Insight — 2021 Looking Forward (Issue 3, October 2021)

insight 2021 LOOKING FORWARD

A YEAR OF EXPERIMENTATION AND SUCCESS STEVE MILLMAN, NOCO PROVISIONS

ISSUE 3 OCTOBER 2021

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Letter From The Editor Our mission as a company has always been to inform and educate our clients, above all else. This publication is born out of our passion to share with our community the information we see from the front lines, in turn making them savvy consumers.

As the second largest residential mortgage company in Kent and Ottawa counties, based in downtown Grand Rapids, we have an incredibly unique vantage point of the ever- changing economy and real estate market in West Michigan. We see firsthand, in real time, the buying trends based on economic expansion and jo b grow th , supply and de mand , gover nment incentives and legislation, and most importantly, who is buying and the types of properties they desire.

Our goal in creating this publication is to share with you the current real estate and mortgage trends and to highlight industry leaders and local businesses that are shaping the dynamic region we call home. We hope you love reading this as much as we loved creating it.

Enjoy!

Insight is written, produced, and published by Treadstone Funding Contributors: Meghan Howard, Matt Muscat, Aislinn Teachout, Kari Radermacher, Hannah Callahan, Faith Bischoff, and Lauren Carlson

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www.treadstonemortage.com Treadstone Funding propelled by Neighborhood Loans NMLS 222982

insight 4

MORTGAGE NE WS

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RE A L ESTATE MARK E T STATS

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IN DU S TRY S TA N DO U TS

2021: Looking Forward

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DeShawn Gholston, Lynette Fitxpatrick, and Mark Brace 14

TH E A R TS

Safe and Expansive Experiences at Fredrick Meijer Gardens 32

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H E A LTH

When a Veterinary Practice Becomes A Family Affair 38

BUS IN E S S

A Better Way to Work From Home Kathryn Chaplow on Adaptive Design

38 Down payment requirements, closing costs, and loan amounts are for illustrative purposes only; subject to credit qualification, not all applicants may qualify. Not a commitment to lend. Not affiliated with or endorsed by any government institution. Please contact us for an exact quote and for more information on fees and terms.

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MORTGAGE NEWS 2008 vs. 2021 – Shortage, not a bubble As home prices rise at unprecedented rates, some are wondering, “Are we in a housing bubble?” Though memories of the 2008 market crash have induced skepticism, the simple answer is no. There are a multitude of factors differentiating today from 2008 that indicate the housing market is nowhere near collapse. In reality, we are experiencing a historic shortage of homes, not a bubble.

The rapid rise in home values, intense competition, and the prevalence of bidding wars are a product of the laws of supply and demand. Due to a decade of stagnant residential construction and older generations aging in place, there simply aren’t enough homes on the market. Additionally, low interest rates have made homeownership attainable for even more buyers as millennials flood the market for their chance at homeownership. These factors help explain why roughly half of homes are selling for over asking price and why values have risen so sharply.

Unlike 2008, the market is solid. Lending practices are much stricter, and buyer demand isn’t likely to dissipate as millennials and younger generations continue to age into homeownership. As more homes are built, buyers are priced out, and interest rates rise, the market will slowly correct. This correction will likely slow home appreciation until it eventually levels off around the historical average of 3% per year. While the state of the housing market is unlike anything most of us have experienced, the shortage was largely inevitable, and the pandemic’s effect on interest rates and appreciation for homeownership exacerbated it.

2020 Millennial Homeownership Rate

48 percent

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Homes selling

32 days faster

Homes selling above asking price

50 percent

R E A L E S TAT E M A R K E T S TAT S Historic Data for the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (A report from the Mortgage Bankers Association)

900

HOUSING BUBBLE - 858.7

800 700 600 500 400 300

TODAY - 133.5

200 100 0

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

TODAY

ALL FIGURES TAKEN FROM THE MONTH OF JUNE

Total Home Equity Cashed Out

Annual Home Price Appreciation

By Refinance in Billions 12.5% 11.4% THEN

8.5% 8.7%

8.6% 6.5%

6.4% 4.4%

5.2% 5.5%

4.8% 4.7%

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

The 6 years leading up to the housing crash

The last 6 years

NOW

YEAR

DOLLARS

YEAR

DOLLARS

2005

$263B

2017

$71B

2006

$321B

2018

$87B

2007

$240B

2019

$89B

TOTAL

$824B

TOTAL

$247B

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industry standouts

Every industry has individuals that elevate the profession by going above and beyond, and the real estate industry is no exception. We’d like to recognize these trailblazers who epitomize industry standards and excellence. These individuals not only exemplify professionalism and leadership within the real estate industry, but within the community as a whole. By giving back through time and money, each one of them is helping to build and strengthen the West Michigan community. They are beacons within their field, and we salute them!

Thank you for your hard work, commitment to excellence, and your dedication to continually raising the bar for the West Michigan real estate community.

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DeShawn Gholston

Lynette Mark Fitzpatrick Brace

With an unwavering commitment to improving people’s lives and serving others, DeShawn Gholston found his niche in the real estate business. DeShawn was drawn to the industry because he loves connecting with people and relationship building, and he always goes above and beyond for his clients. As a Realtor, he prides himself on conducting business with integrity, trust, and patience. His heart and his hustle set him apart, and helping his clients achieve their real estate goals is his passion. Originally from Detroit, DeShawn moved to Grand Rapids after graduation from Saginaw State University and fell in love with what West Michigan has to offer. He couldn’t imagine calling anywhere else home.

After two decades in sales and negotiation, Lynette Fitzpatrick merged her experience with her love for West Michigan and interior design and became a licensed Realtor. A West Michigan native, Lynette feels deeply connected to the area and loves being able to share that passion by helping people find their dream homes. Whether preparing home listings, staging homes, or simply helping clients envision a home’s potential, Lynette is determined to exceed client expectations.

By focusing on communication, listening, and adaptability, Lynette strives to create client relationships built on trust and dependability. Personally, Lynette loves getting her hands on an interior design or home staging project, and she has a deep appreciation for animals. She is a proud mother of three and a dog mom.

Owner of Brace Homes, Mark Brace operates from the principle that it’s all about the client. Having sold over half a billion dollars in real estate throughout his career, Mark attributes his clientfirst approach, cutting-edge marketing, and negotiating skills to his success.

A self-proclaimed data junkie, Mark is constantly analyzing data to give the best advice to his clients. He began his career in real estate after graduating from Western Michigan University with degrees in finance and computer information systems. Realty was a natural fit for Mark because it allowed him to combine his passion for Grand Rapids with his business acumen. Mark is always seeking opportunities to give back, and he and his team have volunteered with Sunshine Kids, Boys and Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids, The Humane Society, and Kids Food Basket, among others.

