Prayers for my Daughter
My daughter, Theodosia Grace, turned one in April. I truly thought I would be much more emotional on her birthday. Of course, I watched the cell phone videos and cried over pictures, just like any firsttime mom would. However, I found myself thinking much more about the young woman that she will grow to be one day, the young lady that she has already started becoming.
Writing this letter for the Ladies issue has made me think even harder about the kind of woman I am and what I have learned over the years. I truly desire to see my daughter blossom in this life. While I cannot control most things, this I can: what her little eyes see in me every day, even when I am squeezed.
One of my favorite Scripture passages to draw from when thinking about modeling strength to my daughter is Proverbs 31. Here are a few excerpts I pray I can show her in life: vs. 20: She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
• She thinks of others before herself, especially those who are so often forgotten. vs. 22: She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
• She values herself. Regardless of what others think or say, she is not swayed. She knows who she is and is proud to treat herself as valuable. vs. 26: She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
• Kindness is ever present in her thoughts and words. Sometimes, wisdom is knowing when not to speak, but also knowing the appropriate thing to say at the right time. vs. 30: Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
• Beauty runs much deeper than appearance. Caring for yourself and presenting yourself well is exceptionally important, but taking the time to cultivate the most important relationship in life, that can change you from the inside out, is the best thing you can ever do.
As you flip through the pages of our May issue, you will find they are full of strong women who have learned a lot in their lives and businesses. From desiring to help and empower others to sharing in the beautiful things in life, we can all learn from each other.
VICTORIA MOORE, EDITOR
May 2025
PUBLISHER
Sarah Johns | sarah.johns@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Victoria Moore | victoria.moore@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Rebecca Spears | rebecca.spears@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Sarah Elise Seidel | sarahelise.seidel@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Ashley Bebe, Melanie Bolin, Ashley McClellan, Lina Dickinson, Linda Ditch, Morgan Saxena, Rebecca Spears, Bev Weidner
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Dani Clark, Kansas City Royals, Emmalee Rathsam, Rebecca Spears, United Way of Greater Kansas City, Bev Weidner, Raisa Zwart, Corey Brown Photo, Brenda Pluid Photography and Faces You Love Photography
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Rachel Kolich
LAYOUT DESIGNER Adam Finley
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1 – 7: The Tocqueville Society donor network members attended United Way of Greater Kansas City’s Impact Dinner & Drinks at the Zhou B Art Center. It was an evening of conversation and community as members heard firsthand about the Critical Medical Needs Program and the life-changing support it provides to our neighbors to relieve utility bill stress when faced with serious health diagnoses.
Sara
Svehla specializes in functional, modern interior design
Mission Hills City Lifestyle welcomes Sara Svehla Interior Design as one of its newest partners. With over 30 years of collective experience, this full-service design firm acts as an advocate for its customers, keeping their vision front of mind for all new builds, gut renovations, and comprehensive furnishing and decor projects. They believe every house should feel like home. Visit their studio at 5901 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri, and learn more online: sarasvehla.com/
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Photography by Dani Clark
flowers power THE OF
A conversation with Blush & Blossoms Owner Mary Hagemeister
ARTICLE BY BECCA SPEARS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMMALEE RATHSAM
“Historically, flowers have been through every single important event in people’s lives,” Mary Hagemeister, founder and lead floral designer of Blush and Blossoms Floral Studio said. “They’re always at weddings. They’re always at funerals. They’re at any kind of celebration that you’re doing. The reason why we lean so much on them is
because they play on our senses. They hit sight and smell, they lift mood, and they increase endorphins. They release dopamine. So you’re immediately happier when you see flowers. They’re here to remind us to live in the moment.”
Hagemeister sat in her clean, beautiful downtown working space, with neat rows of vases, and soft blush accents, explaining that after graduating early from a four-year college and finding success in medical and financial fields, she needed something more.
She found the creative outlet she craved designing florals for smaller events out of her kitchen. Four years and a move to Kansas City later, she realized that if she wanted to grow into larger projects, migrating into a more expansive working space and building a team was necessary. Since that move, Blush & Blossoms has become a leading Kansas City floral design brand, with a footprint in the luxury wedding space, corporations, individuals, and hotels.
