THE WOM EN’S ISS UE
AT HOME WITH ANN E NEILSON
MARKET READY
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It is an amazing program. Our agent managed it all! She scheduled the vendors and had all of our updates done and went to market in under 30 days. We had multiple offers within several days.”
MORE THAN $4M INVESTED AND 300 HOMES UPGRADED THROUGH STAGING, DESIGN SERVICES, REPAIRS, LANDSCAPING, AND MORE.
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The Women’s Issue
“I am Woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal Woman, that’s me.” —Maya Angelou
When my oldest daughter was younger, we read Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls together at bedtime. It’s a collection of 100 beautifully illustrated tales of women, past and present, who dared to imagine more. I loved having her sleep with those stories on her nightstand, a reminder that her own dreams were just as possible. Maybe mine were too?
These narratives aren’t just found in books. They’re written every day, here in Charlotte.
The local stories that resonate the most with me are those of women who begin again around 40—who feel emboldened to pursue a new creative path or boldly pivot their careers. Perhaps they’ve spent years devoted to raising their children and are now stepping into a chapter that’s wholly their own. It’s a path I’ve risked taking and felt rewarded for doing.
In our cover feature The Angel Effect, artist and gallery owner Anne Neilson shares an intimate account of her own creative pursuit that started after her children were older. Her new Anne Neilson Home store opens this summer in SouthPark.
Also in the issue, we trace the paths of Charlotte’s boldest and most imaginative women, from Carolina Panthers president Kristi Coleman to Twine & Twig co-founding sisters Elizabeth White and Jacquelyn Tugwell to Karly Barker, the mom of four behind Courtside Kids clothing.
Cheers to women, always.
Editor’s Note
LIZ BROWN, PUBLISHER @QUEENCITYMAG
In last month’s issue, the photography credit for the “Spectacular Sushi” feature was incorrect and should have been attributed to Andrew Colacchio. The headshot of Chef Robin Anthony was photographed by Richard Gruica.
May 2026
PUBLISHER
Liz Brown | liz.brown@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Carroll Walton | carroll.walton@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Gillian Horn | gillian.horn@citylifestyle.com
COPY EDITOR
Matias Arredondo | matias.arredondo@citylifestyle.com
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Shellye Andrus
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Kathryn Ashcroft
PHOTO EDITOR
Seth Patrick
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Taylor Bowler, Allie Papajohn, Carroll Walton
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Michael Blevins, Olly Yung
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Otto
LAYOUT DESIGNER Adam Finley
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
inside the issue
Anne
Twine
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City Lifestyle
at Porcelanosa in Dilworth | 1: Liz Brown of Queen City Lifestyle 2: Michael Copeland and Cameron Cooke of Ethic, LLC 3: Sydney Mesi of Kathryn Lilly Interiors with Melanie Kaplan 4: MK Boykin and Elizabeth Smith of Smith Interiors 5: Michele Huggins of the Mint Museum and Taylor Bowler, writer 6: Joshua Lester and Carrington Dillon of Joyce Cline 7: Florals by Laura Tenzer of Blomst
Photography by Christina Hussey
FGF Interiors specializes in crafting bespoke residential and commercial environments that capture their unique essence. Every project is a personalized journey, balancing style, comfort, and exceptional quality to transform your vision into a vibrant, livable reality.
A Rare Affair at Charlotte Country Club Nearly $400,000 raised to support families impacted by rare diseases | 1: Caroline and Trey Winslett 2: Sarah and Reese Blackwell and Lindsay and Scott Gates 3: Christina and Nick Langrall 4: Susanne McGuire, Stewart and Quinerly Cowden 5: Grace and Miles Wynn 6: Alice Wyatt and Ann Maddie Muller 7: Elizabeth and John Walsh
Photography by George Lainis
Truist Championship
Quail Hollow Club is hosting the Truist Championship, formerly known as the Wells Fargo, for the 20th time, on May 6-10. The tournament brings some of the world’s top golfers to Charlotte. Irishman Rory McIlroy has won this prestigious event four times, most recently in 2024. Two children, ages 15 and under, will be admitted free with a ticketed adult, though children 6 and older need a ticket to access hospitality venues throughout the property.
Tea Time in the Garden
Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary is hosting Tea Time in the Garden Sunday, May 3 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It’s a multi-generational high tea, with traditional tea fare, pink lemonade and portrait opportunities. Children can enjoy scavenger hunts, crafts, stories and bunny petting. It’s a chance to enjoy the garden and learn more about the garden creators. Tickets are $50 and $35 for ages 10-and-under for members, $60 and $45 for non-members.
Photography by Daniel Coston
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Kings Drive Art Walk
Since 1964, Freedom Park’s Festival in the Park has celebrated arts, crafts, music and family entertainment. The event has broadened its reach with the Kings Drive Art Walk. The spring festival is held along the Little Sugar Creek Greenway between East Morehead Street and Pearl Park Way Bridge along Kings Drive. The focus is on fine and emerging artists. It’s Saturday, May 2, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, May 3, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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We are a premier luxury home builder in Charlotte, NC, specializing in crafting architecturally distinctive, high-end residences in the city’s most prestigious neighborhoods. From Myers Park and Eastover to SouthPark, Matthews, and Country Club Heights, we deliver one-of-a-kind custom homes tailored to our clients’ visions and lifestyles. Our team collaborates with some of Charlotte’s top architects, designers, and artisans.
