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Robin Norell with her son, Trevor, and daughter, Alyx

Featured Article

Thankful for Family-Owned Businesses

Celebrating the family ties that shape our community

Higher Ground Rehearsal Studios 

At Higher Ground Rehearsal Studios, we are more than just a space for musicians to hone their craft—we are a family business with deep roots in the community. Our journey began with a shared passion for music, and over the years, it has grown into something far more meaningful. Our children were practically raised at the studio, surrounded by the hum of guitars, the beat of drums, and the energy of creativity. This space isn't just where we work—it's where we’ve shared family dinners, celebrated milestones, and watched both our children and the artists who come through our doors grow.

Because of this, we understand the importance of fostering an environment where creativity can flourish, where musicians feel at home, and where the energy is always supportive and inspiring. Our family has poured its heart into making Higher Ground a place where everyone is welcomed like one of our own, ensuring that each rehearsal feels comfortable and productive. We are proud to have built a legacy that balances professionalism with a warm, family-oriented atmosphere. It’s that special blend of care and commitment that sets us apart, making Higher Ground a trusted space for musicians of all levels. Here, every artist is part of our extended family, and we are excited to continue nurturing musical dreams for generations to come.

Layman Lewis Financial Group 

Alicia and Joshua Lewis, co-founders of Layman Lewis Financial Group, have turned their shared entrepreneurial spirit and values into a thriving financial services firm based in Loveland, Colorado. Focusing on retirement planning and investment management, the couple provides personalized financial strategies to clients across the region.

Alicia’s journey into the world of finance began when she was just 11 years old. A school project to shadow a professional led her to spend a day with her father, Chuck Layman, a longtime Prudential agent. That day, Alicia learned her father was leaving his corporate job to offer clients a broader range of financial solutions. Inspired by his decision, Alicia later proposed that they start their own, independent firm. In 2007, Layman Lewis Financial Group was born.

Joshua’s entrepreneurial spirit developed from the financial struggles he faced growing up, leading him to start small neighborhood services like lawn mowing and snow shoveling. As an adult, he teamed up with Alicia, combining her relationship-building skills with his financial experience, creating a successful and powerful partnership.

Now, Alicia serves as the president of Layman Lewis Financial Group, while Joshua leads as a financial advisor. Alicia’s warm personality allows her to form deep connections with clients, while Joshua’s analytical approach helps ensure each client’s retirement goals are meticulously planned.

“We each bring different strengths, and together, we create personalized strategies that help our clients enjoy financial confidence in retirement,” Alicia said. “Helping people achieve their dreams is what drives us.”

Insurance products are offered through the insurance business Layman Lewis Financial Group. Layman Lewis Financial Group is also an Investment Advisory practice that offers products and services through AE Wealth Management, LLC (AEWM), a Registered Investment Advisor. AEWM does not offer insurance products. The insurance products offered by Layman Lewis Financial Group are not subject to Investment Advisor requirements. 2631838 - 9.24

Yoga Pod Fort Collins 

Yoga Pod Fort Collins began as a dream to create a sanctuary where people can come together, connect, and grow. My husband Joey and I (Maj-Lis) opened the studio in 2017, driven by a shared passion for yoga and a desire to contribute something meaningful to the Fort Collins community. From the beginning, we knew this was more than just a business—it was a family effort, rooted in love, and aimed at fostering transformation.

Part of our inspiration has always been to show our two children, Liam (15) and Lily (12), what it means to be entrepreneurs. We wanted them to see that if you can dream it, with hard work and dedication, you can achieve it. Our journey is not only about yoga but about modeling perseverance and passion for the next generation.

We couldn’t do it without our incredible manager, Jana Stratton, who feels like part of our family as well. Since opening the studio, her husband Ben has also become a yoga teacher, further strengthening our tight-knit community.

Our family-centered approach reflects the values we hold dear: creating a space for connection, learning, and personal growth. For us, community isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the essence of who we are. From our wonderful team of teachers to the students who walk through our doors, we see Yoga Pod Fort Collins as an extension of our family.

Yoga Pod is built on the idea that when you challenge yourself, you change yourself. We feel incredibly blessed to offer this space of love, growth, and connection. Our goal is simple: to keep expanding the community of yogis and to make the world a better place, one practice at a time.

Radiant Dental Health

Radiant Dental Health’s conception was directly linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic in 2020, both partners were placed on furlough from their dental offices, where they worked at the time. This forced Alexandra Rincones and Boone Caldon to look for additional means to help people with their dental emergencies as well as support their families. This led to the shift from being corporate employees to owners of their own practice. Thus, Radiant Dental Health was started from Alexandra’s one-room hygiene practice in the Drake Avenue Miramont Family Medicine building.

Now, almost five years later, Radiant Dental Health has evolved into a bustling family dental practice where it’s not uncommon to hear patients say: “We’re treated like family here.” 

This development was part of Boone and Alexandra’s vision that Radiant Dental Health should be a practice that caters to all levels of patients' dental needs and where excellence is strived for no matter what the patient’s background is.  

As a true family dental practice, it’s not uncommon to see Christopher, their child, helping to clean rooms or for Dr. Boone to come in on the weekend to help with a dental emergency. Part of treating people, not procedures, comes from their family values. When a patient comes to Radiant Dental Health, the owners’ philosophy is everyone is treated the same – with love, care, and compassion.

Millbrook World Travel 

Millbrook World Travel isn’t just a family business; it’s a continuation of a family legacy that began with my father’s enterprise. In 1957, he founded Millbrook Custom Kitchens in upstate New York, a venture that flourished until 2008, weathering a devastating fire before succumbing to the economic downturn. Just months after his passing in 2018, I launched my own agency, inspired by his spirit and guidance.

Today, Millbrook World Travel boasts a team of 14 dedicated agents spread across the country. This September, I had the privilege of attending a travel industry conference in Las Vegas with 12 members of my team, including my daughter Alyx, eager to learn more about the business, and my son Trevor, who is not only my assistant but also a budding travel advisor.

On a particularly poignant note, in September—marking the sixth anniversary of my father’s passing—we received an inquiry that felt like a sign from above. A man reached out for assistance with a cruise, referred by a mutual connection in Florida. As we spoke, he mentioned that his family in upstate New York had a Millbrook kitchen.

In that moment, I felt the full circle of our family’s journey. Millbrook World Travel thrives on the foundation laid by my father, intertwining our past with our present. The legacy continues, connecting us with families and stories across the country, reminding us that, no matter where we are, we are always part of something greater.