Recent Profile Articles

From Spare Room to Storefront: Local Designer Blazes Her Own Trail

From Spare Room to Storefront: Local Designer Blazes Her Own Trail

What happens when the daughter of an entrepreneurial family graduates from law school, lands her dream job in Miami, then realizes she's really not in love with it like she thought she'd be? Well, for Jamie Loeks Duffield, the next step was clear: start her own...

Keep On Tasting

Keep On Tasting

West Michigan Woman is thrilled that Amy Sherman will be joining us for Ladies Pint Out—again! Two years ago, she shared about her work with local food and some of her favorite places to grab food and drinks. But dang, this woman is busy! We just had to catch up with...

Parks and Recreation

Parks and Recreation

"If the sun is shining, or if I have time off, you'll find me outside," said Stephanie Adams, Executive Director, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks. From white water rafting in Michigan's Upper Peninsula to running the Rock n Roll marathon in New Orleans, Adams and her...

Q&A: Sandra Gaddy

Q&A: Sandra Gaddy

On March 22, 2017, Sandra Gaddy began her new role as CEO of Women's Resource Center (WRC)—a nonprofit organization that advocates for women to achieve economic independence through meaningful employment. Sandra brings over 20 years of experience in strategic planning...

A Bold Leader for a Bold Initiative

A Bold Leader for a Bold Initiative

"A lot of who I am today has to do with the role my parents played in providing a family environment that is loving and focuses on supporting one another," said Erica Bills, Executive Director, Susan G. Komen Michigan. Erica grew up in Jackson, Michigan, raised by...

Q&A: Author Hope Alcocer

Q&A: Author Hope Alcocer

Entrepreneur Hope Alcocer recently published her debut novel, Where Hope Lies—a story that follows the journey of Chloe Repaco, a 20-something college graduate in love with a soldier stationed overseas. It's a story of love, heartache and pain. And it's inspired by...

An Easier Way to Garage Sale

An Easier Way to Garage Sale

Holly Anderson has been running garage sales with her friends for years. These organized neighborhood garage sales are no small undertakings—shoppers fill the streets of their neighborhood for two straight days. Holly and her friends would use poster board, masking...

A Family Tradition

A Family Tradition

Being a mother to three sons—all under the age of 5—and helping run a successful long-standing business alongside her family members may seem crazy to some, but to Kelley Russo-Follett of Russo's International Market, this is her norm. Kelley and her family strive to...

Girl Boss: How to Run a Successful Female-Owned Biz

Girl Boss: How to Run a Successful Female-Owned Biz

Anyone can run a business, but only few are successful. Over 10 years ago Amy Ritsema and Mary Kline joined and founded OnSite Wellness, a workplace wellness company in Grand Rapids. At a time when employers became more conscientious about their employees health, Amy...

There’s A Way Out

There’s A Way Out

Just days before Karen's second birthday, her parents died in a plane crash. Karen and her brother moved into an unsteady childhood, living with various family members for nearly a decade until settling in with their aunt and uncle. The uncle began sexually abusing...