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IN D U S T RY S TA N DO U T S

Mallory Strotheide As a mother of three and a full-time loan officer, Mallory Strotheide has her work cut out for her.

“Being available whenever my clients need me is incredibly

In the mortgage industry, according to Mallory, you either

important to me,” says Mallory. You can often find loan officer

become so passionate about the work you’re doing, or you

Mallory Strotheide working unconventional hours to meet the

fizzle out—there is no in-between. Mallory fell in love with the

demands of both family and work, but she doesn’t mind. She

relationship aspect of the business. “I love talking with clients

explains, “Having a supportive spouse is crucial. Jake really is

and helping people—it’s truly an honor,” she says. She takes

my #1 fan and supporter.” Mallory’s desire to be a role model

pride in knowing that people trust her with one of the biggest

for her kids and show them that they can do anything drives

financial decisions of their lives. Another passion of hers is

her to be the best at what she does. “My mother was my role

working with first-time homebuyers.

model. She did it all—worked a full-time job, sometimes two jobs at a time, and I never felt like I missed out on anything.”

“People work so hard for the dream of owning a home, and it truly is life changing,” she says. Recently, Mallory helped a

Having worked with an experienced female loan officer for several years before going out on her own was an incredible learning experience. “She taught me the ins and outs of the

65-year-old woman become a homeowner for the first time.

“She was so ecstatic and proud to purchase a home for herself, and I was honored to help her achieve that.”

business, and having representation was crucial. It helped me see myself being successful as a woman in the industry,”

These stories and relationships make her role as a loan officer

Mallory says. Now, with over ten years of experience, Mallory

more meaningful. Social media is at the center of her business

strives to be an example for other women in the industry and

because it helps her sustain client relationships by being an

female business owners alike. Being a woman in a male-

accessible resource. “With social media, I am able to stay

dominated industry, Mallory relies on her hustle, and she

connected to my clients beyond working together. Their lives

leans into the things that make her different. When asked why

become enmeshed with mine, and I love it!” says Mallory. It

she thinks she has been successful, she says it’s simple: “I

also enables her to share her expertise. “I love being able to

genuinely care about each and every one of my clients, and I

answer questions for people and make their lives just a little

think that’s contagious. People feel that.”

bit easier.”

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“I genuinely care about each and every one of my clients, and I think that’s contagious.

People feel that.”

Mallory has used Instagram and Facebook for years and has always embraced new technology. Her use of technology has made her business adaptable, so when the pandemic hit, she didn’t skip a beat; it was easy to nimbly transition to a more

connected as a team has been hugely important in all their

virtual platform. When asked how COVID-19 has impacted her

successes. “Having management in the office and available for

career as a loan officer, Mallory explains that it has changed

help has been invaluable, especially during these times. It’s nice

her business for the better, including her ability to become

to have others to lean on and know you are supported.”

more efficient.

The pandemic also encouraged Mallory to spend more time “Treadstone is more advanced than other companies in the

with her family and working from home has been a blessing.

industry when it comes to marketing, culture, and technology,”

Being able to see her kids grow and evolve has given her

Mallory says, which has helped her keep her business and her

more balance in her life and has empowered her to be a better

team running seamlessly. “Despite the craziness of constant

mother and a better loan officer. “Although I’m working more

changes and uncertainties of navigating a public health crisis,

hours, it doesn’t feel like it because I’ve been able to spend

Treadstone has managed to stay on top of everything. We

more time with my kids. It’s the small things like making them

never faltered.”

lunch that makes all the difference.”

She adds that Treadstone’s cutting-edge coaching program has enabled her and the other loan officers stay current and informed. In addition, being able to comminicate and stay

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2021:

LOOKING FORWARD THROUGHOUT 2020 AND 2021, doing business has been any thing but “ business as usual.” As the world faced widespread illness, uncer taint y, and shutdowns amidst the global pandemic of COVID -19, business owners and organization leaders were forced to develop creative solutions as needs shifted, shopping habits changed, and the speed of supply chains decreased again and again.

Walk-in traffic for retail was nonexistent. Word-ofmouth sputtered out. And casual shopping halted and moved online.

For restaurateurs, the answers to continued viabilit y came in the form of outdoor dining, shared resources, and creative takeout solutions.

For Realtors and interior designers, tools for online collaboration and social media became their saving grace. Leaders of nonprofits and arts organizations also retooled, seeking new and innovative ways to 10

reach audiences and donors, like outdoor concerts and even the closing of physical locations.

Amid COVID -19, no single solution applied to ever y entrepreneur or ar tist, chef or mor tgage broker, community organizer or advocate, but each of those you will read about in these pages persevered in ways that buoyed their businesses, organizations, and communities. Each, despite the many obstacles brought about by the pandemic, sought new ways to succeed and support others, to reach inward for the strength to reach out.

Looking forward, these resilient Michiganders continue to adapt to an evolving landscape, serving as a daily reminder of individual perseverance and the creative experimentation that often leads to success.

LO O K I N G FO RWA R D:

N O N PR O FI T S

VIRTUAL OR IN PERSON, DISABILITY ADVOCATES ELIMINATES BARRIERS Disability Advocates has been an integral part of the Grand Rapids community since 1981. The organization advocates for “People with disabilities coming together saying how best can we help each other live self-directed lives.”

Through individual services, systems change advocacy, and public policy work, the organization strives to eliminate environmental and attitudinal barriers for people with disabilities. As Executive Director Dave Bulkowski explains, Disability Advocates is a place where “People with disabilities come to be a part of the organization, to be supported and to be involved in changing policy.”

“IN ALL WE DO, IT’S ALL ABOUT ELEVATING AND HIGHLIGHTING THE VOICE OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.” Disability Advocates provides home and business assessments to enhance accessibility of physical spaces. They also offer training in disability awareness and work to facility awareness and incorporation of universal design.

“Accessibility positively impacts delivery folks, senior citizens, people with strollers; it’s helping so many people if we just get a little more intentional on the built environment,” Dave says. From their pre - employment courses to fundraisers, COVID-19 pushed the nonprofit to rethink how they do things, which often meant shifting services to a virtual format. They held Facebook Live webinars to connect with the community and get the word out, hosted a wide range of speakers, and held their annual fundraising dinner virtually. They also partnered with three local restaurants—Amore, 40 Acres Soul Kitchen and Daddy Pete’s BBQ—as well as a vast volunteer network, to deliver 180 meals to fundraiser attendees. Dave explains, by supporting locally owned restaurants, “More of the dollars stay local.”

