Tell us about where you live and what makes it unique?
Trying to find a home in Detroit while I was still living in Minnesota was not an easy task. I had almost no knowledge of the city at the time, but I was fortunate enough to find the perfect house in a quaint, residential neighborhood in the heart of Corktown. I’ve enjoyed living amongst historic buildings and taking walks through the neighborhoods of brightly colored homes. The proximity to downtown and surrounding neighborhoods has made this an ideal area for me to really experience Detroit.

Tell us about your first challenge project of the year, what did you learn from the experience?

Our first challenge partnered with the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, a non-profit organization that serves as Detroit’s lead provider of business retention, attraction, and economic development services. My team was tasked with creating a system to better support small businesses in their first year of operation. While in college, I co-founded a business and so I was excited to have the opportunity to learn more about the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Detroit. KinoSol, the startup I launched, creates low-tech, solar powered food dehydrators for farmers in developing countries. As a business-to-business startup without a storefront, I assumed we faced a unique set of challenges that the businesses we interviewed would not have experienced. What I found was that the business owners faced the same difficulties as my team and our experiences were very similar. I enjoyed having the opportunity to be better acquainted with small businesses and entrepreneurs around the city.

Tell us about your host company and your role in the organization.
My host company is Marketing Associates, located right in the heart of downtown. I’m working in the creative department on the social media team. I do not have a background in marketing and I learn something new every day in this role. The skills I’m gaining through my host company are incredibly versatile and will be useful as I move forward in my career.

What kind of impact do you hope to have with your host company and within the city?

A part of my role on the social media team is running all of the social media pages for Marketing Associates. This role keeps me updated on what is happening around Detroit. As a newcomer to Michigan, this has helped me better understand the city and become more acquainted with my new home. During my challenge year, I’m looking forward to learning more about the marketing industry, diversifying my network, and continuing to grow professionally.

What are you most looking forward to in Detroit this year?
As a transplant who has only been in Michigan for about 3 months, I am looking forward to growing roots in this city and really experiencing all that Detroit has to offer. I’m enjoying sharing my experiences with friends and family living outside the state and giving them a better understanding of what Detroit is all about.

How do you believe your fellowship will shape your career moving forward?
Challenge Detroit has introduced me to a pool of outstanding, talented, and passionate people from all walks of life. Moving forward, the connections I make this year will help me expand my professional network and will be incredibly beneficial as I find my place in Detroit.

 

To see even more of Elise’s experience in Detroit so far, check out her spotlight video below.