Today's Woman February 2019

do we

look alike?

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR PET

+ HEART HEALTH

FEBRUARY 2019

Today’s Woman / February 2019

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contents FEBRUARY 2019

6 features 6 Signed, Sealed and Delivered With a Lick (or Peck)

Find out how they bring positive energy and happiness into the lives of their owners.

14 An Animal Trainer’s Handbook

Jane Anne Franklin works with a 400-pound sea lion at the Louisville Zoo.

16 A Horse, of Course

“I didn’t know what direction I was going in and that’s when I started thinking about getting a horse.”

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spotlight 26 Animal Attraction

If you’re searching for some fashion inspiration, think about using your pet as a starting point.

32 Acupuncture May Help Your Pet

Holistic help for pets?

32 Heart Health Supplement

18 27 THINGS

Happenings, news and tidbits that caught Today’s Woman’s eye this month

34 7 THINGS

Seven things she can’t live without

36 LIMITLESS

“The different phases you go through in life are interesting...”

36 EAT THIS WAY Healing with food

38 THE MARKETING PROFESSIONALS Two women making waves in the marketing field

40 CELEBRATIONS Brooke and Kevin Fleig

Inserted after page 32

33 My Drastic Diet Helped My Heart

February 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

“I had never heard of {The Whole Foods Plant-Based Diet}...”

Read full stories online at TodaysWomanNow.com Search with the person’s name in the story.

Today’s Woman / February 2019

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FEB. 2019 | VOL. 29 | NO. 3

“If a dog can love us

February 2019 Today’s Woman Manifesto

“She makes everyone smile and laugh with her funny looks and loads of personality.”

“I didn’t have the heart to leave her.”

unconditionally, “It’s impossible to have a bad day with a happy dog greeting you!”

“The unconditional love and joy they bring to us is immeasurable.”

why can’t we

“She loves visiting people and letting them love on her. It’s like she knows that’s her job.”

“He brings me comfort when I am sick.”

love each other “He instantly fell asleep in my arms, and I was hooked.”

“He is so silly and I find myself spending hours on my days off just watching his weird behavior.”

the same way?”

- Carol McKibben

ON THE COVER:

Hayley Amoss and her dog Zydeco look forward to their daily walks, his puppy play dates, and weekends spent at the dog park. Read more about how they’re enjoying life together on page 27.

Photo by Melissa Donald Hair by Krista Nenni, J. Estell Salon Makeup by Emily Roberts, Strandz Salon and Threadz Boutique Styling by Aubrey Hillis

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February 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

PUBLISHER Cathy S. Zion publisher@todaysmedianow.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Anita Oldham editor@todaysmedianow.com EDITOR Tiffany White tiffany@todaysmedianow.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Lucy M. Pritchett Miranda G. Popp miranda@todaysmedianow.com COPY EDITOR/SR GRAPHIC DESIGNER April Allman april@todaysmedianow.com DESIGNER/PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Jill Cobb jill@todaysmedianow.com DIGITAL DESIGNER/STYLIST Aubrey Hillis aubrey@todaysmedianow.com CAMPAIGN MANAGER Jessica Alyea jessica@todaysmedianow.com PHOTOGRAPHER/PHOTO EDITOR Melissa Donald melissa@todaysmedianow.com OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Scheri Stewart Mullins scheri@todaysmedianow.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Susan Allen susan@todaysmedianow.com BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Rachel Reeves rachel@todaysmedianow.com SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANTS Teri Hickerson teri@todaysmedianow.com Joyce Inman joyce@todaysmedianow.com MEDIA CONSULTANT Deana Coleman deana@todaysmedianow.com CIRCULATION MANAGER W. Earl Zion Today’s Woman is published monthly by: Zion Publications, LLC 9750 Ormsby Station Road, Suite 307 Louisville, KY 40223 Phone: 502.327.8855 TodaysWomanNow.com TodaysMediaNow.com The opinions expressed herein are exclusively those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the position of the publisher. Today’s Woman magazine does not endorse or guarantee any advertiser’s product or service. Copyright 2019

by Zion Publications LLC, all rights reserved.

Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited without permission from Zion Publications LLC.

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Today’s Woman / February 2019

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Signed

led and D a e S ,

th a

wi

Photos Melissa Donald Makeup by Emily Roberts, Strandz Salon and Threadz Boutique

red elive

These anim als are more than pets — they symbolize the meaning of uncondition al love. Find out how th ey are brin ging positive en ergy and happiness into the liv es of their ow ners.

Lick (or Peck)

“Thank you for picking me to be your little girl so many moons ago.

I am lucky to have you as my mommy.

I love going to the park for long walks, to the lake so I can swim, and tagging along on countless errands just so I can model a new hair bow.

I am so grateful for the research and food prep you continue to do for me to keep me as healthy as possible. I’m looking forward to making many more memories with you.”

Love your little fighter,

Chloe

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February 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

HOW THEY MET: “Breeder. My previous Maltipoo died from the pet food recall. It took me some time to get over that before I could start looking again.”

THE ATTRACTION: “My previous Maltipoo was white and male. I wanted the complete opposite after what I experienced from the pet food recall. I am always on the go.

She is always relaxed and chill.

She brings calm to my chaos.”

HAPPINESS FACTOR: “She is always happy to see me when I come home and always up for a car ride or walk in the park.

She’s my sidekick. I have had friends recognize her before they see me.”

SPECIAL MOMENTS: “We like to walk and cuddle. She only plays with one toy, which she has had since she was a puppy. She also likes to run with me outdoors and will follow me when I mow the lawn. She lets me dress her up in clothes, wigs, and funny hats too — that’s more for my comedic relief.”

CHLOE’S SPECIAL TALENTS: “I would say her talent is bringing calmness to people.

She was therapy a dog, but cancer made her retire. She loves visiting people and letting them love on her. It’s like she knows that’s her job.

She has a really long tongue so it will often make appearances in photos. She knows how to pose for photos and doesn’t like selfies.”

DIANE WERLE AND CHLOE Office Manager, Caldwell Energy Company; Fitness Instructor at Louisville Athletic Club, Blairwood Tennis Swim and Fitness Club, YMCA

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HOW THEY MET: “We knew we wanted a corgi and did a lot of research. It paid off — we ended up getting connected with Shara Cunningham, a groomer near Athens, Ohio who had bred her and her family’s two registered corgis.”

THE ATTRACTION: “When we saw him, he instantly had a smile. We quickly saw that he has the quirkiest, funniest personality. When we went to pick him up all the dogs were running around the breeder’s house. We walked in to find our new little guy and a paw came swiping out from underneath the couch.

