Akins Funeral Home

In a long shot plan, Pulliam said, the pair decided to buy the trade school from its original owner. After they were given a grant for women-owned businesses, the pieces began falling into place."When I think about going over there with butterflies in our stomach ... Just two young ladies trying to live their dream," Pulliam said. "We had rags on our heads, cleaning the basement out ... working on accreditation. When I think about it, we did a lot of things."She said the two worked extensively with Frank Stella, a civic leader in Detroit and "go-to guy" for movers and shakers of the city. Stella died in 2010.Lindsay-Payne was also president of the Prospect Baptist District Congress of Christian Education, and formerly dean of the Prospect District Congress of Christian Education and the Metropolitan District Congress of Christian Education. She was very involved with Warren Avenue Missionary Baptist Church.Pulliam said the school is just trying to find its bearings after the unexpected loss of one of its founders."We knew the business we were in was never going to make a lot of money, but that's not what we wanted to do," she said. "We wanted to provide opportunities for the community; give them pride and professionalism."Visitation is set for 1-8 p.m. Friday at the Eastside Chapel of Wilson-Akins Funeral Home in Detroit. Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Oakland Avenue Baptist Church in Detroit.— Crain's reporter Annalise Frank contributed to this report. (Crain's Detroit Business)