Absolute Living

Absolute Living

OCTOBER 2020

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FOCUS ON WOMEN'S HEALTH

FACES OF WOMEN IN BUSINESS

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CONTENTS

10

FOCUS ON WOMEN'S HEALTH

27

FACES OF WOMEN IN BUSINESS

18

SMALL SHOP, BIG SPARKLE PETITE G JEWELERS DANA FRIEDMAN

38

CELEBRATING THE MODERN AESTHETIC FOR 35 YEARS

Volume 14. Issue 09. (#154

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Absolute Living

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By Kim Goletz

FOCUS ON WOMEN'S HEALTH Attention, Ladies! It's Time to Take Care of YOU!

I

t is always a good reminder to take a moment and focus on your health. So many women are busy juggling careers, children, homes—and that’s just scratching the surface. Unfortunately, some of us tend to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and push our health and wellbeing aside. It is vitally important for women to take care of themselves—it's the only way to ensure we have the energy to give all we need to give!

The following are 9 tips for women to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

1. Keep up with your screenings.

Routine medical exams and screenings by a physician are recommended to screen for diseases and disorders. Some of these include monitoring and screening your heart, blood pressure, cholesterol and thyroid, to name a few.

According to the American Heart Association, “Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, killing more women than all forms of cancer combined.”

These general screenings will detect any abnormalities that put you at risk for heart disease.

Many women are also concerned about breast cancer, and rightfully so. Women with an average risk of breast cancer (most women) should begin yearly mammograms at age 45.

According to the American Cancer Society, • Women should start the screening as early as age 40, if they want to. It’s a good idea to start talking to your healthcare provider when you turn 40 about the best time to begin screening.

• At age 55, women should have mammograms every other year—though women who want to keep having yearly mammograms should keep doing so.

• Regular mammograms should continue for as long as a woman is in good health.

• Breast exams, either from a medical provider or selfexams, are no longer recommended.

• Still, all women should be familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel and report any changes to a healthcare provider right away.

2. Maintain a healthy weight.

This is probably the MOST important thing you can do for yourself to live a longer and healthier life. Being overweight increases your chances of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, breathing problems, and osteoarthritis, to name a few. In my years in practice as a physician assistant, I personally see this on a DAILY basis. I’m not saying that all overweight people have these problems, but it certainly increases the risk, if not now, then eventually.

Because I deal with this daily, this is one of the primary

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reasons I created Refine YOU, an online fitness and nutrition company.

3. Drink plenty of water.

Stay away from artificial sweeteners, sodas, etc. Everyone should be drinking at least half their body weight in ounces of water daily. A tip I like to tell my clients: Every time you pick up that water bottle you should take 8-10 gulps of water before you put it back down again.

4. Maintain a healthy body composition.

This is along the lines of maintaining a healthy weight, but takes it one step further. Maintaining a healthy body composition means less fat and more lean muscle. This is for adults of ANY age. There are many benefits of having more lean muscle mass with strength training. Having more lean muscle improves your metabolism, which means you will burn more calories at rest. For every pound of lean muscle that you gain, your body can use about 50 extra calories per day. Building muscle also protects you from injury to your bones and your joints. Not only does a lean, toned body look better, but it also allows you to live a longer and more independent life as you age.

5. Eat clean.

Refined grains (processed food, bread, chips, crackers, wheat) are unnecessary in our diet for fiber or nutrients. We can get all the fiber that our bodies need from fruits and vegetables. Refined grains are made up of lectins, gluten

and phytates, which cause mild to severe inflammatory reactions in our bodies. These reactions can affect our thyroid, digestive tract, immune system and liver. Gluten is the one we hear about the most, but they are all unnecessary and can be harmful. If we cut refined grains out of our diet it decreases our risk of problems such as diabetes, heartburn, hypertension, and helps us get rid of pesky, stubborn fat. Dairy products commonly contain hormones, pesticides, antibiotics and GMOs. They also contain a high amount of carbohydrates and lactose that can cause sensitivities.

