April 30th 2024.
Deana Neely, the founder of Detroit Voltage, has been leading the city's electrical contracting services sector ever since she received her license. In the beginning, she was apprehensive about revealing her identity as a Black woman in a predominantly homogenous industry, fearing potential bias and discrimination. However, after participating in a Google accelerator program, Neely decided to put her face forward and embrace her identity proudly.
As highlighted by Planet Detroit, Neely's business serves a crucial purpose: to promote diversity and inclusion by encouraging more Black individuals to enter the construction sector. This caught the attention of Elevate, a non-profit organization based in Chicago, who appointed Neely to lead their Detroit Clean Energy Contractor Accelerator Program. The program aims to create a workforce that reflects the demographics of the city, which is almost 80% Black.
Tim Skrotzki, the associate director of Partnerships at Elevate, expressed their goal to build a network of contractors that are not only based in Detroit but also representative of the community they serve. With the city's population being predominantly Black, it is essential for contractors to reflect that diversity. Neely's success story after starting Detroit Voltage in 2016, following ten years of service at the Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department, serves as an inspiration to others. She shared with Planet Detroit how it took her months to secure her first contract, but once she did, there was no turning back. Her business quickly gained momentum, becoming one of the top electrical contractors in the city within six months, generating six figures in revenue.
Since then, Neely's company has continued to grow and expand, with the National Association of Black Women in Construction recognizing her achievements. She even opened a branch of her business in Houston and was recently listed by Forbes as one of the Next 1000 in 2021. In an interview with Forbes, Neely mentioned her upcoming book that will guide women in launching their own construction companies, a project she is passionate about. She also shared the news of Detroit Voltage signing a six-figure deal with DTE Energy to install electric charging stations for electric vehicles in the city.
When asked about her company's success, Neely explained her strategic decision to position Detroit Voltage as a leader in supporting renewable energy projects and electric vehicle infrastructure. This not only aligned with their values but also tapped into a growing market trend, attracting like-minded clients and establishing them as industry leaders. Neely also reflected on the impactful moments that have shaped their journey, such as forming a strategic partnership with the local utility provider, becoming a Google Small Business Partner, and participating in a fireside chat with the CEO of Google at a global event.
In addition to her role as a successful business owner, Neely also serves as a mentor in the Great Lakes Women's Council MentorWe Program, where she shares her insights and growth strategies with other female entrepreneurs. She is also in the final stages of writing a book to help women seamlessly launch their own construction businesses, a project that reflects her determination and resilience in the face of unexpected challenges. Neely's journey is a testament to her ability to overcome adversity and turn it into success, and she continues to inspire and contribute to the development of other entrepreneurs.
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