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May is a special issue for us. As we celebrate our Women's Issue, it feels only fitting to reflect on the women behind Columbia City Lifestyle.
This magazine is proudly woman-owned, led by a mother-daughter team, and built with a shared passion for telling the stories that make our community so special. Working alongside Shea to grow this publication has been one of the most meaningful experiences, and this issue is a reflection of that.
This month, we are especially proud to highlight the many women-owned businesses that partner with us. These women are leaders, creators, and entrepreneurs who continue to shape Columbia in impactful ways, and we are honored to showcase them.
You'll find inspiring stories throughout this issue. Terrie Johnson and Abbie Barchet of Budget Blinds show what's possible when family and shared vision build something lasting. Kris Ballage and Patty Maurer of North Star Real Estate remind us that the best partnerships are often the ones you never planned. And Cierra Porter, Columbia's own founder of Amini Swim, is building a mission-driven brand rooted in faith, sustainability, and the belief that every woman deserves to feel seen.
Each of these women brings something unique to the table, and together they represent the strength, creativity, and heart that define our community.
Thank you for supporting local — and for supporting the women helping Columbia grow and thrive.
With gratitude,
LEANNE SULLIVAN, PUBLISHER
SHEA SULLIVAN, EDITOR @COLUMBIACITYLIFESTYLE
May 2026
PUBLISHER
Leanne Sullivan | leanne.sullivan@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Shea Sullivan | shea.sullivan@citylifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Sarah Jane Shorthose | mail@sjanephotography.com
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Josh Govero
LAYOUT DESIGNER Liz Nixon
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick
Discover what it’s like to work one-on-one with a local professional to create a financial plan that’s uniquely yours. Drawing on 10 years of financial experience, Gina, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, can help you build a strategy to pursue your financial goals and the future you envision.
Vice President Financial Advisor 573 446 7175 gina.mauller@ml.com
1-7: The CoMo Man Show returned to the Boone County Fairgrounds, bringing a high-energy mix of hunting gear, fishing tackle, motorcycles, tractors, campers, and local vendors. Crowds explored dozens of booths from Sydenstricker Nobbe Partners to Diventures Columbia, enjoying archery demos, prize drawings, food, drinks, and hands-on fun all day.
NAHB membership delivered more than $40 million in nationwide savings for HBA members helping them cut costs and build more. Don’t miss out on these industry-leading benefits. Join today!
We Build Communities.
Clementine's Ice Cream is bringing its small-batch, chef-forward ice cream to Columbia this summer, with a new location at 914 East Broadway. Founded by CEO Tamara Keefe, who left a corporate marketing career to pursue her passion for ice cream, Clementine's has grown to 11 parlor locations and is known for its creative flavor lineup — from boozy "naughty" scoops to non-dairy options. Columbia's newest sweet spot is scooping joy, one pint at a time.
Small Business Week kicks off May 4–7, celebrating Columbia’s entrepreneurial community and recognizing five finalists for Small Business of the Year. These businesses exemplify innovation, community involvement, and growth. Finalists include Better Together Mental Health, Cooper’s Ridge Event Venue, Optimized CFO and Controller Services, Partner for Better, and CoMo Premium Exteriors. The celebration concludes May 7, 5–7 p.m. at Cooper’s Ridge Event Venue in Boonville. Business or cocktail attire encouraged. Pictured: 2025 Small Business finalists.
Heather Lingle is the new owner of Cooper's Ridge Event Venue, located just outside Columbia. With a background in weddings and events, Heather officially took ownership in February 2026 after a natural transition introduced through mutual friendship. She stepped into a venue already known for its strong community reputation, with a vision to elevate the guest experience and expand offerings. As a wife, mom, and entrepreneur, Heather brings heart and hustle to every celebration.
Honoring the women-owned businesses of Columbia City Lifestyle who trust us as partners and continue making a meaningful impact across Columbia.
