






This month’s Investment edition is near and dear to my heart! At 40 years old, I changed careers and went back to school, earning my bachelor’s degree in Strategic Communication. I came from a background in fitness. While I loved helping people strengthen their bodies, build endurance, and invest in their health, I wanted to reach new heights and expand professionally, because growth does not need to stop at any age or stage in life. Investing in education and in new opportunities gave me confidence, purpose, and a renewed sense of self.
In this issue, we celebrate multiple ways that investment shapes a fulfilling life. Financial wisdom is a major key. Barbara Gulin, president and owner of BG Wealth Advisory, LLC., shares her passion for education and her expertise in wealth-building strategies that create long-term impact and legacy.
Investment is also about community, and United Way of Greater Kansas City is exceptional at mobilizing communities to action! United Way of Greater Kansas City is preparing for its second Waymakers™ Awards Impact Celebration. This incredible event spotlights donors and celebrates community partners. We are honored to highlight the four finalists of the Executive of the Year Award, who invest their time and resources, proving that generosity yields immeasurable returns.
One of the most profound investments we can make is in ourselves—our well-being, our growth, and our futures. We are delighted to feature the managing director of the EMBA program at Rockhurst University, Linda Endecott. Linda knows the power and value that investment truly has. Her impact in the community, with business owners, and thought leaders is unparalleled!
I hope this issue ignites something within you—a desire to invest boldly, to believe in your own possibilities, and to recognize that every choice you make is shaping the life you’re building. The most rewarding investments are not always the ones we see immediately, but the ones that create lasting confidence, purpose, and fulfillment.
Here’s to investing wisely—in yourself, in your future, and in the world around you.
SARAH JOHNS, PUBLISHER @MISSIONHILLSCITYLIFESTYLE
PUBLISHER
Sarah Johns | sarah.johns@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Victoria Moore | victoria.moore@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Rebecca Spears | rebecca.spears@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Sarah Elise Seidel | sarahelise.seidel@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Linda Ditch, Bev Weidner
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Nicole Bissey, Mollie Herr, Justin Salem Meyer, Emmalee Rathsam, Rebecca Spears, Bev Weidner
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Rachel Kolich
LAYOUT DESIGNER Adam Finley
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
Proverbs 3:5-6
1: City Lifestyle publishers Cristine Lindholm (Leawood) and Sarah Johns (Mission Hills) pose together. 2: A panel of female business owners discuss the joys and strategies of business and leadership. 3: Both magazines featured Blanc Champagne Bar in February, the bubbly provider for the evening. 4: Staci Cross (Enjoy Pure Food), Megan Hoban (Prairiebrooke Arts), Hailee Bland Walsh (FitTruk), Kathy Gaumer (Regain) 5: Bamboo Penny’s Chef Penny and Doug Mufuka joined the fun with a beautiful appetizer spread. 6: Two local interior designers Anne Golliher (Storied Interiors) and Kara Kersten connected at the event. 7: An event was held at Prairiebrooke Arts to celebrate Leawood’s and Mission Hills’ February magazines.
Thai Chef Penny Mufuka continues her culinary success with the all-new spring menu at Aqua Penny’s in Park Place. From her redefined Thai cuisine at Bamboo Penny’s to the neighborhood charm of Penny’s In the Village, Chef Penny now brings fresh twists to her upscale seafood gem. The new expanded menu features small plates, shareables and the only true raw bar in the area with fresh fish flown in daily. Available for lunch and dinner.
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A grand opening celebration will take place on Thursday, April 24th, for the new Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City location. The new facility is now open for sales, service, and parts and is located just southwest of the Aristocrat campus on the corner of 67th and Carter.
