Fishers Magazine November 2022

TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com 317.496.3599

TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. PRESIDENT

JEANNE BRITT jeanne@townepost.com 317.810.0011

MARKETING CONSULTANT

CAMERON WEST cam@townepost.com 317.627.1761

TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC.

8800 North Street, Suite 117 Fishers, IN 46038 Phone/Text: 317-810-0011

FOR FRANCHISE INFORMATION, VISIT franchising.townepost.com

Michele Pollock, Brown County $12

Megan Winn, Indianapolis $65-$100

Indiana War Memorial Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission: Free; donations appreciated

Soldier and Sailors Monument Hours inside: Please call for hours at 317-234-6999

Hours outside: Open from dawn to dusk

Admission: Free

of Honor Memorial Hours: Open from dawn to dusk

Admission: Free

LIFE IN INDY

INDIANA MEMORIAL SITES

Writer / Michael Durr Photographer / Daniel Woody

November 11 is Veterans Day in America, and we want to take this opportunity to encourage you and your family to take a pause, not only on the holiday, but also at other points throughout the year, to remember the sacrifices that many service members have made for our country.

Indianapolis is truly a unique place of remembrance. According to indianawarmemorials.org, we have 25 acres filled with one museum, three parks, and various monuments and memorials. Indianapolis ranks first in the nation in the number of acres dedicated to honoring our veterans, and second only to Washington, D.C., in the number of monuments.

“When you are deployed, you miss out on a lot of the day-to-day life that many might take for granted,” says Blaine Zimmerman, president and CEO of INvets. “I like to think at least for a day that people pause and reflect back on the sacrifices that have been made.”

INvets is a nonprofit organization founded by veterans that helps former service members transition to civilian life, by

connecting them with Indiana employers and providing career-building resources.

Zimmerman is a veteran himself and works hard to cultivate talent throughout our state. He and his team attend seminars at 25 active-duty bases around the country, in all four branches of the military.

Zimmerman’s team represents about 450 companies throughout Indiana, and informs transitioning service members why Indiana is a great place for veterans to start the next chapters of their careers.

We encourage all of you to pause this month and visit some of our city’s incredible memorial sites, educate yourself on the history and sacrifices that were made, and share your experiences with others in our community.

Here is some information on some of our most impressive sites.

The crown jewel of the War Memorial Plaza is the prominent Indiana War Memorial, which was built to honor Hoosier veterans of World War I. What many people might not realize is that the monument is also a museum that is free to the public from Wednesday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you are unable to get to the museum in person, you can also take a virtual tour by scanning the QR code in this article.

Another impressive location is the Medal of Honor Memorial, located in White River State Park along the canal behind the Indiana State Museum. It is the nation’s

only memorial honoring Medal of Honor recipients - the country’s highest award for military valor. This incredible memorial pays tribute to Medal of Honor recipients representing 15 different conflicts. It consists of a series of 27 curved glass walls that are etched with the names of all recipients, their branch of service and the locations of their heroic actions. Every day at dusk, the Medal of Honor Memorial plays recorded stories of medal recipients or of the conflicts in which they fought.

Of course, one of the most recognizable locations is the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, which stands as a prominent icon of our city. Recognized as one of the world’s outstanding monuments, the structure has come to symbolize both Indianapolis and Indiana. Located in the heart of downtown in Monument Circle, it was originally designed to honor Indiana’s Civil War veterans. It now commemorates the valor of Hoosier veterans who served in all wars prior to World War I, including the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the Civil War, the Frontier Wars, and the SpanishAmerican War. One of the most popular parts of the monument is the observation deck, with a 360-degree view of the city skyline from 275’ up.

For more information, you can visit indianawarmemorials.org, and be sure to learn more about the incredible work that INvets is doing for veterans throughout Indiana and beyond.

Blaine Zimmerman, President & CEO INvets

Image Provided

Medal

Whoever said You Can’t Mix Business with Pleasure, Never Had the Pleasure of Doing Business with Steve & Jada.

