Mind Your Own Business They're young, they're ambitious and they are in charge of their own establishments. JENNIFER FINER STAFF WRITER ---- — 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 C