Travel

Beautiful Mornings Ahead

Angela Burgess Leaps into her Second Act Article by Tina Lesniak | Photography by Tiffany Enowski When Angela Burgess retired from a fulfilling 25-year career in law enforcement, she didn’t slow down. Instead, she embraced a new chapter, one where her love for travel could blossom into something more. "I’ve always wanted to be in the travel business," she says, reflecting on her journey. What followed was the creation of Beautiful Morning Travel, a company that reflects Angela’s passion for...

Arts + Culture

A Teacher’s Top Reads

Stories That Captivated Carey Schmitz This Year Article by Tina Lesniak Carey Schmitz, a teacher of 21 years currently teaching third grade, is an avid reader. With her husband and three boys, she enjoys traveling, sports and health and wellness. She enjoys books "that have an amazing hook and can grab my attention quickly. I want a book that I don’t want to put down. I often tell my students to find a book you can get lost in." She extends this love of reading to her students. "I build a...

Food + Beverage

The Date Lady’s Recipe for Success

Passion, Family & Simple Ingredients Article by Tina Lesniak | Photography by Tiffany Enowski Colleen Sundlie, the founder of The Date Lady, is a passionate entrepreneur whose journey has been shaped by her love for simple ingredients, creative branding, and a desire to build a meaningful business. Born and raised in Springfield, Colleen's story is one of innovation and an unwavering commitment to creating products that bring joy to people. Colleen’s professional path started in advertising...

Health + Wellness

Living Well in All Your Roles

Navigating Family, Career, and Self-Care Article by Patti Zielinski Women, let’s face it: A lot is expected of us. We juggle professional responsibilities then toggle to our home obligations when the day is done. If caretaking for children or elderly parents are added to your day, these responsibilities can lead to burnout. However, successful women in our community are rising to the challenge and achieving the elusive work-life balance (as much as one can). We spoke to two of these...

Professional Services

Capturing Confidence

Photographing women-owned businesses nationwide Article by Tina Lesniak Tiffany Enowski’s passion for photography and videography began long before she realized it would become her career. “I started having an interest in making videos and taking pictures when I was in 5th or 6th grade,” she shares. Her journey started with a VHS recorder from her grandparents and her mom’s digital camera, capturing simple moments with friends and nature. By high school, she was already dreaming bigger. “Right...

Fitness

Investing in Your Future Self

The Power of Physical Therapy Article by Tina Lesniak | Photography by Tiffany Enowski Terra Gegg didn’t set out to be a business owner. In fact, she never imagined herself in entrepreneurship at all. But looking back, the seeds were always there. Growing up, Terra was an only child until she was 13. Her parents divorced when she was just two, and for much of her early years, it was just her and her mom. Things changed when her stepdad entered the picture around the time she was ten. He owned...

Beauty

A Salon Worth the Investment

Calm, Care, and Connection Article by Hunter Jazz | Photography by Tiffany Enowski The moment clients walk into THE BEAUTY FACTORY, something feels different. It’s not just the atmosphere—it’s the ease, the sense of being exactly where they should be. The rhythm of the space is familiar yet calming: the ambience of conversation, running water, the well-curated playlist that sets the tone. It’s a place where people can relax, with a level of comfort, where they don’t have to be on all the time...

Education

Starting Strong

Setting Teens on the Right Financial Track Article by Tina Lesniak Kenny Gott is the author of the book Bottom Line Financial Planning: Manage Risk And Fund The Good Life...Your Whole Life, and president of Piatchek & Associates, a family-owned financial services firm serving Springfield since 1972.   What are the top tips for teenagers as they begin to manage their own money? 1) Educate yourself on financial planning basics, especially budget and debt planning, tax management, and...

Wellness

A Little Dirt, A Lot of Reward

Beth Combs on Why Gardening Is One of the Best Investments You Can Make Article by Hunter Jazz | Photography by Provided Investing in Your Garden: A Beginner’s Guide with Beth Combs of Arlie’s Farm Beth Combs, the passionate gardener behind Arlie’s Farm, believes that gardening is more than just a hobby—it's an investment in your family, your health, and your community. In 2018, Beth and her family purchased Arlie’s Farm with the goal of sharing their love for gardening with others. Named...

Life + Culture

Investing in Culture

The Cherry Blossom Kite and Piñata Festival Celebrates Global Traditions Article by Tina Lesniak | Photography by Provided by Springfield-Greene County Park Board Every spring, the Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park transform into a breathtaking display of color and culture for the annual Cherry Blossom Kite and Pinata Festival. What began as a simple kite festival has blossomed into a celebration of Springfield’s sister city relationships, blending the...