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.

Kinde Crouse

In August of 2022 I wanted to advance my career in Property Management and started working for Main Street Renewal as a Leasing Specialist. While on my journey there I assisted applicants with leasing homes in major cities in the U.S such as Atlanta, Nashville, and Tampa. I also worked closely with Section 8 applicants and my enjoyment for helping people find their temporary home blossomed. The love I have for this industry is what really motivated me to pursue Real Estate. Read More>>

Kristi Kandel

Kristi Kandel’s journey is one of resourcefulness, resilience, and impact. Growing up in a small farming town in Ohio with limited financial resources, she developed an entrepreneurial spirit early on, finding creative ways to make money as a child. After college, Kristi began her career in the sign industry in Florida, where she was introduced to the world of commercial real estate. During this time, she launched her first company, providing code check analysis for clients in the sign industry—a venture that was successful enough to fund her first overseas trip. Read More>>

Vasudha Nagar

After graduating in Accountancy and Business from Delhi University and working in journalism at Sahara Samay News Channel, I moved to the US. The fast-paced environment made me realize the immense value of the natural practices I grew up with. In 2021, after losing my mother to COVID-19, I felt a deep need to honor her legacy. This led to the creation of Shreeta Salon & Spa—a place that promotes holistic wellness using herbal and organic treatments. Read More>>

Daylay Twanae

Then came the global pandemic. Like so many business owners, Daylay was forced to confront the uncertainty of whether her business would survive COVID-19. The fear of what might come was palpable, but Daylay’s resilience and determination shone through. She emerged from the crisis stronger, proving not only her ability to adapt, but also her capacity for growth under pressure. Read More>>

Alaysia Means

Once I completed the course, I knew it was time to leave the call center behind. I started working in property management, which allowed me to get hands-on experience in the real estate field while I continued to work towards my license. Then, in December 2019, I passed my State Exam after the 3rd time and officially became a licensed real estate agent. Read More>>

Sydnie Marrah

This was one of the scariest decisions I would ever make and I was already working a full time job out of town, but with my mom and dads knowledge and help, we said let’s do it. We had one week to renovate the space to be up and running before the holiday season. Turns out this was the best decision I have made, the response from the community was overwhelming in the best way possible. In a short 14 months, we then decided to expand the business in a 2400 sq ft building where we added a men’s clothing line, inclusive sizing and much more. We are in the heart of Downtown Owosso next to so many amazing shops. I was able to quit my full time job and work for myself full time where I can connect with customers one on one everyday. Read More>>

Shaya Klein

One of our biggest challenges so far, I think, was trying to develop a vision in our heads of what “could be” when we began to create our space in an old building. The bones were great and the price was right, but it was not at all set up the way we wanted our ideal salon to look, and that took a lot of brainstorming and creativity. Slowly but surely, we were able to add a touch of “us” here and there to make our business cozy and inviting. Read More>>

Shelby Brazier

In late 2020, I had an 8 month old and an almost 3 year old and was craving a creative escape to ease my mind from PPA/PPD and anxiety around the world shifting due to covid. It started off with me scrolling social media endlessly during another 2am feed that would ultimately end in me running a 6 figure business with over 17,000 sales four years later! During covid I was a teacher and I had children in daycare, both of which were unstable due to many quarantines. Due to the unstable childcare, I was having to miss work a lot and ended up with many unpaid sick days and also many mandatory paid childcare days even though quarantines forced us to be absent. I needed to make supplemental income to help aid the financial strain. Read More>>

Erin Leigh

In 2016, when we launched, pets were considered property rather than family members. But today, the pet industry is thriving, projected to reach $161 billion by 2028. The concept of having a pet sitter enter your home, or even stay overnight, was once unheard of. I faced skepticism and laughter, but now house sitting has become our most popular service for the last five years. Having a dog walker drop by while you’re at work is now completely normal. Read More>>

Brandi Butler

I started out as a therapist with a full-time job, following the traditional path laid out for most mental health professionals. While I loved helping people, I felt a strong pull to create something bigger—something that could make a lasting impact and uplift others, especially those in the mental health space. But the leap wasn’t easy. I made mistakes, faced challenges, and at times, questioned if I’d made the right choice. Yet every setback brought a lesson that eventually turned into a stepping stone. Read More>>

