About Us
About the Company
Our mission is to:
- Inspire others to have awesome Michigan experiences at the Sea Michigan (aka: Lake Michigan) shoreline.
- Inform others and to take steps to protect and appreciate, these great natural resources.
- Celebrate and support these destinations, experiences, and memories via our branded Sea Michigan clothing and accessories.
Our company was established in 2023, so we are a young but actively growing firm! Our exclusive Sea Michigan™ brand name derived from listening to folks who had never experienced the sea formally-known-as-Lake-Michigan, and how they were so surprised at how big it was, that they could not see land across the other side, that is so resembled a sea or even an ocean, and how much bigger and nicer our beaches are compared to what they have experienced elsewhere. Also, the reality is the lake is as big as a sea, the wave and and current actions are similar to a sea, and we are also inviting you to "see" Michigan (shoreline) on your next trip.
We are focusing on a three-prong (dare we say triton?) approach to
- Create a unique brand of outdoor clothing attire, directly associated with the Sea Michigan shoreline within the state of Michigan. (Sorry other great lakes, we’re focusing on our favorite great sea)! Nope- not that directed toward the Wisconsin, Illinois, or Indiana shores of the sea. A portion of all sales are then donated to sea/shoreline non-profit causes.
- Gather and share our insights, experiences, and information about the vast array of Sea Michigan destinations…and of the sea itself...to inspire you to experience them too. We are also a proud supporter of the state's Pure Michigan efforts.
- Support, educate, and invest in the protection of this unique natural resource for coming generations.
We have a growing list of partnerships. Please let us know if you would be interested in becoming a partner!
About Our Owner/Explorer
Mike Ricco grew up in inner-city Muskegon, Michigan. It was a poorer side of town. And, in the 60’s and 70’s, those were tough times in an era of very high unemployment that lingered in what was very much a blue-collar town. (Muskegon however, has come to its senses and is now investing in and using Muskegon Lake and Sea (“Lake”) Michigan as a centerpiece for the natural environment to be cherished and experienced). It is forever embedded in Mike’s memories how great an escape it was on the rare occasion to go to Lake Michigan (Sea Michigan) …either to Pere Marquette Park, or to the “north shore”. It was like a different world! It WAS a different world! Those are still among his best memories from growing up.
South Haven North Beach- Christmas Day 2023
Little did he know then that he would work for an airline right out of high school, and somehow stayed for 20 years, directly helping the airline achieve significant, global growth. Having almost never having left Muskegon county in his youth, he was then traveling the world on a regular basis! Later he worked for a Wisconsin-based leisure travel firm, as the GM for the international division he was charged with to create. Again, traveling nearly exclusively internationally and starting up new companies on several continents. Eventually, and after earning four degrees along the way, Mike found his calling in teaching at the university/college level. He also found time to operate his own consulting company (often involved in travel firms and destinations), as well as later starting a small furniture design company.
Now, Mike is inviting you on this new co-adventure of exploring Sea Michigan’s shoreline within Michigan, celebrating the experiences via the Sea Michigan brand, and revealing the pleasures, history, opportunities, and challenges so that you too will say “It’s a different (and wonderful) world!” on and near these beaches. Here is where life began, for mankind and for me. Come on, let’s walk some beaches together! ~Mike
Doing the historic Labor Day 2023 Mackinaw “Bridge Walk”