Happy New Year! Why shop Roger Beasley Mazda? • One of the largest Mazda dealers in the country. • Locally-owned with 3 convenient locations. • Offering the same great prices as always. • Trade-in values remain extremely high. • It’s a great time to shop Mazda.
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timeless teak teak has been in our blood for over 51 years and it’s still a significant part of our collection today Here at Copenhagen, we built our business on Danish Modern with a strong emphasis on the natural warmth and beauty of teak wood furniture. Since 1970, we have continuously offered the very best collection of natural teak anywhere. No other furniture store can offer our variety of teak, featuring both classic design and fresh new products by newly emerging designers. Come visit us today and experience truly timeless designs, and the enduring finish that is teak.
left: Karl dining chair with natural
black leather seat. $599
below: Scandic queen bed set with night stands, storage headboard and drawers. $3593 king $4093 (mattress and bedding not included). Lars dining chair with black fabric seat. $379. Morten lounge chair with cushions in fabric (as shown) $1094 or leather $1729.
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tucson
2 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JANUARY 2022
scottsdale
gilbert
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classic contemporary introducing the Edge lounge chair by Stig Christensen, Denmark Designed in 2016 and in production since 2017, Edge is a relative newcomer to the world of classic Scandinavian style. Despite it’s young age, Edge has placed itself right along side some of Scandinavia’s most renowned chair designs. Edge is painstakingly handcrafted in Portugal by skilled artisans using only the finest materials, including solid American walnut and luxurious top-grain leathers. This is certainly a chair any connoisseur of classic or mid-century design will appreciate. Available from stock as shown in black, red and light taupe. $2695 each.
furniture and accessories for your modern lifestyle Austin 2236 West Braker Lane 512.451.1233
San Antonio 18603 Blanco Road 210.545.4366 ATXWOMAN.COM | 3
The Woman’s Way Business Awards are Austin’s only business awards for women-owned and women-led businesses. Awards are presented in 11 categories. Award recipients span numerous industries and are chosen by a selection committee of successful local female business and community leaders.
APPLICATIONS OPEN
JAN. 15, 2022 SAVE THE DATE! MAY 18, 2022
Sponsorships available. Inquire to sales@awmediainc.com or 512.328.2421. FOR MORE DETAILS GO TO ATXWOMAN.COM/WOMANS-WAY
34
FEATURE
EMBRACING JOY BY STACEY INGRAM KALEH PHOTOS BY ANNIE RAY
AUSTINWOMANMAGAZINE.COM ATXWOMAN.COM | 5| 5
CONTENTS | JANUARY
14
24 20
44
14
FROM THE DESK OF Cortney Jones
16
STAFF PICKS What’s a fun memory you have of your mother figure?
18
COUNT US IN Give Me Shelter!
20
SEE HER WORK Photographer Valerie Steinkoenig
24
ON THE MONEY Use The 70/30 Rule To Simplify Your Finances
44
COVER WOMAN CALL BACK Leslie Stiba
46
WELLNESS GUIDE New Year New You!
52
HER ROUTINE Food Photographer Ashley Amoroso
56
WAITING ROOM Dr. Melissa Pintor Carnagey
58
RECIPE REVEAL Espresso Coffee Liqueur Boozy Ball Blast
60
MOMS TO MANY Liza Wilson
64
I AM AUSTIN WOMAN Amanda Rice
ATX WOMEN TO WATCH
53
64 6 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JANUARY 2022
30
DANIELLA DESETA LYTTLE
31
STEPHANIE LANE
32
SHELBI MACFARLANE
33
FAI CHAN
Distribution Hall is an event space and production studio located in the heart of East Austin.
Maybe she is too frightened to ask for help. A groundbreaking study from the University of Texas estimates over 79,000 children and young adults in Texas today are victims of sex trafficking. These children need help. Austin Oral Surgery ~ together with area dental professionals ~ are working to identify these victims of child sex trafficking and you can help. Be on the lookout for: •
Torn frenum
•
Visible injuries, scars
•
Tattoos of ownership, money symbols, emoticons •
•
Evidence of being controlled
•
Appearance younger than stated age
•
Not allowed to speak for self
•
Subordinate, hyper-vigilant, or fearful behavior
•
No formal ID, documents held by companion
•
Companion who refuses to leave
•
Untreated dental or medical needs
•
Malnutrition
Scripted or memorized history
If you suspect someone is a victim of sex trafficking, call The National Human Trafficking Resources Center 888.373.7888 or text HELP or INFO to 233733 for discreet help. For more information, go to Bethe1Educate1Save1.com
Bigger, Bolder, and better than EVER.
Thursday, February 10, 2022 | 7:00 - 9:30PM Fair Market Enjoy a dazzling array of some of the finest champagnes, sparkling wines and “big reds,” along with food from a selection of Austin’s best restaurants.
Tickets available at winefoodfoundation.org. All proceeds further the mission of the Wine & Food Foundation.
CONTRIBUTORS This month, we asked our contributors: What’s a New Year’s Resolution you’ve actually kept?
A PUBLICATION OF AW MEDIA INC.
VOLUME 20, ISSUE 5
ANNIE RAY DAWN WESTON
Photographer, Embracing Joy, page 34
Publisher
• Chuy’s is her happy place. • She begins decorating for the holidays on Sept. 30
JAIME ALBERS
• She’s obsessed with Nut Pods Creamers (so
Art Director
good). “This year was all about ‘Yes.’ After 2020 I
CY WHITE
chose 2021 to be a year to do more and try more
Managing Editor
things.”
DARBY KENDALL
Copy Editor ANNE COX
CY WHITE
Production Manager
Writer, Women in Numbers, page 18
DONNA MITCHELL
• Luther is one of her favorite shows.
Sales Account Executive
• The Nightmare on Elm Street was the first horror movie she ever saw.
CONTRIBUTORS
• She was about 2 years old when she started
Editorial: Jess Bugg, Melissa Pintor Carnagey, McKenzie Henningsen, Jenny Hoff, Allie Justis, Stacey Ingram Kaleh, Amanda Rice, Dawn Weston, Cy White Art: Ashleigh Amoroso, Austlen Baby Co., Kerry Christensen, A Guy + A Girl Photography, Cortney Jones, John Kniss, Lauren Logan Photography, Errich Petersen Photography, Annie Ray, Amanda Rice, Sasha DeMaria Smith, Valerie Steinkoenig, Jessica Wetterer, Cy White INTERNS
reading on her own. “One year, I can’t remember when at this point, I made a vow to always tell the truth whenever possible. I’m nowhere near perfect, but when given the choice between silence and truth, I most times choose truth.”
DAWN WESTON Writer, Getting the Right Angle, page 53
Jess Bugg, Monica Godinez, McKenzie Henningsen, Emily Manning
• She’s a die-hard Kansas City Chiefs fan. • She’s run six full marathons. • She and her husband traveled to Vegas for 24 hours on two separate occasions to eat at one of their favorite restaurants.
AW MEDIA INC.
“One year I set a goal to travel to at least five new
MELINDA GARVEY
KIP GARVEY
cities/states. Happy to say I did accomplish it,
Co-founder/Co-owner
CEO/Co-owner
and it was a blast! The perfect way to be sure that
SAMANTHA STEVENS
Co-founder
ASHLEY GOOLSBY
you’re building in time to relax, enjoy and explore.”
CFO
Austin Woman is a free monthly publication of AW Media Inc. and is available at locations throughout Austin and in Lakeway, Cedar Park, Round Rock and Pflugerville. All rights reserved. To offer feedback, email feedback@awmediainc.com. For submission information, visit atxwoman.com/jobs. No part of the magazine may be reprinted or duplicated without permission. Visit us online at atxwoman.com. Email us at info@awmediainc.com. 512.328.2421 | 7401 West Slaughter Lane, Austin, TX 78739
ATXWOMAN.COM | 9
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Hello, readers. Welcome to 2022! It’s been such a journey to get through these past few years. I hope this issue finds you well and looking to the future with bright eyes. The unknown of the new year is intoxicating, isn’t it? This is our “Moms” issue, and I have to admit that this theme is always one of my favorites. It is because mothers take care of us when we are in need. They hug and they nurture. They help create moments of vulnerability. Moments that are food for your soul and make you feel seen. One of my favorites quotes from Brené Brown states, “Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy and creativity. It is the source of hope empathy, accountability and authenticity.” The women in this issue, I think, embody just that. Our cover woman, Kendall Antonelli, has worked with her husband to grow their local little family cheese business into a nationally known company. She openly acknowledges that there have been struggles along the way. Hurdles to conquer not only as a business owner and as a woman, but also as a mother. She’s shared her struggles with depression and anxiety to help others know that they are not alone, and offers a helping hand to anyone she encounters. She’s truly an example of someone who mothers not only her children, but her community. And that genuine dedication is the one thing that all of the women in these pages have in common. They educate and invest in our community and, most importantly, our youth. Setting examples for the children who will follow and carry on the legacies that have been built...Or maybe, in some cases, bulldoze them down and rebuild them. We all can learn something from these women who bravely go into the world and try to make it a better place each day. I’m making it part of my New Year’s resolutions to do my part. I hope that you will do the same. Be well, folks!
DAWN WESTON PUBLISHER
Publication of Austin Woman would not be possible without the support of our monthly advertisers and sponsors, who believe in the impact we are making in the Austin community. The following businesses have stepped up their support of our efforts beyond traditional advertising and we are proud to recognize them as our partners. The team at Austin Woman is grateful for these businesses that have shown their commitment to the advancement of women in Austin and hopes you, as readers, recognize their efforts and support these businesses and all our regular advertisers.
10 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JANUARY 2022
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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS WHAT IS A DENTAL IMPLANT? A dental implant is a device made of titanium or ceramic alloy placed where a tooth or teeth used to be, sometimes at the same time as a tooth is removed. It will essentially function as a tooth root. At some point, a prosthetic device such as a crown or bridgework is fabricated and attached to the implant or implants to restore the function and esthetics of the natural teeth. The current style implant, shaped similarly to a tooth root, has been in use for over 40 years, so there is a strong track record of success.
WHAT IS THE AGE RANGE FOR DENTAL IMPLANTS? In a growing patient, the position of the natural teeth changes as growth continues. If implants are placed before growth is complete, their position relative to the natural teeth may change as well, leaving them poorly positioned. For this reason, implant placement is deferred until jaw growth is complete, typically around age 18. There is no upper age limit for implant placement, and success rates are similar for all age groups.
