Meet some of the most impressive women in Washtenaw County who are making their mark by doing innovative, creative things in their fields. Get ready to get inspired.
Mara Evenstar
Co-owner Evenstar’s Chalice
36 N. Huron St., Ypsilanti
734-903-7980 | evenstarschalice.com
Describe your business and your unique vision for it.
Evenstar’s Chalice is an enchanting, inspirational retail shop & gallery offering shopping, gallery arts, classes, workshops, special events and more. Our experiences and products support your journey to wholeness – body, mind and spirit. My vision for Evenstar’s Chalice is a space that is aesthetically beautiful, seductive, sensory-rich and deeply honoring of our unique paths to wholeness. I see Evenstar’s Chalice as a playground for the Soul where the everyday becomes sacred.
What’s your take on the current #metoo moment?
Well, first of all, #metoo. I’m thankful for these moments and movements that shine light on our collective shadows. Until we bring it out into the open, we can’t heal. Are some people uncomfortable and don’t know where the boundaries are now? Well, good … let’s start there.
What’s one of the best days at work you’ve had?
Almost every day we have someone come into the shop and fall in love. We’ve had people tell us they want to live there, that they’ve been praying for a space like this, and many express gratitude for our mere existence. This makes every day a best day!
What’s a favorite thing to do when you’re not at work?
I love immersing myself in great storytelling; so, reading or watching movies, or dream-weaving with my peeps.
Sava Farah
CEO/Founder, SavCo, Owner Sava’s, Aventura & Tavolina Catering & Events
301 E. Liberty St., Suite 200, Ann Arbor
734-669-3310 | savcohospitality.com
Describe your business and your unique vision for it.
We’re a hospitality group that operates and continuously develops inspiring and caring businesses. My vision is to become a national leader in the hospitality industry, spreading the positive impact of our unique hospitality and team development style throughout the Ann Arbor area and beyond.
What’s one of the best days at work you’ve had?
It’s hard to pick a best day, because more and more lately there are so many GREAT days. Generally, it’s walking into one of the restaurants, feeling the energy as its operating in full swing… people celebrating all over the place, everyone happy!
What’s one of the most important lessons you’ve learned in your career?
Keep learning more lessons, be open to learning and even more open to solving problems more artfully and thoughtfully the next time.
What advice would you give a woman who wants to own her own business?
Just do it, baby!
What’s a favorite thing to do when you’re not at work?
Hang out with my boys, my hubby and 18 month old, home-chef’n!
Irene Patalan
Owner Collected Works
303 Detroit St #107, Ann Arbor
734-995-4222 | collectedworksannarbor.com
Describe your business and your unique vision for it.
The mission statement for Collected Works is to bring beautiful clothes to beautiful women of all sizes in a comfortable setting, and featuring many price points. It’s a delight to be part of this community. Collected Works is like shopping in your best friend’s closet. We are relaxed and feature items you cannot find anywhere else. Collected Works encourages women to live artistically, and thoughtfully, each woman finding her own style. We love our customers!
What’s one of the most important lessons you’ve learned in your career?
I am so fortunate to have been a small business owner for 40 years in the heart of Ann Arbor. Have you any idea how grateful that makes me? So, my number one lesson is : yes! to be grateful. Some other lessons I hold dear are never to take anything for granted, to be always learning, and to listen to your clients!
What’s your take on the current #metoo moment?
Every woman has numerous examples of situations where men made them uncomfortable, frightened, harassed. Let me repeat that: EVERY woman has NUMEROUS examples. My hope is the #metoo movement can change for the better the behavior of privileged men who do not see women as human beings. Some men will listen and think about this message. The good guys already out there will hopefully speak to this when situations arise. My hope is more women will find their voices to say what they need to say. If we can be kinder to all of us that is a good thing.
Sarah Kreiner & Dana Smith
The Mix Studios
2007 S. State Street, Ann Arbor
734-786-1260 | the-mix-studios.com
Describe your business and your unique vision for it.
We believe fitness and health should be fun and enjoyable. Yes, you need a certain amount of cardiovascular activity and you should do something that strengthens your muscles every week, but it doesn’t have to be a specific type of exercise. It can be through a mix of fun personal training, circuit workouts, dance, yoga, or whatever you find that you love. We also believe our bodies should be subject to a mix of types of movement. That’s what The Mix is all about – creating a mix of things you enjoy that keep you fit and healthy and happy.
