40 August 15 • 2019
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J
osh Gershonowicz looks out at the
world through sky blue eyes and sees
the vast opportunities in Detroit, the
city he is proud to call home. At 34, he
sits at the helm of a nimble young com-
pany he founded seven years ago now
poised to envision, create, launch and
rebuild business in the digital age.
“We’
re well prepared for rapid
growth,
” he says. “
And I look for col-
leagues and employees who are ready,
willing and able to grow with us. Work
hard, have fun. That’
s our motto. At
Rebuild Group, we aim to foster a com-
pany culture that’
s inclusive, creative,
entrepreneurial, encouraging … and yes,
dog-friendly. As a result, I know we’
ve
surrounded ourselves with some really
great people.
”
The Rebuild culture and strategy
focuses on “right-brain thinking.
” It
taps into emotional experiences to build
brands and motivate shoppers to buy.
NEW DIGS FOR REBUILD
“Rebuild was born in the suburbs, but
our soul is pure Detroit,
” Gershonowicz
explains. Having relocated his company
from Royal Oak to the city’
s New Center
neighborhood in 2014, Rebuild now has
new 10,000-square-foot headquarters in
the nearby Milwaukee Junction District,
what Josh calls the Idea Studio.
Rebuild renovated the two-story
building, which will include a retail
tenant on the first floor.
Paying homage to the building’
s his-
tory, he reclaimed original equipment
from the building to incorporate in the
new space. Vintage elevator doors sepa-
rate the lobby from the work space and
serve as a central gathering table. Metal
cages from the elevator shaft are being
converted into art installations.
The new space will take a hybrid,
floating work model, allowing team
members to work in any space, which he
believes will aid the creative process.
“We don’
t want to be just another
local agency. Our vision is larger than
growing our agency. We are rooted and
invested in the city with the goal to
become an anchor, rebuilding a neigh-
borhood and creating jobs.,
” he said.
Josh is equally committed to com-
munity building. A participant in
Federation’
s Cuba Mission (2015) and
Young Leaders and Philanthropists
Mission (2016), he serves on Federation’
s
National Young Leadership Cabinet and
on the boards of Hebrew Free Loan,
Midtown Detroit and Dodge for Detroit.
A resident of the city since moving
home from New York in 2011, Josh
was among the first wave of NEXTGen
Detroiters to take up residency in
Moishe House Downtown. He and his
wife, Michele, now enjoy city life as new
homeowners on Winder Street. Keeping
busy on the home front, they are the
proud parents of Sonny, age 1.
HOME-GROWN BEGINNINGS
Gershonowicz grew up in Jewish
Detroit and then went to Western
Michigan University, where he grad-
uated with a B.B.A. in marketing and
economics.
After graduation, he spent about a year
and a half in Tampa, Fla., working as a
commodities trader and then went on to
New York to do the “same kind of work,
unfortunately, at the worst possible time,
in 2008, just as Lehman Brothers was
about to collapse,
” he said
His job offer was rescinded, so he
started moonlighting at anything he
could find.
At 24, he was ready to come home. “I
started moonlighting again, helping my
dad with his dental practice. In 2012, I
decided to start growing and investing in
my own business and set out as Rebuild
Nation with one employee. In 2014, I
convinced Steve DeAngelis to quit his
job at McCann Detroit and become my
partner. He took the leap, and we’
ve
been on the fast track together ever
since.
”
He was able to hire Steve thanks to
Hebrew Free Loan’
s Marvin A. Danto
Small Business Program.
“The connections I made through
HFL have proven to be invaluable,
” he
said.
Gershonowicz said he loves the cre-
ative aspect of marketing.
“There’
s the creativity of solving prob-
lems for our clients, and there’
s also the
creativity involved in teamwork, putting
people together. Our business is collab-
orative, and we believe it reflects what’
s
happening all around our city. Our ener-
gies are focused on Detroit, and we’
re
very motivated by all signs of rebuilding
in the city in general. In brainstorming
ideas for our clients, you’
ll find our
teams working all over town — riding
the QLine, sitting in Kresge Court at the
DIA, walking along the Riverfront. The
whole city is our canvas and we celebrate
that.
”
CITY LIFE
“I love the energy of living in the city,
”
he said.
“What’
s happening Downtown is
amazing. It feels like the wheels are
turning and we’
re starting to get some
traction.
”
He said he and Michele are happy to
be part of a growing core of Jewish fam-
ilies living Downtown, expanding what
it means to be a part of a vibrant and
diverse Jewish community. ■
This story first appeared on myjewishdetroit.org.
business SPOTlight
VIVIAN HENOCH SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
brought to you in partnership with
hot topics
(JTA) The Manischewitz Co. will
sell all its kosher food business
to Kenover Marketing Corp., the
companies announced.
The companies “have reached
an understanding for a transac-
tion whereby Kenover Marketing
Corp. will acquire all of the ko-
sher food business of Manische-
witz,” according to reports.
Kenover is part of Kayco,
located in Bayonne, N.J., which
formed after a merger between
Kedem Foods, Kenover Marketing
and B&W Foods. Manischewitz is
based in Newark, N.J.
The sale reportedly will not in-
clude Manischewitz’
s Season brand.
The companies said in a state-
ment that they will conclude the
transaction “in the near future” and
will then announce the details and
that meanwhile the two companies
will operate business as usual.
NEW BOSS AT STOCKX
Josh Luber is stepping aside as CEO
of StockX, the online marketplace for
collectible sneakers, handbags and
streetwear he founded with Dan Gilbert,
reports Crain’
s. He will remain on as
the company’
s “front man,” explaining
the company’
s business model as “a
stock market of things.” Scott Cutler, an
e-commerce veteran, will take over day-
to-day operations of StockX. Luber and
Cutler announced $110 million in new
venture capital last month in New York.
B I R M I N G H A M
Bank of Ann Arbor Helps.
How can we help you?
Captain Vision
Meet Josh Gershonowicz, CEO of Rebuild Group.
JOHN HARDWICK
MANISCHEWITZ SELLS KOSHER FOOD BUSINESS
Josh Luber and Dan Gilbert, co-founders
of StockX
COURTESY OF STOCKX