BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL entrepreneur Great outcomes. Done well CUSTOMER MINDED from page A31 A. trusted partner At Baird we offer deep financial expertise with straight talk and genuine care for our clients. Whether we're protecting or growing your assets, planning for major events in your future or arranging to transfer your wealth to the next generation — our goal is to get you where you want to go and make sure you feel good about getting there. Julie and Lois display a seasonal fashion. Sheldon Rosenberg Managing Director Senior Investment Consultant Private Wealth Management 7125 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 302 West Bloomfield, MI 48322 248-932-8665 . 888-792-5171 srosenbergerwba i rd.com 2009 Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated. Member SIPC. MC-25419 1500150 HOUSE,/ RENEW Pepair with a vacant storefront closer to Telegraph Road, the partners settled into their first location at Orchard Mall, literally across from their cur- rent locale. We didn't expect it to grow so fast and we were totally unpre- pared," Levenson recalled. "It just started with an idea and just devel- oped and kept going and going. I can't believe it's been this long." But customers can. Lisa Chaben of West Bloomfield said she remembers shopping with her mother for the latest styles in Levenson's basement as a 10 year old. She's still a regular, now sharing the experience with her daughter, age 8. "It's very cool to shop here with my daughter like I did," Chaben said, clutching newly purchased attire on a recent weekend. "They cater to everything we need and the selec- tion ... it never stops." Family Affair WISHES OUR CUSTOMERS AND JEWISH COALNIUNITY A VERY HEALTHY AND HAPPY PASSOVER In Business Since 1976 (248) 642-0363 Don't miss ours 251 Merrill 2nd Level Closed Mondays Silver Replating Sale 1499720 A32 April 9 * 2009 From Levenson on down, the store's staff works hard to give it a family feel that can't be avoided, literally. For the past 21 years, Levenson's business partner and strongest mer- chandising asset is her daughter, Julie Feldman-Unatin. Though she never intended to stay in the family business, Julie took great interest in how the store and retail fashion industry worked. By age 11, she was a regular helping hand in the store and had unknow- ingly placed herself on a career path. Upon earning a degree in fash- ion merchandising from Eastern Michigan University in 1987, she had few reservations taking owner- ship in what seemed a perfect fit as Michaels left the business. "I'm sure it was because of the store's influence that I've always had an interest in fashion, but I can't imagine doing something else. I love dressing people," Feldman-Unatin said. The pair share responsibilities and are hands-on, immersed in every aspect of the business, from account- ing and merchandising to conducting inventories and floor sales. Julie, an art minor in college, also coordinates the window displays, which draw customers in as they make their way toward the mall's main courtyard, right outside the Guys N Gals entrance. Though they admit to typical ups and downs working in a family busi- ness, there's a sense of pride and gratification in being part of some- thing for so long, together. Staying Involved Over the years, the duo has added several niches to the store that earned it a reputation throughout the local Jewish community as a place for great gifts, bat mitzvah dresses and personalized baby presents with custom artwork. Both mother and daughter also stayed committed to local charitable causes that are incorporated into the store. In March, they participated in Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit's first fashion fundraiser; in June, they will host their 20th annual jean trade-in for the homeless, where any donation is rewarded with 50 percent off a new jean purchase. But their bread-and-butter and professional passion has always been keeping families fashionable. "It's making me feel old; but it's great to see a grandmother come in with a girl that I dressed, who just came in with their child," said Feldman-Unatin, now 43. "I can dress three generations at the same time; it's neat for me to see."