6. Your nutrition should focus on the macro nutrients and portion sizes.

In my opinion, this is the KEY to maintaining a healthy weight and body composition. Your body composition is 80% what and how you eat and only 20% exercise, sleep, stress and other factors. Overeating and eating foods that are not nutritious will cause your body to feel sluggish, and increase your risk of health problems. Eating the right amount of food and the right kinds of nutritious foods will help your body run optimally. Think of this as putting the right kind of fuel in your vehicle. You want to put the right kind of fuel in your body and in the right amounts. It is not just counting calories—it has more to do with what makes up the calories you are eating, that is, the amount of carbohydrates, protein and fat (macro nutrients). Your body needs the right kind of calories (macro nutrients) to run optimally.

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7. Get enough sleep.

The lack of enough sleep may affect your body in more ways than you realize. It puts you at risk for weight gain and puts more stress on your body. It can increase your hunger by affecting your hunger hormones (ghrelin and leptin) and affects your mental state by increasing risk of depression, impairing judgement, making you forgetful, and making you “foggy.” The lack of sleep will also cause you to look older—and none of us want that!

8. Keep your mind active.

Studies have shown that you may delay the development of dementia and memory loss as you get older by keeping your mind active. Having a hobby that you enjoy, doing stimulating puzzles, playing games, reading books and learning new skills are great ways to keep your mind active and healthy.

9. Keep the stress low.

Stress has a negative effect on your mind, body and spirit. The American Psychological Association (APA) states that the more stress you have and the

longer it lasts, the worse it is on your body. Reducing your stress levels can not only make you feel better now, but helps protect your health long-term. Some strategies the APA suggest to reduce stress are: identify what’s causing the stress and get rid of any tasks that are not essential, build strong supportive relationships, walk away when you are angry, rest your mind by participating in yoga or relaxation exercises, and get help if needed.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

It is a good reminder for all women to always focus on their mental and physical health and well-being.

It is a great time to take a look at some tips on how to live a healthy lifestyle. Refine YOU shares tips on a regular basis on their blog and social media accounts which include health, recipes, and workouts. For more articles by Refine YOU and information on The Refine YOU Program, a customized nutrition and fitness program with daily support and accountability, visit www.refineyou.co.

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Small Shop, Big Sparkle

Petite G Jewelers Dana Friedman

Petite G Jewelers is unlike any other jewelry store in the city. Nestled on the cozy corner of 56th and Illinois, a hip little spot in Butler Tarkington for neighborhood trailblazers, this dainty treasure trove offers a cache of dazzling gems and jewels from niche boutique designers and one-of-a-kind vintage finds.

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Outside of her shop on a sunny day, Dana Friedman fights off the wind to arrange a family’s worth of wedding jewelry into a perfect Instagram pose. “Now this is a great story,” she says, explaining the collection of impressive pieces and the stories behind each. The grouping includes custom-engraved cufflinks for the groom, matching engraved bars for the bride and her sister, sentimental diamond earrings from the groom, and a bracelet from the father-of-the-bride to his daughter, hand-engraved at the shop with a special bedtime saying from her childhood. Each family member came to Dana secretly to create something special for that significant day, and it was up to her to make it all beautiful (and keep it a surprise).

But as a true jewelry professional, she had no trouble doing either, humbled to be a small part of this unique story.

“I am living the dream on a whim and a prayer,” says Dana, who opened the doors of her intimate shop in 2016 in part of the space once occupied by G Thrapp Jewelers, where she previously was the lead buyer and sales associate. Jewelry has been a part of her history for much longer than that though, beginning when she was offered a part-time job as a teenager at a jewelry store while on a shopping trip. That chapter led to a lifelong passion and many amazing relationships and successes for Dana in the jewelry industry.

Petite like the name suggests, Dana has a gem of a personality that shimmers as much as her shop. She insists she is just

a small-town girl from Cicero, a tomboy even outside of the store, usually in the water skiing or wake surfing. Her roots are in the water of Morse Lake, and she still lives there today. “My home and my heart is up on the lake,” she shares. When at the shop, she trades the glint of the water for the glisten of jewels, preferring to layer her pieces, mixing fine with fashion, texture with color, in a hybrid style all her own. “I wouldn’t say I am an artsy person, but I like to keep my style eclectic.” To Dana, jewelry is a form of storytelling, and her shop speaks volumes.

