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
Women In Business
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
Momma Kneads Dough for Cinnamon Rolls
Sara Clouse’s cinnamon rolls have made the rounds. They’ve been gifts for friends, neighbors and teachers. They’ve shown up at bake sales to support youth sports. And they’ve even brought in $1,500 at a local fundraiser. Now, everyone can enjoy them from Clouse’s business, Momma Kneads Dough. “Since I was a little girl, my mom and I would bake together. It was a tradition,” said Clouse. “Everyone loved her cinnamon rolls, but she never sold them.” Clouse carried on her mother’s love for … [Read more...] about Momma Kneads Dough for Cinnamon Rolls
Marjorie Todd Believes in Holistic Care for Senior Living
Sometimes the desires of our hearts and early life ventures can lead the way to a successful and fulfilling career. For Highgate Senior Living CEO Marjorie Todd, stepping into a hospital as a candy striper at age 14 ushered her on to a position as activity assistant at a senior living home just a few years later. “I fell in love with working with seniors and found my calling,” she said. “I worked with people who had late- to mid-state cognitive impairment and dementia.” Todd says working … [Read more...] about Marjorie Todd Believes in Holistic Care for Senior Living
Inviting Flagstaff in for a Spin
Sarah Milios is not afraid to make a move. Last spring, she was teaching Marshall Elementary School students online. This fall, she was hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony for her new business at Aspen Place at the Sawmill, while on a sabbatical from teaching. As the owner of CycleBar Flagstaff, Milios says she is thrilled to be able to create a positive environment where people can have a high-intensity, low-impact workout. However, this new venture is not something she was planning. In fact, … [Read more...] about Inviting Flagstaff in for a Spin
Cristy Auble Designs New Business During Pandemic
Though no one to date has proclaimed a distinct haute couture for Flagstaff, Cristy Auble of Cristy Lee Designs may have pinned it on the button with her High Boho Classic Clothing. Incorporating a blend of denim, Arizona cotton, linen, corduroy, hand-painting intertwined with her memories from old classic movies, Auble says she hopes to bring back classy, loose-fitting fashions with a “hippy frill.” The term “Boho” is short for bohemian and typifies a style of dress inspired by the … [Read more...] about Cristy Auble Designs New Business During Pandemic
Promoting Businesses from the Canyon
Though the rural setting of the South Rim of Grand Canyon Village can pose a few minor setbacks for running a media consulting business, the good far outweighs the bad for Elise Burnette. “High-speed internet is the only thing I miss,” said Burnette. “Sometimes I have to head to Flagstaff in the middle of a project to upload the client’s project there in order to meet deadlines. But I knew that moving here and it’s just part of the struggles of operating your business.” Citing that smaller … [Read more...] about Promoting Businesses from the Canyon
Female-Operated Old Barrel Tea Company Pours Flavor into Downtown
From a social drink to a mid-day pick-me-up, tea has come a long way since its introduction to the United States in 1650. Tea has even seeped its way into the wellness industry, and Old Barrel Tea Company (OBTC), downtown Flagstaff’s newest business, is ready to tell you all about it. With four stores in New Mexico and two in Colorado, OBTC is a family-owned, female-run business. Manager Eleanor Krueger, who has roots in Flagstaff, is excited to introduce patrons to the advantages of … [Read more...] about Female-Operated Old Barrel Tea Company Pours Flavor into Downtown
Beyond the Exterior
Forget career assessments or personality tests to determine your professional path; sometimes our names alone can hold the key to the employment door we should open. Such is the case with Flagstaff’s Janet Sweigart of SweigART, Designs, LLC, who began her career studying fine arts at Northern Arizona University and now specializes in custom interior architectural design for commercial and residential projects as well as new construction, remodels and design. Selecting NAU as her choice of … [Read more...] about Beyond the Exterior