Pop, Pour, Prosecco
MICHELLE CASTELLOE BRINGS ITALIAN-STYLE BUBBLES TO PLAZA MIDWOOD
ARTICLE BY TAYLOR BOWLER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY OLLY YUNG
Everybody knows what a taqueria or a pizzeria is. A proseccheria is a take on the same idea—it’s a bar where prosecco flows. Plaza Midwood is now home to the country’s first.
Michelle Castelloe, the retail powerhouse behind Moxie Mercantile and Betty, opened Bev Proseccheria last November in a restored 1963 vintage Airstream. Guests can sip authentic Italian prosecco by the glass or bottle beneath string lights in the space between Moxie and Undercurrent Coffee on Commonwealth Avenue.
Castelloe has been a prosecco drinker for decades, but the idea for a proseccheria came to her about six years ago. Her best friend, also a fan of the bubbles, read an article in an in-flight magazine about Prosecco Road, Italy’s oldest designated wine route.
“PROSECCO IS A HAPPY, BUBBLY EXPERIENCE. PEOPLE KNIT, READ BOOKS AND BRING CARD GAMES”
HAPPY
Michelle Castelloe
“Perl” is an Airstream onsite that provides indoor seating options and private event space
“She stuck it on her fridge, and we planned her 50th birthday in the Prosecco region,” Castelloe says. “We went to Prosecco Road and visited 10 or 12 vineyards. These tiny bars had outdoor seating with blankets in the winter. I thought, ‘We have to do this in the States.’”
In late 2024, on a trip to Maine, Castelloe visited a bar in an Airstream overlooking the ocean.
“I loved the Airstream vibe,” she says. “It was also less of an investment to do an Airstream than to build or rent another location.”
After securing the permits and two vintage Airstreams (one serves the prosecco, the other seats 20 people and can be booked for events), Castelloe officially launched Bev Proseccheria. The name, like each of her brands, has a special meaning. Moxie was a word her grandfather used to describe her as a child, and Betty was named after the woman who sold her the building. Bev is short for Castelloe’s godmother, Beverly, and it doubles as a cheeky shorthand for “beverage.”
The menu features 12 different proseccos, a non-alcoholic option and one Italian lager. Castelloe did several tastings (“That was so fun,” she says) before landing on the right lineup.
“I ruled out things you could find in a grocery store,” she says. “I wanted more unique, exclusive varieties. We’re not Americanizing anything—we’re keeping it as authentic as possible.”
Bev’s bartender, David, is schooled on each label and can explain everything from the prosecco’s mouthfeel to the vineyard it comes from. Their clientele is predominantly women, but Castelloe says a lot of guys enjoy a flute of fizz, too.
“The first thing I learned is there are no strangers on our patio,” she says. “Prosecco is a happy, bubbly experience. People knit, read books and bring card games… a lot come expecting to have one glass and stay for hours.”
Guests are allowed to bring in outside food, and once a month, the team from Limone Pizza sets up their outdoor oven to sling Italian-style woodfired pizza. Occasionally, Castelloe’s musician husband, Clifton, performs on the patio. On weekends when the weather is nice, it’s often standing room only, but guests are welcome to sip and shop inside Moxie until a table opens up.
“I wish we’d done this 20 years ago,” Castelloe says. “My husband loves providing the entertainment, and I love being the host. It’s a blast. There’s a lot of joy on that patio.”
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Angel THE EFFECT
Anne Neilson’s Creative Pursuit is Now a Flourishing Brand, Gallery and Home Store Coming Soon to SouthPark
ARTICLE BY CARROLL WALTON
PHOTOGRAPHY BY OLLY YUNG
Anne Neilson was 40 when she painted the first of her nationally-renowned angels. As a mom of four children, she was building a new life in the city she’d first fallen in love with, driving down Queens Road West.
Neilson, who is originally from Jacksonville, Fla., built a studio off her kitchen where she picked up painting again while her children were in school—this time on her own terms. As a sophomore in high school, Neilson had made
“We wanted it attainable for everybody, for the people who are going through trials and tribulations, and for the people who want to celebrate joy.”
— ANNE NEILSON
a D- in art class; staying inside the lines was never her thing. As an adult, she embraced the abstract.
ORIGIN OF THE ANGEL
At first, Neilson tried landscapes, figures and still lifes. At one point, she painted a pear, which prompted her then 7-year-old daughter to say, “Mom, you need art lessons.” She began to dig deeper.
“I wanted to paint something that reflected my faith,” she explains now, looking back.
“I painted oils,” she continues. “I was petrified of watercolors. I’m a very messy painter, so I would play around with color and texture. I did a cross, didn’t like that. Did a couple other little things, didn’t like that. Then I painted this one angel, and I thought, ‘Hmm, OK.’”
She took a screenshot of it and emailed it to her younger sister, who responded, “I think you’ve found your voice.”
From there, angels started flowing, and her paintings were “flying off my kitchen counter” at home art shows. They haven’t stopped since. Neilson has published coffee-table books, devotionals and an autobiography. She’s donated paintings to help raise money for charitable causes. She opened an art gallery in SouthPark to showcase the work of more than 50 other artists.
