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WHERE WE LIVE 38 Q&A
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Neptunians rising
Who’s who around town
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Women in Business
On the Cover
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Young sailor Tatum Cunningham steers her boat off the coast of Redondo Beach. Photographed by Siri Berting
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016, SOUTHBAY
27
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016
FEATURES 80
Little Women
Tell these three young ladies that they fight, climb, dance or act “like a girl,” and they’ll take it as the ultimate compliment.
88 Dawn of a New Doctor
From high-frequency radio waves to music vibrations, we explore the latest in age-defying regenerative medicine.
98
92 Family Act
Five women in the business of performing arts prove talent, tenacity and success are all relative.
98
Designing Mom
Wendy Word balances being a business owner and a mom from the comfort of her own home.
107 A Life Worth Living
Rolling Hills philanthropist Maureen Nunn turns retirement into a call to arms for the causes she treasures most.
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SOUTHBAY, SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016
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TRUSTED ADVISORS
Behind every successful individual and company, you’ll likely find a trusted advisor— or a team of them. We define them as professional experts who specialize in topnotch client care across a variety of services—from family law to estate planning to insurance claims. In the next issue of Southbay, we’ll introduce you to some of the finest in our community in our annual Trusted Advisors special section. 310.376.7800 | oursouthbay@moontidemedia.com | oursouthbay.com
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SOUTHBAY, SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016
2016 Longines Masters Los Angeles............................................................................ 23 Amara Rugs...............................................................................................................................6 Artiano & Assoc................................................................................................................. 154 Barsha Wine & Spirits..........................................................................................................17 Beach Cities Accounting – Kathy McQuiggan........................................................ 172 Beach Cities Ortho & Sports..........................................................................................141 Beach Cities Vein and Laser Center.............................................................................. 41 Belmont Village......................................................................................................................77 Bliss Boutique Health & Beauty Center.....................................................................136 BLND Public Relations..................................................................................................... 146 Cake Bakeshop..................................................................................................................... 78 Cancer Support Community..........................................................................................48 Caroline Burke Designs & Assoc................................................................................... 137 Catalina Cooking Store.....................................................................................................40 Cell Life Medical................................................................................................................... 36 Chase Law Group PC........................................................................................................153 Choura Events............................................................................................................... 14, 134 Custom Design Construction......................................................................................... 25 Dr. Brian Boyd........................................................................................................................ 53 Dr. Kristin Egan......................................................................................................................45 Dr. Mercedeh Baghai......................................................................................................... 174 Dr. Michael Fulbright........................................................................................................... 29 Dr. Niki Maghami...................................................................................................................57 Dr. Michelle Okamoto......................................................................................................... 87 El Segundo Dermatology.................................................................................................162 Elegance Boutique Spa....................................................................................................158 Equinox.......................................................................................................................................9 Fred Astaire Dance Studio............................................................................................. 144 GTD Image Consulting.....................................................................................................167 Guzman Law Group.......................................................................................................... 120 Hamilton Butler Jewels.....................................................................................................142 Haupt Roofing..................................................................................................................... 106 Hermosa Beach Community Center............................................................................111 Hot’s Kitchen......................................................................................................................... 79 Hutchinson Dental.............................................................................................................155 Joanna Medawar Nachef Singers............................................................................... 149 Kasey Jones Ink............................................................................................................ 61, 170 KCM Studio............................................................................................................................C2 Lisa’s Bon Appetit.............................................................................................................. 148 LuAnn Development..................................................................................................117, 124 Manhattan Postal Center.................................................................................................117 Marmi Shoes.........................................................................................................................40 Morgan’s Jewelers................................................................................................................. 11 Moss Adams WealthAdvisors............................................................................................8 Mulberry&Moss.................................................................................................................. 177 Navigoe..................................................................................................................................... 18 Neptunian Woman’s Club of Manhattan Beach..................................................... 24 NVISION..................................................................................................................................65 {pages} a bookstore......................................................................................................... 150 Palos Verdes Art Center..................................................................................................... 12 Palos Verdes Plastic Surgery..........................................................................................139 Paul Martin’s American Grill............................................................................................ 78 Pediatric Minds................................................................................................................... 164 Penta Water LLC................................................................................................................... 13 Playa Technologies.............................................................................................................126 Premier Business Bank..............................................................................................16, 140 Providence Foundations................................................................................................. 106 Pure Luxe Medical...............................................................................................................69 Quatrine.................................................................................................................................122 Revive Wellness Center....................................................................................................152 Rolling Hills Preparatory School.....................................................................................64 Rusnak Maserati of South Bay........................................................................................ 15 SEIA LLC..........................................................................................................................32, 143 Simply Tiles Design Center..............................................................................................64 Siri Berting Photography...................................................................................................20 Skechers................................................................................................................................... 19 South Bay Aesthetics......................................................................................................... 70 Sports & Spine Orthopaedics........................................................................................ 35 State Farm – Cynthia Synder....................................................................................... 168 Summer Orthodontics.................................................................................................... 145 Tabula Rasa Essentials......................................................................................................171 Teak Warehouse...................................................................................................................... 7 Terranea Resort...........................................................................................................118, 135 The Aesthetic Center......................................................................................................... 33 The Circle Palos Verdes Art Center............................................................................ 105 The Souk................................................................................................................................138 The Urban Clothes Horse................................................................................................157 Torrance Memorial Medical Center............................................................................... 21 Town Social Events.............................................................................................................151 Trina Turk....................................................................................................................................3 Trump National Golf Club.................................................................................................10 Tuscan Women Cook........................................................................................................163 Vistamar School................................................................................................................. 105 We Plan the Party.............................................................................................................. 160 Wells Fargo Advisors – Shannon Ryan.......................................................................147 Wells Fargo Advisors – Kathleen Hogan................................................................... 159 Yoga Loft................................................................................................................................. 79 REAL ESTATE Ampersand Development – Jeanevra Calhoun.................................................... 130 Beach City Brokers – Gary Elminoufi..........................................................................183 Beach City Brokers – Rami Elminoufi........................................................................ 180 Beach City Brokers – Holly Kauffman.........................................................................182 Beach City Brokers – Jeanevra Calhoun................................................................... 184 Beach City Brokers – Justin Miller.................................................................................181 Beach City Brokers – Michelle Accetta......................................................................185 Carl Henkel........................................................................................................................... 198 Coldwell Banker.................................................................................................................. 196 Forbes Corrales...................................................................................................................193 Partners Trust – Jan Rhees............................................................................................ 156 Keller Williams – Rosenkranz|Friedman................................................................... 166 Keller Williams – The Inman Team............................................................................. 195 Keller Williams Palos Verdes – The Kondo Group................................................ 201 Manhattan Pacific Realty – Richard Haynes & Julie Haynes............................188 New American Funding – David Gentry....................................................................197 NW Real Estate – Chad Heitzler Fahlbusch............................................................ 190 NW Real Estate – John Chuka........................................................................................191 NW Real Estate – Lizabeth Walker............................................................................. 169 RPM Commercial – Rose Vasilj...........................................................................173, 200 Strand Hill Christie’s – Lily Liang.................................................................................. 186 Terranea Real Estate..........................................................................................................192 The Agency.......................................................................................................................... 199 Vista Sotheby’s – Chris Adlam......................................................................................178 Vista Sotheby’s – Edler | DeRenzis Group....................................................................4 Vista Sotheby’s – Laura Chavers...................................................................................161 Vista Sotheby’s –Rachel Ezra....................................................................................... 165 Vista Sothebys – The Van Zanten Group................................................................ 194 Women’s Council of Realtors.........................................................................................128
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EDITOR’S LETTER
The amazing women who fill our pages with their insight and talent always inspire me. I asked them … As we celebrate incredible local women in this issue, please share a defining accomplishment in your own life ... something that helped shape your identity and future.
Amber Klinck Writer, “Designing Mom”
“As a working mom, every day is its own tiny accomplishment. Every moment that I maintain a healthy balance between my own professional aspirations and quality time with my family is a win.”
Lauren Pressey Photographer, “Designing Mom”
“My move to New York City as a teenager greatly shaped who I am as an individual and as a photographer. The city strengthened my independence and fueled my newly discovered passion for photography.”
34
Siri Berting Photographer, “Little Women”
“Buying my Hasselblad 503CW camera in my 20s was a turning point for me as a photographer. Shooting with its square format while seeing the world upside down and backwards in the viewfinder helped hone my composition and defined my style as a photographer.”
Laura Watts Copy Editor & Writer, Women in Business profiles
“‘Accidentally’ taking a communication arts course in college opened the door for an exciting, unexpected career in journalism and public relations—and definitely shaped my future. And of course becoming a mom was a game-changer in the greatest way!”
Jennie Nunn Writer, “Family Act”
Julia Horwitz Writer, “Little Women”
“Going to Africa when I was 15 definitely helped shape who I am and my path to becoming a journalist and travel writer. Also, running a marathon and obtaining a master’s degrees are two things I’m proud of.”
“Releasing my first book of poems, Clutter, this summer was one of the craziest, most empowering things I’ve done to date. Working with an amazing femaleowned press, taking my voice seriously and mulling over it until it was paper-bound was a feeling that I’ll never forget.”
Kat Monk Photographer, “Family Act”
Michelle Garber Writer, “A Second Act”
“Other than my kids, I’d have to say it’s my career and the people who I’ve met along the way. The first time I picked up a camera I was 9 years old, and I only dreamed of becoming a photographer.”
“Early in my career, I moved to Wiesbaden, Germany to open a European headquarters for Oliver Peoples. Living abroad inherently expands one’s perspective and worldview, but it was living alone in a foreign country that most influenced me. My time in Germany made me fiercely independent, confident and comfortable within my own skin.”
SOUTHBAY, SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016
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WHERE WE LIVE
Joy Ride
Young equestrian Danielle Lean and horse “Big C” will ride in the prestigious Longines Masters in September. More on page 58.
WHERE WE LIVE | Q&A
COMING FULL CIRCLE Nadine channels her younger self in session with the doctor she’s worked hard to become.
