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.
Julie Fitzhugh
Recently my view of life has changed and become so interconnected it’s hard to know where to start for how I got to where I am and where I am going. I have always been a creative person. Since childhood my passion and curiosity for photography have always been there. Read More>>
The Croswell Opera House
Built in 1866, the Croswell Opera House is the oldest theater in Michigan, and one of the oldest in the United States. Within its walls, towering crusaders like Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony once spoke. On its stage, John Philip Sousa conducted his legendary band. Read More>>
Daisy Meza
My journey started with a simple desire to help people. I’ve always felt that my hands and my heart were meant to care for others, which led me to attend Irene’s Myomassology Institute and pursue a career in massage therapy. Like many small business owners, I started very humbly. I had a simple treatment room in my home where I began working with clients one-on-one. Read More>>
Ken Stumpmier
My story really started with the way I see the world. Long before Lens Ninja became a brand, I spent nearly two decades working with video, cameras, lenses, editing, production, and storytelling. I was always drawn to the way a lens could change how people experienced a moment. Read More>>
Corinna Johns
At 5 years old, I started helping my mom plan and design parties. I loved every aspect but especially the details and the design. In high school I decided I could make a career out of something that I loved. So I went to college for Business – General Business degree, focused on Entrepreneurship. Read More>>
Ronnie Cruz
I started my journey in the beauty industry working for a kids’ hair salon in Ann Arbor. When that salon unexpectedly closed its doors, I had to pivot quickly. While completing college, I began offering mobile services and hosting salon pop-ups to keep serving my clients. Read More>>
Brian Wilbert
I started in April of 2017. Stone jungle apparel started from in my basement. I put in a lot of hard work to make it from the basement to a beautiful office in Southfield. I used my street smarts to market my brand and I ended up getting it in the hands of Van Lathan who was very influential on tmz live. Read More>>
Jenna Daley
I grew up spending much of my time around the water at my family’s cottage in Ontario. As I got older, my passion for travel, adventure, and diving took me around the world, and being in and around the water became a huge part of my lifestyle. The idea for Drench came during a trip to Jamaica in 2021. Read More>>
Lexie Brohl
I’ve always loved being creative, whether it be through making fun videos for social media or doing a fun DIY. I went to Oakland University for my bachelor’s in graphic design. I freelanced for several years and still do to this day, but my dream was to always have some sort of business of my own. Read More>>
FEL 3000ft
I started painting, graffiti art and street art and I fully immersed myself in it in 1982. I was completely overwhelmed by hip-hop culture as it started to trickle into Detroit. I was introduced to most of it from kids who had moved into my neighborhood from New York from the Bronx. Read More>>
Casey Workman
My journey started about 4.5 years ago when I became a first-time mom and began looking for a better balance between motherhood and meaningful work. At the time, I had already spent around 8 years working in the social work field, where my passion for helping people and supporting growth really developed. Read More>>
Jody Urquhart
I didn’t set out to become a keynote speaker. I started my career in banking and, at first, I loved it. I loved helping people, being part of a team, and feeling like my work mattered. But over time, something changed. The workplace became more focused on processes, targets, and efficiency than on the people doing the work. Conversations became transactions. Stress became normal. Read More>>
Beth James
I’ve been a yoga teacher for over 20 years, after I graduated college in anthropology I traveled on a backpacking trip with my college boyfriend through New Zealand and Southeast Asia. This trip truly changed my life. It changed my world view. Read More>>
Erica Smith
Fortunate Fourth Creations & Media started from an opportunity for change while on a journey back to myself. In 2023 I went to an adult easter egg hunt hosted by a then associates nonprofit organization. At the end of the event she was telling someone about all the things the organization was working on. I hadn’t seen any of these things shared anywhere. Read More>>
Jayme Orr
My story is really a blend of creativity, entrepreneurship, and a deepening walk in faith. I started out in music—writing, performing, and building my own brand as an artist. That was my first experience with creating something from nothing and learning how to show up consistently, even when things were uncertain. Read More>>
Alphonse Deeby
Dynfly began more than 10 years ago as a hair-coloring-only salon founded by my business partner with a vision of providing exceptional color services in a more convenient and accessible way. In 2021, I was invited to join the business as a partner, bringing my own passion for growth, innovation, and client experience. Read More>>
Jeremiah McCurtis
After Graduating from Wayne State University, I found myself working at LifeTime Gym as a personal trainer. A part of me wanted to leave, but something was telling me to stay, so I did. After 2 years I became the personal training manager, helping, growing and developing my team of trainers to become the best versions of themselves. Read More>>
Carmen Maret
Our story began in the fall of 2002 at Michigan State University, where Andrew and I met as graduate students. Our first meeting was very quiet. We sat together on my futon and listened to Andrew’s compositions. Read More>>
Abbas Bazzi
