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

Midland

The Show Must Go On

Josh Holliday of Midland Center for the Arts

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Wayne

La Vida Detroit

Cristina Zamora of Xochi’s Gift Shop

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Oceana

Apples of Her Eye

Amy Baker of Peterson Farms

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Ontonagon

The Great Outdoors

Steve Hamilton of Hamilton’s North Coast Adventures

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Isabella

Fire Up Chips

Luke Sprague of Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe

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Ottawa

Anything but Artificial

Charles Elwood of SolisMatica

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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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Bay

Dyed in the Wool

Jill Zielinski of North Bay Fiber

A dedicated knitter turned yarn maker, Jill Zielinski brings out the natural beauty of sheep’s wool and puts her design skills to work at North Bay Fiber.

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Newaygo

At Schindy’s, You’re Home

Diane Schindlbeck of Schindy’s at Diamond Lake

When life gave them an old gas station, Diane Schindlbeck and husband Eric made one of the best laid-back pizza joints in West Michigan.

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Ogemaw

Man of Many Hats

Jeremy Hickmott of West Branch Township

As township clerk, DDA administrator, zoning administrator, and more, Jeremy Hickmott is working to unite preservation and growth in West Branch Township.

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Alcona

Love of the Land

Kristine Ranger of Northeast Michigan Healthy Food Initiative

Kristine Ranger has used her consulting and coaching skills to provide services to Northeast Michigan’s small farms and farms across the Midwest for over 25 years

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Midland

The Show Must Go On

Josh Holliday of Midland Center for the Arts

After a stint in Nashville, born-and-raised Michigander Josh Holliday is back in the Great Lakes Bay region and embracing the future of art and science programming as Midland Center for the Arts’ vice president of marketing, communications and sales

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Oceana

Apples of Her Eye

Amy Baker of Peterson Farms

As senior director of quality and regulatory compliance management for food processor Peterson Farms, Amy Baker is contributing to Michigan’s agribusiness industry with the largest employer in Oceana County – and knows how to spot a good apple.

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Ontonagon

The Great Outdoors

Steve Hamilton of Hamilton’s North Coast Adventures

As a Wisconsin transplant, Steve Hamilton is embracing the Yooper lifestyle and welcoming visitors to experience adventure in the U.P.

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Cass

All Cass, No Brakes

Emilie LaGrow of Cassopolis

Through the adage “if we invest in ourselves, others will invest in us,” Emilie LaGrow is helping to revive the village of Cassopolis from slowing to growing.

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Cheboygan

The Perfect Blend

The Cutter Family of Cheboygan Coffee Roasters

Jane, Jeff and Brody Cutter are brewing up something special in downtown Cheboygan with their family-owned-and-operated coffee roasting business

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Muskegon

Bowled Over

Corey Dykstra of Brunswick Bowling Products

As CEO for the largest supplier of high-performance bowling equipment and supplies in the world, contributing to Michigan’s manufacturing heritage is right up Corey Dykstra’s alley.

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Iron

Home Court Advantage

Jason Gasperich of Connor Sports Flooring

As technical director for the supplier of some of the most famous basketball courts, Jason Gasperich is showing the world what Michigan is made of

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Kalkaska

DNA of the DDA

Gayenell Gentelia of Kalkaska Downtown Development Authority

As DDA Associate Director, Gayenell Gentelia is committed to building a stronger Kalkaska community for its residents

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Isabella

Fire Up Chips

Luke Sprague of Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe

As Tribal Council Sub-Chief for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, Luke Sprague is honoring tradition and serving his community

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Wexford

Staying Grounded

Aaron Fekete of Owl Eye Coffee Roasters

Aaron Fekete is bringing his coffee roasting expertise to caffeinate the Cadillac community and beyond

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Oscoda

Bending the Future

Kyle Yoder of MetalFab Manufacturing

Kyle Yoder embraces his hometown and keeps his family’s business on the path to success in Oscoda County

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Gratiot

All Aboard

Jane Unterbrink of North Pole Express

Working with the Steam Railroading Institute and Village of Ashley Country Christmas, Jane Unterbrink has helped Michigan families make holiday memories on the North Pole Express for two decades

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Mason

Sticking to Success

Nick Tykoski of SafetyDecals

As the CEO of SafetyDecals in Ludington, Nick Tykoski is helping make safety stick

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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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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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