Oct 21, 2013 - Detroit BizGrid: A Resource Map for Entrepreneurs
Open City
Dreaming of starting a business? Looking to expand your existing business? Do it in Detroit!
Monday, October 7, 2013
Open City Detroit - New Season!
Oct 21, 2013 - Detroit BizGrid: A Resource Map for Entrepreneurs
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
- Elizabeth Garlow, Kiva Detroit/Kiva Zip
- Kory Scheiber, Detroit Micro-Loan Fund
- Brian Boyle, Issue Media Group
- Delphia Simmons, Thrive Detroit (moderator)
February 18, 2013 (6-8pm)
- Bethany Betzler, Detroit Creative Corridor Center
- Chandra Moore, Cog Design Studio
- Arthur Mitchell, DC3 mentor
- Jacob Smith, UpTo
- Leslie Smith, TechTown
- Andy Didorosi, Detroit Bus Company
- Brandon Helderop, Fail Detroit (moderator)
- Jordi Carbonell, Cafe Con Leche
- Kirk Mayes, Brightmoor Alliance
- Amy Kaherl, Detroit SOUP
- Vittoria Katanski, Hatch Detroit (moderator)
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Dec 17: Thank You, Come Again
The word "open" is in our name for a reason. It means opening up opportunities for small business in the city - but it also means creating an open and welcoming environment where people want to be.
Offering a positive experience through great service, warm hospitality and professional presentation is essential to building customer loyalty. If people leave happy, they'll come again - and tell others! It's just good business.
This month, we'll hear from a few Detroit proprietors who are known for their stellar customer rapport and inviting spaces:
- Janet Jones, Source Booksellers
- Karen Brown, Savvy Chic
- Rachel Lutz, The Peacock Room and Emerald
- Michael Solaka, Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe
What are their secrets? Why does service matter? How can we all do better?
Join us Mon, Dec 17, 6-8pm at Cliff Bells, 2030 Park Avenue in downtown Detroit. Bring your stories, tips & questions!
Monday, November 5, 2012
Beyond the Bottom Line: How to Build a Sustainable Business
We are excited to announce the next Open City event!
Beyond the Bottom Line: How to Build a Sustainable Business will take place on Monday, November 19th, 6-8pm at Cliff Bell's. See you all on Nov 19th!
We present businesses and individuals that emphasize Triple Bottom Line (people, planet and profit) principles and sustainable business growth. Each of these businesses are doing things a little differently, making a positive impact in the community in addition to making a profit. We hope this discussion will inspire you to think more deliberately about your business ideas and challenge the status quo.
Panelists will include:
• Sandra Yu, Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice (moderator)
• Kirsten Ussery, Detroit Vegan Soul
• Matthew Naimi, Recycle Here
Stay tuned and check the Facebook for updates...
Monday, October 8, 2012
Season Six Drops Oct 22
- Liz Blondy, Canine To Five (moderator)
- Dave Mancini, Supino Pizzeria
- Grant Lancaster, City Wings
- Emily Linn, City Bird
Friday, April 27, 2012
Until We Return
Here are some photos from the Open City Season Finale Detroit Creative Corridor Center & TechTown Present: The Art of the Pitch.
View the rest of the album and join the Open City Facebook Group here.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Season Finale: The Art of the Pitch
All are welcome to attend, but for those who want to "pitch" registration is required, and is currently full. We may have a few last minute spots left. If you are still interested, please inquire during the event with our door staff.
Jake Cohen, Vice President at Detroit Venture Partners
Herb Drayton, TechTown Entrepreneurial Champion
Jan Genscheimer, President at Seracon Consulting
Hajj Flemings, CEO & Founder at Brand Camp U
You have 60 seconds to “pitch”
Each panelist will have around 30 seconds to provide constructive feedback.
What is your idea?
Is it relevant?
How is your delivery?
What is the return on investment?
Is it feasible?
Who is your audience?
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Green & Sustainable Business
Monday, March 19th, 2012
6:00pm - 8:00pm
(Panel begins at 6:30)
Our topic for March's Open City is Green & Sustainable Business.
