Mark S. Lee is launching a column with Michigan Chronicle called Money Matters.
Lee is a respected business leader and strategist, educator, media host, public speaker, and longtime business and entrepreneur advocate across the city and state –
He will share his perspectives dedicated to the business challenges and needs shaping Detroit’s future — from entrepreneurship and small-business growth to access to capital, leadership, and building generational wealth. His approach is simple: make business knowledge accessible by connecting opportunities to economic trends to the real decisions businesses make every day.
“Detroit is full of talented entrepreneurs and business leaders,” Lee says. “My goal is to provide tools, ideas, and conversations that help them thrive — and ensure opportunity reaches every neighborhood.”
Below is his first column, with a look ahead to 2026. We invite readers, business owners, and future entrepreneurs to follow along, ask questions, and engage. If you have story ideas or questions you can email Lee at mark@leegroupinnovation.com or visit leegroupinnovation.com.
What 2026 Means for Detroit’s Business Community — And How to Prepare
By Mark S. Lee, Contributing Columnist
As we step into 2026, Detroit’s business community faces a year defined not by dramatic swings, but by disciplined opportunity. Growth is happening — but it’s steady, selective, and increasingly rewards those who plan well, control costs, and stay close to their customers.
For Detroit entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and future business owners, the key question isn’t whether the economy grows. It’s this: Who will be positioned to benefit from it?
A year of slower — but more strategic — growth
Across the country, economists expect moderate expansion in 2026. Inflation has cooled, but prices remain elevated compared to a few years ago. Interest rates may ease somewhat, yet they’re unlikely to return to the ultra-low levels businesses once relied on.
That creates a different kind of environment where:
- margins matter,
- access to capital requires preparation, and
- growth must be planned, not assumed.
For Detroit, that isn’t all bad news. Our economy has rebuilt itself around resilience. We’ve learned to grow intentionally — and that mindset is exactly what 2026 demands.
Detroit’s business engines to watch
1. Small business — still the backbone
Neighborhood retailers, service providers, contractors, restaurants, creatives, and professional firms continue to anchor local job creation. In 2026, the most successful will:
- diversify revenue streams,
- build stronger online and social media marketing, and
- create partnerships instead of operating in isolation.
Customers are loyal — but they’re value-conscious. Businesses that deliver consistency and community connection will win.
2. Advanced manufacturing and mobility
The shift toward electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing remains bumpy — but the long-term trajectory still points upward. Expect opportunities in:
- supply-chain logistics,
- skilled trades,
- technology integration, and
- specialized business-to-business services.
Companies that adapt to new production tools and workforce training needs will stay competitive.
3. Healthcare and services
Healthcare remains one of the most reliable growth sectors. Beyond hospitals, the ecosystem includes:
- clinics,
- elder care providers,
- mental-health services, and
- tech-enabled support companies.
Entrepreneurs willing to solve problems in access, efficiency, and patient support will find pathways forward.
Opportunities Areas
- Access-to-Capital
Access to financing remains one of the most critical challenges for small and minority-owned businesses. With borrowing costs still relatively high, banks are looking for clarity and discipline.
Business owners should make 2026 the year to:
- separate personal and business finances,
- keep monthly financial statements current,
- improve credit profiles, and
- build ongoing relationships with lenders — before expansion is needed.
At the same time, community lenders and development organizations continue exploring flexible capital options tied to neighborhood impact. Those who can show documented results — jobs created, training provided, community benefit — will be better positioned.
- Talent, technology and the future of work
Even as hiring stabilizes, employers are prioritizing skills over titles. Certifications in logistics, cybersecurity, IT support, healthcare tech, and advanced manufacturing equipment are increasingly valuable.
For businesses, the takeaway is clear:
Invest in people. Training, upskilling, and mentorship reduce turnover and improve productivity — powerful advantages when margins are tight.
Companies that embrace technology thoughtfully — digital payments, automation tools, customer relationship software — will operate leaner and smarter, not just bigger.
- Real estate, ownership, and long-term wealth
Real estate is expected to rise gradually, not rapidly. For business owners, that means two things:
- leasing decisions should be negotiated carefully, and
- owners who can responsibly move toward property ownership may gain stability and equity over time.
Ownership — of businesses, buildings, and intellectual property — remains one of the strongest drivers of generational wealth.
The bottom line is 2026 will reward businesses that plan realistically, manage cash carefully, stay close to their customers, invest in skills and technology, and think long-term about ownership and equity.
Detroit has proven it knows how to rebuild, reinvest, and rise. The coming year isn’t about chasing headlines — it’s about quietly strengthening foundations so that when growth accelerates again, more Detroiters are ready to lead it.
Because in the end — money matters most when it creates opportunity that lasts.
