Michigan’s Most Inspiring Stories

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.

Christopher Bettley

I got my tattoo apprenticeship in 2003 while getting my Bachelor’s in Fine Arts in painting. Tattooing kind of “chose me” so to speak. I always thought I’d be a professor and have a dingy art studio doing small little gallery events and MAYBE sell a painting here or there. 22 years later I’ve been a full time tattoo artist, traveled to 48 of the 50 states, rubbed elbows with some the greatest artists the world and for the last 7 years have been in my private studio Last Rogue Tattoo. I’m blessed beyond belief and am so so so lucky. Read more>>

Greg Ezzo

When Greg met Sharlene, he shared that creative passion with her. We started out photographing events for friends and family, slowly building our skills and confidence. Around the time of COVID, Sharlene was laid off from her job and decided to pursue photography full-time. That was the turning point. We realized how much we loved helping people preserve the most meaningful and emotional moments in their lives. Read more>>

Andrew Parauka

That question led me to YouTube. I started filming simple “how‑to” videos. At first it was just an experiment, but as more viewers tuned in, I realized I’d stumbled on something special. Teaching sewing felt like giving people a creative outlet. So I leveled up my tutorials with downloadable PDF patterns, making it easy for anyone to follow along and sew at home. Read more>>

Brandon Waddles

As a composer, conductor, educator and music director, Brandon Waddles enjoys a multifaceted career spanning the musical gamut. He currently serves as the Associate Music Director for the National Broadway Tour of The Wiz. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Waddles earned his doctoral degree in Choral Music Education at the Florida State University. He most recently served as the Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor of Teaching at Wayne State University as well as the Artistic Director of the Rackham Choir. During his tenures at Wayne and Rackham, he led the choirs in performances of Brahms’ and Faure’s Requiems, Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concert, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. He several times prepared the Wayne State choirs for performances with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Read more>>

Jessica Terranova

After a wedding, two kids, and seeing my camera collect dust, I decided it was time to dive back into my love for photography. I traded in my old kit lens for some upgraded gear, and I haven’t looked back since. Now, a little over a year later, I specialize in family photography, always aiming to capture that perfect, timeless shot. I’ve also had the privilege of working with some incredible businesses in Grand Rapids, creating branding sessions that truly capture their essence—those have quickly become some of my favorite projects. Read more>>

Adam Ewbank

My focus when it comes to weddings is authenticity. From the way I stand back and let the day unfold naturally, to the way I color grade my films in a true-to-color style, my main goal is to show the wedding day in the way it happened, without over-stylizing the film. My couples tell me they love the emotion I portray in my films, whether that’s the tearful first look or the hyped-up party on the dance floor. Read more>>

LaTonya Robinson

At age eight, she entered Michigan’s foster care system, where she and her twin sister and older brother would remain until aging out at 18. Despite cycling through group homes and foster placements—some loving, others deeply painful—LaTonya held onto the belief that her story didn’t have to end in brokenness. Through the darkness, she found glimmers of hope in the people who poured into her and the lessons she learned along the way. Read more>>

Tony Geren

In October of 2022 the band was back to its original size with new and old members, creating their first full length album “Rearranging The Psychic Furniture, which released in March of 2023. Since then, the band has played regional festivals such as Electric Forest and Solshine Reverie (summer camp music festival). In 2025 they recorded a submission for NPR Tiny desk and now are getting set to record new music and play Electric Forest for their second time. Read more>>

Princess Pack

From there I played around in the kitchen and honestly never stopped. I started making things and posting them on Instagram and to my surprise alot of people were interested. It took me by complete surprise but I did just what they asked. I made more items and posted them. I sold for Valentine’s Day, I sold to my family, and also at school. What got a lot of people’s attention was when I I graduated in 2023. Around that time I made items for my friend’s graduation, my graduation, and my sisters baby shower. I can honestly say the support I had pushed me to where I am today, without them I would be nothing. Read more>>

Staci Gibson

We refer to it as “The Mini Golf Course made for Adults that Even the Kids Will Love”. While family friendly, it has a BYOB after 3:00 option that has garnered some appeal and features extensive gardens, ducks and a great deal of character. It was voted the #1 Miniature Golf Course in Michigan by Golf.com Magazine in 2024, which was exciting. It has become a fun and welcome addition to the outdoor arena that is Copper Harbor and acted as an entrepreneurial springboard for things to come. Read more>>

Kierstyn Opasik

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been passionate about the fashion industry. I even remember dressing up as a fashion designer for career day in 3rd grade. As I grew older, my interest only deepened, and I began sharing beauty and fashion content on YouTube. Then in 2015 as a teenage girl, I struggled to find bikinis that I loved. Around this time, I was also becoming increasingly passionate about marine life, recycling, the ocean… basically anything beachy and tropical. This is when I decided I would one day start my own sustainable swimwear line. Read more>>