From using recycled & sustainable materials, riding a bicycle to work, to
installing geo-thermal & solar systems to reduce energy output, there are
many ways business owners can manage their footprint on the earth.
Join us as we take a look at what is means to be an eco-friendly,
sustainable business.
Our Moderator is Matt Naimi - Director of Operations at Recycle Here!
Our Panelists will include:
Peg Upmeyer - Director at Arts & Scraps
Chad Dickinson - President at DbDesign
Todd Scott - Coordinator at Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance Detroit
Diane Van Buren - Managing Partner Zachary & Associates, Co-owner of Sugar
Hill Clay & SocraTea - located in the 71 Garfield Building
Please Note: Open City has changed to the Third Monday of the month!
Save the date for our Season Finale on April 16th, where TechTown joins us
to evaluate "The Art of the Pitch".
See you there!
- The Open City Team
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Long Term Commitment
- Tara Q. Brown - Manager of Terry's Enchanted Garden & owner of Tara's Unique Boutique
- Cornelius Harris - Label Manager for Underground Resistance Records and Founder of Alter Ego Management
- Crhis Jaszczak - Owner of 1515 Broadway
Monday, January 9, 2012
Small Businesses & Local Media
6:00pm - 8:00pm
(Panel begins at 6:30)
Our first Open City of 2012 focuses on an important factor in building a successful small business, getting your story out to the community you hope to serve.
Sure, people might drive by and see your sign in the window, but what would encourage them to park and stop in?
Ideally, your community and future customers should be celebrating your existence before you've even officially opened your doors. And if you're an existing business, how do you ensure that you stay at the front of people's minds?
In addition to word-of-mouth methods, you're going to want the press to cover your story.
The path from pitch to print isn't always straight-forward, so we've invited some of our local media to come share tips with you.
We hope you'll walk away with the confidence and know-how on approaching these writers and making it easy for them to write about you and your business/project.
Our panelists will include:
Jessica Star, Fox 2 News "Made in Michigan" Program
Nancy Kaffer, Reporter for Crain's Detroit Business
Jon Zemke, Southeast Michigan Start-up News
Louis Aguillar, The Detroit News
See you there!
- The Open City Team
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Localism: Ways to Support & Cultivate Local Business
6:30pm - 8:00pm
In Detroit, we're no stranger to the concept of localism. Whether we're debating over an incoming multinational grocery store or cheering on our favorite Hatch Detroit contestant (congrats Hugh!), there's always something to be said about Detroit's local movement. And certainly, it's the backbone of our Open City community.
This month's Open City panel will discuss localism in a "what's next?" type of context. We will hear from panelists who have been active in local movements here about what they see as being needed now. We will also hear from those who are just starting to get new initiatives off the ground, and finally we hope that you will share ideas you have for supporting & cultivating local business.
In addition, we'll discuss why this matters, and hope to generate renewed support of our existing (and soon to be existing) local businesses just as the holiday season approaches.
Our panelists will include:
Jess Daniel - Metro Detroit Good Food Entrepreneurs
Rachel Lutz - The Peacock Room
Larry John - Live in Woodbridge
Rufus Bartell - Founder/Brand Manager of RBI Group
and others
Hope to see you there!
-The Open City Team
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Real Spaces for Local Businesses
6:30pm - 8:00pm
So you've got a business plan and some backing, but you need to find the right spot for your new cafe/bookstore/yoga studio/market. Wouldn't it be nice to learn about what some of your options are, straight from the people who are offering them?
Please join us next Tuesday for a discussion of existing, new, and soon-to-be available and affordable retail spaces for local businesses, featuring panelists:
Ryan Cooley, O'Connor Realty
Scott Griffin, Ramscale Inc. (2051 Rosa Parks Blvd)
Kim Tandy, University Commons
James Van Dyke, The Roxbury Group
Randall Fogelman, Eastern Market Corporation
Our panelists will discuss real viable options that they have developed or are developing.
See you there!
- Open City Team