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.
Mary Piasecki
I never really set out with a plan to become a birth doula. Honestly, birth work found me through my own experiences becoming a mom. My first birth didn’t go the way I had hoped. I planned a home birth and ultimately transferred to the hospital and had a C-section. Read more>>
Ada Rose
I was originally born in Big Rapids, Michigan. Then i got adopted by my grandparents and moved to burton michigan where i started my journey with content creation. My parents have always been such a big supporter of my journey and it feels great to showcase to the world my little hometown. Read more>>
That ONE Team
– We are a 501(c)3 organization that seeks to inspire kids through science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM). – Our team started in 2004 as a FIRST Lego League team. – In the last 22 years, we have expanded to FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Robotics Competition. – This year we have 25 teams competing across the levels of FIRST. Read more>>
Lauren Stehouwer
Jewelry has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember (I’m a little obsessed). I turned a passion into a business 13 years ago. I find inspiration all around me and use it to constantly create new pieces for my shop. Read more>>
Liz Banks
My journey began more than 30 years ago in education and coaching. I started my career as a teacher and basketball coach and later became an athletic director, assistant principal, and school principal. Throughout each of those roles, I was always drawn to helping people recognize their strengths, build confidence, and grow into the best version of themselves. Read more>>
Angelica Arriola
I’m a first-gen Filipina American who started DJing and streaming on Twitch in 2019 as ‘cheska’. It’s a nickname I’ve had my entire life and it felt fitting to choose a name that was, well, ME. I have always loved music and going to shows. Read more>>
Bri Babiera
Being a massage therapist was never on my radar. I wanted to be a writer, or a journalist, or fashion designer. Those were the things I was confident about. I wrote stories, I was on my school’s newspaper, and I’d been sewing for years. I could make something out of those, for sure. Read more>>
Judith Tummino
I was always drawing from the age of three. I attended Colorado State University and then continued studying first at Western Michigan University and then at the Chicago Institute of Art. It was there that I met Dan Gustin who was instrumental in my attending the Inernational School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture in Umbria. Read more>>
Shasta Angell
My story has really been shaped by family, community, and a desire to make a difference wherever I can. I’m a mom of four, and raising my kids has probably taught me more about life, leadership, patience, and perseverance than anything else ever could. My family has always been a huge part of what motivates me and has helped shape the person I am today. Read more>>
Nell Alexander
My journey started with a simple desire to create something meaningful—something that could positively impact people’s everyday lives. My background as a student-athlete taught me the value of discipline, consistency, teamwork, and showing up even when things get difficult. Those lessons eventually became the foundation for my entrepreneurial journey. Read more>>
Lynda Potts
So, when I think about my story, I think about a girl who grew up on the east side of Detroit—7 Mile and Ryan, to be exact, on a street called Hasse. My story starts there. I had a good childhood. Running the block with my friends, obstacle courses in the rain life was good! Read more>>
Jenna Lu
I was born and raised in Lansing, Michigan to an immigrant family. I’m the first generation, and also the eldest daughter. There’s a lot of pressure and expectations when you fall into that title from birth. My whole life I’ve always been creative, while trying to make my family proud. During my upbringing, I had to grow up rather quickly. Read more>>
Julie Turner
Many businesses begin with a business plan. Ours began with a personal loss. I’m Julie Turner, co-founder of Pathways Plus. My business partner, Angie, and I share something that no one ever wants to have in common–we both lost a sibling unexpectedly. When Angie lost her sister, her brother-in-law suddenly found himself responsible for managing everything his wife had always handled. Read more>>
Shaloria Mitchell
The Heart Behind Beautifully Created 2.0 Beautifully Created 2.0 was born out of a need to create a safe and empowering space for women who have been suffering in silence—women who have experienced painful circumstances, endured difficult seasons, and carried stories they never had the opportunity, language, or courage to share. The vision became deeply personal following the passing of my sister. Read more>>
Atzin Flores
My story begins in Mexico, where I developed an interest in personal growth and self-development from a very young age. Life led me to discover various holistic tools that are now an integral part of what I teach and offer in my ceremonies and workshops. It all started with yoga when I was about 11 years old. Read more>>
Dezmin McCoy
My journey started in education, where I spent 12 years serving students and families as a teacher and instructional leader. Although education was my career and I am passionate about it, creativity had always been a major part of who I was. I loved transforming ordinary spaces, building custom pieces, and creating experiences that made people feel celebrated. Read more>>