Hagemeister talked excitedly about how placing certain colors, textures, lights and darks next to each other make the uniqueness of each variety stand out.
“I’m always a big proponent of texture. That’s going to give me dimension and shape, and it’s going to give me things to play with,” Hagemeister said as she explained her approach to flowers. “I’m not a designer who designs what I call the ice cream cone shape in florals. I don’t want a ball of flowers in a vase. I want my eye to go all the way inside the arrangement, and I want to be able to see everything.”
Hagemeister loves cultivating long-lasting relationships with her clients and adding beauty and joy to their every day.
Learn more about Mary and becoming a client at www.shopbbco.com
F A S H I O N
B R A N D I N G
E D I T O R I A L
H E A D S H O T S
C R E A T I V E P O R T R A I T S
A R C H I T E C T U R E
C O M M E R C I A L
I N T E R I O R S
F I N E A R T
EMMALEE RATHSAM, PHOTOGRAPHER
ELLIE DIEDERICH, MODEL WITH VOICES
SHANI OVERFELT, HAIR
FIND HER IN THE DUGOUT
MELISSA LAMBERT
SUPPORTS THE MENTAL HEALTH OF THE KANSAS CITY ROYALS
ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH PHOTOGRAPHY BY KANSAS CITY ROYALS
DDon’t be surprised when you see a woman in the dugout the next time you watch a Kansas City Royals game. That’s Melissa Lambert, Director of Behavioral Science/Major League Mental Performance. Since 2020, she has supported the players and coaches with their mental performance and any mental health issues they may experience.
Raised in New England, Lambert has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Easter Connecticut State, where she was also an outstanding player on the Warriors’ soccer team. She received her Master’s of Education in clinical mental health counseling from Springfield College in Massachusetts. Before coming to KC, she was an EAP and Mental Skills Coach with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.
Lambert agreed to share her thoughts about being a part of such a male-dominated industry.
Q: SO WHAT’S IT LIKE BEING A WOMAN IN A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL DUGOUT?
A: There are pros and cons to this. I didn’t initially believe you need a psychologist or therapist in the dugout all the time, but it gives me credibility and an understanding of what these players go through. Navigating their experiences and understanding what it’s like from start to finish is essential. There are times I won’t be in the dugout because the needs differ; sometimes, players aren’t in the game, and we can have conversations elsewhere. But overall, understanding their experiences and truly learning the game has helped me be a part of it in the dugout.
Q: AS YOU STARTED WINNING OVER CERTAIN PLAYERS, DID OTHERS BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND YOUR PURPOSE AND APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENCE?
A: I would say the process was neither fast nor easy. In the first year, we had a new Major League staff and a very young, inexperienced team. It took a full year to understand how we support each other and build trust. The main challenge was balancing coach needs and player needs. I learned that focusing solely on players probably wasn’t the best way to go about it. Our coaches need just as much support and help to educate them on what our players need and how to navigate certain situations.
I think what’s been exciting about coming into year three is that everyone sort of knows how I operate. I don’t get in everyone’s way. It’s just, “Hey, if you need me, I’m here.”
I will say that this has been the most player engagement I’ve had since we started. As a team, I believe we’re moving in the right direction.
Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMON ISSUES PLAYERS TALK TO YOU ABOUT?
A: I would say that anxiety is the number one issue, but I also believe that, in general, anxiety levels in society have risen significantly, affecting both the general population and athletes.
There’s a difference between mental skills and mental health. Mental skills are more about maintenance. They act like a Band-Aid for performance but never actually reach the root of the issue. I think the next level of education involves understanding that if you’ve had a traumatic background or an unpredictable childhood, anxiety will manifest differently for you. If you don’t get to the root of the cause, relying solely on mental skills isn’t going to fix that. Knowing how your experiences and temperament shape who you are can drive optimal performance.
A topic I wish we could spend more time on is helping players as they approach retirement. When players know their careers are ending, they often avoid discussing it because it’s difficult to face. I’ve spoken to several retired players who struggled in the first few years, adjusting to family routines and losing their baseball identity. Some had financial security, but many faced mental health issues within two years of retiring. Substance abuse and depression are common, similar to challenges faced by military personnel returning to civilian life. Despite available resources, retired players rarely reach out. I think the next level is how to continue to get those players’ resources and provide that support.