Perhaps you’ve heard the old saying, “You can’t mix business with pleasure.” Realtors® Steve & Jada couldn’t disagree more with this sentiment. Their approach to real estate is to offer a no-nonsense, straight forward and knowledgeable style of service provided by two respected agents.

But to Steve & Jada, that doesn’t mean they have to be stuffy, reserved, or worse, boring. No, Steve & Jada are perhaps two of the friendliest, warmest and most fun-loving professionals you will ever have the pleasure to do business with. “We are very serious about protecting our clients’ best interests at all times, but we always keep a sense of humor,” Jada says.

You couldn’t ask for a more enjoyable team to work with. When you buy or sell your next Geist area home, why not mix business with pleasure? Enjoy the incredible service of Steve & Jada. Call Steve & Jada for a no-obligation consultation to discuss your home sale or purchase. It’s your most important investment. Turn to proven professionals with a successful track record.

8150 Oaklandon Rd, Suite 104, Indianapolis, IN 46236

FISHERS YMCA

WISHBONE 5K ENTERS 12TH YEAR

BELOVED RACE RETURNS THANKSGIVING DAY

Writer / Julie Yates Photography Provided

For the 12th year, the Fishers YMCA is sponsoring the Wishbone 5K scheduled on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24) from 8-10 a.m. From serious runners to families who enjoy a bonding activity, this run/ walk is an opportunity to participate in a fun event while giving back to the community. The race has a virtual 5K or 10K option as well as being an in-person event, but registration for either choice includes a t-shirt and finishers medal. For those attending inperson, there is the opportunity to win prizes.

“The Wishbone 5K has become a family tradition for most of our participants. We really focus on making it a memorable experience and not just a race,” says Ambur Beasley, Associate Wellness Director. “We have amazing pies to be won, great door prizes, live music, and of course the amazing community that comes out to make this event an absolute blast! We love that we can make it accessible for not only the competitive racer, but for whole families and participants that want to include their fur babies too!”

“Over 1,000 people come. There are strollers, groups of friends and dogs on leashes. It is a great activity for a group of friends or a club

since the fourth registration is free for every three that are paid. The money raised goes toward memberships and programs for Fishers families who otherwise couldn’t afford it,” adds Rebecca McVay, Marketing Director.

The mission of the YMCA is to make sure everyone in the community has access to all it has to offer. Membership rates and program fees are based on household income. A sliding scale begins for families with a total income of $55,000 per year. Thanks to donor contributions, the Annual Campaign and money raised at the Fishers Wishbone 5k, the YMCA and its programs are open and accessible to all.

Since the Wishbone 5K began in 2011, nearly $450,000 has been raised to ensure the programs offered at the YMCA, which provide a pathway to physical fitness and educate the community, are available to all. Offerings include classes, camps, sports programs and childcare in an environment where all feel welcome and valued. Classes focused on lifestyle changes and chronic disease prevention address issues like blood pressure monitoring, arthritis management, and building up muscle mass and strength in cancer survivors.

The run/walk begins at the Fishers YMCA, located at 9012 East 126th Street, and finishes on the Nickel Plate Trail. Awards are given to the top three male and female winners as well as the top three male and female finishers in the age 40+ Masters category. Both male and female age group awards are given in 10-year increments from nine and under to age 70 and up.

Registration from Oct. 31 to day-of the race is $39 for both inperson and the 5K/10K virtual option. Virtual participants have the luxury of mapping out their own route, plus the time of their choosing. Packet pick-up is Wednesday, Nov. 23 from 12-8 p.m. at the Fishers YMCA or on race day from 6:30-7 a.m. inside the main entrance.

“We are anticipating 1,500 to1,600 participants this year! Our goal is to keep growing this wonderful event so everyone can create great memories with their loved ones,” says Beasley.

The Fishers YMCA is located at 9012 East 126th Street in Fishers. You can give them a call at 317-595-9622 or visit them online at www.indymca.org/fishers.

For information on registering for the Thanksgiving Wishbone 5K, visit runsignup.com/Race/IN/Fishers/ FishersYMCAWishbone5KRunWalk.

Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Jim White has flown presidents, vice presidents, members of Congress and heads of state in a military service career that spanned 20 years.

VIEW FROM ABOVE

FISHERS AIR FORCE VETERAN TALKS 20 YEARS OF MILITARY SERVICE

Writer / Noah Alatza Photography Provided by Jim White and Walker Photography

At 26 years old, he was given control of a multimillion-dollar airplane. He’s flown presidents, vice presidents, members of Congress and heads of state in a military service career that spanned 20 years. Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and Fishers resident Jim White says serving his country has been the honor of his lifetime.

Originally from Lafayette, White attended Purdue University for premedical studies, and thought he would go to medical school. That pathway changed when White had a lottery number to get drafted. In late 1969, the United States held its first draft lottery, which gave young men a random number

corresponding to their birthdays. The lower the number, the earlier those young men would be called to serve their country.

“I thought, ‘If I’m going to get drafted into the service, then I want to go to the Air Force and I’d like to learn how to fly,’” White recalls.

At the tail end of the Vietnam War, White was assigned to fly a C-141 plane. He was stationed in Southern California, where his flight paths often took him over the Pacific and through countries across Southeast Asia. By 1973 White had left the service to join a commercial airline.

However, he received a letter to rejoin the Air Force again in 1981, and says he

could not turn down the offer. “They asked me to come back in because they needed experienced pilots,” he says.

From 1985 to 1991, White was assigned to the presidential support wing at Joint Base Andrews during the Reagan administration. He says he flew former first lady Nancy Reagan often, and she was a quiet lady.

“We really only talked about what the weather was going to be en route to the destination, or if there was any turbulence,” he says.

One of White’s most fond memories of working for the support wing included getting to know former Vice President and President George H.W. Bush, and former

first lady Barbara Bush.

“I flew with then-Vice President Bush a lot, and he would always come to the cockpit and talk to us,” White says. “He had a good sense of humor. I remember Mrs. Bush was like a mom to everyone. They had a birthday party on board during a 1988 campaign trip, and she comes up to the cockpit and has half a cake, and tells us to ‘take this home to your kids.’ They were both just down-toearth and caring people.”

White says he was comfortable flying highranking officials, and had a sharp attention to detail.

“Our job was to do the job no matter what it took,” he says. “We expected perfection out of ourselves when we would fly with a dignitary, and we would give them landing times while in flight. We got pretty good at being able to get them where they needed to go at the exact time we said.”

He says there was an element of excitement to the job.

“I wouldn’t say I was nervous doing it, but the adrenaline would start pumping and the blood pressure would go up a bit the first time I flew someone,” White says. “We needed to be cognizant of what we needed to do, and we were certainly planning on being on top of our game.”

White also served as the director of nuclear airlift for the Air Mobility Command, where he was responsible for the transportation of all tactical nuclear weapons from Europe and South Korea.

“When I was flying nuclear weapons, we wanted to reduce exposure on the ground so I flew the first air refueling mission,” White says. “I did a lot of air refueling, which was fun to do.”

White met hundreds of high-ranking government officials and says it’s important to know they are normal people just like everyone else.

“There’s no greater honor than to serve your country, and I would encourage others to look at those opportunities,” he says. “I’m extremely proud to be a veteran and serve our country through great flying assignments. Everything I did, it was an honor to do.”

Since leaving the service in 1993, he’s remained active in the local community. From 1996 to 2001, he served as a professor of aviation technology at Purdue University.

“That was one of the most rewarding things I’ve done because the students we had were very competitive and smart kids, and they kept you on your toes.”

He was even named Purdue’s professor of

the year in 1996.

“I think the reason was that I came from the real world and not from academia, and had a lot of war stories from my 20 years that I would take to the classroom, and it didn’t matter what you were studying - you could relate to something,” he says.

White made his mark across the world and here at home. He served as transportation director for Hamilton Southeastern Schools from 2003 to 2018.

