Professional Services

Invest In Your Career

Chris and Lauren Ricci of NVA Career Coaching offer advice for all stages of the career journey. Article and Photography by When investing money, most people have clear goals and strategies. But what about the career that generates those investment funds? Northern Virginia’s father-daughter career coaches, Chris Ricci and Lauren Ricci, emphasize the importance of investing in your “body of work,” a portfolio of skills and experiences that enhance your professional opportunities. “In terms...

Finance + Legal Services

Staying the Course

Dramatic headlines shouldn't pull investment strategy off track, say Steigerwald, Gordon & Koch Wealth Advisors. Article by Glenye Oakford The financial markets’ winds are always shifting. That can make investing feel more like a roller coaster than a reliable path to building wealth. So how should everyday investors navigate uncertain times? We asked Chartered Financial Analyst Jeff Gordon and Certified Financial Planner Darren Koch at Steigerwald, Gordon & Koch Wealth Advisors in Leesburg...

Local Services

Invest in Your Land: 3 Smart Grooming Moves

Photography by Veterans Land Rescue Your property is more than just land—it’s an investment. Whether you want to boost value, increase functionality, or prepare for future projects, land grooming is a strategic way to maximize your return. Veterans Land Rescue coined the term "land grooming" to set a higher standard in property enhancement. As an upper-echelon choice, Veterans Land Rescue transforms neglected spaces into valuable assets. Here’s why investing in land grooming is one of the...

Health + Wellness

Investing in Peace

Beth Gibney from An Anchored Life shares how to practice mindfulness, meditation, and yoga for overall wellbeing. Article and Photography by Beth Gibney first turned to yoga and meditation to help her slow down the pace of her life.  “The practices helped me to shift my attention inward, away from the busy distractions of life,” she said. “Gaining this skill of turning inward has helped me navigate all the challenges of my adult life.”  Some of those challenges have included chronic pain...

Home + Design

Interior Design Gets Personal

Carolyn McCarter of 27 South details a trend toward authenticity Article by Glenye Oakford If you’re tempted to go bold or more personalized with your living space, here’s some good news: The cool gray and white interiors that dominated the 2010s are giving way to a more personal and lived-in aesthetic in home design in the 2020s. This shift reflects a broader movement toward creating spaces that prioritize individual expression rather than following rigid design rules, for a result that feels...

Home + Design

Clutter to Calm

Jennifer Pontello, owner of The Pink Closet, believes organization is self-care. Article and Photography by When life took an unexpected turn at the onset of the pandemic, Jennifer Pontello found herself at a crossroads. After two decades in corporate HR and recruiting, a layoff forced her to reimagine her future. Rather than viewing it as a setback, she saw an opportunity to embrace a long-held passion: helping others transform their spaces—and their lives—through organization, unpacking...

Real Estate

Make Your Home Market-Ready

Forecasts call for a blooming Leesburg real-estate market this spring. Realtor Eryn Appell of The Local Group offers some tips to boost your home's appeal. Article by Glenye Oakford If you’re a homeowner in Leesburg eying the real estate market for a potential sale, you could be in luck. “We are in a really great market,” said The Local Group’s Eryn Appell, a Purcellville native who is now a Leesburg homeowner. “And we expect it to really pick up for the spring. We’re hearing from lenders...

Fitness

Movement as Medicine

Rehab 2 Perform's performance physical therapists help raise your baseline Article by Glenye Oakford | Photography by Photos by Rehab 2 Perform Walk through the doors of Rehab 2 Perform in Leesburg, and you'll notice something different. Instead of a typical medical environment, you’ll find a space that more closely resembles a training facility, with kettlebells, squat racks, and an atmosphere that emphasizes the company’s central philosophy: movement is medicine. Dr. Grant Westbrook, the...

Home + Design

A Warm Welcome Awaits at The Waterford Corner Store

A local focus helps Sarah Holway cultivate community and connection. Photography by Photos Courtesy of The Waterford Store A passion for local foods drew Sarah Holway to the historic village of Waterford, where she and a friend turned an empty storefront into a studio for interior design, floral design, and storage for the antiques they were collecting. When her friend moved to France, Holway also made a transition, retiring from DC Greens, the nonprofit she’d started in Washington, D.C. “I...

Arts + Culture

Cozy Winter Reading

Owner Leah Fallon shares some seasonal favorites. Photography by Courtesy of Birch Tree Books Even on winter’s coldest days, Leesburg’s Birch Tree Books offers a warm space blending novels and nature. Beginning as a pop-up at farmer’s markets, the bookstore is now the perfect winter retreat on Market Street, surrounded by thriving greenery, thanks to shared space with Foliage Plants, owned by Ami Mason. “It creates a wonderful ambiance of the store with beautiful plants that are also for...