38
SOUTHBAY, SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016
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Q&A | WHERE WE LIVE
A Second Act The former wife of the former “Wolf of Wall Street” turns a turbulent past into a therapeutic future. INTERVIEWED BY MICHELE
GARBER JOHNSON
PHOTOGRAPHED BY KREMER
Mark Twain famously said, “Truth is stranger than fiction.” For Manhattan Beach psychotherapist Dr. Nadine Macaluso, truer words have not been spoken. Years prior to opening her marriage and family therapy practice, “Dr. Nay”—as her patients call her—lived a life found only on the pages of a Hollywood script. Nadine is the real-life woman behind the fictional Naomi Belfort, ex-wife of the infamous “Wolf of Wall Street,” Jordan Belfort. By most accounts, Martin Scorsese’s unnerving on-screen portrayal of the Belforts’ tempestuous seven-year marriage mirrors the actual frenetic experience that Nadine miraculously survived. Yet rather than be defined by those chaotic years, she persevered—relocating to California, happily remarrying and channeling the lessons of her past into healing others. We sat down with Nadine to hear about her remarkable journey from Duchess of Bay Ridge to Manhattan Beach healer.
Was the film accurate? Very accurate, although we fought more about his drug intake than about other women.
Let’s begin with the elephant in the room. What is your impression of the film? Your name was changed, but was it surreal to see your life portrayed on the screen? Since I didn’t have any creative input, I thought it best not to use my name—but everyone knows it’s me. Actually I was very happy with the way they portrayed me. And it’s a story with all the themes of a great archetypal fable: greed, lust, power, demise—stories told since the beginning of time. I just got to experience one at a very high level.
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At what point in your marriage were you aware there was an addiction issue? I was aware all along, but there was really nothing I could do—as we now know with addiction. At 25 I didn’t know what to do. I was focused on my children. I’d never come up against anything like that. So I learned how to deal with codependency and addiction, which actually really feeds my work. You can learn things at school, but there is nothing that teaches us more than experience. It’s the greatest teacher. And I’ve had a lot to pull from. Is that what inspired you to become a therapist? My history definitely influenced my decision to become
a therapist. I grew up in a psychological home where Freud was talked about often. At 22 I met my ex-husband and realized it was more than I could manage, so I entered therapy. It was so helpful to me to understand the decisions I made and how to make different decisions going forward. At 38 I started meditating and fully recognized what therapy has done for my life, and I wanted to be of service and offer that to others. So I went back to school. Luckily I have a really supportive husband who encouraged me to go for it. It took eight years total to get my PhD, plus 3,000 hours of work to get my license—but it’s worth it. Every day I’m helping people.
It’s a story with all the themes of a great archetypal fable: GREED, LUST, POWER, DEMISE— stories told since the beginning of time. I just got to experience one at a very high level.”
Speaking of your supportive husband, is he the reason you moved to Manhattan Beach? Yes. John and I met in New York on a blind date and fell madly in love. Six months later
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016, SOUTHBAY
39
WHERE WE LIVE | Q&A
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I moved here. John lived in Beverly Hills. We were both in the garment business, commuting to Gardena. He also had a little house here in Manhattan Beach, and I thought, “This seems fantastic. Let’s move here.” After everything you went through, how were you able to trust again and find the courage to move forward so quickly? When everything happened, I wanted to move my kids. I didn’t want them to have to deal with that legacy. I look at that time after my first marriage as having post-traumatic
Your first husband also moved to California. How is your relationship now? Yes, he moved here to be closer to our kids. He’s a good dad, and we have a really nice relationship. It was a challenge at first, but I made a choice early on that it would be easy to blame him for everything. I needed to look at my own part in it. Heartbreak can be our greatest teacher. I wanted to make a choice that was healthy for my children. I don’t choose anger or grievance. We were
SOUTHBAY, SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016
Knowing what you know now, any advice you’d give to your younger self? Honestly, I wouldn’t change a single thing because I have the two most beautiful children. I can’t imagine my life without them. That aside, I’d say don’t ever make decisions based in fear. At the time I was coming from a place of wanting to be safe in the world. Even though it was a tumultuous
I’m a wounded healer. I want to inspire people going through these traumas to know that there is post-traumatic growth. You can heal and become more of WHO YOU ARE.”
growth. I was willing to look at myself and go to therapy. It was hard to trust, but at that point I had done so much work—emotional and psychological. So I took a leap of faith. Fear-based decisions lead to fear-based results, and playing it safe is the most dangerous place to be. I wanted to take everything I learned and apply it to my new decision-making. The only way we gain confidence is by having the courage to face our fears.
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young, dumb, and our lives got out of control. But we were parents together and made that choice and commitment. I needed to live up to that.
experience, I’d go through it all again to get to this space. Experience shapes us. I am the person I am because of those experiences, and I like that person. So go for it, and know that it will end and you will get through this. Do you tap into this experience when counseling your patients? A lot of people come to therapy looking for that. Can I get through this? Can I be the protagonist of my own journey? Life is really imperfectly perfect. I’m there to facilitate their process and connect them to their authentic self. I try not to project my experiences onto them and respect their psychological diversity. It’s tricky, but that’s where the training comes in. I’m not there to give advice. They show up because they’re their own guru. I’m a wounded healer. I want to inspire people going through these traumas to know that there is post-traumatic growth. You can heal and become more of who you are.
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WHERE WE LIVE | HOME DESIGN
We Love Hue
With a well-defined strategy, bold strokes of color can yield wondrous results.
S
ure neutrals can soothe, but after a while they can leave you hankering for a burst of color. From fuchsia to eggplant, rich colors can up the ante on a space. Take a look at what designer Lisa Lerner did with this “transitional” home. The owner has always been a fan of bold shades, so from the get-go, color was on the menu. Lisa started with navy and a natural linen shade. “I typically introduce only two main colors into my design palette. Introducing too many colors can make a room feel chaotic. From the dominant colors chosen, I then incorporate different shades into the space.” Lastly, Lisa selects an accent color. In this case it was pink. The designer says it’s also important to determine what the client’s goal is as it relates to adding color. “Are they looking to feel happy, calm, inspired? Do they want their space to be dramatic, glamorous or casual chic? Choice of color is the driving force for how you feel when you walk into a space.” Lisa’s goal was simple: “I wanted the house to feel happy and bright.” And as you can see, indeed it does.
The vintage chairs that flank the fireplace are upholstered in Kelly Wearstler’s Modern Trellis for Schumacher. They provide dimension while adding something unexpected to the space.
The rug is from The Rug Warehouse in Culver City. A soumak Arts & Crafts-style rug, it is the “tour de force” in this room. It is bold and fun.
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HOME DESIGN | WHERE WE LIVE
A white hue, Foggy Day by Dunn-Edwards, was used on the walls. Believe it or not, there is a hint of green in it!
When I presented the owner with these John Robshaw pillows, she loved them—so I ran with that navy color palette with shades of neutrals to complement.
THINK PINK
I chose books in our color scheme—blues and pinks—and then layered them in stacks of two or three. I placed (on the lower level) accessories on top of the stacks.
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Knowing the homeowner’s love of pink, when it came to the family room Lisa chose dark pink and yellow as the two focal colors. The first thing purchased was the bold, multicolored rug (also from The Rug Warehouse) and then the raspberry-colored sofa. “I had the sofa custommade as well as the ottoman [Kravet fabric], which picks up the yellow in the rug. Woven wood shades allow maximum light to illuminate the space. The yellow throw is from WilliamsSonoma Home.”
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WHERE WE LIVE | STYLE FILE
Getting Cheeky A South Bay-launched tableware company looks to make meals matter.
“W
hy are paper plates so plain? Why don’t they serve a higher purpose?” Those questions circled through the head of local entrepreneur P.J. Brice as he strolled through the aisles of Target on a party errand. With the help of business partners, P.J. knew he could make paper plates more colorful and exciting but also create something with real positive impact. “One in 7 people in America faces hunger,” shares P.J. “That’s 48 million Americans who do not have dependable access to food.” Believing that everyone has the right to a healthy and nutritious meal, he and his partners launched Cheeky—a modern tableware company that gives meals to those in need in the U.S. through a partnership with Feeding America. So far they have donated nearly 8 million meals since launching in 2014. First focusing solely on paper products, the business has expanded the line to include its first porcelain collection, including The Porter featured here. All three new porcelain platters can be found, appropriately, at target.com.
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WHERE WE LIVE | PALATE
Cheers to Her! A celebration of women winemakers WRITTEN BY BONNIE
GRAVES O’DONNELL
PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE
H
ere’s a collection of amazing women who are simultaneously smashing grapes and glass ceilings. Each works with unique terroir and material to produce exquisite wines. From tangy, saline albariño to complex and brooding blends, the wines below reflect a full spectrum of varietal variety. Each deserves a spot on your table or in your cellar.
VERDAD ALBARIÑO, SAWYER LINDQUIST VINEYARD (Edna Valley, CA–2015), SRP $22 Winemaker Louisa Sawyer Lindquist channels the green shores of Rias Baixas with her gorgeous interpretation of albariño, grown biodynamically in the Edna Valley. Pair with moules-frites or any fish-based stew.
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PEAY CHARDONNAY (Sonoma Coast, CA–2013), SRP $34 With a pedigree that includes a formative stint at Peter Michael, winemaker Vanessa Wong is a master of chardonnay. Her deft touch balances ripe Sonoma fruit with Burgundian restraint. Should cost three times as much.
FARMSTRONG, FIELD ROSÉ (Redwood Valley, CA–2015), SRP $24 I tasted through nearly 150 pink wines for a client recently, and this wine sang out to me. Faith Armstrong’s juicy spin on carignan is endlessly refreshing, with ripe watermelon, strawberry leaf and clover notes. Pair with sunshine and blue skies.
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PALATE | WHERE WE LIVE
KEPLINGER, CALDERA (El Dorado, CA–2013), SRP $70 When crowdsourcing ideas for this piece amidst sommelier friends, Helen Keplinger’s name was mentioned more than anyone else’s. Her 2013 Caldera is an intense blend of old-vine mourvèdre, grenache and counoise, grown on red volcanic slopes in the Sierra Foothills. You don’t have to be an expert to taste the profound impact of soil in this outstanding wine.
ANTICA TERRA PINOT NOIR, ANTIKYTHERA (Eola-Amity Hills, OR–2013), SRP $145 She’d never say it, so I will: Winemaker Maggie Harrison may well be America’s finest producer of pinot noir. A Santa Barbara local who fell in love with some rocks in Oregon, Maggie’s hallmark is nuance and depth. Take the time to decipher the aromatics of this remarkable wine before indulging in a taste. Pair with lamb loin, fines herbes and lavender.
