San Antonio Woman magazine January/February 2023

KATY MIMARI

LIVING THE LIFE SHE LOVES BY DESIGN

January/February 2023

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP - IT’S RODEO TIME!

DOSSIER: PRIVATE BANKERS - FASHION: BOOT SEASON

TO YOUR HEALTH: CARDIOLOGY - EDUCATION GUIDE 2023

14 Cover Story

Entrepreneurial spirt, business instincts and her own rulebook help Katy Mimari grow Caden Lane to new heights.

19 Feature Story

Take a look behind the scenes of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and four women who help make it all happen.

36 At Home

Explore this hill country home that’s filled with treasures and ready for guests!

52 Women in Business

Real-life examples of how peer groups are crucial in developing leadership skills.

C O N T R I B U T O R S

Suzanne Pack, Photographer

Suzanne Pack is a portrait photographer specializing in personal branding photography, social media content, headshots, lifestyle, family and glamor portraiture. Suzanne photographs other creatives, entrepreneurs, professionals, and business owners and empowers them to be the face of their brands. Suzanne loves helping her clients design their personal brand personas. Suzanne’s experience in graphic design and web design allows her to guide her clients to create images that go to work for them on websites, social media feeds, and their printed materials.

David Teran, Photographer

A self-proclaimed people person, David is a freelance photographer that loves to tell people “good morning!” in the afternoon, to try to make them smile. He enjoys coffee, tacos, and writing letters on his 1968 German typewriter. When he is not writing about himself in the third person, David can often be found in a foreign country, photographing ballerinas with his 40-year-old Hasselblad camera. David has been blessed to be able to make people smile at his jokes on four continents - and to work with an awesome team of people.

Dawn Robinette, Writer

Talking with San Antonio Woman’s cover women never fails to inspire me. Katy Mimari’s story, and her incredible success with Caden Lane, show that women do not have to follow anyone’s rules. Find your passion, follow your heart and work to make your dreams a reality. It may not always be as pretty as the wonderful designs you’ll find at Caden Lane, but carving your own path is beautiful on its own. Looking ahead at 2023, I hope everyone takes Katy’s advice to heart and writes their stories their way.

Janis Turk, Writer

Janis Turk is a longtime contributor to SA Woman and a professional food and travel writer and author. Turk’s travel guidebooks have been published by Frommer’s and may be found in bookstores worldwide. In this issue, Turk writes about how much she and many other San Antonians miss the iconic leaning former Liberty Bar building that once stood on Josephine Street and how she sharply feels the growing pains of gentrification while still appreciating the new restaurant, Carriqui, that resides in the newly restored building which was renovated and moved to Grayson Street.

Lainey Berkus, Writer

Lainey Berkus is a hospitality marketing and community outreach consultant. She is continually recognized for her creative storytelling, upbeat attitude and successful strategic partnerships. Lainey’s commitment to her community is well noted in the many public relation campaigns that she has led over the years on a local, state and national level. Lainey, a co-founder of The CE Group, has organized hundreds of campaigns in our community. She was also a fashion columnist for the Express-News and the San Antonio Light. She is now a featured columnist, check out her “What’s in your Bag column”.

Blithe Wiley, Writer

Blithe has worked in corporate communications and public relations for more than 25 years. A frequent contributor to San Antonio Woman, she loves learning about and tell-ing the stories of accomplished and trail-blazing women in our community. When she isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three college-age children, and reading, walking and trying new recipes.

Meredith Kay, Writer

Half Texan on her mother’s side, Meredith was born and raised in Southern California, where she graduated from Pepperdine University with a degree in Advertising. She has called San Antonio home for over 25 years now and is raising a son and a daughter as a single mom with a pack of rescue dogs. Meredith is passionate about writing, cooking, landscaping, and music of all genres.

Paul J. Watkins, Writer

Having the opportunity to research and write articles about healthrelated topics of interest to you is tremendously gratifying for me. I’ve written about health-related topics for nearly twenty-five years, and I have yet to get bored with it. Talking with healthcare providers allows me to hear firsthand the enthusiasm they have for the work they do and the tremendous care and compassion they provide to their patients – often when those people need it the most. I hope you enjoy reading our healthrelated articles as much as I enjoy writing them.

Our cover woman, Katy Mimari, has impressed me since 2004, when I was pregnant with my third daughter and discovered her stylish diaper bags at a baby boutique. Turns out, a lot of moms-to-be have fallen in love with Katy’s gorgeous designs and helped rocket her brand, Caden Lane, to one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S. I know you’ll be inspired by Katy’s story of determination and creativity.

Our Feature Story in this issue introduces four women who dedicate their time, energy, and passion - along with countless other volunteers - to making the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo one of the biggest in the country. Every year, the Rodeo impacts thousands of students, not only providing funds to advance their education and agricultural goals but also teaching the value of hard work and, for us city folks, a lesson on all the work that goes into putting food on our tables.

Most women know that spending time with other women who are going through similar life experiences can help them grow and get through difficult times. In this month’s Women in Business section, Executive Coach Amy Childs explains how being a part of a peer group can help us develop emotional intelligence and become better leaders. Read how some of the top leaders in our community draw on peer groups to help them find success.

So, grab some friends and head down to the Rodeo, and be sure to check out the amazing stories and inspiring ideas packed into this issue of San Antonio Woman.

Wishing you all great health and abundance in 2023!

Cathleen Lane

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Cathleen Lane cathleen@sawoman.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR & GRAPHIC DESIGN

Miriam Jesaijes miriam@sawoman.com

DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MEDIA

Taylor Lane taylor@sawoman.com

DIRECTOR OF SALES & PARTNERSHIPS

Dale Lane dale@sawoman.com

ADVERTISING SALES

Cindy Jennings cindy@sawoman.com

WRITERS

Cover: Dawn Robinette

Lainey Berkus, Antonio Gutierrez, Meredith Kay, Bill Murphy, MD, Bonny Osterhage, Dawn Robinette, Janis Turk, Paul J. Watkins, Blithe Wiley

PHOTOGRAPHY

Cover: David Teran

Suzanne Pack, Brittany Paul, David Teran

PRINTING

SmithPrint, San Antonio, Texas

PUBLISHED BY Las Tres Muchachas, LLC.

NOMINATIONS & ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Email: info@sawoman.com

A Las Tres Muchachas Production Cathleen & Dale Lane 300 E Ramsey, Suite 335 San Antonio, Texas 78216 (210) 236-5834

sawoman.com @sanantoniowoman

On the cover:

Photography by David Teran davidteranphotography.com

Makeup by Dora Vera @thelook.beautystudio

editorial appear. Articles and photographs are welcome and may be submitted to our offices to be used subject to the discretion and review of the Publisher. All real estate advertising is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Printed in the U.S.A.

Cathleen

KATY MIMARI LIVING THE LIFE SHE LOVES BY DESIGN

Photography by Suzanne Pack

Katy Mimari Founder and CEO of Caden Lane

“You can do anything you set your heart to. I think we need to hear that because it’s easier to not believe in yourself than it is to believe in that dream. Create the dream, then make it happen.”

Creating Success on Her Own Terms

By Dawn Robinette APR | Photography by David Teran

Inspiration can be found in strange places, but for Katy Mimari, Founder and CEO of Caden Lane, an ugly diaper bag was the spark.

“I was straight out of college, driving with a good friend of mine on 1604, passing NW Military Hwy. I remember the moment. Her newborn was in the backseat, and she needed something from her diaper bag. I grabbed the bag for her, and it was horrid. She’d always had these great purses and style. When I asked her what she was doing with a quilted bag covered in teddy bears, she said it was the best she could find,” explains Mimari. “I didn’t have a baby at the time, but I thought, all it is is a purse with pockets, more pockets, and some washable things. And in my head, I said, ‘This. This is what I’m going to do.’”

Flash forward 15 years, and that epiphany is now Caden Lane, a privately-owned, direct-to-consumer lifestyle brand of baby products focused around the birth of a child. Known for newborn essentials, apparel, and personalized gifts, the company has seen nearly 2000% growth over the last four years. Caden Lane is ranked #279 in Inc. 5000’s fastest-growing companies in the United States and, with new product lines and an international expansion on tap for 2023, shows no signs of slowing down.

“Most women would probably say that the birth of their child is an even bigger day than their wedding day. For us to be a little part of that – what a huge privilege to be the outfit that they pack away in their newborn box and hold onto for their grandbaby to wear one day. It’s very humbling.

“I love the idea of creating a product or service that can be used around the world. How we started was no great discovery. It was just a friend that said, ‘This is the best that’s out there,’ and I knew I could do better. That’s kind of always been my mission. I’ve just wanted to create

products that moms really like using and something that helps them. Whatever it is – getting a little bit of extra sleep or making diaper changing easier.

“I think moms really struggle with feeling inadequate. We all constantly feel like everyone is doing it better. And if I can support those moms and help them understand that we are all just getting by, I think the realness of that conversation really helps people.”

And while she wasn’t a mother when she looked at that teddy bear diaper bag in horror, she started her own family as she was founding Caden Lane. “Pregnant, I packed up my bag and flew to Mexico to meet with our first manufacturer and created our first prototypes. A few months later, I took my 6-week-old to my first New York market strapped to my chest in a baby carrier.”

Motherhood helped her understand her market even more, and the company evolved as she discovered more needs. “As I was having a boy, I started thinking about my nursery and couldn’t find anything I liked. That’s how I got into textile design. I taught myself how to do it, and we came out with a whole line of nursery bedding.”

“That was before I had an office or even an employee. I was breastfeeding my youngest on my floor in the dining room and answering the phone, ‘Good morning, Caden Lane,’ and the buyer from Nordstrom asked to speak with Katy. I asked her to hold, then changed my voice to talk to her,” she shares, laughing.

“It’s been baby steps for sure from the start, but from our first million to our first 100 million, I wouldn’t change a single step along the way. We have built our brand around the most amazing community of women, and most of our marketing from early on has come from word of mouth! And as any new mom will tell you, that’s the best kind of advice.”

And Mimari should know: She grew Caden Lane to an 8-figure business as a single mom of three. She also has two bonus children from her second marriage to Kevin Spanley. “I think kids learn by osmosis, and so I love that I’m able to show my children, especially my daughters, that women don’t have to pick between family and career. The best-kept secret about balance is that there is no balance. To me, balance is not an ultimate goal; it’s just a feeling that pivots to whatever needs your attention the most. Some days it’s work, some days it’s family, and some days it’s just a whirlwind mess of both.”

“The benefit of taking the road less traveled is that it’s a lot less crowded. I spent the rapid growth years of my business as a single mom with three kids. I made the decision early on that I can’t give 100% to everything and found great relief in being ‘good enough’ at most of it. I surrounded myself with the most incredible support team, hired the most talented people I could find, and focused on my family and my business. I’ve had sick kids on my couch at work and worked in the bleachers of the playoff game! I was never intimidated by what I didn’t know,” she explains.

“I’ve always felt that resilience is more of an active process. It never gets easier; you only get stronger. No

great success story happens overnight. What might seem like an overnight success is usually the result of years and years of successes and failures.

“I think what I’ve done well is created my own definition of work and what it looks like. People can make and build a company into whatever they want it to be. We’ve defined it for ourselves. I always knew that I wanted to be an entrepreneur and be my own boss. I don’t think I ever thought that it couldn’t be. I always thought big. I knew I could do whatever I set my heart to.

“One of my very favorite sayings for a very long time was, ‘If you love what you do, then you won’t work a day in your life.’ But it’s not very true. It turns out that if you love what you do, you’ll work harder than you’ve ever worked before. It’s such a blessing to be able to wake up and be excited about what’s happening, where you’re going, and have control over it.”

Mimari doesn’t have a definition of success in mind. “I have no idea what I think success is. I have no target in my head. I think I sometimes that I fear stillness. I’m just always reaching for more, and the second I hit a goal, I push it further from myself. To me, that’s exciting, and it’s what drives me, always wanting to be better.”

Reaching for more has fueled Mimari to found the Conceive Fertility Foundation to help women struggling with infertility, a battle she faced in growing her own family. “Infertility does not discriminate. It impacts one in five women between the ages of 25 and 45. The average fertility treatment can cost $10,000 and is not covered by health insurance,” she explains. “I think everyone should have the opportunity to start a family. Starting a family should be something that is not negotiable.”

A percentage of Caden Lane profits will benefit the foundation and help deserving families struggling with infertility. Mimari’s goal is to donate at least $1M towards fertility treatments in 2023 and help bring new life to deserving families.

“The funding part is important, but the foundation is also a platform to educate moms. Maybe they’re just trying to get pregnant, maybe they’re struggling with fertility or on their first cycle of treatment, but there’s not a lot of really great information out there. We need to take it out of the shadows and make it part of the conversation. It’s a hard thing, and we need to support women through it.”

Looking back at her journey, Mimari has advice for her younger self and others with a dream. “Be more confident in the dream. You can do anything you set your heart to. I think we need to hear that because it’s easier to not believe in yourself than it is to believe in that dream. Create the dream, then make it happen.

“Write your own story; create the life you want to live. There are no rules. There’s only how someone else has done it, how you choose to do it, and what’s yet to come. I’ve learned time after time that fear truly limits you, and with great risk comes great reward.”

We have built our brand around the most amazing community of women, and most of our marketing from early on has come from word of mouth! And as any new mom will tell you, that’s the best kind of advice.

Women Leaders of the San Antonio Rodeo: Transforming Lives of Texas Youth

Let’s Rodeo San Antonio! With this rallying cry, the 74th annual San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo will kick off on February 9th and run through February 26th. Last year, approximately 1.3 million visitors passed through the fairground gates, and this year’s attendance is projected to equal or exceed that.

In 2022 alone, over 21,000 students were impacted by Stock Show & Rodeo funds raised to help advance their education and agricultural goals. The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo has awarded $243 million to Texas youth through scholarships, grants, endowments, junior livestock auctions, Western art sales, the calf scramble program, and horse show premiums since 1984. Since its inception in 1949, the San Antonio Rodeo has become one of the largest rodeos in the U.S. In addition, the Junior Livestock Show today is one of the largest in the nation as well.

