Honey Space for Moms, Ferndale Project and More Honored with Mayor’s Business Awards

(Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 9, 2022)

Ferndale, MI – When Brooke Miller of Honey Space for Moms set out to create a business that catered to the needs of mothers, she knew she had to put as much care into fostering the growth of her team as that of her customers. Those efforts have led to a successful business that provides therapy and support groups for moms, and to a recent Executive of the Year Award from City of Ferndale Mayor Melanie Piana. “Brooke took initiative to hire therapists as employees instead of hiring them the traditional way as contractors, in an effort to provide them with full benefits packages,” Piana explained at a ceremony held at new local hot spot 215 just before Christmas. “Additionally she has a focus in equality, expanding her search to find therapists of all races and ethnicity to better serve the moms who visit Honey.”

Several businesses were recognized, including Ferndale Project – a brewing company with a tasting room on Livernois. While many businesses struggled during the pandemic, Ferndale Project launched and found success through adapting. They’ve made expansions and renovations to their location, with plans for a walk up window in progress. They’ve tripled in size over the past two years, earning them the Company of the Year Award.

Project of the Year was presented to Ross Controls, an industrial automation industry with over 100 years in business. “Their manufacturing of air valves for the medical industry has made them a force throughout the pandemic despite the challenges they may have faced,” Mayor Piana said. Project of the Year is given to a business who had a major expansion or renovation, and Ross was recognized for recently moving 50+ jobs from Novi to Ferndale.

Another business that chose to make Ferndale home is Not Sorry Goods, run by Jessica Minnick  and Dy-Min Johnson. They were honored as Entrepreneurs of the Year, which is “given to a small business owner with a major win,” as they were able to move their business from a booth in The Rust Belt Market to a brigck and mortar production studio in Ferndale on Woodward Avenue. In addition to trendy clothing and accessories, Not Sorry Goods “adapted through the pandemic, making surgical caps for front-line workers around the country.”

Also honored for their service through the pandemic was Blake Scheer, manager of Level One Bank which is soon to be merged with First Merchants Bank. “Blake continuously volunteers for events with the City,” Mayor Piana said. He has served on the Downtown Development Authority and currently serves on the board of the South Oakland Area Regional Chamber of Commerce. In addition to his service on groups that strengthen the business community, he takes pride in his job, part of which was helping small business owners navigate the process for PPP Loans during the pandemic. Scheer was presented with the Jack Aronson Corporate Citizenship Award.

The Mayor thanked all the businesses for their part in making Ferndale a great place.  Learn more about the City of Ferndale at https://www.ferndalemi.gov/.