One could call the 2011 class of Crain's "20 in their 20s" list up-and-comers, but we here at Model D would argue that they're already here. The list celebrates Metro Detroiters who may not have made a mint, but are giving this region something back through their hard work, dedication and entrepreneurial spirit. A special shout-out goes to our Crain's award winners with bigtime Detroit proper connections; among them Hostel Detroit's Emily Doerr, the Imagination Station's Jerry Paffendorf (who's quoted below), Amy Ruby of the Detroit Derby Girls and Jason Malone, who founded the Midnight Golf Program.
Excerpt:
"I think people want opportunities to engage with the city, and they're
not offered them," he said. "I think people respond to something like
that. ... One of the things we realized with our work, there are many,
many things you can do in the world and it's very difficult to get
people excited about them. ... You've got to present these things in
such a way that they're fun and inviting; not to make light of problems,
but there's a way to present things and be open for business that
doesn't just focus on the dark parts."
Check the list out
here.
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