I exclaimed, ‘What was that!’ and our breeder, Shara, laughed and said, ‘That’s your dog!’ I immediately knew he was our perfect little man.”

HAPPINESS FACTOR: “He instantly can detect sadness or gloominess and brings snuggles or demands to be played with. He is so silly, and I find myself spending hours on my days off just watching his weird behavior.”

TIME TOGETHER: “He comes to the news station with me on the weekends and cheers up my coworkers. I bring him with me when my husband is out of town, if my coworkers have had a hard week whether that be a lot of emotionally draining stories or just a lot of work, or honestly, if I just need a friend to sit with me.”

WHITNEY HARDING HIGAKI AND HENRY HIGGINS Sports Reporter/Anchor for WHAS11

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February 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

“Your snuggles are the best. Thanks for the treats –

but I could always have more. You take me on long walks – so the coffee people can give me puppuccinos.

You are my favorite person – until Grandma and Grandpa come to visit.

I love you.”

Love,

Henry Higgins

Today’s Woman / February 2019

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GABI DEETCH AND TWISTED Equine Care Specialist, Humane Society

“Thank

you for saving my life, and all the love you give me.

Also, the Ramen noodles are pretty nice too.”

Love,

Twisted

HOW THEY MET: “I went to pick out 4-H show chickens, and I asked the man [who was] selling them what was wrong with the little white chicken. He said it was born special and he wanted to let it go for free to a good home.”

THE ATTRACTION: “When I saw her, she was scrawny and dirty.

She was frantic to eat, and I could tell she needed someone to baby her. I didn’t have the heart to leave her.”

SPECIAL MOMENTS: “[For] the first bath I gave her, she fell asleep on me wrapped in her towel. She trusted me enough to relax and that really meant a lot.”

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HAPPINESS FACTOR: “She makes everyone smile and laugh with her funny looks and loads of personality. When her favorite song [The Chicken Song] comes on, she dances and cock-a-doodle-doos.”

TWISTED’S SPECIAL TALENTS: “Pushing buttons on your phone and picking up socks.

She absolutely loves to stand on your head and sleep.”

GABI’S MISSION: Gabi and her mother find furniture to repurpose and sell to fund Twisted Acres Farmhouse Rescues. “We have rescued two wild mustangs and many other farm animals because of what Twisted the chicken got started at our mini farm.” (ourtwistedacres.com)

February 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Today’s Woman / February 2019

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“I’ll

always be your fierce protector as long as you give me treats.”

Love,

Tucker

HOW THEY MET: “I got him when he was 9 weeks old from a breeder in Indiana as a surprise gift 12 years ago. It was love at first sight. We had an immediate connection, and our personalities are soulmates.”

HAPPINESS FACTOR: “No matter what, he’s happy to see me and always greets me at the door.”

TOGETHER TIME: “We love to cuddle under the heated blanket and have walking adventures.”

SPECIAL MOMENTS: “He’s quirky for sure, but when he chases squirrels it cracks me up, because he never catches them. He brings me comfort by knowing exactly where to lay near me when I am sick. I had an ovarian cyst rupture about 9 years ago, and Tuck never left my side during hospital time and recovery. He healed me.”

CHRISTINA STONE AND TUCKER Risk Management Specialist, ARGI Financial Group

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February 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Today’s Woman / February 2019

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AN ANIMAL TRAINER’S HANDBOOK

By Julie Engelhardt Photo Melissa Donald

F

inding one’s passion in life often takes years to discover. Then there are people like Jane Anne Franklin who found her calling early. She’s so well suited for this path it’s hard to imagine her in any other career. Jane Anne is the curator of mammals and supervisor of animal training at the Louisville Zoo. Her admiration for all creatures, great and small, is evident by the way she talks about them and how well she interacts with them daily.

Animals have been a constant in Jane Anne’s life. Her grandfather raised dairy cattle on his farm outside of Okolona. Her father loved animals, so the family kept a menagerie of dogs, cats, birds, and fish. Jane Anne often brought strays home, admitting, “I was always the kid who said, ‘Mom, the dog just followed me home,’ but somehow it had a rope tied to it.” When she was about to turn 12, she told her dad she wanted a horse for her birthday. “Most little girls say that, but I held his feet to the fire and I did get that horse,” she recalls. In fact, she got two horses in the deal, as her birthday present was pregnant and gave birth soon after.

Prior to her career with the zoo, Jane Anne worked at an animal hospital and studied dog training. She studied zoology at the University of Louisville, earning her degree in 1988. She enjoyed working at the hospital, but she wanted a change. “I was getting tired of the domestic animals and decided that if I was going to get bitten, it might as well be by something exotic,” she says. Her path was about to shift thanks to a visit to the Louisville Zoo. While there on a field trip with her mammalogy class, Jane Anne realized what her next step was going to be.

“I met Steve Taylor, who is our assistant director now but was in charge of aquatics at the time, and the zoo veterinarian, Dr. Bill Foster. It was during a lecture at the MetaZoo Amphitheater. Dr. Foster had the skull of a gazelle in his hand and was talking about anatomy and what people did at the zoo. It was then that I knew exactly where I was supposed to be working.”

Jane Anne applied for a job at the zoo, and she was hired on as a keeper 2 in the giraffe area. This entailed

taking care of giraffes as well as other hoofstock, including sable antelope, greater kudus, and springbok.

Not long after she started with the zoo, a position in the aquatics division became available and she applied for that. Several weeks later she was on her way to working with seals and sea lions, polar bears, and grizzly bears.

While working with the aquatic mammals, her penchant for animal training blossomed, yet she was determined to do things differently from the way she’d been taught.

“I had learned to do a forced retrieve,” she explains, “by doing an ear pinch, which is one way you teach a dog, such as a bird dog, to retrieve. The trainer and I disagreed on this method. I told him that I have a 400-pound male sea lion I work with, and I’m not pinching his ear and he picks up anything for me.”

Although she understood the reasoning behind this type of training, which is for the dogs to be expeditious, she wanted to explore positive reinforcement. Jane Anne’s method is to ‘pay’ the seals for their behaviors.

“My thoughts are to let the animals learn, and as they learn it, it will stick longer,” she says. “You want to build a relationship. No matter what it is, you have to build it on trust.”

After her initial experience training the seals and sea lions, Jane Anne says she wanted to learn as much as she could. “I couldn’t read enough books, I couldn’t get enough experience, I couldn’t work at the zoo enough, and I couldn’t work with my dog or my horses enough,” she says.

