Absolute Indianapolis
Living
OCTOBER 2026
UNMISTAKABLE
STYLE
FACES OF WOMEN IN BUSINESS
ELIZABETH LECHLEITER
AUTUMN LUXE
A NEW TABLE
DESIGNED NOT FOR A MOMENT, BUT FOR A LIFETIME. OEGGROUP.COM
PROJECTS IN THE U.S. & BEYOND
AMANDALANTZINTERIORS.COM
At MK Dermatology, we combine expert care with advanced technology to deliver personalized, accessible skincare. Led by a board-certified dermatologist, our direct care clinic offers comprehensive medical, cosmetic, surgical, and aesthetic services, all under one roof. For more information and to schedule online, visit our website at mkderm.com. To schedule by phone, call 317-620-0024. 1 2 1 74 N O R T H M E R I D I A N S T R E E T, S U I T E 2 1 0
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CARMEL
NEARLY FIFTY YEARS OF FAMILY TRADITION
110 W Main St. Suite 100 | Carmel, Indiana @ambrosia_carmel
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EYE CARE
/ EYEWEAR
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FACIAL AESTHETICS
FIGHTING CANCER WITH EXTRAORDINARY STRENGTH It starts with a name, handshake or a tearful conversation. Because it’s not just about treating cancer – we’re caring for the person behind the diagnosis. Every appointment is an opportunity for us to listen, connect and encourage you during the fight. And every milestone is celebrated together.
WE’VE GOT THIS FranciscanHealth.org/CancerCare
October/2026
Photography By Gabrielle Noël
CONTENTS
28 THE ABSOLUTE AGENDA
From Halloween celebrations to glorious festivals of light and remembrance, and from film and music to a marathon some call monumental, October is the height of fall in Indiana.
YOUR DOCTOR WANTS YOU 32 WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT BREAST CANCER
Expert advice from Dr. Juliana Meyer of Franciscan Physician Network Breast & Melanoma Specialists.
39 AUTUMN LUXE
Cozy textures, rich hues and little luxuries made for the season, in collaboration with Charles Mayer & Co.
42
UNMISTAKABLE STYLE
Elizabeth Lechleiter reflects on five stylish years of shaping 8FIFTEEN into the boutique Central Indiana women trust to find fashion that feels entirely their own.
51 FACES OF WOMEN IN BUSINESS
This month we honor 28 women business owners across Carmel and Indianapolis who have gone above and beyond to make their mark.
83 ON THE SCENE
Join Wise Aesthetics as they throw open their doors for the annual Wise Social Club.
85 A NEW TABLE
Long-time SoBro establishment Ambrosia has a second home, and this one sits in the heart of downtown Carmel.
92 'ROUND THE TOWN
October is National Pizza Month, and we took the assignment seriously. Wood-fired, Detroit square or tavern thin, these ten spots are a delicious place to start your search for the perfect slice.
Volume 20. Issue 10. (#222)
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Absolute Living
Editor-in-Chief EDUARDO PEÑA
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Writer SUSAN SALAZ
Photography SARA ACKERMANN KELLY KLEMMENSEN JES NIJJER GABRIELLE NOËL
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By Susan Salaz
The
Absolute
Living
AGENDA
October
Through October 18 Heartland Film Festival Multiple venues, Indianapolis heartlandfilm.org Indianapolis rolls out the red carpet for 100 films across six venues, from Newfields to the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Now in its 35th year, the festival pairs world premieres and early looks at awards-season contenders with filmmaker Q&As after many screenings. Buy a pass and stay for the conversations.
October 10 Diwali: Festival of Lights Carter Green, Carmel carmel.in.gov Carter Green glows as Carmel marks the Hindu holiday for the third year running. Families decorate diyas, sit for henna and wander past rangoli displays between cultural performances and plates of Indian cuisine. Admission is free, and a cold spark fireworks finale closes the night.
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October 15 Twilight Rail Ride Nickel Plate Express, Noblesville nickelplateexpress.com Pedal a four-seat railbike through northern Hamilton County as daylight fades into evening on this seven-mile round trip from Hobbs Station in Forest Park. At the turnaround, a campfire and s'mores wait. Lanterns light each bike for the ride back. Book ahead and bring a jacket.
October 24–31 Historic Irvington Halloween Festival Historic Irvington, Indianapolis irvingtonhalloween.com October 15-17 Dana Rebecca Trunk Show Petite G Jewelers petiteg.com Fine jewelry designer Dana Rebecca brings her collection to Indianapolis for three days, greeting shoppers personally on Thursday, October 15th at Petite G. The iconic boutique at the Shoppes at 56th and Illinois is celebrating 10 years and will host the trunk show from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
This historic Eastside Indianapolis neighborhood marks 80 years of Halloween festivities with a week of ghost tours and a masquerade ball. Everything builds to Saturday's free street fair on Halloween itself, where more than 120 vendors line East Washington Street and costumed crowds follow the parade.
October 17 Boo 'n Brew Fall Festival Clay Terrace, Carmel clayterrace.com
November 1 Noblesville Creates Celebrates Day of the Dead Noblesville Creates, Noblesville noblesvillecreates.org
Carmel's open-air shopping center turns its boulevard into a trick-or-treat trail for costumed kids, while adults sip Upland, Bier and Field brews in a family-friendly beer garden. Toy Factory and Jambox play live. Pets vie for costume prizes, and a Guinness World Record holder carves pumpkins on the spot.
Noblesville's arts campus on 8th Street honors friends and family who have passed with a celebration of Mexican tradition, while an art market showcases work by Mexican artists. Kids and adults can try traditional crafts between sets of live music, and food vendors keep everyone fed.
November 6 Boney James Payne & Mencias Palladium, Carmel thecenterpresents.org A Grammy-nominated saxophonist brings his blend of jazz and R&B to the Palladium. Boney James worked as a sideman for Morris Day and the Isley Brothers before sending a dozen albums to the top of Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Albums chart. Make it a Friday night out in Carmel City Center.
November 7 CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon Downtown Indianapolis monumentalmarathon.com Runners pack the start line near the Indiana Statehouse for a flat, fast tour of downtown and historic neighborhoods. Register for the marathon, half or 5K by November 4, or claim a curbside spot to cheer runners on. Be sure to visit the Health & Fitness Expo at the Convention Center.
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Bold
Beneath it all...
What’s underneath doesn’t have to whisper. Statement lace, expertly fitted, worn with confidence. Professionally Fitted. Exceptionally Served. Every size, Extraordinary.
By Susan Salaz
What Your Doctor Wants You to Know About Breast Cancer Expert advice from Dr. Juliana Meyer of Franciscan Physician Network Breast & Melanoma Specialists
O Juliana E. Meyer, MD
Board Certified Breast and Melanoma Surgery
ctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and few people are better positioned to cut through the noise around screening and risk than Dr. Juliana Meyer, a boardcertified breast and melanoma surgeon with Franciscan Physician Network Breast & Melanoma Specialists in Indianapolis and Carmel. Here, she answers the questions she hears most in her exam room, from when to start getting mammograms to what dense breast tissue actually means for your risk.
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Q: When should women start getting mammograms, and how often?
testing that can help you and your physician build a surveillance and prevention plan if needed.
A: Mammograms should begin at age 40 for women at average risk, or earlier for those with a family history or other risk factors. Insurance generally covers a yearly mammogram, which is the frequency recommended by the American College of Radiology, the American Society of Breast Surgeons and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
Q: What's the truth about dense breast tissue?
