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.
Nicholas Gokee Anzivino
The development of Intentional Arts goes all the way back to childhood: I grew up in a close-knit family with two older brothers, my mother and father. They inspired and supported me from a very young age to be creative. Read more>>
RaNithia Mitchell
My journey into creating content around tenant rights happened pretty naturally. I’ve always had an interest in law and understanding rules and systems affect people every single day. After a while, I started to notice how much misinformation there was around renting and how many renters didn’t know what questions to ask, where to begin, or when to escalate a situation. Read more>>
Michelle Binaghi
Years ago, I gave up my real estate license to become my son’s full time care giver as he has special and medical needs. I found over time that I needed something of my own, if you will. I had always loved sewing and crafting, so I started small, making kids pajamas, washcloths, pillow cases and a few other things. Read more>>
Derrick Shorter
I began writing music at the age of 11. Once I turned 15 I wanted to start making beats so I can have my own music to rap over. Once I started doing that, my beats started to get good, so I began selling them. In 2020 I produced a song for DeJ Loaf called “Bubbly”. Read more>>
Lauren Drew
My creative journey started long before I knew graphic design could become a career. As early as elementary school, I was creating and selling handmade bracelets and greeting cards, so entrepreneurship and creativity have always gone hand in hand for me. My mother, who has always loved arts and crafts, encouraged that creative side, and in middle school, my art teacher, Mr. Read more>>
Sloan Dorr
My coffee story began in my 20s and evolved to a love of not just coffee but culture and community built around it. In 2012 I found myself ordering my third Americano at a cafe on Love St on Penang Island, Malaysia. Read more>>
Jillian Nathan
Jillian K. Nathan is a creative storyteller, cultural connector, consultant, and Poshmark reseller with a flair for style and substance. A proud graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, she pairs her love of fashion with an eye for detail, emerging trends, and timeless expression. Her recent journey has been marked by profound loss and unexpected upheaval. Read more>>
Joe Darling
Moondog Café emerged as the 3 owners – Detroit artists Jared Talaga, Rob Nash and Joe Darling – crossed paths in 2022 and shared a common goal to open a space for music that invited experimentation, and turned hospitality back toward the artist. The three of us have all engaged in a variety streams in Detroit’s music industry. Read more>>
Kortney Watts
I bring over a decade of hands-on experience in the events industry, combining culinary expertise with strategic design and flawless execution. I spent seven years as Director of Catering at Cutting Edge, where I developed expertise across every facet of food and beverage, from menu development and logistics to large-scale service and guest experience, establishing myself as a trusted expert in elevated hospitality. Read more>>
Chad Ackley
LeadHead Glass was founded by my partner Derek and myself in 2013. We were both hobbyists in stained glass and made a large free-standing terrarium for our own home. Through the process of building our first large case we really fell in love with the history and aesthetic of traditional terrariums. Read more>>
Nick VanRyswyk
I have always been fascinated by cars, growing up I loved hot wheels, posters of cars, seeing cars in parades, and learning to recognize different types of cars at a very young age! In highschool, I found that I enjoyed photography. I started out taking photos of nature, because I lived in a rural area. Read more>>
Kerry & Jocelyn Clouse
The Story Behind COUNTRY ROADS COFFEE… Never in our wildest dreams did we ever dream up we’d Build our own Coffee Roastery and start serving our community with top of the line, fresh roasted coffee beans. But here we are, after quite a few nudges from friends and family, we gave it a go. Read more>>
Rocio Adame
From a very young age, I was fascinated by investing, financial planning, and the idea of building wealth over time. Even before entering the financial services industry, I was already investing at 19 years old and constantly looking for opportunities to learn. I was curious not only about how people create wealth, but also about how they protect it and make it last. Read more>>
Imani J. Grant
As a little girl I can remember going through my parent’s photo albums. I was so intrigued by the number of photos and the stories behind them, that I picked up my own camera and begin recording my own stories. Read more>>