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BUTTONWOOD CABERNET FRANC (Santa Ynez, CA–2012), SRP $26 Santa Ynez is the sunny side of winemaking in Santa Barbara County, and Karen Steinwachs’ work with Bordelaise varieties proves again that it ain’t just about pinot. Her cabernet franc is redolent of blueberry, tobacco and cedar. Pair with Santa Maria tritip fired over the grill.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016, SOUTHBAY
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Benefitting Cancer Support Community Redondo Beach in a celebration of the women in our lives who have been touched by cancer
Rock Your Pink! Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday October 4, 5 and 6, 2016
The Comedy & Magic Club • Hermosa Beach $100 per person (includes dinner, show, silent auction & more)
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PALATE | WHERE WE LIVE
Late Bloomers
Heirloom tomatoes are some of the tastiest ways to stretch summer.
W
hile other regions of the country are saying goodbye to the intenselyflavored and colorful heirloom tomatoes, here in SoCal our warm weather creates a farm-fresh bounty well into fall. In fact, some of tastiest fruits of the season come at summer’s end. As you savor them, enjoy these tidbits about this top-of-the-line variety.
The term “heirloom” (in relation to plants) was apparently first used by Kent Whealy of Seed Savers Exchange. He referenced “heirloom” in a speech he gave in Tucson in 1981.
“Family” heirlooms are grown from seeds that have been passed down for several generations. Other newer varieties are the result of crossbreeding experiments.
Heirlooms are full of antioxidants, vitamins and cancer-preventing agents. Brandywine is a classic strain that many experts rank as the best all-around tasting tomato. It features large red fruits—up to 2 pounds each. Brandywine is an indeterminate variety, meaning it continues to grow after it begins producing fruit.
Color normally determines acidity. Darker shades are more acidic; lighter ones are less acidic. Green indicates tartness.
Why are heirlooms more flavorful? Any plant that sets only two or three fruits, as heirlooms sometimes do, is bound to produce juicier, sweeter and more flavorful fruit than varieties that generate 100.
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A retired chemist from North Carolina created one of the most popular varieties sold, the Cherokee Purple. It has a delicious smoky flavor.
Heirlooms have a harder time fighting off disease and can easily bruise or split while shipping. Since they tend to stay local, farmers usually let the fruit ripen on the vine longer. That’s one reason farmers market heirlooms are often tastier than store-bought varieties, which are often picked before ripe.
Yellow and orange varieties usually have a milder and sweeter flavor while purple and black varieties have a bold, rich, acidic flavor.
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WHERE WE LIVE | ENTREPRENEURS
Call of Duty Meet a superwoman helping others connect and succeed in the workplace. WRITTEN BY JULIA
HORWITZ |
PHOTOGRAPHED BY KREMER
JOHNSON
S
arah Pendrick is the “Elle Woods” definition of lege, Sarah started working in the fashion industry. But girl power: long pink nails, long blonde ponytail in this female-dominated space, the discrimination she and a handshake that lets you know she means felt in her previous jobs was still present. business. Her nonprofit organization, GirlTalk She explains, “Women can be the hardest on themLA, is all about that combination she effortlessly selves but also on each other. It doesn’t end in high emanates: power, sisterhood and full-fledged fabulousness. school. You can be 60 and experiencing it.” And while A five-year South Bay local and veteran businessspaces to do this work are hard to find, Sarah has seen woman, Sarah saw that in the workplace women are that “people really want this space, even if they didn’t stifled by two forces: unsurprisingly, men, but also other know they did.” women. She calls this internal sexism “girl-on-girl crime” She describes how once one woman begins to open and plans to demolish it up, those around her feel from the inside out. GirlTalk they can do the same. “At LA’s message is simple: “Her the event speakers talk Women can be the hardest on success is not your failure.” about their struggles—a GirlTalk LA hosts four lot of them have dealt themselves but also on each other. IT Connect + Inspire events DOESN’T END IN HIGH SCHOOL. You with eating disorders or each year where women can self-image problems—and can be 60 and experiencing it.” network—“whether they’re it got people talking about CEOs or recent college things they don’t get to grads.” These events make announce to the world on a space explicitly for women to take up, and as Sarah puts daily basis.” it, “You walk in the door, and your armor comes off.” To women chasing their goals, Sarah says, “You have At the first Connect + Inspire event in April, Shade to just go for it. I was so worried about the first event Hotel in Manhattan Beach was packed with more than going perfectly—and it didn’t go perfectly, but it went 125 women, a star-studded panel, charity sponsors, better than I could have imagined.” amazing food and a Glam Booth. But there is one thing She continues: “Women are so powerful, it’s crazy. We Sarah intentionally left out: name tags. have so many different layers, but when we don’t have She explains, “I didn’t want to hear, ‘Hi, this is my support our potential is inhibited. You don’t have to stay name, this is what I do.’” She knows it’s more complex where you’re miserable. You can create what you want, than that. “You had to introduce yourself to people you and you can ask for more.” might not normally talk to. This made the environment As for the future of GirlTalk LA, Sarah says, “I would so much more relaxed—women didn’t have to put on love to start doing workshops for teens, because so many competitive masks.” of these issues start when we’re very young. My goal This comfort is a central part of GirlTalk LA’s misis that planting the movement of women supporting sion. Sarah believes giving women space to be vulnerwomen could start there and spread everywhere.” able shows them they can succeed without holding each The next Connect + Inspire event will be held in Santa other down. Monica on October 2. Tickets and more information are After working in male-dominated industries after colavailable at girltalkla.org.
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ENTREPRENEURS | WHERE WE LIVE
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016, SOUTHBAY
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WHERE WE LIVE | WELLNESS
No Standing, Only Dancing Feel the beat and move your feet with Zumba. WRITTEN BY
NICOLE YOUNG
I
f you’re looking for a workout class that incorporates a fun club atmosphere and gets you off a bike, Zumba is for you. After watching Dancing with the Stars you’re like, “OK, I need to find a dance workout class ASAP.” It’s a little nerve-wracking because as with attending most dance classes for the first time, you (1) don’t know any of the choreography, (2) think you will be awkward with your two left feet or (3) your inner Beyoncé might come out and command the entire class. After considering #3, you decide there is no chance that you are backing out of this. ZUMBA DETAILS: Zumba is a Latin-inspired cardio-dance workout that uses music and choreographed steps to form a fitness party atmosphere. While many of the dances and music are Latin American-inspired, classes may also play country and hip-hop and pop. IS IT A GOOD WORKOUT? For sure! You’re basically moving nonstop for the entire hour with a few short breaks for water. You can burn up to 250 calories in 30 minutes just by dancing. Some instructors even concentrate the last five minutes on stretching and breathing. Dancing isn’t just an exercise and weight loss kind of thing; it can boost your brainpower, improve your mood and increase your social circle. DO YOU HAVE TO BE A DANCER? Absolutely not. The moves are repetitive and much more focused on cardio rather than dance choreography. You can be awkward, and it will be fine. Plus everyone is either staring at the instructor or themselves in the mirror, so no one will really see you. ARE YOU GOING TO BE SORE THE NEXT DAY? Maybe. Zumba incorporates a lot of arm movement and leg lunges, so after your first or second class you may feel it. However, once you
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master those Shakira moves, your hips definitely won’t lie. MUSIC QUALITY: You may walk into a Zumba class thinking the music will be super Miami-focused, so there will be a lot of Pitbull. Dale. But in reality the music is upbeat and motivating. In my classes, I play music that is decades old to more current stuff like Jennifer Lopez. That way people of all ages are able to enjoy the class. HOW IN SHAPE DO YOU HAVE TO BE? Zumba is great because you can take this class at your own pace. I have people in my class who don’t even follow my moves; they create their own. The best part is that they are having fun! SO IS ZUMBA THE ONLY DANCE WORKOUT THERE IS? Of course not! The beauty of dance is that there are so many kinds to choose from. I suggest trying any of these classes (at a gym or studio, with a DVD at home or Friday night at the bar with your friends): LINE DANCING: It’s not all about country. Modern classes include tunes like hip-hop and R&B. Generally, the choreography is easy to follow and very repetitive. SWING: Now for this you would need a partner. Along with the high-energy music, swing dancing helps trigger a rush of moodelevating hormones in your body. POLE DANCING: Yes, I’m serious. This is great for strength. Most types of dance are good at toning your lower body, but pole dancing gives you added upper-body and arm strength. So next time you feel that urge to fist pump and shake those hips, get to your local Zumba class and dance. And remember that dancing to your own rhythm is common; it happens to everyone, and it’s not a big deal. You don’t watch a dance class, you DANCE a dance class!
