Originally a Michigan native, Kelly was born in Cadillac but grew up in Northern Indiana after her family moved there when she was two. After meeting her now husband, she spent her teen years around the beaches of Lake Michigan, visiting his hometown of St. Joe, Michigan. This was when Kelly first fell in love with the region. After getting married and finding jobs, Todd and Kelly landed in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Fast forward a few years and they now are parents to two boys aged 5 and 3.

Kelly and her husband both worked in the automotive industry for 12 years, living in Ann Arbor and working near Detroit. While they loved their jobs and the large corporation they worked for, the daily grind and stress level of working for a large corporation took its toll. A buyout package gave them an opportunity to reassess their lifestyle and the amount of time they had to devote to family. West Michigan was the first place that came to mind when considering a move. “We had always talked about retirement in West Michigan, and then we thought, why wait?” said Kelly.

While researching the move, Kelly discovered Hello West Michigan on a blog about the area. We sent her information out in our weekly resume pack. After going through our process, Kelly was hired due to her interesting finance and corporate background. She had a few offers, but ultimately felt Adamy Valuation, one of our member companies, was the best fit for her.

One of the largest factors that played into their decision for making the move was wanting the best work-life balance possible while still maintaining enjoyable and challenging careers. Kelly said that her new position will allow more focused time for family as their boys grow up. Another benefit she sees in the switch is that a smaller company allows greater direct impact on a business, something she didn’t have before. Kelly is excited for her new role and the benefits it offers her, both professionally and personally.

Now Kelly and her family are enjoying the change of pace they have experienced since moving here. They have been exploring their new hometown of East Grand Rapids and are excited to spend more time in downtown Saugatuck this summer, where they can shop, eat, and enjoy the beach. They also enjoy participating in all the activities offered for children, like the Children’s Museum in downtown Grand Rapids and the nearby parks and trails. “Being able to walk to the grocery, restaurants, and even the library has been a welcome change,” said Kelly. “Before, we had to get on the highway and drive 20 minutes to do anything.” She looks forward to continuing to explore Southwest Michigan with her husband and two boys in the coming years.

To the others out there reading this and considering a move to West Michigan, Kelly says “take the leap and put some faith in yourself if you truly want to make a change. It’s definitely possible!”

(Photo credit to Colleen Neuman of [coll.neu] photography and used with permission)