Michigan Chronicle Small Business Month 2023

Cooking with Que Queues up Vegan Delights

Holistic Wellness Owner Seeks to Regain Business Post COVID

4 Tips to Grow Cash Flow For Your Small Business

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Contents Table of-

Small businesses have historically been at the heart of economic growth in Detroit. The path forward through COVID-19 has not been easy for small businesses, but Detroit’s small business community continues to showcase its resolve, adaptability, and resourcefulness and continues to contribute to the growth of Detroit’s economy.

The role Small Businesses play in the growth of Detroit’s economy is important because they provide unique benefits to neighborhood economies and residents.

Small businesses can create jobs in neighborhoods and help revitalize disinvested corridors. Small businesses offer expanded pathways to opportunity and wealthbuilding. Small business development offers an opportunity for the Detroit economy to support innovative ideas, with the potential to help individuals quickly achieve greater economic success.

Launching a business isn’t easy, and many start-ups fail. But Detroit is deliberate about structuring programs and outreach to both encourage start-ups and support existing small businesses. This ranges from cutting red tape to connecting entrepreneurs to funding sources and grants.

Launching a business isn’t easy, and many start-ups fail. But Detroit is deliberate about structuring programs and outreach to both encourage start-ups and support existing small businesses. This ranges from cutting red tape to connecting entrepreneurs to funding sources and grants. Now in its fourth year the Michigan Chronicle’s Small Business Month 2023 continues to serve as a resource to help small businesses chart their path forward. Small Business Month 2023 will provide tips and advice on planning for a range of contingencies, as well as guidance on issues especially critical to not only small businesses, but to entrepreneurs as well.

Small Business 2023 resource guide aims to put information and resources at the fingertips of small businesses and entrepreneurs to help them successfully chart a path forward: Stay

Hiram E. Jackson Publisher, Michigan Chronicle Chief Executive Officer, Real Times Media

Shops on Top Reign Supreme:

An Upscale Shopping Destination in Detroit

By Lynzee Mychael MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST

Shops on Top, Detroit’s upscale shopping destination, has emerged as a platform that not only celebrates luxury retail but also showcases the resilience and success of black-owned small businesses. Deron and Tina Washington, a power couple and seasoned fashion experts, have collectively dedicated 33 years of their lives to the retail industry. Remarkably, their journey has been intertwined with a successful marriage of 30 years, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to both their professional and personal lives.

experience. Our goal was to design an environment where people could have fun, feel good, and embrace the cultural richness that Detroit has to offer. It’s not just about purchasing goods; it’s about immersing oneself in the vibrant tapestry of cultures, foods, and traditions that make this city unique.” said Deron.

The Census Bureau’s 2021 data unveils a stark disparity: while the population of metro Detroit is 22% Black, only a mere 2.7% of businesses in the area are Black-owned. This striking statistic underscores the critical need to acknowledge and support these businesses, as doing so is crucial for promoting economic equity and empowerment within the community.

In a city like Detroit where clothing options overflow, upscale choices have been a rarity. Shops on Top have not only transformed the retail scene in Detroit but have also played a significant role in the city’s economic growth. By attracting upscale shoppers from both within and outside the region has also had a positive ripple effect on nearby businesses, fostering the development of a thriving ecosystem of luxury retailers, hotels, restaurants, and other complementary services. This economic revitalization contributes to the overall growth and reputation of Detroit as a premier destination for upscale shopping and tourism.

This one-of-a-kind shopping destination at Shops on Top showcases and sells their diverse range of brands, spanning from clothing to toys and even featuring an event space. What sets the brands showcased at Shops on Top apart is their distinctiveness - they are all original brands created by Deron and Tina themselves. Drawing upon their extensive backgrounds and fueled by their vision of becoming a shopping staple in Detroit, the couple has crafted a place that stands out as a truly unique shopping experience within Detroit and Eastern Market.

