Hi everyone! I’m Mikayla Balk, and I joined Leverage as a digital content creator this May. I graduated from GVSU with a degree in writing and minored in philosophy. I’m passionate about art, healing the world, animals, nature, indie music, authenticity, space documentaries, deep conversations, and French toast. My favorite thing about my role is getting to exercise my creativity.
Language arts is my jam
Writing is something that always came naturally to me, and my biggest strengths are voice and the ability to evoke strong emotions. If my writing can make someone cry, that makes me unspeakably happy. My favorite thing to write (and read) is creative nonfiction. I also like poetry and placed second in my university’s poetry contest. My favorite creative nonfiction book is Little Weirds by Jenny Slate. That woman speaks to some part of my soul that I cannot identify. Other favorite works of mine include Devotions by Mary Oliver, Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, Born a Crime by Trevor Noah, 1984 by George Orwell, and The Journals / Letters of Sylvia Plath. I’ve tried writing a book before, and still, hope to someday.
Introducing just ONE of the animals I love
I have a cat named Riddles who likes to be spanked (yes, you read that right). She’s my baby, my angel, the fruit of my loins. She’s a fat fluff, and we cuddle almost every night. I got her as a kitten when I was in just the 6th grade! It’s actually quite the miracle she’s alive. Shortly after we adopted her from the shelter, she crawled up in the undercarriage of my mom’s car without us knowing, and tumbled out probably a mile down the road, going 60 mph. After a few days of searching, she was found in a nearby garden with no major injuries. She’s grown to a healthy old age but is now terrified of cars.
I have a (mysterious) travel bug
Travel is a big love of mine, even though I may not get to do it often. There are few things that thrill me more than the idea of waking up in a new town every week, going where my whims take me, and exploring nature. I’ve been to Australia, where I spent a summer internship in Sydney, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, in addition to my travels within the states. Dream destinations of mine include Machu Picchu, Egypt, and Thailand. Ancient cultures really draw me in, as well as vast, bountiful landscapes that make me and my troubles feel small in comparison to the world around me.
Any conversation involving unsolved mysteries and the unknown, count me in. True crime horror, the Bermuda triangle, the supernatural, UFO sightings, people disappearing under mysterious circumstances, reincarnation cases, multiverse theory… I dig it all. There’s something that’s so alluring about the possibility of other forces in the universe at play that we know nothing of. I think it’s part of human nature to be curious and seek answers. I’m not out here wearing a tinfoil hat, but I like to keep an open mind.
Yes. All things vintage, please.
I love 50’s music! Elvis is, of course, a huge favorite, and I took a trip to Graceland several years ago. Anything popular around that time period – The Supremes, Dion, The Drifters, Bobby Darin, The Everly Brothers, The Temptations, Irma Thomas – you’ll find it on my designated oldies playlist. I’m also fond of many things vintage – the pastel hues of 50’s interior, glass perfume bottles, the lace and button details of white flowy dresses. Antique shops and thrift stores are one of my favorite places to find unique items.
My work at Leverage
My job entails content planning for client social profiles, writing copy for live stream events, assigning graphics, scheduling posts, as well as researching and writing blog content for some of our clients. At Leverage, we like to get everyone’s input, so I’m also occasionally involved in planning out various aspects of marketing strategies and brand building. When the opportunity arises, I also will write website copy for landing pages. I’m passionate about the ways our clients help people and build community. I love to work with clients on developing a voice that comes from a place of authenticity and dedication. Get in touch with us and I’d be happy to develop an authentic brand voice for your business!