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WHERE WE LIVE | ARTS
Earth Angels Thanks to artist Colette Miller, Hermosa Beach earns its wings. WRITTEN BY ALINA
OROZCO
PHOTOGRAPHED BY KAT
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SOUTHBAY, SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016
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ARTS | WHERE WE LIVE
I
f you thought the angel wings painted on walls around town— most recently on the side of Hermosa’s 17 th Street Mural House— were there to serve as your Instagram background, you wouldn’t be completely off base. Colette Miller, the artist who has surreptitiously adorned empty LA walls with her street art creation, had full intention for you to put those wings on—though she didn’t quite predict the social media phenomenon to come. After all, it was only 2012 and just the start of social mania when Colette first envisioned messages of hope on blank walls of LA, projecting what she wanted to see on these empty canvases and desperately needing a visual break from the commercialism of billboards. The first set of human-sized wings went up in LA’s arts district and quickly gained notoriety with folks posing in front of the indigo-hued angel wings. “With social media and smartphones, the timing was ideal—though that wasn’t actually planned on my part,” says Colette. “I didn’t even have Instagram at the time. It wasn’t the goal of the project to hashtag my art, but I love that it has been hashtagged so much.” For Colette, whose creative roster also includes filmmaking and music, the goal of The Global Angel Wings Project was to remind humanity of its higher nature. “That is a universal meditation to me, and I wanted that to be easy for people to run into that. It was immediate and accessible to the public, not hidden in a gallery or museum or house for a few that ventured that way.” Today you can find angel wings not only on the “gritty streets of Downtown LA” but also in Washington D.C., Virginia, New York, Philadelphia, Cuba, Mexico, Australia and Kenya, among other locations. All walks of life—from police officers and politicians to ballerinas and religious clergy—have been photographed in front of the wings … maybe reflecting on their own angelic powers on Earth or seeking energy from the spiritual installation behind them, but ultimately becoming part of the art themselves. Each location demands a new approach from Colette. Typically she pre-paints the wings, often using blues and violets to evoke a meditative state. She then works to sculpt, mold and varnish the art onto its permanent surface. “I’ve worked now with a lot of different projects and charities and locations and materials,” notes Colette. Old car tires, stained glass, Plexiglas, vinyl and wire all have served as the artist’s canvases. Thanks to social media the project has not only reached masses, delivering a message of hope with each selfie, but it has also found a renewed purpose: charity. Betsy Ryan, the Hermosa Beach resident who a few years back transformed her home into a campaign hub against oil drilling, reached out to Colette in hopes of partnering for a new cause. This time the 17 th Street Mural House would transform into headquarters for the We Can Be Angels project, dedicated to helping Syrian refugees. “She contacted me through Facebook and told me about her Mural House, and it seemed like a great house,” says Colette, who finished a pair of angel wings on the side of the Betsy’s house this spring. Since then the two women have traveled together, spreading their message of peace. “We just were in France together,” says Colette. Betsy worked with the mayor of Grande-Synthe and arranged for The Global Angel Wings Project to be installed in refugee camps in Grande-Synthe and Calais— a small token of solidarity, hope and perseverance for the thousands of displaced there. “In the very beginning I wanted the wings to remind humanity of their true, divine selves—the self we all have that is our higher nature,” Colette explains. This reminder couldn’t be more relevant today. So if you spot a pair of wings, stand boldly in front of them, remember the message, and don’t forget to post that photo.
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In the very beginning I wanted the wings to REMIND HUMANITY OF THEIR TRUE, DIVINE SELVES—the self we all have that is our higher nature.”
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WHERE WE LIVE | MEDIA
WOMEN
in Print THE RUMOR By Elin Hilderbrand Little, Brown and Company 384 pages Celebrity chef Deacon Thorpe has always been a force of nature with an insatiable appetite for life. But after that appetite contributes to Deacon’s shocking death in his favorite place on earth—a ramshackle Nantucket summer cottage—his (messy, complicated) family is reeling. Now Deacon’s three wives, his children and his best friend gather on the island he loved to say farewell. Improbable bonds are formed as this unlikely family says goodbye to the man who brought them all together. THE JAPANESE LOVER By Isabel Allende Atria Books 336 pages In 1939 Poland, young Alma Belasco’s parents send her away to live in safety with an aunt and uncle in their opulent mansion
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in San Francisco. There, as the rest of the world goes to war, she encounters Ichimei Fukuda, the quiet and gentle son of the family’s Japanese gardener. Unnoticed by those around them, a tender love affair begins to blossom. Throughout their lifetimes, Alma and Ichimei reunite again and again, but theirs is a love that they are forever forced to hide from the world. TRIALS OF THE EARTH By Mary Mann Hamilton Little, Brown and Company 336 pages Near the end of her life, Mary Mann Hamilton was encouraged to record her experiences as a female pioneer. The result is the only known firsthand account of a remarkable woman thrust into the center of taming the American South—surviving floods, tornadoes and fires; facing bears, panthers and snakes; managing a boardinghouse in Arkansas that was home to an eccentric group of settlers; and running a logging camp in Mississippi that blazed a
SOUTHBAY, SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016
Noteworthy books of fiction and nonfiction by women and about women— for your fall reading list
trail for development in the Mississippi Delta. All this she tackled—and diligently wrote about in secrecy, in a diary that not even her family knew she kept. THE LAST ONE By Alexandra Oliva Random House Publishing 304 pages It begins with a reality TV show. Twelve contestants are sent into the woods to face challenges that will test the limits of their endurance. While they are out there, something terrible happens. Cut off from society, the contestants know nothing of it. When one of them—a young woman the show’s producers call Zoo—stumbles across the devastation, she can imagine only that it is part of the game. VALLEY OF THE MOON By Melanie Gideon Random House Publishing 416 pages Awakened at midnight, single mom Lux steps outside to see
a fog settled over the Sonoma landscape. Wandering toward a point of light in the distance, she emerges into a meadow on a sunny day. There she meets a group of people whose sweetly simple clothing, speech and manners almost make them seem as if they are from another time. She soon realizes they are. THE GIRL WITH THE LOWER BACK TATTOO By Amy Schumer Gallery Books, 336 pages Never one to shy away from the uproarious, challenging and remarkable moments that make up life, this exceptionally candid book will have readers wincing with recognition, nodding their head in solidarity and laughing out loud. Written with Amy’s signature candor, she reflects on her often raucous childhood antics, her hard-won rise to comedic stardom and the courage it takes to approach the world with astounding honesty every single day.
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WHERE WE LIVE | TOP TEEN
Leap Year A local teen competes at Longines Masters international horse show with the best in the world. WRITTEN BY DIANE
E. BARBER COOPER
PHOTOGRAPHED BY STEPHAN
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T
he love of a horse, going fast, “flying,” shiny trophies and blue ribbons are the things little equestrian girls dream of. And for those who dream big, they often come true. Danielle Lean, a South Bay native, is a testament to that. Long inspired by elite athletes, such as the U.S. equestrian team that recently brought show jumping silver home from the Summer Olympics in Rio, 17-year-old Danielle will compete in the prestigious 2016 Longines Masters at the Long Beach Convention Center (September 29 to October 2)—an indoor show jumping event featuring some of the best riders and horses from across the globe. Paris and Hong Kong are the next stops of the three-event grand slam series. Following in her parents’ bootprints, Danielle became passionate about horses when she was 9 years old. Like mother, like daughter … she was drawn to the thrill of jumping. After riding for two years at Palos Verdes Stables, she moved to Seahorse Riding Club in Rolling Hills Estates—where her mother jumped when she was growing up. “When I was Danielle’s age, I met her father at Seahorse. Larry was my groom when I was competing. Our life revolved around
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TOP TEEN | WHERE WE LIVE
horses then, and it still does. Now we’re Danielle’s grooms, and Larry trailers her competition horses instead of mine,” says mom Nicole Lean with a smile. Adversity and disappointment often stare athletes in the face when they least expect it. Such was the case for Danielle when her Holsteiner horse and show partner, Quantum Leap, suffered a leg injury in March that took him out of competition for the rest of the year. Danielle had her heart set on the Long Beach competition and had worked hard to save her show winnings to pay the entry fee. So with less than three months to train, the Leans added a new equine member to their family in July: another Holsteiner named SIG Careful (“Big C”). Danielle and her longtime trainer and coach, Devon Gibson—also a childhood friend of Nicole’s, immediately began to prepare for the biggest competition in Danielle’s youth riding career. Her training regime has consisted of riding Big C six days a week, with two days of jumping and participating in other shows. When not riding her own horse, to stay on top of her game and lend Devon a hand she also rides two or more other horses each day. “I have known Danielle since she was a baby, so she is like family,” says Devon. “She started riding with me when she was 11 years old, and she was always driven to learn, improve and compete. She and Big C had an instant connection and are a great fit, which wasn’t surprising because Danielle is good at understanding horses and creating partnerships with them. Watching her grow up and also grow as a rider has been very satisfying.” Danielle will be competing in the Prestige Trophy division of the Longines Masters, with a field of riders vying for more than $100,000 in prize money. “I am excited to be competing at an event with the people I have looked up to for years and to finally achieve one of my biggest goals,” she shares. “It also means a lot to me to represent the South Bay. I want to give the younger riders on the peninsula the confidence to follow their dreams no matter how wild or outrageous they seem.”
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WHERE WE LIVE | WEEKENDER
Beach Swap Cheating on the South Bay in Laguna Beach
B
eyond the pageants and Real Housewives, Laguna Beach truly shines as a well-rounded beach getaway just an hour south of our own sandy shores. While some might argue, “Why hit the 405 when I can experience all the perks of beach living right here?” … we suggest getting out of your comfort zone. Laguna is full of unique engagements that may feel familiar—while opening your eyes to life outside the 310. STAY: Surf & Sand Resort, a Laguna classic, does indeed sit right above the beautiful coastline. It’s probably as close to the water as your bed could possibly get, minus a sandy sleeping bag or a cramped houseboat. There’s nothing quite like falling asleep and waking up to the sound of waves crashing on the shores beneath your balcony, though light sleepers might want to take advantage of the complimentary earplugs on the nightstand. Light and breezy décor complement the coastal energy outside the door, and on-property restaurant Splashes brings California cuisine to your table with a sunset view. If the tranquil setting isn’t quite relaxing enough, you can take your glass of Champagne to Aquaterra Spa and float away for a couple hours with a soothing face or body treatment. If you’re lucky, you can also sign up for a morning workout with 58-year-old world-record plank champion and former Marine George Hood. No excuses, just exercise. 1555 S. Coast Highway, surfandsandresort.com EAT: In addition to convenient Splashes, there are plenty of lovely eateries within walking distance. For the breakfast or brunch enthusiast, we suggest the patio at Urth Caffé and their giant cups of freshly brewed coffee, amplified egg dishes and buttery pastries. 308 N. Coast Highway, urthcaffe.com For a casual dinner out, head over to Three Seventy Common, guided by the adventurous hand of OC native Ryan Adams. Inspired by classic country music, speed metal, vintage cars and knives, surf, skating and a good bloody rib eye, the food here is both dynamic and delicious. Don’t be afraid to get a little messy—it’s all part of the experience. 370 Glenneyre Street, 370common.com
BEHIND THE CURTAIN Top: Pool-side/beach-side at Surf & Sand Resort. Middle: Dinner’s served at Three Seventy Common. Bottom: Warm welcome at The Soul Project.
