Life + Culture

The Trailblazers

Meet three inspiring local female entrepreneurs, executives and leaders. Article by Lynne Konstantin DR. EMBEKKA ROBERSON Superintendent of Birmingham Public Schools Since joining Birmingham’s school district in 2008, Dr. Roberson has served as elementary principal, high-school principal and assistant superintendent of Student Learning and Inclusion. During her 25-year career, she has been an unrelenting champion for students, particularly interested in creating a culture of unity and...

April 2024

Professional Services

Catching Up With: Joan 2.0

Catching up with publicist-extraordinaire Joan Frank. Article by Lynne Konstantin Joan Frank exudes warmth and authenticity. She is nurturing, but also a straight-shooting force of nature. Exactly who you want on your side, no matter the cause. Frank is a leader in the public-relations industry — the founder and president of Birmingham-based B Frank Communications has more than 25 years under her belt making connections and managing client PR, locally and nationally (at the time of our...

April 2024

Professional Services

The New Social Queens

Meet three social-media experts who’ve broadened the platforms into viable businesses while living their best lives. Article by Lynne Konstantin Shelby Dubin + Cat Golden Content creators and founders of Social Rebel Dubin is the Aesthetics Guru & Photographer/Videographer Golden is the Brand Engagement Consultant & Marketing Expert (and nurse) Connect: @socialrebelexperience, @thedubindiaries, @shelbydubinphotography, @catlgolden on Instagram; shelbydubinphotography.com, catgolden.com How...

April 2024

Finance + Legal Services

Building Peace of Mind

Attorney David Das sees estate planning as investing in your family's future. Article by Erica Hobbs When Bloomfield Hills-based attorney David Das lost his father, he found himself struggling with more than just grief. Despite his father having had an estate plan, it was inadequate and Das still found himself in probate court, trying to recover lost assets. Many years later, it's yet to be resolved. Soon after the death of his father, Das became a father himself and worried about what would...

March 2024

Real Estate

Favorite Things

Get to know six local realtors — and what they love about what they do. Article by Lynne Konstantin LISA LIPARI Dobi Real Estate, Birmingham; wearedobi.com Who is your role model? I have different role models for different qualities. My mom is one because she has so much drive and determination to be successful and never stops educating herself. My dad is one because he always taught me to work hard and to be my own boss, so I don’t have to answer to anyone but myself and the sky's...

March 2024

Home Services

Brick By Brick

Customized masonry offers functional curb appeal. Article by Erica Hobbs From chimneys and porches to walkways and siding, masonry marries the worlds of practical and aesthetic value. Garden City’s Next Level Custom Brick ( nextlevelcustombrick.com ) offers expertise in both, infused with a family-owned sense of pride and service.   “We focus on the needs of the homeowner and their project. We are a team, and we work together with our customers from start to finish to ensure a smooth and...

February 2024

Home + Design

A True Joy

Mariella’s Custom Drapery celebrates 40 years of passion for fabrics — and community. Article by Erica Hobbs At a young age, Sicilian-native Mariella Trentacoste found true joy in fabrics and bringing them to life. The youngest of five children growing up in Italy, Trentacoste grew up with a love of sewing and fabrics, often scooping up scraps of material from a friend’s textile shop and transforming them into clothing, table coverings and more.  As an adult, Trentacoste landed in the U.S...

February 2024

Home + Design

Catching Up With Bri Thiede

The owner of Cozy Haus Designs talks Southern hospitality, hard work and timeless design. Article by Lynne Konstantin Everything that Bri Thiede touches exudes warmth and hospitality. This may be attributed to her Southern roots, having been born and bred in Nashville, or the constant comings-and-goings of family and friends visiting her family, including her pastor father. More likely, it’s simply her style — and talent. The principal designer and founder of Cozy Haus Designs, a...

February 2024

Home + Design

Peaceful, Easy Living

Life is lived to the fullest at this Northern Michigan home, created to last for generations. Article by Lynne Konstantin | Photography by James Haefner When a Birmingham couple was ready to retire — that’s when the fun really started. Craving the ultimate lake life — equal parts serenity and adventure — they moved full-time to their cottage Up North with plans to renovate.  Already beginning preliminary designs for the home, builder Jamie Cracchiolo, partner with his dad, Joe, of Joseph...

February 2024

Finance + Legal Services

Get To Know: Lisa B. Kirsch Satawa

The co-founder of Kirsch Daskas Law Group tells why community matters. Article by Lynne Konstantin When Lisa B. Kirsch Satawa was 12 years old, her family drove to Lansing to see her uncle get sworn in to the State Bar of Michigan. Upon witnessing this officious occasion, Satawa turned to her parents and informed them that someday, she, too, would be a lawyer. “I didn’t even know what that meant,” she says. “But I loved the pomp and circumstance, the oath. It resonated with me that this is...

January 2024