Let your light shine, help others to shine, so together we sparkle.

Michelle's career was deeply inspired by her mother's experiences. The owner of a thriving fabric business in Vietnam, she later came to the United States as a refugee and didn’t feel confident as a business owner. Her career choices were limited, and she experienced a host of discrimination and challenges as an immigrant and woman of color. Michelle always wondered what her mom could have accomplished if she had continued with her business.

Michelle has been widely recognized as a leader and connector, and has been honored as a 2021 Bush Fellow, a Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Women in Business Honoree, as well as being honored with Fellowships by the Global Good Fund, FINNOVATION Lab, and Luminary x United for America. She is also the Entrepreneur in Residence for Junior Achievement North, and serves on the board of a number of organizations supporting entrepreneurs in the community.

Prior to launching We Sparkle, Michelle was most recently the Chief of Strategic Initiatives of MEDA - a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) named by the U.S. Department of Commerce as the top minority business development agency four years in a row. While there, she was able to help thousands of entrepreneurs begin and grow their businesses. We Sparkle gives her the opportunity to continue this work on an even larger scale.

Nick's mom ran her own house cleaning business by day and waitressed at night, as a young divorced mother of two without a high school degree. Nick is intimately familiar with the challenges of building and growing a business, "Helping people find a path towards creating a rewarding career, that also allows them to support their families in a sustainable way, is something I am proud to be part of."

Nick is passionate about creating space, and personally mentoring underrepresented folks to diversify the tech field. He is also a big supporter of organizations like Eau Claire County Humane Association that help rescue animals.

When he is not working, you will find him with Cecily, his wife and partner of more than 22 years, and Ellie Beans, their 70-pound Australian Cattle Dog mix that occasionally likes to sit atop his shoulders while working – (adorable) photographic evidence available upon request.

As We Sparkle’s Head of Community, Melissa assists in facilitating partnerships, leads community initiatives (like our Rate to Donate and BIPOC Scholarship Programs) and our social media efforts. Melissa is also the primary connection to our customers. She finds their innovative spirits and dedication a continual source of inspiration. 'We have so many customers with incredible ideas, but who need just a bit of help to launch them into the world. I love that We Sparkle can be a part of people turning those ideas and intentions into action.

She brings her background in communications and her perspectives as a small business owner, a nonprofit manager, and the daughter of immigrants to her work with We Sparkle.

Melissa is involved with many community organizations including Everyday Miracles, The Minnesota Breastfeeding Coalition, The Minnesota Healing Justice Network, and Karuna Community.She serves on the board of Led by Truth, an organization that curates change and equity in the community by supporting BIPOC entrepreneurs.

Melissa’s deepest joy is spending time with her family - born and chosen. You will often find her teaching community or prenatal yoga, mindfulness, and childbirth education, or in her kitchen trying to hone her baking and vegan cooking skills.

"Growing up, technology was always a source of fascination for me, but I never thought I would be able to make a career out of it. I am so grateful to be part of a team where I'm able to show up authentically and contribute meaningfully to good in the world, while learning and growing in my professional career."

Aucoeur comes to this role with a non-traditional educational and professional background – initially majoring in Psychology and Social Behavior with a minor in Education, while working at Caltech Library. There, Aucoeur found her way into the IT department, which eventually segued into managing the Caltech Library's pilot 3D printing lab.

The experience of picking up a new technology, coupled with the gratification of being able to assist academic researchers in doing the same, was instrumental in Aucoeur's decision to return to school to pursue an Applied Computer Science degree.

Aside from We Sparkle, Aucoeur enjoys indulging in all things drag, repurposing found objects, and hanging out with their inner child.