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AUGUST 2022
WILMINGTON’S SUCCESSFUL WOMAN
Making Space
Alexis Perry’s Bash Pad & other gathering spots
Pier Projec t
Meet CB pier’s new owners
Get in the Groovy Modern retro looks
INTRODUCING
The Wilmington region has it all - abundant natural and cultural amenities, welcoming weather and people, high quality health care and vibrant communities. In short, our region is a great place to live The Good Life.
And now there’s one place to see it all - GoodLifeWilmington.com
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august 2022
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46 8 SPOTLIGHT
46 SCENE: Brews cruise
10 HEALTH: Functional moves
47 TAKE 5: On pointe with Aunika Browne
12 TASTE: Brainy brews
48 MEN'S ROOM: Body heat
14 STYLE: Gettin’ Twiggy with it
Check out WILMA magazine here:
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14 27 COLLECTIVE SPACE: Working together 35 W ELCOME MAT: New pier plans 40 C IE POST: Heather McWhorter’s next steps
WILMAmag.com
This month’s all about new faces and new places. For example, while coworking spots are not a new thing for Wilmington. There have been several additions to the collective scene lately that include programs and community building for women – from working parents to small-business owners. Read more about them on page 27. While the Carolina Beach Fishing Pier is not a new spot (in fact, it’s been a longtime staple for the beach town’s north end), it does have some new neighbors in charge. Katherinn Kloss and Chris Garcia bought the pier and restaurant earlier this year from the Phelps family, which had owned the landmark for the past four decades. Find out the couple’s plans for the pier, which include keeping up its tradition, on page 35. Another new, but not-so-new story is about the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Center for Entrepreneurship (not new, been around since 2013) and Heather McWhorter (who has served as CIE’s interim director since the departure of Diane Durance a year ago). What is new, though, is that after a national search, McWhorter was recently named the permeant director of the office, which supports startups in the region. Read a Q&A with McWhorter on page 40. W
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JOHANNA CANO is WILMA’s digital editor
and also covers the local tech and startups beat for the Greater Wilmington Business Journal. She graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill where she worked at The Daily Tar Heel and at the News & Observer’s College Town NC online publication. Cano’s Q&A with recently named UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship director Heather McWhorter is on page 40.
MADELINE GRAY is a freelance documentary
photographer based in Wilmington. With a master’s degree in photojournalism, her work is regularly featured in local and national publications. She enjoys spending time in places that are off the beaten track and collaborating to share the diverse stories found there. Gray photographed The Bash Pad owner Alexis Perry for this month’s cover and feature on coworking (page 27) madelinegrayphoto. com and @madelinepgray on Instagram
ARIS HARDING is a Wilmington-based
freelance photographer originally from southern Maryland. With a camera always in hand, she moved to New York City after graduating from UNCW. She returned to Wilmington, specializing in editorial and portrait photography. Harding photographed the Young Scientist Academy’s fundraiser (page 12), Carolina Beach Pier's new owners on page 35, and Roadies Local owner Rachel O’Holla (page 46).
BETH A. KLAHRE retired from a major
Pennsylvania chocolate manufacturer where she held leadership positions in engineering, IT, and global business services. Now relocated to Southport, she spends her time writing and has been published locally and nationally. She is learning to play the harp, loves walking the beach with her dog, and serves on the board of directors of Friends of the Library Southport & Oak Island. Klahre shares info on brewery tour guides for this month’s Scene on page 46.
KATIE SCHMIDT is a Wilmington-based
freelance writer who graduated from University of Central Florida with a degree in English literature and magazine journalism. At any given moment, her bag contains whatever book she’s reading, a deck of cards in case the opportunity arises, and the numerous hair-ties she keeps on-hand for all side-braid-related emergencies. Schmidt profiles three recently opened coworking and gathering spaces that help female entrepreneurs (page 27). katieschmidtwritesthings.com
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Publisher Rob Kaiser rkaiser@wilmingtonbiz.com President Robert Preville rpreville@wilmingtonbiz.com Editor Vicky Janowski vjanowski@wilmingtonbiz.com Vice President of Sales Carolyn Carver ccarver@wilmingtonbiz.com Senior Marketing Consultants Maggi Apel mapel@wilmingtonbiz.com Matthew Coleman mcoleman@wilmingtonbiz.com Craig Snow csnow@wilmingtonbiz.com Marketing Consultants Alexis Alphin rmiles@wilmingtonbiz.com Rachel Miles rmiles@wilmingtonbiz.com Office & Audience Development Manager Sandy Johnson sjohnson@wilmingtonbiz.com Events Director Elizabeth Stelzenmuller events@wilmingtonbiz.com Events & Digital Coordinator Jamie Kleinman jkleinman@wilmingtonbiz.com Contributing Designer Suzi Drake art@wilmingtonbiz.com Digital Editor Johanna Cano jcano@wilmingtonbiz.com Media Coordinator Julia Jones jjones@wilmingtonbiz.com Fashion Stylist Drewe Smith Contributors Jenny Callison, Johanna Cano, Nina Bays Cournoyer, Beth A. Klahre, Samantha Kupiainen, Dylan Patterson, Emory Rakestraw, Katie Schmidt, Lynda Van Kuren Contributing Photographers Madeline Gray, Aris Harding, Terah Hoobler, Allison Joyce, Kate Supa Founder Joy Allen Subscribe For a one-year subscription, please send $26.00 (check or money order) to: WILMA, 219 Station Rd., Ste. 202, Wilmington, NC 28405, or call 343-8600 x201 www.WILMAmag.com
WILMA’S
LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE FOUNDING SPONSORS
CORPORATE SPONSORS
“This summer, I’ve met so many women new to our area who
Alexis Hunter Community Liaison Wilmington Health
WILMAmag.com
moved within the last two years. They all love Wilmington’s hometown vibe. Wilmington Health is proud to provide local, trusted healthcare to newcomers and all of our treasured locals as well. For 50+ years, we’ve provided high-quality healthcare at a reasonable cost in the Cape Fear Region, and we are looking forward to many more.”
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W2W UPDATES WILMA’s Women to Watch Leadership Initiative has updates to share as we continue to work on the effort’s core mission of helping develop more women leaders in our area. Here’s what we’ve been up to with various W2W Leadership Initiative programs and what’s coming up next: LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: Members of the 2022 WILMA’s Leadership Institute have recently met for skills sessions at Live Oak Bank to discuss strategic thinking with CEO Chip Mahan (above) and at Cameron Art Museum to hear from panelists Natalie English, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce president and CEO; Lisa Leath, Vantaca chief people officer; and Ruth Smith, RR Smith Strategic Solutions president. The Institute is made up of forty women who meet monthly for leadership skills training, interaction with area executives, and peer mentoring sessions. Applications for next year’s class open again in the fall. WILMA NETWORK: The WILMA Network, made up of women from the companies that support the Women to Watch initiative, serves as a resource for the women involved and represents a variety of area businesses, large and small. Members participate in monthly small-group networking events. GETTING SOCIAL: Check out the initiative’s social media pages, where you can find the latest info about leadership program announcements, applications, and updates on women who have been involved with W2W. Follow us at facebook.com/ WILMAsWomenToWatch and on Instagram @WILMAsWomentoWatch. IN THE LOOP: Keep up to date with these and other Leadership Initiative programs as well as application announcements by going to WILMAmag.com or signing up for the WILMA Leadership email at WILMAmag.com/email-newsletter.
