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Two roads diverged in a wood, and II took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.
— Robert Frost
We’ve all been there: A fork in the road. A choice between two paths. One familiar, more understood. The other more ambiguous, a little bumpier, and simply harder — but unmistakably your own.
That, to me, is small business ownership in a nutshell. It’s believing in yourself — your work ethic, your grit, your perseverance — and asking others to believe in what you know you’re capable of.
With this issue, Ann Arbor City Lifestyle celebrates one year since the Founding Partners — featured to the right — gave me the chance to start down this path. This magazine wouldn’t exist without those businesses believing in me, believing in an idea, and taking a leap of faith on something new.
They are incredible businesses — and even more incredible people. And honestly, I can say that about every advertiser who has supported this magazine to date. Every. Single. One. They believe in community — in our community — and are part of what makes it so special.
This issue is a celebration of people and small businesses who chose their own path, people who bet on themselves and built something meaningful.
We begin with Crystle Partington of Ann Arbor Gardens (one of the few femaleowned landscape design firms in the area), who built her business the same way she builds her modern, natural landscapes—through drive, instinct, and a team she works alongside, not above.
We also sit down with Lewis Jewelers, a century-old, third-generation business deeply rooted in this university town of ours. For generations, they’ve helped mark life’s most meaningful moments, reminding us that some paths aren’t just chosen, they’re meant to be remembered.
Next we chat with local artist Veta McFall, who made her name with intricate, black-and-white portraits, but is now on a completely new path — telling her story with bold color, no rules, and entirely on her own terms.
We also feature the Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance, an extraordinary nonprofit dedicated to education, advocacy, and providing support to those facing one of the most challenging cancers. Finally, we round out the issue with speaker, author, and workforce culture strategist Michelle Silverthorn, who reminds us it’s never too late to reinvent — and to thrive.
Here’s to a month of celebrating the paths we choose — to starting, to taking the chance, and to believing in yourself.
MARIA KARPIEL, PUBLISHER @ANNARBORCITYLIFESTYLE
May 2026
PUBLISHER
Maria Karpiel | maria.karpiel@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Rebecca Voigt | rebecca.voigt@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Lindsey Dodge, Kali Kasorzyk, Emily Klimas, Michelle Silverthorn
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Stacy Anderson
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford
LAYOUT DESIGNER Lillian Gibbs
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Maria Karpiel ANN ARBOR CITY LIFESTYLE PUBLISHER
Angelini & Associates Architects ANGELINIARCHITECTS.COM
Ann Arbaugh - Real Estate ALEXMI.COM/AGENT/ANN-ARBAUGH
Ann Arbor Gardens ANNARBORGARDENS.COM
Ariel Hurwitz-Greene - Real Estate ARIELHURWITZGREENE.COM
DGY Dentistry DGYDENTISTRY.COM
Guardian Tree Experts GUARDIANTREEEXPERTS.COM
James Olsen, DDS JAMESOLSENDDS.COM
Johnson Brothers Construction JBCAA.COM
KC Runciman Landscapes KCRUNCIMAN.COM
Momentum Construction + Design BUILDWITHMOMENTUM.COM
Rochman Design-Build ROCHMANDESIGNBUILD.COM
The Pulpo Group THEPULPOGROUP.COM
University Musical Society (UMS) UMS.ORG
Ann Arbor Gardens founder Crystle Partington has spent two decades transforming landscapes — and building a collective of craftspeople along the way
For generations, Lewis Jewelers has helped Ann Arbor celebrate life’s most meaningful milestones
Artist Veta McFall’s work is a dialogue with the unknown
DGY Dentistry delivers Ann Arbor’s most elevated cosmetic and comprehensive dental experience through exceptional artistry, precision, and personalized care.
From smile design and veneers to implants and full-service dentistry, every treatment is tailored to achieve refined, natural, and truly remarkable results.
Schedule a consultation today.
