Faces:Business 2020 by Downtown Publications Inc.

FACES:BUSINESS LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY PROFILES 2020

SPECIAL SECTION | DOWNTOWN NEWSMAGAZINE

INDEX This special advertorial section is designed to provide readers of Downtown newsmagazine with added insight into the people behind the businesses serving residents of this area. With the exception of the photos on page 3, 11 and 20, all photography is the work of Laurie Tennent of the Laurie Tennent Studio in Birmingham. Stories are the work of Hillary Anchill, Lisa Brody, Dana Casadei and Stacy Gittleman.

Page 3: KW Domain | Tushar Vakhariya Page 4: Habatat Galleries | Aaron Schey, Corey Hampson Page 5: Optik Birmingham | Dr. Joseph Ales, OD Page 6: Ennis Center For Children | Robert Ennis, President Page 7: Tender | Cheryl Daskas, Karen Daskas Page 8: College Choice Counseling | Barbara Connolly, J.D. CEP Page 9: The Birmingham Tailor | Ali Cheaib Page 10: Detroit Country Day Schools | Richard Dempsey, Head of Schools Page 11: Meredith Colburn Real Estate | Meredith Colburn Page 12: Chief Financial Credit Union | Tom Dluzen, President & CEO Page 13: SHE | Sharon Eisenshtadt Page 14: BREEZE Provisioning Center Page 15: Kastler Construction Inc. | Rick Kastler, Paul Kozicki Page 16: S4 Connect | Lance Docken, CEO; Dan Woodford, CMO Page 17: Castaldi | Anna Castaldi Page 18: State Farm Insurance | Barbara Merten-Dubensky, CPCU Page 19: Sterling Development Corporation | Todd Emerson Page 20: Dan Gutfreund Realty Group | Dan Gutfreund

Downtown newsmagazine | 124 W. Maple Road, Birmingham 48009 | 248.792.6464

FACES:BUSINESS

KW DOMAIN Tushar Vakhariya 210 S. Old Woodward, Suite 200, Birmingham 48009 | 248.289.0660 www.TusharVakhariya.com | Facebook: TusharVakhariyaAssociates | Instagram: Tushar_Vakhariya

ith over half a billion dollars in sales year to date, Tushar Vakhariya ranks in the top one percent of realtors in the nation. A lifelong resident of Bloomfield Hills with over 24 years of experience in the real estate business, Vakhariya is a principal of KW Domain in Birmingham, first opened in 2016 and now home for over 200 agents. Vakhariya has developed a well-earned reputation as an industry leader who specializes in Michigan luxury real estate, which requires a seasoned understanding of both this unique segment of the industry and the requirements and desires of clients. Vakhariya says “a home is where one finds the most comfort and where people envision their future,” and shares that finding a dream home for his

clients is the most rewarding part of his job. But he also understands that your home is likely your largest investment. With his ability to anticipate market trends, thanks to his personal involvement in real estate since his early twenties, he wisely advises his buyers and sellers to make sound financial decisions. Vakhariya has made the transition to the area seamless for luxury buyers, high-net worth individuals, professional athletes, and for clients looking for a family home. His savvy and relentless style provide confidence for clients when they sign on the dotted line. Vakhariya’s uncompromising professionalism and drive has led to his success in the industry as a top producer in the country.

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lot of things have changed in the art world since 1971 when Habatat Galleries was founded, but one thing has stayed the same – their focus on showcasing fine art glass. Considered the oldest and largest gallery in America that’s focused on artists which use glass as a medium, Habatat is now run by its second generation, stepbrothers Corey Hampson and Aaron Schey, who took over from their father and the gallery’s founder, Ferdinand Hampson, six years ago. “We are a diamond in the rough...and once people walk through our doors, it's like opening a treasure box,” Schey, also known as Mr. Glass, said. “People get to see artwork and that inspires as well as intrigues their mind. A lot of people walk through our doors for inspiration and it's an amazing place to visit.”