Q: What's the one thing you wish every patient understood about breast cancer risk? A: Many people assume a family history of breast cancer means they will get it too, but according to the American Cancer Society, only 5 to 10 percent of breast cancer cases are hereditary. If you do have a family history, share it with your primary care provider. Franciscan Health offers a high-risk breast cancer clinic to accurately assess your risk, along with genetic counseling and
A: Dense breast tissue is more common than most people realize. About half of women have dense breasts, meaning more glandular and fibrous tissue than fat. Dense tissue can make it harder to spot cancer on a mammogram, but a yearly mammogram is still essential. Your results will note your density category, from mostly fatty tissue to extremely dense, and depending on where you fall, your physician may recommend a breast MRI in addition to your regular screening. Dense breasts are another good reason to be seen at our high-risk breast clinic, where we help patients navigate these questions. We've also seen an increase in pop-up breast ultrasound screenings at wellness clinics over the past year, and I understand the appeal. Women want to be proactive. But a yearly mammogram is still critical,
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and your medical team should guide you on any additional screening you may need. If you meet the criteria for extra screening, it's often covered by insurance, which isn't usually the case with selfpay pop-up programs. Q: What's your advice for someone who notices a change between screenings? A: Know what's normal for your breasts. Many women focus a self-exam only on checking for lumps, which is important, but you should also watch for changes such as thickened or dimpled skin, a nipple that turns inward, discharge, or pain that doesn't go away. If you notice any of these, contact your primary care provider for an evaluation. Q: What's a myth about lifestyle and breast cancer risk you'd like to correct? A: People often think exercise is only about weight loss, not general health or cancer prevention. Getting 30 minutes of exercise five days a week, or 150 minutes total, can
lower your risk of breast cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight matters, too, since obesity is linked to a higher risk. Q: What's the first step for someone who's anxious about a family history or putting off their first mammogram? A: Knowledge truly is power. The earlier we find breast cancer, the less likely it is to spread. It can feel overwhelming to make that first appointment,
but knowing you're being proactive with your health is empowering. Q: What's one hopeful, forward-looking statement about how far detection and treatment have come? A: Between threedimensional mammograms and a much better understanding of risk factors, we have more tools than ever to catch cancer early and prevent it from reaching a higher
stage. That translates into an exceptionally high cure rate. Breast cancer is scary, and it's far too common. But researchers have made enormous progress in understanding how different every cancer is. We can now target each individual cancer for treatment, with the goal of preventing it from ever coming back. To schedule a mammogram, visit FranciscanHealth.org/ BreastCare.
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T H E U LT I M AT E
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Seasonal Finds
Bizzlestomp Bear JELLYCAT
Cashmere Travel Wrap WHITE + WARREN
Eka Stipple Organic Cotton Throw Blanket PINK LEMONADE
La Promeneuse Fragrance Diffuser TRUDON
Berry & Thread Flared Mug JULISKA
Crackle Pumpkin SIMON PEARCE
Altaïr Classic Candle — Oud and Peony TRUDON
Sheep Fleece Robe ANNIE SELKE
Orange Harmonie Colors of Joy Tumbler Set BACCARAT
Autumn Luxe Cozy textures, rich hues and little luxuries made for the season, in collaboration with Charles Mayer & Co. 5629 N Illinois St, Indianapolis, IN 46208
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7216 N Keystone Ave Indianapolis IN 46240 shinedesigninteriors.com
By Susan Salaz
UNMISTAKABLE STYLE Photography By Gabrielle Noël
Elizabeth Lechleiter of 8FIFTEEN
For five stylish years, Elizabeth Lechleiter has shaped 8FIFTEEN into the boutique Central Indiana women trust to find fashion that feels entirely their own. This fall, as a new season opens in her own life, she believes more than ever that each day is a gift to express herself.
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F
resh off a buying trip for spring 2027 in New York, Elizabeth Lechleiter is already picturing the new season on the racks at 8FIFTEEN. When she purchased the business, her fashion instincts were already in place, sharpened by design school and years working NYC retail floors. But now, five years of ownership has refined something more specific—how precisely she can read this particular room, her own customers, in her own city, and how each new season of designers coming up nationally might or might not fit the women who shop here. "In my first year as owner, during the holidays, we had an abundance of sequins and sparkle," she says, laughing. "And when I say abundance, I mean way too much." What she's built since is the judgment to know exactly how much of anything, sparkle included, Indianapolis wants. Finding the right designers means logging long days at market, sitting through appointment after appointment, sometimes nearly 20 brands in a single day, until the racks she's seen start to blur together. Elizabeth takes meticulous notes before anything is confirmed to order, because it's easy for one collection to blend into the next when the day runs that long. It's not a fast process, but it's one of the most important parts of the job. She looks specifically for labels that won't show up on the racks of every mall in the state, pieces with enough personality that a woman wearing one still looks like herself rather than a walking advertisement. Some of those labels take real persistence to land, requiring follow up long after a market appointment ends—until a brand still not
represented in Indianapolis finally agrees to come on board. In fashion, as in business, Elizabeth says the biggest payoffs usually come from a gamble. "Sometimes taking a risk can be the best thing that can happen," she says. Jonathan Simkhai is one example of where risk paid off, with Elizabeth bringing the designer’s name into Indianapolis before he had much of a footprint here. "Jonathan Simkhai has such a keen sense of women's shapes, fabrics and color," she says. "When we were at market, he sat in on our appointment and discussed some of his ideas behind one little black dress. It wasn't on our order, but you better believe after that, we added it quickly." A lot of the job is also knowing what to leave behind. "I've decided to step away from several brands that have become oversaturated in our local market," Elizabeth says, explaining that real work goes into bringing something different than you might find at another store or the mall in town. “My sense of my customer and the market in Indianapolis plays a decisive role in the ultimate selection and finalization of orders," she adds. It's the same philosophy that keeps her from stocking four of the same dress. She buys one or two instead, on purpose, so the woman who buys it isn't likely to run into her own outfit at the next party she attends. "My relationship with the clothing, and how it corresponds to different customers, makes each styling that much more unique and special to each person that comes in," she says. That same care extends beyond the racks to the sales floor, and it isn't something Elizabeth keeps to herself. "Making
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Elizabeth Lechleiter, owner of 8FIFTEEN, has spent five years building the Broad Ripple boutique into a destination Central Indiana shoppers seek out when they want a look all their own.
8FIFTEEN's racks mix wardrobe staples with one-of-a-kind designer finds, rounded out by a curated edit of shoes and accessories.
During a oneon-one styling appointment, Elizabeth builds wardrobe staples and statements around a single customer's closet, the kind of personal attention she calls one of her favorite parts of the job. people feel welcome and creating a warm environment for people to shop is key," she says. "Retail has changed so much, but customer service should never change. It should always be number one." It's a standard she holds her whole team to, not just herself, the kind of welcome that keeps customers coming back to 8FIFTEEN specifically instead of wherever happens to be convenient. One-on-one styling sessions are part of the philosophy at 8FIFTEEN. Elizabeth and her team personalize each appointment, building around one customer and one closet at a time rather than a rack of options. "Styling is one of my favorite
aspects of being in this role," she says, adding that it gives her purpose. She often starts a session with the basics, a great tee, a well-cut pair of denim, before building out the rest of how a customer wants to express herself. She admits not every label at 8FIFTEEN carries the same one-of-a-kind exclusivity, and that's on purpose, too. Perfect White Tee has become one of the store's most popular brands, proof that expressing yourself doesn't always mean rare. Sometimes it just means getting the fundamentals exactly right, then layering in the pieces that make an outfit unmistakably someone's own. It's the same idea whether she's chasing an exclusive dress at a New York market or restocking a wall of denim—help a woman find pieces that let her express herself, then let her wear it well. This fall, Elizabeth stepped into a new season of her own life. She got married, a milestone she says feels connected directly to the one she's already living at 8FIFTEEN. "I try to live my life with intention and learn from my mistakes. Improving as a business owner, a partner, a mom and a friend will never stop," she says, adding that she has a great feeling for what's ahead in life, both personally and at 8FIFTEEN. For Elizabeth, that's not a resolution so much as a habit already in motion, one day, one outfit, one story at a time. Find 8FIFTEEN at 815 E. 65th Street in Indianapolis. Visit 8fifteen.com and follow @indy8fifteen on Instagram for new arrivals, and email Lechleiter directly at elizabeth@8fifteen.com to book a styling appointment.
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By Susan Salaz
Faces of Women in Business This month we honor 28 women business owners across Carmel and Indianapolis who have gone above and beyond to make their mark. October is National Women’s Small Business Month, a time to recognize the contributions of women-owned companies to the economy and their communities. The right of women to enter into business ownership on equal footing with their male counterparts wasn’t always a given. Prior to the Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988, some states and lenders required that women have a male relative co-sign a business loan. That landmark legislation helped remove barriers to financing and expanded support for women entrepreneurs. This year’s class is proof that staying small and staying close to home are choices, not limitations. The lineup features 28 women across Carmel and Indianapolis, running everything from med spas to law firms to a chocolate shop that's been part of the neighborhood for years. Some lean on new technology to run tighter operations. Others will tell you the thing customers actually want is a person on the other side of the counter who remembers their name. Read through their stories, then go see for yourself what they've built.
