Royal Oak

Ink Detroit aims to take t-shirt/garment business national

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January 22, 2015

T-shirt companies are a dime a dozen when it comes new business starts. There are low-barriers of entry and lots of people with ideas for clever garment designs. Ink Detroit is the exception to that rule. The 10-year-old company has its t-shirt designs, such as its trademark "I Love Detroit" brand, in a stores across Michigan. It employs four people after hiring a sales manager last year. And now the company plans to hire a few more people later this year as it looks to take its business national. So what's the secret to success in such a competitive industry? Experience, according to Ink Detroit's president & owner Steve Mansour. He and his partner have years of experience in fashion and garment industries, and Manour's family has been in the business for a long time. It's the type of inside track that often leaves newcomers in the dust. "They don't have the network capabilities to get their product into distribution," Mansour says. So the Royal Oak-based company has grown. Its revenue is up 30 percent over the last year after adding a few new retailers in 2014. "We're curated in 25 stores locally," Mansour says. One of those new stores is one in Metro Airport. Its parent company has 145 locations across the country. Mansour hopes to leverage those connections to launch his new Ink City brand later this year in major metro areas such as Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Miami. The new brand will be locally specific much like I Love Detroit is today. "It's pretty much city themed merchandise geared toward those cities," Mansour says. Ink Detroit is also looking at expanding locally, too. The company is aiming to open a retail location in downtown Detroit later this year. "We'd like to have a full-time operation there," Mansour says. Source: Steve Mansour, president & owner of Ink Detroit Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Innovative Learning Group set to move to bigger office in Troy

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General

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January 22, 2015

Innovative Learning Group has been a staple of downtown Royal Oak for years, and now it’s going to become a staple of Troy. The 10-year-old business consultancy purchased a new building in Troy last December with plans to execute a move later this year. The new office is more than twice as large coming in at 10,100 square feet. "We will be spending the year remodeling the building and moving just before the end of this calendar year," says Lisa Toenniges, CEO of Innovative Learning Group. Innovation Learning Group specializes in training and human performance improvement for businesses. It has grown 40 percent over the last year and is looking to add another 15 percent this year. Most of that growth comes from its mobile work. "Using your tablet or smartphone for learning or doing your job better," Toenniges says. That increase in work has led to more hiring at Innovative Learning Group. It has hired six people over the last year, including project managers, graphic designers and office managers. It is also looking to hire another three (a consultant, project manager, and sales professional) to add to its current staff of 17 employees. "We are full up (on space for employees) here in Royal Oak," Toenniges says. Source: Lisa Toenniges, CEO of Innovative Learning Group Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Royal Oak gets web-savvy parking meters

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Community Development

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January 15, 2015

You know the future is now when even the dreaded parking meter has an app and happily accepts internet transactions. Excerpt: The sticker represents Royal Oak’s partnership with Parkmobile, a parking payment provider that allows visitors to conduct parking transactions via their smart phones. Users can pay for parking through the internet, a mobile application or a toll-free number. There also are options for users to receive alerts to notify them when the time on the meter is set to expire. Read the rest here.

Reach Influence scores $5M in VC, aims to add staff

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Economic Development

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January 15, 2015

Reach Influence has scored $5 million in seed capital to start off the new year, scoring investments from Detroit Venture Partners and Vineyard Capital Group to lead the round. The downtown Royal Oak-based startup specializes in helping retailers maximize their sales through analytics gathered from its software. It had previously received an investment from Vineyard Capital Group in 2012, and plans to spend much of 2015 using its newfound seed capital to build on that initial investment's foundation. "We are leveraging that mainly in people and technology," says Susan Dettloff, marketing director of Reach Influence. "We plan to grow our team this year." The 5-year-old startup has hired four people over the last year, including analysts and program managers. It currently has a staff of 22 employees and the occasional intern. Reach Influence provides technical and design services, such as data capture and analysis, to retailers and wholesalers. The startup’s software platform helps its clients measure marketing efficacy, engage shoppers, and provide an outlet to deliver digital offers by collecting daily transaction data. After Vineyard Capital Group made its initial investment in 2012, Reach Influence’s team spend its time improving its software platform and installing better processes in the business. It rebranded to Reach Influence in 2013 and has been growing the company ever since. "We have grown our sales quite a bit," Dettloff says. "Every year has been a building year in one way or another." Source: Susan Dettloff, marketing director of Reach Influence Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Vodka, gin distillery, tastng room planned for Royal Oak

