Faces: Business 2022

FACES:BUSINESS LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY PROFILES 2022

SPECIAL SECTION | DOWNTOWN NEWSMAGAZINE

INDEX This special advertorial section is designed to provide readers of Downtown Newsmagazine with added insight into the people behind the businesses serving residents of this area.

With the exception of the photos on pages 11, 14 and 16, all photography is the work of Laurie Tennent of the Laurie Tennent Studio in Birmingham.

Stories are the work of Lisa Brody, Dana Casadei and Tracy Donohue.

Page 3: Kathy Broock & Co. | Max Broock Realtors | Kathy Broock Page 4: The Community House Foundation | Christopher Smude Page 5: Meredith Colburn Real Estate | The Agency Hall & Hunter | Meredith Colburn Page 6: Hagopian World of Rugs | Suzanne Hagopian Page 7: The Birmingham Tailor | Ali Cheaib Page 8: Optik Birmingham | Dr. Joseph Ales, OD Page 9: Team of Lynn Baker and Deby Gannes | Lynn Baker and Deby Gannes Page 10: Roma Sposa Bridal Atelier | Anna Castaldi Page 11: The Agency Hall & Hunter | Cindy Kahn Page 12: College Choice Counseling | Barbara Connolly, J.D. CEP Page 13: Matthildur X Mark Keller | Mark Keller Page 14: Kastler Construction Inc | Rick Kastler, Paul Kozicki Page 15: Famiglia Wealth | Jason M. Geisz Page 16: KW Domain Luxury Homes | Erin Keating DeWald

Downtown Newsmagazine | 124 W. Maple Road, Birmingham 48009 | 248.792.6464

FACES:BUSINESS

KATHY BROOCK & CO. Kathy Broock Max Broock Realtors 275 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham | 248.318.4504 kathy@maxbroockhomes.com | www.kathybroock.com | Facebook: @kathybroockrealtor | Instagram: @kathybroockrealtor

athy Broock, Michigan's number one REALTOR® for 12 consecutive years, grew up in the business as a fourth-generation realtor. Kathy understands the cyclical nature of the business and can navigate the current competitive market with finesse. “It’s important that we all breathe, practice patience, and seek expert guidance.”

Broock has perspective, noting, “You need the tools to navigate today’s market successfully. While the present seller’s market is advantageous for sellers, it can also be overwhelming with multiple offer situations. It requires compassion, negotiating savvy, and a thorough knowledge of the industry – past, present, and future.”

That’s where it's beneficial to rely upon the expertise of Broock and her team of five women: Helen Reasoner, Associate Broker; Cheryl Bournias, Director of Operations; Marjorie Goldman, Listing Director; and Allie Betz, Marketing and Media Director. “All the women aid in each other’s success. They genuinely

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respect one another’s talents. They are rock stars.” Broock feels blessed every day she goes to work and is proud to be one of the “elders” in the real estate community. “I genuinely love what I do – I love selling real estate.”

Broock also noted the market changes due to the infusion of millennials buying homes, which make up 35 percent of the market. “Young people previously preferred to rent. It was the social norm,” she said. “Now, many have substantive financial situations due to the job market and the transference of generational wealth. Baby boomers only make up seven percent of the market.

The low inventory in today’s market results from the buyer’s demand to upgrade and baby boomers downsizing.”

Broock and her team know their clients. They build relationships by discerning the needs of both buyers and sellers. Guiding them through the process takes a team. Negotiating for the client’s best interest is paramount and that is what Broock does best.

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THE COMMUNITY HOUSE FOUNDATION Christopher Smude 380 S. Bates Street, Birmingham | 248.644.5832 communityhouse.com | communityfoundation.org | Facebook: @thecommunityhouse

ounded in Birmingham nearly a century ago as a place where all would be welcome, The Community House has stood the test of time by providing a community home for high quality programs and events. In 2017, The Community House Foundation, a separate nonprofit organization, was established to assist The Community House with sustaining and enhancing quality programming and services through philanthropic means.

Chris Smude, vice president of The Community House Foundation, explains, “At the grassroots level, people still want to come together, connect, and enjoy exceptional experiences. The foundation wants to ensure that The Community House continues to be an important community resource for current and future generations of people of all ages.”

