With its multi-year designation as Beer City USA, there is no doubt that Grand Rapids is one of the best places to experience frothy goodness, but make no mistake, it’s not the only awesome beer town in the state. Kalamazoo is another must-visit destination for true brew connoisseurs. It’s almost difficult to imagine in the Great Beer
It’s hard to believe that something that happened over ten thousand years ago, could have a significant affect on the economy today, but that is absolutely true in the case of what is now known as the state known as Michigan. While it is difficult to imagine now, Michigan was once buried beneath ice that was nearly a
It’s not every day in these parts when arrivals to a business conference are met with a bag of makeup and beauty samples, by greeters bedecked in chic black and white attire, at a registration table sponsored by Tommy Hilfiger, but that’s exactly how a recent day began at the Ross School of Business at the University
The days of going to a small, local market in your neighborhood and buying a few items from the grocer you’ve known for years are all but gone. These days, most people seem to prefer larger product selections, volume pricing, and convenience above the virtues of a traditional, personalized experience. Perhaps retailers can provide all those newer
There is a lot of pride at Ford’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant, and with good reason. Mustangs have been rolling off the line there since July of 2014, and the response has never been better. Global demand for the new 2018 model has driven Ford Mustang to its third straight year as the best-selling sports coupe in
Farmington-based photographer, Monte Nagler was not always making his living behind the lens. After graduating from the University of Michigan, he first became a car designer and automotive product planner. Eventually Monte turned his professional pursuits to photography. His passion for the art form was heightened after an intensive workshop with Ansel Adams in Yosemite National Park.
Paw Paw’s St. Julian Winery, Michigan’s oldest and longest-operating winery, has set its sights on expansion. The company has announced plans to open two new tasting locations this year according to Nancie Oxley, Vice President and Winemaker. “This is an exciting time for St. Julian as we continue to increase our overall wine and spirits production as well
Playing with LEGO® building blocks and creating robots are activities that have delighted kids for decades, but underneath the fun, there are important practical skills to be learned. The aptitudes developed are in the coveted STEM (science, technology, engineering, and match) realm, and can provide a foundation for careers of the future. That’s what makes it so
The 19th century was marked by transportation advancements in and around the Great Lakes, and an unprecedented increase in population. At the start of the century there were less than 5,000 documented residents in the Michigan territory. A hundred years later, the state would be home to a remarkable 2.5 million inhabitants. The completion in 1825 of
As the state, and particularly the Detroit area, continues to strive toward national and global recognition as a center for style, students at the University of Michigan are working on creating more opportunities to transfer fashion knowledge from academia to real world experience. Enter the Michigan Fashion Media Summit (MFMS), a brand new initiative that is arguably
It’s impossible, or at the very least, unwise, to imagine growth in any industry these days without factoring in the role of technology. Fashion is certainly no exception. In fact, it's becoming critical. Whether it's reaching social media influencers, or customers, tech plays a role. Consumers want discounts and purchasing options at their fingertips at all times.
The 1900s was an era of remarkable change. It saw the world at war, mankind landing on the moon, and the creation of the Internet. Events like those forever changed the world, and certainly impacted Michigan’s key economic contributors. Lumber, copper, and iron, which were kings in the 1800s, became increasingly less significant. Trains, which were critical
Huldah Neal, shown here in her later years, was the nation’s first female conservation officer. (Photo courtesy of the Traverse Area District Library) In 1897, Huldah Neal became a deputy game warden for Grand Traverse County. Thereby cementing her little-known legacy as the first female conservation officer in the United States. This is according to
Aside from the art itself and of course the size of the monetary awards, arguably the most astounding aspect of ArtPrize in Grand Rapids is the number and variety of venues that participate. They can range from the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) to a police station, with a variety of restaurants, shops, offices, churches and more
Actor and playwright, Jeff Daniels, returned to his roots t0 found the Purple Rose Theatre Company in 1991. He created the company to provide a creative home for emerging talent, as well as seasoned professionals. He wanted to help them learn more about, and to practice, their craft. Now that home in Chelsea, Michigan, is looking for
It may surprise some people to realize that there is no movie theater in the heart of Detroit. There are lovely venues capable of showing a movie, but nowhere to go on a random Sunday afternoon when you just feel like catching a flick. Two seemingly unlikely partners are set to change that—Paul Glantz’s Emagine Entertainment and
In many ways the 21st century in Michigan has been driven by a need to recover, revitalize, and reinvent. At the start of the millennium the state was plagued with many challenges brought on by the negative biproducts of the industrial era like an aging infrastructure and water pollutants. The nation struggled with an epic financial crisis.
Joe Faris is a season 5 alum of the popular reality show, Project Runway. Over his 30-year career he has designed for several high-profile fashion brands including Ralph Lauren, Perry Ellis, Donna Karen, Pelle Pelle, Double D Ranch, Schott NYC, and Kid Rock’s brand Made in Detroit. In 2009 Joe moved closer to his goal of a helping
About twelve years ago, while working at a co-op in Kalamazoo, Lucy Dilley began to recognize a need in the community for a shared-use, commercial kitchen. It seemed like a good business opportunity, but research led her in a slightly different direction. It dawned on her that what she really had was a social mission, and soon,
Movie fans and car aficionados often unite when it comes to their feelings about a certain Highland Green 1968 Ford Mustang GT fastback. The car was driven by Steve McQueen in what many consider the greatest car chase scene in movie history through the streets of San Francisco in Bullitt. The Mystery Begins Back then cars that
It’s time once again for the North American International Auto Show, which will take the Motor City by storm January 20th-28th. Cars are of course the stars of this annual extravaganza, but with the ever-changing cityscape of Detroit, it is also a phenomenal time to explore the metropolis. Here are 8 ways to make the most of your
Founder Lisa Diggs joins M2 Techcast co-hosts Mike Brennan and Matt Roush to talk about her passion project and provide some great last-minute gift ideas for those who want to support Michigan businesses. Link to source
Detroit Free Press writer Carol Cain features Buy Michigan Now as a catalyst in conjunction with the role small businesses play in revitalizing the local economy. Link to source
Fox 2 News welcomes BMN Founder, Lisa Diggs, in studio to talk about the tenth anniversary of the campaign as well as some holiday gift-giving ideas. Link to source
A small business owner who designed and made jewelry once told me the greatest business decision she ever made was to turn down the opportunity to have a product included as one of “Oprah’s Favorite Things.” This shocked other people in the room. First, it was the idea that she had been asked, then the thought that
