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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Kalamazoo

Homegrown Success

Rachel Plankenhorn of the Village Hide-A-Way

From Colorado to her hometown community, Rachel Plankenhorn is proud to be a part of Vicksburg’s oldest family business

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Kent

Eyes on the Prize

Catlin Whitington of ArtPrize

Austin, Texas, transplant Catlin Whitington moved with his family to Grand Rapids to be at the helm of ArtPrize, the world’s most attended public art event

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Ottawa

Anything but Artificial

Charles Elwood of SolisMatica

From (Power BI) dreams to (AI MVP) realities, Charles Elwood is using his passion for AI to build on Michigan’s leadership in tech

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Berrien

That’s My Jam

Aiye Akhigbe of Sticky Spoons Jam

From a Navy veteran to a small business owner in Southwest Michigan, Aiye Akhigbe is making the world sweeter with her jam shop

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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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Montcalm

Keep Montcalm and Carry On

Duane Weed of Discover Montcalm Podcast

As host of the Discover Montcalm podcast and owner of DW Video & Multimedia, Duane Weed captures the sights and sounds of the Montcalm community

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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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Leelanau 

Bubbles Up

Larry Mawby of MAWBY Vineyards and Winery

As the Mawby of MAWBY Vineyards and Winery, Larry Mawby is enjoying the fruits of his labor as a wine pioneer in the Leelanau region and embracing the retired life in Northern Michigan

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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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Lake

Recipe for Success

Dina Velocci of 876 Baldwin

Dina Velocci and her husband created a dining destination and inspired community revitalization in the small West Michigan village of Baldwin.

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Clinton

Sweet as Pie

Ellie Sutherland of Sweetie-licious Bakery

Serving up baked goods and a slice of nostalgia in downtown DeWitt, Ellie Sutherland is carrying on the tradition of her mom’s pie shop

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Emmet

It's in the Bag

Barbara May of B.May Bags

Perched in Petoskey, designer Barbara May brings her passion for fashion to the masses with B.May Bags

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Oakland

ONE in a Million

Holly Schwarzwalder of Our Next Energy

Holly Schwarzwalder moved to Michigan to pursue a career in the state’s thriving automotive industry. Now she’s a program manager with Our Next Energy, a Michigan-born energy storage company looking to electrify the future.

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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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Presque Isle

State of the Art

Tim Pritchard of Domaci Gallery

Tim Pritchard is creating a home for art and community at Domaci Gallery in Rogers City

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Marquette

Rise UP

Bugsy Sailor of the Upper Peninsula Supply Company

As a prolific photographer of Michigan sunrises, co-founder of the Fresh Coast Film Festival and creator of 906 Day and Plaidurday, Bugsy Sailor is spreading his love of the U.P. across the state and the globe

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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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