Josh Stoltz, Grow Benzie

Joe Sanok, Practice of the Practice

Joe Sanok is the author of Thursday is the New Friday, which examines the history and implementation of the four-day workweek. Joe is a writer for Harvard Business Review and has been featured on MSNBC, Forbes, Money, Entrepreneur, and over 200 podcasts. His Practice of the Practice Podcast is a top 100 business podcast and helps therapists and coaches to start, grow, and scale their private practices. He is trained as a psychologist and counselor. Joe is the father of two bold girls and in the summer you'll usually find him standup paddle boarding on the Bay.

Joe helps counselors to grow their businesses because he believes the world needs more mental health access. He loves the creative, engaging, and ever-changing nature of what he gets to do.

Here is Joe's story from the May 2022 event in Traverse City, Michigan

Michael Wills, Water Entrepreneur

"My interests and passions have driven all my endeavors, particularly my love for water and the desire to inspire others to enjoy it so they will protect it. I attribute most of my passions and successes to my father: From him, I learned to love the outdoors: Scouting, swimming, fishing, canoeing, camping, hunting (marksmanship), sports, plus other interests: model airplanes, flying, drumming, art and science. He also encouraged me to excel in all that I do, to work hard and pay attention to details."

After earning a degree in Architecture in 1971, he moved to Traverse City and founded Scuba North, then Sail North, Sail Plan and eventually Harbor Boat Shop and Traverse Area Community Sailing, culminating with the creation of the Discovery Center~Great Lakes, which is his current labor of love and retirement project. He has also played key roles in notable Traverse City developments: Harbor West Marina, River’s Edge, Midtown Centre, Cambria Suites Hotel, and Uptown. Retired as of July 2021 and can be found fly fishing on the river.

Here is Mike's story from the May 2022 event.

Brent Whitney, Traverse City Dance Project

Brent Whitney currently resides in his two favorite places in the world, New York City and Traverse City, Michigan. He is the Co-Founder and director of the Traverse City Dance Project, a not-for-profit company that brings professional dance to Northern Michigan communities. Brent recently wrapped up a 20 year career as a professional dancer with some of the top ballet companies, contemporary companies, and opera companies in the country. He is also a freelance choreographer for dance and theater. In addition to his career in the arts, Brent is also an entrepreneur in the wellness/massage industry. His massage practice specializes in injury rehabilitation and prevention for dancers and everyday people. His clients include New York City Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, Martha Graham Dance Company, Phantom of the Opera, among others.

"I was lucky to discover my passion at the age of 9 and turn it into a career and life that has brought me an incredible amount of happiness and gratitude."

Here is Brents story from the May 2022 event in Traverse City, Michigan

Dana Frost, Forced Joy Project

Dana Frost is Grief Advocate, Cancer Survivor, & Writer. She is the founder of the Forced Joy Project, an organization that provides support, resources, and community to those experiencing grief and loss. She is also the creator of Book of Stories, a custom keepsake book that memorializes the lives of loved ones who have passed away.

When Dana’s not forcing joy, she’s facilitating retreats for young adults with cancer, hiking with her pups, or taking daily dips in Lake Michigan. She is a big believer in sharing our stories - of both grief and joy - and an even bigger believer of kitchen dance parties. Her biggest word of advice? FEEL all your feeling, be where you are, and F%!# Fine.

You can follow her story @forcedjoyproject or at www.forcedjoyproject.com

Here is Dana's story from the may 2022 event in Traverse City, Michigan

Sakura Takano, Rotary Charities

Sakura is a mom and the CEO of Rotary Charities of Traverse City. The daughter of Japanese and Taiwanese immigrants, she grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii and made Traverse City her home ten years ago. After earning a BS in Finance and Economics from Boston College and an early career in investment banking, she pivoted to the nonprofit sector after earning an MBA in Social Enterprise from Columbia Business School. These days, she applies her knowledge and experience in leveraging financial tools to support community development. Sakura believes in a holistic, open-listening approach to creating positive change and brings non-conventional minds together to build partnerships and drive solutions to our region’s most complex problems.

Here is Saku's story from the January 2022 event.