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.
Ashley Sullivan
Whenever I had a break between classes, I would spend that time reading fashion blogs and creating inspiration boards on Pinterest. The more I read, the more inspired I was. After a while, I told myself that ‘I could do this.’ and that’s when my first fashion blog was created. Read more>>
Deon Claiborne
I was a club kid in the late 70s and early 80s. I would dance all night starting on Thursday night and then Friday and Saturday all night too in a big gay disco called the ‘Monastery’ in Seattle. On Sundays, we would go to ‘Tea Dances,’– late afternoon or early evening instead of all night. Read more>>
Saundra ‘Sauny’ Edwards
I initially started my content journey 5 years ago when my daughter told me she wanted to start a Youtube channel. Weeks later I created her channel ‘Barbee Season’ and from there I created a my own channel ‘Mama Season’. My mother passed away in April of 2022, and it was then that I decided to take my content creation seriously. Read more>>
Matt Talbot
I got into real estate without some huge master plan. I just knew I wanted to build something of my own, and I was willing to work. My first full year in the business, I sold around 30 homes. From there, I became obsessed with getting better at the craft, learning sales, marketing, negotiation, and understanding what actually creates a great client experience. Read more>>
Sydney Snider
My photography journey started in 2007 when I traveled to Europe with a student ambassador program and brought along a little 5MP point-and-shoot camera. When I got home, I was proudly showing off all the photos I had taken to my cousin when she told me I had an eye for photography. Apparently, that was all the encouragement I needed because I ran with it. Read more>>
Tyler Smith-TerHaar
My journey with The Mill Hospitality started before I was even living in Northern Michigan. Via a mutual connection, my twin brother, Corey Smith, was asked to interview for the role of General Manager at The Mill when the renovation of the property was barely under way. Read more>>
Ariel Taub
I’ve dreamed of working in fashion for as long as I can remember. I learned how to sew at a young age and started taking fashion classes when I was 13, eventually going on to study design at Parsons. After graduating, I fell in love with the bridal industry. Read more>>
Krithi Rachakonda
I noticed that people would stay for the same few item songs or fast beat film songs played over and over again, but the minute the songs had so much as classical tinges to it, people would leave. This was heartbreaking because South Indian classical music, called Carnatic Music, is such a beautiful thing. Read more>>
Terri Petty
My story really started with content creation. I was getting dressed every day, finding new inspiration, trying different outfits, exploring new scenery, and creating with my sister. For a while, that was enough. But eventually, I started feeling frustrated because I knew there was so much more creatively that I wanted to explore. I didn’t just want to style an outfit. Read more>>
Ariel (Jun) Dupra
Merlyn’s Patisserie started as a dream and vision around the early 2010’s when my sister and I talked about how it would be nice to have some type of upscale Asian bakery around Traverse City, Michigan, which the city was lacking at that time. Read more>>
Emily Murakami
I was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and from a very young age, I knew I wanted to be on stage. As a little girl in ballet class, I remember feeling that there was nothing else that could make me feel the way dancing did. Read more>>
Anna Dorsey
Long story short, we fell in love, got married and started a band. Timing-wise, we’re a Covid band, born out of the boredom of quarantine. Years of pentup music came out of our fingertips. Now today, we have traveled from Michigan to Ireland, Indiana and Colorado. Who knows where we’ll end up next. Read more>>
Stephanie Hardy
Hi, I’m Stephanie Hardy, a digital artist and animator with over 5 years of experience freelancing. I’ve worked with small start ups, I sell my designs on POD sites, and I run an Etsy shop. My goal is to create artwork and animations that bring hope and happiness into a busy, stressful world. Read more>>
Brandon Shafer (Dymond Denae)
I started performing in drag October 9, 2001, 25 years ago. I can remember thinking, ‘there is no way I will make it even 10 years, I can’t believe that some have done this for so long’. Now, look at me and my drag career. It has been amazing to say the least. Read more>>
Desiree Mckinney
My journey started very humbly. My parents worked extremely hard to take care of me and did the best they could, and I learned the value of hard work from them at a very young age. I started working when I was 14, and around that same time, I began learning how to take care of my own expenses and become independent. Read more>>
Harold Powell
The way that Phantom Pen Media began came from the decision that I didn’t want to do factory work anymore, I spent a good portion of my career in the automotive industry. It was in 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 Pandemic when I was let go from my automotive job. Read more>>