Dave acknowledged that shifting to virtual services had positive and negative outcomes. On the one hand, it has been more difficult to get to know people and work directly with the community, which is a crucial aspect of their services. However, the ability to use online platforms has enhanced accessibility. For example, in case of bad weather or an expensive or long commute to an event, virtual meetings eliminate barriers to access, Bulkowski explains. As Disability Advocates moves forward into an evolving future, he predicts the nonprofit will combine both face-to-face and virtual communication for diverse and successful experiences.

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LO O K I N G FO RWA R D:

N O N PR O FI T S

Outreach Goes Virtual AT T H E Y W C A

The YWCA of West Michigan has a mission to empower women and eliminate racism, and they actively work to prevent abuse and empower survivors. As a crucial resource for people dealing with domestic abuse, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse, the YWCA offers holistic healing management and services ranging from outreach and health care to legal services and therapy.

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When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the YWCA was tasked with many difficult decisions without clear answers.

Charisse Mitchell, President of the YWCA, explains much of their work is directly tied to meeting in-person with survivors, so going virtual had its challenges. As soon as the shutdown began, Charisse says, her staff began to ask, “How can we be present, without being present?”

The nonprofit quickly embraced an adjusted virtual format for many of their services, but they had to do so strategically.

Charisse and her team were required to ensure anonymity and confidentiality, and abide by HIPPA regulations, all while ensuring their clients and survivors felt comfortable and supported—a challenging task to say the least.

When asked what community members can do to support the YWCA, Charisse says to thank frontline, essential workers for their daily contributions.

“Acknowledge and support the people who are on the frontlines every day,” she says. There is not enough we can do as a nonprofit to thank folks for what they are doing and what they are giving.”

Charisse also mentions that emotional support goes a long way.

She points out that isolation and the fatigue of quarantine can be re-traumatizing to survivors. So right now, it’s important to simply be there for one another. She explains, “Recognize how isolated people may be right now and reach out to them. Be in the places that we can’t, so be that loving, supportive presence for people in your community who you may not even know need you now.”

Though it originally seemed like a temporary solution, the nonprofit realized that offering virtual services actually expanded opportunities for folks to get help. In fact, in many cases, it made therapy and services more accessible to people who may have faced barriers like transportation or finding childcare. Because of this, many of the virtual offerings will remain permanent. “One thing we learned is that access to services virtually isn’t a bad thing. . . in some ways, the virtual platform does allow for more accessibility,” Charisse says.

Their services weren’t the only thing that transitioned to a virtual platform. To stay visible in the community, the nonprofit was forced to rethink service offerings without in-person community outrach. To tackle this challenge, the YWCA developed new social media campaigns to ensure that anyone who needed help could easily access it, which as Charise explains, is both their top priority and main challenge. From social media PSAs to mailing out postcards, the YWCA got crafty, developing ways to stay connected when they couldn’t be present physically. The nonprofit also launched a monthly giving campaign and town hall events for stakeholders to stay informed.

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LO O K I N G FO RWA R D:

THE ARTS

r e j i e M k i r e d Fre

SAFE AND EXPANSIVE EXPERIENCES AT

s n e d r a G

AND SCULPTURE PARK

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FOR TWENTY-FIVE YEARS , Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park has provided art, education and cultural experiences to West Michigan.

With the onset of the COVID -19 pandemic, the nonprofit was forced to close their doors for eighty-six consecutive days, the longest in their history.

the nonprofit’s top priority is to provide a “Beautiful and safe experience, while making guests feel as safe and comfor table as possible,” John says.

Though Frederik Meijer Gardens is for tunate to be well positioned for social distancing with ample space and indoor- outdoor facilities, John hopes that the changes to visits are only temporar y. That said, the pandemic has renewed their focus on cleanliness and encouraging

According to John VanHaagen, director of communications

folks to not visit the gardens if they are sick. When asked

for Frederick Meijer Gardens, the organization is typically

how the community can help them during this time, John

closed for a mere three days of each calendar year. Not

explains that guests and community members can help

only was this detrimental to the organization monetarily,

Frederik Meijer Gardens by continuing to support them

but it also left the community without the vibrance and

and to vote with their dollar. “Even for those who can’t be

culture that the gardens is proud to provide. As John explains,

donors, joining with a membership and embracing what we

“The community lost a gem for eighty-six days. Frederik

do and continuing to come is very helpful.”

Meijer Gardens is a place of beauty and joy in West Michigan, so having to close was not easy on multiple accounts.”

While closed, the organization put together a COVID -19 task force and facilitated retooling and retraining of their s t af f a n d o r g a n iz at i o n . A s w i t h m a ny b u s i n e s s e s a n d o r g a n iz at i o n s t h r o u g h o u t t h e p a n d e m i c , t h e g a r d e n s

“IF PEOPLE ARE COMFORTABLE COMING TO VISIT, WE ARE OPEN!” SAYS JOHN. “WE ARE READY WHEN YOU ARE READY!”

staff and volunteers found it challenging to keep up with constantly changing rules and regulations. However,

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LO O K I N G FO RWA R D:

THE ARTS

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BOLD MOVES AND BIG CHANGES AT THE UICA The Urban Institute for Contemporar y Ar ts has called G r a n d R a p i d s h o m e s i n c e 19 7 7. E xe c u t i v e D i r e c to r Miranda Krajniak explains that as a contemporar y ar ts center, the UICA “Shows the work of now and presents education and experiences that garner a sense of belonging in the community.”

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THE UICA SAW THEIR RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AS AN OPPORTUNITY. When UICA leadership realized that the pandemic wasn’t going anywhere, they swiftly decided to pause all programming until mid 2021 and sell their building on Fulton Street. Acknowledging that their business model functioned primarily on experiences, they viewed letting go of their building as a way to shed some weight and overhead expenses.

“To make it to the future, we decided to sell our building,”

feedback, conducting community surveys, listening and

says Miranda. “We have reduced our budget by half and

talking to people, and just keeping an open mind as they

we are riding it out. This is one of the boldest things to

develop a new plan for how to best serve the community.

come out of the arts organizations, but that’s very UICA to do.”

