Right in the heart of Royal Oak is a little shop with a big heart. InkCourage is the brainstorm of Ange, a soft-spoken, instantly likeable former College for Creative Studies student (my alma mater, so I’m admittedly biased). She started the business by helping out a friend who needed a gentle reminder of how amazing she really was. Ange knew that words have power. And she has proved it. The power to uplift a friend, create change, welcome inclusion and just plain old give someone a boost of sunshine. The store is filled with comforting messages on equally comforting quality sweatshirts and t-shirts delightfully embroidered and printed with uplifting words of empowerment. The shop also sells jewelry, temporary tattoos, stickers, buttons and other gifts so you can keep those words of encouragement literally on hand.

Buying a home? Welcome to the competition with other buyers due to low inventory. Selling a home? Welcome again to sifting through multiple offers to find the right one. Both sides can be a confusing and grueling tedious task just to get to the dotted line for both buyer and seller. For those navigating the real estate market, get helpful information from experts. Darrin Roberts is a listing agent with Jim Shaffer and Associates and sees both sides of the equation. And he offers some help.