Latest / Serious Lady Business / Detroit Series: Building Talent, Access, and a New Future for the City with Christina Ware
Transcript
- Leslie Youngblood (00:01.295) Welcome back to Serious Lady Business. I'm Leslie Youngblood, your host, feminist, and founder of Youngblood MMC, a marketing media and content agency. Today, I would like you to meet Christina Ware. Chris is a workforce innovation expert, civic connector, and Detroit business leader committed to building systems that create opportunity. She has spent more than a decade designing talent pipelines and public sector workforce strategies across Michigan and Illinois, earning recognition as a Crain's Detroit business 40 under 40 honoree. She is known for her ability to bring people together, government, business, and community to drive meaningful, sustainable impact. She leads with intention, emotional intelligence, and a deep love for Michigan. Welcome to Serious Lady Business, Chris. Christina Ware (00:47.584) Yes, thank you for having me, Leslie. I'm looking forward to this conversation today. Leslie Youngblood (00:51.578) Same, same. I can't wait to dive in with you. You have such a unique perspective on building talent, access and a new future for Detroit as a city. And a lot of that stems from your current position and where you've been, I believe, for about 15 years with the Allegious Group. That's pretty rare, I feel like, to be with an organization that long. What's kept you growing there and how has your role evolved? Christina Ware (01:18.562) Yeah, so currently work at tech systems and at a leisure group. There's multiple operating companies. There's AeroTech, there's Aston Carter, there's tech systems. I started my career at AeroTech as a recruiter and I just fell in love with the art and the science of getting to know someone's goals, skills and interests and understanding, you know, how we can ultimately marry that with a company's, the opportunities that an organization might have. And so I fell in love with that and I wanted to continue to build on that. And it's just snowballed into me being at Tech Systems and in my current role supporting workforce development in the government space. Leslie Youngblood (02:08.357) That's fantastic. love that you said that it's an art as well as a science because I think a lot of times people just think, HR, it's just interviewing people and having a chat. And there's so much more to it, especially when it comes to bringing in the right team, the right mix of people to help progress an organization. And so were you always a people person or did you always kind of have that people and like science kind of like melding together throughout your life? Christina Ware (02:37.122) Well, I feel like I was always a people person. And pretty early on when I was a little girl, my uncle always used to say, you you should go into business or sales or marketing. And I wanted to stay in the engineering and sciences lane. Hence I got my degree in design. And then I think quickly as I started to grow up, I started to realize I do like the sales and marketing and I love that because I love people. Leslie Youngblood (02:48.751) Love it. Christina Ware (03:05.902) I genuinely love people. I love building relationships and I love getting to know all the different spaces that people fit and how the world goes around. Leslie Youngblood (03:15.885) amazing. I love that. feel like life does tend to surprise us and we I think maybe it's better now. I don't know how it is for kids coming up, but you don't just have to be one or the other. You can find something opportunity that does allows you to do all of those things. So and I think that's and then when that happens, you have this synergy of your passions and you're just lit up, which I think again contributes to your success and what you are able to do so well. Christina Ware (03:31.309) Yes. Leslie Youngblood (03:42.277) And so, when did workforce development and community engagement become more of just a side passion? When did it really kind of shift for you, Chris? Christina Ware (03:53.902) You know, it shifted for me once I started to see the excitement and the impact that I was having by placing individuals really early on as a recruiter into different roles. I wasn't just placing them. These were individuals that are people's mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters that were excited about a career change. And I had the power to be able to help them get into their dream job or something along the way that could help them get the skills that they needed, you know, to continue to see their dreams out or see their career grow. you know, for me and that's sake, it gave me a lot of excitement and fulfillment. And