“Because we are contemporar y ar t, we have to change a lot because we focus on the now and the future,” she

Without their main source of revenue, the nonprofit

says. “What worked ten years ago does not work now. So,

was forced to rely mainly on giving. W hile their

we are spending time coming up with a plan for what the

programs were closed to the public, the organization

next iteration of UICA is instead of focusing on what we

took this challenge as an oppor tunit y to rethink what

have done already.”

they have done in the past and how they want to move forward. As Miranda explains, this means leading regular

With their priority of making the UICA accessible to all,

one - on- one Zoom calls with UICA members, reading

the organization is also taking this time to consider

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“TO MAKE IT TO THE FUTURE, WE DECIDED TO SELL OUR BUILDING”

things like common ground, who their audience is, and

“It takes the entire community to hold this arts organization

h ow to b e s t s e r ve t h e m , w h i c h a s M i r a n d a e x p l a i n s ,

together. Keep your memberships going. Open the

i s “ S o m e t h i n g e ve r y b u s i n e s s is t h i n k i n g a b o u t .” A s

newsletters,” she adds.

they grapple with these questions, they’re intentionally honoring and renewing their promise to make the UICA

As far as what community members can do to help this

(and ar t in general) inclusive for all as times change.

organization continue to thrive, Miranda’s ask is simple: “Come back, come back to all of us.”

“The arts community is super fragile. Especially because the arts community is so linked in spirit to the restaurant and the downtown business community as well. So, when one of us starts to stumble, all of us start to stumble.”

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LO O K I N G FO RWA R D:

M OR TGAGE S

HOW COVID-19 CHANGED THE MORTGAGE INDUSTRY Treadstone Funding, Kevin Polakovich Loan Officer & Co-Founder

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COVID-19 completely reshaped the mortgage industry, real estate, and home buying with the digitization of mortgages, historically low interest rates, and record buyer demand. Thankfully for Treadstone Funding, we have continuously strived to create a business model that is nimble and proactive.

This ensured resiliency and the ability to quickly adapt to the realities of a world enveloped in a pandemic.

“Despite navigating uncharted territory, we didn’t skip a beat when it came to providing excellent customer service and keeping our promise of closing on time, every time. With all the uncertainty, our top priority was keeping ever y thing running smoothly for our clients,” says Treadstone co-founder Kevin Polakovich.

Treadstone quickly embraced technology and online platforms like Zoom and e-documents. While it was challenging at first, the importance of homeownership transcended the interruption to daily work flow. “The pandemic redefined homeownership and what it meant to families and their health.

It made our jobs even more important,” says Kevin.

As the new technology started to settle in, Treadstone began to appreciate it as an invaluable tool to improve the client experience. Less paperwork and increased comfort and flexibility made it easier for clients to safely obtain a mortgage from the comfort of their homes. “ We are always striving to make the process more seamless for our clients, and Zoom has helped do that,” says Kevin, who explains that before the pandemic he did his best to personally meet with most of his clients. Those he didn’t meet with were usually located out of town, which made meeting in-person challenging. Now, he meets with all his clients face-to-face (albeit, via video conference) regardless of their situation.

“ZOOM HAS DRAMATICALLY CHANGED THE WAY I DO BUSINESS. IT’S A GREAT WAY TO MEET. THEY CAN BE SITTING AT THEIR KITCHEN TABLE, I CAN BE SITTING AT MY KITCHEN TABLE AT NIGHT, OR IN MY OFFICE DURING THE DAY” The increased use of technology has also given consumers more options in choosing their lender. It allows people in smaller markets who may only have one lender in their town to look outside of their neighborhood. For Treadstone, it is easier to serve clients from a wider audience while maintaining their personalized approach. Overall, the pandemic made mor tgages more accessible, and the contactless options are here to stay.

Kevin adds, “The pandemic has changed how we operate as a business for good. Part of adapting in the face of change was to renew our commitment to doing mortgages – better, faster, smarter”.

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GR SYMPHONY FEATURED STORY:

A NEW MUSICAL EXPERIENCE: Innovation at the GR Symphony

For the Grand Rapids Symphony, COVID-19 jolted

rules.” Their innovations ranged from pre-recorded

the organization into reinvention and innovation.

virtual musical performances from one individual

As Mary Tuuk, President and CEO of the Symphony,

musician in the early stages of the pandemic, to

explains, “We literally had to reimagine every aspect

full-blown virtual orchestra productions.

of what we do.” Since 1930, the Grand Rapids Symphony has been enriching West Michigan with music, so they weren’t about to stop for a pandemic.

When the statewide shutdowns began in March, the organization began developing new ways to deliver music virtually to patrons. Combining inspiration from other organizations like the Rotterdam Orchestra and the Civic Theatre with innovations of their own, the Symphony was able to reimagine new ways of holding practices and performances. While the situation certainly wasn’t ideal, it gave them artistic freedom and necessitated positive innovations.

In our case, because of the nature of what we do, both in how we make music as well as how we engage live audiences...we’re trying a lot of new things right now.” says Mary. “There are no

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“I think that the pandemic has forced all of the orchestras to do a lot more digitally, [and] quickly,” Mary says.

“Every orchestra would have probably said priorto the pandemic that that was part of their strategic plan, but the pandemic really accelerated the time frame and literally overnight it forced orchestras to figure out how do you communicate with your patrons if they can’t come into a ticket office.”

Sidewalk Serenades In the summer of 2020, the Symphony began offering live performances for the first time ever in the form of pop-up performances and “Sidewalk Serenades.” Members of the orchestra performed, unannounced, in different parks across Grand Rapids, and the Sidewalk Serenade series allowed patrons

to reserve an ensemble of musicians to perform

Mary says, “We wanted to make sure that we were

at their home outdoors for a small group. Not

messaging around the awareness that we have for

only was the series a way for the Symphony to

the difficult societal time that we are living in. It’s

earn revenue, it also gave West Michiganders an

not just the pandemic, it’s the racial inequity and a

opportunity to experience live music when people

lot of the other societal and social issues that are

were starving for entertainment. Mary explains that

on right now. It’s not only waves of water, but it’s

the serendipitous pop-up concerts spread joy when

waves of hope.”

people were feeling isolated and locked in.

Although these innovations allowed for adaptation to unprecedented times, Mary acknowledges that many of the changes they made will likely be permanent to their organization and the industry as a whole.

The Symphony’s most recent production, the Spring 2021 concert series, was also virtual, For this series, Mary and her team found it imperative to offer live music as a means of healing and to provide safe entertainment options for community members. The name, “Pathwaves” was inspired by West Michigan’s encompassing bodies of water, as well as the difficult times society currently faces.

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LO O K I N G FO RWA R D:

FOOD & B E V ER AGE

M AW BY W INE S

Brings on the Bubbly F

ounded by Larry Mawby in 1973, Mawby is the oldest winery on the Leelanau Peninsula. Every thing they make bubbles, and it bubbles

naturally. Claire Lepine, Marketing and Fizz Club Director at Mawby Wines says, “We take tasting wine seriously, but we don’t take wine seriously.”