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With the activation of the Clock Tower Landing project in the downtown area, the beloved Overland Park Farmers’ Market will be temporarily held at the nearby Matt Ross Community Center, just two blocks away on Marty Street, every Saturday and Wednesday morning in 2025. Opening day is April 19. The renovation project will include new, indoor spaces for the farmer’s market, plus shade structures and seating for its visitors. Learn more about the project and updates online: opkansas.org/recreation-fun/farmers-market/
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BG WEALTH ADVISORY, LLC GUIDES WOMEN SEEKING FINANCIAL UNDERSTANDING
Barbara Gulin has been in the financial industry long enough to know her way around the block. Practicing as a licensed financial advisor for almost 20 years, she has successfully guided men, women and couples into financial strategies and helped them establish healthy retirements time and time again.
As president and owner of BG Wealth Advisory, LLC. in Mission, Kansas, Gulin is ready and excited to help anyone seeking a better understanding of their financial situation. However, through the years, she has become especially passionate about helping women, not only navigate, but change the cultural norms surrounding financial topics.
“The money in your pocket has no gender and doesn’t care who is holding it,” she said. “You owe it to yourself to be equipped and to understand at least the basics of the financial world so that you’re not taken advantage of.”
Today, that is where her heart lies–helping single and married women alike understand their money and establishing a trusted place to get started.
“It’s important to me that even if a woman doesn’t want to be an integral part of the planning process by her
choice, that she at least understands the headlines and understands that if something critical happens–you call your pastor, you call the undertaker and then you call me,” she said. “The woman who chooses to have somebody else take control of things might find herself in a position where she has to do a lot of learning really quickly.”
As painful as it is to consider life’s “what if’s,” Gulin says that planning for a crisis is better than planning in a time of crisis. As someone who has experienced her fair share of personal tragedy, Gulin has incredible validity for advising her clients to be prepared.
“Realistically, if you live a normal life span, it’s not a matter of if, but when you’re in a situation where your finances are not where you thought they were gonna be,” she said.
are designed to help a woman better understand her perspective of money, because for the majority, handling it is inevitable.
“Three quarters of us, even if we’re married, are going to end up managing the entire bucket of finances in our lives,” Gulin said. “They need some place to go where their perceptions aren’t going to be minimized, where we are going to work with them and give them the respect that they deserve.”
“...if something critical happens, you call your pastor, you call the undertaker and then, you call me.”
— Barbara Gulin
“People need to understand why I’m making the recommendations that I’m making and they need to understand the thought process behind it so that they understand where the roots are of things.”
Education is crucial to the way Gulin conducts her business. That also applies to learning each woman’s financial personality, usually found in one of five profiles–the lioness, the eagle, the ant, the turtle and the butterfly. These profiles
The future seems to be bright for women who work in the financial world and for those who have taken the steps to educate themselves. Sharing from her trusted resources, Gulin anticipates a $30 trillion wealth transfer to women within the next 15 years through surviving spouses and going from one generation to the next. A transfer of that significance puts the emphasis on companies just like Gulin’s to come alongside these women.
“I think the financial services industry is going to need to learn how to connect with and relate to women, and I think that the financial services professionals who are willing to walk the path with women and respect the fact that they are knowledgeable are going to be the ones that end up having that degree of success and being well adjusted,” she said.
Storied Interiors helps people honor their treasured pieces while creating new spaces
ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MOLLIE HERR AND JUSTIN SALEM MEYER
Magazines, social media, and television are filled with images of beautifully styled homes that capture a lot of attention. However, for some individuals, it can be challenging to envision actually living in those spaces. Additionally, how would their great-grandmother’s antique table, the collection of books they cannot part with, or the artwork brought back from that amazing trip to Italy fit into those designs?
This is where Anne Golliher of Storied Interiors excels. Her decorating superpower lies in grasping the stories behind people’s most cherished items and discovering new ways to honor them.
“I love working with those pieces, even when the client says they’re not sure about them,” Golliher says. “They inherited an item from their great-grandma and feel obligated to keep it, but it’s not a favorite piece. Then we move it into its proper place or pair it with a piece of modern art, and it gains a whole new life. After that, they love it! People often have treasures, and they don’t realize it. I take what they have and give it the proper moment.