“We wanted to create a space that not only catered to the need for shopping but also captured the essence of the market

Deron said, “When considering the location for our business, we were drawn to the diversity and cosmopolitan atmosphere of Detroit. The city’s vibrant culture and rich history, particularly the iconic Eastern Market, played a significant role in our decision. Growing up, my mother was a frequent shopper in this area, always immersing herself in the bustling markets, exploring various cultures, and indulging in the diverse food offerings. The sense of community and joy that permeates these markets is something truly special and uplifting for the entire city.”

The path for black-owned businesses in Detroit has been marked by various challenges. Tensions escalated in the city during the build out of the “new” Downtown Detroit, when a string of these businesses found themselves at risk of losing their leases, resulting in legal battles with claims of alleged rent payment failures or lease agreement violations. These incidents reso-

nated within the community, raising concerns, and emphasizing the importance of providing increased support and recognition for black entrepreneurs who face unique obstacles while running their businesses.

In the face of these obstacles, Shops on Top has risen as a beacon of resilience, providing a secure and empowering space for their businesses to thrive, while creating the blueprint for other black owned businesses on the importance of having a solid foundation and great creativity. According to Deron, the enduring success of Shops on Top can be attributed to their positive attitude and unwavering work ethic. By fostering a nurturing environment and embodying a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Shops on Top has become a trusted platform for black-owned businesses to flourish, leaving a lasting impact on the community.

“When we first arrived here, just before the pandemic hit, there was a significant wave of development happening, especially in downtown Detroit. Initially, I thought it might slow down due to the circumstances, but now I see that it’s picking up once again. I’ve noticed a remark-

able increase in not only businesses but also black-owned businesses since then. It’s truly uplifting to witness this growth. Every day, it seems like there’s news of someone opening a new business, and that’s what excites me. I’ve also observed a rise in black developers taking charge and initiating projects like apartment complexes and housing initiatives.”

Detroit is experiencing a period of prosperity, with Black business owners at the forefront of shaping the city’s future. The hope is that this positive trajectory will continue, serving as inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs within the Black community to recognize and unleash their own potential. Many view Detroit as a black mecca, a place where exceptional achievements are within reach. As the city strives to become a leading hub for small black owned businesses, the necessary ingredients are present: a wealth of talent, a strong sense of determination, and a substantial population. Detroit’s quest to be acknowledged as a platform for black excellence and entrepreneurial success is well underway and steadily gaining momentum.

“When considering the location for our business, we were drawn to the diversity and cosmopolitan atmosphere of Detroit.”

Deron and Tina Washington, owners

4 TIPS TO

Grow Cash Flow For Your Small Business

(StatePoint) As every small business owner soon learns, growing sources of revenue and cash flow are key to survival, particularly during a venture’s first few years. While this is easier said than done, small businesses can focus on attracting new customers, building partnerships and scaling up sustainably to improve cash flow.

To get you started, Wells Fargo is sharing actionable tips for entrepreneurs, along with information about how to leverage helpful resources:

1. Create an action plan: Don’t just make a business plan, put it into action. Tech tools can help. For example, the Silver Lining Action Plan, a data-driven software service from the American Small Business Growth Program, provides wide-ranging support and structure so you can develop behaviors and drive actions that lead to long-term, sustainable growth. The program also offers the opportunity to build capital, lending money to business owners based on their behavior in the program, not their credit history. With Wells Fargo philanthropic funding, the program is expanding and is now available in Spanish.

“Having access to a trusted expert in business and financial planning can be a game-changer for any small business

owner to get their initial footing and grow for the long-term,” said Jenny Flores, head of small business growth philanthropy at Wells Fargo. “We are very intentional about funding non-profit organizations that can help guide small business owners through goal setting and improving their profitability.”

2. Expand your network: Expanding your network can be a powerful path to attracting new customers, contracts and cash flow.

In addition to joining your local chamber of commerce, consider opportunities like Wells Fargo’s Connect to More program, which through the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, places women entrepreneurs from across the country into “circles” that receive virtual and in-person peer and professional coaching over 12 weeks, plus the support of a growing network of fellow business leaders. Since its inception, the program has empowered more than 1,200 entrepreneurs in 47 states to grow their business through a wider network of engagement.