Mawby prides themselves on being an inclusive winemaker. “Whether you are new to wine or a sommelier, we think everyone will find something they enjoy because our range of wines is so vast,” says Claire.

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F O R T U N AT E LY, M O S T O F C O V I D -19 ’ S I M PA C T S

flow of people in their tasting room and quickly implemented

on Mawby winery have been positive. Wine sales were up for

a reservation system. Instead of accommodating walk-ins and

the vineyard in 2020 with direct sales and direct-to-consumer

standing tastings, staff have adapted to serving seated guests

ecommerce sales surpassing 2019’s numbers. Mawby also hit

with reservations.

record numbers in their tasting room. Their wine club, The Fizz Club, has certainly helped. Members of the Fizz club receive

Claire notes that they will likely maintain these changes in

six bottles of Mawby’s wine delivered twice a year: once in April

some capacity because the reservation system has helped

and once in September.

them prepare for each day, an efficiency that will be helpful even beyond COVID-19.

As for other reasons behind their increase in sales, Claire Lepine, marketing and fizz Club director, explains that while stuck

Another positive change was the increased accessibility and

at home, many people have been eager to receive exciting

awareness of Mawby wines. In many ways, the pandemic

packages like wine delivered to the door, which has caused

changed the way people spend their money. In general,

an expansion of direct-to-consumer wine sales across the

consumers have become more conscious of their spending

industry. She says, “Wineries and wine companies have had to

and many want to support small, family-owned businesses,

adapt and quickly [to COVID-19]. Shipping wines became more

which Claire hopes will continue beyond the pandemic.

popular and accessible, which really increased exposure of Michigan wines, which is awesome!”

Though there have been challenges with staffing and getting their message out there, overall, Mawby staff are happy with

Additionally, Claire says that wine gives you a little something

how they have been able to adapt. Claire says, “It has made us

to celebrate every single day. So even in the isolation and

better workers and better employees, and it has strengthened

tumultuous times during quarantine, “Wine is an affordable

us as a team.”

luxury for people no matter what. There is such a wide range of wines and a wide range of prices.”

As soon as they closed their doors in the spring of 2020, Mawby staff began researching how to better manage the

“We are here, we are so happy to have you, we want to make your time enjoyable, but things are going to be a little different.”

25

LO O K I N G FO RWA R D:

FOOD & B E V ER AGE

26

PART OF THE WHOLE:

Reserve supports a thriving local restaurant scene

R

eserve is one of Grand Rapids’ most highly rated restaurants. With a commitment to providing ethically and locally sourced ingredients, it ’s almost impossible to leave without having an excellent meal and dining experience. General Manager Peter Marantette says when it comes to their food and beverage offerings, “ We look for the best of what’s around and we source ingredients responsibly and ethically. Quality doesn’t have to be expensive.” For Peter, it’s important that they not only deliver delicious food responsibly, but also that it’s approachable to everyone.

Peter says, “ We want to be a ver y accessible, enjoyable place where you can go on a Tuesday for burger night.

You can wear jeans and a hoodie, but you can also go on a proper date before a Broadway show and have a five-course meal.”

Peter explains that their ownership group has remained highly committed to seeing the restaurant through to the end of the pandemic, but they realize not every business is as for tunate. So, instead of sitting back and riding it out, they proactively reimagined their business model and did what they could to support other restaurants. He says,

“When COVID hit, we said, ‘The community needs our support, how can we do this?’

Restaurant leadership decided to donate food to other area restaurants like WikiWiki Poke, Terra, and Greenwell, who then prepared it and donated it to essential medical workers in the community. Though this may seem like a counterintuitive business strategy, Peter explains that “A better restaurant industry is a better restaurant industry.

It is a community. . . we need them to survive. Because without them, there is no us.”

A s w i t h m o s t re s t a u r a n t s , C O V I D -19 h a s i m p a c te d Reser ve’s business tremendously. To adapt, they have

done everything from rethinking their takeout menus and retail wine offerings, to exploring outdoor dining options and improving their wine club. One major challenge has been capacity limits. When restaurants were able to open at 50% capacity for indoor dining, they were only able to operate at 25% capacity based on physical restrictions.

“We have an extremely unique and beautiful space, but it is not a malleable space,” Peter says. We have set fixtures and tables that are literally screwed to the floor.”

When state mandates forced them to close their doors, they focused on their takeout menu, which called for some rethinking. “We have really leaned into takeout food more than we ever have in the past, which has demanded that we change the way we offer food and some of the food that we offer,” says Peter. Reserve is known for their fine-dining experience, so transforming that experience from traditional dining to takeout was a new challenge.

When indoor dining was suspended the second time, Reser ve opened a “ dining village” on Monroe Avenue and Lyon S treet to accommodate a new, more COVID friendly dining experience. Their village offered patrons a different version of the Reserve experience in a private shanty. They also re-focused on wine retail and their new and improved wine club. Advanced Sommelier Patrick Jobst handles most of the wine sales, which people can purchase directly through Reser ve at exclusive retail pricing. The wine club allows members to receive six bottles of wines hand-selected by Patrick, accompanied with tasting notes, for $75 a month.

As for how the community can suppor t the restaurant, Peter simply says, “ The suppor t that we need is to be patient and to be kind. We are learning as we go and adapting as we go in most cases. Come to us for a great experience, a great glass of wine, great food, but also understand that a lot of things are out of our control.“

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LO O K I N G FO RWA R D:

FOOD & B E V ER AGE

EXPERIMENTATION AND SUCCESS IN NOCO PROVISION’S THIRD YEAR 28

A

da’s Noco Provisions is celebrating its third year in operation just as the country begins to emerge from a worldwide pandemic. The fine dining establishment aims to please, with a menu serving everything from burrata bruschetta and cavatappi with a white wine cream sauce, to chips and queso and adult grilled

cheese (and don’t forget favorites like fish fingers and applesauce on the kids menu). Owner Steve Millman sought to keep his doors open and his employees healthy and employed throughout multiple shut-downs, interruptions, and restriction changes throughout 2020 and 2021. Steve’s creative ideas and his staff’s smart implementation kept the restaurant humming along, all while offering a tasty escape from everyday life.

