Tyfani's Treats: Detroit's Sweet Tooth Solution

What sparked your idea to start The Special Treats?

I wanted to come up with homemade snacks for my children that had less fat, calories and sugar than the popular snacks at the local grocery store.  I also wanted to make a statement.  Cake is a traditional party snack, but I believe cupcakes filled with fruit are a better look, and a healthier choice.

Explain, in detail, what types of treats you offer, if you cater small or large events (or both), and how your clientele is acquired?

Tyfani’s Treats specializes in Chocolate Dipped Fruit, Infused Strawberries, Pineapple Turtles, Cupcakes, Drunken Gummy Bears, Muffins, Fruit Salad, and Delivery & Catering.  We welcome same day orders and offer custom designs. Our clients are accumulated by use of Facebook, Instigram, local churches and word of mouth.

Do you ever get "weird" requests for items?

We don’t get any weird requests; however, our most popular request is Inserted Strawberries and Vanilla Cupcakes, which are also our best selling products.

 

What goals do you have for your business?

Our primary goal is to maintain a healthy relationship with our customers, and to keep providing quality services while giving back to the community and creating jobs for young adults once we expand.

Is there anything that makes you different, in your opinion, from other small businesses under the same industry?

The one thing that makes “Tyfani’s Treats” different from other businesses in this field is that our guarantee is flexible to ensure our customer satisfaction, based on their experience with us.

Have you had any professional difficulties that you've learned from? Explain.

There are a lot of professional difficulties.  Sometimes products are damaged, delivered late or missing.  I’ve learned to improvise with what I have and make it look great.  The show goes on.

Are you able to bake without having your family interrupt your creative flow?

Everyone in my home, from my husband to my daughters, knows that I love what I do.  They are my tasters and they tell me exactly what they think.  They also help with promotion and production.  They are really a big part of the company.  They make it easier.

Share one meaningful word with an aspiring entrepreneur.

Ambition

 

 

Tyfani Haynie is to proud owner of Tyfani's Treats. Custome Ordering, Delivery and a 24 hour hotline is available.  Connect with her on Facebook at Tyfani's Treats or call 586-404-3174 to place your order.

SOULutions Mobile Spa: Detroit's destination for relaxation

Our Interview with Char Sloan, Owner of SOULutions Mobile Spa

 

What inspired you to create the SOULutions Mobile Spa?

SOULutions Mobile Spa started as a vision many years prior to me actually starting the business. I have always been drawn to being of service to others to make them look or feel better.  I became interested in Massage Therapy after doing some research on the healing benefits of Massage & Bodywork. A few years before I actually enrolled in school I would read & study articles in relation to this profession. In 2007 I took the 1st step by enrolling in a Therapeutic Massage Program at Irene's Myomassology Institute located in Southfield, MI who founder was the late Natural Health master Irene Gauthier. This was one of the best experiences of my life! I not only learned how I can assist people with their aches & pains It personally gave me a greater inner peace & feeling of well-being. I am a proud graduate with the professional title of "Myomassologist" Which means I am trained in different modalities of Therapeutic Massage, Energy Healing, and Holistic methods of healthcare that includes natural herbs and aromatherapy.

 How many years has your company been in existence?

Because I am very ambitious I actually started my company while I still was a student! In May 2008 I began the planning and research of having a Mobile Spa service. My goal was to bring the relaxation to service private clients, corporations, as well as offer Spa Parties.

How is your business registered (i.e., Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, LLC) and why did you choose one over the others?

In the beginning I started off with a partner and we were hired to do 2 events before graduation in September 2008, One private party and one corporate event! Currently I am the Sole Proprietor/CEO Of SOULutions that provides on-site relaxation services throughout Metro Detroit.

 

 

What kind (if any) problems do you deal with in the daily operation of your business?

I would not say that I face "Daily Problems" in my business but there are ALWAYS challenges that can and will come. There are days when I can be discouraged but for only a few minutes! When you have a passion for something it will outweigh frustration.

Before starting your business, did you have a business plan?

I did not have a traditional business plan when I first began my business, More like a vision board along with a lot of research on the industry. I believe as a small business I have the advantage of developing a relationship with my clients and offer them a more personable experience.

As a small business owner, do you have any advantages over large business or corporations? If yes, why or why not?

I've heard many times from clients who have experienced services from a larger Spa's that the customer service that I am able to offer is better because people get to know me, this makes my clients more at ease.

What advertising methods do you use, if any?

My very 1st form of advertisement was getting a professional website done along with quality business cards. It was important to me then and now to present my company in the very BEST light that I can. Being a small business does NOT mean you should look like a struggling start-up! Because I do not necessarily have the larger budget as a larger company I have used less-expensive methods of advertising that has worked in my favor. Social media platforms, Cross promoting with other businesses to do link exchanges on our websites are just to name a few. I have also had a feature article offering relaxation tips in HER Detroit Magazine, As well as being a guest speaker at a Women Entrepreneurs Organization.

