Today we’d like to introduce you to Aimee Michalak.
Hi Aimee, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a born-and-raised Michigander and a lifelong figure skater — I competed through my youth, skated for Western Michigan University, and was part of the 2004 Varsity Synchronized Skating National Championship team. After college, I spent 15 years in Chicago, where I built my marketing career and met my husband, another Michigander with an even bigger love of the outdoors than I have.
Summer camp was always a huge part of my life growing up — I attended for years and eventually became a counselor — so when we got married, we held our wedding at a camp and had our guests spend the weekend doing all the activities. It ended up becoming a meaningful preview of where life would take us.
During COVID, my husband was diagnosed with cancer. As we navigated treatment, we started dreaming up a five-year plan that would bring us back home to Michigan and, hopefully, allow us to own or build a resort, campground, or even a camp of our own someday. Not long after, a vintage lakeside resort in the Huron-Manistee National Forest went up for sale — just 20 minutes from my husband’s childhood home and three minutes from my parents’ lake house. Since he was too sick to travel, our dads toured it for us, sent photos, and we took the leap and bought it sight unseen.
Thankfully, he finished treatment and was declared NED. In 2021, we welcomed our daughter, Marnie, through IVF, and soon after relocated to renovate and run what is now our family business: Little Island Lake Resort. Because I’ve worked remotely as a marketing director for the last decade, I’ve been able to continue consulting while fully embracing life in the woods of Northeast Michigan.
Our small neighboring town, Tawas City, has a rural ice arena, and I started volunteering there as a coach four seasons ago. Today, I’m in my second year as Program Director. We’ve grown the program exponentially, helped skaters move on to collegiate programs, introduced virtual testing, and are preparing to compete in the 2026 season. I also serve as secretary and community events chair for the Tawas Wellness Warriors, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing wellness programming and healthy living opportunities to our rural community.
I still consult through Mood Ring Marketing, but my heart is in our family, our little lakeside resort, and helping shape the next generation of skaters at the Tawas Bay Ice Arena. I also live for trail running, marathons, fishing, and kayaking with my friends and family.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth definitely isn’t the word I’d use to describe the journey. Between my husband’s cancer diagnosis, navigating IVF and infertility, living through the pandemic, and taking on a full renovation with all the unforeseen costs that come with it, there were a lot of moments that tested our resilience. On top of that, shifting from 15 years in the heart of Chicago to a no-stoplight town in rural Michigan was a big adjustment in itself.
But each challenge pushed us to grow, adapt, and redefine what “normal” looked like. What started as a huge transition has become a life I’ve fully embraced — and honestly, one I’ve fallen completely in love with.
As you know, we’re big fans of Little Island Lake Resort, Mood Ring Marketing, Tawas Bay Figure Skating Club, Tawas Wellness Warriors. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I’m lucky to have my hands in a few different organizations — all very different, but all rooted in community, creativity, and helping people live fuller, healthier lives.
Little Island Lake Resort is our family’s year-round lakeside resort tucked inside the Huron-Manistee National Forest. My husband has quite literally rebuilt it with his own hands, and he runs the day-to-day with so much care. It’s become a place where families come to unplug, reconnect with nature, and make memories in a way that feels simple and nostalgic — which is exactly what we hoped for when we took the leap.
Mood Ring Marketing is my independent consulting business, where I help small businesses grow through thoughtful, strategic marketing. I’ve been a remote marketing director for a decade, so Mood Ring lets me take everything I’ve learned and apply it to brands that need direction, clarity, and creative execution — without the agency price tag.
The Tawas Bay Figure Skating Club is where my heart for skating really comes alive. We’re a volunteer-run, rural nonprofit program in our seasonal ice arena, and we’ve seen incredible growth over the last few years. We’re now sending skaters on to collegiate programs, expanding our testing and training opportunities, and preparing for competitive seasons ahead. There’s also a new nonprofit, Taking It to the Next Level, raising funds to upgrade the arena and extend our season — which will be transformational for the entire community. And if you want to see the magic for yourself, our annual Spring Show will be held April 2nd and 3rd!
And finally, Tawas Wellness Warriors, another nonprofit I’m proud to serve, is all about expanding access to wellness. We’re growing quickly with new members, new classes across all fitness levels, and events designed to bring people together around healthy, social activity. It’s been amazing to see how much a small rural community can come alive when you create spaces where people feel supported and encouraged.
Across all of these — the resort, my marketing business, skating, and wellness — the common thread is community. I love building things that help people connect, grow, and feel a little more at home in their lives.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was definitely the outgoing, competitive, and slightly dramatic kid who never passed up a chance to be on a stage or on the ice. If there was a play, dance recital, talent show, or skating competition happening, I was in it — usually with a lot of enthusiasm and maybe a little extra flair.
I loved art, dance, and reading, and I was always moving, always curious, always looking for the next adventure. Loyalty has always been a big part of who I am, too — even as a kid, I cared deeply about my friends and teammates. Looking back, a lot of those early passions and personality traits still show up in the work and community roles I love today.
Pricing:
- Free 30 min consulting call for Mood Ring Ring services
- Currently running special winter season rates at Little Island Lake Resort (email [email protected] or visit our site for details)
- The next session of Learn to Skate at Tawas Bay Ice Arena begins on Jan 13 and includes 12 weeks of instruction, an ice show performance and costume all for just $170
- Tawas Wellness Warriors will be offering $100 annual memberships at our Jan 3rd Commit to Fit event at The Collective in East Tawas, MI
Contact Info:
- Website: https://littleislandlakeresort.com
- Instagram: @lilresortmi
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057654931178
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aqmichalak/
- Other: https://moodringmarketing.com