The 12,000-square-foot space in Royal Oak is home to collections and artists which Schey said need to be recognized in this generation and beyond. Once, glass pieces were small and used as vessels, but now, since technology has advanced, artists skills have as well, bringing much more complex and large scale pieces to the gallery. Habatat also works with local museums and art centers. Their mission is to service their collections for both public and private. “In glass, it’s something people don't experience everyday. People have seen paintings, but when you see a glass sculpture it kind of blows your mind,” Schey noted. Their most recent exhibition is the annual Glass48: Habatat Direct, now in its 48th year, which can be experienced at www.Glass48.com. Above: Aaron Schey

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FACES:BUSINESS

OPTIK BIRMINGHAM Dr. Joseph Ales, OD 247 W. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009 | 248.646.6699 www.Optikbirmingham.com | Facebook: ShopOptik | Instagram: Shop_Optik

or a mix of top notch eye care and high fashion eyewear, one needs to look no further than downtown Birmingham’s OPTIK. The store boasts several collections of glasses designed in Europe that are scarcely found in the U.S., as well as the largest selection of original, unused vintage frames. Owner and optometrist Dr. Joseph Ales, OD, says that “very few people in the country offer a selection like that,” which includes frames made of vinyl, wood, buffalo horn, leather, and a variety of metals. He typically finds these frames through his travels across Europe; recently, he did a collaboration with a line from Budapest that uses vinyl records as the final layer of the glasses for the Motown Museum in honor of its 60th anniversary.

Of course, before picking out a pair of glasses comes the eye exam. “This is a retail environment, but I’ve got instrumentation that goes beyond a standard of care. I’ve invested in some of the latest instrumentation for diagnosing even though I’m in a boutique. Patients really appreciate that,” notes Ales. Something else customers are thankful for? “As a boutique optical, we take vision insurance. Most do not. It’s kind of a big deal. People get a luxury type frame using their insurance that saves hundreds of dollars, but they still have something unique and special.” It is Dr. Ales’ artistic sensibility and attention to patient care that has made OPTIK a Birmingham staple for nearly two decades.

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ENNIS CENTER FOR CHILDREN Robert Ennis, President 370 East Maple Road, Third Floor, Birmingham, 48009 | 91 South Telegraph Road, Pontiac, 48341 | (888) 200-8915 www.enniscenter.org | Facebook: EnnisCenter

ob Ennis calls caring for Michigan’s most vulnerable children his lifelong passion. For 43 years he has served at the helm of Ennis Center for Children providing foster care, adoption, and related support services to more than 6,000 children and families each year throughout southeast Michigan. “This has been my ministry and my life,” said Ennis, who was raised by his grandparents after his parents divorced when he was nine. “I realized then that I never wanted any child to go through what I went through.” From mental health screening to family and group therapy, Ennis Center provides for a full spectrum of therapeutic programs to assure ‘at-risk’ children are safely placed in licensed foster homes as dedicated staff help to create a path for a brighter future. Ennis Center is also working closely with churches and other human service organizations within Oakland County and the surrounding areas to raise

awareness about the need to recruit local foster families willing to provide loving and stable home environments for deserving children in need. “As much as we try to keep children with parents or relatives, there is a big need to place children in foster care. Especially now with the COVID crisis and kids not coming into school, there is a grave concern that many isolated children are being secluded within neglectful or abusive home situations that are going unreported. “People say kids are our future, but often, they get left behind. At Ennis Center, our long-term mission is to give children the stability and nurturing they need so they can rebuild their lives and do great things. “Community support, at any level, can help us make a real difference. Our mantra is: Foster. Adopt. Love. Give.” Above: Robert Ennis, Kimberly Stout

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FACES:BUSINESS

TENDER Cheryl and Karen Daskas 271 W. Maple Road, Birmingham 48009, 248.258.0212 www.tenderbirmingham.com | Facebook: TenderBirmingham | Instagram: Tenderbham

ndi Rehm wants you to have a good time, like a really, really good time. “The most important thing is about having fun,” says Rehm, manager at the iconic Birmingham boutique Tender. “People want an experience they cannot get online.” That is the main reason she has such great relationships with her clients – it is all about trust. When clients come in for Rehm’s assistance, some want wardrobes for an entire season while others simply want a piece for a special occasion. They know Rehm is always sure to style them in a fresh and forward look. For Rehm – who studied fashion merchandising at Michigan State University – working at Tender is like being a kid in a candy shop. Except the candy is fashion, something Rehm has loved since childhood. The boutique opened 26 years ago – Rehm’s been there for 21 – and is

owned by sisters Karen and Cheryl Daskas. While Tender has evolved over the years, the boutique's emphasis remains on European and American designer fashion that is unique to the market. Tender never loses focus on customer service and providing the ultimate experience. Rehm said it is all about knowing your client and taking into account their personality. “They need to know they look great and feel special, which is where I come in.” “People ask me all the time how I can stay at the same place for so long?” laughs Rehm “But I look at it as ever-changing. Every season is new fashion and new people to meet. Plus after 20 years it is like working with your family. We laugh a lot!” So Tender is a really good time for her, too.

