joem32

All great notes for noobs or the seasoned pro.

MLM... Seriously?

Rick, I'm in Detroit regularly, and the worst thing that's ever happened is a homeless person asked me for my change.

You are right that a mile, let alone a few blocks out can be sketchy in spots... but if you've got half a brain, you dont go there. In recognition of some awesome clean up efforts, parts of the Cass Corridor, which used to be the nearest thing to No-Man's land is cleaned up, and awesome. In fact, I spent a day down there with friends and family over the summer.

As for doing business in downtown, it's honestly been a joy for me. I look forward to going to Detroit. The city has awesome character and I'd like to be a part of the resurgence. Is it going to happen overnight, NO. Are efforts in place to make it an exemplar city, you bet. I'll close by saying Rome wasn't (re)built in a day.

rick888, I never said anything to the extent that Detroit is perfect, it's far from it (I think you'd agree with most of my original post, in fact- http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3120392). But, like any other time that Detroit is mentioned, everyone instantly becomes an expert.

In your case, I'd like to ask, where are you now and how long has it been since you've been to Detroit proper.

This has got to be the most ignorant response of the day. One, have you ever been to Detroit. And two, have you ever heard of this thing called capitalism? Last I checked, as natural born Americans, we've got the right to do what we want, where we want to do it.

Please, do take a moment to explain to me how it would be in anyone's best interest to just "let" Detroit die? (Assuming it was actually near death) Also, help me understand how building resources in and around Detroit would affect your resources wherever you are (in the Valley)?

By the way, you might want to check the data before you go trying to throw anyone under the bus, as Detroit... the dead city that you refer to. Yeah, it's a big part of what gave Michigan the lead in technology hiring in 2010.

http://www.mlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/10/michigan_was... *http://www.freep.com/article/20111006/BUSINESS06/110060525/M...

David, with due respect. You're sounding a bit hypocritical here. You make reference to Detroit as an "Armpit" when, in the same sentence you make reference to only "reading about it". Congratulations on becoming a sucker to the media stereotype.

As for brand? We are working on it. Not through what is outwardly projected, but by focusing on building great companies with products and services that fulfill our clients needs. As we, the greater Detroit community become more successful, the media will change their tune... and you'll get your "better brand".

Until then, we dont really care to pay a whole lot of credence to what the "Arm Chair Experts" have to say about Detroit and the surrounding area, because they couldn't be more wrong.

Jerf, just curious, but when was the last time that you left Brighton and spent time in Downtown Detroit outside of a sporting event?

Since everyone is an expert on Detroit, I guess we might just as well put a fence up around the place, turn off the lights, and stick a fork in it.

In reality, Detroit (proper) has lots of work to be done, there is no denying it. There are lots of rough neighborhoods, and places that need hard work. And yes, there are areas that you just dont travel at night, but thats a reality common with MANY big cities like Boston, Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. Funny thing is, each of the aforementioned has either a strong startup community, or one that is rapidly up and coming. Facts are, there are many substantial efforts and investments currently in play that are making dramatic improvements in the overall quality of the city. Of all places, I'd think that the population that makes up HN would understand resurgence, potential, and free-market capitalism, but that's obviously not the case, as each is alive and well in the city of Detroit and the greater Detroit Region.

Sure, you can argue that the political climate remains sullied. But it's better, and those who've done wrong have such a target on their head, they dare not push the limits.

Here is the biggest take away that others have hit on... Detroit is a region, and Detroit is a big part of Michigan. It's our center of commerce and it was once the most innovation rich region in the world.

To make a geographic comparison... When we think of Massachusetts, most just assume a person or company is from Boston. When someone says they are from the "Valley" they could be from San Jose, San Francisco, Palo Alto, or Mountain View... etc. Each represent geographic areas much larger than the actual town or city they are from. And the same goes for "Detroit, as you can be from Ann Arbor, Rochester, Downtown Detroit, Birmingham, Royal Oak, or wherever. For a very long time, each community within Michigan has become siloed with a provincial mentality, its a waste, and we've got no place for it any more. Silo us all you want from the outside looking in, but we'll do and make reference as we please from the inside out.

I believe that the entire Detroit region is ripe with potential, and I'll continue to take advantage of that potential to the fullest extent that I can. And I'll say to those of you who doubt Detroit, go ahead and keep at it. Leave the great and growing resources to those of us who care to make a difference.