Boone County Magazine October 2022

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Talent Factory Arts & Dance has glided into a new location. Owner Paula Kochert calls it a fresh season for the dance studio, in a uniquely designed space.

“We are excited to watch our dancers continue to learn and grow in their beautiful new dance home,” Kochert says.

At the grand reopening on September 4, staff members welcomed the public to the new locale. The studio is now located on Mount Zion Road in Lebanon with easy access to the interstate. Additionally, the space provides well-lit and ample parking in comparison to its previous site in downtown Lebanon.

The 5,000-square-foot-plus studio sits in the Lebanon Business Park. Kochert and

her husband Jim, co-owner, renovated the space into a dancer’s dream. The new studio includes state-of-the art, sprung dance floors in the tap rooms. Stagestep dance floors were installed in other rooms.

“These floors provide some shock absorbency to prolong our dancers’ careers by helping to protect their joints,” Kochert says. “They are an investment in our staff and students’ health. The same floors can be found in the Joffrey Ballet School in New York

WhileCity.”thespace

may be different, the studio continues to offer its same sought-after classes. Performers starting at age 2 can choose from an array of offerings including jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop, acro and musical theater.

The Kocherts have been dancing and directing shows for more than 20 years

in Boone County. Jim hails from New York City and studied dance under Frank Hatchett at the Broadway Dance Center. Paula refers to herself as a “performer who can dance.” As a child, Paula yodeled at the Grand Ole Opry.

Two decades ago, Jim began directing choreography at Western Boone High School. Then the pair started dance camps through the school, which proved popular in the community. With the wealth of interest in their teaching, the couple considered opening a dance studio in Lebanon. “I thought, ‘If a building ever opens downtown, we need to do a dance studio,’” Kochert says.

When downtown space opened in 2015, the Kocherts opened Talent Factory.

Talent Factory is truly a family affair, as the Kocherts’ two daughters, Madeline and Marigrace, serve as dance instructors. Both girls were members of the Indiana Fever Inferno Hip-Hop Squad, and The Moving Company at IUPUI, a nonprofit dance

Amyorganization.Konz,whose daughter Emily has been performing with the Talent Factory for eight years, says the Kocherts treat all their performers as part of their family.

“The Talent Factory is a very special place with very special people,” Konz says. “I am not just talking about the Talent Factory staff, I am talking about their students and families. It is like one big family. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful place for my daughter.”

Kochert expresses gratefulness to her families and the entire Boone County

“It’scommunity.justdifferent here,” Kochert says. “In Lebanon we have a real sense of Talentcommunity.”Factory

Arts & Dance is located at 384 North Mount Zion Road in Lebanon. For more info, call 765-894-9888 or go to talentfactoryarts.com.

Writer / Rebeca Wood Photographer / Jon Ellegood

TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH AT ANY AGE

Taking Charge Of Your Health At Any Age

We all know women are often so busy juggling life’s demands and caring for others, that they can sometimes put their personal health on the back burner. Taking the time to care for your health is important so you can be there for the ones you love. We spoke with Dr. Christian Dawes of Axia Women’s Health – OB/GYN of Indiana to learn his top tips to ensure optimal wellness at any age.

KEEP UP WITH REGULAR PREVENTIVE SCREENINGS.

Your annual GYN exam is an opportunity to stay on top of crucial screening tests like your Pap smear, breast cancer screening, and bone density scan. A routine pap test is recommended to begin at age 21 to help with early detection of cervical cancer. Baseline mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 to screen for breast cancer. After age 40, mammograms can be done every 1-2 years from ages 40-50 and then annually at age 50. A bone density screening for osteoporosis is recommended at age 65 for average-risk women.

TAKE STEPS TO LOWER YOUR RISK OF HEART DISEASE.

Sadly, heart disease remains the leading cause of death among women in the U.S and can happen at any age. Fortunately, it is also highly preventable. Eating a heart-healthy diet that’s rich in lean meats and fish, whole grains, healthy fats (such as olive oil), and fruits and veggies is key. It’s important to work with your provider and stay on top of regular screenings for blood pressure and cholesterol.