HOW MANY DENTAL IMPLANTS CAN I GET? CAN I REPLACE ALL MY TEETH WITH DENTAL IMPLANTS? While one could replace every tooth with an implant, more commonly the design of the replacement teeth may use implants with multiple teeth supported. This is similar in concept to bridges resting on natural teeth and can be a more efficient use of fewer implants.
HOW LONG DO DENTAL IMPLANTS LAST? In the great majority of even young patients, most implants will last the life of the patient.
DOES INSURANCE COVER DENTAL IMPLANTS? While every insurance plan is unique, many plans do provide coverage for dental implants.
HOW LONG IS THE RECOVERY? There is a broad spectrum of procedural complexity when placing implants, from an individual tooth replacement to replacing all of the upper and lower teeth. When a single or even several teeth are replaced, the procedure is quick with very minimal recovery. Most patients could expect to go back to work the next day and have some slight modifications to their diet for a brief time.
When full arches are done, the procedure is more timeconsuming and recovery will take longer. It would be rare, even in complex cases, for recovery to extend beyond a week. Your surgeon can give you personalized advice on what to expect with recovery.
DO I LEAVE WITH A TOOTH THAT DAY? With a full arch restoration such as the widely advertised “All-on-4” solution, once the teeth are removed and the implants placed, an immediate temporary restoration is placed. This is sometimes advertised as “teeth in a day” and specifically refers to that process of replacing all of teeth in either the upper or lower arch with that technique. In these cases, the patient will indeed get immediately restored. When dealing with a single tooth or less than all the teeth, most surgeons will want to defer tooth/crown placement to enhance healing and ensure implant success. In some cases, some anterior (front) implants may have a temporary tooth placed immediately. This is a process to discuss with your surgeon to understand more fully.
CAN IMPLANTS HELP WITH DENTURES? While many patients are tolerant of a complete upper denture, assuming they can live with the roof of the mouth being covered in plastic, most are unsatisfied with their lowers. This is due to mobility and functional issues with lower dentures. For those who want reliable function and retention and/or want to eliminate the coverage of the palate, adding implants under the denture makes a world of difference. The volume of the denture can be streamlined, and it can be removed for easy cleaning yet held in place with excellent stability.
WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE AN ORAL SURGEON TO PLACE DENTAL IMPLANTS? As a specialty, surgeons started the implant revolution 40 years ago and have been at the forefront of innovation and progress ever since. While technically any dentist may place implants, oral surgeons have four to six years of additional specialty training in surgical and implant care. Implant patients may need more than just the implant, and additional procedures such as bone grafting or soft tissue (gum) refinement may be necessary to get an ideal result. These procedures are rarely part of the training for generalists but are a routine part of implant care for your surgeon. Oral surgeons will typically place hundreds of implants each year, gaining experience and expertise along the way.
Before you consider oral surgery for your family, call 512.591.9557 or visit austinoralsurgery.com.
ATXWOMAN.COM | 11
CONNECT WITH US
Can’t get enough of this issue? Check us out at atxwoman.com. Black Fret Ball On Dec. 4, Black Fret held its annual endof-year ball. This year, 20 artists gave astounding performances, and were all awarded at least $12,000 to help them keep their dreams alive.
The Future of Roe v. Wade The Supreme Court is yet again the battleground for reproductive rights. With the possibility of Roe v. Wade being overturned, Anne Cox provides all you need to know about what’s at stake for Texas women.
Snaps & Snacks Ashleigh Amoroso is paving the way for food photography in Austin and giving photographers their own space to make their art truly pop.
FOLLOW US
@austinwoman
LIKE US
austinwoman
WIN THIS! Boozy Ball Cookies The age-old debate, cake vs. cookies, just got a new contender. Why choose one when you can have both? With Boozy Ball Cookies, not only do you feed your craving for the sweet stuff, you can do so the grown ’n’ sexy way with Kerry Christensen’s spirits-infused desserts. For this month’s Win This, one lucky winner will get a surprise treat from Boozy Ball Cookies. Start off the New Year with a little decadence. Because, honey, you deserve! Enter to win by following us on Instagram @austinwoman. We’ll announce the winner at the end of the month.
12 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JANUARY 2022
FOLLOW US
@ austinwoman
Black Fret Ball photo by Cy White, Snaps & Snacks photo courtesy of Ashleigh Amoroso.
Don’t forget to visit and subscribe to the Austin Woman YouTube channel!
CONNECT WITH US
See what the Austin Woman staff have been up to lately. Managing Editor Cy White attended Black Fret’s end-of-year ball and took some snaps of the artists as they walked the “black” carpet and gave amazing performances.
The Reverent Few
Eimaral Sol
Lisa Morales
Primo the Alien Dark Bird
Primo the Alien
ATXWOMAN.COM | 13
FROM THE DESK OF
SUPERWOMAN HAS BOUNDARIES
Cortney Jones, founder of nonprofit Change 1, urges boss moms to remember to nurture the self. BY MCKENZIE HENNINGSEN
Cortney Jones was suddenly faced with the brutal reality of many 18-year-olds in the system: homelessness. But after attending Texas State University for social work and earning her master’s degree, Jones decided she wanted to protect Austin’s youth from experiencing what she went through. In 2013, she founded her nonprofit organization, Change 1, which helps foster youth find their way in the world. On top of her demanding career, Jones is also an adoptive mother of two. With so much on her plate, Cortney Jones answers the question: How do you do it all?
DON’T BE AFRAID TO DO THE WORK ON YOUR OWN. I’m only one person, [but] I wanted to be the change I wanted to see in my community. I was once in foster care myself. That’s what made me want to become a social worker. But reality set in. Starting a nonprofit was a lot harder than I thought. Having my own nonprofit while working full-time, while being a mom, it was hard to navigate. I was bursting at the seams. So, I made a lot of mistakes, and I grew in a lot of ways during that time. But I still did the work, regardless of being afraid.
REMEMBER WHY YOU STARTED. In 2007, I came up with the concept of starting my own nonprofit. I wanted to give back and help kids who had encountered the foster care system. Because I went through that system myself and I aged out into homelessness, it really means a lot to me for kids to not go through what I went through. But [with Change 1], I’m able to show them something different, and I’m able to create opportunities that will help them see there is light at the end of the tunnel. That’s what makes me want to continue to do what I’m doing.
14 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JANUARY 2022
TRUST THAT YOU CAN DO IT. Motherhood is challenging, but it’s rewarding when you see that your child is growing and developing and grasping the things you’re trying to implement in their life. I didn’t think I had the capability of being a mom because I never really saw it modeled for me through [having] a mother. But you just get the strength from somewhere. I realized that I have super strength I never thought I could have or never thought that was there. I enjoy being a mom because all the things I wish would have happened in my life, I’m able to ensure that it is happening in my children’s lives. I’m proud to be a mom. I’m proud to know that I have the strength that I never thought that I had.
REMEMBER WHO’S NUMBER ONE. What happens with mothers is that we become the wife; we become the mom; we become the employee. We become everything to everyone, and we lose who we are. Through being a boss, through being a mom, through being an entrepreneur or whatever it is that you are, don’t lose yourself. Schedule time to love yourself. Practice self-care. Remember, if you’re no good for yourself, you can’t be good for anybody else.
IT’S OKAY TO SET BOUNDARIES. Cut off work and don’t take that home. In the beginning [of Change 1], there was no separation. I said yes to everything, and I was burnt out. I had to have a season of saying no. I had to understand that if I’m burnt out, stressed out because I’m saying yes to everything, I’m not giving 100% to it all. I need to make sure that whatever I’m focusing my energy on, I have the time to do it. I had to learn to compartmentalize. I had to learn that my work was going to be okay if I left it there at 5 p.m. I had to condition myself to believe that it’s okay to say no, and it’s okay to compartmentalize things. It’s okay to set boundaries because it’s needed. Yes, you’re superwoman, but superwoman has boundaries.
Photo courtesy of Cortney Jones.
After growing up in foster care,
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STAFF PICKS
WHAT’S A FUN MEMORY YOU HAVE OF YOUR MOM/MOTHER FIGURE?
The Austin Woman staff open the memory books to reminisce about fun moments with their mothers or mother figures in their lives.
CY WHITE MANAGING EDITOR
JESS BUGG EDITORIAL INTERN
When I think of my mom, two things come to mind: coffee and road trips. When I was little, I would wake to the smell of coffee brewing and rush to the kitchen in the hopes of getting a few sips from her cup. Back then she took her coffee with cream and sugar, which was ideal to my 6-year-old palate. Waking up early for a road trip was even more thrilling. Whether it was to the beach, visiting grandparents or taking me to college, finding good coffee along the way was always top priority. The most recent road trip we took was from Savannah, GA, to the Blue Ridge Mountains, exploring the towns in between. We brought my dogs along for the ride and stayed in a little cabin in the mountains. We hiked on the Appalachian Trail, cooked dinner and, of course, found the best coffee in Athens.
16 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JANUARY 2022
All photos courtesy of respective staff member.
I do have quite a few hilarious memories collected over the years. One I keep going back to is the day she totally fangirled over Elton John’s “Bennie and the Jets.” But what I always warms my heart is New Year’s Eve 2018. The house was full of relatives from both sides of the family. We are a card-playing family, so of course the “adults” were playing Spades while I played DJ. One of our favorite songs, “Don’t You Worry Bout A Thing” by Stevie Wonder, comes on. The ending vamp is Stevie harmonizing with himself the words, “Todo ’ta bien chévere!” My mom and I have never actually sung together, but this night, she took the high note, and I took the low note. Totally absorbed in the song. The atmosphere, family, everything fell into place to create an awesome NYE moment and a powerful memory for me.
DONNA MITCHELL SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE
My mom loved the garden. One of my fondest memories is of our summers spent at the home of one of my aunts, where Mom and her four sisters would meet to pick and break beans. Being from Atlanta, one must follow Southern protocols. It consisted of sitting in a rocking chair on the screened-in porch with newspaper spread over our laps, a tin bucket on the floor and a glass of sweet ice tea nearby. Bushels of beans were snapped for canning, and gossip flowed and was always followed by “Bless her heart” (more Southern protocol that if said after gossip means you weren't really gossiping).
