2017 has proven that “girl power” is on the rise throughout the nation and more specifically Detroit with powerhouse voices and businesses of black women stepping into the spotlight showing the Black Girl Magic is here to stay and slay! Salute to this sistah’s #BlackGirlMagic: April Anderson, pastry chef and owner of Good Cakes and Bakes. April’s success story includes overcoming becoming a teen mother, to going to college, getting a MBA from University of Michigan Ross school of Business, working for Chrysler, quitting Chrysler to work for a human service nonprofit, then finding her true calling as an pastry chef and opening a bakery in a once forgotten neighborhood business district in Detroit – Avenue of Fashion. Winner of Quicken Loans Detroit Demo Days ($100,000K), and recently featured panelist at Mackinaw Policy Conference and the Essence Festival. (www.goodcakesandbakes.com) What advice would you give a working mom on risking the security of her 9-5 to pursue her passion/dream?
“I would tell any mother that if she wants to leave her job to start a business, to plan for her expenses for at least a year. I would suggest she pay down as much of her personal debt as possible because she will have little to no income for at least 6-8 months depending on the type of business she’s starting. Definitely participate in as many of the resources offered in Detroit right now (ex. BUILD Institute, TechTown, etc.) while she’s still working. Making those connections before she leaves her job will be priceless. But most importantly make sure whatever she does is something she loves! Because she will have to eat, sleep, and dream about it all day, every day. I personally, can say I don’t regret leaving my job 4.5 years age.
Tiff Massey, Tiff Massey is an interdisciplinary artist from Detroit, Michigan. She holds an MFA in metalsmithing from Cranbrook Academy of Art. Her work, inspired by African standards of economic vitality, includes both large-scale and wearable sculptures. Massey counts the iconic material culture of 1980’s hip-hop as a major influence in her jewelry. She uses contemporary observances of class and race through the lens of an African diaspora, combined with inspiration drawn from her experience in Detroit.
Tiff Massey is a 2015 Kresge Arts in Detroit Fellowship awardee, as well as a John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s Knight Arts Challenge winner and a Michigan Chronicle 40 Under 40 award recipient. Massey has participated in several international residencies including Ideas City (in Detroit, Athens, Greece and Arles, France) hosted by The New Museum of New York and with the Volterra-Detroit Foundation in Volterra, Italy. Tiff Massey’s work has been widely exhibited in both national and international museums and galleries. (www.tiffmassey.com)
Regina Gaines, owner of House of Pure Vin wine shop Detroit. Who ever thought three African American women – Regina Grains, Andrea Dunbar, Terry Mullins, and later a fourth Jena Scott, could open a wine shop in downtown Detroit, and become the poster-ladies for entrepreneurship, and ambassadors for Michigan’s second largest economy – agriculture – grape/wine production. House of Pure Vin from its architectural concept, to the delivery of customer service, has been a winner. The shop recently won the Architectural Institute American Michigan chapter best interior space. Hour Detroit’s Best Wine Shop and WDIV’s Not 4 The Best wine shop. The House of Pure Vin has a master Sommelier on staff, Claudia Tyegi, who is skilled at educating and presenting wines to customers who only may know they like a “red” or “white” wines. Regina’s road as an entrepreneur highlights what Detroit today is all about, and beacon for those looking to take the risk, and live out their goal as a business owner. (www.houseofpurevin.com) What advice would you give to women on partnering with other women to start their own joint business venture?:
“A partnership is marriage. Most times, one wants it more or loves it more than the other the partner. It maybe a great opportunity for one partner and a dream for another partner. Everyone has their own reason for participating in the business, and everyone has to find their own way when trying to incorporate a business is their lives. It is hard and not easy. But, anything can be done with the right support system. The partnership needs a support system. My first advice is I would establish an advisory board for the company to help support the business and the partner’s ability to make decisions collectively and cohesively. My second advice is each partner should have a mentor or a life coach to support their ability to execute their roles in the business.”
Ashleigh Maynor, founder of inTENtional U. Ashleigh, received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and her Master’s degree in Counseling from Oakland University. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha and a licensed professional Counselor in the state of Michigan where her personal focus has been on Career Counseling & Development and Couples & Family Counseling. As a coach through Intentional U she has a passion for helping others live intentionally by giving them the tools needed to cultivate healthy relationships, discover career passions and move past barriers that prevent them from activating their authentic self. (www.intentionalu.com)
Michelle Lewis, owner of Painting with a Twist Detroit, Ferndale and Farmington. Michelle is a native Detroit, raised on the westside, a graduate of Mackenzie High School and a graduate of Tuskegee University where she earned her degree in architecture. Michelle found her calling as an entrepreneur while in New Orleans doing some contract work after Hurricane Katrina. There she had her first Painting with a Twist experience and loved it so much she secured franchising rights to bring the very first PWAT to Michigan – the Ferndale store. The rest, as they say, is history. With three studios, and the Ferndale story recognized as the #1 studio across the country for the past four years. Michelle is quietly one of Detroit’s business success stories working to improve the quality of life through painting activities in Detroit and having fun. (www.paintingwithatwist.com) What advice would you give women on starting their own franchise business?
“Firstly follow your passion. If you find something that drives you and something that you believe in, follow your heart and research as much information to make a sound decision(s) on moving forward with your business venture. Connect with others that are like-minded and seek out essential resource individuals such as CPA, PR, Attorney.
There are many advantages of becoming part of a franchise system compared to an independent business owner. In general, many processes and procedures are set for you to follow when joining a franchise which is half the battle of becoming successful in your business. It is imperative to understand being in a franchise system you are part of a “whole” and to be successful, you must be engaged as a team player to your franchise brand.”
Salute Sistahs. Slay.
