A Transplanted Yooper with Big Dreams

Some people are born Yoopers, and some of us find our way here later in life, one adventure at a time. I wasn’t born in the U.P., but it has become home in every way that matters. Originally from the Appleton area, I made my way to the U.P. in 2017. At the time I thought I was putting my dreams on hold, expecting a change of scenery and a chance to save up some money, with the plans to return ‘home’.

Fast forward a few months, and I met my now-husband, Chris (owner of Preferred Powersports here in Norway). We were inseparable from the start. Within three months of meeting, I moved to Marinette where he was and started earning my associate degree in Marketing at NWTC, with an emphasis on Digital Marketing. For 3.5 years, I committed to learning, focusing on marketing, accounting, business planning, entrepreneurship, and a course graphic design.

By fall 2019, Chris and I put down roots in Norway, Michigan. Choosing a town that felt like the perfect mix of adventure, opportunity, and small-town charm.

Finding My Path in the Community & Beyond

I met Nate Alwine.

Who quickly introduced me to True North Outpost, Norway’s outdoor adventure company, and gave me a Summer position. He had me tackling challenges I never even saw coming—until the moment arrived to take them on. (Put it this way... he said it was a 7-8 mile kayak trip, but in reality, it was 15 miles—with a dam portage!)

I had never been white water rafting but that was going to change. Facing my fears, I took on Piers Gorge, conquering the rapids eight times in just two days. That summer, I worked as a photographer and later became the Marketing Manager for True North Outpost. It was a wild, exhilarating experience that fueled my love for adventure, connection, outdoor storytelling.

What we thought would be a temporary move to the U.P. quickly turned a community full of opportunities, familiar faces, and people who genuinely care. I never expected to find such a strong sense of belonging, but here I am, living it every day.

A Career That Changed Everything

With all the fun I was having and the relationships I was building, I knew I wanted to make a lasting impact on this community. That’s when fate stepped in and I was told about the Downtown Iron Mountain Event Coordinator position. It was fate, I had applied in 2021 but couldn’t make the interview, and here’s 2022, and the opportunity reappeared. Little did I know, taking this job would change everything.

What started as ‘I think this job would be really fun’ turned into a full-blown passion for creating change, making connections, and turning big ideas into reality. The world became limitless. I learned that success comes from asking the right questions, reaching out to the right people, and constantly building win-win scenarios.

Why Prefer.Kenzie?

Prefer.Kenzie is more than a business. It’s me, doing what I love every single day. It’s about turning ideas into reality, building communities, and helping businesses and individuals thrive.