Union County Weekly May 26, 2023 (partial)

Friday,

Throughout this edition, you''ll find profiles on the 50 Most Dynamic Women of our region.

Pushing forward

Bukolt powers through early challenge, 2A

50 Most DYNAMIC Women in the Charlotte Region

LAUREN WIDRICK Grab Life by the Goals

Lauren Widrick’s company, Grab Life by the Goals in Fort Mill, provides clients the support they need from her Goals Squad to live the lives they want or grow their businesses.

Emerging stronger Allen finds purpose after losing loved ones, 3A

Widrick can speak from experience about doing things she once thought were impossible, such as performing standup comedy and speaking in front of hundreds of people. She left a career in investment banking to let her “freak ag” out.

“As a suburban mom and successful business owner, I'm not 'supposed' to make dirty jokes, wear certain clothes, talk about money or drop F-bombs on stage,” Widrick said. “However, I have embraced the risks and rewards of authenticity.”

Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenwidrick

Inspiring others

Dean empowers other women through work, 3A

Spotlight Performing Arts Academy

Angela Gordon Mills considers giving children a space that is safe and welcoming through Spotlight Performing Arts Academy in Mint Hill to be her biggest personal accomplishment. She serves as the owner and executive director of the academy.

“Without being emotionally affected by all that Spotlight does, we would not continue to exist,” Gordon Mills said. “Spotlight is more than my job, it is my ministry. We have created a family for our students and a place where everyone can feel they belong.”

She launched Spotlight Community Theatre as a nonpro t part of the academy in 2022. It aims to give children greater access to a community that allows them to grow as artists.

COREY BRAUSCH HURLEY

Seven Willows

ANNETTE SMITH

Mint Hill Co ee and Social House

Annette Smith used skills gained from more than 20 years in corporate America to craft a great co ee company. e business has been building quite the buzz since 2017, including being voted Best Co ee by the readers of MatthewsMint Hill Weekly in 2021 and 2022.

Smith enjoys mentoring other entrepreneurs. She is a member of the Mint Hill Women’s Club, Women Owned Business Club and Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce. She also supports diversity, equality and inclusion efforts.

“One of our popular co ee blends is the PRIDE blend that was created to donate a percentage of pro ts to Time Out Youth Charlotte,” Smith said.

Corey Brausch Hurley grew up with a knack for social media, splicing home videos into music videos. e Winthrop University alum now helps others harness the reach of social media through her six- gure company.

“We want to be seen as the authority in the eld showing you that social media can feel good if you approach them with the right mindset and strategy,” Brausch Hurley said. “We encourage clients to think about their approach to social media, and how their intentions and mindset a ect the outcome.”

Mindset is important to Brausch Hurley as she studies to become an herbalist. She already is certi ed in yoga and Reiki techniques.

DEESE

Town of Indian Trail

Brandi Deese remembers when she was younger how her dad was frustrated with the government. roughout her career, including her time as planning director with the Town of Indian Trail, Deese has worked to change the reputation of government. She has helped improve government’s responsiveness in Indian Trail as well as previous stops in Pensacola, Florida and Laurinburg, N.C.

“Government can and should be efficient and responsive,” Deese said. “Changing the culture of a government department can be risky and extremely challenging, but for me, I cannot ethically sit back and accept the status quo.”

ELIZABETH DEL ROSARIO

Creative Share Group

Elizabeth Del Rosario launched Creative Share Group to provide employment opportunities for creatives. e company connects the community to creatives specializing in festival art, body painting, costumed characters, photography and other art forms.

“I believe the ‘starving artist’ is an antiquated idea and the work of creatives should be valued and compensated,” Del Rosario said. “Our company represents the talents of our artists and we are very proud of the quality of work we provide for all of our clients.”

e “art-preneur” draws inspiration from her mother when it comes to balancing work, homeschooling two children and being a supportive wife.

ANGELA GORDON MILLS

BRANDI

JAYME DIEHL

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“ is is where I discovered a renewed re and passion for education,” she said. “Working directly with students again reminded me why I fell in love with teaching. e challenges and variety that come with working with di erent grade levels have me excited about learning new strategies and teaching techniques."

She started Smart Diehl Academy, which offers after-school tutoring, homeschool teaching and supplemental and enrichment classes to students in pre-kindergarten through ninth grade.

JENI BUKOLT

HAVEN Creative

Jeni Bukolt launched HAVEN Creative with the hopes of putting her son through daycare while giving herself a creative outlet.

Despite some pushback with one early branding campaign, Bukolt pushed forward to help other communities like Gaston County, Maiden, Marshville and Newtown, Connecticut reach their goals through award-winning work.

