Back in 2014, after spending way too much of my life in a rut, I did something that would take me on a journey I couldn’t have imagined – I opened a Twitter account and started seeking out and sharing unique events that were taking place in the Greater Lansing Area. I was tired of relying on movies and bars for entertainment, and I knew there were more enriching experiences to be found in the area if I just took the time to do a little digging. That Twitter account was the birth of 517 Living, which now hosts a widely-used events calendar, community Facebook group, local business directory, and a week-long celebration called 517 Living Community Week. If you’re reading this and have never heard of 517 Living, I encourage you to head over to 517living.com to do some exploring!
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have the good fortune of being married to one of the kindest people I’ve ever known, and we share our home with a rescued hound dog named Churro and a recently adopted kitten named Flo.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Spring Arbor University, with the intention of becoming a counselor of some sort, but it turns out that an interest in the human mind can lead to a very fulfilling career in marketing and community building! One thing I love about promoting local events, is I help connect people with experiences that improve their quality of life.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I have too many favorites to choose just a couple! I’ll just touch on a few recently visited ones – Henry’s Place, The Vault Deli, Red Haven and The English Inn’s basement pub are some of my go-to spots.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
My family moved to the area from Iowa when I was in 8th grade, and although it took many years for me to really appreciate what this community has to offer, I now genuinely love living here and plan to stick around for quite a while.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
There are a lot of creative and fascinating people in our community, but one of my new favorite people is the one who took the picture for this interview, Shamber Kirkendoll. I met Shamber through my 517 Living Community Facebook group, during the pandemic, as I was looking for a fitness trainer and she was willing to do in-home sessions. Our workouts often end with coffee, laughter, and discussions about life, personal growth, and business ideas.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I once asked a lovely couple who had traveled all around the world where they would most recommend visiting, and they unhesitantly answered in unison, “Croatia!” I’d like to give that a try.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I’ve recently been enjoying “The Me You Can’t See.” Also, Ted Lasso is a great “feel good” show.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Get out of your comfort zone in ways that align with your values.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I made a virtual handshake deal that I would start kickboxing this Fall, so I’ll be giving that a shot in a couple of weeks. It’s definitely out of my comfort zone, as I’ve always considered myself a bit of a wimp, physically, so I’m looking forward to making it part of my fitness routine.
Q: Who is your “go-to” band when you can’t decide what music you want to hear?
Locally, I will always seek out The Further Adventures of FatBoy & JiveTurkey. If you ever see one of their shows on the 517 Living calendar, clear your schedule and plan to be there. They are wildly talented and entertaining.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Lansing Lugnuts – nothing beats a good old-fashioned baseball game. I don’t really follow the games, but the sounds, people, smells, and sunshine really do something for the soul.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
That’s really tough! I’m a big fan of low-key, laid-back conversations with close friends, so I’d prefer something along those lines, but I’ll go with world-renowned hypnotherapist Marissa Peer, although it might be weird to ask her to hypnotize me at lunch. We could enjoy some Picnic food truck concoctions at Rotary Park and take a walk along the river trail after, so she could enlighten me about all of my many issues. 🙂
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
There are a lot of open-hearted, hardworking, thoughtful people in this community. Every once in a while, you might run into a sour apple, but most of the people I run into are pretty great.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I never have any idea how to answer that question, but I’m okay with that. Hopefully, I’ll be growing, learning, exploring, and helping people in need, somehow.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I’m ironically very introverted, which many people actually DO know, but I just want to put that out there so people don’t mistake my lack of social enthusiasm for snobbery.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
I have a really beautiful memory of hunting for Petoskey stones in Lake Michigan, somewhere in the pinky of Michigan. I remember thinking “This is peace.”
Q: Favorite month? Favorite holiday? Best single day on the calendar?
May, Christmas, January 1st.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Being kind to people who don’t seem to deserve it.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
People who do a lot with a little.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Rose oil and Autumn outdoor air.
Q: Who would you like to see nominated for The Faces of Ingham County?
Someone really old – they have the best stories.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Cozy, Animals, Jamie.