3. Scaling up: From streamlining operations to adjusting the business model, there are many moving parts to scaling up a business. Look into programs that can help you develop a growth mindset and provide you with an empowering ecosystem of support needed to make it happen.

The Latino Business Action Network’s Business Scaling Program, a nine-week online and in-person hybrid program at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, teaches participants about funding and capital options and pairs them with mentors who will challenge and support them. Corporate funders like Wells Fargo make it possible for the program to offer significant scholarships to admitted participants.

4. Get certified: If you’re a diverse business owner, consider getting certified with a third party, such as the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce or Disability:In. Doing so can open up lucrative opportunities. For example, Wells Fargo, which is committed to working with diverse suppliers, spent over $330 million with certified women-owned businesses in 2021 alone. For more small business ideas that will help you take action and increase your opportunities for business success, visit https:// smallbusinessresources.wf.com.

“As a bank that serves millions of small business customers, we know that success is hard to come by without support,” said Flores. “That’s why we’re always trying to connect entrepreneurs to valuable resources and contacts. It’s important to find the right expertise for where you are on running or growing your company.”

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) JLco - Julia Amaral / iStock via Getty Images Plus

Cooking with Que

Queues up Vegan Delights

By Andrea Plaid

If anyone could be convinced about the positives on going plantbased, they need to watch Chef Quiana “Que” Broden’s enthusiasm after a long day at a food festival.

She doesn’t stand behind the serving table but beside it, chatting with each customer who’s either curious or a big fan of her vegan fare. She moves the snaking line along efficiently while still greeting every person with a twinkling smile and fluid, bouncy movement as she scoops her delectable, people-pleasing vegan macaroni and cheese or other food from her demonstration kitchen and culinary shared space, The Kitchen. Broden, who’s a lifelong Detroiter, went vegan when she discovered that she had sarcoidosis, an auto-immune disease that affected nearly her entire body. She had a choice regarding a treatment regimen: go plant-based or take steroids. She went with the former. She also found out that she was also allergic to milk—all of this before she turned 30.

“I had [children]. I wanted to live. So, I started wanting to make everything I normally ate plant-based,” Broden said in an interview.

And she wanted to share what she knew about her newfound food habit with other Black Detroiters. She started a blog, Cooking with Que, where she shared recipes and cooking demonstrations. The exuberant response to the knowledge she shared led her to move from working as a mortgage underwriter—where she mapped out the vision of The Kitchen by Cooking with Que on a sticky note—to opening the now-renowned culinary space in 2019.

“I can’t take credit for this,” she said in another interview. “I get spiritual intervention all day.”

Broden describes The Kitchen as a place that “offers dishes of zestful and earth-conscious meals that mindfully immerses vegan and meat-eaters into blissful co-existence.” The space on Woodward is as effervescent as Broden herself: a white eating bar takes up most of the space. White tiles, accented with lime green and orange ones, are on the walls. Two-person white bistro tables with orange-cushioned white

chairs line the other side of the eatery. Cooking with Que’s kitchen-related merchandise fill in shelves, completing the coziness.

Broden’s approach to cooking is deeply rooted in Black food traditions, yet she adds her own unique flair to every dish. Her menu features sublimely mouthwatering items such as her signature vegan macaroni and cheese, vegan fish sandwiches and blissfully delicious lavender lemonade.

Beyond the appetizing food, Cooking with Que has become a catalyst for community engagement in Detroit. Broden believes in giving back. She regularly hosts cooking classes and demonstrations, sharing her knowledge and skills.

“Detroiters have fallen in love with the education factor of our space,” Broden said. “We offer weekly cooking classes that focus on transitioning to healthier eating habits and lifestyle.”

Furthermore, Cooking with Que actively supports local farmers and producers, sourcing ingredients from nearby farms and markets. She can be seen shopping at Eastern Market, where she’s also tabled at such events as the Juneteenth Freedom Fest. By championing local ingredients, Broden showcases the region’s culinary bounty while contributing to the growth of Michigan’s agricultural economy.

When the Michigan Chronicle asked Broden about how she thinks her enterprise furthers Detroit’s renaissance, she replied, “I feel like my vision of making sure we infuse healthy, happy eating into every hood starting with Detroit lays the foundation to the city’s renaissance by challenging Detroiters on how to eat to live.”