Krista Kameleon

After Art Prize, in October 2023, I went through an extremely difficult heartbreak and got a staff infection that landed me in emergency surgery all at the same time. My mental and physical health were the lowest they had ever been. This difficult time made me reflect deeply on what I wanted in my life and how I wanted to live it. My goal was to quit my job and bring joy and inspiration to people through my art. I wrote this down along with other goals on sticky notes and put them on my bathroom mirror as a daily reminder of what I was working towards. Read More>>

Melani Savich

Returning to Michigan, I pivoted to bridal makeup, and since 2021, I’ve been helping brides look and feel their best on their big day. In May 2024, I further expanded my skillset by graduating from the Brighton Institute of Cosmetology and obtaining my esthetician license. Now, through my business, Melicious Makeup & Esthetics, I offer a range of services including makeup, facials, lash extensions, and waxing! Read More>>

Melissa Gulley

I have always love makeup! People had been telling me for years that I should be a makeup artist but it was something I just wasn’t into. But I think 2020 made everybody look at their lives differently, right? So I started taking makeup seriously in late 2020. But at this time I was only doing my makeup, I was scared to do anyone else’s face. But it all started when I made my youtube channel doing my makeup and talking about God called Slay and Pray. And through this channel, I began to fall more and more in love with makeup. In November 2022 I enrolled in Online Makeup Academy, and in July 2023 I became a certified makeup artist! Read More>>

Zero Sun

Me(Brody), Jake, and Quinn all met in the Kalamazoo Academy Of Rock program and we decided we should jam outside of the KAR program and try our own thing. We started off playing covers but very quickly started making originals. We wrote our first song “If I’m Ever gonna Change Your Mind” early into the process. By coincidence, I had bumped into a childhood friend who I knew played bass. I hadn’t seen him since I was Probally six years old. That old friend was Julian Barry. He came to play with us one day in our rehearsal space and the rest was history. Our songwriting was on the rise. Read More>>

Matthew Sandoval

So after a lot of research, and experimenting; I crafted my first batch of soap, and the results were astonishing. A year of soap-making highlighted the need for products designed specifically for sensitive skin. It was then that I decided to create my company with the goal to create good formulas, with good and high-quality ingredients, all designed specifically to be gentle on the body while using all-natural and sustainable ingredients, most of which are sourced from American suppliers. Read More>>

Tamara Thomas

When I finished the program, I started filling the walls of our house with upcycled wallpaper art. I have always adored wallpaper, but I couldn’t imagine covering a whole room with it, so the wall art idea was born. One thing led to another, and soon I found myself sharing my art and decorating projects on Instagram. Many of my designs have been shared by brands such as Pottery Barn, Kirkland’s, ZGallerie, Ballard Designs, Viridian Bay, Decorator’s Best, and more. I have had the opportunity to start an Amazon storefront, and to work as a paid collaborator with additional brands, which I am extremely grateful for. Read More>>

Rello Be

How y’all doing, my name is Darell R Brown aka Rello Be. I know it’s a shock to the people that only know me for acting and comedy but when it comes to music, it’s always been in my blood. My father, the late Charles Edward Brown Sr. was a natural born singer. I could hear him singing every morning before church. He and my mother (Angelita D. Brown) made 12 beautiful children and I promise you we all have the gift of music. We can all just about sing, most of us play instruments, and write music. My father would say “anytime y’all come together God is in the midst”.  Read More>>

Ren Oberhill

My path to establishing 6 Ray Healing was deeply inspired by the countless individuals I encountered during my years as a therapist. Many came to me feeling overwhelmed and uncertain, longing for a deeper understanding of themselves and their experiences. They were lacking a connection to their own inner guidance, and I noticed considerable healing when I helped them orient to it. I also realized that traditional therapeutic approaches, while valuable, often left a gap for those who needed to explore their spirituality and energy along with their emotional challenges. This insight sparked a desire to blend therapeutic skills with healing modalities, creating a holistic approach that honors the whole person. Read More>>