then the flip side to that, you know, supporting these different customers or these different organizations that Aerotech, Aston Carter Tech Systems had. Leslie Youngblood (04:46.437) Mm-hmm. Christina Ware (04:50.742) I was able to see the positive impacts we were having on their organizations, being able to hit their goals because we're placing top talent in these spaces. And so through all that, I wanted to continue to further that and deepen that by getting myself involved in the community to help upskill in any way that I can help educate some of our community partners and some of the organizations that are in these spaces. help educate them so that they can upscale these individuals out there so they can go to work at these different organizations that had company or jobs available. And so it's, I don't wanna say this, I like to look at it as enhancing the talent pipeline and the overall workforce ecosystem. And so by doing that is, like I said, getting involved from the candidate experience to the Leslie Youngblood (05:40.047) you Leslie Youngblood (05:43.866) Yeah. Leslie Youngblood (05:48.537) Yes. Christina Ware (05:49.294) hiring manager experience all the way to the community partners and just being involved. Leslie Youngblood (05:54.243) Yeah, and then being able to have a positive impact on your home state in your community. And you realize that there are so many incredible, motivated, passionate people here. These organizations don't have to look outside of the state to bring in talent. We have a community that's ready and eager here. And with the right skills and the right placement in work that you do, everybody wins. And it seems so obvious. Christina Ware (06:00.482) Mm-hmm. Christina Ware (06:18.434) Mm-hmm. Christina Ware (06:22.146) Definitely. Leslie Youngblood (06:23.235) But I'm sure I know it's not an obvious thing to a lot of organizations. And I know, you know, previously you've shared, you watched your parents on boards. were board members growing up and they were active in your community as well. How did that shape the way that you lead today, Chris? Christina Ware (06:35.694) Mm-hmm. Christina Ware (06:40.696) think pretty early on, was instilled in me that, know, partly why the world goes around is because there's people that look like, are different than us, look different than us, talk different than us, and that's okay. And it's also okay to be yourself and still break down barriers and glass ceilings and so on and so forth. And I feel like my parents being involved in these different spaces has helped shape me because I've literally seen them doing it and it... Leslie Youngblood (06:51.429) Mm-hmm. Christina Ware (07:09.326) how do I say it encouraged me to want to pour into the community and give back and reach back and pull others along with me along the way, you know? And so, yeah, just watching that and having those examples in my life made me even more motivated to want to get involved. I feel like it's just a part of me. Leslie Youngblood (07:27.909) I love that. Right, I love that. And I feel like probably for your parents, I don't want to speak for them, but as a parent too, you don't realize how your kids are watching and paying attention. And I'm sure every time your parents participate in an event, they weren't like, Chris, watch, look at us do this. We need to pay attention. But you just, it just, you assimilated that because that's what you were, that world that they. Christina Ware (07:39.192) Definitely. Christina Ware (07:42.956) No Leslie Youngblood (07:51.481) they opened your eyes to and showed you as possible and all the importance of doing that. And I just think that is so important then now forever to be able to do that and how that inspires you. Like you said, to pull people forward and to give back, to pull up and do all of those things. really starts, you know, it starts like you don't have to go out today and. Christina Ware (07:53.346) Yes. Christina Ware (08:05.259) Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Leslie Youngblood (08:13.381) I don't know do X, Y, and Z. You can start at your home with you and with your family. You don't have to have kids with the brother or sister or cousin or friend. You know, like that's really impactful and that really makes a difference too. So I just love that. I love that so much. And you've had a front row seat to Detroit's evolution over the past, you know, 20 plus years. What does the real Detroit comeback look like to you, Chris? Christina Ware (08:16.834) Yeah. Christina Ware (08:21.377) Absolutely. Christina Ware (08:26.273) You Christina Ware (08:39.342) the real Detroit comeback, that's a lot. Leslie Youngblood (08:41.718) The real one, the real one. Christina