AnThis week, I happened to notice TechTown posted an article on their facebook page about female entrepreneurs in Detroit. The article states young women will be the real builders of Detroit and play a key role in the city's economic and cultural revival. During my time here in Detroit, I have witnessed firsthand many female entrepreneurs making their mark on the city.
The ladies of Duke Engage Detroit
While attending Shop Talk, a monthly gathering of entrepreneurs at a local barbershop, I met Melissa Butler, founder and owner of the all-natural lipstick company “The Lip Bar”. She left a job on Wall Street to return to her home city of Detroit and start her own company.
Melissa Butler, founder of The Lip Bar
Then I met Julie Andreae, co-founder of Secure Beginnings, a Detroit based manufacturer of breathable crib mattresses. Her story was personal; she was motivated to start this company after she lost a loved one to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Julie Andreae, founder of Secure Beginnings
At the Forward Cities convening, I listened to Carolyn Cassin speak about her experience and commitment to furthering women’s entrepreneurship in Michigan. As an entrepreneur herself, she revolutionized the way people die in the United States by helping to start the Hospice of Michigan and the Jacob Perlow Hospice in New York. She currently serves as the president and CEO of the Michigan Women’s Foundation, an organization devoted to fostering Michigan women’s economic empowerment through microloans and other programs. Carloyn is also is the managing partner of a venture capital fund for startups with at least one female founder called Belle Capital.
Carolyn Cassin
Perhaps the most inspiring female entrepreneurs I've met in Detroit are some of our wonderful Venture for America mentors. Angela's mentor Clare works at SocialProof, an online reviews startup in Detroit that’s bringing word-of-mouth online for service professionals. Liz's mentor Kate is an associate at Endeavor Detroit, a non-profit that supports high-impact entrepreneurs around the world. Shelby's mentor Lauren works at another Detroit-based incubator called PonyRide.
All of these people have shown me that entrepreneurship can be an important tool for empowering the lives of young women. Programs like the Michigan Women's Foundation and Venture for America are crucial to helping not only their participants, but those around them who are directly and indirectly affected by the work of entrepreneurs.
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