Nancy Margolis
In 2021, I viewed a gorgeous and inspiring outdoor art exhibit in Sarasota Fla entitled Embracing Our Differences. Its mission is to use the transformative power of art combined with education to help students and adults understand the many ways that diversity = differences enhance our lives. I met with the director who encouraged us to start the program in Michigan. Read more>>
Eli Zemper
When I first showed up at St Louis Center (a residential facility for individuals with intellectual and developmental differences) two years ago, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had been a high school teacher for the previous 25 years, but had recently left the classroom and was reinventing myself. Read more>>
Lacy Galas
I’ve been in the beauty industry for 16 years, and what started as a family experience has grown into a career I’m incredibly passionate about. I originally began learning my craft alongside my sister, who was a freelance makeup artist at the time. From washing brushes to assisting her on location, those early experiences gave me an unforgettable introduction to the beauty industry. Read more>>
Dr. Nichole Moore
I sometimes laugh when I think about how my career started because I grew up surrounded by educators. I was absolutely certain I would never become one! Education was everywhere in my family. I grew up around the lesson planning, the grading, the meetings, and, of course, the educator stories that somehow always found their way to the dinner table. And I thought, “Absolutely not. Read more>>
Leslie Pertz, LMSW, PMH-C
Like the classic hero’s journey (not that I think I am a hero, just the name of the construct), I left home from the corner of southwest Michigan, my life took many twists and turns along the way, and I return home to Lake Michigan when I can, the same, but a different person. Read more>>
ELIZABETH VAUGHN
Mattawan Mechanical Services was founded in 1992 by Tom Vaughn with a simple goal: provide dependable, honest HVAC service while treating customers like neighbors. What started as a small local business has grown over the years through hard work, word-of-mouth referrals, loyal customers, and an incredible team of employees. As the communities around us have grown, so have we. Read more>>
Ky’ronda Tate
Growing up in Detroit’s University District, I never imagined that overcoming a childhood habit would lead me to my purpose. In elementary school, I started painting my nails as a creative way to stop thumb-sucking. Read more>>
taylor sumner
I picked up a camera in 2016 because my friend did ( i saw Cady Heron wearing army pants & flip flops, so i bought army pants and flip-flops) I started taking super weird pictures with my best friends at the strangest and looking back now, very questionable places. Read more>>
Andy Beningo
Growing up, I was a huge fan of comedy movies and comedians. For me, there was nothing better than sitting around the TV with my family watching people like Steve Martin and Robin Williams. I loved hearing new jokes and would often take them to school and tell my friends. Read more>>
Kevin Allure
I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. From what my parents have told me, I was singing pretty much as soon as I could talk, and growing up I was always performing around the house. Music became a big part of my life through singing in church, local talent shows and choir throughout high school. Read more>>
Chris Frezza
My story probably starts way back in 1993 when I started the Internet’s first Camaro website (before it was even graphical). From the time my dad brought home the first computer to play with and a modem (a Radio Shack TRS-80), I’d always been curious and loved tech! Read more>>
Evelyn Frei
After I got introduced to Canva when I was in 5th grade, or 11 years old, I just fell in love. I ended up using it for everything from presentations to posters, or just any excuse I could find. Read more>>
Amani Ford
My name is Amani I’m from Kalamazoo Michigan I’m a local music artist who’s very passionate about what I do. I love bringing joy to others despite the world we live in Read more>>
Valerie Kuzmak
I’ve been in the service industry for over a decade and fell in love with it pretty early on. A huge part of my background is in wine, having worked in a wine bar for many years. That experience gave me the opportunity to learn about pairings, wine, spirits and what really good hospitality looks like. Read more>>
Tammie Lamb
My Story Looking back, it’s amazing how one unexpected moment can completely change the direction of your life. When my oldest daughter was born, I invested in professional newborn portraits, and the experience was everything I had hoped for. It wasn’t just the photographs I loved—it was the way I felt. Read more>>
