Through all the emotional ups and downs of 2020, we initially focused on our physical health, but soon learned our mental health is just as important. And, during this past year it truly has “taken a village” to keep us all healthy and well. The best advice someone gave me early on in the pandemic was, “Be good to you first so you can help others.”
So this month, I wanted to introduce you to our health and wellness partners that not only support you and our community, but have steadfastly supported bringing Chandler Lifestyle to you each and every month. Like many of us, these individuals and businesses have had to learn to pivot and adapt to survive in order to continue to provide their important services.
There were some common threads in their answers we received—mental health is as important as physical health; the discovery of what is truly important; slow down; be grateful; good can come from adversity. I hope you enjoy this peek into their thoughts and lives as much as I did! And, if you ever need any of their services, please consider supporting them.
Denise Garcia MD/Owner
Desert Eyesthetics
Tell us about your business.
My team and I provide comprehensive medical and aesthetic care in the field of oculofacial plastic surgery, including plastic, reconstructive, and cosmetic services.
What is something about you or your business people may not know?
I was the 1995 Fiesta Bowl Queen!
What has owning a local business taught you during the pandemic?
There are so many things in life that are beyond our control. All we can do is take one day at a time, give our best effort, take appropriate precautions to protect ourselves and those around us, and try to continue to enjoy life.
And, some things just can't be taken care of over Zoom! Even when staffing was difficult due to the increased home demands our staff experienced due to the pandemic, we were always able to provide in-person care for emergencies and urgent issues.
What is something positive that has happened or you have learned during this last year?
I have learned that toilet paper is perhaps the most limited and sought-after resource on the planet, and that one must always make sure to have a six-month supply on hand!
Yasmin Rahimi DC FIAMA/Founder/VP
BackFit Health + Spine
Tell us about your business.
We are multi-disciplinary clinics offering medical, chiropractic, and physical therapy, all in one location.
What is something about you or your business people may not know?
I founded this company with my brother, Dr. Radi Rahiminejad, and we now have 11 locations in three states.
What has owning a local business taught you, either personally or professionally, during the pandemic?
We have seen emotional stress affecting many patients in the form of pain and tension, reminding us that the mind is a powerful factor, and emotional stress can be just as damaging as any physical injury.
What is something positive that has happened or you have learned during this last year?
At the beginning of the pandemic, I said the universe wants us to all slow down and breathe. We should never take our freedom or conveniences for granted. Our team has had a major shift in mindset, focusing on volunteering and giving back wherever we can.
Shadow Asgari DDS/Co-Owner
Samantha Vu DDS/Co-Owner
Sonoran Smile Orthodontics
Tell us about your business.
We are in the business of creating beautiful smiles. Having a healthy, beautiful smile can change someone’s life. It brings a confidence that can open doors and create opportunities.
What has owning a local business taught you, either personally or professionally, during the pandemic?
We've learned that the spirit of community in Chandler is immense. It’s uplifting to see so many coming together to support each other's businesses and employees.
What have you or your business done to give back to the community this past year?
We value the work our teachers do, and have treated many educators and their children at no charge or reduced fees for several years.
What is something positive that has happened or you have learned during this last year?
Nothing is guaranteed. Possessions are just things. Be good to one another and leave behind a legacy of kindness to your fellow man.
Richard Higgs DDS/Owner
Aquila Family Dental
Tell us about your business.
We are a local, individually-owned family and cosmetic dental practice, serving the East Valley since 2005.
What is something about you or your business people may not know?
I was originally going to go to medical school, but a conversation with my family dentist during the Christmas break of my senior year in college changed all that. Had I not had that conversation, on that day, with that person, my life would have been significantly different.
What has owning a local business taught you, either personally or professionally, during the pandemic?
The value of trust and communication. These things have always been very important to me, but they have become even more important during the pandemic because people don’t know who to trust, what to believe, and even what to say. Being consistent with protocols and communication between myself, my staff, and our patients has ensured we are doing the right thing to keeping everyone safe.
What is something positive that has happened or you have learned during this last year?
I have the greatest team! Their sense of humor and purpose in the midst of all this difficulty has been inspiring, and I’m so proud of them. I’m also extremely humbled and appreciative that our patients trust that we are keeping them safe while getting their important dental care.
Aubrey Young DMD/Owner
Young Orthodontics
Tell us about your business.
We have fun transforming smiles for our “family” of patients. Some might think orthodontics is a teenage rite of passage, but we treat patients as young as 5, and as “young” as 84!
What is something about you or your business people may not know?
I recently restored a 1966 VW “Bug” I call Emily (Em). She’s a beautiful aqua and can’t be missed, so honk next time you see us driving around town!
What have you or your business done to give back to the community this past year?
My heart lies in giving back, and it is a primary focus for our business. We plan many giving back initiatives throughout the year to support our local community.
What is something positive that has happened or you have learned during this last year?
