Khary Frazier is an entrepreneur and the founder of Detroit is Different, an online magazine, podcast series, and community that shines a light on the people, places, and things that shape Detroit culture. He also runs Creative Differences Marketing, which provides marketing and business support to artists and content creators.
1. You’ve built an entire community under the Detroit is Different umbrella. Why do you think people are so drawn to your brand?
I believe my love for the culture of Detroit is what draws people to Detroit is Different. The events, event space, podcasts, and social media content all become a tapestry of expression of Detroit creativity. For some it is that Detroit is Different represents the artist and creativity suppressed inside of many from day to day work and for others Detroit is Different is an expression of the Detroit cool that keep us here in the tough Winters and Hot Summers.
Since 2014 I’ve had the opportunity to host a collection of events welcoming guests to celebrate Kwanzaa, modern technology, urban gardening, and so much more. It is humbling that some of the things I find cool are connecting with others.
2. Detroit is Different is more than just a brand or business name: it’s a mantra. What makes Detroit special?
I think Detroit is a city of ingenuity. In the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s many families gathered here as a place to build a family legacy. Since then much has changed but the legacies exist. Detroit expression and creativity changes the world. In creative teams in LA, Dubai, Tokyo there are Detroiters at the helm impacted the world of music, art, design, and much more. The city itself is a brand. The differences is what sparks our collective creativity.
3. The path of an entrepreneur is often a winding road with lots of unexpected turns, stops, and starts. Was that true for you?
I approach entrepreneurship is an art form. There are many challenges but I love my autonomy and the opportunity to bring to life ideas that bring people together. The key challenge is conveying my thoughts to others where it’s universally understood. Furthermore, the understanding must be embraced as advantageous for all parties involved. All disconnects related to that led to people feeling as though time, money, and effort could be wasted.
4. Creative Differences helps content creators to capture new audiences through storytelling and marketing tools. Why is it important for creators and artists to tell their stories?
It’s cliché to say the world is changing, but it has changed. Social media is a gateway to sales, reputation, understating, and information. Finding the right mix of media collateral to best express the vision of a business or organization is essential today. Detroit is Different & Creative Differences MKT INC have these struggles as well as we partner with and work on behalf of clients to. If you’re not ahead of the curve telling your story you are relying on others to interpret on their own what you do, how you do it, and why you do it. Photos, videos, podcasts, graphic design, written materials, and animation strengthen our relationships in business and the community which is an essential asset.
5. In addition to your magazine, podcasts, and marketing business, you’re also involved in documentary projects, photo shoots, music, graphic design, and numerous events. How do you juggle everything without burning out?
I love what I do. Motivated by a passion that I’ve had since I was a child keeps me up reading books, watching tutorial videos, strategizing with others, and dreaming what will become realities. I do work at a high clip but the advantage of entrepreneurship is the autonomy to stop in the middle of the day if needed and exercise, watch a cartoon, go for a drive to nowhere in particular.
One of the biggest keys in completing tasks and keeping sanity is my weekly to do list.
6. We heard you might have a new NFT project in the works. What can you tell us about that?
The Detroit is Different NFT project is something I feel that fits in the wheelhouse of what we do. In 2014 podcasting was like an alien technology to many but I went full fledge into the world from my love and interest. NFT’s provide that same technology intrigue today. I want to create and community based NFT that will be shared amongst many community member to heighten the collective value. A key asset in many of my successes has been bringing together others and building upon collective strengths.
The Detroit is Different NFT project builds upon personal relationships that provide me a distinct competitive advantage. My father Greg Frazier CPA is a coder, developer, and programmer that has been working in the world of accounting systems for over 40 years. As a former member of the Information Technology Task Force for the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants Greg Frazier’s work in this field is vast. The collection of videos, writings, and educational materials in Smart Contracts has him as a leading expert in Smart Contracts and accounting. Smart Contracts are designed upon the platform of ethereum which is also the platform of NFT’s. Greg Frazier CPA is committed to the Detroit is Different NFT along with designer Mike Willingham (who is one of my best friends) for the look of the NFT.
7. The past two years have been filled with uncertainty and fear for a lot of artists and business owners. How have you navigated the challenges of the pandemic? Did anything about your business or personal philosophy change?
The beginning was a hard stop for many but I began planning. The pandemic is still difficult to navigate. I started the a Lot of Studio project which takes podcasting and performance in the outdoor space of the Detroit is Different garden. The need of connecting online and in person is a key ingredient of the Detroit is Different vision. I engaged with that and love that it was a success.
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For more information about Detroit is Different, please visit DetroitisDifferent.com.
Connect with Khary and his events online
The below are gateways to contact me and I’m ready, willing, and open to do something creative that expresses how, why, and what makes Detroit so Different!
Detroit is Different
