Metro Detroiters who are active on Facebook and/or Twitter have probably heard of Detroit Moxie’s Becks Davis. If you are not familiar with her yet, well now is your chance to get to know one of Detroit’s most enthusiastic cheerleaders! Even if you know Becks, read on. She is another example of a Detroiter with a great story to tell.
Becks Davis
LW: What city did you grow up in?
BD: I grew up in Warren and moved to Bloomfield Township when I was in high school. I went to public schools in Warren and one year they didn’t pass the millage. I didn’t know what that meant except that in Junior High we had a ‘nutrition break’ instead of a lunch hour. It was at that point that my parents decided it was time for private schools. For the record, I’d like it to be known that I went to Beer Junior High.
LW: What was your first job?
BD: I started working when I was 11; I was a caddy at Red Run Golf Club and loved hanging out in the caddy shack playing video games. We would sneak out to the McDonald’s on 11 Mile & Main and an arcade on Woodward. I also worked at a few other Michigan-based companies when I was in high school: Olga’s Kitchen, Little Caesars and Art Van.
LW: Where did you go to college?
BD: I went to Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I always have to add that it’s in Milwaukee or people think I went to school in the U.P. My degree is in communications, but I was a theater major with a theology minor. Yep, highly employable! I worked as a professional stage manager for 10 years before leaving the theater business.
LW: Tell me about your business/company.
BD: I’m the founder and writer of DetroitMoxie.com. I explore the people, places, and events of Detroit and encourage others to get out and experience Detroit.
LW: What makes it unique?
BD: It’s unique because it comes from my perspective. I moved back to Detroit in 1999 and for 5 years I didn’t break out of a 5-mile radius. If it wasn’t in Birmingham, Bloomfield or Troy, I missed it. It wasn’t until I moved to the UK that I realized that there were tons of cool things happening in Detroit. I wanted to be a part of it and make a difference. I moved from the UK back to Detroit in December of 2008. Oh, and my husband is English and he’s my muse.
LW: What do you love most about what you do?
BD: I’m passionate about Detroit and Michigan so writing about it and sharing it with others is a dream. People reach out to me from all over the world and I find that fascinating.
LW: What is one thing most people don’t know about you (hidden talent, etc.)?
BD: That’s difficult. Definitely not singing or dancing! I do have mad memorization skills. Give me a paragraph or a list and give me a few minutes; I’ll repeat it back to you verbatim. And, because that’s not very impressive, when I was young I was the best female bowler in metro Detroit for my age.
LW: Outside of work, what are some of your passions?
BD: I love photography, design, and typography. I’m not good at any of those things but I appreciate when they are done well.
LW: What do you think is the biggest misconception about this state?
BD: I think that the rest of the country, and the world, assume that everyone that lives here is miserable and wants out. That’s SO not the case.
LW: What things draw you to downtown Detroit?
BD: That’s like picking a favorite child! The Guardian Building is magnificent and a great place to hang out. The Belle Isle Ice Tree is also one of my most favorite things ever. In winter, I visit it often to watch it grow and then melt.
Lighting Round:
MSU or U of M? U of M.
Ford, GM or Chrysler? Ford.
Lions, Tigers, Pistons or Red Wings? Red Wings.
Facebook or Twitter? Twitter.
Favorite local radio station? 96.3
Favorite local TV station? WXYZ (Channel 7)
Favorite local brand? Better Made.
Favorite restaurant? Roast for happy hour.
Favorite place to vacation in Michigan? Traverse City.
Favorite place to take out-of-towners? The patio at La Dolce Vita for brunch.
If you would like to suggest a Metro Detroiter for me to feature on my blog, do not hesitate to e-mail me at lindsay@lindsaywarren.com today!
