Behind the Mic: Flipping the Script | Melissa Asks the Questions

Where Compassion & Consistency Meet: Angie Khalaf of Mr. Mike's Grill, Metro-Detroit's Gluten-Free Favorite

Send Fan Mail! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2602054/fan_mail/new] What does it look like to build a business with consistency and compassion? This week, I sat down with Angie from Mr. Mike's Grill, a family-owned restaurant that's become a favorite for the gluten-free community in Metro Detroit.  Angie shares how her family's journey started with one small gluten-free menu inspired by her mom's celiac diagnosis. Over the years, that simple idea has grown into one of the largest gluten-free menus in the area, all because they stayed consistent with their priorities--good food, good service, safe experience. We also talk about building trust with customers, learning as you go, balancing family and business, and why consistency can be one of the most powerful tools an entrepreneur has. Listen for the advice Angie's mom gave her years ago. It's good! Whether you're an entrepreneur, a foodie, or someone who simply appreciates businesses that lead with heart, I think you'll really enjoy this conversation. In this episode, we talk about: *  How one family's personal experience led to an incredible gluten-free menu  *  Why consistency has been their greatest business superpower  *  Building customer trust  *  And more! Connect with Angie and Mr. Mike's Grill: Follow them on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/MrMikesWestland]. Visit their website [https://mrmikesgrill.com]. Fun in the HighlightHer community: Join HighlightHer over on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/c/HighlightHerNetwork] with a limited-time free trial! Jenny and guests continue the conversation after the episode ends and expand on topics related to life and entrepreneurship. Claim your gift Advice, Encouragement & Lessons from 10 Female Entrepreneurs [https://highlighthernetwork.kit.com/season1gift] and also get each podcast episode delivered. Join the fun with over 500 other HighlightHer Network fans on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/share/1GCaPzr3Zb/]! Be sure to follow the HighlightHer podcast so you can hear each episode. After all, you never know when her story will inspire your next step. Know someone who should be a guest on the HighlightHer podcast? Nominate her here! [https://forms.gle/17HQcxiExoo5xx9Y7] Want to start your own podcast? BuzzSprout simplifies it for you! Use my referral code [https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2535567], and we each get a $20 credit! Need a place to create and store QR codes? QR Tiger to the rescue! Their dynamic QR codes make it easy to change out links should you want your code’s job to change. Use this referral link and we both get a gift. [https://qrcode-tiger.com/share-code/3AOW-R79V] Credits: Editing: Greg Herman Music: “Corporate Inspiration” track - by Oleksandr Savochka at Pixabay [https://pixabay.com/music/corporate-corporate-inspiration-166666/]

From Rejection Letters to Self-Publishing: Author Jannis DeGraw Buhr's Creative Journey

Send Fan Mail! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2602054/fan_mail/new] Every creative journey has twists and turns. This week, I sit down with Michigan author Jan Buhr to talk about writing, publishing, creative courage, and how pain makes you a better creator. In this candid conversation, we discuss * technology and writing * deciding to pause her pursuit * family support and the difference it makes * and more Connect with Jan Follow her on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/jannis.degrawbuhr] to keep up with events and news Follow her author page on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jannis-Degraw-Buhr/author/B0BP7TD5C5?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1782869790&sr=8-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true] Fun in the HighlightHer community: Join HighlightHer over on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/c/HighlightHerNetwork] with a limited-time free trial! Jenny and guests continue the conversation after the episode ends and expand on topics related to life and entrepreneurship. Claim your gift Advice, Encouragement & Lessons from 10 Female Entrepreneurs [https://highlighthernetwork.kit.com/season1gift] and also get each podcast episode delivered. Join the fun with over 500 other HighlightHer Network fans on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/share/1GCaPzr3Zb/]! Be sure to follow the HighlightHer podcast so you can hear each episode. After all, you never know when her story will inspire your next step. Know someone who should be a guest on the HighlightHer podcast? Nominate her here! [https://forms.gle/17HQcxiExoo5xx9Y7] Want to start your own podcast? BuzzSprout simplifies it for you! Use my referral code [https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2535567], and we each get a $20 credit! Need a place to create and store QR codes? QR Tiger to the rescue! Their dynamic QR codes make it easy to change out links should you want your code’s job to change. Use this referral link and we both get a gift. [https://qrcode-tiger.com/share-code/3AOW-R79V] Credits: Editing: Greg Herman Music: “Corporate Inspiration” track - by Oleksandr Savochka at Pixabay [https://pixabay.com/music/corporate-corporate-inspiration-166666/]