Derik Keeslar
It seems like I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, from having a lemonade stand and mowing my neighbors’ lawns. I’ve always loved the thought of having a business of my own, but never truly knew what I wanted to do. Growing up, I found a love for the creative arts, and got into the band program at my school. Read more>>
Ej Jaouni
Cutting hair has been a part of my life growing up. It started with my grandpa then my father now me. I have been a barber for over 10 years. I started off in my basement giving haircuts just for fun and it was nothing serious. I met my wife when i was 19 and my life turned 360 degrees in the best way. Read more>>
Lisa Baird
Travels with Lisa Baird Lisa Baird is a retired teacher from Grand Rapids, where she dedicated 32 years to inspiring students and teaching English. During her teaching career, she found a love for the world of professional photography and travel writing, contributing to various magazines throughout Northern Michigan. Read more>>
Mike Mudrey
I grew up in East Grand Rapids, Michigan, and my first job was working at a concession stand at a local park, selling hot dogs, popcorn, and candy on summer evenings. I certainly wasn’t thinking about hospitality companies at the time, but looking back, there is probably a straight line from that little concession stand to some of what I’m building today. Read more>>
Doris Johnson
I have a Master’s Degree in Psychology with a oncentration in applied behavior analysis. I was born in Highland Park, Michigan and raised in Detroit. Being the survivor of epilepsy and an abusive relationship has afforded me the opportunity to be the proud recipient of the Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP) and speak about domestic violence at many venues, including the historical Wayne State University. Read more>>
Andrea Mott
I’m Andrea, a wife and mom of three living in Metro Detroit. Since having kids, about 6 years ago, I have become more aware of the things we’ve brought into our home – I’ve switched many conventional products for non-toxic ones, I read ingredient labels, and I am as intentional as I know how to be about making healthier choices for our family. Read more>>
Theresa Mosley
I didn’t start with a perfect plan, unlimited resources, or all the answers. I started with a dream, determination, faith, and the willingness to work for the life I envisioned. My journey into entrepreneurship was built one step at a time. There were seasons when I had very little, but I refused to allow where I started to determine where I would finish. Read more>>
Alex Vinash
My story has never followed a straight line, and I think that is exactly what made me the designer I am today. I was born in Argentina and began my creative life in a completely different world: figure skating. I became an Argentine national champion and later traveled the world performing professionally. Read more>>
Daniel Hall
Martial arts has been a part of my life from a young age and has grown into both a career and a lifelong pursuit. Over the years, I went from being a student and competitor to becoming an instructor, coach, and eventually expanding into private coaching. Read more>>
Connor Donahue
I’ve been sewing for as long as I can remember. My grandmother Lorraine taught me how to sew when I was very young, and I absolutely loved it — I took to it like water. I was constantly making things, whether it was sewing outfits for my sister’s dolls or cutting up the curtains to make Halloween costumes. Read more>>
Musheya Glenn
Musheya A. Glenn is an accomplished Executive Chef, entrepreneur, and community leader born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. A proud mother of two sons, she has dedicated more than 22 years to the hospitality and culinary industry, building a career defined by skill, creativity, and a deep commitment to serving her community. Read more>>
Mara Natkin & Gloria Ramirez
My name is Mara, myself and my partner, Gloria, are the artists, founders, and owners of Artery Ink. What began as a spark of an idea back in 2014 has blossomed into a global brand. It started in a tiny 10×10 spare bedroom and now operates out of a 4,800 square-foot studio + warehouse in Milwaukee, Wisconsin! Read more>>
KC Marie
I actually started my first business in high school. I used to sell lash strips in the hallways, and eventually I built my own website where I sold hair scarves, lip gloss, lash books, and other little girly things. I was shipping orders all over the country—I remember getting orders from California, New York, Florida, and different places I had never even been. Read more>>
Tiera Lanae
Sure, I started with what I had at the time which wasn’t much lol I had a vision and as the famous saying goes I “just did it” there’s no blueprint for entrepreneurship so I just went with what I had and almost 8 years later, here I am. Read more>>
Joseph Elliott