Curtis Edwards

Our patented multi-layer engagement system fosters a natural connection with the ball providing enhance grip, responsiveness, and more successful catches. if the open palm glove style isn’t your preference our” Fli Trap “is a more traditional closed palm. however, it still incorporates our patented multi-layer engagement system design. prioritizing tactile feedback and improving both individual and team performance. I’m eager to Connect with fellow sports enthusiasts, innovators, and ecellence-driven professionals.Lets make every catch count! Read More>>

Morgan Holly

Physical music media seemed to be much more exciting than it is now, and I wanted to create a music shopping experience that felt as nostalgic and exciting as those times were. That’s how Swindle Records started. Growing up in the music scene grew my passion and love for music and I wanted to share that in a unique, genre-free way. I want people to come in and explore different types of music. The concept of a mobile record store allowed for more flexibility, which made the most sense to me as a first time entrepreneur and full time biology student. Over time I hope to have a store front, and a space for local artists to come play and share their music. Being able to live out two of my greatest passions (music and biology) at once has been a fulfilling experience that I am incredibly grateful for. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my mother and sister. Read More>>

Robert Miller II

That experience enticed me to relocate with the intentions of attending Georgia State University but faced challenges of enrolling because I had a balance at TSU, not releasing my transcripts, & non-transferrable credits from Memphis, so I began working as an administrative clerk at a Real-Estate Company. Unfortunately, the Real-Estate company moved the company to Alabama, so I was laid-off. After layoff, I began working at ESPN Zone & Sports Authority to stay afloat. Meantime, my friends/roommates were introduced to hosting college parties & events, so we took a stab at starting our own entertainment company – SEVEN Entertainment. Read More>>

Jennifer Maxson

I actually began in PR and marketing after college. Life has a funny way of leading you down unexpected paths though. I joined a leadership coaching firm handling their marketing and communications, and something just clicked. I found myself drawn more and more into the coaching side, starting to facilitate programs and work directly with clients. It felt natural. I knew I’d found my calling. Read More>>

Brooke G

It most definitely has not been a smooth road in the past six years that I have been in this field of work. I am not one to check my phone often throughout the day, so the messages would accumulate, which gave me anxiety that only grew as more time went on with no response from me. The pressure of interaction that was needed from me would steer me away and keep away. But I do my best to get back into it and to stay in the groove of things. The more work you put out, the more output you receive. Read More>>

Allan Bezama

Around age 11, an opportunity finally came along, though not in the way I expected. My church offered free music lessons, and I eagerly signed up for the guitar class, only to find it was full. The only option left was the bass guitar class. Reluctantly, I agreed to give it a try. What started as a compromise soon became something special. I was the only student who stuck with the bass lessons, learning the basics and developing a deeper connection to the instrument. Read More>>

Casson Tate

At the beginning of 2024, we took the opportunity to open a small venue called The Gräge to support the fans and artists in our town who want more control over the live experience. It was our way to up our own live sound and ability to understand live performance engineering while supporting our community. It is crucial that we give back in a meaningful way to the people of Toledo and those passing through so doing so in a way that fulfilled a dire need we were excited to fill felt best. As we continue to grow both online and in opportunities to play live performances elsewhere, we’re committed to helping local acts with access to The Gräge and our home studio, where we record our music. Read More>>

Noella Nwosu-Amene

Despite the challenges, I decided to follow my passion. I sought out opportunities to learn and grow in the beauty industry, honing my skills and building my portfolio. Through determination and perseverance, I began to gain recognition for my work. I started with small gigs, gradually working my way up to larger projects and collaborations. Read More>>

Jess Dort

After receiving my bachelors degree in Community and Human Services from Siena Heights University in 2015, I spent close to a decade immersed in community service, from juvenile detention rehabilitation, then to preschool teaching, and finally through family counseling. On the weekends, or a long lunch break, I would escape to the woods, never believing that it could be more than that — a temporary escape. A combination of weekend hiking, amateur nature photography, and a loving nudge from someone close to me culminated in finding the science and art of foraging, wildcrafting, and ancestral skills. Little did I know that this new “hobby” would catapult me on a path that has changed my life, and the lives of those in my community. Read More>>

