Aaron has lived in Michigan since he was 14. He graduated from Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business with a Bachelors of Arts in Finance in 1996. After college, he worked as a missionary with Campus Crusade, worked in a Financial Aid office in Jackson, then became a database programmer at First National Bank in East Lansing.

Aaron learned from college jobs that sitting in an office behind a screen was not what he wanted to do for his career. When he was younger, he would spend his summers at his uncle’s farm in Iowa, where he learned trades and how to construct things by hand. With this memory in mind, he pursued that passion and received his builder’s license in 2004. He spent half of his job as a database programmer and the other half remodeling homes for the bank. In 2006 he started his own company as a builder to remodel homes.

The first project he did by himself was finishing a basement. During the life of that project, he learned the importance of building relationships, working with a client, and effective communication to complete a project that all parties are happy with. It was a safe space for him to explore his talents. Aaron loves to create, design and help people who are looking to make their space feel like their own.

Fun Fact: Aaron enjoys combining salvaged and multi media materials to make unique furniture like combining black pipe, concrete and antique mason jars to make an end table with built in lights. He also enjoys searching for antiques and making stained glass windows.

Favorite Project: Aaron's favorite project was building an addition on his mom's house. He could easily find the design and style she liked and got to see her enjoy it. His 2nd favorite project was removing a 2nd kitchen from a basement and creating a wine cellar.

Shawn and Claire Buitendorp were born and raised in Grand Ledge, MI and started with Lakeland Remodeling in the fall of 2020.

They joined the team with a unique background in design, namely, fashion design. They hold Associates Degrees in Fashion Technology from Lansing Community College and Bachelors of Applied Science Degrees in Business from the University of Michigan.

In 2011, they interned in New York with esteemed designer, Betsey Johnson, and began a foray into stage costume design, creating custom pieces for the likes of Katy Perry, Kelsea Ballerini, Little Mix, Lindsey Stirling and many more. Their designs have also been featured in numerous publications, including Teen Vogue, Nylon magazine, US Weekly and on the cast of American Idol. In 2017, they appeared on season 16 of the popular fashion reality show, Project Runway.

Having worked on their company, Shock and Awww, since 2013, Shawn and Claire were ready to try their hand at new forms of design, remodeling and interior and landscape design.

Shawn loves to bake, Claire watches crime shows and both are big fans of X - Files and history documentaries. They share 2 cats, Teddy and BB, whom they love dearly.

Favorite hobbies include: Tackling never-before-attempted projects, like cobbling and air brushing leather jackets.

Favorite type of project: One that requires an inventive use of space or untraditional building materials.

Becky has resided in the Mitten her whole life, being raised in the country of St. Johns. She attended Saginaw Valley State University and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology in 2012.

Becky first discovered her love for renovations upon purchasing an outdated 70s-style home in 2014. She met Lakeland Remodeling founder, Aaron, in 2017 when he took the lead in more difficult projects within this home that she was not comfortable with tackling. Becky again hired Aaron to install a fence in her next home in Lansing, where she met Shawn and Claire for the first time.

She joined Lakeland Remodeling after spending a decade in administrative roles with the State of Michigan, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. Over the years she developed a passion for remodeling and design, and finally decided to take a leap and switch careers. She reached out to Aaron in fall 2022 and the rest is history!

Hobbies: Becky enjoys chipping away at projects within her own home, engaging in anything creative (sewing, cooking, baking, crafts), and spending time with her parents, friends/cousins, as well as her three fur-babies, Nola and Baaron (dogs) and Ralphie (cat). The puppies fully support her remodeling efforts and can often be found “helping” with various projects.

Favorite Project: Becky’s favorite projects so far have been tiling the bathroom showers of her previous and current home and installing a 30 foot statement shiplap wall in her living/dining room. She also loves spending too much time at antique stores and restoring pieces she finds into decorative elements.