Charlene Johnson has created a fantastic place where people from all ages and walks of life can come together and have an absolute blast. She’s the proud owner and operator of It’s All About Fun (IAAF), which features a selfie museum, a gaming center with Xbox, Playstation, and Nintendo Switch, and even virtual reality with Oculus Quest.

For the past 18 years, Charlene has been committed to creating a safe and enjoyable environment for children to engage in the simple pleasures that are common to them. Initially, she tried to establish a family entertainment center featuring arcade games and laser tag but encountered challenges. To open her business, Charlene had to collect signatures from nearby residents within a five-mile radius, showing that they supported her endeavor. However, this is because, at the time, businesses of the like were considered a nuisance.

Charlene did not let anything stop her. As a real estate broker, she used her knowledge and expertise to search for suitable buildings to establish her business, which would incorporate both a selfie museum and gaming center. She stumbled upon Southwest Detroit by accident but later realized it was fate. Charlene was intrigued by the community’s dynamics and its family-oriented atmosphere, which resonated with her experiences as a family person. She immediately felt at home in Southwest Detroit and believed it was the place to build on her idea.

Charlene was excited to make Southwest Detroit the home of her business and began to explore its rich history, background, and local business associations. During her research, she discovered the Southwest Detroit Business Association and decided to reach out to them. Since then, she has been fully committed to working with them. She first came in contact with SDBA Business Development Manager Marco A. Andrade Jr, who Charlene calls her “angel.”

“Marco has been a proponent of It’s All About Fun from the very beginning. He has given me additional knowledge of Southwest Detroit, the culture of Southwest Detroit, and the dynamics of doing business in Southwest Detroit. He has connected me With a different number of associations and funders. It’s just been awesome. Having a membership with SDBA
has more than paid for itself.”

Charlene’s SDBA membership provides her with access to various opportunities that can help her achieve long-term business growth. Through her membership, she can access additional funding sources and partners, including Huntington Bank. SDBA also offers grants for space renovations if needed. With their abundant resources, no small business should ever feel
deprived. According to the Charlene:

“They are a wealth of knowledge and information, and they can assist businesses on all levels. In any area where I have found that I’ve needed assistance, I’m able to contact them and get whatever it is that I need.”

Thanks to the support of the community and SDBA, as well as 15 years of building networks and connections, she is confident in her ability to grow IAAF and establish a second location in downtown Detroit.

You can stay in the loop of all IAAF happenings through their social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram), or you can check out their website.