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.

LeAnne Pechulis

The healing roots of DWELL Organic Salon & Scalp Spa were planted over 14 years ago, when a series of life-changing diagnoses and unexplained symptoms led me to reevaluate the ingredients in the hair color and products I used on my salon clients every day. I quickly discovered the abundance of toxic chemicals, carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and allergens found in the majority of hair and skin care products. This fueled my first leap of faith to open my first organic salon in South Florida. I felt an urgency to create a healthier salon environment not just for myself, but for the clients I served. Read more>>

Ashley Auger

It all really began when I was 18. My best friend from high school was getting married and had no idea where to start. She was juggling work and college, so I jumped in and planned the wedding from scratch. That experience opened doors I didn’t even know were there. I ended up joining college event boards, planning sorority recruitment events, and later found myself in a marketing role after graduation—all while continuing to plan weddings on the side. Read more>>

Michael Hawker

Some of what I enjoyed most were books that featured schematic and annotated drawings, section cuts, or cut-away views that would diagram the plan, whether it was an ocean liner and its various compartments, or a castle with its various rooms and labyrinths. In high school, I gained proficiency in mechanical drafting, but admit my love was far greater for commercial art. I enjoyed composition, and developing concepts out of pieces that normally would be considered a problem. Though higher level of mathematics was not my forte, I did well in geometry. Read more>>

Marianna Johnson

I eventually realized that if I wanted to take myself and this newfound hobby of mine seriously, I would have to invest in a better camera. I settled on a Canon 6D Mark II. It was a middle ground for someone just starting out like me. My ultimate goal was to photograph weddings – so that is the education I focused most heavily on. Taking education courses from pro-photographers like Katelyn James, I studied, spent a lot of money I didn’t have, and practiced. Looking back, I honestly put a lot of faith in myself which wasn’t always easy. I officially launched my business in 2020 which wasn’t the best time! Read more>>

Chuck Marshall

During the pandemic, I started a podcast called Fans With Bands*, where I chat with musicians and their fans about life, creativity, and the music that brings us together. More recently, Brenda and i kicked off the *Life In Michigan Podcast*, expanding the conversation to try to capture some of the wonderful conversations we’ve had with so many fabulous people in Michigan. We are trying to highlight the folks and their stories that don’t always make the front page but definitely deserve to be heard. Read more>>

Kendra Boos

His name was Solo & I very quickly formed a bond with him. When a dog is pulled for neglect, they are considered evidence and have to stay at the shelter for the duration of the court case. Solo lived his entire life outdoor with his “owners” so coming to the shelter was extremely stressful for him. We decided to build him his own kennel outside and let him live outdoors until the court case was done. Taking care of an outdoor dog was so much work…way more work than I imagined it would be. Unfortunately, Solo was aggressive and was humanely euthanized at the end of the his court case. I created Operation Solo in memory of him. Read more>>

Anna Stinson

As a kid, I had huge dreams of playing Division 1 soccer in college. With tons of hard work (and support from a multitude of people), I committed to a division 1 school my sophomore year of high school. However, in my Junior year, I suffered an injury on both of my hips, which led to two surgeries and an extensive bout of physical therapy. Not only did the physical therapy get me back to where I needed to be, but it also became my happy place during a pretty difficult time. It was then that I decided I wanted to become a physical therapist, so that I could be that same glimmer of hope for those I work with. Read more>>

Marion Wiggins

We threw around a lot of ideas- some better than others- and eventually decided on event space. We decided to plant some lavender in the front while doing interior demo work and getting it on the National register. We researched varieties that were supposed to do well in our area, figured out how we need to amend the soil, and planted nine different varieties to see what worked best. The first year we didn’t cut much; we just kind of figured out what worked and what didn’t and made some changes like adding rock around the plants and adding a field at our house.  Read more>>

Alyssa Prouty

I have worked on Organic Farms since I graduated high school. I now manage/run everything going on at Raven Oaks Farm along with my boss Ryan Morici. Ryan purchased the barn in 2017, restored it and started Raven Oaks Farm! Ryan primarily runs/operates his landscape company during the day which is why I manage/run all the works going on at Raven Oaks Farm but he is still of course a huge part! Read more>>