While situated in the heart of Birmingham, Smude emphasizes that programming and events offered through The Community House are not limited to Birmingham residents. In fact, The Community House serves people in over 200 zip codes with

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social and corporate events, in-person and virtual classes as well as childcare and summer camp programs.

The foundation recently started a more formalized giving program for those wishing to be part of the remarkable legacy planned giving. Smude notes that the organization is not affiliated with the city of Birmingham, which means it does not receive tax dollars towards its operation, programming, or the upkeep of its historic building.

“We’re grateful for the many amazing donors who have supported The Community House for years and hope to attract more with our planned giving options to ensure the future of this community gem,” Smude says.

“The organization has been through a lot in 99 years. The challenge of COVID-19 over the past two years has caused us to reevaluate in-person versus virtual events and how we do things. We continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of the community and challenge ourselves to bring more value to people in the community,” Smude says. “Stay tuned. Exciting things are coming.”

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MEREDITH COLBURN REAL ESTATE Meredith Colburn The Agency Hall & Hunter 442 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009 | 248.762.5319 www.meredithcolburn.com | Facebook: MeredithColburnRealEstate | Instagram: MeredithColburnRealEstate

ssociate Broker Meredith Colburn treasures teamwork, collaboration and legacy, which is why she is thrilled Hall & Hunter, the real estate firm she has been associated with for years, recently became part of The Agency – an international, boutique brokerage.

“Both Hall & Hunter and The Agency take a collaborative approach to real estate,” Colburn said. “It's like a great marriage, with the addition of outstanding marketing and cutting edge technology. Of course, the highest priority is always providing a remarkable service experience to our clients.”

Teamwork, with both her clients and colleagues, is a key aspect to Colburn's long-term success in the competitive real estate marketplace. Colburn began her real estate career 29 years ago, joining her mother and mentor, Nanci J. Rands, in the industry. Colburn’s current team – which includes Nanci – has grown into a collaboration of “incredibly capable, professional women who I trust completely to jump in and do an impeccable job when I am otherwise obligated.”

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Part of the team’s success is having an unfaltering commitment to their client’s best outcome. Colburn serves as a mentor for “a new generation of Realtor,” which includes team member Jessica Weisman, who Colburn says “has embraced my business model, my philosophy, and platform of client service excellence, and has become such a phenomenal extension and representation of my business.” The team is further enhanced by savvy and experienced Realtors, Adriane Dundon and Caroline Johnson. Brooke Goodstein, their newest addition, seamlessly handles daily operations.

“At this point in my career, nearly everything is relationship-driven,” Colburn said.

“Our reputation for being effective, extremely responsive, and easy to work with gets transactions to the closing table. It's tremendously rewarding! Our clients benefit from the strength of my relationships throughout the industry – it's what elevates my business and truly sets me apart.”

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HAGOPIAN WORLD OF RUGS Suzanne Hagopian 850 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham | 248.646.7847 www.originalhagopian.com

hile Hagopian World of Rugs has been around since 1939 – and much has changed – the core of who they are hasn’t.

“Our philosophy remains the same… ‘Honesty and Integrity in all we do,’” said Suzanne Hagopian, who now owns Hagopian World of Rugs, along with her siblings, Edmond Hagopian and Angela Hagopian Snow. “This has worked for us for 80-plus years. This is the commitment we work towards every day. When you have mentors like we do, it challenges us to live these ideals every day.”

This philosophy is why customers keep returning to them again and again, and have for decades.

Originally opened in 1939 by their grandfather, Harutun, and then run by Edgar, Suzanne’s father, Hagopian World of Rugs has expanded to two showrooms – one in Novi, the other in Birmingham – where they offer everything from the buying and selling of antique rugs, carpeting, and flooring, to the Hagopian Cleaning Services.

One of their most unique offerings is a free in-home trial policy, which allows

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people to try a few rugs in their home before they buy, something they’ve offered for over 30 years.

The business itself isn’t the only way Suzanne and her siblings honor their father and grandfather.

“Our team in Birmingham has a combined wealth of shared knowledge and experience,” Suzanne said. “We have a passion to provide our customers with the best selection and best values.”

They’ve continued the work in the community both men started decades ago, including with the College for Creative Studies – which they collaborate with for an annual Student Rug Design Competition – and the Detroit Chamber Winds Nightnotes Concert series.

“It has been a privilege as third-generation owners to build on my grandfather’s and fathers’ ideals,” Suzanne said. “I’m so proud of what they built, and what my brother, sister and I continue to do everyday.”