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Arts & Culture

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January 8, 2015

Royal Oak may soon be home to small distillery and tasting room. Five Lakes Distillery received a small distiller license from the city commission this week, paving the way for owners Craig Schlicht and Keith Reid to make vodka, initially, and then, eventually, gin from a small space at 4320 Rochester Road. The plan is to produce vodka on site, 90 percent of it for distribution, 10 percent on site for the weekend-only tasting room, which will take up 190 square feet of the 855-square-foot facility. The owners have a permit to produce up to 60,000 gallons of spirits per year, says Todd Fenton, the city's manager of economic development, but as of now they expect to produce closer to 6,000 gallons. No opening date has been set as other city permits are still required. If successful, Five Lakes could join metro-Detroit-made spirits success stories such as Valentine Vodka in Ferndale, Hard Luck Candy Vodka in St. Clair Shores, Griffin Claw Brewing Co. in Birmingham and Zim's Vodka based in Warren. Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Todd Fenton, economic development manager, city of Royal Oak

Genisys Credit Union expands into Royal Oak with downtown branch

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General

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December 18, 2014

Genisys Credit Union is opening its 24-hour branch in downtown Royal Oak this week, bringing the Auburn Hills-based financial institutional closer to another part of its membership. "We have wanted to be in Royal Oak for quite some time," says Tom Alter, CMO of Genisys Credit Union. "We have a lot of members who live in Royal Oak and the surrounding communities. We feel it is a thriving community." The new branch is located at 530 N Main on the northern edge of downtown. Six new people will work at the branch. The credit union has hired 78 people in 2014 and is currently looking to fill six open positions. It has just under 149,000 members, which is up 3.9 percent over the last year. It has made $300 million in consumer loans in 2014, which is also up 14 percent. The organization’s total assets are up 6 percent to $1.651 billion. Genisys Credit Union doesn’t plan to open any new branches next year but is in the process of revamping some of its existing ones. It is upgrading its Oxford branch from a storefront to a free-standing building set to open in late January. It is also improving its Waterford branch. "It's a small branch for us that we need to expand for our members and staff," Alter says. Source: Tom Alter, CMO of Genisys Credit Union Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Royal Oak formulates downtown retail development plan

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Arts & Culture

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December 18, 2014

A national retail consultant has looked at the city of Royal Oak and what's wrong and right with its retail situation as the city works to "confirm its position as a retail and entertainment destination." The city hired The Retail Coach out of Mississippi in September. The company has worked with dozens of local governments, chambers of commerce and economic development corporations in more than 250 cities, guiding them through development and redevelopment of their retail offerings. The assessment for Royal Oak was expected to be presented to the City Council this week. The assessment will gauge consumer demand and analyze retail trade areas and retail gaps and opportunities. The analysis will target 52 retail categories that are weak or underperforming in Royal Oak. “Royal Oak has always enjoyed a reputation as one of Michigan’s most exciting cities with several award-winning boutiques and galleries, and a bustling nightlife,” Royal Oak Economic Development Manager Todd Fenton says in a statement from The Retail Coach. “By bringing The Retail Coach on board to assist with our retail business attraction efforts, Royal Oak aims to be a showcase of distinct retailers that provide an unparalleled shopping experience...People and businesses are increasingly relocating to walkable urban environments, and Royal Oak boasts one of Michigan’s most dynamic and desirable downtowns," Fenton says. "As foot traffic continues to increase during the day with the addition of new residents and office users, the time is right for a coordinated retail attraction initiative to attract retailers who fit into our unique city.” Source: The Retail Coach Writer: Kim North Shine