None of this would be possible without the tireless efforts of the event’s dedicated staff and volunteers. Read on to learn about how four women leaders of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo play essential roles in making all of this possible.

By Blithe Wiley | Photography by Suzanne Pack

Chairwoman of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo’s Executive Board of Directors

As Chairwoman of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo’s Executive Board of Directors, Nancy Loeffler oversees the Executive Committee meetings and conducts the major volunteer meetings in preparation for the annual event. Each year Loeffler lives on the rodeo grounds for the duration of the show so she can keep a close eye on all the barn activity and spend time with the Stock Show’s youth exhibitors.

Driven by a lifelong commitment to volunteering, Loeffler has been deeply involved with the Stock Show & Rodeo’s operations for the past 12 years. “I grew up in San Angelo, and my parents were involved with every volunteer job in town,” Loeffler explained. “I grew up thinking that’s how everyone lived. My sister and I were raised with the belief that you have to give back a lot because you’ve been given a lot.”

Loeffler is passionate about the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo’s mission to educate more young people in the state of Texas. “It’s so important as our state goes forward to expose as many kids as possible to higher education so that they have a better chance at a great future,” she explained. “Our job as the Executive Board of Directors is to ensure we live up to our commitment to help the children of Texas get a college education. The college scholarships we give out each year truly change the lives of our scholarship recipients.”

She also noted that participation in the Stock Show & Rodeo is a wonderful way for young people to learn responsibility and the value of hard work. “Taking care of their animals and preparing them for the Stock Show teaches them tremendous responsibility.”

Loeffler said that, without a doubt, the COVID-19 pandemic created some of the greatest challenges for the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo in recent memory.

“The pandemic was like a tall mountain that rose up before us overnight,” she said. “We knew we couldn’t go dark and that we had to keep our volunteers engaged throughout the disruption. We started working with Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, who is a champion for us, and we were able to pull off a scaled-back, sociallydistanced rodeo with his help. I’m very proud of what we accomplished with this.”

Loeffler emphasized that the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo absolutely would not be what it is today without the commitment of thousands of volunteers. “We would not be able to fulfill our mission without these dedicated and hard-working individuals.”

Nancy Loeffler

Darci Owens came full circle when she took the Rodeo Officer position for the San Antonio Rodeo five years ago. Growing up on her family ranch in Crockett County, she showed sheep and goats in Texas stock shows and received a college scholarship from the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo.

Today, she oversees all aspects of the competition and show production for the San Antonio Rodeo, which spans over 22 separate performances. Owens also works alongside the Operations Committee and building staff in the transformation of the AT&T Center from an NBA basketball facility into a top-flight PRCA rodeo arena complete with 2,200 tons of dirt in only three days.

“Transitioning the AT&T Center from the Spurs home into the home of the San Antonio Rodeo is an ‘all hands on deck’ operation,” Owens said. “Our small staff couldn’t make this happen without the army of volunteers who donate their time and resources to this effort each year.”

Owens also creates the timelines and manages the daily rehearsals for the 18-day rodeo. In addition, she maintains close communication with the rodeo judges and livestock managers to ensure the competition is sound and fair.

“One of our top priorities is making sure the San Antonio Rodeo is a great experience for our competitors and our attendees,” she explained. “Each year, we strive to improve our production quality and make our rodeo an even more rewarding experience.”

One of the most gratifying aspects of Owens’ job is the fact that the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo provides so many opportunities for attendees to learn more about agriculture. “I love being able to expose young people to the Western lifestyle and the value it brings to their lives,” she said. “It’s very important to expose kids, who may be growing up in the suburbs or the city, to the reality that there is a whole lot of work that goes into getting the food on your table.”

She noted that the dedication of the 6,000 volunteers who make the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo a success each year is essential to the mission of providing as many scholarships as possible to Texas youth. “Every penny we save by relying on our incredible volunteers goes to our scholarships,” she said. “In large part to their efforts, we are able to provide $12 million each year in college scholarships.”

Darci Owens Rodeo Officer

Now in her third year as Livestock Chairwoman, Sarah Franklin also serves on the Stock Show & Rodeo’s Board of Directors and the Scholarship Committee. As the Stock Show’s Livestock Committee Chairwoman, Franklin oversees a committee of 1,500 volunteers responsible for putting on the Stock Show.

“During the Stock Show, we essentially run 24/7,” Franklin explained. “Our committee manages the livestock arrivals, the actual showing, departures, and turning the barns around to get them ready for the next category of livestock.”

Last year, approximately 24,000 youth exhibitors participated in the Stock Show, competing for a chance to win a $10,000 scholarship in their category. “In 2022, every county in the state of Texas was represented in the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, either through a junior competition or the scholarship program,” she noted.

In addition to the livestock competitions ranging from cattle to poultry, Franklin and her team oversee additional competitions, including the Food Challenge, the Science Fair, and Agrobotics. Winners of these divisions are also eligible to receive a scholarship.

“For 2023, we have $1.5 million in scholarship awards available for the winners in the Livestock Show and related competitions,” Franklin said. “Throughout the Stock Show, the livestock committee members are pretty much running on adrenaline. But the minute you go to one of the scholarship presentations and see these kids and their reactions to winning a college scholarship, it makes every minute so worthwhile. Many times, we’ve had the parents of scholarship winners come up to the committee members in tears of happiness because all the hard work their son or daughter has put into this paid off.”

Franklin grew up south of San Antonio and was very active in showing cattle and swine. “I showed in other major stock shows across the state, but the San Antonio Stock Show always felt like home to me,” she said. “As an adult, I began volunteering with the San Antonio Stock Show as a way to give back to the organization that gave me so much growing up. Our goal is to make the Stock Show a first-class experience for every one of our exhibitors,” she said. “We want to make it something that the kids will always remember.”

Franklin emphasizes that the people involved with the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo are what make it so special. “The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is truly like a family. It is a very unique culture.”

Sarah Franklin

Livestock Committee Chairwoman

Sage Hanner Horse Show Director

Sage Hanner has served as the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo’s Horse Show Director since 2016. In this role, she works directly with the Horse Show Committee of approximately 500 volunteers. This group manages a wide variety of show events, ranging from the four-day Cutting Horse Show with multiple classes to the threeday Youth Rodeo with multiple events.

“We are one of the only Stock Show & Rodeos in Texas to put on a youth rodeo,” Hanner said. “Each year, we have around 450 contestants competing for college scholarships.” Hanner noted that a number of the San Antonio Youth Rodeo contestants go on to compete in college rodeos or even in PRCA rodeos.

“During the course of the Stock Show & Rodeo, we have anywhere from 2,500 to 3,000 horses come through our barns,” she explained. “In addition to the horse show contestants, we also coordinate the logistics for all the horses in the Rodeo itself.”

Hanner, who graduated from West Texas A&M, where she rode on the school’s equestrian team, said she’s always been very passionate about horses. “I never dreamed I would be able to work in a career that involves all of the things I love,” she said. “With our Horse Show, we have the platform to bring horses in front of so many people who might not otherwise have access to them. With my job, I get to share the magic of horses with so many people, whether they are people who already love horses or people who want to learn more about them.”

In addition to the various Horse Show events that take place in the Freeman Coliseum, the Horse Show Committee also operates the Horse Discovery Area. “We conduct seminars, demonstrations, and other educational programs to encourage visitors to learn more about horses,” she explained. “We give the public the opportunity to see horses up close and personal. It’s very rewarding to be able to do this.”

Hanner is also passionate about being part of an organization that gives back so much to Texas youth. “The college scholarships we give out are life-changing for so many young people,” she noted. “I went to college on scholarships, and they have had a great impact on my life and career. It’s so rewarding to be able to touch other young people’s lives in the same way.”

For more information on the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo visit sarodeo.com

Christine Brinkman

Founder Babes Support Babes

Walking in the front door of the Babes Support Babes Co-Space is like walking through the door of a warm, welcoming sorority house where there is no initiation, and everyone is invited to join. Here, you’ll find women of all ages sitting around tables working at their laptops, curled up on cozy couches sipping coffee, or even holding a client meeting in the upstairs conference space.

By Bonny Osterhage | Photography by Brittany Paul

The vibe is pretty but professional and conducive to community and conversation. And that’s just what founder Christine Brinkman intended when she opened the cospace in January of 2022 as an extension of her growing Babes Support Babes network.

“I first envisioned it as just a permanent meet-up space for our events, but I soon realized that women who work remotely had a need for it too,” says Brinkman. “Many of them needed to get out of the house because they felt alone and isolated.”

Those are feelings that Brinkman knows well. A fulltime elementary school teacher, she quit her job when she became pregnant with her third child. After giving birth, post-partum depression set in, and the usually bubbly Brinkman found herself dealing with intense feelings of loneliness.

“It was a big shift going from being surrounded by my beautiful group of teacher friends to being alone with three little ones all day long,” she admits. “It was a painfully lonely time, and I was in desperate need of community.”

From Markets to Meet Ups

Brinkman took up sewing, eventually launching a small online shop called Kien Bee Boutique, where she sold mostly handmade baby items. Through social media, she began connecting with other local makers, and an idea started to form.

“I wrote in my journal that I wanted to have a market where women aren’t competing, but cheering each other on when we get a sale,” she recalls. “I took a chance and started reaching out to these women online, asking them if they wanted to join me.”

The first Babes Support Babes market was held in 2018 at a small neighborhood pavilion with only 12 vendors. The second market, held at the Brick at Blue Star, housed 40 vendors and drew more than 300 attendees. That’s when Brinkman knew she was onto something.

“The women who participated and attended the markets kept asking me for more,” she says. “We started having meetups around town in addition to the markets, and our community kept growing. Then 2020 happened.”

Like all groups, Babes Support Babes had to get creative in order to continue to support one another. Undeterred, the women held their meet-ups via Zoom. They replaced their in-person market with an online gift guide. Despite the setbacks, they continued to grow, and when restrictions were lifted, one thing was clear: the Babes had outgrown parks and coffee shops. They needed a home base.

Community Co-Space

Brinkman realized that Covid had not only impacted the way women socialized, but it had also impacted the way they worked. Many of the Babes were now officing from home and needed a quiet space, away from spouses and children, where they could focus or conduct meetings uninterrupted. The co-space offers all of that and more. Nestled in a 1.5-story home on San Pedro on the access road of US 281, it provides women from stay-at-home moms to corporate CEOs and “momtrepreneurs” with a place to work, gather and enjoy each other’s company.

With a tiered membership program that currently boasts more than 100 women, it is clear that Brinkman has tapped into a niche with Babes Support Babes. Whether they are having lunch at the Pearl, attending educational workshops, or putting together one of their signature markets, these women are learning how to be each other’s “hype girls” and nurture meaningful friendships.

“It can be hard to make friends as adult women, and we cultivate that,” she says, adding that there are guidelines and codes of conduct to ensure that every woman is treated with respect. “You will always find someone to bond and connect with here.”

Brinkman says she hopes the organization will serve as an “incubator” for women to grow and thrive so that no woman has to feel alone as she once did.

“It started as a way for me to gather some supportive women in my own life, but it has grown into a full-blown community of women cheering for each other,” she describes. “Seeing the connections and collaborations these women forge with each other is my greatest reward.”

The Story Behind the Storyteller

By Bonny Osterhage

| Photography by David Teran

Ed Howie - Founder of BTY Creative

BTY Creative Founder Ed Howie is known for his big, booming voice and even bigger personality. Both are dwarfed, however, by his seemingly boundless zest for life. Whether he’s helping his clients define their brands or leading riders on one of his signature uphill climbs as an indoor cycle instructor at AMP Studios, Howie brings unbridled joy to his work and his community. With the launch of a successful podcast, This is Howie Do It, and a book in the works, the 55-year-old entrepreneur leads what he describes as a “robust” life, but it hasn’t always been that way. Before launching BTY Creative, Howie, a North Carolina native, worked his way through high school and college at Chick-Fil-A. After graduating from UNC Chapel Hill, he was recruited for the chicken giant’s corporate team in Atlanta, Georgia, as a Senior Business Consultant. That launched a career that included roles as the Director of Marketing for Atlanta Bread Company and Director of Food Service Marketing with H-E-B in San Antonio. While his life may have appeared successful by society’s standards, the reality is that Howie was “unfulfilled” in his career and struggling with alcohol addiction. He credits his faith, and the love and support of his wife of 33 years, Kathryn, along with their two children, Parker and Sarah, for helping him find the path to sobriety and win at life on his terms.

“To me, winning at life means navigating it with peace of mind, which is what I define as joy,” he explains. “I had wins, but I didn’t have joy. Now I do.”

Branding has become a big buzzword over the past few years, but what is it, and why does it matter?

Branding is your identity. It’s not just what you tell the world you are, but it’s also what the world tells you that you are. Sometimes companies become so absorbed in their day-to-day operations that they lose sight of their distinction. At BTY, which stands for “Boldest, Truest, You,” our mission is to help brands remember and refine their purpose. Storytelling is how people connect, and our team equips brands with the words and actions they need to tell their stories effectively and persuasively.

Your story includes a journey to sobriety. What made you give up alcohol more than 16 years ago?

For many people, alcoholism is not about how much you consume, it’s about the way alcohol holds your mind and spirit hostage. Although my problem was mostly invisible to the world, I knew I needed to quit, but I was selfish. I didn’t want to be “Ed the alcoholic” or the guy that was never invited to parties. I also never wanted people to feel uncomfortable drinking around me. Eventually, though, I had to acknowledge that alcohol had more power over me

than I had over it. I joined AA, and I asked God to remove the desire from my life. I believe the secret to success in recovery is faith in God or a higher power.

At AMP studios, you are known as the “King of the Hills” for your Friday resistance ride. What is it that you love about the climb?