Art Off the Trail ARTOFFTHETRAIL.COM
Owned by Gloria Gaus
Betz Jewelers BETZJEWELERS.COM
Owned by Rachel Flynn
Budget Blinds of Columbia BUDGETBLINDS.COM/COLUMBIAMO
Owned by Abbie Barchet & Terrie Johnson
Drybar DRYBARSHOPS.COM
Owned by Angie Nelson
Executive Cleaning EXECUTIVECLEAN365@GMAIL.COM
Owned by Rachael Anders
Golden Glow by Jacque GOLDENGLOWBYJACQUE@GMAIL.COM
Owned by Jacque Truesdell
OHM Fitness OHMFITNESS.COM
Owned by Tracy Barnes
Prime IV Hydration & Wellness PRIMEIVHYDRATION.COM/LOCATIONS/ MISSOURI/COLUMBIA-65201
Owned by Michelle Bruemmer & Michelle Nolph
Sarah Jane Photography SJANEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
Owned by Sarah Jane Shorthose
Southern Provisions ROCHEPORTBOUTIQUE.COM
Owned by Caitlin Foster
The Tin Roof Monogram & Gift THETINROOFGIFT.COM
Owned by Nicole Morris
A mother- daughter duo bringing heart, design, and connection to every Columbia home
ARTICLE BY SHEA SULLIVAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH JANE PHOTOGRAPHY
Some businesses are built on strategy. The best ones are built on something deeper.
For Terrie and Abbie, that something is each other. A mother and daughter connected by more than family, but by a shared vision to bring elevated, custom window treatments to
“It’s empowering to build something meaningful together as women.”
the Columbia community with a level of personal service rarely found locally. Together, they lead Budget Blinds of Columbia as a certified women-owned business, and it’s a distinction they wear proudly.
“It’s empowering to build something meaningful together as women,” Terrie says. “It allows us to bring a unique perspective that’s detail-oriented, relationship-driven, and focused on creating spaces that feel both beautiful and functional.”
Terrie launched the business with that vision firmly in mind. From years of experience in the local market, she saw that homeowners were looking for custom window treatments but often found the process overwhelming. She set out to make it more accessible and comfortable from start to finish. “I saw an opportunity to elevate the process,” she reflects. “To make it personal.”
She wasn’t interested in a transactional model. She wanted trust, warmth, and genuine connection—the
kind of service built on showing up for people and doing right by them.
As the business grew, Abbie joined her mother, turning a solo dream into a shared mission and a family partnership into something the Columbia community depends on. What began as Terrie’s entrepreneurial leap has become a collaboration defined by balance, respect, and a shared love of good design.
Working together as mother and daughter isn’t without its nuances, but both agree the dynamic is their greatest strength. They’ve learned to lean into what each does best, to communicate openly, and to respect the lane each one leads in. There’s an ease to their collaboration that clients notice—a seamless back-and-forth that makes the process feel both professional and personal.
“We balance each other well,” Abbie says. “And at the end of the day, we both genuinely care about delivering the best possible outcome.”
Walk into a home touched by Budget Blinds of Columbia, and you can feel the difference. Light falls just right. Layers add warmth without heaviness. Motorized shades glide into place with quiet precision. That level of detail begins with an in-home consultation, where Terrie and Abbie bring the showroom directly to the client. They study natural light, ask how each space is used, and guide homeowners through fabrics, textures, and design options— always considering privacy, energy efficiency, and how each room connects to the next.
Their process takes the guesswork out of decision-making and replaces it with confidence. Clients aren’t handed a catalog and left to figure it out. Instead, they’re guided by two experts who have seen hundreds of homes and know which questions to ask. Once selections are made, Terrie and Abbie handle measurements, ordering, and professional installation while keeping communication clear at every step.
“The entire process is designed to be stress-free,” Abbie says. “We handle every detail so our clients don’t have to.”
Their ability to deliver that kind of experience comes down to how perfectly they complement each other. Terrie brings deep product knowledge, technical precision and a client-first mindset, making sure every detail is both intentional and tailored to their everyday life. Abbie adds an eye for design trends, a warm client connection, and a passion for custom drapery that gives each room its finishing touch. Together, they create spaces that are beautiful, livable, and deeply personal—rooms that feel finished yet never overdone.
They’re also seeing clear shifts in what clients want. Motorization continues to lead, becoming almost standard for larger windows and whole-home systems. It’s valued for its clean look, convenience, and cordless safety. At the same time, design trends are moving softer and more natural. Woven woods, linen drapery, and warm organic textures add depth and comfort without overwhelming a space. The result is a look that feels elevated yet livable, with layers that bring both beauty and function into every home.
“We’re not just selling window treatments,” Terrie says. “We’re creating a full-service design experience tailored to each home.”
