Host Christ Best takes a deep dive into the origin stories behind the businesses. Talking to the local start-ups, shopkeepers, and entrepreneurs of Metro Detroit, Best Practices is creating an archive of discussions and behind the scenes details, struggles, and successes that have launched businesses big and small.
Some of the coolest business in Ferndale reside in a Pearlman property.
In this episode, Chris spends some time with Tom Pearlman, reflecting on the road from lawyer, to night club owner, to becoming property owner and landlord to some of Ferndale's most iconic businesses.
Pearlman Premier Properties (https://www.pearlmanpremierproperties.com/)
22 Sept 2026
Nick Kelly of Well Wishes Tattoo
Starting a small business is always a gamble on yourself; today's guest went all in with his business partner to open Well Wishes Tattoo in Berkley.
On today's episode, Chris has a sit down with Nick Kelly for a conversation that covers a lot of ground. From his humble beginnings doing tattoos in his parents basement, working for shops in and out of state, to opening a "dad-shop" tattoo parlor, this one has a little bit of everything.
(https://www.talltreesferndale.com/)Well Wishes Tattoo (https://www.wellwishestattoo.com/)
Book an appointment with Nick (https://www.instagram.com/nickkellytattoos/)
Ferndale Sharpening (https://www.instagram.com/ferndalesharpening/?hl=en)
3 Aug 2026
Mike Finsilver of Tall Trees Cafe
Starting a small business is like making the perfect sandwich. You need quality ingredients, a good recipe, and someone to put it all together.
On today's episode, Chris talk's with Mike Finsilver about making a business out of making sandwiches, finding inspiration, taking breaks, and adding a little bit of good taste to a revitalized neighborhood.
Tall Trees Cafe (https://www.talltreesferndale.com/)
Meals for Everyone (https://www.instagram.com/det_meals4everyone/)
Saturday Farmstand (product/vendor inquiries) - shegrowz68@gmail.com
16 Jul 2026
Christopher Gill of Diversified Wireless Electrical Service
Hustle Culture (or Rise and Grind) hit the scene somewhere around 2015-2019. Or did it?
On today's episode, Chris talks to Christopher Gill- a man so throughly devoted to the job that he worked a double shift on Christmas and was investigated for working too much overtime. And in his spare time, he and his partner started a business.
Diversified Wireless Electrical Service (https://dwelectricalcontractors.com/)
1 Jun 2026
Jill Schumacher of Rariden Schumacher Mio Interior Design
Chris is stumped. How does an interior design business make money, bill, and work overall? Jill stops by to answer all the questions- and Chris finds out that he's an aesthete.
rsminteriors.com (https://www.rsminteriors.com/)
3 May 2026
Stacy Dumas of Tooth and Nail
Stacy Dumas is one of a handful of Rust Belt Market OG's, with her in-market shop Tooth and Nail. Listen in as Chris and Stacy discuss converting Stacy's artistic vision into a thriving Rust Belt anchor, as well as her own free-standing store in Ferndale.
Tooth and Nail on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/toothandnailoddities/)
4 Apr 2026
Maxwell Leonard of Secret Bakery
Secret Bakery in Ferndale is the kind of place (and story) that Best Practices was built for. Chris has a chat with owner Maxwell Leonard about the unusual and behind the scenes beginnings of the once underground bakery that is quickly becoming a local institution.
Secret Bakery (https://maxbread.net/)
Secret Bakery on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/secretbaker.y/)
8 Mar 2026
William Corfield of Nude Salon
Host Chris Best sits down with William Corfield from Nude Salon to discuss his unlikely journey into hair styling. We also take a tour of the work in progress, which will become Nude's new location in Birmingham, MI.
Nude Salon (https://nudethesalon.com/)
7 Feb 2026
BC of Red Tap Draught Solutions
Chris Best and BC talk cleaning taps, starting a business from scratch, and working until the job is done at Red Tap .
Red Tap (https://www.redtapdraught.com/)
8 Jan 2026
Steve Selvaggio of Western Market
Chris Best sits down with Steve Selvaggio to talk about the humble beginnings of Ferndale's Western Market.
Western Market (https://westernmkt.com/)
The book Steve mentions, Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping by Paco Underhill (https://a.co/d/h9KNahJ)
20 Dec 2025
Tiffany and Chris Best of The Rust Belt Market
Chris has Tiffany in the studio for the first show and unpacks the struggles behind starting their business, The Rust Belt Market.
The program Tiffany attended is Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses (https://www.goldmansachs.com/community-impact/10000-small-businesses/us).
19 Dec 2025
Welcome to Best Practices - The Primer Episode
Host Chris Best and Producer Jeremy Olstyn take a brief look at the concept of this podcast and on-board you in short order.
After this brief listen, you can jump right in on any episode and enjoy!
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Contact Best Practices
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Best Practices?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