DAWN WESTON PUBLISHER
My mom is an avid Chicago Cubs fan. I mean die-hard, passed down from my grandmother, legacy fan. It's not always been a smooth ride with many losing seasons, but over the years we've been to Wrigley Field almost annually. It's something that has brought our family together. I have so many great memories that will last a lifetime from those games, and I hope to get back to Wrigley for a game this summer. Time get my daughter to her first game and continue the family tradition.
JAIME ALBERS CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Growing up with a Polish grandma I spent a lot of time in the kitchen watching and learning just as she did all those years ago in Poland. Over the years I have learned how to make her favorite dishes that have been passed down like her perogies and bobka. My kids are now at the age where they love to help in the kitchen. It is a wonderful blessing that at 96 years young we are still watching her teach us all she knows in the kitchen.
ATXWOMAN.COM | 17
COUNT US IN
GIVE ME SHELTER!
IMMIGRATION CONTINUES TO BE A COMPLEX CONVERSATION, BUT THE TRUTH IS SO MANY FAMILIES SUFFER FOR THE RIGHT TO LIVE PEACEFULLY. BY CY WHITE ILLUSTRATIONS BY JESSICA WETTERER
1 in 6 According to the American Immigration Council (AIC), 1 in 6 people who live in Texas are immigrants. In conjunction to that, 1 in 6 people who currently reside in Texas are U.S.-born citizens with at least one parent who is an immigrant.
52% According to a fact sheet titled “Texas’s Immigrant and U.S.-Born Parents of Young and ElementarySchool-Age Children,” compiled by the Migration Policy Institute, in April 2021, of the 690,000 immigrant parents of children ages 0 to 4 in Texas, 52% of are women. Of the 840,000 immigrant parents of children ages 5 to 10, 53% are women.
18 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JANUARY 2022
38% The AIC reports that as of 2018, 1.9 million immigrants in Texas had been naturalized (that is, they have legally acquired citizenship to the U.S.). That accounts for 38% of the total immigrant population in Texas. Meanwhile, 957,647 of those immigrants were eligible to become naturalized U.S. citizens just one year prior.
10,680 When Border Patrol takes custody of a child who emigrated alone (referred to as an Unaccompanied Child, or UC), they are held for up to 72 hours, but then they must be released to the care of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). According to HHS, as of Oct. 31, 2021, there are approximately 10,680 UCs in their care, a number that has prompted the creation of two emergency shelters in Texas in addition to the 40 facilities already in use. It also undercuts continued tensions surrounding immigration law in the U.S.
2003 In 1986, the Austin Interfaith Task Force for Central America opened Casa Marianella, a project in response to the flux of people fleeing from Central America to Austin. Named after Salvadoran attorney and human rights activist Marianella Garcia Villas, the organization provides shelter, legal and medical services to those migrating to Austin. In 2003, AmeriCorps volunteer Patti McCabe opened Posada Esperanza specifically to shelter mothers and their children.
ATXWOMAN.COM | 19
SEE HER WORK
THE MAGIC OF MOTHERHOOD
Photographer Valerie Steinkoenig brings artistic elegance to motherhood. BY JESS BUGG
Valerie Steinkoenig, a self-proclaimed renaissance enthusiast, has a flair for the dramatic. Her most intriguing images have oldworld qualities yet remain undeniably modern. Best known for her ethereal fine art portraiture, her studio, Valerie Kay Photography, covers everything from maternity sessions to children’s milestones and each moment in between. Newborns are swathed in natural fabrics (most of which Steinkoenig knitted herself ) and nestled in woven baskets atop plush textiles, or rest on half-moons that appear suspended in the starry night sky. The images would feel at home adorning the walls of a hollowed-out tree, tucked away in a magical forest. Mothers in her images are often depicted as goddesses, draped in couture gowns and sometimes embellished with crowns formed from gold halos or leaves. Steinkoenig’s style ranges from celestial to understated elegance, many of the photographs relying primarily on lighting to create portraits with more strippeddown sophistication. Steinkoenig is incredibly hands-on, photographing, editing and printing her own work. “The time we spend in the studio is really the smallest part of the job. I have so much going on behind the scenes.”
Suffering from chronic migraines made holding down a typical 9-to-5 job difficult for Steinkoenig. However, it forced her to find creative ways to work for herself. “I had a little side gig sewing children’s boutique outfits, something I picked up making cute things for my daughter.” Her love of sewing began as a child when she would play on her grandmother’s sewing machine, and it still plays a crucial role in her work today. “I started my studio wardrobe with three gowns I hand sewed,” she reveals. “Those first sessions funded the purchase of the more couture versions I have now.” 20 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JANUARY 2022
Photos by Valerie Steinkoenig.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Though she always enjoyed taking photos, Steinkoenig first began her career as a photographer by attending classes at ACC. With two young children in school, she chose classes that centered around their schedules. “I spent five years taking classes not only for the education, but for the social aspect.” In her first couple of semesters, she used her children, husband and pets as models but soon practiced her skills on friends. “Being a stay-at-home mom can be very isolating, especially when you have a special needs child,” she admits. “It was the break I needed to find myself again.” Once Steinkoenig started taking photography classes, photographing newborns became her focus. Growing up with several younger cousins, she loved being around babies from a young age. “When I realized that newborn photography was an option, it was my goal from that point on.” However, in the beginning of her career, she booked more maternity clients than newborns; combining the two was a natural evolution. She now has clients she photographs every year for her Magic of the Holidays Sessions that first began with maternity photos. “I love watching their families grow.” MOTHER TO MOTHER
As a mother of two herself, Steinkoenig is able to put her clients at ease. First-time mothers are often nervous, but Steinkoenig and her assistant, Sasha DeMaria Smith, create an encouraging environment by relaying their own stories of pregnancy and motherhood. “We know it's hard. We've been there.” Steinkoenig walks her clients through every step of the process. She knows how vulnerable a maternity photoshoot can be. “I find that direct eye contact with the camera makes it too intimate for them,” she says. “So, we direct the gaze away.” Clients will often say how unphotogenic they feel, but Steinkoenig assures them they will take her breath away. “It's just something I feel when I look in the back of the camera and mom has that look. Maternity is more about feeling it. Lighting, posing, wardrobe, hair and makeup are all important, but some images are just magic, and I feel that when I see it.”
ATXWOMAN.COM | 21
22 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JANUARY 2022
“” Sessions for newborns are usually the opposite. Babies are often unable to make eye contact, so Steinkoenig relies more on props and styling to create the perfect image. “A lot more thought goes into how I style each newborn to get variety. These are often much more creative than any of my other sessions.”
My work is where it is because I push myself to learn something all the time. I am far from a perfectionist, but I always want to do better than the last time.
CONTINUED GROWTH
Photos by Valerie Steinkoenig.
Steinkoenig is a member of the Professional Photographers of America, Texas Professional Photographers Association as well as the Austin Professional Photographers Association. This year she earned her Master Photographer designation from PPA. “Photography is so much more than having a fancy camera and pushing a button,” she says. “I went to school for years learning about lighting and how to use my camera.” Her devotion to her craft is apparent in each of her photographs. “My work is where it is because I push myself to learn something all the time. I am far from a perfectionist, but I always want to do better than the last time.”
ATXWOMAN.COM | 23
ON THE MONEY
USE THE 70/30 RULE TO SIMPLIFY YOUR FINANCES
NO MATTER YOUR INCOME, THIS FORMULA CAN HELP YOU MANAGE YOUR MONEY. BY JENNY HOFF
As we start a new year, better financial management usually tops many people’s resolutions. It’s a good goal to have and one we should keep year-round, but with so much financial advice out there, financial literacy can feel like an overwhelming task. In this column over the last few years, we have covered many ways you can save, invest and create more wealth. But if you’re still finding it hard to manage your money, perhaps this simple formula is the easiest route to take. It’s called the 70/30 rule and allows you more flexibility with how you spend by just setting some parameters. What’s great about this rule is it’s based on a percentage, not on a dollar amount. So even if your salary changes over time, you can still apply the rule; just recalculate it for your new income.
1.
Money for expenses. The 70 part of the 70/30 rule refers to what you do with 70% of your net income every month. That means if you receive $6,000 per month, you would take 70% of that, or $4,200, and use that to cover all of your expenses. If you make $3,000 per month, applying the 70% rule, your budget would be $2,100. Whatever your monthly income, 70% is the maximum amount you can spend on bills, groceries, gas, rent or mortgage payments, utilities, entertainment, clothes, etc. If your current spending exceeds 70% of your net income, then cut out as many superfluous activities and subscriptions as possible, consider getting a roommate or carpool with coworkers. Do whatever you can to get down to 70%. If you don’t need 70% of what you earn, instead of spending it, fit it into one of the other two categories.
2.
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Saving. The remaining 30% is actually divided into two categories: 20% toward savings and debt and 10% for charities or investments. Using our previous examples, 20% of $6,000 would give you $1,200 a month for saving and debt payoff; 20% of $3,000 per month would be $600. Whatever the amount, the action is the same. This money’s purpose is to build an emergency reserve in the bank. If you can’t afford to do 20% yet, then just put away as much as you can and build it up to 20% over time by either earning more income or cutting your expenses. Paying off high-interest debt as quickly as possible should be your first priority.
70
3.
Donating or investing. Whether you believe in tithing, want to give to a cause you care about or just want to invest in your own future, the remaining 10% should go here. That $600 a month (or $300 if you’re basing it off a monthly payment of $3,000) could be put into a retirement account, used to buy stocks and bonds, real estate or other investments. Or you can donate to a religious institution you attend or a cause you care about, both of which are tax deductible. Some of the wealthiest individuals (as well as those who just want a simple way to keep their finances in check) use the 70/30 rule. By spending just a few minutes calculating these simple percentages, you can set up a budget that will keep your debt down, your spending reasonable and your ability to give still in the equation.