Ware (08:44.61) That's a, the real Detroit comeback looks like, how do I say, the generation that is making moves and I don't want to say this. I feel like there's a uproar, uprising right now. You know, it's super exciting to see Mary Sheffield recently elected mayor elect Mayor Sheffield. So excited for her and her new ideas, her vision. Leslie Youngblood (09:08.549) again. Christina Ware (09:14.366) everything that she's doing for not just Detroit, but that's also having a ripple effect across the state of Michigan. I think with her new energy and all the things that she has in coming and things that she's going to put in place, it's going to be a resurgence to the city and allow for spaces and other communities to continue to snowball and then grow from that. I'm really excited for what I'm seeing with entrepreneurship in Michigan. There seems to be a Leslie Youngblood (09:20.548) Yes. Leslie Youngblood (09:41.327) What? Christina Ware (09:44.078) surge in that. I don't think that Detroit is one of those cities where it never really lost its hustle, but they needed some energy to plug into those ideas to then, it's almost like watering a plant. Once you water a plant over time, it grows. I feel like Detroit's ecosystem as entrepreneurship is concerned, Leslie Youngblood (09:51.513) Mm-hmm. Leslie Youngblood (09:57.259) I don't know to I'm scared. Leslie Youngblood (10:05.892) Yeah. Christina Ware (10:13.31) needed some watering and it's really cool to see how what the ripple effect is from that. Then you have there's a tech space and there's tech hubs that are that are getting activated and that's also really exciting to see and what it looks like is just honestly this new generation coming up and putting their stamp and their imprint in you know the future into the future and yeah I'm looking forward to see how this all pans out. Leslie Youngblood (10:20.805) Mm-hmm. Leslie Youngblood (10:37.797) you Leslie Youngblood (10:41.753) same. Me too. I always say like, man, it was so different when I was a young adult coming up and I wanted to, I think it's just because too, I was raised in the burbs. I'm like, get me out of here. I want to go to New York City, right? And I don't want, this is ridiculous, but I can't tell you how thankful I am to be here and living here and watching this and playing some small part in, you know, what is going on in the city. Because like you said, there is so much opportunity and unlike a Silicon Valley or a New York City, Christina Ware (10:51.875) Yeah. Christina Ware (11:01.688) Mm-hmm. Christina Ware (11:08.407) Yes. Leslie Youngblood (11:11.415) It's like a little big city and you still feel like you're making an impact and people are so open and helpful and welcoming. And I feel like there is that energy there. Like you said, we finally watered the plant and it's really starting, you know, to fully blossom and hopefully we'll continue to blossom and grow and grow and all those things. Is there something that excites you the most, Chris, about Detroit's current moment or is there then like contrast? Is there something that still keeps you up at night? Christina Ware (11:23.244) Yes. Mm-hmm. Christina Ware (11:42.586) let see. Right now, I just am excited for Detroit. I just, I'm going to continue to say, think over the last, we'll just say even 15 years, it's been, you know, really exciting to see how Detroit has just overcame so many obstacles and has bounced back, you know, through the Leslie Youngblood (11:45.305) you Christina Ware (12:11.436) window of adversity and is now one of the most rising cities in the country for new things that are coming and allowing for individuals to grow. And so I'm just really excited to have that momentum continue to shine. yeah, Detroit is where you want to be, honestly. Leslie Youngblood (12:31.621) I agree. I agree. Unless, I mean, right now though in the winter, it's a little not ideal, but we can handle it. We're tough, but other than that, great. Love it. Our winters are hard here in the Midwest. That's all right. Makes us tougher. It makes us tougher. Maybe that's what keeps us up at night. What is the temperature going to be tomorrow or the next week? mean, it's just a little rough, but that's okay. We'll get through it. We'll get through it. Christina Ware (12:36.322) low-coat, yeah. Yes, definitely. Mm-hmm. Definitely. Mm-hmm. Maybe. Negative 11 degrees. We'll do it. Christina Ware (12:58.862) NNNN Leslie Youngblood (13:00.285) And you know, think what's also, and I would love to get your take on this too, previously when Detroit's tried to come around or bounce back or whatever was going on, I think that there wasn't the same like a care or consciousness about making sure everyone