I have learned I always possess a choice in every moment of every day. Choosing to have a positive, optimistic attitude is the key to not only my happiness, but it can be contagious. My greatest joy is having the opportunity to create long-lasting relationships with my team, members of our beautiful Chandler community, other dental colleagues, and my amazing patients.
Elisabeth Peffley NMD, LAc
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Lazaderm Laser & Medical Aesthetics
Tell us about your business.
We believe optimal well-being is a blend of feeling and looking our best, because our physical appearance is intrinsically linked to how we feel. Achieving this is both a science and an art, so our clinic offers treatments including facials, medical-grade skincare, cosmetic procedures, vein treatments, thyroid management, body contouring, and bioidentical hormone therapy. Our patients can tell we love what we do, and enjoy having fun!
What is something about you or your business people may not know?
I recently competed in my first taekwondo tournament!
What is something positive that has happened or you have learned during this last year?
This year has been wrought with polarizing political, social, medical, and economic ideologies. I have personally witnessed friendships and family relationships dissolve over these differences. I decided to take "seek first to understand and then be understood" literally by researching and educating myself on opposing viewpoints with friends and family. It has been a great lesson, but more importantly, it allowed me to connect and understand differing beliefs. I found we actually had more in common than we thought, allowing us to actually grow and deepen our relationships.
Andrea Stickland DVM/Owner
Animal Medical Center of Chandler
What is something about you or your business people may not know?
We are one of the few privately-owned practices in our area. We are an American Animal Hospital Association certified facility, as well as a Fear-Free, Feline-Friendly practice, with a newly dedicated feline center.
What has owning a local business taught you during the pandemic?
Fortitude and empathy. Fortitude, as we have learned to adapt to change quickly in order to keep moving forward. With additional health requirements, supplies becoming scarce, and prices rising, we have learned to be creative, think outside the box, and adapt.
Empathy, as a veterinarian you love animals, but also you love the people. The emotional toll the pandemic has had on our clients has been a staggering, soul-searching, learning experience. The human-animal bond has become more important than ever, and we realize if we can help keep people’s pets safe and healthy during this challenging time, we will make a difference in our client’s mental health at home.
What have you or your business done to give back to the community this past year?
This year we partnered with UofA to be a strong mentor for veterinarian students and graduates by hosting them so they can learn about comprehensive, small animal medicine.
Rosemary Geary MD/Founder
East Valley Dermatology
What has owning a local business taught you, either personally or professionally, during the pandemic?
Running a business during the pandemic has been the biggest challenge we have ever faced. Huge changes had to be made in order to see patients safely. This put a lot of stress and extra work on our employees, who gave 110% to make it happen. I learned working together as a team is the only way to overcome the adversities we have faced.
What have you or your business done to give back to the community this past year?
I volunteer my time at Mission of Mercy, a mobile van clinic for the working poor, as their dermatologist.
What is something about you or your business people may not know?
I love to wake surf! As a dermatologist, I make sure that I'm sun-protected, and I like to teach patients that with proper sun protection, it is safe to enjoy the outdoors, even if you have had skin cancer like me.
What is something positive that has happened or you have learned during this last year?
The silver lining of this pandemic has been teaching me to slow down and find joy in just being at home.
David Baker Owner
Nature’s Bloom
Tell us about your business.
We are a local, family-owned and -operated business that offers a great value on premium CBD products, in a truly welcoming environment. CBD is non-narcotic, and we believe in the many health benefits it offers, especially as an alternative to prescription pain relief and the addiction that can result. We are definitely an option to big pharma.
What is something about you or your business people may not know?
Our first store is in Old Town Scottsdale and is run by my son, Nate. It is a true blessing to work daily with your own kid, who brings so much to the table for our business.
What has owning a local business taught you during the pandemic?
The pandemic has proven us right in placing a high value on customer relationships. During this difficult time, our customers proved they love us and have gone out of their way to keep us "Blooming"! We spend time with each of our customers, and will never send someone off without a sample, special discount, or additional knowledge.
Carissa Krupski Owner
MassageLuXe
What is something about you or your business people may not know?
My Husband, Matt, and I had been members at a MassageLuXe in St. Louis, Missouri, for many years prior to introducing MassageLuXe to Arizona. We love this area and knew this is where we wanted to be, so we opened Arizona’s first location right here in Chandler! We recently relocated our family and bought a home in Chandler, so we are here to stay!
What have you or your business done to give back to the community this past year?
During COVID-19, we have focused on assisting other small business owners and charities struggling with the uncertainties of the times. MassageLuXe has donated products and services to them to be used as gifts to show their appreciation to everyone supporting the local Chandler community.
What is something positive that has happened or you have learned during this last year?
The pandemic has reminded us to focus on our family. We’ve been spending more time together—doing puzzles, watching movies with popcorn, playing games. It is a good reminder of what is important and what is not. “In the rush to get back to normal, use this time to decide which parts of normal are worth rushing back to.”—Dave Hollis