Bukolt now pays it forward through her involvement in the Entrepreneur Organization Charlotte Chapter. She partially funded a scholarship to help women and minority entrepreneurs.

“I couldn’t envision growing a business as a possibility because I didn’t have a successful role model who looked like me,” she said. “Without my rst business mentor to teach me the tools to succeed, I would never have tried.”

Dates to Remember

Victory in Europe Day, generally known as VE Day (United Kingdom) or V-E Day (North America), is a day celebrating the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender of its armed forces on 8 May 1945.

The instrument of surrender signed 7 May 1945 stipulated that all hostilities must cease at 23:01 (CET), 8 May 1945, just an hour before midnight. Since that time would be already 9 May in the USSR, most Soviet states including Russia celebrated Victory Day on 9 May.

On Aug. 31, 1949, Defense Secretary Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the armed forces under one agency -- the Department of Defense. Armed Forces Day is celebrated the third Saturday in May.

Other Important Days in May

The red poppy is a nationally recognized symbol of sacrifice worn by Americans since World War I to honor those who served and died for our country in all wars. It reminds Americans of the sacrifices made by our veterans while protecting our freedoms. Wear a poppy to honor those who have worn our nation’s uniform. Poppy donations are used for programs that support veterans, the military community and their families. Poppies are offered through the American Legion Auxiliary

Memorial Day is a somber holiday dedicated to honor military fallen, with a special focus on those killed during military service or through enemy contact. It was first commemorated on May 30, 1868 at the Arlington National Cemetery by future president James A. Garfield with these words:

“We do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke, but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, made immortal their patriotism and their virtue”

In 1971, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act and established that Memorial Day was to be commemorated on the last Monday of May.

Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week is an observance in the United States that pays tribute to the local, state, and federal peace officers who have died, or who have been disabled, in National Day of Prayer May 4, 2023 Peace Officers Memorial Day May 15, 2023 MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY Monday, May 29, 2023 11:00 AM Stumptown Park 120 S. Trade St. Matthews, NC 28105

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JENNY MELROSE

Podcaster

Jenny Melrose replaced a New York teaching salary with a food blog. She uses her knowledge of content, email marketing and social media to show women how to market themselves.

Her “In uencer Entrepreneur Podcast” has logged more than 300,000 downloads. Recent episodes include "Biggest Mistakes In uencers Make When Working With Brands" and "Business Elevator Pitch."

“It is my mission to show as many young girls that women can run strong and thriving businesses by helping my clients create that for themselves and their families,” Melrose said.

Wingate University

Wingate University recognized professor Lavette Shirley Elee this year as the faculty winner of the MLK Award for establishing a diversity, equity and inclusion committee and promoting physician assistant careers to students of color.

“I had the opportunity to develop a mentorship program to help bridge the gap in the PA profession for those who have been historically marginalized,” she said “ e program connects prePA students with current PAs and alums.”

Her efforts go beyond the university. She writes children's books that make visits to the doctor’s o ce more relatable and co-hosts a podcast called “Medicine as a Second Language.”

Matthews Athletic Recreation Association

Monique Brooks’ work as sponsorship director has helped Matthews Athletic Recreation Association reach new heights. The Matthews Chamber of Commerce recognized MARA as Nonpro t of the Year in 2021.

Brooks works speci cally in growing relationships and sponsorships at MARA.

“I have absolutely enjoyed my commitment to the restarting of the Bambino Baseball program for children living with special needs,” she said. “I care deeply for every player, family, volunteer and sponsor that is involved with the program. It has changed my life.”

Brooks has also been involved with the Boy Scouts of America for more than 13 years, helping two sons and others achieve the Eagle Scout rank.

SHAREE ALLEN

Mint to Be of the Carolinas

Within a year, Sharee Allen mourned the loss of her father and the loss of her marriage. e mother of two credits God and an incredible tribe with coming out of these experiences. As executive director for Mint To Be of the Carolinas, Allen helps mothers going through challenging transitions in their lives.

“I have never felt so free and understanding that there was purpose in everything that I experienced,” Allen said. “Being able to serve the mothers of our community through advocacy, counseling and education – there is no greater feeling than being able to reach back and help another mother overcome an obstacle that she thought she couldn't do.”

STEPHANIE ROBINSON

ImageZ Salon & Spa

Stephanie Robinson has been a salon owner in her hometown of Indian Trail for 15 years.

Robinson, who owns ImageZ Salon & Spa, believes accepting people for who they genuinely are will enhance their lives and yours.