From 2021 to July of 2022, White served as president of the Service Club of Indianapolis, which promotes the collective and individual interests of former service members.

“It’s just an amazing group and they had great stories to tell,” White says. “We had about five men in the group who served in World War II and many Korean veterans, and you could just walk in the room and feel that camaraderie.”

White currently serves on the board for the nonprofit Hollis Adams, as well as the Fishers Police Department’s advisory board and the Fishers Armed Services Commission.

“It has been a privilege to serve all these years, and I’m honored to continue giving back,” he says.

PASSING THE TORCH

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Sam Zachrich

For 33 years, Steve Collier enjoyed a rewarding career in education, working at Lawrence North High School as a teacher, coach and administrator. His wife, Chris, was also in education, working as a first-grade teacher and reading specialist at Harrison Hill Elementary School. The pair opted to retire in 2010, but Collier used the opportunity to try something new.

“Quite frankly, I could have seen myself staying busy by wearing a red vest, working at Ace Hardware,” Collier says. However, multiple friends kept encouraging him to get involved in Lawrence politics.

“When I was asked to run for a council position, I was so naive, I had no idea what district I lived in,” Collier says. He filed for District 5 councillor and won by an impressive margin. After being a history teacher, dean of students, assistant principal, athletic director, and football, wrestling and baseball coach at Lawrence North, people in the community knew and trusted him. When Paul Ricketts was defeated in the mayoral election, Republican party leaders asked Collier to be their next candidate for mayor.

“Frankly, I was pretty reticent,” Collier says. With his family’s support, he ran and defeated the incumbent. He’s now serving in his seventh year as mayor but has opted to retire, finishing up in December of next year.

“Chris, bless her heart, has been a coach’s wife, principal’s wife and now a mayor’s wife,” Collier says. “She’s done her time.”

Through the years Collier has been asked what makes him qualified to be a mayor.

“I call it reluctant leadership,” he says. “A lot of people are leaders because they’ve shown leadership abilities, and so while they don’t seek it out, people trust them because they aren’t afraid to make decisions.”

Such was the case with Collier, who says that his education background has benefitted him in his political career.

“That has paid off in spades for me, in terms of being able to make smart decisions,” says Collier, who has worked with Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen and Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness.

“You quickly learn that mayors help one another out,” Collier says. “A lot of the skills and tools I’ve used, I’ve begged, borrowed and stolen from other successful leaders.”

When Collier originally took office, he and his team got on firm financial ground rather quickly. Since 2018 the city has been able to maintain a 20% operating reserve, which has allowed them to do capital projects.

“We were able to utilize municipal leases, and replace the entire fleet of fire and police vehicles - the same with utility and our Department of Public Works,” Collier says. “All these things really make the city look progressive.”

During Collier’s time as mayor, economic development has been hugely successful.

“We’re about to put a cap on $400 million of investment right here in downtown Lawrence,” Collier says. Four projects will either start or finish up in the next 12 months.

“It’s always good when businesses that are someplace else want to bring their

Right to left: Tony Gigli, Laura Rupp, Humphrey Nagila, Jared Hooton, Steve Collier, Tyler Douthit, Sri Venugopalan, Cori Korn and Daniel Beyer

company here,” says Collier, who notes that the biggest project the city has ever seen is about to happen. It’s a $60 million, multiuse building that will include apartments, office space and retail. Next door will be a five-story apartment garage.

He’s also happy that the public library, which was supposed to be erected 25 years ago, is finally being built and will open in the fall of 2023.

When economic development comes in, property taxes can go up. According to Collier, the city’s net asset valuation increased 18% this year (it is normally at about 4 or 5%). These projects create value in the city, which, in turn, enables the city to do more capital projects.

“We’ll probably see the same thing happen for the next two or three years,” Collier says. “The key is to maintain that 20% operating reserve.”

Having an overly large savings account in municipal government isn’t always good, as the goal is typically to keep investing back into the city. That’s why 20% is a sweet spot. In his free time, Collier likes to garden. Though he calls himself a “frustrated farmer,” he and Chris have produced fruitful gardens, often putting up 80 to 120 jars of tomatoes and salsa each year. He also makes jalapeño jelly.

