At DancEvolution (DE), owner/instructor Jesica Barker takes dance a few steps further by teaching life lessons, such as: “It’s OK if you mess up, it’s what you do after that matters. It’s also OK to be scared, because those tough times will help to obtain your goals.” Teaching patience and endurance is also a part of Barker’s coaching. “I want to help people understand that you can evolve through dance and be a better person,” said Barker. “In this age of instant gratification, I think it’s … [Read more...] about Stepping It Up with DancEvolution
Business Woman of the Month
Upcycling Bike Parts
Flagstaff High School teacher, jeweler, environmentalist and avid cyclist Ava Miller has found her niche recycling bike parts, including tubes and spokes into fashionable earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Miller says her business, Velo in a Jar, was inspired by her father’s love for cycling. Her early years in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, were consumed with bikes. “My dad raced bikes, so growing up we traveled every weekend to a race.” Miller began crafting jewelry in the basement of her … [Read more...] about Upcycling Bike Parts
Joyce Reid Delivers Customized Surprises
Imagine getting a gift basket delivered that takes your breath away. That is Joyce Reid’s goal. Reid is a very successful businesswoman based in Flagstaff, but is somewhat of a secret because her business is online. She owns and operates Creative Gifts to Go LLC, which is a national corporate and personal gift service. Packages include holiday presents, house-warming gifts, teddy bears and Maple Ridge Farms corporate gifts. Most of the gifts are sold and delivered throughout the United … [Read more...] about Joyce Reid Delivers Customized Surprises
A Match Made for Hollywood
Making movies and commercials is not for the physically or mentally weak, says Sedona-based freelance production manager, producer and assistant director Margaret Knight. “Every job is different,” said Knight. “The film business is a formula, and when the formula works, it flows – and it’s a great sensation to be a part of it. As in anything, when you feel the energy and synchronicity, it gives you a satisfying, rewarding, why-you-do-this-for-a-living kind of feeling.” Once Knight is … [Read more...] about A Match Made for Hollywood
Aerial Arts School Continues to Gain Momentum
There’s no doubt, a new generation of jumping, flipping, twirling athletes has been inspired by the Tokyo Olympics. And locally, Momentum Aerial offers a launching pad into graceful, thrilling movement with a recreational sport that requires a great deal of confidence in the forces of physics. Momentum Aerial is a school and manifestation of the collective dream of two Flagstaff women, housed in three warehouse bays and stretching across 5,400 square feet in east Flagstaff. It is here that … [Read more...] about Aerial Arts School Continues to Gain Momentum
Face Forward
Many of us wouldn’t know the difference between an aesthetician and an esthetician, but there is a clear distinction, and Allure Aesthetics AZ owner Taylor Moody is eager to explain. As Lead Master Aesthetician, Moody stated that aesthetics specializes in medical skin treatments and estheticians are more holistic, performing mostly cleansing and cleaning procedures. “At Allure Aesthetics AZ, skin is our passion, specifically mine,” said Moody. “No matter what your skin condition – rosacea, … [Read more...] about Face Forward
Babies to Kids Celebrates 25 Years in Flagstaff
Twenty-five years goes fast when you’re having fun. Just ask Babies to Kids and Book Nest Toy Store owner Amy Herrington, who has been in her dream job in Flagstaff since 1996. “I love my business,” said Herrington, who is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Babies to Kids this month. “It’s not like work to me. It’s a joy and a privilege and I’ve made so many wonderful friends.” Babies to Kids has been at its current location in Flagstaff’s Kachina Square Shopping Center since it opened. … [Read more...] about Babies to Kids Celebrates 25 Years in Flagstaff
Brenda Halvorson Soars with The Papillon Group
From a young age, the late Seattle contractor and aviator Elling Halvorson was known for his bold business ventures like building the ATT relay lines from New York to Los Angeles and bidding on construction projects in remote locations like Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. However, his decision to take on the monumental task of building a water pipeline through the Grand Canyon led to the development of Papillon Helicopters and Grand Canyon Airlines. What wasn’t risky for this risk taker was … [Read more...] about Brenda Halvorson Soars with The Papillon Group
Dara Wong Encourages a Shift in the Dining Experience
No fooling, April 1 marked a big day for Shift Restaurant: its fifth anniversary. Conveying a different approach to the “normal” dining experience, Shift’s pastry chef and owner Dara Wong says her mission is to shift her patrons’ palates by offering a small-plates-style restaurant with bold flavors, a locally-driven menu and artfully composed presentations. Born in Boulder, Colorado and raised under the culinary influence of her Asian father and Jewish mother, Wong says her passion for … [Read more...] about Dara Wong Encourages a Shift in the Dining Experience
Living and Promoting Adventure
Working at the historic El Tovar Hotel on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and eventually heading downhill to Phantom Ranch to work for six years was the plan Romy Murphy had for making it to the top. Now, claiming two titles, general manager of Pink Jeep Tours Grand Canyon and president of the Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce, Murphy says working at Phantom Ranch taught her some good lessons. “Besides being an amazing place to work, I learned a lot of great stuff at Phantom Ranch as … [Read more...] about Living and Promoting Adventure
