Entrepreneurship

Herb David luthier traditions carried on with Ann Arbor Guitars

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May 22, 2013

Hesh Breakstone and David Collins never intended to be business owners. But when the pair of luthiers recently learned that their employer, Herb David Guitar Studio, would be going out of business, they decided to form their own business to carry on their guitar repair work, opening Ann Arbor Guitars just two months ago. "It's had its challenges, but we've pulled it off much more smoothly than I thought we could," says Collins of the transition. "We kept the customers' instruments going through." Tucked into the 1,000 square-foot workshop on the third floor of the iconic Herb David Guitar building on the corner of Liberty and Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor Guitars is building a business based on a set of harmonious opposites: old world repair tools and custom-designed guitar repair software, as well as corporate-minded business ethics and hands-on customer service. "We both tend to be technologists," says Breakstone, "which is interesting, because we'll also use couple-thousand-year-old hide glue." Between Breakstone, Collins and their third technician, Brian DeLaney, Ann Arbor Guitars brings an eclectic mix of resumes to their guitar repair operations. Breakstone, a retired corporate executive, began working with Collins as an apprentice some years ago. He picked an apt teacher. A former student and instructor at Galloup School of Guitar Building and Repair, Collins worked with Old Town Lansing's Elderly Instruments before joining the team at Herb David. DeLaney has worked as a guitar tech for such big names as Ted Nugent, Sarah McLachlan, and Elvis Costello. Though Collins says the growth of Ann Arbor Guitars is inevitable – due to the lack of luthiers in southeast Michigan, he says they could stay busy even if operating in secret – the team is committed to slow, steady growth, so as to keep turnaround time on their guitar repairs reasonable for customers. Source: Hesh Breakstone, Ann Arbor Guitars Writer: Natalie Burg

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All Paws Grooming brings love of pets and Ypsi-made products to Hewitt Rd.

By Natalie Burg

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Development News

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May 15, 2013

Annette Collins is no stranger to the pet business. Between herself and her four groomers at All Paws Grooming on Hewitt Rd. in Ypsilanti, the new business brings 47 years of experience to customers. "People really like us because we're so dog-friendly," says Collins. "When the dogs come in they start wagging their tails, and everything is dog proof, so they can snoop around all they want." All Paws Grooming opened in an approximately 2,000 square-foot bungalow in late March, and already, Collins says the business is even busier than she and her husband had hoped. "We opened with a bang," she says. "Our pastor came and blessed the place when we opened, and we've had great success." In both her dog grooming products and her retail items, such as collars and doggies' clothing, Collins focuses on stocking American-made inventory. She also carries several Ypsilanti-made products. As a local business, she says supporting other local entrepreneurs is a high priority. Eventually, Collins hopes to add daycare, as well as dog obedience classes for her clients at the new facility. Clients also benefit from her son's massage therapy business, which is located above All Paws. Clients can get a massage after dropping off their pets for grooming. Source: Annette Collins, All Paws Grooming Writer: Natalie Burg

Rosales Insurance Agency opens Saline office with 3 new staff members

By Natalie Burg

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Development News

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May 15, 2013

In a world in which so many people buy insurance from faceless companies online, Susan Kirk Rosales hopes to bring real relationships into the equation with her new business, Rosales Insurance Agency in Saline. "We try to get to know our clients," says Rosales. "You're going to need us when you're in a time of need. You want to know that when we're there in a time of crisis, you can recognize that face." In addition to insurance, Rosales offers financial services to her clients in the new E. Michigan Ave. office. Her office, which is affiliated with State Farm Insurance, opened in January and celebrated its grand opening this month. "It's growing area here, a great place to be," Rosales says of her location, which formerly served as home to a dry cleaner. "We're in Saline, near Ann Arbor and near Ypsilanti. It's going very well." Rosales recently moved back to the Ann Arbor area where she grew up after living in Texas for six years. She returned to the area to be closer to family. She hopes Rosales Insurance will grow to be deeply involved in the community through civic organizations and support of local kids' groups. The new, 800 square-foot office currently employs Rosales and three additional team members. Source: Susan Rosales, Rosales Insurance Agency Writer: Natalie Burg

