Grand Traverse
WOMAN MAR/APR ’19 • CAREER ISSUE
Career ISSUE
MEET SARAH good-bye corporate america, hello boudoir photography!
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S A M E G R E AT P R AC T I C E N E W B E AU T I F U L LO C AT I O N I N S I D E J OV I A W E L L N E S S
As of March 1, 2019, Pure Chiropractic will be conveniently located inside JOVIA Wellness, which is co-owned by Cathy Colburn & Dr. Heather Rassel. Dr. Rassel oversees daily operations, in addition to practicing chiropractic and energy work. JOVIA’s vision is “elevating lives.” BODY-MIND-SPIRIT. Other services include: massage therapy, Structural Integration (myofacial release), and energy attunements (balancing chakra centers). Amazon Blonde, a salon studio, offers hair design/color, eyelash extensions & nails.
Dr. Heather Rassel, D.C. Owner of Pure Chiropractic & JOVIA Dr. David Lowry, D.C., Chiropractor
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WOMAN2WOMAN BY KANDACE CHAPPLE & KERRY WINKLER
Grand Traverse
WOMAN northern michigan’s magazine for women
Volume 16, No. 4 MARCH/APRIL 2019
Behind Scenes
Grand Traverse Woman P.O. Box 22 Interlochen, MI 49643 tel: 231.276.5105 www.grandtraversewoman.com BLOG: www.kandacechapple.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/grandtraversewoman
THE
PUBLISHERS Kandace Chapple Kerry Winkler EDITOR Kandace Chapple, kandace@grandtraversewoman.com
SARAH BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY
IT’S OUR #WomenatWork issue, and we thought this would be a good time to take you behind the scenes of a GTWoman Luncheon. We just had our February luncheon with 190 women and 37 vendors! It was a biggie. And here’s how things usually come together: THE SET-UP Event planning involves a lot of guessing and secondguessing. How many will register? (Anywhere from 140 to 190, which means we have to decide if we are going to add a room to our room.) What’s for lunch? (Always chicken salad, but we sometimes pretend otherwise.) And, the clutch: How should we arrange the room? Somehow, the room’s configuration is always up for consideration at every event, even 15 years later. Why? No one knows. The vendor tables might run north-south or east-west; it just depends on Kerry’s mood the day she talks to The Hagerty Center. “What was wrong with last luncheon’s setup?” Kandace will ask. “Nothing,” Kerry will admit. “Then why are we changing it?” “Not sure, but what do you think of making the aisles into a labyrinth?” Kandace will very quietly back away and let the dust settle. Often, into the same setup as the last luncheon. Then, a map is drawn up and laid out with precision. Tables are labeled, vendors are ushered in, booths start to come to life. Then, boom, we hit a snag. Someone’s Feng Shui might be off, or, worse, they need electricity and aren’t against a wall. In a time of need, the GTWoman crew becomes master jigsaw puzzlers. It might take three of us to crack the code, but the code is always cracked (i.e. electricity is now available).
THE WEATHER When we started our events, we did not sell tickets ahead of time. We were wild and reckless back then, living and dying by the weatherman. Then, one day, someone suggested we actually sell tickets ahead of time. What a novel idea. Suddenly, weather wasn’t such a big issue because we weren’t left with some 150+ chicken salads in the wake of a snowstorm. Instead, we are now left with some 150+ women rolling in with snowy, bent hair and salty boots, determined to get their money’s worth. (Shouting over
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KERRY AND KANDACE AT THE FEBRUARY GTWOMAN LUNCHEON.
the fact that they made it to our luncheon at all. Nothing bonds a group like a real-life episode of Survivorman.)
THE TIMING Everything might look like it runs on a hand-wound clock of perfection at our events. There’s never a flub at the mic or a mispronounced name of a woman we’ve known for a decade or a scandalous wardrobe malfunction. Actually, there’s usually all of those things and that’s what everyone likes the most. What, they wonder, will they fumble this time? The February luncheon went off without a hitch. Although, Kandace got home that afternoon and saw her support garment was one hook away from springing free, which would have been an excellent icebreaker at the mic. But, alas, she sat, unawares and focused on her No. 1 job: Telling the speaker when she has five minutes left. This timing is crucial. If we run an event even one minute long, at least one woman will get up and leave, slinking along the far wall, hiding behind her purse. We get it. You have places to be, and it’s on us to make sure you get there on time. And it all hinges on Kandace’s very subtle five-fingered wave to the speaker at 12:55 p.m. This sounds foolproof but it often happens that the speaker doesn’t even see her. <Insert pure panic.> But, she’s a pro, and simply reverts to the four-finger wave. But, if things deteriorate badly enough, she’s not afraid to use the one-finger wave either and shut our lovely speaker down altogether. Know this: If you ever speak at an event for us, be prepared for anything. There you have it. A sneak peek into the inner workings of a GTWoman Luncheon. We hope you’ll join us for our April 10 event when Valerie Atkin speaks about selling in business and in life—heck, you might even convince your sister to do things your way!
ACCOUNT DIRECTOR Kerry Winkler, kerry@grandtraversewoman.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Deb Dent, deb@grandtraversewoman.com Sherry Galbraith, sherry@grandtraversewoman.com Lori Maki, lori@grandtraversewoman.com ASSISTANT EDITOR Eva Nienhouse, eva@grandtraversewoman.com COPY EDITOR Christine Kurtz DESIGNER Bethany Gulde, bethany@grandtraversewoman.com www.bethanydesigntc.com
COVER PHOTO Sarah Brown left corporate America for a career in boudoir photography. Read her story on page 8. Photo by Paxton Photography. PHOTOGRAPHERS Sarah Brown, Sarah Brown Photography www.sarahbrown-photography.com Scarlett Piedmonte, Photography by Scarlett www.photobyscarlett.com Beth Price, Beth Price Photography www.bethpricephotography.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Valerie Atkin Joelle Beaudoin Anne Bonney Kelly Brown Sarah Brown Connie Eisenhart Linda Fisher Breanne Fortuna Andrea Holczman Melissa Morgan Brittany Tembreull Jessi Wallington Amber Wilson ADVERTISING Kerry Winkler at 231.276.5105 or kerry@grandtraversewoman.com Visit www.grandtraversewoman.com for rates. SUBSCRIPTIONS To receive GTWoman at home, mail $20 (for 6 issues) to: Grand Traverse Woman, P.O. Box 22, Interlochen, MI 49643 ARTICLES/PRESS RELEASES Letters, inquiries, press releases and GTWoman In Business submissions are welcome. See www.grandtraversewoman.com for guidelines. MISSION STATEMENT Grand Traverse Woman is a bimonthly magazine dedicated to the interests of women in the five-county region. Our mission is to provide women with a publication that is educational and inspirational. We strive to maintain a positive, well-balanced and genuine forum for women’s issues. (We also like funny stuff.) © Copyright 2019 Grand Traverse Woman LLC All rights reserved.
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those odds, even I found a keeper! My real job had wonderful maternity benefits, health care, vacation and promotions. But somewhere in my 30s, a little whisper of discontent started to grow inside me. Did I really want to supervise the departments managing the finances for plant roof replacements, press stamping equipment and wire harness cutters?
THE BIG STEP It took two to three years of noodling: Leave? Don’t leave? Do something else? What else? Where could I go? Should I move? Can I support myself? What to do… I took the big step! Anyone who is honest with herself and leaves corporate America for her own business does so with lots of worry and trepidation. It’s a risky leap from “real job protection” across the abyss to self-employment. While the finance part of my job didn’t change, almost everything else did. Paid vacations? Forget it! Regular paychecks? Think again. And what I did each day got much more personal. I wasn’t working with future products, I was assisting my neighbors in their future retirement planning. They were depending on my investment advice to save for kids’ college and cash flow a nest egg saved over years of working.
MY FIRST CLIENTS
FROM REAL JOB TO
Dream Job BY DEBBIE CRAIG
I WENT to college for political science. After absolutely hating the intro course, I was looking for a better match. Then I fell in love with philosophy. Excited to tell my mom, I called home with the good news. Her reply: “Sweetheart, do whatever you like; just know that on graduation day, you’re not coming home.” What? You mean I have to support myself with a REAL job? Ugh. Luckily, I had also fallen in love with economics that semester and decided that might be a more practical choice. So, I headed down that road. I interned twice with General Motors during college and ultimately accepted a job offer from them. Corporate America, here I come! It was a very good choice: starting in the industrial engineering department at an engine plant and then on to finance—my real passion.
THE “REAL” JOB After two years there, I applied for and was granted a GM Fellowship. The generous company paid for my MBA at Northwestern University—tuition, books, computer and 50 percent of my salary while I was off studying. Wow! These real jobs did have real benefits! After graduate school, I was offered a great financial manager’s job on a future engineering project. It was very exciting to work on the investments that supported future technologies. As you might expect, there were more men working in “future tech” than women. There were five of us dynamic women among 250 nerdy engineering guys. With
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One of the early calls came from Sam. His employer had asked him to “retire.” At only 55, he wasn’t ready to stop working, personally or financially. However, his employer had given him an incentive by paying his health insurance for 10 years until he was eligible for Medicare. He wanted to know if we could start an income on his nest egg, then reduce it when he had access to social security at 62. Would there be enough or would he outlive it? Louise contacted me during her divorce proceedings. The marriage was ending. She had left her teaching job when she and her husband started a family—3 kids—about 25 years earlier. While only 54 years old, she worried about not being employable. If she wasn’t able to earn a living, could we invest her alimony to support her and last a lifetime? One of the most difficult situations came from a conversation with a neighbor. Kris had just returned from picking up her daughter just before the end of her freshman year in college. The university had called Kris to take her daughter home and get her into treatment for a serious mental illness. While worried about her daughter, Kris was also worried about her finances. Would this type of health care be covered by her plan? How would she fund a special needs trust for her daughter and still be able to retire herself?
THE DREAM JOB Using financial skills to assist my clients in making these decisions is the most gratifying thing I have ever done. It is truly my dream job. Every day I get to be a financial advisor with people who are depending on my advice. I get to care deeply about people while offering tangible assistance. I’m amazed by the beauty of compound interest and how using it can help people. I see products like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, IRAs, insurance, estate plans, 401k’s, Roth IRAs, real estate and many more as colorful little pieces in a financial kaleidoscope. Then I work with clients to strategically turn the tube in order to find the perfect, individualized financial design for each person. It’s my dream job! Leaving a real job to start a dream job takes courage (and a little crazy). Go ahead, take the leap to yours!
Debbie Craig, CFP, MBA, CRPS is branch manager of Craig Wealth Advisors. She started her career in the financial services industry 19 years ago and has owned her independent practice for 10 years. She is hosting her Women and Investing workshop on Saturday, April 27. She can be reached at 231.943.2920 or www.craigwealthadvisors.com.
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beautiful BY SARAH BROWN
INSPIRING WOMEN TO LOVE THEMSELVES, ONE IMAGE AT A TIME IT WAS 2007. I had just quit my “real job” working for a staffing company. I had worked there for almost 10 years and initially I loved it. But when I started doing photography, everything changed, and I was constantly thinking about how much I didn’t want to be in my cubicle and how much I wanted to create art. I had become miserable and withdrawn, and one day I was at Target and a lady started chatting with me in line. I was annoyed, thinking why must you talk to me? That’s when I knew I had to make a change. That was definitely not me! Over the past 12 years, I’ve found my happiness and learned so many things from being an artist. However, I’ve built a career doing something a little bit different—helping women see the beauty of their own image.
THE SHIFT After I quit my job in 2007, I wondered who I was. I knew the corporate world was not for me and that I was meant for something bigger. I wanted to make beautiful images, be a part of my community and feel like I was doing more than just making a living. I wanted to make an impact. So, I started photographing weddings… so many weddings! I loved it, and I was doing all the things I wanted.
A PLANTED SEED Then I went to Las Vegas for a photography conference. There, I learned about boudoir photography. I was instantly drawn to it! I had always admired classic nudes and smudgy charcoal drawings of the naked form. I could not wait to go home and persuade one of my friends to model for me. The light switch turned on. This was my thing! I wanted to create gorgeous images and change women’s lives. I came home completely fired up and ready to add this to my line-up of services. I was a little concerned, however, that people would get the wrong idea about what I was trying to do. I was unsure how it would be received in our more conservative small town. But I pressed on—I knew this was what I was supposed to do.
BOUDOIR, BABY! I initially only offered boudoir shoots to my wedding clients. It was the perfect gift for their groom. The grooms LOVED it! Soon, other women began hearing about what a friend had experienced. They wanted to try it too! At this point, my passion for weddings was waning. I was no longer feeling challenged, and I could photograph them in my sleep. I was burned out. I saw new photographers coming on the scene who were so passionate about their weddings, it made me feel I was doing my clients a disservice just going through the motions.
JUST DO IT!
PAXTON PHOTOGRAPHY
It took me four years to officially stop shooting weddings. Four! I was so scared to take the leap. I wanted to shoot boudoir. All the time. I wanted to empower women, and I knew that I could do that with boudoir. Two of my friends, who are also photographers, finally convinced me to go for it. They told me I was being ridiculous. I left our breakfast that day at the Omelette Shoppe, once again on fire for my job. That day, they gave me permission and it just clicked. I was going to do this! I was so excited.
