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Next Generation
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iii
I
II
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friday" Jan" 30
Brothers
buy a drone
and. get to work.
RYAN FISHMAN
I
Good Shabbos Detroit
at Shir Tikvah
6: 15 p.m.: Service (optional), 7:30 p.m.:
Dinner. Join NEXTGen Detroit for Good
Shabbos Detroit at
Congregation Shir
TIkvah,
Parkway, Troy.
Good Shabbos Detroit is about coming
3900 Northfield
SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
Merrick and Zach Wolfe
to see the store manager, showed him
ook out, Wright brothers!
There's a new pair of
some
he could understand what we do, and
he loved the idea so much that he signed
and
siblings taking
over Metropolitan Detroit,
their technology is more advanced
up right then and there."
Merrick returned in the
ever
the
imagined.
Bloomfield, professionally known as the
Drone Brothers (dronebros.com), have a
things in common with the famous
bicycle mechanics-turned-inventors. Like
the Wrights, the Wolfes are four years
apart, and their first flight also began with
nothing more than a little tinkering around.
Last summer, 21-year-old Zach was
applying for jobs while 17 -year-old Merrick
spent his days studying up on the latest
technology.
"Merrick started talking about drones
and wanted to buy one to have around
the house, but they were too expensive,
so I suggested we come up with a way to
make our money back," explained Zach,
a University of Michigan science major. "I
thought we could sell our services; but we
never really imagined what it has turned
into."·
If
by now you're scratching your head
trying to figure out what exactly a
drone is, you're like most customers
who see the Wolfes in action for
and
right
junior then edited
evening when
and shot 40 minutes of
it down to
Though
just one
they've grown, they've had to make
outside hires and they've also relied on
family, sometimes calling on 18-year-old
brother Spencer, a student at Michigan
State University.
The pair have also had help from their
father, Andy, a serial entrepreneur who
not only loaned them the money for their
first drone, but also taught them almost
everything they know about sales and
client relationships, though now they're
teaching him a thing or two.
another
estate
,
,
dealers.
camps and charities to use for their
marketing. This is a new way to
help
people started
our
community show off and
sell its assets, and there are endless
we
possibilities for a drone shoot
-
handle everything from a wedding
keepsake footage of your cabin up
can
The brothers have shot
dealerships
2015
car
community, inspired by their
membership at Temple Israel and their
time volunteering at Friendship Circle.
"We've been talking about shooting
outdoor services for a synagogue or
offering our product to local summer
recalled Zach, who serves
salesman and" air traffic control"
•
agents and
Jewish
going on,"
29
work
THe pair have as much passion
for their business as they do for the
flocking around to see what was
72January
us our
is worth more than we're charging,"
explained Zach, who hopes as they
grow they'll expand their reach
beyond videos prepared for real
very
business. "I asked
customers to
We've had customers tell
employees at the Golling
dealership in Bloomfield Hills.
burgeoning
our
today, but as we add staff
and buy more equipment it might
be necessary to reassess our pricing.
confused
for the
editing
overhead
developments. The brothers then
footage for use on
websites and in marketing materials,
as
and
hesitate; we want them to sign up
the spot. We don't have a lot of
"pilot" the device around
dealerships, homes listed
and the sales
crew
on
sell the edited
arm
footage
and real estate
for
car
professionals.
NEXTGen Business Hub and JVS. The
to
north." 0
goal
provide young Jewish
professionals with meaningful resources,
leadership, expertise and networking
opportunities to help build their careers
and professions in the Detroit area.
Register at https:lljewishdetroit.org/eventl
nextwork-punchbowl-social. Tickets are
of NEXTWork is to
.
"We don't want
car
"I walked in with the drone under
This is the fourth event for NEXTWork,
a partnership program between the
team.
for sale and commercial real estate
my
video
4
young Jewish professionals and influential
business leaders in the community.
small business that otherwise couldn't
a
..
6-7:30 p.m. at Punch Bowl Social, 1331
Broadway St., Detroit. Network with
dimension to their videos, and
afford to hire
(248) 205-2545.
NEXTWork @ Punch Bowl Social
throughout have done everything they can
to keep costs low and prices reasonable for
a
or
Wednesday, Feb
everything they can do. They've
purchased a second drone so they can
handle multiple shoots at a time, hired
a professional voiceover talent to add
Merrick to
some
business has slowed for the
off
As
are
taubman@jfmd.org
-
business model.
welcome.
Register at: https:11
jewishdetroit.org/eventl
good-shabbos-detroit -jan20 15. For more
information, contact Rachel Taubman at
year alone some for paying customers
and others done on prospect that show
dealership to use.
"I've always liked videography, but
Merrick is the technology guy, so he does
all of the filming and editing and I handle
the sales and billing," said Zach of their
pairs highly
advanced camera equipment with a
remote control helicopter, allowing
and it all started with
21-45
winter, the Drone Brothers have turned
out more than 300 videos in their first
the first time. A drone
area car
selling loyalty
the spot. That's been pretty cool for him to
see as a dad," said Zach.
minute of video for the
"Our dad has worked around
career
they'd want some time to think about it.
When we make a' pitch, I take a contract
with me, and they've been signing up on
footage around the dealership, capturing
nearly every angle from the sky and the
ground. The Bloomfield Hills High School
Zach and Merrick Wo�fe of West
few
sun was
his entire
different
synagogue each month for a unique,
NEXTGen Shabbat experience. Ages
programs, and he always had a hard time
because even when they were interested,
so
to the skies
than Orville and Wilbur could have
dealerships
videos we'd taken around the house
together for Shabbat dinner at a
$20 per person until Feb. 1 and $25 until
Feb. 3. Ticket price includes one drink
ticket and food provided by Punch Bowl
Social. Questions? Contact Amy Brody at
brody@jfmd.org or at (248)
Space
203., 1486.
is limited. No walk-ins.
Saturday, feb. 28
NEXTGen Detroit's EPIC Event 2015
8 p.m. at MGM Grand Casino. EPIC is
NEXTGen Detroit's annual fundraiser,
bringing attendees live stand-up comedy,
dancing, eats, drinks and the chance to
help the Jewish community in Detroit,
in Israel and everywhere a Jewish heart
beats. This year, TJ Miller will take the
You know him as the star of HBO's
stage!
Silicon
Valley and as a regular on E! 's
Lately. He's also appeared in
Chelsea
How to Train Your Dragon, Transformers:
Age of Extinction, Get Him to the Greek,
She's Out of My League and Big Hero
6. Register at https:lljewishdetroit.org/
epic-2015. Contact Jessica Goodwin at
goodwin@jfmd.org for more
information.