Ty, Davis
Dare to be /Yer’self/
Age: 27
Detroit
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE RETAIL BUSINESS? I never imagined myself working in the retail business. I also never thought I would start my own business and lifestyle brand. However, I’ve always had an eye for fashion, and it wasn’t until I went through a personal experience that I found the motivation to start Dare to be /Yer’self/. I thought deeper about how this brand can impact others, and that’s when I decided to create a new empowerment slogan each month. For example, we partnered with Karmanos Cancer Institute to release Dare to be /Cur’ed/ in October. By doing this each month, our clients look forward to seeing our new product. Most recently, we partnered with a local pizza business and local front-line workers to private free food and free shirts for each purchase during COVID-19.
WHY DETROIT? I’ve always been passionate about the city of Detroit. As Dare to be /Yer’self/ is a motivational brand, I felt that we could use our initiatives to empower others as the city continued to rise.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED AS A BUSINESS OWNER? One of my mentors once told me, “Tough times don’t last, but tough people do!” Ever since hearing this, I have never looked at tough times in the same way. I have grown to overcome adversity.
Paul, Hansen
Don Thomas Sporthaus
Age: 54
Birmingham
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE RETAIL BUSINESS? I have always been a retailer. It started with my first job when I was 16. I have been in retail for 38 years, most of that time spent in the ski business.
WHY BIRMINGHAM? It really puts us within arm’s reach of the majority of our customers. It is also a great fit for us as Birmingham is identified with being the premier specialty shop destination in metro Detroit and maybe beyond.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED AS A BUSINESS OWNER? My mentor in the ski business was John Held, the founder of Bavarian Village Ski Shops. He always told us, “All that mattered was making customers happy.” Is there a more simple message in retail? It is not necessarily as simple as it sounds, but I have always made that a goal with every customer, and it works.
Dan, Davis and Paul, Johnson
Dan Davis Design
Ages: 57 and 52
Ferndale
PAUL, HOW DID YOU GET INTO INTERIOR DESIGN? I grew up in a family floor covering business where I had the opportunity to not only work with a lot of amazing designers but to learn a lot about color, texture, appropriateness, scale and, you know, all those crazy design things (I didn’t realize how much I learned until I actually had to put the concepts into practice as a working interior designer). I eventually ended up working in an area rug showroom in the Michigan Design Center where I met Dan; we clicked, we began working together and, before I knew it, we were business partners.
DAN, HOW DID YOU GET INTO INTERIOR DESIGN? I was always drawn to any form of design. I started out as an art director in advertising, made it up the ladder, but as I did, it became more about meetings and less about actually doing the creative work. So, 13 years ago, I decided to switch to interior design, and it's been incredible. I get to be creative every day.
PAUL, WHY METRO DETROIT? AND WHY SPECIFICALLY FERNDALE? I grew up in West Michigan and needed a bigger and more inclusive playground, so I moved east. As I spent time getting to know the various areas and cities, I found myself drawn to the inclusivity and diversity of Ferndale. It is very much a small town in the middle of a huge metro area, and I absolutely love it and am so glad that I settled not only in the Detroit Metro area but in Ferndale specifically.
DAN, WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED AS A BUSINESS OWNER? Both in business and in my personal life, the best advice I ever received was to be grateful. Someone is always richer, has a bigger home, has a bigger name…always. But, I have many things that make me really happy. I love my home and my business. You can’t do much better than that.
Erik, Miller
Untied on Woodward
Age: 29
Birmingham
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE RETAIL BUSINESS? I’ve always loved fashion ever since I was young and would always dress trendy. My now good friend Vera took a chance on me right out of high school when I applied to work at this small boutique chain called Glik’s. She was the manager at one of the locations. I guess she saw something in me because I had no retail experience. But, I remember her telling me she liked my personality and thought I would work well with the customers. My grandpa also heavily inspired my fashion and was a small business owner, so I guess it’s in my blood to own a shop.
WHY BIRMINGHAM? Birmingham is the best place to go shopping in metro Detroit. People come from miles around to go shopping in the Birmingham Shopping District. Even if you aren’t from here, the first thing a person mentions is to make sure you go shopping in Downtown Birmingham. I think people in Birmingham really know about the latest trends, which makes for good customers.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED AS A BUSINESS OWNER? To make sure I provide great customer service the minute customers walk in and help them find their individual needs and style. Also, to go with my gut and unique style sense and not with what is popular or what would make me the most money.