1: The Burns Park Players in The SpongeBob Musical at the Michigan Theater. 2: Math teacher Larry Biederman shows off his Pi tattoo with Marla Biederman at PLAY: A Pi-Day Soiree at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. 3: Zingerman's Cornman Farms introduces their hyper-local gin and vodka, crafted and distilled in collaboration with Ann Arbor Distilling Company. 4: Debbie Dingell, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum President & CEO Susan Westhoff, Board Chair Paul Fanson, and Amanda Fanson at PLAY. 5: Art by Andrew Poske in Ann Arbor's iconic Graffiti Alley, celebrating the Burns Park Players production of The SpongeBob Musical. 6: The Thurston Players in an original production of Rolling on the Riverboat at Huron High School. 7: Head Brewer Alexis Jorgensen led the creation of Mothfire's new beer, Rosy, on International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day.
Ann Arbor’s longtime design destination, Esquire Interiors, invites the community to its Semi-Annual Sale, May 2 to 31, with up to 40 percent off storewide. Serving the area since 1952, the family-run business offers a full range of design essentials, from custom draperies and window treatments to furniture, flooring, and more. It’s an ideal time to explore the beautifully curated showroom, where commission-free designers can help transform your ideas and inspiration into spaces that feel personal, layered, and beautifully lived in.
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HouseN2Home will host its third annual “Welcome Home” fundraiser at Frutig Farms on May 9 from 5 to 8 p.m., bringing the community together to support families across Washtenaw County transitioning out of homelessness. Guests will enjoy a strolling dinner, auction, presentation, and entertainment while learning more about the nonprofit’s impact — HouseN2Home has furnished more than 1,800 homes locally. The evening is supported by dedicated community advocates, including Ann Arbaugh, a longtime volunteer and champion of the organization’s mission.
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Core Collective Ann Arbor invites its community to a five-night retreat in Portugal’s Algarve, blending movement, nature, and connection. Days begin with Pilates and unfold with coastal hikes, swims, and shared meals prepared by a private chef — all set in a serene countryside villa. Designed for those who value wellness, great food, and meaningful connection, this thoughtfully curated experience offers the perfect opportunity to unplug from daily life and return home refreshed.
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May 2nd - May 31st
2–MAY 31
Join us Saturday, May 2 from 10 AM–2 PM for our Derby Sip & Style Event at our Ann Arbor showroom as we kick off our semi-annual sale!
Enjoy a festive, derby-inspired day and be among the first to take advantage of
Ann Arbor Gardens founder Crystle Partington has spent two decades transforming landscapes — and building a collective of craftspeople along the way
ARTICLE BY LINDSEY DODGE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY STACY ANDERSON
It’s a crisp, early spring morning, and Crystle Partington has just arrived at one of her current job sites: a stunning Craftsmanstyle renovation perched along the Huron River. Split boulders create organic steps up toward the cedar-shingled home, guiding visitors through a landscape that feels both purposeful and completely natural. The design integrates organic materials,
“I’m surrounded by incredible talent every day. That’s what success looks like to me.”
thoughtful hardscape, and a sweeping river view in a way that feels unmistakably Ann Arbor — grounded, beautiful, and quietly intentional.
Partington herself fits that description. Having lived in southeastern Michigan for decades after growing up on a Texas cattle farm, a practicing vegetarian since the 1980s, and a business owner who prioritizes collaboration with her team, she embodies the spirit of the community she works in.
As the owner of Ann Arbor Gardens, Partington has spent more than 20 years transforming outdoor spaces across the region, building not just gardens but a tight-knit collective of craftspeople who bring each project to life.
Ann Arbor Gardens began, as many good things do, almost by accident.
When Partington’s youngest child started kindergarten, she found herself ready to return to work. A friend invited her to help with some gardening
projects, and things blossomed from there. “At first it was just a few hours here and there,” Partington recalls. “Then more work started coming in, and we brought in another friend. That’s when I realized this could be something bigger.”
Her first step toward building a business was simple: she printed business cards for the group. From there, the company grew organically.
Partington credits her childhood in Texas for planting the earliest seeds of her career. Growing up on more than 250 acres meant long days outdoors, exploring and working on the land alongside her brothers.