Cooking with Que continues to shape and celebrate Detroit’s diverse culinary landscape, ensuring that the city remains a destination for food lovers near and far.

If there was one thing, she thinks those in power need to do to further businesses like hers, she said, “Fund our businesses! I believe, as a native Detroiter, the key is we need those in positions of power to help push the needle of funding—and free money at that.”

Chef Quiana “Que” Broden describes The Kitchen by Cooking with Que as a place that “offers dishes of zestful and earth-conscious meals that mindfully immerses vegan and meat-eaters into blissful co-existence.”

ALL THE INGREDIENTS YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS TO SUCCEED.

How a Cheesecake Company

Went from a Homemade Treat to Lansing Main Street

Marcus Leslie, owner of Mr. Leslie’s Cheesecakes, found a love for baking during his childhood. Over the years, this hobby became a passion, and he regularly baked for friends and family. At one party, which he describes as the “dinner that changed his life,” he saw the host baking a cheesecake in the oven. In this moment, he realized the process that goes into making a real-deal cheesecake. Prior to this revelation, he had only seen no-bake cheesecakes in the grocery store, or the final product being served at restaurants. In the decade that followed, Leslie learned and perfected his cheesecake craft, with the desire to offer the best cheesecakes to the Lansing area.

“What makes me unique compared to other local bakeries is the myriad of flavors I incorporate, inside and out,” said Leslie. “I love food, and I love desserts, so I love to infuse my favorite desserts like apple pie, peach cobbler and strawberry shortcake into my cheesecakes.”

Across the state, downtown small businesses like Mr. Leslie’s Cheesecakes are helping to create vibrant communities and provide good-paying jobs. To help support and grow these vital businesses, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) created the Match on Main program – a reimbursement grant that helps new or expanding place-based businesses with up to $25,000 in funding. In the most recent round of Match on Main funding, 28 recipients, including Mr. Leslie’s Cheesecakes, received the full amount, allowing him to take his business to the next level.

Mr. Leslie’s Cheesecakes is currently located in the Allen Neighborhood Center’s incubator kitchen, where he makes and distributes his products to grocery stores around Michigan. With the Match on Main funds, Leslie plans to expand by moving out of the

incubator space and opening a retail location for his cheesecake business. For Leslie, the Match on Main program is assisting entrepreneurs like himself in their journey to build, scale and expand small, locally owned businesses.

This is not the first time Leslie has expanded his business with state funding. In 2020, Leslie competed in the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP)’s Hatching pitch competition. LEAP, an economic development organization focused on Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties hosts the event in partnership with the MEDC to identify and fund innovative entrepreneurs in the area. During the pitch, Leslie shared his “dinner that changed his life” story, wowing the judges with the inspiring tale. At the time, Leslie was selling his cheesecakes directly to customers. With the win secured, he used the prize money to develop packaging, improve

his product presentation and start developing retail partnerships.

Programs like LEAP’s Hatching and the MEDC’s Match on Main are making meaningful advancements for small businesses and downtown areas. With this most recent round of Match on Main funding, $697,325 in grants were awarded across 28 communities. In the years ahead, this funding is expected to create an estimated 70 full-time jobs, 144 part-time jobs and a total private investment of more than $2.6 million.

“Thriving small businesses are the cornerstone of what makes Michigan’s downtowns unique and authentic to their local economies,” said Amy Rencher, Senior Vice President of Small Business Services at the MEDC. “With the support of the Match on Main program, we can help local businesses grow and create jobs, while developing vibrant and attractive places where people want to live, work, visit and play.”

For Leslie and his fellow recipients, Match on Main is a gamechanger, and one that will send a positive ripple throughout Michigan’s downtown communities. “We are so happy that Mr. Leslie’s Cheesecakes has been offered this opportunity,” said Leslie. “We look forward to spreading our happiness through cheesecakes within the Lansing community.”

To learn more about Match on Main and how the MEDC can help your business, visit https:// www.miplace.org/small-business/match-on-main/.

