» Next Generation ... ... iii I II I 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.