“Those experiences really shape you,” she says. “I truly can’t imagine doing anything else, and I’m grateful every single day.”
The company logo — a Yorkshire rose honoring both her childhood and her husband’s English roots — reflects the balance between function and beauty that anchors her work. In the early years, the business
was, in her words, “scrappy.” This was the early 2000s — before smartphones and laptops streamlined running a business.
“It was lots of learning by experience and tons of hard work,” she says.
What she did have from the start, however, were loyal clients. Some of those very first properties are still part of Ann Arbor Gardens’ maintenance rotation today.
“Katie Holt, who leads our maintenance crew, still tends the very first properties where it all started over 20 years ago,” Partington says. “I’m not kidding — these people are like family to us.”
Landscape design sits at the intersection of artistry and construction, something Partington finds endlessly compelling.
“I’ve always loved the before-and-after transformation,” she says. “There’s so much room for collaboration and creativity.”
What began primarily as gardening gradually evolved into larger residential builds and more complex landscape construction. With each project came new possibilities — and a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship required to reshape outdoor spaces.
Partington’s design sensibility has also been shaped by her travels to England with her husband. There, she fell in love with the charm of small courtyards and thoughtfully designed outdoor gathering spaces.
“All the things you wish you had for your kids to run around on, or a place for people to gather,” she says. “That’s probably where my love for courtyards and beautiful spaces comes from.”
While landscape construction remains a male-dominated industry, Partington says she’s never focused too heavily on the gender divide.
“Was I nervous walking into some of the big supply yards for the first time? Oh yeah,” she admits with a laugh. “But that was more about stepping outside my comfort zone.”
Instead, she’s built strong relationships across the industry: from builders and architects to fellow tradespeople.
“I’ve gotten along with everyone really well,” she says. “We have a good laugh. It’s great to have a solid network where we can ask questions and bounce ideas off each other.”
Today, she is the only woman on her hardscape crew, but she hopes that will continue to change.
“Women can do anything,” she says simply.
If there’s one thing Partington emphasizes most, it’s the people she works alongside. Over the years she has built long-standing partnerships with tradespeople who bring specialized expertise to each project. Rather than a traditional hierarchy, she describes the team as a collective.
“They don’t work for me,” she says. “They work with me.”
Some relationships go back more than 15 years. Others began through chance encounters around town that evolved into close working partnerships. Oscar Valle, who helped teach Partington to operate heavy machinery, and Jarrod Hendrickson, a craftsman she describes as both artist and builder, are regular collaborators. Others join for specialty work, from metal fabrication to masonry.
The respect between them runs deep.
“How can you be a team if you don’t work hard for each other?” she says.
That sense of shared investment is also reflected in the tools of the trade. While Partington owns the company’s machines, she’s quick to credit the expertise of those who operate them.
“Oscar and Jarrod are way more efficient,” she says with a smile. “They’ve been running machines for over 30 years.”
For Partington, the joy of the work still comes down to the same moment that first drew her to the field: seeing a space transformed.
“I love the first walk-through with homeowners,” she says. “Exploring the possibilities, choosing materials — every project is so unique.”
And when the job is finally complete?
“I love it,” she says. “Especially when the crew steps back and starts taking pictures of something they created.”
Even after two decades of growth, Partington is still looking ahead. Recently, she signed on to 10 acres of land — the start of the company’s next chapter. “Currently it’s just a big, beautiful open field that had been farmed for corn, [but] I hope to open a small-scale, boutique-style nursery,” she says. “We’re working on some exciting things. It’s the next adventure.”
For Partington, success isn’t measured in square footage or machinery. It’s the people.
“I’m surrounded by incredible talent every day,” she says. “That’s what success looks like to me.”
To learn more visit annarborgardens.com.
For generations, Lewis Jewelers has helped Ann Arbor celebrate life’s most meaningful milestones
Jewelry often marks the moments people remember for the rest of their lives: engagements, anniversaries, graduations, and gifts that become family heirlooms. For more than a century, Lewis Jewelers has helped customers celebrate those milestones, making the Ann Arbor jeweler part of generations of family stories.