“I love getting to enhance people’s lives by having a career that I am passionate about,” Robinson said. “I get to be a ‘day-maker’ for so many people and interact with them and their families by adding positivity, a new look, a relaxing pampering experience and a smile.”

Robinson is a color educator and platform artist for REFerence of Sweden.

JESSICA TULLAR

Matthews Chamber of Commerce

Jessica Tullar enjoys offering new programs and community events through her role as executive director for the Matthews Chamber of Commerce. She hopes the chamber grows to become a voice for small businesses and provide resources for their success.

“Supporting our community, supporting our business owners and being at the center of networking, relationship-building, advocacy and helping businesses thrive is signi cant in itself,” Tullar said. “We all win when we work together, and that's one of the joys that come from this profession.”

She is also involved in the Rotary Club of Matthews as well as schools. Tuller and her husband of 10 years have four children.

LESLIE ELLIS

Meaningful Change Consulting

Leslie Ellis had to be determined and resilient to build a business after being laid off. She turned the experience into an opportunity for learning, growth and success.

“I married the love of my life, Brett, in 2020. In a short time, we successfully weathered becoming work-from-home co-workers through the pandemic, a cancer diagnosis and the loss of two of our pets. I believe we are still together because of our ability to adapt and exercise other resilience muscles like pros.”

She now owns two businesses that allow her to be creative and take calculated risks.

Sophrosyne Wellness

Rosanny Crumpton left a full-time job in 2021 to pursue her side hustle as a fulltime business venture.

Crumpton described the jump toward entrepreneurship as extremely challenging to her spirit. She has worked hard to rebrand herself as a health and wellness coach after years of being known as a social worker and writer.

Sophrosyne Wellness has formed partnerships with clinics, organizations and other stakeholders, and Crumpton became a National Board Certi ed Health & Wellness Coach.

She also gives back to the community through her involvement with the Mint Hill Women’s Club as well as health coaching at the Matthews Free Medical Clinic.

SHARON L. ALLEN

H&S erapeutic Services

Sharon L. Allen believes that education is important to advancing one’s career. Allen works as agency director for H&S Therapeutic Services, which provides home health care in ve counties. She has sought to build on her expertise by attending Harvard Business School to obtain a certi cate in business management.

Allen is active in the Mint Hill Women’s Club and Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce. She serves as vice president of the chamber’s board of directors.

She does all this to set an example for her children.

“It's important that they have people in their lives they look up to,” Allen said.

SUMMER BARUTH

AECOM

Summer Baruth works as head of global employer brand and talent attraction at AECOM. She led the global team through the development of the company's employee engagement, value proposition and talent attraction strategies. “ is initiative involved pushing our company to go in a new direction and develop a more localized content strategy that allowed employees and candidates to feel seen and understood,” Baruth said. “Helping others feel seen is something I strive for as my personal mission and being able to align it to our company goals has been more than I could imagine.”

She considers her core value to embrace life and all of its opportunities.

Next Conversation Coaching, LLC

As CEO of Next Conversation Coaching, Kristy Busija taps into her superpowers of making sense out of chaos to help clients move forward.

She also helps teams work better together, create a culture that drives innovation, add depth to their employment roster, and measure and track sustainable results.

“I strongly believe that everyone deserves to feel valued, heard and respected in their own way and for who they are,” she said. “Many times, people come to me and ask me what to change, to which I respond, "Nothing. You aren't broken and you don't need to be xed.”

Healthy Phit Physical erapy and Wellness Consultants

Dr. Lisa Folden has helped thousands of people recover from injury and hundreds repair their relationships with their bodies and food. She was even featured in Oprah Magazine in 2018 for contributing to an article on self-care.

"I believe one thing that sets me apart in some ways is that I have a very keen sense of who I am,” Folden said. “Not just now at the age of 41, but even when I was a child. Obviously, things have changed, goals have shifted and I have evolved in many ways as a person since my childhood. But in any given stage of my life, I have always been very con dent in knowing who I am, and what my true purpose is.”

SABRINA WINTERS

Sabrina Winters Attorney At Law, PLLC

Sabrina Winters has created a welcoming environment where clients can talk to an attorney about estate planning and probate services. She saw first-hand how important end-of-life decisions can a ect loved ones if not planned out in advance. roughout her nearly 20 years in elder law, Winters has been included in Excellence in Estate Planning by Lawyers of Distinction, Top 10 Estate Planning Attorneys by Attorney and Practice Magazine, and 10 Best Attorneys by the American Institute of Legal Counsel Business Leaders also included her in its list of Top 50 Entrepreneurs 2012.