- Vicky Janowski and Maggi Apel, Co-directors of the Women to Watch Leadership Initiative W2W@WILMAmag.com
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The Women to Watch logo: When you see this throughout WILMA’s pages, it means this is a woman on the rise to know, an experienced leader to learn from, or a local program worth checking out. W
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CENTRAL OFFICE: Some of the newest coworking spaces
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PINEAPPLE ON A PIER: Carolina Beach's pier proprietors
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RAISE THE BARRE: Take 5 with Aunika Browne
DIRECTORY: women’s professional groups Besides WILMA’s Women to Watch Leadership Initiative, there are a number of local groups to help women grow professionally. Here is just a sampling of some of them.
Cape Fear CREW Year Founded: 2010 Description: “Cape Fear CREW is the leading organization for commercial real estate in the Cape Fear region in North Carolina … Members represent every aspect of the commercial real estate industry, including, but not limited to, law, leasing, brokerage, property management, finance, acquisitions, and engineering.” Info: capefearcrew.org or info@capefearcrew.org
Cape Fear Women in Tech Year Founded: 2014 Description: “Our vision is to make the Cape Fear Region the No. 1 employer of women in technology careers per capita in the country. We do this by championing opportunities for women in technology, empowering women to strive for these competitive positions, and inspiring women to lead in those roles.” Info: cfwit.com or capefearwomenintech@ gmail.com
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Coastal Women Attorneys
The Junior League of Wilmington
(N.C. Association of Women Attorneys) Year Founded: 2013 Description: “CWA was formed to serve women attorneys in Southeastern North Carolina in the Fourth, Fifth and 13th judicial districts, which includes New Hanover, Pender, Brunswick, Columbus, Bladen, Duplin, Onslow, Sampson, and Jones counties. CWA is committed to increasing the participation of women attorneys in the legal profession, protecting the rights of women under the law and promoting, and improving the administration of justice.” Info: ncawa.org/cwa or cwa@ncawa.org
Year Founded: 1952 Description: “The Junior League of Wilmington is a women’s organization designed to empower women and to improve the community through the leadership of women as trained volunteers.” Info: jlwnc.org or info@jlwnc.org
The Inspiration Lab Year Founded: 2015 Description: “The Inspiration Lab was built for working women passionate about personal and professional development. We offer teachings and tools to improve your skills, productivity, creativity, emotional intelligence, and well-being. We also provide opportunities for networking and connection. We represent a variety of backgrounds and careers, but we’re all like-minded in being serious about success, maintaining a manageable work-life balance, and supporting one another’s growth.” Info: theinspirationlab.co
Women’s Impact Network of New Hanover County Year Founded: 2011 Description: “WIN is a collective philanthropy nonprofit that makes yearly grants to nonprofits within the county. The focus of these grants rotates annually among four areas: education, health and wellness, the environment, and arts and culture.” Info: winofnhc.org
YWCA Lower Cape Fear Founded: 1914 Description: “The YWCA Lower Cape Fear is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.” Economic advancement programs focus on educational assistance, job training, and short-term and long-term planning skills. Info: ywca-lowercapefear.org
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photo c/o UNCW
UNCW RESEARCHER GRANTED $1M
University of North Carolina Wilmington research professor CATHARINA ALVES-DE-SOUZA was awarded a $1 million grant as part of more than $3 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects AgencyEnergy. The grant is part of the ARPA-E HESTIA program that aims to increase the amount of carbon stored in buildings to create carbon sinks, which absorb more carbon from the atmosphere than is released during the construction process. The project will investigate an alternative method to generate cement that stores carbon dioxide (CO2) by
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using calcifying microalgae that capture CO2 in the form of limestone plates that cover their cells, according to the university. Alves-de-Souza will be a part of an interdisciplinary team made up of researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The project is led by WIL SRUBAR, an architectural engineering and materials science associate professor at CU Boulder. Alves-de-Souza and MICHAEL GUARNIERI, senior scientist at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, are co-principal investigators.
DUKE ENERGY EXEC KEYNOTES LUNCH
JULIE JANSON, executive vice president and CEO of Duke Energy Carolinas, is the keynote speaker for an upcoming Wilmington Chamber of Commerce lunch event. Wilmington Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Professional Development Luncheon this year is 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., August 9 at the Landfall Country Club. At Duke Energy, Janson is responsible for regulatory and legislative affairs as well as the long-term strategic direction, growth, and overall financial performance of the company’s regulated utilities in North and South Carolina, according to the event announcement. She previously served as executive vice president of external affairs and president of Duke Energy’s Carolinas region. In that role, Janson oversaw corporate communications, federal government affairs, strategic policy and sustainability functions, stakeholder strategy, and the Duke Energy Foundation. The event, which is expected to sell out, also includes opportunities for networking. Info: wilmingtonchamber.org/events/ details/women-s-professional-development-luncheon
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TERRY NAMED CFCC VP OF STUDENT SERVICES
Cape Fear Community College officials hired SABRINA TERRY as the college’s new vice president of student services and enrollment management. Terry previously served as dean of student services at Surry Community College in Dobson. Terry became interested in student services in 2002 when she served as a work-study student and part-time employee in enrollment services at Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon, Virginia. She is a product of the community college system, having earned an associate’s degree in education. Terry continued her studies as a transfer student and earned an undergraduate degree in communications from Old Dominion University and a graduate degree in higher education administration with a specialization in enrollment management from Capella University. “I look forward to working with the talented team of student services professionals at CFCC,” Terry says. “I hope to bring energy and excitement to what we do best in student services: working with students and ensuring they have the support they need to succeed.”
ant more WILMA? Check out our daily emails, which include even more profiles and stories for Wilmington’s successful women. To sign up for the free emails, go to WILMAmag.com
OVERTON JOINS CAMERON ART MUSEUM
Cameron Art Museum appointed ELIZABETH OVERTON as director of development. Overton was previously at the University of North Carolina Wilmington in donor relations and development for the university. “Considering all of Elizabeth’s radiant energy and experience, her greatest asset and desire is bringing people together, which aligns with the overarching objective of CAM,” says museum executive director ANNE BRENNAN. “She appreciates hearing all perspectives and values different ways of thinking within our community. With Elizabeth helping deepen CAM’s service in Southeastern North Carolina, we broaden CAM’s core work in bringing us closer to one another, through the ever-expanding exploration of the human imagination.” Overton was raised in Charlotte, visiting family and friends in Wilmington. Growing up, she enjoyed visits to the Mint Museum and later getting to experience museums nationally and globally during high school and college. She and her husband, James, now live in Wilmington with two children, James and Jack. They enjoy family, friends, time on the water together, and new experiences. “I am honored to join the team at CAM,” Overton says. “This enthusiastic group creates a positively unique environment for our community that I greatly appreciate.”
