Community Profile

 It was not exactly an arranged marriage for Robin and Pragna Prema, but it was close. Their uncles exchanged photos of the two, which they shared with the young people. Robin saw Pragna’s photo and liked what he saw. “She was very cute,” he said.   Pragna noticed Robin’s photo was taken at the Grand Canyon, which looked good to her. “Then I said ‘Wow! He looks good too.”   The two began burning up the phone lines and decided to marry three weeks later.   That … [Read more...] about The Premas: Extreme Entrepreneurs

It is that time of year when Jeff Augenstein is crazy busy doing taxes for his customers. Even now in his hand, he is holding tax information from a Hong Kong corporation with business interests in the United States. “We do about 2,500 tax returns a year,” he said. “I have clients from all over the world. We do everything thing from the very simple to the most complicated.” In addition, his Flagstaff firm, Northern Arizona Financial Services, handles tax resolution for clients who have gone … [Read more...] about Enjoying Math, Tax Preparation and Life

After being unable to find jeans that fit, 15-year-old Andrea Lebelle turned to her friend and said, “Someone should open a store for real women!” Someone did. “I didn’t know it would be me,” she said with a chuckle. Now, 20 years later, the business is the Flagstaff Jean Company and Labelle’s mission is to find jeans that fit everyone who walks through her doors, much to the delight of a growing number of women. Anyone who has struggled in a dressing room knows that it takes countless … [Read more...] about Andrea Lebelle Finding Perfect Fit

This month, Benefit Logic, Inc. is poised to celebrate its 15th year in business. That makes owner Ed Gussio pause for a moment to reflect on the past and future of his independent insurance agency that specializes in health insurance. “I guess you can say we are preparing ourselves for another 15 years of growth,” he said. Gussio believes his business is a success because of its philosophy, which is: Do what is right for the customer, no matter what. “Unlike other agencies, we are not on … [Read more...] about Choosing Flagstaff for Business and Family

  Dr. Karon Lynn thought she would become an Air Force pilot. After all, she spent her youth in the Civil Air Patrol in Louisiana, flying planes on search and rescue missions. She loved all the dials, equipment and technology that go along with piloting a plane. So, she said, it was all the dials, equipment and technology that launched her career in audiology and kept her enthralled for more than 30 years. As an audiologist, Lynn experiences how lives can be changed in very positive ways. … [Read more...] about Audiologist Grounded in Helping People

When Dr. Neal Mogk began practicing medicine more than 25 years ago, his mission was to help people and take care of his patients. But, through the years, the practice of medicine has changed. Now, instead of devoting his time to his patients, he has mountains of paperwork at the end of the day and his medical decisions are second-guessed and overseen by insurance companies. Dr. Mogk decided things had to change, at least for him, so he could get back to what he originally set out to do: … [Read more...] about Local Doc Opens Door to House Calls

Growing up as a cost-conscious child, Leah Bornstein, Ph.D., learned to cut paper napkins in half to make them last twice as long. It is a lesson she called on when Coconino Community College was studying efficiencies and ways to cut money from the budget. Bathroom paper towels were replaced with hand blowers for a $14,000 annual savings. As President of CCC, Bornstein utilizes her many life skills, including her knowledge that there is always light at the end of dark tunnels. Bornstein’s … [Read more...] about President – Leading from the Heart

  It has happened more than once. Someone sees a person with a gun entering DeBerge Saddlery and Western Wear and calls police. “They come and tell me they know what happened, but they want to come check on me anyway,” said the store’s owner, Tamera Bloomberg. “I appreciate that.” “But,” she added, “how am I supposed to make a holster for a customer if I don’t see their weapon?” Bloomberg said she makes and sells “a whole lot of holsters,” at her shop on Route 66 in Williams, but … [Read more...] about Williams Saddlery Offering ‘Real Deal’