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.

Paul Anderson

Nearly three years later, in June 2023, I joined Southwest Action Group (SWAG) as a community development specialist. My passion for storytelling, societal function, and human connection naturally aligned with the work of fostering meaningful change in communities. Within a year, I stepped into the role of executive director, leading redevelopment projects, securing grants, and working to create spaces where people and neighborhoods can thrive. Read More>>

Charles Vaughn

In my opinion, this type of thinking, can allow physical therapists to confidently evaluate patients that may have multiple complexities, accurately, without having to refer a patient back to their doctor for imaging or performing “cookie cutter” based treatments. My approach is to evaluate, find, or at least get close to finding the cause, treat the cause and then treat the area that has been “stressed” as a result of the cause. I strongly believe that this “outside of the box” mindset can provide our PT professionals even more autonomy within the healthcare system. I feel that this has allowed me to realize and truly understand my value within today’s healthcare landscape. Read More>>

Rebecca Vandenberg

Rebecca credits her “just figure it out” farm upbringing for her strong work ethic and resourcefulness. With no Google or YouTube to reference growing up, she learned to listen, independently problem solve, and strategize—skills she now applies to tailoring creative marketing solutions that meet each clients’ needs. Rebecca also understands the importance of staying up on current trends, and incorporates the latest in AI, SEO, design, and data strategies into each website project she manages. This translates to clarity, organization, and results for her busy clients. Read More>>

Lyrik McCree-Enoex

Two very expressive aspects combined together gave me the ability to showcase different aspects of myself at the same time. Although I never thought about owning my own business, creating Everything Embellished made sense. It also showed me how intentional Jesus is in my life because he put something I loved and turned it into a desire in my heart to create a business, This business is not all about me however, my business is dedicated to allowing women to feel empowered and express themselves through fashion. Every women deserves to feel great and to have access to great products without breaking the bank. Those same feelings I experienced through expressing myself through fashion and dance, I would love for every women to feel. Read More>>

Dawn O’Connell, CHT

I came across Hypnosis and saw how much it could help others suffering from so many different things like anxiety, phobias, insomnia, weight management, manifesting blocks and literally hundreds of other issues. So, I signed up for courses and got certified. That is when I opened my practice. I continue to take classes to keep me fresh and available to help with any issues someone might have. My favorite hypnosis session is past life. It is so fascinating to see all the history we are all carrying in our subconscious mind. I have even been successful in helping bring forward skills that someone had in a previous life so they could use it in this one. I’ve also been successful in helping people release issues from a past life that was causing them physical pain or mental anxiety. Read More>>

Astrid Cordier

When I returned to South Africa, I enrolled in the 1st Year Arts program at Nelson Mandela University. By the end of my first year, I knew photography was my path, and I decided to major in it. I was drawn to the creative freedom it offered, as well as the opportunity to build a profitable business around my art. During my four years of study, I won several prestigious awards, including the Grand Prize for the International PIEA Award in 2008 for my digital manipulation photographic artwork. The prize—a Canon 1D Mark 3 DSLR camera—was a game changer. It was a camera I could never have afforded on my own, and it propelled my work to new heights. I saved up for over a year to purchase specialized lenses, which opened up new possibilities for my photography. Read More>>

Kyah Riley

Fast forward to my 21st birthday in 2016, I wanted my makeup done for my birthday as it was starting to get popular. I didn’t book with a makeup artist, I end up watching YouTube videos and decided to do it myself. I got all the products the YouTuber used and followed all the steps. When I finished, I thought it looked pretty good! That’s when instantly it popped in my head of the prophecy the minister had told me. I said, “Maybe this is what that minister was talking about.” Read More>>

Megan Dekok

I grew up deeply appreciating food, mainly baked goods. My mom prioritized baking chocolate chip cookies weekly and a coffeecake on the weekends. She liked to make cute cheese plates with the cheese cut into shapes with seasonal cookie cutters and was a great hostess. So as I got older, and my parents moved hours away from Detroit (Minnesota! Furthest corner!) I realized that I still wanted these cute things and needed to learn to make them myself. I’d call my mom for tips and it’s cute how eventually she’d call me for baking/cooking tips and now my dad does. Read More>>

Kathy King

Since a very young age, I knew I was never going to live a traditional, status-quo life. I wanted to be a dance teacher for as far back as I can remember, and I pursued that path for myself as fiercely as anyone could. My professional career in dance began at age 15 as a backup dancer for an Elvis impersonator, and I began teaching my own classes about a year later. Over the next couple of decades, I moved to Los Angeles to “live the dream”, moved to Detroit to go to college, launched a nonprofit performance company, founded an international dance festival, and built a name for myself as a go-to freelance guest teacher and choreographer. Read More>>

