Mind Your Own Business

They're young, they're
ambitious and they are in
charge of their own
establishments.

JENNIFER FINER

STAFF WRITER

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Calendar

Saturday, March 25

Hillel of Metro Detroit will sponsor a Purim Casino
Night from 9:30 p.m. until midnight at Young Israel
of Oak-Woods.

Sunday, March 26

Young Adult Division of the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit's Haggadah Madness. This
program, co-sponsored by the Agency for Jewish
Education, will focus on Passover and choosing a
Haggadah. Call (810) 642-4260, Ext 239.

Tuesday, March 28

The Young Adult Division's monthly bamight at Old
Woodward Grill in Birmingham. 8 p.m.

Sunday, April 2

Hillel of Metro Detroit will deliver boxes of Passover
fuod for Yad Ezra. 8:30 a.m. Call (313) 577-3459.

Monday, April 3

Hillel of Metro Detroit will hold its Coffee House
Night at the Lonestar Coffee Co. in Birmingham.
9 p.m.

Tuesday, April 4

Young Adult Division Night at Days of Decision,
YAD will have food and baby-sitting available while
helping to raise money for the Jewish community.
6-9 p.m. at the Max M. Fisher Building. Call (810)
642-4260, ext 239.

g

Wednesday, April 1

Hillel of Metro Detroit will be playing basketball at
Lawrence Technological University Field House. 9-
11 p.m. Call (313) 577-3459.

Wednesday, April12

YAD Singles Mission informational meeting for a
July mission to Israel. 7 p.m, at the Max M. Fisher
Building. Call (810) 642-4260.

Monday, Apr$111

YAD and Borders Books and Music in Farmington

Hills present an evening of Jewish authors and top-
ics. He, She, and It by Marge Piercy will be dis-
cussed. 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 22

YAD Thank You Party free for Allied Jewish Cam-
paign contributors of $36 or more. 9 p.m. at
Franklin Hills Country Club. Call (810) 642-4260,
Ext. 239.

Saturday, April 29

82.

B'nai B'rith Young Leadership Network's Whirlyball
fest. 8-11 p.m. Call (810) 642-5585 for details.

These young business owners
offer services that makes them
unique in their field. Whether it's
Lavender Moon's mind, body,
spirit series highlighting holistic
health or Fitness Factor's
C.H.O.I.C.E.S, a workout pro-
gram for the physically inactive
population that combines exer-
cise, confidence and self-esteem,
these businesses fill their own
niche.
Mr. Levine and his wife, Eliz-
abeth Davis, 25, never previous-
ly owned their own business. He
worked at a men's clothing re-
tailer and she spent several years
working in the nonprofit field.
Both held restaurant jobs and
felt the knowledge they acquired
from their combined work expe-
riences could be applied to their
new venture. Still, they said,
they are constantly learning.
"Minor situations come up all
the time," said Mr. Levine, who
is still figuring out all the tricks
of the new coffee machine.
"We're always making im-
provements," added Ms. Davis.
"It's like having a baby, only our
labor lasted three months (the
time it took them to open Laven-
der Moon). Every day there is
something new to learn. It's like
having a child."
Laurie Gornbein and Amy
Finsilver are also in that learn-
ing phase. On Feb. 4, they
opened the doors to Fitness Fac-
tor, a West Bloomfield aerobics
studio.
If a new situation arises, these
young women have the benefit
of a third partner, Jennifer Mills,
who has been in the aerobics in-
dustry for 10 years.
"Each one of us has something
to contribute," Ms. Finsilver said.
"None of us could have done this
alone. Something new comes up
daily, but nothing we haven't
been able to work through."
Running a business can be a
tremendous time and financial
commitment, but these business
owners don't look at it as a sacrifice.
Mr. Levine and Ms. Davis spent
much of last summer raising mon-
ey and planning for their new busi-
ness venture. In order to save
money, they did some of their own
remodeling — taking out the ceil-
ing paneling to expose the original
ceiling, recovering the furniture,
painting the inside and giving the
walls a stucco texture.
The decor of the coffee house,
which has tables as well as den-like
couches and chairs, gives the cof-

o

he Lavender Moon Cafe La vender Moon's 20s, not only have
R obert Levine
jobs, they own and op-
gave Ferndale a second cof-
and
erate their own busi-
fee house because one young
couple wanted to control their El izabeth Davis. ness. They constantly
make business deci-
destiny.
Fitness Factor opened in West sions, they work long hours and
Bloomfield because two recent col- they wouldn't change what they do
lege graduates couldn't pass up the for anything.
"We wanted it bad enough and
opportunity to start their own aer-
we felt we could do it," said 28-year-
obics studio.
The Gold Loft opened its doors a old Robert Levine about the coffee
few years ago in downtown Farm- house he and his wife recently
ington 14 years after the owner de- opened. "This is a way for us to con-
veloped a passion for the jewelry trol our own destiny and hopeful-
ly be able to support our own
business.
These entrepreneurs, all in their creative ventures."

BUSINESS page 84

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