Training animals does more than just teach them to respond to various commands. Jane Anne shares how animal training enabled the staff to retrieve an orangutan on the loose. “She escaped into the service area of her enclosure due to mesh failure, and we tried a couple of different ways to encourage her to come back,” she says.

“We tried grape juice, marshmallows, chocolate. But, the orangutan turned on the washing machine, dumped in a whole box of Tide, and she dumped everything close to the washing machine into the machine. She got in a crate and pulled the door closed. Finally, we decided that we would get the veterinarian to scare her down with a blow pipe. One of the things we’d done is work with the

“...I TOLD HIM THAT I HAVE A

400-POUND MALE SEA LION I WORK WITH, AND I’M NOT PINCHING HIS EAR AND HE

PICKS UP ANYTHING FOR ME.”

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February 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

HERE ARE SOME TIPS FROM JANE ANNE ON HOW YOU CAN WORK WITH YOUR PETS AT HOME. Q: What do you do if your cat gives you sharp ‘love bites’ on your chin or hand all the time?

A: I would get some toys for the cat to play with, like things on a string, and when it starts to nip see if it wants to play with something. If this is a new cat, some of this behavior has to do with settling in.

Q: What do you do if while petting your cat it suddenly grabs your hand with its claws, bites and starts kicking at it? How can you stop this behavior?

A: Most of the time young animals’ play behavior mimics what it’s going to do as an adult. I wouldn’t go for the belly first to pet it. Maybe start lightly on the back. If it does get aggressive, you can always ‘scruff’ the cat — pull on the back of its neck as its mother would have done. Kittens go limp when they’re scruffed. Or, give it toys to roughhouse with.

Q: How do you stop your dog or cat from charging out the door when it’s opened?

A: I use treats. I’m going to redirect their attention, and we’re going to practice that behavior. When you’re going out the door give them something to do. You have to practice that. When you go out, you have to be conscious of where the cat or dog is.

You don’t yell at them, you reward them for staying.

Jane Anne Franklin with 400-pound sea lion, Bart, who waves at her command.

veterinary staff so the animals would not have anxiety when they were with them. When the vet came in, the orangutan thought we were having a training session and came to him. It wasn’t a big deal. It was like she wanted to train.”

Training also plays an important part in caring for the animals’ health.

“All of our animals are trained to accept eye drops,” Jane Anne explains.

“You start with desensitizing their heads, making sure you can get around their head and that different things can be above them and they’re not fearful of it. Once they’re used to that, then you get them used to the eye drop bottle. Then, you might use saline before you use real medication.

And what we teach them is that when we say ‘eye’ the behavior is to open their eye, and the drop on their eye is just a distraction.” They strive for calm, cooperative behavior. “My goal is to take the absolute best care of the animals that I’m responsible for,” she says.

Q: How do you teach your dog to stop barking and whining?

A: Typically there’s a reason for this. The owner needs to figure out what the reason is and change it. Fussing at the dog for this behavior is still giving it attention, and it doesn’t care in what form. Give it something else to do. Also, don’t leave your dog confined for a long period of time. Before it’s left alone it needs to be taught what is expected. When you’re out in the yard with the dog and it’s carrying on, you need to give it something to do or engage it somehow. Say, “That’s good, that’s enough, thank you. Quiet.” When the dog gets quiet, you give it a cookie.

Q: How do you teach your pet to stop begging for food when you’re at the dinner table?

A: Again, you need to give your pets something else to do. Ignore them. Don’t say anything and no eye contact. Or, give your dog a hollow bone with peanut butter or cheese. They learn they have to wait until the people eat.

Today’s Woman / February 2019

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P

roviding a forever home for a rescue animal usually means adopting a cuddly kitten or a playful puppy. When Tracy Harvill decided she wanted a pet, her sights were set on a creature much larger than a tabby cat or tiny lap dog. Her heart was set on adopting a horse. Tracy had dreamed of having a horse since she was a child, but knew she needed to wait until the right circumstances, and her finances, were in place.

In early 2017, her beloved Great Dane passed away. “I only had her for two years. It was very sudden. I woke up one morning and she was fine, and by the end of the day she was gone,” Tracy says. She fell into a deep depression and even sought counseling.

“I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT DIRECTION I WAS GOING IN AND THAT’S WHEN I STARTED THINKING ABOUT GETTING A HORSE.” She researched various web sites and eventually found the horse she wanted — located 700 miles away in New York. Tracy read his story and learned that he had been a rescue, was terribly underweight, and had been taken in by a place called Payne Farm Too. “He was near starvation,’ Tracy says. “They thought he looked just like a dinosaur, hence the name ‘Littlefoot,’ the name of one of the characters from the animated series The Land Before Time.”

Tracy decided to check into other horses but nothing came of it. Towards the end of 2017, she and a friend scheduled a vacation to Mexico, and after discovering Littlefoot, was still available, she decided to re-route her return flight and head to New York. “I flew in, saw him, and I bought him on sight,” she says.

Tracy and Littlefoot have been a team for nearly 14 months now, and she’s worked with him to improve his health.

He’s a big animal, bay colored with a black mane, tail, and hooves. He’s part draft horse standing 17.1 hands high and now weighs approximately 1,500 pounds.

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February 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

A HORSE,

Of Course

By Julie Engelhardt Photo Melissa Donald

She enjoys working with him and training him by using a positive reinforcement method, or the ‘clicker’ method, which is generally used on dogs. Tracy had also trained other animals, specifically marine mammals, gaining her experience at the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi and the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland.

I started out with Littlefoot using the clicker, then transitioned to a tongue cluck,” she explains. “I work with him a lot on what’s called ‘at liberty’ meaning he doesn’t wear a halter or a lead rope.

He has free access.

In the end, the match between owner and pet was what they both needed.

“The initial two or three months I had him helped make me feel back to normal,” she says. “Having this new amazing animal who depended on me and trusted me helped me to take those steps to recover. If it weren’t for him, my life wouldn’t feel as complete as it does now.”

Many horses are in need of care or rescue. Tracy recommends you contact the Kentucky Equine Humane Center (kyehc.org), Second Stride, (secondstride.org), Kentucky Humane Society (kyhumane.org).

Today’s Woman / February 2019

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27 THINGS (Why 27? Because we are 27 years old!)

Happenings, news, and tidbits that caught Today’s Woman’s eye this month

By Anita Oldham and Patti Hartog Photos Patti Hartog

WORKING PETS So many animals offer comfort to those who need it.

1 Jasper, one of our featured pets (page 30), is certified

by The Red Cross.

Lola is certified at Pawsibilities Unleashed.

