Thanksgiving is a time to pause, reflect, and give thanks—not just for the blessings before us, but for the wisdom and traditions we treasure. Four inspiring local business owners share the advice shaping their lives and the Thanksgiving traditions that fill them with gratitude. Through their stories, we are reminded that the lessons we carry and the holiday moments we celebrate are gifts to be cherished.
Kaycie Fellows
Owner, Urban Palms
The best advice I’ve ever received came from my godmother, a woman who ran her world with grace and grit. She told me, “the best leaders learn to delegate everything.” At first I bristled—surely I could do it all. But the moment I started trusting my team, our work got sharper, our clients happier, and my creativity finally had room to breathe. Delegation isn’t stepping back; it’s stepping up with intention.
As for a Thanksgiving tradition that fills me with gratitude: setting the table. I go all out on the details and favors—layered linens, handwritten place cards, tiny keepsakes at each setting, sprigs of herbs tucked into napkin rings. It’s my love language in centerpiece form. The table becomes a story: where we’ve been this year, who we’re honoring, and how we’re celebrating together. Watching guests discover their little favor, seeing their names thoughtfully placed—those quiet sparks of delight remind me why hospitality matters. It’s not just a meal; it’s a curated moment of care. And that, to me, is the heart of thankfulness.
Marianne Mandel
Founder/CEO, MJM Work & Life Balance Coaching and Consulting
Don’t Be Afraid to Make a Change…Be the Person You Were Meant to be. As a work and life balance coach, I often fear how people hold back from pursuing their true passions and being the highest version of themselves. I experienced corporate burnout after 32 years and needed a change. I asked myself- "Who was I? What's next? How do I get there?" Change is often daunting, but it's essential for personal and professional growth.
Many people cling to their comfort zones, but those who embrace change and push through the discomfort often find new strengths and opportunities. In a world that is constantly evolving, being adaptable is essential, enhances creativity, and fosters resilience. Stepping into the unknown can be frightful, but another life waits that is full of purpose, joy, and aligned with your best values.
My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is to make homemade sweet potato pie handed down from generations—my signature dish for the Thanksgiving table. It gives me great joy to make this for not only my family, but as a gift for neighbors and close friends to serve on Thanksgiving. The process takes about three hours and is a true labor of love.
Cindy Morales
Owner, Glow Haus
The best advice I’ve ever received is that you can’t pour from an empty cup. Over the years, both as a medical esthetician and as a woman balancing life’s demands, I’ve learned how true that is. It’s easy to give everything to others and leave little for yourself, but lasting beauty and health come from balance. I’m grateful for this wisdom because it reminds me, and my clients, that nurturing yourself first creates the energy to care for others.
One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions is cooking together with family. The kitchen gets a little crowded, but that’s part of the fun. There’s laughter, taste-testing, and sometimes a bit of chaos, but in the end, it always comes together. It’s not just about the food...It's about the connection, the stories, and the love that goes into every dish. Those moments fill my cup in a way nothing else can, and I carry that gratitude with me long after the holiday ends.
Jane Brinkerhoff
Co-Owner, J Flowers
Trust the Process. This advice may be cliche, but it applies to my life. When I'm arranging a piece, sometimes there are moments when I think, "I don't like this..." and want to start over. But if I keep going, the design blooms into a piece I love.
As a mom of three, there are days I feel overwhelmed. Yet I know the struggles are temporary—small stepping stones to my kids growing into good humans. The struggle is the journey, and everything happens for a reason. I still struggle to struggle but remind myself that it's just a part of the big picture.
The Thanksgiving tradition I’m extra grateful for is celebrating my two sons' birthdays. My first son was born on November 22—Thanksgiving Day that year—and my third son was born on November 28, also Thanksgiving Day. The earliest Thanksgiving can be on a calendar year is the 22nd and the latest is the 28th. Having sons born at both ends of that range reminds me how grateful I am to be a mom of wild yet wonderful children. I’d love to start a tradition of pumpkin pie with two candles at our Thanksgiving meal, singing them “Happy Birthday.”