It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around Michigan.
Elizabeth Kerby
In the late summer of 2023 I (Elizabeth) was planning my own backyard wedding at my parents home in Ionia. As my husbands family is from the east side of the state I was having trouble finding a close accommodation for them. Read more>>
Christal Davis
Images of Heaven Events, LLC began in 2004 in the basement of my home. At the time, I was working in Human Resources for a McDonald’s owner-operator who owned several restaurants and automotive companies. One day, I came across balloon magazines tucked away in a drawer and I instantly fell in love. Read more>>
Kaeley Wynsma
I have had a love of athletics & fitness since a young age. The feeling of accomplishment when you work hard for something is so satisfying. I was a competitive gymnast turned collegiate cross country and track athlete. After college I missed competing. I tried a few local 5k runs but it didn’t feel the same. Read more>>
Laurie Matheny
My story really started back in college when I attended the University of Michigan Flint. At the time, I was working in a pharmacy and thought I might eventually go to pharmacy school. I learned a lot in that environment, but I also became disillusioned with Western medicine and started to feel pulled toward a more holistic understanding of health and healing. Read more>>
Julie Peterson
Dash of Dust Studio was founded by co-owners and creative partners Julie Peterson and Tania Forsman, whose journey began long before the studio itself existed. The two first met in the educational theatre circuit when Julie was coaching Tania’s daughter Ella in acting and voice. As their relationship grew they discovered a shared passion for storytelling, imagination, and creating meaningful experiences for children and families. Read more>>
Jasmine Derck
I’ve always had a passion for taking photos. My mom was a photographer in college, so we always had cameras around the house growing up. By the time I reached middle school, I never went anywhere without my little Canon digital camera. When I was a junior in high school, I decided to buy my first real camera. Read more>>
Liv S.
My journey started in the beauty and skincare industry where I became a dual licensed Esthetician and Cosmetologist in Michigan. I have 9 years of combined experience in the spa and aesthetics industry, my passion has always been skincare. Early on, I was drawn not just to treatments themselves, but to how skin health connects to overall confidence, lifestyle, and wellness. Read more>>
Kayleigh Crummey
Dance has always played a significant role in my life. At the age of 3, I began taking ballet classes in the basement of a local community center. This snowballed into taking several dance classes a week, participating in competitions, choreographing musicals and ultimately pursuing a career in dance. As a neurodivergent person, the world can sometimes be overwhelming. Read more>>
Gabrielle Coppersmith
Yoga Bellaire was first started in 2018 by the original owner, Rebecca Rankin. Rebecca had recently moved to Bellaire and wanted to create a space that embodied movement, mindfulness and community. In 2020 Yoga Bellaire experienced a huge transition, as the pandemic had impacted the business and every one personally. Read more>>
Andre Barnett
My Story & The Birth of FMH FMH, which stands for Fighting Mental Health, started from my own personal battle with mental health. Before it became a clothing brand, it was simply a way for me to express what I was going through. While attending Cleveland Job Corps in Cleveland, Ohio, I would sit with a notepad and pencil and draw how I felt. Read more>>
Monica Iannuzzi
I’ve always been passionate about helping people feel confident, which is what first led me into the aesthetics industry. I spent years as a Medical Aesthetician, where I loved educating clients and helping them achieve healthy skin through realistic, evidence-based care rather than chasing every new trend. Everything shifted when I became a mom in my late 30s. Read more>>
Jeff Eccleston
I’ve always been someone who enjoys building things and figuring out how to make them better. Golf has been a huge part of my life since I was a kid. I played competitively through high school and college, passed my PGA Playing Ability Test, and spent time working in the golf industry. Read more>>
Karlyta Williams
I’ve always been someone who spends a lot of time reflecting on who I’m becoming. When I was 15 years old, we were discussing a novel in my AP English class and the central focus of the discussion was setting, knowing, naming the woman you want to become and why that’s so important. Read more>>
Robyn Wilson
My story started about 10 years ago when I was working as a medical assistant. Even though I enjoyed helping people, I knew deep down that I had always dreamed of being an entrepreneur. I felt like I wasn’t fully living out what I was called to do, so I started asking myself what I was truly passionate about. Read more>>
Allie Everhart
I started experimenting with different ways to express my creativity and started taking pictures of myself! I love fashion, beauty, makeup & photography and decided to give modeling a try. I made a portfolio and was eventually signed by a boutique mother agency in Detroit for a trial period. Now, I work on a freelance basis. Read more>>
Ebony Angel
My journey has been anything but traditional and honestly, I wouldn’t change it at all! For years, I worked on the assembly line at Stellantis while quietly dreaming of a more creative life. Read more>>
Chase Dearring