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aniella Lyttle is a multilingual, award-winning trial lawyer running as the first ever immigrant, female veteran judge of the 261st Civil District Court in Travis County. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, she is the managing attorney and owner of Lyttle Law Firm, PLLC, with offices in South Austin and San Marcos. This boutique firm specializes in family law, immigration law and wills and estates. She has spent over 12 years helping families, victims of violence and immigrants overcome legal obstacles that prevent them from reaching their full potential. She has been recognized by Super Lawyers Association and has received an award by the Travis County Women Lawyers Association for Contribution to Minority Communities. Lyttle’s public service began as an enlisted soldier in the U.S. Army, where she proudly served as a medic for eight years. She has continued her public service through her involvement in philanthropic and volunteer legal organizations. daniellaforjudge.com
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STEPHANIE LANE
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tephanie Lane is the executive director of Drive a Senior – Austin and is celebrating her 20th year of dedication to the nonprofit sector. She co-chairs the Aging Service Council of Central Texas, is a member of the Capital Area Regional Transit Coordination Committee (RTCC) and is part of a new Austin task force led by ECHO that addresses the transportation needs of seniors experiencing homelessness. She has a growing legacy of helping nonprofits that create a culture of growth, expansion, sustainability and high impact. Her passion is to help professionals connect with their values and see them excel personally and professionally as happy, healthy community leaders. Coming from a background of generational poverty and what many would call “hard knocks,” she has excelled in her life goals by putting the well-being of people and inclusive community culture as her guiding compass. driveasenioratx.org
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helbi Macfarlane is VP of sales and marketing at woman-owned ProGraphix, a wide-format graphics company that takes an eco-conscious approach to crafting products like banners, signs, tradeshow displays, murals and wraps. They aim to bring progress to the printing world, both as Austin Green Business Leaders and as a majority female team in a male-dominated industry. Macfarlane is passionate about people and building connections, especially when women in business work together to support each other. Recently recognized as a Rising Star by NAPCO’s Wide-Format Impressions Magazine, she takes a unique approach to sales and marketing in shaping the entire customer journey–from lead creation to customer support. No task is too big or small. Since joining the ProGraphix team mid-2021, she has rebuilt the website, led sustainable product launches, developed email and social content strategies and spearheaded a logo refresh, all while working directly with clients. pgaustin.com
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rounded by pharmacology, Fai Chan’s specialties are in the healing of psychiatric and neurological issues, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and anti-aging. Deli Aroma is dedicated to holistic healing protocols and research. Her clinic administers a variety of treatments. In 2018, she started to give seminars and speeches at international conferences. She has published articles with leading international journals and has written three books in China that all reached number one. Her recent work on Alzheimer’s healing, which gave insights on when conventional medicine should intervene in so-called all-natural protocols, got published in a drug designing journal. Chan believes that knowing when to advance and breakthrough in one’s career is very important. It raises your status and also makes you a pioneer in the market. “Everything in this world must be willing to outcompete others to survive, or coexist in peace.” deliaroma8.com
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EMBRACING
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Mother, entrepreneur and community leader Kendall Antonelli shares her whole self, flaws and all, spreading joy wherever she goes. BY STACEY INGRAM KALEH PHOTOS BY ANNIE RAY STYLED BY PARKE WITH INSPIRATION FROM KICK PLEAT, RISQUE NATION AND SPRING FROST METALWORK BY SHAESBY GLASSWORK BY KATIE KISMET HAIR & MAKEUP BY LIVIA POPE WITH ALLDOLLEDUPATX SHOT ON LOCATION AT BUTLER DANCE EDUCATION CENTER
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Multifaceted with a magnetic and contagious enthusiasm, Kendall Antonelli is a force for good in the community. You may know her from her warm welcomes at Antonelli’s Cheese Shop. Perhaps you recognize her from a Capital One commercial or enjoyed her keynote speech at a recent event. Or maybe you’ve run into her at a nonprofit board meeting or children’s school program. Multifaceted with a magnetic and contagious enthusiasm, Kendall Antonelli is a force for good in the community. She leads with authenticity, is spontaneous—yet simultaneously deeply thoughtful—and radiates positive energy with an easygoing nature that makes conversation immediately comfortable. Antonelli exemplifies leadership in many forms: a mom who talks about her two children—Everett Max, age 9, and Elia Jo, age 7—with the utmost pride and joy; a caring partner who speaks of her husband, John, as her “greatest love of all time.” She is a fearless entrepreneur who has designed her own path to success and brought others along with her, a giving member of her community, devoting time and talent to nonprofit causes she is passionate about. And she is an activist, a touring speaker who is open and honest about her struggles with mental health and evangelizes the need to destigmatize mental health issues. After speaking with her for just a short time, it becomes apparent that Kendall Antonelli is a woman on a mission. She merges her passion and strong sense of purpose to support her family, her employees and her greater community. BUILDING FORTITUDE AND RESILIENCE
Even with such an impressive resume, Antonelli comes across as down-to-earth and is outspoken about her flaws. “I’m fantastically flawed, and I think we all are,” she says. “We can gain power from our vulnerability.” Born in Houston, Antonelli spent most of her childhood on a ranch in Cool, Texas, participating in activities with 4-H and the rodeo. Early in life, she developed an understanding of and appreciation for ranchers (like her parents), farmers and hard work. It’s obvious in the way she approaches her own work today. She credits her mom for paving the way for her, showing her how to be a “working woman in a man’s world” as well as how to embrace generosity with a “there’s always room for more at the table” view of hospitality. “My mom is a freaking rockstar,” she proudly states. Antonelli holds a bachelor’s degree in Culture and Politics from Georgetown University and a master’s degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. She met her husband, John Antonelli, in college, where it became clear they were meant to be together—though their path to actually doing so was anything but easy. Upon starting college, Kendall learned her mom had been diagnosed with colon cancer. (Thankfully, she’s a survivor.) Her mom knew about the cancer but did not want to deter her daughter from leaving home for college. Not long after, during Kendall’s sophomore year, her dad tragically and unexpectedly passed away. Around the same time, her Nana was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. And on the night of a spring dance, which she later learned was when John had planned to make his first move, Kendall ended up in the hospital. After a year of recovery and learning to “own her power,” Kendall asked John to a winter dance, pinned him against the wall and kissed him. With few exceptions, Kendall and John haven’t spent a day apart since. She’s often asked how she took the plunge to become an entrepreneur. “I’ve experienced loss and have had a lot of people die on me,” she reveals. “I know it’s so cliche and trite, but I was of the mindset, ‘You only live once. Let’s just do it.’ And if we flop and fail, we’ll be wounded, our pride will hurt. But we’ll have known we did it, as opposed to years later looking back with regret, wondering why we never gave it a try.”
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“” “If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.
Dress by Risque Nation and coat by Kick Pleat
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While obstacles and family hardships abounded, Kendall pressed on. Through it all, she found love, partnership and the inner strength she carries forward with her in her multitude of dynamic roles today. CREATING HOME AND WORKING TO SPREAD JOY
With New York native John at her side, Kendall planted roots in Austin 18 years ago when embarking on a master’s degree program at UT Austin. While pursuing her degree, she began a career in Austin’s nonprofit sector as a law clerk at American Gateways, eventually leading a project to help undocumented migrants with their immigration cases. After acquiring her degree, she decided to make a major transition to start a business working alongside her husband. On their honeymoon in Grenada in 2007, John and Kendall hatched a two-year plan to create a business centered on cheese. The couple co-founded Antonelli’s Cheese Shop, where she serves as president and John as CEO. What started as a grilled cheese club with friends gathered in a modest bungalow kitchen has grown into the intimate cheese tasting and storytelling experiences Antonelli’s Cheese Shop offers today. In 2010, two years and five days after their honeymoon, the doors officially opened at Antonelli’s, Austin’s first cut-toorder cheese shop. The couple discovered they work well together. They value communication in their relationship and business. Each year they have visioning sessions where they write down their goals in sharpie, an intentionally permanent ink, on giant sheets of butcher paper. “I totally believe in that adage that writing your goals down and visualizing them helps them come true,” she encourages. “What I love about being an entrepreneur is that there is no typical day,” she says. “In fact, routine is challenging for me. [John and I] love the hustle and finding inspiration to try new things, but we’re at our best when we do things simply and stick to our mission.” For Antonelli’s Cheese Shop, that mission is epitomized in their motto: “Do Good. Eat Good.” “Do good” centers on helping their greater community. “When people spend their hard-earned dollar with us, we, in turn, try to do the same,” Kendall shares. “We give back to our community. We take care of our people. Every person matters to us. We realize that we have a superpower and that we can be a force for good in people’s lives.” The second half of their mission focuses on supporting makers. “For us it’s about supporting farmers and ranchers who treat their land sustainably and regeneratively, who treat their herds and animals humanely, who treat their teams ethically and who make delicious goods.” For the Antonellis, these words carry weight. They put these promises into action to create a cycle of good. They treat their employees like family, providing health insurance and an EAP program with 24/7 access to mental health care providers, among other perks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Antonelli’s prioritized their team members and partners. “Our goals during the pandemic were to keep every single team member employed and to not let a single Texas cheesemaker go out of business,” Kendall says. “We accomplished both of those as far as we know, but we worked harder than we’ve ever worked. We changed more in 10 days of business than we had in the previous 10 years.” Some other core values that serve as a foundation for how the Antonellis run their business include working to improve every day and being a “juggernaut of awesome,” as Kendall puts it. “Not everybody wants cheese or needs cheese,” she says. “But everyone could use a friendly interaction.” Kendall believes in the power of a smile and in going above and beyond to create joyful moments and spread positive energy. Quoting Dolly Parton, “If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.”
