Music and More!

Laura Mackimmie was a special guest musician for the evening playing her guitar and singing songs she has written. Laura says her music is "angry, morbid, plucky and sometimes silly." The crowd loved it--and we look forward to Larua coming back to many upcoming open mic night events! Visit Laura at http://hippiespiritrecords.com/

Collaborative Community Mixer and Open House Sept 27th!

September 27th brought out many of the InSights Group community members and guests. The mixer from 6-8 was an opportunity to mix and mingle, and make new connections. Guests sampled wine from Howell's Main Street Winery, a huge hit at any party!

Support Michigan!

I just found this website and figured I'd share...

http://www.buymichigannow.com/community.php

Support Michigan businesses!

Open House Sept 27th, 6-8pm, Musical Entertainment from 8-11pm!

Halloween Party @ InSights October 25th to benefit Gleaner's Food Bank

Al and I were part of a LIVE studio audience!

Al and I were invited to a Very Special Taping of the Public Television Program Turning Setbacks into Comebacks with Willie Jolley. On Thursday, Sept 18th, we were able to listen to a program by a dynamic speaker, meet Willie and be a part of this awesome event! I highly recommend you take a peek at the message that Willie Jolley shares with his audiences. He was even game for FREE HUGS!!

Willie Jolley is the best-selling author of It Only Takes a Minute to Change Your Life

PRESS RELEASE SEPT 20, 2008

Contact: Sandra Maki For Immediate Release
Telephone: 810-623-5839
Cell Phone: 248-798-0239
E-mail:smaki@insights-group.com

LADIES NIGHT & LIFE SIZE MONOPOLY FUN

Friday, September 12th Insights Group hosted a life-sized Monopoly Game and themed Ladies Night Out. The InSightopoly game featured over 35 vendors who were each a stop on the game board, which was designed promote a conversation styled trade show-a new venue for vendors and service providers to establish Connections in the local market. There were several presentations featured throughout the fun-filled event. Judy Shepard of a Miracle Today spoke about alternative healing sources, several vendors were on hand with samples of their foods, products, and Dr. Nicole Bittner of Hands on Health Chiropractic was offering complementary spinal scans. Israel Retana of Good As New, an antique furniture restoration company was the event Emcee and kept the crowd in high spirits throughout the evening. Mr. Moneybags, (aka Allan Curtis) was live and in person handing out Community Chest and Chance opportunities. Some guests were thrown into the mock “Jail” by either drawing the chance card or running into one of the officers (Sandra Maki and Jim Gray) during the evening. To Get Out of Jail guests were encouraged to roll doubles with a life-size set of die, or donate money which went to support the local Breast Cancer fundraising campaign.

The vendors loved the show style and interaction.”I just want to say thank you for organizing a great evening last Friday. That was the first time I have participated in any kind of vendor show, and I am a convert! It was clear that InSights Group worked hard to create a fun and rewarding evening for all the participants--vendors and attendees alike. I met a lot of great people and I look forward to many more such events. Great job!”--Chris Freeze, MonaVie.
“I just would like to tell you again how much I enjoyed your ladies night out. I have worked a few other Ladies night out events and this was by far the best I have ever been a part of. Along with making some good connections with possible future clients I had a lot of fun. When I first heard about the insight-opoly I was wondering about it but it was great. It in a fun way made people go to all of the vendors and meet them. Even though I did go to jail twice. (It was all for charity!) Thanks again!”--Dan Winters, Dan’s Back and Body Shop
“I heard over and over again, especially from the new vendors---they had never been to anything like this before and they just loved it. Vendors actually thought it was "more" productive than the normal women's expo!”—Alan Smith, LAMOCU Media Services


Ladies Night is a new way for businesses to market themselves through a personal dialogue with potential consumers that adds value to everyone. Guests and attendees are introduced to new products and businesses in a casual, relaxed environment. It’s a great chance to interact and have new experiences that you can’t find in a magazine or online. Also, many vendors provide free samples or provide special offers.
The next Ladies Night is scheduled for Friday, November 14th 2008, and will feature a “Holiday Shoppe.” The show wouldn’t be complete without its own theme…so guests can come prepared to meet Ms. Scarlet, Ms. Peacock, Mr. Green, Colonel Mustard and Professor Plum as they try to find the clues and solve the mystery who done it game of Clue. Vendor spaces are available-guests of vendors will get receive admission at no charge. The event runs from 6-10pm.

