Detroit Teaches Professionals to Kick Ass or Get Out

I almost left. It’s true. It almost happened. I was gone (in Chicago) for over a month. I kept working with Biznet-a Detroit-based web development company. …but then, I returned.

After the hundredth article like this (WSJ: “The Next Youth-Magnet Cities“), perpetuating the brain drain we know all to well in Detroit, I started to get irritated.

That doesn’t mean I might not leave again at some point, but I’m so sick of people being too lazy to seize or create new opportunities in their own backyard. I know many of you are trying. I’m not talking to you (see below). But I do hope you feel challenged to take another perspective or get motivated.

I recently had the opporunity to chat with Shelli Gutholm, a talent recruiter based in Detroit. She and I were discussing some mutual connections then realized we, in fact, had a TON of mutual connections. Another friend of mine, Adrian Pittman, and I were just discussing his experience finding and recruiting Detroit talent he uses to blow clients away. Don’t perpetuate the brain drain fallacy.

You see, this is how Detroit works. You have the opportunity to fight to achieve in Detroit what you wouldn’t be even considered for elsewhere. The talent that is here is known, respected, and SUPPORTED here. It’s evidenced in local events, like Detroit Tweetups or the upcoming TEDxDetroit. There isn’t a week that goes by I don’t have a conversation with a Detroit-based thought leader, industry-innovator, or entrepreneur who isn’t working like crazy to make a difference and profit. (Yes, “make a difference” preceded “profit” for a reason.)

Bottom line: This is Detroit. Unlike other cities, we don’t coddle the weak. Kick some ass or move on.