Casa Bella Salon to open in Ann Arbor, benefit at-risk kids

By Natalie Burg

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Community Development

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May 15, 2013

Some salons are just salons, but not the new Casa Bella on N. Maple Rd. The hair, nails and massage spa won't just be servicing the beauty needs of clients, but also a very special community need. Owner Kaliah Wolf says that 90 percent of Casa Bella's profits will be used to fund Caron's Crazy Corral, Wolf's new non-profit that pairs at-risk children with therapeutic horse lessons. "Some of these kids' parents are drug addicts; some are in jail," says Wolf. "Our mission is to teach them that they are only limited by their dreams." The seven-month-old 501(c)(3) is located on Sylvan Rd. in Chelsea and has received an outpouring of support and interested from the community already. Within three months of opening, Caron's Crazy Corral was serving 25 local kids. Wolf is now developing a 4H program at farm, and is partnering with other non-profits to expand their services to more kids in need. In the meantime, the 785 square-foot Casa Bella joins a rush of occupancy at the Maple Rd. shopping center in which Juicy Kitchen, El Harissa Market and a new tattoo shop have or are scheduled to open this year. Wolf says the sense of community in the complex is what drew her to the location. "Everybody in the shopping center has been helpful and friendly," she says. "It's a little downtown there. " Though not technically open yet, Casa Bella has been servicing a few clients in their new location and Wolf plans to open to the public soon. The salon currently employs a staff of three and Wolf is looking to hire another stylist, massage therapist and makeup artist. Source: Kali Wolf, Casa Bella Writer: Natalie Burg

Bits and Pizzas to bring unique Italian recipes to Dexter

By Natalie Burg

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Arts & Culture

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May 8, 2013

Rob and Mindy D'Oria's forthcoming Bits and Pizzas restaurant in Dexter won't be anyone's run of the mill pizza place. From imported Italian tomatoes to longtime family meatball recipes, the D'Orias are planning to create a restaurant unlike any Dexter has seen before. "I'm from the east coast, so I'm kind of a pizza snob," says Rob D'Oria. "We've spent the better part of the last ten years thinking about the food and testing out recipes." Patrons will get their chance to try out those recipes around mid-June. D'Oria hopes to have work completed on the downtown Dexter space and a staff of about 20 in place by that point to make and serve the New York-style pizza and other specialty Italian foods. The recipes aren't the only aspect of Bits and Pizzas that have been carefully crafted for some time. The 5,000 square-foot building on Main St. in Dexter has been under redevelopment for about a year. "The building is almost 150 years old," says D'Oria. "It's pretty well configured from a layout standpoint, and it will give us room to grow." In addition to updating the infrastructure of the historic building, the D'Orias are building a patio from the rear of the building that will hold out outdoor seating. Eventually, Bits and Pizzas will expand seating into the second floor, including a full bar. D'Oria says he's not cutting any corners to make Bits and Pizzas a truly unique place. They'll source their ingredients from local and specialty sources and be making everything – including their own Italian sausage – in house. Source: Rob D'Oria, Bits and Pizzas Writer: Natalie Burg

World of Beer aims to draw beer lovin’ professionals to S. University

By Natalie Burg

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Arts & Culture

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May 8, 2013

As if 40 rotating taps of craft beers and 500 rotating bottles from craft breweries around the world weren't enough to get a beer lover excited about S. University's forthcoming World of Beer, co-owner Chad Wilson says the bar's true specialty will be a well-educated staff. "All of our servers and bartenders go through a two-week beer school," says Wilson. "We give them a broad knowledge of beer. We'll have a great atmosphere and live music, but we'll also have a commitment to knowledge." That means every server will be able to answer guests' questions about the flavor profiles and origins of the hundreds of beers available at the 3,000 square-foot World of Beer, which is scheduled to open in mid-June in the Landmark building with 35 to 40 employees. University of Michigan graduates Wilson and co-owner Steve Rossi's decision to open on S. University was carefully made, even though they anticipate their typical patron to better fit the Main St. market over the more student-oriented S. University area. "We'll brand ourselves as a different type of bar on South University," Wilson says. "We want to change the dynamic of the area, to introduce craft beer to the kids, and also to get some of the business professionals down there to make it a more universal destination." The Ann Arbor World of Beer will be one of more than 40 locations of its kind in the United States. Wilson says World of Beer operates unlike a typical franchise, and the Ann Arbor location will be owned and operated by himself and Rossi, who are local to the area and will place an emphasis on Michigan beers. The co-owners plan to eventually open six World of Beer bars in the state. Source: Chad Wilson, World of Beer Writer: Natalie Burg