While the store is now a familiar Ann Arbor destination, the family business began in Detroit in 1921 before relocating here a half-century ago. The move proved to be a natural fit for a business built on relationships and long-term trust.
“Ann Arbor has always had such a strong sense of community,” says Keith Larkin of Lewis Jewelers. “Being a university town brings a great mix of people, and the stability that comes with the University of Michigan made it an ideal place to build a business for the long run.”
More than 100 years later, Lewis Jewelers continues to thrive as a multi-generational family enterprise. The company is now led by third-generation owner David Lewis, with the fourth generation already beginning to take part in the business.
Longevity in retail — especially in an era shaped by online shopping — is no small feat. According to Larkin, Lewis Jewelers’ staying power comes down to community connection, personal service, and a willingness to evolve with customers’ needs.
ARTICLE BY LINDSEY DODGE PHOTOGRAPHY BY STACY ANDERSON
“Giving back has always been a big part of who we are,” he says. “Ann Arbor has incredible schools, nonprofits, and organizations, and we try to support as many as we can. If we don’t have a strong community around us, then who are we?”
That philosophy extends to the store’s day-to-day service model. “We try to have something for everyone who walks through the door,” Larkin says. “You might come in for a $15 watch battery, or you might be creating a one-of-a-kind engagement ring. But the meaning behind it is the same. Jewelry is about connection.”
Custom jewelry has become one of the store’s most distinctive services. Many customers arrive with inspiration photos or ideas for a piece that represents an important milestone, and the Lewis team helps bring that vision to life.
“Jewelry at its heart is personal,” Larkin says. “When someone has an idea in their mind of what they want to create, our job is to make that happen.”
Technology has expanded those possibilities in recent years. Lewis Jewelers now uses digital design tools and in-store 3-D printing to create models of custom pieces before they are produced, allowing customers to see and refine a design before the final piece is crafted.
Alongside custom work, the store offers designer collections and nationally recognized jewelry brands, from Tacori to Forever Diamonds. The selection became easier to showcase after Lewis Jewelers moved three years ago into its current 11,000-squarefoot showroom — a significant expansion from its previous 2,500-squarefoot location.
Operating in Ann Arbor also means serving one of the most dynamic markets in the Midwest. With the University of Michigan and major hospital systems
drawing students, researchers, physicians, and families from around the world, the city welcomes thousands of new residents every year, making Lewis Jewelers part of countless U-M love stories and families. Many customers return to Lewis Jewelers generation after generation, a testament to the relationships built over decades.
For Larkin, some of the most meaningful moments come from the smallest requests. Recently, a longtime customer and military veteran came into the store carrying several religious medallions he had kept in his pocket throughout multiple tours of duty. One of the pieces — a Miraculous Mary medal — had been given to him by his mother years earlier.
The rings holding the medallions together had worn down, and he hoped they could be repaired before an upcoming trip.
“It was a $15 job,” Larkin says. “But those medallions meant the world to him. Being able to fix them so he could carry them again — that’s why we do what we do.”
After more than a century in business, Lewis Jewelers continues to do what it has always done best: helping people stay connected to the moments that matter most.
Learn more at lewisjewelers.com. CONTINUED >
Whether you’re looking for an unforgettable Mother’s Day gift, a Father’s Day gift sure to make your dad smile, or a commemorative piece for the graduate in your life, Lewis Jewelers’ distinctive collections offer something for everyone.
ARTICLE BY EMILY KLIMAS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY STACY ANDERSON
ARTIST
The air in Veta McFall’s studio doesn’t just hold the scent of drying paint. It carries the electric hum of a woman who has broken her own mirror. For a decade, McFall was a master of precision. Within her studio, she was the architect of the exact, creating pristine portraits that captured the anatomy of an eyelash and the exact grain of dog fur. “I was a master of the outer likeness,” she says.
But precision is a demanding ghost.
McFall immigrated from Russia as a child with her mother, Elena Efimova — the legendary fine arts teacher at Ann Arbor’s Rudolf Steiner school for decades. In their home, creation was never a practice; it was DNA.