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THE FACE OF ELEGANT GIFT GIVING Claudia Ryan
Charles Mayer & Co., Owner Claudia Ryan has spent over three decades building Charles Mayer & Co. into an Indianapolis institution once again. Her path there began at Garfinckels in Washington, D.C., the kind of specialty carriage-trade store that Charles Mayer once was. She continued to build her skills through 13 years in Fashion Merchandising and Sales Promotion at L.S. Ayres & Co. In 1992, Ryan and her husband, Tim, a descendant of Charles Mayer, Sr., revived the name and business as a modern version of the original, more than a century after it first opened in downtown Indianapolis in 1840. The store spans a wide range of designs from old world European to transitional and modern designs. Ryan stocks a large amount of Ginori 1735, also carried by the original Charles Mayer store, and Saint-Louis crystal alongside Baccarat barware and lighting, both of which are exclusive at Charles Mayer in Indiana. Beyond tableware, the assortment includes home furnishings, decorative accessories and exceptional vermeil, fine jewelry and luxury gifts for babies. Beautiful linens are often monogrammed, and there are many custom and corporate gifting options. Complimentary signature gift wrapping is standard. For Ryan, the goal has always been to make shopping feel like a pleasure rather than a chore, with a level of personal service that keeps customers coming back for birthdays, holidays and everything in between. Here, the city's longest-running wedding registry is led by Registry Director Ellyn McElroy, who meets with brides and grooms by appointment. Ellyn guides couples through how they live, cook and entertain before assisting them in building a registry that reflects their style. Visit Charles Mayer & Co. at 5629 N. Illinois Street in Indianapolis. Learn more at charlesmayer.com and follow @charlesmayerco on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF LAW Kena Hollingsworth
Hollingsworth Law Group, Founding Partner & Attorney at Law Hollingsworth Law Group is a family law firm, but founder Kena Hollingsworth says what they really do is help people navigate change. “Our clients come to us during some of the most uncertain and emotionally difficult seasons of their lives,” Hollingsworth says. “They need exceptional legal counsel, but they also need people who take the time to see them and hear them. Excellent advocacy and genuine humanity are not competing values.” One thing that is non-negotiable for Hollingsworth is protecting children from becoming casualties of adult conflict. “I will never advocate for an adult at the expense of a child,” she says. “Children are not evidence. They are not leverage. They are not messengers, allies or prizes to be won. They are children.” That clarity about what cannot change has also shaped how Hollingsworth approaches what can: the continued growth and evolution of HLG. “Intentional growth doesn’t mean inflexible growth,” she says. As an example, the firm planned to hire one associate last year but encountered two exceptional young lawyers, so Hollingsworth hired both. A talented law student is now learning alongside them, something Hollingsworth sees as part of developing HLG’s next generation. She credits the entire HLG team with teaching her another lesson about growth and leadership. “For a long time, I thought being a strong leader meant being the person everyone could depend on,” she says. “I’ve learned that real leadership also means building something where I can depend on them.” As HLG continues to evolve, Hollingsworth says protecting its culture and client experience matters more than simply becoming bigger. “If getting bigger ever requires us to become less human, it isn’t the right kind of growth.” Visit Hollingsworth Law Group at 230 N. Rangeline Road in Carmel. Learn more at 317divorce.com and follow @317divorce on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF INTERIOR DESIGN Amanda Lantz
Amanda Lantz Interiors, Founder & Principal Designer Amanda Lantz grew up inside the interior design industry before she ever chose it as a career. Her father, Barry Lantz, built a design career in Indianapolis, and she absorbed the trade watching him work. "So many of the relationships and connections that ultimately shaped our firm began right here in the Indianapolis community," she says. Today her own studio, Amanda Lantz Interiors, works from Carmel and Naples, Florida, on homes across the U.S. and Mexico. The rooms she designs mix pattern and collected pieces rather than showroom sets, personal enough that no two look alike. Growth hasn't changed how closely she works with each client. "What matters most to me is preserving the level of service and attention we give to each client," Lantz says. "Maintaining that boutique, concierge level of service will always be a priority." She holds the same discipline inside a project. Every design at her firm moves through the same sequence: space planning first, then architectural details, then builder selections, cabinetry, lighting, furnishings, textiles, art and accessories, each decision setting up the next. "Our process allows us to see the home as a whole and ultimately get the most out of the design," Lantz says. What she loves most is how personalized her services are. "Every project is truly shaped by the client," she says, adding that their personal style, the way they live, their individual tastes and the location of the home all influence the design. That range keeps the work from ever repeating itself. Visit Amanda Lantz Interiors at 800 S. Rangeline Road in Carmel. Learn more at amandalantzinteriors.com and follow @amandalantzinteriors on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF DERMATOLOGY Dr. Melanie Kingsley
MK Dermatology, Founder & Board-Certified Dermatologist For Dr. Melanie Kingsley, dermatology is about far more than treating the skin—it is about creating an experience centered on confidence, wellness and exceptional care. As founder of MK Dermatology, Kingsley has created a fullservice dermatology destination in Carmel where medical expertise and aesthetic artistry intersect. The practice offers comprehensive skin exams and medical dermatology alongside facials, injectables and advanced laser treatments, with a personalized approach to skin health at every stage of life. Board-certified in dermatology and fellowshiptrained in cosmetic dermatology, lasers and surgery, Kingsley also serves as an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Indiana University School of Medicine and lectures nationally at dermatology conferences. Recently elected President-Elect of the Indiana Academy of Dermatology by her colleagues across the state, she is deeply committed to both patient care and advancing the profession. Her connection to Carmel and the greater Indianapolis community has shaped her vision for MK Dermatology. The practice’s direct-care pricing model was created with accessibility in mind, reflecting Kingsley’s belief that exceptional dermatologic care should feel both personal and attainable. As MK Dermatology continues to grow, Kingsley remains intentional about preserving what she considers its greatest luxury: time. She plans to welcome additional providers, but growth will never come at the expense of the provider-patient relationship. “Success is not measured by how many patients walk through the door, but by how they feel when they leave.” For Kingsley, MK Dermatology is ultimately about creating something that lasts—a practice grounded in expertise, compassion and innovation, where patients feel genuinely seen and cared for. It is a philosophy that has made MK Dermatology not simply a place to receive treatment, but a destination for comprehensive skin health and self-care. Visit MK Dermatology at 12174 North Meridian Street, Suite 210, in Carmel. Learn more at mkderm.com, follow @melaniekingsleymd and @mk_dermatology on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF FINE CHOCOLATE Lori Sonner
DeBrand Fine Chocolates of Indianapolis, Partner At DeBrand Fine Chocolates of Indianapolis, chocolate is a delicious experience. That's exactly what drew Lori Sonner to the Fort Wayne-based company more than a decade ago. Lori and her husband, Bill, signed on in 2017 as DeBrand's first local partners. Lori knew running the business would be challenging, "but the relationships and community are worth all the work," she says. She's seen chocolate incorporated in every kind of occasion, both big and small. “Chocolate has this way of bringing everyone together, no matter what the day looks like," she says. Whether stopping in for a gift, specialty coffee, a sundae or a scoop of gelato, most people leave with something new. The chocolate case moves with the calendar, always a step ahead. "Right now in October, we're in caramel apple season," says Lori. "You'll be hard-pressed to find a bigger, better, more delicious apple anywhere." DeBrand’s giant caramel apples are double-dipped in caramel and finished in milk or dark chocolate, also available with pecans and almonds. Be sure to add on some ghost truffles for Halloween. Thanksgiving and Christmas soon follow, then Valentine's Day in the new year. The Indianapolis location offers menu specialties including flights (featuring a choice of one chocolate from each of the three collections) and tastings (a larger experience featuring thirty-seven varieties). Lori and her team also host private events and build custom corporate gifts. "Now is the time to start thinking of your corporate gifting," she says. "We can personalize things, we can ship things, and we always make it easy for you." Visit DeBrand Fine Chocolates at 8685 River Crossing Boulevard in Indianapolis. Call Lori at 317-669-0955 to schedule a private event, tasting or gift consultation. Learn more at debrand.com and follow @debrandfinechoc on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF PR + MARKETING Nicole Pence Becker Pence Media Group, Owner & Operator
