Don't Quote Me

Season 2 of Don’t Quote Me concludes with a powerful conversation featuring Omar Arredondo, whose journey reflects what it means to lead with intention, resilience, and community at the center.In this finale episode, Omar shares the experiences that shaped his path, the lessons learned through adversity and growth, and his perspective on building something that outlives any single moment. The discussion explores leadership, responsibility, personal evolution, and the drive to create meaningful change, not just success.Throughout the season, Don’t Quote Me has highlighted voices shaping culture, business, art, and community. This final conversation brings those themes together in a deeply thoughtful and forward-looking way.

What does it really take to pursue creativity full-time?In this episode of Don’t Quote Me, we sit down with Grand Rapids artist and entrepreneur Alex “Big Al” Moran. Known for his murals across Michigan, Alex shares the unconventional journey that led him to leave corporate America and pursue art as a full-time career.Alex talks about the mental battle behind creativity, why great ideas often come from sitting through discomfort, and what it actually looks like to build a life around passion instead of stability. From tagging murals as “Big Al” to navigating the realities of scaling an art career, this conversation dives into the mindset, risks, and purpose behind creative work.We also explore the transition from structured corporate environments to the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship, the role routine plays in creativity, and how artists can think about impact beyond just the next project.

In Episode 10 of Don’t Quote Me, we sit down with Grand Rapids serial entrepreneur Jonathan Jelks to unpack what it really takes to build in today’s economy. From Sip Coffee & Cocktails to Motu Viget, cannabis ventures, hospitality spaces, and the Midwest Tech Project, Jonathan shares how he navigates risk, partnerships, failure, and long-term vision while staying rooted in community. In this conversation, we explore: Why diversification matters in modern entrepreneurshipLessons learned from ventures that didn’t workBuilding talent pipelines and investing in the next generationThe balance (or illusion of balance) between work and lifeAI, automation, and the future of human-centered spacesWhy resilience and toughness still matterJonathan reflects on growing up in Southeast Grand Rapids, creating opportunities for others, and the responsibility that comes with success. This episode is about legacy, systems thinking, and building something that outlives you.

In this episode of Don’t Quote Me, we sit down with Ximon Kittok (they/them), co-founder and Executive Director of the Grand Rapids Trans Foundation, for an honest and deeply human conversation about trans identity, community care, and liberation.Ximon shares why transness isn’t monolithic, how joy and euphoria can be acts of resistance, and what it means to build systems of support for trans and non-binary people in West Michigan. We talk about the Foundation’s hands-on programs, and why community spaces rooted in dignity and compassion matter more than ever.This conversation also explores:Why trans euphoria deserves more attention than trans tragedyThe importance of bodily autonomy and self-expressionHow small, local organizations make a massive impactWhat allies can actually do to support trans communities right now

In this episode of Don’t Quote Me, Nick Avink—founder of Grand Rapids Trampoline Academy—shares his journey from competitive trampoline athlete to nonprofit leader working to expand access to movement-based programming for young people.The conversation explores:Why Grand Rapids Trampoline Academy transitioned to a nonprofit modelHow trampoline and tumbling function as both athletic discipline and art formThe role movement plays in confidence, creativity, and mental resilienceReducing financial and geographic barriers in youth athleticsBuilding community-centered programs during and after COVIDA long-term vision inspired by the YMCA model for nationwide accessibilityNick also discusses the realities of competitive athletics, coaching across age groups, and why recreational organizations are essential to healthy, connected communities.Don’t Quote Me is a longform interview series highlighting the people shaping culture, creativity, and community.

For 18 years, Lori has built a space where people feel seen, heard, safe, and welcomed. But behind the warm atmosphere is a journey filled with risk, creativity, grief, reinvention, motherhood, community-building, and resilience.We talk about:• How Scorpion Hearts Club came to be (and its past as Stray Dog Café & Sparrow’s)• Creating a genuinely safe space for staff and patrons• What it means to listen well and build community intentionally• The emotional + business reality of selling a brand• Balancing business ownership with parenting• Navigating grief after losing her husband, David Wenzel• Why love, honesty, and stubborn hope still matter• And how being “a little salty, a little loving” can build a powerful creative cultureThis episode is thoughtful, deeply human, funny, vulnerable, and full of wisdom for entrepreneurs, creatives, parents, and anyone who believes community still matters.

In this episode, we sit down with Xavier Aker, a young self-taught artist whose work is turning heads across Grand Rapids and beyond. Xavier opens up about his journey into art, the personal experiences that shaped his creative voice, and why trusting himself became the turning point in his career.He talks candidly about learning outside of formal education, the pressure young artists feel to “prove themselves,” and how he learned to value his work without underselling his craft. From the moment he picked up a pen to the evolution of his bold, narrative-driven pieces, Xavier shares how intuition, lived experience, and relentless curiosity fuel his process.We also dive into the power of representation, the importance of self-belief, and the emotional tension behind his visual storytelling. And in his soapbox moment, Xavier offers heartfelt encouragement for young creators facing imposter syndrome, uncertainty, or the fear of taking up space.If you’re an emerging creative, an art lover, or someone figuring out how to trust your own voice, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Don’t Quote Me, we sit down with Cole Williams: a pillar of the Grand Rapids community, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Delta Project, and a lifelong advocate for youth and justice.Cole has spent years working within the juvenile justice system, offering mentorship, education, and compassion to young people who are too often forgotten. But beyond his professional titles, Cole is a father, a leader, and a believer in the power of love as a form of resistance.Together, we talk about what it means to truly care for your community, where joy shows up in hard spaces, and how we can each play a part in creating lasting change. This episode is about heart, about showing up, holding space, and choosing hope.