Today, McFall’s home is a living archive of this inherited discipline: mosaics pieced together with her mother scale the walls, illustrations drawn in her Chicago years, portraits drawn in grade-school, and mirrored stone sculptures bound by a single haunting silhouette. Yet it’s the recent black-and-white portraits that reveal the true weight of her gift.
But as McFall approached 40, this technical mastery began to feel like a breath held a second too long. “I could wear clean
clothes when I did this. I didn’t get dirty. My fingernails didn’t get dirty. My floor was white,” she says. “And I wanted to be messy.”
Painting the outer visage had become an internal camouflage. The inner noise and fiercely alive fragments of her spirit remained tucked behind the safety of a perfect line. It was time to crack herself open. “I wanted to challenge my ego to not need to display this skill that I had,” she says.
The transformation was an odyssey: The 1985 Series. One hundred paintings acting as a spiritual audit, a bridge built of color and courage. Between “One” and “One Hundred,” McFall’s metamorphosis was profound; she hadn’t just changed her style, she had re-coded her creative spirit to prioritize the pulse of the process over the polish of the result.
“The person I was at number one and the person I was at 100 is completely different,” she says. “It was my year of growing up.”
To find this new woman, McFall had to deconstruct. She set down the brushes to paint with her hands — swapping charcoal for a prism of color, embracing the rainbows that she loves so deeply.
“I JUST KEEP LAYERING UNTIL I LOVE IT. UNTIL I LIKE IT ENOUGH TO STOP. BUT EVERY LAYER MATTERS…THERE’S NO MISTAKES.”
When she unveiled the completed collection at a live showcase in Ann Arbor, the atmosphere mirrored her radical shift. Complete with aerial artists and a New York DJ, the event was a chic departure from the expected. “So many people said, ‘I can’t believe this is Ann Arbor. I feel like I’m somewhere else,’” she says. But for McFall, planting that flag locally was exactly the goal. “The point is: this is Ann Arbor. Creating these kinds of experiences in Ann Arbor is what I want. I want people to come. I want strangers there.”
Today, her studio is a riot of Life-as-Medium. She describes her process as a dialogue with the unknown. “I just keep layering until I
love it. Until I like it enough to stop,” she says. “But every layer matters...there’s no mistakes.” It is a luxurious lean into playfulness. McFall paints for the revelation. Once her signature is placed and she backs away, the lessons tumble into her mind. “I have a connection to the inner knowing now,” she says. “That allows me to do this without needing affirmation — I am gaining inner validation.”
McFall moves through the room now, circling her newest works. “Human Extinction” breathes with a quiet grit, its surface a mosaic of found objects and salvaged toys from a forgotten childhood. “Queen Sisters” glows with a regal, intuitive energy. An untitled piece stands front and center, no signature added yet, wet with paint.
There is a palpable shift as she discusses the future. The numbers of The 1985 Series offered a neutral bridge for the viewer, but those placeholders are falling away now. She is ready to let the narrative back in, on her own terms. The new collection will be an unbridled hybrid: spraypainted knickknacks, stonework, abstracts, portraiture, charcoal, paint, and watercolors. It is everything that calls to her, in whatever way she hears it.
McFall looks at the chaotic beauty of the canvases surrounding her — works pulled, quite literally, from the depths of her transformation.
“I will title this next collection Stories,” she says.
The future is no longer a destination; it is a conversation.
Learn more at vetaart.com
ARTICLE BY EMILY KLIMAS
It starts with a whisper. A subtle shift — persistent bloating, unexpected fatigue, a sudden change in routine that’s easily dismissed. But when that whisper becomes a diagnosis of ovarian cancer, the resulting silence can be deafening.
In 2009, Pam Dahlmann’s mother heard those devastating words. Despite a family history of the disease, her symptoms had been minimized. As with many women, the signs were easy to overlook — part of what makes ovarian cancer so difficult to detect early. Nearly 80 percent of cases are diagnosed beyond stage one, when treatment options are more limited. By the time she was hospitalized, the reality was grim; she would live just a year and a half after her diagnosis.