NEW HOME STORE OPENING
Neilson sells angel products nationwide through her Anne Neilson Home website, from stationery to scarves, candles and placements, children’s quilts to scripture cards. This summer, she is opening a home store in the same Morrison complex in SouthPark where her gallery is located. It will serve as a headquarters for her gallery, team, and sales—while offering customers and collectors a welcoming space to shop, experience her artwork, browse everything from her needlepoint line to curated products, and simply gather.
Neilson always wanted her art to be about connection.
THE IMPORTANCE OF HER FAITH
For more than 20 years now, since 2003, her angels have captivated people. Unlike the crisp lines of classically painted angels, her impressionist forms have faceless figures with scraggly white wings. They’re ethereal, mysterious and open to interpretation. She applies paint with a palette knife, giving the angels dimension. Even in printed books or notecards, the angels manage to jump off the page.
Neilson paints to praise music, often drawing inspiration from Christian recording artists. In 2008, after learning of the tragic death of Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman’s 5-year-old daughter, Maria, she felt moved to create. She painted an angel in soft pastels and sent it to the family, later recounting the experience at Bible study.
“We were talking about how we serve a big God,” she says. “He’s big, but we tend to keep him in a small box.”
When she returned to her car, an email from Chapman’s assistant was waiting.
“She wrote, ‘My gosh, we just about dropped the painting when the Chapmans opened it,’” Neilson says. “The colors are the exact same colors of their home, and little Maria Sue always wore her hair tousled in a red ponytail (holder).’ I sobbed. I said, ‘OK, God, shatter that small box.’
Sending angels to people became a ministry. It was a way Neilson built not only her reputation but also relationships. She felt a connection to Oprah Winfrey over the name of her charity, “The Angel Network.” She painted three angels with Oprah in mind and let them sit for a year in her studio. When Oprah revealed on TV that she had discovered she had a third sibling, Neilson was inspired to send her three angels to Oprah. Not long afterward, she got a personal call from Oprah and an invitation to come to a taping in Chicago.
FRIENDSHIP THROUGH THE TODAY SHOW
Neilson got to know people through her angels, even celebrities. She’d always felt a bond with Kathie Lee
Gifford from watching Live with Regis and Kathie Lee while she made pottery. She sent Gifford a copy of her first book, Angels in Our Midst, which prompted Gifford to show up at one of Neilson’s art shows in Connecticut.
“We became fast friends, and she held the book up on The Today Show,” says Neilson.
Shortly thereafter, she heard from a grandmother in Ohio, who told her how Neilson’s book helped her grieve the death of her 4-year-old granddaughter.
“She said, ‘I read it cover to cover, and it’s like the floodgates of heaven have opened up and the healing has begun,’” Neilson says. “I knew then that this was a ministry.”
WHAT’S NEXT FOR ANNE NEILSON HOME
Neilson’s paintings were commanding $10,000 to $15,000 in art auctions. She decided to create a line of angel products to make them more accessible and affordable. That effort continues with the opening of her home store.
“We wanted it attainable for everybody,” Neilson says. “For the people who are going through trials and tribulations, and for the people who want to celebrate joy. We’ve got 250 or so products out there and are creating more every day.”
Follow Anne Neilson at AnneNeilsonHome.com or on Instagram @AnneNeilsonHome and @AnneNeilsonFineArt.
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SISTER THREADS
TWINE & TWIG CO-FOUNDERS AND SISTERS
USE NATURE TO CREATE LASTING BONDS
ARTICLE BY CARROLL WALTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY OLLY YUNG
Jacquelyn Tugwell and Elizabeth White at Sala in Eastover
If you went inside the studio in South End and watched the sisters of Twine & Twig design their stunning one-of-a-kind nature-turned-art jewelry, you’d see two different pictures:
First, there’s Jacquelyn Tugwell, the younger of the two Stafford sisters, laid-back and music-loving, a former hairstylist who loves not just making women feel beautiful but connecting with them, too. On a workspace in front of her would be a mess of scattered wooden beads, shells, antlers and other natural pieces. From the chaos comes creation, which she urges women to wear with anything from a tank top to a wedding gown.
Then there’s Elizabeth White, three years her senior, the first child in birth order and personality, an organizer and planner, with all of her materials categorized into orderly piles.
“I cannot function until someone cleans up,” she says.
Growing up in Greensboro, White was always the preppy one, who loved to wear Lilly Pulitzer and chose pink and green as her wedding colors, from China down to custom-made jelly beans. Tugwell was grungier, hippier and now has a dining room adorned with record albums to prove it.
As for what they’ve learned in 12 years of making jewelry together for Twine & Twig?
“We’re more alike than we thought,” Jacquelyn says.
“My weaknesses are her strengths,” Elizabeth says.
Together, they create cohesive looks, from bracelet stacks to layering necklaces and stand-alone statement pieces. The sisters grew into women with a similar style, celebrating the world around them—sunsets, the fish in the sea, even the dirt in the ground.