FOCUS ON GETTING QUALITY SLEEP.

In many ways, sleep is the foundation for a healthy lifestyle. But with all the distractions and stressors coming at us each day, achieving a restful night’s sleep is not always easy. Some tips to practice better sleep hygiene include setting a consistent sleep/ wake schedule, engaging in 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day, and limiting the use of smartphones or other blue-light emitting technology an hour before bed.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH.

It’s been proven that chronic stress can lead to high cortisol levels that can trigger fatigue, weight gain, hair and skin problems, and more. Stress-relief techniques can look different for each person. For example, some women may find physical activity helpful, while others may find peace in a calming activity like reading or journaling. If you’re experiencing more severe symptoms of anxiety or depression, it’s important to know you’re not alone. Don’t be afraid to speak up and seek help from a licensed mental health professional.

It's never too late to start investing in your health! Axia Women’s Health – OB/GYN of Indiana is here to help and located at 6866 West Stonegate Drive, Suite 102 in Zionsville. To learn more about their services, call (317) 415-1000 or visit axiawh.com.

Story & Photos Provided

Dr. Christian Dawes

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Writer / Julie Yates Photographer / Jon Ellegood

Vibrant Boone County is an environment where businesses can thrive. The support offered by three organizations, each with a female executive director, is a major reason the area attracts and keeps both small and large women-owned businesses. The Boone County Economic Development Corporation (Boone EDC), Boone County Chamber of Commerce and Zionsville Chamber of Commerce complement each other in the services they

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bring new business in and to help existing business owners grow,” says Molly Whitehead, executive director of the Boone EDC. “When a business is starting up, Claire Collett, economic development manager, offers an almost concierge type of support. She meets with owners one-on-one to facilitate what they need to learn and connections they can make. They may need to know how to write a business plan, how to use QuickBooks or how to get a mentor. She can point them in the right Boondirection.”EDCCo.Lab

is a small-group, eight-week program offered to educate members about the tools they need to sustain and grow. The course is designed by attendees. They are polled on what topics they would like to cover such as marketing or pitching to investors. Throughout the time the program has existed, 50% of the cohorts have been women.

“It helps to know someone is in your corner and you have someone you can relate to,” Whitehead says. “Both Zionsville Chamber of Commerce and Boone County Chamber of Commerce have many networking opportunities. One event sponsored by the Boone Chamber is especially for women.”

“Women Inspiring Women is for women who own or manage a business,” says Joslyn McGriff-Bensley of the Boone County Chamber. “The program meets quarterly and it focuses on topics such as finances and brand development. It facilitates learning, networking and insight sharing. In an allwomen environment, women hear things

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feels that when women lead companies, they can be constructive voices and initiate needed change for the good of all, such as affordable child care.

Allyson Gutwein, executive director of the Zionsville Chamber, agrees. “All businesses

are interconnected,” she says. “A lot of business owners are women doing great things. They have stepped up as leaders by taking board positions in organizations such as Zionsville Rise Foundation and Zionsville Education Foundation.”

Gutwein says women-owned businesses have changed traditional perceptions. Leigh Ann Akard took over a True Value Hardware business from her father, and opened a second store on Main Street to commemorate where it began. Watch Us Farm and Watch Us Weave employ young adults with disabilities.

By all accounts, the Zionsville Chamber is extremely active and supportive while garnering both state and national recognition. It was awarded Indiana Chamber of the Year for 2022 by the Indiana Chamber Executives Association. In addition, it was named one of three Communications Excellence Best in Show winners by the Association of Chamber of

Commerce Executives.

“We encourage Chamber members to find out things about each other,” Gutwein says. “But rather than come to every networking event, there are online resources. If you can’t speak in person, members can connect through our blog, podcast and social

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so much happening in Boone County with many opportunities for women to be a driving force,” McGriffBensley adds. “If you aren’t at the table, bring up a chair.”

