Willie Brake and Caleb Rutledge didn’t need a nudge, suggestion, or PR boost. They weren’t following anyone’s advice or applying what they read in a book. They were simply doing what came natural to them; being an active member of their community. Their efforts to give back came innately, neither can really explain what drove their decision; just that it seemed natural. In fact Caleb and Willie don’t even really like the term giving back. In fact Caleb views the interns and employees from local high schools and colleges who work at his store as helping him out just as much as he is them. It’s a win/win in his eyes, an equal partnership that benefits the neighborhood as a whole more than any individual. Both have built successful businesses in neighborhoods that few would consider ripe for entrepreneurial growth, however they both share the same mindset; where there are great challenges, there lies great opportunity.
Born and raised in Detroit, Willie spent parts of his career in San Diego, Atlanta, and Indiana before returning to Detroit to start his computer sales and repair business, first in the Russel Trade Center and ultimately in a storefront at 6450 Michigan avenue in southwest Detroit earlier this year. His goal has always been to make technology affordable and accessible for everyone. Through his “All About Technology” business he provides not only used computer sales, but also maintenance, training, upgrades, and a full line of accessories. Maybe most importantly though, he employs local youth in various training programs and holds classes that teach people how to use the equipment they have. It wasn’t long ago that Willie had felt he had hit his ceiling, there was a sense that he wasn’t connected to the community around him. After an invaluable meeting with a business consultant, he began to see the myriad of opportunities that were available to him. It started off with a Launch Detroit bootcamp and then a stint at The Build Institute where he gained important knowledge and connections that would help him utilize the other opportunities. Then came Proseprus and Techtown, where he met Caleb while both in the SWOT cities program.
Caleb has utilized the same summer jobs program but also runs his own internship program year round that seeks to give neighborhood teens the experience they need to compete in the job market. He’s proudly seen some of his students go from 15 year old kids with no experience to store managers who he’s literally handed over the keys to the store to. In all over 75 teens have come through this initiative and that number will only grow. However success rarely comes without tribulations and Caleb has seen his store broken into twice in the last 3 weeks. Perseverant as ever, he vows to open up a new location, right in the same area where he had his last one, The Avenue of Fashion along Livernois.
Both men see their current situations as only the beginning. Willie hopes to take advantage of some larger funding opportunities such as the SBA programs and Launch Detroit. Caleb is working on a mobile gaming truck that can be rented out for parties or brought to schools to provide incentive to students for attendance or good grades. Both have dreams of expansion and multiple locations, but neither would ever abandon their presence in the neighborhood where they started. Bridging the technology gap that so many Detroiters face is going to be an ongoing project that they plan on seeing through. The advice they give to entrepreneurs and up and coming businesses owners of all ages educate yourself, network as much as you possible can, and most importantly “find each other”. They both agree they never would have achieved what they have without the support of people they met along the way. The key to that knowledge however seems to be embracing the community of people and businesses in your neighborhood and never missing an opportunity to make a new connection, partner, or friend.

A few of the local residents Willie has helped mentor