Michigan

Joanna Serra and Barbara Kent were eight and 10 when they emigrated from Poland with their single mother to live in the suburbs of Detroit. They knew no one and didn’t speak English.

Their mother told them, “I brought you girls to this country and you’re going do something with that opportunity.”

The sisters seized that opportunity and, 36 years later, their small business, Birdy Boutique, is a resounding success in the Amazon store; its 2023 sales grew at an extraordinary rate of 674%.

Stephen Davis took his first plane ride when he was 23 years old, after graduating from college. Never having had the opportunity to travel as a child, his travel experiences sparked a passion that he and his wife, Ashlei, have parlayed into a multimillion-dollar business by selling with Amazon.

TAKE OFF Luggage helps keep costs low for budget-conscious travel enthusiasts who want to avoid carry-on bag fees. Their signature product is a suitcase with removable wheels converting carry-on luggage into a “free” personal item. Last year, the company saw nearly $1.5 million in sales.

Reed, known for their high-quality leather jackets crafted in the USA, was on the brink of collapse in the early 2000s. New CEO Nati Mazor was brought on board to save the company. There was one condition to any plan Mazor might suggest and it was written in the founders’ trust: “Reed must stay in Detroit.”

Mazor was committed to keeping Reed’s soul in Detroit. So, he restructured and began “looking for the right partners to help the company grow back to the right spot,” he said. Amazon, was one of those partners.

“It’s a big opportunity for small businesses” says Mazor.