Contact the Zionsville Chamber at 317873-3836; zionsvillechamber.org.

Our topic for the 2022 Inaugural TEDxZionsville event is "sense of place," which can pertain to many things, a person's relationship with their surroundings, both physically or mentally. Where do we belong? What does a place mean to people and a community? Why does a sense of place matter so much?

About TEDx, x = independently organized event

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TEDlike experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.

October 6th from 6-9:30pm at the STAR Bank Performing Arts Center, located at 1000 Mulberry St, Zionsville. Tickets can be purchased online at: www.TEDxZionsville.com

Our six speakers for TEDxZionsville are Mrs. Rebecca Gacki, Mr. Adrian Burney, Dr. Kiko Suarez, Ms. Aleanya Moore, Mr. Benjamin Madrid and Dr. Lara Ramdin.

Learn more about our speakers at www. TEDxZionsville.com

Writer / Shelly Sack Photographer / Jon Ellegood

Ever look down at your hands and think, “Where did those brown spots come from?” Then you meet your friend for lunch, and she looks the same, but also seems to have healthy, glowing skin that you had never noticed before? Some people prefer to tackle signs of aging in a more natural way than going under the knife. Enter Crissy Wiseman and her team at Wise Aesthetics.

When Crissy, 45, was looking for business space close to her Zionsville home to open her medical spa, she found the perfect location in Carmel to create an inviting environment to welcome her clients. The result, her full-service medical spa, Wise Aesthetics. Wise Aesthetics treats its clients in an upscale and relaxing, rejuvenating

While the name branded may be Crissy’s, INVITINGOFFERSAESTHETICSUPSCALE,MEDICALSPAEXPERIENCE

environment, just as Crissy and her team hoped to create. According to Google reviews, they are providing the 5-star services for which they strived.

Crissy also says it is important for clients that are looking to build their personal pride in their appearance from someone experienced and trusted. While some know what treatments they want, others might be intimidated in the process and know little about the procedure possibilities. Crissy is committed to open communication in a warm environment and posts many answers to the many questions she gets asked on her website, along with providing a sign-up option for people wishing to receive the Wise Aesthetics’ newsletter.

“I opened Wise Aesthetics because I like to make people feel better about themselves,” Crissy says. “We can use tools, new technology and injectable products to help someone’s self-esteem or just slow down the aging process. By doing this, both our staff and, more importantly, our patients achieve their aesthetic goals, like maybe turning back the clock.

“I live in Zionsville and had been commuting to Greenwood for several years,” she adds. “My husband Justin, of 21 years, and three children inspired my desire to bring Wise Aesthetics closer to home and I felt Carmel was a great place to start.”

2325 Pointe Parkway, Suite 110 Carmel,

she often refers to “we” when talking about the business because she naturally feels the staff is as full-time focused on the same “Igoals.love

our staff — I can’t say it’s just me. I can’t do all of this without them,” she says. “They are all knowledgeable and experts in their approach, as well as their application.”

Wise Aesthetics offers the following treatments for men and women: injectables, laser treatments, hair reduction, skin tightening, medical grade facials, cellulite treatment, makeup/lashes, and all-around good skin care techniques.

“My goal is to have every procedure provide positive results,” Crissy says. “Our work speaks for itself. We create a plan for each patient and then bring that plan to life.”

Crissy’s impressive service offerings come with an all-embracing training experience as she has two Master’s degrees and has worked as a Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner for more than 24 years. In addition, she has extensive training as an Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner, focused on

plastic and reconstructive surgery where, prior to going on her own with Wise Aesthetics, she worked as an Advanced Injector. Most recently she had the honor of working for a prominent Facial Plastic Surgeon in the Indianapolis area. Notably too, her experience includes working alongside the Chief of Plastic Surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine.

Wise Aesthetics’ strengths lie in having trained eyes for symmetry, beauty, and attention to detail, which is why Crissy reports clients are pleased with the approach that offers natural and incredible results. A major part of the client experience is receiving a comprehensive and collaborative approach to beautiful, natural-looking skin with gentle and effective treatments that enhance their natural beauty. She is eager to build relationships to understand how to help clients look their “best.”