can be part of it and that young people and underrepresented founders get access to this new wave of opportunity. Christina Ware (13:24.024) Mm-hmm. Leslie Youngblood (13:27.575) And so I would love to hear how we can make sure that everybody gets that opportunity and that access now, whereas maybe before it felt like they weren't getting those same things, Chris. Christina Ware (13:40.494) Yeah, mean, you know, there's different community organizations to get involved with for starters. There's Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan. I sit on the board, the advisory board for that, and run the Emerging Leaders Advisory Board. And just being able to be a part of an organization where we can help support financial literacy to the young kids, young people, K through 12 and beyond. There's that. There's Leslie Youngblood (14:07.877) Yeah. Christina Ware (14:10.476) You know, there's the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce. also sit on the board for that. I'm the vice chair where we spend our time putting on programming and educating members in the LGBT community that are entrepreneurs and coming up and looking for resources and tools to grow and expand their business. You know, there's that. There's all types of organizations. There's Detroit area pre-college engineering program. That's a K-12 STEM program. Leslie Youngblood (14:29.733) Mm-hmm. Leslie Youngblood (14:37.914) home. Christina Ware (14:40.748) I'm talking about all these community organizations because there's opportunity to get involved to help contribute to the future of what that ecosystem is going to look like. And I think that's just so important. Leslie Youngblood (14:53.731) Yeah, and I think anybody listening right now may feel, I wanna get involved, but I don't know what to do or how do I do it? And you can easily go and Google and find those places, you know, and be able to give back and participate in any small way with your time or attending events or with a financial support, right? All the things, it doesn't have to be one or the other, but just by doing it some way, but there are, you know, ways to help bridge. these communities together towards success. And so is there anything you've learned about creating Access Chris versus just talking about it? Like walking the walk versus talking the talk. Christina Ware (15:22.784) Absolutely. Christina Ware (15:34.082) helping create that access. I would say, you know, helping uplift and amplify the voices in small pockets by bringing up names of either small businesses or individuals that are doing things in rooms or at meetings or at the tables that some of these individuals aren't. I think that's a big way of helping to bridge those gaps. Leslie Youngblood (15:35.693) Yeah. Leslie Youngblood (15:58.649) Yes, just by sharing those names in rooms that those people are not in. That is so crazy powerful. Recently, that reminds me of, was at an event and somebody mentioned that, you know, it's not who you know, it's who knows you. And that person is going to rooms and talking to other people about you when other things come up. But also, as people looking to network and advocate in... Christina Ware (16:03.552) Mm-hmm. Christina Ware (16:14.594) Hmm. Leslie Youngblood (16:25.207) uplift our community, entrepreneur, all the like the things is to make sure that we're sharing those names in those rooms with people or connecting others to those people, because it's it's not just it's not enough sometimes to just attend these events. It's actually saying those names and sharing it and doing the talk and like your talk, walking the talk, but you're talking the walk. But like the talk is somehow involved in there, I feel like. it's just, you know, something that's so simple, but can go such a long way. And I'm sure you can relate to this is that Christina Ware (16:29.26) Absolutely. Christina Ware (16:47.342) That's Leslie Youngblood (16:55.339) So much of our success as individuals comes down to other people and the people in our lives. And in entrepreneurship, when you're a young person coming up, when you're in, you know, an underrepresented community to have somebody that you connect with, it's like that's enough to keep you going on those dark days or you feel like I'm not so alone or they see me and they get it or like any of those things. And that is something that can change a life. Christina Ware (17:16.139) Mm-hmm. Yeah. Leslie Youngblood (17:25.217) And it's just about that mental human connection. And so that's I think is just so incredible too about the work that you do and the way that you lead. And so I would love to hear more about how you embody, you know, being that leader in your everyday life. there, you