Have you ever had something go wrong – terribly wrong? And, to top it off, it wasn’t your fault. You had no control over the situation, timing, others involved and the ultimate outcome. Let’s face it: things do not always go the way you plan. Most of the time, you don’t even see it coming. On really stressful days, when more than one problem occurs, that’s when we truly see what we’re made of. I believe it’s days like these that help us become better people, empathize more in chaotic Read more [...]

It has been a unique journey filled with competition, travel and self-discovery that led Jackson National Life Insurance Company Vice President Heather Strang to where she is today. Valued personally and professionally by her coworkers, Strang seems perfectly at home in Jackson’s impressive headquarters building in Lansing. But one must not be fooled by the humility she exudes in and out of the spotlight … Strang means business. Diving in Head First Born and raised in Lansing, Strang found Read more [...]

When Barbara Streed’s son, Thomas, was two years old, he had an allergic reaction to nuts. At the time, in 2000, her husband Dan had been stationed in Hawaii. They were in the middle of dinner and had just opened a bag of cashews that their four-year-old daughter had insisted on having. To make things fair, Streed decided to give Thomas half of a cashew. “He spit it out and started combing his tongue with his fingers,” Streed said of his immediate reaction. They raced to their neighbors Read more [...]

Events September 4 — Lansing Mosaic Festival, Lansing. This festival, at Adado Riverfront Park, takes the best that Lansing has to offer from its labor force and its culturally diverse ethnic population and brings them together for one day to celebrate the City's rich heritage. From the music and food to the demonstrations and Red Hacker basketball tournament, this family friendly festival embraces Lansing's history and looks forward to its bright future. All are welcome from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Read more [...]

Spice up a day at the office by taking a cue from this season’s top runway trends; containing looks from ‘60s chic Mad Men inspired dresses to glittering gold accessories. Get down to business with inspiration to “suit your style”.  .

The reduction of stress in our busy lives is one of the most sought out benefits of practicing yoga. We encounter stress, anxiety and anger in many forms throughout life. Financial burdens, emotional upheavals and the speed at which life proceeds in our modern society, all increase our stress levels. These factors tax the body and nervous system, adversely affecting the mind, which can cause unhappiness and even illness. How we deal with stress can affect our physical and mental health. Through Read more [...]

As summer draws to a close, thoughts turn to the coming school year. For some children this can be an exciting and somewhat stressful time. There are many books that deal with starting school and all the emotions surrounding that experience. This month I have highlighted some of my favorites. Mouse’s First Day of School By Lauren Thompson Illustrated by Buket Erdogan ISBN 9780689847271 $13.99 Simon and Schuster Ages 2-5 This gentle, simple story is perfect for the child starting Read more [...]

I’ve been in the business world most of my adult life—it’s always been something I was naturally drawn to. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, having my own business was never a matter of “if”, but simply a matter of “when”. “When” came at a somewhat inopportune time for me, as I had just given birth to my third child and learned that my dad had cancer. These two life changes caused me to do a lot of introspection, which helped me decide to do something positive with my energy Read more [...]

Cancun Mexican Grill Entering the Cancun Mexican Grill located at 1754 Central Park Drive in Okemos, is like stepping into an exotic world. A splash of color and flurry of activity welcomes guests into the restaurant, quickly followed by a warm welcome. The servers rush around refilling baskets of chips and salsa, carrying hot plates and welcoming new patrons. Although the restaurant seems incredibly busy (and it usually is), guests rarely have to wait for a table. It’s a great place if you Read more [...]

Looking Forward to Fashion One of the youngest, most fashionable boutiques in East Lansing is owned by Michelle Gross, which is fitting, as she is a recent MSU grad, and, well, quite young and fashionable. Jeanologie, located at 303 M.A.C. Avenue, opened this summer with a warm reception. The store boasts today’s top fashions and designer names at various price ranges for both men and women, and even sells pieces from some of MSU’s top design students. It’s hip, it’s chic, it’s 100 percent Read more [...]

Hitting the Jackpot Gambling is a way of life for Grand Ledge resident, Pam Redman. She doesn’t always win, but she keeps coming back for more. Frequenting Michigan casinos is a relaxing outlet for both Redman and her husband Kerry. Sitting side-by-side, feeding coins into machines allows them an opportunity to talk — most times for hours. Hee Haw is Redman’s favorite game to play and she favors many casinos in the Upper Peninsula and Petoskey area. “I don’t think I’ve ever won Read more [...]

Service and Leadership Service and leadership may seem like they don’t fit together. But when you hear Cheryl Ronk’s story of service to non-profit associations in Michigan, those words are perfectly matched. Cheryl Ronk, CAE, CMP, is President of the Michigan Society of Association Executives (MSAE), the not-for-profit membership organization for association professionals in Michigan since 1927. Cheryl has been its executive for the last 22 years. “It’s MSAE’s mission to help associations Read more [...]