Fulfillament Stories

Pete Kirkwood is The Workshop Brewing Co founder which stands for the motto: Nature, Community, Craft. Pete says he is not an investment banker, roofer, developer, disaster response specialist, farmer, dot-com guy, copywriter, barista, or lawyer (although he has been all of these things). He’s not even a brewer (although he has started two breweries). He’s a […]

Pete Kirkwood is The Workshop Brewing Co founder which stands for the motto: Nature, Community, Craft. Pete says he is not an investment banker, roofer, developer, disaster response specialist, farmer, dot-com guy, copywriter, barista, or lawyer (although he has been all of these things). He’s not even a brewer (although he has started two breweries). He’s a philosopher. His agenda is social change and his medium, for now, is beer.

“My constant objectives are: to preserve and restore Northern Michigan’s spectacular natural environment, to embody and reinforce Traverse City’s warm and vital community, and to practice and honor meaningful work. I define success as sustainably manifesting each of these objectives. My calling is to induce other leaders to do the same.”

Here is Pete's story from the January 2018 event…

FERNANDO MEZA is a first generation Mexican-American born in East Los Angeles, an advertising whiz who cut his teeth in Manhattan, Meza purchased the innovative digital marketing agency OneUpWeb in 2014 and moved it to a revitalized warehouse in the Grand Traverse Commons. Meza says he feels more proud of his Latino heritage here than he would in LA […]

FERNANDO MEZA is a first generation Mexican-American born in East Los Angeles, an advertising whiz who cut his teeth in Manhattan, Meza purchased the innovative digital marketing agency OneUpWeb in 2014 and moved it to a revitalized warehouse in the Grand Traverse Commons. Meza says he feels more proud of his Latino heritage here than he would in LA or New York.

I’m privileged to live in a community that has graciously provided me a platform to participate in a community that’s inclusive of diverse voices. I’m humbled to be surrounded by so many talented and passionate humans. It’s my duty to leverage my privilege to make our community better for all. 

Here is Fernando's story from the September 2017 event....

ANNE HOYT is the cheesemaker and co-owner of Leelanau Cheese.  Anne was born in the north of France and moved to the Roquefort region to work in agriculture as a chicken and turkey farmer, vegetable grower and also worked with goats and goat cheese. After that Anne was a Shepard in Switzerland. After years of training and hands-on experience […]

ANNE HOYT is the cheesemaker and co-owner of Leelanau Cheese.  Anne was born in the north of France and moved to the Roquefort region to work in agriculture as a chicken and turkey farmer, vegetable grower and also worked with goats and goat cheese. After that Anne was a Shepard in Switzerland. After years of training and hands-on experience finally led her and her husband back to Michigan.  

I do what I do for the love of making good food . What I do gives us (my husband and I ) the chance to make a living in one of the most beautiful place on earth. Slowing down a little and  having more time  to get getting involved  in the community would make me really happy

Here is Anne's story from the September 2017 event....

DIANA LADIO is a studied Americana fiddler, 5-string violinist, and classical violist. After receiving degrees in music performance and music education from the University of Michigan, she co-founded the instrumental fusion trio and educational ensemble, The Moxie Strings, which she also manages and promotes. In 2015 she joined the ranks of Irish super-group, The Elders, and […]

DIANA LADIO is a studied Americana fiddler, 5-string violinist, and classical violist. After receiving degrees in music performance and music education from the University of Michigan, she co-founded the instrumental fusion trio and educational ensemble, The Moxie Strings, which she also manages and promotes. In 2015 she joined the ranks of Irish super-group, The Elders, and now tours internationally with both bands performing shows, teaching clinics, and presenting at music education conferences. She specializes in introducing young musicians to the joy and importance of exploring different genres of music and finding their personal musical paths. Diana is a 5-time marathoner and an avid mind and body wellness enthusiast.

“Through a process of self-awareness, honesty, and courage, each of us has the power to discover a path of personal purpose and live an enjoyable life that celebrates our truest selves.”

Here is Diana’s story from the September 2017 event…

NORM WHEELER is the co-creator and host of Beach Bards Bonfire (by heart storytelling around a bonfire), a retired Astronomy and English teacher at the Leelanau School after 32 years, and a trumpet/flugelhorn player for Jazz North, The Wild Sullys, Goodboy!, and Luunappi around the area for 20 years. While hitchhiking around Europe in the 1970s, […]

NORM WHEELER is the co-creator and host of Beach Bards Bonfire (by heart storytelling around a bonfire), a retired Astronomy and English teacher at the Leelanau School after 32 years, and a trumpet/flugelhorn player for Jazz North, The Wild Sullys, Goodboy!, and Luunappi around the area for 20 years. While hitchhiking around Europe in the 1970s, he met Mimi (founder of Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate) in Copenhagen, and they brought their family (Jacob & Julia) to Leelanau County in 1984.

My college English professor could recite poetry from in Old English, challenging me to not just read but to memorize, to perform, to keep the Oral Tradition of out loud poetry alive, and then he died of too many boilermakers and cigarettes a week after I graduated from Olivet. I have been reciting poems ever since.