Frankenmuth

G rowing up in Frankenmuth left nothing to be desired. I had the privilege of a quality education and a safe learning environment in Frankenmuth Public Schools. I was raised within a loving family in a city where it was Christmas year round. What more could a kid want? As much as I felt secure and happy, I always had a curiosity about what might lie beyond the boundaries of Michigan's Little Bavaria. A rushed drive to the Bridgeport Taco Bell during high school lunch period was always a thrilling adventure, but I knew there was still more to be discovered. When it came time for college, I was excited to expand my understanding of the world and what it might offer an eager and curious teenager. Thanks to the support of my parents, I found myself at Michigan State University. I had no clue what I wanted to pursue as my degree, but I knew I was ready for the social scene that came with campus living. My brother Jason was entering his senior year at MSU, and there was some comfort in following in his footsteps. I settled on a degree in business, which I felt offered the most opportunity. But, I was still unsure what my ideal career might look like. After graduation, I landed my first full-time job in human resources, but soon moved to Chicago for its promise of cultural diversity and a taste of big city life. I jumped between jobs (a lot) to find the right fit. I found myself working my way up the human resources ladder with a cushy salary and generous benefits package. Wanting to continue to learn and unlock new potential for myself, I earned a Master's Degree in Sociology from DePaul University. As much as I'd built a compelling history of work and education, I had a nagging itch for more meaningful, creative work than what was reflected on my resume. I went out west to Portland, OR, the land of artists and makers. Here, I promised myself I'd allow one year in my new human resources job at Portland Public Schools, then I'd really commit to discovering work I was passionate about. Staying true to my promise, I left the security of my job and began pursuing a number of creative outlets — sewing, woodcarving, brewing kombucha, and more. I enrolled in even more college courses, this time in interior design at a community college. As much fun as it all was, everything fell a little flat. That was, until I discovered formulating body care products. Lotion, sunscreen, shampoo, soap, you name it. Anything you put on your body, I wanted to make it. I was pregnant at the time and, like any new mom, was conscious of using clean and healthy products, so there was extra motivation in learning how to master the art. What started as creating products for me and my family quickly turned into selling at farmers markets around Portland. Recognizing the business potential in what I was doing, I decided to scale my hobby to a full-time business within months of starting out. I went all in on H O W A C O M M I T M E N T T O Finding Her Passion L E D T H I S F R A N K E N M U T H G R A D U A T E T O Business Success B Y J A M I E S C H M I D T , F H S C L A S S O F 1 9 9 6 6

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