Today we’d like to introduce you to Madelyn Perez.
Hi Madelyn, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Marquette, MI, and feel so lucky my parents chose to raise my sister and me here. They were originally from downstate, but life in the Upper Peninsula gave us the best childhood, close-knit community, nature, and space to grow! After graduating high school, I started college at Northern Michigan University, though I had no clue what I wanted to study at the time. I ended up taking a few years off, during which I lived in Italy and traveled throughout Europe. That experience changed my life. I worked as an ESL instructor and loved the challenge of creating my own small business overseas. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and that time abroad really shaped it.
Even though I loved Europe, I realized there’s something really special about the people here in the UP. They’re just so genuine and kind, and I knew this was the kind of place I wanted to stay. After moving back, I finished college, got married, had two kids, and like many moms, found myself needing a creative outlet beyond the day-to-day of motherhood. My husband encouraged me to turn my cupcake decorating hobby into a business, and to my surprise, it took off quickly. I built a loyal customer base and found so much joy in baking for celebrations across our community.
Now that we have three kids, I’ve scaled the baking business back a bit and take on fewer, more selective orders to keep it fun and manageable. At the same time, I’ve recently launched a second business called Restore Functional Wellness, where I work with women, especially moms, to get to the root of health issues using functional lab testing, personalized protocols, and integrative health modalities. It’s been amazing to blend my passion for wellness and education into something that helps other women feel like themselves again.
That’s where I’m at today! Grateful for this community, raising our little family in the UP, and building two businesses that allow me to connect with people in very different but meaningful ways.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. Rewarding, yes, but not without its challenges. I’ve always loved baking and have a natural eye for cupcake decorating (not to toot my own horn!), but running a business while being the primary caregiver to our kids during the week isn’t easy. Time is limited, so I’ve had to become really good with time management. Squeezing in work during nap times, early mornings, or late nights after bedtime. Finding that balance between being present for my family and growing a business is always a work in progress.
Another big turning point for me came when a close family member was diagnosed with a serious autoimmune condition. It was overwhelming and scary at first, and navigating the medical system was frustrating. We’re lucky to have great doctors, but I quickly realized how limited the conventional model can be when it comes to actually getting to the root cause and offering long term solutions beyond medications. That experience is what ultimately inspired me to go back to school and become an Integrative Health Practitioner. I felt that people deserve answers and meaningful support, not just symptom management.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Restore Functional Wellness ?
Restore Functional Wellness is a virtual practice where I help women, especially moms, get to the root cause of their health struggles so they can feel like themselves again. I specialize in functional medicine lab testing, personalized healing protocols, and integrative lifestyle support. Too many people are told “everything looks normal” by their doctors, yet they’re still dealing with fatigue, hormone issues, gut symptoms, or just feeling off. That’s where I come in to dig deeper and create a plan that actually works for their body and lifestyle.
What sets me apart is that I take a whole-person, bio-individual approach. Every woman’s story and symptoms are different, and I make sure she feels heard and supported. I’m also in the process of expanding my services to include lactation counseling, so I can offer even more support in those critical early weeks and months of postpartum.
I’m most proud of building a brand that empowers women to trust their bodies and advocate for their health. My goal is to make functional wellness feel doable and personalized. Not overwhelming or one size fits all.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My parents and husband have always encouraged me to follow my passions, no matter how different they’ve been, from baking to holistic health! I’m also so grateful for my friends and loyal baking business customers who’ve supported me from day one. Their encouragement, referrals, and kind words have meant everything.
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