Above: Andi Rehm DOWNTOWN NEWSMAGAZINE / 7

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COLLEGE CHOICE COUNSELING Barbara Connolly, J.D. CEP 950 E. Maple Road, Suite 208, Birmingham, 48009 | 248.294.0099 www.collegecc.com | Twitter: CCCConnolly

arbara Connolly and her team at College Choice Counseling are ready to guide students on the path to applying to college and graduate school – something that can be both exciting and stressful, even without a global pandemic. As an attorney and former admissions reader at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, Connolly founded CCC in 2002 to provide college admission counseling services to families. CCC has since expanded its services to include essay writing assistance, subject and ACT/SAT tutoring. The Birmingham resident and her team take a personal, multifaceted approach to the entire college application process. “We especially appreciate helping students with their essays. It is thrilling to help them find their ideal voice for college applications,” said Connolly. “I have always been a believer in face-to-face private consultation,” said

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Connolly, who is the only Certified Educational Planner in Michigan. “But with the pandemic came a new paradigm.” Since the pandemic, Connolly upgraded CCC’s technology to provide a quality consulting experience for families over Zoom, with an emphasis on rising seniors who have been working to get a jump on college applications. The CCC team has also adopted new methods for ACT/SAT test prep, offering remotely proctored practice tests and personalized tutoring over Zoom. “Testing requirements in college admissions have become flexible during the pandemic, but if circumstances allow a student to test, it can help,” said Connolly. “Because we work as a team, our clients have the benefit of our combined expertise. Our students enjoy fully integrated support at every step of the process. We are here for our clients!” said Connolly.

FACES:BUSINESS

THE BIRMINGHAM TAILOR Ali Cheaib 139 W. Maple Road, Suite H-K, Birmingham 48009 | 248.433.3703 www.thebirminghamtailor.com | Facebook: ali.cheaib.3 | Facebook: bhamtailor | Instagram: bhamtailor

li Cheaib first picked up a needle and thread at the age of 13 in Beirut, Lebanon, where his family owned a small manufacturing business. After emigrating to the United States, he worked at various tailor shops and eventually opened The Birmingham Tailor in 2002, where he has quickly become a household name for his honesty in fitting and skilled craft tailoring. Cheaib expanded his business to offer custom made-to-measure clothing for men and women, focusing on suits, sport coats, dress coats and shirts, many with unique linings. Clients are able to choose fabric from fine Italian, French and English mills, including Loro Piana, Scabal, Zegna, Gladson, Holland & Sherry, among others. “Always, always, we focus on the quality,” Cheaib said. “We're tailors and clothiers. We make a big impact because we understand tailoring and how suits are supposed to fit, and focus on the current fashions of Europe.”

A wide variety of spectacular linings are available to choose from to completely personalize the suits and jackets. Many custom suits are clients' wedding suits or designed – and monogrammed – for special events. While those special events have been on hold with the coronavirus pandemic, Cheaib picked up his needle once again, focused on giving back to the community which has given so much to him and his family. He began making masks for essential workers this past spring from leftover and available fabric – and soon, for his many clients, who clamored for them. Quality and fit are watchwords for Cheaib and his staff, who want everyone to walk out looking and feeling their best, because he views every client as a friend or neighbor since Cheaib and his wife Lisa, who often works alongside him, have lived, shopped and dined in Birmingham for 20 years, along with daughter Jenna, 14, and son Hadi, 10.

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DETROIT COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Richard Dempsey, Head of Schools 22305 W. Thirteen Mile Road, Beverly Hills 48025 | 248.646.7717 www.dcds.edu

ichard Dempsey, Detroit Country Day School's new Head of Schools, understands private school education to his core. “I had the good fortune of going to a private school my junior and senior years of high school,” he said. “When I went to a private school from a small suburban town, it really opened my eyes to this world in which we lived, to diversity of race, diversity of gender, thought, and the world. It allowed me to see life through lenses I had never seen before.” Dempsey, a New Englander, attended St. George's School in Rhode Island, where he played hockey and baseball, two sports he then played at Bowdoin College, where he was a pre-med student – and then was recruited to work as a chemistry and math teacher, as well as a coach, back at St. George's, for what was to be a year. “What a transformational experience for me,” Dempsey said. “I found my calling.”