Amidst the shock, Dahlmann and her mother faced another chilling reality: they were completely alone. “A lot of isolation, especially living in Ann Arbor where there’s so much that we have for medical care,” Dahlmann recalls. “We were like, what do you mean there’s nothing for ovarian cancer?”
Sitting in that void, a homegrown mission took root. If they couldn’t find the support they desperately needed, they had to create it themselves.
What began as a grassroots effort — volunteers hand-tying ribbons for awareness campaigns — blossomed into the Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance (MIOCA), a lifeline for women throughout Michigan. After a decade of tireless, volunteer-led advocacy, Dahlmann realized they needed to scale. Megan Neubauer, who joined the organization in 2020, stepped into the role of
executive director in 2022, moving programs virtual and helping transition this personal mission into a professional powerhouse.
Today, MIOCA offers an array of programs that replace isolation with tangible comfort. There are Teal Sisters support groups open to all survivors; specialized circles for younger survivors; and dedicated caregiver, family member, and loved one support circles. For those in the thick of treatment, the connection is even more physical: patients receive Support Totes filled with blankets, information, resources, and comfort items that serve as a soft reminder that a whole community is standing behind them. This community spirit culminates in annual events like the signature Time to Teal gathering. Born from Dahlmann’s first year navigating Mother’s Day without her mother, the event has transformed into a massive celebration that draws hundreds to honor their shared journey and turn the room teal.
That sense of community has been a source of comfort for many, including Linh Cundiff. Diagnosed in 1985 at just 12 years old, her journey began with severe bloating and lack of energy. Just two days after visiting the emergency room, she underwent surgery to remove a tumor the size of a football. Compounding her physical pain was a language barrier and a devastating prognosis: doctors told her she wasn’t going to make it. With her father still stuck in Vietnam, a terrified Cundiff made a “deal with God” to survive long enough to see him again.
And she did survive — enduring nine surgeries and six rounds of chemo. But the emotional scars lingered. Recalling the bullying
she faced as a sick teen, she kept her diagnosis a secret for decades. “For the longest time, I didn’t want people to know...I felt like I must’ve done something wrong. I was ashamed,” she admits.
Many years later, when she finally decided to seek out a support group, a Google search led her to MIOCA. Overcome with “survivor guilt,” Cundiff arrived 45 minutes early to her first meeting and sat frozen in the parking lot. Then, a woman tapped on her car window.
“We need you in there. Come in,” she said.
“Without MIOCA, I don’t think I would open up,” Cundiff reflects today, recognizing the organization as a family that embraces the “good, bad, and ugly stories.”
But MIOCA’s mission extends far beyond emotional support. When the non-profit launched in 2011 with zero dollars in the bank, the idea of providing direct financial relief felt like a distant hope. Today, Executive Director Neubauer proudly shares that the Financial Assistance program has made that dream a reality. The initiative provides tangible aid to patients, easing the heavy “financial toxicity” that so often follows a diagnosis.
This rapid growth is driven by a sobering reality: there’s still no reliable diagnostic early detection test for ovarian cancer — making education and awareness critical. Programs like “Teal Attack,” which engages young high school and college athletes, underscore that this disease can impact people at any age. Until science provides a reliable screening method, education is the strongest weapon.
“Knowing the symptoms can make a critical difference,” says Dahlmann, whose nursing background shaped MIOCA’s educational blueprint. She urges vigilance for the four most common signs: bloating, abdominal pain, changes in urination (urgency or frequency), and feeling full quickly. “If these symptoms are new, persistent, or unusual for you, see a gynecologist and ask about ovarian cancer.”
As MIOCA celebrates 15 years and looks toward the next 15, their goals remain steadfast. By their 30th anniversary, they hope the headline will feature an early diagnostic test, a cure, and the guarantee that no one in Michigan walks this path alone.
When asked to describe MIOCA in just one word, Dahlmann, Neubauer, and Cundiff don’t hesitate:
“Dedicated.”
