When most people turn 22, they’re graduating college and going off to their first job.
Lori Conerly is doing things differently. She’s creating her own job, returning to her roots in Detroit to open an all-new bridal shop called “LeeAnne’s Luxury Bridal Boutique.”
“I just love the city of Detroit,” said Conerly, inside her new store on Detroit’s northwest side. “I grew up here. I want to better the city, I can’t imagine paying tax dollars to anywhere else.”
Conerly went to school on the west side of the state and spent her college years working in bridal boutiques. She, like many people in her generation, decided she didn’t want to work for someone else. Instead, she opted to try to take what she loved and combine it what she knew best: taking the the lead.
It puts her squarely in the middle of a new trend among Generation Z, also known as post-millennials, a drive to be entrepreneurs. A recent Gallup survey showed that 8 out of 10 grade school students want to be their own boss, Conerly is making it happen.
“I never loved working for someone else,” said Conerly.
Her dream to own her own store started more than a year ago, but the business plan began to fall into place more recently. Over the past few months she’s found a location, began making cultivate relationships with vendors, and is now preparing to open her doors later this month.
Conerly even decided to launch a campaign titled, “Detroit Girls Get Married.” She aims to combat mythical statistics that the African American community doesn’t participate in marriage — and to promote black love within the community.
“I hear people talk down on my city, but in the same breath pick and choose the things they want to glorify,” said Conerly. “We need more luxuries in the actual city, for us actual city folks”, says owner, Lori Conerly. The campaign aims to show that not only do Detroit Girls Get Married, but we do it well!”
LeeAnne’s Luxury Bridal Boutique will officially open it’s doors on September 23rd, 2017. The store is located in the Grandaunt community at 18724 Grand River Avenue, and will be open from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m.