From Single Mom to Salon Owner: Lisa's 27-Year Entrepreneur Journey

Send Fan Mail! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2602054/fan_mail/new] What happens when a side job turns into a 27-year career? In this episode of HighlightHer, I sit down with Lisa of Posh Nail Studio to talk about her journey from beauty school student and single mom to successful salon owner with strong community ties. Lisa shares the ups and downs of building a business, including closing her first salon, rebuilding her clientele, pivoting when life required it, and ultimately creating a thriving business built on relationships, referrals, and consistency. Listen in, and you will discover how much Lisa genuinely loves connecting with people. Whether she's helping a client turn a bad day around with a bright new nail color, creating specialty spa experiences, or welcoming longtime customers who've been with her for decades, connection is at the heart of everything she does. In This Episode: ✨ How Lisa built a loyal client base over 27 years ✨ Making entrepreneurship work as a single mom ✨ Why pivoting isn't the same as giving up ✨ Advice for women considering starting a business ✨And more Every woman can learn something from Lisa! Connect with Lisa: Follow Posh Nail Studio on Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/poshnailsbylisa] to discover current specials and events! Visit her salon in Wyandotte [https://maps.app.goo.gl/Sz1qb4VQ6UB9SEeL9], MI. Fun in the HighlightHer community: Join HighlightHer over on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/c/HighlightHerNetwork]. Jenny and guests continue the conversation after the episode ends and expand on topics related to life and entrepreneurship. Claim your gift Advice, Encouragement & Lessons from 10 Female Entrepreneurs [https://highlighthernetwork.kit.com/season1gift] and also get each podcast episode delivered. Join the fun with over 500 other HighlightHer Network fans on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/share/1GCaPzr3Zb/]! Be sure to follow the HighlightHer podcast so you can hear each episode. After all, you never know when her story will inspire your next step. Know someone who should be a guest on the HighlightHer podcast? Nominate her here! [https://forms.gle/17HQcxiExoo5xx9Y7] Want to start your own podcast? BuzzSprout simplifies it for you! Use my referral code [https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2535567], and we each get a $20 credit! Need a place to create and store QR codes? QR Tiger to the rescue! Their dynamic QR codes make it easy to change out links should you want your code’s job to change. Use this referral link and we both get a gift. [https://qrcode-tiger.com/share-code/3AOW-R79V] Credits: Editing: Greg Herman Music: “Corporate Inspiration” track - by Oleksandr Savochka at Pixabay [https://pixabay.com/music/corporate-corporate-inspiration-166666/]

What If Resilience Is Your Superpower? A Conversation with Miranda of Celebrate MI Life, Mental Health NonProfit