She doesn’t consider herself a trendsetter, but those that visit her bantam boutique often would disagree. They know her tiny, tucked away shop is the holy grail of rare jewelry finds around town, and they know it is the place to look when they don’t want to see their look on anyone else. Petite G curates a distinct palette of adornments that aim to please any style without sacrificing quality or value. An ever-evolving estate case stocked with rare, vintage pieces is on display across from the warm fireplace, surrounded by other cases of fine jewelry, brilliant diamonds and gemstones, bridal collections, watches and prestigious fashion collections.

Dana makes an effort never to carry brands found in the big box stores because she wants each piece to be as individual as the person who wears it. Petite G seeks out exclusive producers not found anywhere nearby.

Right now, four of today’s hottest

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designers are on parade: Marla Aaron (super hip, functional hardware out of NYC), Zoe Lev (personalized, artistic fashion from Los Angeles), Salt (an amazing collection from Canada you won’t find in any other shop stateside), and Maria Tash (a London-based designer creating stunning pierced pieces not sold anywhere else in the Midwest).

Dana is excited about the direction Petite G has taken and the level of service she is able to offer. There are some new faces adding to the knowledgeable staff, with many collective years of experience in the industry between them—including GIAcertified diamond graders. Petite G offers custom repairs, handfabrication and model making right in-house by three skilled technicians. The shutdown last spring compelled her to expand e-commerce options, offering virtual appointments, curbside shopping and delivery. The shop is now open as usual again, but the overwhelming community support is something Dana will be forever grateful for, and she is still happy to accommodate each customer’s individual needs and comfort levels.

Dana strives to be different, always putting customer service at the forefront of everything she does. She wants this to be a comfortable retreat where everyone feels welcome to spend time and not feel pressured. She loves the connections she has made as friends and neighbors first.

She enjoys helping people create memories and tell their own personal stories through

“It’s all about the relationships we have,” Dana insists. Clients become friends and family, and she takes great pride in being able to offer them meaningful experience in the store and long after. The beautiful thing about jewelry is that it doesn’t just last a lifetime, it continues to write its story as it is passed from one generation to the next.

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“Right now, I am all loving the ear party,� says Dana, who has seven ear piercings, often rocking different studs and styles in each one. She loves to layer chokers, bars, diamondencrusted pendants, pearls and long chains, and usually has half-adozen bracelets on one wrist, mixing colors and textures. She makes it all look good, and many customers have bought pieces right off her neck or wrists.

jewelry, and after 30 years in the industry, she loves having her own shop. She especially loves the neighborhood she’s in.

“We are proud to be in the Butler-Tarkington / Meridian-Kessler neighborhood,” says Dana, explaining how they contribute to Butler athletics and any school in the area that comes in with a donation request. “My husband is a Butler University alum, so we love supporting them. We don’t turn anyone away though, and have donated to over 30 organizations since we opened five years ago.”

After the blustery sidewalk photoshoot, Dana heads back inside, retrieving a small, blue box from the vault for a customer, who opens it to reveal a gorgeous salt-and-pepper diamond ring— perfect for his proposal tonight. She insists he send pictures.

Another longtime client, pregnant with what Dana calls the shop’s second Covid baby, adjusts three lacy rings, each gracefully detailed with different precious stones, proudly representing each of her children. Burkey, the shop dog—a mini-Goldendoodle won at a charity auction—alternates between greeting guests and sleeping on a comfy chair. This is what a quiet Friday morning looks like at Petite G, and Dana is here, excited to hear the stories that come her way, and ready to create touching memories and fairy-tale endings for each one.

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By Susan Salaz

Women in Business

O

ctober is National Women’s Small Business Month, and it’s time to celebrate female business owners everywhere, but especially the ones right here in our community.

Let’s face it, for a long time, it was a man’s world—50-years ago, only four-percent of businesses nationwide where women-owned. It has taken time and determination, but those early businesswomen paved the way for a new generation, and today there are plenty of gals ready to run the show. In 2020 the statistic has increased 10-fold, with over 40-percent of US businesses currently owned by women.

We are surrounded by so many incredible small businesses in this town, and now more than ever, talented female entrepreneurs are leading many of them. We know that sometimes it’s difficult to put a face with the name, so let us introduce you to eleven local businesswomen representing a variety of industries.