Have a suggestion for a local woman or group to spotlight? Email us: wilma@WILMAmag.com WILMAmag.com
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HYBRID
MOVES
F45’S VIDEO AND IN-PERSON APPROACH by SAMANTHA KUPIAINEN photo by TERAH HOOBLER
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n September 2020, a new fitness facility opened its doors to the Mayfair area: F45. And now it’s expanding, opening its second location in midtown in May. Standing for functional training that lasts 45 minutes, F45 is a mix of circuit and HIIT-style workouts that focus on mobility, strength, and endurance, just to name a few key
components. “F45 is a functional training facility,” HANNAH LEMING (left), general manager of the two local locations. “Functional training just means movements in everyday life. So, we work on mobility, stability, strength, power, and endurance. You name it, we do it.” F45 workouts are preprogrammed, and all come from Gunnar Peterson, a Beverly Hills-based personal trainer, and a panel of other professionals. In addition to the TV that runs each workout for participants, personal trainers are there to give 1:1 attention. “It’s a group training facility, but it’s personal trainers that work 1:1 with you,” Leming says. “So, it’s high energy but then that 1:1 attention. You also never do the same workout twice. You might have the same template because we work in four-week phases, but the workouts will always change. You never do the same one twice.” Additionally, F45 takes a team training approach, meaning you work out with a group rather than by yourself. The facilities’ biggest focuses are to create a community and create a team, which means partner workouts are not uncommon during the 45 minutes of instruction. “Their biggest standpoint is come in, train as a team, and get that community feel,” Leming says. “Performing around other people, when you work out with other people, you feel more motivated and confident. You’re having more fun, and you join arms with others that are just like you. So, F45’s big push as a franchise is to create a community and create a team.” The response so far has been strong. The Mayfaire location, 417 Arboretum Drive, has grown to almost 400 members, while the newly opened midtown F45 location, 3500 Oleander Drive in Independence Mall, has boasted about 150 members in just two months. “You figure that’s 550 people that have joined,” Leming says. “I think we’ve been able to come into Wilm-
ington and give them sometime new and different but also a safe place to work out with their friends, no matter if they’re twenty years old or sixty years old. It doesn’t matter.” Leming and her F45 team have proven that they can train different ages and those in different walks of life. As she describes it, “we just made this tight-knit community and leveled it up even more.” F45 is looking to expand to Raleigh and even has some locations popping up in Clearwater and St. Petersburg, Florida. When it comes to Lemings’ approach for tackling each F45 workout that she coaches, she prefers to use the high-energy approach and make it the best 45 minutes of everyone’s day. She understands that it might have been a hard day for some people. So, she counters them and goes in with the mindset that she can show participants that they can release all of that stress into energy put toward having fun and moving their bodies. In return, they can “go on about their day just feeling better and having a brighter day.” “My approach is to just be fun and loud and happy and energetic,” Leming says. “When people are coming to class, I’m yelling at them from the door, getting them excited to come in. When I’m leading a class I bring excitement. I bring fun. I bring challenges. So, my approach to coaching every class is to make it memorable and for them to be like, ‘I can’t wait to come tomorrow,’ or leave with a smile on their face.” When Leming signed up to be the franchise manager two-and-ahalf years ago, she went in with the mindset to bring fun back to fitness. From her perspective, she felt as though some people felt movement and fitness were a chore. “Our goal is to make people want to do it,” she says. “We want them to come in here every day. We want this to be their escape every day.” W WILMAmag.com
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CHEMISTRY
CHEERS
YOUNG SCIENTIST ACADEMY PLANS AN AUGUST BEER-PAIRING FUNDRAISER by JENNY CALLISON photo by ARIS HARDING
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T
he motto of Young Scientist Academy is “never stop exploring.” So, it’s logical that the organization’s first major fundraiser will take a food and beer event past the obvious and introduce attendees to the science of beer making. The fundraiser, which takes place August 29 at Broomtail Craft Brewery’s Sour Barn, 7211 Market Street, will feature a presentation by Broomtail co-owner BARRY OWINGS, a water chemist and formulator, on how he changes the profile of local water to create the particular taste he wants for each brew, according to TIFFANY LANE, a YSA board member and an organizer of
the event. She says attendees will have three or more Broomtail beers to sample at the event, paired with the offerings from two food trucks: N Sea Oyster Co. and Latin Foodies. Owings comes to beermaking from the world of science: He is a water chemist and formulator who in 2014 turned his homebrewing hobby into a commercial venture, in partnership with his wife, LISA OWINGS. “We start with water directly from the aquifer, not city water,” Barry Owings says. “This water is much higher in mineral content yet doesn’t have the potential contaminants that may enter surface water sources.” The water goes through three processes to remove most dissolved solids and gases, then two filtering processes, leaving it with only a tiny amount of dissolved sodium, he explains. Then Barry and Lisa Owings use this “stripped” water to create the foundation for each beer they make. “For each beer, we have analyzed the source water and developed a ‘profile’ to match the style from its origin,” Barry Owings says. “The minerals to develop this ‘profile’ are dissolved in the batch mash and sparge water (water sprinkled over the mash) to ensure the beer is to style.” Owings has suggested several beers to complement the oysters and Venezuelan specialties guests will sample at the event. “With the oysters on the half shell, a mildly sour ale with a slight brine,” he says, recommending Broomtail’s Galloping Göse with its German water profile. “With barbecue oysters, a dark stout – our Râppe. The slightly dry finish due to the Irish water profile will bring out the umami sensation from the oyster.” For the Latin American cuisine, Owings suggests Broomtail’s Elysium, with its French water profile and “slight clove notes.” A fourth possibility, he says, is Broomtail’s flagship IPA, Acerbic Ecstasy, brewed with a water profile from San Diego, California. Proceeds from the fundraiser will directly support Young Scientist Academy (YSA) programs, paying for supplies and equipment as well as helping to
underwrite staff costs, Lane says. Because the organization’s programs are free to its participants, it relies on the financial support of some individuals and a variety of companies. But to expand its programs and reach more youngsters, YSA needs to broaden and increase support. YSA, based at Wilmington’s The Harrelson Center, works with youngsters from underserved communities to appeal to their “innate interest in the natural world, allowing them to explore real-world research in science, technology, engineering, art, and math – STEAM topics,” according to the nonprofit. The nonprofit offers a variety of hands-on programs to children from five to thirteen, serving fifty-five to sixty per week. Some of the programs are taught in Spanish. Lane’s fellow event organizer DEVON KEELER (both shown opposite page) serves on the YSA Young Professionals Board, formed this past spring to bring fresh ideas and younger perspectives to the organization. Lane is an associate professor in UNCW’s School of Social Work, while Keeler is a medical informatics analyst for a local research firm and a part-time faculty member in clinical research at UNCW’s School of Nursing. “I joined YSA because I felt in a place in my own life to give back more to my community,” Keeler says of her role. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed learning about what YSA does and the impact the organization has on youth in Wilmington.” The Broomtail event is the first fundraiser planned for the coming year, says KIM NELSON, who chairs the YSA board. “I’ve heard Barry speak on (the water profile) topic, and it’s really interesting,” she says. “We plan several other food events on topics like sustainability, the science of a plant-based diet, and climate change and its impact on vines and wines. Our students have been hard at work on their summer science academy, and we’re excited to hear their results in August.” Lane says a capacity crowd at Broomtail’s Sour Barn is about fifty people, so space is limited, and all tickets will be sold in advance. Tickets are available now through the YSA website: youngscientistacademy.org. W WILMAmag.com
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mad about mod S
ummer is in full swing – Swinging Sixties that is. As micro-minis and platforms make yet another comeback, the op art-inspired prints of the mid-to-late ’60s also get their turn on the wheel of fashion.
Breaking loose from the prim-and-proper vibe of the ’50s, the rise of ’60s Mod culture went hand-in-hand with the women’s movement, encouraging women to redefine their place in society. And fashion played a starring role: Skirts got shorter, prints got louder, and women got bolder. Flash-forward to modern day where these same vibrant patterns – ranging from checkerboard to retro florals to trippy geometrics – certainly live up to their statement-making origins. And that is truly groovy, baby. W
photos and styling by Drewe and Kate Branding Co. | intro by Nina Bays Cournoyer
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Floral baby doll DRESS, Barrymore NECKLACE, and Baby Parabola EARRINGS, all available at Modern Legend
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Black and white checkered DRESS, white cropped JACKET, teal SUNGLASSES, and Maya EARRINGS, all available at Modern Legend
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MODEL: Grace Harrington (UC Models) MAKEUP: Lisa Prather Beauty WARDROBE + LOCATION: Modern Legend 130 North Front Street, Suite 102
ESS and Groovy MINI DR ES, both SS LA NG pink SU odern Legend available at M
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CENTRAL
OFFICE By Katie Schmidt
As anyone with even a casual presence on LinkedIn knows, the working world for many people has fundamentally changed. Conference rooms have been swapped with Zoom, the small talk of a coworker in the next cubicle is now the low hum of a toddler’s TV program, and the breakroom coffee machine has lost its place to the forgotten mug still in the microwave. While many workers have fully embraced the flexibility of the remote lifestyle, there is oftentimes a downside to losing an environment of natural camaraderie and collaboration. Here in Wilmington, three of the most recent additions for shared space are putting the “co” back in “coworking,” especially for women in professional fields and entrepreneurship.