Rob Hess serving up Go! Ice Cream from his 1946 Worksman tricycle

Ice Cream Man 2.0

By Kim North Shine

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Arts & Culture

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May 8, 2013

To paraphrase David Lee Roth: "He's your Ice Cream Man, stop him when he's passin' by." ...Or pedaling by, as the case may be. Rob Hess is the bicycle-bound peddler (and pedaler) of Go! Ice Cream, the latest addition to Ann Arbor-Ypsi's army of hand-crafted, small-batch food artisans. We, for one, welcome their invading forces.

U-M graduates first class of entrepreneurs

By Newsroom

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Education

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May 8, 2013

U-M has just gotten its inaugural class of entrepreneurs out the door, evidence that there is a defined route to being your own boss. Excerpt: "The University of Michigan is ideally positioned to deliver such a program," said Ross School Dean Alison Davis-Blake. "Our top-ranked business and engineering schools have a long history of successful collaborative ventures. This new joint degree program gives students access to real-time technology and resources to turn a business idea into a market-ready venture within 12 months." ...Many of the students have undergraduate degrees in science, technology or engineering and want to bring about positive social change. For example, one student wants to improve infant mortality rates through new uses of warming technology." More here.

Pinoccio co-founder talks creative hardware

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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May 1, 2013

Software start-ups get much of the glory, but in a nice turn, here's an interesting interview with Sally Carson, co-founder of Ann Arbor-based Pinoccio. Excerpt: "Pinoccio is a new Open Source Hardware business, building “a complete ecosystem for the Internet of Things”. The Pinoccio is a pocket-sized microcontroller board, with wireless networking, rechargeable LiPo battery, sensors, and the ability to expand its capabilities through shields, much like an Arduino board... Eric Weddington (EW): What intrigued you about the Pinoccio to co-found a hardware startup company? Sally Carson (SC): Well, I was always a creative kid, always drawing or making something. And, I always loved fiddling around with gadgets and electronics. In high school, I became an audio/video nerd. I got into skateboarding and playing in bands with friends. But, a huge part of both of these hobbies was the A/V part. So, for example, I filmed tons of footage of my friends and I skating. I would make these skate videos, editing the footage down using two VCRs. I’d use a 4-track to mix in audio, or I’d splice in the audio from an old Nintendo, like from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Every time we ollied or did a trick, there would be the “bloop” sound of a turtle jumping. So, I wasn’t like, busting out the soldering iron, but I was trying to find all of the different ways I could combine the electronics that I had access to." More here.

Michigan Vein Care Specialists opens Ann Arbor clinic

By Natalie Burg

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Development News

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May 1, 2013

It may come as a surprise to many that 40 to 60 percent of people have some sort of vein disease. Even those that may be aware of their issues may not realize that non-invasive procedures are available to treat them. That is one of the reasons that after working with Chelsea Surgical Associates for several years, Dr. Suzanne Jones decided to focus her energies on vein issues, opening Michigan Vein Care Specialists on W. Eisenhower Pkwy. "A lot of people are surprised to find out that their vein problems can be corrected so quickly," says Jones. "Some people go back to work the same day." Michigan Vein Care Specialists offers laser and radiofrequency treatment in their new, 2,200 square-foot office. The business began seeing patients in January and will celebrate its grand opening on May 20. "I love the location," says Jones of the W. Eisenhower Pkwy office. "It's very easy for patients to get to. I see a lot of patients from this side of town." Including Jones, the new office employs a staff of five. As the business continues to grow, Jones hopes to bring in another practitioner and perhaps expand into a second Ann Arbor-area location. Michigan Vein Specialists will host a free screening event for vein issues on May 16. Source: Dr. Suzanne Jones, Michigan Vein Care Specialists Writer: Natalie Burg