Many business owners have many things that serve as the bedrock for their motivations. Robin Wilson, owner and founder of Vesey Lane Goods, happens to have one that is incredibly dear to her: preserving the family legacy. 

The name Vesey is an homage to Robin’s maternal grandparents, Narvell and Burl Henry Vesey. The name symbolizes a mighty family tree of creatives, educators, and entrepreneurs. Her great-grandfather was a builder, while her great-grandmother was a homemaker and crafter. The commitment to innovation was passed down to their daughter, who became a milliner and writer. This daughter (Robin’s grandmother) was also the primary source of Robin’s love for working with her hands, for which Vesey Lane Goods is now a medium.

Interestingly, before becoming a business owner, Robin excelled in other disparate careers, including being a teacher, published children’s author, public speaker, and poet. A sobering experience made her realize the finitude of life and how crucial it is to pursue all of your goals with no inhibitions. 

“Three years ago, one week before my 37th birthday, I had an ischemic stroke,” said Wilson. “For 48 hours, my expressive speech was impaired. And even though I love to speak and teach, it did cross my mind that maybe I would not be able to continue to do those things.” 

The phrase “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” feels particularly relevant in this situation. Despite having an ischemic stroke, Robin pushed forward. She focused all her energy on improving and maintaining her composure, and it paid off! After three days in the hospital, she was discharged and left with a completely different outlook on life. 

“I walked out not fearful but with a sense of urgency,” said Wilson. “And I felt like while I had accomplished a lot up to that point, I knew that there were still other things that I really wanted to accomplish. And one of those things was to be able to focus on my artwork again.”

Robin rediscovered her passion for creating handmade greeting cards and began selling them at local markets. As she received positive feedback from customers, she began to showcase her designs on social media, where she received numerous inquiries and requests for shipping. Robin began to realize that this was a business in and of itself. Fueled by her newfound success, she set her sights higher and aimed to reach an even bigger audience.

“I went from local market days to the Detroit Fine Arts Breakfast Club,” said Wilson. “My cards started to sell there. People started to buy them at auction.”

Networking can lead to incredible opportunities. It’s about more than meeting people but meeting the right people. While selling her cards at the Detroit Fine Arts Breakfast Club, she met someone who invited her to sell her cards at the Ellen Kayrod Gallery, which became the first store where Robin’s cards were and still are carried. Her cards are also available at the Amber Collective and Inn on Ferry Street. At the Inn, custom-designed thank-you cards are created for guests to show appreciation for their stay. She also designs anniversary cards for the Inn to give to guests celebrating their special day.  

Vesey Lane Goods now offers a diverse range of products that cater to the tastes and preferences of different customers. Their product line includes blank cards, holiday cards, prints, and keepsakes, each designed with intricate attention to detail and quality.

Among their offerings, the holiday cards have become particularly popular with customers. These cards feature paper doll cutouts of black people as an additional adornment, adding a unique and personal touch to every card. The vintage, black-and-white photos of black people elegantly dressed in a tastefully understated way showcase excellence, offering her customers a different perception of black culture. 

“The images have a narrative to tell, and they bring back memories of the past,” said Wilson. “However, individuals from black communities don’t always get to see themselves portrayed in certain ways, even in the media or films where they are rarely seen dressed finely. But the reality is it does exist, and I aim to reflect this reality in my work by highlighting the dignity, legacy, and stories that go beyond oppression. Through my collage artwork featuring black and white photos of our community, I wish to present a different perspective. I hope that black people and others see them in a different light and recognize the importance of these stories.”

Wilson has been working on a personal project that is deeply significant to her – a quilt she designed by hand called “Bonded in Womanhood.” The quilt represents the strength and influence of the women in her family, particularly her grandmother, who modeled incredible resilience and grace. It also symbolizes the complexity of our relationships with loved ones, yet the things that bind us together are always present. The border on the piece represents the heritage that bonds women together, which is why she calls it “Bonded in Womanhood.” It serves as a reminder of the inner strength that all women possess and that they carry with them. 

For those who appreciate art and are seeking inspiration for their creative expression, or simply wish to connect with a piece that reflects the strength within them, “Bonded in Womanhood” will be displayed at the Southwest Detroit Business Association office from February 15th to March 31st. 

Meeting SDBA

Robin’s visit to the Southwest Detroit Business Association in September last year proved to be a life-changing experience. There, she met Marco A. Andrade Jr, the Business Development Manager, who impressed her with his kindness and hospitality. Robin realized that such warm hospitality was not always the norm in similar spaces. Since then, Marco and the team have been a great source of support

Whenever she has turned to them for assistance with her business plan or identifying resources to secure physical space, they have responded with tremendous help. Robin has also been attending the classes provided by the Association, which cover various topics from finance and business to identifying and maximizing resources in the community to grow her business. The Association has helped Robin expand her network and tap into different resources in the community to help her business grow. 

Furthermore, she has been deeply engaged with the organization, actively participating in its events and initiatives. From helping out at checkpoints during runs to exploring exhibits at the DIA with fellow members, she has truly immersed herself in the community. Through these experiences, she has gotten to know the leadership and formed meaningful connections with other members.

Vesey Lane Goods In The Future

Robin has a beautiful vision of her greeting cards being sold in gift shops and museums nationwide and globally. Additionally, she desires to see her cards sold in more stores within the city. Robin believes that the rise of artists in Detroit presents the ideal opportunity for collaboration. She hopes to assist other artists in launching their careers, particularly those who choose to do so through greeting cards. Robin wants to offer a platform to showcase their work, just like hers. She thinks more events should be organized throughout the city, specifically for black greeting card designers, and she aspires to be that haven soon.