Q: Please tell us about yourself.
I’m a part-time candle maker and full-time assistant manager at a local restaurant in Traverse City. When I’m not working you can find me hiking the trails here in Leelanau County or planning my next getaway trip! My next trip is to Alaska in June.

Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I was a server at North Country Grill & Pub and Mama Lus. When I heard about The Burrow opening I took that as an opportunity to get back in management so I am currently an assistant manager and server there and I absolutely love it there. My candle journey started during covid. I needed a hobby to do while I wasn’t working because books and puzzles weren’t cutting it for me. I started making candles in my kitchen and thought I could really make a business out of this and that is when Leelanau Candle Co. was created. The candle business started to grow and I eventually had to move into a bigger space at my dads shop. I love creating new scents and I hope that when people buy my product they think that they are taking a piece of Leelanau back home with them. I also create custom logos for weddings, baby showers and bridal showers. It fills my heart that customers come to me wanting to have a candle for their special event.

Q: What is your favorite book?
I just finished The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid and that is one of the best books that I’ve read.

Q: What are some of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I love Art’s Tavern in Glen Arbor, North Country Grill & Pub in Suttons Bay, The Burrow in Traverse City!

Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community? What brought you to Grand Traverse County?
I was born and raised in Leelanau County. I have been candle making though for 3 years.

Q: What advice would you give to people who want to visit our community?
All the best views of Lake Michigan are 45 minutes away. From hiking trails, beaches, wineries and whatever else. You’ll have to drive to get there.

Q: If you could choose anyone today with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you all meet?
I would have to say my grandparents. They have done so much for my sister and I. I couldn’t be more thankful for them. I’m sure we would have to go to La Senorita because that’s one of their favorite restaurants to go to.

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
You can find a lot of great connections here in the area. Anyone is willing to give you advise on anything from business to the local hangouts.

Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I am an outdoorsman! I love being outside, sitting in a tree stand and taking all nature in. I grew up eating a lot of wild game and I think it’s super important to know where the meat that I eat comes from and how it’s processed.

Q: Which yearly event in Grand Traverse County do you enjoy best?
Is it cheesy if I say Cherry Fest? Ha! The lineups that they have for concerts are always so good!

Q: What is your favorite season in Northern Michigan? And what is your favorite activity to do in that season?
That’s a tough question! I love all seasons up here in Northern Michigan for many different reasons but my favorite season would have to be Fall time. The colors up here are incredible and I love to hike the local trails in the area. They aren’t too crowded which makes it nice. Summer time.. You just can’t beat a summer spent in Northern Michigan from beaches and catching sunsets. I feel like that time of year is a great time to catch up with friends and family.

Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
great lakes, small town and family.