For Terrie and Abbie, though, the most meaningful part of their work has never been about the shades or the drapery. It’s about the people. Clients who
“Working together as mother and daughter has become our greatest strength. We balance each other, communicate openly, and always lead with respect.”
call again and again. Referrals that come naturally because someone trusted them enough to recommend them to a friend. A community that welcomes them into their homes and keeps calling them back.
That kind of loyalty doesn’t come from marketing. It builds over years of consistency— doing what you say you’ll do and doing it well.
When asked what they’d tell other women, or other mother-daughter duos, thinking about going into business together, their advice comes easily: lean into your strengths, communicate openly, and respect each other’s roles.
“When there’s mutual respect and a shared vision,” Abbie says, “it can be an incredibly powerful partnership.”
And that’s exactly what they’ve built: a business grounded in care, elevated by design, and strengthened by family. Something far deeper than strategy alone.
Budget Blinds of Columbia Columbia, Missouri 573-819-4020
tjohnson@budgetblinds.com
ARTICLE BY KALI KASORZYK
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
The power of taste, trust, and the courage to “just start.”
She didn’t have a business plan, a media budget, or even a name anyone could pronounce. What Becky Hillyard had was taste, a young family, and the instinct to just start. Today, her lifestyle brand Cella Jane commands an audience the size of Vogue’s , she’s nine collections strong with Splendid, and she’s built it all while raising three kids — refusing to sacrifice one for the other. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Becky shares what it really takes to build a brand, a career, and a life you love. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full conversation.
Q: WHEN DID YOU KNOW CELLA JANE WAS MORE THAN A HOBBY?
A: Two moments. Women started emailing me saying they bought something I recommended and felt amazing — asking me to help them find a dress for a wedding. That felt incredible. Then I looked at my affiliate numbers for one month and realized I could cover our mortgage. I thought, I can actually do this. I never set out to build a business. I started it because I genuinely loved it.
Q: WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST RISK YOU EVER TOOK WITH THE BRAND?
A: Designing my own collection. It’s easy to point at items on a website and say I love these. But to create something from scratch, put your name on it, and wait to see if people connect with it — that’s terrifying. I had an incredible partner in Splendid, and women loved the pieces. It was the biggest risk and the biggest accomplishment.
Q: HOW HAS INFLUENCER MARKETING CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED?
A: When I started, brands didn’t know whether to take it seriously. Now it’s a legitimate line item in their marketing budgets — sometimes bigger than TV. Because what we’ve built is trust. People trust a real recommendation from someone they follow far more than a commercial. There’s no question about it now.
Q: YOU’RE A MOM OF THREE RUNNING A FULL BRAND. WHAT DOES YOUR DAY ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE?
A: I try to get up at five and not hit snooze — that first hour before the house wakes up is the most productive, most peaceful hour of my day. Then it’s all hands on deck with the kids and school drop-off. After that I work — planning content, connecting with my team, editing. After pickup, the day shifts completely and it’s all about them. I’ve learned to protect both halves fiercely, because both matter.
Q: WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO BUILD SOMETHING OF THEIR OWN BUT KEEPS WAITING?
A: Don’t wait. Don’t wait for the perfect camera, the right strategy, or enough followers. We find every excuse to stay comfortable. Just start, be consistent, and be authentically yourself. The right people will find you — and they’ll stay.
This conversation is just the beginning. Becky goes deeper on the risks that almost stopped her, the design process behind her latest Splendid collection, and what she’d tell her 2012 self today. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle podcast.
“Trust is the only metric that actually compounds.”
— Becky Hillyard
Cierra Porter creates ethical swimwear that honors people and planet.
What started as a shared dream between childhood friends Cierra Porter and Aubrey Maggard began with sketches and early designs in their homes in Denver and Kansas City. Today, it’s grown into a thoughtful lifestyle brand built on faith, sustainability, and connection.
The name Amini means “believe” in Swahili, and for Cierra, that meaning runs deeper than branding. It reflects her faith, her trip to Kenya, and a shared connection with Aubrey, whose family had also supported boys from Uganda who spoke Swahili. Once the two friends landed on the name, everything clicked. “It felt perfect,” Cierra says.
Today, Amini is about more than swimwear. The brand works with a manufacturer in Bali that provides fair pay, benefits, and paid time off, a decision Cierra says is worth the higher cost because people matter at every step of the supply chain. She also donates 10% of profits to causes ranging from child rescue efforts to holiday food initiatives and missions work in Kenya.
