“Helping others is the way we help ourselves.”
I’ve learned that supporting small businesses and my community does just that. It helps me uplift others while allowing myself to grow, learn, and become apart of something much bigger.
– Oprah Winfrey
Hi. My name is Nikki Rohmetra and I am a current sophomore in High School who aspires to become the greatest version of herself through helping her community and fellow business leaders.
In September 2023, I began a new academic and social chapter at a school located over 45 minutes away from my hometown. Within the first few months, I was already astonished, not by my school itself, but by the community surrounding it. As my friends introduced me to the lively and diverse city of Downtown Birmingham in metro-Detroit, I was amazed by a city that felt like the heart of small business. Every street, alley, and road was lined with local businesses, from cozy coffee shops to extravagant hair salons. Never before have I seen a city so full of local talent thriving alongside each other, rather than dominated by large industrial monopolies.
Every since that day, I have come to appreciate small businesses even more and understand the tremendous impact they have on our local communities. Without them, the cities we live in would lack the same sense of community, character, or warmth that makes a place feel like home.
In the summer of 2025, I decided to spend more time in my hometown, exploring the gems of our city, such as Northville Downtown and Parmenter’s Cider Mill, and frequently visiting other small business that give our community it’s unique character. This experience opened my eyes to the stories, passion, and dedication that thrive behind each counter.
Seeing their commitment and creativity inspired me to create a space where their stories could be heard, seen, and appreciated, not only by their local communities, but by the rest of the world.
Through this platform, I hope to shine a light on those stories and remind people just how much small businesses contribute to creating the identity and heartbeat of a community. Whether it’s a family-owned shop that has been passed down from generations, or a passionate entrepreneur taking their first step, each one deserves their own recognition and acknowledgment.
This blog is my way of giving back. It is my way of saying “thank you” to the businesses that made me realize what a community is truly made of, and appreciate the people who make our hometowns feel like home.