GET IGNITED – Phenomenal Families

get ignited

by beth chesterton

PHENOMENAL FAMILIES

WHEN WE SEE IGNITED, successful people, we don’t often think about what growing up was like for them. But if you tuned into the Olympics this summer, then you probably saw footage of parents, grandparents, siblings and other relatives cheering on their Olympian. I was moved by the direct connection between these athletes and their families. It’s not often we get to see the people alongside the superstars they raised.

You have to admire parents who inspire their kids to greatness. Raising one outstandingly accomplished child is a feat, but some families churn out multiple phenoms. Let’s look at a few of these families.

After reaching the pinnacles of success, Venus and Serena Williams cited specific ways their parents prepared them to go the distance. They say that their parents instilled in them the values of competition and resilience that would lead them to become two of the most successful tennis players of all time. They credit their mother with teaching them to be strong women and their father is considered by many to be one of the best self-taught tennis coaches in history. Their parents started working on this dream early on—deciding before the Williams sisters were even born that they would be tennis champions.

Another famous sibling duo, the Wright brothers, also were raised by inspiring parents who cultivated their skills and innovative spirits long before their groundbreaking inventions. Orville Wright once said, “We were lucky enough to grow up in an environment where there was always encouragement to investigate whatever aroused our curiosity.” Their mother was an inventor herself and solved household problems by designing and building her own appliances. Always committed to developing her sons’ creative minds, she allowed them to take days off of school when they were engaged in stimulating projects.

In business, Denise and Maggie Sullivan have knocked it out of the park. While you may not have heard of the Sullivan sisters, they were the CEOs of Campbell’s Soup Company and Frontier Communications—collectively managing more than $13 billion in earnings and employing more than 37,000 people. Growing up, their mother taught them to embrace ambition, and their father took them to work long before it was in vogue. From the start, their parents assumed the girls would become successful business leaders, and in turn, almost every single Sullivan childhood touchpoint was handled with an eye toward developing skills and traits they would one day rely upon when leading major endeavors.

Obviously, we can’t all raise back-to-back superstars and Olympians—especially when just getting the kids to bed feels like a Herculean feat. And, frankly, we don’t all need to be raising business tycoons and famous inventors (although, I give kudos to the ones that do), but we do have the chance to inspire the next generation to pursue their passions and believe in themselves. You can set an intention or set aside a little time to support those around you by highlighting their strengths (children or otherwise). We can’t see ourselves without the help of others, so one of the best ways you can encourage people is by expressing the ways they add value and what they do well. Igniting creativity, passion, innovation and a lifelong commitment can begin with a small spark of sincere and specific encouragement. &

The Cow Cocoon

LearnwithTrumanwhatacocoonis—aspecial, safeplacewhereyouarehappyandloved. Joinhimonhisadventuretofindhisveryowncocoon!

A book by local St. Louisans: Writers Rachel Nolen & Maria Price Illustrator Dayne Sislen

Available at CowCocoon.com

4 5 6

7 8

9 11

10

Senior 1. Clarendale Clayton

At the corner of Clayton and Hanley, the first-of-its-kind, high-rise, luxury senior residence places you at the center of it all, offering independent living, assisted living and memory care.

INFORMATION CENTER: 7700 CLAYTON ROAD, NO. 103 COMMUNITY ADDRESS: 7651 CLAYTON ROAD 314.789.8173 CLARENDALECLAYTON.COM

2. Parc Provence

As an assisted living and skilled nursing community, we proudly serve the St. Louis region. Our community offers its residents and their families exceptional care for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease through dedicated, person-centered support.

605 COEUR DE VILLE DRIVE | 314.542.2500 PARCPROVENCE.COM

Home 3. Missouri Floor Company

Looking to improve your home before the holiday season? There’s no better way to update and add value than new or refinished hardwood floors. Let us help.

2438 NORTHLINE INDUSTRIAL DRIVE | 314.432.2260 MISSOURIFLOOR.COM

4. Sport Court St. Louis

With Sport Court, you don’t have to choose just one game! Our backyard courts can be used for everything from basketball and volleyball to tennis, soccer, pickleball, futsal, roller hockey and more.

636.451.0400 SPORTCOURTSTLOUIS.COM 12 13 14

5. Broadview Screen Company

Phantom retractable screens are the perfect screening solution for single, French and patio sliding doors. Large mechanized screens also are available for larger outdoor areas like porches and lanais.

12951 GRAVOIS ROAD, STE. 110 | 314.842.8888 BROADVIEWSCREEN.COM

Fashion & Shopping 6. Pure Perfection Candles

Our soy candles are safe to breathe in and smell fresh. With candle making offered daily, they’re also fun to make—no appointment necessary.

WEST COUNTY CENTER, LEVEL 2 NEAR NORDSTROM 314.769.9334 PUREPERFECTIONCANDLES.COM

7. Genovese Jewelers

This two-tone, 14kt, 11mm, layered five-stack band features a yellow gold pavé oval link band, yellow gold beaded band and three white gold pavé bands with 1.11tcw round diamonds.

12460 OLIVE BLVD. | 314.878.6203 GENOVESEJEWELERS.COM

8. Hallmark

Spend $30 at the Hallmark store in West County Center and receive a “Something To Celebrate” box filled with greeting cards, gift bags and wrap, and more. Available while supplies last.

WEST COUNTY CENTER, LEVEL 1 BETWEEN JCPENNEY AND NORDSTROM 314.822.3342 SHOPWESTCOUNTYCENTER.COM

9. The Diamond Bar

Our favorite single prong diamond eternity bands can be customized from a half carat up to eight carats.

10. Sign of the Arrow

Watercolor pumpkin hardboard placemats will add a festive touch to your autumn gatherings. Additional designs and other fall decor are available in our shop!

9814 CLAYTON ROAD 314.994.0606 SIGNOFTHEARROW.COM

11. Figure 8 Designs

We specialize in designing custom looks for women that accentuate their bodies. Figure 8 fits me, it’s my style!

34 N. BRENTWOOD BLVD., STE. 2 | 314.527.3093 FIGURE8DESIGNS.COM

Take Note 12. Hindman

Trusted for more than 30 years, we offer appraisal and auction services for fine jewelry, fine art, furniture and decorative art property. We also provide local clients with seasoned expertise in the global art market.

32 N. BRENTWOOD BLVD. | 314.833.0833 HINDMANAUCTIONS.COM

13. projects+gallery

Created by Barrett Barrera Projects, projects+gallery is a commercial art gallery designed to host dynamic contemporary exhibitions. Its new group exhibition, Stretch Marks, opens Sept. 9.

4733 MCPHERSON AVE. | 314.696.8678 PROJECTS-GALLERY.COM.COM

14. Special Solutions

Our private learning center continues to serve our community by following all CDC guidelines. Our staff is vaccinated and wears masks, and our popular Zoom sessions are always available.