Nicole Pence Becker has a name for the standard that holds Pence Media Group together. "We refer to that as the ‘Consider It Done’ mindset," she says, adding that it's the same instinct that carried her through a decade-plus career as an Emmy Award-winning broadcast reporter and anchor. When she stepped back from the anchor desk to focus on her young family, she didn't want to lose her storytelling skills, so she redirected them by founding Pence Media Group in 2017. What started as one person has grown into a nationally recognized consultancy of more than twenty-five experts across PR, marketing, branding, digital and paid media. For Nicole Pence Becker, growth follows demand. "I hired my first full-time employee five years ago, and everything since has grown because of demand for the value our experts deliver.” That demand starts close to home. "Central Indiana is home, and giving back here is core to who PMG is, not an add-on," she says. The PMG Gives Back program offers nonprofits a discounted rate, and she emcees dozens of nonprofit events a year across the region. On integrity, Nicole Pence Becker won't bend. "It's the decisions we make when no one's watching that define us," she says. "PMG did not grow via shortcuts, and I will not take one to land a client or project." That standard earned recognition this year, when she was named a 2026 honoree in Ragan Communications and PR Daily's Top Women in Marketing Awards and received the Hoosier PRSA Catalyst of the Year award, recognition she shares with her team and the mentors who've guided her, starting with her husband, Jason. Learn more at pencemediagroup.com and follow @pencemediagroup on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE Toni Wolley
Indianapolis Integrative Forum, Founder Toni Wolley founded the Indianapolis Integrative Forum in 2015, outside her full-time job at the time, built around a problem she kept seeing in healthcare. Providers working in integrative medicine, blending conventional care with complementary, evidence-informed approaches, can end up feeling like they're on an island. The IIF exists so they don't have to navigate their careers alone. “The mission of the forum is to help healthcare providers grow both professionally and personally,” says Wolley. What started outside her day job has grown into a working community for healthcare providers across greater Indianapolis. Membership brings educational events, networking, a provider directory, access to past event content, and a platform where members can connect, ask questions and share resources with one another. Wolley built it for established practitioners and newcomers alike, anyone in medicine, or specifically integrative medicine, looking to connect with people doing similar work. She also partners with businesses and organizations that share her interest in improving healthcare through education and collaboration. Balancing the forum alongside a demanding career has taught her that passion alone isn't enough. "You have to learn to trust others, ask for help, and give yourself grace," she says. What Wolley hopes people take from her story is how meaningful it is to build a space where others feel supported. She's proud of what the IIF has become, but says what matters most is watching it keep creating connections and friendships that outlast any single event. "The forum may have started with my vision," she says, "but it belongs to the community we've built together." Learn more about the IIF, upcoming events and membership at indianapolisintegrativeforum.org and follow @indianapolis_integrative_forum on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF FINE JEWELRY Dana Friedman
Petite G Jewelers, Owner At Petite G Jewelers, Dana Friedman measures success by the relationships in the room. "For me, growth has never been about simply getting bigger," she says, adding that it's about getting better while staying true to who the team is as a business. "I never want Petite G to lose the personal relationships, exceptional service and attention to detail that have made us successful." Beyond estate pieces and custom design, the store carries boutique designer lines to mark all of life's milestones. But her philosophy shows up in an easy-to-miss corner of the business, at the watch battery counter. A replacement costs twenty dollars at Petite G, and every dollar goes back into the neighborhood, split between area schools and a rotating list of local charities and churches. "It's a simple idea, but one I'm really proud of because it allows our customers to participate in giving back simply by taking care of something they already need," Friedman says. She holds the same line on trust, refusing to compromise on integrity or quality. Sometimes that means telling a client something they may not necessarily want to hear, whether it's about a piece of jewelry, a repair or a purchase. "Our clients trust us, and protecting that trust will always be more important than making a sale," she explains. Ten years after opening Petite G, Friedman says the business has taught her to trust her instincts, make difficult decisions and know when to lean on the people around her, including the team she has cultivated with intention, choosing each hire as carefully as she'd choose a stone. Visit Petite G Jewelers at 5609 N. Illinois Street in Indianapolis. Learn more at petiteg.com and follow @petitegjewelers on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF EVENT DESIGN Jean Rivers
Blue Llama Events, Founder & Executive Producer Jean Rivers spent years behind the camera before she ever picked up a clipboard, photographing weddings and corporate events and discovering along the way that she loved creating the experience just as much as documenting it. That perspective became the foundation for Blue Llama Events, the Indianapolis-based event planning and design company she now leads, producing weddings, corporate events and large-scale celebrations throughout the Midwest. Her background as a photographer gave Rivers an instinctive understanding of how an event looks, but more importantly, how it moves, how it feels, and how guests experience it. Today, Blue Llama Events has built a reputation for thoughtful, highly personalized planning, including multicultural and fusion weddings where multiple traditions, families and intricate logistics must come together within one seamless experience. For Rivers, success is rooted in the reputation Blue Llama has built with its clients. Growth is not simply about becoming bigger—it is about becoming better and refining the client experience, strengthening relationships, and continuing to create events people remember long after the final guest leaves. With its Indianapolis office located on Monument Circle, Blue Llama Events is deeply connected to the city and the surrounding communities it serves. “We believe one of the best ways a business can support its community is by helping other good businesses succeed alongside it,” Rivers says. That philosophy extends to the advice she offers other women building careers and businesses of their own. “You don’t have to have the entire path figured out before you begin. Your business can evolve as you do. Pay attention to what you’re good at, surround yourself with people who make you better, and build something you’re proud to put your name on.” Blue Llama Events is located at 111 Monument Circle in Indianapolis. Learn more at bluellama.events and follow @BlueLlamaEvents.
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THE FACE OF CUSTOM CABINETRY Stephanie Wiott
Stephanie Wiott Designs, Founder & Principal Designer Stephanie Wiott has spent her career convincing homeowners that a house should carry the weight of a real life, with family heirlooms next to new pieces or an antique table under a contemporary chandelier. This fall, that philosophy moves off the page in a recently launched custom cabinetry collection with Unique Kitchens & Baths, with a vanity line and a wallpaper collection through Painted Paper following soon. The expansion tracks with how her firm has grown well beyond interiors over the last several years. “We’ve built a carefully assembled collaborative team that allows us to be involved from the very beginning of a project,” she says, adding that one of the most exciting additions has been a partnership with a licensed architect who is registered in multiple states. “It means we can begin with our clients much earlier— sometimes before they’ve even selected a lot—and think about the architecture and interiors together from the start.” That continuity, from the initial plans through cabinetry, interiors, and final styling, has become an important part of how her team works. For Wiott, quality is more important than growth. "I want us to take on incredible projects, work with clients who value what we do, and continue building a body of work that we're genuinely proud of," she shares. That standard shows up in the small refusals as much as the big collaborations—Wiott won't put something into a project simply because it's trendy if she doesn’t believe it's right for the house or the client. Clients are making a significant investment in their homes, and she takes that responsibility seriously. Visit Stephanie Wiott Designs at 30 1st Street SW in Carmel. Learn more at stephaniewiottdesigns.com and follow @stephaniewiottdesigns on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF CONTEMPORARY FASHION Pamela Ellis