From left: Kashif Khawja, Suzanne Hagopian, Carlos Tovar

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THE BIRMINGHAM TAILOR Ali Cheaib 139 W. Maple Road STE H, Birmingham | 248.433.3703 Instagram: @bhamtailor

li Cheaib first picked up a needle and thread at the age of 13 in Beirut, Lebanon, where his family owned a small manufacturing business.

After emigrating to the United States, he worked at various tailor shops, eventually opening The Birmingham Tailor in 2002, where he quickly become a household name for his honesty in fitting and skilled craft tailoring.

Cheaib expanded his business to offer custom made-to-measure clothing for men and women, focusing on suits, sport coats, dress coats and shirts, many with unique linings. Clients are able to choose fabric from fine Italian, French and English mills, including Loro Piana, Scabal, Zegna, Gladson, Holland & Sherry, among others.

“Always, always, we focus on the quality,” Cheaib said. “We're tailors and clothiers. We make a big impact because we understand tailoring and how suits are supposed to fit, and focus on the current fashions of Europe.”

A wide variety of spectacular linings are available to choose from to

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completely personalize the suits and jackets. Many custom suits are clients' wedding suits or designed – and monogrammed – for special events.

While those special events were on hold during the coronavirus pandemic, Cheaib said business is busy once again as weddings and other special occasions are planned for this year. During the pandemic, he stayed busy by focusing on giving back to the community which has given so much to him and his family. He made masks for essential workers from leftover and available fabric – and soon, for his many clients, who clamored for them.

Quality and fit are watchwords for Cheaib and his staff, who want everyone to walk out looking and feeling their best, because he views every client as a friend or neighbor since Cheaib and his wife Lisa, who often works alongside him, have lived, shopped and dined in Birmingham for over 20 years, along with daughter Jenna, 16, and son Hadi, 12.

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OPTIK BIRMINGHAM Dr. Joseph Ales, OD 247 W. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009 | 248.646.6699 www.Optikbirmingham.com | Facebook: ShopOptik | Instagram: Shop_Optik

or a mix of top notch eye care and high fashion eyewear, one needs to look no further than downtown Birmingham’s OPTIK. The store boasts several collections of glasses designed in Europe that are scarcely found in the U.S., as well as the largest selection of original, unused vintage frames.

Owner and optometrist Dr. Joseph Ales, OD, says that “very few people in the country offer a selection like that,” which includes frames made of vinyl, wood, buffalo horn, leather, and a variety of metals. He typically finds these frames through his travels across Europe; recently, he did a collaboration with a line from Budapest that uses vinyl records as the final layer of the glasses for the Motown Museum in honor of its 60th anniversary.

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Of course, before picking out a pair of glasses comes the eye exam. “This is a retail environment, but I’ve got instrumentation that goes beyond a standard of care. I’ve invested in some of the latest instrumentation for diagnosing even though I’m in a boutique. Patients really appreciate that,” notes Ales.

Something else customers are thankful for? “As a boutique optical, we take vision insurance. Most do not. It’s kind of a big deal. People get a luxury type frame using their insurance that saves hundreds of dollars, but they still have something unique and special.”

It is Dr. Ales’ artistic sensibility and attention to patient care that has made OPTIK a Birmingham staple for nearly two decades.

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TEAM OF LYNN BAKER AND DEBY GANNES Lynn Baker and Deby Gannes Signature/Sotheby’s INTERNATIONAL REALTY 415 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham | Deby Gannes 248-379-3003 | Lynn Baker 248-379-3000 eby Gannes and Lynn Baker, formerly of The Agency Hall & Hunter, have just joined Signature Sotheby’s International Realty Deby and Lynn are two of the top Luxury Real Estate Agents in southeastern Michigan. “Signature Sotheby’s was a natural evolution in our quest to offer our clients the best marketing, tools and technology in the local market,” says Lynn.

Deby adds, “Our clients, without exception, welcomed our change to Sotheby’s. We can truly offer them exposure and marketing that no other brokerage offers.”

The world of real estate has evolved exponentially since Lynn Baker and Deby Gannes first got their real estate licenses, in 1979 and 1984, respectively. While staying up-to-date professionally, the two also rely on timeless style and skills to help their clients.