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After 11 years, Dempsey moved on to the Rocky Hill School in Rhode Island, to become their head of the Upper School, before becoming associate head of schools at Pomfret School in Connecticut. He also earned a M.Ed. degree in educational administration from Boston University and completed a NAIS Fellowship for Aspiring Heads of Schools. With wife Mary, and son Teddy, 7, he is excited to be in Michigan and at DCDS, where 88 percent of families have chosen in-person education this year. “I chose Detroit Country Day School because we prepare students better – better in the classroom, better athletically, globally, in character, in the arts, for college – but also, for life,” he said. He also sees areas to make his mark, noting that 60 percent of the jobs for this generation have not yet been invented. “I have the opportunity to raise the bar. What a privilege to be here at this time.”

FACES:BUSINESS

MEREDITH COLBURN REAL ESTATE Meredith Colburn 442 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009 | 248.762.5319 www.meredithcolburn.com | Facebook: MeredithColburnRealEstate | Instagram: MeredithColburnRealEstate

ome is the center of everyone’s day to day now, so it is more essential than ever to be happy and comfortable within your four walls,” shares realtor Meredith Colburn. As Michigan residents have spent the better part of 2020 sheltering in place due to COVID-19, Colburn notes that all this time inside is fueling a busy real estate market. “Those who spent a lot of time at home realized what they might be missing,” including home offices and gyms. “That has prompted a lot of local moves,” as well as those by young adults returning to the Detroit suburbs from places like New York and Chicago. Buyers and sellers have long turned to Colburn to help them navigate this process. Colburn began her real estate career 27 years ago, joining her mother, Nanci Rands, in the industry. Colburn’s current team – which still

includes her mother – has grown to include four “very capable, intelligent women who I trust completely to jump in to do an impeccable job when I am otherwise committed.” Part of the team’s success is having an eye towards the future. Colburn serves as a mentor for “the new generation of Realtor,” which includes team members Nicky Warczak, who is expanding their presence into Detroit, and Caroline Johnson, a client concierge and showing assistant. The team is rounded out with Jessica Weisman, who Colburn says “has taken my business model, my philosophy on how to work effectively with clients, a platform of client service excellence and attention to detail, and become such a phenomenal extension and representation of my business.”

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FACES:BUSINESS

CHIEF FINANCIAL CREDIT UNION Tom Dluzen, President & CEO 189 W. Merrill Street, Birmingham 48009 | 248.253.7900 www.chiefonline.com | Facebook: chieffinancialcu | Twitter: ChiefFinancial | Instagram: chieffinancialcu

hief Financial Credit Union President and CEO Tom Dluzen is grateful for the welcome Birmingham residents have expressed since the 79-year old financial services company opened its Birmingham office. “They’ll knock on the window to wave hello and I will step outside and greet them with a small hand sanitizer and my business card. They’re surprised to see the guy handing out the hand sanitizer is the CEO,” said Dluzen, who has been at the helm for 10 years. “Birmingham has a friendly, small town feel. Now that we are here, we want to share our passion about helping people with their financial wellness as well as partnering with community organizations to making it easy for them to give back.” After its spring 2020 Birmingham opening, Chief Financial Credit Union has already formed partnerships with the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce and The Community House. From its humble 1941 beginnings on the shop floor formed by a group of

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GM Pontiac Motors employees, Chief Financial Credit Union expanded its reach in metro Detroit while remaining committed to empowering individual financial success and inspiring creative philanthropy. It accomplishes this through innovative financial solutions. No stranger to leading in times of uncertainty, Dluzen rallied his team to maintain commitment to serving their members and communities while navigating through the pandemic. Under his leadership, Chief Financial Credit Union was able to pause loan due dates for 90 days for over 13,000 members, pivot resources to help over 50 organizations with PPP loans and even provide service to members of other local credit unions forced to close during the early days of the pandemic. In addition, new call center protocols were created to preserve employment for many employees and ensure member calls were answered within seconds despite the drastic increase in volume.

