Michelle Sharp, the mastermind behind Meet the Minnesota Makers and a member of our Editorial Advisory Board, I recognized a kindred spirit. Sharp was a Spanish professor before she found her passion for promoting local artisans, cottage bakers and businesses. Working for
herself allowed her to pursue her passions while raising two children—and we all can benefit by reading her blog
and gift guide, which is set to drop in November. The theme reappeared with Safeera Inayath of Sugar Dust & Sprinkles (I learned about her thanks to Sharp!),
who created a baking business because she realized that she could bake and parent at the same time and again when I was interviewing artist JuliAnne
Jonker about her creative space and artistic career that evolved as she raised her four children
