The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we’ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below.
Foster Willey
My work as a public artist is adapted to the specifics of the opportunity. I am able to bring a range of design and fabrication skills to any public art project. My sculptural practice supplements a collaborative process that includes a community’s voice. My work is both abstract and representational. My interest in the figurative tradition and architectural ornament is central to my creative efforts. Of equal importance is the influence of the early modernist, from which my explorations into abstraction have evolved. Read more>>
Azmera Elene
Around that same time, I was navigating my own physical journey, I was involved in a drunk driving accident that included me having to go through nine back surgeries that profoundly altered my relationship with my body. There came a moment when I realized that survival alone was not enough—I needed a way to truly heal, to get off the opioids and reconnect with my body rather than battle it. That realization became the turning point. Read more>>
Crystal Cummings
The peace I feel when I’m in the studio, the joy and smiles I see in the audience’s faces when I perform, and the personal connections I make with people give me purpose. Resilience and courage are how I developed my stage name “QueenC”. As I say: “Take your crown off for no one.”; “Your silence is your oppressor’s strength. Speak, Queen!” Read more>>
Rondré ‘Key’ Brooks
I didn’t start from comfort or clarity; I started from pressure. Early on, I learned that nothing was promised, so I had to build leverage where I could. My journey began with a mix of hustle, curiosity, and survival instincts. I wasn’t handed a blueprint; I learned by watching, failing, and paying attention to patterns—especially where money, people, and opportunity intersect. Read more>>
Nick Bendall
My journey as a craftsman began at a young age, working alongside my father (a true jack-of-all-trades) who instilled in me a drive for hard work and a love of building with my hands. Just as importantly, my family taught me that kindness, empathy, and integrity are the foundation of true success—values that continue to guide my work today. Read more>>
RONALD & MACKINZIE COOPER
Life in Contrast Media was created by a spark of inspiration that ignited into a dream of creating media that could trigger emotion at a deep level. My husband Ron started filming as a teenager making small independent films and clips with friends. Read more>>
Valerie Hayman Sklar
In 1997, I launched Corporate Specialties with a simple idea: promotional products should do more than just carry a logo—they should tell a story, solve a problem and create genuine connections. This vision has guided the company’s growth from startup to the award-winning promotional marketing firm it is today. Read more>>
Diana Brda
I have been working as a psychologist in private practice for 13 years at three local clinics in the area. Last year in 2024, the company I worked for was bought out by a corporation, and they came in and negatively changed the working conditions for therapists as well as the environment for the clientele. Read more>>
Sean Kurtz
I had an opportunity to work for myself and control what was happening with my clients, and I took it. I had already spent time in the construction world and saw firsthand how often projects went sideways not because the work was difficult but because of poor communication, unclear expectations, and a lack of ownership. When I started Michigan Rose Construction, the goal was simple. Read more>>
Kaylee Koslowske
My professional story starts with a BA of Chinese Studies, then a consistent schedule of recreational dance and yoga training, then professional Thai Yoga (Thai Massage) training, then a Doctorate of Natural Medicine degree, and now ongoing professional dance training. In 2018, I started my own business practicing and teaching Thai Yoga with Ayurvedic assessments and Tapping Therapy (EFT). Read more>>
Debbie La Pratt
Debbie La Pratt has spent more than 20 years capturing the city’s soul in clay as “Detroit’s History Keeper.” Known as an architectural expressionist, she blends her skills as a potter with her passion for Detroit’s history, creating one-of-a-kind works that honor the city’s architecture, culture, and legacy. She started her creative career as a seamstress and discovered a passion for pottery after taking classes. Read more>>
Sharee Brooks
I’ve been a Hairstylist for 30 years!!! When I first started it was more of a hobby, I figured i couldn’t support myself being a ‘kitchen beautician’ so I decided to take it to THE NEXT LEVEL! By attending beauty college. When I was there and saw that I actually had a love for this and went ALL IN! Read more>>
Peter Coratti
I have been in the pizza business since the early 1990s. I opened my first sit-down Italian restaurant with my sister in 2008 and my first pizzeria + bar + bocce restaurant, Coratti’s Pizzeria, in Howell MI in 2021 along with my nephews. We opened our second Coratti’s Pizzeria location in Ann Arbor in the summer of 2025. Read more>>
Mark Danner
I had just left a job at a health food restaurant in another part of town. Then by a strange twist of fate I ended up at a bar / nightclub; peddling very much the opposite of healthy fare… Read more>>
Falara Patterson
My name is Falara Patterson, formerly known as Gabrielle Brown, and my journey began with a deep desire to help people in meaningful, lasting ways. I started by working closely with individuals and families who needed support in their homes, which led me to establish Connected Home Healthcare Services LLC (CHHS). Read more>>
