Startup Grind Lansing
CLIENT STORY: First Day Homecare – Lila’s Story: How Private Duty Nursing Made a Difference During a Medical Crisis
CLIENT STORY: First Day Homecare – Lila’s Story: How Private Duty Nursing Made a Difference During a Medical Crisis
Lyla began experiencing neck pains that ended up turning her life upside-down. With the help of First Day Homecare, Lyla has been able to live her best life possible with around the clock care, and have set her mom Jennifer’s mind at ease with their exceptional care.
Learn more at: https://firstdayhomecare.com/
Inside Lansing’s Nonprofit Hub | How Child and Family Charities Transformed a Hospital into Hope
Inside Lansing’s Nonprofit Hub | How Child and Family Charities Transformed a Hospital into Hope
Take a tour inside the Child and Family Charities Nonprofit Hub with Executive Director Julie Thomasma and host MetroMelik. What was once an empty hospital campus has been transformed into a thriving space where nonprofits and mission-driven businesses work side by side to serve families, kids, and the Lansing community. From CASA to Big Brothers Big Sisters, Origami Rehab, NAMI, and more, this hub brings essential services together under one roof—making collaboration seamless and support easier to access. You’ll hear success stories, discover how organizations share resources, and get a look at how the hub is designed to help nonprofits thrive on tight budgets. 👉 Learn how community partners turned old hospital corridors into collaborative spaces. 👉 Meet the organizations already making a difference inside the hub. 👉 Find out how YOU can get involved, tour the space, or support the mission.
INNOVATE STATE: Driving Digital Transformation
INNOVATE STATE: Driving Digital Transformation
Innovate State: Driving Digital Transformation, hosted by the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation on Feb. 20, at Michigan State University, featured Sanjay Baskaran, Operating Partner and Industrial Advisor of Advent International.
The Innovate State Speaker Series brings both emerging and accomplished Spartans back to campus for a fireside chat-style interview. These 60-minute sessions offer the chance for guests to share their perspectives on a wide array of topics like innovation, startup life, investments, and career paths. Students get the opportunity to hear firsthand about the hard knocks of the entrepreneurship & innovation hustle to maintaining work/life balance. These are stories of success, stories of failures, and stories of uncommon will.
CLIENT STORY: Hands Across the Water: Impacting Families, Changing Lives
CLIENT STORY: Hands Across the Water: Impacting Families, Changing Lives
Discover the story of Hands Across the Water (HATW)—a nonprofit changing lives for over 26 years. From foster care support and family reunification to behavioral health services, HATW empowers children and families to thrive. Hear inspiring stories, learn how the community can help, and see why real relationships make the difference.
👉 Learn more or get involved: https://www.handsacrossthewater.org/
MISSION CONTROL: Building Community and Spreading Love with Kwaku Osei of The Love Building
MISSION CONTROL: Building Community and Spreading Love with Kwaku Osei of The Love Building
-Discover how Kwaku Osei, Executive Director of The Love Building in Detroit, is reshaping what community can look like. In this episode of the Mission Control Podcast, host Paul Schmidt and Kwaku dive into the building’s mission: creating a hub for social justice, creativity, and belonging. From experimenting with shared resources to hosting vibrant gatherings like Love at Night, The Love Building proves that love and accountability can drive real civic change. ✨ Highlights in this episode: The origin and purpose of The Love Building Kwaku Osei’s journey into leadership How nonprofits share talent and resources The Love List: connecting communities across Detroit Why leading with love is a radical, practical strategy 📍 Learn more about The Love Building: https://thelovebuilding.org 🎙️ Subscribe to the Mission Control Podcast for more conversations on leadership, impact, and community-building.
INNOVATE STATE: Championing Change
INNOVATE STATE: Championing Change
Innovate State: Championing Change, hosted by the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation on on Jan. 23, at Michigan State University, featured Flozell Adams, Founder of the Fairman-Adams Project.