“Hope.”
“Family.”
They have proven that from a profound void, a few determined women can build a family without limits. For those navigating the terrifying unknown of ovarian cancer, that family is waiting with open arms.
Learn more, donate, or sign up to volunteer at mioca.org
Until science provides a reliable screening method, education is the strongest weapon.
“Knowing the symptoms can make a critical difference,” says MIOCA founder Pam Dahlmann.
Recognized by The Opulist as Ann Arbor’s most aesthetic fitness studio.
Come get inspired to work out again.
Your first class is $15.
ARTICLE BY KALI KASORZYK
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
The power of taste, trust, and the courage to “just start.”
She didn’t have a business plan, a media budget, or even a name anyone could pronounce. What Becky Hillyard had was taste, a young family, and the instinct to just start. Today, her lifestyle brand Cella Jane commands an audience the size of Vogue’s, she’s nine collections strong with Splendid, and she’s built it all while raising three kids — refusing to sacrifice one for the other. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Becky shares what it really takes to build a brand, a career, and a life you love. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full conversation.
Q: WHEN DID YOU KNOW CELLA JANE WAS MORE THAN A HOBBY?
A: Two moments. Women started emailing me saying they bought something I recommended and felt amazing — asking me to help them find a dress for a wedding. That felt incredible. Then I looked at my affiliate numbers for one month and realized I could cover our mortgage. I thought, I can actually do this. I never set out to build a business. I started it because I genuinely loved it.
Q: WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST RISK YOU EVER TOOK WITH THE BRAND?
A: Designing my own collection. It’s easy to point at items on a website and say I love these. But to create something from scratch, put your name on it, and wait to see if people connect with it — that’s terrifying. I had an incredible partner in Splendid, and women loved the pieces. It was the biggest risk and the biggest accomplishment.
Q: HOW HAS INFLUENCER MARKETING CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED?
A: When I started, brands didn’t know whether to take it seriously. Now it’s a legitimate line item in their marketing budgets — sometimes bigger than TV. Because what we’ve built is trust. People trust a real recommendation from someone they follow far more than a commercial. There’s no question about it now.
Q: YOU’RE A MOM OF THREE RUNNING A FULL BRAND. WHAT DOES YOUR DAY ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE?
A: I try to get up at five and not hit snooze — that first hour before the house wakes up is the most productive, most peaceful hour of my day. Then it’s all hands on deck with the kids and school drop-off. After that I work — planning content, connecting with my team, editing. After pickup, the day shifts completely and it’s all about them. I’ve learned to protect both halves fiercely, because both matter.
Q: WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO BUILD SOMETHING OF THEIR OWN BUT KEEPS WAITING?
A: Don’t wait. Don’t wait for the perfect camera, the right strategy, or enough followers. We find every excuse to stay comfortable. Just start, be consistent, and be authentically yourself. The right people will find you — and they’ll stay.
This conversation is just the beginning. Becky goes deeper on the risks that almost stopped her, the design process behind her latest Splendid collection, and what she’d tell her 2012 self today. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle Podcast.
“Trust is the only metric that actually compounds.”