The world tells you that speed is power, but I disagree. One of my foundational beliefs is that true power exists where obstacles and effort collide, both in my classes and in my life. For me, that 50 minutes every Friday is group therapy in the sweatiest of ways.

You have a book coming out in 2024 titled The Wonder of WOOO. What is WOOO?

WOOO is an acronym for Winning Others Over and Over. If we want to win others over in our business and personal relationships, we must intentionally take care of ourselves. We need to find peace of mind, overcome our obstacles, and remember to breathe. When we are depleted in our own lives, it is hard to serve others from a place of fullness.

You have helped countless local and national companies find their branding message, but what is Ed Howie’s brand?

Joy Beast! I intentionally try to seek and create joy whenever and wherever I can.

These boots are made for walking

Styling by Miriam Jesaijes | Photography by Brittany Paul

1. Maxi Dress $89.95 Boots $295

2. Knitted Sweater $62.95 Wide Legged Pants $69.95 Shoes $195

3. Dark Green Ruffle Dress $84.95 Ankle Boots $325

4. Plaid Jacket $69.95 Knitted Sweater $62.95 Leather Skirt $44.95 Boots $350

With special thanks to Common Roots Boutique, Commomrootsboutique.com & Freebird Store La Cantera, Freebirdstores.com

I Adore Handbags!

By Lainey Berkus | Photography by David Teran

I adore handbags.

True confession, I have far too many handbags. But that doesn’t stop me from buying more.

For me, handbags are many things — a statement, a necessary fashion accessory that completes a look, and an extension of my personality. Most importantly, they all keep me organized no matter where I am going or what I am doing.

Let’s take a peek inside my closet. There you will find the timeless classic bag, the embellished beaded bag, the designer bag, the bucket bag, the tote bag, the gym bag, the hobo bag, the belt bag, the camera bag, the doctor bag, the golf bag, the grocery bag, the bowling bag, environmentally friendly grocery bags, and my sentimental vintage bags that my Mom carried on her arm. When I became a grandmother, I invested in the ever-popular hands-free cross body bags, highly fashionable backpacks, and the duffel travel bags, all perfect for carpool pick-up and assorted outdoor adventures with my 9 grandchildren.

My bag shapes vary a lot — oversized, miniature, envelope, round, square, oblong, heart-shaped. These bags come in all colors and all materials as well — lucite, pearls, wood, leather, canvas, jute, cotton, feathers, woven, recycled materials. Add all sorts of fantastic handbag hardware in the mix.

Simply put, my handbag addiction is a neverending story.

That’s me. What about you?

I will be peeking inside bags of leading ladies in San Antonio and sharing those stories with the readers of San Antonio Woman. What’s in your handbag, and what does it say about you?

Lainey Berkus is a public relations, marketing, hospitality, arts, and community outreach consultant. Before retirement, Lainey was a fashion columnist for the Express News and the San Antonio Light. She also co-founded The CE Group.

Bag? What’s in your

Doren Fein

Executive Director of the Las Casas Foundation

By Lainey Berkus | Photography by David Teran

Meet Doren Fein, the new dynamic Executive Director of the Las Casas Foundation, a nonprofit that invests in the past, present and future of the performing arts by preserving historic theatres, cultivating young theatre artists and supporting theatre programs within the community.

Some of you may know the organization through its restoration of the Majestic and the Charline McCombs Empire Theatres or the Joci Awards (named after the late Joci Straus, the Founder of the 35-year-old Foundation). The Joci Awards are part of a performing arts scholarship program that celebrates talented high school dancers,

singers and actors from San Antonio and South Texas. $100,000 is awarded in scholarships to students each year. $1.3 million has helped over 500+ rising stars since 2009. This is the largest fund source of its kind in the country for performing arts high school students. Experience Counts.

Although this is a new position for Doren, she has been with the organization for ten years. Previously she was the Director of Operations and before that the Director of Programs and Development. Doren also has theatre in her DNA. This born and raised San Antonian was a childhood actor from ages 6 to 16. Any “Days of Our Lives” fans out

there? Doren played three different roles on that soap opera. She was also a part of the cast on “Hearts Afire”, a situation comedy with John Ritter, Markie Post and Billy Bob Thornton. She co-starred in the movie “Ed” with Matt LeBlanc too. Although she left acting for the business side of show biz, she still holds her SAG-AFTRA card, since 1991.

Doren is ready to start the New Year with a busy agenda. Her goals for the upcoming year are to increase the number of scholarship applicants and promote the incredible local talent to a packed Empire Theatre house at the 15th Joci Awards on May 21, grow awareness and financial support through exciting engagement initiatives in preparation for the Majestic’s 100th birthday in 2029 and advocate for the performing arts as an economic driver on a city, county, state, and national level. Doren knows that she needs to be super organized in her new leadership role. That’s why she has a triple handbag system, meaning she carries two large totes and one fashionable handbag, to help her move forward throughout her busy days. Let’s dig deep into her three bags that help this leading lady balance her professional and personal responsibilities.

You say your handbags never let you down. How do your tote bags help you stay organized?

My bags help me prepare for what the day might have in store, be ready to problem solve and troubleshoot whether it’s for work or my family. My two tote bags are functional and carry everything that I need from early morning to late at night. They are an extension of who I am and what I represent. The Joci Awards white canvas tote, 13” by 15”, is an eye-catcher too. The tote represents me as a proud professional in the world of theatre. People always ask me about the logo and want to hear more about the scholarship competition which is great exposure for the organization. It sparks conversation and I happily utilize all opportunities to emphasize how the arts are essential to humanity. This canvas tote also serves as a sustainable grocery bag if I need to make a stop on the way home at the end of the day. I keep a 22-year-old and very loved Louis Vuitton cross body pouchette inside the Joci tote. I wear this bag when I am heading to a business lunch or after work event. I enjoy the hands-free style and adjustable straps. It’s comfortable to wear. It was a Sweet Sixteen present from my parents and is a sentimental keepsake.

The second bag is my sturdy J Crew navy blue tote, 12” by 16”. It’s ideal for a working woman. It’s super roomy

and carries much more than a purse could hold. I love the color because it is versatile and coordinates well with my wardrobe. Both totes are light weight and neither have zippers which gives me easy and fast access to the things I need. The items in the totes are organized in smaller pouches so I know exactly what I am searching for which is great because I have a lot to accomplish every day on a tight schedule. The totes are essentially a mobile office for days that are scheduled with back-to-back meetings.

What’s inside your three bags?

The Joci tote holds wet ones, Purell wipes, hand sanitizer, Advil, sunscreen for my son and one for me too. Chapstick, a makeup bag, Kleenex, first aid kit, spare masks, a botanical boost spray for my curly hair and sunglasses. I also keep a few items in this tote for my son, like a Brio toy train, finger puppets and a healthy snack for my growing three-yearold. I keep a small bag of pumpkin seeds or nuts in case I miss a meal on the go as well as a small chocolate treat for an energy boost. The J Crew bag holds my color-coded work files, laptop, earphones, computer, phone charger, one or two Playbills or ticket stubs from the Majestic and one-sheeters for arts organizations where I serve as a Board member. I also keep a pocket version of Robert’s Rules of Order which is a reference for parliamentary procedure that governs most organizations with a Board of Directors, like the Las Casas Foundation. My business card holder, notepad, Yeti water container, five or six pens and pencils and a handful of colorful highlighters are in the tote too.

What are your must haves?

My Louis Vuitton holds my must haves which includes hand sanitizer, iPhone, driver’s license, business cards, debit holder, lip gloss, blush with a mirror, notepad and one wooden pen, hand made with love, by my husband, Ben.

Any bag tips?

Do not put your bag on the floor.

Keep your bags and totes upright to avoid odds and ends from falling out.

Always buy light weight bags and keep your must haves in a smaller purse or bag inside your tote so that you can easily grab and go when you are in a hurry.

For more information on the Las Casas Foundation, please visit lascasasfoundation.org

Looking and Feeling Great

By Bill Murphy, MD, Medical Director, Turquoise Springs Medical Spa

How we see ourselves in a mirror and feel in our clothing can be a sign of health and wellness. Does your skin glow, do your eyes twinkle, do you like the way your clothing feels on your body? The appearance of our skin and the way we feel within our skin are both evidence of vitality and health. At Turquoise Springs, we take care of all aspects of your health. We care for your skin on the outside with a variety of treatments. We realize one must address nutrition, supplements, and the health of the body and skin from the inside too.

Our Nutrition and Wellness consultation starts with an analysis of your body on the InBody 570 analyzer. It tests for several important measurements, such as body mass, body fat, muscle mass, and visceral fat. Blood, urine, and even saliva samples may give information to help manage healthy changes. A plan to fit each person’s needs might include advice for diet, exercise, supplements, topicals, and hormones. Intravenous infusions of vitamins and minerals can help restore and maintain vital immune functions.

If you desire to also lose weight and improve or alter body shape, a customized plan to meet your goals is possible. A diet needs to fit your lifestyle, and a “one size fits all” diet, fad, or starvation diet never lasts, even if weight is lost initially. Let’s design an eating plan based on your needs, good nutritional science, and your lifestyle. A plan to reach a short-term and a long-term goal that lasts. I prescribe and use the Glucagon mimicking (GLP-1) peptide injections (Wegovy and Ozempic) if appropriate to help my patients. The peptide stabilizes blood sugar, helps decrease appetite and decreases stomach emptying, and controls insulin secretion levels. I find it an exciting, useful tool for my patients.

Body contouring techniques are a noninvasive way of decreasing fat pockets and enhancing muscle to shape your body in a way that pleases you. Everyone wishes to look better in clothing and without. At Turquoise Springs, I have selected state-of-the-art technology from Cutera. The TruSculpt-iD uses RF (radiofrequency) waves to erase fat cells at locations you and I select. These problem

spots might be the abdomen, flanks, outer or inner thighs, buttocks, the back of the arms, or even bra-line fat pockets. Each treatment eliminates 25% of the fat cells, never to return.

The TruSculpt-Flex uses multi-directional stimulation of muscles to tone, stretch, and condition muscles. Three different levels of treatment intensity are possible to stretch, tone, and shape muscles. We treat the abdominals, flanks, biceps and triceps of the arms, buttocks, front and back of the thighs, and even calf muscles. This treatment can be customized for the nonathlete who merely wishes to look better in yoga pants or a cocktail dress or for the elite athlete training for a triathlon. I use the TS-Flex to rehab injured athletes by stimulating weak muscles. A unique and exciting addition to our body contouring tool chest.

“Today is the beginning of the rest of your life!” A tired and trite saying, but true nonetheless. The end of an old year and the beginning of a new one is the time many of us decide to resolve to take better care of ourselves. A consultation to form a plan for 2023 is a wonderful gift to yourself, and for those you love. Happy Holidays and a Healthy and Happy New Year to each of you!

To learn more about Turquoise Springs Medical Spa or to schedule a consultation, visit turquoisesprings.com or call (210) 253-3313

Winter Skin Routines

Don’t have to be extravagant or complex! In the winter, it seems more challenging to keep fluid intake up, and many of us reach for hot caffeinated beverages throughout the day, which can dehydrate and dry out our skin. My first recommendation for keeping skin looking beautiful is to drink water with electrolytes. You can even make your own by adding the juice of 1/2 lemon and 1/4 tsp of Himalayan salt to 8oz of water.

Hydraboost Rescue Creme by Renée Rouleau is an advanced, multi-action moisturizer formulated to diminish the visible effects of environmental and lifestyle aggressors that can cause visible redness, dehydration and surface irritation - $75.50

A gentle cleanser is a must anytime of the year but especially in the winter months. This Body Bar is a natural cleanser with goats milk and essential oils, it not only gently cleanses, but exfoliates and moisturizes at the same time. Goats milk is inherently antimicrobial, contains a multitude of nourishing components like alpha hydroxy acids, vitamins and minerals that help balance moisturize and care for the skin. Body Bar - $8.50

Finding a good hydrating serum is important especially in the winter when the wind and cold and leave skin dehydrated and dull. Simply Tiff’s Facial serum is formulated with camu camu and moringa oil containing high levels of antioxidants and vitamin C to boost, brighten and hydrate dull dry skin - $30

For those fighting chapped lips, Milk + Honey’s lip butter is a savior. It comes in two different essential oil blends, vanilla and cardamom or almond and lemon, and is made with organic ingredients. Known for their salons and spas, the Austin company makes a range of bath, body, and home products.

Milk + Honey’s Lip Butter - $12

The Emerald Replenishing Hydrator is the gold standard in moisturizer. This decadently rich cream combats dryness and nourishes dry skin back to optimum health. Featuring a multi-targeted system of high-performance ingredients which aid in the skin’s hydration and help repair the skin’s barrier function. For pricing call Turquoise Springs (210) 253 3313

Tiffany Phillips

Owner, Simply Tiff’s | simplytiffs.com | @simplytifftx

I’m a mom, biochemist and entrepreneur. After spending almost 10 years in the medical device/ supplies industry, I stepped away due to chronic illness to stay home as I became a mom. I have struggled most of my life with illness. I knew there had to be a natural more effective way to heal and nourish your body. With my love of science, nature Simply Tiff’s began.

Texas Family Lawyer

INCLUDED IN TEXAS SUPER LAWYERS BY THOMSON REUTERS TOP 10 ATTORNEYS STATEWIDE 2014,2013, 2012, 2010, & 2009

LISTED IN BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA BY BL RANKINGS 1987 – 2023

DAN RUGELEY PRICE MEMORIAL AWARD

TEXAS BAR FOUNDATION

BEST NON JUDGE SPEAKER AWARD TEXAS CENTER FOR JUDICIARY

FRANKLIN JONES AWARD FOR AUTHORING THE BEST CLE ARTICLE – TWICE 2009 – 2013

FAMILY LAW HALL OF LEGENDS STATE BAR OF TEXAS FAMILY LAW SECTION 2021

The Poco a Poco Ranch

A Home Filled With Treasures

Owner and Designer:

Courtney Johnson Walker, Interior Designer

What is your design style?

