Fulfillament Stories

Nik Carman is a nine-year-old bluegrass musical genius from Suttons Bay, Michigan. He started his music career at age 7 by learning the basics of piano, violin, recorder and guitar and then took up the banjo and mandolin.  Nik’s musical influences include the likes of The Accidentals, Billy Strings and Don Julin, Chris Thile and […]

Evan is the CEO of Cherry Capital Foods: a unique food distributor based in Traverse City, MI that is building a resilient and socially just food system. They work with farmers, growers and producers both locally and regionally but only from the state of Michigan. Evan has over 35 years experience in international and domestic food distribution. […]

Allison Beers started Events North in 2008 after working for two of the largest event planning agencies in the world. Events North is a full service event management agency specializing in corporate, social and nonprofit events. They strive for zero-waste events and try to incorporate as much local food as possible. Beers is currently on […]

Eric Patterson is the co-chef and co-owner of The Cooks’ House, Local sustainable cuisine skillfully prepared and served in Traverse City. He spent close to fifteen years at Andre’s, Las Vegas’ 5 star French restaurant, including a three-year apprenticeship under Andre. At the end of his Vegas tenure, Patterson was Andre’s head chef. He has […]

Sarah Landry Ryder is the owner and founder of The Redheads, ” Naturally Sassy.” Her business practices emphasize the importance of being part of a sustainable cycle. The Redheads, located in lake leelanau, MI produce healthy, fresh, and sassy foods (mostly know for their amazing hummus) using local and organic ingredients. This talk was from January 2015 […]

Originally a teacher and historian by trade, Pete Farmer is a self-taught musician, craftsman, and businessman, following his passions for music, design, and working with his hands. He started Farmer Footdrums in 2005, working by day as a high school teacher, and working by night in a rented single car garage to work on designs […]

“Why do I do what I do? I have learned that I can actually make a difference with my passions and strengths” – JEFF JOUBRAN- Sweet Pea & Downtown TC president, January 2015 Fulfillament speaker This talk was from January 2015 Fulfillament. in Traverse City, MI Fulfillament is a storytelling event featuring local community leaders & […]

A graduate of Cornell Hotel School, Don Coe served 5 years in the US Navy and then managed restaurants and clubs before getting into the wines and spirits business. During his 23-year career with Allied Domecq Spirits & Wine, formerly Hiram Walker, Don was responsible for marketing and sales of group wines and spirits in […]

Jerry Dennis has been professionally writing books and essays about the places where nature and human culture meet since 1986. His essays and short fiction have appeared in more than 100 publications, including The New York Times, Smithsonian, Audubon, Orion, American Way, Gray’s Sporting Journal, and Michigan Quarterly Review. Last year, Jerry teamed with artist Glenn […]

“I went to law school later in life after I had spent many years following my heart – traveling, volunteering on organic farms, saving ancient redwoods, and founding nonprofit organizations. When I finally decided to go back to school, I knew exactly what I wanted to do – land conservation law – and I sought […]