American Faces #109 - Second Chances

American Faces No. 109

South Minneapolis was Chef Jeff’s stompin’ grounds. The rough-woven tapestry of his young life involved street life and drugs. You could say he had it rough. But even in those early days, Chef Jeff was always entrepreneurial. His desire to have a “great product” was always important to him, the only trouble is, that “product” was drugs. But Jeff’s early life on the streets of Minneapolis, and drug addiction, took hold of his life and derailed his dreams  and brought him to a place where he needed professional rehabilitation treatment. 

In culinary school, someone interceded and gave Jeff the time he needed to get his life on track. Maybe it’s better said that he needed a new start. 

Jeff realized that the culinary arts offered a way to create another great product that wasn’t a drug. Becoming a chef has not only given Chef Jeff an outlet for his natural entrepreneurial drive, but also a way to serve others. 

Jeff has an amazing heart for helping others and making a difference in people’s lives, hiring folks to work in his catering business, and by providing savory meals to communities experiencing resource difficulties. 

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Chef Jeff provides the meals at Good in the ‘Hood programs. That’s how we first met. Chef Jeff’s meals are  a true gift. I’ve seen people laugh and share life together as they enjoy Chef Jeff’s food, experiencing the love baked into every bite.

Jeff's mom, like most moms, thinks her son is a true hero, She once said, “You always want to put a cape on.” Little did she know,  Jeff had a super power for creating incredible food, and Jeff’s cape is his apron, which he wears proudly while serving others.

I have written a fair amount about Jeff, but let me also tell you about his daughter, Amber. 

While Jeff was trying to figure out his life in the chaos of those younger years, Amber was there as inspiration for Jeff to move forward. Jeff and Amber spoke of what they have had to work through to get to the point of being able to work together. Jeff’s life and tumultuous life and bad decisions created a lot of hurt for Amber. But all these years later, and with a whole lot of love, they see their relationship is being redeemed as the business Chef Jeff created grows – father and daughter working together. Their Christian faith is inseparable from their business, and it is the guiding force in how they prepare and serve each and every meal.

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True transformation is at the core of the person Chef Jeff has become. That transformation was necessary to restore this father-daughter relationship. Grace fills their relationship, and the heart of their business. Together, they have experienced healing. And they hope the same for others – to provide second chances and to offer a platform for others to launch their own dreams.

Through all of the hard times this father-daughter team has journeyed through, these two are difference makers who have learned to create second chances – to one another, and to others.

Life is not easy. We all need second, third, or even fourth chances. Who needs another chance from you? Be a hero for someone. Forgive when it's hard. Offer grace, no strings attached. You may just open a door, and change a life

Photos and story by: Nielsen Studios 

Editing by: Scott Whitman

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American Faces #108 - Go fly a kite - No.2

American Faces No. 108

What do sailing, adventuring, quilting and sewing have in common? The answer is kites!  Not just any kites, but kites designed, sewn and flown by Barb M. of Maple Grove, Minnesota. Barb is the second Go fly a kite subject in my American Faces series.  She is an adventurous person with an inclination for travel. A love for sailing with her husband was a part of that adventurous attitude for Barb. From sailing, her love for adventure and creative outlets drew her to flying kites and to making kites as well as creating patterns for kite companies to use her intricate designs. During our time together I was able to see how her quilting and sewing background gave form to her airworthy creations through mathematical precision and an artistic eye. She has traveled the world flying kites, meeting other makers and making friends who have the same heart for all things kites.

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Her kites are not just eye-catching. They fly with ease and brought an uncanny peace as I watched them dance gracefully, tail and all, through the air, high above the ground. While her kites might not have a Disney character on them they still bring out a child-like enjoyment for those watching from ground level. Bright colors, intricate designs and mid-air tricks entertain those planted to the earth.

Adult concerns can sometimes hold us to the ground, so-to-speak. So maybe if we would just go fly a kite we could lose those concerns for a while by watching a beautiful kite made by a maker like Barb. Or maybe even buy yourself a Spiderman or ladybug kite and try to fly it.   I am confident it will make you squint as you gaze into the sky and smile as you pilot your own kite and maybe even bring a smile to another onlooker. Have some fun, go by a kite and maybe even take another person. Barb would say, “Pick a kite you truly love. If it means something to you you’re more likely to invest the time into it.”

So with that, “Go Fly a Kite” as my mom would say to me. It will make you smile, maybe even laugh. Oh and it will be good for you and others!

Photos and story by: Nielsen Studios 

Editing by: Cristine Nielsen

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American Faces #107 - Go fly a kite - No.1

American Faces No. 107

I guess as a 55 year old commercial photographer I am regressing into my childhood.  Stay with me on this though.  I’ve always thought kites were fascinating, cool and attention grabbing, no matter how simple or ornate, from as young as I can remember. Here’s where a man named David H. who makes wonderfully simple kites comes into the story.  David is a calm demeanored, inviting and talkative man who lives in Minnetonka, Minnesota; the very place he worked for decades as an elementary school teacher.  This 80+ year old man is still a teacher at heart as he has taught children and adults alike to make kites that not only fly well but allow for creative expression to whatever one's mind can create.  

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David’s kites aren’t made from silk, nylon or some high level sail cloth with a hefty cost; they are made from plastic bags found in the Minneapolis metro area.  There are many colors of bags that each kite builder can choose from in the kite kits David assembles.  Each kit has  dowels, string, and all the necessities to bring structure and make the kites flight ready.  I could sense the old educator in this soft spoken man.  He told me about the flight properties of what he calls a sled kite as well as guided me through the kite making process step-by-step. He showed me patterns of dragons, unicorns and other line drawings to suit just about anyone's fancy. Along with kite kits, markers are provided to add individuality and artistic touches to your kite at David’s kite making workshops. He talked of his times with people young and old, groups that were large and small who came to the workshops he has been asked to lead all around Minnesota. I could hear his joy as he told me about people building kites, creatively embellishing the kite and then flying them.

Kites are just fun and even simple kites can put a smile on people's faces no matter  if they are 20 feet off the ground or one hundred feet high into a bright blue sky.  David, now well into his 80’s has helped mold the lives of many people by being an educator, kite maker, workshop leader and just a good guy.  

So how do I close this one?  Go have fun!  Take your daughter, son, nephew, niece, grand-daughter, grandson, friend or neighbor and go fly a kite.  Laugh and just live.  Pretty sure you won’t regret it. I promise.

Photos and story by: Nielsen Studios 

Editing by: Cristine Nielsen

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