About A Michigan Thing

A Michigan Thing, LLC was formed because of a different idea. I had recently started my own business as an independent web consultant, seeking out businesses that needed web development. In the process of interviewing each developer for Web Finders, I asked them all the same question. “What kind of projects would you like to create on your own?” Now that I was independent, I was free to create work in addition to seeking it out. I was interviewing Steve Fortnam of 3rd Coast Technologies, and he replied that “I had this great idea, I took it to the chamber, and they said, ‘hey that’s a great idea! We should do that!’ and then nothing happened.” The very next day I was sitting down with Rick Stricker of Web Slingers and I asked him the same question. He said, “I had this great idea, I took it to the chamber, and they said, ‘hey that’s a great idea! We should do that!’ and then nothing happened.” It turned out that Rick and Steve had opposite sides of the same idea. Steve wanted to promote lodgings, Rick wanted to promote restaurants. I just said to Rick, “You know, you two have got to sit down and talk to each other.” The rest is history.

As for how the site got its personality, it started with two feet. I kept seeing these two feet on the beach, with pants rolled up to the knees, and a bucket and shovel right next to them. Of course, there was a perfect Lake Michigan sunset in front of my imagined beach comber. The tag line “Summer just won't be the same without you” seemed the perfect way to express our invitation to visitors. I was thinking out loud about all of things we love here in Michigan. We love to have drinks on the deck, we love sand in our shoes, if we live near the water we need to drive by it once every day to get our “fix”. Then, I said aloud, “It’s a Michigan Thing”. Thus our site name, company name and our marketing theme were born.

Then came Adam. He was my second attempt at hiring someone to formulate my ideas into artwork. We credit Adam for the look of all our marketing materials, and the graphic design for this site. Adam totally understood how to capture our deep love for Michigan. I met Adam on a Friday afternoon at the close of the work day, and by Monday I had 11 proofs in my hands, all of them very impressive. His design allowed me to convey what we wanted our visitors to feel. I wanted them to feel like they were missing something if they didn't jump in their car right now and come see us.

Granted, we have made this site much more than any individual Chamber of Commerce could do but now I understand why the Chamber was hesitant to take on this project. It’s been a massive undertaking. From building the site, gathering the information needed, and contacting all of the individual property owners, AMichiganThing.com has become almost a full time job for 4 people.

We love Michigan very much and we are just trying to do our part to share it with others. Please enjoy the site, invite your friends here, and don't forget to make your travel plans with AMichiganThing.com. It’s all about keeping the money right here in Michigan.

Sincerely,
Carol Charron
Marketing & Sales Manager

A Michigan Thing is operated by Steve Fortnam of 3rd Coast Technologies, a web development company in business since 1996; Rick Stricker of Web Slingers, another web development company in business since 1994; and Carol Charron of Web Finders. Carol has a background in design, sales and marketing since 1988.