Practicing Perfect

I have to give credit to William Wallace, met him at a Lecrae & 116 concert back in April 2022. He invited me to Word of Truth Family Church in Arlington,Texas. Pastor Eben Conner. 6months later I finally visited and he was there and remembered who I was. Read More>>

Inessa Grigoryeva

I’m a 2 times immigrant. I was born in Uzbekistan, Tashkent city. At he age of 7 we moved to Russia, in a very small city, lived by the forest near the railway station, at the age of 17 I moved to a bigger city, and at 23 moved to USA. I was always dreaming about it. Read More>>

Mariya Madej

After starting my family, I traveled around the United States for my husband’s career, which opened my eyes to diverse beauty cultures and trends. During this time, I realized that my dream of becoming an entrepreneur was more than just a desire—it was a calling. I wanted to create a space where I could share my love for beauty and inspire others. I want to use my passion for beauty to help people feel confident and comfortable in their own skin, empowering them to embrace their unique qualities and shine from within. Read More>>

Mike Harnos

My story began in Westland Michigan. Growing up listening to music was something that I was familiar with from a young age. My mind was fueled by the grooves of 90s alternative, the slamming guitars of 70s rock and the anger of 90s grunge. I was destined to absorb this material and morph it into an energy that would carry me into my adulthood. I grew up in a household where we didn’t have everything but love was abundant and self expression was accepted and encouraged. I followed many passions as a child. I loved sports, reading, loving and caring and what I loved the most was music. Read More>>

Ronald Akbar

For many, the open road symbolizes freedom. For me, that freedom became real two years ago, as I transitioned from my role in healthcare to embrace the life I’d long envisioned. I’d always been captivated by the idea of running my own business and charting my own path, so I applied to work as an independent contractor with a broker house in Vandalia, OH. This partnership became the first mile in a journey that would ultimately lead to the launch of D-Line Courier Service. Read More>>

Sk Martin

Why did I choose to pursue tattooing, if I was so out of the loop? I asked myself that, especially when the path to such a career had some intimidating obstacles. We’ll, I wanted to work in an artistic field, and upon learning that I was not gifted in networking nor doing my own footwork for finding commission work fresh out of college, I asked myself how I could sit in a room and clients came to me directly, asking for me to come up with art. Something different, every day. Tattooing provided. Read More>>

Lorin Lange

After coronavirus made me contemplate my life and career path, I knew I wanted to do color, cuts, and in general expand my skills. I was hired as an assistant at another salon. It was there I really learned the type of stylist I wanted to be and start to grow my clientele. I got to learn from a team of unique individuals who worked well together and were so giving with their knowledge and experience. I was there for 2 years, as an assistant and stylist, and in May 2023, I became an independent stylist in Ferndale. Read More>>

Ryan Carter

To truly understand my journey, we must rewind to the very beginning, to Detroit, Michigan, Eastside, late ’90s. This is where my dreams were born, where the first flickers of my desire to entertain ignited. Picture a curious, rambunctious, sometimes hard-headed child—full of restless energy, and a fierce ambition. Watching others on TV, I envisioned myself as a vibrant entertainer, the life of the party, my mind constantly swirling with skits and plays, eagerly waiting to leap from my imagination to the world, whether I performed solo or for family and friends. Read More>>

Paige Kempa

With the encouragement of friends and family, I dove into creating my brand, where my public relations degree was a huge help: brainstorming everything from pricing to typography to goals, and finding a way to make this dream come to life. By the end of June 2024, I launched Moments by Paige. Since then, I’ve been so grateful to capture meaningful memories for some amazing people—engagements, maternity sessions, family portraits, couples, seniors, and more. Every session allows me to preserve genuine and authentic moments while connecting with my clients, and reminds me how lucky I am to do what I love! Read More>>

Adam Allport

I would say that it has been far from a smooth road but nothing bad! One of my biggest struggles along the way started with getting out of my comfort zone and not being nervous to meet new people and start a conversation. My other struggle was learning a “fancy” camera by myself in such a short time. I picked up my first camera in July of 2024 and I immediately fell in love and knew this is what I was meant to do. Read More>>