CLIENT STORY: Kwik Car Wash: Kwik’s Express Detailing: Fast, Affordable Car Care That Feels Brand New
CLIENT STORY: Kwik Car Wash: Kwik’s Express Detailing: Fast, Affordable Car Care That Feels Brand New
Most car owners know the feeling—crumbs scattered across the seats, sticky fingerprints on the doors, or a faint but persistent odor from forgotten snacks in the back. Cars are more than just vehicles; they’re extensions of daily life. Between commuting, family errands, and road trips, keeping them spotless can feel impossible. That’s where **Kwik’s Express Detailing** steps in, offering a quick, affordable, and thorough solution that brings back that “fresh-off-the-lot” feeling.
This blog takes a closer look at what makes Kwik’s service unique, why customers keep coming back, and how they’re changing the way drivers think about car care.
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Why Extra Care Matters for Drivers
For most people, driving a clean, welcoming car isn’t about vanity—it’s about comfort. Kwik recognized that everyday drivers crave more than just a standard car wash. They want their cars to feel good inside and out. The company launched **Express Detailing** to meet that need, providing customers with something extra: carpets cleaned, stains treated, bugs removed, and interiors refreshed.
As one staff member explained, “A lot of people drive cars every day. People want a nice clean area, so that’s why they come to Kwik.”
It’s a simple truth—just like a tidy home, a spotless car makes life feel smoother.
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What Makes Express Detailing Different?
At its core, a car wash focuses on the exterior, rinsing away dirt and grime. Detailing goes much further. Kwik’s Express Detailing is a quick but comprehensive clean that restores both the look and feel of a car. That means vacuuming deep into carpets, spot-treating stubborn stains, wiping down dashboards, and removing bugs and road gunk from the front grille.
The goal isn’t just shine—it’s transformation. Customers leave feeling like they’re stepping into a brand-new car.
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The People Behind the Shine
What truly sets Kwik apart is the team. Many staff members have been perfecting the craft for over a year, bringing energy, attention to detail, and genuine pride to every job. They understand the joy of handing back a freshly detailed car and seeing the customer’s reaction.
“It’s always good quality,” one team member shared. “I love it because of how the customer comes and picks up the car and the reaction to it. They love it every time.”
That personal connection fuels the service, turning first-time visitors into regulars.
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Why Customers Keep Coming Back
Kwik’s Express Detailing has developed a loyal following, and for good reason:
First Impressions: Many drivers arrive expecting a quick wash but leave amazed by how thorough the detailing is.
Messes Erased: From juice spills to bug splats, stubborn messes are cleaned until they look like they were never there.
Value: Customers consistently note that Kwik is at least \$100 cheaper than competitors for similar services.
Consistency: Whether it’s a quick refresh or tackling a family car disaster, the quality remains the same every time.
For families especially, the difference is striking. Parents often remark that their cars look as though kids never even stepped inside.
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Inside the Process
So, what happens during a Kwik Express Detail?
1. Pre-Inspection: Staff review the car and identify problem areas.
2. Deep Carpet Cleaning: High-powered vacuums pull out every crumb and particle.
3. Spot-Treating: Specialized cleaners handle spills, stains, and sticky residue.
4. Bug & Grille Removal: The front end gets a fresh start, free of bug build-up.
5. Finishing Touches: Surfaces are wiped, polished, and refreshed, leaving the interior crisp and clean.
The process is designed for efficiency—most cars are finished in under an hour—so customers don’t lose half their day waiting.
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Affordable Quality
Kwik proves that high-quality detailing doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag. By streamlining their process and focusing on what truly works, they keep costs low while delivering results that impress. The combination of **speed, affordability, and excellence** is what keeps drivers returning again and again.
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Booking Made Simple
Getting started is easy. Customers can book their Express Detail online at **[kwik-carwash.com](https://kwik-carwash.com)**. With just a few clicks, they can schedule a time that works for them and look forward to driving a car that feels brand new.