The Secret Ingredient, Owner Before Pamela Ellis owned The Secret Ingredient, she ran her own boutique, Roger's, in Terre Haute for more than six years. When life moved her to Florida and away from the business, she carried that experience with her until Jeanne Rush, who grew The Secret Ingredient from one store to three, asked Ellis to carry the shop forward. "I am honored that Jeanne believes in me," Ellis says. "We share a similar desire to do our best to make women shine." That desire shapes how she sells. Ellis stopped dressing the store around her own taste early on, once she realized her job wasn't to put customers in what she'd wear herself, but to help each woman find what suits her. It changes the whole fitting room, less about closing a sale and more about a woman recognizing herself in the mirror. That same care shapes what makes it onto the floor. Ellis travels to markets in Dallas, Chicago and Coterie in NYC throughout the year, hand-selecting pieces in limited runs rather than stocking what any department store carries. "Once they're gone, they're gone," she says, creating a deliberate scarcity meant to keep regulars coming back. In the fitting room, there's no pressure, just a staff that knows the inventory and takes the time to help. "It's a full treatment, a full experience," Ellis says. After six years of ownership, Ellis says the job has taught her something she didn't expect. "More confidence," she says, the kind that comes from the trust of serving this community. Visit The Secret Ingredient at 5631 N. Illinois Street in Indianapolis. Learn more at thesecretingredient.us and follow @secretingredientstore on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF WOMEN'S HEALTH Dr. Taylor Hahn
VIA Women's Health Collective, Founder, Board Certified OB/GYN & Certified Menopause Practitioner Dr. Taylor Hahn spent years practicing traditional OB/GYN before deciding women deserved more time and less waiting at every appointment. She founded VIA Women's Health Collective in Westfield to build that alternative, offering gynecologic and menopause care alongside weight management and medical aesthetics, with membership and individual visit options depending on what a patient needs. "I'm much more interested in depth than size," she says, "creating a practice, team and culture that we can be proud of and that continues to have an impact long after any individual appointment is over." Hahn's advice to her patients doubles as the advice she gave herself when she started VIA. "Women are often taught to wait until they feel completely ready, to have the perfect plan, the perfect credentials, or the perfect timing," she says. "You have to be willing to move forward before you have every piece figured out." Founding VIA has changed how Hahn sees herself, too. "It has taught me that I'm much more adaptable than I ever thought I would be," she says, a mindset carried over from medicine. "Entrepreneurship requires that same instinct, but with far less certainty. You have to pivot constantly, make decisions with imperfect information, and stay flexible without losing sight of the bigger vision." None of it, Hahn says, has been hers to carry alone. She credits her team and her husband with getting VIA this far. "The right people don't just help you carry the weight," she says. "They make you better at carrying it." Visit VIA Women's Health Collective at 17300 Westfield Boulevard, Suite 310, in Westfield. Follow @viawomenshealth on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF YOGA & PILATES Karen Fox
The Yoga Studio, Founder & Co-Owner Karen Fox’s journey with yoga began in an unexpected place—the aisles of Target. As a mother of two with a passion for fitness, she picked up a yoga VHS tape and began practicing in her basement. What started as a personal practice quickly grew, and after training with several respected teachers, Karen began introducing yoga to her personal training clients. Word spread, and her basement could no longer keep up. She opened The Yoga Studio in June of 2007, and next year marks 20 years. "What has always mattered most to me is helping people strengthen the connection between their minds and bodies," Fox says. "I want people to leave our studios feeling stronger physically, but also more connected to themselves." That belief extends beyond her studio walls. Fox helped co-found Indy Yoga Movement, bringing yoga into Indianapolis schools, a program The Yoga Studio still supports through donation-based classes and equipment. Her daughter, Margo Fox, started as studio manager and is now a full business partner, bringing Pilates into the space, and nearly 100 staff members work across two locations. Running it all, Fox says, taught her something yoga taught her first. "I can do anything, and I can always start again." She always comes back to one thing above all else. "If there's one thing I hope people take away from yoga, it's the power of being connected to right now," she says. "Yoga breathing really does help you reset. Whether you're stressed, overwhelmed or just not feeling like yourself, taking a moment to connect with your breath can change how you feel." Visit The Yoga Studio in Broad Ripple at 6245 N. College Ave. and in Carmel at 270 Merchants Square Drive. Learn more at indyyogastudio.com and follow @indyyogastudio on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF HAIRCARE Korie Lance
The Mae Salon & Spa, Founder, Coach & Luxury Extensions Specialist Korie Lance's proudest achievement at The Mae Salon & Spa isn't an award or growth. It's the culture and community she’s created, along with her team and clients. “I believe beauty is really just our vehicle for something bigger—helping people feel seen, cared for, connected and confident," she says. The MeridianKessler salon employs more than thirty people across hair and spa services, and has been named a Salon Today Top 200 salon. "Growing well matters much more to me than simply getting bigger," she says. "Growth for the sake of growth isn't very fulfilling. Growth with purpose is." Lance holds the same view of her team. "I want The Mae to be a place where our team can build meaningful careers, grow as people, and be part of something bigger than themselves," she says. Running the business has changed how Lance leads, too. She expected owning a salon to mean knowing everything and touching every decision herself. It taught her the opposite, and steadier ground came from letting go rather than gripping tighter. "I'm not interested in building a successful company if success requires sacrificing everything else that matters to me," she says. Ten years in, Lance marked the anniversary by turning the celebration outward, launching Haircuts for Hope, an event benefiting Kids Alive International. "I want generosity to be part of our identity, not something we do once a year for marketing," she says, adding that this “more than a salon” mindset is one of the mission driven company’s core values. Visit The Mae Salon & Spa at 4907 N. Pennsylvania Street in Indianapolis. Learn more at themaesalon.com and follow @themaesalon on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF CLOSET DESIGN Lyndie Wells
Inspired Closets Indianapolis, Co-owner Lyndie Wells didn't set out to own a closet company. She studied business at Butler University and spent her career in media and sales, but she and her husband had always dreamed of owning a local business together. That dream became Inspired Closets Indianapolis, purchased four years ago, then known as Hoosier Closets. Wells will be the first to admit she isn't naturally organized, but her own home tells a different story. She's a customer as much as the owner. A small, awkward alcove in her bedroom, fitted with one of her team's systems, now holds a desk, craft supplies, luggage and a printer tucked behind doors. "Once the system's designed and installed, it makes it so much easier to stay organized," she says. Every design starts with how a client lives. Wells jokes that if there's a spare inch in her house, she's adding more storage. "Dave and I are amazed at our team," Wells says. "Our designers are true design professionals, not salespeople, trained to use our 3D software to maximize every square inch of space." Installers work to the same standard, under a team motto of "build it like it's our own." "We want our customers to love their new systems, and we don't stop until they do," Wells says, pointing to more than one hundred five-star reviews. Inspired Closets doesn't stop at bedrooms—they build storage systems anywhere in the home that needs to function and look great. See what she means at the Carmel showroom, built to serve all of Central Indiana, with a little more calm, one storage system at a time. Visit Inspired Closets at 598 W Carmel Dr, Suite C, Carmel. Learn more and schedule a consultation at inspiredclosetsindy.com and follow @inspiredclosetsindy on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF MEDICAL AESTHETICS Crissy Wiseman
Wise Aesthetics, Founder & Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner The best outcome at Wise Aesthetics, founder Crissy Wiseman says, is one nobody can point to. "I would love for people to understand that modern aesthetic medicine doesn't have to be about changing the way you look," says the Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist. "It is much more often about helping someone look rested, healthy and confident while preserving what makes that person recognizable as themselves." That may mean injectables, but increasingly it means treating the skin's health, paired with long-term planning. "My hope is that Wise continues to be known not simply for the treatments we offer, but for good judgment, knowing what to do, how much to do and, just as importantly, when not to do something," she says. Wiseman spent more than 25 years in nursing, from pediatrics to plastic and reconstructive medicine, before founding Wise Aesthetics in Carmel. "Aesthetic medicine should still feel like medicine," she says. Consultations start with the patient, not a menu of treatments. "We start with the patient, their concerns, and what will actually make a meaningful difference for them," she says. Wise offers injectables, advanced laser and energy-based treatments, skin-health treatments and medical-grade skincare, always consultation-first. Wiseman sees raising the local standard of aesthetic medicine as part of the job. "Patients deserve qualified providers, thoughtful consultations, honest recommendations and an emphasis on safety," she says. "If Wise can help make those expectations the norm in our community, I consider that a meaningful contribution." She credits her team, along with her husband and business partner, Justin, whose strategic, entrepreneurial eye balances her clinical, patientcentered one. "That combination has challenged both of us to think differently," she says. Visit Wise Aesthetics at 2325 Pointe Parkway in Carmel. Learn more at wise-aesthetics.com and follow @wiseaestheticscarmel on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF KIDS' HAIRCARE Nicole Danielson Sit Still Kids Salon, Owner