— Becky Hillyard
MAY 2ND
Ele’s Place Ann Arbor 9th Annual Derby Day Soirée
Revel Run, Chelsea | 5:30 PM
Join Ele’s Place Ann Arbor for an unforgettable evening where tradition meets purpose. Guests will enjoy live coverage of the Kentucky Derby, silent and live auctions, great food, and an energetic afterglow, all in support of Ele’s Place’s mission to provide free, peer-based grief support to children, teens, and their families. elesplace.org/event/derby-day-soiree
MAY 7TH
First United Methodist Church Ann Arbor | 7:00 PM
Literati is thrilled to welcome author Carley Fortune to Ann Arbor to celebrate the release of Our Perfect Storm. Fortune is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After, Meet Me at the Lake, and This Summer Will Be Different. All tickets include a signed copy of her heart-stopping, utterly romantic new novel, Our Perfect Storm. literatibookstore.com/upcoming-events
MAY 9TH
Secret Garden Gala
Ann Arbor City Club | 6:00 PM
The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra invites you into a world of enchantment at the Secret Garden Gala. For one evening, Ann Arbor City Club will be transformed into an intimate garden dinner complete with lush florals, signature cocktails, live music, and entertainment featuring DJ Myint. Drink, dine, and dance to support the A2SO’s Learning & Community Programs. a2so.org/secret-garden-gala
MAY 10TH
Kerrytown Concert House | 2:00 PM
Come celebrate the powerful voices and innovative spirits of women in jazz, all while honoring the special mothers and women in our lives. Ellen Rowe’s Annual Mother’s Day Concert is a musical celebration of the groundbreaking female jazz artists who have shaped the genre. kerrytownconcerthouse.com
MAY 13TH - 17TH
Michigan Theater
Crafted by cinephiles, not committees, Cinetopia brings audiences and filmmakers together to celebrate bold cinema, independent voices, and films you cannot see anywhere else. Discover unforgettable stories from filmmakers with unique perspectives and true creative vision. marquee-arts.org/cinetopia
MAY 16TH
Rolling Hills County Park, Ypsilanti | 8:00 AM
Join Humane Society of Huron Valley for their largest fundraiser and an unforgettable pup party, the 47th annual Walk & Wag and Run. Featuring a 5k race, Fun Walk, Kids’ Dash, food trucks, and dog-friendly games and activities, it promises fun for animal lovers of all ages. hshv.org
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MAY 16TH
Downtown Ann Arbor
Get ready for a weekend of shopping and springtime fun with Ladies Night Out, presented by Main Street Ann Arbor. Explore your favorite local businesses while supporting small shops. It’s the perfect way to celebrate spring, discover new spots, and support the heart of downtown. mainstreetannarbor.org/ ladiesnightout
MAY 31ST
Downtown Dexter and Ann Arbor | 7:00 AM
The Dexter-Ann Arbor Run has been a Michigan staple since 1974. This Ann Arbor Track Club event annually draws thousands of runners from around the region to its scenic point-to-point Dexter to Ann Arbor Half Marathon, 10k and 5k courses along Huron River Drive. dxa2.com
MAY 31ST
Downtown Ann Arbor | 11:00 AM
Savor the flavor at Taste of Ann Arbor, a delicious showcase of the city’s vibrant food scene. Enjoy small plates and signature bites from your favorite local restaurants, all served right on Main and Liberty Streets. Whether you're a foodie, a family, or just looking for a fun afternoon out, it’s the perfect way to kick off summer with great eats, community vibes, and a whole lot of flavor. mainstreet annarbor.org/taste-of-ann-arbor
Want to be featured? GET IN TOUCH AT CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/ ANNARBOR
STEVEN DIETZ
ARTICLE BY MICHELLE SILVERTHORN
GET TO KNOW SPEAKER, WORKPLACE CULTURE STRATEGIST, AND AUTHOR MICHELLE SILVERTHORN
I’m a keynote speaker and workplace culture strategist who helps organizations build environments where people feel they belong and can thrive. I’ve delivered two TEDx talks, written Authentic Diversity, and I’m working on my second book about reinventing yourself at every stage of life and career.
I love this city and the community created by its deeply engaged residents. As a family, we attend lectures, musical performances, museums, trivia nights, and our favorite Ann Arbor activity: eating at all the restaurants.
Travel is my family's love language. Recently we've explored South African wine country, the pyramids of Egypt, the beaches of the Dominican Republic, and Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago.
I grew up in the Caribbean, came to the U.S. at 17 to attend Princeton University, and met my husband on my first day of Michigan Law. After living in New York, Chicago, and Southwest Michigan, we returned in 2022 to raise our kids here, bringing Caribbean hospitality and my mom’s cooking with us.
This April, I represented Ann Arbor in the Ms. Corporate America Michigan competition. I’d never done a pageant before, but it allowed me to showcase our city while talking about mentorship and reinvention.
Learn more at michellesilverthorn.com