SHEREESE FLOYD

Witness My Life

Shereese Floyd owns Witness My Life, a people and culture rm that partners with corporations and universities to create and implement women’s leadership programs. Floyd champions women’s stories.

“I am on a mission to stand alongside women as they stop auditioning for their value, own their stories and get paid for their ideas, not their labor – so their contributions are recognized and compensated accordingly,” Floyd said.

She launched a T-shirt line last year called MemoirWear in Charlotte. ese shirts serve as a story prompt to allow women to express themselves.

“Our stories are the fastest way to break the glass,” Floyd said.

Creative Share Group

Teah Burse is working to bring more awareness to multiple sclerosis in hopes of nding a cure for the disease that a ects the brain and spinal cord.

“After being diagnosed with MS late last year, I have learned so much about perseverance and determination,” Burse said. “I have strengthened my faith in God, which has given me hope and the courage to share my story with others who have similar struggles.”

She credits her family, friends and the congregation at New City Church for their in uence on her life. She is committed to her family, including a husband of 10 years and three children as well as growing Creative Share Group in Indian Trail.

KRISTY SPRUILL

Mt. Moriah Child Development Center

Kristy Spruill serves as director of the Mt. Moriah Child Development Center in Matthews. She is proud to have helped Mt. Moriah become a five-star child care center from the N.C. Division of Child Development and Early Education.

She considers her parents, the Revs. Larry Whitley and Chris Latham Whitley, as her biggest in uences. ey have supported her with everything from graduating from college to becoming a wife and mother to four daughters.

“ ey have taught me no matter what to treat people with kindness and believe and trust God,” Spruill said. “If you keep God rst, all things are possible.”

e Dean's List

Meredith Dean has had an interest in branding ever since the days of customized MySpace pro les. As a digital branding and career consultant, she has worked with high-profile clients in journalism, professional sports and television.

She moved to Charlotte to work as the manager and on-air personality at Ryan Seacrest Studios at Levine Children's Hospital.

Dean believes in nding the positive and empowering everyone.

She donates a percentage from every branding package to empowering women and alleviating poverty in Western Kenya. She donated a girls’ dormitory in Western Kenya and takes groups every year to the country to support the e orts in building girls’ schools, clinics and clean wells.

Lanti Performing Arts

Sarah Lantigua has created a positive environment where budding actors can flourish at Lanti Performing Arts.

The performing arts studio has won awards through Union County Weekly, Charlotte Magazine and Macaroni KID for its approach to growth.

She uses a “never give up attitude” not just with running a business but also with working on her marriage of 23 years, raising a family, homeschooling and taking on new challenges.

“ e journey has not always been pretty and, to be honest, some days I nd myself just limping to the nish line,” Lantigua said, “but on those days that’s all any of us can do. Just keep going.”

SOS Union County

Stacey Swanson said it gave her great satisfaction to stand up as a representative for parents concerned about Union County Public Schools. She encouraged dozens of parents to nd the courage to speak up as well.

“I've found many people need to see true advocacy work in action before taking the plunge,” she said. “ at is where I feel my strengths shine: Speaking truth to what an issue is, and then encouraging others to do the same.”

She has coordinated more than 100 people for community activities such as sending valentines to UCPS sta and partnering with nonpro ts like Common Heart, Union County Christmas Bureau, Union County Democratic Party and the NAACP.

WHITLEIGH COOK

Mint Hill Dance Center

Whitleigh Cook welcomes more students each year to Mint Hill Dance Center. Class enrollment and interest in competitive teams continue to grow as the center went from a one-room studio to triple the space.

“My philosophy is that not every dancer who comes through our doors will be a professional dancer, but they will be a part of our society,” Cook said. “ rough dance, we hope to instill many character traits that will last long after a student's dance experience.”

Her dance students are active in the community, pitching in to help organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Second Harvest Food Bank.

ROSANNY CRUMPTON

LAVETTE SHIRLEY ELEE

MONIQUE BROOKS

TEAH BURSE

KRISTY BUSIJA

LISA FOLDEN

MEREDITH DEAN

SARAH LANTIGUA

STACEY SWANSON

MOST DYNAMIC WOMEN 50

IN THE CHARLOTTE REGION

ALISHA DEBERRY

Platinum Group Realty

Alisha DeBerry operates on the premise set by Les Brown: “It’s better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one; than to have an opportunity and not be prepared.” is mantra as well as her core values of integrity and excellence have helped her as a wife, mother, business owner and community leader.

