Growing entrepreneurship

By Chris Uhl, Leadership Next steering committee member and assistant vice president, Comerica Bank

The most critical component of our region's revitalization is good old fashioned capitalism. We will not flourish in metro Detroit unless we foster an environment that encourages individuals to take risks to pursue their dreams. Generations of Detroiters believed the path to prosperity was found through the manufacturing industry. As is now abundantly clear, the game has changed forever and we all need to play a role in finding and nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Leadership Next is doing its part. We are helping United Way's Individual Development Account (IDA) program by offering mentorship opportunities to low-income individuals saving for a small business. The IDA program offers a matching grant to individuals who save a specific amount of money and participate in financial literacy and business planning sessions. The program goes a long way to help individuals establish a business that capitalizes on their unique talents while providing for themselves and their families.

In addition to the IDA program, Leadership Next is providing assistance with the Small Business Basics series. Run by United Way and IBM, this monthly series utilizes IBM's online toolkit to help small business owners grow their skill set by focusing on topics such as business planning, accounting, and banking. The first session at Lawrence Technological University had nearly 70 attendees. Many of these individuals have lost their jobs in the automotive industry and are looking to capitalize on business plans that they've been thinking about for years.

We cannot change our past, but we can reinvent our future and grow our community's capacity for entrepreneurship. Through the use of productive charitable capital - both financial and human - Leadership Next is doing just that. It's important to remember that not all of the next generation of entrepreneurs need to succeed on the scale of Henry Ford. As important as large companies are, the fabric of a community is built around small businesses like the corner market or the local barber shop.

We know these programs are only a small part of the solution, but Leadership Next believes in the power of forward momentum. Please join us in moving the region forward. When in doubt, don't just stand there -- do something.

Join us for an UnSummit, June 14

Leadership Next is proud to partner with the organizers behind The National Summit, a dialogue convening a cross-sector of business, government, labor and academic leaders. The goal of The National Summit is to develop and promote actions to improve America's competitiveness in a global economy.

As part of The National Summit, we will be participating in the UnSummit, which is a targeted dialogue focused on engaging young people in The National Summit's work.

The UnSummit is a half-day event that starts at noon on Sunday, June 14, at SmartDetroit. Young leaders from a variety of industries will gather to discuss the four issues being addressed at The National Summit: Technology, Energy, Environment and Manufacturing. Their conclusions will be shared with the organizations coordinating The National Summit and will become part of the larger conversation.

We are currently accepting applications to attend this special event. Our goal is to have 100 future leaders contribute to this important discussion. The cost of the UnSummit is $75 per participant, which includes a one-day walk-around ticket to The National Summit.

Please join the Leadership Next facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5867038458 or email julie.updyke@liveunitedsem.org to learn more.