Fill Up Your Cup-Great Lakes Bay

Founder, Jaime Krueger

"I'm a strong believer in empowering women, because if no one would have done that for me, I wouldn't be sitting here today. I have a passion to see women show up for each other."  
- Jaime Krueger

Very often women find themselves in lonely places of disconnect and the solitude runs deeper as time goes on. It can be a difficult place to be, especially with no common place to connect that feels safe and nonjudgmental. Women are beautifully emotional and relational. Continuing to be able to connect is so crucial to their overall well being. Jaime Krueger came to understand this when she found herself in this very position of wanting to connect, and she knew she was not alone. In 2018 she created a place of belonging for all women, to connect. A judgment free zone to create and foster friendships. A place where women can see how much they actually do relate to and need each other. And the beautiful thing is, this "place" goes with Jaime like an umbrella that protects from rains of isolation and brings women from our community together in a safe huddle... around a cup of coffee. 

Jaime realized there had to be something common that could draw women together, and it occurred to her a cup of coffee was just the thing. Coffee, or any hot beverage for that matter, can give us a sense of security and it can break down barriers as we meet new people. It's our boost of energy, it warms our core, it's something we huddle around like a warm campfire on a cool fall day. It unites us. But Jaime also loved the symbolism of filling our own cups with self care, hence the name "Fill Up Your Cup". As many a flight attendant has reminded us, it is hard to assist others when we don't take care of ourselves first and in this unique setting women have an hour or so to get away and do just that.



Connecting Over Coffee

One of the most lovely things about Fill Up Your Cup meetings is how women automatically bring each other into the fold. It is by no means exclusive. Jaime has created an atmosphere of women who beautifully encourage each other and look to get to know each other. Each monthly gathering has a new venue to meet at and a new topic. The topics chosen are so fruitful and informative to those who attend. Not only are you building friendships, but you also are learning so much about things that relate to building up your own confidence and well being in the process. Meetings vary in size, anywhere form 5 to 30 women and ages from 18 to 65 have attended with no one feeling they are out of place. Each generation and type of woman supports the other. Jaime is always at peace with that, trusting each month will be just as it needs to be. She remarked it is more about the "quality of the meeting time than the quantity of people that attend". Of course she believes the more the merrier, and yet at times more deep connection can happen with only a few on hand. 



Coffee and Connection Event at Iron Grind Coffee House



Ladies Night Event with Gift of Hope Boutique

Events are usually free or very low cost (in a situation like a paint or craft night, for supplies, a cost may be included) as Jaime believes there should be as few barriers as possible so all women that want to can attend. These events are carried out in varying locations, each so unique and diverse that you almost get your own amazing tour of Midland as you meet women who are making a difference all over our town. Visiting the events page on the Fill Up Your Cup - Great Lakes Bay Facebook Page will show you the many events that have already been held. Events have been held at places such as coffee houses, local boutiques, studios, parks and health facilities.  October's event was held at Keri Kenney's Alignment 8: Yoga and Cycle where participants discussed positivism and nutrition with Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Taylor Schomaker of Enlightened Nutrition. Participants also joined in a workshop to learn to create some healthy snacks.

Fall Into Wellness Event and Alignment 8: Yoga and Cycle

Healthy Snack Food Prep at Fall Into Wellness Event

Keri Kenney, Owner of Alignment 8, Jamie Krueger and Taylor Schomaker, RDM,
collaborate at Fall Into Wellness Event


When Jaime was asked what makes her small business unique, she said it is simply that there is no agenda or unknown element propelling it. It is simply for women to feel known and worthy of each other's time. Nothing motivates these gatherings except knowing women are out there that desire to connect and gather with other women. Jaime wants women to know they are capable of great things. "Connection needs to be beyond social media" she states, "where we can see the realness in each other and share our stories, memories and what makes us up. Social media has added so much fear and shame. We need to be in physical community and not do things alone". Jamie identified Shannon and Patrick McElgunn of Grove Tea Lounge as some of her first mentors. The McElgunn's brought Jaime into healthier living and the health coaching community which helped her through some trying times and brought her back to the confidence she needed. Through community members and friends such as them, and people like Lisa Thompson of Self Love Beauty, Jaime's passion to serve people and show them the value they have, deepened quickly. She felt her call to move forward out of what was her current demanding job in health care and into her own brave journey in small business ownership and she has been quickly growing and giving women a place ever since.

At Let's Go Midland we ask all Midland's small business owners what they like about Midland, since part of our own mission is to lift up the good in our town. In response Jaime said Midland is a place that is usually based on community over competition in the small business arena. In her opinion, that is something our town needs to keep ignited. Most small business owners around our town know and support each other and that is one reason we often succeed.

So how can you support Jaime!? Below is a graphic that explains ways you could aid in making sure these meetings stay funded so that nothing could dissuade a woman from attending . Maybe you have a space you would like to offer up for a meeting. Perhaps you can inspire and inform with speaking at an event. As Jaime moves forward and builds this year's events she would be thankful for your partnering with her to empower local women.

More than any sponsorship, Jaime wants women to know, they can come off social media, out of solitude and quickly into real time friendships and community... huddled around a cup of coffee, while they fill up their cups. I highly encourage you to attend, support or do both. You will not be sorry as you take your place, know your worth and give place to others as well. You will not walk away empty.



Photos provided by Fill Up Your Cup - Great Lakes Bay and Hope Krotzer

Sponsorship Graphic designed Paper Heart Design

Written By: Hope Krotzer