know, what does that look like in everyday practice with you, Chris? Christina Ware (17:26.177) wait. Christina Ware (17:40.045) Yeah. Christina Ware (17:44.834) Well, you know, somebody once told me in order for you to grow, you need to get comfortable being uncomfortable. And what that means to me is, you know, as we're continuing to talk about, you know, having people advocate for you or mention your name and spaces you might not be in, it might be a little uncomfortable to go out and meet people and introduce yourselves or do your 30 second elevator pitch as to who you are and what your business is. Leslie Youngblood (17:52.057) and Leslie Youngblood (18:08.869) Yeah. Christina Ware (18:11.916) and what you're looking to accomplish, but I encourage people to do that. And I think that's a lot of what has helped me in my career along the way, honestly, is putting myself purposely in those spaces. And sometimes I might not always have the energy to go to this networking event, but I'm so glad I did after I leave every time. I give myself some goals or tangible goals around who do I want to meet today? Leslie Youngblood (18:32.42) I Christina Ware (18:40.526) How many individuals do I want to get in front of if I have a list of, know, who specifically I'd like to meet? And I put myself out there. And I can give an example the other day. I did not want to go to a networking event, but I went to it. It was on Tuesday. It was fantastic. It was at the Shinola Hotel. And a beautiful space. And I put myself out there and I networked and I learned about two new individuals. Leslie Youngblood (18:44.453) Mm-hmm. Leslie Youngblood (18:49.903) Yeah. Leslie Youngblood (18:59.471) Beautiful space. Christina Ware (19:08.12) that I can add to my Rolodex now. We shared information on LinkedIn, and that's a part of what makes the world go round. Each of you have a different story or a different mission that you're on, and how can you collaborate together to make this a better place? Leslie Youngblood (19:22.883) Yes, definitely. I think what you said there is so on point because it's not going to these networking events like what can I get from people at this event is how can I connect with and contribute with new people and people can pick up on that energy. that's really it. So I feel like that also takes the pressure off to work. not going to this networking event. Christina Ware (19:36.878) Yes. Christina Ware (19:41.215) totally. Leslie Youngblood (19:47.041) in the, it's the spotlights on you to try to figure it out. like, no, go into the event and try to, with the perspective of who am I going to connect with? How can I help them? What kind of value can I give? And I feel like just that simple perspective shift, you know, kind of, huh, you exhale a little bit and then you kind of remember everybody, everybody else feels the same way as well, you know. Christina Ware (19:57.836) you Christina Ware (20:07.278) Definitely, definitely. And you don't know what kinds of conversations you're going to have that could be, you know, that could lead to the next big idea to help helping make Michigan and Detroit a better place. So, you know, I try to put myself out there as much as I can because I know I can be a resource, especially with my background and workforce development. Leslie Youngblood (20:21.285) Sign up. Leslie Youngblood (20:29.241) Mm-hmm. Sure. Do you have a resource for finding these events, Chris? Or are they just through some of the groups that you're involved with? Christina Ware (20:39.022) A lot of it is just word of mouth or LinkedIn. I try to stay in tune and follow even on my Instagram and Facebook. I try to follow different professional groups. And then, yeah, mean, that's my way of learning about what's happening in the city and in the state. Leslie Youngblood (20:43.877) Mm-hmm. Leslie Youngblood (21:00.419) Yeah, I love that. again, because I people go, well, how do I find it? I work from home, right? That can be an easy trap that we get ourselves into where I don't know how to find this and I do my own thing or this. there's LinkedIn, right? Like number one. then making sure you're following those individuals that inspire you that you want to connect with on Facebook and Instagram. like they're so we can trick ourselves mentally in so many endless ways. Right. But like now more than ever, it's so easy to find those things. And there are Christina Ware (21:06.187) yeah? Christina Ware (21:10.987) Mm-hmm. Christina Ware (21:19.128) Definitely. Leslie Youngblood (21:30.305) events all the time. I'm sure there's some that you're like, I just can't do another. need to be in my pajamas tonight, right? So there are so many, know, every day of the week here, you pick and