Kindling Creative

We were excited to work on another bicentennial logo-- this time for Washtenaw County. Be on the lookout for celebratory events this year!

More info at https://www.ecurrent.com/events/washtenaw-county-turns-200-years-old-in-2026/

We had a blast designing the logo for Cretenik Designs -- fun and creative planters handcrafted from concrete in unusual colors. The owner wanted the logo to have a beatnik-y vibe. Website coming soon!

Last week, the Michigan House of Representatives passed a budget that completely eliminates funding for arts and culture. This devastating proposal would decimate Michigan’s creative sector (including zeroing out of Michigan Arts and Culture Council grants), threatening thousands of jobs, weakening local economies, and stripping communities of the programs and cultural resources they rely on.

If this budget moves forward, the impact will be catastrophic:
- Thousands of jobs lost across the state.
- Economic instability for communities where arts and culture drive tourism, small businesses, and local investment.
- Loss of access to programs that support education, historic preservation, creative therapies, and cultural institutions statewide.

Please contact your state senator, representative, and governor to tell them that cutting arts and culture is a mistake. (You can find them at https://www.michiganvotes.org/legislators)

Thank you!

We always love designing the marketing materials for the annual Big Sky Soul Shine event!

My husband Alex and I enjoyed speaking with Melissa about marketing, franchising, and milkshakes! Tune in to learn more. (You can also view on YouTube at https://youtu.be/A8Q_On3biSQ?si=6HEkaHNmIGFIAUnL)

Franchising: Your Path to Business Ownership?

Have you ever dreamed of owning a business—but felt overwhelmed by the idea of starting from scratch?

Franchising offers the best of both worlds: the independence of entrepreneurship with the proven systems of an established brand. In this episode of Women's Money Wisdom, Melissa Joy, CFP® sits down with husband-and-wife team Alex Roberts, CFE and Julie Hart Roberts to explore what modern franchise ownership really looks like.

Alex is the founder of The Franchise Playmaker, with over 20 years of experience helping people find the perfect franchise match. Julie, a seasoned marketer and founder of Kindling Creative, shares how she’s applying her skills to their newest venture—opening The Milkshake Factory in Ann Arbor.

✨ Key Takeaways:
🔶Most franchise owners end up choosing a brand they never expected
🔶Franchise consultants guide you like realtors through a complex decision process
🔶Franchising is rising among professionals aged 45–55 looking for a next chapter
🔶“Validation” is a vital (and often overlooked) part of choosing a franchise
🔶Julie shares creative local marketing strategies that are making an impact
🔶And yes, absentee franchising is more myth than reality

Whether you're thinking about business ownership or just curious about new career possibilities, this episode offers real-world insight into building a business with both structure and soul.

🎧 Listen now and discover if franchising could be your next big move.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-money-wisdom/id1583888433

Happy to design this logo for Liz Zeuschner Kamins and Quinipet Consulting, whose name is derived from the Greek-Latin words meaning five rocks. The rocks are represented by five circles connecting the dots in the “i”s, which form a sunrise to symbolize the new, transformed company that results from working with this consulting group.

We've had fun working on A2 Bicentennial graphics all year long. Please join us at the Year-End Celebration, December 14 at 6pm, at Skyline High. The event will include a reception, art exhibit, Aerie oral histories, musical and theatrical entertainment, and a bicentennial poem by the amazing Aaron Dworkin.

More info at https://www.a2bicentennial.org/events

Did you vote today? Nice to see the logo we created for the A2 Bicentennial get some more use! Feel free to post your pic with the I Voted sticker here!

We love designing for MilkShake Factory! Come get the best milkshakes (including dairy-free and gluten-free) and chocolates in the area...in Ann Arbor's Westgate shopping center, near TJ Maxx and Zingerman's Roadhouse.

Love the creativity here-- taking shadows and making them into art!

Vincent Bal is a Belgian artist known for “Shadowology,” where he transforms shadows cast by everyday objects into playful illustrations. This artistic journey began in 2016 when he noticed how his teacup’s shadow resembled an elephant and completed the image with a few pen strokes. He shared it online, and the positive feedback encouraged him to create daily shadow doodles. Bal combines shadows from objects like glassware and flowers with hand-drawn elements to create whimsical characters. His work has gained him a significant following on Instagram and led to a published book, “Shadowology.” Artist: @vincent_bal #art #drawing #creative

Loved designing this year's Big Sky Soul Shine poster and bling! Even if you're not in Big Sky and attending, you can donate to support those stricken with ALS at https://bigskysoulshine.org