“We wanted to make it super safe and comfortable and try

For him, this feeling of community extends to all of the

to provide a little bit of normalcy during really difficult times

food businesses in Grand Rapids, which he says need

for ever ybody,” says S teve. These endeavors included

suppor t now more than ever. “ We star ted getting some

hiring musicians to play live music while patrons ordered

really great restaurants downtown. A nd a lot of them

takeout and supporting other local food businesses. “We

suffered really hard during this pandemic,” S teve says.

allow food trucks to use our parking lot, at no cost at all, just to try and help other struggling businesses [and] people that were trying to start up a restaurant.”

“Even as a restaurant owner, I highly encourage people to go downtown and to eat at these restaurants. Because we were on a great track. . . And my fear is that some of

When state mandates allowed restaurants to open at 50%

those restaurants aren’t going to make it.”

capacity, Noco spread out tables to accommodate the open spaces. Steve also requires his employees to undergo

He adds, “There are some amazing things that our city

temperature checks before entering the building, answer

offers. And we can’t turn our backs on that because we

COVID-19 screening questions, and wear masks and gloves.

will lose it. As long as they’re permitting us to do so, I think we need to help support these local restaurants.”

S teve also began exploring new modes of food deliver y, such as event and corporate catering, which presented

Despite impacts to his own restaurant and the persisting

their own unique obstacles. “I want my fries fresh and

pandemic that necessitates enhanced safety measures

hot right now. I don’t want to wait 25 minutes,” Steve says

and creative solutions in the industry, Steve is optimistic

of the wait time usually involved in catering and takeout.

about the near future. “I really am hopeful for 2021. I think

To get ahead of this, Noco staff decided to purposefully

everybody’s ready to kind of start a new chapter. . . Just

limit their event menu to a small number of items that

keep taking one step forward each day, and we will get

can be easily and freshly recreated off site. “It’s been

through this,” he says.

great,” he says. “ They get the burger that they’re used to. . . And you get it to order right there.”

For S teve, all of these ef for ts are designed to make Noco a gathering place for the communit y. “ First and foremost, I’m a real estate person,” he says. “When I was looking at the highest and best use for that proper ty, it

“ L i fe c a n g et t u r ne d up side dow n i n a n instant. And that’s exactly what happened. . .

We need to appreciate what we have in this world and the people around us that make us happy.”

was a community gathering point.” The name, inspired by northern comfort food, also incorporates “A provisioning post where people would come and gather before they go on their journey,” he says.

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LO O K I N G FO RWA R D:

H E A LT H

MAKING CHANGES AND PITCHING IN: DR. SALLY KILPHUIS ON COVID-19’S IMPACT ON HER FAMILY PRACTICE Even with 35 years as a practicing family physician, nothing could have prepared Doctor Sally Kliphuis for the COVID-19 pandemic. As major shutdowns began in March of 2020, doctors’ offices temporarily closed their doors, and for the first time in her practice, she was not physically able to see patients. “We were shut down, and that’s unheard of,” she says. For those two months, she answered patient phone calls and questions and filled prescriptions, but was required to send sick patients to urgent care. Eventually, she began conducting telehealth visits that allowed her to see patients, but as Dr. Kliphuis explains, “ When you’re talking about medicine, it still was not optimal.”

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In early summer 2020, offices reopened to patients after

people who get the vaccine are still going to have to practice

statewide shutdowns. However, because of the risk COVID-19

social distancing because of the people who elect not to get it,

still posed, doctors were still not able to see symptomatic

so there has to be something to encourage people to get it.”

patients in their offices. “If people are sick, they have to be screened. If there is any indication at all that they might have

Though the pandemic has been challenging, Dr. Kliphuis

COVID, they can’t be seen in the office. So that really changes

notes that some of the necessitated changes have made a

the dynamic of your practice too, because we are used to

positive impact. While she makes clear that telehealth isn’t

seeing urgent things,” says Dr. Kliphuis. As a family doctor,

always optimal, she anticipates it being used more often as

she is accustomed to seeing and treating her patients when

an added convenience. “You can just take 15 minutes in front

they are sick, and she was obligated to send these patients

of your computer at work over a lunch hour and actually have

elsewhere to be treated. “The patient suffers because they are

a doctor’s visit without leaving where you are. Some things

not seeing their regular primary care doctor, they’re seeing just

are conducive to tele-vists, so I think those are going to stay

anybody.”

around, and that’s probably a good thing.”

Things in the office have changed for both patients and doctors. Masks are required, everyone must be screened before entering, and doctors often refrain from doing ear and nose checks so patients can keep their masks on. “Other than that, I’m still able to be hands-on,” says Dr. Kliphuis.

Despite efforts to keep illness out of the office, Dr. Kliphuis explains that occasionally patients slip through the cracks, in which case, doctors rotate seeing sick patients. “We wear full head gear that completely covers your face and head.”

During statewide shutdowns in March 2020, Dr. Kliphuis explains that there were very few COVID-19 cases in Kent County. Nonetheless, she and many other doctors were eager to help treating symptomatic patients if needed. “We were all ready and prepared to go into the hospitals if we needed to,” she says. “We saw what was going on in New York and big cities. So, we knew it was bad.” Dr. Kliphuis herself strongly considered going to New York to help as hospitals filled up there, but due to her age — she is 70 — her family convinced her to stay.

Dr. Kliphuis hopes that these adjustments to her practice will soon be over. However, she only sees this happening once the virus is under control. “I really think [the vaccine] is the only way we can get back to some normalcy because the virus isn’t going away. . .what we need to do as human beings is develop immunity to the virus, and we don’t want it to kill us while we are doing it.” Though she is optimistic, she realizes a vaccine won’t solve the problem immediately. She explains that even

“

YOU CAN JUST TAKE 15 MINUTES IN FRONT OF YOUR COMPUTER AT WORK OVER A LUNCH HOUR AND ACTUALLY HAVE A DOCTOR’S VISIT...”

while vaccinated, you can still transmit the virus to others. “The

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LO O K I N G FO RWA R D:

H E A LT H

NA WHE

VE T ERINARY

PRA

C TICE

Family Affair BECOMES A

F O R R YA N C A R P E N T E R , co-owner of Family Friends Veterinary Hospital & Pet Care Center in Forest Hills, the COVID -19 pandemic meant big changes to his decade-long practice. In March 2020, when Governor Whitmer ordered statewide closures of schools and businesses and later allowed reopening with restrictions, this hands-on hospital adapted to meet the needs of their human and animal clients, while keeping them and their staff safe from the virus.

Shor tly into the pandemic, “ We switched up [to] car side ser vice,” says Ryan.