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Was this easy? No. It felt like I was starting my business all over again. I was peeing my pants with excitement and terror. Here I was, now in my mid-40s, totally reinventing myself. But, I chose to look in the mirror and say, “Here we go!”
A SESSION FOR THE BOOKS Soon after I made my decision, I had a gal come in and she was so nervous. Like, sick-toher-stomach nervous. But she changed into her first outfit, a beautiful dress, and we got started. Once she was in front of the camera, she just glowed. It was amazing! It was like she had transformed. After we had been shooting for a few minutes, I showed her some images on the back of the camera so she could see how well she was doing. She gasped, and her eyes started welling up with tears. She couldn’t believe that was her. “OMG, I am beautiful!” she said. Immediately I felt a lump in my throat and had to fight back my own tears. “Yes, you are!” I responded. I had goosebumps! The rest of the session she just grew more and more confident. I joked that I wouldn’t show her any more pictures because I didn’t need her ruining her makeup.
LOVE YOURSELF Since her session, we have kept in touch. She’s shared that the way she felt at her session has stuck with her, and she now appreciates herself more and looks less harshly at her reflection. She’s been on a journey to get healthy, love herself more and be happier, and it started in part because of her session. I’m so honored to have been there to see this new part of her come alive. She has since booked another session for herself; the first session she had done was a gift for her husband. She has lost 30 pounds, quit her horrible job (and found one she loves), and is ready to document this updated, happier version of herself.
EMPOWERING BOMBSHELLS This experience took away all my doubts. THIS is exactly why I wanted to shoot boudoir fulltime. Changing the way women see themselves is what drives me.
I have since started a group on Facebook called the “Empowered Bombshells.” We are a group of kick-butt ladies who empower each other by sharing inspiring thoughts and images. Self-love is something that requires practice, and my hope is to keep that at the forefront of this incredible group of women. We’re there to encourage and uplift each other.
I’VE FOUND MY THING! It’s now been almost two years since I started shooting only boudoir, and it is the second-best decision I ever made. (The first was quitting my job in 2007 for my dream of doing photography full time.) I have found my “thing.” I help women step back, be vulnerable, brave and sexy as hell. They find a new confidence and empowered sense of self, not to mention a new appreciation for their butt. Who knew it was okay to love ourselves? Love yourself, ladies. There is only one you.
Sarah Brown is an award-winning, certified professional boudoir photographer living in Traverse City with her furry babe, Bruiser. To hear more about her story, visit www.Igniting-courage.com and scroll to “Episode 2” or visit her website at www.SarahBrown-Photography.com. Join her private, women-only Facebook group by searching “Empowered Bombshells by Sarah Brown Photography.”
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Women & Investing Workshop Ready to transform your financial vision into a reality? Join us for this interactive workshop to create “Your Prosperity Picture” SATURDAY APRIL 9-11:30 am
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Hotel Indigo Traverse City
To learn more and reserve your seat, contact us at 231.943.2920 or visit craigwealthadvisors.com Seating is limited.
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2915 Garfield Rd. N | Suite A Traverse City, Michigan 49686
Debbie Craig
CFP®, MBA, CRPS®
SECURITIES OFFERED THROUGH RAYMOND JAMES FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. MEMBER FINRA/SIPC. CFP BOARD OWNS THE CFP® MARKS IN THE UNITED STATES. CRAIG WEALTH ADVISORS IS NOT A REGISTERED BROKER/DEALER, AND IS INDEPENDENT OF RAYMOND JAMES FINANCIAL SERVICES. INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES ARE OFFERED THROUGH RAYMOND JAMES FINANCIAL SERVICES ADVISORS, INC.
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BETH PRICE PHOTOGRAPHY
Grand Traverse Woman
we all
SELL “What? Don’t be silly. I’m not a salesperson. I’m a teacher... accountant... mother.” Sales may not be your chosen occupation but, make no mistake, we all sell, all the time. Consider the following situations: • A doctor describing her recommendation for treatment options, • Sharing your ideas about the best place to vacation with your family, • A 16-year-old explaining that letting him have the car on a Saturday night will allow you a more relaxing evening.
SELLING SITUATIONS, ALL. I, like many of you, used to have a negative reaction to the mere mention of “selling.” Why does selling get such a bad rap? Terms like being sold down the river, selling out, being sold short, and what a sales job, conjure up images of the scam artist and certainly
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why you sell – even if you aren’t a salesperson! BY VALERIE ATKIN do nothing to endear us to the profession of selling. But a profession it is and, like any other, there are processes and skills one could benefit from learning that are used by those who sell well with authenticity and integrity.
MY FIRST 'NON-SALES' SALES JOB My very first job was essentially a sales position even though I didn’t think so at the time. A degree in psychology doesn’t exactly lay out a clear career path. Fortunately, a favorite professor of mine was able to get me a lead at Dupont, and I got a call asking if I wanted a job in Delaware. Having lived my whole life in Michigan, Delaware sounded, if not exotic, at least interesting. Off I went with my army green Ford Maverick packed to the gills with all my earthly belongings. I joined the Information Services Department as the only non-technical person. This was the mid-seventies and information services was in its infancy. A computer filled a
room. (If you’ve seen the film Hidden Figures, you’ll have some idea of what I’m talking about!) I was to help the programmers work with teams to begin to computerize portions of their jobs. So how do you influence someone to completely change the way they do their job? I thought it was psychology, but it was really sales.
THE TURNING POINT After five years in the corporate world and before I started my consulting practice, I worked for a small consulting firm. The president of the firm was convinced I would be a great salesperson and set out to prove it. We would often go on calls together, he the “salesperson” and me the content expert. On two occasions, he turned the call over to me saying, “Valerie is going to explain our approach and how it will help you accomplish your objectives.” The first time, I was stunned and tap danced
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my way through it. Afterward, he gave me some feedback and suggestions. A week later, he did it again. It dawned on me that he was trying to show me that I could sell. While some might have been flattered, I was annoyed. “I’ve explained that I’m perfectly happy in my role,” I told him. “I like being a promise fulfiller rather than a promise maker. Please don’t do that again.” Fortunately for me, he was more tenacious than I was. He said, “It may take some kicking and screaming but you’ll give it try someday.” I threatened, “If you do it again, I’m going to politely excuse myself to go to the ladies’ room and not come back!” But, then I started looking at who was successful and who was not. Many of my consulting friends with the best ideas were floundering because they didn’t know how to take their offer to the world. I decided adding new skills might not be such a bad idea.
IT CAME NATURALLY Hat in hand, I asked the president for a shot at it. I discovered I had a natural inclination to ask questions, listen deeply, try to understand client’s needs, and strive to fulfill them. It was the perfect recipe. I quickly decided that sales was either the easiest job in the world or what I was meant to do. Year one I finished in the middle of the pack, year two I was third out of 30 salespeople, and year three, while taking two months off to have my third child, I finished first. I discovered that people’s poor impression of salespeople pushing products actually helped me. Because when I thought our programs weren’t a good fit, I would tell them the truth and recommend other suppliers. Over time, that won me referrals and repeat business that I wouldn’t have anticipated. It was “what goes around, comes around” at its best.
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS I now proudly tell people I’m as much a salesperson as I am a consultant. I’ve had my own practice since 1991. I even suggested to each of my kids that they needed to have at least one sales job growing up. Theirs ranged from Dairy Queen server to real estate assistant. They’ve all since launched, and the sales skills they learned are a big part of their, very diverse, success. My eldest started in social media and marketing and is now a senior sales leader at Facebook. It seems that she’s the only one who pursued sales as a profession but her siblings are equally utilizing the skills. Her younger sister is a PhD research psychologist. She works with combat veterans with PTSD and is selling her ideas in every grant proposal she writes. My youngest is VP of Product Management for a software firm. He is consistently selling new product ideas and enhancements. Their application is very different but they learned and appreciated the ability to do all that sales entails and you can too.
RECONSIDER WHAT SALES MEANS Quiet the voice that shouts “I’m not a salesperson.” Look at these areas of life and ask yourself the questions that follow: • Visioning Do I envision possibility? Do I daydream? Imagine a better future? • Making contacts Who do you know? Who do they know? Who have you met recently? • Discovering needs When was the last time you saw someone’s need—maybe even before they did? Women’s intuition isn’t a fabrication. Neurologically, we are better at taking another's perspective.
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• Offering creative ideas and human connection Do you have opinions? What special gifts/talents do you offer your colleagues and family? • Addressing concerns When was the last time you brainstormed a problem with a friend or a colleague? How did you help them overcome barriers? • Asking for the order This is the step where many say “I can’t,” but if you don’t ask, they can’t say yes.” And bonus: When you do the above well, you often don’t even have to actually ask. My clients often beat me to the punch by asking, “When can we start?” Most importantly, practicing these skills is the gateway to the best part of selling... • Deepening the relationship I have made amazing connections as my clients have become my friends as well. Those relationships have made my work as a consultant, coach and peer forum facilitator amazingly rewarding, both emotionally and financially. I now know that my ability to sell is what has made it possible. Selling is helping someone discover something of value. Yes, we all sell, all the time. Honing and OWNING these skills will better equip you to offer your talents to the world and may even counter your 16-year-old on a Saturday night. It’s been a great ride for me! Valerie is a consultant, coach, and peer forum facilitator who founded Wells Street Consulting almost 30 years ago. Visit her website at www.WellsStreet.com to learn more about her coaching and about the Women’s Peer Forum she’s launching in Traverse City in May. She’s the on the Board of Impact 100 Traverse City and is on the fundraising team for the Enneagram Prison Project. She has three children whom she would want as friends if they weren’t related (and not just because they’ve made her a grandmother). She has a great sense of humor about everything except Michigan football. She can be reached at Valerie@wellsstreet.com.
Luncheons Grand Traverse WOMAN
Meet Valerie
Valerie will be the keynote speaker at GTWoman’s April 10th “Say Yes! How to Sell with Heart and Integrity” luncheon at The Hagerty Center. Visit www.grandtraversewoman.com for more information and to join us.
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Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan 1348 S. West Silver Lake Road Northern Michigan 1348 S. West Lake Road Traverse City, Silver MI 49685 1348 S. West Lake Road Traverse City,Silver MI 49685 231.947.8880 Traverse City, MI 49685 twomennorthernmichigan.com 231.947.8880
twomennorthernmichigan.com 231.947.8880 Each franchise is individually owned and operated. twomennorthernmichigan.com
Each franchise is individually owned and operated. U.S. DOT No. 1469296 | MC 554951 | MPSC 32908
U.S. DOT No. 1469296 | MC 554951 | MPSC 32908
Each franchise is individually owned and operated. U.S. DOT No. 1469296 | MC 554951 | MPSC 32908
Wells Street Consulting is now offering a
Women’s Peer Forum Have you “outgrown” or have limited access to professional development?
BETH PRICE PHOTOGRAPHY
Do you lack colleagues at work with whom you are comfortable sharing?
Valerie Atkin, founded Wells Street Consulting almost 30 years ago and has been helping people, teams, and organizations (and herself) grow ever since. For more information: Valerie@WellsStreet.com 734.649.4977
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The Women’s Peer Forum provides a confidential, safe haven for professional and personal development. We’ll be a small group who will meet monthly to address business issues and apply a curated body of knowledge including the latest in neuroscience as it applies to learning, leadership and resilience. Together, we will create new skills, confidence, commitment, friendship and ease.
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: B DO 1981-1997
Leading Millennials in your workplace
IN THE LEADERSHIP seminars I facilitate, “millennials” always come up. Managers in the room groan and gripe, millennials get offended (understandably!), and the once-happy atmosphere I work hard to create, is destroyed. I see this happening in the workplace too! Here’s how to be a positive leader of millennials in your workplace:
STEP 1: DROP THE STEREOTYPES No human fits into one neat little box, so the first step toward influential leadership with millennials is to drop the stereotypes. We want to create a workplace where people feel good about contributing based on the positive leadership environment. If we’re writing people off and making them feel judged just because they happened to be born between 1981 and 1997, they’re much less likely to have a positive attitude and give their all. (There are several schools of thought on exactly how the generations break down. For the sake of this article, I have used the Pew Research Center’s dates.)
BY ANNE BONNEY
The first step is recognizing our unproductive thought processes and increasing our patience. Then, let’s teach!
STEP 4: BE A MENTOR If someone on your team isn’t doing what she needs to do to be successful, teach her! Help her! Explain why it’s important for the organization, for the team and for them and their future. Show that you are not just a nagging manager. Show them that you care about their success. No matter when you’re born, you will always work harder for someone who cares and wants to work with you to maximize your success.
STEP 2: UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCES Due to the pervasive child-rearing philosophies that the millennial generation was raised in and the differing social and cultural changes during their formative years, many millennials entered the workforce with a different set of expectations, values and skills than those from previous generations. For example, people in the younger generation may have spent the first 18 years having more successes (earned or unearned), resulting in the expectation of more frequent reinforcement than the older generation may have been accustomed to. In addition, millennials may value self-fulfillment and selfexpression over traditional loyalty and work structures. They came of age in an era of freedom and self-expression, along with the immediate gratification of the internet and a retail marketplace, both of which play a factor in their expectations. Also, due to the heavy increase in technological communication, millennials may lack confidence in having difficult face-to-face conversations and choose different means for interactions. Neither is right or wrong, it is simply different than what the older generations may be used to. Understanding this can help leaders mentor millennials.
