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The Lake Norman area is home to many powerhouse female business leaders in a variety of fields. From medical care for you, your families, or your pets, employment services, banking professionals, interior designers and home stagers, these woman have so much to offer. We know you’ll be inspired to support them once you read their stories.

Dr. Nancy Astle, Dr. Euphemia Mu, and Dr. Nicole Seminara Piedmont Plastic Surgery & Dermatology

www.ppsd.com Huntersville Office 13539 Reese Blvd W., Huntersville | 704.892.4878

Denver Office 7476 Waterside Loop Road #600 Denver | 704.601.4381

Dr. Astle’s Story

After finishing our training in dermatology in the early 1990s, my husband and I researched areas with a strong medical community and a family-oriented city where we would enjoy raising our daughters. While we felt sure we had found what we were looking for in Charlotte, we still felt like we were taking a leap of faith when we purchased a retiring dermatologist’s practice in Gastonia and within a few months started our own practice in Cornelius. It was a lot of work establishing and running two practices, but over time we were rewarded with loyal patients many of whom we came to admire as we learned about their lives and families. My husband and I shared the responsibilities of the practice learning what each of us was best at administratively and maximizing those strengths for the benefit of the practice and our employees. Running a medical practice changed over the years as we transitioned to electronic medical records, HIPPA, and increasing regulations. Through it all, we adapted and continued to enjoy our independent practice. While it was challenging to continue the practice on my own once my husband passed, I did have an intimate knowledge of the practice and loyal staff that allowed me to stay as a solo practitioner so I could maintain a work/life balance that allowed me to care for my daughters on my own. Four years ago, I was approached by Piedmont Plastic Surgery and Dermatology to join their organization. This merger has allowed me to relinquish the day-to-day responsibilities of running a practice while I continue to enjoy seeing my patients and practicing general dermatology. I know my patients are very appreciative of the access to inhouse dermatologic surgery along with cosmetic and aesthetic procedures. Our patients, the physicians and our staff are thrilled with our recent move to the new state of the art dermatology facility in the Huntersville business park.

Dr. Astle Medical School – University of Alberta, Canada Residency – University of Michigan

Dr. Mu’s Story

Our skin makes us uniquely human, connecting us to the world around us. In the same way, we aim to practice dermatology in a way that connects our patients with the surrounding community. Growing up in North Carolina, I knew this is where I wanted to build my career and my family after finishing training. Within dermatology, I chose to specialize in Mohs micrographic surgery, which combines same-day pathology and surgery for the treatment of high-risk skin cancers. Each year, 5.4 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer, which far outnumbers all other cancers combined. It is our mission to find and remove skin cancers with the most effective and cosmetically sensitive techniques available.

The area offers a wealth of medical practice models. I found Piedmont Plastic Surgery and Dermatology (PPSD) the most ideal setting for diagnosing and treating skin cancers given the group practice’s multi-specialty collaborative approach. I joined PPSD in 2018 and have been grateful for the opportunity to help expand the Lake Norman offices. We have grown from two to six providers in dermatology and plastic surgery, recently opened a state-of-the-art surgical center and outpatient office in Huntersville and expanded our facilities and services in Denver. We each aim to work closely alongside family members, primary care physicians, medical specialists, and the local community to provide skin care in the context of all that makes us human.

Dr. Mu Medical School – Johns Hopkins University Residency – New York University

Dr. Seminara’s Story

Nicole Seminara, MD graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. While there she joined a leading psoriasis research lab where she authored numerous ground-breaking studies in psoriasis. She was awarded the Research Prize for Outstanding Research, the Moskowitz Prize for Excellence in Clinical Epidemiology, and the Memorial Prize in Dermatology for the greatest contribution to the department. After graduating she completed her medicine preliminary year at NYU followed by her dermatology residency at Stanford University. While at Stanford she was fortunate enough to train with world experts in dermatology and put those skills to use when she returned to NYU to join the dermatology faculty as an assistant professor.

While at NYU she served as the director and head instructor for the extremely successful dermatology basic science curriculum taught to every medical student graduating from NYU. She was very actively involved in the residency program and was voted “Teacher of the Year” by the dermatology residents. She has been invited to be a speaker at numerous national meetings as well as a guest lecturer at other medical schools and the NIH. She is a recurring guest host on the nationally broadcast Dermatology Show on Sirius XM Doctor Radio and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Fox News, Smithsonian Magazine, NY Daily News, Cosmopolitan magazine, and Vogue Business.

After five wonderful years at NYU she moved to Lake Norman to raise her young family and renew her love for rowing crew. She joined PPSD where her good friend, and former NYU colleague, Euphemia Mu had joined years prior.