Jill Fuleky
My journey has been shaped by a lifelong connection to movement, athletics, and dance, which eventually led me to a career centered around the body, wellness, and working with people. Read more>>
Mark Bonto
I was always into comedy, comedians, funny TV shows, and movies. Growing up, my parents would let me stay up late to watch Johnny Carson’s monologue during school nights. When my dad brought home the Sunday morning newspaper, while my brothers fished out the comics and sports sections, I’d go right to the Parade magazine and go to the “My Favorite Jokes”section in the back. Read more>>
Amy Ritter
I started my cottage bakery cookie business in 2022, shortly after my son was born. I had always loved watching videos of people decorating sugar cookies and had played around with decorating them myself, but I had never really given it a serious try. Read more>>
Paige Pope
I’ve always lived in both worlds, creative and business. I was running my own marketing agency and landing clients while I was still in college, because I’ve always been obsessed with building brands. But I think in numbers too. Early on I joined a finance startup when it was just a handful of people and helped grow it into a real company. Read more>>
Cathryn Coleman
My story really started with a love for celebrating people and a determination to create something of my own. However not only for myself but my children and the community! I’m a born-and-raised Detroiter, entrepreneur, and mother of five. Read more>>
Claudia Paksi
I started thrifting when I was really young. My family didn’t have a lot of money, so thrifting allowed me to get more clothes for the price of what one piece might cost somewhere else. I’ve also always had a pretty unique style, so I loved being able to find pieces that not everyone else had. Read more>>
Grace Archer
My story started from when I was in college – I picked up a camera for a film photography class and absolutely fell in love with it. The science behind the darkroom and capturing moments at a more slow pace was something I truly appreciated. My senior year (2020) was one of deep personal and creative growth. Read more>>
Angie Barr
I’ve always had a passion for creation of all kinds: tactile exploration, making art and music, and storytelling. This drive has been expressed in a variety of ways over time, and ultimately become a way of life. My creative education has been built over many years through the process of self discovery, experimentation, working with mentors like my mother, and traditional study. Read more>>
Errol Ross
As a young child I always had a strong interest in music. Then MTV came out and I knew this is what I wanted to do. I learned to play the Cello, Bass, and the Guitar. Started bands joined bands all through high school. I wouldn’t be paying attention in class I’d be writing lryics. Read more>>
Sari CICUREL
Sari M. Cicurel’s career began behind the scenes at Detroit Public Television, Channel 56, where she began her career in television production and storytelling. After graduating from Michigan State University, she continued building her broadcast experience and later became Program Director for Booth Communications. Sari eventually ventured into freelance television production, producing programming and helping businesses and organizations communicate their messages through compelling visual stories. Read more>>
Calvin Paige
Some artists discover music. For me, music has always been there. Raised in Michigan, my connection to the arts began at an early age. At 2 years old, I would build lego microphones and ask my mom to perform Madonma with me. I was frequently caught in my childhood basement, creating dance routines to Lady Gaga, Kesha and Ariana Grande through my teen years. Read more>>
Kendra Svilar
I started Restore Resolutions, LLC, in 2022, after spending over 20 years in compliance work. At Restore, we use restorative practices to handle harm, from conflict to discrimination. A restorative approach focuses on the harm people have experienced and how to begin transforming it. Instead of broken rules, we start to heal broken relationships — with the self and others. Read more>>
Jenn Magri
I started Chaos at the tender age of 25, with no clue what I was getting myself into. I just wanted to create a safe space for women to feel like they belong. To feel heard and taken care of. After 20 years, 3 locations in Mount Clemens, and a whole lotta love, I finally got to purchase my very own building all by myself. Read more>>
Jalonne Corp
My love for photography started long before I ever owned a camera. Growing up, my grandparents were always documenting life’s moments, and those memories sparked something in me. In elementary school, Mr. Read more>>
Caprice Woods
Fluffy Gals & Hunky Fellas Lifestyle Brands grew out of a simple but deeply personal realization: plus-size women and big-and-tall men deserve more than limited choices when it comes to fashion. Our journey began in 2016 through community-based fashion experiences, events, and pop-ups throughout Metro Detroit. Read more>>
Tracey Martin
My love affair with thrifting started at the tender age of 10 but the legacy actually begins with a $4.80 silk dress from Lord & Taylor. My mom found it at the thrift store brand new Growing up in a middle-class household as the middle child of three, I always had a massive appetite for high-end fashion. The problem? Read more>>
