What is community? Who are small business owners? How can the two come together?
A group of local business owners set out to find these answers when a need for help arose from within the community.
When Maria Rotondo Mark first met Cheryl James, she knew a community connection could be established.
Mark, who owns MakeOver Place Salon in Clarkston, received a call from a longtime friend about James. James, a foster child, is the first member of her family to graduate from high school.A senior at RHS, she works part time and also volunteers. With a tight budget, James thought she couldn’t afford her senior pictures, a tradition looked forward to many students.
Mark stepped in to help immediately.
‘The main objective was to develop a trusting and friendly experience,? Mark said. ‘At the time I met Cheryl and her foster mom, they didn’t have a photographer or a way for making this happen.?
Providing the hair and makeup herself, Mark quickly recruited the help of business neighbor Tim McIlrath, owner of Baja Body Spa and Wow Tan. McIlrath provided a complimentary tanning package for James to prepare her for her photos.
‘In your walks of life, you can’t live it for the day you need someone,? Mark said. ‘You have to live it for your everyday life. You have to be that source of connection.?
The community spirit didn’t end there.
Mark enlisted the help of husband-and-wife team Dave and Grace Savage of Savage Photography, located in downtown Clarkston. Dave, a member of the Clarkston City Council, developed photo locations for James while Grace helped coordinate the appropriate wardrobe needs for the photo shoot.
James couldn’t have been happier with the results.
‘I really enjoyed the whole experience,? James said. ‘I was so happy that I had to keep asking David and Grace if my smile was too big in my pictures.?
For Mark, the experience went beyond helping someone in the community; it reflected the power local businesses can have when their community calls.
‘Small businesses- there’s nothing small about them,? Mark said. ‘We’re here for the community.?