Recent Profile Articles

Knock On Wood

Knock On Wood

Going into business with your friend? Sounds risky! But the women from Rustic City Living will tell you otherwise. Bypassing the Best Friends Forever necklace, pals Amy Calvert and Kristy Dipiazza decided owning a business looks a lot better on them. "We've been best...

Peg Finkelstein and the Historical Archives: It’s a Family Affair

Peg Finkelstein and the Historical Archives: It’s a Family Affair

"It's pretty much a family affair," said Margaret (Peg) Finkelstein, Director of the Peg & Mort Finkelstein Historical Archives at Temple Emanuel in Grand Rapids. At least, that's where Peg's fascination with history began. In March 2017, Peg received the Olson...

Giving Girls a Voice

Giving Girls a Voice

"I learned very early that no matter what was going on in my life, music was the constant that could help me through," said Stephanie Leonardos, President and CEO of Amerikam. "I would incorporate it into everything." On November 16, 2017, Stephanie will be honored at...

Wearing Pink and Saving Lives: West Michigan’s Real Men Wear Pink

Wearing Pink and Saving Lives: West Michigan’s Real Men Wear Pink

Breast cancer affects everyone—both men and women. That's why the American Cancer Society (ACS) recruits men to fight breast cancer through their Real Men Wear Pink campaign. The distinguished group of West Michigan community leaders is determined to raise...

A Strong Will to Survive

A Strong Will to Survive

"I need to be alive for my kids." Jori Phillips, a mother to three girls and one boy, was 35 when she felt a lump in her breast. She was breastfeeding her baby when one breast felt empty, and the other constantly felt full of milk. She went in for a mammogram;...

The Neighborhood Coffee Shop

The Neighborhood Coffee Shop

The worn wooden floorboards creak at The Sparrows Coffee Tea and Newsstand, and the back wall is five different shades of paint. "It's gritty, but warm and welcoming," said Lori Slager Wenzel, owner and founder. Believing that coffee is an experience best shared with...

And That’s the Bottom Line

And That’s the Bottom Line

Floriza Genautis, Founder and CEO of Management Business Solutions, Inc. (MBS), knows staffing. After graduating with a degree in math and computer application from De La Salle University in the Phillippines, she had a job waiting for her. Instead, Floriza moved to...

Fashionably Faithful

Fashionably Faithful

A new boutique in East Hills boasts not only ethical and fashionable clothing, accessories and home goods, but a place of encouragement and reflection in faith. Adored Boutique opened December 2016 in the Uptown Shopping District. The 1,200-square foot building was...

Still Flying

Still Flying

On July 12, 2017, Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation (AADF) flew into Grand Rapids to honor eight military veterans and military spouses who live at Covenant Village of the Great Lakes. AADF is a nonprofit organization with a mission to give back to those who have...