“ e best thing about the various aspects of who I am is that I’m graced to walk through every open door and whatever I set forth in my mind, heart and soul does prosper,” she said. “I realize success is a very personal thing.”

Some of her biggest achievements are marrying her best friend and opening and owning a real estate school.

PAGE FEHLING

Author/speaker/trainer

Many people may recognize Page Fehling from years of anchoring the morning news in Charlotte or Raleigh.

She left a 20-year career in television in 2021 to start a new chapter and the move has paid o . Fehling and her husband, Jake, co-host the “Date Night with Jake and Page” podcast and are co-authors of the book, “Holy Crap, We’re Pregnant.”

She is also known for emceeing some of the largest nonpro t fundraising events in the region for groups like the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Me Fine Foundation, Band Together NC, Pink Boots Society and South Charlotte Dog Rescue.

ALISHA DEBERRY

AMANDA JONES

ANGELA GORDON MILLS

ANGIE MULLER

ANNE T. LYNN

ANNETTE SMITH

ARLETTE GUERRA DE HURTADO

BRANDI DEESE

CHRIS WHITLEY

COREY BRAUSCH HURLEY

ELI BAKER

ELISE GATLIFF

ELIZABETH COLEN

ELIZABETH DEL ROSARIO-BAKER

ERICA BRYANT

JAYME DIEHL

JENI BUKOLT

JENNY MELROSE

JESSICA HELMS

JESSICA TULLAR

KARYL JONES

KRISTY BUSIJA

KRISTY SPRUILL

LAURA GALLANT

LAUREN WIDRICK

LAVETTE SHIRLEY ELEE

AMANDA PARRIS JONES

QCHydrate

After years of working as a registered nurse, Amanda Parris Jones set out last year to start a healthcare business.

QCHydrate helps clients feel better through IV infusions. Whether you need help relieving stress or feeling energized, she has a drip for it. e best part is that clients can schedule sessions in their homes or o ces.

Having grown up in a single-parent household, Jones sponsors families around the holidays.

“Whether it’s a smile, saying hello, paying it forward or any random act of kindness, you have the power to make someone’s day better,” Jones said. “Why wouldn’t we want to do that every day?”

SUZANNE WOLF

Abbey Rose Floral Artistry

Suzanne Wolf has been designing oral tokens of love, celebration and gratitude for more than 40 years.

Her work at Abbey Rose Floral Artistry in Mint Hill has been featured in Carolina Bride, e Knot and Martha Stewart Weddings.

Her passion for owers grew from memories of her father taking her to the orist to pick out a surprise for mom. She worked at a orist shop and took oral design classes before opening the shop in 1982.

Her daughter has taken up the family business. Wolf describes the mother-daughter dynamic as “a true, dedicated partnership built on respect for each other and for the oral industry.”

LESLIE ELLIS

LISA FOLDEN

MEREDITH DEAN

MONIQUE BROOKS

MORGAN SCHLAFLY

OHAVIA PHILLIPS

PAGE FEHLING

RILEY HOVICK

ROSANNY CRUMPTON

SABRINA WINTERS

SANDRA WEBBER

SARAH LANTIGUA

SHANNON EVANS

SHAREE ALLEN

SHARON L. ALLEN

SHEREESE FLOYD

STACEY SWANSON

STEPHANIE ROBINSON

SUMMER BARUTH

SUZANNE WAINWRIGHT

SUZANNE WOLF

TEAH BURSE

TIFFANY KEATON

WHITLEIGH COOK

Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce

Jessica Helms launched the Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce one week before the economy shut down due to COVID-19. She and her co-founder held virtual meetings weekly during the pandemic so member small businesses could share information and resources.

Helms faced another major setback in 2022. She was diagnosed with breast cancer. Connections she made personally and professionally powered Helms through her victory over cancer.

“As I look forward to the future and all the exciting possibilities it holds, I feel con dent and empowered knowing that I have already faced one of life’s greatest challenges and emerged on the other side with a newfound sense of strength and resilience.”

Tip Jones Global

Ti any Keaton helps women-owned businesses thrive thanks to the expertise gained from starting several successful companies over 25 years, including a dance school, natural hair company, custom apparel line and online magazine.

Keaton, who owns the Tip Jones Global marketing and consulting rm, has a wide range of experiences, from overcoming negative thoughts to interviewing Maya Angelou for the cover of POSE Magazine.

“I want to be remembered for helping others do what they once believed they couldn’t,” Keaton said. “I want my children to remember me as a supportive, loving, honest parent who set an example they can be proud of.”

JESSICA HELMS

TIFFANY KEATON