Nicole Danielson spent years hauling her three sons to haircuts at places never built for kids. Now she doesn't have to. Danielson brought Sit Still Kids Salon to Keystone at the Crossing, a shop where children climb into car-shaped chairs, stay entertained, and are always treated with patience—even through the squirmiest cuts. “We offer an inclusive, safe environment where all kids feel comfortable and parents stay stress free,” says Danielson. She wanted a haircut to feel like the simplest part of a parent's week, not the hardest. "I love that we can make a necessary service an easy decision for parents," she says. For Danielson, building a business isn't just about providing a great service. "It's about creating relationships and becoming a place people want to share with others," she says. Much of Sit Still's growth has come from word of mouth, one haircut at a time. Danielson gives credit to her stylists, who greet those families every visit. "It's incredibly rewarding to provide them with a place where they can grow their careers, support their families and work toward their own personal and professional goals," she says. Beyond haircuts, Sit Still offers birthday parties, hair tinsel, colored extensions, semi-permanent color and braiding classes for clients from babies to teens. A small retail shop inside sells hair accessories, crafts and toys for boys and girls, so a parent can knock out holiday shopping while a child is in the chair. Sit Still is a small franchise with locations across the country, but Danielson's shop near the Fashion Mall is the first in Indiana. Visit Sit Still Kids Salon at 8687 River Crossing Boulevard in Indianapolis. Learn more at keystonecrossing. sitstillkids.com and follow @sitstillkidsindianapolis on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF FERTILITY MEDICINE Dr. Meredith Provost
Indiana Fertility Institute, Partner & Board-Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist Dr. Meredith Provost's path to reproductive medicine ran through Division I volleyball at NC State, a PhD in the History and Philosophy of Science and Medicine at Cambridge as a Gates Cambridge Scholar, and a Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellowship at Duke. At Indiana Fertility Institute in Carmel, she helps patients and couples build families. "Needing help building a family is much more common than most people realize, and there shouldn't be embarrassment or stigma associated with asking questions or seeking help," she says. Fertility medicine has changed enormously during her career. "We have options today that we couldn't have imagined not that long ago, and the science continues to move incredibly quickly. But despite all that technology, I never want us to lose sight of the person sitting across from us. Every patient comes in with a different history, different goals and a different definition of family." Her job, as she sees it, isn't simply to provide IVF or fertility treatment. "It's to listen, understand what someone is trying to achieve, explain their options honestly and then help them find the best path forward, for them," she says. Being a good scientist and being a good leader, Provost has learned, require different skills. "It has really taught me to focus on the only thing I can control, how I show up for each patient," she says. Patients aren't coming to her because they're fascinated by reproductive science, she explains. "They're coming because they want a family," she continues, adding, “The science must be excellent, but how people feel while they’re going through the process matters, too. That balance has probably taught me as much as anything.” Visit Indiana Fertility Institute at 10610 N. Pennsylvania Street, Suite 101, in Carmel. Learn more at fertilityindy.com and follow @indianafertilityinstitute on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF WELLNESS MEDICINE Dr. Christy Watson
BodyBarMD, Founder, Board-Certified in Internal Medicine & Obesity Medicine Dr. Christy Watson has always had an entrepreneurial spirit, inherited from her father, a lifelong entrepreneur. "I learned early that building something of your own can be both challenging and incredibly rewarding," she says. She originally dreamed of becoming a small-town family doctor focused on keeping people healthy. After spending most of her career as a hospitalemployed physician, she realized she was working within a system that didn't always allow her to practice medicine the way she believed it should be practiced. "I wanted the freedom to listen to my patients, understand what they truly needed and build a program around them," she says. Twelve years ago, she took the leap and created BodyBarMD. Her practice continues to evolve. "As people start to feel better, they want to look better, too," she says, explaining that the practice has naturally expanded from medical weight management into hormone optimization, aesthetics, wellness and longevity. Curiosity keeps her passionate. "Medicine is moving rapidly toward Precision Medicine 3.0, where genetic and genomic testing, metabolic data and personalized plans can help us take a much more individualized approach to wellness," she says. The business side hasn't always been easy. "I've made plenty of mistakes, but I've learned from them," she says, "and I've been incredibly fortunate to surround myself with a team that brings strengths where mine may not be." Her advice? "Don't be afraid to follow your dreams," she says. "Be prepared for a lot of work, surround yourself with great people, and stay true to what you believe. There is nothing more rewarding than watching an idea become something that changes people's lives." Visit BodyBarMD at 9650 Commerce Drive, Suite 511, in Carmel. Learn more at bodybarmd.com and follow @bodybarmd on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF VISION & AESTHETICS Mollie Tavel Kaback Alternate View, Founder & Owner
Mollie Tavel Kaback, who was recently honored in Vision Monday’s 40 Under 40, is a third-generation member of an Indiana eye care family, and Alternate View let her look at that industry through a different lens. The Carmel studio pairs eye care and dry eye treatment with facial aesthetics and personal eyewear styling, work Kaback still does herself. "It is incredibly rewarding to find the pair of glasses that makes someone look in the mirror and feel like their best self," she says. INVISION Magazine just named Alternate View America's Finest Optical Retailer for 2026, the first time an Indiana retailer has won, for a concept Kaback opened less than two years ago. "The judges recognized the entire experience we've worked so hard to create," she says, "the hospitality, styling and attention to detail." Kaback holds a firm line on how that experience gets sold. "I never want someone to buy glasses because we convinced them to," she says. "I want them to buy them because they look in the mirror and genuinely love how they look and feel." Running Alternate View taught Kaback something her marketing background didn't prepare her for. A concept spanning eye care, eyewear and self-care takes patience to explain. That national win means something bigger to Kaback than a trophy for the business. "It's a reminder that innovative ideas don't have to come from New York, Los Angeles or another major market," she says. "Something exceptional can be imagined, built and supported right here in Indiana." Her advice to other women? “Wear the great glasses now. Don't save the things that make you feel confident for some future version of your life.” Visit Alternate View at 750 Veterans Way, Suite 228, in Carmel City Center. Learn more at alternateview.com and follow @youralternateview on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF REAL ESTATE & CURATED STYLE Kristie Smith
Indy Homes + VERVE, Founder Kristie Smith has always believed that if something can be done better, there’s an opportunity to build it better. That philosophy has taken the longtime Carmel entrepreneur from corporate marketing to founding two very different businesses: boutique real estate brokerage Indy Homes and luxury women’s fashion destination VERVE. Smith left a successful corporate marketing career more than two decades ago to build Indy Homes from the ground up. Today, the independent brokerage is known for its strategic, evidencebased approach to real estate, particularly luxury home marketing and Smith’s signature home-transformation process. A longtime luxury real estate specialist, Smith holds the Million Dollar GUILD recognition from the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, combining data, exceptional marketing and straightforward advice with highly personal service. Then came an entirely different opportunity. When Smith moved Indy Homes into Carmel City Center, she saw the neighboring corner retail space—and imagined something Indianapolis was missing. A lifelong fashion lover, she decided to create it herself. “If not me, then who?” In 2025, VERVE was born. Smith personally curates VERVE’s collections, traveling to New York to select contemporary designers and pieces that feel sophisticated, current and decidedly different from what shoppers typically find locally. For Smith, real estate and fashion have more in common than might appear. Both require understanding the customer, an eye for presentation and an instinct for what will resonate. Today, Indy Homes and VERVE sit side-by-side in Carmel City Center’s Wren Building—a fitting home for Smith’s two worlds: real estate and fashion, strategy and style. Visit Indy Homes and VERVE next to Hotel Carmichael at Carmel City Center. IndyHomes.com | ShopVERVE.com.