Send Fan Mail! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2602054/fan_mail/new] What happens when a one-time event turns into a mission? This week, I sit down with Miranda, founder of Celebrate Mi Life, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental wellness, resilience, connection, and suicide prevention throughout Downriver and Southeast Michigan. Miranda shares how a simple idea to bring people together grew into an organization that hosts community events, support programs, and unique non-alcoholic social gatherings designed to help people connect without the need for alcohol. In this episode, we discuss: ✨ The surprising story behind how Celebrate MI Life began ✨ Why resilience is at the heart of everything Miranda does ✨ Creating welcoming spaces where people can simply be themselves ✨ Lessons learned from building a nonprofit while working a full-time job ✨ Why "failure" isn't really failure if you keep going, and more One of the best moments was hearing Miranda talk about looking around one of their events and realizing that even a smaller crowd can have a huge impact. Sometimes success isn't measured by numbers—it's measured by the laughter, connection, and encouragement happening right in front of you. If you've ever felt called to start something meaningful, struggled with perfectionism, or needed a reminder that small steps matter, I think you'll enjoy this conversation. And if you want even MORE conversation, head over to After the Highlight on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/collection/2181835?view=expanded]. We dive deeper into a couple of topics there. Connect with Celebrate MI Life: 🌐 Website: CelebrateMILife.org [http://celebratemilife.org] 📱 Follow on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/CelebrateMiLife], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/celebratemilife/], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@celebratemilife], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPuVNPCb6qCdZp1OokakXhw], and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/celebrate-milife] 📅 Follow on Facebook to stay up to date on upcoming events [https://www.facebook.com/CelebrateMiLife/events], including their popular non-alcoholic social nights. Fun in the HighlightHer community: Claim your gift Advice, Encouragement & Lessons from 10 Female Entrepreneurs [https://highlighthernetwork.kit.com/season1gift] and also get each podcast episode delivered Join the fun with HighlightHer Network on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/share/1GCaPzr3Zb/]! Be sure to follow the HighlightHer podcast so you can hear each episode. After all, you never know when her story will inspire your next step. Know someone who should be a guest on the HighlightHer podcast? Nominate her here! [https://forms.gle/17HQcxiExoo5xx9Y7] Want to start your own podcast? BuzzSprout simplifies it for you! Use my referral code [https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2535567], and we each get a $20 credit! Need a place to create and store QR codes? QR Tiger to the rescue! Their dynamic QR codes make it easy to change out links should you want your code’s job to change. Use this referral link and we both get a gift. [https://qrcode-tiger.com/share-code/3AOW-R79V] Credits: Editing: Greg Herman Music: “Corporate Inspiration” track - by Oleksandr Savochka at Pixabay [https://pixabay.com/music/corporate-corporate-inspiration-166666/]

Making a Difference When It Matters Most | Emma Weaver of Downriver Doula

Send Fan Mail! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2602054/fan_mail/new] What happens when you combine compassion, courage, and a willingness to jump in before you feel fully ready? In this episode of HighlightHer, Jenny sits down with Emma Weaver, founder of Downriver Doula, for a thoughtful conversation about birth work, entrepreneurship, motherhood, and supporting women through some of the most vulnerable and powerful moments of their lives. Jenny has had the unique privilege of watching Emma grow from a college student at church into a wife, mom, and business owner — making this conversation feel especially full circle. Emma shares how her own childbirth experience sparked an interest in becoming a doula, how one unexpected opportunity confirmed she was on the right path, and how she adapted to be able to run a business and take care of her own family. Together, Jenny and Emma talk about: *  Starting before you feel fully qualified  *  Building a business through relationships and trust  *  Balancing entrepreneurship with family life  *  Partnering with the “right” people in business  * and more! Emma also gives listeners a beautiful behind-the-scenes look at what doulas actually do — from prenatal meetings and labor support to postpartum visits sprinkled with personal touches. One of the themes woven throughout this episode is something HighlightHer listeners know well: sometimes the most meaningful businesses are built simply by noticing a need and deciding to show up for people. Connect with Emma: Learn more about Emma and her services at Downriver Doula [http://downriverdoula.com] Follow Emma on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551852209302] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/downriver_doula/] Fun in the HighlightHer community: Claim your gift Advice, Encouragement & Lessons from 10 Female Entrepreneurs [https://highlighthernetwork.kit.com/season1gift] and also get each podcast episode delivered Join the fun with HighlightHer Network on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/share/1GCaPzr3Zb/]! Be sure to follow the HighlightHer podcast so you can hear each episode. After all, you never know when her story will inspire your next step. Know someone who should be a guest on the HighlightHer podcast? Nominate her here! [https://forms.gle/17HQcxiExoo5xx9Y7] Want to start your own podcast? BuzzSprout simplifies it for you! Use my referral code [https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2535567], and we each get a $20 credit! Need a place to create and store QR codes? QR Tiger to the rescue! Their dynamic QR codes make it easy to change out links should you want your code’s job to change. Use this referral link and we both get a gift. [https://qrcode-tiger.com/share-code/3AOW-R79V] Credits: Editing: Greg Herman Music: “Corporate Inspiration” track - by Oleksandr Savochka at Pixabay [https://pixabay.com/music/corporate-corporate-inspiration-166666/]