You can find more information about the event at www.insights-group.com.
Come join us at the Insights Group located at 7187 Grand River Ave, Brighton, MI 48114 (at Pless Rd. and Grand River, 2 Buildings east of the “Rollerama” between Brighton and Howell.
# # #
For more information, please stop by or call Sandra Maki @ 248-798-0239 or e-mail smaki@insights-group.com

Ladies Night Out Customer Appreciation Event September 12th was a hit!

I heard over and over again, especially from the new vendors---they had never been to anything like this before and they just loved it. Vendors actually thought it was "more" productive than the normal women's expo!—Alan Smith, LAMOCU Media Services

What a wonderful experience it was to attend the Insightopoly event! The vendor and community turnout was more than I expected and everyone seemed cheerful and in good spirit.
The game atmosphere was a great idea and the rolling doubles to get out of jail or paying your own bail had everyone even more festive.
As a vendor I got to meet many amazing people and make connections in ways I couldn't have from networking on my computer, or through local advertisements. It was fun and inspiring to see how many people ( vendor & otherwise ) were interested in helping to develop new relationships by connecting those they knew who might love my new concept, vision, ideas and art.
Overall the event, in my opinion, was a huge success and I can't wait to come to future events at Insights. With good planning, good people, and good music, the events are always assured to be just as successful, festive and fun.--Michelle Dreamer Acevedo, sojomaxsboutique.com, "Imagination Couture"

Ladies Night Out Customer Appreciation Event September 12th was a hit!

"This event, despite the weather, was phenomenal!!! I met new people, even ran into friends I haven't seen in quite some time. I actually met a woman who is a retired Livonia School teacher, who is good friends with a very special teacher I had in Junior High school. I won't mention how long ago, but she is going to put us back in touch. Now how cool is that!!! These events can be more than you could ever hope for." Thanks to the Insights Group!!! – Karen Mills, Shaklee Corporation

Good as New

"The Business InSights, http://www.insights-group.com/, meetings have been a great educational tool for me. Imagine a round table of business owners discussiong their views, opinions, and ideas related to your business. It allows for you to step back and take a look at your business through someone else's eyes. It gives you the courage to try new ideas that work." -Israel Retana, Good As New

In her own words...

Just So! - InSights Group Testimonial One cold February morning this year, I dragged myself out of my comfy warm bed because my Xerox Sales Representative had, already last year, invited me to a “Business Networking” meeting. Since it was a 7 a.m. meeting and I am not a morning person, it took me a while to take her up on her offer. Yet since that cold February morning, there is not a week that has gone by where I have not been to some meeting or other at InSights Group. From a 7 am Net Shui – Business Networking Meeting to the 6:30 pm Toastmasters Meetings, there is something for me every day, if I care to attend. This also includes non-business events like “Open Mike Night” for comedy and music, Yoga Class for stretching the physical along with the mental, Book Club for interesting discussion, and “Café InSights” for philosophical enlightenment. My company, Just So!, has participated in several “Ladies Nights” sponsored by InSights. We have made numerous connections, many of which I am sure that we have not yet seen the full scope of. Even just having a member listing on their website gives us yet another place that we are linked into the cyberworld. InSights Group is a great place to just chill and get a cup of tea or coffee. After a bad storm recently, it was a place to work while they got the power back up at the office. It is also the place to bounce ideas and listen to the challenges in other businesses. It’s amazing how a totally different business can face a challenge that gives me ideas to apply to my own business. For example, Just So! was preparing to put an ad into a National Magazine. This was a major investment for us. By showing our various layout ideas at a networking meeting, where there were no other jewelry designers or manufacturers, we received some surprising feedback. As one example, we used words in the ads that meant nothing extra to our audience. What a waste of space that would have been! If you’ve not yet attended some InSights events (http://www.insights-group.com/), do yourself a favor and get to know a different view on the world.
-- Monica Tombers, Associate Designer, Just So! – www.JustSoJewelry.com

Friday Night, Sept 12th, Ladies Night Out!

The Ladies Night planned for Friday, September 12th is going to be a fantastic event! We have several local vendors participating in a conversation style customer appreciation vendor show! Live music, a comedian, women's self defense, wine tasting and more will be offered at the event. Vendors involved in this awesome event, with a few twists as we re-enact a life size Monopoly game (including Mr. Moneybags live and in person!) include:

Alan Smith, LAMOCU Media Services
http://www.lamocu.com/
lamocu007@gmail.com
810-623-8131

Allan Curtis, Sandra Maki, InSights Group
7187 Grand River, Brighton, MI 48114
http://www.insights-group.com/
info@insights-group.com
810-623-5839

Alison Peasley, Tupperware
alisonmariep@hotmail.com
http://my.tupperware.com/alisonpeasley