The new Dunmore collection by Twine & Twig
Elizabeth White saves pieces of the places she visits, literally, whether it’s a sample of dirt from underneath the Eiffel Tower or a stick of bamboo from a forest in Japan. She displays them “like a world map of family trips” in glass jars on shelves she converted when her now-teenage twin daughters outgrew Fancy Nancy books.
The Stafford sisters have always shared a love of shell-collecting, which they learned following their grandfather along the sands of Sanibel Island on family vacations. Now with families of their own and seven children between them, they have created lines with shells they brought back from family trips to Costa Rica or Figure Eight Island.
What they’ve found over time, through their business and their lives, is that the ties between them are as strong as the trademark suede in their necklaces. Those straps can carry the weight of turtle shells and more.
Twine & Twig was founded in 2013 when Elizabeth was looking for something to distract Jacquelyn, whose 2-year-old daughter, Banks, had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. They strung jewelry through Banks’ recovery and Jacquelyn’s meningitis, divorce, remarriage and blending a family of four children. They created a stack of bracelets to honor their mother, Meb, when she was diagnosed with early-stage leukemia.
“Our company (Instagram feed) reads like a diary,” Jacquelyn says. “The platform is way more than jewelry.”
Elizabeth decided to use it to go public with her recent battle with breast cancer. She wanted to share that a gut feeling had prompted her to follow up a clear mammogram with a more decisive MRI. She has multiple friends and followers who have benefited from doing the same.
From the day of her diagnosis, through the multiple surgeries to follow, she leaned on Jacquelyn and the seven full-time female employees at Twine & Twig’s South End location to push through.
“They said, ‘Don’t worry about coming to the studio, we’ve got it,’” Elizabeth says. “For four or five months, I didn’t look at an email. I did nothing. We used to be petty, ‘Well, I went on this day,’ and ‘She didn’t go on this day.’ Something shifted in the past couple of years.”
The sisters live 10 minutes apart in Charlotte, with their mother in between. They took the risk of going into business together,
without giving it a second thought, and reaped the rewards. Twine & Twig is now available in 250 stores and has a booming business through its website. And they’ve gotten to stay a part of each other’s daily lives. The two might have a blow-out argument at work on a Thursday, but sort it out by family dinners on Sundays.
“I have friends and clients who never speak to their siblings,” Jacquelyn says. “Or they talk once every six months.”
Together, they’ve provided each other with comfort through the hard times, strength through business challenges like Covid, and throughout it all, the courage to test boundaries. Their early experiments with porcupine quills and boar’s teeth are more refined now, but they still have the same bold penchant for turning something raw and unusual into art.
Their Slim Burr necklace, which looks like a stylized sun, is actually “the ugly” end of a deer or elk antler smashed into a pendant.
“People said, ‘What is that, a dinosaur fossil?’” Elizabeth says. “It’s something that we just thought was so cool.”
Find Twine & Twig at TwineandTwigStyle.com and on Instagram @twineandtwigstyle .
PEARLS OF WISDOM
From the Boardroom to the Family Room, Some of Charlotte’s Most Successful Women Share Life Lessons
NANCY NORELLI
Retired North Carolina District Court Judge and NCBA Legal Practice Hall of Fame inductee
“After I filed to run for an open seat on the N.C. District Court, I discovered that I had a life-threatening tumor on my acoustic nerve that required highly specialized neurosurgery. The surgery left me deaf in my left ear and my face partially paralyzed. Campaigning with frequent speeches suddenly looked daunting! How would I explain my broken face? Fortunately, my advisor, Bob Cordle, told me to begin each speech: ‘You will notice that my face is a little crooked, and that is caused by a temporary surgical injury that will get better. But for the moment, enjoy one candidate who can only talk out of one side of her mouth!’ Voilà! Laughter followed.”
DONNA JULIAN
Chief Venues Officer for Hornets Sports & Entertainment
“Trust your instincts and speak up sooner. Early in my career, I often waited until I had all the answers before sharing an idea or perspective. What I’ve learned is that your viewpoint has value long before you feel ‘ready.’ The sooner you contribute, ask questions and take a seat at the table, the faster you grow. A career is truly a journey. Along the way, there are peaks and valleys—lean into both. These are mile markers, which offer challenges but yield invaluable lessons. They build resilience, empowerment and capacity. Stepping forward and embracing uncomfortable moments with vigor produces the confidence needed to boldly move ahead with strength of purpose as you navigate the journey.”
DEEDEE DALRYMPLE
Author, speaker, mother and founder of Effortless Entertaining “My biggest parenting fail was trying to be in control with three children so close in age. Chaos was the norm. Our home and our children were not going to be tidy. Life was going to be messy. I wasted too much time trying to control it all. Now I tell the younger, thirty-something women I work with, that you’ve got to let some of that stuff go. Sure, we want to keep our homes organized, and we don’t want our kids running around in dirty clothes, but you will not pass this way again, so live in it and enjoy it. I sweated the small stuff, and I’d like to get some of that time back.”
ARTICLE BY TAYLOR BOWLER
“What I’ve learned is that your viewpoint has value long before you feel ‘ready.’ The sooner you contribute, ask questions and take a seat at the table, the faster you grow.”