STEP 3: FORGET “SHOULD” I hear this all the time: “They SHOULD know” or “They SHOULD do that.” When someone learns one thing for 18 years of her life and then is dropped into a world with a whole different set of expectations, your belief about what they SHOULD know is irrelevant and unproductive. They DON’T know, and the more we cling to our expectations, the longer they flounder. Plus, you stay frustrated, creating high turn-over and high stress and lowering morale and engagement in your workplace.
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STEP 5: HOLD YOUR TEAM ACCOUNTABLE Showing that you care doesn’t mean that you don’t hold them accountable when they don’t do what’s required. You can show you care, mentor them and still follow through with consequences if they don’t correct the behavior. The key is in the delivery. Don’t approach the difficult conversation with a punitive mindset. Be sure they know of any potential consequences during preliminary conversations and that they can make the decision of what to do on their own.
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Then, if they don’t correct the behavior, let them know that they made the choice, and this was the next step you discussed. Along the way, discuss what challenges they may be having and share your intent to help make them stronger, rather than wagging your finger at them. You will have a lot more success with this approach—with any coworker! One of the keys to being an influential leader whom people want to work for is having these tough conversations well. If you want to get better at tough conversations at work or even at home, I highly recommend the book Crucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan and Switzler.
EVERYONE’S IN Whether we like it or not, we need everyone to contribute in a positive way to the success of our workplace. You can sit and complain about the unique views that millennials bring to the workforce, or you can make it better. Shifting your mindset is the first step toward a more productive approach to leading everyone in your workplace, including those born between 1981 and 1997.
Anne Bonney is a speaker, leadership workshop facilitator and the creator of the Igniting Courage Podcast. Bonney founded Different Shoe Enterprises and now uses her experience, education and expertise to ignite courage in her audiences. Book her today at www.AnneBonney. com or by emailing Anne@AnneBonney.com.
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WHEN I WAS 16, I applied for an opening at the original Venus Boutique at 134 E. Front St. in Traverse City. I wasn’t hired. Not right away, anyway. Thanks to a godsend callback, though, I ultimately was hired, and I remained at Venus through my college years.
THE INTERVIEW A friend recommended me for the position at Venus, and it helped that I was ahead of our time, already watching beauty guru videos on YouTube. I practiced my interview skills for days with my parents and rehearsed in front of the mirror. I laid out the perfect outfit on my bed the night before (a blouse from Wal-Mart and J.C. Penney slacks) and printed out my (very bare) resumé. That morning, I took extra care in doing my makeup. I was so super-duper prepared. And, I was feeling as confident as a 16-year-old girl can feel before a big interview. What I wasn’t prepared for: Susan Ruoff, the owner of Venus.
FROM 16 TO 26: T H E I N S A N E LY POWERFUL LESSON MY MENTOR TA U G H T M E BY KELLY BROWN
NERVOUS KELLY My parents dropped me off and wished me luck. In the back room at Venus, I sat across the table from Susan, sweating profusely. I was incredibly nervous and felt my every move and word being analyzed. Susan was cool and effervescent. But the way she talked so clearly read: “Let’s get to the point. What are you about? Why are you here?” At the time, I don’t think I respected Susan for her serious matter-offact-ness. In fact, after the interview, I dragged my sweaty self back to the car and asked my mom to drive me to McDonald’s, upset. There’s no way I’m getting this job, I thought. Not after that interview. Soon, I received a phone call that I didn’t get the job. However, in a miraculous twist of fate, I received a follow-up call from Venus a few weeks later. They asked me to join their staff for the summer. That summer job eventually turned into a permanent part-time position that I held for many years. In the summer of 2014, months before I graduated from college, I met my now-husband, went through an amazing internship with Traverse Magazine, and finished my last season with the staff at Venus.
GETTING TO KNOW SUSAN When I first met Susan, I was afraid of her. I was absorbed in my worry that she was judging every part of me, and that I wouldn’t meet her expectations. I lived to please her. When I did something that she recognized and complimented, I was filled with joy. When I disappointed her, I felt it deeply and worried about it for days. I was coachable and passionate. I wanted to do whatever needed to be done to show Susan how much I cared about my job. Susan is a stunning woman who walks, talks and dresses like she means business, 100 percent of the time. Over the years, I learned to respect her for that, and my image of her softened. I discovered she had one of the most wicked senses of humor I’ve ever found. I saw her as a supportive, kind and disciplined mother. The staff grieved together when her beloved store mascot, Frankie, an adorable, smush-faced French bulldog, died. And, because of this, I trusted Susan. I knew she always had her staff’s best interests at heart. When she handed out criticism, I knew she was providing it only as a lesson from which I could grow. To this day, I am filled with honey-sweet memories about my time at Venus. The original storefront has closed, and Susan runs a smaller boutique out of her space at 901 W. Front St. Susan taught me so much more than how to spot bad eyebrows and apply makeup. At 16, I was an ambitious, optimistic sponge, ready to
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soak up every tidbit of information. But at the time, I never realized the impact she would have on my life as one of my great mentors.
AN INVALUABLE LESSON Having a mentor is more than an opportunity—it’s an emotional investment. The greatest lesson I learned from Susan is that it’s okay to put yourself first. I saw Susan as a powerhouse businesswoman and an aggressive leader. She always wanted to be ahead of the game, bringing the best trends and customer service to Traverse City. I, of course, learned how to be an excellent sales representative because of her. But, beneath her allbusiness exterior, Susan still took time for herself and her family, and that was never something to be ashamed of. In fact, it was perfectly okay. When you’re in business, especially as an owner or entrepreneur, it’s easy to fall into the trap of only focusing on your business day in and day out. All you talk about is your business. But personal and professional development is just as important, too. Susan took time out of her day to walk Frankie (something that made her happy), pick her kids up from school, work out in the mornings,
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5 TIPS FOR FINDING A FEMALE MENTOR
offer training for herself and her staff, and she always dressed to impress. We are restless humans, but Susan taught me that taking time to reflect and relax is more important than the daily grind.
Beyoncé said it best: Who run the world? Girls! And, while we’re strong by ourselves, we rise when we support and grow together. 1) Find Someone You Want To Be Like – Don’t just find a job you want. Find someone that is like you who has similar strengths and skills.
SUSAN’S IMPRINT
2) You Don’t Have To Ask – Often times, mentorship organically happens, which was the case for me. Finding a mentor doesn’t always have to mean searching one out and asking her to be your mentor. Mentors come in all shapes and forms, from fitness instructors to grandparents and everything in between.
Ten years later, at the age of 26, I find myself mentored again by a woman like Susan—equally as powerful, running a woman-owned business while also raising her two children and squeezing in time for educational development, exercise and vacations. And, while more mentors will come and go from my life, I still smile when I think of the woman whom I tried to impress when I was just a nervous and ambitious 16 year old.
3) Evaluate Your Time – Step back and be sure that the time you’re investing in your relationship is encouraging you to grow and feel better about yourself. 4) No Pressure / No Expectations – Again, let the relationship grow organically. We sometimes place high expectations on mentoring when in the end, it is just a relationship. Mentoring is natural, and it’s healthy to let it grow like any other relationship.
Kelly Brown is a writer, marketer, fitness instructor and egg eater living in Grand Rapids,. Her writing has been published in Revue Magazine, Holl and Lane Magazine, Grand Rapids Women's Lifestyle Magazine, Solace Magazine and elsewhere. She can be reached at kellybrownwriter@gmail.com.
5) Don’t Check Out When Things Get Hard – It is bound to happen. At some point mentors are going to feel comfortable enough to call you out. And when they do, it’s crucial that you don’t check out. If you’re comfortable, you’re not growing. Good things start to happen when times get tough.
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When Generations and Families Mix in the Workplace A Q&A BETWEEN MOTHER AND SON BY LINDA M. FISHER
I AM A MILLENNIAL EMPLOYER. Hiring and mentoring millennials makes for interesting situations. When that millennial is your son, it makes for an even more unique scenario. I struggled with the decision to hire my son after he finished high school. He had interned at our agency for summers in the past, but, being so young, he did more baseball stat watching on his phone than actual work. Plus, he was off to Michigan State in the fall—or so we thought. Logan, however, concluded that college wasn’t worth the time or cost. He believed that spending upwards of $120,000 on college was a waste of money because, and I quote: “I’m just going to take over your insurance agency anyway.” I couldn’t argue with that, but I felt he needed to experience life, see the world, increase his circle of friends and discover all that college life provides. Being only 17 after his summer job, I agreed to hire him until he turned 18. That would give us a few months to see if we could work together on a full-time basis. I’ve always been close with my son, but he is incredibly stubborn and wants to be in control all the time. And, no, I have no idea where he gets that from! I know, too, that building a business from scratch has made me protective of my agency. Although Logan and I share the same initials, only my name is on the door. I knew that he would have to concede to his mom, and I wasn’t sure how that would go over. It quickly became obvious, and even humorous, that we see things differently when it comes to many topics, including marketing, employees and sales focus. Here are some examples of our generational gap perspectives: Why are you spending marketing money on letters? Linda: Marketing letters are a way to let people know who you are. You can include brochures, business cards and other pieces to showcase your agency and what you offer. Logan: Why would you advertise to people based on where they live compared to what they want? When you want a new pair of shoes, it’s no
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longer logical to drive to a mall or department store. There are only a couple hundred shoes to choose from, and millions are just a few clicks away on your smartphone. So, when someone is looking for insurance, I would rather have our website appear at the top of Google’s results instead of sending marketing letters to random people. Why don’t you have a company Instagram page? Linda: A what? Who? Is that like Twitter? (I thought Logan would be impressed that after four years I have a pretty active company Facebook page—that social media site he says all his friends left when their parents joined.) Logan: Instagram is my favorite social media platform. It’s practically a resume, but for people to see and interpret as they want. I have just 25 posts since 2013, but have 3,300+ followers who know about the people I associate with and what I enjoy doing. Facebook is similar except it’s cluttered with what others do on a day-to-day basis (I don’t care what you ate for lunch or your opinion on the president). A company should use Instagram as a tool to share who they are and how they can bring value to a potential client.
Why do you have an actual office? Linda: Some clients want that face-to-face interaction. When clients get frustrated over their insurance or need some guidance on a claim, many times they want to come in and sit down with an agent versus dial a 1-800 number where they get a different person with every call. Many of our current clients trust us, not a computer screen or someone they have never met. Logan: I understand when someone wants to sit down face-to-face to fully understand his or her coverages, but it doesn’t need to be done in an office anymore! The number of clients who require face-to-face interaction is quickly dwindling unless you run a nursing home. If needed, offer to buy these clients a coffee or lunch where you can set up your laptop and ensure that they’re educated and happy with their insurance. It’s much cheaper than renting office space. Today employees can use apps such as FaceTime, Zoom and GoToMeeting to communicate with their boss and coworkers. They don’t have to leave the comfort of their home, commuting 40+ minutes. They don’t even need to wear pants. Remote employees are no longer side jobs or people choosing to be lazy. It’s the future of being able to work and live thousands of miles apart! I dream of the day where I can work remotely, snowmobiling in British Columbia for six months out of the year, enjoying a tropical island in Bali for the remaining six months. I believe that time is much closer than most think. As you can see, although our ideas are quite different, as Logan said to me the other day, this working arrangement is turning out to be better than either of us thought. Our strengths in business are almost identical! With some of his mother’s learned knowledge and with Logan’s ideas for reaching the next generation, this is going to be an experience that both of us will learn from, enjoy and treasure for many years to come—regardless of how long it lasts!
Linda M. Fisher has over 30 years of insurance experience and was named an “Elite Woman in Insurance” by Insurance Business America in 2017. She is the owner of Cardinal Insurance Group in Traverse City. Visit www.cardinalinsurancegroup.com. Logan M. Fisher is a life-long baseball and Derek Jeter fan with aspirations of being a real estate investor and word traveler before his friends have graduated from college.
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March 12 and April 23 | 6 - 8 pm Cowell Family Cancer Center Conference Room 1, Lower Level 217 S. Madison St., Traverse City, MI Also available via video conference at these Munson Healthcare locations: Cadillac Hospital, Charlevoix Hospital, Grayling Hospital, Manistee Hospital, and Otsego Memorial Hospital. To learn more or to register for an upcoming seminar, call 800-533-5520, or visit munsonhealthcare.org/bariatrics.
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making the
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BREANNE WITH HUSBAND, CRAIG, AND DAUGHTER, HARPER.
small-business dream BY BREANNE FORTUNA
“For business reasons, I must preserve the outward signs of sanity.” – mark twain
ACCORDING to Time magazine, Mark Twain was a failed
BREAKING AWAY
entrepreneur many times over. In my mind, though, that doesn’t at all discredit his keen witticism about business ownership. In fact, after observing and admiring others who’d gone out on their own, I learned that entrepreneurs are both brave and reckless. Who else would abandon the comforts of a 401k-matching, salaried profession to pursue a sparkly, shiny, unstable dream of business ownership? Only the entrepreneurial at heart, of course. I know because I too jumped the corporate ship into the unknown, business-owner blue.