“Those pieces tell your history: Who you are, where you’ve come from, and who you want to be. All those memories.”
Mollie Herr
When planning a home remodel, Golliher focuses on the final layer of the decor. She notes that people often spend the bulk of their budget on constructing beautiful arches and incredible molding, leaving them with very little to invest in making the space feel like home. Her vision starts with pieces that hold significance for the client, then deciding what needs to be done to showcase those items, whether it’s construction, wall coverings, window treatments, or reupholstering.
One of Golliher’s clients lost her belongings in a house fire. All that survived the smoke and flames was a small box of items. She used those pieces as a starting point to understand what resonated with the client and then moved forward from there.
She explains, “In the interviews after the Los Angeles fires, I heard from people who were devastated by the loss of things that made up their lives. I want to help people add that layer to a space. Highlight the things they have or help them start a collection of items they love, such as art and books. It becomes the type of home they can enter and just be. Let the space speak to them, restore them, and fill them.”
Golliher also understands that sometimes family pieces have fulfilled their purpose, and it’s time to let them go. She helps clients navigate these waters by suggesting options such as pairing the piece with new wallpaper or curtains or moving it to a different room. If those ideas don’t work, people often feel more comfortable about their item finding a new home.
“People often have treasures, and they don’t realize it. I take what they have and give it the proper moment. Those pieces tell your history.”
Most importantly, Golliher wants her clients to feel at ease in the newly decorated space. She mentioned visiting a client’s home, where he expressed concern that she might not appreciate him placing his nephew’s small rubber duck on top of a piece of artwork.
She loved it!
“What I do is not set in stone,” Golliher says. “This is a living space. If you move things, add your child’s artwork, or buy a book to include in the space, I love that. That’s life.”
To learn more about Storied Interiors and view images of Golliher’s work, visit Storied-Interiors. com or on Instagram @storied_interiors.
ROCKHURST UNIVERSITY’S EMBA PROGRAM DEVELOPS LEADERS FROM THE BASE OF HUMILITY AND CONNECTION
ARTICLE BY VICTORIA MOORE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY REBECCA SPEARS AND ROCKHURST UNIVERSITY
Every Monday through Friday from 7:00 to 11:00 at Aixois Cafe in Brookside, you will find an extraordinary community figure doing her best work. Linda Endecott sits at the same window table each visit, not making lofty plans or serving herself in some way. She is simply connecting, learning and listening.
As Managing Director of the Executive MBA program at Rockhurst University, Endecott has invested in the lives of hundreds of community leaders and their business goals. Yet, she chooses intentional conversation as the starting point for relationships with her students.
“I ask them to meet me here because I want to get to know them. When they meet me on campus, they think they’re supposed to be different. They think they have to give me the right answers,” she said. “It’s a bold move to come back and take an EMBA. It’s a lot of work. It’s not for the faint of heart. It is worth every single penny they spend on this, and investing in yourself does not get any better than that. It just doesn’t.”
The main criteria for students who apply to the 21-month program is eight to ten years of management experience with possible exceptions as people progress in their careers. Built into the curriculum are experiences in strategy, management and networking. Classes are diverse in age, ethnicity and career. But no matter where they are coming from, all students start from the same place on the first day of class–vulnerability.
“If you don’t know yourself you actually can’t do a whole lot,” Endecott said. “I think what really sets us apart is self-reflection. I love it when I’m talking to people and they’re pretty secure with who they are, and then they’re in the program and go, ‘Okay, I had absolutely no idea who I am.’”
Learning who you are and how you operate is one of the most powerful aspects of investing in yourself, according to Endecott. It is a journey that she
has been on her entire life. Growing up on the East Coast in a steel company family, Endecott gained her footing in business concepts. In college, many of her friends gravitated toward her for guidance and care. Those two connecting points launched Endecott into a life of curiosity, mentorship and service to others. Now, after seven years of leading the oldest EMBA program in the region, she is seeing the fruit of her investment in a variety of ways.