SHOP: Art galleries abound in Laguna, but we decided to go off the coast a bit and check out a different type of artistry at Victoria Wake, an authentic and innovative skimboard company that’s been here for 40 years. “What the riders get in their boards, you get in your board,” says one of the founders, Tex Haines. “What I learned as a kid at age 11 skimboarding on Victoria Beach in Laguna Beach, and everything to this very day, is incorporated into your board.” 2955 Laguna Canyon Road #1, victoriawake.com Just across the street, The Soul Project—an innovative boutique—prints their own T-shirts and collaborates with local artists and craftswomen. One such visionary is Alyx Tortorice, whose amazing new Starfysh Wetsuits—designed especially for women— transition from wetsuit to swimsuit in a snap. Awesome! 1516 S. Coast Highway, soulproject.com
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branded experiences, custom art & premium photo activations
Kasey Jones, Ink. provides a unique variety of interactive and one-of-a-kind services for events, companies, and individuals throughout the country using multiple art mediums. To learn more, go to www.kaseyjonesink.com
WHERE WE LIVE | COMMUNITY
Neptunians Rising
The oldest women’s organization in the South Bay gets a new clubhouse, thanks to the help of some local friends. PHOTOGRAPHED BY KRISTIN
ANDERSON
F
ounded in 1909 by 10 women hoping to positively impact their community, the Neptunian Woman’s Club of Manhattan Beach (NWC) was a driving force in the formation of the city. Women could not yet cast a ballot in a national election, let alone a local one. Yet this group of tenacious women is responsible for Manhattan Beach’s first library, first school and first Boy Scout troop, among other noteworthy achievements. For decades the group has gathered at the historic clubhouse on Highland Avenue, known for its colorful tile mural on the exterior. In the late ‘50s the Neptunians also added the south hall. “NWC is able to maintain the existing clubhouse and make repairs based solely on funds raised by member dues and clubhouse rentals,” says co-president Margaret Alvarez. All the money raised for philanthropy
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goes to philanthropy. Over the years—while keeping up with needed repairs including a new roof, new plumbing and dual heaters— the building began to look every bit its age. The decision was made by the NWC board to embark on the path of renovation. “The purpose of increasing rentals is to increase our scholarship program and philanthropic giving in our community,” shares Margaret. In 2014 restaurant owner Mike Simms saw the inside of the NWC clubhouse for the first time. A loyal donor to their fundraising events, The Simms Group had developed a friendship and supportive partnership with NWC for several years. Mike walked in, said the place was “cool” and thought it needed a commercial-grade kitchen to create more rentals for events and off-site catering. Within a few weeks Mike agreed to design and fund the kitchen. He says, “It was right thing to do for the community as well as the nonprofit.”
Jeri Martin, a Neptunian associate, with the help of her brother-in-law, John Atkinson, brought architect Michael Lee to the NWC. In a very short time he created the renderings and construction drawings, submitted plans and filed the permit to the city. “Michael Lee Architects has in essence adopted The Neptunians by donating all architectural services to date,” says co-president Suzanne Sharer, who is also heading the building fund campaign.
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COMMUNITY | WHERE WE LIVE
NICE DIGS This page: Rendering of new clubhouse. Far left (L to R): Liz Griggs, Margaret Alvarez, Mike Simms, Michael Lee, Rick Sowers, Michele Souther, Steve Napolitano and Suzanne Sharer.
In February 2015 the group had its first fundraiser for associates and an internal raise for the remodel project. Steve Napolitano, at the time senior deputy to Supervisor Don Knabe, donated $15,000 to the renovation project because of the Neptunian Woman’s Club’s historical importance in the formation of Manhattan Beach and as a philanthropic nonprofit leader. “Currently averaging 15 rentals a year, the
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new space should easily exceed that,” says Laura Fischer, director of communications. “We project that we will be able to provide an additional scholarship each time the clubhouse is rented.” Last fall a team of volunteers developed a new website and rebranded the NWC with a new logo and a fresh perspective. The number of new associates increases steadily as women become more familiar with the organization, their work in the commu-
nity and their mission to raise money for scholarships and to support child-centered causes in the South Bay. Boasting a membership of women whose ages span from 28 to 100, several generations of Neptunians can now look forward to a new clubhouse to serve them—and the community at large—for future decades. To learn more about the project, visit neptunianwc.org.
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WHERE WE LIVE | TIPS
Rolling Hills Preparatory School STILL ACCEPTING A P P L I C AT I O N S F O R THE 20162017 ACADEMIC YEAR To u r s o f f e re d d a i l y
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Financial writer Liz Weston shares seven smart money management tips for women. WRITTEN BY NICOLE
GREGORY
START SAVING EARLY “Retirement needs to be the cornerstone of your savings. We are living longer and are paid less, so you have to save more than is sometimes comfortable. We don’t want to be old, but we really don’t want to be old and broke.” THINK TWICE ABOUT QUITTING Look at the long-term cost in terms of being eligible for raises, loss of 401K savings and career position. KNOW WHAT YOU’RE WORTH Women must learn what others are paid in their fields. “We need to be more aggressive advocates for ourselves.” ENTREPRENEUR WITH CAUTION “Get a really good understanding of the market, how much you can expect to earn and how long it will take for you to be profitable. And make sure you have a big fat emergency fund, because things will go wrong.” EDUCATE YOURSELF “A lot of women have never paid attention to finances—or felt it was beyond them. But you can learn this; it’s within your grasp.” CONSULT WITH A FINANCIAL PLANNER When you need outside advice, see a fee-only financial planner. “These people are paid only by the fees you pay them—not from commission or kickbacks.”
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“...the whole process was far easier than I could have even imagined.....I was in the operating chair less than 10 minutes. I could see, though a bit hazy, and no pain at all. The next day I was in my regular doctor’s office getting the [eye] shields removed and my eyes checked. I could see perfectly. ‘You’re good to go,’ he said. ‘That’s it?’ I replied. Yes, that’s really it.” - NVISION Torrance and local South Bay Patient
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WHERE WE LIVE | GIVE
Straight to the Heart Why P.S. I Love You offers support where it’s needed most. PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHRIS
DRAKE
F
or Patricia Scelza-Jones, it all began with a family. In 1998 she met an elderly woman named Millie, whom she discovered had quit her job to help care for her five great-grandchildren, ages 2 to 12. The children’s mother and grandmother were both incarcerated for indefinite periods of time, and if Millie couldn’t care for them the siblings would be split up in the foster care system—potentially all over the country. “As soon as I met Millie I felt a connection with her because, like my mom, she inspired me with her positive attitude, her faith in people, her incredible love for life and her belief about her ‘purpose’ in this lifetime,” says Patricia. She called Millie to see how she could help her. Patricia started by taking the children on weekends so Millie could rest, and then contributing financially for their apartment rent and food and clothing for the children. Patricia bonded with the children and began asking her friends if they could also help out. From there, the P.S. I Love You Foundation (PSILYF) was born. Nearly 20 years later the foundation provides outreach across low-income communities, helping kids affected by poverty, low self-esteem, loss of self-control and focus, alcohol and drug abuse, gang violence, lack of quality nutrition, obesity, and singleparent or broken families. Faced with overcrowded and understaffed schools without enrichment programs, PSILYF seeks to fill that gap and help kids develop strong emotional, physical and social well-being skills early in life. This can reduce the chances of—and perhaps prevent—them from growing up depressed, violent, turning to gangs for support, dropping out of school or using drugs to cope. With the help of South Bay partners, sponsors and volunteers, the foundation is able to fund a handful of annual programs that provide a positive impact on the kids they serve. “PSILYF is a true grassroots nonprofit with no full-time staff,” says Patricia. “All the local support we have experienced over the years has helped sustain us—not just with funding but with awareness and program growth.” Love4Life is an 18-week life skills program taught in 40- to 60-minute weekly sessions. It delivers easy-to-use, interactive, mindful tools to help students think, act and live making compassionate and confident choices for increased success in their life outlook, happiness, school, career, personal friendships and other relationships. On the active side, Yoga123 offers at-risk children the practice of yoga and the teachings of breathing, physical exercise, emotional strength and mental sharpness. It is taught during school or as an after-school program and aligns with the California State Board of Education standards for physical education. During the summer, Day at the Beach “Adopt a Child for One Day” brings the community together by allowing adults to share time with at-risk children living in nearby communities. Uniting more than 600 people—300 community volunteers and more than 300 at-risk children ages 5 to 12 from local shelters, schools and the Department of Child and Family Services—it’s an afternoon that makes a difference in the lives of all who participate. “Events like Day at the Beach are successful only when strength and cooperation of a heartfelt team comes together in support of the same vision,” shares Patricia. “Everyone involved in the event believes that the day offers positive experiences and that one positive encounter can impact the thoughts, attitudes and life choices for any child.” P.S. I Love You Foundation is always seeking local friends to volunteer and join the fun. If interested, visit psiloveyoufoundation.com.
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GIVE | WHERE WE LIVE
BY THE NUMBERS A child is born into poverty every 5 minutes. A child is abused or neglected every 6 minutes. A child or teen is killed by gunfire every 20 hours. 77% of public school 4thgraders are reading below grade level. 7% of 16- to 19-year-olds are not enrolled in school and are not high school graduates. (Specific to California, the Children’s Defense Fund, May 2009)
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WHERE WE LIVE | DATEBOOK
FALL INTO PLACE October 23
Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk
An awe-inspiring event bringing together all walks of life for one common purpose: to support children with special needs and education. The walk is produced by SKECHERS USA, co-produced by The Friendship Foundation and presented by Nickelodeon. 8 a.m., Manhattan Beach Pier. skechersfriendshipwalk.com September 29 thru October 2
Sunscreen Film Festival West
Sunscreen is one of only a few film festivals nationwide to be sponsored and acknowledged by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Come watch a series of films and stay for the special talks with the artists behind the scenes. The festival will open with the documentary RUN, PADDLE, CHUG, about the famous 4th of July Ironman. 7 p.m., Hermosa Community Playhouse. ssffwest.com October 9
Palos Verdes Pastoral
September 7–October 16 A View From the Bridge Mark Taper Forum centertheatregroup.org
9–10 Row for a Reason
Noon, Body One Fitness cancersupportredondobeach.org
14 Carrie Underwood 7 p.m., Staples Center axs.com
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COUNTRY IDOL Above: Carrie Underwood Right: Palos Verdes Pastoral
18 Seaside Yoga Gathering terranea.com
23–October 9 Young Frankenstein
Palos Verdes Performing Arts norriscenter.com
23–25 19th Annual Redondo Beach Lobster Festival Redondo Beach Pier lobsterfestival.com
October 4–6 Girls Night Out
5:30 p.m., Comedy and Magic Club cancersupportredondobeach.org PASTORAL PHOTO COURTESY OF LORI LYNN STOKOE
The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy invites you to enjoy California’s best in organic, handcrafted food and wine prepared by Terranea Resort’s executive chef Bernard Ibarra. The special event will take place under a harvest moon with breathtaking views as a backdrop. Terranea Resort. pvplc.org
14 Young Dubliners 8 p.m., Saint Rocke saintrocke.com
16–January 21, 2017 Experience 25: Brain
El Segundo Museum of Art esmoa.org
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A modern luxury med spa where Beauty, Vitality, and Wellness are our passion and expertise. Over the years, Dinah has earned a reputation for her warm personality, artistic eye, and gentle technique. Her love and passion for helping women look and feel their best led to the collaboration with Dr. Robert Hashemiyoon to open Pure Luxe Medical and bring a “luxury med spa experience� to the city of El Segundo.