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812 Castle Street, Suite A | Instagram: @thebashpad
BASH PAD BASH PAD
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LEXIS PERRY’s first love was fashion. Her second? Entrepreneurship. Having grown up with a mother operating her own business, the example for paving your own way was set for Perry at a young age. Then, in 2014, Perry and her mother teamed up to start their own cosmetic line, Einnaf Cosmetics. “It actually started because we were frustrated being African American women and not being able to walk into most cosmetic businesses and finding colors that were suitable for us and our skin tone,” Perry says. “Let alone affordable ones.” In the beginning of Einnaf, Perry was selling her products out of the trunk of her car, but over the past eight years, they have grown a strong enough clientele to warrant a stationary location. This idea got Perry’s wheels turning to involve other business owners and launch a retail hub called The Bash Pad. “I knew it was time for me to open a storefront,” Perry says. “But then I just felt like I didn’t want it to all be about me. We’ve got this big space, why not put in other small businesses and give them the same opportunity? I’m all about helping people climb to higher heights.” Currently, there are four different retailers in the space, though Perry is aiming to have ten in total by the end of 2022. Although Perry originally had her eyes on Market Street when setting out to find a location for The Bash Pad, she ultimately ended up claiming a spot on Castle Street as the right fit. “My grandmother, mother, and I were driving around one day,” Perry says. “My grandmother got really emotional just to see how things have changed on Castle Street from what it used to be to now. It just instantly hit me – The Bash Pad needs to be there. It can still bring about that historical element but also be in the mix of change and what’s next. It’s really important to me that our store location is here at this moment of time.”
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It actually started because we were frustrated being African American women and not being able to walk into most cosmetic businesses and finding colors that were suitable for us and our skin tone. Let alone affordable ones.
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PHOTO BY MADELINE GRAY
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PHOTOS BY ALLISON JOYCE
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ot every late-night, up-to-feed-my-threemonth-old-baby business idea is worth much in the light of the next day. But Elevate Coworking owner MAGGIE BLACKHAM has entrepreneurship in her genes, and the need for a coworking community for women was prevalent in Wilmington. “I was getting ready to go back to work and simultaneously looking for a space for my son,” Blackham says. “I had the thought, ‘This would be cool if both were in the same space.’” Blackham, ever diligent, did her research to see that the coworking locations that focused on female entrepreneurs and offered child care were gaining in popularity in bigger cities like New York and L.A. From conversations she was having with her community of fellow working mothers in the Wilmington area, she knew that something like Elevate could be successful here.
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COWORKING 2512 Independence Boulevard, Suite 100 elevatecoworking.info
ELEVATE WILMAmag.com
“As long as women are working, we’re going to find community and connection,” Blackham says. “I think when women can support each other, really amazing things happen. We all want to be a part of that, and I was just the one who said, ‘Well since this isn’t here yet, I’ll make it.’” After taking over ownership in 2021 of the popular downtown coffee shop, Cheeky Monkey, Blackham was able to gain momentum toward her dream of opening Elevate. The location, which celebrated its official opening in June, is a stylish alternative to the working mom’s kitchen table. There are a couple dedicated co-working spaces, quieter rooms with multiple desks for communal focused time, and even rooms with dedicated desks for those who want to get out of the house but still have a sense of privacy. And, of course, two child care rooms ensure the kids are entertained while mom gets some work done. Elevate also offers community events on things such as website design, email marketing, and even self-care-focused workshops. All culminating in the focal point – an opportunity for women to meet other women. “Work-life balance looks a lot different for women, especially if they’re juggling child care,” Blackham says. “There has been this onslaught of women leaving the workforce because child care wasn’t an option, and that was heartbreaking to me. That’s going back in time. I wanted Elevate to focus on the fact that you can be a business owner and a mom. You don’t have to choose.”
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CHANNEL 106 Market Street, Suite 200 | liveoakbank.com/channel
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oth The Pash Pad and Elevate, in some way or another, started with the question: Can I do this? Channel, a Live Oak Bank small business center specializing in serving minority entrepreneurs, is helping to make sure business owners in Wilmington answer that with an emphatic yes.
PHOTOS BY MADELINE GRAY
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“We’ll get a lot of, ‘Do I have what it takes?’” says CHAKEMA CLINTON-QUINTANA, vice president of inclusive small business for Live Oak Bank and head of Channel. “The answer is yes – I mean who am I to kill anyone’s dream?” Headquartered in Wilmington, Live Oak Bank specializes in SBA loans and is one of the area’s largest employers. While the concept of Channel had been sparked in 2020, the team opened its doors November 15, 2021. Walking into Channel is like walking into your best friend’s house if your best friend had impeccable taste and was also an expert in capital and finance. As CLAIRE PARKER, head of corporate communications for the bank, puts it, “We have a very relaxed approach, but we are relentless in our pursuit of making sure people have what they need to achieve small business excellence.” The space is instantly inviting, with vibrant art, natural light, and the warm welcome of Clinton-Quintana and her counterpart, inclusive small business specialist JAMAR JENKINS. Those looking to get some work done have their choice between multiple coworking tables, comfortable purple couches, a training space, and even private offices available for productivity hours or client meetings. “Any small business owner who has signed up with us can call and tell me they need an office space, and as long as it’s available it’s theirs,” Clinton-Quintana says. “If you want to bring pictures and put it on the desk and make it look like it’s your office for two hours – have at it. We want you to be able to meet with your clients in a space that is welcoming.” Whether it’s asking the right questions to flesh out an idea, helping to secure an LLC, or just answering what banks are looking for from a small business, Channel offers a haven for ensuring the needs of a future small-business owner are met. “It’s technical assistance like helping get access to the right capital,” Clinton-Quintana says. “But it’s also coaching, it’s offering an entrepreneur community, and it’s really all about that trust meeting the business owner where they are.” At Channel, TASHA MILLS, owner of Not a Speck Cleaning Services, transformed from the quiet, trepidatious, and hopeful business owner to the confident entrepreneur who says things like, “Now if someone tries to talk down my business or give me the runaround, I speak up for myself. Jamar and Chakema helped me get there ‘cause here you have this warmth. It’s not just a paycheck to them.” W
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NOVELTY RICK RACK BY INTERLACEMENTS Create your fun in the sun wardrobe using Interlacements’ Novelty Rick Rack yarn in Ozark Sunrise and Ozark Sunset colorways, designed exclusively for Fleeces To Pieces, LLC. Find them at 203 Racine Dr. Ste 207, Wilmington, call 910.833.7005 or visit www.fleecestopiecesonline.
DECORATIVE TABLE BOOKS A decorating (and gifting) staple: the beautiful and versatile coffee table book. Adding both ambiance and intrigue to a library or living room, books are the perfect finishing touch that offers style and creative entertainment! Find this selection of books and more in-store or online at bigskyshoponline.com.
