Voices

Voices

Dive into compelling stories from Michigan's 83 counties and hear from business owners, students, and community members as they describe their unique perspectives on living and working in Michigan.

Featured County Stories

Ingham

A Whole New World View

Mark Hendel of IMPCO

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Oakland

ONE in a Million

Holly Schwarzwalder of Our Next Energy

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Leelanau 

Bubbles Up

Larry Mawby of MAWBY Vineyards and Winery

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Macomb

Dynamic Defense

Cemone Moy of General Dynamics Land Systems

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Clinton

Sweet as Pie

Ellie Sutherland of Sweetie-licious Bakery

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Sometimes people ask me, ‘Why did you found a rocket company in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan?' And I tell them the U.P. is as close to space as anywhere on the planet.

Brad King

Orbion Space Technology

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Luce

Pizza My Heart

Jo Tranchita of Seder's Pizza

As an Upper Peninsula transplant, Jo Tranchita has made herself an invaluable member of her community – from volunteering with local organizations to taking ownership of a favorite pizza place

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Dickinson

What's Mine is Yours

Karen Secinaro of Iron Mountain Iron Mine

As general manager of the Iron Mountain Iron Mine, Karen Secinaro is carrying on the legacy of the family business and honoring the Upper Peninsula’s mining history

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Otsego

Sand and Snow

Barry Owens of Treetops Resort

As general manager of Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Barry Owens celebrates the variety and gift of Michigan’s four seasons

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Antrim

Down on the Farm

Caitlin McSweeney-Steffes of Danu Hof Farm and Market

Born and raised in Michigan, Caitlin McSweeney-Steffes always dreamt of owning a family farm in her home state.

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Barry

Skills of the Trade

Jillian Cowley of Bradford White Water Heaters

As a welder for Bradford White Water Heaters, Jillian Cowley is forging her own path in a male-dominated field

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St. Clair

On the Market

Steve Fernandez of PH Country Style Market

As the owners of a full-service grocery store in downtown Port Huron – a former food desert – Steve Fernandez and his wife Michele Jones are serving and feeding their local community

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Macomb

Dynamic Defense

Cemone Moy of General Dynamics Land Systems

As a lifelong Metro Detroiter and manager of international sustainment programs for a military vehicle manufacturer, Cemone Moy is proud to be a part of Michigan’s Defense Corridor

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Wayne

La Vida Detroit

Cristina Zamora of Xochi’s Gift Shop

Cristina Zamora is keeping her family’s gift shop and Mexican heritage alive in the heart of Mexicantown

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Alpena

Beer Necessities

Blake and Brant Austin of Austin Brothers Beer Company

As the brothers of Austin Brothers Beer Company in Alpena, California transplants Blake and Brant Austin are contributing to Michigan’s robust craft beer industry

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Sanilac

Raise a Glass

Kristi Nichols-Shopbell of 3 North Vines

As a lifelong Michigander, Kristi Nichols-Shopbell grew up with a love for the state’s natural attributes, from its four seasons to the plentiful ways to enjoy the water. Kristi attended Michigan State University and met her husband Nate in a wine tasting elective class.

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Genesee

Keeping It 100

Brandee Cooke-Brown of 100K Ideas

Brandee Cooke-Brown knows the power of a good idea. As Executive Director of 100K Ideas, a Flint-based non-profit that helps to promote entrepreneurism, she works each day to uplift aspiring business owners in the Flint community

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Gogebic

There’s Snow Place Like Home

Benjamin Bartz of Snowriver Mountain Resort

For Benjamin Bartz, the U.P. is more than the place where he lives and works – it’s a way of life

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Calhoun

All You Need is Love and Tacos

Javier Fortoso of Torti Taco

Javier Fortoso followed his heart to Michigan — and found a love for craft tacos that became his passion

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Alger

Chasing Waterfalls

Bill Thompson of Michigan Ice Fest

As an event organizer for the annual ice climbing festival, Thompson draws climbers and legends from across the nation and around the world to Munising in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

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Mackinac

Spill the Beans

Carolyn May of Lucky Bean

As owner of Lucky Bean and a native Mackinac Islander, Carolyn May has been serving up coffee to locals and visitors since 2011

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Osceola

The Best Medicine

Michelle Ladd of Evart Pharmacy

Pharmacist Michelle Ladd embraces her small-town roots by serving the community where she grew up

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Allegan

Heart and Sole

Alan Baugh of Baugh Shoe Repair

At 93 years old, Alan Baugh continues his family’s century-old legacy business in downtown Wayland

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Crawford

Turning the Page

Rae Gosling of Hidden Nook Booksellers

Rae Gosling, former Michigan Main Street Director for the city of Grayling, starts a new chapter as the owner of Hidden Nook Booksellers

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I’m glad I had the opportunity to make a good impression and do positive things while I was here in a professional capacity as Main Street director, now I’m really excited to get to do this in a new professional capacity.

Rae Gosling

Hidden Nook Booksellers

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