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Locally Owned & Locally Made

The wallet that makes a great gift for the men (and the ladies) Article by Ashleigh Underwood Meet Brett and Linoy, the ultimate team behind the Wallet Buckle company. Brett is practically a native to Arizona—born in Texas but he was raised in Arizona. He did a brief stint in LA to pursue acting but came back. Linoy moved to America at the age of 21 after completing her military service in Israel. She was pursuing a different quality of life. A pursuit that she is still living and acting out...

Finance + Legal Services

Scrappy Dreamer

How JW Rayhons took his natural talents and changed financial planning Article by Ashleigh Underwood | Photography by Sonja Stafford & Provided JW Rayhons had an interesting upbringing, moving frequently between Arizona and Iowa with his father and brothers. His dad was a carpenter and worked in construction—which explains all the different moves. There were a lot of different jobs and job sites. All the while, JW dreamed of being in the NBA even though he excelled in baseball. While...

Life + Culture

Men of Mesa

Meet some of the fantastic men who call our city home. Article by Ashleigh Underwood Alan Jones Owner, Floor Coverings International Mesa Q: What would be the elevator pitch about yourself? I’m a loyal, genuine person. I’m constantly striving to grow. I try to keep things simple. I like taking complexity out of situations that don’t need it.   Q: What makes Mesa special? There is so much to do from Downtown Mesa to hiking, to the water park. There is just so much to do. I enjoy...

Food + Beverage

Hooked on Excellence

From Gulf waters to Arizona, Adam Strecker brings precision and globally sourced seafood to table. Article by Michaela Hetherington Long before overseeing some of the Valley’s most sought-after dining destinations, Adam Strecker was casting lines in the waters of New Orleans. Weekends spent fishing and crabbing near Lake Pontchartrain didn’t just create memories, they quietly built the foundation for a career rooted in quality, patience, and respect for the source. Today, that same mindset...

Auto + Marine

The Most Common Car Problems We See During Arizona Summers

Reviewed by Eric Shepherd, Gemba Automotive ASE-Certified TechnicianBy the time you leave work in July, the steering wheel is too hot to touch, the seatbelt buckle feels like a branding iron, and your car has been baking in the sun for eight straight hours. Each year, summer months turn daily commutes to and from work and school into endurance tests for Arizona drivers and their cars.At Gemba Automotive, we see an increase in heat-related issues each summer. From overheating engines to failing...

Auto + Marine

The Day the Mustangs Took Over Our Shop

Reviewed by Justin Ayala, Gemba Automotive ASE-Master Certified TechnicianOn February 21 the sound of rumbling V-8’s filled the air as nearly 30 Ford Mustangs from various generations took over the Gemba Automotive shop in Surprise, Arizona. Hoods went up almost immediately. Small groups formed around engine bays while owners compared modifications, swapped stories, and pointed out details only other Mustang people would ever notice. The  Wild West Mustang Club was built around exactly what...

Auto + Marine

Why Your Car A/C Blows Cold While Driving but Warm at Idle

Reviewed by Eric Shepherd, Gemba Automotive ASE-Certified Technician Picture this: you’re cruising down the road mid-summer in 110-degree heat in Phoenix, when you come to a stop light and that deliciously ice-cold A/C starts to get warm and uncomfortable. It’s more common than you think, many people come into our shop describing how their vehicle’s A/C will blow cold while driving but gets warm when they stop and are idling. AAA says millions of roadside assistance calls every year are...

Auto + Marine

7 Things Every Driver in Arizona Should Know Before Summer Hits

Reviewed by Eric Shepherd, Gemba Automotive ASE-Certified TechnicianTriple digits are just around the corner, and you know what that means … It's time to break out the oven mitts just to get into your car and start leaving trays with cookie dough on the dash so you have a nice treat for the ride home with – or without – your kids. Arizona summers can bring a wide range of challenges for drivers, especially Phoenicians where the summer is often plagued with excessive heat warnings that can last...

Auto + Marine

What Mechanics Notice About Cars That Most Drivers Miss

Reviewed by Dustin Norris, Gemba Automotive ASE-Certified Advisor In Arizona, keeping your vehicle in running order requires a little more than just regular oil changes and the occasional car wash. At Gemba Automotive, our ASE-Certified Technicians can usually spot a problem before the hood is even fully open. After years of working on vehicles in Arizona heat, there are certain warning signs we notice almost immediately that most drivers never think twice about.By looking over your car...

Finance + Legal Services

Law & Dedication

how Carly Whiteside pursued her passions and dreams to become a standout in the legal field. Article by Ashleigh Underwood | Photography by Sonja Stafford Arizona native Carly Whiteside has always wanted to be a lawyer. Her passion for law never changed, even when life had different plans. When she found out she was pregnant with her daughter, Carly finished out the year of college she was in and then pursued her paralegal degree once her daughter started kindergarten. After finishing the...