Detroit's Small Business Climate Tough, But Improving
by: Pat BatchellerSurvey says it's hard to start a business, but training and networking programs are strong.
Survey says it's hard to start a business, but training and networking programs are strong.
Tensions in Asia won't deter local delegation.
This week the state could approve a bid by Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert to take a majority stake in Detroit's Greektown Casino.
WDET's J. Carlisle Larsen caught up with Michigan Economic Development Corporation President Michael Finney at the Governor's Economic Summit.
American Customer Service Index in Ann Arbor recently released a survey which ranks the best and worst companies for customer service. Craig speaks with David VanAmburg, Managing Director at American Customer Service Index, and Tom Shanahan, Partner at Customerservice.com, about the survey, what makes great customer service and how social media is changing the landscape.
One Woodward is 10th Rock Ventures purchase.
A proposed land sale on Detroit's East Side to Hantz Farms has spurred conversation and debate on the scale and future of urban farming in the city. Craig takes your calls on the issue and tries to further the discussion after the conversation from this Wednesday's show.
Use the audio player above to listen and feel free to leave your comments below.
When you hit the shops for the holidays, do you think about where your purchases come from? Craig takes listener calls on whether or not they think about buying American- or Michigan-made products as they shop for loved ones in the holiday rush.
Pioneering scientist and inventor Stan Ovshinsky has died at age 89 from prostate cancer.
Ovshinsky is credited with developing the rechargeable nickel-metal hydride battery, which is now widely used to power laptop computers, cell phones, and electric cars.
Executive Mark Hackel says businesses worth at least $1M should flourish.
The group Count Me In For Women's Economic Independence is coming to Detroit for Urban Rebound, a business growth conference and competition for women business owners in Michigan. Craig speaks with Nell Merlino, Founder and President of Count Me In, about the conference, some of the challenges women entrepreneurs still face and ways to help women grow their businesses.
Craig speaks with R.J. King, author of dBusiness article, Powered By Women and Christine Rice, President of Vision IT in Detroit.
The first-ever satellite office for the United States Patent and Trademark Office will open in July.
Craig speaks with Mike Walcoff, Acting Under Secretary for Benefits in the Department for Veterans Affairs, about the National Veteran Small Business Conference, which runs June 26-29 at Cobo Hall.
Craig talks with Enterprising Health Director Chandra McMillion and Enterprising Health Lead Entrepreneur Yodit Mesfin-Johnson about Friday's Health City Summit at Wayne State University.
As City of Detroit officials consider options to improve targeted neighborhoods under the Detroit Works Project… private citizens are considering new ways of using technology to help residents activate redevelopment on their block. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to Jerry Paffendorf of Loveland Technologies – a Detroit based internet firm – about his latest concepts in mapping and information sharing around vacant properties for sale.
Craig talks with Executive Director of the New Economy Initiative Dave Egner, First Step Fund Manager Mahendra Ramsinghani and Coliant Corporation CEO John Swiatek about the work of the New Economy Initiative, a philanthropic development fund aimed at reigniting business innovation in Detroit.
New web site features links and original news content by local journalists.
Huntington Bank President of southeast Michigan Mike Fezzey joins Craig to discuss the Lemonade day and how they are teaching young people to be entrepreneurs.
A Detroit artist and teacher is working with area foundation grants and a new art center to offer a special opportunity to kids in the city. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to Steve Coy – half of the street art collective known as the “Hygienic Dress League” – about his latest effort called “Swagon”.
Brothers, Etienne and Eddie Farah, join Craig to talk about their food-inspired business ventures.
“I knew from the day we started that they (the City of Detroit) were going to come eventually… without a doubt. You can’t do this on the scale that we were doing it and not raise some eyebrows eventually.” – Ken Poirier, Co-Creator of Theatre Bizarre
Theatre Bizarre creators John Dunivant and Ken Poirier say they don’t expect their annual, underground masquerade to return to its original location inside a burned out residential neighborhood near the vacant Michigan State Fairgrounds again.