Carol Labranche

He decided to get involved with changing all that – a “Veteran helping Veterans” idea. In 2013, Joe and his wife, Carol, started a nonprofit, AboutFace-USA, to encourage and empower veterans AND their families to turn their lives around for the better. Now, Carol, who stood by his side since 1975 (now for 50 years), explains that as a family member, learning about mental health, and mental illness is essential. Understanding that mental health symptoms show up as behavioral problems is a start. Learning about triggers, coping skills, and self-care are also very important. Read More>>

Kristin Kujawa

Together with the landlords updates to the space and my creative team we crafted, painted and pour our hearts into making the dreamy space of Luminaries salon. 10 years later, I’d say it was all worth the it. I was 28 years old, I’m most proud of that girl for betting on herself. Now 38, 2 kids later, Luminaries is an essential part of the community for so many patrons. She is an entity of her own housing some of the best artists and people! Read More>>

Harley Keranen

Our daughter arrived that September and quickly realized that life was going to get busier and busier so I had to make the decision on leaving my job and taking Superior Land Improvements on full time. I made the choice! I left my job and gave it my all with this business and here we are 4 years later with 8 Employees, a handful of different types of equipment for dirt work, almost 100 lawn accounts and 80 snow removal accounts. To say it was stressful and challenging would be an understatement. We still have a lot of work to do and are constantly looking at ways to improve how we operate and to be as efficient as we can be in the field. Read More>>

Casey (Kiki) Lamore

In 2015, I took on a role in disability services and quickly identified a pressing need within a vulnerable and underserved population: adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. While working for a non-profit focused on helping individuals gain and maintain independence, I became acutely aware of how the existing system often fails to meet the needs of these individuals and their families. The stark realities faced by those without support, particularly parents concerned about their children’s futures, ignited a passion in me to seek meaningful solutions. Read More>>

Allan Wilson

I just knew that we had another opportunity to get our name out there. We bought 5000 flyers that had me and Larenz faces on it and flooded every dorm, cafeteria, library and even our student center. We even was able to recruit of couple of more people to the team by just promoting the party. Fast forward our first party was over capacity and the rest is history. We then became the top college promoting teams on campus and one of the top 18+ event promotions group in detroit. We had the opportunity to do events at almost every night club in downtown detroit at the time. Read More>>

Terri Smith

My career in education and music, my nonprofit organization, radio show, and children’s book have one major theme in common – positivity, self-love, and mindfulness. I believe that part of my life’s work is to contribute to and co-create a world of people who love themselves genuinely and authentically. Read More>>

Lu Ann Graf

Of course Covid brought new challenges for many small businesses but because we are a drive-through/walk-up service only, we were inordinately busy during the lock down. It was hard to anticipate the needs/wants of our customers and the supply chain shortages, along with inflation which made many days filled with unexpected challenges. Once things settled down from the lock down, it became difficult to find reliable employees but thankfully we are now in a good place with that. I had a major health event in 2024 and without the fabulous employees that I have, and the amazing family support I have always had, I probably would not still be in business Read More>>

Mayra Rodriguez

So I turned my apartment into a full photography studio, whete I service, business headshots, Glamour portraiture, and Boudoir Photography. The name of my business is Mayra’s Glamour Photography. I am passionate in bringing an empowering and self love environment for woman who have overcome life’s challenges, in my studio, especially for Boudoir sessions, I specialize in capturing the true essence and beauty of a woman , an opportunity for them to show the healed version of themselves, and opportunity to experience true Boudoir, UNAPOLOGETICALLY & beutifuly captured. Owning thier feminine energy . Read More>>

Joe Bailey

Through that production we met a benefactor who helped us find and outfit our first home on Woodward just south of 9 Mile where we produced shows until (guess when?) 2020. When Covid hit, we were forced to shutter the doors and ended up paying rent on what was essentially a very large storage unit. As it happened, our lease was up at the end of November that year (and the new lease contained a rent increase) so we made the decision to leave. We packed up 14 years of stuff and moved most of it to 0ur garage and spent time trying to figure out the next move. A few months later we were approached by the fine folx at Affirmations with an offer to make our new home there and in the fall of 2021 we opened our first show in our new home. Read More>>

Eric Patterson

Jen and I started cooking together about 21 years ago at Andre’s French Restaurant that was in Las Vegas. While at Andre’s we got to talking about how well we work together and decided to open a restaurant. Jen was raised in Traverse City, so she suggested we open on here because she believed the area had everything we were looking for. In 2008 we opened the Cooks’ House with the intention of using as much of the locally grown and produced products that are found in Michigan generally, and Northern Michigan more specifically. Read More>>