AZALEA ANTIQUES & ART Where yesterday’s treasures meet today’s creative minds! It’s our mission to conserve, and cultivate community connection. With over 7,000 sq ft of space we have something for everyone; rare collectibles, rustic décor, fine furnishings, albums, musical instruments, vintage photography gear, country store, charcuterie nosh, framed art and old coins. So much good stuff you won’t believe it. At less than a mile from the Airport and just 3 miles from Downtown, we are Wilmington’s Antique Mall.2817 N. 23rd St (at the corner of 23rd and Castle Hayne Rd.)
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DOWNTOWN BEAUTY Citrus Salon is a full-service Aveda hair salon located on Water Street in downtown Wilmington. They specialize in hair coloring and cutting, blonding services, hair extensions, and bridal styles. All Aveda products are vegan, eco-friendly and sustainably sourced. Call (910)777-3141 to book an appointment or visit their website at citrussalondowntown.com.
JULY 2022 WILMA SPONSORS’ CONTENT
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PINEAPPLE on a
PIER by Emory Rakestraw | photo by Aris Harding
An unconventional wedding gift breaths new life into a Carolina Beach landmark
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hen newlyweds KATHERINN KLOSS and CHRIS GARCIA began looking for an oceanfront home in Carolina Beach, they didn’t think they’d also end up purchasing a fishing pier. Sprawling above the Atlantic Ocean as a community landmark, the Carolina Beach Fishing Pier was previously owned by the Phelps family for four decades. When locals saw the pier was sold in April, rumors swirled. “A lot of people were scared developers had purchased it and were going to build condos,” Kloss says. “We stayed incognito as the pier’s new owners but could also tell development was not what the community wanted. As we were doing our due diligence, I met with pier owners up and down the coast. I discovered how much a pier really means to a community, and we were told when you buy a pier, you’re buying the community. That really sat with me.” While a traditional wedding present might include a KitchenAid stand mixer or Dyson vacuum, business owner and investor, Garcia, wanted to follow in the footsteps of the Phelps and purchase the pier as a gift to his wife. The two met at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, and relocated to the area to be closer to family. As most COVID-era brides know, their engagement saw delays and postponements. After finally tying the knot in November of 2021, it only felt natural for Garcia to make a grand gesture. While Kloss’ background includes government and entertainment, her longtime love of planning and hosting
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events is what truly inspired the purchase. She’s eyeing an exciting future for not only the pier but the High Tide Lounge, first-floor Pier Grill, and the Low Tide Tiki Bar. “People have weddings on piers ... and funerals. Hearing stories from the locals about the pier was really touching to us; it’s a whole life cycle that happens there,” Kloss says. “The property has hosted weddings in the past, Betty Jo (Phelps) has always been gracious with the
community hosting any event she could, so that’s something I want to continue, to open those doors for special events.” Before the couple could brainstorm events – or purchase the pier – they had to figure out if the repairs needed were doable, which Kloss called “the big question.” Luckily, consultations with marine contractors and local engineers set the two-month-long purchase process at ease. For decades, Freddy and Betty Jo
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Support for entrepreneurs
Heather McWhorter takes on the CIE director role
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By JOHANNA CANO | Photo by TERAH HOOBLER
fter serving as interim director of the University of North Carolina Wilmington Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, HEATHER MCWHORTER was named in June as director by the university. The organization seeks to support entre-
preneurs in the region through mentorship, incubator space, grant application assistance, networking, and more. McWhorter brings experience as the former UNCW Small Business and Technology Development Center director. During her time as interim, taking over after former director DIANE DURANCE from August 2021 to June, McWhorter says she was able to achieve significant milestones. “First, in November 2021, CIE launched its first Alliance for the Blue Economy (All Blue) Conference, which had seventeen events, 750-plus attendees, 8,000 volunteer hours, and reached 27,000-plus people through digital media,” McWhorter says. “Second, in late 2021, CIE and the Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington were awarded an NC IDEA Regional Impact grant to offer a new, innovative program to startup founders and teams called StartupEQ.” StartupEQ is a program that teaches business resiliency to entrepreneurs and small business owners. That grant also allowed the CIE to launch a new Business Coalition website to increase reach and inclusivity. WILMA talked to McWhorter about her goals in her new role, helping entrepreneurs and women-focused initiatives at the CIE. WILMA: Why did you want to take on the role of CIE director? McWhorter: “This is a decision that I did not take lightly but a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I was not going to let pass by. It has been an honor to work with the North Carolina SBTDC, which is one of the best SBTDC programs in the nation. In my five years with the UNCW SBTDC, the team helped small businesses survive Hurricanes Florence and Dorian – not to mention the COVID-19 pandemic. Creating the statewide SBTDC Business Launch initiative in the UNC system and SBTDC Taking the Leap program was a lot of fun and creates huge results for business startups. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with the SBTDC as a partner. But the CIE is something special. In my travels across the nation to similar centers, I have not come across another university-based entrepreneurship center that was created as a gift to the community. It is loved by the entrepreneurs that we serve as well as our hundreds of mentors and volunteers. CIE is about letting people live their full entrepreneurial potential, while also building an entire region that is vibrant and innovative.” WILMA: What are some goals you have for the center as its new director? McWhorter: “The initial focus of my directorship will include supporting entrepreneur success, building an entrepreneurial talent pipeline, and enhancing inclusivity and sustainability in emerging high-growth startups. Building on existing momentum, I aim to position Wilmington as a global destination for entrepreneurs solving big problems.” WILMA: How will the center continue to help area entrepreneurs? McWhorter: “Some of the favorite programs and services for entrepreneurs will continue – for example, the CIE Membership program, coworking, incubator space, the CIE
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Mentors, and the CIE Media team. Some new programs are already in the works, such as Welcome Wednesdays, which will be the first Wednesday of each month starting in September, and any community member can stop by CIE between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a tour or ask questions about starting a business or community resources for entrepreneurs. Anyone working on a startup can also cowork for free on Welcome Wednesdays. Another example of a program that is in the works is Entrepreneur Day when we will match UNCW classes with our region’s entrepreneur speakers, so UNCW students have the opportunity to learn about business ownership and entrepreneurial ventures, and the community has an opportunity to give back to UNCW and student learning. Entrepreneur Day will be in November.”
McWhorter: “Despite existing strengths, the region’s participation in business ownership and high-growth entrepreneurship does not represent its Census-based population of people of color, nor of women. Compounded on the gap in business ownership is the inclusivity gap in highgrowth entrepreneurship, with several reinforcing data points such as less than 10% of venture-backed companies having a female founder (Pitchbook) and 1% of venture-backed companied having an African American founder (HBR). There are many reasons for the in-
clusivity gap, but some of them, such as access, culture, and understanding are some of the items I plan to lean into as the CIE director.” WILMA: Anything else you would like to mention about your new role? McWhorter: “CIE is going to be hiring a full-time program manager! I am looking for a rock star who is dedicated to entrepreneurial success and the Wilmington region.” W This story recently appeared in a weekly WILMA Leadership email.
WILMA: You mentioned that you are passionate about bringing programs to help women interested in venture capital-backed companies. Why are you passionate about that and what initiatives do you hope to bring for women?