Kitty Donohoe

I grew up in a large family in Royal Oak – a Detroit suburb – into a highly creative family. Our mother had studied operatic singing and piano before marrying my Dad (and subsequently having 8 kids!) and our father was creative more in the electrician vein, although he also puttered around in his basement workshop with various inventions. From both of our parents all of the Donohoe children experimented quite early with drawing, music and writing. And it didn’t hurt that our father tossed our TV out when I was in upper elementary school and I”m sure that had a lot to do with our keeping ourselves busy with creative play. Read more>>

Rachel Red

My mom and I went to a local community class every week. I didn’t know what I was doing. I couldn’t pronounce half the pose names. But after a few sessions, something hit a nerve in the best way. It was one of the few places I felt quiet inside. Not judged. Not broken. Just… held. That hour on the mat gave me a glimpse of something I hadn’t felt in a long time, a sense of peace and safety. Not safety because the world changed, but safety because I was learning how to stay present in it. Read more>>

Freshwater Frequency

BEN: I do most of the social media managing, networking with artists and bands, and setting up events for Brodie and I within Freshwater. Along with social media, I also do a lot of the independent photography for Freshwater Frequency, I do a lot of the main content pictures on “Fresh Flicks” for our Instagram, and part-time content videography Read more>>

Alixandra Morgan

In college, I didn’t just learn photography—I dove into design, art theory, storyboarding, editing programs, and more, all of which have shaped my creative approach. Since then, I’ve slowly but consistently built my business from the ground up. Now, I have the privilege of capturing wedding days for the most amazing couples and documenting real, meaningful moments for families. It’s been such a fulfilling journey, and I’m so grateful to do what I love every day Read more>>

Mariah Johnson

In 2011, after having my first child and leaving college after my first year, I knew I needed a new direction—one that truly lit me up. That’s when I made the decision to enroll in cosmetology school, starting in January 2012. By 2014, I was officially licensed. For several years, I used my license as a side hustle while working full-time in Human Resources. But something kept calling me back to the chair—to the creativity, the connection, the community. Read more>>

Tifène Bedouet

He was relieved, and asked me to do some bruise, added fake blood… I had no idea how to do that. So like any sane person, I watched a Youtube tutorial. It was shot in black and white, at night, lit by car lights. A nice person in the restaurant next on the road give me some grenadine syrop for the fake blood. And the director loved the final result so much, he give my tel number at other directors. Read more>>

Keshia Bynum

In 2019, I officially adopted a plant-based lifestyle while living in Los Angeles, drinking fresh juices and ginger shots daily after hiking or working out. After realizing processed foods, white sugar, meat, and dairy cause most diseases and health issues in the black community, I made a conscious decision to change my lifestyle. With LA’s abundance of healthy food options, I easily learned about the medicinal benefits of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Read more>>

Marcus Solt

When I was just four years old, I made a mistake that almost cost me my life. It was a typical, hot African day, and I was thirsty. I saw a cup on the table and, assuming it was water, I drank it. What I didn’t know was that the cup was filled with a dangerous chemical—a poison called lye, used for washing clothes. In its pure form, lye is clear and odorless, which made it indistinguishable from water. Read more>>

Samantha Logan

Anything worth having is never a smooth road. That’s where character is built. There’s so much to always do. You don’t just worry about yourself anymore when you own a business. It’s constant anxiety about everything under the sun and your co workers, I just want the best for them. I’ve learned to balance life and work a lot better these days and to remember to water my personal life just as much as the business. That’s the trick, is just making sure you take time for you as well. The happier you are, the better everything runs. Read more>>

Mary Demick

I absolutely love taking pictures of families and weddings. There is so much beauty in people and I want my camera to reflect that! I strive to capture lightness and joy in my photos, from the tiny toes of a baby to the first kiss at a wedding. My editing style is natural with a touch of warmth and contrast. I want my photos to be genuine and full of joy. This means straying away from moody and dark and instead embracing candid and free moments. It’s truly an honor to be a part of these precious moments! Read more>>

Yohanna Peters

I’ve always had a thing about perfectly groomed eyebrows, I just wasn’t good at doing them! I can remember practicing in the mirror, watching YouTube videos and hoping to one day be just as good, but the truth was, it was hard! It wasn’t as easy as it looked and it would stress me out! I can recall reaching out to a make up artist for advice and simply put, she said just keep practicing. so I did… over the years I would use the women around me to demonstrate my best efforts. I would bring my brow products to work and do my coworkers brows on break, and that became my practice!  Read more>>

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>>