MONKEE’S: DREAMS AND DRIVE
Raised in Albania, Lilly Kulla has lived through communism, the fall of a dictatorship, and a civil war. Her family moved to the United States near the end of that war when her daughter, Elona Appleby, was just 11 years old. Arriving with only one suitcase each, Kulla says, “We didn’t have much, but we had grit and determination.”
Now, Kulla and Appleby are the mother-daughter duo behind Monkee’s of Dripping Springs, the upscale women’s boutique that has elevated the town’s style.
Kulla and Appleby are not just mother and daughter but best friends, a bond shaped by their early struggles after immigrating. “I saw how hard she worked when she came here with nothing,” Appleby says. In turn, Appleby took on many adult responsibilities at a young age to support her mom.
Kulla recognizes that Appleby was always capable beyond her years: “She’s been a boss since she was tiny,” Kulla says. “She’s always inspired me with her grit and focus. She is stubborn, dedicated, and I love it when she proves people wrong.”
At Monkee’s, Appleby may be the boss, but the two women work side by side. “Elona is the visionary, the creative, and I am the balance,” Kulla says.
While Appleby excels with numbers and planning, Kulla shines when she works with customers. “She will make anyone leave that store happy,” says Appleby. “It’s been really fun for me to see her create these relationships.”
Connection is key at Monkee’s, which offers a personalized shopping experience, helping each customer find the perfect piece to make them feel beautiful and confident. “I hope they feel like they are stepping into a big closet, being served a mimosa while they choose what they want to try on,” says Kulla. “I want them to feel like they are a part of the store, and I want to get to know all of them.”
This ability to connect with customers is important. Since its opening, Monkee’s has become a sanctuary for women—a place to unwind and indulge in the luxury of trying on clothes in a calm, inviting atmosphere. It offers a retreat from the demands of work and family, even if just for an hour. As Appleby puts it, “At the end of the day, all women want to feel good, to feel heard, and to know they matter. That’s the feeling I want every person who walks through our doors to have—that they matter.”
In addition to offering a stunning collection of high-end products every day, Monkee’s also holds special in-store events throughout the year. Since opening last November, the boutique has brought the women of Drip together with a hat bar event, pilates workshops, fundraisers, and an unforgettable “Galentine’s” celebration.
Running this boutique together—which they had envisioned for years—is a priceless gift for both women. “What I’m doing is meaningful to me on so many levels,” Appleby says. “Just having this time with my mom and creating these experiences with her … you can’t buy it.”
Kulla shares her daughter’s sentiments: “It has been the absolute best time of my life. We have made memories to last a lifetime.”
As they’ve made these memories, Appleby has also made an impression on her mother. “I want her to be as proud of herself as I am of her,” Kulla shares. “I want her to remember that, no matter what happens in the future, she did it. She followed her dream.”
Like mother, like daughter.
MonkeesOfDrippingSprings.com | @monkeesofdrippingsprings
D&D INSURANCE: GRIT AND GRACE
Back in 1994, when Wade and Angie Dahl moved their family to Wimberley, Angie took a leap into the insurance world at DeMasters Daniel Insurance Agency. At the time, their daughters were young children, with Jennifer Zinkgraf in seventh grade, Julie Dahl-Arcos in fifth grade, and Jantsen Dahl in preschool. Little did they know, this was the beginning of a family legacy.
Angie started out as the office manager and worked hard to learn the insurance industry. By 2008, with Wade’s encouragement and support, she had become a part-owner of the agency, and in 2012, she purchased it entirely from her partners—renaming it D&D Insurance Agency.
While Angie worked her way up in the business, she and Wade were also busy raising their daughters. Soon, those little girls were all grown up, and Julie, a former math teacher, joined the agency in 2013. Jantsen jumped on board in 2020 as they opened the new Dripping Springs office.
Working side by side with her daughters has been an incredible experience for Angie. “It’s truly amazing to get to see them every day, to talk to them every day,” she says with a proud smile. Quick to praise her daughters’ growth and ability to rise to any challenge, she adds, “They’re strong, independent, confident, and capable women.”
With locations in Wimberley and Dripping Springs, D&D is an independent property and casualty insurance agency offering products to cover your home, auto, recreational units, commercial, and business insurance. Representing multiple insurance carriers, “Our job is to find the best market, product, and price for the consumer and to offer excellent customer service,” says Angie.
The Dahl women agree that the work they do—helping people get the protection they need—is meaningful. “We take our jobs seriously,” Angie says. “Insurance is not glamorous; it’s a necessity.”
To best serve their clients, the ladies at D&D prioritize creating long-lasting, loyal connections that boost their clients’ confidence. “We build relationships with our customers, so that when we advise them, they know they can trust us,” says Jantsen.
“We operate our office with sincerity and compassion,” Angie adds.
This atmosphere of support and trust carries over to the agency’s tight-knit team of seven employees—all women. “It’s a cohesive environment,” Angie says. “There’s no drama; there’s no competition. Everybody has everyone’s back.”
Jantsen agrees: “Women bring unique strengths to the business world, such as resilience, empathy, and a strong sense of teamwork.”
Reflecting on their mother’s journey—through business and in life—Julie and Jantsen are in awe of Angie’s resilience and determination. “When she came into the industry, she’d never done it before. Seeing the hurdles she’s overcome speaks volumes about her work ethic, compassion, and loyalty,” Julie shares.
“Seeing her growth through hard times in the industry—the balance as a wife, as a business owner, as a mom of three girls—and seeing her dance through that, regardless of how the song may change, is admirable,” Julie continues. “She’s set an example and kept composure, and no matter what has come at her, we change the step and keep going.”
Angie’s daughters hope that, after three decades of hard work, their mom can one day relax and enjoy the fruits of her labor while they carry on the family business. Jantsen shares, “She has built a foundation based on trust, hard work, and ethics. I will carry that forward by prioritizing those same values.”
“My goal is to continue to grow the agency and do my best to fill her shoes to keep things moving forward, earning the trust and respect that she has earned from her employees and clients,” Julie echoes.
Those are some big shoes to fill, but Julie and Jantsen have learned from the best.
DD-ins.net | facebook.com/DandDInsurance
“She’s been a boss since she was tiny. She’s always inspired me with her grit and focus." - Lilly Kulla
"My mother's drive and work ethic cannot be questioned. She sets the example and expectation because she is working right alongside us day in and day out." - Julie Dahl-Arcos
Fun fact: The D&D office is located in the historic Dodson home, where Gay Lynn Wilson grew up. “It’s a special place filled with history and memories,” Angie says. See more on page __.