Tyrone Hunter
Even had the doubts from them, but im blessed that i kept on going and didn’t allow them to fill my had with negativity. Read more>>
David Dyer
I always had the idea of doing stand up myself and went to Michigan State where I studied Theatre. I never did stand up there, but once I got out of college, I thought, “If I don’t do it now, I’ll never do it.” I started going to open mic nights and having my brother tape me with this enormous VHS camera. I brought the tape to an agency that books comedy around the Midwest and they started getting me guest spots which led to hosting gigs which led to being the middle act and, eventually, headlining. Read more>>
Nicole Degi
After college, I moved to Grand Rapids because I wanted a fresh start and believed there would be great long-term opportunities here. My journey didn’t begin the way I imagined—the first job I took wasn’t at all what I expected. I felt stuck and seriously considered moving back home. At that point, my dad challenged me to stay and try to find something else. I wasn’t thrilled about it at the time, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. Read more>>
Quinn Counseller
I’m an occupational therapist and the founder of Neuroplastic Rehab, a practice dedicated to evidence-based neurorehabilitation. My journey began at Michigan State, and I went on to earn my Doctorate in Occupational Therapy and Master of Business with a concentration in Healthcare Management from the University of Michigan. After completing clinicals at The Recovery Project and University of Michigan Hospital, and conducting research with the Michigan Parkinson Foundation, I knew I wanted to focus my career on neurological recovery. Read more>>
Michelle Walters
It took time. Seasons of searching, of loss and growth, of becoming. Life stretched me, softened me, and taught me to listen closely to the quiet voice within. Somewhere in that unraveling, I began to hear the call to create again. Only now, it came with purpose. With power. With a sense that all I had lived through was asking to be transformed—into beauty, into art, into something sacred. Read more>>
David Tamulevivch
sharing the risk, so that we all could share in successes, and also when things did not go so well, no one would get too hurt.. For the artists, and venues, and myself, it was a way to build a career that could, and often did ( and still do), have leg, sustain. . Performing wise, Mustard’s Retreat has 50 years under it’s belt, and is still going strong, working on our 16th recording and playing between 35-50 gigs a year.. I’m full of gratitude for my great relationship with my daughter Molly, for the audiences who keep Mustard’s Retreat going, and the wonderful relationships I have made, all over the world , in this family of music. Read more>>
Melissa Shevela
Film has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest productions was a neighborhood play called Wizard of Archer, which I put on for our block as a young girl. Later, when I had kids of my own, we made movies together—simple, fun Star Wars spin-offs that gave us something creative to do as a family. We still watch those today and laugh at the memories. Read more>>
Trishna Grigowski
I’m a proud second-generation Indian-American, raised by parents who came to the U.S. to build a better life for themselves and future generations. My parents emphasized hard work, education, and stability—often encouraging careers in healthcare, engineering, or law, a path familiar to many in our community. I spent seven years pursuing a Doctorate in Pharmacy, convincing myself that helping people would make it worthwhile. Once I entered retail pharmacy, the reality hit hard—patient care took a backseat to metrics and speed. For the first time, I felt deeply lost, questioning not just my path, but the sacrifices my parents made to get me there. Read more>>
Nick Spencer
Finding a way to bring the songs to life in a live setting has been the biggest test for the band. When working as a solo artist I would often use backing tracks or just play acoustic, both of which lacked the energy of the recorded songs. With the addition of Emma Kelly on drums in 2024 the live show has taken on a brand new life! Read more>>
Samantha Oetting
I started alone, with barely two pennies to rub together. My youngest brother spotted me the money for the lease, and from there, I worked. I’m not ashamed of my work ethic—in fact, I wear it proudly, even if hustle is out of fashion these days. Before opening my practice, I worked a 9-to-5 job while completing massage school and a 300-hour yoga teacher training program. I have been relentless in my pursuit of the healing arts—not just for my own growth, but because I know, unequivocally, that this is my path. Read more>>
Asia Goss
The biggest struggle is being motivated. I have to not allow myself or others to tell me that I can’t do something. Everyday I pray for confidence, humility, patience for others and myself. Outside of that it’s making time to do what I love and having the resources to execute these big ideas I have. Fortunately, I have a loving mother that has her loving parents who are all my biggest supporters and the reason I am where I am today! Read more>>
Julia Cuddy
My photography journey started back in 2014 on the wedding side of things, where I fell in love with capturing real emotion. Then in 2020, during a girls’ weekend with a group of past and future brides, someone asked, “Will you take some boudoir photos of us?” I’d never shot boudoir before, but I said yes, why not?! Read more>>
Madelaine Glowicki
We have been dancing together our whole life, Veronica Wurm and I, who run Design Dance Company. We wanted to start something based on what we enjoyed so much about dancing as kids; artistry, personal growth, and the ability to work hard and see improvement from year to year. As a physical therapist, I was really interested in training dancers in a way that keeps them strong in a well-rounded way. As a choreographer, Veronica was really interested in training dancers in an artistic way that helped build a strong foundation for their own choreography and feeling comfortable in their own skin. Read more>>
Marina Matta
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. For two years, I faced constant rejections because most aesthetic jobs require experience, and very few places are willing to take a chance on newer providers. I liked working in Urgent Care, but it wasn’t where my passion was. I knew I wanted to be in aesthetics; helping people feel beautiful and confident while also tapping into my creative side with social media. I’m so excited to finally be doing what I love. Read more>>
Brian Ottum
Once digital cameras became available, I started taking long exposure images of star clusters, gas clouds and galaxies far far away. After the nearby prison “upgraded” their outdoor lighting, I sold the dome and moved the telescope to the New Mexico desert. I operated the remote-control telescope for 7 years, putting on YouTube Live shows and taking great shots. I enjoy displaying my pictures at astronomy events and art galleries. The newest technology allows me to put on shows under the night skies for groups. I’ve been an “astronomer in residence” at resorts in FL and TX. Read more>>
Johanna Csereklye
I decided to go to school and learn how to be a florist,and a same time i started searching for floral designer jobs.I was always interested about creating and creating something with flowers was just a big bonus.I found a job andcthats where i feel like learned a lot about this business/occupation. It was a great opportunity to see and learn how to deal with customers with vendors and coworkers and felt passion about the variety and layers of the job.But the challenges of balancing weekend work and retail hours with two little ones was hard so I decided to launch my own online flower shop in 2024! Read more>>
Jessica McGrath
Another challenge was maintaining authenticity while growing. As more opportunities arose, I had to be really intentional about choosing businesses that genuinely resonated with my audience and values. It was tough saying “no” to potential collaborations, even when they were tempting, because I knew they wouldn’t be a true fit. My followers trust my recommendations, and that trust is paramount. Read more>>