These ladies set themselves apart by their dedication and expertise, and despite their different fields, they have many commonalties. Each one looks ahead with optimism, surrounds herself with a trustworthy cohort, and seeks out opportunities, even the unlikely ones. Together, these women and the services they graciously share with us make ours a more vibrant community.

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The Face of Interior Design: Julie O’Brien, Julie O’Brien Design Group

A

ward winning interior designer Julie O’Brien loves her profession for many reasons, but mostly because it combines everything she cherishes. “I love people. I love color and creativity.

I love art and fashion and the magic of creating something special. And I also love the mathematical part of it—how all the shapes fit in the room.”

She always knew she was meant for something, but couldn’t quite pinpoint her desire. As a child she made clothes and built furniture for her dolls. She loved solving problems and puzzles.

She danced and read and wrote. She amassed multiple degrees before understanding her true calling, but once she did, her ambition and desire to succeed were finally realized. She has created a distinguished legacy in the field since opening her design firm 25 years ago, melding all of her loves and life experiences. She strives to create harmony in her designs, just as she would in fashion, art or dance.

Julie creates rooms full of luxury, but she is intentional, maintaining that the most important part of her job is listening. There is luxury in true listening and actually hearing and understanding without any assumptions—she calls it listening between the lines. She spends time with her clients so she can discern their desires and interpret their needs. It becomes a mutual appreciation. She offers expert and comprehensive interior design and interior architectural services, including à la carte alternatives, package options, and her newest venture: Prix Fixe Design, a seamless new strategy in personalized design services for a fixed price. julieobriendesign.com @julie_obrien_design_group

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The Face of Real Estate: Carrie Holle, The Carrie Holle Group, Highgarden Carmel

R

eal estate was never part of Carrie Holle’s career plan, but as owner of the Carrie Holle Group, a luxury real estate consulting firm, she feels very fortunate to be in this business.

After growing up near Chicago area and graduating from Purdue, Holle began working as a Realtor, learning the business from the ground up as a sales rep for a local builder. “That evolved into starting our own real estate company in 2000, and in 2015 I opened an office in downtown Carmel where I have a team of eight agents.”

Carrie is passionate about what she does, which makes it easy for her to work long, hard hours and give it everything she has. Her endurance and dedication continuously lead to her clients’ delight, and result in seamless progression through the long process of buying or selling a home. Carrie understands that communication and customer service mean everything, and she is committed to giving her clients the highest level of service.

As a business owner, Carrie acknowledges success is up to her, and says perseverance has gotten her where she is today, “I have always accepted that I am in control of my own destiny and I make my own path in life.” Her path to Carmel has been a rewarding one, and led to many treasured relationships. “I have been fortunate to attract the best people as clients, and it brings some happiness and light into an otherwise stressful business,” says Holle.

Holle also serves as a Plan Commissioner for the City of Carmel and is a founding Board member of Carmel Porchfest. She lives in Carmel with her husband and three sons and is both personally and professionally invested in her community. wearecarmelrealestate.com @carriehollegroup

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The Faces of Jewelry: Christy Carter and Pamela Greenwalt, Carter Greenwalt Jewelry

C

hristy Carter and Pamela Greenwalt met as nurses at a downtown Indy hospital and became fast friends. They began making jewelry for themselves, and later for friends, and the business grew organically over time, becoming official in 2016. Today they sell custom jewelry made with precious metals, genuine gemstones and natural stones, locally and across the country in boutiques, at trunk shows, and by appointment at Pamela’s home.

The duo has an eye for the extraordinary, creating stunning pieces in a range of unique and classic styles that often feature geodes and natural gems, but they also share a humility not often found in this industry. Pamela explains how honored they are to be part of someone’s happiness, recalling a special set made for a mother-ofthe-bride. Christy says it is a blessing to share nature’s beauty with others.

“Many of our pieces are one-of-akind and left natural to reveal nature’s beauty as it was intended.”

“You have to be tough to be in this,” says Pamela. A small business, especially a creative one, takes constant care and some serious hustle.

“You have to be thinking and planning and always keeping your clients in your mind, but at the same time keeping your own artistry in check.” She goes on to explain that integrity is another crucial component, not only as a business owner but also as an artist.