What advice would you offer to anyone who is thinking of starting a business of their own?

My advice for anyone wanting to start their own business would be to carefully weigh what you have a PASSION for. I like the advice of Mogul & Entrepreneur who I admire Russell Simmons & what he says about it which is ask yourself "What is it that I would do even if I wasn't getting paid??" That would be considered your gift to the world, as you share your gift success is sure to follow. For me it is providing a healing touch. Yes I work for financial gain, But I also donate my time to charities because I love to share my gift with others. SOULutions Mobile Spa has been providing Massage Therapy and express body treatments since 2008, with the goal of expansion in 2013.

For further information about the owner and her business you can visit http://www.Charsloan.info and also check out http://www.SOULutionsSpa.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shatarra Shazier: Supermodel on the Rise

There’s always that one person in the family who is distinct from all the others. On March 29, 1994, the Shazier family welcomed their newcomer. Shatarra Shazier was born at Hutzel Hospital in Detroit, MI. Her mother, Ericka Shazier, knew from birth that her daughter was going to be an extraordinary child. She was Ericka’s only child so this made her even more special. Ericka had no idea what she was in for.

 

 

As a toddler, Shatarra loved the art of music. Aaliyah was one of her favorite artists. Not only did Tarra like to sing her music, she loved to dance to it also. By the age of 7, her mother had recognized her talent and her passion for dance. Immediately, Ericka started searching for a dance school for Tarra to attend. Ericka knew that this would require a lot of time and money. Luckily she wasn’t alone. Ericka had been dating Juan Willis since Shatarra was 6. He did a lot for Tarra and took care of her as if she was his own. For this, Shatarra looked at him as her father and had appreciated everything he did for her. While Ericka was still on her search, Tarra was in grade school being a bookworm. She attended Carleton Elementary School where she excelled in every subject. It was like schoolwork came easy to her. As soon as she would get home, she’d do her homework and head straight outside. School was never a problem for her and her straight A report cards proved just that. Her teachers and her family couldn’t be more proud of her.

                At age 8, Tarra had begun dancing with Passions Community Dance House. Her first instructor, Cydara White, taught the hip hop class. She was a very unique dancer and Tarra had hoped to become as good as her one day so she practiced and worked really hard. Tarra earned her spot in the front of every dance. When her mother was late picking her up, she would sit in the adult practices, learn their dance, and practice with them. That’s when Cydara had perceived Tarra’s talent. After one year of dancing with the company, they wanted her back. They offered her a scholarship that would pay for some of her uniforms for the next year.  This news had the Shazier family ecstatic. In her second year of dancing with Passions, Tarra had noticed more people and more instructors. She now had a teacher for ballet, tap, and modern jazz. Of course she had excelled in these classes too and was placed in the front for every performance. By age 10, she was given the opportunity to audition at Marygrove College. There was going to be a big performance in the summer and Cydara wanted her to be in it. She was never nervous about meeting or performing in front of new people. She had performed in front of large crowds and small crowds from Cobo Hall to school talent shows. When she performed in front of the judges they fell in love with her immediately. They sent her a letter letting her know that they wanted her to attend the rehearsals. Unfortunately, her family couldn’t afford what they were asking for. This didn’t stop her from dancing though.

                When Shatarra was 11, she performed at Marygrove College for the last time with Passions. Cydara was going to be moving to L.A. soon to pursue her own dreams. Everyone felt like this was the end, but God had a plan for Tarra so to her this was only the beginning. In 2005, Tarra had started going to church with her Grandma, her aunt, and her cousins. After two weeks of attending church, Tarra decided to give her life to the Lord and become a member of Samaritan Missionary Baptist Church. She was excited about this so right away she joined every ministry she could. She joined the choir, the dance ministry, and even the usher board. This may have seemed like a lot for a 12 year old but it was what Shatarra wanted to do. She had a passion for dancing and singing, and didn’t mind serving those who needed help. Tammie Pinkston was Shatarra’s dance instructor at church. She was very versatile and every dance she created told a story. Tammie hadn’t come up with these exclusive ideas herself though. She looked to her dancers often for their opinions and Tarra was always one to give her input. That’s why every concert was a success. Eventually Tammie left, but the dance ministry is still going on with a wonderful new instructor. If you know Shatarra, you know she didn’t just stop there.