Marcus Leslie, owner of Mr. Leslie’s Cheesecakes

Small Business Tips to Launch and Thrive

(StatePoint) May, which is National Small Business Month, is the ideal opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of small business owners, take a closer look at the challenges they face, and connect them with valuable resources.

“Being a small business owner within an ever-changing landscape can feel intimidating without support,” says Michelle Van Slyke, senior vice president of sales and marketing at The UPS Store, Inc. “Fortunately, a variety of resources exist to help business launch and thrive.”

With more than 5,100 locations across North America, The UPS Store network comprises the nation’s largest franchise system of retail shipping, postal, print and business service centers, and is leveraging its expertise to offer new and seasoned entrepreneurs alike these small business tips:

1. Find a one-stop shop. One of the first steps in creating a business is sending out paperwork for the business formation and acquiring the licenses or permits needed. Save time and effort by using a one-stop small business services shop to have documents notarized, faxed, copied, scanned and securely shredded.

2. Simplify correspondence. Consider using a private mailbox rental, so you can give your small business a real street address, as well as establish a central location to pick up mail and packages. Consider a mailbox service that offers package acceptance from all carriers, receipt confirmation, mail forwarding and holding, and easy delivery updates.

3. Get out the word. Be sure to regularly let your customers and prospective customers know when you’ve added new products and services to your portfolio with both print and digital marketing. Update the company website, blog and social media channels regularly and be sure to use triedand-true methods of promotion as well, like direct mail services. The UPS Store, which can help you design, print and mail postcards, flyers and other marketing materials, offers two direct mail options, one that provides total market coverage, and another, more targeted option to reach a specific list of customers.

4. Don’t pay full price for business services. Some vendors may have discounts for qualifying businesses, so be sure to inquire about that. You can also access deals and promotions on packing, shipping, logistics management, printing, marketing consultation, secure mailboxes and more by joining The UPS Store email program.

5. Get inspired by the work of other small business owners. The UPS Store and Inc. Magazine have teamed up to host the 2023 Small Biz Challenge, an opportunity for entrepreneurs to win up to $25,000, one-on-one mentoring with a business expert, an editorial feature in an upcoming issue of Inc. Magazine and Inc.com, and a trip to the final event in New York City. Recognizing the inspiring business skills and expertise of entrepreneurs, this year’s competition requires entrepreneurs to demonstrate their unique problem-solving skills and innovative thinking.

“Every day we see entrepreneurs overcome obstacles on their path to success. Our goal is to find the most unstoppable business owners across the country,” says Van Slyke.

To learn more about the contest, the nine semifinalists, and to vote for your favorite entrepreneur, visit https://www.theupsstore.com/smallbizchallenge.

For more tips and resources, visit The UPS Store small business blog at: https:// www.theupsstore.com/small-business-services/ small-business-blog.

Running a small business presents new challenges every day. However, finding the right resources can help you focus on the big picture, so you can grow your business and see your vision through.

Holistic Wellness

Owner Seeks to Regain Business Post COVID

By Andre Ash DIGITAL ANCHOR

Verna Felder owns Goddess Crystal Steam, which specializes in yoni steaming also known as vaginal steaming or v- steaming. It’s a holistic health practice in which a woman allows the warmth of herbal steam to gently spread through her soft tissues.

“Before there were pharmaceuticals, there were herbs,” Felder says. “Someone from the tribe, medicine woman would always go out in the jungle or the woods and get herbs that were specific for certain healing needs.”

It is a powerful ancient remedy that has been used for centuries by health practitioners worldwide. According to Felder, this gentle treatment provides effective support for the female reproductive system and enhances reconnection with the powerful, creative energy of a woman’s center.

Verna says she heard about v-steaming while watching a television reality show and thought it would be great to introduce it in Michigan. Aware of the physical and therapeutic value of hydrotherapy she flew to the Love my Womb Academy in Atlanta to become a certified V- Steam Practitioner.

It can be considered a unique service yet, at the end of the day, it’s a business and Felder is a hard-working businesswoman.