“The program actually teaches them about personal time management. I never thought about that until I got a thank you note from one of the spouses in the first class I had recruited. It said, ‘When my spouse is home, they are very present,’” she said. “What they do just spreads throughout the community. It’s extremely rich and they change other people’s lives, and it’s just awesome. I am so blessed that I get to know these people. It’s why I love what I do.”
For a self-proclaimed introvert who “works hard to be an extrovert,” Endecott concludes: “People are what make me click.”
The joy she possesses for people is clear with the pride she feels from watching her students complete the program and taking what they learn back into their communities.
“They come out of an EMBA with a level of confidence that’s hard to put words around. To see who they become and who they are when they graduate just floors the heck out of me,” Endecott said. “When I see their smiles as they’re going through their hooding, that’s a big deal. Their families are there. Their children are there. They’re getting the hood put on, and all of a sudden, everyone is standing a little straighter.”
Endecott challenges anyone who is considering an EMBA at Rockhurst University to not let the excuse of time stand in their way, because no time will ever be exactly right.
“The EMBA program is not for everyone,” she said. “As I tell them, it’s the right timing; it’s the right attitude; it’s right thinking; and the best time to do it is when you’re actually thinking about it.”
Waiting at the end of every student’s journey is Endecott at her Aixois table, sipping on a non-caffeinated drink and ready to resume the conversation that brought them here in the first place.
“I love it when they call me afterward and say, ‘Hey, can we just grab a quick coffee, you know, let me tell you about what I’m doing, or can I pick your brain?’ It’s just so awesome,” she said. “Those relationships are things I’ll remember for the rest of, well maybe, I’ll remember for the rest of my life. We’ll see! But, it’s just a joy. It is joy.”
To learn more about Rockhurst University’s EMBA program, visit their website: rockhurst.edu/ college-business/helzberg/emba
“If you desire to develop and grow as a leader, and you want to do that alongside some of the greatest leaders in Kansas City, then you should absolutely join the Rockhurst Executive MBA program,” said Steve Tanner, Sr. Director for Global Security at the Kansas City National Security Campus, managed by Honeywell FM&T.
W A Y M A K E R ™
B R A T I O N
United Way of Greater Kansas City is gearing up for its second-ever Waymaker™ Awards Impact Celebration. This event toasts the donors, corporate partners and community partners, who work together to further the mission of United Way in Kansas City and enrich the lives of the people it serves in this community.
Last year’s turnout of more than 650 people has built incredible excitement and anticipation for another highly attended event. This year’s celebration will take place July 10th at the Midland Theatre.
The four finalists for the Executive of the Year award are incredible corporate pillars in the Kansas City community and are being recognized for their leadership and involvement with United Way of Greater Kansas City.
They are described as individuals who “set the tone and the example for their organization’s employees to follow in their own philanthropic giving. They demonstrate a commitment to uplifting United Way’s mission of improving healthcare, enhancing youth opportunity, fostering financial security and creating community resiliency so that all have the ability to thrive.”
Passing their passion for generosity to their families, employees and communities is important to each of them. On the following pages, get to know the finalists and what drives them to be the best they can be in their roles.
UNITED WAY’S EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD
ARTICLE BY VICTORIA MOORE PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICOLE BISSEY AND UNITED WAY
Deloitte, Managing Partner
I want my legacy to be that I helped teach others about how to give. It’s going to be a natural part of me. It’s what I’m going to do. But I want this next generation--I want my kids to say things about my husband and I, like I do about my parents, that we stepped up. That we filled needs. When those needs happened, we were willing to kind of go out on a limb, make sacrifices that help somebody else. But I’m teaching them along the way. I’m lifting them up on my shoulders to kind of be that next generation that carries on to help Kansas City and satisfy the needs. I hope people will not make excuses that they’re too busy to or want to use their money for something else. I hope that people will kind of take it on their shoulders to make a sacrifice. You know, there’s a lot of people who are suffering and we can help a little bit.