“So the clients remained in their cars in our parking lot. And the patients came into the hospital.” This system applied to most general ser vices and major surgeries, but did not include pet euthanasia. “We’ve allowed owners to be with their pet during that process. . .they should be there.”

“It’s worked very well, I think that we’ve really tried to minimize our interaction with the public. . . but. . . it’s a different feel,” he adds. “We as pet owners want to be with our pets all the time, so it requires a level of trust on our clients’ part to be able to trust us that we’re going to do what’s right for their pet.”

The hospital also temporarily paused its popular doggy daycare, grooming, and lodging services.

As the pandemic wore on into 2020, Ryan saw growth in one particular service: pet urgent care, the first such urgent care offered in Grand Rapids. Family Friends launched their urgent care services on Fridays and Saturdays in spring 2019, “Just to be able to have some availability for our clients, so they wouldn’t have to end up in an emergency hospital,” and expanded their offerings during the pandemic. “ We’ve added Urgent Care on Sundays. And it’s crazy how that’s grown,” he says. “When we started on Sundays, we were reaching capacity [and] we were

32

just letting people come whenever they wanted. And now we kind of have to set schedules as appointments, because otherwise we’ll never leave during the day.”

Ryan took over the family-run practice from his father, Randall R. Carpenter, DVM, and now co - owns the business with his sister, Kathr yn A . Sutphen, DV M, and wife Marcia, DV M. Beyond his blood relations, R yan views the entire practice — now with 11 veterinarians and over t wo dozen suppor t staff including assistants, veterinar y technicians, and customer ser vice representatives — as a big family.

“Over the last eight to ten years, we’ve seen a lot of corporate influence in our sector,” says Ryan. “Being independently- owned and not selling out to corporate at this point really sets us apart. We can make the changes we need pret t y quickly and tr y to provide that ser vice that ’s meaningful because

“

I’M REALIZING THE FUN PART OF MY JOB IS INTERACTING WITH OUR CLIENTS. I LOVE PETS, AND I LOVE OUR ANIMALS. . .WE LOVE MAKING THEM BETTER.”

we’re all family.”

As the practice continues to grow — Ryan notes a thirty percent increase over the past year, most likely due to homebound pet owners and the popularity of pet ownership in general over the pandemic — he looks forward to increased in - person interaction with his clients. “ We really want clients back in our building,” he says. “I’m realizing the fun part of my job is interacting with our clients. I love pets, and I love our animals. . .We love making them better.”

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LO O K I N G FO RWA R D:

B U S IN E S S

34

NEW WAYS TO WORK WITH HERMAN MILLER’S RYAN ANDERSON

F

or Ryan Anderson, VP of Global Research & Insights at Herman Miller, the COVID-19 pandemic has meant developing accelerated changes to the workplace. A furniture industry veteran with 26 years of experience, Ryan marvels at the innovations of the past year, many of which have enabled smarter working environments across a myriad of industries.

One such trend that is seemingly here to stay is distributed working, many times referred to as “Working from home.”

Ryan dispels the theory that this trend means employees exclusively working in a home office and away from co-workers.

At the beginning of the pandemic, “There were parts of the world and certain companies that were quick to grant employees the ability to work wherever they’d like. And there’s pretty good research indicating that that’s a win-win for both the employer and the employee, because it creates more engaged employees. It also frees up space to be used more productively within the office.”

For Herman Miller, this meant working with clients to re-think the makeup of their offices. “There are ways that you can approach your workplace where the office is still critically important. But it’s actually better. It’s more interesting,” says Ryan. “It’s more desirable than just filling it with a sea of desks.”

Some companies, like Herman Miller, have also chosen to build suppor tive home office programs for their employees. Many of these organizations have employed Herman Miller to outfit these new home offices. “We have a special e-commerce site for businesses to be able to provide options for their employees,” says Ryan, in addition to a white glove service to assist individuals with installing and adjusting specialized home office furniture.

“

Distributed working is the idea that you can basically work from anywhere, including the office

Before the pandemic forced worldwide shut-downs, “Distributed working was already becoming more mainstream,” according to Ryan.

But as millions of workers were forced to work from home and still maintained their productivity, even more business owners shifted their mindset. “One of the most interesting things that we were watching in the beginning of the quarantine was attitudinal changes among business leaders all over the world about the viability of working outside of the office,” says Ryan. “Harvard Business Review, as an example, posted that before the pandemic, only fourteen percent of business leaders really thought that their workforce could be successful working remotely. That was up to forty-two percent by June, and that was in the midst of when it was probably the most challenging.”

Ryan is also encouraged by the increased interest in biophilic design, or bringing the outdoors in. With many professionals working from home, adding more greenery and organic elements to their work and living spaces is a refreshing trend. Ryan has also seen a growing need for furniture design that caters to to hospitals, schools, and gaming, as people and professionals all over the world occupy physical spaces in different and unique ways.

“We need to step on the gas pedal. . .we need to accelerate some of what we’ve been doing even faster, in order to make sure that we’re capitalizing on these opportunities,” he says. “I think people or businesses are going to have to feel like they are flexible and responsive to all sorts of changes in the world in ways that maybe they weren’t before.”

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OUTDOOR LIVING AT HOME:

PANDEMIC TRENDS AND INDUSTRY OUTLOOKS While people across the world were stuck inside throughout the spring of 2020, many homeowners found the time and motivation to spruce up their homes with renovation projects, often in the pursuit of more space, more privacy, or more variation.

M

any turned to the outdoors as refuge from indoor living, jumping at the opportunity to make yards and

porches an extension of their seemingly shrinking living spaces. While the pandemic derailed summer travel plans and forced travelers to pursue West Michigan staycations instead, enthusiasm for outdoor living seemed to increase drastically.

Although outdoor living was on the rise heading into 20 20, the pandemic may have cemented this trend moving forward. Spending more time at home led to an increased demand for functional and livable outdoor spaces and more indoor-outdoor accessibility built into these living spaces.

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For example, Houzz reported increased searches for interior

new structures for that purpose, there is a clear

courtyards dating back to March 2020, and according to

demand for additional living quarters, according to

Wayfair’s data trend tracker, searches for French patio doors

Totallandscapecare.com.

and glass patio doors were up 142 percent and 227 percent respectively, in 2020. Evidently, the desire for more indoor-

In another article, “Coronavirus Drives Residential Outdoor

outdoor living with easy access has become more popular

Living Demand And Trends,” Gold quotes design director of

due to the pandemic. It’s easy to see more of these features

Chicago Roof Deck & Garden Vanessa Slivinski: “Post-vaccine

becoming a mainstay on many people’s wish lists, both as

may mean that people will feel more comfortable leaving their

buyers search for new homes and as homeowners renovate.

homes and want to spend less time there. However, it feels like this pandemic has opened a lot of eyes on the importance of

In her Forbes article, “Is The Covid-19 Pandemic Reviving

having a usable and comfortable outdoor space.”

