The story of "Still North"

My grandparents were business owners. They owned and operated a small company that made custom wrenches for other small businesses. Work was done "out back at the shop" where the wrenches were stamped and boxed. And work was done up at the house where my Grandma answered the phone "Onward North!" and did the bookkeeping. Along with my great-grandparents, they had moved North to Michigan - hence the name "Onward North!"

Eye-level view of a serene landscape with a winding path

I don't have a memory of being in that house without Onward North being a constant presence. Workers on a big order would be in the house for lunch. My Grandma laying out food on a big butcher block for them to take to a seat at the table. There was always talk of a machine that needed fixing or a UPS order that had been delayed. To keep me busy as a child I was given "office jobs" at the roll top desk like placing stamps on envelopes or sharpening pencils. Boy, did I think I was a professional!

When I was 24, I left Michigan. And every time I came back my Grandma would ask why I didn't move home. First New York and then California - and while we visited, we didn't move back. By that time the kids were settled and jobs kept us put. I knew she didn't like it and it hurt to be away.

Recently, I came back to Michigan for a while. And in that time, I created a new business of my own. And while my grandparents are both gone now, I wanted to show them that the values they instilled in me are still alive. I want them to see that I still work hard, I am still "professional" and I still carry forward the independent spirit of our family. I want them to be proud of me and my little endeavor - so I called my business "Still North."

G'ma and Pa ... we are Still North.