Nicole's Story - Lake Trust Credit Union

More compassion. More change. More love.

Meet Nicole. She is the founder of More Love Collective, a small business based in Grand Haven that sells beaded bracelets for a greater purpose. Fifty percent of every bracelet sale is donated back to Nicole’s community in an effort to multiply positive impact. To date, over $10,000 has been donated through various charitable organizations and to individual community members. Nicole is a Lake Trust personal and business banking member — and has been for over 20 years.

Nicole is powered by a remarkable desire to simply help people through their personal life journeys. When she isn’t seeking out beads, she can be found in her yoga studio, providing advice to women as a life coach, or even writing her third book. Her own journey with More Love Collective has been a combination of selfless community involvement and inspiration from those who matter most. She sees her late father in every bracelet, a physical representation of his lifelong empathy for community members who are overlooked or undervalued. And the bracelets themselves? Distinct, uniquely inspired, and always handcrafted.

Nicole considers empowering women to be her purpose in life, and she always prioritizes the wellbeing of those around her. Whether coaching women, building her diverse network of difference-makers, or simply leaving a sizable tip at a local restaurant, paying it forward is her daily pursuit. More Love Collective gives her the power to make an even broader impact across communities in Michigan. From LGBTQ+ organizations to foundations that support individuals with rare diagnoses, Nicole’s work with More Love Collective has always been bigger than bracelets.

Nicole looks to Lake Trust for all of her financial needs — and all of her family’s financial needs as well. Her enthusiasm for saving has even been passed down to her daughter, who has a few Lake Trust Certificate of Deposit (CD) accounts herself. Nicole believes that Lake Trust has “given [her] the freedom to take chances in business and be a true entrepreneur,” thanks to a business banking membership that helps support the work of More Love Collective. As someone who appreciates a genuine connection, she enjoys visiting her branch and having a casual conversation about financial wellbeing and future growth. She is excited to continue the mission of More Love Collective alongside her team at Lake Trust.

Power you can see. Power you can wear.

Nicole believes that More Love Collective is “just getting started.” Her next step is to work alongside small business experts at Lake Trust to scale the organization with strategic advice and practical finance solutions. Through the power of gratitude and humility, she wants to build on her passion for giving back. She is making an impact with more organizations. More community members. And in the process, making more bracelets.

That’s the power of paying it forward.

Nicole is a real member compensated for her real story.

Meet Colton.

Colton owns Hometown Plumbing Services, a plumbing company in Hastings with a unique community-focused mission.

READ HIS STORY

Meet Autumn.

Autumn is empowering a new generation of entrepreneurs at Proxie, her entrepreneurship consulting organization based in Detroit.

READ HER STORY