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Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv alumna Melanie Owen developed, co-owns and managesÌýLazy Ballerina Winery, the only women-owned winery in southwest Michigan. The wineryÌýwill celebrate its two-year anniversary this June, and the business continues to grow,Ìýopening an additional tasting room in Bridgman this summer.

Owen earned a certificate in hospitality management from LMC after graduating fromÌýColoma High School. She took a job as a flight attendant for Northwest Airlines afterÌýcollege and enjoyed traveling the world. She returned to southwest Michigan afterÌýrealizing how much she loves the area.Ìý

Southwest Michigan is also home to Owen'sÌýlarge extended family, including her cousin,ÌýLauren Kniebes, the other co-owner of Lazy Ballerina Winery. The two were exposed toÌýwinemaking originally from their grandmother, Juanita Kniebes, and they named twoÌýof their wines for Grandma Nita, who passed away a few years ago. The cousins alsoÌýuse grapes from the family farm now run by Laurens’ father, Robin Kniebes, for the Lazy
Ballerina wines.

Owen says that she is grateful for the connections she made at LMC, where she earnedÌýan Associate in General Studies in addition to her hospitality management certificate. She was able to get feedback from her formerÌýinstructors as she planned the opening of Lazy Ballerina. The assistance now goes the other direction, too. Owen returns occasionally toÌýpresent to marketing classes at LMC.

Melanie Owen received the Alumni Achievement Award in 2017.