choose because you know, there's just so many. I'm like, man, you know, you've you could go out literally every night of the week to multiple events. I want to, which is great. You don't think about that. Or I think I don't necessarily immediately think about that when it comes to Detroit. Christina Ware (21:32.131) Mm-hmm. Yeah. Christina Ware (21:47.37) every night. Mm-hmm. You definitely could. Mm-hmm. Leslie Youngblood (21:57.131) in the business ecosystem and the events here, I would imagine that's more like a New York or there's or Chicago or even Silicon Valley. But we are on par with those places. And like we've said, it's just a better vibe here. And I know we're biased. But it's It's true. I love that. What is one of your favorite events to attend, Chris? Is there something in particular every year that you make sure not to miss? Christina Ware (22:02.392) Mm-hmm. Christina Ware (22:07.063) Yes. Leslie Youngblood (22:26.287) when it comes to Decorate. Even not even business, maybe just in general, a fun event here. Christina Ware (22:27.822) Christina Ware (22:32.11) man, that's the thing, there's so much you can do. Literally there's something every day. Well, let me see here. I gotta really think about that. Yeah, we'll come back to that. Let me think about that. Leslie Youngblood (22:48.517) Okay, we can come back to that. Come back to that for sure, for sure. All right, you talk a lot about connecting education to the real world, Chris. What's missing in how we're preparing students today for modern careers? Christina Ware (23:04.152) think what's missing is that real element of what life actually is. And what I mean by that, and I spend a lot of time talking about this within Junior Achievement is there's that entrepreneurial surge that I feel like that's happening. people have all kinds of opinions on this. Not every... Leslie Youngblood (23:10.468) Mm. Christina Ware (23:31.502) student is going to go and get their four-year college degree or their two-year degree, they might graduate high school and jump right into starting their own business. So I feel like what's missing is the knowledge and the encouragement also to be able to have the wherewithal to start, you know, enable these individuals to start their own business. It's okay to start your own business. Leslie Youngblood (23:36.463) Mm-hmm. Leslie Youngblood (23:41.306) Mm-hmm. Leslie Youngblood (23:48.751) Good night. Leslie Youngblood (23:58.383) Yeah. Christina Ware (23:58.87) fresh out of high school. Maybe while you're in high school, there's people starting businesses in middle school and elementary school, you know? And I just would love for, you know, the world to lean in as a whole, really, to see how can we prepare our young people even more today with just basic life skills that will enable them to build businesses sooner rather than later. Leslie Youngblood (24:01.253) I know. I know. You sound amazing. Leslie Youngblood (24:13.125) you Christina Ware (24:25.75) and not having them follow just the traditional, okay, I graduated high school, I'm gonna go to college. Not everybody fits in that box. Leslie Youngblood (24:25.753) Yeah. Leslie Youngblood (24:35.173) Right, yes, I completely, completely agree. And that's something I think about with my kids too, is I was in the high school mindset, you have to go to college, you have to go to college. And I'm very fortunate that it worked out for me. And yes, I do what I do, but I have a brother who didn't finish college and probably wasn't the right fit for him. And that's okay. We shouldn't have just pushed everybody into this college box because not everybody is the college box. So. Christina Ware (24:45.998) Absolutely. Christina Ware (24:56.92) Mm-hmm. Leslie Youngblood (25:02.157) When it comes to that, Chris, what are some tangible ways that schools, corporations, and even local leaders can better collaborate to prepare Detroit's next generation of workers and entrepreneurs? Christina Ware (25:14.478) I would say the education around managing your money, the education around the access that individuals can have to capital and grants and different types of fundings to start the business. I think the sooner that we can have those conversations with our young people, the sooner we're going to be able to see another generation of new businesses that will send us Leslie Youngblood (25:18.789) and then you have Leslie Youngblood (25:25.541) Mm. Christina Ware (25:43.894) into another dimension, honestly. Like these different, I mean, literally, you know, people are coming up with all types of ideas every day and they're creating businesses almost all the time. One of my favorite events to go to is Black Tech Saturdays when they have their