Their client-first philosophy of always doing an in-person interview with the client as well as a home visit before putting together a presentation has been very effective. The duo has worked together for decades, making them the top listing agents for 21 years out of their 22-year partnership selling homes in Oakland,

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Macomb, Wayne and Livingston Counties.

Lynn reflects on the growth of their business, saying that “adding sales and office staff has been part of our natural expansion. Jean Sanders multi-tasks between office manager, marketing director and closing coordinator. Donna Rousseau is our go-to in the field for buyer and seller public relations. Our expansion has kept us ahead of the curve and on top.”

Lynn and Deby are much more than successful listing agents. They agreed, as they became successful, they wanted to give back to the community. Every year they choose local organizations to support, such as the Older Persons Commission (OPC) and Rochester Community Schools. They regularly donate school items to underprivileged schools in Detroit. Since both have teaching backgrounds, helping schools hits close to home. It has also played a role in their real estate career.

“The view we have is to take our years of success, add the new technology and latest social media, giving our buyers and sellers the most updated, hands on professional experience.”

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ROMA SPOSA BRIDAL ATELIER Anna Castaldi 708 N. Old Woodard Avenue, Birmingham | 248.723.4300 www.romasposa.com

or over two decades, Anna Castaldi has been the stylist and adviser to countless brides and women looking for a very special, glamorous look for their special event.

It would be accurate to say Castaldi delivered a little piece of Italy to Birmingham with her upscale, chic bridal boutique.

With an enviable European flair and fashion expertise due to her upbringing in Rome, Castaldi specializes in revealing her client's inner radiance and personality through the perfect gown.She has been called a genius for her ability to transform and translate the dreams of every bride, mothers of the wedding and clients with a special occasion to attend.

Walking into Roma Sposa Bridal Atelier is not only about purchasing a gown,” Castaldi said. “It is about an interpersonal experience with the dress you are going to wear and the confidence it gives you. Sometimes I have to introduce a vision perhaps never considered before. We bring in stylists and experts who

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specialize in accessories and jewelry to add glamour and panache.”

Castaldi travels the globe, from Paris to Barcelona, Milan, Rome and New York, to find the dazzling range of gowns that can be found at Roma Sposa Bridal Atelier.

Roma Sposa is dedicated to consistently providing the highest quality of customer satisfaction by rendering excellent service while representing couture designer collections that are exclusive in Michigan, while maintaining a lovely atmosphere which respects diversity and ideas. The boutique provides an eminent selection of high fashion bridal and even gowns from the best worldwide fashion designers.

From weddings to black tie, or any special occasion events and parties, Anna Castaldi can complete your look with style and fashion while making sure it is an enjoyable and memorable experience.

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THE AGENCY HALL & HUNTER Cindy Kahn 442 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham | 248.568.7309 www.cindykahn.com | Facebook: @cindykahnrealestate | Instagram: @cindykahnrealestate

indy Kahn, The Agency Hall & Hunter’s number one top producer for the past six years, didn’t originally plan on a career in real estate. She owned a very successful children’s clothing store, Kiddlywinks, in downtown Birmingham.

When she decided she wanted to be more involved in her two daughters, Jennifer and Emily’s lives, she planned on being full-time mother. Then, she and her husband Marc bought a home and “something sparked. After being in the retail business, I had a nice reputation in the community, enjoyed sales and people and I love everything about homes – design, architecture, interior design.

It was a perfect fit.”

That was 18 years ago, and it has been quite a journey. Kahn and her twoperson team consist of her daughter Emily, “who is building her own business, and it's so exciting to watch and have her by my side,” along with her assistant of 10 years, Elaina Ryder, “who I couldn't do this without. I love real estate.

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Whether it’s finding people their dream homes or selling their home that they’ve been in for years, it’s thrilling either way.”

Kahn said, “We always want to do the best job for our clients. Luxury is not a price point, it’s an experience.” Kahn has always believed this but it really hits home with her new brokerage partnership.

She is excited about Hall & Hunter’s new affiliation with The Agency, a luxury boutique brokerage out of California, a partnership she said is a great fit both for Hall & Hunter as well as for her and her clients.

“Hall & Hunter was the last family-owned boutique brand in southeast Michigan. What is great about The Agency is it has a boutique approach – they're in the trenches, they know their markets. They have a hands-on, familyoriented approach, with cutting-edge technology, and unforgettable service, and that is how I have built my business.”