Becca Lamar

I visited a business that gave me an idea for Studio Neue being an accessible, all purpose space. We chose the name Studio Neue because the people and ideas are constantly new to the space, while having a nod to the creative design industry with the spelling. Today, we have hosted photo shoots, content days, birthday parties, bridal/baby showers, book launch, podcasts, client appreciation events, headshot happy hours, co-working space, off-site team meetings, day retreats, soundbaths, yoga, vendor markets, and so much more. Read More>>

Kayla Mckenzie

I Look Back And See How Much My Business Has Elevated And I’m So Happy And So Proud. I Would’ve Never Thought By Me Just Selling Loaded Baked Potatoes Would Get Me As Far As I’ve Became. Pop Up Shops, Corporate Events, Weddings, Etc. I Appreciate All The Referrals And Events That All My Customers Have Put Their In Trust Me And I Execute And Exceed Their Expectations Every Time. Read More>>

Jess Crumback And Courtney Wilder

We are both moms of 2 little ones, which as you can imagine is very busy and chaotic! Throughout these first 5 years of motherhood, we’ve also realized how lonely it can feel, and how we could not be doing this without the support of our mom friends and community. We started Tired as a Mother Coffee Co. to not only fuel moms throughout all the seasons of motherhood with the most delicious and fun coffee, but with a desire to form a mom community for all moms to feel welcome and know that they are not alone. Read More>>

Nolan Marketti-Morales

My story is rooted in a passion for design and an obsession with craft. I started as an Art Director at Futureman Digital, a small but dynamic team where I gained hands-on experience that larger firms simply couldn’t offer. I led projects for clients as notable as The United Nations Foundation, alongside local Chicago businesses like architects and engineering firms. After seven years, as the world changed with COVID, so did my career—I pivoted into the startup world. Read More>>

M.B. Danner-Rucker

A few years ago, I began working on designs I thought would be great for home decor items such as shower curtains, bedding, tablecloths, etc. I began to look into the print on demand market and saw that not only was it ever growing, but with it you also didn’t need to worry about housing inventory. I began putting my works up for sale on sites such as Zazzle, Spreadshirt, and Redbubble. In the last year I began migrating my shops to dedicated e-commerce sites. My current stores are: Read More>>

Gregoria Garcia

Since then, with a lot of hard work, the support of my husband Luis, my family and my community Pups Barkery has been in business and going strong. You can find Pups Barkery at farmers markets, pet expos, shows, flea markets, craft shows, fundraisers. You can also find us on facebook and instagram. Read More>>

Diamond Detailing

I, Caleb started by myself at the beginning because I liked to clean my parents car whenever the weather was good. Then it grew into something I wanted to pursue into an actual business. I wanted to delegate the company a bit so I allowed my friend to buy in 50% of the company. Every since then we’ve grown into something bigger than we could’ve imagined. Read More>>

Cause For A Party

Our goals are always the same – we pick a theme and a local nonprofit that could truly benefit from our donation. The nonprofit is not directly involved (except to receive a check) and our guests know that we will never have asks/presentations on-site. Our guests buy their ticket, show up for a great time dancing and enjoying company in a fun atmosphere we design. They leave knowing that the proceeds are sent to the designated charity for that event. Read More>>

Shayla Unik

At Unik HR Solutions, Shayla is dedicated to delivering top-tier career development services. Her core values—empowerment, excellence, integrity, collaboration, and innovation—guide her approach to helping individuals and organizations achieve their professional goals. Shayla believes, “My mission is to build confidence and provide essential tools clients need to succeed and thrive in their professional journey.” Read More>>

Janna Coumoundouros

That led to another competition with the Detroit Institute of Art and the Detroit Garment Group where designers were challenged to create looks based on the samurai exhibit that was at the museum at the time. I designed a Samurai-inspired gown using TPO car interior material called Inteather. It won first place and led to my first commission from Inteva Products to create a gown for the North American International Auto Show’s Charity Preview. Over the last 10 years, this annual project has grown into a signature part of my artistic practice, blending Detroit’s automotive heritage, high fashion, and wearable sculpture into one cohesive vision. Read More>>

Lacey Schmitt

I run an artsy plant shop, but my first true passion has always been art. I love to paint with acrylic on stained wood. There’s something about the wood background as a canvas that just adds that extra touch of nature to my work. The things that inspire my art most are bugs, moths, bones and plants. In my shop, I have curated the most amazing selection of oddity items and artwork, all from local artisans. I absolutely love being able to showcase these works and support other artists. Read More>>

Spencer Mullins

Nick amicably parted from the band the next summer. He understandably accomplished what he wanted to do; which was to form a band and play live. For about a month we searched for a new member with the intention of keeping the band a five-piece. We auditioned several people who were all awesome. The last person we had lined up to audition was a friend of Kim’s named Fangbo. Everyone agreed during the audition things just felt right. Fangbo was what we were missing. It almost felt like an official start to the band after a year of kicking cans. Read More>>