Green Toe Gardens co-owners Rich Wieske and Joan Mandell join the Craig Fahle Show to talk about their beekeeping workshop.
Amy discusses clipping to save with his guest, coupon expert Faatima Evans.
Detroit Artist Miguel "BeloZro" Yeoman and James Feagin, Project Manager for Imagine Detroit Together, join Craig to discuss the Imagine Detroit Together project.
Craig discusses the opening of Royal Blood, the new exhibit at Start Gallery, with the gallery's founder, Jason Reed.
Matt Prentice refuses to give up on Detroit Foodies. The well known, longtime restaurateur, plans to open five eateries this year. Craig speaks with Matt about his plans and more.
Event means millions for local economy, but how does that translate at the local level?
New CEO of Tech Town, Leslie Smith, stops by to talk with Craig about what's new at Midtown's technological center. Smith has stepped-up to fill the shoes formerly worn by Randal Charlton. Their discussion also branches out into what this all means for Detroit. TechTown supports 250 companies, has trained more than 2,200 entrepreneurs and has helped its client companies raise $14 million in funding.
Gary Remer--Shareholder at Southfield-based Maddin, Hauser, Wartell, Roth & Heler, P.C.--joins Craig to talk about retail franchise potential in Detroit.
David Farbman, President of The Farbman Group, joins Craig to discuss the 'Reignite Retail' initiative happening in Detroit.
Detroiter Hajj Flemings is the Founder and CEO of GoKit, an online identity platform that allows people to manage their online presence.
A Metro Detroit artist known for her watercolor works is branching out into fashion. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke recently to Jaclyn Schanes about her new “Jacx” clothing line.
“It’s like a trip to Disneyland for your mind, except the rides come to you!” - Ron Arnold, TEDx Detroit attendee.
My look at TEDx Detroit 2011 by Rob St. Mary
Craig talks to Crain's Detroit Business Reporter Dan Duggan about locally-based construction company, Barton Malow, transitioning to its fourth generation of Maibach leadership: Ryan Maibach.
As the city gears up for the Detroit Design Festival, eight days of events aimed at celebrating and attracting entrepreneurial creatives, WDET's Nichole Christian talks with Chandra Moore, a California-born young architect who sees bringing innovative design to urban communities as a way to combat despair in Detroit and other cities.
The Urban Network Book Store has been a gathering place for local business and community activism near the former Olympia Stadium in Detroit for the past two-and-a-half years. Today and Saturday, a grand re-opening will celebrate the expansion of the store’s mission. WDET’s Rob St. Mary talked to Yusef Shakur – a Detroit social activist and the owner of the store about the expansion.
The Art Effect Gallery in Detroit’s Eastern Market is opening a new show Saturday. Called “Constant Flux”, it offered artists a chance to use the gallery walls to evolve their ideas over the past month before Saturday’s opening. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to Craig Nowak, the gallery manager, and artist Blake Carmichael about the show.
A new rotating multi-artist retail space is opening in Detroit’s midtown neighborhood on Saturday. WDET’s Rob St. Mary spoke to Margarita Barry – the creator of 71 POP.
WDET's Nichole Christian talks with the owners of The Sunday Dinner Company, a new downtown restaurant that boasts a menu of southern comfort food and a staff of ex-convicts and senior citizens.
A big name from the basketball and business world is returning to his home state with an appetite to grow new ideas. WDET’s Rob St. Mary reports.
Metro Times writer Travis Wright joins us in studio to talk about his cover story on Kickstarter, and what other crowd-sourcing sites are doing for Detroit.
WDET in Detroit is exploring the state of new business in Southeast Michigan.
Do you see signs of food entrepreneurship where you live in Metro Detroit?
At the 2011 Mackinac Policy Conference, Craig sat down with Doug Kearney, a Principal for Glencoe Capital, to find out about the company's entrepreneurial approach.