Our design style is a hodgepodge of treasures collected over the generations that spark joy and interest. We have an eclectic mix ranging from things my mother collected during her travels around the world to items we picked up at neighborhood garage sales. We love pulling these great finds together – layered décor with magic, textures, and soul from all different time periods. We add a bit of mischief and elements of surprise along with nostalgia and nods to the past. Everything has a story out there, even our collections. There are about 125 Straffoshire dogs I have collected over 40 years, and there are fossils my family has collected during our time at the ranch that line the wall. We have even made a collection of vintage radiator ceramic bricks that we have installed as wall art.

What is the main inspiration for your designs?

I am inspired by the setting – the Texas hill country. The German influence and their wonderful use of field stone and cedar in their architectural design is so pure. I like to stay true to the roots of the place. We love reusing and repurposing. The stairwell balustrades are old windmill sucker rods, and the floor in the old smokehouse came from the late 1800s Botanical Garden’s Sullivan house. After moving over to the current location, the architect was not able to reuse the creosote-covered wooden

bricks, so my mother bought them and moved them to the ranch. After about ten years, we finally found a place to install these beautiful pieces. My mother saved wonderful things that would have been sent to the landfill. Gratefully, we have been able to carry on the tradition of finding a home for these treasures, a tradition we are teaching the next generation.

What is your most special place at the ranch, and why?

The front porch is my favorite spot at the ranch. When I was a small child, I remember all our meals here. We would eat, gather and visit while watching the birds overlooking our yard and pasture.

Where does the name come from?

The name Poco a Poco happened when I took over the ranch about 35 years ago. I would often get overwhelmed by everything that needed to be done; there is always so much in keeping these precious places in good shape. There was a sweet man who worked there at the time, and when I was getting in one of these situations, he would say, “poco a poco, Courtney.” Meaning, of course, “little by little.” And that is still our mantra.

The ranch is also a VRBO. What do you do to make everyone feel “At Home”?

We embrace a “mi casa es su casa” policy and allow the guests to use all our accoutrements – nothing is off limits. We want our visitors to make their own special memories with their family and friends.

Photography by Al Rendon

thirty-one

You may not know when an emergency will happen, but you can plan ahead so you’ll be ready for the unexpected.

How Often Should You Have Your Carpets Cleaned?

Not only do dirty carpets and rugs look bad, but not getting them cleaned consistently enough can shorten their lifespan. Dirt and grime act like sandpaper, eating away at carpet fiber every time you walk on it. But just how often should you get your carpets and rugs professionally cleaned? There are a few factors to consider.

Carpet Warranty

If you have newer carpet, it might have come with a manufacturer’s warranty. Most require annual cleanings by a professional cleaning company as a condition of the warranty. Be sure to read all the terms and conditions to make sure you are in compliance and can take advantage of that warranty if the need should arise.

Eyeball (or Nose) Test

Does your carpet look (or smell) like it needs to be cleaned?

As a rule of thumb, you want to clean your carpets before they get to this stage. Dirt begins accumulating at the base of your carpet long before it becomes visible, which will be much sooner for lighter carpets and rugs.

Your carpet also absorbs and clings to smells from spills and accidents over time, which tend to be more noticeable to your guests when entering your home. Regular cleanings can keep your carpet and rugs looking and smelling fresh.

Who Uses Your Carpets?

The heavier amount of traffic your carpets and rugs receive, the dirtier they will get. Pets who travel between outside

and inside track dirt and allergens that your carpet and rugs will absorb. And as most pet owners know, the occasional accident is not always avoidable.

Homes with children are also recommended to have more frequent cleanings. Kids have a lot of spills and messes that can affect the cleanliness of your rugs and carpet. Additionally, babies and young children spend a lot of time on the carpet, and you want to keep it fresh and clean for them.

Seasonal Needs

Whether your carpet is due for a cleaning can also depend on seasonal and environmental factors. If your area has received a lot of rain or snow lately, it’s more likely that mud or other dirt has been tracked into your home.

Additionally, if you suffer from seasonal allergies, having your carpet cleaned could be a source of relief. Carpet and rugs act like a giant filter that absorbs pollen from the air, but once it gets full, it releases them back with every step.

A good rule of thumb is to have your carpet and rugs cleaned annually to maintain any warranties and keep your home looking and smelling fresh. If any of the above factors apply, you may want to consider more frequent cleanings every 6-8 months.

If the rugs in your home are due for a cleaning, take advantage of our 2-for-1 sale happening through the end of February and visit our website for in-home cleaning discounts.

Dossier

Private Bankers

As we move into 2023, there continues to be uncertainty about the economy. It is more important than ever to stay on top of our finances and make smart decisions about what to do with our money. Private Bankers offer a wealth of knowledge and personal service to help you navigate your financial future. Meet some of San Antonio’s top Private Bankers in this month’s Dossier section!

Photography by David Teran

The “Sweet Spot” of Banking

Amarillo National Bank

Photography by David Teran

Most locals probably think all banks are the same. From a multinational Wall Street bank to a regional credit union, financial institutions offer similar products—commercial loans, personal checking accounts, debit cards, and more.

But Bexar County residents who turn to Amarillo National Bank are learning that a bank’s personality matters more than its interest rates or account options. Not every financial institution has the same flexibility or focus. And no other local bank has the history of Amarillo National Bank.

“We’re part of a Texas banking legacy that’s 130 years old,” says Travis Edlund, San Antonio Market Executive. His bank is part of the growing Amarillo National Bank family. Founded in the Texas Panhandle by cattleman B.T. Ware in 1892 - the Amarillo-based bank is still 100% owned by the Ware family, now in its fifth generation. “It’s the largest family-owned bank in the United States. It started in Texas and it’s still owned and operated by Texans,” says Edlund

Amarillo National has recently expanded that banking legacy into San Antonio, College Station, Austin & Fort Worth. Its community focus and stability sets Amarillo National apart from competing banks, many of which are publicly traded. Being family-owned allows commercial bankers like Edlund to act quickly to meet business customers’ financing needs. He says that kind of nimble, customer-centered attitude is embedded throughout Amarillo National’s culture. It also allows Amarillo National to give back to local communities in big ways. Last year Amarillo National Bank gave over $5 million given to Amarillo National’s local communities across Texas.

“From the top down, you’re always going to hear ‘customers come first,’” he says. “You’ll hear it from the Ware family and you’ll hear it from all loan officers. You hear it from tellers at every branch, from Amarillo to Fort Worth to San Antonio. We are customer-driven and customer-focused.”

Amarillo National Bank’s local touch is clear the moment business customers reach out to the bank. “If you call us, you’ll talk to a person,” says Edlund. Instead of navigating through an automated call center in New York or Pennsylvania, ANB customers always speak to a human. But not just any human. “That phone call will be answered in Texas,” promises Edlund. “You’ll talk to a Texan.”

He points out that most Amarillo National customers also appreciate the bank’s size, especially for commercial projects. Smaller community banks or credit unions might be less flexible with financing opportunities. Enormous Wall Street banks end up fenced in by red tape, making them slow to respond to the community. But Amarillo National exists in the “sweet spot” of banking. It’s big enough to meet customer needs—but not so big that size gets in the way of service.

That may be why Amarillo National Bank regularly wins community accolades. It has been named Amarillo’s Best Bank for 20 years in a row and Best Mortgage Company for 17 years. It’s also regularly recognized with other local market awards, including Best Financial Planner, Best Customer Service, Best Customer Culture and Best Bank in Texas by American Banker Magazine in 2013.

“Being family-owned gives us the lending authority to get things done quickly. For instance, we can make fast, local decisions on loans,” Edlund says. “It’s difficult for really big banks to be agile when they’re answering to Wall Street.”

Best of all, Amarillo National doesn’t answer to outside shareholders. Family ownership helps it prioritize community involvement and investment, which makes Amarillo National Bank a great place to work. “I love what I do,” Edlund says. “We love our community and customers. We take money seriously, but we try to do it with a light heart. We try to have fun. This isn’t just a job. We are here to make our communities better and stronger.”

To learn more about ANB, visit anb.com

Broadway Bank

Leah Schoenfeld, Senior Vice President, Private Banker

What sets you apart from other Private Bankers?

I provide a high level of service while offering customized solutions for clients who have complex banking needs. I strive to build strong relationships, uncover needs and goals, and provide guidance along the way. I’m great at understanding my clients and how they want me to work for them. Clients love that I’m relatable, reachable, reliable — and that I always have a smile on my face.

What do you love most about your work?

I love getting the opportunity to work with and get to know so many different, successful people in the community. All my clients are individually unique and brilliant in their own fields of work and I love being able to help them navigate, preserve and build their wealth with the many tools and resources available at Broadway Bank. I also love partnering with different line of business experts to help provide a holistic approach to finding the right solutions for each client.

How do you define success in working with your clients?

Throughout my almost 17 years in the financial industry, I have been able to make numerous dreams come to fruition. I have helped countless individuals save and make money, and one of my favorite successes is providing a solution for a need someone didn’t even realize they had.

What inspired you to go into your field?

I am passionate about financial literacy. I have spent countless hours researching and learning every way possible to save or make a dollar. I feel lucky to have been able to turn my passion into a career. Now I am able to expand my financial knowledge and help other people find solutions to navigate and build theirs.

Frost – Banking, Investments, Insurance

Vanessa Mayfield, Senior Vice President | Corporate Banking

What inspired you to go into your field?

I graduated college with the intent of going into public accounting and happened to take a graduate class in Commercial Banking during my very last semester. Guest speakers from a bank presented to the class one day about what their job entailed, and I was immediately drawn in. I then changed my path. The banking industry just fascinated me then and still does to this day.

What do you love most about your work?

The people, without a doubt. In many cases, I have the privilege of getting to know business owners and their teams on both a professional and personal level. The opportunity to serve as a partner to these individuals and companies as they progress on each of their unique journeys is so rewarding. I often feel so inspired and in awe of their courage, drive, determination, and intelligence.

Additionally, my work keeps me feeling challenged and invigorated…every day is different. Nothing gets me fired up more than getting to structure a loan to help a business embark on a new, strategic, and often complex venture. Furthermore, I am fortunate to work at a company as wonderful as Frost Bank that allows me to do this amidst a culture that aligns with my personal value system.

How do you define success in working with your clients?

To me, success is earning a trusted advisor status with my customers. I want them to know and believe that I genuinely care about them and have their best interest at heart. I strive to be creative, thoughtful, strategic, and aggressive on behalf of my customers to achieve the most advantageous outcomes for them. At the end of the day, regardless of the outcome, earning and maintaining their trust is the ultimate win.

Texas Capital Bank – Private Wealth Advisors

Cathy Haffner, Senior Vice President, Senior Private Client Advisor

What sets you apart from other Private Bankers?

What sets me apart from other Private Bankers is that I view my role as a “financial coach” — focusing on all aspects of my client’s financial life, including banking, credit, investments, insurance, and how to plan a financial legacy for the next generation. A coach provides guidance that is unique to that person — or in my case, my clients and their families — to reach the goals they aspire to achieve — a vacation home in the mountains or by the water, the boat, or planning for the lifestyle they want in retirement.

How do you define success in working with your clients?

Success means that my clients have “peace of mind” — they understand the path to achieve their financial goals and can sleep at night knowing my team is doing what’s in their best interest.

What inspired you to go into your field?

I’ve seen firsthand how solid planning and investing for the future are essential in achieving family goals. My parents migrated to the US from the Philippines when I was one year old. They achieved their dreams of sending my sisters and me to college, building their dream home with a water view, and owning that red Mercedes. When I had the opportunity to become a Financial Advisor, I was excited to help others build their financial future — with a foundation in financial planning and a wholistic approach to banking, investments, insurance, and estate planning.

What do you love most about your work?

The most rewarding part of my work is seeing that smile on a client’s face when we’ve helped to make a dream come true — such as building that dream home in Terrell Hills or The Dominion or setting up that retirement account so they can live the lifestyle.

The Bank of San Antonio

Brandi Vitier, President of The Bank of San Antonio

Maria Breen, EVP, Private Banking Manager

Jennifer Dunem, SVP, Treasury Sales Manager

Maggie Ortiz, SVP, Relationship Manager

Our ideal clients are individuals and families who would benefit from a personalized and collaborative banking experience. From expert wealth management and trust services to concierge-level private banking, our client’s unique situations and goals guide every move we make.

We are passionate about building strong partnerships with our clients. We listen closely to understand what is important and meaningful to them and use this information to craft customized solutions. Our team is dedicated to getting to know each client and anticipating their needs.

As a team, we offer a range of specialized services. For example, our advisors in Treasury Management provide education on fraud mitigation, while our tenured commercial bankers advise founders on growth opportunities. Our goal is to build long-term wealth.

BRANDI: I love the opportunity to work with interesting people who have created wealth through their family businesses, entrepreneurship, and stewardship of family wealth for future generations. Helping people achieve their goals is what this profession is all about.

MARIA: I see our impact like a drop of water rippling through a lake; each ripple affects the others and contributes to the growth of everything it touches. This is the meaning and inspiration in my work; to connect, engage, educate, and support. It’s a new journey every day with clients to discover what’s possible.

JENNIFER: I enjoy hearing every client’s story and their passion for what they do. Building relationships and helping our clients find ways to increase efficiencies and fight fraud is rewarding.

MAGGIE: I love seeing projects in San Antonio that I’ve played a part in bringing to fruition. With its cultural vibrancy and community, San Antonio is poised for continued growth, and I am grateful to play a part in it.

Pictured from left to right: Jennifer Dunem, Maria Breen, Brandi Vitier, and Maggie Ortiz.

Women in Business

Leadership

Leadership: How Peer Groups Can Improve Your Emotional Intelligence

By Amy Childs, PCC | Photography by Suzanne Pack

What exactly do emotions have to do with business? PLENTY!