After about a month of meetings with the bank, we signed the loan documents for the business and the equipment. We filed our applications with the federal and state governments, paid our fees, and the health inspector gave us the thumbs up. I put in my two weeks at my corporate job, Hagerty Insurance, and opened for business the day after I left. I had worked at Hagerty for five years in sales, client engagement and in their café. The decision to leave was not easy. I had made so many wonderful connections with my co-workers, and I felt a real sense of camaraderie there. Going solo without that support system was the hardest part of the decision, but Craig really had my back. His confidence in me was the best support I could ever have asked for.
STARS ALIGN I’d spent many years dreaming and scheming (and peppering my poor husband with an inexhaustible number of business plans). Finally, in May of 2016, I was ready to take the leap. I decided to open a coffee shop and café. My husband, Craig, and I would be co-owners, but I would be the sole operator. (Craig is a Physical Therapist who works full-time.) The owners of Einstein Cycles Coffee Shop offered us an opportunity to purchase the business, and it seemed to me that the universe was signaling the green light to pursue my dream. We worked with a brilliant designer, Neal Steeno, who captured our mission flawlessly in the brand design—to provide a space geared toward taking a breath and enjoying the moment. When done right, I knew a coffee shop could be a place for the community to break free from the madness of daily life.
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ANXIOUS START Just days before our grand opening, I was driving east on US-31 N when I caught a glimpse of our freshly erected sign: Breakaway Café & Coffee Bar. I must have scared passers-by with my eyes bugging out of my head like a pug. I don’t know why seeing the words in black and white had this effect on me, but that’s when the reality of my calculated gamble and all its unknowns hit me. Hard. Like, square in the sternum, breaking loose an anxiety that trickled down and roiled in my stomach. I envisioned the various outcomes that the next few months might hold, and any control that I’d felt over them paled in comparison to the unknown. The confidence that got me to this point was deteriorating. Even with all the planning, tidy projections, well-written pitches and branded business cards, it came down to sink or swim, fail or succeed. I felt completely and utterly alone in my choices and their consequences. Judgments from others raced through my mind. “Whaaaat were you thinking? Your hard-earned retirement, your steady, cushy paycheck, and your safety net—gone! Poof! Finito!” When my fight-or-flight animal brain started its belligerent chatter, for some reason I reverted to my maiden name, Hulett.
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“You’d better not screw this up, Hulett,” it said. This internal dialogue was on an audio loop in my gray matter for almost two years. My therapist is still trying to work that one out.
SETBACKS AND SUCCESS Despite the voice and scary unknowns, we’ve experienced amazing successes in our first three years of business. We turned a profit in our second fiscal year, gained the best group of loyal locals you could ask for, and serve top-tier boutique coffee and gourmet fast eats. It may sound simple, but the effort, love, time and sacrifice that this success requires is not for the faint of heart. There were, of course, unexpected setbacks that had me questioning my life choices. In our first six weeks of business, our espresso machine broke. We also installed a massive retail cooler, and the process of doing so almost broke my back. And, during that first exceptionally busy summer, we discovered an urgent need to improve processes and procedures on the fly. As an entrepreneur, it’s hard to juggle all my business demands and also maintain a healthy, balanced self. I take so much pride in the quality of my work that balancing family, friendships, myself and the business can seem like a pipe dream. I’ve learned to let go of perfection, be kind to myself and to find gratitude wherever possible. I often liken the “idea” of having a business and actually owning one to the “idea” of having a baby versus actually being a parent. You’re told how hard it will be, the time you’ll sacrifice, the anxiety of shouldering such a heavy load full-time, and the sleep you’ll lose from worry (or unforeseen mechanical failure). The eager beaver that you are will acknowledge the advice with vigorous headnodding and a serious furrowed brow, not yet haunted by employee no-shows or exploding diapers.
WORTH THE RIDE I have never been more proud of anything I’ve accomplished in my life, aside from giving birth to my brilliant daughter. Because, despite the dangers and my fears, I did it anyway. The most rewarding part of owning my own business has been the connections I've fostered in this community. I truly feel like I've created what I set out to do—to provide the community with a positive space for meeting up and connecting, complete with gourmet coffee and food. My experience has been dichotomous—scary and dull, exhilarating and depressing, mind bending and mind numbing, anxiety provoking and gratifying. It’s been the most effective catalyst for emotional and professional growth that I’ve ever experienced. What with all the worrying and self-critiquing, I can’t help but summon Mark Twain’s wisdom again. As the sage failed businessman once wrote: “I’ve suffered a great many catastrophes in my life. Most of them never happened.” In my case, small business ownership has felt the same!
Breanne Fortuna lives in Traverse City with her husband, Craig, and daughter, Harper. To stay balanced, she devotes time to exercising, reading, drawing, writing and gardening; she would include knitting, but there are at least three unfinished projects waiting for her at present. Breanne can be reached by email at breanne@breakawaycafetc.com.
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Grand Traverse Woman
Grand Traverse WOMAN
See Jane Lose
EE
STRONG IS THE NEW
Beautiful
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO APPLIED. WE'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO THE 2019 JANES.
See Jane Lose 33 Andrea Holczman,
MAKEOVER
THESE THREE WOMEN WILL SPEND THE NEXT 8 WEEKS MAKING MAJOR CHANGES! LET THE FUN BEGIN!
Occupation: 911 Dispatcher for Grand Traverse County Height: 5'4” Weight: 196 Healthy Goal: I want to exhaust my kids, instead of my kids exhausting me. It’s payback time. :) What accomplishment in your life makes you most proud? I am proud of where I am now and what I do through my career. I’ve gone from an anxiety-riddled teen who could barely leave the house to now being able to embrace, overcome, and utilize my anxiety for my work at 911. Having anxiety helps me imagine and prepare for worst-case scenarios. When I am on the phone with callers, I can be strong for them. I have worked 11 years for 911 and, even though calls can be devastating and stick with me, I am glad I was the one to answer that call. Hopefully I helped that caller through the worst moment of his or her life. What motivates you? I have a mental image of what I want this year to look like, and it includes lots of running, backpacking, hiking and hauling my kids around for those journeys. I've Marie Kondo'd all my summer clothes from last year (they do not bring me joy!) and plan on a new summer body and wardrobe. I am very blessed to have a ginormous support system as well (especially my husband). What are your hobbies? Our entire family practically lives outside in the summer and we love to camp, fish, swim, rock-hunt—anything that keeps us outside. I also love to paint and garden.
JANE PHOTOS BY SARAH BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY
Read our e May/Jun ee issue to s the Jane
Reveal!
Why do you want to live a healthier lifestyle? I want and need to keep up with my kids! My son Parker loves BMX, and my oldest daughter, Jayden, runs cross country and loves to run all the fun 5ks. She is kind enough to walk with me when I need a break, but this year I want her to have to work to keep up with me. We registered for the Bayshore 10k as a challenge for both of us. My youngest, Willow, is my wild child, and I envy her energy! What form of exercise or activity are you most excited to try (or get back into)? Running! I have always wanted to be able to call myself a runner, but I do not feel like I have earned that title. In 2012 I pushed myself to run my first Bayshore 10k, and the next day I could barely move. For some crazy reason I want to feel like that again. Even though I was sore and stiff, I had never felt so strong before.
Laura VanSteenis
YMCA PERSONAL TRAINER In our training sessions, we’ve been focusing on mobility, strength, and getting into some high intensity interval training. I’ve been challenging Andrea to apply the HIIT principal in all of her workouts—pushing herself for short bursts to really get that metabolism working hard. The rest of the sessions I am going to help her focus on pushing to that next level. I want to see her working as hard as she can!!! Andrea has been very motivated. It’s easy to get super focused on the number on the scale, but we’ve been focusing on feeling good so that she can maintain this change.
Grand Traverse
WOMAN 24
March/April '19
www.grandtraversewoman.com
Amber Wilson, 34 Occupation: Early Childhood Specialist Height: 5'6” Weight: 266 Healthy Goal: Establish an exercise routine I can be dedicated to and to feel confident in my own body. What accomplishment in your life makes you most proud? I am most proud of being a mom. I obtained a master’s degree while raising two young children, and I've pursued a career that I am passionate about. My girls see the importance of teachers and education, and, most importantly, of caring about others. Through this opportunity as a “Jane,” I have put myself out there with something I have struggled so much with. My girls will see that vulnerability shows courage too. What motivates you? The desire to live life to the fullest. I want to be stronger and have more energy and stamina to take on life's adventures. I want to be proud of myself for accomplishing something I have failed at so many times. What are your hobbies? I enjoy reading, drawing, disc golf with the family and center pin fishing. I really like to try new things, so my hobbies change often. Why do you want to live a healthier lifestyle? I want to experience life more. During a recent trip to Colorado, my husband and I went on a lot of adventures, from hiking up mountains to driving ATVs through them. Every day I did something that scared me, and it was amazing! I want to live healthier so I can experience more and walk (or run) beside my children as they experience more too. What form of exercise or activity are you most excited to try (or get back into)? I am excited to try cardio tennis and an aqua class. I like strength training to feel myself getting stronger, pushing the limits of what my body can do physically. I am really most excited for the variety of exercises I will have the opportunity to try. What gets you most excited when you think about your future? The adventures my family and I will experience together!
Brittany Tembreull
YMCA PERSONAL TRAINER Amber is slowly shrinking before my eyes!!! I notice, she notices and so does her husband! Visibly she is smaller and her clothes are baggier. She says clothes that were very tight and getting too small (a favorite dress of hers) is now baggy. We have been training one week day and one weekend day, I get to see her on other days too! I strongly suggested she take my Strength Train Together class on Monday and Wednesday nights, and she does consistently. The best part is, she comes with friends and her husband! I'm so proud of them! Based on Amber’s current fitness level and weight, our personal training sessions are very much based on LOTS of sweating. Cardio, strength training, circuits using fun dynamic exercises—basically whatever is going to make sweat drip all over the floor! And it does each and every session. As Amber loses and gets stronger, we will get to more specific exercises to benefit her. She was once an athlete and her muscles remember! I am having an absolute blast with her!
Melissa Morgan, 37 Tammy Jones
YMCA PERSONAL TRAINER Melissa is a very motivated person and she has been doing a great job! She has been taking nutrition very seriously and has her entire family on board with her healthy eating habits as well. She's aware of how nutrition plays such an integral role in her future weight loss success. Melissa continues to work out on her own, with her kids, and with her mom. They love coming up to the pool as a family and swimming. Melissa has even invited her mother to participate in a training session with me, which was great! Melissa and her son can be found lifting weights and using various resistance training machines together on the wellness floor as well! Melissa is always excited to be at the Y and is developing great relationships with not only staff but members as well.
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Occupation: Child Welfare Social Worker Height: 5'6” Weight: 232 Healthy Goal: I am looking forward to jump-starting a healthier lifestyle for both myself and my family and getting back to the athletic woman I used to be. What accomplishment in your life makes you most proud? I am most proud of my strong relationship with my husband and our four amazing children. I am proud of furthering my education and becoming a social worker, who works hard to help others who are struggling to be better. I am proud of my strong-willed personality and the hard-working wife and mother I have become. What motivates you? My children are my driving force. I strive to be the best human being and mother I can be and to set a good example for my children. I am a very persistent person. My faith and love for life also motivates me to live life to its fullest. What are your hobbies? As a family we love to spend time outdoors hiking, tubing, kayaking, playing disc golf and going to the beach. I also enjoy coaching my kids at their sports and serving my church community. Why do you want to live a healthier lifestyle? I want to set a healthy example for my children. As an added bonus, I hope the physical activity will be a great stress reducer. What form of exercise or activity are you most excited to try (or get back into)? I am most excited to get back into the gym and do cardiovascular workouts and weight lifting. The more time I spend at the gym, the more I will need the gym to continue being a part of my weekly life. It will truly become part of my lifestyle and my family’s lifestyle.
March/April '19
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Grand Traverse Woman
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Love Welcomes All. Early Service in the Chapel at 8:15 am Upbeat & Casual Service at 9 am Traditional Service with Organ & Choir at 11 am
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tccentralumc.org 222 S. Cass Street Traverse City, MI 49684 231-946-5191 exploring faith & spirituality through worship
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March/April '19
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Grand Traverse Woman
WE MAKE YOUR HOME LOOK GOOD… AND YOU LOOK GREAT. GTWoman’s Annual
Wine Tour
30 OFF
$
Friday, April 26th • 5:30-9:30pm 3 Stops, 1 Bus, 5 Seats!
ENTIRE CLEANING ORDER Promo Code: E30C9
Expires: 4/30/19
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HAD YOUR AIR DUCTS PROFESSIONALLY CLEANED? BEFORE
PENINSULA CELLARS Will you be doing your Homework or spending time in Detention? Enjoy four tastings of your choice, including hard cider and our seasonal specialty and a selection of light appetizers from Smoke & Porter while visiting Peninsula Cellars charming one room school house tasting room! BONOBO WINERY Bonobo welcomes us to relax, enjoy the gorgeous sunset, and sample a few pairings. They will get us in the Spring mood with their new 2018 Rose. We think you’ll love it as much as we do! BLACK STAR FARMS Last stop! They will serve up liquid dessert which will include five tastings of their favorite celebratory wines, including their Delighted Sparkling!
Wear a
AFTER
Flower in your hair!