In retirement, Collier and his wife plan to visit England, France, Normandy, Italy, Germany and Belgium. They have already traveled through most of the U.S., having made it to 45 states. One of their favorite spots is the Black Hills of South Dakota, which Collier calls the “non-touristy Yellowstone.”

At one point, the post-retirement plan was for the couple to spend summers in South Dakota, working at a state park. Who knows? That may well be Act III for Collier.

“I don’t think I could ever be fully retired,” he says. “I started delivering newspapers when I was 12 years old and never stopped working. Clearly, I like it.”

LAWRENCE ACCOMPLISHMENTS SINCE 2016 UNDER MAYOR STEVE COLLIER

• Wages of all city employees have increased nearly 34% since 2016

• By 2023, nearly $40 million will have been invested in water and sanitary sewer infrastructure

• By the end of 2022, nearly $8 million will have been spent in paving

• By the end of 2023, residents will have seen the following economic development projects:

• Meyer Plastics

• Williams Comfort Air

• frēijē Engineered Solutions Company

• RaceTrac

• Police Headquarters

• Fire Department Station 38 (rebuild)

• David Weekley Homes

• Marion County Public Library

• Cultural Campus

• Tru by Hilton

• Five-story parking garage

• Davis Townhomes

•

Construction of nearly 250 new single-family homes

• Keystone Group mixed-use development project

• Installation of critical infrastructure in the Trades District

With the holiday shopping season quickly approaching, what better way to support the City of Fishers than by shopping local during the Shop Fishers 2022 event?

Shopping local helps to support local businesses, keeps money local, creates local jobs, supports nonprofits, creates personal connections and is cost-effective for shoppers.

The Shop Fishers 2022 fall and winter event begins Nov. 26 and runs through Dec. 31. Residents shop and dine local while enjoying special deals and promotions at businesses throughout the city. Last year, a record number of more than 70 different businesses participated.

“Last year, we had a record turnout of participating businesses,” says Stephanie Perry, Assistant Director, Community & Public Relations for the City of Fishers. “We hope to meet or increase that number this year. It’s always an array of different types of businesses that participate. We have everything from home and garden, home improvement, home decor, boutiques, restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, spas and salons. They always have great discounts or deals on items in-store or gift card deals, which are great ideas for holiday stocking stuffers.”

There are typical brick-and-mortar type businesses involved every year, but in the

last few years, Perry says the event has also seen an increase in online or e-commerce businesses. She says it’s a great way to support local businesses that residents might not see daily throughout their city travels.

Fishers Woodworking is an online retailer of custom tables for outdoor barbecues, Kamado, Big Green Egg, RecTeq, grills and smokers. Owner Michael Cook is participating for the third year in a row. He describes Fishers Woodworking as a hybrid business with orders placed online but hand-built in his shop at home. He says this allows his customers to see examples of the products and get scheduled on the build calendar. The longtime Fishers resident says his business is offering the “ShopFishers” discount code valid for $100 off any custom BBQ table from Nov. 26 through Dec. 31.

“I love participating each year,” Cook says. “It really is a win-win opportunity for business owners and customers alike. I love the chance to introduce new customers to my business and welcome back repeat clients. Likewise, customers can support a local business often while taking advantage of a Shop Fishers discount.”

For the second year in a row, the Shop Fishers event is celebrating Giving Tuesday on Nov. 29 so residents can support local businesses while also giving back to nonprofits around the Fishers community,

too. Last year, a select number of companies partnered with 16 local nonprofits to donate a portion of their sales that day.

Holyn Alexander, Brand Manager for Unplug Soy Candles, says their business participates because they thrive off of small business energy. They love the community and relationships that come with having a small business. She says the event is a great way for them to engage locally, learn, and grow more within the community. Unplug Soy Candles is offering a Free Gold Tin candle ($13 value) with any purchase over $75.