events and I get a chance to hear and learn about different ideas that these entrepreneurs have. And that's what I love too, the tech hub that's Leslie Youngblood (25:45.721) Right? Literally, maybe. Leslie Youngblood (26:02.447) yeah. Christina Ware (26:13.422) that's growing in Detroit is exciting to see. And so one of the things that I love that Black Tech Saturdays does is they have educationals series where people can come out and they can learn about all of these resources available to them. Honestly, thankful for them to have that space, but let's continue that conversation and let's... Leslie Youngblood (26:13.637) Mmhmm. Leslie Youngblood (26:17.701) I'm ready. Christina Ware (26:39.298) Let's have people learn that at a younger age so that they can start working towards getting their business off the ground sooner than later. Leslie Youngblood (26:43.105) I'm sorry. Leslie Youngblood (26:47.671) Right, and again, I have to think it comes down to people you know or the people you're connected with because someone with a great idea, one might not even know that Black Tech Saturdays exists or that an ex funding exists or a grant opportunity exists. And so it's so important to to get yourself out there if you have some of those ideas, because that's when you. your mind gets blown. You're like, what? I didn't know that existed. That happened to me recently where a friend of mine that I connected with was said that there was a Michigan springboard and it's a grant for I think tech platforms. And you can submit for this grant five thousand dollars in free legal services for any small business and platform. And I'm like, what? That's a Christina Ware (27:26.584) Mm. Yeah. Christina Ware (27:31.085) Yeah. Leslie Youngblood (27:31.165) I didn't know this exists and it was exactly for what we needed at that time to incorporate from an LLC. And I would have never known that that existed unless I had that conversation with this friend of mine about probably something entirely unrelated. And so I'm a I'm a millennial, right? Like grown up, let alone these kids, they should know that there's so many opportunities and, you know, paths available to them to pursue entrepreneurship and to bring these ideas to life. Because just like Christina Ware (27:38.755) Do Mm-hmm. Christina Ware (27:58.986) Definitely. Leslie Youngblood (27:59.813) How exciting is it when you go and I was just reading on LinkedIn. There was, I think it's like a grant or a pitch competition. So they put the finalist and who's going to be involved. And I was, okay, what's that business about? What's that business about? Oh, that's so interesting. I mean, the ideas are just incredible and endless. anybody listening now that has an idea, you can bring it to life. There are the tools here within Detroit and Michigan to help you out. So. Christina Ware (28:18.318) Mm-hmm. Christina Ware (28:22.594) Mm-hmm, absolutely. Done, Leslie Youngblood (28:27.203) I just think that is so great. And Chris, you're known for saying we can build great things right here in Detroit. What does that mean for women leaders and professionals right now? Christina Ware (28:39.694) Women leaders and professionals right now, there is a powerful force that is moving, I feel like across the state and the city of powerful women and just women that are making change, real change. And from... You you see, you're starting to see women CEOs. We have Mary Burr, we have Joy Harris, we have, you know, the list goes on. You're starting to see women in politics and power, very powerful roles that are making change and making a difference. And it's all happening right here in the state of Michigan. And I would just say, you know, be encouraged because the power to, to, Leslie Youngblood (29:26.383) Yeah. Christina Ware (29:35.773) your voice is very, it's needed at the moment. And I don't even know what else I'm gonna really say on that other than be encouraged and keep moving forward, honestly. Yeah, I don't even know what to say. Leslie Youngblood (29:40.933) Mmm. Leslie Youngblood (29:51.717) Yeah, sure. Yeah, now's the time, right? You have this momentum, this energy, this need, all of these things converging together and Detroit, you know, is at the epicenter of so much of that. Just like you said, with everything that we have in Michigan and Detroit right now, get in and do something. And it doesn't have to be starting a business, but it could be supporting a local business, right? Like, I think that's also something that we forget very easily is, Christina Ware (30:15.436) Right. Leslie Youngblood (30:21.283) What's something simple you can do today is just support a small business within your community. Reach out to somebody, reach out to a