*Each attendee gets a flower to tuck behind their ear! Dress in spring colors!
Extra fun included: ENCHANTED PHOTO BOOTH If you haven’t already been introduced to Northern Michigan’s coolest new interactive photo booth, you’re in for a treat! The Enchanted Mirror Photo Booth is a fully immersive multimedia experience that will capture your girls’ night out! Enjoy decadent cake by AUNT B’S and dancing music brought to us by the fun and fabulous Heather Leigh of 106KHQ. SPA GRAND TRAVERSE will be pampering us with the opportunity for mini-spa services: Polish changes, Chair massages and Make-up touch ups. Also a grand prize of their 4-Hour Pure Serenity Spa Package will be given away by a random drawing to one of our attendees of the evening. Grand prize value of $260. TICKETS $60 (2 or more are $55/each) Must pre-purchase tickets. Traveling by luxury motor coach sponsored by Michigan College Planning!
Grand Traverse WOMAN
FOR A CLEANER & HEALTHIER HOME™ 1-800-STEEMER | stanleysteemer.com ®
CARPET • TILE & GROUT • HARDWOOD • FURNITURE • AIR DUCT STONE & CONCRETE • LEATHER • 24 HOUR WATER RESTORATION Minimum charges apply. Not valid in combination with other coupons or offers. Must present promo code at time of service. Valid at participating locations only. Residential only. Cannot be used for water emergency services. Certain restrictions may apply. Call for details.
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Register at www.grandtraversewoman.com today. Seats are limited to 50 and we do sell out fast. Grab your girlfriends and get a group together.
March/April '19 27
Grand Traverse Woman
MASSAGE FOR HORSES HOW A PASSION FOR ANIMALS LED ME TO MY DREAM JOB BY JESSI WALLINGTON
ALTHOUGH it isn’t what I thought I’d be doing, I can’t imagine doing anything else. My career as a massage therapist for both humans and horses has helped me grow as a person and a professional in more ways than I ever thought were possible. I’ve learned that sometimes you have to follow that “long and winding road” and trust that it will take you where you need to be. I did, and I can’t wait to see where it continues to take me.
When I was a little girl, I dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. I’d always loved animals, critters, and the creepy crawlies, too. I grew up riding horses and we had a family dog. I was the kid who would save a drowning bug from our swimming pool and nursed birds back to health after hitting a window. Attending Michigan State University as a pre-veterinary student was nothing short of a dream come true. But my sophomore year I quickly learned exactly what a “weeder” class was. Enter: Organic Chemistry. It shattered me to watch my lifelong dream of becoming a vet fade away. I took the class twice and couldn’t pass it. It was like learning a foreign language. I dropped out of the class the second time around and changed my major from pre-vet to animal science. I stuck with my love for horses and agriculture and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science. I minored in Horse and Beef Cattle Management. Not a bad major, just one that you ask yourself after the fact: “Now what?”
JACK OF ALL TRADES After working as a maintenance supervisor during my four years at MSU, I ended up as a resident manager for two separate multi-million dollar apartment complexes after my college graduation in 2009. I built a career in leasing and housing before I decided I had had enough of the high-paced, high-stress corporate world. I wanted to seek out the healthcare industry, this time for people instead of animals. It made sense to look at schools in the Ann Arbor area because I am originally from Southeast Michigan. (My being a Spartan, you can only imagine the awkwardness of driving around downtown Ann Arbor, AKA enemy territory.) I found the Ann Arbor Institute of Massage Therapy. I was intrigued because they focused primarily on sports and medical massage. After reading their online brochure, I was hooked. I needed to attend this school.
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PHOTO BY MAUREEN BELCHER
ANIMAL LOVER
I’M HOME! Now, don’t get me wrong. I absolutely loved my time at Michigan State. But I found myself absorbing sports and medical massage information like a sponge. I could not get enough of it. It was at that moment I knew that I had found what I was supposed to be doing. I felt like I was home. I ended up moving to Traverse City in 2015 after my graduation as a way to gain a fresh start. I started my massage business, Free Rein Therapeutics, on a part-time basis with a local chiropractic office. Within six months, I was in a position to branch out into my own office. Today, I have grown to a practice of over 350 clients. I am beyond humbled by the fact that I just hired my first additional massage therapist to help build the business. My practice focuses and thrives on sports and medical massage.
THE GIFT OF MASSAGE One thing that I learned during my time at the Ann Arbor Institute is that “massage wants to be medicine.” Having completed my certifications in Myofascial Release and Neuromuscular Therapy, I continue to have a thirst for massage knowl-
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Grand Traverse Woman edge. While I’m not a doctor and never prescribe or diagnose, I am often able to help clients treat several health issues. Whether it’s performing intra-oral work for TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) or working the muscles of the eye with a Q-Tip, I will always find a way to learn something unique that will help my clients. Fibromyalgia, TMJ, sciatica, and carpal tunnel syndrome are just a few of many issues that we treat. Post-surgery recovery for knee replacements, hip replacements, and rotator cuff repair are some of the most rewarding work we do. We work closely with primary care physicians, chiropractors, physical therapists and even dentists.
horses use chiropractors too!) or it’s a sore back from an ill-fitting saddle, we address it. Post-event work is done right after the horse has stopped sweating and its breathing has returned to a normal rhythm. We again focus on stretching and cooling the horse down. Injury management massage occurs when a horse is on stall rest while allowing an injury to heal. Regular maintenance work happens when the horse is in training between shows or events. This allows us to perform deeper work and focus more on a full body approach rather than spot treating.
NEW “NEIGH”BORS
A lot of people say to me “Oh you must use a TON of pressure on horses!” The answer is no! In fact, a horse’s nervous system is much more sensitive than ours. They have a more complex system, one that allows them to even shiver a fly off their skin. Humans can’t do that. When working on horses, I rarely use any pressure that is more than what I’d use to squeeze a tennis ball. We do a lot of very specific trigger point work with one or two fingers using the pressure it takes to squeeze a grape! Massage, on both humans and these beautiful creatures, has been a way for me to fulfill that little-girl dream of mine in an unconventional way. Without a doubt, I love what I do.
On top of all of this exciting “human” massage work, I have branched out my business to include sports massage work for horses. I have been able to tie my degree into the trade I fell in love with. Just like people have ailments to overcome, so do horses. Specifically, competitive equine athletes. Equine sports massage is broken down into pre-event, post-event, injury, and maintenance work. Horses who compete are just like human athletes—their bodies experience wear and tear, too. Before a horse show (pre-event work), we focus on stretching the horse and addressing any stiffness or tenderness issues that they might have. With horses that jump, we do a lot of work on the poll (the point of the neck that meets the head). This is the area that holds tension from the bit and from being held in a frame. We also do a lot of work on the front and hind end. The front legs take the brunt of landing after a jump, while the hind end is what propels them. Horses can also have back issues, just like humans. Whether it’s low back injuries (that sometimes require a chiropractic adjustment—yes,
DELICATE GIANTS
Located at 3301 Veterans Dr., Suite 207, Jessi Wallington established Free Rein Therapeutics, LLC, in 2015. The office focuses on sports and medical massage for horses and humans. For further information, call her 419.349.5104. In Jessi’s spare time she can be found at her family’s cottage in Quincy, MI, riding horses, or exploring Northern Michigan with her husband, Mike, and her dog, Emma.
come to a
FIESTA! 20% Thursday, April 11th from 11:00am to 11:00pm at
of your total purchase will be
DONATED to
Including orders to go and gift card purchases, too! Join in the fun and make a difference with your Thursday night family meal. Together, we can make wishes come true for our kids!
2455 US-31 Traverse City
Make-A-Wish provides wishes to Northern Michigan Children fighting critical illnesses.
Must provide this coupon or a photo of coupon at time of purchase. Please share coupon with family and friends and on your social media.
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March/April '19 29
Grand Traverse Woman
Grand Traverse
WOMAN
NETWORK NITE Thursday, March 14th • 5-7pm
Join Us for
N AU T IC A L NIGHT
See Jane Lose
Wear Stripes!
EE
See Jane Lose
MAKEOVER
(Plus the Jane Reveal!) This night will be one to remember! It’s Nautical Nite - wear your blue & white sailor stripes and meet the Ladies at the Helm. You’ll learn how to tie a knot (on the spot!) and meet Chairwoman of the Irish Boat Shop Board, Sue Stewart. We’ll be serving Rare Bird beer and... submarine sandwiches, what else! It’s the Jane Reveal - our 3 Janes will be “revealed” with their makeovers and share their stories with us. This event is always a tearjerker, in the most wonderful way!
Join Us!
Tickets Speakers & Prizes Wine & Appetizers
Grand Prize
Nautique Surf Session for up to 10 people $500 value!
YOUR 15 Seconds of Fame: If you’d like to donate a prize for the evening, email Kandace@grandtraversewoman.com. We accept 10 women to take a moment at the mic to introduce themselves and give away a prize related to their business. Put a name to your face with other local women! Bonus: We close the night with a slice of Aunt B’s famous cake!
Corporate / Location Sponsor
Smile BRIGHT this Spring!
Harbor Springs Charlevoix Traverse City
THAT’S THE SCHULZ ORTHO DIFFERENCE
Invisalign and custom esthetic braces treatment. Call for free consultation.
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Luncheons Grand Traverse WOMAN
Say Yes HOW TO SELL WITH AND INTEGRITY
❤
Speaker Valerie Atkin
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10 • 11AM-1PM
Asset allocation and liquidity. These are the things women talk about. Your financial stability, your plans for the coming years, the structure of your portfolio — these are subjects that are top of mind for successful women. And they’re subjects I’d like to sit down and discuss with you.
WE DELIVER! 1217 E. FRONT ST. ~ 231.929.2999 1294 W. SOUTH AIRPORT RD. ~ 231.935.9355
As your Financial Advisor, I can work with you in analyzing your objectives, managing your wealth and help minimize your exposure to risk. Call me today to schedule a meeting, and let’s get talking.
The Gegich Idziak Group at Morgan Stanley Shannon Chase Financial Advisor 300 E. Front Street Suite 300 Traverse City, MI 49684 231-932-7216 shannon.chase@ morganstanley.com fa.morganstanley.com/ gegichidziakgroup
Asset allocation does not assure a profit or protect against loss. CRC 2187563 07/18 © 2019 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.
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CHECK US OUT! 736 E. 8th Street, Traverse City 2018
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231.947.4274 March/April '19 31
Grand Traverse Woman #WomenAtWork
#WomenAtWork
Dorothy DeBlasio, Catering & Conference Services Manager
(PICTURED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT)
Hayley Dyell, Production Specialist Rachael Peterson, Print Department Brooke Blaida, Design and Marketing Amy Kohlmann, Owner Jenna Dagen, Project Manager Jennifer Phelan, Office Manager Stefanie Johnson, Design and Print Team Lead Image360 is proud and fortunate to have this amazing group of women on the team. They’ve worked hard to help make Image360 the company that it is and to achieve the TC Chamber Small Business of the Year Award and Top 50 Michigan Company to Watch in 2017, among many other awards and accolades. They’ve played a major role in the continued growth of the business - including the most recent production space expansion.
Hi! I am Dorothy DeBlasio and I manage events at Black Star Farms. The best moment in my job is when clients relax because they realize all their event details are being handled! It frees them to enjoy the experience with confidence and that is what keeps our clients coming back. Black Star Farms is a 160-acre winery estate the encompasses the vineyard, centennial barn, Inn and multiple outdoor settings. It provides beautiful venues for a variety of events ranging from corporate off-site meetings, wine paired dinners, celebratory occasions, weddings and more. Located in the rolling hills of Leelanau County, guests enjoy the peaceful setting just 15 minutes from Traverse City. Our team has been awarded Best Intimate Venue 2017 & 2018 by Michigan Meetings and Events and also the Wedding Wire Couples Choice Award 2017, 2018, & 2019. We look forward to providing every client with an experience that will not only meet, but exceed expectations. Events@BlackStarFarms.com Blackstarfarms.com 231.944.1258
#WomenAtWork
Their perseverance, creativity and positivity are contagious. They embrace change, continuing to learn and grow personally and professionally. They’re supportive, team-builders with the greater good in mind. Throughout the year, they organize and participate in various volunteer opportunities and give back to the community to help those in need. When not busy working in the business, many are proud mothers of young children. These ladies have been an integral part to creating more than just a workplace environment - solid friendships like theirs are the thread that is woven through the Image360 family.
Signage Print Design
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image360tc.com info@image360tc.com
Casie Summerfield, Mortgage Consultant NMLS #1787224 Have you ever thought to yourself “I wish I knew THAT when I was younger!” I know I have! It’s not always easy securing loans and establishing credit. A home is often the largest purchase people make in their lifetime. It can be overwhelming, especially for young adults just getting started. This is one reason I love being a mortgage consultant. It’s a privilege to provide people with knowledge related to credit scores and the long-term impact they can have on different aspects of life. One of the many ways Genisys Mortgage Professionals gives back to the community is through “Credit Boot Camp” classes at local high schools. I love educating teens and young adults about loans, credit, and other financial aspects I wish I knew about when I was their age! It’s extremely rewarding to know that I am equipping them with information that will positively impact their lives.