Q: NOW THAT YOU’RE ON THIS STAGE, WHAT SURPRISED YOU ALONG THE WAY ABOUT YOURSELF?
A: What surprised me most was my ability to navigate a male-dominated environment. I’m pretty easygoing, and personality-wise, I can navigate and understand the needs of men. I think I’ve learned a lot from men’s mental health. I think that part surprised me. In psychology, it’s a lot of women who are therapists, and it’s a more female-dominated environment. I’ve learned to go with the flow, ask questions, and use available support systems effectively. The international exposure to the diverse backgrounds of coaches and players has broadened my perspective and made me a better person.
Q: HOW DOES HAVING MORE WOMEN IN PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS IMPROVE THE GAME?
A: Including women has created a more level playing field and highlighted their strengths. From an inclusion standpoint, I think it shows that the opportunities are endless. Research indicates men often prefer talking with women, which adds valuable perspectives. Women bring unique skills and have enhanced respect and credibility, showing they can excel in diverse roles. Women aren’t just looked at as moms and wives. The more women stepping into these positions demonstrates that the opportunities are limitless.
“WOMEN BRING UNIQUE SKILLS AND HAVE ENHANCED RESPECT AND CREDIBILITY, SHOWING THEY CAN EXCEL IN DIVERSE ROLES.”
Unlimited Coworking
Sojourn Spa is Accessible Luxury
KANSAS CITY’S ULTIMATE HOTEL SPA
DESTINATION OFFERS LUXURY FOR EVERYONE
ARTICLE BY ASHLEY BEBE, ASHLEY MCCLELLAN, AND MORGAN SAXENA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BECCA SPEARS
Sojourn Spa has quietly made its mark in Kansas City— welcoming guests with calming spaces and a modern approach to wellness. Conveniently located on the Country Club Plaza in the Cascade Hotel, Sojourn Spa has been fulfilling the promise of “accessible luxury” since its opening in January 2024. This concept was especially important to owner and Kansas City native Ashley McClellan.
“We’ve created a space that combines high-end wellness experiences with genuine Midwest hospitality,” McClellan said. “From expert estheticians and curated skincare to innovative amenities and thoughtful design, we wanted Sojourn to reflect the best of what a modern luxury spa can offer—right here in the city I love.”
Sojourn Spa isn’t just beautiful—it’s built with care and inclusivity in mind. Some of Sojourn’s prominent features include an ADA (American Disability Act) compliant massage table that lowers closer to the ground for easier transition, a custom infrared sauna designed for ADA accessibility or small group access and treatment tables designed with a chest comfort system to provide maximum comfort to women when on their stomachs. These thoughtful touches have helped make Sojourn a standout destination.
“They are pleasantly surprised that these amenities and offerings exist in our region because they just haven’t historically. Oftentimes, we’ll hear they’ve never seen this before and experienced this and they can’t wait to bring their spouse, their girlfriends,” McClellan said.
Offering a full menu of services—from advanced facials and personalized massages to red light therapy and body treatments—Sojourn Spa is a true urban oasis. Guests are invited to enjoy a glass of wine, champagne, or tea before or after their treatment while relaxing in the serene Solitude Room
or connecting with friends in the welcoming Social Room. Sojourn makes it easy to turn a spa visit into a full day of wellness—whether that means lounging in comfort, grabbing a bite on the Plaza, or heading upstairs for a restful retreat.
“My goal is for everyone to feel welcome at Sojourn,” McClellan said. “We’ve thoughtfully curated a range of products and offerings so each guest can find something that resonates with their needs and enhances their wellness experience.”
When McClellan moved back to Kansas City after living in Texas for a time, she wanted her home to provide the same kinds of services someone could find in a larger city. She also desired to promote other local businesses in the founding of Sojourn Spa.
“Sojourn Spa was built for Kansas City, by Kansas City,” McClellan said. “Every partner involved in bringing this vision to life was locally based, and we’re proud to have invested in both local businesses and female-led organizations. One of our key collaborators, Sunlighten Saunas, helped us introduce one of the region’s first infrared saunas to feature red light therapy—an innovation that was brand new to their production at the time.”