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SEEN | WHERE WE LIVE
GUITAR FOUNDATION OF AMERICA CONCERT IN RANCHO PALOS VERDES Martha Masters and Yutong Sharp
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WHERE WE LIVE | SEEN
10th Annual White Light White Night
Walk With Sally hosted its annual fundraiser to support their free mentoring programs and support services for children whose parents, guardians or siblings have cancer or have succumbed to cancer. The event featured the Taste of LA with 25+ restaurants, a wine garden, beer garden, specialty cocktails, extremely generous sponsors and a live performance by The Spazmatics. More than $330,000 was raised through the event to help match 66 kids with a mentor and sustain the friendships currently in the program.
Dr. Sandra Calleros and Trey Smith
The Spazmatics
Heather MacDonald, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Susan Pinsky
Rick Sowers, Todd Klawin, Mari Sowers, Nick Arquette
Linsey Godfrey and Serene Branson
Walk With Sally mentees
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SEEN | WHERE WE LIVE
Homes and Harmony Feng Shui Launch Party
Angela Sabatasso of Strand Hill Properties Christie’s International Real Estate invited friends in the community to celebrate the launch of her company Homes and Harmony Feng Shui, which offers Classical Feng Shui and Real Estate consulting services. Homes and Harmony believes “It’s not just a home, it’s a healthy environment” and aims to change the way we look at real estate.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY LIESL DIESEL
Bryan Palmer, Angela Sabatasso, Erik Lorig
Jennifer Hennessey, Angela Sabatasso, Peggy Cox
Kaiana Marley Imada
Kathy Smith, Angela Sabatasso, Marianne Gordon
Angela Sabatasso, Dr. Dirk Ruffin, Lynn Ruffin
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WHERE WE LIVE | SEEN
Guitar Foundation of America Concert
Scott Tennant, Matthew Greif, John Dearman, William Kanengiser
Martha Masters
Paula Farrow, Don Austin, Michelle Fullerton
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AJ Minette, Marc Gasway, Scott Johnson
PHOTOGRAPHED BY TARA STEWART
The Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) held a private house concert in Rancho Palos Verdes to benefit the GFA’s work supporting guitar education and performance. Artists included Pepe Romero, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Andrew York, Martha Masters, Yutong Sharp, Ryan Ayers, Chamberlain Trio and Sedona Farber (winner of the 2015 GFA International Youth Competition). Catering was provided by The Depot.
Scott Tennant, Chris Broderick, Sharon Greif
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SEEN | WHERE WE LIVE
Claire’s Place Foundation 2nd Annual Glow Ride
Claire’s Place Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing support to children and families affected by cystic fibrosis, held their second annual “Glow Ride” fundraiser. The 3.4-mile ride made a big scene on the Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach piers and will make an even bigger impact on families with cystic fibrosis struggling to make ends meet while dealing with extended hospital stays.
Actor Justin Baldoni and Claire Wineland
Stacey Armato, Wayne Powell, Mayor Hany Fangary, Robert Hyman, Claire Wineland, Justin Baldoni, Deena Russo, Christian Horvath and daughter, Laura McHolm, Melissa Nordquist, Justin Massey, Trish Dixon
PHOTOGRAPHED BY TODD WESTPHAL
Hermosa Beach Mayor Hany Fangary and Claire Wineland
Tessa Nordquist, Melissa Nordquist, Claire Wineland, Adam Nordquist
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WHERE WE LIVE | SEEN
Torrance Memorial Ambassador Dinner
PHOTOGRAPHED BY DEIDRE DAVIDSON
Members of the Ambassador Program, an annual support group of Torrance Memorial, came together at Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach to hear the story of cancer survivor Mike Hebson and learn how their donations were supporting the lifesaving work at the medical center.
Mike Hebson, Judith Gassner, Nancy Hebson, Craig Leach
Russ Varon, Song Klein, Hugo Hool, MD, Kalpana Hool
Rich Lucy, Jerry Unatin, MD, Barbara Lurie, Mark Lurie, MD, Judy Leach, Craig Leach, Pat Lucy
The Strand House 5th Anniversary Party
The Strand House celebrated their fifth anniversary on August 11 with live music, hors d’oeuvres and Champagne at StrandBar.
Shanna Lien, Michael Morrisette, Jenna Ritter
The Strand House ownership and management team
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The Strand House management team
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SEEN | WHERE WE LIVE
George So, MD, Barry Winston, MD, Mark Lurie, MD
Distinctive Residential Settings | Chef-Prepared Dining and Bistro Premier Health and Wellness Programs | Award-Winning Memory Care Professionally Supervised Therapy and Rehabilitation Services BURBANK | ENCINO | RANCHO PALOS VERDES HOLLYWOOD HILLS | WESTWOOD | THOUSAND OAKS
The Community Built for Life.® belmontvillage.com
© 2016 Belmont Village, L.P. | RCFE Lic 197608468, 197608466, 197608467, 198601646, 565801746, 197608291
Southbay_2016_memory.indd 1
Michael Zislis and David Zislis
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8/8/16 4:12 PM
FIND US SOCIALLY /OurSouthbay
@OurSouthbay
/OurSouthbay
/OurSouthbay
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From business luncheons to engagement parties, we are happy to customize and host your event! Our private dining spaces accommodate up to 60 guests. Contact us today for more details! Kristen Ibarra Kristen.I@PMAGrill.com Private Dining and Events Coordinator 2361 Rosecrans Blvd, El Segundo, CA 90245
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Make peace with your bikini Ocean View Yoga New student specials: One week unlimited - $30 One month unlimited - $75 10 Classes for - $100
1112 Ocean Drive, Manhattan Beach,CA. 90266 oursouthbay.com
yogaloftmb.com 310.372.7334 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016, SOUTHBAY
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Little Tell these three young ladies that they fight, climb, dance or act “like a girl,” and they’ll take it as the ultimate compliment. All younger than 13 with very different passions, these extraordinary South Bay youth prove that with a kind heart and both eyes on a dream, you can be unstoppable. WRITTEN BY JULIA
HORWITZ |
PHOTOGRAPHED BY SIRI
BERTING
Little Women
hen it comes to defying the odds, nobody does it better than young girls. So easily underestimated and so undeniably awesome, these three young South Bay women play by their own rules and reinvent the game in the process. No matter who you are, no matter your gender or your age—anyone can benefit from being a little more like these small but mighty forces of nature. When I first met Alexis Chavira, my knee-jerk reaction was to remark on how adorable she is—a petite 9-year-old with long, beautiful hair and a sweet smile. But as soon as she shook my hand, I was put in my place. Her grip, coupled with direct eye contact, was only a window into the powerhouse she is. Alexis has been doing martial arts, primarily jiu-jitsu, since she was 5 years old and has already earned a well-deserved reputation in a sport dominated by boys. It all started when she saw the movie Kung Fu Panda and tried some tricks. Turns out, she’s a natural. Alexis began training at Beach City Martial Arts, the gym that has backed her every step of the way since. She’s competed and held her own at regional competitions, namely as the only girl in her division at Gokor Hayastan—a tournament in North Hollywood. And in case you need another reason not to mess with her, she will be earning her black belt this September. A few years ago Alexis noticed she moved her head and chest in certain ways while breathing and was soon diagnosed with Tourette syndrome. But she also noticed that when she practiced, these symptoms slipped away. Her mom explains that she used to be painfully shy—“unable to look people in the eyes,” she says. But as her handshake shows, she’s come a long way in a short time. Alexis remarks, “With confidence and how I live everyday life, martial arts have made a big difference.” The sport transforms her, and through it she has earned the apt name “Alexis Tough as Nails.” Tatum Cunningham is another force to be reckoned with—yet in a way uniquely her own. She’s 9 years old with wild hair, a freckled nose and expressive hands, and she
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Little Women
absolutely beams when she talks. She is one of those people who can warm a room just by being in it. A recent Alta Vista Elementary student of the month, Tatum is a jack-of-all-trades and master of many—including but not limited to Irish dancing, rock climbing, painting, sailing, writing, cooking and being a full-time distributer of kindness. Full of guts and gratitude, she is fearless. When asked how she got into rock climbing, she explains, “I started out climbing boulders, and when I fell I got right back up. By the time my parents were worried that I was okay, I was back up again.” It’s as simple as that … the courage to get back up. She continues, “I deal with fear by knowing that once something is over, it’s over. I power through it, I know I’ve accomplished something, and I don’t feel scared anymore.” Tatum’s commitment to loving others and herself is infectious. She is all about embracing the different strands of her heritage: Italian, African-American, Irish and Scottish. Cooking with her different family members is one of her favorite ways of exploring those layers. She explains, “You want to find the next chapter of your background and relate it to things you like to do. I like to think about whether my parents and ancestors did the things I love doing.” She also is a firm believer in random acts of kindness. Each winter she goes to the grocery store to buy flowers and then gives them to the person working the register; a year hasn’t gone by when the recipient hasn’t started crying. Tatum insists, “I think it’s important to put a smile on at least one face every day.” And after meeting her, she certainly put a smile on mine. Olivia Curry reminds us of the importance of being honest with oneself, no matter how scary that can be. At 12 years old Olivia—with a wide smile, blonde hair and composure beyond her years—has an impressive entertainment career under her belt. A triple-threat singer, dancer and actor, she recently landed a role in the Grey Gardens musical at the Ahmanson Theatre with theatre heavyweights Betty Buckley and Rachel York. Olivia has been doing musical theatre since she was 7—many of
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those years spent with POPs in Hermosa Beach, expressing her passion for putting on a show. Her first professional musical, Grey Gardens has stretched the boundaries of her natural talent. She is currently an understudy in the production, which she explains is “very different from actually playing a part, so I am glad that I’ve had so much support throughout the process. It’s hard because you have to learn everything from a distance and by watching— not necessarily by doing.” Arguably even more impressive than these accomplishments is the work she has put into choosing a path that makes her happy. When Olivia was younger, she wanted to be a ballerina. She was incredible at it—taking classes at a Russian ballet school and doing jobs at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for the American Ballet Theatre. But as she got older, she began to look at the sport more critically. While at a ballet intensive at the Bolshoi Ballet, Olivia looked around and thought, “I could sense the feeling of being with people who are very driven, forced and focused … everyone is very intense and in the zone, and it was a little too stressful. So I moved away from that.” She really had to ask herself, “I like this, but do I really want to do this when I’m older?” It was that decision to move away from ballet that led her to the place she is now, and she couldn’t be happier. Her love for musical theatre is infectious. She says her phone is full of ballads from every musical imaginable. “I love that no matter what, musicals are powerful—no matter what emotion they’re expressing.” And commitment to expressing that raw, powerful emotion in her own art is what pushes her forward. For all of these girls, the experience of having people underestimate them is already familiar. As outstanding as they are, they know that the world they live in too often assumes very little of their potential. But for each of them, focusing on what they love and overcoming fear is the ultimate way of fighting back and biting back. Olivia explains that because dance and acting are pushed into the categories of “girl things,” they’re not taken seriously. She explains, “People say, ‘Oh it’s dance—it’s easy.’ And I just think to myself, ‘You should try it!’ It’s harder than a lot of sports because you have to think about everything. You have to be an athlete and an artist at once.” Alexis explains how one time a boy walked into the gym, saw her and remarked on how “cute and little” she was. She promptly replied, “I may be little, but I’m a beast,” and put him into a flying arm bar. To these young ladies, it’s clear that you can’t be what you can’t see. When asked, “Who do you look up to?” the trio mentioned other