After spending a few years away following college, Cierra returned to Columbia in 2023 and quickly reconnected with a community that deeply supports women-owned businesses. Her yearly COMO pop-up has become a favorite part of the brand experience, with local women
showing up year after year.
“The community here is so beautiful,” she says. “There are always new faces, but some women return every year, and that means the world to me.”
For Cierra, building a brand from Columbia feels like an extension of home, one where faith, friendship, and thoughtful design still matter.
Behind Amini’s soft colors and timeless silhouettes is a mission Cierra says has stayed steady since day one: creating pieces that last while reminding women of their worth.
That purpose is deeply rooted in her faith. Inspired by Psalm 139:9-10, she wants the brand to point women toward something bigger than appearance. The ocean has always been where she feels closest to God, and that sense of awe shapes the way she designs and markets Amini. “I’ve always tried to keep the focus on the beach experience, not bodies,” she says.
The brand launched in 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic, and the beginning was anything but easy. Cierra and Aubrey had vision, but little experience and no marketing budget. They relied on Instagram, creativity, and persistence to build a community from the ground up.
Now, Amini is entering a new chapter with the launch of Amini Men and beachwear pieces, while staying rooted in the same values that inspired the first suit.
“I want every woman to feel seen, confident, and free in what she wears.”
- Cierra Porter
For Cierra, the hope is simple: that every woman who wears Amini feels seen, confident, and free to enjoy the beauty around her, whether that’s at the ocean or right here in Missouri.
Ethical Production in Bali: Every swimsuit is made by artisans working in fair conditions with living wages, benefits, and paid time off. “It’s more expensive, but worth every penny,” Cierra says.
Sustainable by Design: Amini focuses on quality over quantity, using durable fabrics and timeless silhouettes designed to last.
Giving Back Always: Since day one, the brand has donated 10% of profits to causes ranging from hunger relief to child rescue missions. “Generosity keeps your heart in the right place,” Cierra says.
Timeless, Not Trendy: Instead of chasing fast-fashion trends, Amini leans into clean lines, classic colors, and pieces that feel wearable beyond one season.
Beyond Swimwear: The brand is expanding into Amini Men and beachwear, including coordinated swim trunks and relaxed, resort-inspired pieces launching this summer.
As Seen In: Amini has been featured in Cosmopolitan and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, highlighting its growing national presence.
Shop & Connect: aminiswim.com info@aminiswim.com
Instagram: @aminiswim Use code COMOXAMINI for 25% off sitewide.
KRIS BALLAGE AND PATRICIA MAURER BUILT A REAL ESTATE PARTNERSHIP SHAPED BY INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES, TWO GENERATIONS, AND ONE SHARED BELIEF: EVERY HOME IS SOMEONE’S DREAM.
Kris Ballage didn’t plan on real estate. She planned on finding a home. When she and her husband relocated to Missouri, they fell into something bigger than expected — a sprawling estate acreage, too large for a young family, too full of possibility to ignore. With her husband occupied running his own company, Kris formed a development and building company and spent the next decade overseeing infrastructure, construction, and multi-million-dollar home builds before she ever held a license. “Most of life we back into,” she’ll tell you. It’s the kind of wisdom that only comes from doing.
Patricia Maurer arrived in the United States from Germany with a scholar’s ambition. She earned her master’s from the University of Missouri, then her PhD from Washington University in St. Louis — a remarkable achievement in a new country, a new language, a new world. But somewhere between the research and the dissertations, she found herself drawn to something more grounded, more human. Real estate turned out to be exactly that.
“I think my background still shows up in how I work,” Patricia says. “I tend to be very detail-oriented and analytical, but I also really care about making sure my clients feel comfortable and understand what’s going on.”
Together, they operate under North Star Real Estate, serving Columbia and central Missouri with specialties that span new construction, luxury listings, executive relocation, and first-time buyers. Their international backgrounds, with Kris having lived and worked abroad and Patricia having built an entire life across an ocean, give them a rare sensitivity to clients navigating not just a transaction, but a transition.
“Home means something different to everyone,” Kris says. “We’re very intentional about meeting people where they are, not where we expect them to be.”
Ask either woman about their working dynamic and the word “magic” surfaces almost immediately. They’ve known each other for over a decade. Long before they became formal business partners, the ease between them reads like something quietly built over years of mutual respect and shared sensibility. They both love languages. They both love travel. And they both believe, with a conviction that comes through in every client interaction, that a home purchase is one of the most meaningful decisions a person can make.
