Recent Profile Articles

A Party on Wheels

A Party on Wheels

Some people love bar crawls. Some people love bicycling. Laurie Ryan loves both. She also loves Grand Rapids—and  from the combination of the three came the Great Lakes Pub Cruiser, in April 2012. Laurie got the idea for this party on wheels during a trip to...

How Do You Spell Passion?

How Do You Spell Passion?

How do you spell passion? In Grand Rapids, it's S-H-A-N-N-O-N-W-I-L-S-O-N. As executive director of the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute, Shannon is working to bridge the gaps in available health care and the knowledge base of healthy lifestyles among...

Road Trip to Success

Road Trip to Success

The road of life Lori Baker travels has not always been smooth, but it has always led her to interesting places. When she was a teenager, newly married, and recently a mother, she and her husband sold everything they had, removed the backseat of their 1969 Dodge...

Local Sweet Tooth Cure

Local Sweet Tooth Cure

What do you get when you mix small business know-how with a sweet tooth—and sprinkle in a little family love? Rita Girl's Boutique Bakery, in downtown Grand Rapids. Founder Micki Ackerman and pastry chef Maria Tornga (aka Micki's niece) are whipping up treats...

Smart As a Baby’s Bottom: Cloth Diapers Making a Comeback

Smart As a Baby’s Bottom: Cloth Diapers Making a Comeback

When they had their first child, Christy Malone and her husband diapered their newborn the same way hundreds of thousands of parents do (multiple times) everyday—with a disposable. And like many parents, Christy didn't do any research on the substances that are used...

Smart As a Baby’s Bottom: Cloth Diapers Making a Comeback

When they had their first child, Christy Malone and her husband diapered their newborn the same way hundreds of thousands of parents do (multiple times) everyday—with a disposable. And like many parents, Christy didn't do any research on the substances that are used...

Local Entrepreneur’s Plans Come to Life

Local Entrepreneur’s Plans Come to Life

What was originally a school project turned into an opportunity of a lifetime for Kelly LeCoy. Kelly went to study business marketing at Calvin College, where a business plan she came up with for local business turned into one of her best ideas. After turning in her...

Holland’s Girlfriends Weekend Sure to Impress

Holland’s Girlfriends Weekend Sure to Impress

Quick to sell out and sure to entertain, Holland's Girlfriends Weekend is a hit among local ladies and out-of-town BFFs. Coming to the lakeshore this March, it's a weekend full of shopping, primping, cocktailing, and fun.  "It's an in-demand event," said Kara de...

Mixing It Up

Mixing It Up

Kellie Rowland loves to mix up life—literally. And at the JW Marriott's six.one.six mixology bar, she does much more than take drink orders: She's a beverage artist, and people are starting to notice. Kellie was recently recognized by Experience Grand Rapids with a...