Detroit Derby Girls isn't just a roller derby league that is becoming both bigger and more popular. It's also a business that is providing entrepreneurial opportunities for young women across Metro Detroit.
"Not only do we skate but we are all our own employees," says Rene "Renegade" Cizio, a player on the
Grand Prix Madonnas. "Every skater is required to be on a committee to be part of the league."
Those committees are what make the league's bouts at the Masonic Temple happen. The participants put in the work to prepare the space, sell concessions, do promotion and balance the books. In return, each player gets a share of ownership in the league. Right now that's five teams that have between 14-20 players each.
"It's a pretty big endeavor to rent the space, train the skaters, hold the event, sell the merchandise, do crowd control," says Cizio, who is a member of the
Detroit Derby Girls marketing committee and a digital communications coordinator for a law firm for her day job. "It takes a big staff to make that happen."
Cizio adds that an average of 1,200 people attend each derby bout, and each bout this year has been a sell out. Detroit Derby Girls is a for-profit business which netted $25,000 last year. Profits are reinvested back into building the league.
Women who aspire to become part of the league go through a 30-day probationary period before earning an ownership share. Players have an option of becoming alumni members if they can't skate, such as for a pregnancy, where they can maintain their ownership status by attending public events or continuing their committee work.
"We put a lot of time and energy into it besides our committee assignments," Cizio says. "We also have to attend public events, like parades and the auto show. Each skater is required to attend one public event per quarter."
Source: Rene "Renegade" Cizio, marketing committee member for the Detroit Derby Girls
Writer: Jon Zemke
Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
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