A small business produces high end leather products in the heart of Detroit
October 21, 2016
Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan, interviews Melissa Douglas, co-founder of Douglas & Co. Detroit. Douglas & Co. Detroit was recently named to the Inc. 5000 list of fast-growing companies in Michigan. Melissa and her husband Shane founded Douglas & Co. Detroit to be a lifestyle brand that celebrates the unique characteristics of individuals. Inspired by the diversity of people, the brand offers a limited run of products within a series, less than 20-50. The commitment to small production results in a creative work environment that treasures each product as it is made. It also instills in each product a rarity that increases its value, a value that the customer will prize for years to come. A certificate is included with each creation, noting the number of products in its run, as a reminder to its uniqueness. Each item that Douglas & Co. Detroit produces is a labor of love that is deeply rooted in Detroit. One hundred percent of the manufacturing process takes place locally from start to finish. This includes the cutting, stitching and packaging. In the design process, Shane and Melissa are inspired by beautiful places, beautiful design, and the beautiful people of Detroit. The culture that surrounds them shapes their products, and their products in turn contribute to the community. They are privileged and blessed to pour their heart and souls into each product. This enables customers to walk away with more than just a product; they also receive the intrinsic satisfaction of owning something fashioned from a deep rooted passion.