I’m Chase Dearring. I grew up in Southfield, MI and have always had a love for art. I’ve always considered myself to be an artist, as I’ve been creating art since I can remember (I’d say since I was about 4 years old). Throughout my life I’ve primarily been a sketch artist, typically drawing anything from superheroes to scenery to doodles/abstract. Read more>>
Niyah Delenn
Hailing from Motown, I was raised in a deeply musical household, gospel and R&B flowing from my mother, rock and live instrumentation from my father. Surrounded by music from the very beginning, I developed an instinctive ear at an early age. From singing in my car seat to serving on the praise team at church, music has always been my first love. Read more>>
Noelle Nurmi
I started a little over a decade ago… 2016 is when I had my first professional photoshoot. Before that I had just been posting outfit of the day looks on Instagram and was getting some attention. Brands were reaching out to work with me or send PR. It really took off from there. Read more>>
Randall Kaszynski
After practicing music therapy with a multitude of different populations, I pursued my masters of arts and counseling and later trained for my certification in clinical hypnotherapy. Read more>>
Jess Prainito
I’ve been experimenting with music for as long as I can remember. Before producing, I grew up learning any instrument I could such as drums, bass, guitar, piano, and orchestral instruments. I remember spending a lot of time learning how to play songs from just listening because It was faster than reading music or tabs. Read more>>
Laura Quinting
I’m a tik tok shop / Grand Rapids local/ugc content creator that went to school at grand valley state university for advertising and public relations. During covid I downloaded tik tok out of boredom but became obsessed when I found out it was a fast paced creative outlet that was rivaling YouTube for how good it was for hyperlocalized content. Read more>>
Adrienne Ferreira-Bachis
I grew up watching my mom treat skincare like a daily ritual. She was a flight attendant who always brought home the best products from Korea and everywhere else she flew. Some of my favorite memories are sitting in the bathroom with her, watching her get ready for flights. She was so intentional, detailed, and consistent with her routine. Read more>>
Luke Drumright
3-2-1 Connection began in 2022 as a television talk show on Midland Community Television (MCTV) with a simple goal: to create meaningful conversations that bring people together and highlight the strengths, stories, and experiences of individuals and non-profits. The program was built on the belief that connection has the power to strengthen communities and improve well-being. Read more>>
Layla Tiba
I began my journey as wanting to be a teacher attending Wayne state university. I worked at a salon part time and fell in love with the idea of working for yourself. The next day I headed to wayne state and dropped out of all my classes. Read more>>
larry Britton
Always fascinated with how things work and why they don’t , so led me to fixing people s broken things. Then, moved on to home repairs etc. All leading to bigger and more involved remodeling etc Once word got around, my client base grew and there I am, a local reputable handyman…. and loving every minute of my life. Read more>>
Courtney Tucker
The story starts with my grandma Ramona. It was in a small town in the middle of Wisconsin. She ran a bed and breakfast, and welcomed everyone into her home. There was this light about her, she could make almost anyone feel like a part of her family. Her table was always filled with her guests, friends and family members. Read more>>
Brandi Griffin
My journey really began in education, where I first discovered my passion for creativity, art, and design. I was always drawn to the way design could influence how people feel, experience spaces, and express themselves. That passion eventually led me into a career in graphic design, where I was able to combine creativity with strategy and bring ideas to life visually. Read more>>
Joana Salazar
With 10 years of experience in the insurance industry, I built my career around helping clients protect what matters most while developing strong relationships through customer service, communication, and trust. About 3 ½ years ago, I transitioned into the mortgage industry, where I found a passion for guiding families through one of the biggest milestones of their lives — homeownership. Read more>>
Grace Blakiston
My passion for food started at a young age. At just seven years old, I began cooking independently after being inspired by Jamie Oliver. From that point on, I was always in the kitchen, eager to learn and create. After finishing high school at a young age, I enrolled at TAFE when I was 15 to begin my apprenticeship as a pastry chef. Read more>>
Jeffrey Fischer
When I was little, my dad would take me out with an empty camera and let me shoot alongside him. As I got older, around 14, we built a darkroom in our basement. Eventually my dad lost interest but I remained. I experimented with all sorts of films and printing. It was awesome! Read more>>
Luke Barnett
I began woodworking when I was 12 years old. My grandma would pay me to pull the weeds from her driveway, and one day she asked if I would help her trim one of her houses instead. I was so desperate to get away from weeds I said yes immediately. She took me to Lowes and bought a table saw and miter saw. Read more>>
Kim Theus
My story begins with my parents, who, as newlyweds, made the courageous choice to move from the Jim Crow South to what many called the ‘Jim Crow North’ in search of better opportunities for our family. In Tennessee, they faced systemic barriers that barred them from purchasing property. Read more>>
C’erra Eddington
