Capital Gains is celebrating its fifth anniversary this week. That's right, we've been covering entrepreneurship, technology, innovation, development, jobs, revitalization and the people behind the change in our region for five years now!
In that time, we've witnessed
some major developments as the Capital region has changed and improved as a place to
work,
live and
play. We have a voice in our community, and we are grateful for it, but there is one misconception that has been arising over the last few months about our magazine? Who exactly, is behind the scenes at Capital Gains these days?
So, here's your chance to be introduced (or reintroduced!) to the team, working hard to bring you relevant content and riveting photography every week!
Suban Nur Cooley
Managing Editor/Editor in Chief
Meet Suban Nur Cooley, Capital Gains' only non-Michigander. Hailing from the land down under, Nur Cooley has worked with Capital Gains in some capacity since 2008. She moved to Lansing for love, and in turn, fell in love with Lansing.
As managing editor of Capital Gains, Nur Cooley is
the person you want to contact if you have a feature idea to pitch, a writer you want to recommend or if you'd like to know the ins and outs of the magazine. Aside from keeping the team and freelancers in check, she's also in charge of putting together the publication's monthly Speaker Series. Feel free to introduce yourself next time you attend one!
When she's not working, you'll find her musing over fiction in a booth at Gone Wired, frolicking the area's many parks with her husband and son, listening to Jazz music at Stober's on a Tuesday night or dancing to
Big Willy at the Green Door.
What have you learned about the Capital region while working for Capital Gains?
I've only lived in Lansing for six years and I can say assuredly, the Capital region has no shortage of people with the gumption and know-how it takes to be an entrepreneur, innovator or placemaker. I'm grateful that through my work at Capital Gains, I've seen firsthand how many creative businesses, ideas and events come to life, and how passionate the people behind them can be.
The Capital region's hidden gem, in your opinion?
Our parks! We have so many incredible parks in our region; some that are utilizable all year long. I'm a huge fan of Frances Park, myself. I go there often to watch the sunset, picnicking with family and friends.
Natalie Burg
News Editor
Meet Natalie Burg, a woman so passionate about Michigan, she challenged herself to
build a wedding that was as 100 percent “Pure Michigan" as was possible. Having attended her recent nuptials, I can say it was a smashing success! Burg joined the CG team as news editor in 2010, and has been here ever since!
As news editor of Capital Gains, Burg is who you want to
connect with if you know of a local company/business/organization that recently hired more than three people, any developments or new businesses you've seen pop up across the Capital region or anything innovative and exciting you know is abuzz, starting or happening in our area.
When she's not working, you'll find her buried under a pile of dogs ... her own dogs, Lois and Gunshy, to be exact. Her favorite thing to do, however, is "be the number one groupie of my husband, Mike Vial, the best singer/songwriter in the whole stinking world."
What have you learned about the Capital region while working for Capital Gains?
People are constantly making things happen in Lansing! Getting a behind the scenes look at the start-up and business community has made it so clear that Lansing's biggest asset is gusto. It takes guts to start a business, to hire employees and to scrape some off the top to give back to the community every year. Lansing just karate chopped its way through the recession, and didn't forget to take care of each other along the way.
Favorite places/things to do in the region?
El Azteco has long been my favorite restaurant on the planet. Tin Can is probably my favorite bar, though The Irish Pub is a longtime favorite as well. The best place in all of Lansing though, is the City Market. It doesn't get much better than that. Oh, and Cravings. Cravings is my favorite too.
Dave Trumpie
Managing Photographer
Meet Dave Trumpie,
the man behind the cam! As managing photographer of Capital Gains, it's solely his job to make our publication visually enticing, showcasing the splendor of the Capital region every single week. Trumpie has been with Capital Gains since it came to fruition five years ago.
When he's not working, you can find him rowing with the Lansing Rowing Club on the Grand River, or running with the Mid Michigan Running Group (Yes, he makes the rest of the team feel like they need to get on the fitness bandwagon). He also enjoys "downhill and cross-country skiing, sailing on our beautiful great lakes" and working on his old farm house.
Where do you hope we'll be in five years from now?
My biggest hope for the Capital region is that we see continued growth of wonderful small businesses and exciting retail shops. I am really looking forward to all of the potential for the REO Town area with all the new employees that are moving into that area with the BWL opening.
What's the biggest change you've seen in the Capital region in the last five years?
I have seen a change in the number of people coming together to support all of the great festivals and activities in the area, which in turn leads to more events and gatherings. Some examples are: VACANT, Capital City Dragon Boat, Lunch with a Purpose, Frost Fest, various and multiple Old Town festivals. It used to be the big event of the summer was the East Lansing Art Festival. Now there is something happening in the area almost every weekend. This is a fun, exciting and interesting time to be a resident of the Lansing area.
Suban Nur Cooley is the managing editor for Capital Gains.
Photos ©
Dave Trumpie
Dave Trumpie is the managing photographer for Capital Gains. He is a freelance photographer and owner of
Trumpie Photography.