My name is Abbas Bazzi, and food has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. For over 25 years, I have worked in the food industry, gaining valuable experience at places like Coney Island, Denny’s, Cracker Barrel, and Golden Corral. Read More>>
Anthony “Ant” Choucair
I’ve always been drawn to storytelling and entertainment. From an early age, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in acting and filmmaking, even when others didn’t understand the path I was taking. Like many aspiring artists, I faced setbacks, rejection, and periods of uncertainty, but those challenges only strengthened my determination. Read More>>
Halle Sharp
Photography has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my mom always had a camera in her hands. She documented everything—family vacations, birthdays, holidays, and all the little everyday moments in between. Looking back, those photographs became some of our family’s most treasured memories. Read More>>
Timothy Clifton jr
After being depressed for a bit of time I told myself either I will get better or I will suffer & I chose to get better so I took it upon myself to research & find anything that will lead me to heal the things that I need to heal & grow in areas like my mind, body , & spirit. Read More>>
Kira Rodriguez-Anderson
I’ve been in the hospitality industry for more than 22 years. I started as a server in Southern California, spent time working in restaurants in Hawaii and South Florida, and eventually made my way to the Chicago area. Read More>>
Elizabeth Marcano Kennedy
I was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and originally trained as an architect at the Central University of Venezuela. After running my own architecture firm, life brought me to Ann Arbor, Michigan in 2003—where everything changed. What began as cooking for family and friends became my true calling. Read More>>
Aubrey Nadalie
For as long as I can remember, I have been interested in what lies beneath the surface. Beneath appearance. Beneath tension. Beneath the ways we learn to hold ourselves in the world. Read More>>
Candice Arcari
I was fortunate to grow up in a loving and supportive family where my parents were always there for me. Some of my fondest childhood memories were spent with both sets of my grandparents, who played a significant role in shaping my values and appreciation for family, hard work, and community. Read More>>
Michael Kazanowski
Gypsy Spirits was born from a passion for adventure, hard work, and a belief that premium spirits shouldn’t come with a premium price tag. My twin brother Adam and I started our journey at Michigan State University before moving to Colorado in search of new experiences. Read More>>
Maya Grayson-Green
I am a mother and wife who has a passion for fitness and building community. I am a woman of faith and despite some of the things I’ve been through I always keep a positive mindset and look forward to my ‘BIG NEXT’. I recently lost my job as a flight attendant with Spirit Airlines amidst the shutdown. Read More>>
Kaylee Ott
I have had a camera in my hand for as long as I can remember. In fifth grade, I asked my parents for my first real digital camera because I loved taking photos. That birthday, they gave me a Fujifilm digital camera, and I used it almost every day. I spent hours photographing landscapes, flowers, insects, wildlife, and anything else that caught my eye. Read More>>
Mary Kate Murnen
I graduated from Grand Valley State University with a BS in Communications and Theater Minor, so I’ve always been passionate about storytelling, community impact, and the arts, which is what ultimately led me to Girls Choral Academy. Read More>>
Nan Haduck
I started beauty school in 2015. It was something I knew I wanted since I was a young kid. I grew up in dance and my favorite part was always doing the hair and makeup. I would do my friends hair for prom, and I would teach myself how to French braid in class in highschool. Read More>>
Camrey Smith
It all started with a creative and imaginative young girl who loved watching Food Network right when she got home from school. She is me. Growing up, I was, and continue to be, someone who loves to create and allow my mind to spill out art by any means necessary. Read More>>
Sarah Schock
Making candles started as a hobby. My (now) husband is a beekeeper, so I had access to wax from a trustworthy source. I loved the idea that hives from our own property could make the wax in my own candles. Plus, I wasn’t finding the candles I wanted in stores, and was often bothered by the strong fragrances, so I decided to try making them! Read More>>
Valentin Vushaj
It all began with our love for coffee. My wife and I always talked about having our own coffee beans and our own cafe one day. The fragrance of coffee brings happiness, comfort and has us always coming back for more. The name ERA comes from our native language (Albanian), meaning smell. Read More>>
Tiara Tatarczuk
I grew up in Michigan and was always active. I played basketball, volleyball, track, and even became one of the youngest ski and snowboard instructors at Pine Knob at 14 years old. Fitness, movement, and pushing myself have always been a part of who I am. After high school, I attended the University of Michigan and earned a degree in Architecture. Read More>>
Chris Clayton Shideler
Chris Clayton isn’t just playing music — he’s building it, layer by layer, right in front of you. A live looping artist from West Michigan, Chris blends guitar, percussion, and vocals into a sound that’s full, dynamic, and completely his own. Every show is a one-of-a-kind journey, crafted live with just a guitar, a pedalboard, and a serious amount of talent. Read More>>
Kyndal Taylor
My story is about taking an idea and turning it into something real. Taylor Made Productions started with a passion for creativity, but over time it became much more than just a business it became a reflection of my dedication, my growth, and my desire to create opportunities for myself and others. Read more>>
Dominic Mosher
I started my audio production business out of my step-sister’s spare bedroom when I didn’t have a place of my own. Read more>>
