About Lisa Diggs

Lisa Diggs is a writer, speaker, entrepreneur, business consultant, avid traveler, and founder of The Catalyst Company, LLC, Michigan Positivity Project, and Buy Michigan Now.

10 destinations for your Michigan bucket list

There’s a new year upon us, which presents an opportunity for some exciting travel goals. Fortunately, Michigan is a state that is ripe with opportunity. Whether you live in the state and want to go exploring, or are traveling from afar, these unique destinations are so spectacular, they should be on any traveler’s bucket list. Here are

10 destinations for your Michigan bucket list2025-01-14T16:16:37-05:00

8 great ways to be an active part of Buy Michigan Now

The year was 2007, and Michigan’s economy was decimated. People were losing jobs left and right. Businesses were folding. Homes were being foreclosed upon. I wanted to do something to help, but wasn’t sure what. Eventually I took a trip to South Africa that changed everything. Afterwards, I decided to start paying attention to where my dollars

8 great ways to be an active part of Buy Michigan Now2024-11-13T18:25:30-05:00

Fun fall reads by Michigan authors

Whether this time of year gives you the urge to get your spook on, dive into a mystery, or just curl up with an easy read, Michigan authors have got you covered. Michigan's Haunted Lighthouses by Dianna Stampfler   If you've ever talked with one of the volunteer lighthouse keepers at a beacon around our state, then

Fun fall reads by Michigan authors2024-10-28T13:26:13-04:00

‘Tis the season for winter squash

If they’re grown in the summer and sold in the fall, why are so many fruits (yes, they are fruits not veggies) considered to be winter squash? Pumpkins, buttercup, butternut, acorn, and spaghetti squash are all part of this family, which is harvested and eaten in the mature fruit stage, meaning the seeds have matured fully and

‘Tis the season for winter squash2024-10-23T12:55:22-04:00

Michigan’s best brews of fall

Welcoming a new season isn't just about a change in weather, it also brings welcome changes that are sure to please the palate. For example, it turns out that pumpkin and autumnal spices can taste just as enjoyable in a pilsner glass as they do in a coffee mug. Check out some of Michigan’s best beers of

Michigan’s best brews of fall2024-10-28T11:33:28-04:00

Top 10 tips for picking your own apples

We're just starting to experience crisp cool air, but crisp, fresh apples on the other hand, are already available. Michigan is the nation's third highest apple-growing state, behind only Washington and New York. USApple estimates that our farmers will produce over 28 million apples this year, so chances are there's an orchard near you. September and October

Top 10 tips for picking your own apples2024-09-19T08:15:28-04:00

Everyone should experience fall on the Keweenaw

I’ve been fortunate enough to travel all over the country and enjoy autumn. There’s the brilliant gold of the Aspens in the Rockies. You can watch the morning mist reveal a cornucopia of color in the Smokey Mountains, or drive through an abundance of beauty in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. All are incredible, but no autumn destination

Everyone should experience fall on the Keweenaw2024-09-19T08:21:24-04:00

10 adventures to do with dad

I recently lost my father. He lived to a ripe old age of 86, and yet, in the end, his passing came quickly, and caught my brother and I a bit by surprise. Fortunately, my dad and I had spent more time alone together since my mom left us a year earlier. We had in depth conversations

10 adventures to do with dad2024-06-04T14:02:10-04:00

Tawas Point Lighthouse shining brightly again

Whenever I find myself traveling north along the Lake Huron shoreline, I find it nearly impossible not to stop and admire the Tawas Point Lighthouse, especially if I've got time to climb up for the incredible view. The structure itself has become quite weathered by time. Fortunately, a recently completed restoration project is bringing back the shine

Tawas Point Lighthouse shining brightly again2024-05-02T02:16:41-04:00

Michigan’s best paczki destinations

In some places Fat Tuesday is also known as Mardi Gras, but here in Michigan, it is more widely nicknamed Paczki Day. Once common only in the Detroit area, particularly in Hamtramck, the tradition has caught on around the state, and this year will be celebrated on February 13. Place orders in advance, or risk standing in

Michigan’s best paczki destinations2024-02-01T14:59:54-05:00

The quiet magic of Michigan cider mills

To most locals, it simply isn’t fall in Michigan until we’ve visited a cider mill. Of course that unbeatable combination of cider and donuts is a huge part of the draw, but I think it’s more than that. There is something about the setting as well, that nourishes our souls while the other stuff fills our bellies.