— DONNA JULIAN
DeeDee Dalrymple in early motherhood
Donna Julian, Chief Venues Officer for Hornets Sports & Entertainment
MOLLY BARKER
Founder of Girls on the Run International
“I had to unlearn the idea that being a ‘good person’ included people-pleasing. For a long time, I thought my job was to make sure everyone around me was comfortable, proud of me and happy with my choices. That’s exhausting work—and it slowly disconnected me from my own voice. Over time, I realized leadership doesn’t come from trying to impress people. It comes from listening inward and being willing to live from that place, even when it disappoints someone else. The more I’ve practiced that kind of honesty, the more useful—and more peaceful—my life has become.”
MICHELLE TUNNO-BUELOW
CEO of Bella Tunno
“I’ve learned that not every problem deserves my emotional energy. Early on, every issue felt urgent and personal, like it required my full attention and stress level of a small crisis. Now I try to ask: Is this a real problem… or just a moment? Because if everything is a big deal, nothing is. If something felt uncomfortable or difficult, I used to assume I was off track. Now I know: hard often means you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be—learning, stretching, building something that doesn’t come easy. Easy is nice. Growth is usually not.”
KATHY IZARD
Award-winning author and speaker
“You have to let go of who you are to become who you were always meant to be. If you are dreaming of a different kind of life—whether that is a job, a move or a creative pursuit— you have to start moving in the direction you want to see your life going. You will not have a roadmap or a guaranteed certainty of the outcome. But if you are feeling stuck where you are, make one small, brave step each week. Before long, you will be able to see the shore of the new life that’s been waiting for you all along.”
“Hard often means you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be—learning, stretching, building something that doesn’t come easy. Easy is nice. Growth is usually not.”
— MICHELLE TUNNO-BUELOW
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A DAY IN THE LIFE
How Karly Barker Balances Four Kids, a Thriving Brand and the Beautifully Messy Moments in Between
ARTICLE BY CARROLL WALTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN BOWMAN
Charlotte’s Karly Barker—mom of four and founder of Courtside Kids—runs her life like her brand: it’s flexible, fast-moving and built to keep up. What started in 2022 after her son asked for “cool” clothes is now a growing line for boys and girls in 100+ stores. Living steps from her kids’ school, her days blend work and home in a “beautiful kind of chaos.”
Karly Barker, founder of Courtside Kids pictured with models
7–9:30 A.M.
5–7 A.M. WAKE, WORKOUT, QUIET TIME
The goal is always to wake up before my kids and make a 5:30 workout class at Studio Fire. On the days I can get that time— workout, a little scripture, a quiet minute to think—I’m a much better version of myself. But I’ve learned parenthood is all about flexibility. Some mornings, my toddler is up before the sun, and that becomes the start of the day. That’s okay too.
7–9:30 A.M. GET THE KIDS READY FOR SCHOOL
By 7, our house is busy with breakfast, missing socks and water bottles. My husband is hands-on in the morning, which makes a huge difference. The three big kids are out the door by 7:15, then it’s a quick reset—checking schedules, getting ready and preschool drop-off around 9. By 9:30 or 10, I’m officially in work mode.
10 A.M.–NOON DESIGN WORK
We now have two full-time and a handful of part-time employees in and out, so every day looks different—which I love. A big part of my day is product design and storytelling. We typically have a design meeting around 11, and we’re almost always working a year ahead. Right now, we’re designing Spring/Summer 2027. We pull a lot of inspiration from Baxter Mill in Rock Hill, which is one of the largest textile archives in the country. We’ve turned vintage wallpaper into prints for our collections.
10 A.M.–NOON
12:30–2:30 P.M.
12:30–2:30 P.M. PHOTO SHOOTS AND KID SCHEDULES
Afternoons are focused on marketing—social, email or ad strategy. This year, we’re testing a drop-a-month model, which means a lot more storytelling and content. We work closely with Proper House here in Charlotte; they feel like an extension of our brand at this point. This is when we try to squeeze in photo shoots. Since our models are kids, schedules revolve around school and sports. By late afternoon, my car is usually filled with props, shoes and whatever else didn’t quite make it back inside.
“Before Courtside, I was a stay-at-home mom, so I don’t take the afternoon hours for granted —carpool, practices, just being present.”
8–10 P.M.
4–6 P.M.
6–8 P.M. DINNER TIME AND BEDTIME READING
Family dinner is really important to me, even if it’s pulled together last minute. I rely on Instacart and outsource where I can. I’m not afraid to say I have help; it’s the only way we make it all work. We keep meals simple— tacos, burgers—but we always try to sit down together.
Bedtime has become one of my favorite parts of the day. Even just 10 minutes of reading or talking with each child gives us quality time that really matters.
8–10 P.M. EVENING WORK AND DATE NIGHT 4–6 P.M. IT’S A FAMILY OPERATION
I try hard to step away by 3 or 4 to be with my kids. Before Courtside, I was a stay-at-home mom, so I don’t take the afternoon hours for granted—carpool, practices, just being present.
The kids are constantly in and out of my office, a converted guest house, so it’s very much a family operation. Our operations manager was our nanny before, so the kids are comfortable around the business.
My 8-year-old loves helping fulfill orders—and is shockingly good at it. My 11-year-old is always pushing us to do something “drippy.” This summer’s neon pink and baby blue combo? That was him. And my 13-year-old keeps me honest—she’s definitely my toughest critic.
