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.
Chris Fontes
I started in tech, teaching myself programming at a young age and building a career in software, marketing, and small business development. That entrepreneurial path led me into hemp in 2018, when I was introduced to the industry, but saw it could really benefit from my existing skillset. There were a lot of players in hemp, but they were all disjointed. Read more>>
Melaika Taylor
I started doing Locs in 2018, what started as a curiosity quickly turned into a passion. I got into doing Locs because I used to see people out and their hair just didn’t look all that appealing to me and I felt I could do a better job, whole time I knew nothing about doing Locs lol but I was intrigued. Read more>>
Rachel Marderosian
I began working professionally as a dog trainer in 2016 after completing an apprenticeship program. My interest in dog training was sparked several years prior when I was struggling with conflict between two dogs in my own household. In order to help my dogs I started searching for a dog trainer and ended up hiring a trainer who came highly recommended, but was uncredentialed. Read more>>
Simon Fiser
My culinary arts journey started when I was very young, cooking with my mom. It was simple things to help her out like mixing better or seasoning vegetables, but I always loved being in the kitchen with her. when I got older, I grew more independent with my cooking abilities and really expanded my knowledge when I was around 14. Read more>>
Itanise Aeolione
Suite 207 Braids & Essentials was built from a vision I didn’t fully understand at first. As a child, I would pretend to be my grandmother’s hairstylist, and I remember watching her relax and momentarily escape her busy life. Looking back, that was my first introduction to the power of care. Read more>>
Chris Denison
We started our business in 2018 to help promote natural farming practices in Michigan. I’ve done environmental studies across the Midwest prior to my own business and I wanted a business that could help promote good soil and water health that could help to bring back small farming on a high level. Read more>>
Shana Dancer
My formal education is a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work, and prior to opening ZENlightenment, I worked in a variety of settings providing individual and group therapy to clients. I had also been practicing yoga for nearly a decade before obtaining my 200 hour yoga certification. Read more>>
Mr Hodari
I moved to Detroit, Michigan 12 years ago from Los Angeles, California. I had very little capital but I had a vision! Detroit is a place where if you have a vision and the endurance to work that vision you can achieve it! The spirit of industry is ingrained in this city! Although I was born in Los Angeles it feels like a homecoming. Read more>>
Kara Nicholson
By chance, I attended a career fair in the 8th grade in which students chose a career path. I, of course selected photography. That was the beginning to what would be a life long journey. In high school I was fortunate to have a teacher who was an active wedding photographer. Read more>>
Chelsie Sutherland
My journey began in Detroit, my hometown, where I first discovered my passion for entertaining. As a child, I would dress up in wigs, sing and dance in the mirror, and create imaginative stories to share with other children at daycare and school. I also loved organizing talent shows for my family. Read more>>
Zachary Anderson
I’m a native to Flint Michigan, transplanted in the northern Michigan forests and thriving. I survived brain cancer, college and my 40th birthday, and I cooked the entire time. In my career, I’ve worked in 24 different restaurants, always searching for the home I would eventually make for myself. Read more>>
Karen Bolander
My skin had a complaint, and commercial soap was the culprit. The drying, the itching, the ingredients I couldn’t pronounce and none of it sat right with me, especially as a pharmacist who knew better. Then I picked up a bar of handmade soap at a local festival, and my skin finally exhaled. That one bar sent me down a rabbit hole. Read more>>
Robert Sergi
I was introduced to hunting at a young age by my family—especially my grandfather, Arthur Sr., who immigrated from Cuba as a child. He played a huge role in shaping who I am today. Beyond teaching me how to hunt, he instilled values that stuck with me: discipline, respect for the outdoors, and the importance of giving back to your community. Read more>>
Parker Marshall
About a decade ago, I had a very stressful job in Los Angeles working 13 hour days with no weekends. I’d relieve the stress by going out and dancing every night of the week (soberly). I’d get the dance floor going very early in the night, and DJs would let me know their schedules so I could hype up their set. Read more>>
Patrick Nelson
I often say my story really has two beginnings, the life I lived before incarceration and the life I’ve built since coming home. I was just 20 years old when I was removed from society, and I spent the next 23 years in prison. In 2010, at 43 years old, I was released. Read more>>
Claire Adkinson
I started photography as a hobby back in 2017, but my love for the camera actually started long before that. In high school, I was part of the yearbook team and had the chance to photograph events, and that’s really where everything clicked for me. After graduating, I went to college but found myself struggling and unsure of what direction I wanted to take. Read more>>
thomas renshaw
After having a tattoo done for my first wife by Red Duggan, I realized I was wearing a suit and tie for no reason. After attending a National Tattoo convention in California with Red and having a tattoo done by Brian Everett I decided I was gonna make a change. Read more>>
Jessica Plaisier
10 years ago we saw a need in our community to host an annual market to feature vendors who sell the most unique antiques, quality handmade, and other specialty goods. We now host 3 events every year. Spring, Fall and Christmas which are all 2 day events so everyone has a chance to shop and support local business. Read more>>