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The Kwik Advantage
At the end of the day, Kwik’s Express Detailing stands out because it balances everything drivers want:
Fast service without long waits
Affordable pricing that beats competitors
Consistently excellent results
Friendly, professional staff who care about customer satisfaction
Real solutions for real messes, especially for families and commuters
It’s more than a clean car—it’s a better driving experience.
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Final Thoughts
Kwik has turned car detailing into something approachable, affordable, and genuinely enjoyable for everyday drivers. By focusing on both speed and quality, they’ve created a service that customers trust and recommend. Whether it’s tackling stubborn stains, refreshing family vehicles, or simply delivering that unbeatable “new car” feeling, Kwik’s Express Detailing makes car care simple.
For drivers who want more than just a wash, Kwik offers the perfect solution. Clean, quick, and friendly—it’s a detailing experience that’s hard to beat.
Ready to experience it yourself? Book your Express Detail today at [kwik-carwash.com](https://kwik-carwash.com).
Inside the Award-Winning Girl Scouts “Four Pillars of Girl Scouting”: An UnoDeuce Multimedia Deucey Award Interview with Brenna West
Inside the Award-Winning Girl Scouts “Four Pillars of Girl Scouting”: An UnoDeuce Multimedia Deucey Award Interview with Brenna West
If you’ve ever wanted to know what really makes the Girl Scouts tick—and why their videos keep taking home trophies—you’re in the right place. This year, at the buzzing UnoDeuce Multimedia Deucey Awards, Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan and their standout leader Brenna West scored the “Most Entertaining Video of the Year” for a production packed with energy, heart, and information. Think cookies, courage, and a lot more than crafts.
This blog takes you behind the scenes with Brenna, exploring how the “Four Pillars” video came together, what it means to the community, and why Girl Scouts are winning not just awards but hearts across Michigan.
So, grab a Thin Mint and let’s dig in.
Setting the Stage: Awards, Guests, and Anticipation
The Deucey Awards are always lively—bright lights, a crowd full of anticipation, and an undeniable community spirit. When Brenna West stepped on stage to accept the Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan’s award, the excitement was palpable. The emcee proudly introduced the final winner of the evening, celebrating their creative take on explaining what Girl Scouts really stands for.
The recognition didn’t just stay in the room. Online, the video quickly made waves across YouTube, Vimeo, and LinkedIn, engaging audiences far beyond the event.
Who Are the Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan?
For many, Girl Scouts are synonymous with cookies. But this chapter is far more than that. Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan has a strong presence across the state, offering programs that help girls grow in confidence, leadership, and real-world skills.
Brenna explained that while brand recognition was high, understanding was low. Most people could name a cookie flavor but struggled to describe the breadth of what Girl Scouts actually do. The “Four Pillars” video set out to change that.
Unwrapping the “Four Pillars” Video
The central question became: how do you distill a life-changing program into three minutes?
The answer was found in the Four Pillars of Girl Scouting:
Entrepreneurship
Outdoor Skills
Leadership and Life Skills
Financial Literacy
These core ideas became the backbone of the video, helping the team show that being a Girl Scout is about much more than campfires and cookies. It’s about preparing girls for success in every part of life.
Beyond Cookies: What Do Girl Scouts Do?
Brenna pointed out the common stereotype: crafts, camping, and cookies—the “three Cs.” But Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan reframes those letters into Courage, Confidence, and Character.
The organization gives girls opportunities to explore everything from robotics and coding to outdoor adventure and community service. Every badge earned is a step toward real-world experience.
Finding the Right Message: Why Simplifying Matters
With so many programs, the challenge was clarity. The team leaned on the Four Pillars to simplify the story. Instead of overwhelming viewers, the video gave a clear framework to understand the depth of Girl Scouts programming—told through the voices of both staff and the girls themselves.
Making the Video: From Brainstorm to Screen
The collaboration with UnoDeuce Multimedia made the creative process a joy. Brenna shared how the team’s openness to ideas and willingness to experiment brought the project to life.