How I started begins with the first relationship I’ve had, my parents. I was born and raised on the Eastside of Detroit to parents, Neil and Keena Eddington. My mother was from the westside and my father was from the Northend. A Pershing Doughboy basketball player married a Cody Comet beauty pageant girl; birthing me, a beautiful woman from both sides of the coin. Read more>>
Carley Lusk
My name is Carley Lusk, and I’m a singer-songwriter from Michigan. I spent years in Los Angeles writing, recording, performing, and honing my craft. When I moved back home, I found myself writing the most honest music I’ve ever made. My songs explore what it feels like to leave a big city, return home, and rediscover who you truly are. Read more>>
Lisa Day
My journey started with a passion for helping others and a belief that meaningful work comes from serving people with authenticity and heart. Like many entrepreneurs, I didn’t have everything figured out from the beginning. It took a lot of learning, stepping out of my comfort zone, and trusting the process. Read more>>
Mesa Bonello
I’ve been in sales for most of my life. Starting out around 13 years old selling meals at my family’s hot dog cart, eventually entering the world of retail for a while, and spending the majority of my career within the fitness industry in sales and management. Truthfully, I loved all of it! Read more>>
Jonathan Richard
The journey that brought me to this point begins with a lot of emotional and physical trauma and being involved with the medical system for many years without getting the desired relief. Read more>>
Chacho Mancillas
My name is Jacinto Mancillas, although most people know me as Chacho. Some know me by my producer names, ChachoBands or SirBandos. I’m 27 years old and based out of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and music has been one of the biggest parts of my life for as long as I can remember. What’s funny is that my story isn’t like a lot of other producers’. Read more>>
Sasha Primo
I was born in Argentina, where I studied painting and electronic arts. Most of my work happens in public space, where I started creating hyperrealistic murals of Indigenous peoples. For me, these murals were an invitation to explore other territories and cultures, and to reflect on the richness of cultural diversity. Read more>>
Jonathon Lipscombe
Storytelling for me began at a young age. I was introduced to photography by creating stop-motion videos of my Legos as a child. Later, watching people such as Peter McKinnon and Casey Neistat on YouTube grew my obsession for storytelling through the medium of photography and, later, videography. Read more>>
Jessica Mayfield-Ashwood
My passion for helping others began long before I became a therapist. As a teenager, I was deeply interested in understanding how people overcome challenges and improve their quality of life. That curiosity eventually led me to pursue a career in social work and mental health. Read more>>
Chris Hackett
I’ve always drew and played with markers and oil pastels. Recently stopped drinking and really went back to the person I was B4 with A Lot of added life experience With my new found clarity and time l really put a lot of effort into myself. Read more>>
Jerreece Noel
I’m a self-taught photographer that purchased my first camera at the pawnshop. I began learning about photography and practicing on family and friends. I later opened my company in 2016 and named it Higher Purpose Photography. I never limited myself to one category of photography. Read more>>
Julianne Lindsey
I inherited a 35mm camera when my grandfather passed away. My mom encouraged me to learn how to use it and signed me up for a summer photography class. I didn’t put the camera down for about 20 more years. Read more>>
Hadia Bjornbak
I’ve always loved to create ever since I picked up my first crayon. I took as many art classes as I could in school, but otherwise, my parents had me primed from a young age to be an engineer. I trusted my parents were right, and enrolled myself in advanced math classes early on. Read more>>
Lauren Nowicki
My love of Disney started young! We used to travel with my dad there at least once a year and we couldn’t get enough of the magic! Once I had my own kids I knew I wanted Disney to be a part of their childhood as well. I remember planning the first trip and being so overwhelmed. Read more>>
Camren Clouthier
My photography and videography journey originally started back when I was a freshman in high school. I had no idea what I wanted to do in my life or with my career. So, I took an elective class in media production, just to see what it was all about. Little did I know, it sparked my interest and would eventually become my greatest passion. Read more>>
Shelly Alvarez
I have always wanted to be an educator. Seriously, at age 5 I was determined to become a kindergarten teacher some day. Fast forward to age 23, a fresh GVSU grad, I was able to earn a Kindergarten teaching spot for Cedar Springs Public Schools. Read more>>
Azariah Pierce
I first became interested in nails in 2020 & quickly developed a passion for the beauty industry. In 2022, I enrolled at Mosley School of Cosmetology to further my education & gain the skills needed to turn my passion into a career. After becoming a licensed nail technician, I started my business working from home, where I built my clientele & refined my craft. Read more>>
Andrei Awad
I was born in Bucharest, Romania and adopted by my Egyptian Father and American Mother. I was introduced to an abundance of music at a very young age. My parents put me into piano lessons around 5. Soon after, I wanted to play the drums, then guitar, then bass. I am mostly self-taught in guitar and bass. Read more>>
