When a millennial moved to Detroit from SF, he bought a home and opened a coffee shop. He said that would have been impossible on the West Coast.

Local resources and connections can help scale your business

Valdez said business ownership can be a path toward financial independence, but there are important steps to take to prepare for the opportunity.

“Be vocal and intentional about opening a store,” he said. “Before I opened Alba, folks knew I wanted to open my own café. I don’t have much capital but knew I could access social capital by building connections and relationships.”

Valdez also sought out local resources for small business owners. For example, he received a $50,000 business grant through ProsperUs, a Detroit-based organization that provides loans for small businesses in the city.

He also applied for a small business loan from a neighborhood development fund in Corktown, which provided him with $80,000. Additionally, Valdez and Durrant invested $30,000 of their own money in Alba.

While Valdez loves the Bay Area — he still has family there — he said he’s been able to build a financial footing in Detroit that wouldn’t have been possible in San Francisco.

“If I stayed in San Francisco, I wouldn’t even begin to try to open a coffee shop,” Valdez said.

Are you a new small-business owner? This reporter wants to hear your story. Reach out at jtowfighi@businessinsider.com