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women—some mentors, some celebrities—who have shown them what it looks like to realize their dreams. For Tatum, it’s the older Irish dancers and teachers at Celtic Irish Dance Academy in Manhattan Beach and Palos Verdes. For Alexis, it’s those women taking over the martial arts world—including Rhonda Rousey and Carla Esparza, the now-renowned fighter who grew up in Redondo Beach. Role models have shown these girls what they can be and that they can inspire others in turn. Heroes aside, there was one more question that needed to be asked: “What’s your favorite thing about yourself?” The results actually came fast. After a matter of seconds, all three girls easily listed their strengths … words that included “funny,” “creative,” “strong,” “persistent” and “grateful.” Yes, this is what makes each of them so incredible. They already know they are amazing, they already know their strengths, and they just want to get down to business with putting those strengths to good use. If we could all do a little more of that— making lists of what makes us amazing and being unafraid to rattle them off—I think we could get one step closer to being more like these little women. l
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Every smile tells a story. We’ll make sure it’s a masterpiece.
22330 Hawthorne Boulevard, Suite E Torrance, CA 90505 Phone: 310-373-1120 Fax: 310-383-1113
www.okamotodds.com
DAWN OF A NEW DOCTOR It’s not enough just to look good anymore. Most of us want to feel good. And for many, regenerative medicine—with its integrative approach—seems to be the answer. From high-frequency radio waves to music vibrations, we explore the latest therapies that, some claim, can slow down the aging process. WRITTEN BY DIANE
HAITHMAN GEORGIADES
ILLUSTRATED BY CHRISTINE
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D
r. Prudence Hall, director and founder of The Hall Center in Santa Monica, just can’t wait to start using the center’s brand-new “consciousness portal”—her description for a technology called VibraSound, which according to its website uses music for relaxation and inspiration. The patient lies on a “vibrotactile mattress” that sends music as vibration to the body. A visual display device transmits music as light pulsations to the eyes. Headphones send music to the ears.
Dr. Hall describes it as a “fun way to start to change how our brain is wired.” VibraSound is just one of many offerings that distinguishes The Hall Center—a self-described regenerative medicine clinic—from a traditional practice. Another new, alternate technology: the Thyroflex, which uses a reflex hammer attached to a computer to diagnose thyroid imbalances. The diagnosis is based on reflex speed in a forearm muscle (used as an adjunct to more traditional blood and ultrasound tests). Or how about IV therapies and high-frequency radio waves for detoxifying, or chelation therapy aimed at cleansing toxic heavy metals from the bloodstream? Dr. Hall’s practice offers these treatments and more—along with hormone replacement therapy, dietary and lifestyle counseling, energy healers and a “health coaching concierge” to bring all the elements together. Most patients opt for the center’s Core Program. It begins with a daylong visit that takes patients through various stations that address hormone balance, GI tract health, thyroid health and other issues. Trained as a gynecologist, Dr. Hall started her practice with all women patients but says that now 35% of her patients are men. Patients also consult Dr. Hall’s colleague, Dr. Nikki ArguinzoniGil, a doctor of naturopathic medicine who is licensed to practice in California and Washington. Also on staff is patient coordinator Susanna Barry, a self-described holistic healer and teacher of heartcentered wisdom who offers guidance based on her studies of Vedic astrology, ayurveda and tantra. Cost? Get out your credit card: $2,500 for that first day (insurance plans may cover some tests and treatments). There are usually two follow-up consultations within three months and annual follow-ups. Cost-conscious patients may seek consultation on just one element of the program, such as hormone balance or digestive problems. Dr. Hall’s work has drawn much media attention, including TV interviews with Dr. Oz on Oprah and Suzanne Somers, a celebrity patient who interviewed Dr. Hall on her TV show. Walk into the center, and you’ll feel like you’ve arrived at a highend spa retreat with exposed brick, glowing wood floors, overstuffed furniture and exotic artifacts. While waiting, patients can sample a glass of “gem water” from a large glass carafe containing a vial of semi-precious stones thought to render the water more alkaline. There’s a shop filled with books, gifts, and natural health and beauty products. An aesthetics room may be used for company meetings as well as meditation, yoga or other pathways to fulfillment. Is this a doctor’s office of the future? After all, Prudence Hall is a graduate of USC’s prestigious Keck School of Medicine—not a New Age healer. Or is The Hall Center actually more of a relaxing visit to a day spa than the best place for an annual physical? And really, is there any reason why a medical practice can’t be all of these things? Dr. Hall’s practice—as well as many others in the LA area—offers treatment blending multiple medical traditions. Call it regenerative medicine or integrative practice—many doctors are borrowing from Eastern medicine, using alternative treatments and
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tools and bringing nutrition into the diagnostic picture. And it’s no surprise that it happens first in California, observes Dr. Michael Hirt, a Harvard-trained physician and founder of The Center for Integrative Medicine in Tarzana. “I think California has always been, for many decades now, on the cutting edge of health,” Dr. Hirt says. “California has maintained itself as the health leader, a health experimenter, breaking into new markets.” “People are looking to take their health to another level,” he adds. “And since we’re a very populous state, there are very many people who are willing to put down some of their hard-earned capital to make their health better using natural means.” THE GOAL Okay, Californians are game to try almost anything, but what exactly are they looking for? Baby boomers heading into their 60s and Generation-Xers facing their 40s and 50s want to feel younger. They want to be stronger and more productive. Mid-lifers can no longer count on lifelong job security that ends with a fat pension and a gold watch—they’re launching new businesses and careers. Nurse practitioner Lauren Evans, 29, works with Dr. Miguel Gonzalez in his integrative practice in Thousand Oaks. “For the most part, people complain about being tired. My #1 complaint is fatigue,” Lauren says. “I really think a big part of that is our lifestyle,
“I think California has always been, for many decades now, on the cutting edge of health. And since we’re a very populous state, there are very many people who are willing to put down some of their hard-earned capital to make their health better using natural means.” SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016, SOUTHBAY
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particularly in Los Angeles. People in the TV and film industry are always talking about long hours. They’re really stressed.” Patients are also really demanding. “Most people tend to come in and say: ‘What can I do right now? I only have a two-hour time block,’” Lauren observes. Those patients are most attracted to IV therapies, receiving various intravenous “cocktails” containing amino acids and/or vitamins for quick relief. The clinic has started administering such therapies by injection for people who don’t have time to spend an hour on an IV. Dr. Gonzalez also offers treatment with EVOX biofeedback technology, which Lauren describes as a guided meditation using the patient’s own voice to “reframe the subconscious” to break through barriers to better health. The stereotype of the LA woman seeking eternal youth through plastic surgery seems to be falling by the wayside in favor of those more concerned with feeling less exhausted. These women hope that dietary changes, hormone replacement and supplements might bring back that youthful glow—but beauty is no longer the main motivator. Dr. Hall says she has no problem with aesthetic procedures. The Hall Center offers nonsurgical face and body treatments using micro-current technology and “micro-needling” to stimulate the skin to regenerate. But “I never start there,” she insists. “Really what we do is beauty from the inside. It’s that energy, that feminine radiance. They could be 250 pounds and 80 years old— they just shine. They shimmer.” She acknowledges that most patients seek a sort of regeneration. They’re tired. They’re depressed. Maybe they’ve gained weight or lost their sex drive. Maybe they just don’t feel like themselves anymore. Most of her female patients are between the ages of 40 and 60, but some younger women come in with similar concerns. Dr. Hall makes bold claims, saying bioidentical (plant- or animalderived, not synthetic) hormones can reverse early dementia, prevent 50% of heart attacks in women and decrease breast cancer by 50%. She says older men on testosterone-replacement therapy can “build as much muscle as a 20-year-old.” Dr. Hall adds that alarming information about hormone replacement increasing the risk of cancer and stroke only applies to synthetic hormones. “I’ve thought about this: I don’t think it’s our chronological age [that’s the problem],” she says. “I feel like I’m 30. I think as long as we keep away diseases and keep ourselves healthy, then we are unlimited. We have an unlimited life span. We can be 100 and still contributing. And that’s part of longevity … happy people tend to live 10 years longer.” Underscoring her point, Dr. Hall is 65 and looks about 20 years younger. One can’t help but think: Maybe this is just the way 65 is supposed to look. A BELIEVER Tamara King-Patten, 51, laughingly describes herself as a “Jesus freak.” But Tamara also believes in Dr. Prudence Hall and her colleagues at The Hall Center. Tamara did not know what to expect when she walked into The Hall Center for the first time about two years ago. She only knew that she was desperate to feel better. For years she’d been visiting specialists who couldn’t find anything wrong with her. She describes her former physician as brilliant but working in a medical facility with limited resources. Heading into menopause, she was frightened things were only going to get worse. “I was not even close to being optimal. I was barely functioning,” she says. Tamara sought self-help books about health, including Suzanne Somers’ I’m Too Young For This! The Natural Hormone
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“I don’t think it’s our chronological
age (that’s the problem). I feel like I’m 30. I think as long as we keep away diseases and keep ourselves healthy then we are unlimited. And that’s part of longevity … happy people tend to live 10 years longer.” Solution to Enjoy Perimenopause, with a foreword by Dr. Hall. She says The Hall Center represented a “whole other world.” Today Tamara bubbles with zest for life. She also quotes a whole glossary of new medical terms for the source of mysterious ailments that had plagued her throughout her life. She credits it all to Dr. Hall and “Dr. Nikki” (Arguinzoni-Gil). Tamara’s previous physician had already introduced her to a bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). But she says The Hall Center diagnosed a host of other problems that needed to be solved for the hormone treatment to be effective. Tamara says she took a turn for the worse on BHRT until Dr. Nikki found a deficiency in GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter) in her brain that needed to be addressed. The naturopath also discovered parasites and H. pylori bacteria affecting Tamara’s digestive tract, as well as diagnosing adrenal gland fatigue. Tamara, the product of a high-stress, alcoholic household, also suffered from anxiety and attention deficit issues before the hormone therapy, saying she was unable to focus well enough to read a book. She’s now on a low-glycemic, mostly organic diet that is dairyfree, gluten-free and sugar-free. “Today I am so hopeful. I have my life back,” she says. A DOUBTER Not everyone shares Tamara’s confidence in less traditional therapies. After recommendations from friends and reading glowing reviews on Yelp, a 49-year-old Manhattan Beach woman—who asked that her name not be used—tells us she sought a doctor in the South Bay area who promised “anti-aging” medicine, including natural hormone therapy, ozone therapy and IV therapies. “I’m almost 50, I have little kids and am constantly tired,” she says. She and her husband decided to visit the clinic together. Both were disappointed. She was suspicious when the doctor told her, “You could be more youthful” and wanted to bring her hormone levels—normal for her age—to levels found in much younger females. The doctor also wanted her to switch her thyroid medication from Synthroid (a man-made product) to a hormone derived from a pig’s ear. He recommended a low dose of testosterone to increase sex drive (not an uncommon therapy for women). Then there was the dizzying array of supplements and vitamins. Her husband was also put on testosterone therapy.