5041 New Centre Drive, Suite 115 • Wilmington, NC 28403 910-218-0600 • INFO@PATRIOTROOFER.COM • PATRIOTROOFER.COM
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MAGGIE BLACKHAM Elevate Coworking As both a small business owner and a mom I was surprised by the lack of resources offered to working women and decided to create an empowering space to be just that. I've been dreaming of building this space for years and am so excited to finally have opened our doors! Elevate Coworking and Community just opened this summer in Wilmington, NC supporting female entrepreneurs in life and business. Our space offers resources for members like: productive workspace, a natural light photo studio, and even onsite childcare for working moms. Book a tour on our website today, we'd love to show you around! elevatecoworkingilm@gmail.com @ElevateCoworking ElevateCoworking.info
ADRIENNE MOORE James E. Moore Insurance Adrienne is 3rd generation CEO of her family's independent insurance agency. She is passionate about carrying on her family's mission of helping people and businesses in NC since 1945. She and her team do this by not only providing thorough insurance coverage but by making a positive difference in our community. Selecting the right coverage is only the first step as they work to build lifelong relationships with clients. The insurance marketplace is rapidly changing, but with a proven record of excellence, James E. Moore Insurance Agency, Inc., is wellequipped to adapt. amoore@jamesemoore.com 910.256.5333 JamesEMoore.com
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TAYLOR KING Taylored Construction Services When Taylor started in the construction industry five years ago, she found her passion. A quick learner, she quickly took to all of it. Starting from a general customer service position, she swiftly moved into a supervisor of sales position which ultimately led to her stepping out on her own to create her own business focused on providing services that help our local builders, realtors, and homeowners with their home service needs. Taylor believes strongly in partnerships and teamwork. She has roots in Wilmington and loves raising her son Elliot, 5 and her daughter Penelope, 1 in the area.
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ALETA SLOAN United Medical & Aesthetics Meet Aleta Sloan, PA-C, and founder of United Medical & Aesthetics. Aleta has 30+ years of medical experience and years of advanced training. Aleta strives to achieve optimal results by combining scientifically proven traditional medicine alongside aggressive prevention and novel anti-aging therapies. Her painless laser hair removal, CO2 laser resurfacing, RF micro-needling, award-winning device Nordlys IPL, dermal fillers, neurotoxins, and PDO threads, empower you to look and feel healthy, energized, and beautiful inside and out. unitedmedicalandaesthetics@gmail.com 252.876.3021 Unitedmedicalandaesthetics.com WILMAmag.com
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KELLY STUART Coldwell Banker Commercial Sun Coast Partners Sunset Beach
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KIM SKIDMORE Liv CBD Liv CBD is a woman-owned business in the up-and-coming downtown area of Castle St. Education is the key to finding success with your cannabis journey and our certified CBD coach offers you a medical holistic approach to cannabis. We hope you walk out of our little oasis feeling confident that you’ve received the best quality products and an understanding of how to successfully receive the care you desire. Liv CBD is not just a family of products, but a familyoriented approach to CBD and how it affects your life and the lives of your loved ones.
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THERESA HOFFMAN, PA-C Coastal Aesthetics Hi! I am Theresa Hoffman, owner of Coastal Aesthetics. After spending 5 years working in aesthetic medicine, I decided to open my own practice to offer a boutique environment focused on education, advanced injectables and skin rejuvenation. After one year in business, we are in the process of expanding and moving to Lumina Station in the fall of 2022. I am a mother of 3 beautiful daughters and enjoy spending time with family in my spare time.
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ERIN RUSSELL Russell Family Law & Litigation Erin E. Russell is a divorce attorney located in Wilmington, North Carolina. Erin is originally from the beautiful state of Michigan, go Blue! Erin has a strong passion for fiercely advocating for her clients. Erin is compassionate to the fact that divorce is one of the hardest experiences someone will face in their lifetime. During this difficult time, Erin wants her clients to know she’s got their backs and she’s in their corner every step of the way. Remember, when it gets too hard, "eat, drink, and remarry."
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HOW TO BUILD COMPANY CULTURE
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hat is company culture? How do you not just talk about it, but build it, live it and sustain it? How do you get prospective employees and customers so excited about your company’s culture, they feel belonging beyond your workspace? “Nearly 10 years after our company was founded, we wrote down our mission, values and philosophies,” says Debra Punke, Chief Human Resources Officer of Concord Hotels. “When we finally did, it was natural and organic because we were already living it.” Chances are, you already have the makings of your ideal company culture. So how can employers explore the environment that exists to adjust sails and become their best? ASSESS, STRATEGIZE, GROW 1. Does Opportunity Call? “So much has changed in business, including what we expect from the workforce,” says Kirsten Lora, Catapult’s VP of Learning Services. “Employees need upgraded skills because there are now so many more roles for a single talent to fill.”
Encourage those with multiple interests to pursue their different skill sets. Catapult surveys show that 41% of employers are filling jobs with existing staff that lack job skills but have potential to learn and grow. Whether that means boosting certifications or supporting the exploration of cross-functional roles, employees who discover their unique paths within your organization can better set their own developmental goals.
to appeal to a larger group of diverse employees.
be digital, in-person, on-site, off-site.”
“Understanding where you’re at, where you want to go, and the plan for development will rely on looking inward critically,” Kirsten. “Review your distributors, marketing materials and general presence for inclusivity, plus look at your staff populations. Do you give everyone a voice? How?”
Kirsten says, “One of the biggest issues right now is a casualness, probably developed during the pandemic. It's important the workplace is where employees are held accountable for what they say and do. How else can staff trust you?”
Kirsten urges hard conversations with employees. “Discussions about current 2. Total Rewards social best practices and “Compensation and Benefits involving employees in are important, but performance establishing standards shows recognition and being viewed as you’re thinking about and a person are huge,” says Becky supporting their comfort.” Drozdz, Catapult’s Director “With the civil unrest of of Total Rewards Solutions. 2020, Concord Hotels didn't “Employers are competing shy away,” says Debra. “We against companies willing to pay took a stance through an more, but employers can match end racism campaign so our in opportunities that support employees knew exactly where employee personal growth and we stand. Belonging means lives.” being direct and vocal.” “One of our Members is helping employees save for their first house, educating them on taxes, providing mental health safety…” says Kirsten. “They’re looking at people as a whole, not just as employees on-site.” 3. Be Real About DE&I Businesses are trying to recruit and retain while trying
4. R-E-S-P-E-C-T Equally as important as respect? Disrespect and what you’re going to do about it. “We’ve found the third highest reason people left jobs in 2020 and 2021 was ‘disrespect,’” says Becky. “No employer wants that, but it’s integral to take action when inappropriate situations arise, whether they
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The workforce is rapidly changing. Are you keeping up? Catapult takes your HR impact further with on-call HR experts, online resources and ondemand tools. Visit letscatapult. org to learn more! Use the QR code to join us for our 2022 HR Leadership Conference in September! Whatever your most pressing challenges, attending this 2-day HR Conference provides you with the resources HR pros need to succeed.
PLANTATION VILLAGE
MEET OUR RESIDENTS: ELAINE TASSI
FINDING PEACE OF MIND AT PLANTATION VILLAGE
P
eace of mind comes from different things for different people.
Those researching Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) like Plantation Village are often seeking similar securities in terms of a maintenance-free lifestyle, social connections and opportunities, physical wellness, and access to a continuum of healthcare. For Elaine Tassi, moving to PV secured her peace of mind for her future while also giving her three surviving children confidence that Mom would be taken care of. Elaine moved here after more than 20 years in the Olde Point community in Hampstead, NC. She’s originally from New York state.
