Grief from the loss of a parent due to COVID-19 brought them together, but for three serial entrepreneurs, out of that grief grew a sisterhood inspired to bring a little joy to others.
“I wanted something for all of us during this pandemic because so many people have suffered from grief and loss,” says co-founder Dr. Danielle Penson, a counselor specializing in grief and loss and a mom of two. “To give people the opportunity to have a moment away from the moment.”
She met fellow co-founder, Danielle Hughes, after the death of Hughes’ father. Hughes brought fellow co-founder Kiera Henderson and Penson together.
The trio created the Pose Experience, which opened Feb. 12 at 15618 W. 10 Mile Road, Southfield, after the three women clicked. They say their premier, family-friendly space is doing just what they hoped it would do, creating memories and bringing people together. So far, it’s proving very popular, they say.
Penson describes it as “an installation of hope, of joy and peace.”
The event space features 10 interactive exhibits, including a 3D doughnut wall, life-sized magazine and more, where guests can up their selfie game in the 45-minute experience. Penson’s favorite used to be the girl boss experience since it reminded her how many hats the women wear, but now her favorite is the tub with a cascade of roses; “It’s just so peaceful,” she says. Hughes’ favorite is the Bali-themed lounge with the tropical grass wall; “It feels like an escape each time I sit in front of it,” she says.
The women plan to change the experiences every month or two to keep it fresh.
They also hope to collaborate with area youth to create an experience to expose them to entrepreneurship while highlighting their talents, as well as partnering with local artists and community members who have ideas for more experiences.
But the plans are even bigger. “We want to make sure The Pose Experience is not only a place where people can come, get dressed up, take selfies. We want to be inclusive to the entire community,” Hughes says. The women have also created the Pose Awards to honor people making change in their communities who would not get the credit for all they are doing otherwise.
They are continuing to build ideas for the philanthropic arm of their business.
The team is following strict social distancing – only 10 are allowed in the space at a time – with mandatory masks (except during the selfie) and temperature checks. The experience is booked for 45 minutes and then the entire space is deep cleaned and sanitized before the next group enters.
Buy tickets at theposeexperience.com for $28 per person, 12 and older. The space also can be booked for a private event up to 25 people, a good opportunity for families to make fun memories or for moms’ day out fun, Hughes and Penson say.
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