Moving to Florida with my wife so she could pursue her zoology career ended up setting the course for my entire career with campers. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do for a living, but I landed a job at a local RV repair shop and quickly realized I had found my calling. Read more>>
Emma Johnson
My journey has really been about turning life experience into purpose. After more than 25 years in corporate America, along with work in financial services, education, and community engagement, I began thinking more intentionally about legacy—what we leave behind, but also how we help people live well right now. Read more>>
Summer Schriner
I’m an attorney by trade, but I’ve always loved to create and I felt like Lansing was missing more unique options that went beyond the same old department store choices. I’d been doing art fairs of my vintage inspired jewelry and creations for a few years, and decided to write a business plan. Read more>>
Gina Pannorfi
“Gina Pannorfi’s work explores color, texture, pattern and process. She employs techniques grounded in ancient tradition, and uses them to design and create unique textiles that embody both painting and sculpture. All of her work is created one piece at a time, by her, individually in her studio in Chicago. Read more>>
Dennis Glover
I am a Muskegon native that grew up in Brooklyn, NY. My culinary schooling and first job was in New York City almost 30 years ago. Read more>>
chandra kananen
I took graphic design class in high school which lead me on the path of graphic designing, from there I spent a 10 years designing spiritwear for college and resorts. Read more>>
Danielle Knapp
I became a mom at 17, so when I started thinking about my future, I knew I needed a career that could give me flexibility while still allowing me to provide for my daughter and be present for her. That’s ultimately what led me to the beauty industry. Read more>>
Renate Black
My calling to become a mortician began at the remarkable age of six, when most children are still discovering who they are. That early passion never wavered. Read more>>
Pam Thum marshall
Pam Thum Marshall: Take Courage, Trust God, Do Good For singer, songwriter, speaker, pastor’s wife, and encourager Pam Thum, music has never simply been about performing. It has always been about reaching people with faith, hope, joy, and the presence of God. “I want to lead people into God’s presence where there’s 100% JOY!” Pam says. That passion began early. Read more>>
Craig Mizell
My story started in Flint, Michigan, and like many gospel musicians, the church was my first classroom. I was the kid who was fascinated by the music, the musicians, and everything happening behind the scenes. I did not just want to hear the song; I wanted to understand how all the pieces came together. That curiosity eventually turned into a career. Read more>>
Vic Gipson
Kind Human 4 Human Kind has a mission to help people help themselves through kindness with dignity. Our Kind Crew accomplishes this mission by running various community programs, free of charge. Our Wheels of Kindness program provides bikes (and on rare occasions, trikes) to community members in need such as students, employees, and families who need transportation support. Read more>>
Rebeca Zamora
Honestly, my photography journey wasn’t something I had perfectly planned out, it kind of grew alongside me. I started taking photos because I loved the way a photograph could make an ordinary moment feel important. What started as something I was simply passionate about slowly turned into something I couldn’t imagine not doing. Read more>>
v.f. thompson
Storytelling has always been as natural to me as breathing. When i was a little kid, toys were always a gateway to constructing narratives; when i played with Legos, more than building with them, i loved to use the characters and props to build worlds and adventures. Read more>>
Parisa Ghaderi
My journey to starting Parisa Cafe Co was anything but a straight line. I have always been someone who believes in learning, working hard, and finding a way to stand on my own feet. Over the years, I pursued very different paths. Read more>>
Paul DeVoe
My journey into magic started when I was a kid. I remember watching magic specials on TV and being fascinated by the performers and how they could make the impossible seem possible. Then, when I was 8 years old, I received a magic set for Christmas. That magic set gave me the opportunity to start learning and practicing magic for myself, and I was hooked. Read more>>
Nikollete Dawley-Kopacz
I started beauty school in 2015. I had a rough upbringing, so pursuing further education right out of high school simply wasn’t an option for me. I was 23, a single mom, and I had already learned an important lesson: I couldn’t depend on anyone but myself. I also believed that opportunity doesn’t always find you, you have to be willing to chase it. Read more>>
Hillary Shapiro
I started my photography journey in my late twenties, using the camera as a personal lens to share how I see the world. I love exploring many different styles and genres. Street photography lets me capture raw slices of ordinary life, while portraits help me connect with people. Read more>>
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>>