Gretchen Wolff

I am a classically trained singer and pianist, and picked up acoustic guitar in my teens, teaching myself to play. I recorded and released my first album of original songs in 1998, while earning my Bachelor’s degree in vocal performance. My second album, Released in 2009, was written and recorded as an independent study for credit toward my Master’s degree in vocal performance. Most recently, I’ve been a featured performer on the monthly program Singers in the Round at Aretha’s Jazz Café. Read more>>

Da’Veonce Washington

Dee has shared the stage with Foreigner, NeYo, Cindy Blackman Santana, Jackie Venson, Christian McBride, Kirk Whalum, Chris Kingfish, Eric Gales, Chris Botti, Keiko Matsui Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, Nikki Hill, Earth Radio, Lady Ace Boogie, Desmond Jones, Hannah Rose Graves, Melophobix, Janiva Magness, Paul Nelson, Larry McCray. Maggie Rose, Harper & The Midwest Kind, Mark Lavengood, Blue Water Kings Band, Asamu Johnson & The Associates of the Blues Read more>>

Rebecca Broucek

A severe sunburn I got last summer set me on a path to find a natural solution that would soothe my sensitive skin. After some trial and error, I managed to create a nourishing lotion using just four simple ingredients. When my daughter used it on my grandkids and it worked wonders, I knew I had created something special – ‘Baby Soft Skin’ was born. This journey has been especially meaningful given my own struggles with eczema. Since discovering the benefits of tallow, I’ve been inspired to develop more natural products, like my luxurious whipped tallow, sugar and coffee scrubs and more coming soon. Now, my products are available in three local boutiques. Read more>>

Corey Winfield

Drugs had come and gone in my life, but alcohol was the one that never let go. It was everywhere—easy to get, encouraged in social settings, and disguised as a harmless indulgence. As long as I kept my drinking hidden from my friends, family, and co-workers, I convinced myself that I was in control. Read more>>

Jovan Robinson

My story as a photographer started off very simple: I just wanted to take nice pictures of my friends! I took a digital media class my senior year of high school and that kickstarted my journey into the love of it. Something about having the camera in my hand just resonated with me, a part of me knew that it was a gift. Back then, it didnt even matter what i took photos of, as long as i took them. Birds, Cars, anything. Having the camera in my hand just felt good. Back when i started, i was heavily introverted and i saw photography as a way to communicate what i didnt always have the words for. Over the past 5 years, being a photographer has not only changed what i thought my life would be, but transformed me as a person. I not only have the skill to communicate through a visual medium, but i have those words that i didnt have so many years ago. Read more>>

Kaitlyn VanderMeer

KP Fitness first started in Sept 2021 sharing a physical location with 2 other yoga studios (not long into being open we had our first interview). 20 months later we moved to a small space that was fully our own but much smaller in square footage. Pros to being in our own space, cons to capacity being much much lower! We stayed in our small spot for only 10 months before finding our (hopefully) forever home and where we have been for over 1.5 years! Our new spot- on a main and busy road, numerous rooms, capacity the biggest it has ever been! The fit was perfect for us with minimal construction required. Read more>>

Chris Hollis

When I came back to Michigan, my passion stayed with me, and I transitioned to cityscapes and architecture photography. I then started to move into portraits. From there, my focus changed to wedding and portrait photography. I began shooting weddings in 2019 under my mentor with the intention of shooting solo weddings in 2020. Well, we all know how crazy a year that was! But it was still a blessing because it really eased me into the pace of solo wedding days. Read more>>

Amy Sexton Stanislavski

I launched Plan and Gather Events in 2017, but honestly, party planning has been a huge passion of mine since forever—thanks to my mom, the original party-planning superhero. She is so organized, I’m pretty sure she could plan a wedding blindfolded while juggling flaming torches. Inspired by her superpowers, I spent years mastering nonprofit and corporate events before deciding to chase my true love: weddings. Because, let’s face it, who doesn’t want to be part of a love story sprinkled with confetti and cake? Read more>>

Rachael Meyer

After a year, another salon owner who wanted to retire needed someone to take over her lease and it was perfect. 5 years after I bought my salon I renovated another space and rebranded to Meraki Salon & Spa. I added services and staff and kept growing. After 1 year, the little med spa next to me left and I expanded and added Head Spa services and another space for massage or esthetic services. I am always pushing to better my staff and my clients and I will keep striving for that. I have the best team I could hope for and we are one big family. It has had its ups and downs, but I couldn’t ask for more. Read more>>

