absolutely zero sense.”  As a self-proclaimed rule-breaker, I love balking conventional wisdom and I’m thrilled to continue to grow entrepreneurial businesses right here in Michigan.  In fact, I think Michigan provides a significant competitive advantage!  So in tribute to David Letterman, here are the top 10 reasons why Michigan is a GREAT place to launch and grow your startup:

10. Amazing Talent – The region is filled with incredible people with diverse perspectives and skillsets.

9. Real Estate – tons of fantastic buildings and facilities, all at a fraction of the cost of either coast.

8. Work Ethic – We Detroiters are street-fighters.  We’re willing to run through brick walls while others are worried about messing up their manicures.

7. Higher Education – U of M, Michigan State, Wayne State, Oakland U, and other amazing institutions continue to mint fantastic talent, ideas, and innovations.

6. Low Costs – overall cost of living is dramatically lower, which has a direct impact on your bottom line.

5. Collaborative Vibe – Folks here want to help each other out, and there are so many people that are passionate about rebuilding the region and want to help you win.

4. Government Support – yep, I said it!  Our new Governor is an entrepreneur and venture capitalist and is ready to do whatever it takes to rebuild the region through entrepreneurship.  My friends at the MEDC, Oakland and Wayne County, and even City officials are all ready to pitch in to help however possible.

3. Mentors – Brilliant leaders like Dan Gilbert, Roger Penske, and Mike Illich are passionate about this region and have provided incredible support to emerging companies.

2. Geography / Quality of Life – We have beautiful lakes, fantastic roads and infrastructure, a world-class airport, outstanding hospitals and schools, and a beautiful city (that just needs a fresh coat of paint).  We’re an easy flight to anywhere in the US, aren’t overcrowded, and offer a great place to raise a family.

1. Soul – Simply put, Detroit is a City with a soul.  We come from a rich heritage of entrepreneurship and have an incredibly bright future despite our current challenges.  Passion put us on the map, and it will be the driving force of revitalization.

As you launch your company, you have a choice.  You can follow the herd to New York, Chicago, or San Francisco and get lost in the pack.  Or you can stay right here and make a real difference.  If there was ever a time in history for you to be part of transformational change, this is it!  Seize it, embrace it, and go for it!

Whenever I travel, I am always proud to tell people that I am from Detroit.  Of course I have heard all the questions about carrying a gun, how do I survive, and why do I stay?  I usually shrug them off as an uneducated question, because the person asking has never stepped foot in Michigan.  What has amazed me over the years is how all the people who have moved to other cities, still love to represent their home town.  Not just by wearing a Tigers hat around, but proudly telling peole that they are from Detroit.  Over the last week, I have come across two articles from Time Detroit Blog about ex-pat who are working to help Detroit.  Only 635 Miles From Home, then a few days later an article about Mighty Detroit a group of Michigan ex-pats living in New York who are designed a tee shirt line that pays homage to Detroit, but are also giving part of their proceeds to Detroit charities.  Making a statement about Detroit (and Fashion).  These are just two examples of how even though a person may not be living in Michigan, they still can help out their hometown.  My hope is that through everyone’s hard work, that one day Michigan will be so attractive that some of these ex-pats will move back to Michigan, and continue their careers here.

On October 20, 2010 I spent my day at 140 Conference Detroit.  This was another very successful social media event in Detroit.  The speakers were very inspiring, they highlighted some of the amazing things that are going on in Detroit.  From Lemonade Detroit  “a film about the disarming resilience of those who are moving Detroit beyond automobiles into an era of entrepreneurism.” (via www.lemonadedetroit.com) to Mayor Dave Bing, welcoming everyone to Detroit and telling the audience that good things are happening in Detroit just wait and see.  In a very innovative step, Lemonade Detroit is trying to raise money to produce their film.  They are offering for $1 that anyone can buy a single frame of the movie.  After just over 48 hours, they have sold 5,316 frames.  I own 24 frames, so should you.  http://buyaframe.lemonadedetroit.com/

I also attended the TEDxDetroitin the beginning of October, again there were great speakers and I left very excited about the possibilities of what could be coming out of Detroit.  As Chris Brogan stated, “Detroit has a lot of little boats in the water, but to move an elephant, you need a bigger boat”   The idea was that there needs to be collaboration between the companies to bring the next big industry to Detroit.  I disagree with Chris Brogan on one point, Detroit does need some big players, but as with any industry, out of the small a big will emerge.  The speaker that I think was on the right path was Charlie Wollborg from Curve Detroit.  His speech on Combating Apathy in an Unsocial Detroit, was right on.  In a closed society of Michigan social media, it looks like we are doing a very good job.  Detroit is not, we are a top 12 media market, but are not even in the top 20 social media market.  Charlie’s message of ”Retweeting and mentions don’t do anything for Detroit.  Do something to make it better”.  Detroit has had two really high profile conventions here in the past month.  The true question is how are we going to take the next step.  Detroit needs to get off it ass and lets do something to make our city a better place. 

I have been working on perfecting the WonderMichigan program, to help small businesses in Michigan to attract new customers through promotion and deals, for over a month now .  I am done perfecting it, I am going out and hitting the streets.  The loose ends will come together, but sitting around is getting nothing done.  DETROIT WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO, TO MAKE YOURSELF BETTER?

For years Tender in Downtown Birmingham Michigan, was a place that my wife spends lots of money.  It is a very fashion forward store, that carries the some of the best brands and fashions in Michigan.  Again this is what my wife tells me.  Well this morning while reading the “The Detroit Blog” they had a post titled “One to Watch: Karen Daskas on Buying Local“.  I have a new found appreciation for Karen Daskas now.  It is very refreshing to hear a local  business owner, who is not only working on staying in Michigan, but also working to make Michigan a better place.  In Karen Daskas’s view, we should try to shop at local independent stores, but she takes it a bit further by also stating that if you are going to shop at a chain store, do it in Michigan.  Ms. Daskas stated ”Quite simply, if you can’t find it here, it simply doesn’t exist.”  I applaud Tender and Karen Daskas for their pride in Michigan, and even better, I am now going to suggest that my wife shop at Tender when she can. 
http://detroit.blogs.time.com/2010/01/06/one-to-watch-karen-daskas-on-buying-local/

Every year, I try to make a New Years Resolution, that makes my life better.  Lose weight, cut down on cuss words, drop other bad habits that I have picked up over the years.  This year, I want to  make Michigan a better place to live and work.  I am born and raised in Michigan, educated here, and have a great life in Michigan.  I set out six months ago to spread the positives aspect of Michigan to the world.  Even I have been pleasantly surprised by all the great events, businesses, and people that I have found while working to spread the positives of Michigan.  So for this year my New Years Resolution is to continue my quest of showing what Michigan really has to offer the world, but I also am looking to this year to make a positive mark on the state, either through the businesses that I work with on a daily basis, by donating to Charities that help move Michigan forward, and to make a concentrated effort to buy products that are grown or manufactured in Michigan.  What are you going to make Michigan a better place to work and live?

  There are many great organizations that are set up to help the unemployed to retrain for jobs, beautify areas of the state that have gone ignored for too long, or to invest in Michigan based businesses.  Concentrate on purchasing Michigan grown and manufactured products.  Try to shop at your local Michigan owned stores.  When talking to someone from out of town, speak positively about Michigan.  The key is to find something that you are passionate about, and find a way to make Michigan a better place.  Next year hopefully we will be talking about all the great strides that Michigan has made over the last 365 days.