Shop Fishers has doubled in size over the last five years. Perry adds that each year the participants see record sales numbers throughout the event. She says it’s a testament to how much the community has rallied around local businesses.

“These business owners are part of the fabric of our community,” Perry says. “They’re our neighbors, friends and entrepreneurs who have been greatly affected the last few years due to COVID-19. The last few years have been more important than ever that our community rallies behind them and shows our support for our local restaurants and shops. It’s a wonderful opportunity as a resident to knock out your holiday shopping and enjoy some great deals you can’t find any other time throughout the year while also knowing that you’re supporting a local

Michael Cook, Fishers Woodworking

Jennifer Sturgill, Unplug Soy Candles

Kelley Richards, Wishes Dance Studio

business. You’re putting the money right back into our community.”

Wishes Dance Studio opened in Fishers in 2004, and owner Kelley Richards says the event is great exposure for her studio.

Wishes Dance Studio offers classes for babies up to high school-aged students. They are offering a buy one month of classes and receive another month for free promotion.

“The participating businesses are spread throughout the city, not just the downtown corridor,” Perry says. “We ensure to include all the businesses residents know and love along with some businesses they might not have heard about or are new to the area.”

Greg Glaros, the owner of Handel’s, says he’s participated since the beginning of the Shop Fishers event. He says his company strives to stay connected with its customers and the city of Fishers. The city promotes Handel’s during the busy shopping season and helps to drive customers to his store. Handel’s is offering two small waffle cones for $8 beginning Small Business Saturday and running through the end of the year.

Be sure to follow the City of Fishers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and #ShopFishers for social media giveaways leading up to and during the event. For a full list of businesses participating and to get more information, visit thisisfishers.com/ shop-fishers/.

Sajjad Shah, MOTW Coffee & Pastries

Remington Ramsey, Parks Place Pub

KEEP MOVIN’

LOCAL DANCE SQUADS EXEMPLIFY TEAM SPIRIT AND STRONG WORK ETHIC

The Fishers Fusion Dance Team recently split into separate school teams, to create the Fishers Dance Team as well as the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) varsity, junior varsity and junior high teams. The high school teams consist of dancers from each school in grades 9 through 12. The HSE Junior High Dance Team consists of dancers from all junior high and intermediate schools in grades 6 through 8.

“The first driving factor in splitting the teams up was so the dancers can represent their respective schools,” says Rachel Askins, HSE Dance Team representative. “This allows the girls to have a direct tie to their schools. The second driving factor was that they can now join the Indiana High School Dance Team Association. When we were a combined team, we couldn’t compete in Indiana. We would travel to other states to compete.”

The teams perform at various school functions including basketball and football games. They also participate in dance competitions throughout the state.

“We have found we’re rare in the sense that our teams compete jazz, hip-hop and pom,” says Sarah Tappendorf, HSE Dance Team coordinator. “Most schools do not compete in all three. We also have girls who compete in solo, duet or small group. These girls love competing and work hard all season long to perfect their routines.”

The season is long and takes a significant commitment from team members. Tryouts occur in May, with the season lasting from July to March. The coach and outgoing seniors put together a dance potential members must learn and then perform in front of the coaches. There are about eight to 16 spots available for each high school team. The number of spots varies at the junior high level.

Members practice two times per week for two hours at their respective schools. The teams collaborate with Dance Magic Performing Arts Center in Noblesville once per week in technique classes. The dancers have the opportunity to earn a varsity letter.

“Linda Rees is the owner of the studio and she’s been a great asset,” Askins says. “She works with them on refining their techniques and cleaning up their routines.”

Writer / Renee Larr Photographer / Photography Provided by Sam Zachrich & Photography by Bateman

Askins says the schools have been instrumental in the transition to separate teams.

“I’m a huge believer in being involved in your school and this is a great way for students to do that,” Tappendorf says. “It also makes these massive schools a lot smaller. This helps students find their place. These girls form very tight bonds being a part of a group.”