Once the kids are in bed, I’m back on my computer connecting with our factories in Vietnam. They’re about 12 hours ahead, so evenings are the perfect time to catch up.
We also really value date nights. My husband has a goal of working our way through some of the best restaurants in Charlotte. So far, Supperland and Kindred are our go-to spots. We love how Charlotte feels like a big little city, how you can zip uptown for a Broadway show and be right back home.
Karly and her husband, James, at the Breakthrough T1D Gala. The Barkers, whose son lives with type 1 diabetes, are deeply involved in supporting the organization.
Karly and her children
Supperland
Photo by Kenty Chung
HERE’S TO WOMEN WHO LEAD THE WAY
With over 15 years of experience in Charlotte’s real estate market, I bring knowledge, strategy, and a personal touch to every transaction. Backed by Helen Adams Realty, a woman-founded firm serving Charlotte for over 50 years, I’m here to guide you home.
704. 975. 8513 lgonyea@helenadamsrealty.com
Elegant Ease
ARTICLE BY TAYLOR BOWLER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BLEVINS
A home can be really comfortable and functional, and also beautiful enough to open the door to anyone at any time,” Matthews says.
Designer Marie Matthews Transforms a Myers Park Residence Into a Calm, Inviting Space
MMarie Matthews’s clients were relocating to Charlotte from Colorado when they enlisted the designer to revamp their new Myers Park home. The 4,800-square-foot house, built in 2016, was a blend of English cottage and Colonial Revival influences. The bones were good, but the style wasn’t theirs. As newly minted empty nesters, the couple wanted a sophisticated but approachable home that could keep up with their comings and goings.
“He travels a ton for work, and she travels for aging parents,” Matthews says. “They wanted a place where he could entertain for work. A huge focus for me was on their comfort, so they could breathe deeply and recharge when they get home.”
For a bold statement in the entry, she covered the walls in a botanical pattern from Morris & Co.
“Whenever I start, I pick the star of the room—one thing they’ll fall in love with and not get sick of,” Matthews says. “She loved those soothing aqua blues and greens.”
With a fireplace, coffered ceiling and built-in shelves already in place, the living room offered an ideal backdrop for Matthews’ design. She furnished the space with Wesley Hall sofas upholstered in performance velvet and teal swivel chairs for a pop of color. A burlwood coffee table from Made Goods adds warmth and texture.
In the kitchen, Matthews kept the existing cabinetry and backsplash but installed new gold pendant lights and quartz countertops.
“(The homeowner) wanted waterfall edges in that beautiful white kitchen,” she says.
The barstools, from Fairfield Chair, are upholstered in a teal faux leather for another playful burst of color.
The adjoining breakfast nook got a refresh with Cowtan & Tout’s bamboo pattern wallpaper. Matthews upholstered the Tritter Feefer dining table and chairs in a neutral faux leather and topped off the space with a two-tiered chandelier by Kate Spade.
In the powder room, she chose a Harlequin wallcovering with slender branches and delicate leaves.
“It’s right next to the dining room, which was color-drenched in lavender, so we wanted it to relate but not be too feminine,” she says.
Matthews layered the dining room with lavender grasscloth from Thibaut and velvet performance drapery, which she elevated with tassel trim for a more custom look. Steering clear of anything too sparkly, she anchored the space with a sculptural chandelier from Visual Comfort.
In the primary bedroom, Matthews left the trimwork and shiplap accent wall intact but replaced the chintzy drapery panels with more tailored Roman shades. She gave the bedroom an update with new lavender bedding from Classic Bedroom Design, located in Cotswold Marketplace. The swivel accent chairs got reupholstered in wool tweed to echo the lavender palette.
“I love that (this home) fits them so well, and it really makes room for the things they’ve inherited and collected from travels,” Matthews says. “It also feels very fresh and very Charlotte. When you’ve lived in a lot of places, finding your identity in a new city can be grounding and provide a sense of rootedness.”
“We prioritized generous stretch-out sofas, spaces where the dog could roam freely, and rooms that feel just as right for casual family weekends as they do for hosting friends or business associates,” Matthews says.
““The palette is soft and tranquil, featuring layered lavenders, greens, and watery aquas that create a sense of ease and quiet sophistication throughout the home,” Matthews says.
ABOVE: The only change Matthews made to the primary bath was a clear, swirled glass chandelier from Visual Comfort.
BELOW: Matthews gave the bedroom an update with new lavender bedding from Classic Bedroom Design, located in Cotswold Marketplace.
Proudly Serving Patients Since 1978
Led by twins Dr. Justin Hannon and Dr. Stephanie Hannon Stauning, Hannon Orthodontics is built on exceptional care and personal treatment oversight. The Hannons have been serving patients across the Charlotte metro region since 1978 when their father began practicing in Gastonia.
A tradition in the making.
The Major Experience: Quiet Luxury. Timeless Service. Your Story.