The quiet magic of Michigan cider mills2023-10-05T22:50:30-04:00

Best places to see a Broadway show in Michigan this season

There is nothing quite like live theater. The performers and the audience share in an experience that is uniquely their own during each performance. This month marks the start of the Broadway season, not just in New York City, but across the great state of Michigan. Here are the best places to a Broadway show in Michigan.

Best places to see a Broadway show in Michigan this season2023-09-08T08:42:44-04:00

Celebrate Buy Michigan Week July 31 – August 6

We'd like to thank Governor Whitmer for continuing a tradition that dates back to 2009, and proclaiming July 31 - August 6, 2023 as Buy Michigan Week. It's no surprise that around here, we believe every day is a Buy Michigan day, but we also believe strongly in the value of dedicating a specific week to it

Celebrate Buy Michigan Week July 31 – August 62023-08-01T08:19:21-04:00

St Julian uncorks top honors at Governor’s Cup

Home to over 140 wineries, it stands to reason that Michigan deserves to have its own wine competition once again. Last month the Michigan Wine Collaborative (MWC), in partnership with the Beverage Testing Institute (BTI) launched the inaugural Michigan Governor’s Cup wine competition. Out of 300 entries from 46 wineries around the state, St. Julian scored uncorked

St Julian uncorks top honors at Governor’s Cup2023-07-06T23:13:40-04:00

Cherry products that you’ll adore

Cherries are in season! It's a great time to think about all the incredibly delicious and unique ways our state has found to incorporate them into food and drink. This fruit is not only spectacular for our economy, it's also exceptionally tasty and diverse. You'll find them in a wide  range of scrumptious products from savory to

Cherry products that you’ll adore2023-07-05T16:04:04-04:00

What to know to enjoy Detroit’s Grand Prix weekend

While the roar of engines could be heard faintly on Woodward when cars made the circle on Belle Isle, it’s been three decades since the sound echoed between the skyscrapers of the city. This year, Grand Prix racing returns to the downtown streets June 2-4. Here’s what you need to know to enjoy Detroit’s Grand Prix weekend.

What to know to enjoy Detroit’s Grand Prix weekend2023-06-01T16:45:06-04:00

Make a stop in Depot Town

Despite being home to Eastern Michigan University, Willow Run Airport, and a readily recognizable water tower, Ypsilanti often lives in the shadow of neighboring Ann Arbor. Yet, there is much to see and do, especially when you make a stop in Depot Town. Named for the train station that was once the primary focus of the area,

Make a stop in Depot Town2023-05-01T13:13:20-04:00

Our 6 favorite finds at Making It In Michigan show

On the surface, the MSU Product Center’s annual Making It In Michigan conference and trade show may seem like an event that is just for people with agricultural-based businesses to attend. Yet, the trade show is actually one of the state’s best kept secrets for foodies and entrepreneurs of any ilk. Where else can you get a

Our 6 favorite finds at Making It In Michigan show2023-05-01T13:07:56-04:00

Vote for your 2023 Hatch Detroit final four

What do you get when you combine entrepreneurial ingenuity, capital investment, and a public eager to support new endeavors? The answer is Hatch Detroit. The competition recently announced its Top 10 semi-finalists, and now it’s your turn to weigh in and help determine which new brick and mortar business you most want to see added to the

Vote for your 2023 Hatch Detroit final four2023-04-06T16:29:22-04:00

5 beer releases that will make you ready for spring

Snow is melting. Waterfalls are thawing. Maple sap is flowing. These are all among the many joys of springtime in Michigan. As the weather warms many beer drinkers find their tastes moving away from the brown ales, stouts, and porters of winter and toward the wheat and fruit that transitions us into summer. These 5 delectable spring

5 beer releases that will make you ready for spring2023-04-07T11:56:17-04:00

Best places to celebrate St. Patrick’s in Michigan

It’s unlikely that you’ll spot any actual leprechauns, or even stumble across a four-leaved clover, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in our state. In fact, it was once a single day commemorating the arrival of St Patrick and Christianity to Ireland on March 17. However, now it has

Best places to celebrate St. Patrick’s in Michigan2023-03-06T17:08:54-05:00
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