According to the Center for Creative Leadership, “75 percent of careers are derailed for reasons related to emotional competencies, including the inability to handle interpersonal problems; unsatisfactory team leadership during times of difficulty of conflict, or the inability to adapt to change or elicit trust.” This is a staggering statistic that must be changed for the better.

Emotional Intelligence or EQ (Emotional Quotient) is defined as the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, as well as recognize and influence the emotions of those around you. In leadership training, many programs start with personality types or strengthsbased assessments. These are helpful for awareness purposes, but they are not developmental in nature, and therefore you cannot do much to change your personality. However, the behavioral qualities associated with EQ are dynamic, with high potential to derail or accelerate leadership growth.

The five core ideas of Emotional Intelligence are selfawareness, self-regulation, empathy, motivation, and social skills. Once these pillars of EQ are understood and evaluated, the next step forward entails determining how to improve these areas. This is where the value of relationships is crucial. The work simply cannot be done alone.

As an executive coach, I have the privilege of connecting with and facilitating peer advisory groups of highperforming leaders who are devoted to accountability, confidentiality, and transparency. For years, my CEO cohort has reaped the benefits of meeting monthly to honor their commitment. This group consists of various business owners from diverse backgrounds who are non-competitors in their respective fields. It is a safe,

confidential place for them to come together each month and truly share their challenges. With a trained facilitator leading the group, the emotions are able to be processed, and a solution-focused outcome is always the goal.

Ask group members about their experiences, and you will discover countless testimonies of how their participation has led to a life-changing impact. Here are a few examples:

Kara Clayton, President and CEO at Express Contracting, writes, “Our group grows closer together with every meeting, more vulnerable and opening ourselves to constructive feedback, candor, and accountability. What we share together and how we call each other out make us strong and daring leaders for our respective companies. This group and my Chair’s guidance have become my lifeline in balancing my work and personal life.”

Krys Weyand, CEO for Santa Cruz Properties, expresses similar sentiments. She states, “Being a part of this group means so much to me. It is so nice to have a group of peers with which to talk the hard things out. Our group is notorious for asking really engaging questions that allow you to think through the consequences of your actions. I have grown immensely, both personally and professionally, since becoming a member of Vistage. I am so proud to call the people in my group colleagues and friends.”

Kathy Rudkin, CEO of Rudkin Productions Advertising Agency and Rudkin Printing, shares an additional perspective: “I have been in business for over 30 years and have been contacted many times to join a peer group. My excuse was always that I did not have time, and quite frankly, I thought it would be a waste of my time. I was contacted right at the beginning of Covid by a personal friend who happened to be a new Vistage Chair in San Antonio. Since he was a friend and I respected

his opinion, I was more open to learning about Vistage. Although still super hesitant, I committed to trying it for three months. Looking back at this, I find my three-month trial humorous because Vistage has become such a huge part of my business life. I had no idea how much I needed a peer group.”

One can conclude that the decision to join a peer advisory group will yield countless fruits as it allows individuals to build relationships and emerge as stronger, more well-balanced professionals while, more importantly, improving their personal lives. This all sets the stage for high-functioning leaders to navigate the intricacies of Emotional Intelligencewhich have PLENTY to do with business. No one goes it alone!

About the Author

Amy Childs is a 1994 graduate of the Air Force Academy with a Master’s Degree from Texas A&M University. She previously co-founded a physical therapy company, currently works with executives and leaders as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coaching Federation (ICF), and continues to serve as a Vistage Chair. She is a woman of faith who is passionate about her family, which includes five wonderful children and one beautiful grandchild. She is also an avid lover of flying and a football mom!

Building Partnerships While Building Communities

It’s rare to find a woman in leadership on a construction site. Commercial construction is still a predominantly male-led industry, but two local companies, H-E-B and Joeris General Contractors, are changing the faces of the game and issuing hard hats to powerful women leaders.

By Meredith Kay | Photography by David Teran

From left to right: Cassandra Cantu, Becca Wang, Kathy Strimple, Lori Ellerson, Lauren Gibson, Patricia Molina. Equipment provided by Sunstate Equipment.

H-E-B is currently bringing a new store to the Cibolo community and doing so with a leadership team comprised of dynamic engineers and project managers.

Kathy Strimple, P.E., H-E-B Senior Due Diligence Manager

Kathy Strimple has had the opportunity to build her career working in different departments within the organization as the company has grown. She is currently a key member of the H-E-B Real Estate team and was one of the first women to take on a leadership role within the company’s construction department. Once ground is broken on a project, Kathy supports the construction team and helps to ensure that “all the promises made to the community by H-E-B are kept.”

Patricia Molina, H-E-B Senior Facility Designer

In her time with H-E-B, Patricia Molina has helped to design multiple H-E-B stores throughout different phases of construction. Patricia says she loves the flexibility and creative freedom that working with H-E-B gives her. Working with architects, designers, and engineers, she helps create unique stores that fit the needs of the communities. “It is so rewarding to watch something you helped to design become an integral part of a community.”

Becca Wang, P.E., H-E-B Senior Engineer

An Austin native, Becca Wang is one of H-E-B’s leading engineers. She views civil engineering as a “puzzle” and says, “I love taking all of the separate pieces of a project and collaboratively putting them together to create a community store.” Once the planning phase is completed and approved, Becca’s team works directly with the H-E-B construction team and engineers, and the general contractor. She whole-heartedly embraces the corporate slogan of “This is my H-E-B.”

Cassandra Cantu, H-E-B Construction Project Leader

For H-E-B, Cassandra Cantu manages multiple projects around Texas. It is her job to coordinate information and communicate project status between her H-E-B construction teams and the contractors. “H-E-B really has construction down to a science. My job is never boring. There is always something new to learn, and new problems arise all the time that require me to find a solution. It’s a very analytical way to be creative.”

Lori Ellerson, Joeris Project Manager

Born and raised in San Antonio, Lori Ellerson received her degree in Construction Science from Texas A&M. She has worked with Joeris for five years now, and when she is assigned to a project, it is her responsibility to set the construction schedules and oversee every aspect of that project from groundbreaking to grand opening. She says that she loves working with her colleagues and on-site trades teams to solve problems and often find new ways to get something done that hasn’t been done before. She says, “This is a job that I am proud of. I believe in the positive impact that H-E-B and Joeris can have on a community, and it feels so satisfying to be a part of that.”

Lauren Gibson, Joeris Project Executive

Lauren was born in Calgary and received her degree in Civil Engineering from Queen’s University in Kingston Ontario Canada. She has called Texas home now for 10 years and has been with Joeris for the past six years. Lauren oversees multiple projects and supports the teams on those projects from the design review through to final completion. It is her job is to stay focused on the “big picture” of the project, helping project managers execute the resources necessary to stay on schedule and within budget. She makes sure that the right people on both sides of the construction table stay informed, leading successful projects across the state. She says, “It’s normal to me that there is always a woman at the table in construction meetings since it’s always been me. I’m excited and proud that with this team there are many of us.”

For additional information: Crystal Royal, Supplier Diversity Manager | supplierdiversity@heb.com

Interested in becoming a vendor or supplier? Visit Supplier.heb.com/diversity

Dr. Gia Koehne

Blossom Center for Children

Twenty years later, Dr. Gia Koehne vividly recalls the three, non-verbal boys, ages 2, 3 and 5, diagnosed with autism. They would change her life forever from the moment she met them while working as a behavior therapist in her native Puerto Rico.

By Antonio

Gutierrez | Photography by David Teran

“I remember one of them, all he would do was sort Fruit Loops by color, and when I would ask him a question, he would scream,” said Dr. Koehne, CEO, and founder of Blossom Center for Children. “Another one, any time the TV would be turned off, he would start screaming because he thought ‘The Lion King’ was coming on.

“Then it dawned on me,” Dr. Koehne continued, “with patience and understanding where they were coming from, I knew I had to be their connection with a person who was going to be fun and engage with them. It pushed me to get on the floor and be silly so that their focus could be on me, not the TV or cereal.”

Their story has a happy outcome thanks to months of an accelerated, play-based therapy method known as applied behavior analysis (ABA). Today, two of them have college degrees, and the other works for an IT company. “Within a year-and-a-half, they were talking and going to school. It ignited my passion for working with children with autism,” she said.

In 2011, Dr. Koehne, who initially wanted to be a pediatrician, took a leap of faith and opened Blossom Center for Children after working with several agencies as a consultant. Its mission is to help children with autism achieve their maximum potential through a unique method of ABA completely focused on play and social engagement.

“I opened Blossom because I wanted a space to provide my unique approach of ABA, which involves a core focus of play and neurodevelopmental aspects of autism,” she said. “If we teach through play and focus on creating connections with the kids, not only are the kids happier, but the staff is happier, and the kids learn so much faster. Most of my rooms don’t even have a table and chairs since everything is taught while playing on the floor. Anything can be taught through play, and if play is the universal language of children, why try to remove that when teaching?

“Also, our field is constantly evolving, and I wanted a place to share knowledge and train staff and parents. Finally, I wanted a place where parents felt they were part of our team and had an open door to be part of their child’s session. My company is one of the few in San Antonio that is owned by a clinician.”

Dr. Koehne said ABA has evolved over the decades and is proving to have a tremendous impact on children with autism. “When ABA started in the ‘60s, most children were taught skills sitting on a chair, with flashcards, and given rewards like candy,” she said. “Although they were learning, the progress was sometimes slow due to tantrums and therapist frustrations. With my expertise

in neurodevelopment and autism, I wanted to move far away from this and create a program in which the kids were happy and learned faster so we could close the gap.”

Dr. Koehne admits that although working with kids with autism can be challenging, the joy and excitement of seeing a child make progress are satisfying for everyone involved.

“It’s those little changes that mean so much,” she said. “After telling a mom their child has autism, her world can fall apart. But then, a couple of months later, their child is coming to our clinic, and they’re so grateful their child is talking. It’s worth every single minute.”

Dr. Koehne and her close-knit staff rely on peer support from the Council of Autism Service Providers, that she said helped them navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. “They were started by a small group of passionate people like me who own practices, yet we don’t fit into the medical or speech and occupational therapy field,” she said. “We rely on each other a lot, collaborate and share as much info as we can with one another.”

However, Dr. Koehne stresses to parents that a diagnosis of autism is not the end of the world, nor should they despair. Research has found that early intervention can have a tremendous impact.

“Some people, who I know have autism, are married and have careers,” she said. “The important thing is getting the right intervention as soon as possible, so we can help them be whatever they want to be. Having autism doesn’t mean they can’t have relationships as they get older. And today, there is so much help.”

In addition to her full-time job serving dozens of children with autism each year, Dr. Koehne is also a mom to four daughters: Kamila, 16; Gianna, 14; Alana, 11; and Mia, 5, who was born with Down syndrome.

“Mia has changed our lives in the most fascinating way, but also created challenges for her sisters and to accept that life is a little bit different than we thought,” Dr. Koehne said. “But having a child with special needs has helped me resonate even more with parents who we serve,” Dr. Koehne said.

Cristina Tijerina Sepulveda CTS Law Offices

By Antonio Gutierrez |

Photography by Melissa Raelynn

As the daughter of an Army defense intelligence officer and U.S. diplomat, attorney Cristina Tijerina Sepulveda is grateful to have lived abroad in Venezuela, Iraq, and Algeria during her formative adolescent and teen years.

That rich experience provided her with a global education that helped her to appreciate the world and the people around her.

“In every country we lived in, my parents made it clear to us that we were guests and that it was important to learn and appreciate their culture, language, food, and way of life,” Sepulveda said.

On the other hand, living in a foreign country, along with her observations about the stark realities of life, also influenced her decision to become an attorney.

“In all of the countries I grew up in, there was always political unrest,” she said. “I think that growing up in these countries and witnessing and experiencing political turmoil and, in many cases, persecution because of unstable governance instilled in me a desire to pursue a career in which I could have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.”

For the past 20 years, Sepulveda, who earned her law degree from St. Mary’s University, has been impacting the lives of her clients as owner of CTS Law Offices, where her firm offers a range of services, including family law and estate planning legal services. CTS Law knows that family law issues are sensitive and confidential, and staff is known for their compassion and care for their clients, who often are undergoing a difficult time in their lives.

Under the umbrella of family law and estate planning, Sepulveda provides asset protection related to divorce, including pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, as well as modifications of existing orders for children, adoptions, wills, child support enforcement, protective orders related to domestic violence and stalking, advance directives and medical powers of attorney.

As a female business owner and a single mom, Sepulveda understands the challenges that many women encounter in both their professional and personal lives. It’s her desire to lift them up whenever she can.

“I knew early on that I did not want to be subjected to inequality because I’m a woman but that I would choose a career in which I would have the opportunity to empower women,” she said. “So, no matter the age or demographic, each time I represent a woman, I do my best to empower them through the legal process so that when our attorney-client relationship ends, I know a stronger and more empowered woman is entering into a new phase of their lives.”

As a mother of three, Sepulveda is also deeply committed to protecting children who find themselves in need of a strong voice and advocate to represent them in court.

“I appreciate the role I have in the lives of my client’s kids or kids who I represent in various capacities,” she said. “I never take for granted that having a positive impact on the life of any child is a privilege not to be taken lightly. I choose to practice in a manner that puts children first. I advise and counsel parents to try to put the needs of their children first despite whatever legal issues the parents may be experiencing.”

Sepulveda said she is grateful for the support from other family lawyers and most judges. “We have a tight-knit legal community in San Antonio, and we support each other both inside and outside the courthouse,” she said. “I have known some of these women since attending Incarnate Word High School. Twenty years later, we still support each other. The women (and men) in our San Antonio Bar Association are amazing. Most of us truly care about each other, and that’s so important in an otherwise contentious area of practice.”

She also relies on her faith to navigate her through life, which was instilled in her as a child, and which has carried into adulthood. “Whatever country we were living in, my parents found a church for us to attend,” Sepulveda said, adding that she has been involved in ACTS retreat women’s groups and is a member of the Catholic Daughters at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.

