Ryan Frye liked this
𝗔 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆
I recently refreshed my LinkedIn profile to better reflect the unconventional path I have been building over the past year.
After leaving Corporate America, I invested more deeply in my own creative pursuits and founded Douglas Michael Studio LLC. Since then, my digital illustrations have been featured in galleries, generated meaningful online sales, and evolved into original commercial products with trademark protection pursued through the USPTO.
Candidly, the transition was not easy. It brought uncertainty about my direction, my finances, and what building an independent career could realistically look like. But it also created space to reconsider where I wanted to invest my talent, energy, and experience.
During that time, I strengthened my connection to the community around me. I graduated from the Michigan Pride Chamber of Commerce’s 12-week Queer Equity Impact Program, continued serving the organization through board leadership, and helped lead the effort to bring the Stonewall Sports National Tournament to Detroit, which will welcome more than 2,500 LGBTQ+ athletes and allies in July 2027.
I also found a professional home in my own city at Leon & Lulu and Three Cats Restaurant, where creativity, hospitality, community engagement, and memorable experiences are central to the business. In my role as Marketing & Events Coordinator, I have the opportunity to bring together many of the things I do best: storytelling, partnerships, strategy, events, and connection.
I am sharing this as both a personal update and an invitation.
I have always thrived as a connector, especially when I can bring together people, organizations, and ideas rooted in shared purpose. Take a look at my refreshed profile, and reach out if any part of my journey resonates with you, if there may be an opportunity to collaborate, or if there is someone within my network I can help you meet.
I am continuing to build a path that invests in both myself and my community, and I am excited about the impact still ahead.