A Historic Residential Design Feature?” contributor Jamie Gold says,

Simple upgrades to porches and outdoor spaces have also been common. For some, making the outdoors

“Outdoor living spaces have been extremely popular since the beginning of the pandemic, and we anticipate that single family homes and multi-unit buildings will have more connections to the outdoors in the future.”

Amongst homeowners’ other desires to make spaces more comfor table and usable are screened-in porches, decks, shade structures, and privacy fences—any thing to add to one’s outdoor livability. Even landscaping has become more functional, with homeowners using plantfilled structures as quasi-walls and strategically planted trees to achieve more privacy and definition between living spaces, according to Leslie Gillock, VP, director of insights for creative agency Wray Ward.

Many homeowners looked to utilize their outdoor areas to a c c o m m o d ate m o re C O V I D - f r i e n d l y e n te r t a i n i n g a n d relaxation. According to Way fair ’s trend tracker, searches for concrete fire pits increased 173 percent, and outdoor bar searches were up 155 percent from the previous year. Modular outdoor kitchens and outdoor kitchen islands increased 6 6 percent and 130 percent, respectively, clearly indicating an increased desire for outdoor entertaining capabilities.

For more space, some have gone as far as building right

more comfortable simply meant purchasing new outdoor and patio furniture and décor, but that hasn’t exactly been seamless. As many have experienced f irsthand, the rise in demand coupled with supply chain and market slowdowns due to the pandemic have resulted in staggeringly low inventory and unprecedented wait times.

According to research done by the Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based research firm, demand for outdoor consumer products is not going anywhere. They have projected that the market will expand 3.8 percent annually, reaching $12 billion in 2024. In an article exploring the study, “Freedonia Group Projects Demand for Outdoor Furniture and Grills Will Weather Coronavirus Impact and Grow in Long Run,” Associate Editor for Remodeling and ProSales Vincent Salandro writes, “The Freedonia Group projects positive growth as a result of the strong and still-growing popularity of outdoor living, as consumers and commercial entities increasingly invest in outdoor spaces.”

The pandemic has certainly changed the way many view and utilize their homes and yards, and it is likely to impact re s i d e n t i a l a n d c o m m e r c i a l d e ve l o p m e n t , a s we l l a s buyers’ must-have lists for many years to come. Without many places to go, many have gained a new appreciation for the outdoors. If investing more in one’s outdoor space and spending more time in nature is one lasting o u t c o m e o f t h e p a n d e m i c , t h a t ’s a t r e n d t h a t i s hopefully here to stay.

in their backyards. From converting sheds and detached garages into gyms, offices, and classrooms, to constructing

37

A BETTER WAY TO WORK FROM HOME

Kathryn Chaplow on Adaptive Design

Whether spending more time at home or shifting to working from home, one’s surroundings can play an outsized role in their mood, productivity, and family life.

D

uring the COVID -19 pandemic, as individuals and

Kathr yn notes that as statewide COVID -19 restrictions

families were forced to stay home due to school and

forced office shutdowns, “ We immediately shifted to

work closures and virus outbreaks, many sought changes

remote work in March and found the transition to be

or upgrades to their indoor spaces. For Kathryn Chaplow,

a b i t of a n a d ve n t u re . Eve n t h o u g h t h e s t ate of t h e

interior designer and owner of Kathr yn Chaplow Interior

world was unsure and kind of scar y, we all set up our

Design, this meant adapting her own work environment to

home offices and star ted working on projects with all

a work-from-home model, and meeting the needs of her

the remote tools we had been using for long-distance

clients, who were spending more time in private spaces,

design projects in recent years. It was a great test of

and less time in the office.

those systems and skills!”

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Of course, this shift had its obstacles. “The harder part

closets, easy two-way drop off spaces between outside

was the unknown future, how to plan financially, what to

and inside spaces, etc.”

anticipate, and which projects to focus on,” says Kathryn.

“We have done remarkably well, considering everything.

Regardless of the shif ts to Kathr yn and her team’s

The builders and architects we work with are very busy,

daily work life, this local interior design company is

and that keeps us busy as well.”

positive about their ability to meet their clients’ needs, specif ically by leaning on local peers in the industr y.

Like many other industries throughout the pandemic,

“ Thank fully, we have a strong and suppor tive design

sourcing materials and retail items for interior design

community here in West Michigan,” she says. “Ever yone

of te n fa c e d s l owd ow n s . “ S o m e of t h e l o n g e r te r m

looks out for ever yone else. We have made an ex tra

impact has been lead times on special order items,”

ef fo r t to s h o p l o c a l , l o c a l l y - m a d e p r o d u c t s , a n d

says Kathryn. In order to curb frustrations, she and her

commission local custom work whenever possible.”

team worked with clients to help manage their delivery expectations. Kathr yn also consistently works with her team to maintain their own work/life balance while managing a demanding workload.

“My team includes four moms with a total of nine kids!” she says.

“Our priority right now is to maintain our same level of ser vice and creativity while also managing the ’new normal’ at home. The silver lining has been the amazing focus on family we have seen for ourselves and our clients.”

As Kathryn continued working with clients throughout the pandemic, she noticed several design trends, including: upgraded outdoor spaces, increased kitchen spaces, added exercise rooms, and of course, home offices for work and school projects. She also helped design many mudrooms. “ We are designing more shoe closets that are in garage entries and mudrooms,” Kathryn says. “More care is being given to removing things like coats, shoes, and backpacks before entering the main house.”

One unique element that has increased in popularity is the need for package delivery management, according to Kathryn. “Deliveries are at an all-time high. With so many people ordering deliver y ser vices and shopping online for just about everything, we are designing really creative ways to manage those packages as they arrive,” she says.

“Par ticularly in Michigan, where things can arrive to a porch covered in snow! We have designed simple porch

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AMBER WA G N E R A ARON KLEERSNYDER

BRENDAN O’DRISCOLL

ANA WODEK

DANIELLE CRILLEY

JENNY WA G N E R

KALAH S T R AT T O N

JOHN P O L A KO V I C H JULIE SMITH

KEVIN P O L A KO V I C H

MALLORY STROTHEIDE MICHAEL MARSMAN

SARAH K E L LY SCOT VENEKLASE

STEVE RITSEMA

STUART WILSON

WA D E MONSMA TOBY CRULL