FACES:BUSINESS

SHE Sharon Eisenshtadt 6400 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 49301 | 248.385.5502 www.shestores.com | Facebook: SHEstores | Instagram: SHEstores

hen COVID-19 hit, Sharon Eisenshtadt put on her fashionable big girl pants, moved her multibrand contemporary clothing, accessory, jewelry and giftware boutique into her house, “and overnight I became SHE in the dining room!” She became an Instagram hit, modeling her wares to clamoring customers. Now the store is open for walk in business as well as curbside pickups, home drop offs and private appointments. While she initially canceled her spring trunk shows – a signature of SHE, which offers clients unique selection of designer items, with a portion going to charity – she quickly discovered customers wanted something fresh to wear, and rebooked them. “One day I sold 60 pairs of jeans,” she said. “Now, I'm selling all over the country. It's not just one market anymore.” Eisenshtadt even began a new business during the lockdown, selling vintage 24 karat plated Chanel handbags. “They are all in mint pristine

condition, for the customer who collects,” she said. “It's something I wanted to dabble in for a while.” Her goal, honed over a 25-year career – first, 10 years as Director of Personal Shopping for Marshall Fields, then running the designer department for Saks in Troy before she struck out on her own and created SHE in her image 12 years ago, is “it's always about how to make it fun and interesting for the client.” SHE is focused on “contemporary clothing to designer. There's a mix of price points.” For Eisenshtadt and her crew of five personal stylists, who specialize in servicing their customers in one favorite item or a complete wardrobe from top designers like Veronica Beard, SMYTHE, Ganni, Misa, Velvet and Electric & Rose, they truly live and breathe SHE's new motto, “Fashion is the new normal.” DOWNTOWN NEWSMAGAZINE / 13

FACES:BUSINESS

BREEZE PROVISIONING CENTER 24517 John R. Road, Hazel Park 48030 | 833.927.3393 www.breeze.us | Facebook: BREEZE Provisioning Center | Instagram: BREEZEMichigan

n March 8th, just weeks before the Covid-19 pandemic took hold in Michigan, BREEZE opened as Oakland County’s first recreational cannabis shop. While many businesses closed due to the “stay home, stay safe” order, BREEZE and other licensed cannabis retailers were deemed essential businesses. This ensured that Michiganders had access to cannabis-based products to manage their cancer, chronic pain, anxiety and stress among other conditions. In many ways, according to BREEZE’s store manager Colleen Coats, they were grateful for the timing of the store opening. With people sheltering in, BREEZE saw many first-time customers who were curious and thought “this was the perfect time to try cannabis.” In particular, Coats saw many customers in their late 50s or early 60s saying, “I haven’t used cannabis in decades, but I

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know it’s really evolved and want to see where it takes me.” Customers choose BREEZE because they offer an array of high quality cannabis-based products – all of which are made in Michigan – including edibles, tinctures, topicals, transdermals, as well as oils for cancer patients, patches and concentrates. With the “stay home, stay safe” order, BREEZE and other licensed retailers were forced to close their retail floor to the public and only offer curbside pickup or delivery. The BREEZE team quickly adapted by adding an online menu, optimizing their ordering systems for quick pick up, adding free delivery and making staff members available to educate and answer questions by phone or curbside. For Coats and her BREEZE colleagues, it’s all about “spreading the knowledge and diminishing the negative stigma cannabis had while making recreational cannabis a BREEZE.”

FACES:BUSINESS

KASTLER CONSTRUCTION INC. Rick Kastler, Paul Kozicki 425 S. Main Street, Clawson 48017, 248.655.5580 www.kastlerconstruction.com | Facebook: kastlerconstruction | Instagram: kastlerconstruction

wenty-five years in business is quite an achievement and a reason to celebrate for any business. For Kastler Construction Inc, which has spent those 25 years enhancing and constructing metro Detroiters' living spaces, it's particularly special because Rick Kastler, president, and Paul Kozicki, vice president, of Kastler Construction, love what they do. Kastler’s primary focus is building custom homes, cohesive home additions, whole house renovations, gourmet kitchens, and bathroom remodeling. Kastler noted that the most common request in a home used to be open floor plans, but recently, people are asking for more defined rooms and dedicated work spaces. Kastler and Kozicki run two successful businesses that serve both discriminating homeowners and professionals. Kastler Construction is a full-

service design/build firm, working with clients from design inception until the construction is complete. With a 2,500 square-foot showroom, which also houses their sister company, Visionary Cabinetry & Design, clients are able to choose from a variety of cabinetry and project materials right on site. “For us, it’s really about helping the clients create a space they’ll enjoy for many years and working through the details to give them the finished product that they are expecting,” Kozicki said. And high quality is what they do – just ask their clients who often bring them back for second and even third projects. “There’s nothing better than reading a review online from a client saying how satisfied they were with our work, attention to detail, and being connected with them during the entire process. It’s very rewarding, “ he said. Above: Paul Kozicki, Rick Kastler DOWNTOWN NEWSMAGAZINE / 15

