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Bizdom U expects its graduates to not only succeed, but also to give back and provide opportunities for the next generations, and it gives them the tools they need to do just that.

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Filed under: Bizdom U | Detroit, MI | Education & Training | Financing | Start-Ups

As an entrepreneur, how does this opportunity sound to you? A free one-year program in Detroit city, with living stipends, that "teaches entrepreneurship and empowers its graduates to open successful businesses."

That's the "entrepreneurship boot camp" at Bizdom U, a non-profit organization in Detroit. It's a program founded by Dan Gilbert, Chairman and Founder of Quicken Loans, and led by a team of skilled professionals.

The Executive Director, Ross Sanders, told Crain's Detroit Business that "When we started with our initial class in January 2007, it was an entirely new initiative. Nothing the likes of it had ever been done." In fact, the organizers say that the program is unique in the United States. Sanders also says, "The program's goal is to create a new wave of entrepreneurs who will go out and start businesses within the city of Detroit."

Any adult with a high school diploma or GED is eligible. But as for the requirements, Bizdom U asks, "Are you ready to put your nose to the grindstone and perform at a high level?" It's a rigorous program, but the students have "free use of cutting-edge business technologies like Blackberries and notebook computers" in order to better help them succeed.

Upon completion of the program, each student is eligble for anywhere from $25,000 to $500,000 worth of funding towards their business, depending on whether or not they reach their goals. The students are expected to invest their time, energy, and/or resources back into the communities in and around Detroit.

Bizdom U represents a new way of thinking in this country. It expects its graduates to not only succeed, but also to give back and provide opportunities for the next generations, and it gives them the tools they need to do just that. When looking back at the first year, organizers have been pleased with the outcome. With any luck, Bizdom U can build on its successes.

I had another meeting with Blightbusters yesterday and they have officially given me access to their adwords account. It's now up to me to make things happen. The pressure is on!

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Filed under: Blight Busters | Detroit, MI | Pay Per Click Advertising

It's official! Today marks the first day out on my own in the online advertising industry! I am very excited that Blight Busters has granted me access to their adwords account and I am officially on my way to my dream.

Blight Busters has made it clear that they are unhappy with their current website and have decided to undergo a huge transition and create a brand new site. Of course this came from a little encouragement from myself and a few others within the organization. The site is rather clutered and is simply unclear to the user as to what they are all about and what they are looking for in terms of donation and volunteers.

We showed them a few examples of what we thought were better exapmles of websites for them and they loved the ideas we had. These are two examples of better quality sites that we created ourselves.

• Blightbusters New #1

• Blightbusters New #2

 Let me know what you think of the design. Until next time, Cheers!