LOCATION: BUTLER DANCE EDUCATION CENTER Ballet Austin welcomes audiences near and far to participate in its “classically innovative” vision for the democratization of dance. Established in 1956, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization has a rich history, featuring original, acclaimed productions and a commitment to creating access to programs. Ballet Austin owns and operates a combined training facility located in the heart of downtown Austin and is among the 15 largest classical ballet companies in the country. From its home at the Butler Dance Education Center in downtown Austin, Ballet Austin and Stephen Mills, Ballet Austin’s Sarah and Ernest Butler Family Fund artistic director, actively engage the community, dancers and audiences alike. The New York Times proclaims Ballet Austin “a company with big ambitions” originating work that is “absorbing.” Hailed by The Washington Post as “one of the nation’s best-kept ballet secrets,” Stephen Mills works closely with the 22 full-time professional dancers. 501 W. 3rd St., balletaustin.org
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“[John and I] feel that we’re on a personal mission to spread joy, and it just so happens that we do it through the gospel of cheese,” she says. Beyond putting smiles on faces through “the gospel of cheese,” Antonelli’s has an annual “philanthroplan” that designates monthly nonprofit beneficiaries to receive a portion of their proceeds. In 2021, some of those “charitable cheese causes” include the Austin Justice Coalition, Multicultural Refugee Coalition, Latinitas, Central Texas Young Farmers Coalition and Austin Center for Grief and Loss. Antonelli’s also responded to Winter Storm Uri by teaming up with Good Work Austin to donate hundreds of pounds of cheese to St. David’s Hospital and worked with Runner City and the Greater Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to provide protein packs for neighbors experiencing homelessness. In addition to donating money and goods, Kendall and John give their time and talents. They each serve on two to three nonprofit and association boards at any given time. Kendall currently serves on the board of directors for the ACE Foundation, Austin Child Guidance Center and Austin Food Bloggers Association. Formerly, she served as president of the board for the Austin chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier, a philanthropic society of professional women leaders in the fields of food, beverage and hospitality. “Kendall represents the evergreen leadership that is constantly examining for improvement, knowing that improvement in the organization starts from within its leadership,” shares friend, fellow Les Dames member and Founder and CEO of The Cook’s Nook, Joi Chevalier. “I will always commend and marvel at Kendall for her leadership style that comes from a small, quiet, selfreflective place, yet reverberates big and boldly across her organizations—whether it’s her company or within shared philanthropic work.” FAMILY AND WORK LIFE BLEND TOGETHER
Her days start with breakfast-time dance parties and end with her family on the couch playing a game or watching America’s Funniest Home Videos. “Home to us is chaos and cacophony and dog hair.” But according to Everett and Elia, “Home is where you can toot without judgement.” Kendall shares that everyone agreed on this over a bagel breakfast earlier that morning. She paints a picture of a close-knit family, where everyone takes an active interest and participates in each other’s lives, even preparing together for an interview. In fact, John and the kids shared how they would describe Kendall, including words like “loving,” “kind,” “beautiful,” “awesome,” “rock ’n’ roll,” “funny” and “courageous.” Kendall admits she initially felt like it was ironic that she was asked to be included in the “Moms” issue of Austin Woman. “I don’t consider myself to be a traditional mom,” she confesses. “I can’t sew. I don’t volunteer at school very often. I have dropped my children off at school on days when there is no school. I have been last in the carpool line more days than I can count.
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“” What I love about being an entrepreneur is that there is no typical day. In fact, routine is challenging for me. [John and I] love the hustle and finding inspiration to try new things, but we’re at our best when we do things simply and stick to our mission.
Shirt by Kick Pleat
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“” We work not only because we love it, but because we are taking care of the people and things and pets that matter to us. We try to keep that perspective.
“I had chosen to be a little bit late that day,” she recalls. “I was in a fantastic meeting at work. I’m passionate about what I do. I was collaborating with another woman-owned business, and we were jiving. All was good, and I kept saying, ‘I can still make it.’ Then I laughed, and I said, ‘Yep, this is the kind of mom I am,’” Kendall says. “And I realized that I’m okay with being a different kind of mom.” John says Kendall is no stranger to expressing her flaws. “She truly shares her whole self without any apprehension,” he says. “On our first date she started by telling me all of her perceived flaws. It was a remarkably Kendall way to start a relationship. It’s her openness and willingness to be vulnerable that give others confidence to navigate their own unique journey—whether that is our team, our kiddos or the communities in which she flows.” Though upfront about her imperfections, Kendall is also confident in her strengths as a mother. “Each mom has their own superpower. Mine is not in sewing a cute costume, and it’s not in decorating the halls. And I want to be clear that I need every one of those moms in my life because it truly takes a village. Everyone in my mom group is my superhero for being able to be so present and be such a force in their kids’ lives in that way. I do think that I am present and a force in my kids’ lives. I just do it in a different way. I want them to see that I love my work. I want them to know that they came from my love and relationship with their father.” One member of her village, neighbor and friend Zara Oakes, says that Kendall’s superpower is that she puts people at ease. “Kendall is someone you feel like you have known forever, even if you just met her,” Oakes says. “She is impressively capable at using her own vulnerability and personal hardships to create genuine connections.” Kendall acknowledges that she is privileged to have a community of support in other moms, neighbors, colleagues and especially a “fantastic partner that shows up 100% of the time to help with parenting duties.” She emphasizes the importance of continuing to focus on their relationship as they navigate parenthood, “If we aren’t good and healthy, how can our relationships with our kids be good and healthy?” “Family comes first” is one of the pillars of the Antonellis’ business, and it applies to them as well as to their employees. “When we decided to go into business together, John looked at me and said, ‘If we ever realize this is getting in the way of our marriage, we walk away,’” she says. “Now that we have a team, for them, it means that if they have an emergency, they can take time away and have a job to come back to. We work not only because we love it, but because we are taking care of the people and things and pets that matter to us. We try to keep that perspective.” An example of one manifestation of this viewpoint during the pandemic is their hiring of team members’ unemployed partners. Kendall highlights that working with pods of people who were quarantining together was also good for business because it minimized risk. A sense of adventure and appreciation for all people and cultures are attributes Kendall wants her kids to inherit from her late father and understand on a deep level. During her first pregnancy, she and John wrote down a goal to take an international trip every other year. Now they take an international trip every year (barring the pandemic) for one month during the summer. “Our kids have untraditional holidays,” she says. “During the holidays, our kids sit in the cheese shop while we cut cheese all day. We do it through the day leading up to Thanksgiving and the day before Christmas. We work the eve of every big holiday....What makes it okay is that we take off the month of June. 10 or 11 months of the year, we give our business everything we have. Then we completely unplug for a month to just be with the kids.” It’s not an easy path, trying to be fully present with work and with family. Kendall acknowledges there is some guilt, but it is a path the Antonellis created and owned and it suits their unique lifestyle. “We live a balanced lifestyle; it’s just that we live in extremes.”
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Shirt and pants by Kick Pleat, shoes by Risque Nation
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The Antonellis’ month away each year allows team members to grow their leadership skills. Travel also gives Kendall and John the opportunity to visit cheesemakers all over the world and build meaningful relationships, often forged by dining family-style (kids included!) with the people whose products they stock in their personal homes. “We want our children to know their privilege,” she says. “We also want them to know that the world is so much bigger than what they can immediately see around them. It gives them appreciation for what they have and lets them know there’s so much beauty out there and different ways to envision their lives and the paths they can take.” Family travel experiences, for Kendall, contribute to her personal sense of wellness by creating space to focus on her core values. A LEADING VOICE FOR MENTAL HEALTH
“It’s important to talk about mental health,” she says. The cause is near and dear to her. These days, she tours as a keynote speaker on the subject, encouraging open dialogue. If people openly speak about their personal mental health journeys, they can lift each other up and share different models and methods for getting through the toughest times. “If you’ve had a bad day or week, knowing how to take care of yourself is important,” Kendall says, emphasizing that this looks different for everyone. “I know for me, it’s a good night of sleep, it’s going for a walk or run, eating healthy that day, and I know it’s being with my loved ones. When I feel myself going off track, I get back to measuring those activities and asking, ‘Am I getting enough sleep? Am I drinking enough water? Am I hugging my children?’ “To people on the outside, I may project this image of success,” she says. “I am very fortunate. I’m a woman who owns my own business and has this beautiful family. Yet there’s a time I would have told you, even if you told me what was in the future, ‘I don’t think I can make it there. I can’t get through the hurt or pain.’ “Sometimes getting through the day is the accomplishment. Sometimes we think we can rock the world and we check everything off the list and it’s the best day we’ve ever had. And sometimes the win is just making it to your bed at night.” She nearly tears up. “I’m amazed that I can sit across from you and say there was a time I thought I would not be here.” When it comes to support systems, Kendall credits therapy for helping her in long-term struggles with mental health, and encourages those going through tough times to use professional mental health resources as well. “I’m a woman of a lot of words, but sometimes I just don’t know what to say to a friend experiencing a hard time,” she openly admits. “Sometimes there
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are no words and it just sucks. But we can say, ‘Just know that you are not alone, there are resources available to you and you can get through it.’ “There’s no one way to heal,” she says. “But we need to be talking about it. We need to destigmatize mental health.” GIVING GRACE
Throughout the conversation, Kendall continues to reiterate the value of self-care. “I’ve learned that if I can show up for myself first, then I can show up for others in a more profound way.” She talks about finding the energy and motivation to give to her family, her employees and her larger community, all areas where motherhood is an asset. “That’s what parenting is and motherhood is. It is giving of yourself endlessly and tirelessly, day in and day out. Our lives shouldn’t stop when we become mothers,” she insists. “We are afforded the opportunity to keep growing and keep having new adventures and do it alongside these little ones. We don’t shape our kids. We create their environment and love them so that they can be the awesome people they’re supposed to be. I can do that best when I’m taking care of myself.” When asked what advice she would share with fellow working moms, Kendall takes a deep breath, then answers, “Give up worrying about dropping the ball. I drop balls all the time, and have learned to prioritize which balls I can drop. When I drop the ball, I pick it up, give myself grace and keep moving forward. I tell my kids they are loved every day. I acknowledge when I do something I’m not proud of. We recognize we’re on a journey together and we are okay for it.” In her unique brand of humble confidence, Kendall confides that she is blown away to be featured as an Austin Woman cover woman. She is proud to join the other women, women whom she admires, who have graced the magazine’s covers over the years. She hopes readers can find inspiration as she has in these pages. “It’s amazing to me that women have an infinite capacity for love. Live out of that abundance. We always have more to give. There’s always more room at the table.”
“” That’s what parenting is and motherhood is. It is giving of yourself endlessly and tirelessly, day in and day out. Our lives shouldn’t stop when we become mothers.
