Our team’s collaboration with Live6 Alliance started with the design question, “How might we develop wrap-around programming & business supports that retain and grow our Shops On Six entrepreneurs?”

Interviewing Miranda Smith, Owner/Founder of MOY Hair Essentials, an anchor brand for Shops on Six.

When we interviewed Miranda Smith of Moy Hair Essentials, she said something that really stood out to us:

“Now that I moved on from launching it, where are the resources to help me sustain it?”

This really gave us insight on how to move forward with a holistic approach when thinking through programming. 

The business owners and supporters of Shops On Six mentioned issues with sustainability and scaling. Specifically not knowing how to get there, and hoping that this program would include some things that would help smooth out that process. After our interviews, our team created a set of deliverables which include a: 

  • Year 1 Technical Assistance Calendar for Vendors that outlines program offerings,
  • Start, Sustain, Scale Model that meets vendors where they are and helps identify next steps,
  • Vendor Recruitment Pamphlet to build awareness at local community spaces,
  • Vendor Application Audit, and 
  • an Idea Bank with recommendations that are beyond the current scope and timeline but could be useful for future strategies.

Our deliverables speak directly to their concerns, and we are looking forward to seeing them implemented in the Shops On Six model.

We would like to thank Taquee Vernon, our team liaison, for helping us streamline our thought processes to best serve Live6 with their opening of Shops On Six. We would also like to thank business owners, Miranda Smith (Founder/Owner of MOY Hair Essentials), and Sydni Warner (Founder/CEO of The Duey Dealer), for their insight into what it’s like to own a growing business and their experiences. That perspective is essential to making sure we serve entrepreneurs in the best way possible.

The team meeting virtually to prepare for presentations.

Presenting at Marygrove.

For our winter project we partnered with Live6 Alliance, “a neighborhood-based community planning and development organization working to advance economic development strategies that increase opportunity and enhance the quality of life in Northwest Detroit.” Our project was focused on supporting Live6’s mission. Teams of Fellows worked alongside the Live6 Alliance team – Caitlin Murphy, Chanale Greer, Dennis White, Paul Schreiber and Taqee Vernon – as well as engaged with stakeholders, including small business owners, subject-matter experts, community leaders, residents and neighbors.

See other team blogs about our project with Live6 Alliance here.