Photo Melissa Donald

2 5. WANT TO GET YOUR PET READY TO OFFER THERAPY? Pawsibilities Unleashed provides training, certification, and insurance coverage for Therapy Dogs. (pawsibilitiesunleashed.org) The Red Cross Pet Therapy program is available at the Clark County service site located in Jeffersonville, Indiana and the Ft. Knox service site in Kentucky. (redcross.org) Pet Love Inc trains dogs and handlers for pediatric convalescent. (facebook.com/Pet-Love-Inc or email emmawallace904@gmail.com)

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February 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

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Emma Wallace, along with her toy poodle Prince William, says she will always have time to visit people in need.

She founded Pet Love Inc., in 2008, which trains dogs and their handlers for animal assisted therapy.

These people-dog teams are active in pediatric convalescent communities.

l Her Great Dane Is Part of Her Therapy Business Lacey Ryan, LMFT, owner and therapist at Creative Family Counseling, has been assisted by her Great Dane, Lola, in providing animal-assisted therapy for the past five years. Lacey says that Lola can be involved when children pet her during therapy sessions to teach them social skills.

3 WAGS (Wonderful Animals Giving Support), founded by Linda Laun, is now 20 years old and has 160 volunteer animal/handler teams providing assistance to more than 80 hospitals, nursing homes, schools, adult day programs, and library reading programs. (kywags. org or email Linda at happytails@laun.win.net) 4 Cara Regenstreif and her dog Bagel successfully completed the Handler-Animal evaluation. Cara and Bagel scored at the highest level, and following a mentor visit will be certified as a WAGS Ambassador team.

Today’s Woman / February 2019

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27 THINGS

WHERE CAN YOU ADOPT PETS? Kentucky Humane Society Adoption sites are located within seven Feeders Supply stores and are listed on the website. Kentucky Humane Society counselors are available every hour the store is open to assist in the adoption application process. (kyhumane.org)

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Metro Animal Services You can adopt at The Animal House Adoption Center, 3516 Newburg Rd., Louisville, everyday but Mondays.

(502.473.PETS)

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Southern Indiana Animal Rescue S.I.A.R Find adoptable pets on their facebook page and Petfinder.com or on Saturdays at Petsmart, 1020 Veterans Parkway, Clarksville, Indiana. (animalrescue47130@gmail.com, sirescue.org)

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JB Ogle Animal Shelter Admission and adoption hours are Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, 11am-5:30pm and Saturdays 11am-3pm. (jbogleanimashelter.com) New Albany Floyd County Animal Shelter, 215 W. Market St, New Albany. According to Theresa Stilger, animal care coordinator, the shelter offers an Adoption Ambassador Program, where a dog or cat spends a weekend in a family home.

Volunteer orientation This cat is and training waiting for is offered adoption! once a month; volunteers must be at least 12 years old. (nafcanimalshelter.org)

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7 Places to Stop for Pet Snacks 12. Pet Wants on the Avenue, 1718 Frankfort Avenue (petwantsontheavenue.com) is a health-food store for pets, carrying their own private label of food for dogs and cats made fresh and delivered regularly by their Ohio producer, as well as products made in-house such as treats and snacks. Owner Lindsey Howard opened her store three years ago. Lindsey provides free delivery of pet food orders to Jefferson and Oldham counties and to Southern Indiana.

LOCALLY YOU CAN FIND DOG FOOD AT THESE PLACES: 13. Feed & Seed Depot, 6315-B W Hwy 146, Crestwood, KY (feedseeddepot.com) 14. R ichardson’s Feed & Pet Center, 313 Old Preston Hwy S, Shepherdsville, KY (richardsonsfeedandpets.com) 15. Three Dog Bakery, 3929 Chenoweth Square (threedog.com) 16. Poe’s PET DEPOT, 291 N Hubbards Ln #165 (poespetdepot.com) 17. Feeders Supply, many locations (feedersupply.com) 18. P et Food Bank, 2012 Northwestern Parkway, Louisville (nokill-louisville.com) Temporary assistance is provided for feeding pets to those in need. Free 2-week supply of pet food, first come first serve basis every 1st and 3rd Saturday by appointment.

Puppy Want a Treat?

Many area business will provide a treat for your pup when you go to the drive through… check with Chick Fil A, Dairy Queen, Berry Twist, Culvers, and many local banks!

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February 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Today’s Woman / February 2019

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27 THINGS

21-23

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Foster and Teach Southern Indiana Animal Rescue S.I.A.R. needs foster homes for pets.

The pet is usually fostered for up to one month. Pet products such as crates, food, leashes, and collars are provided. Visit sirescue.org or email animalrescue47130@gmail.com.

Pawsibilities Unleashed needs foster families who can keep a pet for up to 8 months and are responsible for teaching dogs good behavior at home and in public. pawsibilitiesunleashed. org/foster-a-service-dog.

10 DOG PARKS

Blue Steel and Ribbon enjoy running at the Cochran Hill Dog Run in Cherokee Park.

It’s always a good idea to check the website of your favorite park before taking your pet to insure that you both have a “pawsitive” experience! Louisville Dog Run Association provides information on their website, louisvilledogs.org, for area off-leash dog parks, including rules for use, membership, and directions:

Can you drive?

Here’s How You Can Help Another way to be part of the pet rescue and adoption process is through pet transportation and relocation. Sign up to drive a part of the journey to relocate dogs and cats from over-crowded shelters in one area of the country to shelters with high demand for pets in another location. Contact: A Cruisin’ Critters Transport at cruisincritterstransports.blogspot.com or email pawsuppetrescue18@gmail.com.

Champions Dog Run, Champions Park, 2050 River Road, Louisville Cochran Hill Dog Run, Cherokee Park, 745 Cochran Hill Road, Louisville Sawyer Dog Park, E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park, 3000 Freys Hill Road, Louisville Vettiner Dog Run, Charlie Vettiner Park, 5550 Charlie Vettiner Park Road, Louisville Old Louisville Dog Run, Toonerville Trolley Park, 1215 S. Brook Street, Louisville The Barklands of Floyds Fork, Beckley Creek Park, Beckley Creek Parkway, Louisville

THINGS TO PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR 24. Take Care of Your Heart — Schedule a painless cardiac calcium scoring test with a friend at Clark Memorial’s Hunter Station center, you’ll receive a free box of chocolates.

800.424.DOCS, $50.