Among her many achievements, which include completing two Chicago marathons, she is most proud of raising her children, Ruben, 21; Ysabella, 17; and John Luke, 7.

“My kids call me Mama2Strong because my heart stopped twice while having John Luke, but also because I’m fierce,” Sepulveda said. “I love that they know they have a strong mama, and being a good mom to them is my great accomplishment. And they knew when I was dying during childbirth that I fought so hard for them because I didn’t want them to grow up without a mother.”

Meanwhile, Sepulveda knows it wasn’t her time and that she still has work to do – for the sake of her children, the children she advocates for in court, and the clients who need her to guide and assist them with their legal needs.

For more information, visit ctslawoffices.com.

Vicki Gulczewski CEO of St. Luke’s Baptist Hospital

By Blithe Wiley |

Photography by David Teran

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, grow and overcome challenges brought on by the COVID pandemic, St. Luke’s Baptist Hospital is on a path toward success led by a female executive at its helm. As CEO of St. Luke’s Baptist, Vicki Gulczewski is not only shaping how healthcare is delivered in San Antonio, she is also paving the way for more women to lead in administrative healthcare roles across the city.

Gulczewski, RN, M.S.N., was named CEO in August 2022 of St. Luke’s Baptist, which is recognized nationally for outstanding care programs, including its comprehensive stroke center, orthopedics, women’s services, and for its highest-level (Level IV) of Maternal Care and Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

In addition to ensuring high-quality healthcare for all patients, Gulczewski said she believes that, in her position as CEO, it’s also important to be a strong role model for the youth in the community. “They are the next generation of leaders for our city,” Gulczewski said. “I believe girls and young women need to be exposed to any and all opportunities that boys are exposed to,” she said. “They need to see successful women in all career fields and understand that they too can be or do anything they set their mind and heart to. I’m always looking for ways to encourage women, particularly young women,” Gulczewski said.

Gulczewski was recruited by the Baptist Health System while she was still a nursing student completing her RN diploma in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. “I wanted to move somewhere much warmer for a career opportunity,” Gulczewski said. “When I visited San Antonio, I immediately loved the community, the activities, the people, and the culture.”

She started her career with Baptist Health System at downtown Baptist Medical Center, later moving to the North Central Baptist Hospital. She primarily worked in adult and pediatric critical care during the course of her 16-plus-year nursing career. “I absolutely loved nursing,” she explained. “I’ve always been committed to providing the very best in patient care.”

She recently celebrated her 30th anniversary with Baptist Health System. During the course of her distinguished career with Baptist Health System, she has held a number of leadership positions, both as an RN and as a hospital administrator. Clinically, she has led healthcare teams through her roles as Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Director of Critical Care, charge nurse of adult intensive care, and pediatric intensive care coordinator.

Prior to being named Chief Executive Officer of St. Luke’s, she served as the hospital’s Chief Operating Officer since

2015. As COO, she supervised daily operations of the hospital, including support and clinical services, surgical services, neurosciences, and cardiology services.

Over her healthcare career, several nursing and physician leaders at Baptist encouraged her to advance into a leadership role. Gulczewski considered pursuing a leadership path in clinical care but ultimately determined she would have even more impact on patient care as an administrative leader.

Over the years, Gulczewski has been very involved with a number of professional leadership organizations, including the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and the Texas Nurses Association. She found her involvement with these groups not only helped her keep abreast of healthcare trends but also provided her with rewarding professional and personal relationships with other healthcare leaders, particularly women.

In addition, her career path with Baptist Health System has been positively impacted by women leaders in nursing, clinical care, and hospital administration. “I’ve been very fortunate to have really strong relationships with other women leaders,” Gulczewski said. “For me, it was very impactful to see close up how they became leaders and how they excelled in these roles.”

Gulczewski has always been very passionate about inspiring girls and young women to seek out leadership roles in their careers. She has worked with women leadership groups to present to high school and college girls on the career subjects of nursing and hospital administration.

Gulczewski attributes much of her career success to her commitment to Baptist Health System’s parent company, Tenet Healthcare’s mission, vision, and values. These values are: Integrity, Transparency, Innovation, Quality, and Service. “I live these values every day. By upholding these values, I am able to navigate any situation successfully,” she said.

Gulczewski’s advice for women who aspire to be in a leadership role in the healthcare industry? “The number one most important attribute you must have is a positive attitude,” she said. “Also, you need to want to learn, and you need to be coachable. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and to ask for help. Last, always believe that you can be and do anything you set your mind to. With this belief, you will succeed.”

For more information visit: baptisthealthsystem.com

How are we different?

Amarillo National Bank is the largest family-owned bank in the nation. Our customers are part of the family! That focus frees us up to retain servicing on our loans. So when our borrowers have mortgage questions, they talk to someone local.

What sets you apart from other Mortgage Loan officers?

I have been on the purchasing side, and I know buying a home can be scary. This is why communication is so important. I am always available to help with client questions. Not all borrowers are the same, so it’s my priority to ensure I fit the right program to each individual need. We go above and beyond to serve customers. That’s why ANB has won Best Mortgage Lender 19 years in a row in the Texas Panhandle.

How do you define success in working with your clients?

I define success by the type of relationships built. I’m competitive, all the way down to board games, so I always want to be the best. It’s the most rewarding when my clients feel they can trust me with one of their most significant investments and know I will take care of them—from the start of their application to beyond the closing date.

What do you love most about your work?

I love helping people, and I genuinely love what I do. I have lived in San Antonio all my life and worked at many different banks, and no other bank compares to the culture and service of ANB. They treat their employees like family.

Photography by David Teran

Melodie Pue Photography

Melodie Pue

Owner

What sets Melodie Pue Photography apart from other professional photographers?

What I hear from folks is that I’m a great coach. They had a good time, felt comfortable, and loved their images. Most people (including me!) do not like having their photo taken. I understand that. I know how to be at home with people, allowing them to be at home, too. They can drop into comfort, and we get some really authentic expression that way.

To what do you attribute your success as a professional photographer?

The short answer? Never quitting. The long answer involves longing, loss, inspiration, and being deeply soothed by creating. Creation, for its own sake, makes us immortal.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

The way I get to know someone I photograph. Creating a portrait naturally ushers in deeper conversations. I relish the time and relationships.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

I haven’t yet heard better than Yoda: “Do or do not. There is no try.”

What do you do to relax outside of work?

I get giddy gardening. I love the smell of the soil, especially when it’s time to water. The textures and shades of color, the scents, the wildlife it attracts—sensorial heaven to me. Nothing else relaxes me like that.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I hate having my photo taken, too. (So I will take my own, haha!)

What’s your favorite thing to do for fun in San Antonio?

I cycle and hike often. You might bump into me at Hardberger, Eisenhower, or Freidrich Wilderness parks.

Success in 2023 Starts with a Clear Plan

By Linda Ratner RN MBA

I don’t know about you, but I’m excited about 2023. The past two years have been rough on us in so many ways. Every month was an exciting, nerve-wracking mystery, like walking on a frozen lake and not knowing if the ice would give out from under us. We saw significant changes, some of which will be with us for the long haul. While 2023 will have its challenges, at least we’ll know what we’re up against and not be in constant fear for our lives or those of our loved ones.

So, it’s time to turn the page and start a new chapter with a clear plan for a successful 2023. To begin this journey, I will walk you through the method I use with my clients and their leadership teams, who, despite the significant obstacles faced these past two years, saw growth, progress, and success.

Let’s begin by creating a long-term plan that involves setting and achieving business goals essential to success. This time-tested process shows how to set and achieve business goals in 5 simple steps culminating with a clear plan of action for this year.

The first step is to define your company’s Big Hairy Audacious Goal. A big hairy audacious goal (BHAG) is a powerful, compelling, and inspiring long-term goal often used in business to focus and energize an organization and give employees and shareholders something exciting to strive for. The term was popularized in the bestselling book Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras. A BHAG can also help your company attract investors and customers. It should be ambitious, forward-thinking, and guide decision-making.

To define your BHAG, ask:

· What do you want your business to achieve?

· What can you be the best at?

· What are you deeply passionate about?

· What kind of impact do you want to make?

Answering these questions will help you develop a clear vision for your business. Here are some examples of BHAGs:

· Become the most recognized & respected consumer brand in the world (Starbucks)

· Every book, ever printed in any language, all available in less than 60 seconds (Amazon)

· A computer on every desk in every home (Microsoft)

· Land a man on the moon and return him safely to Earth (1960s America)

Next, it’s time to create mid-range goals and remember to include revenue and profit goals. Something 3-5 years out that aligns and supports your chosen BHAG. Come up with at most ten goals that are achievable and realistic but vivid. So vivid that others can see them in their mind’s eye. A great book on this subject is C Herold’s book Vivid Vision.

We are in the final stretch! Now that you have a road map for the next 3-5 years, it’s time to get granular and develop annual goals that will support your 3-year goals. What do you and your team need to accomplish now so

that your mid-range goals come to fruition? Be realistic and come up with at most ten goals because you still have the whirlwind (your regular job) to contend with.

To stay focused and make progress towards annual goal completion, take the annual goals and create 90-day (13week) business priorities called Rocks. These Rocks will become your quarterly action plan and allow you to stay on track and progress toward your goals. The objective is to have 1-2 Rocks per leader each quarter that support completing your annual goals. Additionally, each Rock is broken down into milestones. These are weekly steps tied to dates that allow you to complete the chosen Rocks. At the end of the quarter, it’s time to reset the Rocks and Milestones based on your company’s annual goals.

It’s important to stay flexible throughout this process as things change.

The market changes, your business changes, and your goals may change. Be flexible and willing to adjust your plans as needed but always keep your eye on the ball by tracking progress. Regularly check your progress to see how you’re doing and make tweaks as needed.

As you achieve your goals, take time to celebrate your successes. Celebrating will help you stay motivated and focused on your goals.

Setting long-range business goals is an integral part of running a successful business. By following these tips, you can set achievable goals that align with your business’s mission and values.

If you want a cheat sheet to help you with this process, please email me at Lratner@ratnerconsult.com

Linda Ratner RN MBA

To Your Health connects you with experts and resources in medical care, mental health, nutrition, fitness, and wellness, providing insight into all aspects of a woman’s health.

Empowering you to advocate for yourself - mind, body and soul. Salud!

Simone Bailey-Brown, MD

Takes a Preventive Approach to Heart Health

By Paul J. Watkins

Simone Bailey-Brown, MD, a board-certified cardiologist and native of Jamaica, first decided to pursue a career in medicine when she was a high school senior. “I enjoyed studying the sciences and was fascinated with how the human body works,” she recalls. “I chose the medical field, as this would allow me to combine my love for the sciences with opportunities to interact with and help others.”

She attended medical school at the University of the West Indies – Kingston and served her internship and residency in the Danbury Hospital GME Program. She received her fellowship training in the Danbury Hospital GME Program and in the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine and Graduate Program. After practicing in New York State, she moved to San Antonio two months ago.

Dr. Bailey-Brown was attracted to cardiology in particular because, at an early age, she learned about several family members who died young from cardiovascular disease. “When I was twelve years old, my parents made a radical lifestyle change to improve the health of our family. They adopted a whole-food, plant-based diet and taught us the importance of diet and lifestyle in preventing disease. These early experiences, and a desire to learn more about the causes of heart disease, influenced my decision to pursue a career in cardiology – more specifically, the field of preventive cardiology, as this is an area in which lifestyle modification has the potential to tremendously improve the health and well-being of individuals.”

While Dr. Bailey-Brown’s cardiology practice incorporates patients with all types of heart disease, her areas of special interest include preventive cardiology, women’s heart health, and cardio-oncology – the prevention and management of heart disease caused by cancer therapies.

The cardiologist, who is affiliated with North Central Baptist Hospital and Northeast Baptist Hospital, says the most important things women can do to protect their heart health are to quit smoking, eat a diet that emphasizes whole foods derived mostly from plants, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, control their risk factors (e.g., high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol), manage stress in healthy ways, and take the time to count their blessings.

Dr. Bailey-Brown says one of the ways she takes time to count her own blessings is to spend quality time with

her husband and children, enjoying the outdoors and creating fun memories.

Regardless of what disease or dysfunction she’s treating, Dr. Bailey-Brown enjoys working with patients and providing them with the information they need to understand their illnesses and the treatments that they require to improve their heart health.

“I believe that a well-informed patient is an empowered patient who’s better equipped to make decisions regarding their health,” she concludes. “The most gratifying moments for me are when my patients get better and experience an improvement in their quality of life. When patients express their appreciation for the time that it takes to listen to them and provide the care that they need, it makes it all worthwhile.”

For more information or to make an appointment, please call (210) 804-6000 or visit BaptistMedicalNetwork.com.

Simone Bailey-Brown, MD

By Paul J. Watkins

On Saturday, May 6, 2023, UT Health San Antonio’s Women’s Health Conference will be held at San Antonio Botanical Garden.

“The conference is geared towards all adult women who want to be active in protecting their and their loved ones’ health,” says Ildiko Agoston, MD, FACC, FASE, FASNC, a board-certified and fellowship-trained cardiologist. She’s medical director of Cardiology and director of the Women’s Comprehensive Health Institute at UT Health Physicians.

“This conference is where our medical experts get to spend valuable time with the women in our community – answering their questions, sharing dependable information about the latest health topics, and, overall, empowering and encouraging women of all ages to make their well-being a top priority.

“The conference provides women in our community with up-to-date, expert information from UT Health San Antonio’s specialists in women’s health. Attendees also get to enjoy a gourmet breakfast, meaningful presentations, free health screenings, and a women’s wellness fair.”

The conference focuses on how our physical health and mental health all connect back to our heart health. The conference offers inspiration for everyone, and this year’s speakers are outstanding. They’re among the foremost medical experts in their fields, and their presentations are so incredibly relevant to the questions and concerns so many women share today.