Darrin ‘Boomer’ Williams
I often say my story didn’t start when I picked up a microphone or stepped onto a stage it started long before that, in the moments where I had to decide who I was going to become when no one was watching. I grew up understanding the power of discipline, sacrifice, and belief. Sports became my first classroom. Read more>>
Lennie D McGuire-Kass
My journey with the creation of my gnomes begain with Covid 19 and required in home quarantine. My gnomes began initially as Christmas gifts, and everyone encouraged me to continue to make these little guys and share with other gnome enthusiasts. I’ve been consistently making them ever since taking the winter months to recoup and replenish my making supplies. Read more>>
Whitney Andrews
Photography has always been woven into my story. From an early fascination in grade school to picking up a camera again during one of the most meaningful seasons of my life—while pregnant with our third child—what began as a creative outlet quickly became a calling. Nearly 14 years later, Whitney Leigh Photography stands as the result of passion, faith, and unwavering dedication. Read more>>
Jane Mitchell
Jane Mitchell is a self-taught entrepreneur who founded Jungle Jane Promotions, a family-owned and operated business, after identifying a need for more thoughtful, strategic marketing solutions. Her journey began after spending 20 years as a hairstylist, a career that allowed her to build strong relationships and truly understand the value of personal connection. Read more>>
Cirea Strode
My journey has always been rooted in service, curiosity, and a deep commitment to children, families, and community. I started my professional path in human development, child development, and social work, driven by a desire to understand children and support families in meaningful, systems-level ways. Read more>>
PJ McGeary
I started the business in 2022 with my mom and sister and we have continued growing it to where we are today roughly 3.5 years later! Read more>>
Kristian Miller
I’ve spent nearly my entire professional life in spaces rooted in service — restaurants, hotels, corporate dining, events, and community-centered organizations. Service has always been more than hospitality to me; it has been my classroom, my training ground, and a sacred calling. Read more>>
Antwoin Mosley
Starting at very young age I would spearhead events for churches, organizations, and eventually College. I’d always have so many creative ideas/concepts that I by any means necessary had to make come to life. Curating color schemes, and uniform concepts was always my absolute favorite part. Read more>>
Rita Carter
My journey started in Inkster, MI where my mom and dad met. So my roots are Inkster, but I was raised in Detroit. I don’t have very vivid memories of my childhood. I just remember being somewhat a problematic kid lol. I had a little attitude on me but I was a good kid for the most part. Read more>>
Ramana Roberson
I started my career many years ago in the field of accounting. It wasn’t until one of my children was diagnosed with a learning disability that I decided to return to college to pursue a degree in social work. Read more>>
Ryan DeLuca
As long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated with the mind and consciousness. This journey started for me almost a decade ago as I was exploring holistic healing modalities to improve my quality of life and mental health. Read more>>
Daisha Nychelle
My story is rooted in curiosity, creativity, and community. My love for style and retail started early—spending Saturdays shopping with my grandmother, completely fascinated by textures, displays, and the way a well-curated space could make you feel seen. Those moments stayed with me. Read more>>
Nickolas Gastaris
Well, I doubt my story is any different from anyone else’s, but here it goes. I grew up watching movies. My dad would take me and my brothers almost every weekend. There was a time when theaters would run out of films that we hadn’t already seen, and this was when theaters were in their prime! Read more>>
Ellen Wachler
My story started by accident. It was the summer of 2020, my entire family was up north and I was looking for a unique and fun way to celebrate my parents’ milestone birthdays. Being covid, I knew going to a restaurant wasn’t an option. A Low Country Shrimp Boil seemed to be the perfect answer, the only problem was I had never done one. Read more>>
Rebecca Eldredge
Many people wonder how a white lady like me developed a focus on serving people from historically marginalized and underappreciated identities. Like any story, there are multiple layers that unfolded upon one another over time. For example, consider my first ‘real’ job out of college…working as a live-in houseparent for a boys home in Detroit. Read more>>
Tiara Ginyard
Who would have known a little girl from the east side would have made it this far? I’m still not exactly where I want to be, but I’m incredibly grateful for where I’ve been and how far I’ve come. I’ve been dancing since I was five years old, and it has always been my passion. Read more>>
Brandi Jackson
I started as a dreamer with a vision and a lot of faith. My journey began in retail over 20 years ago, which eventually led me to launch Be Diff Kloset a boutique built on the belief that women deserve to feel confident, comfortable, and seen in their everyday lives. Read more>>