Shirt and skirt by Kick Pleat
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COVER WOMAN CALL BACK
OVERCOMING OBSTACLES AND PAYING IT FORWARD Leslie Stiba turned the pitfalls of entrepreneurship into a more meaningful career. BY JESS BUGG
cover of Austin Woman. Needless to say, a lot has happened since then. Stiba is the CEO and co-founder of Austlen Baby Co., which specializes in innovative stroller designs. She created the Austlen Entourage, their award-winning stroller, based on her own stroller needs as a mother of twin girls. In 2018, Austlen was in over 100 retailers in the United States, experiencing major growth with direct sales and had just completed its onboarding with Nordstrom. Stiba recounts receiving love letters from parents, gushing about how much they adored the Entourage. Her goal of making life easier for parents was actually coming to fruition. However, as a startup, Austlen relied on a sizable loan from the Small Business Association (SBA) to fund development and operations. The loan came with high monthly payments, and the company struggled. Even though sales were climbing and Austlen’s distribution strategy was a success, it wasn’t enough in those early stages to keep up with the payments. The company needed more time to pay off the loan and began working with a local lender to restructure the debt. This felt to Stiba like a clear path to satisfying everyone involved. There was just one problem: the chief lending officer. “The number of meetings we had to sit through where he mansplained to us how he was going to make this work with or without us was pretty infuriating and, frankly, insulting.” He came to the table with a myriad of bad ideas from liquidation to taking over the entire business himself. Stiba jokes, “Apparently we made this look way too easy.” While she laughs and smiles through speaking about this difficult time for her business, it’s clear by the tone of her voice how painful this setback truly was. It turned out the lending officer’s plans were in direct conflict with the SBA, and once they got wind of what he was doing, they immediately put a stop to it. Unfortunately, the damage was done. Stiba recalls replaying the scenario over and over in her mind but still struggles to understand what happened. “If you’re playing a game and the other person is dead set on losing, how do you play?” Legally unable to share the details with her customers and those who had been a part of the Austlen journey only added another layer of isolation and distress. This period not only came with devastating career setbacks, but personal, family tragedy as well. Stiba was in the process of losing her mother to ovarian cancer, and one of her daughters was diagnosed with epilepsy. “To say it was tough is an understatement.” Stiba has been through major personal struggles before. Her twin daughters, now aged 14, were born at 29 weeks and spent two months in the NICU. Speaking about this time still brings tears to her eyes, but the resilience she acquired through these previous hardships is palpable. She surrounds herself with like-minded people and describes her team as determined but optimistic— the kind of people who can still crack jokes even at the worst of times. While the
44 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JANUARY 2022
Photos courtesy of Austlen Baby Co. and Lauren Logan Photography.
It was over three years ago, in March 2018, when Leslie Stiba first graced the
lending officer created huge setbacks, Stiba says, “With any startup venture, shit’s going to hit the fan in a million different ways. All this stuff with the lender was just one thing. There were a million other things throughout the journey of building this company.” She credits her team and those who supported Austlen (as well as a little luck) with making it through to the other side. In 2021, Stiba was able to buy the business back. Through all of the hardships, she was able to retain her core team members, the partnerships, manufacturers, vendors and everyone who helped make Austlen what it was the first time around. “It feels like we got the band back together.” Being in direct contact with customers and maintaining those relationships is incredibly important to Stiba. Going back to its roots, Austlen is now selling directly to customers. “The magic of Austlen has always been the people.” Even with her inability to confide in her customers about all of the behind-the-scenes struggles, Stiba continued to receive messages of support. “The customers made us feel like if we could do it again, we should.” Her desire to help other struggling entrepreneurs was also a major factor in her not giving up. “As a female entrepreneur this is such a tough journey, even when you have all the right ingredients.” Previously, the company was not set up to easily support a philanthropic arm, but thanks to their newfound freedom, Stiba puts philanthropy as a core tenant of who they are as a company. Stiba hopes to support the next generation of entrepreneurs by putting 10% of Austlen’s profits toward supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs through education and direct funding of their ventures. “We’ve always had a really diverse group of people support us, we’ve had women, people of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, every stripe imaginable. I feel like it’s our turn to support them. For me, that’s the ‘why.’ I want to pay it forward.”
“” The magic of Austlen has always been the people.
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NEW YEAR NEW YOU!
Moving into the new year comes with the pressure of those resolutions. This year, challenge yourself to give yourself some grace and take a new approach.
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46 SPECIAL WOMAN ADVERTISING SECTION 2022 46 | AUSTIN | JANUARY
Photo courtesy of Texas Lifestyle and Travel Magazine
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Amelia Island, Florida:
The little island that’s big on personality. By: Marika Flatt
Amelia island stretches 13 miles, and the northern part of the island has a totally different vibe than the southern point—both you need to “sea” to believe.
Getting there
Fly into Jacksonville airport. Even though they’re a bit hard to come by in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, you might want to rent a car (depending on how much you want to explore). The drive is about a half hour from Jacksonville to Amelia Island. Once you get to the island, getting an Uber or Lyft becomes a little harder. You’ll want to stay in the Historic District so that the majority of what you’d like to do is within a very easy walking distance. Fernandina Beach is a town on Amelia Island named for King Ferdinand. That’s where the action is. This is where the Historic District sits, and everything is walkable on that end of the island.
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The ABCs of Island Life A: Accommodations
The Addison Bed & Breakfast on Fernandina Beach has everything you need for the perfect visit to the island. You cannot beat the location in the heart of the Historic District. It’s one block off Centre Street, the main drag, and nearly everything is within less than a half mile walk. A delicious hot breakfast every day is included with your stay, as is a 5:30 happy hour with complimentary wine and beer, giving you the opportunity for social time to meet other guests. In 2017, innkeepers Lisa and Ron West purchased the 14-room inn, which provides loads of Southern hospitality, quality concierge services and a delicious breakfast enjoyed out on the veranda in nice weather. The adults-only inn caters to couples, and all rooms have king-size beds. Ask for a second-story room that overlooks the well-manicured courtyard. Travel tip: Enjoy their complimentary bicycles to explore the island. Take a little cycling trip over to Fort Clinch State Park where you can ride through a canopy of trees, hike for miles and explore the historic military fort.
B: Bites and Beverages Joe’s 2nd St. Bistro
The Brand: Owned and operated by Chef Ricky and his wife Mari Piggs. The Vibe: Located in a restored 1900s home in downtown Fernandina Beach, offering a rustic and elegant atmosphere. Beautiful artwork around the restaurant brings a homey touch, compliments of the chef/owner’s father, Ray Piggs. The Bevs: Along with the unique wine list that accompanies the menu beautifully, they have a full bar and serve a mean mojito. The Eats: The Amelia Island Shrimp & Grits was a personal favorite, giving you the opportunity to take full advantage of the fresh shrimp served on the Island.
The Salty Pelican
The Brand: Seafood with a view of the water The Vibe: Indoor and outdoor seating available, but the best seat in the house is upstairs overlooking the marina. The Bevs: Try the cucumber lemonade or their specialty, The Pelican Punch, if you are in the market for something sweet. The Eats: The Short Rib Poutine is a great way to start the meal, with the fish and chips or the Pelican Shrimp Wrap for the main course. Add on a peanut butter pie for good measure!
Photo courtesy of Texas Lifestyle and Travel Magazine.
Marche Burette
The Brand: Located on the property of The Omni Amelia Island Resort. The Vibe: French-style market and deli with indoor and outside seating. The outdoor tables overlook a pond and fountain, perfect for a beautiful Florida day. And, if you’re lucky, you’ll catch some live music too. The Bevs: Mimosas pair nicely with the Brunch Tower. The Eats: The Brunch Tower resembles an “afternoon tea” presentation and is a great choice; for lunch, you can’t go wrong with their sandwiches, especially the Southwest Turkey Panini. The tasty hummus appetizer can be a light meal in itself.
The Wicked Bao
The Brand: Asian street food off the beaten path, a local favorite The Vibe: Fun outdoor patio with indoor seating as well The Bevs: Known for their signature sake sangria, but they have an extensive wine list. The Eats: Family style is the move to try a little bit of everything, such as the Roti Canai, the Pork Pot Stickers and the Bao Trio. Tip: Because it’s a local fave, there might be a line out the door, but it’s well worth the wait.
C: Choose your own adventure
Take a ride on the Amelia Island River Cruise that circles the historic Cumberland Island. On this casual cruise, which lasts approximately two and a half hours, you’ll see wildlife like dolphins, wild horses and deer. You’ll also learn loads of interesting facts. For example: • The reason why Amelia Island is known as the “Island of eight flags” is because they’ve been ruled by eight different governments. • How and why pirates used the area to smuggle goods, making it known as “the back door to the U.S.” • Amelia Island is known as the birthplace of shrimping. Where there used to be over 100 shrimping boats out in the nearby waters, now you’ll only find eight to 10, thanks to the farm-raised shrimping industry. However, if you do order shrimp, you are guaranteed to have the freshest available. • One of the major industries on the island is growing yellow pine trees to make Amazon boxes and other paper and cardboard materials in high demand these days. • There is a nearby nuclear subs station run by the U.S. military. • Cumberland Island is where JFK Jr. got married in a secret ceremony. Song and Story Bookstore is an adorable independent bookstore that has been around for four years and is beloved by the local community. The owners, Mark and Donna Paz Kaufman, actually taught others how to run successful independent bookstores all over the country, then later moved to Amelia Island to open this local gem. Unique highlights of the concept include their Book Hugs program (a subscription book program built for grandparents to keep their grandchildren reading year-round); a concert series that takes place in the upstairs gathering ATXWOMAN.COM | 49
space; and best-selling author David Baldacci, who has a home on the island, is a major supporter of the homegrown effort. The bistro offers delicious lunch fare such as a chicken salad sandwich on croissant, gourmet grilled cheese and hearty soups of the day, in addition to a myriad of scrumptious sweets you can pair with a warm cappuccino to enjoy while browsing the aisles. With many different waterways to choose from, kayaking is a popular sport on the island. Take a guided kayaking adventure with Amelia Island Kayak Excursions. Family-owned and operated, this outdoor professionally guided adventure will help you soak in the natural wildlife the area is known for. Whether you’re paddling down Egan’s Creek or Lofton Creek, your knowledgeable and friendly guide will point out birds, historical structures (such as one of the first railroads in the state) and maybe even a gator or two. Explore the southern part of Amelia Island near the expansive Omni property with Amelia‘s Wheels where you can rent various bicycles for nearly any increment of time. With scenic bike-only pathways, you can wind throughout the bottom part of the island, staying on property, and enjoy the scenery of the wooded pathways and the beach. Additional #LoveAmelia hot spots: • The Palace Saloon (located in Historic Downtown) is the longest running bar in the state of Florida. They have live music most nights. • The island boasts four state parks. • Amelia Island is a hotspot for beer lovers. You will find taverns and pubs sprinkled all throughout the island. Favorites like First Love Brewery, Amelia Island Tavern and Mocoma Beer Company (which also has a great coffee bar).