Working together and maintaining their friendship is a constant balance.

They are both invested in the business, but Christy currently works full time in an unrelated field, leaving Pamela to the jewelry creation and day-to day undertakings of Carter Greenwalt.

“She is really the engine of this whole thing,” says Christy, proudly, of her friend and business partner. cartergreenwaltjewelry.com @cartergreenwaltjewelry

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The Face of Art: Constance Edwards Scopelitis, Visual Artist

W

hen Constance Scopelitis found herself fully immersed in the world of commissioned portraiture, her creativity evolved into an unconventional business, and she learned early the importance of commitment and discipline, along with how to network and ask for help. She has always had an artistic eye, lending to her success at Indiana University’s school of art, then at the Art Students League in NYC, and later in her studies with legendary figurative painter Isabel Bishop.

Scopelitis explains that becoming or being an artist is never a choice though. “Unlike most careers, an art career is a way of life and a way of being. Authenticity is what creates the success of an artist’s endeavors.”

While noting the challenges, she says the rewards make for a beautiful life.

Constance believes that most artists are natural born risk takers, and says her success is built upon this bravery.

Her chosen mediums have primarily been oils on linen canvases and graphite drawings in a photorealistic style. When working on commissioned portraits, she understands the treasured memories she is preserving, and strives to leave a bit of the subject’s soul on the canvas.

While she has had studios in Greece, Maui, New York, and Laguna Beach, and 50-percent of her business is done outside of Indiana, Constance keeps her permanent studio at the Stutz building in downtown Indianapolis. “I have spent this year quietly working away in readiness for future opportunities—staying busy with portrait commissions and working diligently on a body of work for my Solo Exhibition at the Greater Lafayette Art Museum in 2022.” constanceart.com @constanceart

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The Face of Fitness: Cathy Miller, InCycle and InCycle Strength

C

athy Miller has always been active, but didn't originally consider a career in fitness.

She had studied Fashion Merchandising at FIT and thought her passion for beautiful shoes would lead her down that path. After foot surgery several years ago, she tried her first spinning class (in a surgical boot). The shoe fit (well, boot really) and she fell in love with indoor cycling.

"I couldn't believe that I could get that same incredible endorphin high from a cycling class that I got from running— with no pounding on my joints! There was no turning back." She soon became a certified instructor.

"Once I started teaching spinning classes, I just knew I had to open my own studio and the dream for InCycle was born," opening at City Center in 2013. Cathy loves helping people become stronger and healthier. "I truly love changing people's lives, because that is exactly what happens when someone begins to see results from their workouts—their body's change and their confidence builds. No one ever finishes a cycle or strength class and says they wished they hadn't done it."

The ever-energetic Cathy attributes a lot of her success to her energy and drive. "Being driven by a strong desire to succeed has benefitted me throughout my life," says Cathy, who surrounds herself with a committed team, adding to InCycle's success.

This past June, Cathy opened InCycle Strength, a strength training studio offering TRX Fusion, Strength Circuits and Barre Fusion classes. Both InCycle and InCycle Strength are open and safely following current guidelines, and even with limited capacity are still able to offer a big dose of cardio and strength training that is changing lives and bodies. incycleindy.com @incycleindy

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The Face of Bridal Fashion: Adrienne Love, The Wedding Studios

W

hen Adrienne Love dipped her toes in the wedding industry over a decade ago she didn’t realize how rewarding it would be. She never saw herself in this field, but life led her on a path and when the opportunity to have a wedding shop arose she took the leap, starting off with less than 900 square feet jam packed with dresses and barely enough space for a fitting room.

In 2015, she moved her shop to a bigger and bolder venue in Clay Terrace and decided to focus solely on the needs of the bride, as opposed to dresses for the entire bridal party.

She offers one-on-one consultation in private suites big enough for the entire bridal party and complete with a champagne toast. Her store is replete with prominent and couture designer bridal gowns and accessories. She gives a genuine, honest and kind experience to every type of bride at every possible price point. “My intention is to meet brides where they are, and help them create sweet memories that will last a lifetime,� explains Adrienne.

