Blame it on the recession or chalk it up to a growing subculture of people who prefer vinyl records to MP3s, but the trend toward creative entrepreneurship is real and rising. With a growing appreciation for authenticity, usually in the form of a handmade object with pedigree or a good story, folks have traded in their "day jobs" to pursue their passion for making things by hand.

When most people think about the fashion industry they think New York, Milan, Paris and, inevitably, women. Montee Holland is changing that mindset with his successful men's fashion line and a company that calls Metro Detroit home.

Lots of people love to travel, but few take the time to engage with the cultures they encounter. While hiking in places like Indonesia and Peru, Mallory Brown noticed that people were desperate for clothing. In the act of literally giving them the clothes off her back she stumbled upon an idea: World Clothes Line -- a philanthropic business that provides new clothes to those in need.

Metromode's guest blogger this week is Doug Rothwell, president of Detroit Renaissance. Here's what he has to say about transforming the region's economy.