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S4 CONNECT Lance Docken, CEO; Dan Woodford, CMO 575 E. Big Beaver Road, Suite 140, Troy, 48083 | 248.221.2324 www.s4connectteam.com | Facebook: S4Connect | Instagram: S4Connect

t’s been a roller coaster of good times and COVID-19, so we picked the perfect time to start a new business,” joked Dan Woodford, co-founder and CMO of S4 Connect. Really though, things have been going great for the new marketing and consulting company, which Woodford founded with Lance Docken, the company’s CEO, earlier this year. With over 20 years of experience in big advertising and marketing, they decided to bring their experience and mindset to the local level and specialize in small to mid-sized markets for automotive, insurance, elder care, landscaping and financial services. Currently, S4 Connect is in what Docken described as startup mode; however, their experience over the years watching the evolution of consumer behaviors, uniquely position them to bring big brand marketing, at scale, to local businesses that in the past would have been unattainable.

“We've been able to really identify problems, and then go out to that industry and say, 'Hey, we're seeing something here and we'd like to be able to talk to you about how we can help you overcome it.” S4 does this through what Woodford calls, “Connected Moments,” highly graphical experiences for consumers when they are most likely to buy on the channels they frequent. Short-term, S4 Connect is focused on assisting with everything from website design to digital marketing. Long-term, the plan is to build out engaging, repeatable marketing programs for independent business owners. What’s the best part of being on their own now though? Docken said, “It’s the liberating experience of doing what’s right, you don’t ask, you just do it.” Above: Dan Woodford, Lance Docken

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FACES:BUSINESS

CASTALDI Anna Castaldi 245 W. Maple Road, Birmingham 48009, 248.590.2890 hen a woman is seeking her one-of-a-kind wedding dress, mother of the bride or groom gown, or any other special occasion dress, she turns to Anna Castaldi, owner of Roma Sposa Bridal Atelier and Castaldi, Anna's new store for formal wear, both in Birmingham. Castaldi opened Roma Sposa in 1996, and quickly discovered that her brides required more than just wedding gowns. “When I began working with women, I realized there was a need for dresses for rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, receptions, and to go to other parties,” she said, noting they became long-term customers. “She would go to the auto shows, charity events, bar mitzvahs, other weddings. “We started out dressing brides and mother of the brides, the sisters of the brides, and these customers became repeat customers, and would tell other customers,” Castaldi said of the metamorphosis to an evening wear store,

Castaldi, that caters well beyond weddings. Originally named Roma Notte, the evening wear store was located within Roma Sposa for 15 years before Castaldi opened her namesake store on W. Maple Road in 2018, featuring cocktail, evening and black tie attire. “I travel worldwide constantly finding designs and searching for designers who work by hand, do details and who are willing to customize dresses for my customers, because every woman has different needs,” she said of the customization to choose any color, fabric, neckline, and sleeve. “As a stylist, I both consult and analyze your style, shape, the way you move and I can suggest styles that best suit you, including the importance of the location and place you are attending to make sure you are in season. Myself and my team, for us it's a mission, not a job to help a woman feel confident and shine.”