In this episode of Don’t Quote Me, we sit down with Luke Shoemaker, longtime Grand Rapids musician, photographer, and creative force, to talk about the journey of staying true to your art while evolving through new seasons of life.From his early days in the local music scene to national tours, countless bands, and a thriving freelance career behind the camera, Luke reflects on what it means to embrace the title artist after years of resisting it.We talk music, fatherhood, community, and the ever-changing landscape of creativity in Grand Rapids.🎙️ Don’t Quote Me is a Vance & Company original series spotlighting artists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers who remind us that connection is at the heart of creativity.

Amy Day has built a career on curiosity and creative risk-taking. Now the Creative Director of ArtPrize, she joins Don’t Quote Me to reflect on her journey through design, wilderness therapy, and the power of art to bring people together. This episode explores what it means to create with purpose — and how art can move entire communities forward.

In Episode 2 of Season 2, we sit down with Kate Christy—founder of Folk Founded and the brilliant designer behind the Vance & Company brand. Kate is not only an incredible creative partner but also a mother, long-distance hiker, and one of the most grounded voices in design we know.This episode is all about what it means to design a creative career around the kind of life you want to live.Kate’s humility and wisdom make this one of our most inspiring episodes yet, and it’s a must-watch for any designer, freelancer, or creative trying to do meaningful work without burning out. Don’t Quote Me is a Vance & Company original series spotlighting local (and not-so-local) creatives and changemakers doing courageous work with authenticity and care.

We're back with Season 2 of Don’t Quote Me, and there's no better way to launch than by sitting down once again with our longtime friend and collaborator, Jose Jimenez.In Season 1, Jose helped us pilot this series by sounding the alarm on the subtle — and not-so-subtle — threats facing immigrant communities in Michigan and across the country. Now, in September 2025, we revisit those concerns with fresh urgency.Jose reflects on the past year, the prescience of his award-winning short film Citizen, and how much the political and cultural landscape has shifted since our first conversation. From ICE’s continued targeting of Latinos to law enforcement’s troubling local partnerships, Jose doesn’t hold back.This episode is a powerful reminder of why art, truth-telling, and fearless conversation matter now more than ever.

Leadership coach, consultant, and nonprofit board president Kareem Scales joins us to unpack what it really means to show up across sectors, roles, and lived experiences. With deep roots in advocacy and a firm eye on the future, Kareem shares what it takes to create systems that serve people and push back against outdated perceptions.

Luxury is Wellness: Brendon Craft on Reintroduction, Presence, and the New MasculinityEntrepreneur and creative Brendon Craft (aka Crafty) explores what it means to live again - to slow down, reset, and redefine success on your own terms. Brendon shares hard-earned lessons on fatherhood, mindfulness, male loneliness, and the power of radical authenticity.

Join us in Berlin with tramp wall artist Dillon Vance, who breaks down the intersection of athletics and artistry, and why live performance resonates in ways no recording ever could. Dillon’s story reminds us that pursuing passion, even without a roadmap, can lead to extraordinary places. For those chasing craft, momentum, and purpose, this one’s for you.

Civic designer and facilitator Adam Weiler breaks down the mechanics of meaningful innovation. Adam explains how design thinking and curiosity can lead to better outcomes for everyone. Whether you're in business, government, or somewhere in between, this one’s for the problem solvers.

Stylist, fine artist, and all-around creative powerhouse Lynn Serulla joins us to talk about working in the real world as an artist without losing your voice. This episode is a crash course in thriving creatively while still paying the bills (and following your dreams).

Hannah Berry has been loudly transforming Grand Rapids. In this episode, the Lions & Rabbits founder shares how art can shift public perception, unlock state infrastructure, and center community in lasting ways. It’s about systems, equity (and spray paint).

DJ, event producer, and Grand Rapids cultural icon Adrian “AB” Butler talks identity, longevity, and the challenge of staying true to yourself in spaces that weren’t built with you in mind. Adrian’s journey is full of laughs, lessons, and leadership. This one’s about legacy.

Filmmaker Kenny Acker opens up about his creative journey, the grind of building something real in Grand Rapids, and why trusting your gut (and your DMs) can open doors you never expected. Kenny shows us what it means to be relentlessly resourceful and unapologetically hopeful.

In this soulful episode, Amber Kilpatrick invites us into a conversation about intuition, mindfulness, and the quiet power of presence. From her work in wellness and contemplative practices to her community-based advocacy, Amber reminds us what it means to be a vessel for love, for healing, and for deep listening in a noisy world.

Steven Martinez, known for leading through change, sits down with us to explore resiliency, reinvention, and the leadership required to make bold moves in challenging times. This episode peels back the layers of professional growth, pivoting under pressure, and how tenacity and vision can propel meaningful transformation—even when the future isn’t clear.

In this episode of Don’t Quote Me, we sit down with Miguel Hernandez: a multidisciplinary creative, community-builder, and creator of the short film, Volador. Miguel shares his honest reflections on building something meaningful without burning out.We talk about navigating self-doubt, learning to delegate, and what it means to build a life around your values, even when the blueprint doesn’t exist yet. Miguel’s journey is a reminder that there’s no straight path to creative fulfillment. Only persistence, curiosity, and the people who show up along the way.

In the premiere episode of Don’t Quote Me, we sit down with Jose Jimenez: an award-winning filmmaker and a longtime friend of the Vance & Company team.Jose shares his journey as a storyteller committed to truth, empathy, and impact. Most notably, he talks about his process directing Citizen: The Jilmar Ramos Gomez Story. Jose reflects on the role of media in shaping public narratives and how storytelling can break through fear in a world that often weaponizes it.We talk about the tension between visibility and vulnerability, what it means to represent your community authentically, and how creativity can be a tool for collective liberation.