Dr. Seminara Medical school – University of Pennsylvania Residency – Stanford University

Marcyne Touchton graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in fashion and apparel design. She’s always had a keen eye for detail and design trends. While most people who regularly view HGTV now know what home staging is, Marcyne Touchton, Principal Stager and Designer of Domaine Staging & Design trained with Barb Schwarz, Creator of Home Staging and founder of Stagedhomes.com, before the concept was mainstream. She was the first Master Stager® in the Carolinas, which is the highest designation in the home staging industry. Touchton spent the first five years of her business educating agents and homeowners on what staging was and why it is essential to selling a home.

Touchton has won several industry awards, including “Best of the Best” from the International Association of Home Staging Professionals, The Best of Staging Client Excellence Award and Staging Excellence Award. She is often a featured speaker at industry events and a regular expert for local news outlets. She’s been featured on WBTC and CBS News, among other places. In 2010, she was chosen as one of the in-house National Designers for Kirkland’s through the MyKirklands Designer Contest. The company selected her as one of six designers from a contest that included thousands of contestants.

Selling a home can be stressful, and home staging can be just one more line item in a long list of things that should be done to ensure your home presents at its very best. During the pandemic, when her staging services were forced to shut down, she found people calling her to do full design work, which she was already doing for home staging. It has been about 95 percent of her services up until now. Domaine Staging & Design offers full-service design, including remodeling and project management services, alongside Luxury Home Staging. The company is passionate about bringing value to your property, value to your experience, and value to the most cherished commodity of all, your time.

In her spare time, Touchton, who has lived in Cornelius for the past eight years, is passionate about assisting with organizations that helps with housing, so she can then, help furnish with old goods from her clients that are not taken by Goodwill/Habitat to be able to provide families with function and dignity to have a space they are proud of. She would love to partner with an organization such as Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity in providing used furniture items that are still in good condition to families in need. She has spent many summers scuba diving, and passed the baton to her children. Now that K-pop and all things Korean are getting more mainstream, she gets asked a lot to cook Korean food, and Korean BBQ is one of her favorites.

Marcyne Touchton Principal Stager and Designer of Domaine Staging & Design

704.998.1695 www.domainestaging.com

Kelly Cruz Owner and Designer at Kelly Cruz Interiors

From her freshman year at The Ohio State University, Kelly Cruz knew interior design was the right career path for her. She is now in her 26th year of being the owner and principal designer at Kelly Cruz Interiors.

Based in Lake Norman, the company offers space planning, architectural and interior and exterior selections for new remodeling. Kelly Cruz Interiors also provides furnishings to clients that are price-point appropriate to the value of a home in turn-key fashion. The firm begins many of these projects before construction or remodeling begins and assist with space planning and construction selections for the interior and exterior of the home. Ordering manufacturerdirect offers furniture pricing competitive with big-box discount stores, offering a thorough and complete design service to the high-end and luxury markets.

Cruz feels treating each project and client with respect is a core value that sets her apart from other competitors. “I treat the home with the respect I would give if it were my own and expect the same from my team members, vendors, or subcontractors. This starts with integrity in billing, and even picking up junk mail blowing around the lawn when the homeowners are away.”

Kelly Cruz Interiors won the 2022 Best of Lake Norman CURRENTS reader favorite award for Best Interior Design and has received regional awards and for local showhouses. “The greatest award we receive is our clients’ satisfaction with their home when the project is complete and they are enjoying their home,” she says. “It’s a personal process to design someone’s home to their liking while applying good design and a splash of creativity.”

Cruz has donated her design talents to help nonprofits design and organize their spaces so they will be more functional. She recently received an e-mail from Hope of Mooresville (HOMe), an organization that provides temporary housing and support to women and children escaping abusive situations. “They moved to a new facility recently and are still able to use the shelving we provided,” she says. “I was so completely humbled by this thoughtful e-mail. We were rewarded by being able to help a local organization that does so much for others.” She also helped the nonprofit UMAR, dedicated to promoting community inclusion, independence, and growth for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, plan and organize their facilities and space.

704.895.2530 www.kellycruzinteriors.com 428 S. Main Street Suite B 116 Davidson NC

April Patterson Business Center Leader, HomeTrust Bank/Cornelius Location B anking is in April Patterson’s blood. After graduating Magna Cum Laude from UNCCharlotte with a double major in Economics and Sociology, she began her banking career at First Union in Charlotte. She’s been working in the Lake Norman market helping clients reach their financial goals since 2003.

Founded in Western North Carolina in 1926, HomeTrust Bank is a full-service Community Bank that offers customized financial services for commercial, business, personal, and mortgage. The concierge boutique banking experience taking a wholistic consultative relationship driven approach to guide clients and grow their balance sheets. Whether you are a business owner or consumer, HomeTrust Bank is available to help you meet your financial goals. This is a phenomenal team with great energy who works so well together using each bankers’ strengths to ensure a positive experience all the way around.