Elizabeth Cleland Cauley Dog Park, Wendell Moore Park, 1551 Hwy 393, LaGrange

Feb 9 | AHA Heart Ball 502.371.6023

Waverly Dog Run, Waverly Park, 4800 Waverly Park Road, Louisville

25. Or Attend —

SOUTHERN INDIANA DOG PARKS INCLUDE:

Feb 9 | Friends of Metro Animal Services Trivia Night FOMASLou.org

Jefferson Dog Park, Highland Park, 1300 Spruce Drive, Jeffersonville New Albany Dog Park, 1935 Budd Road, New Albany

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Feb 15 | Center for Women & Families Celebration of Service and Survival thecenteronline.com Feb 28 | Girl Scouts Desserts First gskentuckiana.org

February 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Today’s Woman / February 2019

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27 THINGS Olivia Blackwell was a previous Beautiful Baby Winner for Today's Family magazine.

Here she is with her dog Shiny.

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We had many nominations for pets and didn’t have room for all of them.

Here’s some fun ones.

Jordan Wiehebrink with her dog Hooch.

Share your pet with us on Instagram so we can all enjoy the cuteness!

Rebecca Blackburn, owner of Pet Station Country Club, with her dog Stella Von Wolfhausen Blackburn.

@TodaysWomanNow

Cathy Shircliff and her three dogs — Willie, Chico, and Dingo.

Photo by Amy Barber, Bluegrass Bebe photography

27.

DON’T FORGET THE CATS

Grab a cup of coffee from the Lucky Cat Cafe & Lounge and then walk into their cat lounge to get your feline fix. The nonprofit organization provides shelter to a dozen felines and finds homes for them through their adoption program. Or zen out at the Purrfect Day Cafe where you can participate in a yoga class with cats and eat a sweet treat. The cafe also provides adoption services. Find out more at Luckycatcafe.org and Purrfectdaycafe.com.

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Today’s Woman / February 2019

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Animal

ATTRACTION

If you’re searching for some fashion inspiration, think about using your pet as a starting point.

These pet owners and their animals are stepping out in the name of love — with style.

By Tiffany White Photos: Melissa Donald Styling: Aubrey Hillis Hair: Krista Nenni, J. Estell Salon Makeup: Emily Roberts, Strandz Salon and Threadz Boutique

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February 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

WORKING THE

Neutrals

H

ayley Amoss met her Australian Shepard, Zydeco, while taking a break during a Zydeco dancing lesson in New Orleans, Louisiana. “It was love at first sight,” Hayley says. “Those electric blue eyes! Between that and his merle coat, he’s just a striking little guy. The day I picked him up, the breeder told me he’d been a little fussy about being away from his mom, but he instantly fell asleep in my arms, and I was hooked.”

Hayley and Zydeco spend a lot of time together. “We go on daily walks, have puppy play dates, and head to the dog park on the weekends.

He also joins me at work (as public relations associate at Estes Public Relations) every now and then.

As a special treat, I’ll bring him to Starbucks for a pup cup.” Hayley says he is also super intuitive. “If I’m ever getting overwhelmed about something or feeling sad, he can sense it. He’ll touch me with his paw and lick my hand until I’m back to normal.”

Hayley Amoss and Zydeco Public Relations Associate at Estes Public Relations

Today’s Woman / February 2019

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Smooth H

annah Horton adopted her dog, Bailey, a Pitbull mix, from a shelter in Nashville, Tennessee, about two years ago.

“She was immediately sweet and loving even though she was in a shelter,” says Hannah, who adds that Bailey has taught her a lot.

“She adds happiness every day — she’s the first dog I’ve owned as an adult that has taught me a lot about unconditional love.”

Because Bailey was a rescue, she had some socialization issues.

Hannah and Bailey worked hard on them, and after a year they were able to make their first dog park visit. “Now she’s great and can interact with dogs like a pro!”

Hannah’s day job is as an internal auditor at Humana, but she maintains an instagram account for Bailey to help prevent breed discrimination @miss_pit_bailey.

Hannah Horton and Bailey Internal Auditor at Humana

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February 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

AND

Sleek

Statement

MAKING A

H

ow do you decide to live with a dog that stands over six feet tall? “My husband, Steve, was on a secret search for an Irish Wolfhound. He found a breeder in Laurelsville, Ohio, and took me on a made-up road trip for my birthday,” Kelli Pope says. “In a room full of puppies, he said, ‘Happy Birthday! Which one do you want?’ Jasper [aka Jasper Prince Charming, the puppy’s entire new name] and I rode hours home, bonding, with his head on my shoulder.”

Since they adopted him four years ago, Jasper has become a Red Cross therapy dog. The Popes and Jasper visit a local nursing home twice a month, and attend other events such as a camp for children with cancer. “Anytime he can go visiting with us, he is a happy guy. And he goes to my art shows with me,” says Kelli, who is a long-time jewelry artist at Jewelry by Kelli. (She is modeling one creation in her photo.)

For information on getting your dog certified as a therapy dog, see page 18.

Kelli Pope and Jasper Prince Charming Jewelry Artist, Jewelry by Kelli

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February 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Nominate

2019 WAY TO GO WOMAN! We are looking for women who did not wait to make a difference — whether at work, at play, or in the community. You want to tell her Way to Go, Woman!

If you know of a young woman (under the age of 40) who has done something everyone should know about, nominate her to be featured in this special issue.

Nominations should be made by noon June 13 at TodaysWomanNow.com. We will be featuring the five winners of each category in our September issue of Today’s Woman.

CATEGORIES: Professional • Leadership • Entrepreneur • Reinvented • Community Nominations should be made by Noon June 13 at TodaysWomanNow.com.

Today’s Woman / February 2019

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Acupuncture

MAY HELP YOUR PET

By Holly Hinson Photos by Patti Hartog

F Veterinarian Karen Lantz says pets are "like our kids more than ever." She provides alternative therapies to maintain quality of life for animals.

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rom a chicken with a prosthetic leg to a bearded dragon treated with acupuncture for an immobile tail, Veterinarian Karen Lanz has experienced some unusual animal encounters. But no matter the animal, all our pets are dear to us, Karen says.

She grew up surrounded by animals on a farm in Shelby County. Karen’s own pets include three cats, two dogs, and chickens. “Sadly, my chicken with the prosthetic leg recently passed away, but our chickens have individual personalities, and they’re hysterical. People think of chickens as farm animals, but they are as much a pet as a dog or cat,” Karen says.

The vet notes that since she’s been in practice, she has seen a change in people’s relationships with their pets.

“They’re like our kids more than ever. They’re our true companions, with us at home and traveling with us. The unconditional love and joy they bring to us is immeasurable. Our pets have been elevated into a different status. They are truly part of our family, and we need to honor that bond.” Part of that bond means pet owners are willing to consider everything they can to keep a pet healthy and happy.