Jacquelyn Southall
My journey in the beauty industry started over 14 years ago when I graduated from cosmetology school. A very meaningful part of my journey began with my grandmother, who experienced hair loss due to radiation treatments. I started doing her hair and eventually making wigs for her. Read more>>
Niya Williams
Since I was little, I’ve always had a passion for dance, photography, and art. Once I graduated from high school, I started expanding those passions by buying a camera, modeling, painting on bigger canvases, designing my own clothes, and making my own jewelry. Pouring into myself encouraged me to step out into my community and share my passions with others through collaboration. Read more>>
Nat Neiiendam
I started doing my own nails during Covid when all the shops closed has something to do then that turned into a hobby. Then, shortly after I fell in love with doing nails and using that as my canvas for my art work. Read more>>
Sam Gucwa
No matter how it looks, the most interesting person at a concert is *never* someone onstage. I’m often onstage, so I have a large dataset to base that claim on. Since my first gig at 15, I’ve performed at galas, weddings, festival, and a few jazz club sets of my own, and my favorite thing to do is talk to audience members. Read more>>
Trevor Huffman
I grew up in Petoskey, Northern Michigan, and basketball was always what I cared about most. I ended up playing college ball at Kent State, and by the time I left, I’d become the program’s all-time leading scorer — I was a two-time MAC Tournament MVP, an NCAA Mid-Major All-American, and we made it to the Elite Eight in 2002. Read more>>
Heather Hall
Sometimes I’m unsure how I got to where I am today – it’s been such a wild, unpredictable path to walk! But I guess that’s life. I honestly never intended to be a public speaker or mindset/life coach. But when I was 21 years old, three months shy of graduating college, I walked into an urgent care clinic with ongoing knee pain. Read more>>
Amelia Oke
My story all started in a small two bedroom house just me and my parents. There was always being music played at that house; voices like John Denver and Alan Jackson. Thus, I found my voice at a very young age. I absolutely loved to sing and was singing all the time. I remember teachers and classmates that would tell me to stop singing.! Read more>>
Keegan Loye
I started breaking in 2005 after teaching myself from music videos and eventually finding the local scene and crew in Grand Rapids, Michigan. What began as a hobby became my life. I learned from anyone I could, joined a crew, 61Syx Teknique, started competing, performing, organizing events, and eventually began teaching at our crew’s studio 61Syx Teknique Street Dance Academy. Read more>>
Ammie Bouwman
In 1996, I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and told I would struggle for the rest of my life. For the next 17 years, that seemed to be my reality. My journey included bankruptcy, divorce, deep brokenness, and seasons when hope felt far away. But in 2013, everything changed. Jesus completely transformed my life, bringing healing and setting me on a brand-new path. Read more>>
Antione Williams
I started fashion modeling and influencing about two years ago. People always told me they admired the way I carried myself and how I showed up in the world, but honestly, getting started was a lot of trial and error. I didn’t really know where to begin because it was all new to me. Read more>>
Eddie Andersen
My journey with music started at a very young age. I have had a lot of great examples and people to look up to in my family and family friends throughout my life. They have inspired me every step of the way and have continued to be part of my journey today. Read more>>
Heather Taylor
My journey has always been rooted in a fascination with the unusual, the macabre, and the stories that exist outside the mainstream. I originally built my career in the deathcare industry, earning my degree in Mortuary Science and working in funeral homes, anatomical services, organ and tissue recovery, and eventually surgical sales. Read more>>
Eric Engblade
I grew up in a small beach town in West Michigan called Ludington. I was always a singer. My family tells the story about how when I was four or so I would sing church songs very loudly in grocery stores. Read more>>
Dalila Ericiga
I’m originally from Mexico, and like many entrepreneurs, my journey has been filled with both challenges and opportunities. After moving to the United States, I balanced family life while searching for a way to build something meaningful that reflected my values and creativity. My passion for beautiful European lace mantillas inspired me to create Lalas Mantillas. Read more>>