Chris Iott
North River Vodka is distilled in Traverse City by Grand Traverse Distillery from potatoes grown in Kalkaska by Iott Seed Farms, the farm I grew up on. The Iott family has been farming in Michigan since the 1800s. My family has been farming in Kalkaska since 1974. The farm was formerly owned by my dad, Ralph Iott, who died more than a decade ago. Read more>>
Ben Shotts
I’ve always been pulled toward music in a way that felt less like a hobby and more like a calling. My dad played guitar casually, but he also played great music around the house. I remember Van Morrison, Roy Buchanan, Phil Keaggy, Gary Moore, and so many more great artists filling the airwaves of the house. Read more>>
Briesa Ruby
My husband Josh started beekeeping from the age of 7 and it was his goal from then to be a commercial beekeeper. When we got married we were gifted 8 beehives and grew it all from there. We are now a husband and wife commercial beekeeping company from Florida. Read more>>
Bryan Ales
Performance Recovery Wellness was born after I spent 10+ years in the fitness industry seeing the wide range of approaches from various trainers, group workouts, bootcamp-style classes, etc. I began to notice a prevalence of injuries and burn-out, and worse, a lack of significant progress or improvement for most. Read more>>
Robin Krug
I started out making and selling products from my home over 10 years ago. I have always tried ro supplement my income as a stay at home mother to help bring in extra cash flow. Eventually I found that I was called to do more with my life and in felt led to serve my community. Read more>>
Carmelita Samuel
I graduated from the School of Social Work at the University of Michigan, motivated to become a therapist because I wanted to help others heal. I began my career at a county jail in Ann Arbor, providing mental health services to incarcerated men and women. Read more>>
Shae Almighty
I’ll never forget a conversation I had with my sister in 2020. She told me that if I started then, by the time I reached the age I am now, I’d be further than most people my age. That stuck with me. Was this the moment my sewing journey began ? Possibly. Or, was it in my home economics class in elementary school? Read more>>
Kelly Gemmel
I became a Registered Dietitian in January of 2002 after earning a Bachelors of Science in Dietetics from Michigan State University and completing my Dietetic Internship through Loyola University Chicago. My career started in Chicago working in community nutrition in a WIC clinic on the Northwest side of the city. Read more>>
Jeffrey Carroll
I am a second generation plumber. My father worked for Mish-con gas company. Back in the 70s and that is pretty much how he got his start in the trade after that he worked for a few plumbing contractors and drain cleaning companies prior to him going out on his own in the mid 90s. Read more>>
Biancia Andrews
I started my business by simply helping people around me. Friends and family would come to me when they needed help preparing documents for court or filing their taxes, and I realized I genuinely enjoyed being that person they could rely on. What began as informal support quickly showed me there was a real need for accessible, trustworthy services. Read more>>
Stefana Jorgensen
I grew up in my grandma’s salon. Hair, conversation, community—it was all I ever knew. From a young age, I knew this industry was in my blood, and opening my own place was always the dream. Thirteen years ago, I began cutting men’s hair professionally. Over time, I built strong relationships with my clients—so strong that many refused to see anyone else. Read more>>
Sophie Grillet
Sophie Grillet [Gree-yé] is an English-American artist, since 1996 a resident of Ann Arbor, Michigan. She took up Fine Art in 2010 and works in oils and acrylics, photography, stone, metal and clay. In the U.K., Sophie was a cartoonist and regular contributor to The Guardian newspaper and the London Evening Standard. Read more>>
Kirk Welsh
My journey has always been about building, long before HouseWarming, Flooring Company ever existed. I began my career as a licensed architect, spending over a decade designing buildings and learning how spaces shape the way people live, work, and feel. Architecture trained me in precision, discipline, and long-term thinking, but more importantly, it taught me respect for the details most people never see. Read more>>
Sherene Smith
LillyRose VC Bakery was born from a dream that first took root in my early twenties. Long before I knew exactly how it would unfold. When I transitioned back to a 100% plant-based lifestyle. Something powerful happened my creativity was reawakened and my love for baking and cooking came alive in a deeper way. Read more>>
Shari Mocheit
Within the last few years I have branched out into what’s known in the cruise industry as “Guest Entertainer” or “Headliner” work, which means I get to perform my own shows, and my latest project has me over the moon excited! I have produced, directed, and choreographed two brand new shows that I am so proud to introduce to the world! Read more>>
Brad Tate
I studied at Cincinnati Christian University where I earned my bachelor degree in Biblical Studies. From there I served 4 years in southern Indiana at a local church. In 2006, I started a 16 year tenure at a fast growing multisite church in southeast Michigan. I was on staff & in executive leadership as we grew from 600 people in a middle school cafeteria to a congregation of 10,000 spread out over 7 campuses. Read more>>
