Julie Colquitt, owner of Just Cuttin’ Up, always knew she would be a barber. The 47-year-old received her first set of tools as a pre-teen. “When I was in the seventh grade, I asked my mother for a pair of clippers for my birthday, and she honored me,” said Colquitt. “I had never been to a barbershop, I had three brothers, and I had never seen them get their hair cut.” Colquitt says she always knew cutting ...

Good cooking has been a part of the Haralson family’s tradition for many years. Siblings Anthony and Kathleen Haralson opened Mama’s Sweet Side, two years ago. “I’m over the moon and very excited, Anthony Haralson, 45, told the Michigan Citizen.” Anthony, a marketer and strategist by profession says he and his sister are looking to expand.” Currently, Mama’s Sweet Side has no storefront. But the space they ...

Bikers Heaven owners Herman Johnson and Diann Letson created a unique approach for families to transport their deceased loved ones for a funeral. The deceased are carried by a 2010 Harley Davidson Street glide Trike and a hearse that was handmade in Jackson. “We carry the deceased to the funeral home to the cemetery or the church to cemetery,” Johnson told the Michigan Citizen. “It’s a three-wheeler pulling ...

Supporters of African American businesses across the country can now access real-time information to locate providers of goods and services, no matter where they are in America. Through a groundbreaking partnership between the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC) and Around The Way — developers of the smartphone application — consumers will be able to locate Black-owned businesses utilizing the GPS feature buil ...

Courageous is the best way to describe 11-year-old entrepreneur Olujinmi Edison. The sixth-grader owns a T-shirt company named Baby Lu Lu that she established last May. “My sister started calling me ‘Lu Lu’ and that’s where I got the name from,” says Edison, who aspires to be a fashion designer. “Since I sell onsies (infant T-shirts), that’s where ‘Baby’ comes from.” ...

Like many big city folks, Detroiters enjoy wearing their pride — literally. Walking around midtown and downtown, you’re sure to see all kinds of T-shirts representing “the D.” Detroit Snob is one that stands out among the many, with its rhinestone letters. ...

Tamara Brown took a leap of faith to begin her own photography business, Preeminent Photography Studio, on the city’s east side. “I was a customer service representative at Blue Cross Blue Shield for nine years and my friend said to me, ‘Try photography.’ I was reluctant but I fell in love,” said Brown. ...

After her position was eliminated following 20 years of dedicated service in Human Resource Management, Dawn E. Trapp stepped out on faith and began her own business. “My position was eliminated so I retired and we parted on good terms,” Trapp told the Michigan Citizen. “My position with the company, in addition to my main responsibilities, required that I organize company picnics, holiday parties, etc. I t ...

Anika-Kafi Grose went from being a homemaker to a productive entrepreneur. Although being a full time mom is her first job, she makes time for her business, Detroit Sweets. “I make jam, jellies and sweet and savory treats,” says Grose. She believes food preservation is something everyone should learn to do. ...

November 29, 2012 ...