Products used are medical-grade skincare, both pharmaceutical and prescription, and clients should also continue their treatment with products provided through a Dermatologist or a Plastic Surgeon.

Common services include treating wrinkles, most commonly near the mouth. Injectables don’t last forever, with Botox or other neurotoxins lasting about three to four months and injectables up to two years. Services can be combined, for example if a client would like a medical facial, they can add on a laser treatment. Wise Aesthetics offers a Journey Membership for clients wanting regular treatments at a discounted rate.

Knowledge and education are important for those interested in any procedure. The Wise Aesthetics website has a frequentlyasked-questions section so people can read more about services and be aware of the full list of services and products available. The Wise Aesthetics staff is also fully trained and expected to keep up with continued education sessions to maintain the exceptional standard of care expected.

Wise Aesthetics is located at 2325 Pointe Parkway, Suite 110, near N. Keystone Avenue and 116th Street in Carmel. You can follow them on Instagram, call 317-5696448, or learn more and schedule online at wise-aesthetics.com.

Writer / Renee Larr Photographer / Mariah Krafft

Salon Eclipse is a staple in Zionsville. Sherry Paul opened the salon in 1990. She sold the salon to her daughter Melissa King in January 2021.

“I’m battling breast cancer for the second time,” Paul says. “All along, I planned to sell it to Melissa because she’s worked here for me all these years. I was at the age where I was starting to think about retirement. The

second cancer diagnosis pushed me into thinking we need to get this done quickly.”

The mother-daughter duo says their salon is different because of the relationships all 10 stylists share.

“We all get along so well,” King says. “My mom, my cousin Nicole and I all work there. We also have two sisters who work for us.”

There is also a low stylist turnover rate at Salon Eclipse.

“Erika, Breana, Sidny and myself have never worked anywhere else,” King says. “Sometimes you see stylists that move around from salon to salon. We don’t have that here.”

The team of 10 loves to spend time with each other outside of the salon.

“Over the years I’ve thrown many baby showers,” Paul says. “We have one stylist getting married soon, and we’ll all be at the wedding. We all hang out and do things

Melissa King with her mom, and former owner, Sherry Paul

together. We love to go to training together. We’re all terrific friends, which is rare.”

King is excited to take over the family “It’sbusiness.been

great, but I will say I was hesitant at first because I saw how hard my mom worked,” King says. “I’m lucky to have the previous experience working here because that’s helped with the transition. If there is something I don’t know, I can just ask my mom.” The salon staff members were able to

survive the pandemic by pivoting their business approach.

“It was hard not being able to work for eight weeks,” King says. “We changed up our system. We started doing online ordering, and every Saturday clients could come by and pick up their products.”

One change King has already implemented is having made the salon and its products more eco-friendly.

“I recently brought on a new product line called Davines,” King says. “It’s zero emission, sustainable and eco-friendly. It’s a family-owned company out of Italy. I felt like the fact that they are family owned and all natural was a good representation of our brand and our company.”

Paul has a long road ahead with her cancer treatment, but she doesn’t mind sharing her journey with others.

“The breast cancer has metastasized and spread to my bones,” Paul says. “I’m on chemotherapy drugs and have scans done to see how the medicine is working. So far it’s keeping it from growing. As a hairstylist people tell you everything, and you tell them everything, so I’m pretty open about it.”

Salon Eclipse is located at 1482 West Oak Street in Zionsville. Clients can call the salon at 317-873-0399 to book an appointment, or visit saloneclipsezville.com.

Proud Platinum Contractor of

SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT

KRISTI LEE NAMED TO 2022 INDIANA BROADCAST PIONEERS HALL OF FAME

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

As a child, Kristi Lee had no aspirations to work in radio. In fact, the only reason she signed up for a radio class was because a classmate at Ben Davis High School suggested she do so. That one decision altered the trajectory of her life.