Topics include: The latest findings on how COVID really impacts dementia and depression; which spices and foods we should be eating to help prevent inflammation and cancer; how women can both predict and prevent their future risk of having a heart attack; and how to deal with the opioid epidemic from the main caregiver perspective. And that’s just naming a few. There are so many more potentially-lifesaving seminars. Everyone will end their day more informed and more inspired.

Dr. Agoston, conference chairperson, says the event will cover many important developments in the prevention and treatment of heart health issues. “The connection between heart disease and pregnancy has been a new development recognized in the last decade. As more women have babies later in life, there are substantially more women who already have multiple cardiovascular disease risk factors such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, or hypertension by the time they get pregnant. Even otherwise healthy women may develop gestational

[pregnancy-related] hypertension and gestational diabetes that may adversely affect the mother and baby’s outcome by causing preeclampsia.

“However, only very recently have cardiologists recognized that having a history of preeclampsia or gestational diabetes at a younger age will affect women’s cardiovascular outcome later in life by increasing their risk for heart attack and stroke. For this reason, the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association recognized preeclampsia and gestational diabetes as specific coronary artery disease [CAD] risk factors for women.”

Dr. Agoston emphasizes that women tend to have an atypical presentation of heart disease and are commonly underdiagnosed and undertreated for CAD. Women have smaller hearts and smaller arteries than men, so most of the current technologies need to be modified when physicians are treating women with heart disease. Even something as simple as coronary stents may not be easy to deploy in a small vessel – hence many women are poor candidates for stent placement.

“Treating women for cardiovascular issues often requires a different approach, lots of patience, and active listening,” concludes Dr. Agoston. “Women can – and should – be active participants in maintaining their heart health, and events like our conference help educate them to do that.”

Ildiko Agoston, MD, FACC, FASE, FASNC

To learn more about the conference or to register, please visit UTHealthyWoman.org

Children’s Association for Maximum Potential (CAMP)

By Susan Osborne, CEO, CAMP

Every parent wants their child to thrive, to be happy, and to reach their maximum potential. Yet it is hard for a parent of a child with disabilities to imagine that their child will be able to have typical childhood experiences. Too often, individuals with disabilities—or those who are considered medically fragile—have never had “typical” childhood experiences like swinging, sliding, friends to play with, or the joy of being unconditionally accepted. Attending traditional outdoor recreational activities such as summer camp is not thought of as an option because of the physical barriers faced by the child and the financial barriers often faced by parents. For these reasons and so many more, Children’s Association for Maximum Potential (CAMP) has dedicated over 43 years to this community to ensure opportunities for recreation, respite, and education!

Due to its extensive programs, CAMP serves not only its campers but also their families, teen/adult volunteers, and healthcare volunteers. We provide respite to hundreds of families who need a break, leadership opportunities to hundreds of teen volunteers, experiential learning to advance healthcare professionals through CEUs. CAMP annually serves over 1,000 individuals aged 5 to 55 years with developmental, intellectual, medical, behavioral, and physical disabilities who are not eligible to apply—or be accepted—by other special needs camps due to the severity of their disability. Camper siblings (ages 5-13) without medical disabilities can attend summer camp and the Parent’s Night Out program.

Locally known as Camp CAMP, its summer camp sessions are held in Center Point, Texas, on a beautiful 55-acre property located along the Guadalupe River. Campers participate in one of nine one-week residential sessions with traditional camping activities such as swimming,

horseback, canoeing, archery, music recreation, arts & crafts, karaoke, and more! CAMP’s cabins are large, climate-controlled, and wheelchair-accessible. CAMP environments are intentionally designed to be safe places where campers can interact in their unique way, giving them confidence to move around safely, and feel more in control while also boosting their self-esteem.

During summer, volunteer counselors and professional healthcare volunteers serve a minimum of one week (approximately 99 hours), plus a week of training. Volunteers are primary caregivers for our campers, serving as a “buddy” by supporting and assisting their camper as they enjoy camp. The 1:1 camper-to-counselor ratio and volunteer healthcare staff are key to providing a safe, successful experience for the campers. Therefore, CAMP is actively looking for amazing teenagers and young adults (starting at age 16) to volunteer for Summer 2023. Applications for both campers and volunteers are at campcamp.org.

For young adults who can’t volunteer in the summer, CAMP offers year-round opportunities at CAMP’s ageappropriate outings: Respite Weekends, Spring Break Camps, and Family Weekend Retreats held at Camp CAMP (designed like the summer camp program); Parent’s Night Out enrichment activities in SA area while parents receive respite from childcare responsibilities; and Teen and Adult Day Adventure outings held throughout greater SA area at sporting events, amusement parks, museums, and festivals.

Donations are welcome at campcamp.org/gifts.

For more info on CAMP, visit campcamp.org or call (210) 671-5411 or campmail@campcamp.org.

In the Spotlight:

E ducation GUIDE 2023

Trying to Find the Right School for Your Child? You Have Options

By Inga

The learning landscape for today’s young students looks significantly different than it did for their parents growing up. Today, families have choices well beyond the local public school. In fact, there are over 150 schools of choice in the San Antonio area alone. These schools range widely in their academic focus to include STEM, classical, liberal arts, child-led, dual language, cybersecurity, public health, outdoor learning, college prep, and much more. With so many school models to choose from, living in the best school district is no longer the end-all-be-all for assuring your child gets a great education.

Every child is unique, and all children learn differently. Each school model offers distinctive attributes, allowing learners of all types to reach their full potential. It’s important to know your options, and broadening the search to include more variety allows families to find the best education for their child’s individual learning needs. Let’s break down the most common school models available to choose from.

· Charter Schools, in simple terms, are similar to public schools but with more flexibility. Nonprofits run “open-enrollment charter schools,” while traditional public school districts run “in-district charter schools.” Compared to conventional neighborhood public schools, open-enrollment charter schools serve students from a wider geographic area but typically serve fewer students per grade. Charter schools are known for having visionary leadership and providing a unique learning style, such

as project-based learning or classical education. Indistrict charter schools benefit from resources such as transportation, athletics, and other ties to traditional public school districts. Charter schools are free but require an application; students are chosen by a lottery system and are waitlisted once seats are full.

· Magnet Schools are designed for career readiness with specific focus areas such as the arts, construction, agriculture, technology, medicine, or communications. Magnets are typically found at the high school level, with a select few at the middle school level. Magnets are managed by traditional public school districts and may have entrance requirements such as entrance exams, recommendation letters, or auditions, for example.

· Neighborhood Public Schools allow neighbors to stay together. By design, they accommodate all types of learners, including special needs. Public school benefits include in-district resources such as transportation, established sports, and extracurricular programs.

· Online Schools offer full-time online instruction to students in their own homes. Online schools may be public or private. They provide an alternative for families with flexibility needs.

· Homeschooling is the process of parents or caregivers educating children in their homes. Homeschooling provides the ultimate flexibility for families. Joining

Cotton, Founder & Executive Director San Antonio Charter Moms Photography by Mewborne Photography

together to form co-ops and sports leagues gives homeschool families greater opportunities for collaboration. Homeschool students do not have to take standardized tests. Families can select their own curriculum and may choose to include religious instruction.

· Private Schools are the only schools allowed to offer faith-based education. Additionally, Private schools do not have to administer the STAAR or other statemandated standardized testing, although the schools may use benchmark testing to make sure that their students are making strong progress. Because private schools can draw on multiple funding sources, including tuition from current students, gifts from alumni, and grants, they can offer some of the highest quality learning environments in the region and are often held to a higher standard of customer service.

With so many education options to choose from, parents and caregivers can quickly become overwhelmed. That is where the nonprofit San Antonio Charter Moms goes to work. Considered the leading authority for assisting local families in their school search, the nonprofit is designed to help parents and caregivers make informed decisions by providing easy access to extensive school resources such as Facebook discussion groups with over 10K members, online articles, live videos, enrollment guides, podcasts, a school finder app and perhaps the most anticipated and impactful of all, their in-person School Discovery Day Series held annually during enrollment season which is currently underway for the 2023-2024 school year. The series is the largest of its kind in San Antonio, a school fair event series focusing on charter and choice schools in the area. The events are free and open to the public and a huge asset to families trying to make sense of the myriad of great school options in San Antonio.

There are four remaining events in the current School Discovery Day series, with the next taking place at the Doseum on Saturday, Jan. 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In celebration of National School Choice week, this is the largest event in the series. Families will have the opportunity to meet school representatives from nearly 30 top San Antonio choice schools, ask questions, get on interest lists and learn about application processes and deadlines. School Discovery Days connect families with schools in an efficient, face-to-face format that enables them to interact directly with multiple school representatives in one convenient location. Additionally, families can receive hands-on guidance from the San Antonio Charter Moms team on navigating the nonprofit's online tools and resources designed to simplify the search and application process.

To learn about additional events, see the list of participating schools, and map out the fun activities planned for the day, visit https://sachartermoms.com/school-discovery-day.

Inga Cotton, Founder & Executive Director San Antonio Charter Moms

SA CURATED

SA Curated brings you the best events, announcements, SA Woman staff favorites, things to know, and places to be in San Antonio!

Hollywood-Crawford Door Co. Donates $75,000 to Local Nonprofits to Celebrate 75th Anniversary

Hollywood-Crawford Door Company, which started serving San Antonio and surrounding areas in 1947, is celebrating its 75th anniversary by donating $75,000 to six Christian-based non-profit organizations serving San Antonio and the Hill Country. The donations will be split among six non-profit groups: Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries, Daily Bread Ministries, 1Hope for Kids, Any Woman Can, The South Texas Alliance for Orphans, and the SHARE Center of Bulverde and Spring Branch.

1Watson Rooftop Bar and Lounge Welcomed VIP Guests for Night of Revelry and Entertainment

San Antonio St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway

And the winner is ...

Congratulations to Guadalupe Coronado of Atascosa, TX for winning the 2022 San Antonio St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway house. The house and other prizes were given away on Oct. 27. Each ticket sold during the San Antonio St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway goes back to St. Jude. Thank you, San Antonio and surrounding areas, for the support and raising $825,000 for the kids!

2022 Legacy Luncheon at the Briscoe Western Art Museum

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff and Tracy Wolff received the Briscoe Western Art Museum’s 2022 Dolph & Janey Briscoe Legacy Award. The award recognizes generous contributions, advocacy, and volunteerism. The Wolffs’ commitment to philanthropy has positively impacted the museum, as well as the San Antonio and South Texas communities.

Winston Hotels recently unveiled its crown jewel, 1Watson rooftop bar and lounge to an exuberant crowd of more than 200 VIP guests. Attendees enjoyed the royal treatment with a red carpet featuring the namesake lounge’s name in marquee letters for photos before taking the exterior express elevator to the 15th floor to the bar and lounge. Guests were greeted with a coup of champagne and the electrifying sounds ofDJ Souljah and violinist. 1Watson is located at 111 Soledad Street, in the new AC Hotel by Marriott.

Left to right: Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff and Tracy Wolff with Briscoe Western Art Museum Board Chairman, the Honorable John T. Montford.

New Braunfels: A Short Drive Takes You a World Away

Two beautiful crystal-clear rivers frame this historic German burg that’s chock full of delightful respites. Whether it’s a girl’s getaway, a romantic weekend, or a family celebration, New Braunfels’ charm is visible in its unique boutique hotels, laid-back breweries, diverse flavors at locally owned restaurants, and live music at a host of venues, including Texas’ oldest dance hall, Gruene Hall.

Romantic cottages, historic inns

Nestled off the main plaza in downtown New Braunfels are two historic, exquisitely appointed boutique hotels, Sophie’s Gasthaus and Prince Solms Inn. Both offer a unique, intimate experience, steps from downtown eateries, bakeries, shopping, and cocktail lounges.

Next door to Gruene Hall, along the Guadalupe River in Gruene, is The Gruene Mansion Inn, with its century-old barns and homes restored to their own Victorian rustic elegance. Gather on the front porch and watch the big Texas sky and the river go by for a true respite.

Libation-al fortitude

The Grapevine in Gruene has one of the largest selections of Texas wines, hosting wine and beer tastings and live music at their Come and Taste It every third Thursday of the month.

Cool places, new twists

Located in downtown New Braunfels’ original 1915 post office, McAdoo’s Seafood Co. and Oyster Bar offers upscale, Cajun-inspired cuisine.

Steps from the Guadalupe River in historic Gruene, relish in a combination of history, location, and turn-of-the-century architecture at the Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar.

Live music at every corner

Music is in New Braunfels’ roots. As the home of Gruene Hall, founded in 1878 and reigning as the oldest continually operating dance hall in Texas, New Braunfels draws an eclectic mix of nationally known, up-and-coming, and favorite local performers.

The eclectic music line-up at the Brauntex Performing Arts Theater in historic downtown is a must-do. Groove to live jazz at the Sidecar, a dimly lit underground sanctuary where the casual and the professional cocktail connoisseur come to unwind.

If you’re craving the German beats from New Braunfels’ annual heritage celebration Wurstfest, look no further than Krause’s Café, as they host performers from around the world almost every night.

CARRIQUI

A BRIGHT NEW BIRD LEANS INTO THE WIND ON THE SA CULINARY SCENE

By Janis Turk | Photography compliments of Carriqui Restaurant

Carriqui, a new restaurant concept hatched by Silver Ventures, owners and developers of the popular Pearl district, is certainly the bright new feather in the cap of the San Antonio culinary scene.

Pronounced KHER-ih-key, (think “parakeet”), Carriqui is the name for a “Green Jay” bird in Spanish. This bustling eatery opened this past September and is already one of the most talked about new tables in town.

Housed in an iconic San Antonio landmark, Carriqui inhabits what was, for more than a century, a wobbly wooden building leaning precariously on Josephine Street toward Avenue A. For most of the past four decades, it housed the original Liberty Bar.