When Shatarra was in high school she was very athletic and showed this by participating in sports like cheer, basketball, track & field, and dance. Her motivation was her family. They supported her in everything. There were a couple of times though, when she couldn’t participate because of her grades. She decided to get that together first because she didn’t like the feeling of being left out. Shatarra began her senior year cheering but soon left to dance for basketball season. At the end of the basketball season the cheer and dance teams united for the first time in Harper Woods history, to perform for the last home game. It was a success and Shatarra couldn’t have been happier. Her senior year was rocky but she stuck it out and graduated with a 3.2 GPA. Even then she wasn’t done learning. Over the past summer, Tarra kept busy by attending a machinist training program through Focus Hope. She was the youngest and only girl in her class and that motivated her even more to finish. Tarra was well liked by the staff and the students there. She got to work on many different machines, learned how to use different measuring tools, how to read and make blueprints, and how to write programs. Her class had started off with 26 people but only 12 graduated. Shatarra was one of the dozen to receive her certificate. Soon after, she was on a search for a job in the CNC field. While waiting to hear from employers, her mother had informed her about a casting call for a fashion show. Shatarra had never modeled before but she thought this would be an amazing experience so she gave it a shot. She had no idea she would be chosen to walk in the Glitz & Glam fashion show. When she told her family they were all excited and couldn’t wait to see her. None of this would have been possible without them.

 

Glam House Productions partnered with Detroit CEO Magazine to offera great incentive for models who were chosen to participate in the 2012 Glitz & Glam Fashion event at the Masonic Temple in Downtown Detroit.  For the model that sold the most tickets, a reward of a full page feature in Detroit CEO Magazine (online) was offered to the winning model.  Not only did Shatarra win our hearts, but the hearts of those in attendance of this years exclusive fashion event! (photo credits: Vince Hollaway, Pearl Magazine)

 

                Shatarra will be 19 next year and has already accomplished so much. She’s danced and sang in front of many people, graduated high school, graduated from a CNC machinist training program, and walked a runway as a supermodel. She has received many awards, trophies and medals for her athleticism and outstanding achievements. She plans to further her education and start college in January at Henry Ford, majoring in engineering. For Shatarra, this is only the beginning of her adventure to the top. She has many hopes of becoming successful. One of her mavorite music quotes are a representation of her awesome life thus far, “Dreams are hopeless aspirations in hopes of comin’ true. Believe in yourself, the rest is up to me and you” –Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez.

Honey attracts more EVERYTHING!

As we come to the close of 2012, we can't forget how we've been impacted by Detroit's "sweetest" lady, Tamara Sanders Dew, owner of HoneyDew Fabulous!.

Though possibly unaware, Tammy has impacted the lives of many with her eccentric personality, love for family, support of fellow entrepreneurs and passion for highlighting the greatness of Detroit.  Great is the person that shows tangible evidence of all things professed, and Tammy Dew definitely mirrors greatness. 

Tammy is a "Jill-of-all-trades".  HoneyDew Fabulous! encompasses her God-given natural talent of being multi-dimensional.  Her company includes services such as artisan coordination for local events, fashion styling, image consulting and modeling.  From our personal experience with contracting her for services, she is the epitome of poise, iconic style, charm and passion for her craft.  We salute, support and endorse you!

 

For more information on HoneyDewFabulous!, email honeydewfab@gmail.com or call

 313-986-1124

Glitz & Glam 2012=Amazement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Glitz & Glam 2012 Fashion Show

Presented By:  Glam House Productions

November 24, 2012

Venue: The Masonic Temple, Downtown Detroit 

 

Photo Credit: Robert Deane

 

The 2012 Glitz & Glam Fashion Event can be summarized in one word.  Amazing.  Fashion enthusiast from all over the Metro Detroit area were witness to one of a kind creations by powerhouse designers/boutiques and  including  B-Flyy Cretions, Camille Jeanay, Dianne Berry, Rinaco Styles, Unique Lady Boutique (Ferndale), Wooden Hangers (of Royal Oak), Louvenia Curves and Karen Mccallum.  Local Media were in the building to capture phenomenal photographs and take copious notes to communicate the level of professionalism displayed by Jewel Estes, CEO of Glam House Production, and her experienced staff.

Photo Credit: Robert Deane

 

One of the treats that the audience got to enjoy was the 10yr old model phenomenon Amani Cooper.  She was the perfect muse for the designers that she had the opportunity to model for.  Amani displayed comfort on the runway that is hard to capture from even the most seasoned model.

Photo Credit: Jason Ramon

 

Paul Mitchell School of Beauty was the major sponsor for Glitz & Glam 2012.  As a partner of Glam House Productions, the wonderful staff of Paul Mitchell devoted many hours of talent and excitement to making the models look awesome, as they provided hair and make up looks.  Another contributor to all things glamorous was Bella Artistry of Novi, MI.  They were responsible for the make up looks that coincided with the opening of the show, collaborating with Ms. Nneka Jackson, owner of  B-Flyy Creations. 

Photo Credit: Jason Ramon

 

 

We were honored to be in attendance for THE fashion event of the year, with early anticipation for Glitz & Glam 2013. Next year's event is sure to be over the top, and you don't want to miss it. For more on Glam House, you can find the on the web at www.glamhouseproductions.com or contact this company via email at info@glamhouseproductions.com. Follow Glam House on Twitter @GlamHouseLLC and connect on facebook www.facebook.com/glamourosity.