Despite the struggling state and national economies, one local profession is flourishing: Private investigator.
There are two listed PI businesses in the city of Midland, both specializing in very different areas.
The staff at DARE Investigations focus on family law, especially custody-related cases. Meanwhile, Greg Neeb of home-based Neeb and Associates works independently on insurance defense cases, such as determining appropriate amounts for workers’ compensation.
DARE has recently moved into the former Bead Weasel Bead Shop on 4015 Jefferson Ave., to accommodate its expanding staff size.
The business was previously run from a home-based office since it started in 2008.
Co-owners Shane O’Keefe and Chris Titsworth have a part-time staff of four employees. Soon, DARE will also offer a computer forensic specialist. The firm is considering hiring more employees, in order to get cases completed more quickly.
“One of key aspects is making sure that our services are met in the time frames our clients see them in,” O’Keefe said.
Custody cases usually take thae company about two weeks to complete, although the time frame varies.
Both businesses primarily serve central Michigan, but also take on cases all over the state.
Neeb got his license after working for a investigation business in Detroit for nine years.
He started his own business in 1996, gravitating to serve insurance companies since they provide steady business, which saves him from constant marketing efforts to find new clients.
Neeb calls his field “fascinating” and cannot imagine doing anything else.
“You see things a lot of people don’t see or know exist because you’re working in shadows sometimes,” he said.
Over the years, the PI business has been steady, even in the recession.
“People have to buy insurance no matter how bad the economy is, so you have to help companies investigate,” Neeb said.
He said he has no intentions of moving his company out of his home, but would like to hire some staff in the future.
There are three ways to become a licensed state PI: Earn a bachelor of science degree in police administration, have one year of experience as a certified police officer, or three years experience working under the license of another PI agency.
There are almost 100 types of cases state PIs can work on, but they usually focus on one area, as these two local businesses have done.
“As a PI, we all kind of find our own little niche,” Greg said.
This minimizes competition, and opens up doors for partnerships, which Neeb and O’Keefe are both open to in the future.
“There’s always the opportunity to work off each other and have it be a positive scenario,” O’Keefe said.