Polsinelli Law Firm, Office Managing Partner
I’ve always believed in that idea of “To whom much is given, much is expected.” I was on the Kansas City Parks Board for six years. It was, and still is, really important to me. I encourage everyone to find your passion and try to live that out—know what motivates you to put yourself out there. I have four sons, and I have driven them to community meetings and things like that. And it is really important to my husband and I that we do what we can to create a Kansas City—that if they go away to school, they want to come back to.
Commerce Bank, President
I think we are, you know, especially as bankers, we are only as strong as the community we serve. And I think that for everyone that lives here, to be able to find you’re passionate about, if you have the ability to put dollars to work, I think you’ve got to find those things. And that’s why I’ve always loved United Way, because of all the different agencies and programs that you all vet and support. You know, I think it’s an easy investment to put your dollars into United Way because they get leverage and expose you to challenges that may happen in the community that you may not have even been aware of, and something that you’re passionate about.
BOK Financial, Sr. Vice President & Commercial Relationship Manager
I guess I hope that the work that I do and the actions that I take will inspire other people to just realize it’s okay to try one thing at a time. Just say yes, you know? So if someone has an ask of you, it’s okay to say yes. You can maybe back off later, but at least allow yourself to get out there, to listen to what the needs are to say and offer your help. You know, I really hope I’ll inspire more people to just try new things, to step outside of their comfort zone and to be uncomfortable because some of the things sometimes, particularly in volunteering, particularly trying out different agencies, is sometimes outside of your comfort zone. But that’s how you get an appreciation and an understanding and awareness of where the needs are greatest. And, I think if we all could do our part and, like, help do something and be aware of what’s going on, our community could be just an amazing place to live. It already is a pretty amazing place to live, but it’s not perfect for everyone.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY BEV WEIDNER
A low maintenance
Easter Sunday breakfast
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 English muffin, cut into chunks
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup Roth’s 3-Chile Pepper Gouda, shredded or grated
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 1/2 cup baby spinach leaves
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
• Salt and pepper
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat your oven to 400.
2. Spray a small skillet with cooking spray. Arrange the English muffin chunks in the skillet.
3. In another medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cheese and mustard. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Pour the mixture right over the muffin pieces, submerging each piece in the egg mixture.
4. Tuck the spinach leaves in the egg mix, and sprinkle the red onion right on top.
5. Bake for 30 minutes, until the eggs are set and the cheese is starting to bubble on top.
6. Grate some parmesan on top for extra amazingness, and serve it up!
7. Makes four small servings. Or two bigger ones. Or one obnoxious one. YOU DO YOU.
bevcooks.com | @bevcooks
Dandelion greens are a nutritious and easy addition to any meal, perfect for salads or cooked dishes. They are rich in vitamins A, C, K, chlorophyll, and fiber, making them a great choice for digestion and overall health. Their light flavor and texture enhance salads and sandwiches.
Broccoli is often hailed as a nutritional powerhouse, packed with a variety of vitamins and minerals that support overall health. Known for being high in vitamins A, C, and K, it also contains important minerals like potassium, iron, and calcium. In addition, it’s a rich source of beta-carotene, flavonoids, and fiber. Whether raw or cooked, broccoli is an excellent choice for immune system support, making it one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables available.
Kale is loaded with essential nutrients such as vitamins C, B6, E, K, and manganese. It contains twice as much selenium as spinach and is an excellent source of calcium. Kale’s unique properties help bind to cholesterol and lower oxalate levels, which promotes calcium absorption and makes it suitable for those prone to kidney stones. Additionally, it provides eye health benefits, thanks to lutein, and its disease-fighting properties make it a great addition to salads, smoothies, and more.
Artichokes are not only delicious but also packed with fiber, which aids in digestion. They are a great source of plant protein, potassium, and antioxidants like polyphenols. Artichokes also provide essential nutrients, including vitamins C, K, folate, magnesium, and B vitamins.
ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
Boost your health by adding a generous serving of fresh greens to your daily diet. While both cooked and raw vegetables offer health benefits, consuming them raw often provides the most nutrients. Raw greens are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and essential vitamins, helping to lower inflammation and reduce the risk of disease.