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THE FACE OF BRIDAL Young Colling
Marie Gabriel Bridal, Brides by Young & Curve Couture Bridal, Founder Young Colling has spent half her entire career inside the bridal industry, first with a national retail chain, then taking from that experience and building some of the most reputable bridal stores on her own. Marie Gabriel Bridal carries more than 1,400 styles from designers around the world, each one handselected personally by Colling on buying trips she's made for more than a decade. Additionally, she also founded the specialty plus size bridal store, Brides by Young and the Curve Couture Bridal collection, filling a desperate gap in the industry. That kind of access is rare for most bridal boutiques, and it's what lets her bring runway looks straight from Bridal Fashion Week to Indianapolis brides the same season they debut. She personally trained her styling teams, who bring a combined 60 years of bridal experience to every appointment, and built a full in-house alterations department within Marie Gabriel so brides are provided a full-service, luxury bridal experience. Trunk shows bring designer incentives and exclusive styles to Indianapolis. Colling has built her business through relationships, not luck. "We wanted to return to our roots and level up for our company and the bridal community," she says. That expertise extends past the bride herself. The boutique keeps a dedicated selection for mothers of the bride and groom. Colling runs the business day to day with her daughter, Anne-Marie, a partnership she says sharpens how well they understand their brides. "I think working as a family, a mother-daughter team, provides us a unique perspective on the entire bridal experience," she says, "something we're then able to pass on to our brides and their families." Visit Marie Gabriel Bridal at 5830 E. 86th Street in Indianapolis. Learn more at mariegabrielbridal.com and follow @mariegabrielcouturebridal and @mariegabrielsocial on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF DIRECT PRIMARY CARE Dr. Rachel Murphy Pismo Health DPC, Founder
Dr. Rachel Murphy built her practice on something healthcare rarely has room for anymore: a doctor who actually listens. For Murphy, that commitment shapes every visit. She is a family physician and the founder of Pismo Health DPC in Carmel, where she practices direct primary care built on evidence-based medicine and trust. "I do not dictate treatment," she says. "The patient and I listen to one another. They share their concerns and goals while I provide options or recommendations, and we make a decision together that feels appropriate." Membership at Pismo Health means one doctor, one location and one monthly fee, with a panel of 300 to 500 patients instead of thousands. Growing up in St. Louis in a family with no medical professionals, Murphy decided she wanted to be a doctor before she was eight years old. "I don't know where the desire originated, but I never wavered," she says. The path took her from DePaul University in Chicago to Ross University School of Medicine, then to Fayetteville, Arkansas, for a family medicine residency, before she settled in Indianapolis in 2017 to be close to family. Murphy spent nearly nine years building her career at Community Health Network, growing a panel of nearly 2,400 patients. The size of a large, hospital-based network made it difficult to maintain the relationships she had built with those patients, so she left to open Pismo Health DPC on her own early this year. Her new Carmel practice skips the sterile, clinical feel she wanted to avoid, with a calm, coastal-inspired waiting area and plenty of time to listen. Visit Pismo Health DPC at 9650 Commerce Drive, Suite 531, in Carmel. Learn more at pismohealthdpc.com and follow @pismohealthdpc on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF INTERIORS, SPECIALIZING IN KITCHEN AND BATH DESIGN Amy Kreutz
THREAD Design Group, Principal & Lead Designer, CKD Amy Kreutz has spent 28 years designing residential interiors, long enough to watch the job change shape underneath her. She started out designing custom cabinetry in 1998 at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. Today she's a Certified Kitchen Designer running a full interior design studio—a shift she calls a natural progression rather than a reinvention. "We've always been building toward this more complete approach," she says, describing how a career centered on cabinets grew into one that considers construction consultation, lighting, soft goods, color theory and furnishings. THREAD takes on primary bathrooms, living rooms and full-house builds, handling everything from early floor plans through shop drawings and the final walkthrough. Kreutz resists settling into one signature look, adapting her approach to each home and each client instead, while staying careful not to fight a home's existing architecture. Kreutz treats every project as a discovery process before it becomes a plan. "We always want clients to push beyond their comfort zone, explore every possibility, and then return to the solution that feels uniquely their own," she says. That instinct shows up in THREAD's design studio itself. Kreutz says that "an experience is shared between our staff and clientele with the use of so many beautiful materials housed here." The studio sits inside the 54th and Monon Shops, a cluster of independent Indianapolis makers and designers, that Kreutz chose deliberately over a standalone storefront. Being surrounded by other creative businesses, she says, keeps the work collaborative rather than isolated. Clients wander in from next door as often as they arrive by appointment. Visit THREAD Design Group at 1057 East 54th Street, Suite K, in Indianapolis. Learn more at thread-design.com and follow @thread_designgroup on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF PHOTOGRAPHY Gabrielle Noël
GC Photography, Owner & Lead Photographer Working alongside other entrepreneurs has shaped how Gabrielle Noël thinks about her own business. "I guess I've found that my collaborative nature is the thing I use most in business," Noël says. "As business owners, we're all kind of in the same place, trying to serve our industries and communities." She holds a BFA from Indiana University and trained at the International Center of Photography in New York, credentials she treats as secondary to that collaborative streak at GC Photography, her Indianapolis studio. That instinct shows up most in her commercial work, which now goes beyond a single headshot or product shot, conceptualizing how photography will contribute to a company's brand deck. That work matters more than it used to, Noël says, as more of her clients find themselves marketing a business for the first time after years of growth by referral alone. "Good photography is often the first impression someone gets of a business now," she says. Noël treats a commercial shoot the way she treats a full-service family session, coordinating hair and makeup, working out wardrobe and styling with each client, and doing much more than just directing from behind the camera. "After years of family shoots and weddings, I know how to pull someone's actual personality out in front of a camera," she says. "That's the same skill I bring to a commercial shoot." That same process holds whether the client is a single person or an entire team, local or across the nation, and it holds across industries, too. Noël learns what a business actually needs before she ever raises a camera. GC Photography is booking both commercial and family sessions into the new year. Learn more at gcphotography.com and follow @g_cphotography on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF INTIMATE APPAREL Carla Mackie
Uplift Intimate Apparel, Owner Carla Mackie admits she went years before she found, at a bra fitting salon in Virginia, a bra that actually fit her correctly. The experience changed her life, and she ended up managing that salon for twelve years before moving back to Indiana to open her own boutique. Her father, brothers and sons helped build out the interior of Uplift Intimate Apparel in Carmel City Center, and the whole family showed up to tag merchandise before opening day. "There's a lot of love built into this space," she says. Carmel City Center's walkable mix of boutiques and restaurants, built by Pedcor, made it the right home. Mackie, known as the Bra Whisperer, says success in the business has nothing to do with growth or numbers. It's more women walking out correctly fitted. "We S.E.E. women," she says, explaining the acronym that means serve, educate and empower. A well-fitting bra can ease shoulder, back and neck pain most women never connect to their bra. The right bra improves posture and is one of the driving forces of confidence. “We believe with the right bra, panties and shoes (we know a place), there’s nothing a woman can’t do,” shares Mackie, who estimates the store has clients in every state except Rhode Island (so far), mostly people who visit Carmel having never before found a comfortable bra. Giving back runs through Mackie's heart and into her business. A few times a year, the store hosts women served by Prevail and Dove Recovery House for dinner and a fitting, sending each woman home with gently loved bras donated by their community and designers. October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, carries extra meaning at the boutique, with two employees and one team member's father all thriving breast cancer survivors. "Schedule your mammogram," Mackie says. "Women—and men—check your breasts every month." Visit Uplift Intimate Apparel at 711 Veterans Way in Carmel City Center. Learn more at upliftintimateapparel.com and follow @upliftintimateapparel on Instagram and Facebook.
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THE FACE OF ORTHODONTICS Dr. Tara Emerick
Emerick Orthodontics, Founder & Board-Certified Orthodontist For Dr. Tara Emerick, orthodontics means building confidence that lasts a lifetime, not just straightening teeth. "I believe everyone deserves a smile they feel proud of," she says. That philosophy drives the personalized options at Emerick Orthodontics, from complimentary consultations to flexible treatments built around each patient's lifestyle. She even offers a 10-week affordable "tune-up" designed for parents and adults who stopped wearing their retainers years ago but want to restore their perfect smile. As a leader in her field, Dr. Emerick has embraced how much modern orthodontics has changed. Patients today seek more than clinical expertise; they value connection, transparency and convenience. At her boutique practice in Carmel's Village of West Clay, innovation is central. Custom 3D-printed braces, aligners and remote monitoring make treatment faster, more comfortable and uniquely tailored. Just as important, she has reimagined the patient experience, blending advanced technology with a warm, friendly atmosphere and interest-free financing. Her all-female team reflects the supportive, uplifting culture she has built, one that empowers patients and inspires the next generation of women in healthcare. A mother of three, Dr. Emerick models what it means to balance family life with entrepreneurship. "Don't be afraid to dream boldly. Whether your passion lies in healthcare, business, or something entirely different, know that you can create a path that is uniquely yours," she says. "Surround yourself with mentors, stay curious, and never underestimate the ripple effect of your work, you might be inspiring someone else without even realizing it." Emerick Orthodontics is at 12863 Broad Street in the Village of West Clay, in Carmel, Indiana. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation, visit emerickortho.com and follow @emerickortho on Instagram.
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THE FACE OF ART CONSERVATION Jean Easter
Easter Conservation Services, Founder & Conservator Jean Easter has spent more than two decades keeping history intact, one frame, one heirloom and one canvas at a time. Her studio also makes room for what's being made today, lending wall space, hosting local artists, and taking part in art events around the city alongside the conservation work that fills most of her days. They also maintain a gallery space for local artists at Artistry, 451 East Market Street. Jean Easter grew up in Syracuse, New York, studying jewelry design and object conservation at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She spent over a decade in frame conservation at the Indianapolis Museum of Art before opening her own studio in 2001. Here, every project is held to the standards and ethics of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. "Everything that we do is reversible and documented," she says, explaining that everything they do must be reversible a century from now without harming the original. In keeping up with the profession, she has studied frame conservation at the National Portrait Gallery in London and French furniture-making techniques in France, and she has been a Professional Associate of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works since 1998. Her staff has traveled to Italy, England and Canada for further education. Objects, prints and furniture round out the conservation offerings, along with a collection of antique European frames alongside new custom framing. "We are always getting in new frames," she says. Of the antique collection, Easter says, "If you can't find it here, it probably doesn't exist. And if we can't find it, we'll make it." Visit Easter Conservation Services at 1134 E. 54th Street, Suite J, in Indianapolis. Learn more at easterconservation.com and follow @easterconservation on Instagram.