In June, Love opened a second location in her hometown of Greenwood, just south of Indianapolis, to great success. It is the largest bridal store in the state, but offers the same intimate setting and service as the Carmel location. The store opened during the challenging time of pandemic chaos, but Adrienne says it deepened her understanding of how important communication and honesty is in business and all areas of life. She is currently excited about a unique third location in the works, offering an innovative new experience for Indy brides in the near future. theweddingstudios.net, theweddingstudiosgw.com @weddingstudiocarmel, @weddingstudiogreenwood

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The Face of Online Wellness: Jessica Gershman, Jessica Nicole Self Love Collective

J

essica Gershman knows what it feels like to be overwhelmed, and she also knows how good it feels to overcome those challenges. She knows how powerful self-care can be, and has seen the transformative effects of yoga for herself. After years of being a personal yoga instructor in her home studio, she has taken her efforts online in a comprehensive program designed especially for moms.

As the mother of four, Jessica understands the test of motherhood and the myriad of emotions it sustains.

She wanted to create a platform that was accessible, and meaningful to the women who need it most, and she wanted it to encompass all of the things that bring her joy, from yoga to cooking to nourishment for the mind, body and soul.

Jessica has an entrepreneurial spirit and heart, and has worked with determination across a range of fields including realty and fashion. “Trying to figure out my passion, has been my passion,” she says with a laugh. She goes on to say that self care and self love have long been her bucket-fillers, and helping others is at the heart of what she has always wanted to do.

“I want to give people confidence, whether in yoga poses, meditation practices, knife skills or wine pairing— if you know more you will enjoy it more.” By offering her services and tutorials online through a monthly membership platform, she is able to balance more content and give her members the gift of time and comfort, with no travel, crowded yoga studios, or strict schedules. You can also find out more about Jessica’s mission on her new podcast, Mom Slow Down, where she helps women define and challenge what self-love really looks like. jessicanicole.love @self.love.collective

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The Face of Beauty:

K

Kate Shaugnessy, Lash & Brow Design Co.

ate Shaugnessy, owner of Lash & Brow Design Co., knows about beauty inside and out.

She began playing with makeup at age five, and has been educating herself in the industry ever since, always striving to be the best version of herself while helping others to look and feel pretty.

She understands the struggles connected with skin issues from experience, and realizes how emotional it can be. “The way you look isn’t everything, but it does affect and change how you feel about yourself,” she says. This personal passion and a love of learning led her to beauty school, where she welcomed opportunity. Kate became the first Certified Xtreme Lash Stylist in the Midwest (she was later recruited to be a National corporate trainer), and later became the first certified Microblading artist in Indiana.

Today, Kate is all about the eyes, and leads a dedicated team she has trained personally, at her shop in Carmel. This year has had its challenges, but in true Kate fashion, she has used it as an opportunity to grow and learn, focusing on what she can control, and making her business better for it. She isn’t afraid to take on challenges and is constantly looking forward.

The native of Claremont, Indiana, now lives in Zionsville with her husband, a full-time fire fighter and her business partner, along with four daughters.

She loves being able to support her local and global communities through donations and resources, and has worked with Riley Prom and Trader’s Point Prom for almost a decade. A portion of her business profits also support an orphanage in Mexico, and she even services burn survivors for no charge. lashandbrowdesignco.com @lashandbrowdesignco

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The Face of Flooring: Erin Aguiar, Refine Kitchens Baths & Floors

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rin Aguiar says she is continuously falling in love with an industry she never imagined herself in, and her competitive spirit and drive to succeed consistently push her to the front of a male dominated industry. She found herself in the flooring industry while juggling life—going to school full time to be an educator, starting a family, and working to make ends meet. She got a promotion worth taking, and learned the business from back to front.

Erin took notice of how the men she worked with approached the job, and was able to hone her style by studying the best of theirs. She used her background in education to inform her experience, and when she finally made it to the sales floor she did $1.3 million in sales her first year alone. “My job is not just the fun of making pretty selections. There is a lot of technical knowledge required to be successful,” says Erin. “I loved the challenge of earning the respect of my male builder and remodeler clients, and coworkers,” adding the surprise she often gets when she says she’ll be the one to take measurements on site.