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COLLEGE CHOICE COUNSELING Barbara Connolly, J.D. CEP 950 E. Maple Road, Suite 208, Birmingham, 48009 | 248.294.0099 www.collegecc.com | Twitter: CCCConnolly

arbara Connolly’s clients come to her at one of the most stressful times of their lives: when they’re applying to college.

As a parent of four children she helped through high school and college, Connolly knows what an intense process it is for both students and parents.

That’s partly why she started College Choice Counseling in 2002.

“I really didn’t understand what the school’s counselors were telling us...I thought there was a need to do self-help,” Connolly said. “Once I started doing self-help...I became very expert at it.”

What began as a kitchen-based, referral business has grown into a full-scale company, with a team of 30 professional tutors and college counselors. Her students have been accepted to schools like Michigan, Harvard, Yale, and Columbia, among many others.

CollegeCC offers tutors for numerous academic subjects, SAT/ACT prep,

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essay writing, resume preparation, and college applications. To stay on top of curriculum and campus changes Connolly visits schools throughout the year.

She said her holistic approach makes her unique in the field.

Her qualifications do, too. Connolly is not only a lawyer, professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, and former admissions reader at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, she’s also the only Certified Educational Planner in the Bloomfield/Birmingham area.

She’s an advocate for her students, and watching them succeed and grow is a pretty rewarding thing to witness.

“When they genuinely, independently, come to me with excitement to tell me, ‘Look what I’ve done, look what I’ve achieved,’ that’s very, very gratifying,” Connolly said.

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MATTHILDUR X MARK KELLER Mark Keller 929 S. Eton Street, Birmingham | 248.550.1008 www.matthildur.com | Facebook: Matthildur.official | Instagram: @matthildur.official

ark Keller is the self described “OG Birmingham clothing retailer,” having opened his eponymous Maple Road store in 1975 at 26 years old. “I opened the store as I had a clear vision as a counter-culture child of Woodstock.

Birmingham was very 'buttoned up' and I saw an opportunity – it was a fashion wasteland.”

Keller relied on his eye for the next great products and following trips to New York, Los Angeles, Paris and London and embracing street style, rather than packaged fashion, he established himself as a beacon in Birmingham. Stussy, Paul Smith, Ghost, Girbaud and Suzen were but a few of the labels he introduced.

“My taste mirrors that of my customers and for every new brand I brought into the shops, there was a genuine adrenalin rush from the excitement. My customers do not NEED clothing, but they always WANT to look and feel great and I remain cognizant of that.”

Transitioning into the wholesale business led Mark to discover and champion the

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brand MATTHILDUR, acting as its director and confidant to Matthildur Halldorsdottir, the Icelandic born designer, for the last 22 years. Manufacturing in Peru, home of the world's best cotton, has enabled the business to sell to over 100 independent retailers in the U.S. The MATTHILDUR customer is a woman with “modern taste, not influenced by trends who embraces her own style and above all is confident when she gets dressed,” Keller says. The Japanese design aesthetic of MATTHILDUR is architectural and the workmanship is exceptional, bringing both quality and style to the customer.

The MATTHILDUR x MARK KELLER flagship store has reintroduced Keller to many of his longtime and loyal customers, along with new converts. “When you walk into the shop you feel loved and at home. There is no pressure. It has the feeling of family. Every purchase is personal and everyone walks out the door looking and feeling great. That is the reason I still love what I do.”

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KASTLER CONSTRUCTION INC. Rick Kastler and Paul Kozicki 425 S. Main Street, Clawson, 48017 | 248.655.5580 www.kastlerconstruction.com | Facebook: kastlerconstruction | Instagram: @kastlerconstruction

wenty-five years in business is quite an achievement and a reason for any business to celebrate. As the last couple years were stay-at-home years, Rick Kastler, president, and Paul Kozicki, vice president, will now celebrate the special achievement of 26 years of enhancing and building metro Detroiters' living spaces.

They don't just construct houses – Kastler and Kozicki create homes.

Kastler Construction is beloved by their clients in metro Detroit, with many, some on their second, third and even fourth Kastler project, looking to Kastler and Kozicki to enhance their current living environment instead of moving from their cherished neighborhood.

Kastler’s primary focus is building custom homes, cohesive home additions, whole house renovations, gourmet kitchens, and bathroom remodeling. While many homeowners still prefer a home with open floor plans, as more people work from home or in a hybrid situation, many residents are looking for more defined rooms and dedicated work spaces, with about 50 percent of customers choosing each option.

