Microbusiness owners set up tables at the center Friday, March 21, to
bring awareness to one of the more recent innovations to earn money for those
with disabilities, who face a 50-percent-plus unemployment rate.
Attorney Charlie Langton from Fox 2 Detroit was emcee at the
event which was sponsored by the Macomb-Oakland Regional Center, Community
Living Services, and the Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority.
“I was very surprised to see so much talent,” Langton said.
“To see what these microbusiness owners do and their positive attitudes is
amazing. It’s hard when you have a disability to make it but these people are a
good example for all of us.”
Joseph Lutzky, the proprietor of Moose’s Lodge and Pet
Services, earns money by walking dogs, cleaning up their waste from yards or
keeping a pet overnight for those who might go on vacation.
“This is my whole life,” said Lutzky, of Ferndale noting he
gets most of his new business from word of mouth or at his Webpage of
mooselodge.wix.com/mooselodge.
Valerie C. Kashubara, 31, of West Bloomfield, has been
selling Avon products since she started her business in 2010. “The time has
gone by so quickly I can hardly believe it.” She likes selling Avon because “I
can do as much or little as I want.” She can be reached at www.youravon.com/valeriekashubara.
Ryan Dupuis, 26, of Royal Oak, owns “Made by Ryan,” a
business in which he sells his paintings. His style was abstract with a great
explosion of coordinated colors on his canvasses. He also makes dog leashes and
collars which range in price from $10 to $20 depending upon size.
Elizabeth Martin, of Beverly Hills, operates “Elegant
Designs” which includes a great variety of pottery such as serving platters to
art work in the shape of rectangles, hearts, and starfish and also makes baby
clothes. Martin works 25 to 30 hours a week creating her products.
Jaideep Hans, 35, of Rochester Hills, displays his artwork
at various venues and opened his “Jay’s Reflections” three years ago. Those who
work with him says he finds art to be a way of calming and refocusing himself.
Ricky Bledsoe, 28, of Warren, owner of DJR Productions LLC
of Warren, entertained the business owners and visitors by using a complex
computer/sound system to play music. “It’s to help make people happy,” Bledsoe
said of his enterprise.
He provides music through DJR to all types of events over
the Internet and can be hired by visiting his Website at http://djrick98.radio12345.com/
Bledsoe, known as “DJ Ricky,” has a huge selection of all types of music since
he has a terabyte of selections on various computer drives. Money he earns he
puts back into the business, he said.
Amie Kupovits of Walled Lake opened “Amie’s Avon” in 2010.
She sells Avon in Macomb and Oakland counties. With tears in her eyes, she said
her business “gives me a whole new life and I really appreciate everything.”Jerry Wolffe is the writer-in-residence/advocate-at-large at the Macomb-Oakland Regional Center. He can be reached at 586 263-8950.