NMLS #162651
231.944.2658 www.genisysmortgage.com/casie csummerfield@genisysmortgage.net
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Grand Traverse Woman #WomenAtWork
#WomenAtWork
Carmen Kott, Wedding & Special Events Sales Manager Growing up, hospitality was not something I saw in my future... But now, I feel truly blessed to work in such as rewarding career that helps create lasting memories for people each and every day. Guests come from all over the world to northern Michigan for the beauty, and despite being a native of the area I never tire of hearing people describe how much they enjoy their visit. With nearly five years in my role as a Wedding & Special Events Sales Manager, I grow to appreciate what we do more each day. My goal is simple - make your event with Crystal Mountain Resort the best experience possible!
carmenkott@crystalmountain.com www.crystalmountain.com
Dr. Kathleen Sawhill and Dr. Sandra Leahy, Doctors of Audiology In 2008 we opened our doors with the intention of providing the best hearing healthcare to the Traverse City community. We are lucky to call Traverse City “home” and enjoy the opportunity to live, work, play and worship here. As licensed and certified Doctors of Audiology, we use “best practice” methods; including diagnostic hearing evaluations, hearing aid services and dispensing with the use of “Real Ear” measures on all hearing aid fittings to ensure the best and most accurate fit.
#WomenAtWork
We enjoy taking additional time with our patient’s to get to know them and their individual hearing needs. During the hearing aid selection process, a Lifestyle Needs Assessment will be completed in order to determine the best hearing aid recommendation. There is no one hearing aid that is best for everyone and therefore we offer a variety of hearing aid technology levels and price points. Our small, locally owned and operated practice is conveniently located in Logan’s Place West in Traverse City and offers ample parking near the entrance. Our small practice setting offers less wait for appointments.
Nikole McGregor - Owner/Designer Hi! I’m Nikole, owner of Chic Design Company. I am passionate about creating the perfect space for you. Whether it’s furniture placement, décor selection, paint, or applying that “perfect” wallpaper, my team is here to assist. I love mixing styles; like modern and classic, or industrial and glam chic; and I also love creating the perfect combinations of color, patterns, and texture. Our number one goal is to create a beautiful room that reflects both the style and interest you desire. For the past three years we have been helping clients fall in love with their homes all over again. Are you thinking about updating your home? Our flexible design services assist those interested in DIY projects to those who desire full service, from inception to completion. Did you know we offer a complimentary 30 minute discovery call to help jumpstart your project? Let’s chat! Chic Design Company 231.620.0201 www.chicdesigncompany.com ChicHomeTC@gmail.com
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With over 40 years of combined experience, we look forward to improving your life through the use of better hearing. If you or a loved one has concern about hearing, we can help. Call us today so that we can find the right hearing solution for you.
Mention this ad and receive a complimentary consultation!
231.922.1500 www.hearingsolutionstc.com March/April '19 33
Grand Traverse Woman #WomenAtWork
#WomenAtWork
Nanette Walter
Barb Cain ACSW, Jill Kimball ACSW, Laura Slaughter ACSW (top row) Janet Hughes ACSW, Darcy Britten LPC, Michelle Newman ACSW (bottom row) The women of Lakeview Counseling know that most of us face challenges balancing personal, professional and family demands. Sometimes those demands push us to the point of needing support or guidance. As partners in a female-owned business, we take great pride in our compassionate approach to working with individuals and families by providing the kind of professional counseling services that our community has come to rely on. Did you know that anxiety and other mental health problems are in the top five diagnoses that doctors see in their office? At Lakeview Counseling our experience has proven that most mental health problems respond very well to therapy. But how do you choose a provider with so many options? Begin by looking for licensed mental health professionals who maintain positive relationships in the community. Most of our clients have been referred by past clients, doctors, teachers or employers. For many, insurance is an important consideration. We are in-network providers for most insurances. When a new client contacts us, our goal is to respond as quickly as possible. We know it’s not always easy making a call for help. Our therapists are insightful and empathetic as they work to make your experience a positive one. Once in therapy, your therapist will work with you to identify the changes you want to make and guide you to discover your own path to wellness. Lakeview Counseling is looking forward to moving into our new space located in downtown Traverse City, June 2019. With beautiful views of the bay, our expansion will allow us to serve even more clients. Lakeview is here for you!
1844 Oak Hollow Dr Suite B Traverse City, MI 231.929.0300 www.lakeviewtc.com 34
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Nanette Walter, formerly of Bijou Salon, is now at Attitude Adjustments Spa & Wellness! Attitude Adjustments is a full service wellness spa that provides a variety of massage, skin and nail services, including eye lash extensions. Let our highly skilled technicians provide you with a unique experience.
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Angie Brown, Owner & Management Consultant Carlton Jeers Consulting, LLC has a “boutique style” focus – a one-on-one, individualized approach that is unique to your business. Our focus is to assist the Small Business Owner, Physician Practice, or Professional Team by refining your plan for success to define you as a business owner.
Attitude Adjustments Spa & Wellness 231.714.5018 www.adjustyourattitude.com
Carlton Jeers Consulting, LLC 231.313.5699 Carltonjeersconsulting.com
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Heather Leigh, Lite 96.3 At Work Host, 10am-2pm Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be providing for my family by talking for a living… but here I am! For the past 14 years, my “job” as midday host on Lite 96.3 has been to be a friend to listeners at work. Looking back, it does make sense, considering my childhood was spent listening to the radio and singing along to all my favorite songs. Radio was a pal, always entertaining and always there for you, playing that one song you needed to hear to cheer you up. Now, I get to be a part of that connection every day. I feel like I’m hanging out with listeners at work and helping them through their busy day with their favorite songs, fun contests and stories about family and life’s experiences they can relate to also. It’s so amazing to meet people who listen every day. They know all about my daughter Ella and my family life and tell me I make their workplace more fun. Helping others get through the day and putting a smile on their face puts a smile on my face too! Heather.Leigh@lite96.com www.Lite96.com
www.grandtraversewoman.com
Grand Traverse Woman
Carolyn Hubbell, LMT My 16 years of massage experience has developed a session of deep tissue massage without discomfort by incorporating thorough and precise muscular manipulations along with small muscular movements to gently, but effectively, relieve tension. It is my goal to help facilitate rejuvenation in all of my clients in a friendly and comfortable atmosphere. ~ Average rate: $70 for 90-100 min session ~ All new clients BOGO FREE AuSable Therapeutic Massage East Bay Township, TC Call/text 989.739.2749
Patricia Woods For 35 years I have enjoyed helping clients find home décor solutions that fit their personalities and interests. My work is specialized in draperies, roman shades, pillows, cushions, duvets as well as blinds, shades and shutters. I look forward to meeting you for a free in home consultation.
B F B AY
W I N D O W
F A S H I O N S
Bay Window Fashions 231.932.1210 baywindowfashions@gmail.com
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PATXON PHOTOGRAPHY
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Sarah Brown – Professional Photographer and Empowered Bombshell Hello gorgeous! I am a Certified Professional Boudoir Photographer. I create images of women that empower, ignite strength and a new appreciation for your reflection in the mirror. My team and I will pamper you for a day starting with professional hair and make-up styling then create beautiful images for you to enjoy every day after. These images will serve to remind you of how awesome and beautiful you are. Women come in all shapes and sizes and ALL are welcome. Whether you are curvy, athletic, thin or somewhere in between you are beautiful right now, today. We all deserve to feel good about ourselves and this experience is the ultimate act of Self Love. I have created a movement to bring women together. Empowering and inspire each other. Interested in being a part of this awesomeness? We would love to have you! We have a fun group on Facebook for women only. You can find it on Facebook by searching “Empowered Bombshells by Sarah Brown Photography.” We share images, we have giveaways, share stories, triumphs and laughs with each other. We can’t wait to “meet” you.
Change the way YOU see YOU!
Current Special: $99 session fee (normally $299) PLUS $100 off any collection of your choice.
Sara Recker, Sales & Design I have always had a passion for creativity and working with design. Being a sales & design professional at Kiss Carpet is an exciting lifestyle that allows me the time to focus on building relationships and creating beautiful spaces with my clients through our innovative design process. My drive is to provide our clients with the product best suited for their needs while staying within their available budget. I aim to go the extra mile and do all I can to fulfill your dreams, nothing less is acceptable. I am excited about choosing the right product that best fits your lifestyle and needs whether it be a custom tile shower or a luxurious living room carpet. In my free time you will find me enjoying time on our farm in beautiful Empire with my husband Tim and our 2 dogs, Selma & Annie. 231.947.7247 • sara@kisscarpet.com www.kisscarpet.com Traverse City, Harbor Springs, Mancelona
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sarah@sarahbrown-photography.com www.sarahbrown-photography.com 231.883.7481 March/April '19 35
Grand Traverse Woman #WomenAtWork
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Holly Donaldson, D. C.
Owners Vicki Biddinger and Heidi Hallett Twenty-four years ago we were each fired two times in a week by our employer based on a false rumor. Serendipitously, as we were leaving for the last time in over a decade, we saw a ‘for rent’ sign in a tiny spot that a friend had just vacated. By the next afternoon the space was rented and prepped, equipment was ordered and we were ready to open Pure Essence Salon – missing just one scheduled workday. Our simple goal was to establish a salon that felt like “Cheers”. We believed we could create a friendly, cheerful, informal yet still professional salon where we know everyone by name AND do great hair.
I offer Chiropractic adjustments that improve neck, back and hip pain, sports injuries, headaches, tech neck and more. Chiropractic care has been shown to help improve health such as flexibility, reduction of pain, and increased mobility. I love bringing health back to my patients. When I’m not at the office, I’m sailing or biking with my family and dogs! Holly Donaldson, D.C. 231.929.1335
www.traversecitychiropractic.com
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Andrea Elliott, Co-owner & Closet Design Specialist I love designing spaces that personalize storage and add beauty and functionality to a home. The best part of my work day is seeing our customers’ happy faces when they step into their new First Class closet, garage, office or pantry for the first time. We call it, “Closet Joy”!
andrea@firstclassclosets.com firstclassclosets.com
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We worked out of our tiny space for two years and our guests remained faithful. We then rented our current location and two years later our landlord asked if we wanted to buy the building and we did! This seemed daunting to a couple of veteran stylists with little real business experience. Ten short weeks later the salon caught fire, was rebuilt in six months and we expanded to the second floor. It seems as though nothing has ever truly been planned. For twenty-four years we have just kept doing hair and taken the next step as opportunity presented itself. We have survived adversity and our staff is stronger and our guests remain loyal. We don’t just style hair – we lift spirits, build self-esteem and confidence and do life together. It is a privilege to muddle through divorce, cancer, death, children, marriage, graduation and every happy and sad moment with our guests. Who needs a business plan? Follow your heart, be authentic, do what you love and stay motivated and the rest falls into place.
pureessencesalon 430 E Front Street Traverse City, MI 49696 231.935.1808 36
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Amy Northway, President/CEO (ON LEFT); Bonny Hall, VP of Operations When most people think of home health services, they may imagine home visits and care for the elderly. At Monarch Home Health Services, it’s so much more. Our caregivers work with people of all ages, with many different needs. Whether it’s helping an aging adult with help around the house, providing respite care for a parent of a child with a disability, or accompanying a vacationer on his or her travels, we’re here for you. For 15 years, our mission has been to enrich the lives of every person we encounter. We work with clients and their families to design custom assistance programs to fit their needs. We go above and beyond for every client, every family member, every caregiver—every time. Our staff is highly trained to provide exceptional care, from the first phone call to every home visit thereafter. We love what we do, now what can we do for you? amy@monarchhomehealth.com bonny@monarchhomehealth.com www.monarchhomehealth.com
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Grand Traverse Woman #WomenAtWork
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Deb Dent, Account Executive
Lori Maki, Account Executive
Kandace Chapple and Kerry Winkler, Publishers and Entrepreneurs
Hi, there! My name is Deb, and I have enjoyed being an Account Executive with Grand Traverse Woman Magazine for 13 years now! I am passionate about helping clients build a successful brand for their business by tailor designing an advertising campaign to aid in reaching the world’s most powerful consumers . . . WOMEN! I would love the opportunity to work up an advertising package specifically for you!
As an account executive, I help clients reach Northern Michigan’s female market with niche advertising in GTWoman Magazine. We work together to establish and develop the client’s relationship with their target audience by using print & digital advertising options, social media and networking at GTWoman events. Contact me to learn how we can grow your business!
Hello! We are Kandace Chapple and Kerry Winkler, twin sisters and publishers of Grand Traverse Woman Magazine. It’s been 15 years, and we hope our huge amount of hair makes us look like we haven’t aged a bit. Is it working? But our real secret to 15 years is all the laughs and love we’ve shared with all the women who make GTWoman what it is – real, smart, sassy, funny, new and warm. We hope you’ll consider becoming a part of GTWoman’s network – from advertising and articles in the magazine to attending our monthly women’s events where it’s all about building personal (and fun!) relationships. Our number one rule for success? Bringing together and getting to know women who are wonderful! #WomenAtWork
Grand Traverse
Grand Traverse
231.276.5105 deb@grandtraversewoman.com
231.276.5105 lori@grandtraversewoman.com
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SARAH BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY
NORTHERN ART PHOTOGRAPHY
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WOMAN
Sherry Galbraith, Account Executive Building relationships based on trust, hard work and a mutually relentless drive to succeed is what I love the most about being an Account Executive with GT Woman Magazine. I invite you to join the GTWoman events and pages (web and paper) and build your business among those who will build you up!