“I got the bug,” says Lee, who credits one of her teachers, Dana Webb, for instilling confidence in her regarding her natural broadcasting skills. Webb told her she had talent.

“Nobody had ever said anything like that to me before,” Lee says. “Teachers are so valuable because one good teacher can change a child’s life forever.”

That certainly was the case for Lee, who began her broadcast career the summer she turned 16, working at WNON in Lebanon. From there, she worked part time all through high school at WEIR, 1430 AM, which at the time was a country music station.

Before leaving for college, Webb suggested that Lee get her Federal

Communications Commission license in order to make her more marketable. She did, and in 1980 her phone rang with a job offer from WRTV. She stayed there for six years, working her way up to technical director.

She began working part time on nights and weekends in 1982 at Q95, finishing her shift at 6 a.m., when “The Bob & Tom Show,” a top-rated morning program, was starting. When they decided to hire a news girl in 1987, Lee was the perfect choice, as she liked to banter with them as they chatted between their shifts. That was 35 years ago and she’s still going strong. Lee says she feels blessed.

“In this business, longevity at one station is so rare,” she says.

Lee was chosen to be included in the 2022 Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame, an exciting and humbling honor.

“This recognition acknowledges that I’m not just a sidekick,” she says. “I’ve done all of these things.” Some people may not be aware of the extent of her accomplishments in the broadcast industry. Besides being a radio personality, she has also worked as a television engineer, TV anchor, and correspondent for ESPN and ESPN2.

For a while she worked full-time at “The Bob & Tom Show,” then traveled on the weekends for ESPN, catching a flight to the east coast on Friday as soon as she got off the air and returning on Sunday. For two years, Lee also hosted a podcast called “Kristi Lee Uninterrupted.” Born with an unfailing work ethic, she worked seven days a week, including holidays, until her two children were born (they are now 24 and 20).

“A lot of people think of me as the girl that gets made fun of on ‘The Bob & Tom Show,’” Lee says. “Believe me, it was a long, arduous journey to be that person they make fun of.”

In addition to her vast body of work, the Hall of Fame honor acknowledges her commitment to community involvement. She’s on the board at Ascension St. Vincent Foundation and the Indianapolis Zoo, she volunteers at Second Helpings, she’s participated in countless golf outings, and she has hosted events for charity galas. She even participated in Hamilton County’s Dancing With Our Stars.

“It’s hard for me to say no,” she says.

Through the years she’s worked every shift imaginable. In her 20s she enjoyed working from 4 p.m. to midnight, because she could

Towne Post Special!

go straight from work to Broad Ripple to socialize. Working mornings, however, gave her time with her children in the evenings. Not that rising at 4 a.m. is always fun.

“I don’t ever see the sun come up on my way to work,” she says. “Unless I oversleep.”

Speaking of sleep, she averages about six hours of shut-eye each She’snight.gotten

to meet all sorts of cool people and celebrities including Dolly Parton, who came to “The Bob & Tom Show” when Lee was eight months pregnant.

“During the break, Dolly was brainstorming baby names with me,” Lee says. “She was so sweet and acted like she’d known me my whole life.”

Lee also got to meet - and befriend - her teenage idol, Peter

“HeFrampton.wasone

of the first concerts I ever saw,” she says. “I was 16 years old at Balboa Park in San Diego, and I fell in love with him the minute he walked on stage. Now we have each other’s phone numbers. We both have goldendoodles so we get them together to play sometimes. The fact that I can call Peter a friend is mindblowing to me.”

In her free time Lee likes to read, garden, golf, travel and practice Pilates. Though she openly admits that she can’t cook worth a darn, she’s proud of her accomplishments and grateful for the life she’s “Honestly,lived.

as I look back on my life I wouldn’t change a thing,” Lee says. “Well, except maybe to tell myself to just relax and know that everything will work out in the end.”

Not that the end of her career is coming any time soon.