Kris brings the authority of someone who has been on the other side of every transaction. She’s negotiated land deals, managed contractors, designed infrastructure, and watched neighborhoods rise from raw acreage. When a buyer sits across from her wondering what a builder really means by “standard finishes” or whether a lot is worth its asking price, Kris knows — not from reading about it, but from living it.
Patricia brings a precision that balances Kris’s experience beautifully. Where Kris reads a property through the eyes of a builder, Patricia reads it through the lens of strategy. How is this home positioned in the market? What does the data say? How should it be introduced to buyers to make the strongest possible first impression? “We’re very thoughtful about how a home is presented,” Patricia says, “because that first impression can make a significant difference.”
Nowhere is their partnership more meaningful than in executive relocation — a specialty that fits Columbia’s profile well, given the city’s strong presence of university faculty, medical professionals, and research leaders. For clients arriving from out of state or internationally, Kris and Patricia become far more than real estate agents. They become guides — to neighborhoods, schools, community organizations, and the rhythms of a city their clients are just beginning to know. “We often become their eyes and ears on the ground,” Kris explains, “helping them make confident decisions even when they can’t be here in person.”
For first-time buyers, they bring something equally valuable: patience and transparency. “Part of our job is making sure they never feel like they’re behind,” Patricia says. “There are no stupid questions. This process can feel overwhelming, and it’s our job to make it feel clear.” It’s the kind of care that turns a confusing process into a confident one — and a nervous buyer into a homeowner who feels good about the decision long after closing day.
When asked what they’d say to women considering real estate or a new professional partnership, both answer without hesitation. Take the leap. Don’t wait until everything is figured out. “There are so many opportunities that come along,” Kris says. “Most people don’t see them or are afraid to try.” Patricia adds simply: “You really learn by doing.”
Two women, two continents, two very different paths — and one partnership that has found its footing in Columbia, Missouri, one home at a time. Whatever home means to you, Kris and Patricia are exactly the two to help you find it.
MAY 2ND
Central Missouri Master Gardener Annual Plant Sale
810 Sandstone, Jefferson City | 8:00 AM
Shop May 2–3 from 8:00 AM–1:00 PM and browse three greenhouses filled with locally grown tomatoes, peppers, herbs, hanging baskets, and native perennials. Plants are grown and curated by Master Gardeners, with prices starting at $4.
MAY 2ND
Central Bank Downtown Live: Band of Horses
Rose Park (1013 Park Ave, Columbia) | 7:00 PM
Central Bank Downtown Live returns to Rose Park with an exciting night of live music featuring Band of Horses. Known for their signature indie rock sound and fan-favorite hits, the band headlines an evening filled with great music, cold drinks, and a lively downtown atmosphere. Gather friends, enjoy the spring weather, and experience one of Columbia’s favorite outdoor concert series.
MAY 2ND
Defying Gravity: The Best of Broadway
Missouri Theatre (203 S 9th St, Columbia) | 7:00 PM
Missouri Symphony Orchestra closes its season with a showstopping Broadway celebration. performing iconic songs from trations to life, this musical theatre extravaganza delivers the magic and grandeur of Broadway right in the heart of Columbia.
Gain financial peace by discovering fresh, exciting ways to make your money work for you. We can help you find the right banking options to fit your daily needs and plan for your future goals.
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3200 S. Providence Rd., Columbia GreatSouthernBank.com/Financial-Wellness
MAY 8TH
True North's Little Black Dress Gala
Columbia College in Southwell Gym (700 Rangeline St, Columbia) | 6:00 PM
True North's annual fundraiser gala returns for an evening of appetizers, wine, music, and dancing — raising funds and awareness for survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual violence, sex trafficking, and stalking. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the program beginning at 7 p.m. Wear your favorite little black dress.
MAY 19TH
CoMo Preservation's Cake & Cocktails
The Tiger Hotel (23 South 8th Street, Columbia) | 5:30 PM
Celebrate National Historic Preservation Month and CoMo Preservation's 4th Anniversary at The Tiger Hotel! Enjoy cake, light appetizers, and the ART-chitecture Contest artwork display, then put your knowledge to the test during Brick & Mortar Trivia. Tickets are $50 through April 30 and $65 on or after May 1. Purchase tickets at comopreservation.org.
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