That’s why, after 15 years of traditional veterinary practice, Karen decided to open a practice focusing on alternative therapies for pets in 2008.

“I was looking for different answers and more

February 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

tools in my toolbox,” Karen says. “I had an older dog who started having some health issues, and I saw how much acupuncture helped her quality of life in her last six months.” That experience was a trigger for Karen to get acupuncture training to provide for her clients, which in turn opened up other treatments to help pets such as herbal medicine, acupressure massage, and spinal manipulation.

“What acupuncture does for people and pets is focus on restoring balance in the body,” Karen says. “We can look at it from a local effect where the acupuncture needle may improve blood flow, release spasming muscles, or work on better nerve communication,” she says. On a broader level, Karen says acupuncture “restores balance and harmony in the body so it can heal at a different level.”

People seek out acupuncture for their pets for a wide variety of reasons.

“Maybe they had a good experience with it themselves as far as their own health care, but often when animals get older, they develop chronic illnesses like arthritis, neurological issues, or organ issues,” Karen says. “It might be that conventional therapies are not enough or they want to integrate and complement what they are already receiving from their traditional veterinarian.”

Many clients with former pets who experienced the benefits of acupuncture or complementary medicine return with their new pets.

“They ask, ‘What can I do differently? How can I address this with my pet from a young age to make sure I’m on the right path?’”

Karen advises it’s best to seek out alternative therapies sooner rather than later. “Often, patients are seeking an alternative treatment as a last resort. Sometimes it can be a big help, but often the problem is too established. It’s helpful if it can be addressed earlier on, for example, when your dog is just a little stiff getting up rather than later when they’re lame or have a lot of muscle loss,” she explains.

Other times alternative therapies can be used in concert with pain medications to help pets so they don’t need as much medication. “We talk a lot about quality of life. We want our pets to be with us longer but also to have a good quality of life while they are with us.”

Karen encourages pet owners to visit anytime there’s a question. “It’s wonderful to just come in for a consult. We do acupuncture but also a lot of other things in a holistic setting, like nutrition, exercise, lifestyle. It’s all important.”

MY DRASTIC DIET HELPED MY HEART

By April H. Allman Photo by Melissa Donald

MY ADULT LIFE SO FAR HAS BEEN FILLED WITH DOCTORS TELLING ME that I’m “too young to have that,” and that “that” is probably nothing and will go away on its own. Those were the words I heard before I was diagnosed with cancer when I was 32 and heart disease at 42. I’m a living testament to the fact that only we know our bodies the best, and we sometimes need to push to get the help we need.

Twelve years ago I went to the doctor feeling lethargic, feverish, and with a cough that had lingered much too long for my peace of mind. I could also feel a lump in the side of my neck. I was told it was nothing, that the lump would go away when I felt better. But I just knew that something wasn’t right, so I went back to the doctor. As a young wife and mother of a 5- and a 2-year old, I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. Months of chemotherapy and radiation treatments later, I was sent home, cancer-free.

of how big the blockage was and told me in another day or two I probably would have suffered a heart attack. It was determined the blockage was caused by damage from the radiation I had undergone 10 years before for my cancer.

During the next two years, I had three stents put in for 90-98 percent blockages, one stent in front of the other in that same spot. The third one was only six months after the previous one, and my cardiologist was alarmed. In this span of time I had gained weight and my cholesterol had also risen. He diagnosed me with aggressive heart disease. He said there was no more room for a stent in that area of my artery, so the next step was going to have to be a bypass.

I was devastated, thinking I had already derailed my body, that I was just biding my time until I’d exhausted all medical interventions available to patch me up, and then I would die, younger than most.

I desperately started researching what I could do to stop this heart disease train. I stumbled At my last few appointments, I remember across a book by Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr. of April Allman, senior graphic designer and my oncologist telling me that there was a the Cleveland Clinic called Prevent and Reverse copy editor at Today's Woman. small chance that 10 or so years down the Heart Disease. In it he shares research about road I could encounter some side effects from his patients with serious heart disease who had switched to a whole food, my treatments, but all I was really hearing were the words “cancer-free.” plant-based diet with no oil and had stopped their heart disease in its tracks.

Over the years as scan after scan came back clear, I grew confident in my Was that even possible? If so, why weren’t doctors recommending this? health again, and my cancer treatment seemed a million years ago.

I had never heard of it, and it sounded drastic, but I decided drastic was But, about 10 years later when I rather quickly got to the point that I the route I needed to take. Between my third stent and the follow-up couldn’t walk up the stairs in my own house without losing my breath and appointment three weeks later, I went on the whole foods plant-based having chest pains, I knew something was very wrong again. Was my candiet. I quickly lost 25 pounds and surprised my doctor with an HDL chocer back and a tumor pushing on my chest? Was it my heart? Why would lesterol level of 40, down 50 points in three weeks. My total cholesterol it be my heart? I had no family history of heart problems. I was 42 and had level had decreased by 55, and my triglycerides had dropped 67 points. never had a problem with my heart, but it felt like someone had my heart I added running once or twice a week to my routine, and I easily lost 25 in their hands and was wringing and squeezing it. more pounds and had to buy new clothes.

My husband took me to the ER one night when the pain was so bad I I’ve stayed on the plan for more than a year now. It’s definitely become a couldn’t get up from our couch. I don’t think he really believed there was lifestyle. My taste buds have changed to appreciate the simple flavors of anything truly wrong with me besides maybe a little heartburn. It was all I vegetables. I haven’t had chest pains since, except for occasional heartcould do to walk from the car into the ER waiting room, but the staff didn’t burn. I feel I’ve been given a second chance at life. seem too concerned. After a wait, the doctor checked me out and said My husband likes to tell people that when it’s dinnertime, I just walk out to he didn’t see anything wrong. Because of my age and the lack of a family our backyard and graze on the grass, but there is a lot you can eat on this history of heart problems — and because it was the weekend — he was heart-friendly plan. Any sort of whole grains, including breads, pastas, brown sending me home. He would have someone call me to set up a stress test rice, quinoa, etc., as long as they are egg-free, dairy-free, and oil-free. The for the next week just to check my heart. He thought it was heartburn. hardest part for me is not using any oil. Most packaged foods are prepared When I went for the stress test two days later, I had to take breaks walking with oil, but I have learned to saute with vegetable stock instead of oil. from the parking lot into the hospital. When it was time for the treadmill test, If you are feeling like something is not right with your body, listen to what I lasted a matter of seconds before they stopped me and scheduled me for it’s telling you. No one knows your body like you do, even if you are “too an immediate heart cath. I had a 98 percent blockage in my LAD artery, or the young” or have no family history. Take charge of your healing. artery known as the widowmaker. The cardiologist showed me the picture Today’s Woman / February 2019

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Seven Things She Can’t Live Without

By Emily Gahafer Photo Melissa Donald

“I

do consider myself a Louisvillian, however I was not born here,” Michelle Mandro says. “It is the place that I have lived most of my life. Collectively I’ve spent about 25 years here. Now I split my time between Louisville and California, but I do call Louisville home.”