Filming took place at Campacooa in Lansing, an ideal location to showcase both nature and community. By featuring voices from leadership and from the girls themselves, the video reflected the heart of Girl Scouts authentically.
Girl Voices Center Stage: Empowerment in Action
One of the most impactful parts of the production was centering girls’ voices. For Brenna, it was crucial that the girls themselves share their perspectives.
Whether on camera or behind the scenes, Girl Scouts stepped up, shared their stories, and embraced the chance to lead. These moments not only enriched the video but also gave participants real confidence and experience.
Girl Scouts on a Winning Streak: The Deucey Legacy
This award wasn’t the first—and it likely won’t be the last. Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan has now earned four Deucey Awards, making them one of the most celebrated repeat winners.
The recognition underscores how well their videos resonate with both the community and the broader public. Each win amplifies their reach and helps tell the Girl Scouts story to a new generation of families.
Community, Engagement, and LinkedIn
The Four Pillars video also sparked unexpected energy online. Staff members shared the nomination on LinkedIn, encouraging their networks to vote. Beyond views and likes, people learned new things about Girl Scouts, turning a contest into a teaching moment.
This organic promotion highlighted how much the community believes in the mission and how proud they are to be part of it.
The Super Bowl of Girl Scouts: Fall Recruitment
The work doesn’t stop at awards season. Brenna described fall recruitment as the “Super Bowl” of Girl Scouts. Over just a few weeks, the team visits open houses across all 34 counties they serve.
These events are fast-paced, but they’re also the lifeblood of the organization—bringing in new families, training leaders, and planting seeds for the future. Videos like the Four Pillars make it easier to explain the Girl Scout experience in a way that excites parents and girls alike.
Looking Ahead
Even after four awards, the team isn’t slowing down. With new troops forming, exciting events planned, and an ongoing commitment to empowering girls, Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan is ready for another incredible year.
Final Thoughts
The Four Pillars video wasn’t just an award-winning production—it was a tool for education, empowerment, and engagement. By collaborating with UnoDeuce Multimedia, Brenna West and her team created a message that resonates with families and communities across Michigan.
The takeaway is simple: Girl Scouts are more than cookies. They’re about preparing girls to lead, to dream big, and to succeed.
✨ Congratulations to Brenna West and Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan—your
EXPERT CONNEXIONS: Comply-YES: Compliance Challenges for Credit Unions
EXPERT CONNEXIONS: Comply-YES: Compliance Challenges for Credit Unions
What if compliance isn’t a roadblock — but your biggest business advantage?
In this episode of Expert Connexions, host Julie Holton Smith together with Melissa Osborn, Chief Operating Officer of Comply-YES!, explore how compliance done right can accelerate growth, especially for small but mighty credit unions and community-based organizations.
Melissa shares what it means to lead with intention in a heavily regulated space — and how even the most complex compliance strategies can empower businesses to scale with confidence.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How compliance can fuel innovation instead of slowing it down
✅ The biggest regulatory risks most small businesses overlook
✅ Why “preventative compliance” could save your business
✅ How credit unions are quietly holding entire communities together
✅ What leadership looks like when the stakes are high
💡 As we approach Women’s Equality Day, this episode highlights one of the many women leading with purpose and reshaping industries from the inside out.
About Our Guest:
Melissa Osborn is the COO of Comply-YES!, a consultancy helping credit unions and non-profits build scalable compliance strategies that reduce risk and maximize growth. With over two decades of experience in financial services, Melissa is a respected voice in regulatory strategy, risk management, and inclusive leadership.
Learn more at: www.comply-yes.com/about-us/
About Our Host, Julie Holton Smith:
Julie is a 3x Emmy Award-winning producer, entrepreneur, and Principal Strategist at mConnexions. As host of Expert Connexions, she curates purpose-driven conversations with industry leaders to help you grow, lead, and succeed with clarity and confidence.
Learn more at: www.mconnexions.com
📢 Subscribe now and don’t miss our new upcoming mini-series!