She has been in the field since 1998, and three-years ago joined forces with Matt Huddleston, whose expertise is in countertops and cabinets. Together they take on a range of remodels and have their own fabrication shop and an accomplished team. Erin will always have a passion for flooring, but she sees the big picture and is able to guide customers in options that will suit their homes and lifestyles for years to come. Above all, Erin still considers herself an educator, citing that as one of the most important aspects of her job. She sets herself apart by building honest relationships with her clients and caring about their needs. refinekbf.com @refine_kbf

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The Face of Fine Gift: Claudia Ryan, Charles Mayer & Company

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laudia Ryan didn’t originally pursue a career in merchandising or even intend to be a business owner. She cut her teeth in world travel as a military kid, later landing in Indianapolis with her husband and taking an opportunity in the marketing department at L.S. Ayres department store. She rose the ranks, eventually becoming the VP of Fashion Merchandising, where she traveled the world once again searching out the best in fashion.

When the original Charles Mayer & Company—a jewelry, home and specialty gift store in downtown Indianapolis—closed its legendary doors in 1954 after over a century’s long run, it was ironically because the next generation fielded no male heirs to take on the family business. They likely never imagined that forty years later an ambitious female entrepreneur with plenty of industry credibility would reinvent the family business and carry its tradition of excellence into the next millennia.

Her experiences proved invaluable in reimagining Charles Mayer & Co. for the 21st century in her new space, which carries the tagline Beautiful Things For a Beautiful Life.

“I love what I do,” says Claudia. “It draws extensively on my travels, marketing and fashion merchandising background. Together with my team I am constantly recreating the store visually into a venue in which our customers are inspired.”

Claudia admits this year has been challenging as a business owner, but says that always looking for the silver lining (or gold, marble or lace in her case) has served her well over the years, and has given her new opportunities to meet the needs of her customers. The shop, curated beyond compare with jewelry, fashion for the home, European tabletop products, antiques, and a variety of distinctive gifts, is located on the quaint corner of 56th and Illinois near Broad Ripple.

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shop.charlesmayer.com @charlesmayerco

Celebrating

the Modern Aesthetic for 35 Years This October, Houseworks (4905 82nd Street, Indianapolis) celebrates 35 years of providing the best selection of goods and highest quality of customer service in modern furnishings. In reflecting on the past decades, Ed Cheikh, owner of Houseworks, Inc., says that for all the success the company has seen, the team has weathered a number of challenges over the years, from recessions to, yes, pandemics. “The six weeks we were closed this spring were very stressful,” Ed admits. “But as we hunkered down, and finally re-emerged, I realized more than ever how grateful I am for both our customers and for the small, dedicated team I work with here. Everyone was so eager to come back.” And as for the customers, come back they have! The past few months have seen one of the busiest stretches Ed reports having in years. “People are at home, and they’re envisioning new ways to fix up their living spaces.”

With the clean, adaptable lines and modern aesthetics of Houseworks’ selections, it’s no wonder customers keep coming back. While Ed says that people nowadays are “more hip” to modern furniture, perhaps, than when Houseworks first opened in October 1985, he says that the furniture they offer can go with any context. “Over the years, we’ve let the market inform us, but we also push the market in a progressive way,” he says. “Our furnishings are classics because they can work in a space forever.”

As he celebrates these 35 years and looks to the future, Ed offers his sincerest thanks to the Indianapolis community for their constant support.

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"Our furnishings are classics because they can work in a space forever," Ed says.

It’s amazing for Ed to think that Houseworks, which originally began as a side business, has seen 35 wonderful years as an independent store. “I want to thank everyone in Indianapolis who has supported us all these years,” he tells me. But, of course, an anniversary is as much an opportunity to look to the future as it is to celebrate the past. So, what does the future of this thriving business hold? For one thing, Houseworks will be expanding its online offerings. “We’re really embracing technology, updating our website with a chat feature and promoting more e-commerce,”

he says.” One definite aspect of business that Ed and the team at Houseworks will carry into the future is attention to customer-oriented service and bringing the highest-quality modern home furnishings to patrons.

While a true, in-person celebration of these 35 years will have to wait for more certain times, the time is right for us all to keep celebrating the spaces we love. No doubt, Houseworks will continue to celebrate the classic, timeless looks that its customers have come to know and love.

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