This enchanting Victorian seaport village provides the idyllic backdrop for an East Coast beach excursion that can be both thrilling and relaxing. The small-town setting (think Hallmark movie), with a surprising number of permanent residents, will pull you in whether you choose to dance the night away to the live music on every corner, curl up on the beach with a great book or cuddle up at a quiet inn.
Marika Flatt, Outstanding Austin Communicator 2021, is the travel editor of Texas Lifestyle Magazine. She can be seen on TV shows across Texas, offering travel tips, in addition to her long-running “Weekend Trip Tip” on NPR’s Texas Standard. A lover of all things travel, pretty running trails and good coffee, Analise Flatt is a junior at Stephen F. Austin State University studying mass communications with a minor in travel and tourism. Check out her Instagram to stay updated on her latest travel adventures.
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HER ROUTINE
GETTING THE RIGHT ANGLE A glimpse into the other side of the lense of a food photographer. BY DAWN WESTON
Ashleigh Amoroso knew she wanted to be a photographer
AA: For me, it was mostly all about the right place, right time. It was before social media. It was the height of food blogs. My photos weren’t good then, but I loved working with beautiful food and passionate chefs. There was so much joy and fun. Instagram came out shortly after and a whole world opened up where you didn’t have to have an agent to work with big brands. I was working at a corporate job and wasn’t sure what it looked like, but I decided to take the leap. That was six years ago. AW: What is it that you love about food photography? AA: Food is a universal language across cultures and borders. It brings all different types of people together. Everyone has a story about food.
Photos courtesy of Ashleigh Amoroso.
but never saw herself taking a traditional path to become one. Instead, while she was in school she began apprenticing for a wedding photographer. So when she moved to Austin in 2008, she knew one thing: She didn’t want to shoot weddings. Amoroso took some time at her studio downtown to chat more about how her career in food photography came about.
AW: How did you get into food photography?
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AW: Can you talk a bit about your new studio? AA: I had been looking for the right space for a really long time. I was tired of expensive rentals and bare-bones spaces. The goal was to create a studio where I or someone else could lean in and focus on their creativity. I was about to sign a lease on this cool historic loft apartment in Elgin, and then I heard about a beautiful old space downtown coming up and immediately went to see it. Within 24 hours I had signed the lease. I had big plans and wanted to move fast, but then the pandemic began and it took months to get it up and running. Now the kitchen space is done, and I have been shooting and also renting it out to “kitchen creatives” or for portrait studio space. AW: What is your typical non-shoot day like? AA: I’m a mom, so it usually starts early—[with] someone peeling back my eyelids—and getting ready for school. We head out to daycare drop-off, and then I’m off to the studio, arriving to tackle admin work, answering emails and working on invoicing. There is also coordinating with my team on edits or production planning for the next shoot. The production schedule is intricate because you have to plan based on lots of details like how long the food will look good. These days it’s also managing studio rentals, promoting and providing information space. AW: Who are some of your larger commercial clients? AA: Freebirds, Patron, Target, Delta—that was a crazy shoot. I was on the inaugural flight from Detroit to Tokyo, basically hung out in first class to shoot the food and the experience. AW: How did you snag Magnolia Table? AA: Honestly, the community [of food photographers] is pretty small, so once you do start to work with bigger brands, what happens is their PR agencies will add you to their roster and recommend you, and that is what happened. They called, liked my work and bam! AW: Any good Chip Gaines stories? AA: [On] one of my first days shooting with them, we were shooting the cooking show. Joanna was making lasagna and she was cracking eggs. Chip walked right in, picked up the bowl and drank it! I was laughing so hard that the camera was shaking.
ATXWOMAN.COM | 53
“” But when you open yourself up for the things that align, they do come. AW: Any advice for the aspiring food photographer? AA: In general, photography and the demand for digital imagery for brands these days is insatiable. There is room for everyone. And with food, there aren’t as many people in that space. Just go and start shooting your favorite bakery or restaurant and sharing your work. There are always smaller businesses that can use images, and you’ll get better along the way. When people ask me how to get a client like Magnolia, I tell them I sat down and dismantled what I thought I needed to do to get to that place. I wanted it, believed I could do it and tried to communicate and create community and connections. It’s terrifying. Especially when you start to say no to someone who doesn’t fit into that goal. Especially when time is money and now you have to turn this into a business and a profit. It’s scary. But when you open yourself up for the things that align, they do come.
What was your major in college? I studied political science, and yes, that’s when I was working alongside a wedding photographer. More Ashleigh Amoroso Studio clients:
Here are some of the people working behind the scenes as the core team of Ashleigh Amoroso Studio: • Executive producer + associate photographer • Digital tech • Food stylists • Retoucher • Agency for big bids, estimates and contracts
54 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JANUARY 2022
Photos courtesy of Ashleigh Amoroso.
One&Only Resort, Magnolia Table, and two Austin women-owned and -run businesses, Siete and Austin Baby Co.
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ATXWOMAN.COM | 55
WAITING ROOM
bit awkward, but Dr. Melissa Pintor Carnagey, founder of Sex Positive Families, knows they don’t have to be. BY MELISSA PINTOR CARNAGEY, LBSW, FOUNDER OF SEX POSITIVE FAMILIES Melissa Pintor Carnagey is a renowned sexuality educator, best-selling author and leading national voice for sex-positive education. Her work with Sex Positive Families has been featured in Huffington Post, Parents magazine, CNN, The New York Times, and reaches thousands of families around the globe via an engaged social media following and monthly live workshops. Sex Positive Families is guided by the belief that all children deserve holistic, comprehensive and shame-free sexuality education so they can live informed, empowered and safer lives. Carnagey is confident that work starts in homes.
Children have amazing curiosities, and it’s our job, as caring adults and parents, to create a brave space for their questions to land. But what happens when the thing they’re curious about relates to topics that are often considered taboo, like bodies, reproduction or sex? These topics are not inherently awkward, but sometimes in our homes and communities, we can make it feel that way by how we react. If we’ve hushed, winced, nervously laughed or flat-out avoided sexual health talks, children pick up on this early and they adapt. This can create a learned discomfort, which isn’t helpful when trying to raise informed, empowered and safer young people. The good news is that we have the opportunity to shift the taboos for our children. Knowledge is power, and we want young people to be really powerful. To help you on that path, here are five steps for navigating kids’ sexual health questions, without shame or taboo.
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1.
Don’t panic! How we react to a child’s curiosities can influence whether they continue to come to us. We want to get to a place where talking about bodies, identity, consent, relationships and sex is as normal as talking about the weather. Remember that any questions they bring your way are a positive sign that they see you as a safe space and trusted resource.
2️.
Respond in an affirming way. A great go-to response is, “That’s a great question! I’m so glad you asked.” Using affirming statements reassures a child that their curiosities are always welcomed, no matter the topic they bring to you. This is critical, especially when building the kind of trusted connection that makes them more likely to speak up if anything unsafe or concerning happens. Even in the face of the most seemingly “awkward” curiosities, you want to ensure they know that no topic is taboo.
3️.
Get curious, not investigative. So you’ve established with them that you appreciate their question. Now send a curiosity right back their way. Something like, “What have you heard about (topic/term)?” or “What do you think (topic/term) means?” Not only does this give you at least a few more seconds to gather your thoughts, but their response can offer more context that helps frame the information you offer next. It can also lead to you learning that their question was influenced by a concerning situation or experience that needs your follow-up. Try to avoid any accusatory or investigative questions that can cause a child to feel like they’re being punished or shamed. Steering away from questions that begin with “Why…” is one way to minimize this.
4️.
Fight the urge to run. You’re not on fire. If it feels like you are, that’s totally normal. Many of us did not grow up with open, shame-free sexual health talks, so it can feel harder to model something we didn’t experience. Take a breath. Remember this is a teachable moment. Avoiding it can send the message that asking these questions is not okay, which can shut the child down in the long run. You both have an opportunity for connection through this experience. It’s also totally okay to acknowledge any discomfort you’re feeling, if needed, so it isn’t interpreted incorrectly by your child.
5.
Answer the question. You’ve made it this far; now it’s time to give them what they came for using some considerations like their age, unique personality and the setting you’re in at the moment. If they’re old enough to ask, they’re old enough for an answer. The information you give to a 6-year-old will be different from a teen. Some kids love detail and deep dives while others lose interest quickly. Your response can be anything from simple to scientific to anecdotal. What you don’t know, you can look up together or let them know you will look into the answer and get back to them. Their questions could also be solved by checking out a book or resource on the topic together, sharing facts in fun ways. Keep in mind there is no one perfect answer or script when talking to your child. It’s the taboo-free connection that you foster that is most valuable. When it comes to answering our kids’ curiosities about sexual health topics, they don’t need us to be encyclopedias. They need us to be present, available and supportive as they’re navigating these very human things. Your responses lay the foundation of many talks ahead as they grow along their sexual health journey. For a list of resources visit sexpositivefamilies.com/resources.
Photo courtesy of Melissa Pintor Carnagey.
5 STEPS FOR ANSWERING KIDS’ SEXUAL HEALTH QUESTIONS Conversations about sex can be a
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RECIPE REVEAL
DECADENT SELF-CARE
A New Year’s treat you can enjoy all year-round. BY ALLIE JUSTIS
all year-round? Look no further than Boozy Ball Cookies out in New Braunfels. Kerry Christensen has been finding new ways to combine alcohol and cookies into treats that are sure to bring you an extra bit of joy this holiday season. With Boozy Ball Cookies’ flavors that bite back, like Margarita Tequila and Eggnog Rum, there are plenty of options that incorporate a variety of spirits and sweet treats. Christensen got the idea for this whirlwind venture after her husband retired from his 16-year career as a teacher. She thought it would be a wonderful idea to start a business with him that centered around their family’s favorite dessert, the bourbon ball. Using her grandmother’s old recipe as a jumping-off point, Christensen meticulously experimented with different alcohols and flavor combinations until she created the extensive menu of boozy ball cookies they have today. “I look at both drink ideas and cookie ideas to get my flavor combinations,” says Christensen. “So for instance, I would look at different kinds of cookies out there, and then try and decide what liquor would go best with them, but sometimes I do that process in reverse too.” While Christensen says that her favorite cookies change with the seasons, right now her front-runners are the Maple Walnut Bourbon Boozy Ball and the recipe she chose to reveal today, the Espresso Coffee Liqueur Boozy Ball Blast. This espresso surprise is a bit more decadent than their usual cookie selection, utilizing both Jamaican rum and pecans to highlight those tangy espresso flavors. While the name might make the recipe seem a bit intimidating to busy moms, Christensen says that she’s made the process very easy to follow so that people can relax and enjoy themselves with this delicious dessert after the holidays. “As most people know, it’s always important to take care of yourself so that you can take care of others. For moms, this is especially true,” says Christensen. “If you don’t have anything left to draw from, then you don’t have anything to give to other people either. So make sure to take care of yourself so that you can take care of others.”