“My dad owned a successful building company, so I was no stranger to hard work. I was no stranger to the roller coaster ride that you experience when, you are a business owner. I saw some high and lows but at the end of the day, I had that entrepreneur spirit in me because the example I had at home.”

Felder opened shop initially in Detroit’s Rosedale Park community in 2016, thanks to Motor City Match, a program which provides funding to new and expanding businesses, along with providing technical assistance, and space to grow.

“I eventually relocated from Rosedale Park to Southfield, it was just better parking, and it gave access to a more diverse group of clienteles.”

Keeping that spirit alive would become a challenging task at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when the State of Michigan ordered shutdowns for many businesses. The shut-down hurt revenues and business clientele even after the shutdown orders were lifted.

“It was rough,” she adds. “As soon as the mandate was lifted in late 2021, we reopened but it’s been difficult to regain that momentum. It is a constant challenge.”

Felder points to being aided with promotional generosity but easily doesn’t come close to securing the 1,000 clientele she once had in her data base.

“We received the COMCAST Rise Awards for three months of television commercials and even with all of the complementary marketing from COMCAST, I’m still recovering.”

She says she’s always looking for something new to re-engage her clients, especially considering new business competitors.

She hopes to continue to regain her customer base and has future goals of expanding to multiple locations. Goddess Crystal Steam is also available for classes, women’s events and parties.

Felder also stresses the need for government to find the importance of investment for small businesses.

“When you are an entrepreneur just starting out loans are fine, but we need the support of grant opportunities. You don’t want to get in a hole for a business you are just starting. Training on digital and social marketing is key and even if major stakeholders have grants for training classes that would be beneficial.”

“Everything is digital and if you’re not trained in analytics, SEO, and back links, then your business can just get lost.”

She’s hoping her business won’t get loss in the sauce as she fights to regain clientele and study opportunities for support.

Verna Felder, owner

Flagstar Bank is committed to meeting the banking and credit needs of the communities where we do business, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. Through our community initiatives, we’ve invested $50 million in lending and community development programs that revitalize neighborhoods, small businesses, and make homeownership more affordable.

Our approach goes far beyond simply investing, however. We work closely with local civic and nonprofit leaders and businesses to identify and establish sustainable solutions. Some recent examples of our initiatives include:

• Establishing programs for down payment assistance, grants, and flexible mortgage solutions

• Closing the digital divide in Inkster, Michigan, through a $1 million pledge to the Strategic Alliance Community Development Corporation

• Building an affordable tiny home in Detroit in partnership with Cass Community Social Services

• Supporting lending circles to help break the cycle of predatory payday lenders

• Volunteering 8,000+ hours each year to build financial literacy at a local level

In addition to these efforts, we have contributed $1 million to help attract diverse candidates to the appraisal field. There is a long-standing wealth gap within the housing industry, in part due to the lack of diversity in the appraisal workforce. Currently, appraisers are disproportionately homogeneous, with Black Americans making up less than 2% of all appraisers, while 4% are Hispanic or Latino and only 1% are Asian. As a result, homes in Black neighborhoods are typically valued 21%-23% lower than in non-Black neighborhoods, according to the Brookings Institute.

The Appraiser Diversity Initiative is committed to addressing this lack of diversity by reaching diverse, talented candidates and educating them on the appraisal profession by providing resources, offering peer mentorship for career development with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac appraisers and ADI sponsors, and supporting trainee and job placement assistance.

Funding from Flagstar will help support recruiting workshops and build pathways to appraiser licensing through industry connections and experience, including simulations of the appraisal experience as an alternative to the traditionally supervisory appraiser-trainee model.

Flagstar is also committed to improving financial literacy within its communities through volunteer work. That’s why you’ll find us educating young people on the importance of saving, and teaching families home-buying basics—volunteering more than 8,000 hours in community service in 2022.

For more than 35 years, through all economic scenarios, we have never wavered from our commitment to stay involved and invested in our communities. Going forward, it will remain part of our DNA as we continue to look for fresh ways to meet the needs of our communities, Learn more about Flagstar’s commitment to community initiatives at https://www.flagstar. com/esg/social.html#community-initiative.