For two years in a row, HomeTrust Bank has been named the “Best Small Bank in North Carolina” by Newsweek in their ranking of financial institutions that best serve their customers’ needs in today’s ever changing financial landscape.

Patterson believes in being a dedicated member of her community. She serves as Team mom and Treasurer for NL Knights Lacrosse teams and will be serving on the Chamber Board of Directors in 2023. She’s also served as Secretary for the Mooresville Exchange Club.

“Staying active in the community and aware of issues we are facing and partnering with others to support our market area and thrive together is a privilege,” says Patterson.

17065 Nat Bynum Lane, Cornelius 704.971.7014 www.htb.com April.patterson@htb.com

Kelly Mohre, Tina Crockett, Jamie McNeilis (owner) Centerpiece Home Staging LLC While Jamie McNeilis, Owner of Centerpiece Home Staging LLC, spent the first half of her career working in the banking and investment management industries, she realized she had a gift in home decorating and organization after becoming a homeowner. She founded her company in 2007 and has since earned multiple staging certifications, including the Accredited Staging Professional Master (ASPM) and Certified Luxury Home Staging Specialist designations.

Centerpiece Home Staging is a fullservice staging company that offers consulting services to realtors and their clients. They offer supplemental staging packages for owner-occupied listings and specialize in fully or partially furnishing completely vacant listings, including new construction and investment properties. In addition to these traditional staging services, they also offer holiday decorating, and the entire team holds certifications in professional home organization.

The company has received numerous accolades, including Best ASP® Staged Vacant Property in Charlotte, six Best of the Lake awards from the LKN HBA, and several Best of Houzz awards.

“Our 15 years of experience definitely sets us apart from our competitors,” says McNeilis. “We have been through multiple real estate market ups and downs and fully understand how the process works. Every home is different, and we have experience staging them all. We have many real estate and investor clients who have been with us for more than a decade and some even since our inception in 2007!”

704.488.5739 www.centerpiecehomestaging.com 11020 Bailey Road Cornelius

Stacy White Owner/Operator of Famous Toastery in Mooresville S tacy White earned a master’s degree in education and spent 30 years teaching middle and high school math, but after retiring, she still wasn’t ready to slow down. A love of food and service prompted her to join the Famous Toastery franchise on Brawley School Road in 2015 and a second location in downtown Mooresville in 2018. Open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, both have received numerous local awards for “best breakfast” from the community.

With more than 30 Famous Toasteries located along the East Coast, the company continues to grow. “There are a few things I feel set us apart,” says White. That includes the quality of the restaurant’s food and service. “We make everything fresh in house and you can taste the difference. Our motto is ‘every server is your server,’ so our entire staff will take care of everyone. We dedicate so much to developing relationships with our guests. We feel like we are ‘the Cheers of Breakfast.’ Our customers really make us who we are,” she adds.

White nurtures that relationship with community by making sure the Famous Toastery gives back whenever possible, whether through sponsoring athletic groups in the local schools or holding fundraisers throughout the year. “We have worked with Make a Wish Foundation, Relay for Life, American Cancer Society, Stand for Animals, Alzheimer’s Association, The Hope House, Children’s Hope Alliance, and March of Dimes,” she says.

134 Mooresville Commons Way, Mooresville 704.696.8436 170 N. Main Street, Mooresville 980.444.2092 Famoustoastery.com

Anna Stowe, Manager and Interior Designer Great Design 4 U A nna Stowe, Manager and Interior Designer at Great Design 4 U, developed a love for architecture and design from a young age. After graduating from High Point University with a degree in interior design, she still frequently takes continuing education courses in her field to stay current on the latest products, trends, and practices in the design industry.

Great Design 4 U is a full-service interior design company equipped to help you from conception to completion. Whether you need window treatments, paint consultation, and/or new furniture, the company services an array of clientele all the way to full renovations or new construction.

“We try to explain our design decisions to clients and make them feel comfortable every step of the way,” says Stowe. “We don’t only design, we try to educate on design decisions. Our goal is to guide and provide information so that our clients feel empowered to make informed decisions for their lifestyles.”

Since the pandemic, the company has offered complimentary 30-minute Zoom consultations to get to know prospective clients and establish a rapport before a client fully commits to hiring Great Design 4 U. Stowe says their ultimate goal is to remove stress from the design process— they want to make sure that once a project is finished, you enjoyed the experience and love the result.

