🎙️ Welcome to Episode 18 of the MI PEOPLE Podcast! 🎙️
In this episode, Mike sits down with Devan Rucker — a Monroe County, MI-based media creator and entrepreneur who's building something most people said couldn't be done. Devan is the founder of The Monroe County News Network, the MCSN Sports Network, and The Development Group, and he's also run for mayor of his city — three times. From shooting a video at his best friend's hot dog stand to hitting a million views a month across his local platforms, Devan is proof that one person with a camera and a mission can change how a community sees itself.
🎵 Episode Highlights:
📺 How Devan went from making hot dog stand videos to founding The Monroe County News Network and MCSN Sports Network — and why positive local news was the missing piece in his community
🏛️ Running for mayor three times starting at age 28 — what he learned about campaigning purely through social media, gaining 1,200 votes, and why he sees not winning the first time as a blessing in disguise
🏈 Club 150 — the membership model that funds local news and sports coverage through businesses, organizations, and individuals who see value in supporting their community
🎓 Mentoring high schoolers as MCSN Insiders — giving student interns real-world media experience, from shooting games to editing highlights, and watching kids like Shelby go from quiet mouse to broadcasting major at BGSU
📁 File management as documenting history — why dated folders, proper archiving, and preserving every photo and video matters more than you think
🔄 The copy-and-paste model — how Devan is expanding from Monroe County to Down River with the same repeatable system, and why finding the right people is everything
Devan and Mike also talk about the real challenges of getting businesses on camera, why some people can't handle being filmed, and the movie magic that turns nervous business owners into polished spokespeople. Plus, Devan drops the best advice his sensei ever gave him: "The pig gets fat and the hog gets slaughtered."
🎤 About Devan Rucker
Devan Rucker is a Monroe County, MI-based media entrepreneur and community builder. He founded The Development Group, a digital marketing company, after leaving a lead generation role at Detroit Trading — where a sticky note and a VP's offhand comment sparked the name. From there, he launched the Monroe County News Network (MCNN) for positive local news and the Monroe County Sports Network (MCSN) to cover high school athletics the way they deserve to be covered. He's built Club 150, a membership model that funds it all, and is now expanding to the Down River area with the same repeatable system. Devan has also run for mayor three times, campaigning entirely through social media, and mentors high school media interns through the MCSN Insiders program.
🔗 Links & Resources
Michigan Media House — storytelling, video production, and digital marketing for Michigan businesses
🎙️ More MI PEOPLE Episodes
Episode 018 is part of the ongoing MI PEOPLE series — real conversations with Michigan's most interesting people. Past guests include Rick Morrone, DJ and Video Producer from Dearborn (EP017), Marla Moore of Ann Arbor Music Academy (EP006), and Blake Wyant, Realtor from Grass Lake (EP007). Every episode is a window into what makes Michigan's communities tick.
🔥 Want to Tell Your Story?
Michigan Media House is built for people and businesses with something worth sharing. We handle video production, digital marketing, and local storytelling — giving you the tools and content to grow your brand and connect with your community. If you're a Michigan entrepreneur, creator, or business owner ready to level up, let's talk.