What’s one of the most important lessons you’ve learned in your career?
Everyone is different. What motivates one person will not motivate the next. One exercise program will have great results for some but just will not work for others. Individualization is so important.
What advice would you give a woman who wants to own her own business?
You have to be really passionate about what you do and be willing to make sacrifices. But it is all worth it!
What’s your take on the current #metoo moment?
I think the movement is really powerful. It has really brought attention to the fact that most of us have experienced something along the lines of objectification, harassment, abuse or assault. It makes us all aware it is not to be accepted or normalized. I also believe it will make men more aware of their actions and how those actions may be perceived.
Grace Adams
Owner of Body Conscious Massage Therapy
2201 Medford Rd., Ann Arbor
734-929-5930 | bodyconsciousmassagetherapy.com
Describe your business and your unique vision for it.
Body Conscious is a Massage Therapy clinic that focuses on pain management and sports massage as well as the more traditional massage modalities such as relaxation and hot stone massage. We work with people experiencing specific and chronic pain conditions, trying to heal the body and get their musculoskeletal system balanced. My vision is to create a medical massage therapy clinic with the highest standards in our industry. We only hire massage therapists with years of training and experience and we help them set and achieve career goals. By having this highly qualified staff, we can offer a higher quality massage to our clients as well.
What’s one of the most important lessons you’ve learned in your career?
How to be patient. It’s easy to set an unrealistic standard for yourself, thinking you must get everything done, and get it done now, but in the end, it’s important to be patient and be able to let go of things outside of your control.
What advice would you give a woman who wants to own her own business?
Two simple strategies: Brain-dumping and backward goal-setting. Brain-dumping is a technique where you sit down with a pen and paper and just dump all the ideas swirling around in your head onto the paper. This allows you to get your ideas into one place to look at them more closely. Then you can sift through those ideas and take the things that really make sense and write out your big vision. Once you have a vision, you can do some backward goal-setting. You start with the biggest things you need to do to get to your vision and create lists of things you need to achieve each of these things.Then write down the smaller things you need to do and lists of things you need to do to achieve these things. As you start to separate these ideas into smaller lists, you can set yearly, quarterly, monthly, and daily goals to get to your end vision.
What’s a favorite thing to do when you’re not at work?
Cook healthy and delicious food at home. I grew up in a large family and I find sharing delicious food with those you care about very rewarding. I find the process of cooking to be relaxing and somewhat meditative as well, allowing me to shift from work mode into home mode more easily.
Rebecca Kaufman
Owner A2BBQ LLC.
DBA Dickey’s Barbecue Pit of Ann Arbor
3500 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor
517-667-4264 | dickeys.com
What’s one of the best days at work you’ve had?
I really enjoy when our military, police and firefighter members come through (I give 50% off their meal) as I know they are out there protecting and serving our community, along with the various families that choose our establishment for birthday parties and large meals to go.
What’s one of the most important lessons you’ve learned in your career?
Focus on the long-term goal, don’t let bumps in the road derail your path. If you focus on the little things, you won’t see the forest for the trees. Always ask yourself, is this moment what you will always experience or is it just temporary and is something that can be improved upon?
What’s your take on the current #metoo moment?
I feel it has been a long time coming, and there are many victims of both genders. I am glad there is now more awareness and the conversations have been started. It is time for those who perpetuate these crimes to be held accountable. When you hear a sentence (such as Dr. Nassar), don’t compare his crimes and sentence to those convicted of other things and lament how he has a longer incarceration. Instead, question why other crimes are not punished to the proper degree. A murderer may get less time, based on how many lives were taken, however, abuse takes many lives and can run through generations as a dirty family secret. Sexual abuse is compounded as the victim may be physically abused for saying no, or mentally abused to think it is NORMAL or is their own fault.
What’s a favorite thing to do when you’re not at work?
I enjoy riding my motorcycle, and I do a yearly charity run for the Special Olympics during the summer with dreamride.org. I also support many other charities through donations and rides. When it isn’t feasible to ride, I enjoy reading fiction, watching movies, and socializing.
Dori Edwards
CEO & Wellness Coach
Blue Sage Health and Blue Sage CBD,
Ann Arbor
734-585-7063 | bluesagehealth.com | bluesagecbd.com
Describe your business and your unique vision for it.