Grand Traverse
WOMAN
231.276.5105
sherry@grandtraversewoman.com
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Kerri Collier, Owner and Cremation Director True passion and empathy for people and pets is an essential part of why I do what I do. While the passing of a cherished pet is one of the most difficult situations pet owners face, my personal goal is that each family we serve would feel our commitment to bringing them peace, comfort, and healing through our services.
Grand Traverse
WOMAN
kandace@grandtraversewoman.com kerry@grandtraversewoman.com www.grandtraversewoman.com
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Kathy McFarren-Smith, Owner Alpha Mail, Inc. Alpha Mail, Inc. is a local business in our 20th year. I love what I do and the people I meet. At times it seems as though the “job” is secondary to the wonderful people I have come in contact with. In my professional life, I have created landscaping for multimillion-dollar homes, as well as managed a 1.2-million-square-foot mall in SW Florida. I have worked with a top-selling Realtor in Traverse City and was a Closing Officer at a local title company. I have also been a bartender in the small town of Kingsley. I have enjoyed every one of my professional experiences and all have taught me skills that I use every day at AMi. Alpha Mail, Inc. provides mailing services from inception to fulfillment. Services include: ideas for a mailing campaign; design; database prep and maintenance; printing and mailing.
ALPHA MAIL INC Kerri@GLPetMemorial.com www.GLPetMemorial.com
Pushing the Envelope Since 1999
kathy@alphamailinc.com www.alphamailinc.com 231.263.4620
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Grand Traverse Woman #WomenAtWork
Judy Worden, Web Designer & SEO Specialist Since 1989, my number one priority has been to see my clients succeed. I pride myself on being well-equipped to make recommendations that will enhance your bottom line and keep your business ahead of your competition. My services include Website Design, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Website Audits and SEO Audits.
269.998.4977 jworden@std-op-sys.com
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Arielle Sika As Co-founder and Creative Director of Current 120, I reenergize businesses like yours through branding and website design. My business partner and I work with One Client at a Timeâ&#x201E; to write, design, and develop beautiful websites in just one week. Email me to learn more about how we can reshape your business!
Current120.com arielle@current120.com
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Jessi Wallington, B.S., LMT Jessi is a 2015 graduate of the Ann Arbor Institute of Massage Therapy. She also holds her Bachelors Degree in Animal Science from Michigan State University, minoring in Horse and Beef Cattle Management. She opened Free Rein Therapeutics in 2015 and specializes in sports and medical massage. Jessi is certified in Myofascial Release, Myofascial Cupping, and Neuromuscular Therapy. She also offers equine massage.
Amanda Rubert B.A., LMT Amanda is a 2006 graduate of Blue Heron Academy of Healing Arts & Sciences, where she was also an instructor of a medical massage therapy course for several years. She holds a Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Degree in Sociology from Michigan State University. Amanda specializes in medical manual therapy and joint mobilization. Amanda was welcomed at Free Rein in 2018.
Free Rein Therapeutics, LLC. 3301 Veterans Drive, Suite 207, Traverse City freereintherapeutics@gmail.com 419.349.5104 www.freereinmassage.com
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Carmen Kott, Wedding & Special Events Sales Manager Growing up, hospitality was not something I saw in my future... But now, I feel truly blessed to work in such as rewarding career that helps create lasting memories for people each and every day. Guests come from all over the world to northern Michigan for the beauty, and despite being a native of the area I never tire of hearing people describe how much they enjoy their visit. With nearly five years in my role as a Wedding & Special Events Sales Manager, I grow to appreciate what we do more each day. My goal is simple - make your event with Crystal Mountain Resort the best experience possible!
carmenkott@crystalmountain.com www.crystalmountain.com
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Julie Raborn, Certified Holistic Health, Life and Self-Love Coach I support women to transform mindset, doubts, and dissatisfaction to reclaim your zest for life and love the skin you’re in! Gain emotional balance, freedom, confidence, awareness, mindfulness, release negative self-talk and judgment, shed weight, stop the painful cycle of emotional eating, and increase your worth. And so much more! Work with me to crush your goals and follow your dreamsstart living as the unmasked version of you that is already within! Live life on purpose! Schedule your complimentary discovery session today at www.truetoyouwellnessbyjulie.com/book-online to explore the core of why you’re not getting desired results, develop a powerful vision of the confident, energized, inspired version of you, and actions to start living as her now! True To You Wellness By Julie 231.715.8836 • truetoyouwellnessbyjulie.com truetoyouwellnessbyjulie@gmail.com
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Laurel Leithauser Livorine MD, FAAD, FACMS Dr. Laurel Leithauser is a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs and reconstructive surgeon. Her primary focuses are skin cancer diagnosis and treatment, Mohs micrographic and facial reconstructive surgery, and cosmetic services, including surgical, injectable, and laser procedures. Dr. Leithauser prides herself on her compassionate patient care and aims to treat all patients like family.
Lin Benfield, Professional Career Consultant As a strategist & writing professional, I develop or “refresh” resumes helping individuals change jobs or find new careers. In consulting sessions, we use multiple medias & networking specific to N. MI to improve search success and discuss whether training or college is needed on your path to a dream job! Additional services are English, writing & essay tutoring and marketing for start-ups & small business. lin.benfield@yahoo.com 231.590.9769
info@TCSkinsurgery.com TCSkinsurgery.com
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Melissa Smith “M1” (on right), and Melissa Smith “M2” (on left)
Melissa Smith and Melissa Smith In 2005, I started AYS by accident! I was only intending to help a friend with housekeeping for their vacation rentals, but soon gained an excellent word-of-mouth reputation. Before I knew it, I had more work than I could have imagined. So, I hired my best friend, (Melissa #2!), and AYS took off from there. Today, AYS is located in downtown TC on West Front Street and continues to gain traction as a premier Northern Michigan cleaning service. Our teams are fueled by simple goals of helping people, and making things beautiful. I now employ over 20 full time cleaners and 60 seasonal cleaners. My teams strive daily to maintain the highest levels of standards and to achieve our clients’ happiness. At Your Service Cleaning, LLC 517 S. Union St. Traverse City, MI 49684 www.aysupnorth.com 231.735.1094
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Grand Traverse Woman
P.E.O.
my sisterhood for life BY CONNIE EISENHART
IN 1995, after 32 years of teaching, I retired to beautiful Northern Michigan with my husband. Our two boys were grown, and I was ready for new challenges and opportunities. When I was invited to lunch with the local P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) chapter, I was leery at first—I knew nothing about the organization. But, I also knew it was never too late to learn. I’ve now been an active member of the Suttons Bay P.E.O chapter for more than 20 years, and it’s been one of the best parts of retirement. (That and grandbabies, of course.)
SCHEDULED I’d begun to mentor, was involved at our new church and volunteered at the local food pantry. In fact, I said “yes” to many volunteer opportunities as they presented themselves. Although I supported P.E.O.’s mission, I now had a schedule as full as I wanted it to be. Did I really want to take on something more, something that expected a lifetime membership? I waivered on this for several months and my husband finally convinced me. He pointed out that I had already become friends with many of these women. They knew I believed in their principles and mission, and I’d always enjoyed helping others achieve more. What was my hesitation?
SIGN ME UP! In June 1996, I became an active member of Chapter EM, P.E.O. Suttons Bay. I had never been part of any organization so focused on its objective: women’s education. I became inspired to support women as they achieve their goals and better their lives through education, and I found it fulfilling, too. My chapter alone has provided the means for many young women to graduate from Northwestern Michigan College in the nursing and culinary schools.
We’ve also helped many others pursuing education at colleges and universities throughout the state, country, and we even helped women in Canada and other nations.
P.E.O. PACKS THE PUNCH P.E.O. International owns and supports Cottey College, an allwomen’s college in Missouri, and has incredible scholarship opportunities for young women. I am very proud to be a part of that, and I am awestruck by the number of women P.E.O. has helped and the financial funds the organization continues to give. According to P.E.O.’s website, over $304 million in financial assistance has been awarded to more than 102,000 women worldwide. In Michigan, there are 132 chapters—over 10 in Northern Michigan alone. There are two in Suttons Bay, three in Traverse City, one in Elk Rapids and one in Cadillac. There are several in Frankfort and one each in Petoskey and Harbor Springs. All chapters are set up in the same way and are focused on creating funds for women’s education. And, although it can be work, the creative ways we raise money are always a blast. We’ve organized garage sales, held auctions and social gatherings, and thrown themed parties. We meet for luncheons, picnics, magic shows, Team Trivia nights, and more. We also make quilts and many other arts and crafts items to sell.
SISTERHOOD For me, the best part has been the amazing group of talented women I have met, my lifelong friends. We are passionate about helping women, and I genuinely enjoy their company and care about them. They’ve been there for me through life’s ups and downs, and I for them. And, no matter where I go, I know I’ll always have a group of friends—there’s always a chapter nearby.
P.E.O. stands for Philanthropic Educational Organization and has 230,000 members worldwide. Members are committed to helping women pursue higher education. The “sisterhood” helps educate women with grants, scholarships or loans, and they own and run Cottey College, an all-women’s college in Nevada, Mo. Hundreds of awards are made to each of these areas every year: 1. Star Scholarship: $2,500 to a high school senior 2. Program for Continuing Education: Up to $3,000 to a woman returning to school 3. International Peace Scholarship: Up to $12,500
4. P.E.O. Scholars Award: $15,000 for doctoral level study
5. Cottey College: All-women college in Nevada, Mo. Scholarships include merit, athletics and fine arts, plus student aide. CONNIE AND HER P.E.O. SISTERHOOD PAUSE FOR A PHOTO OPP AFTER A PROGRAM PRESENTATION ON APRONS. EACH MEMBER SPOKE ABOUT HER OWN UNIQUE APRON AND WHAT MADE IT SPECIAL.
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6. Educational Loan Fund: 3 percent loan up to $12,000
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Many of the women in my chapter were members in another city or state prior to moving to this area. One woman has belonged to six chapters over a 50-year time period. Her husband’s business meant they moved often and being involved in a local chapter always helped her adjust to her new surroundings. Chapters are set up the same, and the focus is identical. She felt at home with each move.
LOCAL CELEBRATION MAY 2-4 From May 2 to 4, Michigan P.E.O. chapters will celebrate the 150th Anniversary of P.E.O. at the Grand Traverse Resort. I will join hundreds of women who have accomplished their goals and realized their dreams because of the support they received from other P.E.O. women. It gives me great satisfaction to know I have been a part of that, and it’s an honor to be a lifetime member of this incredible organization.
Connie Eisenhart has lived in Leelanau County with her husband, Howard, since her retirement. She remains active at church, P.E.O. and through her non-profit, Remain in Touch, which provides incarcerated parents free books to read aloud and record for their children. Connie spends her leisure time reading, cooking and gardening, but her five grandchildren delight her most. If you are interested in learning more about P.E.O., visit www.peointernational.org.
Are you a tourism or seasonal business looking to reach the women’s market? Grand Traverse
WOMAN
GTWoman distributes 10,000 copies each issue to an average pass-along readership of 25,000+ Along with a Facebook following of 4.8K, we reach local women! Contact GTWoman to learn about our Spring & Summer Advertising Packages!
We have a great audience for: • Realtors • Downtown Restaurants • Wineries/Breweries • Lawn Care • Pet sitters • Vacation Rentals • House Cleaning • Races & Festivals • Guided Tours • Summer School/Camps • And more! Contact kerry@grandtraversewoman.com Or text 231.276.5105
Every Body is Different
We’re here to help you love yours.
Throughout February and March, we’re offering the special price of $35 to experience the InBody 570.
Celebrate you and your loved ones this year with beautiful flowers from Premier Floral Design and Gift Emporium!
Start on your wellness journey today by calling us at 231-935-8606.
Located in The Village at Grand Traverse Commons premierfloraldesign@yahoo.com | 231.947.1167
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Grand Traverse Woman
CAN YOU RUN AGAIN? GARDEN AGAIN? BIKE AGAIN? A career built on getting people moving again BY JOELLE BEAUDOIN
IT WAS
my first year at Central Michigan University. I was a French major, and I was feeling less than inspired. After a job fair at my dorm, I was re-introduced to athletic training. The A.T. world wasn’t completely foreign to me. During my sophomore year in high school, I tore all the ligaments in my left ankle at gymnastics. My recovery experience was less than stellar. I went to urgent care, where I was told to rest and ice it, and I was on crutches for three weeks. I was given no recovery plan and, to this day, the ankle still plagues me from time to time. The following year, I fractured my other ankle. This time, I saw an orthopedic surgeon who suggested that I do some physical therapy, which I did with the athletic trainer at my school, Trainer Nick. Why had my experience the next year been so different? Why did I get no care after the one injury, and complete care on another? The success of my recovery after my fracture was remarkable compared to my injury the year before. I returned to both gymnastics and softball and suffered no lingering problems.