She was growing tired of living alone in a large house that was becoming too big to care for. She’s a retired legal secretary, avid golf, and tennis player. She wanted to retire to an active community where she could continue to enjoy her hobbies and passions without the demands of homeownership. Most mornings you’ll find her attending an AquaTone swim class or walking our 3+ miles of paved pathways throughout our 58 acre campus for exercise. She says when the weather is poor, she hits the gym instead! She is both physically active and socially engaged. Elaine
serves as a member of the PV “First Team” and helps regularly with marketing events for guests. She enjoys many of the tours and restaurant outings organized by our Community Life Services team as well. Hospitality and quality of service is something we pride ourselves on as a community. During Hurricane Florence, we evacuated our residents (and their pets!) to a hotel in Greensboro, NC. We took over the hotel for two weeks, hosting activities in the ballrooms and driving our coaches around town to visit the movie theater, the mall, and almost anywhere else residents wanted to go. Elaine said she felt a little guilty about being on a “4star mini-vacation!” while family
members who rode the storm out along the coast struggled to deal with the aftermath. This experience bonded many of our newer residents and it was during this time that Elaine developed deeper friendships with her new neighbors. It is the people who make the place, and this place is full of some of the friendliest around.
Anna Cook is Marketing Coordinator at Plantation Village, a non-profit continuing care retirement community that offers independent living on a 56-acre campus in Porters Neck, minutes from downtown Wilmington and area beaches.
1.866.825.3806 | PLANTATIONVILLAGERC.COM
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THEARTWORKS™
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THE ART WORKS FOR THE ARTIST, THE ART LOVER, THE COMMUNITY, “ART WORKS!”
heArtWorks™ is in 37,000 square feet of repurposed historical industrial space on 200 Willard Street, providing venue rental, an art village with working art studios, art maker spaces, classrooms, a gift shop, and fine art visual and separate photography gallery. theArtWorks™ provides comprehensive, multifaceted, and inclusive opportunities all located under one roof and strives to enhance the Wilmington community through arts. Owners, Jim and Betsy Knowles, purchased the current theArtWorks™ building in 1998. The building was a part of the original Block Manufacturing in what is now Wilmington’s South Front District. theArtWorks™ began
in 2013, with the mission of enhancing the community, assisting artists, and contributing to the revitalization of Downtown Wilmington. The art village emulates a New Orleans circa 1900s vibe. Jim and Betsy feel strongly about preserving Wilmington’s historical commercial landmarks and providing a place for artists to create, display, and sell all types of art. The Knowles wish to nurture and promote making Wilmington, North Carolina an international art destination. theArtWorks™ is part of the Downtown Wilmington 4th Friday Gallery Nights − free monthly events where downtown area galleries, studios, and art spaces open their doors to the public in an after-hours celebration of art and culture sponsored by the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County.
4th Friday Gallery Nights are a self-guided tour through more than 20 downtown Wilmington galleries, studios, and businesses − featuring exhibitions of various artistic genres including oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, photography, metals, woods, ceramics, mixed media, jewelery, pryrography, and more. Showcasing art and art-related events, 4th Friday Gallery Nights also include opening receptions, artist discussions, demonstrations, live music, beer and wine along with other art-related activities. theArtWorks™ also hosts specialty art events promoting performing and literary arts. theArtWorks™ open hours are Thursday thru Friday 11am - 5pm, and by appointment. While theArtWorks™ consumes much of their time, Jim and Betsy still make sure
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to have fun wherever they go. They are especially committed to their family. They love boating, traveling, and time spent visiting their four adult children living across the United States in four different states. For 15 years, they have hosted Cousins Camp to get their bicoastal grandchildren together for two weeks each summer. The COVID-19 pandemic has hindered their travel and visiting during this time. Visit theArtWorks™ today by stopping in at, 200 Willard Street in downtown Wilmington, visit their website at, www. theArtWorks.co, or give them a call to find out more about their offerings at, 910-352-7077. You want a great nation? Then, it demands a great education − “it all starts with the arts.”
THE UPPER CERVICAL SPINE CENTER “ DO YOU HAVE A PINCHED NERVE?” WE CAN HELP! Dear Friend, It's hard to believe, I know, but it's true. Last year more Americans were killed by prescription drugs than by guns, AIDS, suicides and terrorists combined. Let me start by explaining the photo in this letter. I am the guy blessed to have the two loves of my life next to me in beautiful Fort Fisher. This was one of our first trips to the area before we moved here to serve the Wilmington community with Upper Cervical care. 12 years ago, something happened to me that changed my life forever. I was in my early years of undergraduate studies suffering from debilitating low back pain. I couldn't be a normal college kid, which meant no road trips with friends, being confined to my bed for days at a time, and not being able to sit for longer than 10 minutes in class. I was quite honestly depressed and had no idea where my life was going if I had to deal with the pain much longer. I tried everything to get just an ounce of relief - cortisone injections into my hips, tear- jerking deep tissue massage, stretching regimens, and even a prescription for a highly addictive pain-killer, but nothing worked. Nothing worked, until I found chiropractic After just a few adjustments, the pain started to go away. I could finally work out without any injuries, sit in class for hours at a time, and most importantly, enjoy life again. The fog of depression was lifted as I started making more friends, pursuing my goals and dreams, and connecting with a girl that is now
my wife. Not to sound cliche, but chiropractic truly saved my life. Not only did my back pain disappear, but I stopped taking a medication that prevented the acid reflux. I quickly realized that having a nervous system free of interference was the key to wellness. I have been receiving Upper Cervical adjustments on a regular basis since then and have never looked back. To me, being an Upper Cervical doctor is not a job, it is a calling. While in chiropractic school, my fiance had been dealing with anxiety for years. She struggled to balance her thoughts and emotions on a daily basis. I introduced her to my chiropractor and mentor, Dr. Ray Drury, a world-renown Upper Cervical specialist in Charlotte, NC. After a few Upper Cervical adjustments, she noticed a massive difference in her peace-of-mind. My daughter Sylvia, was checked for an Upper Cervical problem within minutes of her birth. Obviously, a baby does not complain of headaches or back pain, but I check her to keep her healthy, just as I do for the many babies and children in my office. With chiropractic, we don't add anything to the body or take anything from it. We find interference in the nervous system and remove it thus enhancing the healing capacities of the body. We get tremendous results, it really is as simple as that. NOW … find out for yourself and benefit from an AMAZING OFFER Look it shouldn't cost you an arm and a leg to correct your health problems. If you are going to write a check to
someone for your health care expenses, you might as well write one for a lesser amount for chiropractic. An entire week of care in my office may cost what you pay for one visit elsewhere. Mention this ad within two weeks and you will receive my entire new patient exam for $37. That's our full exam, with x-rays, the whole ball of wax. This exam could cost you $450 elsewhere. Further care is very affordable and you'll be happy to know that I have affordable family plans. I'm here to serve you and make a difference in your life. I've been entrusted to take care of tiny babies to 99 year olds. I'm offering this low fee to help more people. Thanks, Dr. Zach Shaw Upper Cervical Chiropractor for Children and Adults
To read the full article with customer testimonials, visit wilmamag.com/insights-sponsors-content
910.821.8006 | UpperCervicalSpineCenterWilmington.com 7122 Market St, Ste 140, Wilmington, NC WILMAmag.com
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A TAP
TOURS ON
THESE TRIPS GIVE A SAMPLING OF BREWS by BETH A. KLAHRE photo by ARIS HARDING
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t last count, there were over twenty local craft breweries scattered across Wilmington. So how does anyone decide which beer to try on any particular night – or day – on the town? Why choose? Why not hop on a bus that will take you to three breweries of your choice and then right back to where you started? RACHEL O’HOLLA, self-proclaimed beer drinker and brewery enthusiast, is owner of brewery tour company Roadies Local. She is excited about the craft brewing industry in Wilmington. “It really is growing, which makes the tour scene even better,” she says about the craft brewing industry in Wilmington. “Each spot is so unique; not