They're also staying busy with new builds for clients who are looking for custom

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homes, not cookie-cutter planned communities. The team works to provide better floor plan layouts, many with dedicated spaces such as large kitchens, home office space, mudrooms, wine cellars and expanded garages.

Their use of technology has been a huge asset as customers traveled to second homes or met over Zoom, allowing the team and clients to stay up-to-date on selections, quotes, and decisions. “Previously those meetings were in person, but by using technology that everyone is now more comfortable with using we can move things along quicker,” Kastler noted.

A new development, Gaslight Estates, featuring four beautiful custom homes in Saugatuck, MI, is an exciting adventure for the company, as they branch out to an area they love.

“For us, it’s about helping clients create a space they’ll enjoy for many years and working through the details to give them the finished product that they are expecting,” Kozicki said.

Above: Rick Kastler, Paul Kozicki

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FAMIGLIA WEALTH Jason M. Geisz 40900 Woodward Avenue, #302, Bloomfield Hills | 248.341.0600 www.famigliawealth.net | LinkedIn: Company 7015582

hen Jason Geisz, CEO and Founder of Famiglia Wealth, meets with a client, he likes to include the collective experience and expertise of the company’s wealth management team.

“Our team-client meetings allow us to surround the client with over 150 years of combined industry experience. We place a large emphasis on communication, listening, and high energy. Clients get a feel for this when they meet with our team because each of us has specific strengths and expertise,” Geisz says. “Ultimately, it benefits the client when our team fully understands their circumstances and goals before developing customized recommendations.”

Founded by an experienced team of wealth management professionals, the independent Bloomfield Hills-based firm is focused on helping successful individuals and families simplify and improve the financial decisions that affect their future, legacy, and well-being. The company’s cohesive team approach provides objective advice, customized solutions, and insights into beneficial habits that are designed to help clients meet their financial objectives.

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“Famiglia Wealth works with many clients who are successful, strategic, big picture thinkers who put their trust in our people, process, and expertise. We have a wealth of resources and a large network to help our clients achieve their goals,” Geisz says.

He notes that Famiglia Wealth’s planning-based service cultivates a deep personal relationship with each client that is particularly helpful when making tough decisions, especially in areas like generational business and wealth transfer as well as Advanced Planning – that is, the skillful leveraging of legal, regulatory, tax code, and financial expertise to protect and increase one’s net worth.

“Wealth management is not just about managing investments. Advanced Planning is critical to the industry and our clients – it requires specific knowledge that often is not addressed by the typical financial planner. We have this expertise and are here to help individuals, families, and their future generations,” Geisz explains. “After all, wealth is always about the family.”

Top left: Adam Biswanger, Robyn Crewdson, Jason Geisz and Wyatt Dennis.

Bottom left: Suzanne Minster, Robert Alati and Elizabeth Silver.

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KW DOMAIN LUXURY HOMES Erin Keating DeWald 210 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Suite 200, Birmingham | 248.259.7544 erinkdewald.com | Facebook: Erin Keating Dewald – KW Domain Luxury | Instagram: ekd.domain

rin Keating DeWald is a fourth generation offspring of local developers and top producing area realtors. She lives, works and sells in Metro Detroit.

DeWald originally entered into the corporate world after college but naturally kept coming back to houses, design and her love of working with people.

"For me, it was a natural progression,” said DeWald, realtor and co-owner at KW Domain-Luxury Homes in Birmingham.

DeWald, who grew up in the Birmingham/Bloomfield Hills area, has helped people find their dream homes for over 20 years, and helped launch KW Domain-Luxury Homes in 2016. She has worked across various price points and all across metro Detroit.

DeWald said since the market is much smaller for luxury homes, one needs

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to really stay on top of what’s selling, who is buying, networking with the top real estate professionals and creatively marketing those properties.

“You have to be good at telling the story of your own personal properties to make sure they stand out,” she noted, mentioning that communication, market knowledge and persistence is a key to being successful.

Clearly, whatever she is doing is working. DeWald said they are the number one office in Michigan, and she is one of the top producing agents.

“My goal for my career and success is built on honesty, loyalty, integrity. An ethical agent...that people can trust. I’m going to guide and educate my clients to make the best real estate decision for their needs.”