Asparagus is versatile and can be enjoyed grilled, sautéed, baked, or even raw. Packed with vitamins C, E, B, K, folate, and copper, it’s a great source of fiber. It also helps lower cholesterol and provides a variety of antioxidants that aid in healing. Asparagus is a perfect side dish that complements both light and robustly flavored meals.
ARTICLE BY KRISTY BELLEY
The drink that makes you look forward to TAX DAY
• 1½ oz. Gin
• ¾ oz. Dry Vermouth
• ¾ oz. Sweet Vermouth
• ¾ oz. Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice
• 2 Dashes Angastura Bitters
• Orange Twist
• Glass Type: Coupe
1.
2. Add everything to your shaker with ice.
4. Pour into your coupe.
5. Twist your orange peel again, like you did last summer.
7. Enjoy being done with taxes.
8. And a good cocktail.
The Income Tax Cocktail likely popped up during the Prohibition party scene of the 1920s. Its exact origin story remains a bit blurry, but it was definitely a hit in speakeasies.
The name? Well, it's like a cheeky nod to the idea that sipping on this cocktail might be more fun than paying actual taxes! Made with gin, sweet vermouth, orange juice, and a dash of bitters, it's like a boozy adventure for your taste buds, with hints of citrus and herbs. Despite its vintage roots, the Income Tax Cocktail still brings the party vibes, transporting you back to the roaring '20s.
APRIL 5TH
Shawnee Indian Mission | 9:00 AM
Spring cleaning is for more than just inside your home. Our communities need it, too! Join the Shawnee Indian Mission on the first Saturday in April to help clean up their green space in time for spring. Anyone is welcome from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Email salliebluejacket@ shawneeindianmission.org for more information.
APRIL 12TH
Merriam Community Center | 9:00 AM
A fast-selling ticket, Brunch with the Bunny in Merriam is a favorite with kids ages 2-9 for the Easter season. An $8 ticket includes a pancake breakfast by Chris Cakes, games, photo opportunities and an egg hunt -- all with the Easter Bunny! Register online by April 4: merriam.org/ Government/Departments/Parks-Rec/Events/Brunch-with-the-Bunny
APRIL 18TH
The Abbott | 4:30 PM
United Way of Greater Kansas City presents its Purses for Promise event, a fundraiser that supports local parents, caregivers and children in their early years of development. Mingle with friends and bid on over 100 beautiful, designer purses while sipping on wine and enjoying appetizers. General admission is $50 and can be purchased online: unitedwaygkc.org/event/purses-for-promise/
APRIL 19TH
Overland Park Farmer’s Market - Opening Day
Matt Ross Community Center | 7:30 AM
After a long, cold winter season, the Overland Park Farmers’ Market is back to usher in the feelings and traditions of spring. To give space for the Clock Tower Landing Project, the market will be held at the Matt Ross Community Center (8101 Marty Street) each Wednesday and Saturday in the 2025 season. Read more about the project online: opkansas.org/recreation-fun/farmers-market/farmers-market-improvement-project/
APRIL 25TH – 26TH
Cornerstones of Care – Ozanam Campus Greenhouse | 9:00 AM
Teach your kids how to shop and care for flowers, herbs and other plants at the annual Cornerstones of Care (Ozanam Campus) plant sale. The nonprofit is setting a goal of $40,000 for its horticulture programming, which will help fund seeds, supplies, stipends, and more. For more information about the Plant Sale, please contact Stefanie: stefanie.caravella@cornerstonesofcare.org
APRIL 27TH
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts | 3:30 PM
Rounding out its 66th season, the Kansas City Civic Orchestra will take the stage at Helzberg Hall for its finale, featuring the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant Organ played by Rosi Kaufman. Professional and amateur musicians make up the orchestra and are proud to offer high-quality concerts at no cost. This event is free, but tickets will be required: kccivic.org/
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