The process of opening a business has revealed many things to McClellan about herself, her loyal team and the details of management. But, her greatest realization has been just how great her city is and how much it believes in her.
“Becoming a business owner has taught me so much, but more than anything, it’s shown me how welcoming and supportive the Kansas City business community really is,” she said. “There’s real collaboration here, and I’ve been inspired by how deeply this city believes in investing in its own.”
Book a service at Sojourn Spa: sojournspakc.com/
“We’ve created a space that combines high-end wellness experiences with genuine Midwest hospitality. We wanted Sojourn to reflect the best of what a modern luxury spa can offer.”
“Becoming a business owner has taught me so much, but more than anything, it’s shown me how welcoming and supportive the Kansas City business community really is.”
Review
Mission Hills City Lifestyle is like an old friend stopping by to give me an update on places and local events The pages are smooth and pleasant to touch I read Mission Hills City Lifestyle in my quiet moments to ignite in myself a way to flow with change and appreciate my life
Judith Bader Jones
Q & A Trusting. Serving. Connecting. Learning.
This May, Mission Hills City Lifestyle wants to celebrate the hard work and wisdom of the women who help make it possible. Women-owned businesses comprise well over half of its partnerships. While their skills and stories may vary across the board, each of these women have something in common -- they believe in themselves and their businesses. We are so fortunate to know them and to give our readers a glimpse into who they are as people. The question was posed to four of our fabulous female business partners: “ What have you learned about yourself through owning your business?”
Four hard-working business women discuss how they have grown as business owners
ARTICLE BY VICTORIA MOORE | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
Beth King
Anne Golliher
Owner of Lead Through Style Owner of Storied Interiors
“I heard somewhere that starting a business is the greatest personal development journey you will ever go on, and that is absolutely the truth. Wearing all of the hats, and needing to learn new skills has been incredibly humbling, and rewarding. I believe I started this business to prove to myself I was capable of building something on my own. In my corporate career, I relied on external validation, and now I have to rely on myself. This has been a big change. Starting this business has also provided me with clarity on my purpose, which is to help and serve others. The best part has been the people I have met along the way. Sometimes I reflect, and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to cross paths with people I would have never met in our local community!”
“I heard starting a business is the greatest personal development journey, and that is absolutely the truth.” — Beth King
Running my own business has taught me the importance of trust—trust in my instincts, trust in my process, and trust that my unique perspective is valuable. I’ve had to be bold, standing firm in my beliefs even when that means the business has grown organically. But I’ve found that clients who resonate with my work are drawn to my authentic approach, and they appreciate the originality I bring to the table.
Corey Brown Photo
Barb Wright Kristin Smith
Owner of Travel Wright with Barb Agent with Moments of Magical Travel
I am a Natural Connector. I’ve learned that I have a gift for bringing people together through meaningful experiences. I am Resilient & Adaptable. From organizing complex itineraries to navigating unexpected changes in travel plans, I’ve learned that I thrive under pressure. My ability to pivot, problem-solve, and stay calm in high-stakes situations has strengthened through owning your business. I want to make an impact - I’ve learned that success isn’t just financial—it’s about making a lasting impact on the lives of my clients.
Through owning my business, I’ve learned the immense power of adaptability—being able to adjust and pivot when things don’t go as planned has been key. I’ve also developed a strong sense of self-discipline, balancing multiple roles and staying focused on my goals. Long-term thinking has become a core part of my mindset, understanding that success takes time and persistence. Above all, I’ve embraced continuous learning, knowing that growth never stops and every challenge is an opportunity to improve.
Faces You Love Photography
Brenda Pluid Photography
https://bgwealthmanagement.com/upcoming-events
Thursday, May 8th at 6:30pm - 8pm
5700 Broadmoor St Mission, KS 66202 6th Floor Conference Room
developing people of impact
A Conversation with Mary Ricketts of Turning Point Training
“It’s great to be bossy, but that doesn’t make you a good leader”, Mary Ricketts said with a smile, as she sipped her coffee.
What she called “bossiness” was actually an early sign of her leadership potential, and both her upbringing and her experience in business and nonprofit molded and shaped her into the woman who became the founder and CEO of Turning Point Training and Development.
