Devon O'Reilly

Contributor - Resident "Man about Town". Living and working in Detroit, he has passed through the doors or over 400 bars, restaurants, and establishments in the city. Always on the hunt for a new pla

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creativesDetroit Entrepreneurship east side

The Newest Hub For Detroit's Creatives Might Not Be Where You Think

Through my work in Detroit’s incredibly vibrant and complex entrepreneurial ecosystem I’ve come across some amazing people and places. These hotspots of creativity and ingenuity inhabit a variety of sectors, services and geographic locations. To any entrepreneur names like Bamboo, Techtown, MOCAD, Ponyride, and The Build Institute are exceedingly familiar. Depending on your idea or interest, you may have set foot in one, if not all, of these places and know the faces of their fearless leaders...

The Big Business Of Detroit Entrepreneurship

These days it seems that time in Detroit is measured faster than everywhere else. In some cities, five years is barely enough time to open a few new offices or build a couple chain restaurants. In Detroit, it’s enough to assemble a veritable dining powerhouse that is emerging nationally as a food destination – complete with a unique lineup of restaurants that reflect Detroit’s passion, flare and creativity. The energy is not limited to the food economy and it’s palpable to visitor and local al...

Building A ‘Uneek’ Empire

Big ideas often start with seemingly insignificant beginnings. For Rob Collins it was a pair of scissors and a chair in the basement — nothing more than a way to make some extra money during high school. A few haircuts for friends would years later spark a multi-company endeavor spanning everything from clothing and makeup to brand consulting and music. The turning point for Rob came in 2002 when he was laid off from his job as a pipeliner. He decided “if I’m going to fall behind or fail, it’s...

The Art of Giving Back And Knowing What You Don’t Know

Willie Brake and Caleb Rutledge didn’t need a nudge. They weren’t following anyone’s advice or looking for a PR boost. They were simply doing what came natural; using their businesses to actively give back to their community. But Caleb and Willie don’t even really like the term “giving back.” In fact, as Caleb explains about the interns and employees from local high schools and colleges who work at his GamesVille USA store, “I honestly view them as helping me out as I might be helping the...

businessDetroit regional chamber Entrepreneurship

What Do Entrepreneurs Want From (The Rest Of) The Business Community?

In the year since I started my gig at the Detroit Regional Chamber I’ve been working to answer that question; diving into Detroit’s vast, sometimes fragmented, and always exciting entrepreneurial community to see where we as an organization could be more collaborative and supportive. Trips to places like TechTown, Bamboo Detroit, Ponyride, and Build Institute have taken me to the connecting points to further one goal: Understanding what the Detroit Regional Chamber and the larger business...