THE START At that college job fair, as I reflected on my injuries and how important Trainer Nick was in my return to athletics, I decided A.T. and sports medicine were a good fit for me. After my first intro to athletic training class, I never looked back. Certified Athletic Trainers (A.T.’s) are health care professionals who are board certified and licensed statewide. A.T.’s specialize in injury prevention, management and rehabilitation of
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the athletic population. A large majority of A.T.’s work in colleges, secondary schools and physical therapy clinics. I wanted to do more than pre-game prep and ankle-taping. I wanted to teach the preventive aspects of how young athletes can take care of their bodies. I wanted to change the mindset that trainers just take care of you when you get hurt. We offer much more: we educate, help to prevent and counsel, too. So off I went. I left my hometown of Walled Lake and moved to Petoskey, where I was an intern with Northern Michigan Sports Medicine Center. I had always loved summering in Northern Michigan and was ecstatic to leap into a culture of active, outdoorsy people. The area brought me a sense of calmness and inspiration. As an intern, I traveled to Pellston High School for football games. What a unique and challenging experience it was, trying to keep ALL 14 kids healthy for ALL 10 football games.
ON THE JOB During my 14 years with Northern Michigan Sports Medicine Center, one of my biggest challenges was “selling” the concept of athletic training to Charlevoix High School. I proposed a program that offered a full-time A.T. to all athletes, not just a football team. It was a rough start. When a 22-year-old woman decides whether your kid can play, if he or she needs x- rays or should see an orthopedic surgeon, that is not well received. But I didn’t cave under the pressure. Instead, I spent countless hours building the Charlevoix athletic training program. Through trust, cohesiveness, communica-
tion and early intervention, the program took flight. I built relationships with athletes, coaches, parents and other medical professionals and together we provided the quickest, safest mode for athletes to return to sports. Of course there were challenges and failures. But there were joys and successes, too! It wasn’t easy convincing kids to stick with rehab for eight months after a season-ending injury. But the moment that that athlete stepped back onto the court and scored his or her first basket, it was pure joy, and I was the one they hugged. I was the one a parent called at 10 p.m. on my night off when they didn’t know whether to go to the E.R. or to see me in the morning. I was the one linebackers despised when I took their helmet after a concussion, taking them out of the game. But five years later, they thanked me.
THE PERSONAL SIDE While investing all the time and energy into the CHS athletes, I began to question how I could juggle my own family life along with my kids at the school. My husband had been nudging a bit more about starting a family, but I hadn’t been ready to limit my school hours. I loved what I did, but I did want to make room for a family of my own. So I transitioned to a more clinical/administrative trainer. I spent more time developing the prevention program and teaching classes in our sports med clinics. I had two beautiful children: my son, Thatcher, now 9, and my daughter, Addison, now 6.
THE NEXT STEP About three years ago, I was struggling with how to make more time for my family. I knew
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it would be hard to say goodbye to my sports med family, but I wanted to put my family and children first. One day, I stumbled upon the Centre Ice Fitness Center (CIF), a small, quaint, clean, amazingly friendly health club, owned by Tom Duggan. I introduced myself and voiced interest in helping with any dry land or off-season hockey programs the club may need. I began as a part-time athletic trainer at CIF. I was given the flexibility and freedom to bring in any classes or programs to the club. The beauty of this is that now I can educate an eager, active audience that has already taken the first step of joining the fitness club. Now my mission statement as an A.T. in the high school is coming full circle. What an opportunity for me to bring a preventive, rehabilitative approach to a health club! I’ve realized that it isn’t just high school athletes who need this injury prevention education. It’s everyone, from elderly adults to active adults to the weekend warrior. Everyone can benefit by
knowing how to prep their bodies for the activities they love, from skiing to golfing, hiking to biking or maybe just walking.
TEACHING INJURY PREVENTION Maybe a gym or fitness club isn’t your thing, but your knees and shoulder hurt and you love to garden. How can you get back to gardening? Maybe it is by going to a personal training session, but perhaps going to a flexibility class or shoulder workshop could help. I am inspired to help people train their bodies to accomplish their goal. And if I don’t teach them the “why,” I am not doing my job. So, my message to you is to take a courageous step, be more active, do the things you love, but also try something new. Take a different exercise class, do yoga once, train to walk a 5K, or ski the VASA. Enjoy the beauty of Northern Michigan, however you want to do it! When you do it, make sure you know why you are doing it, don’t just do another workout to “get it done.” Do it because you love it!
Joelle Beaudoin is a certified and licensed athletic trainer at Centre Ice Fitness, where she teaches a variety of classes, including TRX, Balance and Mobility, Core and more. She also hosts monthly educational workshops ranging from lower back pain prevention to concussion awareness. She offers injury consultations to help devise a program specific for a client. For more information contact her at jmbeaudoin10@gmail.com or Centre Ice Fitness at info@centreicefitness.com.
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March/April '19 43
trouble (in the)1412 hood 1813 momma
Grand Traverse Woman
BY KERRY WINKLER
TURNING 18!
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March/April '19
buddies sounded way too adultish. But I held my cool and reassured him it was up to him to invite who he’d like (gulp!) but we’d be happy to step in if he couldn’t find any die-hard Midland fans to go with him amongst his friends. Now I have to wait until May to see who he picks to go! And then came the presents from his aunts, uncles, grandparent and more. One in particular was what I called “getting even” from my big sis, Lori. She had made him a whole list of things he could legally do now without his parent’s permission. From getting a tattoo to going to the casino to buying cigarettes. I sputtered! (She is such a good influence.) Max loved the whole list and read it aloud to the party guests. I’m pretty sure he’s keeping it as a bucket list of sorts. There were also lots of cards with cash. An excellent present for any senior eyeing up college costs. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that the actual cash in cards part WOULD dry up after 18. That part you do outgrow, Max. Suddenly one day it will just be a quick “Happy Birthday” with a smiley face emoji. Via text and that’s it. But you won’t outgrow a birthday with your mom – I will still hunt up the best presents I can find to celebrate your day! Kerry Winkler is the account director and copublisher of Grand Traverse Woman Magazine. She lives with her 2 teenage kids in Interlochen. She loves being active outdoors. She can be reached at kerry@grandtraversewoman.com.
NORTHERN ART PHOTOGRAPHY
If you’ve been reading this column all these years (I first wrote this column when he was only 2!) then you know that Max loves politics. So when I was talking with my friend Barb about what to do - she had a great idea: Get him an official Voters Registration Form! The next day, I entered the township offices and (awkwardly) explained what I was doing there. No, not for me. Yes, I know he can do it himself. No, I didn’t look for the form online; that’s before my time. Yes, I for sure want the PAPER version to wrap like a present. (This must have been a first for them.) But once they figured out what I meant, they got excited too. A future, enthusiastic voter was on the horizon! After taking me around to the back offices and shuffling through boxes, they retrieved the form and presented it to me with a flourish. To top it off, they also made him a “Happy Birthday” note to stick on it. It was charming! (And Max loved this present, perhaps the note best of all.) That was a start, but I needed something else. That’s when I saw that the country band Midland was playing in Grand Rapids this spring, one of Max’s favorite bands. I thought it over and over. A present for the family? Or a present where he can go by himself with his friends = potential trouble? I bought 3 tickets in the hopes it would be myself and his sister to join in. When he opened them, he was happy. Then it turned to concern as he did the math. 1. 2. 3. “Ummm are these family tickets?” Suddenly he didn’t look so pleased. And I was getting panicky that a solo trip to GR with his
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCARLETT
Max: Will this be my last official family party? Have I outgrown them? Me: … Max: I’m serious. I’m getting too old for this. Me: Did you not attend the same birthday bash last month for your grandpa? With all the family in attendance?? Max: …. Me. You haven’t outgrown anything. No such luck, mister. And so began the 18-year-old’s struggle of perhaps he’d “outgrown” things. Of course, we’d have a birthday party for him so that I could orchestrate a lengthy family meal with no cellphones to interrupt. And I needed the best presents to ring in such a big birthday!
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momma 1614
KENDALL'S FIRST CAR
OUR 16-YEAR-OLD son just got his first car. It’s a 2008 Ford Escape. There’s only one ignition key, the tailgate seems to be coming apart, and the power steering just went. All in all, it’s the perfect first car. Because a first car has to be something to work up from. There has to be angst, scratches, dents, and a father constantly wondering when he’s going to find time to fix the next problem.
THE FOB FIASCO The last owner lost the key FOB, but we have a friend who works at a car dealership who said he could help find a replacement. “Send Kendall down after school,” he said. This was about the first week Kendall had driven to school. He had one rule at this point: no extra passengers in the car because it’s the law. However, after Dan helped Kendall secure a FOB, he snapped a quick picture of a boy and his new ride and texted it to me. “OMG,” I texted back. “Do I see three kids in that car? He’s breaking the rules!” An immediate reply: “Delete this text, you never heard from me, I don’t know who you are.” Dan’s popularity with the kids was hanging in the balance. “Send him home,” I texted back. “It’s been nice knowing you.” I met Kendall at the door. “I thought the state law said you couldn’t have minors in the car?” I was trying to strike the fear of jail into a new driver’s heart. “You can if it’s on the way home from school,” Kendall was calm. Dan must have warned him. “Do you attend school at a car dealership?” I asked. “Isaac Googled it,” Kendall said. “We’re legit.” I made him show me, and it was true: By law, he could have minors in the car on the way home from school or a school event. Does that include stops at the car dealership? That remains to be seen.
BY KANDACE CHAPPLE WWW.KANDACECHAPPLE.COM
THE BROKEN CURFEW Next, establishing a curfew. But the beauty of Michigan is that he has to be home by 10 p.m. Mothers and fathers everywhere can now throw up their hands and say: Sure we’d let you stay out later, but our hands are tied. It’s the law. Of course, his first night out, he showed up late, at 10:15 p.m. Kendall was barely inside when I asked the obvious: “CAN YOU TELL TIME?” “It was snowy,” he said. “I had to go slow.” “You should have left earlier,” I said (again, stating the obvious). “I’m sorry, it won’t happen again.” But I wouldn’t let it drop. I had to play tough if I was going to steer this ship. “And where were you that took so long?” I asked. Of course, I’d tracked him on my phone the entire night. He’d been to the mall, Cracker Barrel and the movie theater. “The movies, like I told you.” “Then why were you at Cracker Barrel?” I asked, ah ha! Kendall gave me a long look as he considered my intel. “You tracked me the whole night?” he asked. Sidenote: I wasn’t sure then and I’m not sure now, how I feel about being a stalker. But I said this with bravado: “I pay the bill for your phone, young man!” “Yes, Mom, we hit Cracker Barrel,” he said. “But don’t worry, Mom, I still love ya even if you are a stalker!” Then he gave me a kiss and a hug and went to his room. I was still spluttering but I was, in a wild turn of events, laughing. And that was the moment I knew I’d lost control. He’d broken his very first curfew and walked away scot-free, overturning me with a moment’s worth of affection.
THE REPAIRS The repairs seem to be coming on faster than the gas bills. The tailgate has issues. The power steering went out. Then, yesterday, his windshield wiper came off. But, and this is the clincher, Kendall didn’t know where he’d lost it… until he got home and saw it in the snowbank next to where he parks. “There it was—right in the yard when I got home!” Kendall said. “Didn’t you need your wipers today?” I asked. It had snowed for the last four days. “Just once,” he said. My husband and I exchanged a look of sheer terror. “Do you have a huge scratch in your windshield?” his father asked, rising from his chair. “Not that I saw,” he said. Well, that’s reassuring. But, no, he didn’t. The story was, actually, funny. He said he must have knocked it loose while cleaning the snow off his car that morning and never saw it fly. Was this even possible? Apparently. We had had a lot of snow. And the stories like this just keep coming. It’s actually kind of fun. Oh, to be a teenager again: The more the car falls apart (there’s still no power steering!), the better the stories get!
Kandace Chapple is the editor and co-publisher of Grand Traverse Woman. Her essays have been published in Writer’s Digest, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Literary Mama, Motherwell and more. She loves to mountain bike on Northern Michigan trails, hike with her dog (Cookie!), and spend time with her husband and two sons. Visit her at www.kandacechapple.com.
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NORTHERN ART PHOTOGRAPHY
Grand Traverse Woman
March/April '19 45
BETH PRICE PHOTOGRAPHY
Grand Traverse Woman
Luncheons Grand Traverse WOMAN
Valerie Atkin
Wed, April 10th 11am-1pm
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YES! You can sell! In fact, you already sell every single day. Valerie Atkin will share how she initially resisted the idea that she was selling and discovered that not only was she selling in every job she held, but that she liked it! You’ll spend this lunch learning that most women are naturals at what it takes to authentically “sell” with integrity. Valerie will show you how you are already selling—whether it’s an idea to a colleague or an actual product—and how you can define and harness those skills to do it more effectively. She’ll share how to maximize communication and be more influential. And you’ll practice the one ESSENTIAL skill upon which all the others build. You’ll leave with new insight and eager to practice new skills. Valerie is a consultant, coach, and peer forum facilitator who founded Wells Street Consulting almost 30 years ago. She’s the on the Board of Impact 100 Traverse City and is on the fundraising team for the Enneagram Prison Project. She has three children whom she would want as friends even if they weren’t related (and not just because they’ve made her a grandmother). She has a great sense of humor about everything except Michigan football. Visit her website at www.WellsStreet.com to learn more about her coaching and about the Women’s Peer Forum she’s launching in Traverse City in May.
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