Meredith Sherrod

We also source as many local products and ingredients as we can. We work directly with Degrandchamp Blueberry farms, Bardens farm, Bobs processing, Brushs farm just to name a few. We get all of our beef from Bobs processing, it’s ground fresh twice a week for us and delivered right after they grind it. It doesn’t get any fresher or more local than that. We pride ourselves on giving the best customer service around. Our staff is made up of almost all “lifetime servers” we everyone takes a lot of pride in what they do. Feel free to check our Google, Yelp or Facebook reviews to read how much people love our food, staff and everything we’ve built. Read more>>

Michael Charles

I was much surprised when Heather said “ok” and after endless amount of work, April 15th, we opened Legacy Wheelz, LLC. a store where people could come and try PEV’s before they buy them. There is a STRONG online presence for EUC’s and unless you knew someone who had one there was no way to try one out before you spent a lot of your hard-earned money on a new hobby that you have only seen in online videos. We are now in our second year, and the community is getting hooked on personal electric vehicles from electric scooters, Onewheels, EUC’s, and electric bikes and trikes. Read more>>

Nolan Gapske

When I was younger, I was surrounded by creativity. My dad, though a full time life insurance agent, would write poetry and stories in his free time and my mom, dabbled in all sorts of art, filling up the house with her and other artist’s paintings, drawings and sculptures. We even had a kiln in the garage! I think what I do now started from a combination of what’s in my blood and what I was surrounded by while growing up. I liked to draw, usually car-related and was also very into music growing up, playing guitar and with effects boards and whatever I could get my hands on. Read more>>

Danny Horner

After I ran out of art classes to take, I stopped going to school and focused on painting. During the next four years, my painting became more graphic, and I found myself using design programs more often, I had also started a small DIY clothing brand with some friends and did all of the design for it. That’s when I leaned more into design after learning more about it and what was possible. Read more>>

Kara Beveridge

But after 20 years of being a hairstylist, I found myself in a rut and wondering what would be the next chapter in my career journey. For years I wanted to open a women’s clothing store but my conscience would always get in the way until one day a friend of mine gave me the boost of confidence I needed and said “If you don’t do it now you never will, you’re almost 40 and besides, what’s the worst thing that could happen?” That conversation was in January of 2021 and Minty Boutique opened our doors on December 4, 2021. Read more>>

Katie Appold

I went on to earn my Master’s of Public Administration/Nonprofit Leadership and was soon after hired by RBC Ministries (now Our Daily Bread) and quickly promoted to a senior-level marketing role. When my son was born, I knew I needed a position with a shorter commute and less required travel. A friend referred me to the executive director position that was opening at Love INC of the Tri-Cities. One one-hour interview later, I had my first executive director position, and all that came with it. Read more>>

Jasmine Espy

As I received my diagnosis, an onslaught of treatments by one of the top specialists in the country for HS soon came. All of which changed the trajectory of my journey with this disease. I went from suffering in silence and isolation to having some semblance of hope. I was also able to connect with resources that helped me find a path toward healing. As I participated in clinical trials after clinical trials, ranging from antibiotic treatment to YAG Laser to CO2 surgery, I began seeing change slowly but surely. I also made some lifestyle changes that enabled me to lose over 150 pounds, which I believe played a significant role in my remission journey. Read more>>

Riya Challa

I joined Northville HOSA as a freshman, and it has been an incredible journey ever since. This organization has provided me with the opportunity to connect with members from various chapters, experience a dynamic competitive environment, and enjoy countless memorable moments. I’ve had the privilege of serving as Treasurer for the past two years and recently stepped into the role of Co-President. I’m excited to continue contributing to our chapter’s growth and to help lead Northville HOSA to its fullest potential! Read more>>

Gary Mavis

In 2004, I moved to Grand Rapids to pursue my goal of becoming a graphic designer/web developer. When I started my first job creating digital advertising for a local media company, I realized I could do better work if I refined the process and infused my passion. Web coding had been a hobby of mine for many years before; now I knew how to turn that zeal into action. Read more>>

Mesa Mantra

The band originally formed in 2018 under the name Albatross. We had more of a Detroit Hardcore sound at the time, and it wasn’t until 2020 that we changed our name to Mesa Mantra and began to find our identity. The name Mesa Mantra was inspired by the idea that we wanted to write songs with a deeper message and higher purpose (Mantra being the message and Mesa being the higher place from which the message is derived). Read more>>