Monica Harris

My background is as a science teacher – biology, chemistry, life sciences, human anatomy & physiology BUT my life has taken me to several opportunities overseas so the ability to teach in languages I am not fluent in were non-existent. During those times, I began writing children’s books and I loved the creative process! Playing with words and finding interesting topics for young readers really sparked something in me. Read More>>

German Treyger

From him, I learned the virtue of hard work and the value of education. My mother went from washing dishes to managing a medical spa at a demanding dermatology practice. From her, I learned the value of perseverance. I witnessed first-hand that the keys to success are hard work, passion and an unrelenting drive to achieve ones goals. These values, which were instilled within me at a young age, have set the foundation on which I plan to build a successful career in dermatology. Read More>>

Jacquelyn Knoll

I was on maternity leave with my second child and my husband realized there was no way I could go back to work full time when he worked nights. My ‘safe’ plan all along was to return to work and spend that year marketing hard to eventually be busy enough to go full time, but I was faced with an ultimatum that we were not expecting. About a month into going full time I knew things were going to be alright. Having more time to put into my business allowed it to flourish and I now make 4 times my college degree salary. Read More>>

Jamie Noyes

It has NOT been a smooth road. The lack of not knowing what your income will be from day to day, week to week, month to month, is stressful! The ever changing trends for photography and keeping up can be challenging. Currently, my bookings are minimal, and this is very odd. So, I am taking this time to do some other things and to learn and grow! Read More>>

Jessica Yorko

I began marketing my fine art paintings and limited edition prints for sale in 2022. That year, I was commissioned to create a custom piece commemorating the Art of Aquarius event hosted by The Artist’s Umbrella (AU) in Lansing. Later that year I co-hosted a highly successful pop-up gallery show with AU and began selling my work at the The Gold Mine Shop in Lansing while also booking gallery exhibitions. Read More>>

Zoriah Taylor

I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Oakland University after four years of dedicated study. I’ve always been passionate about understanding the human brain and exploring why people think and act the way they do. Completing my degree was a significant achievement, as I remained determined and focused on my goals despite the challenges I faced. What sets me apart is my personal experience with mental health struggles, as well as growing up in a family where mental health has been a prominent factor. This deeply personal connection fueled my interest in psychology and my desire to better understand the complexities of the human mind.  Read More>>

Sommer Dawson

Sommer K. Dawson (Brock) is a dedicated servant leader with a passion for improving outcomes for disadvantaged groups. She has worked to fulfill this desire by serving in various fundraising capacities at several nonprofit organizations in southeast Michigan, including the Frankel Jewish Academy, Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Detroit and Cranbrook Educational Community and by providing consulting services. Currently, Sommer serves as Executive Director at Accent Pontiac. Read More>>

Pilar Torres-Contreras

I consider myself to be the one of those people who wants to see growth in the Hispanic community in this city. I have always believed got opens doors but its our obligation to have the knowledge to take advantage of the opportunity’s, and that is how I started in the tax industry, accounting business, and becoming a public notary in Oakland County; without forgetting the importance that I am a mother of 6 kids, a wife ,and a grandmother; but the most important i am a daughter of God. Read More>>

Hunter Meggison

Four years later I took a job offer out in Maryland to work for another Tent rental business. This was very short, as my Fiancé’s father Kevin passed away from stage 4 cancer. We immediately packed our things and came straight home with one plan and one plan only and that was to make it happen… We launched Meggison Tents & Events in 2020 the year Covid had hit and many small businesses couldn’t survive. We never expected things to happen so fast for us, but turn the page 4 years later and we have an amazing crew installing 3-4 large events a weekend. We are very proud of what we have accomplished. Read More>>

Bailey Frantz

Growing my business has been a highly rewarding experience, though not without its challenges. One of the most difficult aspects has been defining my niche and establishing healthy boundaries between work and family life. Throughout this journey, I have had the privilege of connecting with many talented professionals who have generously shared their guidance and insights, which have been instrumental in building my confidence and refining my craft. I remain committed to continuous growth, striving to approach each day with a mindset of excellence and navigating challenges with grace and transparency. Read More>>

Autumn Modena

RefuTea was an idea I had while I was a senior at Grand Valley State University. I was learning about refugee resettlement and their need for employment upon resettlement and wanted to do something to help…that was when the idea to open a tea shop that employed refugees came to me. I did some business competitions through GVSU and that was how I get all my start up funding. Fast forward to now and RefuTea will be celebrating ten years in business at the end of February! Read More>>

Cory Keller

Life isn’t a smooth road, and like many others, I face struggles and challenges throughout my journey. For me, working primarily for non-profits and in municipal roles means that funds and resources are often limited, while community expectations are significantly higher. This situation compels us to be creative and make the most of what we have while trying to carry out life-saving work and fulfill our mission. Read More>>