She pointed to her dad as foundational in building her principles and work ethic. If she wanted ice cream, she had to work for it. She lined up her dad’s shoes and polished them for 25 cents a pair. She recalled her dad teaching her that if your job starts at 10:00 a.m., you arrive at 9:45 a.m. to get prepared. If you’re off at 5:00 p.m., you work all the way until 5:00 p.m.
Ricketts fondly remembered her mom always looking polished, even at home, and credited her mom and aunt with understanding how to present well.
“Executive presence is so much more than head to toe, but that’s a good place to start because we are visual people,” she said.
Early mentors saw potential in Ricketts as a 23-year-old. She was expecting her first child and working in telecommunications with AT&T.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY
BY BECCA SPEARS
“It was my ability to talk and communicate with people, whether you came into our office looking like you had a million bucks, or like you just came from the grocery store,” Ricketts said.
She identified one of the biggest challenges to leadership to be a lack of communication skills. Ricketts warmly recalled her Pastor saying, “Oh my gosh girl, if you don’t learn how to season your words with grace...”
This led Ricketts to sharpen the skill of delivering criticism softly, using phrases like, “Walk me through how you made that decision”.
Asking more questions instead of just telling them what they should have done is leadership, not bossing.
Well-established in her career, professionals and companies began asking Ricketts to teach budgeting, networking, and public speaking. As she took on these engagements, she found
herself coming alive in the role of coaching. She felt that she had found her professional calling, and in 2019, Turning Point Training and Development was launched Ricketts has worked with all kinds of leaders -- men, women, executives and mid-level managers. She is a firm believer that women need to show up as themselves professionally and as leaders, whatever that authentic self is and however it differs from their male counterparts. That diversity is what makes the whole organization greater.
She expanded, ‘When we think of diversity, we go to race, ethnicity, and gender. One of the beauties of
diversity is making sure you are surrounded by people that have different experiences than you, different backgrounds than you, different lifestyles and lenses.”
One of the impacts Ricketts was most proud of was serving on various boards in the community, and seeing that by the time she left her service, the board had more diversity than when she arrived.
“Impact to me is when we can leave it better than we found it,” she said “We have to leave it better than we found it. When I walk out of a room, what I’d like people to say is that I was bold, I was honest, and I helped them transform,” she said.
Read more about Mary’s services and approach at her website: tptrainingcenter.com/ (913) 228-2250
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ARTICLE BY MELANIE BOLIN & LINA DICKINSON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAISA ZWART
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MERSEA’s story began in 2013 with a singular passion in mind: Travel, and the nostalgic scents that come along with it. Fascinated by scent’s ability to transport the body and soul to places old and new, this led its founders to uncover the creations of artisans found in corners around the world. Now, MERSEA is no longer exclusively a destination for scents and self-care, but a curated collection of travel essentials crafted entirely for your journey—wherever you may go.
MERSEA is rooted in integrity. Each collection is made ethically with their partners around the globe, and all of their cruelty-free self-care products are absent of sulfates, parabens and phthalates. They work in partnership with Water.org , and as a WBENC-certified Women-Owned Business, support their cherished artisan communities.
Browse and shop at www.Mersea.com | Follow along on Instagram at @merseaco
Locally owned MERSEA sparks memories of vacation and exploration
Center: Founders Lina Dickinson & Melanie Bolin
bevcooks.com @bevcooks
MOTHER’S DAY LUNCH
ingredients:
• 10-12 oz pappardelle pasta
• 1 cup frozen peas, semi-thawed
• 3 oz prosciutto, torn
• 2.5 cups milk
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• Coarse salt
• Fresh mint
Celebrate spring and mom with a bright and delicious creamy pappardelle with peas and prosciutto
directions:
Step 1. Heat olive oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add milk and a pinch of salt. Bring to a light simmer and add pasta. On medium heat, stir the pasta until tender, five to ten minutes. Add peas and simmer two minutes, until they have warmed through.
Step 2. Off the heat, taste it. Add another pinch of salt, along with lemon zest and juice. Tuck in prosciutto, and top with parmesan cheese and mint leaves.
Step 3. Serves four.
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