Our vision as educators and health professionals is to provide vital information to individuals, families and communities about holistic health as it relates to our endocannabinoid system. There’s a gap in information for medical marijuana patients. Their primary care physician won’t talk to them about cannabis as a safe and viable choice, the doctor who will take a chance and write them a recommendation usually doesn’t know much about cannabis dosing and administration methods for their condition, and the budtenders at the dispensaries don’t know how to talk to them about it either, unless they work at Bloom City Club. Here lies the need for Blue Sage Health Consulting. After a consult, patients feel very supported and informed and can make educated decisions regarding their health and choice to use cannabis.
What’s one of the best days at work you’ve had?
One day a woman came into the office and put a large bag of prescription opiates and pharmaceuticals on my desk. She said she was off all 10 of the drugs that made her feel out of it and unable to connect with her children because cannabis worked for everything. She was feeling empowered as a mother, focused as a business woman, and alive again!
What’s one of the most important lessons you’ve learned in your career?
A team focused on positivity and support makes everything run smoothly. A team or partner who is negative and jealous will make you wither and eventually kill the life inside you and your projects.
What’s your take on the current #metoo moment?
I love it and I am astounded that according to the EEOC, companies are 75% more likely to have an employee file a claim because of the celebrity attention and 1 in 5 employees files some form of harassment claim. It’s a huge problem and I’m happy the tide is turning.
What’s a favorite thing to do when you’re not at work?
Teach someone we have an endocannabinoid system. We are hard-wired for cannabis. This is something to celebrate but mostly it inspires a reaction of anger because we’ve been lied to. Wisdom is freedom and I love to spread it.
Ita Reyes
E-RYT
Owner/Founder Ita Yoga Studio,
Owner Carpenter Bros. Hardware & Rental
2745 Plymouth Rd Ann Arbor
734-531-9482 | Itayogastudio.com
Describe your business and your unique vision for it.
Ita Yoga Studio is a home away from home. We strive to treat our students as guests at our home. It’s very important that people feel welcomed and supported to go through their journey on their mats. We offer classes for all levels and encourage self-exploration and growth. The studio uses infrared heat to create a warm environment for practice and, although temperatures reach 90 degrees, the open space and large practice area make it so the heat does not feel oppressive or suffocating.
What’s one of the most important lessons you’ve learned in your career?
To trust my instincts. They’ve never failed me.
What advice would you give a woman who wants to own her own business?
The only obstacle to following one’s passion is fear. Let go of fear. Always do right by others. Be truthful. Work hard and be an example.
What’s your take on the current #metoo moment?
It’s about time. Speaking up takes a tremendous amount of courage. We are finally at a place where we can do just that. Speak up. Call out what is wrong, and support those who are doing so.
What’s a favorite thing to do when you’re not at work?
Spend time with my husband, our two boys and all five of our pets. There’s a lot of love to give and receive. We always have a good time!
Susan Mitchell Monroe
President, Three Chairs
208 S. Ashley Street, Ann Arbor
734-637-6255 | Threechairs.com
Describe your business and your unique vision for it.
Retail home furnishings with a contemporary flare. Staffed entirely by Interior Design professionals.
What’s one of the best days at work you’ve had?
Seeing my sales staff exceed expectations. Celebrating 22 years in business.
What’s one of the most important lessons you’ve learned in your career?
Hire the smartest person you can and then don’t micromanage them. You might learn something!
What advice would you give a woman who wants to own her own business?
The independence is priceless, but you must prepare for it.
What’s your take on the current #metoo moment?
Thank goodness it is happening. It’s been a long time coming and there is a great deal of healing to do on all sides.
What’s a favorite thing to do when you’re not at work?
Yoga and travel.
Eileen Bristol
Owner, RelaxStation Massage
300 W. Huron, Ann Arbor
734-623-1951 | relaxstation.com
Describe your business and your unique vision for it.
I opened RelaxStation in 2002 because I knew we needed a place in Ann Arbor where you could get great quality massage walk-in or same-day appointment. We created a relaxed, holistic atmosphere with beautiful surroundings including an organic/biodynamic flower garden.
What’s one of the best days at work you’ve had?
A super-busy day one summer, there must have been 8 of us therapists massaging outdoors under the portico. This was before we enclosed the front half of the building. We were playing some Bob Marley tunes and everyone was so happy!
What’s one of the most important lessons you’ve learned in your career?
Letting your staff know how much you appreciate them is super important.
What advice would you give a woman who wants to own her own business?