Today Carriqui is an asset to the Pearl roster of fine restaurants, shops, bars, food hall, and more. However, for long-time locals, change isn’t easy (no matter how necessary it may be): Gentrification comes with a cost. The historic, iconic building that Carriqui now calls home has been drastically altered. The bow-legged, beautiful, beat-up old bones of the place that locals long loved are hard to find; it’s now shiny, well-lit, and lushly landscaped. Still, I miss the days when it tilted toward total downfall. So, I came to Carriqui predisposed to dislike it—not for what it now is, but for what it no longer can be. However, after my first visit, I found it delightful. I may harbor a nostalgic longing for San Antonio’s old leaning tower of

Liberty, but certainly, Carriqui offers a new, bright, quality dining experience.

This clean, white eatery with a second-story balcony offers an outdoor seating area with shaded umbrella tables, a sunny bar with dynamic drinks, and a solidly good menu of authentic South Texas fare, along with attentive service. It’s a nice place to meet for a drink after work or sit out on the veranda as the sun goes down; it’s a laid-back spot to linger with friends and enjoy fresh, local cuisine.

Its history is closely linked to Pearl, so it’s fitting that it moved a bit closer to the former brewery.

A Pearl brewmaster, Fritz Boehler, built the original structure in 1890 as a general store and saloon, and its upper floors once served as boarding for brewery staff. From the 1980s-2010, it was leased as the Liberty Bar. Later it became Boehler’s Bar & Grille. Finally, it was chef Andrew Weissman’s Minnie’s Tavern & Rye House.

Longtime locals loved the place famous for its gravitydefying lean. (Would the building fall if you touched the wall?). It was filled with the aroma of hot bread from the oven, set to cool on a table near the side door, as guests entered from the parking lot (now Carriqui’s kitchen door). It had old, rippled glass windows, with a big front one encircled by a blood-orange neon light that gave the

place an air of woozy wonderfulness. I’d bring visitors there, and they’d swoon, instantly falling hard for the place like a no-good boyfriend. It embodied the old icehouse soul of a San Antonio that sadly is no more.

Still, the building’s new incarnation as Carriqui is crisp, clean, light, and lovely. Best of all, the food is really good. Now new generations of San Antonians can make new memories in a place tied so tightly to Pearl’s history and the city’s collective memory.

Wisely, the restaurant designers kept some of the building’s finer features, including the second-story balcony and the bar that spans the downstairs. Upstairs seating along the atrium windows is my favorite spot, unless it’s warm enough to dine on the veranda. The first floor is often bustling and crowded. There’s also an inviting little private dining spot behind the stairs and patio seating out front. First-timers will appreciate the friendly waitstaff and flavorful food.

There is a lot to like about Carriqui. We enjoyed refreshing craft cocktails and Carriqui’s upbeat vibe. We liked dipping chips into chunky, zesty bowls of freshly made guacamole and sipping craft-quality margaritas.

Our server explained the innovative concept of Chef Jaime Gonzalez’ carefully curated menu: the Green Jay is a bird that migrates south to Mexico and beyond, passing through San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley. So Carriqui’s menu showcases the South Texas “foodways” with fresh seafood, like Veracruz-style fish, shrimp tacos, and ceviche from the Texas Coast, appetizers like barbacoa tacos and grilled cabrito found in The Valley, and brisket and barbacoa from the Hill Country. Tex-Mex favorites are also menu staples, along with salads and some big (yet pricey) sharable botana (appetizer) platters.

Today, San Antonio’s famous leaning building stands straight and tall, and Carriqui is a bright new bird on the wing of Pearl’s high-flying food scene. I may prefer my memories of the old building, but I’m glad it’s still standing so new generations can flock to Carriqui and enjoy the space as much as I always have.

Chef Jaime Gonzalez

TRY SOMETHING NEW:

The Look Beauty Studio

Hair & Makeup

2M Smokehouse

This barbecue joint quickly became the best in San Antonio after it opened in 2016, and it’s still the best. The sliced brisket and house-made sausages are unparalleled in the city and taste even better inside the fresh tortillas. The pickled items—like nopales and serranos—and the cheesecakes and tarts made by Grecia Ramos are not to be missed.

2731 S. WW White Rd | (210) 885-9352

SmokeBBQ + Skybar

Smoke recently relocated to the downtown area, just on the Eastside, making downtown residents and visitors very happy. Smoke’s Texas-style barbecue isn’t just delicious, it’s diverse. The menu is extensive, offering mouth-watering meats, including traditional brisket, pulled pork, Dr. Pepper pork ribs, beer can chicken, Shiner Bock Beer brined turkey, prawns with chimichurri sauce, bacon, and bratwurst. If you go, go hungry!

501 E Crockett St. | (210) 253-9919

Curry Boys BBQ

Take Andrew Samia’s smoked meats from South BBQ and pair them with the curries of co-owners Andrew Ho and Sean Wen and you’ve got Curry Boys BBQ. The most popular dish is the Brisket Smoke Show, combining sliced brisket with green curry and rice, but the Panang curry might be the best. It features smoked sausage, turmericheavy yellow curry, and smoked chicken thighs.

2334 N. St. Mary’s | (210) 320-0555

Garcia’s Mexican

This restaurant opens early so you can get the famous smoked brisket taco with eggs, but the brisket is better at lunchtime when it’s topped with guacamole in a fluffy flour tortilla. The cooks also make a mean smoked pork taco. Try one of our taco editor’s favorites, the pork chop taco, which comes with bones and all.

842 Fredericksburg Rd | (210) 735-5686

Are you ready to Rodeo and you are craving some good places to eat the best BBQ? San Antonio Woman found some of the most popular and unique spots to enjoy the best BBQ places in the city.

Mary Ann’s Pig Stand

It’s hard to describe the Pig Stand as a barbecue joint. The menu reads more like a diner’s, but the chain that began a century ago in Dallas looms large in any discussion of Texas barbecue history. This is the last one operating, and you can still get the famous pig sandwich while playing oldies on the jukebox.

1508 Broadway | (210) 222-9923

Pinkerton’s Barbecue

The original Houston location is great, but Grant Pinkerton really outdid himself with this beautiful new spot that overlooks Legacy Park in downtown San Antonio. The sweet “candy paint” ribs are a big draw, as is the Primegrade smoked brisket. Duck and sausage jambalaya is a must-order. Finish up with the smoked bread pudding.

107 W. Houston | (210) 983-0088

Smoke Shack

This joint is famous for its brisket grilled cheese, which is stuffed with just the right amount of chopped beef and melted American cheese. The house-made smoked sausage and chicken quarters are also standouts, as are sides like fried okra and french fries. Try the airport location too, which is right across from the security gate.

3714 Broadway | (210) 957-1430

South BBQ & Kitchen

The sliced brisket, pork ribs, and sausage are always solid here, but once you’ve had the barbecue tacos on fresh flour tortillas, it’s hard to go back. A cold green bean and tomato salad is as refreshing as it is unusual, and the rest of the sides are just as impeccably made. Don’t miss extras like pickled, roasted jalapeños, and pit-cooked green onions. 2011 Mission Rd | (210) 437-0070

The Barbecue Station

The father-son team of Bobby and Stewart Peacock keeps this gem humming thirty years after its debut. The baby back ribs and Prime brisket make a great combo and get there early for the excellent smoked chicken quarters. The Filler Up Tater, a substantial baked potato stuffed with chopped brisket and all the fixin’s, might be the best value in Texas barbecue.

1610 Northeast I-410 Loop | (210) 824-9191

Two Bros. BBQ Market

Add a smoked chicken thigh to your order even if you’re just here for the brisket or the cherry-glazed baby back ribs. (The same ribs are glazed with peach at sister joint Alamo BBQ Co., which is also worth a visit.) The cheesy chop, with chopped brisket and mac and cheese in a cup, is a popular choice. Or you can get your cheese deep-fried with the aptly named mozzarella logs. Save room for the fried strawberry pie for dessert.

12656 West Ave | (210) 496-0222

International award-winning artist

Gladys Roldán-de-Moras

GLADYS ROLDÁN-DE-MORAS

International award-winning artist Gladys Roldán-deMoras is known for her paintings that, in a unique style, portray vivid Spanish traditions, including courageous Mexican escaramuzas daringly riding horses sidesaddle in a vivid rodeo-style festival, flamenco señoritas clad in Andalusian dresses that appear to playfully flap in the wind, and delicate damsels in intimate poses. Having lived in San Antonio for over thirty years, she finds great inspiration in representing her love of the Spanish culture passed down to her by her maternal grandfather, a proud lifelong charro who helped promote Charreria as the official national sport in Mexico.

Roldán-de-Moras’s work is in many important private and public collections and has been published in Fine Art Connoisseur, Art of the West, Southwest Art, Western Art Collector, Western Art and Architecture, Architectural Digest European Edition, and many more.

Recent notable achievements include the 2021 Sam Houston Award for Best Painting and 2017 David Crockett Award for Artists’ Choice at Night of Artists at the Briscoe Western Art Museum; the 2018 Grand Prize Best in Show at Full Sun: American Women Artists Illuminate the Haggin Museum in Stockton, California; the 2016 Museum

Purchase Award and Director’s Choice New Artist Award at Cowgirl Up! at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg, Arizona; and the 2015 Artists’ Choice Award at Quest for the West at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis.

She is a Master Signature Member of both the American Impressionist Society and American Women Artists and a member of Oil Painters of America.

For more information, please visit: roldandemoras.com

ELENA VILLALÓN

soprano

January 31 | 2:00 p.m. | Tuesday Musical Club

Cuban American soprano Elena Villalón is currently a third-year studio artist with Houston Grand Opera. A Grand Finals winner of the 2019 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, she most recently took home several prizes in the Hans Gabor Belvedere Competition, including 2nd Prize, Audience Prize, CS Prize, and the Wil Keune Prize.

All concerts occur on Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. for 90 minutes to two hours, with a short intermission, in Laurel Heights United Methodist Church, 227 W. Woodlawn Avenue

Accessible seating is available; there is complimentary parking. Seating is first come-first served.

Disney Animation: Immersive Experience

Lighthouse Artspace

February 28 - May 29

Walt Disney Animation Studios and Lighthouse Immersive Studios, the producers of Immersive Van Gogh, are excited to present Disney Animation: Immersive Experience

The new experience brings recent Disney hits like Encanto, Frozen, Zootopia and more to the Lighthouse Immersive space in San Antonio, as well as classics like the Lion King, Peter Pan and Pinnochio

Audiences will feel like they’ve entered the worlds of beloved Disney characters.

Tickets to this immersive experience start at $39.99 and are on sale now at disneyimmersive.com. Disney Animation: Immersive Experience is located at 221 Burleson St, San Antonio, TX and debuts on February 28.

disneyimmersive.com

Star Party

Eisenhower Park |19399 NW Military Hwy

January 28 | 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Observe the night sky and learn about constellations and the planets. All ages welcome. No reservations required. Free!

Presented by the San Antonio Parks & Recreation Department and the San Antonio Astronomical Association.

tzhak Perlman

February 21 | 7:30 p.m. | The Tobin Center

Undeniably the reigning virtuoso of the violin, Itzhak Perlman enjoys super-star status rarely afforded a classical musician. Beloved for his charm and humanity as well as his talent, he is treasured by audiences throughout the world who respond not only to his remarkable artistry, but also to the irrepressible joy of making music, which he communicates.

tobincenter.org

Meet Your Next Ex

February 11 | San Antonio Zoo

Let nature take its course for a fun night of specialty drinks, wild speed dating, amazing animal interactions, and so much more! This event is the perfect Girls or Guys Night out where you can dance the night away at Club Wild Thingz, where the music is always roaring.

It’s a jungle out there, so whether you are looking to swipe right or for the perfect Valentine’s Day party for you and your friends, this adults-only (21+) event is perfect for you.

sazoo.org

The Art of the Rodeo: Student Western Art Competition Exhibition

January 5 - February 6 | Briscoe Western Art Museum

The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo’s Student Western Art Competition Exhibition fills the Clingman Education Gallery and is included with general admission. Featuring the 12 Champion pieces in the 2023 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo’s Western Art Competition, the pop-up exhibit showcases the best work from the annual contest that includes 183 South Texas school districts across 54 counties. Each of the works showcase an appreciation of western heritage, something the Briscoe and the Rodeo happily share. The 2023 Best in Show, and 2023 2D Colored Pencil Champion, scholarship recipient is Katherine Ferno from Dripping Springs High School.

briscoemuseum.org

Disney’s Aladdin

February 7 - 12 | Majestic Theatre

From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of Aladdin, a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. It’s an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite!

majesticempire.com

Mr. & Mrs. Vasquez August 27th, 2022

What was the most memorable moment of your wedding day?

The most memorable moment was the church ceremony. This was the moment that would change our lives forever, and we had looked forward to it for a long time.

What was the most stressful part of your wedding day?

The time seemed to go by so fast! Everything we had worked on and planned for over the past several months was over before we realized it. It was hard to keep moving when you just wanted to stay in the moment.

Where was your Honeymoon?

A month after our wedding we spent eight days in Costa Rica visiting the Arenal Volcano, Tortuguero National Park and ended at the Finca Rosa Blanca coffee farm.

If you had to do it all again, would you change any part of your wedding?

I would take the time to get bridal portraits done to avoid rushing the day of the wedding.

What was your “theme”?

Simple elegance.

What was your first dance song?

“No Other Way” by Ray LaMontagne. We are both fans of the artist and wanted a song that was less known so it would be more unique for our first dance.

Christina Romero Vasquez & Alec Vasquez

Photographer: Maria Rogers Photography | Venue: Sacred Heart Conventual Chapel & McNay Art Museum

Wedding Dress: Selena by Maggie Sottero from Olivia Grace Bridal | Groom’s Tuxedo: The Black Tux

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: David’s Bridal | Hair and Makeup: Amie Pena, Marisa Inclan (make-up), Roxy Sanchez (hair) | Planner: Debra Reece Events | Engagement Ring: Americus Diamond

Wedding Bands: Americus Diamond | Bar & Catering: Ivy Hall | Cake: Betty Jane’s Bakeshop

Florist: Freesia Designs | DJ/Band: Gaines Entertainment Services