Jaylyn Jones

My story started in college. I was at my friends dorm room at EMU while her suite mate Maysa was doing her makeup. I had only known the basics of makeup and was avid to learn more about the techniques and products she used. Maysa had shown me where to apply the products and what products were essential to achieve the look everyone on campus pretty much had mastered. A few months later Covid had hit and students had to leave the campus. Once I returned home, I immediately picked up a hobby, but it I was not makeup i picked up, it was nails. Read More>>

Amanda Ketchum

It has not always been a smooth road. Being in business for yourself has it’s own challenges, with bookkeeping and long hours. Over the years we’ve had to address the living space, as it’s shared by my family too. The work we do is so important for our community, which is why we’ve committed to these long days! I’ve had staffing issues, and of course the pandemic really took a toll on us. The phrase we hear in childcare is “we don’t do this for the pay” which is certainly so true. I advocate on a broad level for better pay for all childcare workers and teachers! Read More>>

Antione Williams

While pursuing my undergraduate degree at Northern Michigan University, I connected with a professor who was also a photographer. This collaboration led to multiple photoshoots where I continued to learn and build on my modeling qualities while I managed my academic responsibilities as a full-time student. In 2015 I established my first relationship with a modeling agency, primarily on a freelance basis. At that time, while modeling was incredibly important to me, focusing on attaining my Bachelor’s and subsequently my Master’s degree took the front seat. Read More>>

Fatima Tekko

However, life took a different turn. I married young and welcomed my first son, Joe, during my first year of college at just 19. Due to his health challenges and frequent hospital visits, I became determined to pursue nursing. I returned to college a few months after his birth, focused on my nursing goal, all while juggling a full-time job as a Liaison for the Dearborn School District. Fulfilling all my prerequisites to enter the nursing program I thought I was well on my way. Only to find out there was a TWO-YEAR waitlist. FRUSTRATION took over, to say the least! Read More>>

Abbie Lewis

My now husband (and biggest supporter) bought me my first DSLR, and I continued learning bit-by-bit. Fast forward 11 years and our second child was born! We decided I could take a year-long maternity pause from my career as a high school counselor to stay home with my two little ones. I found the space and time to really dig deeper into my work, and I decided to take the giant leap to start my business. I am happy to say it was the best decision! I’m continuing to learn and grow as a creator and I’m excited to still be riding on this journey. Read More>>

Cori Cowden

I would go to shops to get tattooed, ask artists of their own journey, go to tattoo conventions, chat with people and their experiences to get an idea of where to start. In early 2022 I got a message on my Instagram from a tattoo shop owner, Hanna, asking if I was still looking for an apprenticeship. I told her yes, but that I had a full-time job, a family to take care of, and didn’t really have any time except the weekends so maybe I’m not really looking. She told me that I could come in on the weekends and would give me drawing assignments to do at home. So, with my art portfolio in hand and a deep breath I went to Hive Tattoo Studio in Flint and I have been there ever since. Read More>>

Kennedy Hatfield

I started sharing fitness content on Instagram and TikTok (@kennerd.fit) in May 2022. Since then, I’ve built a supportive community of women who share a similar journey to mine: women who want to improve themselves while balancing a 9-to-5 job. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with well-known companies, meeting amazing people, and, most importantly, sharing content that reflects my passions and inspires others. Read More>>

Lorinda Lindsay

Our business was born from COVID. My husband and I hosted a rehearsal dinner for my nephew. Since we were still in the midst of a pandemic, we were leary of having a lot of people in our home. We decided to purchase a tent to host the event. Everything was so well put together, people asked where we rented the tent? Who decorated? Who cooked? When they found out we did everything, people started asking us to rent the tent and provide other services. So Epic Event Services was born, I guess by accident. That was in May 2021 and we haven’t looked back. Read More>>

Marcus Tolic

Eventually, I decided to follow my heart and pursue this passion seriously, so I got licensed as a builder in Michigan. That decision transformed my life and career. Now, my business is taking off, and I’m incredibly grateful to be doing work I love every day. I’m blessed to have a fantastic team by my side and a group of clients who trust me to bring their visions to life. It’s been a journey, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Read More>>