Great Design 4 U has donated services and worked with organizations such as Ada Jenkins Center, the Rotary Club, and Business Leaders of Charlotte. The company enjoys collaborating with business owners to help them have a welldesigned environment for their employees and clientele within LKN and the surrounding communities.

www.greatdesign4u.com 704.305.0139 anna@greatdesign4u.com

Dr. Nicole Sheehan and Dr. Carrie Uehlein

Whole Pet Veterinary Hospitals Drs. Nicole Sheehan and Carrie Uehlein have been practicing medicine together since 2005. Their experience in the veterinary field led them to the realization that they’d need to open their own practice to create a culture where staff can grow, and patients receive top notch care through an integrative approach. That’s when, in 2013, The Veterinary Hospital of Davidson was born, and Dr. Uehlein joined shortly thereafter in 2014. With integrating both Eastern and Western medicine to get to the root of patients’ ailments and prioritizing the care of employees, growth was inevitable. This led to an expansion to Wilmington in 2020 and Charlotte in 2021. With the expansion also came a name change to encapsulate all that they are – Whole Pet Veterinary Hospitals. They pride themselves on treating an animal’s mind, body, and soul.

Giving back to the community has always been a priority for Drs. Sheehan and Uehlein. The HOPE fund was the first step in being able to provide medical care to those that may not be able to afford it. From this Dr. Sheehan created Whole Pet GO, a non-profit that aids in rescuing animals in underserved areas like Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. 2022 has brought an expansion of the Davidson office to include a street side coffee bar to help raise money for pets in need.

445 S. Main Street, Davidson 704.765.1171 www.davidsonvet.com Mountain Island, Charlotte 704.368.1100 wholepet-mountainisland.com Wilmington, NC 910.444.0420 wholepet-wilmington.com

Daly Mills Family Law & Estate Planning offers all services related to family law, estate planning, and estate administration. For family law, this includes divorce, alimony, child custody, child support, and equitable distribution (property division). For Estate Planning and Administration, this includes wills, trusts, guardianship matters, Medicaid and long-term care planning, as well as litigation surrounding those issues.

Managing Partner Miranda Mills is proud to call herself a “Double Deac.” She graduated from Wake Forest University in 2006, where she majored in English and minored in International Studies. She graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2010 and began practicing family law that same year. Associate Attorney Danielle Feller attended Campbell University School of Law and graduated in 2016. She joined Daly Mills Family Law & Estate Planning in 2019 and is now the lead attorney for the firm’s Estate Planning practice.

Mills is an experienced courtroom litigator and graduate of the prestigious Gerry Spence Trial Lawyer’s College. In 2022, she served as the Program Chair for the North Carolina Advocate’s for Justice “Family Law in the age of COVID” seminar. She was also a guest speaker at the event, where she presented information regarding ThirdParty Custody cases. Feller has been published in Wealth Counsel’s second edition of “Estate Planning Strategies, Collective Wisdom, Proven Techniques.” She is an AV Preeminent Rated Attorney in Estate Planning.

As an all-female firm, Mills and Feller support issues close to their hearts, and proudly participate in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure every spring. They also believe in engaging in utmost care in every aspect of their practice.

“We pride ourselves on providing personalized service for each of our clients,” the two women say. “Clients often come to us in some of the most difficult times (if not the most difficult) in their lives. Then, on top of the emotional turmoil, they have to talk to someone about private subjects like family conflicts, children, and money. During a time like that, our clients should know that we care. We consciously keep our caseloads small so we can provide the best service possible to the clients that we serve.”

Miranda Mills, Managing Partner, and Danielle Feller, Associate Attorney Daly Mills Family Law & Estate Planning

704.878.2365 www. dalymills.com MJMills@dalyfamilylaw.com 131 Plantation Ridge Drive, Suite 400, Mooresville

Jamie Ottinger trained as a headhunter for Mortgage Banking, which taught her how to help the newly skilled and executive-level candidates with job placement across many industries. She joined Express Employment Professionals in 2005, beginning her career in Hickory and opening a Mooresville location in 2009.

From short or long- term workers to direct, full-time hires, Express Employment places candidates in a wide variety of jobs to support every area of business, including Administrative/Office Services, Commercial/Industrial, and Professional positions at all levels.

Ottinger feels transparency is key in building and keeping relationships. “With that transparency comes a level of honesty in our recruiting and vetting process that many of our competitors fail to achieve. And we never charge a fee to the job seeker. We’re ethical!” she stresses.

Candidates clearly appreciate the care Express Employment Professionals takes in their work. They’ve received the 2022 Best of Staffing Awards Winner recognition and client satisfaction scores are 9 or 10 out of a 10 from 66 percent of their clients, which is significantly higher than the industry’s average of 41 percent.

Outside of work, Ottinger says she’s passionate about child abuse prevention and financially supports and volunteers with Pharos Parenting whenever possible. Jamie Ottinger Owner/Manager of Express Employment Professionals

105 Singleton Rd. Unit 104 Mooresville 704.662-6685 www.ExpressPros.com www.facebook.com/Express.Mooresville jamie.ottinger@expresspros.com

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