Make sure you take time for exercise, meditation, time in nature, and, of course, massage! Manage your stress level and maintain your health.
What’s a favorite thing to do when you’re not at work?
Play electric bass in two bands!
Julie Hill
Owner and Hairstylist,
Imagine Three Beauty Studio
201 East Liberty, Suite 1, Ann Arbor
734-528-0922 | i3beautystudio.com
Describe your business and your unique vision for it.
I started an organic and natural salon with a secondary focus on wedding hair and makeup. We are the only salon in Ann Arbor to provide organic hair color. Our environment is welcoming and safe for those looking for fewer chemicals in their lives. Typically in the salon industry, it is a very cut-throat environment and super competitive. My goal was to start something that was a happy place to work and where each individual could thrive and reach their goals. Education is a huge key to growth and my goal is to make sure we have a very educated team. We consistently have educational classes within the salon to keep us up to date and so we can hand down years of experience to the next generation of stylists.
What’s one of the best days at work you’ve had?
Creativity is a huge part of my job and my best day is when I get to let my artistic side flow, which is usually something for a photo shoot or editorial work. More recently we have worked with a local floral artist, Passionflower, where she had an inspiration board for us and we created a look for her to showcase her work. That’s my best day, I would do it all day, every day, if I could.
What’s one of the most important lessons you’ve learned in your career?
Through my 25 years in the industry, I have worked for people who do not value you as an individual and worry so much about your growing past them. I’ve worked in extremely toxic environments that do not allow you to thrive. I value what I have learned from these experiences but also have tried my hardest not to create them. I want to help individuals grow and reach their greatest potential. My desire is to lead by example.
What’s a favorite thing to do when you’re not at work?
Crossfit at Level 10 fitness keeps me sane. It’s a goal of mine to compete at some point in weightlifting and I love to get better so this is food for my soul. I love a good drink and good food so you might often see me at Isalita or Zingerman’s Roadhouse. But most of my spare time is spent with my rescue poochie and my super-supportive husband just hanging out.
Susan M. Rose
DO, PLC
2345 S. Huron Parkway, Ann Arbor
810-588-6911 | drsusanrose.com
Describe your business and your unique vision for it.
Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. There are approximately 1000 osteopathic physicians across the country who are board-certified in the specialty, making us a rarity. Most patients I see have long-standing pain that has not resolved with other treatment modalities – conventional & alternative. It’s common for my patients to have seen many other practitioners before coming. I established my own solo practice because practicing OMM does not fit well into the typical medical practice model where there is pressure to see several patients in an hour, whereas my initial patient visit is one hour. I do not generate a large sum of dollars for high-priced testing and procedures as is encouraged in many large-group or corporate-based medical practices. I emphasize my relationship with the patient and my skills as an OMM specialist.
What’s one of the best days at work you’ve had?
My best days at work are always when a patient who has had long-standing pain and has been to many other healthcare providers, improves quickly with my treatment. There is generally significant improvement after 1-2 treatments. I am thrilled when I am told, as I was just recently, “This is the first time in 3 years (since immediately after the delivery of her baby) that I woke up with no pain in my groin.” Her pain was permanently gone after 4 treatments, whereas she had previously been to multiple other practitioners over the previous 3 years without relief.
What’s a favorite thing to do when you’re not at work?
Partaking in the cultural & sporting events available in Ann Arbor. I am a season-ticket holder for University Musical Society and UM football and basketball. I also enjoy productions by students of UM School of Music Theater & Dance. The quality of the student productions is incredible.
Laurie Gross
President, Gross Electric
2232 S. Industrial Hwy., Ann Arbor
734-665-8676 | grosselectric.com
Describe your business and your unique vision for it.
We sell lighting fixtures and electrical supplies to contractors, builders, and end-users. We offer two important benefits our customers won’t find in the big box stores or on the internet – knowledge and experience.
What’s one of the best days at work you’ve had?
When we ran our “Let’s Make a Deal Sale,” and we were extremely busy! I got to negotiate prices with customers.
What’s one of the most important lessons you’ve learned in your career?
Patience.
What advice would you give a woman who wants to own her own business?
Go for It! You can do it…just have confidence in yourself and what you’re doing.
What’s your take on the current #metoo moment?
I feel bad it took so long for so many to speak out, and the ones who did weren’t believed.
What’s a favorite thing to do when you’re not at work?
Take walks in the park with my new puppy.