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STATE FARM INSURANCE Barbara Merten-Dubensky, CPCU 800 N Old Woodward Avenue, Suite 200, Birmingham, 48009 | 248.647.4266 www.barbmd.com | Facebook: Barbara Merten-Duvensky-State Farm Agent | Twitter: MertenBarbara | Instagram: bmdubensky

arbara Merten-Dubensky is a one stop shop for all things insurance. While this includes auto, homeowners, life, commercial insurance etc… her services extend far beyond that, with financial licenses for mutual funds, annuities, mortgages and more. She and her team take a holistic approach to her client’s needs, as she sees insurance as just one piece of a larger financial puzzle. “It is important to have the appropriate amount of insurance to provide a solid foundation of which to build the rest of your financial portfolio on. Once that base is in place we can assist our clients with investment options for future needs such as emergency savings, retirement or a legacy.” As an independent State Farm agent, Merten-Dubensky is able to serve the local community by accessing national resources. And prior to opening her business in 2000, she spent 14 years on the claims side. This uniquely

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positioned her to help guide her clients to navigate insurance options specific to their needs. “As a claims adjuster, I spent much of my time interpreting insurance policies and estimating damages sustained due to natural disasters and accidental events to make sure our customers were taken care of and their claims were settled appropriately.” This unique experience gives her insight as to what calamities her clients can face, and shares those possibilities with them. “Many people may not know the extent as to what insurance protection they may need until they don’t have it,” an eventuality Merten-Dubensky aims to avoid. Whether by phone, email, or in person, she spends time getting to know her clients and what is important to them. This personal touch helps guide her in the types of insurance or financial services she recommends to her clients to best fit their needs.

FACES:BUSINESS

STERLING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Todd Emerson 2382 Franklin Road, Bloomfield Hills 48302 | 248.203.2036 www.sdc.build | Facebook: SterlingDevelopment

ince starting Sterling Development Corporation as an investor in 1996, Todd Emerson has taken a hands-on approach to custom building. He has now grown the Bloomfield Hills-based business into one of the most recognized and awarded luxury contractors in metro Detroit. “I decided to pursue building full time in 2002, and I began by developing homes on speculation which soon expanded into renovations and new construction for clients,” Emerson said. “As my business grew naturally through word of mouth, I made the decision to bring in a partner to oversee operations in 2014” – his partner and brother, Marc Alexander. “We have very complementary personalities which has proven to be very effective,” Emerson went on to say. With his degree in mechanical engineering, Marc worked in the auto industry for 27 years before joining Sterling in 2014. His extensive knowledge of project management and his personal experience with building homes has proven to be an invaluable asset as the company grew.

Today, Sterling has approximately 18 employees, including project administrators, superintendents, and a crew of finish carpenters. With a focus on new homes, additions and renovations throughout Oakland and Wayne counties, Sterling Development brings together over 200 years of construction, planning, architectural and interior design experience, earning multiple Detroit Home Design Awards over the past five consecutive years. “Marc and I stay active in all aspects of the business, including customer relations, marketing and regular site visits. This allows us to properly communicate our vision to our staff along with insuring quality expectations are met,” Emerson said. “We are also heavily involved in the planning process with the client, architect and interior designer.” Sterling has recently added a service department to handle all of the client’s maintenance needs to ensure customer satisfaction and ease of ownership beyond the warranty period. “Our goal is to always exceed our customer’s expectations from start, to finish and beyond”. DOWNTOWN NEWSMAGAZINE / 19

FACES:BUSINESS

DAN GUTFREUND REALTY GROUP Dan Gutfreund 415 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham 48009, 248.497.4646 www.iSellMichigan.com | Facebook: DanGutfreundRealtySpecialist | Instagram: dan.signaturesothebys

fter selling his custom cabinet making business, and moving to Michigan from Canada, Dan Gutfreund decided to enter the world of real estate, with a little nudge from his wife. “My wife one day woke up and said, ‘You need to get a job,’” said Gutfreund, who took a few years off to enjoy life in between jobs. “I decided to look into real estate because the nature of my previous career was sales and marketing and construction. I thought, that would round me out as a great sales professional in real estate.” Now, he’s the name behind Dan Gutfreund Realty Group, a member of Signature Sotheby's International Realty, and one of their top producers. Gutfreund’s group opened in Birmingham in 2009 and Sotheby’s was the only company Gutfreund interviewed with.

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Recently, Gutfreund has acquired a team – who he said are the best of the best – and he said they treat each home, whether it’s worth $300,000 or $3 million, with the same level of care and strong sales presentation. Over the years Gutfreund has discovered a lot about his new career field, like being available for clients 24/7 and how real estate is not as easy as people think. Especially when you have to start your foundation of clients from scratch. “That made working in this business extra hard because I really, truly had to sell me and what I could bring to the table on my own merit without six degrees of separation,” Gutfreund said. Now, Gutfreund – who is at every house showing – has a multi-million dollar business. Clearly, his personal, old-school approach is working.