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only the beer but the atmosphere and the vibe.” O’Holla drives her guests around town in a baby blue, vintage Volkswagen bus. Launched in April of 2021, O’Holla first got the idea of hosting brewery tours from a friend in Cape May, New Jersey, who was doing something similar. “I went on his tour a few times and had an absolute blast,” she says. “I thought the idea would be the perfect fit with the brewery scene in Wilmington.” O’Holla found Bessie, as she affectionately calls her 1972 VW bus, on Craigslist after many months of searching. She made the trip to Chesapeake, Virginia, to pick up the bus the next day. O’Holla customized the interior, adding facing bench seats and a table. Bessie is registered as a limo, which enables O’Holla to legally drive people for hire. Customized tours include pickup and drop-off within Wilmington, Kure Beach, Carolina Beach, and Wrightsville Beach. The fun lasts five hours door-to-door with three brewery stops of choice, sometimes including a local bottle shop. JEREMY TOMLINSON is the owner of Port City Brew Bus, the original brewery tour in Wilmington. Tomlinson who graduated from University of North Carolina Wilmington and would go for a beer after a late night working on a startup at the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. “A friend and I watched the brewing industry pick up. Research showed that every town that had a decent brewery population had some sort of tour,” he recalls. “So, we brainstormed what we could do and ran our first tour on Black Friday 2014.” Tomlinson’s tour, accommodating ten guests, lasts three to four hours and visits three breweries. “I usually take the group through the brewery to see how beer is made, going where most people don’t get to go. If timing is lucky, the owner will come out and talk to the group. It’s a VIP experience,” he says. “The Brew Bus is all about having a good time, but I also want it to be educational.” Tomlinson also owns Wilmington Ale Trail magazine, a guide to the local beer scene, and is one of the founders of the Cape Fear Craft Beer Alliance. “Every brewery has its own story,” he says. “It might be the history of the building or the story of the trees that were cut down to build the bar.” W
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by LYNDA VAN KUREN photo by TERAH HOOBLER
After a debilitating illness ended AUNIKA BROWNE’s plans to be a professional ballet dancer, she discovered an even greater passion: teaching dance to children. In 2018, Browne opened her own dance studio, and in 2020, she was tapped to take over the executive directorship of the Wilmington Ballet School consortium. That includes the US International Ballet, a professional training program for ballet dancers; its outreach arm, the Wilmington Ballet Company; and the Wilmington School of Ballet. Through Browne’s innovative actions on stage and in the studio, all aspects of the Wilmington Ballet navigated the pandemic’s challenges, and she is currently working to ensure the community as well as dance students can enjoy the beauty of ballet. THE PERFORMING ARTS SUFFERED DURING COVID. WHAT IMPACT HAS IT HAD ON BALLET STUDENTS? “For our serious dancers, we’re trying to continue as much of the disciple and regular training schedule as we can. However, a lot of our older students lost their passion for ballet during COVID. Now, we’re supporting them as much as possible and moving their training to another style of dance if they want to try something else.” HOW ARE YOU ENSURING THE US INTERNATIONAL BALLET WILL SURVIVE AFTER COVID’S SETBACKS? “We’ve adapted to a new way of thinking to keep the art form alive. During COVID, we did a livestream production at the Wilson Center, and we’ll live stream most of our future performances so we reach a larger audience. We’ve also done a lot of recruiting to attract new dancers. I traveled to ballet festivals across the U.S. to meet dancers and tell them about our program and the scholarships we offer. We were down to twelve dancers from thirty-five. Now, we’re bringing in more dancers and finalizing contracts.” WHAT ARE YOUR PERFORMANCE PLANS FOR THE COMPANY IN THE FUTURE? “In the coming year, we plan to perform Don Quixote, Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Peter and the Wolf. In 2023, we will go back into the schools and give free performances for the children. We also want to get back to touring locally.” YOU RECENTLY HIRED A NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR FOR THE US INTERNATIONAL BALLET. WHAT TALENTS AND GOALS DOES HE BRING TO THE POSITION? “Under JONHAL FERNÁNDEZ’s leadership, the vision of ELIZABETH HESTER, the company’s founder, for a ballet company that does not discriminate on the basis of body type and gives talented dancers a chance to perform will remain true. Fernández can also work with all kinds of people and with dancers of all levels. His dreams are as big as mine as to where the company can go.” HOW DO YOU PLAN TO BUILD AN AUDIENCE FOR BALLET IN WILMINGTON? “Building an audience is a challenge we face. We have to let people know we are here and get exposure. Also, ballet must be willing to adapt to a wider audience. It must be more inclusive and show that all races, genders, and ages can be on stage, so more people in the audience can relate to the performers.”W AUNIKA BROWNE’s full profile will appear in an upcoming WILMA Roundup email. To sign up for daily WILMA emails, go to WILMAmag.com.
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CRUEL
SUMMER by DYLAN PATTERSON illustration by MARK WEBER
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Dylan Patterson is a writer and filmmaker who teaches English at Cape Fear Community College.
Recently, I witnessed a friend’s eighteen-year-old son entertain the idea of owning a car without air conditioning with all the incredulity that you or I might consider driving a car without a steering wheel. While he’s a fine young man, I found his casual sense of entitlement a little disturbing. Full disclosure: I’m solidly middle-aged and would no sooner own a car without air conditioning in the South than I’d army crawl through hot coals in a Speedo, but in my younger years, I suffered through many miserable experiences of extreme heat that I now realize were important rites of passage. As a teen, I attended basketball camps during peak summer heat. As we scrimmaged on black asphalt courts, it was so hot our feet sweated through our socks. So hot the soles of our sneakers were soft by the end of the day. So hot that after camp, I immediately retreated to our cool basement and fell into a wordless torpor until dinner. During one particularly warm and humid college summer, I worked as a busboy at a fancy restaurant. Lunch shifts on the patio were hell. My required uniform was effectively a tuxedo sans jacket: shirt buttoned tight at the wrists, black pants soaking in the sun, neck choked by a bow tie. Sweat dripped from my nose as I refilled water glasses. It’s one thing to sweat profusely on a basketball court. Quite another when you’re expected to look semi-dignified as you deliver chocolate mousse to a six top
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of corporate attorneys. My discomfort was often compounded by crippling hangovers, and I gulped ice water at the busboy station and lingered in the walk-in freezer every chance I got. After college, I traveled cross country in cars without air conditioning. Long sweaty drives through the Southwest with the windows down, wind whipping my face, and the sun burning my left arm. I stashed gallon jugs of water in the backseat in case of a breakdown, so I wouldn’t die of dehydration before I could hitch to the next town. In my mid-twenties, I traveled to Costa Rica. We arrived by bus in a small coastal village late at night, the air still warm and thick. We had no accommodations reserved, so my friend and I followed a man at the bus stop holding a sign reading “room for rent.” The “room” turned out to be a storage shed for a beachfront hotel destroyed by a recent storm. Not only did the shed lack air conditioning, there wasn’t even a fan or a window. We lay awake panting and sweating and flicking away roaches until dawn. At sunrise, we burst outside bleary-eyed and sweaty, bought cold bottled water from a street vendor, and chugged it like wanderers emerging from the desert. And what exactly do you learn from this kind of suffering? Simply this: To live the rest of your life in humble gratitude, so that every single time your air conditioner kicks in at home or you crank it in the car on a hot day, you fully appreciate it for the blessed miracle it is.
Not Your Father' s Retirement Plan
Single-family, luxury, townhomes and Del Webb 55+ living along the river. Floorplans by 9 homebuilders from the high $300s - $1M+
@RiverlightsNC
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(910) 405-1234
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109 Pier Master Point, Suite 100
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Wilmington, NC 28412
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