At J. Major’s Bridal Boutique, finding your wedding dress is a treasured moment in a story generations have shared. Since 1984, our boutique has been where Charlotte’s brides, their mothers, sisters, and best friends come to celebrate. Each gown chosen, each joyful tear, each heartfelt “this is the one” adds to a legacy woven into the very fabric of this city. Step into J. Major’s and discover a place where expert styling meets heartfelt tradition. Where your once-in-alifetime dress is just the beginning of a memory you’ll never forget. Wedding Dresses Charlotte Brides
ARTICLE BY CARROLL WALTON | PHOTOGRAPHY
THE WOMAN
Behind The TEAMS
“I TRY TO BE PRESENT WHERE I AM, BUT I ALSO TRY TO INTEGRATE MY FAMILY INTO MY WORK LIFE.”
Kristi Coleman is CEO of Tepper Sports & Entertainment and president of the Carolina Panthers. She oversees business operations for the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte FC and Bank of America Stadium. She helped secure the Charlotte City Council’s vote for a joint $800 million renovation to the stadium. She’s also a mother of two school-aged sons.
Coleman, who grew up in Fair Play, S.C., near Lake Hartwell, Ga., graduated from Clemson with undergraduate and master’s degrees in accounting. She shares insight into how she went from studying spreadsheets to advocating for the overhaul of Bank of America Stadium.
HOW KRISTI COLEMAN TURNED QUIET EXPERTISE INTO ONE OF CHARLOTTE’S MOST POWERFUL ROLES
Kristi Coleman
HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START WITH THE PANTHERS?
I graduated with my master’s from Clemson in December of ‘07, then started at Deloitte in January of ‘08. Most people were already assigned to other jobs. The Panthers needed someone to do their (auditing), so I got assigned to them. I was the envy of the office. It’s really serendipitous. I ended up in the right place at the right time.
HOW DID YOU MAKE THE JUMP FROM DELOITTE TO THE PANTHERS?
I left Deloitte for a brief stint at a manufacturing company in Gastonia. I was newly married and thinking, “I need to spend more time at home.” But I realized all of a sudden, the grass isn’t always greener. Deloitte wasn’t making me work crazy hours; I was working crazy hours. I was happy doing what I was doing. I had a clear trajectory. I liked the people I was with. Within two weeks, I was back on the phone with Deloitte. They took me back. Three months later, the Panthers called.
WHEN DAVID TEPPER BOUGHT THE PANTHERS FROM JERRY RICHARDSON HOW DID YOU PREPARE FOR THE TRANSITION?
Two months after we were told Mr. Richardson was going to sell the team, I found out I was pregnant with my son, Charlie. I thought I was going to lose my job. I thought, “I’m just going to do the best I can.” I met Dave and got to know some of the people on his team through the process. That was helpful because they were the people I ended up working with and still work with now. Dave bought the team in July, and I got to keep my job. It’s been great.
HOW DID YOU EARN TEPPER’S TRUST?
I showed up. Whatever questions they had, I answered, whenever they asked them. I was available all the time. It wasn’t much more than that.
WAS THERE EVER A TIME YOU HAD A CHILD IN THE TUB AND THE PHONE RANG WITH ONE OF THOSE QUESTIONS?
That’s great about Dave; it always has been. He could call anytime, but if he heard kids in the background when I was at soccer or baseball fields, he’d say, “What’s going on?” I’ll say, “I’m at the game,” or “My boys are in the car.” He’ll say, “Wait until later and call me back.” He’s always respectful of my time with my kids. People don’t realize Dave’s actually very close with family and his friends. That’s important to him. He’s got a grandson and a granddaughter now. He’s always with them. He and Nicole (his wife) care a lot about family time.
Coleman with David Tepper, owner of the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC.
Coleman with Charlotte FC general manager Zoran Krneta (left) and fan Matt Swift (right)
Left to right: Nicole Tepper, musician Carolina MiC and Coleman
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN THE WORK YOU’VE DONE WITH TSE?
The stadium renovation. The city/private partnership with them (TSE), their $650 million, $150 million from us and an additional $421 million over the period of the contract. Getting that done and demonstrating what the stadium means to the community is probably the proudest moment.
WHAT DID IT REQUIRE OF YOU?
A lot of work. It started the day they put me in the role of team president. For whatever reason, there was some distrust. I was a person behind a computer screen in my Excel spreadsheets. No one knew me, and probably not really Dave that well, either. I felt like I had to get out there and make relationships. I’ve got to get to know people. I’ve got to figure this out.
HOW DID YOU DO THAT?
Charlotte is such a relationship-driven community. That is so important to what this region really is. What allowed us to get that done was us building relationships and being able to show, “This is what we have been doing, this is what we’re doing and this is what we’re going to do.” I had a lot of phone calls to make, a lot of lunches.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO THRIVE IN A MALE-DOMINATED INDUSTRY?
Not to worry about being in a male-dominated industry. I don’t get caught up in male, female, any of that stuff. You just have to do your job and focus on doing a good job.
WHICH IS HARDER: BEING CEO OF TEPPER SPORTS OR A MOM?
I feel very lucky to be able to do both. Both have their demands, and both have their own time. I try to be present where I am, in the moment, but I also try to integrate my family into my work life. My kids and my husband mean the world to me, but I think I’ve been successful in doing both. They’re not mutually exclusive.
DO YOU BRING YOUR KIDS TO EVENTS?