Josh Rexford

Fast-forward a few years to the end of my college years and I was getting asked to shoot everything from family sessions and senior portraits to proposals and even weddings. That’s when I decided to officially start my business – but start it on the same foundations I had been building since day one. For me, turning photography into a business was never about the money or the opportunities it presented but more as an extension of who I’ve always been: someone trying to document the beautiful, unrepeatable pieces of life in a way that’s truly meaningful to others. Read more>>

Erika Dettloff

There were definitely some struggles along the way; especially in the beginning when trying to build trust and clientele as a new business. There were certainly some times where I thought that it would be too hard to run a business and I wasn’t sure if it would work out, but it ended up working out better than I could’ve ever imagined. I am very grateful for the client and professional relationships I have made along the way. Read more>>

Symone Brown

Growing up, I was soft-spoken but strong-willed—quiet until I had something to say. I was the kind of girl who could spend hours alone in my imagination, drawing, organizing things, or making something beautiful just because. I was always creative, always observant, and always had a little sparkle of “extra” in me—whether it was my outfits, my handwriting, or the way I’d plan out entire fake businesses or storylines for fun. Read more>>

Natalia Iakovleva

For the past 18 years, we have been deeply involved in employee development, psychology, and building strong, motivated teams. We believe that a successful business is not only about products, but about people — and we are proud to help young professionals grow, improve their skills, and reach their full potential Read more>>

Hunter French

After graduating high school, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the culinary arts. That dream led me to Rhode Island, where I enrolled at Johnson & Wales University in Providence. While there, I had the opportunity to do an internship in New Orleans—an unforgettable experience that deepened my love of cooking. I also spent a summer in the United Kingdom as part of my craft brewing minor, which gave me a whole new appreciation for pairing food with great beer. Read more>>

Jannique Heard

I spent three years there until another friend, who always admired my personal style, asked me to style their clothing line. That experience was a turning point. From then on, I poured myself into fashion—connecting with photographers and showrooms all over NYC, hustling by test shooting for free, lugging around my big purple suitcase, collaborating on editorials, and choosing picture credits over money. Read more>>

Grace Valentic

I grew up a dancer spending most of the my time in a ballet studio, from the age of 5 to 19. My passion for ballet grew over time and I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in it once I got into high school. The high stress atmosphere however, and the constant strive for perfection led me into a serious eating disorder, that ended up causing a downwards health spiral. I spent most of my teens and early 20’s in and out of doctors offices with severe hormonal and digestive issues, as well as chronic injuries from not fueling by body properly.  Read more>>

Isabella Huzar

I started my instagram for my friends because I was the designated foodie of my friend group, and being that I take photos of my meals naturally, it only made sense. Moving to New York City increased the cuisines I had access to, so an organic audience appeared and through that, I’ve connected with some incredible foodies in the city and have been fortunate enough to try some incredible bites in one of the greatest cities for food. Read more>>

Denzelle Tucker

This journey was sparked by memories of my own struggles in school—times when my grades slipped simply because my family didn’t have the resources to support me. That experience stayed with me. It’s why Tiger Tutoring isn’t just about academics. We focus on building real, lasting relationships with students—walking with them, not just tutoring them. Read more>>

Leandria Abcumby

Le’andria Abcumby is the CEO founder of The curse breaker podcast and National Glory Carriers Ministry. She became a life coach in her younger teen years teaching the word of God, love and encouraging many individuals in their faith walk how to face and break generational curses from their bloodline; so that individuals will become successful in their spiritual Growth. As leandria developed by growth she gained spot light that influenced others to bare fruit of love for one another and walk in their true identity. Read more>>

Topher Isabella

Essentially what I mean by that is there’s always been obstacles. From people not believing in me, a technique I can’t seem to nail down, or even myself (which tends to be my biggest obstacle at times). But at the end of the day you have to navigate it and push through, and I think I’m alright at pushing myself when challenges arise. Read more>>

Rosalina Altadonna

Today, this company still stands strong. My mother was also a driven female and became one of the first females to break into the real estate industry, becoming a real estate leader, well-known, and boasting 30 years as a multi-million dollar real estate sales agent in the real estate industry. My entire family and extended family are well-known in the real estate, residential, and commercial building industry and are some of the biggest builders in Michigan. Read more>>

Tyrone Hunter

Even had the doubts from them, but im blessed that i kept on going and didn’t allow them to fill my had with negativity. Read more>>

David Dyer

I always had the idea of doing stand up myself and went to Michigan State where I studied Theatre. I never did stand up there, but once I got out of college, I thought, “If I don’t do it now, I’ll never do it.” I started going to open mic nights and having my brother tape me with this enormous VHS camera. I brought the tape to an agency that books comedy around the Midwest and they started getting me guest spots which led to hosting gigs which led to being the middle act and, eventually, headlining. Read more>>