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ON THE SCENE
ON THE SCENE
Socialite Night Once a year, Wise Aesthetics sets aside the treatment schedule and throws open its doors for the Wise Social Club. "This is the night we wait all year for," says Crissy Wiseman, founder and aesthetic nurse practitioner. Guests sipped champagne and tried their luck in raffles spanning the full skincare lineup, while the team held live consults for anyone ready to map out a treatment plan. JETSET Pilates joined the party, and a little education found its way in between drinks and snacks. For Crissy, the guests are the main event. "Seeing everyone together in our space is always the best part," she says.
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In a world crowded with ultra-processed, factory-farmed proteins, Joeʼs Butcher Shop stands firm on only serving whatʼs real. This Thanksgiving, skip the supermarket and treat your family to a Joeʼs Farm Fresh Turkey. Sustainably and ethically farm-raised by the Kuck family in Ohio, every single turkey is non-GMO, free of hormones and antibiotics, and raised exclusively to our specifications for Joe's customers. Clean, sustainable protein isn't just a passing trend at Joeʼs. You can taste the difference!
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317.846.887 7 | 111 W MAIN ST. #110 CARMEL, IN 46032
By Susan Salaz
A NEW TABLE Mangia e bevi! Viva l'Italia! Ambrosia Hospitality Group has turned a downtown Carmel space back toward Italy this fall, as the Pizzi family's nearly 50-year-old restaurant makes its second home in Carmel.
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A
mbrosia has a second home, and this one sits in the heart of downtown Carmel. Gold trim and cafe curtains still catch the light in the dining room, evoking a Parisian scene that Ambrosia Hospitality Group built for French wine when the space opened as Josephine in early 2025. Now, the same corner of downtown Carmel tells a different story, one the family believes fits this community even better, and one that started decades earlier and a few miles south. Ambrosia, the Italian restaurant Gino Pizzi founded in 1979 alongside his parents, Giuseppe and Anna, has opened its second location inside the former Josephine space. The original restaurant still operates on College Avenue in Indianapolis, where three generations of the Pizzi family have kept the same recipes and the same welcome at the table since Gino passed the business to his daughter Anna and her husband, Dan Cage, in 2019. Now Cage has brought that history north. "Italian
food is where our family's story began, so bringing Ambrosia to Carmel feels like a true return to our roots," he says. "It allows us to share everything people have loved about the original Ambrosia at College and Kessler—the food, family history and
welcoming atmosphere— with a new community." The move revives something else from the original restaurant. Gino's Broad Ripple location opened in 1979 with a full oyster bar built into the dining room, a detail
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living near Paris before opening it. Cage doesn't describe it as an ending. "This transition isn't about forgetting Josephine," he says. "It's about carrying what we learned and loved from that experience into the next chapter while returning the space to the Italian food, family history and hospitality at the heart of who we are."
that faded over the years. In Carmel, it returns as Accanto, a room of its own next door to the main dining room. "Accanto gives us an opportunity to reimagine the oyster bar from the original Ambrosia while offering something new and exciting to Carmel," Cage says.
The menu carries the family recipes forward, the same dishes that have anchored College Avenue for generations. "Guests can expect the traditional Italian flavors Ambrosia is known for," Cage says. Closing Josephine wasn't a small decision for a family that spent months ABSOLUTELIVING
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Almost 50 years after Gino Pizzi opened his first restaurant, the family is treating Carmel as a continuation rather than an expansion. "Ambrosia Carmel is more than a second location, it's the continuation of a family story that began nearly 50 years ago," Cage says. "We are excited to welcome the Carmel community and create a place where guests can gather, share a meal and feel like part of the family." Ambrosia Carmel opened on September 26 at 110 W. Main Street, Suite 100, in the Carmel Arts and Design District. Learn more at ahgindy.com and follow @ambrosia_carmel on Instagram.
By Susan Salaz
’Round the Town Pie Society — Your Mini-Guide to the Area’s Best Pizza
October is National Pizza Month, and we took the assignment seriously. Wood-fired, Detroit square or tavern thin, these ten spots are a delicious place to start your search for the perfect slice. Bazbeaux 111 W. Main Street Carmel, IN 46032
bazbeaux.com
With 52 toppings on the list and a choice of white or wheat crust, no two orders at Bazbeaux look quite alike. The kitchen keeps the crust thin and crisp and lets the toppings stack up, from classic Italian sausage to combinations you won't find on a chain menu. The Carmel location adds a wine bar, a good excuse to linger over a second glass while the next pie bakes.
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King Dough 452 N. Highland Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46202 kingdoughpizzas.com
Every pie at King Dough starts with naturally leavened dough, mixed by hand and slowfermented before it meets a hot stone. The payoff is the blistered, leopard-spotted crust Neapolitan fans go looking for. The owner has celiac disease, so the gluten-free pies get the same care as everything else, and vegans can order house-made cashew ricotta. Champagne and pizza sit side by side on the menu, and the pairing works.
Passione Wood Oven Pizza & Wings 11640 Brooks School Road, Suite 900 Fishers, IN 46037 pizzapassione.com
Passione built its name on wood-fired pizza, and the Fishers menu now spans Neapolitan, Roman and Detroit styles. The wings get equal billing. Cooks fry them, toss them in sauce and finish them in the wood oven until the glaze caramelizes at the edges. Bread comes out of the kitchen fresh every day, and a scoop of gelato makes a strong case for staying through dessert.
Napolese 114 E. 49th Street Indianapolis, IN 46205 napolesepizzeria.com
With its Fashion Mall location currently closed for renovations, a visit to the original Napolese on 49th Street in Meridian Kessler, where Martha Hoover of Cafe Patachou opened it in 2010, is worthwhile. Pizzas bake on a stone hearth, topped with cheeses, meats and produce sourced specifically for this kitchen. Families settle into the oven room, and guests 21 and older can slip next door to the wine bar.
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BlackSheep Pizza & Cocktails 170 Jersey Street, Suite 106 Westfield, IN 46074
blksheeppizza.com
From the team behind Upland Brewing, BlackSheep opened its second location in Westfield's Grand Junction neighborhood late last year. A large wood-fired oven anchors the open kitchen and sends out scratch-made Neapolitan pies. The menu wanders off the usual path with oversized piadina sandwiches and spiedini beef skewers, and the wine list sticks entirely to Italian bottles. The cocktails hold their own, too.
Futuro 19 Cruse Street Indianapolis, IN 46202 futuroindy.com
What started as pizzas for friends during the 2020 shutdown grew to 50 orders a day before Futuro ever had a storefront. The Holy Cross shop opened in 2021 and specializes in two Midwestern styles, the crispy-edged Detroit square and the Chicago tavern-style thin crust. Dough, sauce and most of the meats are made in-house, and vegan cheese and pepperoni mean nobody sits this one out.
Pizzology 13190 Hazel Dell Parkway Carmel, IN 46033
pizzologyindy.com
Regulars at Pizzology on Hazel Dell Parkway know to watch for the Friday special, when the kitchen tries something well outside the pizza box. Wood-fired Neapolitan pies remain the anchor, built with produce from small familyowned farms, and the menu turns over with the seasons. Pastas and hearty salads round out the table, and the bar pours craft beer and wine for an easy night out in Carmel.
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Diavola 1134 E. 54th Street Indianapolis, IN 46220 diavola.net
Just east of College Avenue on 54th Street, steps from the Monon Trail, Diavola fires its pies in an Italian-built Marra Forni oven that chars a crust in about 90 seconds. The dough starts with Caputo flour and the sauce with plum tomatoes grown near Naples. Try the Mais Burrata with roasted sweet corn, then let the fresh pastas and wine list stretch pizza night into a full dinner.
I Tre Mori 8220 E. 106th Street, Suite 200 Indianapolis, IN 46256 itremorifishers.com
The oven at I Tre Mori came from Modena, Italy, shipped in more than 100 pieces of stone that the owners spent two weeks assembling themselves. Fired with wood to 1,000 degrees, it bakes a Neapolitan pizza in about 45 seconds. The chef brings more than 30 years of cooking in Italy and Germany to the Fishers kitchen, where handmade pastas share the menu with the pies.
Arni's 4705 E. 96th Street Indianapolis, IN 46240 meetyouatarnis.com
Since 1965, when Arni Cohen opened his first restaurant in Lafayette, Arni's has been serving thin crust pizza to Hoosiers who order it by habit. The Pizza Hall of Fame inducted the Cohen family's business in 2017, and the northside Indianapolis location on 96th Street keeps the formula intact. Order a pizza with the junior salad, still the menu's top seller. Meet you at Arni's.
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