“I’ll keep doing this until Tom quits, and he’s got a 6-year-old if that tells you anything,” she says with a chuckle. “Seriously, there’s no reason to leave my job. I love going to work every day. My radio family is my life. Those are my people.”

Writer / Megan Arszman Photographer / Jon Ellegood

What started as a way to safely enjoy the warm glow and relaxing scent of a candle turned into a new side hustle for one Boone County resident.

“I’ve always loved candles,” says Christine Poole. “I started doing some research about environmental issues after some of our family members were diagnosed with cancer and other health issues.”

In Poole’s research, she discovered that the majority of candles available at big-box stores are made with paraffin, which is a byproduct of the gas and oil industry. It’s also derived from certain cancer-causing

“Imaterials.wanted a healthier alternative to burn [candles] in our home,” she says.

A lot of Poole’s time went into researching candles, including the different types of waxes and oils to use, and different scent combinations. Once she settled on the right combination of wax for her candles, she

started to make her own. Friends and family became fans of the candles and wanted Poole to make some for them, and things caught fire from there.

Poole decided on creating candles with soy for a multitude of reasons. “Soy candles actually last longer than those made from paraffin because soy is a harder wax,” she explains. “Plus, soy candles are a byproduct of the American farmer.”

That’s an important aspect of soy candles for Poole. She works full time as a commodity manager in the bioprocessing industry, at a location that is part of an ethanol facility. So, it has all come full circle.

“I work with farmers all day long, then I come home and I make soy candles, which benefits farmers too,” she says.

Poole founded Boone Candle Company in 2019, one year after she started making her own candles. She started leasing a storefront in downtown Lebanon in October of 2021, and she is excited to celebrate the first anniversary as an official part of the center

of Boone County.

“I was born in Lebanon and my husband went to Western Boone,” Pool says. “Lebanon is where my heart still is.”

The store offers about 30 scents that rotate throughout the year, but there are always a few staples in the shop. “Cranberry Harvest and Pumpkin Caramel are my two best sellers, and they happen to be my two favorite scents,” Poole says. “I keep those scents year-round because people tend to like the sweeter scents for their home.”

Boone Candle Company also offers candlepouring classes, perfect for a girls night out or small team-building opportunity. Interested parties are invited to schedule a time for the class, and each attendee will get to blend their own scents and pour their

Owner Christine Poole

can be done at 101 East Main Street in Lebanon on Saturdays (time changes are announced on the company Facebook page). Customers can also order online any day of the week. Any order over $50 ships free, or Poole offers free local delivery around Boone County. For more information, visit boonecandleco.com.

What can whiskey do? Find out by visiting Stave, a speakeasy-inspired lounge located inside of West Fork Whiskey Co. that offers an intimate atmosphere, perfect for relaxing with friends while sipping top-tier cocktails.

In case you didn’t know, a stave is a narrow length of wood with a slightly bevelled edge to form the sides of barrels.

“We want to show the quality of whiskey that West Fork is making, but we also want to push the boundaries of what people believe whiskey can do,” says Todd Tapp, lead bartender and beverage director at Stave.

For instance, they have a tasty concoction called Creek Water, for which they infuse their whiskey with brown sugar and molasses to create a beautiful rich flavor. They pair that with a fresh ginger-root syrup.

“You get a molasses cookie paired with this soft, spicy ginger,” says Tapp, who crafted and created the initial menu. Going forward, all Stave bartenders will be granted creative freedom when it comes to flavors and cocktail names for other menu items.

Another favorite beverage is the Cactus Sour, which takes an egg-white whiskey sour and amps it up a little by using a prickly-pear

“Thesyrup.bourbon is already great, we’re just accenting it with these other flavors and pairings,” Tapp says. “We are reintroducing people to what is becoming popular and trendy [in whiskey]. “We’re taking flavors that you may have never experienced and throwing them into cocktails. We love that shock factor when people try it.”

The menu is separated into different cocktail categories including Summer, Sippin’, Rugged, Cheerful, Flights, and Timeless.