Michelle, founder of the lifestyle brand Wine Country Women LLC, began her career in television news.

Her robust career gave her the opportunity to work for a WAVE3, WLKY, the Kentucky Derby Museum, Universal Studios, and YUM! Brands.

During her time with YUM! Brands, Michelle joined the local chapter of The American Institute of Wine & Food. “I was proactive because I wanted to run that association,” Michelle says. “I am of the belief, nothing ventured, nothing gained. The answer is always ‘no’ if you don’t try, so I approached that organization to see if it would consider me as its new leader.”

So from 2004 to 2005, Michelle relocated to the Napa Valley, where she served as the executive director of the national chapter of The American Institute of Wine & Food. She spent eight years in the Napa Valley, working for a number of family-owned wineries.

“It became very apparent to me that there was a group of visitors who dreamed of living in a wine region, and there were others who were very curious about those who live there,” Michelle says. “I had this idea to satisfy this curiosity by providing a glimpse into the lives of accomplished and celebrated women who live in wine country. Hence Wine

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Michelle Mandro recently published Wine Country Women of Napa Valley. “The books provide a glimpse into the lives of these women through photographs, a narrative, and a favorite family recipe,” Michelle says. “They also include their suggested wine pairing for that recipe with an explanation of why that pairing works so well.”

SEARCH: Michelle Mandro

Country Women was born.”

Wine Country Women is a luxury lifestyle entertainment brand focused on bringing wine country to the world through storytelling, events, and media, according to Michelle.

It’s no surprise that Michelle’s seven things include wine and travel, but there may be a few you wouldn’t expect:

the water. Just a few miles north is a place called Sorrento with fabulous Limón cello,” Michelle says.

WINE – ESPECIALLY CHAMPAGNE AND ROSÉ

Michelle has a collection of cards, photos, and letters from loved ones.

“I can’t live without wine, I love champagne and rosé. They pair with almost anything, which is a bonus.”

PASSPORT “I am a huge fan of Italy, I love the town of Positano.

It’s on the coast — on the west side — and it’s built into the hillside overlooking

February 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

AMERICAN EXPRESS PLATINUM CARD “It has an endless amount of benefits such as airline credits and access to premium luxury airport lounges. Plus, it offers TSA pre-boarding.”

COLLECTION OF SENTIMENTS

MY MOTHER’S RING “My mother passed away 22 years ago. My father had given her a pretty amethyst ring with diamonds that he passed along to me.”

DINNER WITH MY FATHER “My father lives in Louisville, and he’s my only living relative so I want to spend as much time with him as possible,” Michelle says. “That’s why I do this back-and-forth business. He loves Josh Moore at Volare so if we want to do something special, we go there.”

LIFE’S UNEXPECTED SURPRISES “Everyone loves a good surprise,” Michelle says.

“For example, I was dining at Science Hill in Shelbyville and I didn’t know it, but a friend of mine was also dining there. The waiter told us that this individual was in the restaurant and wanted to treat us to dinner. Those little unexpected surprises make me appreciate life more.”

Today’s Woman / February 2019

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By Bella Portaro-Kueber Photo Patti Hartog

“The different phases you go through in life are interesting. Each one is meant to give you a different lesson, so this past year was one that I focused on to figure out what the next part of my life looks like. I’m excited because I know that it’s limitless.”

Who said that? She’s got sparkle. She’s got grace. She’s Allie Martin, community relations and event manager at Kendra Scott’s Oxmoor Center location and founder of Selfish the Podcast.

“My word for 2018 was ‘focus,’ and my word for 2019 is ‘limitless,’ as I don’t want to limit myself in life. I’ve been focused on my personal goal this past year, so looking ahead I’d like to push forward without holding myself back.”

Kendra Scott’s core values are built around family, fashion, and philanthropy. Allie says the “philanthropy part of this company really resonates with me. This location has partnered with various charity organizations and will continue to be a partner to help support their fundraising efforts. Our company looks at the community as family, so we all have to take care of one another.”

SEARCH: Diane Richey

SEARCH: Allie Martin

HEALING WITH FOOD

By Ashli Findley Photo Melissa Donald

For 67-year-old Diane Richey, however, paleo isn’t a diet. It’s a lifestyle.

“I have had gastrointestinal issues my whole life, and nobody ever knew what that was and why,” Diane says. “I started reading things about gluten allergies, and I kind of self-diagnosed.”

Because of Diane’s family history of colon cancer, she gets regular colonoscopies. They have found multiple polyps with each colonoscopy.

“Once I eliminated gluten from my diet, those polyps went away. Once I started eliminating rice and potatoes and beans and soy and genetically altered foods… then I really started noticing significant changes.”

Diane is also not a fan of medication, and she carries that mindset into her food choices. “I actually believe that you can heal yourself with food. If you can substitute a food for a pill, why wouldn’t you do it?

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February 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Today’s Woman / February 2019

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THE

Marketing

PROFESSIONALS

By Emily Gahafer Photos Melissa Donald

Our city is teeming with intelligent, accomplished businesswomen making an impact on our community. Recent college grads, seasoned account executives, and future CEOs come together to create Louisville’s robust professional community. We sat down with two women making waves in the marketing field — one experienced and one new — to hear their stories, experiences, and advice.

THE MASTER: LINDA SCHUSTER

"I WORK WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT CLIENTS, AND I’M ABLE TO BE CREATIVE, BUT I DON’T HAVE TO BE ARTISTIC." Why did you, Patty, and Jim decide to open Quantum?

“We wanted to have lives again, and you can’t have that working until midnight every night. That’s not how we wanted to live, and we wanted to work really hard for ourselves versus someone else.”

Who was your first client?

“Before we started Quantum, my partners and I worked at Creative Alliance, which is now Scoppechio,” she says. “Debbie Scoppechio actually helped us get our first [agency of record] client, which was the Homebuilders Association of Louisville.

Patty, Jim and I were waiting with our presentation boards ready to present our ideas to the selection committee. Debbie was presenting right before us. As she was walking into present to the selection committee, she looked at us and said, ‘give me that board.’ We didn’t know what to think, but she went into the meeting and told them they should hire us. We worked with that client for 9 years.”

