Hi! I’m Michelle Cooper. I am the owner of The Belle&Bee Company which is actually two very special businesses: Belle&Bee Photography in which I get to capture life’s most amazing memories and help couples connect and enjoy their wedding days. Belle&Bee Marketing in which we work with small, local businesses to curate authentic, strategy based content that helps them shine online. I live in the country outside of BG with my husband and our troop of pups. He plays in a local original rock band, so we are out supporting the local music scene a lot too! I started my college trek on a path to be an art teacher but world events and advice from professors, steered me more towards fine arts and psychology + sociology. That change really helped me understand how we collectively move as a society and as people, which helps us understand how to reach our clients ideal audiences authentically online. I also help lead two local networking and educational groups, Rising Tide Toledo- which is very centered around community over competition mindset and bringing educational opportunities to local business owners for free! It is an international society with groups in most major cities! And Vow Worthy Vendors- a new group bringing together NW Ohio wedding vendors for an opportunity to network, have round table discussions, and education specifically about the wedding industry here in the area.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
I LOVE helping people really shine in their own way and helping them identify their own super powers to shine online OR feel amazing, connected and comfortable in their photo sessions.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
The person I have found most valuable and my GO-TO for all things wedding industry AND in friendship is Margaret Hunt of Bloom&Bower. She and her husband Tom run an outstanding business, really care about their clients and vendor friends and do things the right way. We have spent hours analyizing and talking about what is working and what isn’t working, collaborating, and discussing ALL of the things happening in our worlds today. She is also an amazing glass artist, growing up in Oberlin Ohio but living most of her adult life in Arizona. She is full of culture and I appreciate her perspective so much.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Can we do a world tour? No? If I had to pick one place to start with, I would ask to start with Italy. It is filled with amazing art and architecture, culture, and food that just can’t be found anywhere else in the world.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Just go for it first and foremost. Then, use systems, try, do, analyze, adjust and repeat. Invest in yourself and your business. Hiring my business coach Emily Hoorman has helped me level up by having an accountability partner along for the ride.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I am actively looking for a commerical space I can open up a studio and marketing office. I want to create a place that brings texture, color, and amazing light for photographers and a space to create high quality content for our social media clients too! I would love the space to be used for community events like educational opportunities and networking for other small business owners too.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I think I would choose Martha Stewart. I think she has been boldly mislabeled and understood for years. She is a branding mastermind that really understands what her ideal client wanted and just how to deliver it! I would love to invite her to lunch at the Original Sub Shop downtown, which is filled with unique, delicious recipes from an even more amazing owner and staff. I love our city and celebrating our small business owners.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Our PEOPLE make our community amazing. I am so excited to be part of the Toledo region’s Renaissance. The city is coming back to life, filled with amazing chef inspired foods, art, music, community and more.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The Queen Bee & Honey’s Chai Tea Latte! Spicy goodness!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My husband Dan, he is soooo patient and kind with everyone around him. I am grateful he is here to listen to my concerns and help direct me on how to address those things in an elegant and appropriate way that truly represents ME!
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Safe, Dogs, and Freedom