I brought them to the (Charlotte FC jersey) launch. They come to all the games, both Panthers and Charlotte FC. They love every minute of it. They haven’t been to any concerts yet. It’s way past their bedtime.
WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT CHARLOTTE AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES HERE?
What I think makes this region so special is these relationships. I just had a CELC (Charlotte Executive Leadership Council) meeting with all the major companies in Charlotte and their CEOs. That doesn’t happen everywhere. You’ve got Bank of America and Ally sitting right next to each other at the table. We have great leaders in this community who want to work together.
WHEN IT COMES TO WHERE TO EAT OR SHOP IN TOWN, WHAT ARE YOUR GO-TOS?
During the week, when my kids have baseball and other things, we like to pop into Providence Road Sundries for dinner. It’s laid back. We can be noisy. We see local folks there. I do like to shop; the NFL has a partnership with Veronica Beard. They’re one of my favorites. I like Kendra Scott. They’re a partner of ours, too. I like David Yurman.
HOW DO YOU DRESS FOR SUCCESS?
I get my hair done. I don’t miss nail appointments. And I think it’s important to have earrings, a bracelet, a necklace on and rings. I typically wear a blazer. It just makes me feel finished. The look is complete.
COMING OFF THE FIRST PLAYOFF RUN SINCE 2018, WHAT’S THE ENERGY AROUND THE PANTHERS LIKE?
From the week leading up to our home playoff game through the final snap, the support was incredible. That connection between the team and the community made it a special moment for the organization. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and the momentum we’re building.
Autarchic Spec Shop is an independent eye care and optical boutique now open in ParkTowne Village in Charlotte.
Led by Dr. Amy Guyer, an optometrist since 2011, the practice provides comprehensive eye exams, contact lens services, and treatment of ocular conditions.
ARTICLE BY KALI KASORZYK
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
BECKY HILLYARD
From Side Hustle to Style Empire
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.
Becky in Splendid x @CellaJaneBlog Spring 2026 Collection
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
endodonticsofsouthpark.com
info@endodonticsofsouthpark.com
KATIE KICKERTZ
As a local, female, and board-certified endodontist, Dr. Kickertz provides more than just treatment; she offers empathy and expertise. Whether you’re a patient in need or a doctor seeking a reliable referral, Premier Endodontics is your go-to source for dental pain and root canal emergencies.
if you eat one thing
The Brownie That Keeps Charlotte Coming Back
Cris Rojas-Agurcia, also known as The Batchmaker, has been selling her homemade baked goods to Charlotteans since 2017. Once only available as pre-ordered “Batch Boxes,” guests now visit her pink bakery, The Batch House, in Wesley Heights when they’re craving a sweet treat. The self-taught mom of two and her team craft unique treats weekly, but for first-time patrons and regulars alike, the S’mores Brownie is a must-order on every visit.
THE INSPIRATION
“S’mores Brownies were one of those items I dreamed up before everyone became obsessed with creating their own versions of it,” says Rojas-Agurcia. “I had been an avid blog reader, and I remember a blog called The Londoner ... and she made brownies and used Oreos. I thought, ‘What
other cookies can I use?’ Then, boom, the idea of the S’mores Brownie came to mind.”
THE BROWNIES
“Our S’mores Brownies are good because we use dark, good-quality chocolate and a secret ingredient I learned from a friend in Honduras,” says Rojas-Agurcia. The brownies are notoriously rich, gooey and decadent. A housemade graham cracker crust acts as the base, and a thick slab of chocolate brownie batter (with said “secret ingredient” mixed in) resides on top. The brownie is finished with a layer of marshmallow, perfectly roasted to a golden brown. The result is a dessert reminiscent of a campfire in the most delicious way. Pro tip: Microwave it for a few seconds for an extra indulgent bite.
ARTICLE BY ALLIE PAPAJOHN | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE BATCHMAKER
Caravaggio | Revolution: Baroque Masterpieces from the Roberto Longhi Foundation is generously presented by M.A. Rogers and Bank of America with additional support from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. Individual sponsorship support for this exhibition is kindly provided by Betsy and Alfred Brand; Jane and Hugh McColl, Pat Rodgers, and Leigh-ann and Martin Sprock; Beverly and Jim Hance, Anna McKeithen Webersen, Laura McKeithen, Susan and Loy McKeithen, Marshelette and Milton Prime, and Rocky and Curtis Trenkelbach; Sarah and Tim Belk, Mary and Charles Bowman, and Jo Ann and Joddy Peer; Marty and Weston Andress, Mary Lou and Jim Babb, and Robin and Bill Branstrom. The Mint Museum is supported, in part, by the City of Charlotte and the North Carolina Arts Council. Caravaggio | Revolution is organized by the Fondazione di Studi di Storia dell’Arte Roberto Longhi and Civita Mostre e Musei, in collaboration with The Mint Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg. IMAGE: Valentin de Boulogne, known as Le Valentin (French, 1591–1632). Denial of St. Peter (detail), 1615–17, oil on canvas. Florence, Fondazione di Studi di Storia dell’Arte Roberto Longhi. Mint Museum Uptown at Levine Center for the Arts | 500 South Tryon Street | Charlotte, NC 28202 | 704.337.2000 | mintmuseum.org | @themintmuseum