Barbara White, Leap Healing
8548 N. Canton Center, Canton, MI 48187
leaphealing@sbcglobal.net
http://www.leapnaturalhealth.com/
734-455-1438

Bob Walker, English Gardens
Kyle Rutkowski, Lauren Rutkowski
EnglishGardens.com
bwalker@englishgardens.com
810-534-5090

Bob Ziegler, Toastmasters
Ziegler1rf@yahoo.com
810-623-8131

Chris Freeze
MonaVie Distributor
248-240-1748
www.the-team.biz/mv970541

Dan Winters, Dan’s Back and Body Shop
dansbackandbodyshop@yahoo.com
http://www.dansbackandbodyshop.com/
810-599-7449

Glenn Matecun, The Kizer Law Firm
207 N. Michigan Ave, Ste 202, Howell, Mi 48843
gmat43@ameritech.net
http://www.michiganestateplans.com/
517-548-1440

Israel Retana, Good as New Furniture Restoration
Brighton, MI 48114
iretana@goodasnewrestoration.com
goodasnewrestoration.com
734-765-4102

Judy Shepard, A Miracle Today (Biomat)
Amiracletoday.com
judy@amiracletoday.com
810-599-8855

Karen Mills, Shaklee
Kmills120@comcast.net
248-676-2656

Karen Ryan, Tax Savings Solutions LLC
PO BOX 444, Brighton, MI 48116
Karen@TaxSavingSolutions.com
www.TaxSavingSolutions.com
517-223-4626

The Village Chapel, LLC
"Where Happily Ever After Begins!"
fowlervillechapel@yahoo.com
http://www.historicvillagechapel.com/

Krissy VanOyenRodan + Fields Independent Consultant
kvanoyen@hotmail.com
http://kvanoyen.myrandf.com/
(810)599-3990

Karen Olson, Legendary Escapes Swimming Pools
http://www.legendaryescapes.com/
pools@legendaryescapes.com
248-478-4978

Louise Starbird, Photoworks Portrait Studio
WINNER Livingston County (Brighton Argus & Livingston County Press) People's Choice Awards Third Place
8121 Grand River Road, Brighton, MI 48114
http://www.photowroks-studio.com/
louise@photoworks-studio.com
810-225-1162

Mary Jo (mj) Takagi, YOUR Independent Mary Kay Beauty Consultant (NP)mjtakagi@marykay.comwww.marykay.com/mjtakagi
(810) 599-3470
Monica Tombers, Just So! Jewelry
511 W. Main St, Brighton, MI 48116
Monica@justso.us
http://www.justsojewelry.com/
810-225-7660

Dr. Nicole Bittner, Hands on Health Chiropractic
10192 E. Grand River, Ste 107, Brighton, MI 48116
Handsonhealth.brighton@gmail.com
810-494-1900

Paula Ward, Pure Romance by Paulahttp://www.paulaward.pureromance.com/
paulasparties@aol.com
(248) 515-0252

Paddy Ash, Stand Up Comedienne, Humor for Health
paddya@aol.com
734-482-7366

Shalynne Barr, Two Sisters Gourmet
Upcoming Team Leader
248-462-5244
Website: http://www.twogourmeteveryday.com/
Email: help@twogourmeteveryday.com

Shawn Kitzman, Synergy Martial Arts
http://www.synergyma.com/
s.kitzman@comcast.net
517-672-2386

Theresa Jarrahzadel, Lavendar Dreams (Bellanina Face-lift massage)
121 W. North St., Ste 4, Brighton
Blazinghawk7@yahoo.com
810-813-7042

Todd Praschan, Pillar Investment Advisors
2244 Euler Road, Suite 108, Brighton, MI 48114
praschan@sbcglobal.net
810-225-9500

Tom Dougekos, Built by Tom
810-900-6355

Trista Holben, lia Sophia jewelry
tristasjewels@comcast.net
www.liasophia.com/tristasjewels
517-272-4666

Program Mentions:

Joe Ostervik, Mobile Rhythm Dj’s


Nancy McDaniel
Formula For Fitness
ISSA Certified Personal Trainer
248-787-2853 Business
formulafitness@comcast.net

Sara Smith Independant Partylite Consultant
www.partylite.biz/Sarascandles
(517)545-5951 or 810-223-8050
candle_sara@yahoo.com

Sarah Robbins
Rodan + Fields Dermatologists
(734) 260-3258
skincareconsultants@gmail.com
robbins.myrandf.com

Guests can pay $10 at the door, or contact one of the participating vendors for complimentary tickets. We'll see you on Friday evening, from 6-10pm!