student or a friend with a kid or whatever. There are so many ways and it's so important. it's doing that type of work is going to continue to push the city of Detroit forward and continue us leading the way. Because like we said, I really do feel like it's so unique and so special. We see it. We want the world to see it. Christina Ware (30:25.74) Mm-hmm. Leslie Youngblood (30:47.391) The world still sort of, you know, puts us as this underdog but we're not because we know what we have here. Christina Ware (30:54.606) Absolutely, and Detroit is known to be a half that hustle hard mentality and so There's something about being you know born or being a part of the city of Detroit like look at what the Lions did Maybe not this fast year, but the year before last Leslie Youngblood (31:00.45) Anyway... Leslie Youngblood (31:08.794) I know. They're gonna come, they're gonna get their Super Bowl and convince Chris. Dane Campbell won't let us down. I'm safe. In distance, the Tigers and the Red Wings, everybody's actually doing so great. It's so fun. It's fun again. Christina Ware (31:15.596) I'm convinced too. I'm convinced too, you know, and. Christina Ware (31:24.854) Everybody's, it's fun. It's fun. It's amazing to watch. And the word that I consistently, that comes to mind is grit. We have grit. You know, we're going after, we want to be the best. And we're going to hustle hard and work extremely hard to make sure that we're known and we're just that. So, yeah. Leslie Youngblood (31:34.917) the Leslie Youngblood (31:48.835) Yeah, I love it. I completely agree. Chris, what are you excited about coming this year in 2026 for you and maybe Detroit in general? Christina Ware (31:58.478) You know, for me, it's continuing to make an impact in the community as much and as best as I can. You know, I'm also a board member on Athletic Academy. I know that you had a conversation with Chloe, the amazing Chloe. And I'm really excited about what Chloe and Ashton are building along with our board as it pertains to the NIL and getting these students prepared for the real world. Yeah, I'm excited about that. I'm excited about the the continued, God, engagement with Junior Achievement and, you know, some of the other organizations that I spoke about, Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce. I'm excited to continue to see the impacts that we're having in these specific groups and to watch them flourish and to, Leslie Youngblood (32:51.663) Mm-hmm. Christina Ware (32:56.076) you know, be successful in the state and in the city that they love. Leslie Youngblood (32:59.993) Yeah, and I think it's just a testament to the city, the incredible work that you're doing. It could not be the city that it is and have the growth that it is without you and other individuals like you that are putting that care and that passion into practice every single day. And we are so blessed and lucky to have you and to others like you to know that you're driving this city and this region forward because... Like I said, there's no better people. There's no better place. Of course. Of course, of course. So Chris, let me see if I have a little bit of like a challenge for you. this sentence. Detroit women. Christina Ware (33:40.93) Okay. Christina Ware (33:47.63) You Christina Ware (33:55.678) Add a couple things. me... Detroit women hustle hard. Detroit women are courageous and bold. Detroit women are strategic. And Detroit women build community. Leslie Youngblood (33:57.272) my god, let's hear them. We got time. Leslie Youngblood (34:18.049) I love that. think those are all so good and so true and just really are, we're so well-rounded, like multifaceted and well-rounded and you just, I agree. know that no notes. Perfect. I love it. Chris, we wrap up today, I would love for you to share where our listeners can connect with you outside of today's conversation. Christina Ware (34:35.882) Yes, yes, yes. Please, please connect with me on LinkedIn. That's the best way to get a hold of me. I'm very active on LinkedIn. You can find me at Christina Ware on LinkedIn. Please send me an invitation. Would love to connect with whomever and discuss whatever the topics may be. Yeah, or you can also email me at cware at techsystems.com. Leslie Youngblood (35:01.669) And we will also drop those links in the show notes as well. Chris, thank you so much for joining us for such an incredible Detroit conversation, credible person that you are. We are so honored to get to share this time with you. Thank you for joining us for some Serious Lady business. Christina Ware (35:16.406) Yes, thank you Leslie for having me. This was fantastic. Leslie Youngblood (35:19.459) I love it. Thanks so much. Cheers. Christina Ware (35:22.03) Cheers.