Life + Culture

Celebrating Women-Owned Businesses

Photography by Annalise Houghton Women entrepreneurs are shaping the heart and future of our community through innovation, resilience, and creativity. This roundup highlights a group of women-owned businesses making a meaningful impact.  Name: Paige Meyer Business: Refresh Medical Spa Website: www.refreshhealthspa.com What inspired you to start your business, and what has been most rewarding? I began working at Refresh as a nurse in 2014 and purchased the business in late 2019 when...

Education

From Survival to Calling

A Journey Toward Whole-Person Healing Article by Angela Broockerd | Photography by Provided For this year’s women’s issue, we are honoring leaders who are not only building businesses but reshaping the way their communities experience care. For Jessica Bohlke, the path into healthcare was not linear. It was deeply personal, shaped through adversity, resilience, and a redefinition of what true healing looks like. At just 20 years old, she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive ovarian...

Life + Culture

When Life Changes in an Instant

Brie Bauer’s Story of Resilience Article by Angela Broockerd | Photography by Janie Jones In the quiet and routine moments of  life, we often find ourselves caught up in the small things, from the laundry to carpools, to daily schedules. For Brie Bauer, a nurse and mother of two, life was exactly that. However, as she has now learned, life can change in a second. "I was going through life like everyone else, you know, just the same old things we complain about that aren’t a big deal in the...

Food + Beverage

The Golden Glow Berry Elixir

with Revival Scalp Wellness Photography by Janie Jones Servings: 1 Prep time: 5 minutes Ingredients ● 1 cup Coconut water (hydration and electrolytes for the scalp) 1 ● 1/2 cup Frozen raspberries or strawberries (high in Vitamin C to trigger collagen production) ● 1 scoop Bovine or Marine Collagen peptides (unflavored) ● 1 tsp Freshly grated ginger (anti-inflammatory to soothe the scalp) 2 ● 1 tbsp Ground flaxseeds (Omega-3 fatty acids for hair luster) ● 1/2 Squeezed lime ● Optional: A...

Food + Beverage

Escape to Cru

Brookside’s Cozy Bistro Photography by Janie Jones Tucked into the heart of Brookside, Cru Bistro & Bottles feels less like a new addition and more like a place that has always belonged. For owners Hannah Koenig and Avery Koenig, that sense of familiarity was the goal from the very beginning. “Brookside is really where it all began,” Hannah says. “We both live and work in the neighborhood, and value the connection here.” That connection shaped their vision for a cozy, intimate bistro that...

Entertainment

Around Town

May Article and Photography by Lenexa Art Fair May 9, 2026 – typically 10:00 AM–5:00 PM  17101 W. 87th St. Pkwy., Lenexa, KS, 66219 A juried outdoor art fair featuring regional artists, live jazz music, kids’ art activities, and food trucks. It’s one of Lenexa’s signature spring events.   https://www.lenexa.com/Events-Activities/Festivals-Special-Events Prairie Village Art Show The Shops of Prairie Village  Fri 4–9 PM | Sat 10 AM–8 PM | Sun 10 AM–5 PM An upscale outdoor art show...

Style + Beauty

The Art of Connection

How Sidelines Custom Floral Brings Life to Every Arrangement Photography by Janie Jones In the heart of Martin City, Sidelines Custom Floral is more than a flower shop. Owner Karyn Brooke has built a business that blends artistry, emotion, and community in every arrangement. “I find inspiration everywhere, but it always comes back to what feels natural, how things grow, how colors layer, and that slightly imperfect, organic look,” Karyn says. She draws from seasonal blooms, customer...

Beauty

Self-Care That Goes Beyond the Surface

Self-Care That Goes Beyond the Surface: Why Science-Based Skincare MattersSelf-care has become a meaningful movement among women, and for good reason. In today's demanding world, prioritizing your mental, emotional, and physical well-being is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Yet one essential dimension of self-care is frequently overlooked: the health of your skin.As a medical professional, I regularly see patients who feel overwhelmed by the volume of skincare advice flooding social media. New...

Life + Culture

A Community Built for Every Ability

Article by Angela Broockerd | Photography by Provided On 64 acres in Olathe, a visionary development is taking shape that promises to redefine what inclusion looks like in the Midwest. At the center of it all is Michael’s Wonder World, an ultra-inclusive, all abilities theme park designed so that all people, including children and adults with special needs can experience the joy of play without barriers. Surrounding it will be a state-of-the-art sports arena, an accessible hotel, restaurants...

Home + Design

Window Refresh

This Longtime Family-Owned Business Can Help Owners Make Choices To Fit Their Home Article by Linda Ditch | Photography by Sabuhi Novruzov One of the easiest ways to refresh a room's look is to update the window treatments. New blinds, shutters, or draperies can adjust the lighting in the space and emphasize the decor already in place. This is a high-impact renovation with options that can be easily tailored to your budget.  Budget Blinds of Overland Park/Leawood is a great place to start...