In the future, the program leaders hope the teams can find ways to connect with the community in philanthropic endeavors. Coaches include Katy Liddell for Fishers High School, Alexa Snow for HSE varsity, Miranda Brooks for HSE junior varsity, and Kinsey Browning and Katie Schlegel for HSE junior high. For more information, follow the teams on Facebook and Instagram.

COOL CONCEPT

Writer / Julie Yates Photography Provided by CoolRevolution

Longtime friends Mindy Ford and Laura Musall developed CoolRevolution products so women battling night sweats could get a great night’s sleep. Neither has a background in fashion or retail, but by researching and some trial and error, they hit upon a combination of the right kind of fabric and some comfy designs that women love. Now exclusively online, the pajama business got its start in Fishers at Musall’s dining room table.

When asked what gave her the idea for the company, Musall says it was “sweating - lots of sweating.”

“I was in perimenopause and I started to have night sweats,” she says. “I commiserated with friends that I couldn’t imagine going through this for the next 10 years. We all thought that there had to be some pajamas on the market for this, but no one could find anything. One friend remembered buying cooling pajamas for her

husband, but everything for women seemed to be made out of polyester, which traps heat and came in limited sizes.”

“There were tons of things to lift you or conceal you, but nothing to cool you, so Mindy and I decided to design and sell cooling pajamas,” Musall continues. “She has a background in working in operations for an ad company and I am a realtor. Since we knew nothing about the industry, we became good at asking questions. People were great about wanting to help, and directed us toward who to ask to get answers. We also asked women just like us a lot of questions.”

Besides conducting a couple of informal focus groups, Ford and Musall were able to talk with some women’s health experts. They learned more about women’s struggles with sleep from Dr. Janet Carpenter of the Indiana University School of Medicine, who has spent years studying menopause. They also conferred with Musall’s sister, who is a women’s physician.

After much testing, they hit upon a blend of fabric consisting of bamboo, cotton, and just a bit of spandex for stretch. The result almost feels cool to the touch, and one woman in a focus group said the fabric felt like the other side of the pillow when sleeping at night. The cotton enables the pajamas to hold their shape, wash after wash.

The fashion industry uses size two as a default standard, but Ford and Musall immediately rejected that as their starting point. They knew from research that 67% of women in their target age group wear a size 14 or larger, and that as women age, bodies change and weight is gained in the middle.

“We were designing pajamas, not wedding dresses,” Musall says. “We put a pile of clothes on the dining room table such as T-shirts and tops. We found if something fit in the middle, it might be too big at shoulders or was like an unattractive sack. A lot of women like to put on PJs at the end of the work day, and feel that they look good enough to walk the dog and talk to a

neighbor. Also important is pockets for cell phones that won’t fall out.”

Everything in the collection comes in a wide range of sizes and many colors. The popular T-shirts have extra length in the back, and are available in V-neck and scoop-neck styles. Most pieces sell for around $50. Many women wear them during the day, and the sleep shirt with its deep pockets can be used as a beach cover-up. Bottoms include shorts and wide-leg capris. There is even a long cardigan offered for $93.

“It’s been an amazing journey,” Musall says. “Overall, it has been so rewarding. It is fun to learn something new and I know it helps. I am grateful for our loyal customers. I love hearing from women who tell us that they have never slept better.”

Shop and learn more at coolrevolutionpjs.com.

STRETCHLAB FISHERS – COMING SOON! Coming soon to Fishers! Give more than a gift…give an experience they’ll love! Oneon-one assisted stretching from StretchLab will help them move, feel, and live better. Gift cards available for single sessions or packs. 11679 Olio Road, Fishers, IN 46027 317.886.8868 stretchlab.com

Give an experience this holiday season. Give the gift of the Y! Gift cards can be purchased in any amount and used for membership fees, swim lessons, youth sports, childcare, and more. Visit any YMCA of Greater Indianapolis location to purchase yours today! INDYMCA.org

SPONSORED BY

Thousands of children have sat on Santa’s lap since Richard Zeiss built the first Santa House on the Hamilton County Courthouse Square in 1963.