Dye & Dash express haircolor salon opens in Troy

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Arts & Culture

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December 4, 2014

The owners of two successful metro Detroit hair salons are the creators of a new specialized salon that's dedicated to quick and affordable hair coloring. Dye & Dash opened Dec. 2 at 3296 Rochester Road in Troy. Industry veterans Tomy Lulgjuraj and George and Johnny Nikollaj, co-owners of 6 Salon in Birmingham and Royal Oak, partnered with longtime employee Constance Abro to oversee a trained, experienced staff that specializes in matching, formulating and applying hair color. With the tagline, "We Dye, You Dry," the 2,000-square-foot salon includes a blow-dry bar where customers can use blow dryers, flat irons, hairbrushes and hair products at no extra charge after a color. Dye & Dash is likely the first salon of its kind in metro Detroit, and the concept has taken root in other states. Dye & Dash offers color for men and women with services such as touch-ups (the Take Root service is $30), highlights (the Bombshell's full head of foils is $65, and the Lucky 7 with seven foils is $30), Bump the Base for $30 and low lights for $5. A sweet treat conditioning is $15. “Two things inspired us to create the Dye & Dash concept, with the first being the continued demand for salon service segmentation,” says Abro, a co-owner and manager of Dye & Dash. “Not everyone has the need, time, desire or budget for a full-service salon experience every time, and we understand that." The color salon is the latest evolution of beauty salons, he says. "First came blow-out bars, then eyebrow bars, and we see color bars as the next logical step…,"he says. The owners also see potential to attract the at-home colorers. It is "our mission to get both men and women to move away from the pitfalls of home hair coloring,” Abro says. “There are endless reasons why hair coloring should be left to professionals. Hopefully by lowering the cost barrier to color treatments, we can convince some DIY hair dye enthusiasts to see what a difference a salon can make.” Source: Monica Cheick, PublicCityPR Writer: Kim North Shine

Royal Oak food scene adds reopened creperie and celeb chef burgers

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Arts & Culture

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November 20, 2014

A steady flow of restaurant openings is continuing in Royal Oak with the re-opening of a creperie and the arrival of Iron Chef Michael Symon's B Spot Burgers last week. The Royal B Spot, which advertises Burgers Brats Beer on its black awning at 310 S. Main Street, is the second metro Detroit location in the string of restaurants Symon originally started in Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Symon was perhaps the first big name to gamble on a restaurant and Detroit's comeback when he opened his high-end restaurant, Roast, at the Book Cadillac Hotel in 2008. The Royal Oak B Spot joins a Rochester Hills location that opened in May at the Village of Rochester Hills, and Symon, a Food Network chef, plans another B Spot at Partridge Creek shopping center in Clinton Township. B Spot Burgers are known for creative and unusual burger toppings and combos or just regular cheeseburgers and milkshakes. On the less meaty side of the restaurant scene in downtown Royal Oak is the re-opening of a creperie. The Crepe Bistro Lounge opened last week at 317 South Washington in the spot where What Crepe once operated. The partners in What Crepe stayed on. Customers looking for the crepes that come in sweet and savory varieties and a daily special with fresh ingredient combos are coming back. Source: The Crepe, Michael Symon Restaurants and Royal Oak DDA Writer: Kim North Shine

Synergy System Solutions brings alternative energy to Michigan

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Economic Development

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November 20, 2014

Jerry Eden has worded in the energy industry for 20-plus years, including more than a dozen in an electricians union. In that time he has noticed Michigan seems to be lacking when it comes to keeping up with technological improvements. "We seem to lag behind a little bit as far as technology advancement in Michigan," Eden says. "Sometimes a lot." So he started to do something about it six months ago by starting Synergy System Solutions. The Royal Oak-based startup specializes in integrating new technology into everyday uses. More times than not that has to do with adding alternative energy to the mix. That could mean adding solar arrays to light poles to help keep streetlights on more cost-effectively. Or adding alternative energy generators to machines that work in remote places, such as the blinking arrows that steer construction traffic in the right direction far away from the nearest electrical plug. Eden has been working with a number of different alternative energy players in Metro Detroit, including the Green Team Coalition at the NextEnergy campus in Detroit's New Center neighborhood. He hopes these projects help create more jobs in Michigan. It has already led to the creation of a three-person staff at Synergy System Solutions. "I want us to be at the forefront of Michigan’s disruptive technology," Eden says. "Doing things differently, but innovative." Source: Jerry Eden, president of Synergy System Solutions Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.