58 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JANUARY 2022
Photo courtesy of Kerry Christensen.
Want to treat yourself to a New Year’s dessert that’s good
ESPRESSO COFFEE LIQUEUR BOOZY BALL BLAST:
Other Ingredients Needed:
Quick and easy, this decadent and boozy treat will be sure to delight the coffee lover in you. With Boozy Ball Cookies’ very own Espresso Liqueur Boozy Ball Cookies taking center stage, you’ll want to savor every bite! Best served cold. (Purchase the cookies from their shop in New Braunfels, located at 50 Ridge Run.)
1 dozen Espresso Coffee Liqueur Boozy Ball Cookies, roughly chopped to pea-sized pieces 1/3 cup caramel sauce 2 cups whipped topping 1/2 cup roasted pecans, chopped
Crust Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups (about 6 ounces) crushed vanilla wafer cookies
4 tablespoon chocolate sauce (for drizzle) Sea salt, to taste
2 tablespoons sugar 5 tablespoons butter, melted
Cooking Directions:
Filling Ingredients:
Preheat oven to 350°. To form the crust, combine cookie crumbs and sugar; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom of a greased 13” x 9” baking dish. Bake until set, about 8 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
1 package (5.1 ounces) vanilla instant pudding mix
1 teaspoon espresso powder
To prepare filling, combine pudding mix with milk, espresso powder, instant coffee, cinnamon and rum. Mix until incorporated. Fold in whipped topping.
1 teaspoon instant coffee
Pour filling on top of cooled crust, refrigerate for 1 hour.
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Top with chopped up Boozy Balls. Drizzle caramel sauce. Top with whipped topping. Sprinkle with chopped pecans. Drizzle with chocolate sauce. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt.
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup rum 1 cup whipped topping
Refrigerate for 2 hours, then serve!
ATXWOMAN.COM | 59
MOM TO MANY
Liza Wilson Business: Toybrary Austin Founded in: 2013 Toybrary Austin was created to provide a positive, clean, welcoming environment in which children, parents and teachers can interact and learn.
Liza Wilson isn’t what you’d call a traditional mother. However, not having any children of her own doesn’t make her any less of a formidable mother figure. For nearly 30 years, she’s helped rear hundreds if not thousands of little ones outside the home. She’s been something of a surrogate mom to many, helping engage children’s imaginations for almost a decade with her business, Toybrary Austin. With a major in English and a minor in French from Rhodes College in Memphis, Wilson found a love of teaching young children from the moment she observed a preschool French class as a student teacher. “That’s when I fell in love with language learning at a very young age,” she says. “I’m still a huge proponent of that. Even as a teenager I was drawn to [children], and they were drawn to me,” she admits. “My mom calls me the Pied Piper.” Soon Wilson went from observing to taking the reins herself. She taught French at a foreign language elementary school in Little Rock, Arkansas, for three years, then moved to Austin to pursue her master’s in foreign language education. “I started working for Holt, Rinehart, Winston in the French Department, then taught at Austin’s French Montessori School (now Austin International School) and became the director,” she reveals. “After a few years there, I started working as a consultant for Head Start. I then taught French at the Khabele School before founding Toybrary Austin.” Wilson admits to never having aspirations of opening her own business. “I always thought I would be terrible at it.” But a chance visit to another toy library changed her perspective. She’s now eight years strong with her own take on the toy library concept. As a woman and a mother figure to many, and with nearly three decades of working in education behind her, she certainly has a unique perspective on childhood education and childcare. “I think everything about playing with toys needs to be reconsidered,” she says. “Most kids have so many toys they can’t see straight. Research
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shows that kids are only able to focus on and engage with seven toys at a time. What does that mean? A major clean out of your playroom, saving only your kids’ favorite toys. If that ends up to be more than seven, put the rest away in a closet. When the kids tire of playing with those seven, rotate with seven more from the closet. “Observe what they do,” she continues. “Research also shows that with fewer toys, children concentrate better and play with each toy longer. This is what we want. More exploration, more creativity equals more brain connections. We know that the years between 0 to 5 are when children’s brains are developing the most. It is crucial that they are not bombarded with too much input (toys) at these ages, but it’s also critical that they are exposed to lots of different materials in order to continue to grow and learn.” Wilson is also a huge proponent of classic wooden toys sans the busyness of lights and sounds, and not just for the peace factor. “They are much better for the environment, as they can be passed down from generation to generation,” she says. “It’s such a sweet tradition too. Plastic toys break quickly and go straight into the landfill, and no one wants that. It’s also much better developmentally for children to make their toys active (talk, move, etc.) rather than passively watching them beep and squeak. Better on parents’ nerves as well.” Wilson wouldn’t be where she is now, wouldn’t have the connection to children she’s had for three decades if it weren’t for the women in her life who were able to guide her early on in her career. “I watched what they did that worked and tried to do it myself,” she says. “Always using a calm voice and speaking to kids with respect. I also hold firm boundaries and always follow through with logical consequences. Don’t ask a child to do something three times, and don’t count to 10. Ask once, and if they fail to comply, implement what you have told them the consequence will be. If a child is 3 years old, then three minutes in timeout is appropriate, and so on. If they made a mess, they need to clean it up. They are more than capable of using child-size brooms and mops, and they actually love it.”
Photos by John Kniss.
toybraryaustin.com
Find out more about Liza Wilson and Toybrary Austin at: @toybraryaustin @toybraryaustin
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I AM AUSTIN WOMAN
A CHICK ON A MISSION
Founder of The Chick Mission and three-time cancer survivor Amanda Rice advocates for every woman diagnosed with cancer to protect their fertility.
With the newfound flexibility the pandemic prompted, I eagerly made the move to Austin in 2020. Along with my packed bags, I brought my excitement. I looked forward to planting roots in a place I’d fondly frequented. People here have been kind, easy to strike up conversations with. Better yet, everyone I’ve met has been passionate, interesting through being so devotedly interested in something. Living here has been inspiring; the city has both embraced me and challenged me to move in new directions. Austin pushes innovative ideas, celebrating those who won’t take no for an answer. I certainly fall in the latter group when it comes to spreading the word about the injustices surrounding the intersection of cancer and fertility, two topics that are much too common to not be discussed more in-depth. As a three-time cancer survivor, I spend the hours outside of my Wall Street career advocating for the fertility benefits of female cancer patients. I want everyone diagnosed with cancer to have the option of starting their own biological family. Unfortunately, there’s not the support from legislation, medical professionals or insurance companies for that reality. At least, not yet. I first heard the words “You have cancer” in 2014. I was in my early 30s, living a life I’d worked hard to build in Manhattan. As someone who’s always on the move and eager to connect with others, the stagnation the diagnosis prompted was temporary. I needed to rally around this new reality as much as possible. As I navigated these unchartered waters, I was forced to build the foundation of my new network. This team looked a bit different than my Sunday brunch crew; this one dressed in scrubs, raising not a mimosa, but a stethoscope to listen to my heartbeat and try to reassure me that everything was going to be okay. Diagnosed with breast cancer, I was encouraged to undergo chemotherapy, radiation and long-term drug therapy. Among the number of potential side effects outlined to me, one was the high likelihood of my eggs being damaged. How could I have known killing cancer would also mean diminishing my shot at becoming a mother, until I was faced with having only a matter of days to make the choice? While mentally and physically overwhelmed, I was grateful to be in a position where I had access to top-notch health insurance and fertility benefits. I contacted my insurance company and discussed the cost of egg freezing. (As a woman, fertility preservation starts at $15,000 and goes up to $20,000, plus annual storage fees). They denied coverage deeming it an elective surgery. I was told I needed to try to get pregnant on my own for six months before I could receive any support from insurance. 64 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JANUARY 2022
Who elects to have cancer! Preposterous. If I waited weeks (let alone months) to begin chemo to preserve my fertility, who knows where the cancer would spread. So I took matters into my own hands. I paid out-of-pocket for egg freezing, feeling unbelievably fortunate to have had a “rainy day” fund to tap into. But through the overwhelming fog, I wondered about other, potentially even younger women who face these issues. Particularly when they don’t have access to the funds. Through my confusion and pain, I started doing research. I learned that because they are unable to cover the cost, many cancer patients opt for less potent forms of treatment, in hopes of preserving their fertility. I also discovered that many doctors don’t give their patients all the information regarding the side effects of cancer treatments. To make matters worse, at the time of my diagnosis, there wasn’t any legislation to give cancer patients fertility benefits to cover these costs. This broke my heart. The pain and frustration I experienced during my first diagnosis—and twice more later on—led to the founding of The Chick Mission. Our organization educates, advocates on behalf of cancer patients and supports those newly diagnosed seeking to preserve their fertility ahead of life-saving treatment that will render them infertile. Since 2019, we have proudly helped nearly 200 women across the country preserve their fertility. Even more exciting, we have helped two cancer survivors become mothers. With over 2,000 eggs frozen as a result of our grants program, there are many more mothers to come. Almost everyone is impacted by cancer, even if the diagnosis is not theirs—be it a friend, loved one or role model, there are almost no degrees of separation when it comes to this disease. There is still not enough discussion around it and as a result, not enough change. We’re here to help. Beyond providing scholarships to cover the cost of egg freezing for cancer patients and advocating for laws that provide this coverage, above all else, The Chick Mission is a community. Creating a space that provides support for cancer patients and giving them the chance to become mothers has truly been my greatest accomplishment. Meeting the women the organization has helped—via FaceTime, a shared coffee or a surprise run-in at a gala—never gets old. I’m constantly inspired by their stories and their resiliency. When I learn I’ve been able to play a small role in their happiness, I’m grateful. But I’m even more grateful for the shared, unspoken bond we have. These women keep me going. It takes a village. I’m hoping my new village in Austin will rally behind what we’re trying to achieve in Texas and beyond.
Photo courtesy of Amanda Rice.
BY AMANDA RICE
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