Monica Briggins, Detroit Bail Bonds: Making strides in a male dominated industry

When Monica Briggins became a bail bond agent for Detroit Bail Bonds and Surety in 2012, she knew success would be a challenge. The bail bond industry was, and still is, dominated by white males, with white women now representing a sizable percentage. Nationwide, African American males represent a growing number of bail bond owners. Yet, for African American women, like Briggins, ownerships of bail bond companies in Michigan and around the nation are not so substantial.

"It's a very small number of African American women who are actually in the bail bond industry as agents," said Briggins. "It's an even smaller number of black women who are actual owners. In Michigan, there may be three black women owners. It's really a 'good ol' boy' network, and it has always been that way."

In 2015, Briggins became co-owner of Detroit Bail Bonds and Surety along with Kenneth Woods. The company has flourished beyond expectations, while serving individuals throughout Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana.

Detroit Bail Bonds and Surety specializes in court ordered bonds. "We believe that people have the right to be out on bail while awaiting their day in court," Briggins said. "So we help people get out of jail in the fastest and most efficient manner possible."

While Briggins and her company render much of the same types of services as similar businesses, Briggins said there are differences. "With many bail bond companies, the owners are not concerned with what happens to clients after the fact. The client is just someone who got in trouble and that's it," said Briggins. "With us, we try to find ways for the people that we serve to create better situations for themselves. We become family with them. We make it personal. We build relationships. For me, when people go through that process of bail, and tell me 'thank you' and I know that they truly mean it, it gives me the biggest joy of appreciation for what I do."

Briggins admitted that the job can be challenging, such as being available to serve clients, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even on holidays. She added that being available means that she. Woods, and/or the 10 company agents must be ready to leave their homes and families at a moment's notice to bail clients from regional jails. Yet, Briggins said, she has no regrets about her field of choice.

"I really love what I do," Briggins said with conviction. "I wouldn't change what I do, and when I do it, for anything in the world. There are other things that I could be doing as an entrepreneur, but there isn't anything else that I want to do."

A native of Port Huron, Mich., Briggins, as a youth, had aspirations of pursuing something in the field of law; perhaps becoming an attorney. However, in her early 20s shbegan working at a Port Huron factory, until an aunt convinced her to aspire higher. Briggins went on to work at Semco Energy, where she held such positions as call center representative, dispatch operator, and marketing specialist. She subsequently worked in the St. Clair County court system, where a co-worker continuously talked to her about opportunities as a bail bond agent.

"At first I laughed," Briggins recalled. "In my mind I thought the bail bond business was completely different than what it actually was. After six months of thinking about it, I thought I would give it a try."

As a result, Briggins moved to the Motor City, where she worked for a bail bond company. There, she learned the intricacies of the industry, obtained needed training and licensing to work as bail bond agent, and ultimately teamed with Woods to create a formidable ownership unit.

"Ken and I wanted to establish our own business in Detroit, because there was a huge entrepreneur spirit going on in this city," said Briggins, the mother of one son. "We felt that we wanted to control our own future and dynasty and create something that we could pass down to our children. Like many other companies, we wanted to build a legacy for children. A lot of times in the black community, we don't do that."

In addition to her co-ownership responsibilities, Briggins has found ways to empower women in the community. One of the initiatives that she created is the Pearls and Pumps Brunch, an annual pre-Mother's Day affair, held this year at The Whittier.

"There are so many women in Detroit who have influence and knowledge to be mentors to other women," said Briggins. So the purpose of this event is to bring women together to help, encourage, and motivate each other to be the very best person that they can be."

Briggins reflects on how far she has come to be the best in a male dominated industry. "In the beginning, I found myself in an industry that I didn't know anything about," she said. "But, with hard work, determination and an open mind, I've been able to accomplish some wonderful things in this industry as an entrepreneur to help people during some tough times in their lives."

To learn more about Detroit Bail Bonds and Surety and its services, log on to www.detroitbailbondsnow.com, or call 313.244.0669.