“We want people to take their time reading the menu and get into that lounge experience,” Tapp says. “We try to use words that won’t scare people away, because we want them to ask us questions so we can teach them and get them to explore.”

He notes that it’s easy in a bar setting for patrons to default to ordering classics such as an old fashioned or whiskey mule. At Stave, they have fun with the menu by pairing other ingredients with what you would find in a classic beverage.

“If you’re more into those bright, refreshing summer drinks, we’ve got you covered,” Tapp says. “The same is true if you like rugged drinks such as an old fashioned or a Manhattan. We have something for Staveeverybody.”alsooffers

vodka and gin cocktails. One of Tapp’s favorites is called the Femme Antique, which he describes as a vodka old fashioned. It’s paired with a couple of different wine vermouths (a rosé and a white wine) along with a soft, oak-smoked

Theirsyrup.number-one priority is ensuring that everyone who comes in feels comfortable. If you try something and it doesn’t fit your palate, send it back and they’ll get you something that does.

“We want to make sure you’re having a great time at Stave,” Tapp says.

Their other goal is to be the leader in the cocktail industry - especially the leader in distilling. They do this by teaching their clients and the community about quality craft cocktails.

“The only way we can become a great leader, or inspire other bars and restaurants, is to educate our community and our customers,” says Tapp, who has been in the industry for eight years and has learned quite a bit about mixology in that time. “That’s the only thing that will help drive us forward and push ourselves to be better in the service industry. If we can grow the community around us on well-crafted, bespoke cocktails, I think it would push the rest of the industry to do the Stave’ssame.”beautiful leather lounge resembles a cozy at-home whiskey den.

“That’s what we want, to bring that comfortable at-home feel as if you just stepped into our living room,” Tapp says. “We are excited to give you an experience that you wouldn’t find anywhere else.”

Stave is located inside of West Fork Whiskey Co., at 10 East 191st Street in ForWestfield.moreinformation, or if you are interested in working at Stave, call 317763-5400 or visit location/stave-cocktail-lounge.westforkwhiskey.com/

PhotographyDonovanProvided

A new girls group is in town, and they are taking Boone County by storm.

New Girls on the Block is a newly formed group in Boone County. Formed in April of 2022, Sarah Burns, along with Danielle Hoffman, owner of three different businesses including THAT Sports Bar in Lebanon, wanted an outlet in the community to speak to other women who are in their shoes.

“We wanted to form a group where

businesswomen could get together in an organized setting, meet regularly, and discuss how we can support each other and our businesses,” Burns says.

The two did exactly that. With an idea plus a few friends, New Girls on the Block was formed. The women are business owners who live or work in Boone County. Burns and Hoffman want the group to serve as a place where members can ask questions, build themselves professionally, and have a support group at their disposal for any business ventures that come with being an owner and operator.

“When I had a grand-opening day for my new business, everyone from that group showed up to support me,” Burns says. The mission among those involved is to continually be a listening ear and a helping hand for members.

“It’s nice to hear everyone’s stories about their businesses in the group, but also to hear about their struggles,” Hoffman says. “It is so relatable and makes each one of us feel better about our own struggles, knowing we are not alone.”

The group has already created and worked several events in Boone County. One event the group worked was the Boone County Beat Down, a family-friendly fundraising event that hosted professional wrestling in Memorial Park, and was hosted by Burns and Hoffman’s businesses. Each of the members was able to have a booth to promote their own business while supporting their fellow New Girls on the Block members.

“It was nice to know that even with an event of that scale, that we would have support and help from our friends with New Girls on the Block,” said Burns.

Currently, New Girls on the Block is accepting new members. With more than 10 consistent members, the group continues to grow and assist through every milestone of each other’s businesses. The organization does have exclusivity regarding who can join, based on the industry they are in. Once a member joins and is working in a particular industry, the group will not accept a competing member at that time.

For more information on New Girls on the Block, message Burns at newgirlsontheblockboonecounty.com,sarahjayneconsulting@gmail.orvisitfacebook.com/

Writer / Alli

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