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February 2019 / TodaysWomanNow.com

Linda Schuster, president and CEO of Quantum Communications, has been in the marketing business for over 30 years. As a junior at the University of Texas she interned for a marketing agency, ultimately prompting her to switch her major from accounting to sociology and economics. She worked for MQ&C Advertising in Austin, Texas, before moving to Louisville to work for Creative Alliance (now Scopecchio), followed by Bandy Carroll Hellige. In 1994, she opened Quantum Communications with her business partners Patty Marguet and Jim Miller.

What is your favorite project?

“A sales meeting program for Forethought Financial Services: We concepted and designed a loyalty program for their customers called LoyaltyOne. The premise was to generate new sales from existing clients. The creative was an easy 4-step process and the visuals were dance steps.

We were rolling this program out to their entire sales staff. We choreographed a presentation and dressed the VP of sales and all the sales managers in tuxedos, taught them some dance steps and they did an song and dance number for their sales teams. It was so creative and fun.”

How has marketing changed?

“It’s still all about communicating back and forth with people, but the mechanics of it has changed so much. When I started out, we didn’t even have computers at our desks or email. The creative team designed ad layouts, pasted them to pieces of paper, and we mailed or hand-delivered every ad we did.”

What is your favorite thing about marketing and your job?

“The variety. I work with a lot of different clients and I’m able to be creative, but I don’t have to be artistic. I’m also a people person, and this industry is all about talking to people and networking. I’m my own boss, and I’m somewhat controlling my own destiny because I own the company. I thought I was going to work for a big agency when I graduated, but I come from a long line of entrepreneurs, so owning my own business was somewhat inevitable.”

What career advice would you give your younger self?

“It’s not as easy as you think. We had on rose-colored glasses when we started and didn’t realize how hard it is to start a business. You’re responsible for everyone else’s lives and that’s not something to take lightly.”

THE PROFESSIONALS

Continued

THE NEXT: HALEY HARKINS Haley Harkins is no ordinary college student. As a sophomore at the University of Louisville pursuing a degree in marketing, she also serves as the marketing lead for a local startup, Stacks Mobile. She cultivated a passion for marketing in her applied economics class at Assumption High School, where they developed a product and marketing plan. As a freshman at UofL, Haley joined the Student Marketing Association, where she learned Stacks Mobile, a short-term savings app, was seeking a marketing assistant.

“BEING A LITTLE FRESHMAN I THOUGHT, ‘I PROBABLY SHOULDN’T EVEN APPLY. I’VE LITERALLY BEEN IN COLLEGE FOR LIKE FIVE DAYS.’ I FIGURED WHY NOT TRY AND APPLIED ANYWAY.” Haley served as the marketing assistant for a short time before being promoted to marketing lead. As the Stacks Mobile marketing lead, she manages social media, serves as a touch point for customers, develops targeted ads for social media, shoots video, and plans events.

What is a new and innovative idea you brought to Stacks?

“Recruiting brand ambassadors has been a lot of fun. Seeking out the initial ambassadors to now having people applying to be ambassadors through our website has been exciting. It’s really cool to see how it has grown since I proposed it to my bosses a couple of months ago.”

What do you love about working in the marketing field?

“I’m a very creative person, and I couldn’t really see myself going into finance or accounting. I like to brainstorm. I love talking to people, and I think marketing was the best outlet for all of those things while still being in the business field. I love the flexibility of my job, and I can bring my bosses new ideas and they let me run with them.”

How do you think this experience has shaped you?

“Being able to directly apply things I’m learning in class right out of the gate has been so cool. Now I can go into the workforce knowing better what I want out of a job, whereas other college students may just take any job. The job has also given me so much more confidence. ” What advice do you have for other young people?

“I think a lot of college students assume businesses don’t want them because they’re students with little experience, but they really are looking for us, in marketing especially. Don’t be afraid to take risks and share your ideas.”

What are your thoughts on how marketing has evolved?

“Marketing is literally changing every day. What used to be print and television ads is turning into influencer and social media marketing. Now I can market my product by sending Instagram influencers products to talk about their story for a few seconds.”

Today’s Woman / February 2019

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CELEBRATIONS Photos SSH photography LLC, Sarah Hester

T

his bride was determined to enjoy her day by taking time to plan the details. Brooke Schroeder and Kevin Fleig married in a winter wedding with an evening ceremony including 180 guests at The Gillespie in downtown Louisville.

Brooke’s advice? “It is so easy to get wrapped up in the little things and it’s not worth it,” she says. “There were little details that were different than what I planned but no one knew but me.” Brooke took about 18 months to plan the wedding, recommending that you take your time so you can make it the day you want it to be. Also, she learned to shop around. “Get quotes from multiple people. It felt awkward at first to be going to multiple companies and having to tell some of them no. But it ultimately is what is best for you all and your budget, she says. “Also don’t be afraid to tell people they are outside of your budget; sometimes they are willing to work with you and your budget.”

THE DETAILS Ceremony Site The Gillespie, 421 W Market Street Reception Site Same as ceremony Photographer SSH photography LLC, Sarah Hester Planner Jenn Figel, Fit to Tied Weddings & Events Dress Stella York 6268 Bridesmaids All are Morilee Tuxes Vera Wang Food Shack in the Back BBQ Cake Louisvillicious Flowers Schulz florist Music (both ceremony and reception) Party Zone Productions Bride’s Ring Shane Co. Groom’s Ring Amazon Invitations Impressions Makeup Rachel Edwards Hair Erica Chapman, Jules K Studio Rehearsal Dinner The Old Spaghetti Factory.

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SEARCH: Celebration

THE ONE THING SHE WOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY Not making their honeymoon flight at 7am the next morning.

They were completely exhausted and only got around 4 hours of sleep.

THE BRIDESMAIDS The bridesmaids were able to choose the style dress they preferred but the bride says that all of them shopping together was slightly overwhelming.

“My granny passed away in

April of 2018. It was very hard knowing that she would not be at my wedding. So I ordered a charm off of Etsy that was tied around my bouquet. Having that charm to remind me that she was still watching over me and dancing the night away with me meant so much.”

BRIDE’S FAVORITE MEMORY Walking up the aisle, seeing all my friends and family and then finally seeing Kevin’s face and knowing our moment was finally here.

THE RINGS The groom chose the bride’s rings by himself and for himself wanted a ring that couldn’t get damaged since he does manual labor.

THE VENUE The couple had both the ceremony and the reception in the Grand Ballroom of the Gillespie, a former bank (see the photo with the original vault), with the guests moving to a balcony while the space was switched from ceremony to reception.

Today’s Woman / February 2019

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