Page 8 - The Wayne Dispatch

Local business owner recognized

By Carolyn Marnon bring support to the Westland Area 10 years with the Detroit-based firm
Her focus is on investing in peo- Cruise which ends in Wayne, and of Miller Canfield.
ple to build her business and com- many local school programs. Joni is a hands-on CEO. She says
munity. Joni introduces the McDonald’s if she goes into one of her restau-
Joni Thrower Davis grew up with Archways to Opportunity program to rants and sees they are short staffed
McDonald’s in her blood. Her par- everyone she talks with. The Arch- or overrun, she will step right in. Her
ents, James and Marla, have been ways program helps employees learn goal is to get the customers served
having adventures in McDonaldland English-language skills, get a high and on their way. She is also very
for over 30 years, owning a number school diploma and move on to an proud of the option for families to
of McDonald’s restaurants through- and what your employees do on a associates or bachelor’s degree by of- lean on her McDonald’s as a safe,
out Metro Detroit. Joni grew up at- daily basis. Like many small busi- fering eligible employees, after 90 fun place to go with their children.
tending Detroit Public Schools and ness owners in today’s healthy econ- days of work, tuition assistance of When asked how she felt about her
after school she would do her home- omy, Joni’s biggest challenge is up to $2,500 to a two or four-year “40 Under Forty” recognition, Joni
work in the lobby of one of her par- finding and hiring skilled employees. university, college or trade school. said “I’m proud, I’ve worked hard
ents’ McDonald’s restaurants. “People are our greatest asset,” said “McDonald’s offers tremendous op- over the years and I’m very hum-
Recently, Joni, a second-generation Thrower, “But with the current low portunities to meet an individual bled.”
McDonald’s owner/operator who unemployment, we need to work where they are and help them grow,” In closing our interview, Joni re-
now owns four of her own restau- twice as hard and invest tremen- says Thrower. To explore an oppor- iterated that she has high expecta-
rants, was recognized as one of De- dously in growing our own talent.” tunity at McDonald’s text “APPLY” to tions for her employees and the
troit’s “40 Under Forty” to watch, Thrower’s strategy is to partner with 36453 to apply for a job directly Wayne community. She’s willing to
from Crain’s Detroit Business, a a number of local resources includ- from your phone. work alongside the schools, the city,
weekly business newspaper that ing school districts, local community Prior to becoming a McDonald’s and with job training organizations
serves business influencers and de- colleges, the Urban League and oth- owner/operator, Joni earned her un- to develop more people in the area.
cision makers. ers to recruit talent and ultimately dergraduate degree from the Univer- She believes that people who are will-
As a business owner, Joni says work toward offering customers a sity of Michigan and her law degree ing to work and contribute back are
you have to touch every position gold standard of service. She’s also from Emory University in Atlanta, the greatest resource in any commu-
yourself to understand the process investing in community events to Georgia. She then practiced law for nity.

8 · March 2019 · The Wayne Dispatch