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“They want to beef up your levels to youth, completely out of the normal range—it’s ridiculous,” this patient says. Hundreds of dollars later, she and her husband have stopped seeing the South Bay doctor. She has quit taking testosterone but continues to take a low level of melatonin for insomnia (which she says works for her). The patient was so confused by everything on the treatment menu that she asked a physician she knew to offer his opinion on some of the treatments recommended by the clinic. To put it mildly, he was unimpressed. In his opinion, many of the treatments were harmless but ineffective. Those include ozone therapy, micro-current devices and magnetic therapy. He calls the intravenous vitamin industry “a sideshow to science-based health care.” (He acknowledges that there is an “established medical role” for injectable vitamins but says they are not “an energy-boosting cure-all.”) The only treatment offered by the clinic that this doctor considers risky is testosterone therapy. He agrees with a recent caution from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that testosterone is approved only for men whose low levels of the hormone are caused by “certain medical conditions,” not by aging. He believes patients should consider the possibility that hormone treatment—bioidentical and synthetic— can raise the risk of cancer or stroke. Many doctors would disagree. RULE OF THUMB So maybe you’re not looking for the fountain of youth. But if there are safe options for looking and feeling better as you age and you can afford them, why not use them? At the same time, the choices can be so dizzying you may be tempted to give up, get yourself a generous slice of pie (ice cream optional) and then treat your fatigue with a nap. There are no easy answers, but Dr. Hirt suggests this rule of thumb: “In general, my philosophy is you don’t want to be the first in line or the last in line for any kind of medical therapy, and that applies to regenerative medicine as much as it applies to conventional medicine. I’m looking for the science. I want to know there’s something that’s been tested that I can rely on so I can explain to a patient how it’s supposed to work. Then I can use the science to monitor how it’s actually working.” Dr. Hirt has studied acupuncture, Chinese medicine and nutrition in order to expand his arsenal of therapies. He’s excited by experiments with stem cell therapy and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections that use the body’s own cells to stimulate the body to repair itself. “I think at this point Americans can expect, especially if they are doing regenerative medicine with cutting-edge doctors, that wear and tear can be corrected,” Dr. Hirt asserts. Meanwhile, Dr. Hall is planning to offer her program on a cruise ship where patients can go to focus on hormone balance, adrenal exhaustion and hypothyroidism, as well as emotional health and consciousness. “We’re looking at a lot of things [that] generate a lot of data. That data is going to start coming out of our center,” she enthuses. “We’re just going to blow this thing wide open.”
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FAMILY ACT In his Pulitzer Prize-winning Sunday in the Park with George, Stephen Sondheim writes, “The art of making art is putting it together.” For these five women in the business of performing arts, good genes translate to winning collaborations. Whether in the wings or on center stage, they prove talent, tenacity and success are all relative. WRITTEN BY
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JENNIE NUNN |
PHOTOGRAPHED BY KAT
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K
athy Swan Winterhalder and her younger sister Sue Swan enjoy a very large Rolodex. But it isn’t just any ordinary Rolodex. The contents include names like the late Maya Angelou and Sally Ride, as well as John Cleese, Ron Howard, Amy Tan, Yo-Yo Ma, Newt Gingrich, Martha Stewart, Michael Phelps, Jane Goodall, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Vin Scully and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Sue, a former Hollywood casting director who worked on films such as Police Academy, Out For Justice and Pet Sematary, and Kathy, a former university administrator at California State University, Dominguez Hills, joined forces in 1996 to launch the Distinguished Speakers Series of Southern California (speakersla.com). The series features six speakers per year ranging from humanitarians and political figures to actors, athletes, authors and astronauts. The idea initially sparked from Bruce Vogel, a family friend of their parents who started Peninsula Speaker Series in the San Francisco Bay Area. “All of a sudden our weekly phone calls home as adults to check in got a lot more interesting when our parents would say, ‘Oh, we saw Jimmy Carter, and oh my goodness!’ We thought that was a really interesting thing that they were participating in,” explains Kathy. She continues: “Flash-forward 20 years ago, and it was really like a family perfect storm. I had just had twins, Sue was in between movies, and my mom and dad had sold their business and were looking for something to do. We sat down and had a family meeting, and we said, ‘Why don’t we do this speakers series in LA? There’s nothing like it.’” So the sisters set out to create a subscription-based series in Pasadena and later expanded to include Redondo Beach, Beverly Hills and Thousand Oaks. “We’ve been the best-kept secret in the South Bay, and we don’t advertise,” says Kathy. “I think it’s because there’s a real sense of community here. I will walk on The Strand or be at the Starbucks in Manhattan Beach, and I will hear people talking about it. I remember we had David Brooks, and he had a really strong message about character—and a month later I was at a party and people were still talking about it. And it’s a big deal when Margaret Thatcher or Bill Clinton come to Redondo Beach and to have them in the South Bay.” As expected, they have their share of behind-thescenes celebrity stories, including the time when Colin Powell’s limo had a flat tire on the 101. “He changed the tire himself on the side of the freeway,” says Kathy. “He asked for a burger and a scotch on the rocks and sent us his dry cleaning bill as a joke.” They also have a wish list for prospective future
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speakers such as George Clooney, Maria Shriver, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. By bringing the high-profile speakers to small-size auditoriums for an up-close experience followed by a Q&A session, Kathy and Sue are now—albeit humbly— realizing their effect on the community. “We feel like we bring the community together. I think we are improving quality of life, but it’s also a great night out to see our neighbors and do things with people that live in your community—and see you’re friends,” says Kathy. “There’s not a whole lot like that [while we’re all watching bad TV at home].” “Or sitting in a movie and coming out with nothing really to say about it,” adds Sue. “It is hard when you’re in a town like Manhattan Beach, where everybody is so successful, to bring people that are going to inspire them—because a lot of people in this town inspire other people. To have an entertainment that is something that can touch them in a way that they touch other people is pretty amazing.” Now, after nearly 25 years working together, they definitely have a system in place—from social media and series subscription sales to marketing. “I don’t think I could have done this with anyone else but my sister,” says Sue. “Luckily we don’t step on each other’s toes, and it’s been a nice fit. She’s super-creative, and I’m more logical. And we get to spend a lot of time together. I pinch myself all the time.”
For Russian–born Irina Trebunskaya and her daughter, Anna Trebunskaya—a pro dancer who has appeared on multiple seasons of Dancing with the Stars, dancing isn’t just a weekend hobby. It’s a way of life. The prolific mother-daughter duo opened You Can Dance Studio (ballroomdancehermosa.com) in Hermosa Beach seven years ago. They teach everything from ballroom (including youth ballroom, ages 6-16) to salsa, cha-cha-chá, rumba, swing, foxtrot, samba, Argentine tango and even pre-wedding dance classes to prep for the Big Day. But it all began in Chelyabinsk, Russia, about a 2½-hour flight from Moscow, where Irina—a former Russian professional champion finalist and U.S. Pro/ Am champion—began ballroom dancing in her 20s. “I started very late,” she says. “I thought I might become a motivational speaker or do something in psychology, but I never thought I would be in business for dance. I tried to teach dance, and it sucked me in.” After dancing competitively with her former husband, Oleg Trebunski, Irina moved to the States, where she was invited to dance for Fred Astaire Midtown Dance Studio. From there, she opened her own
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“It’s a labor of love and a lot of work, but it’s so wonderful for our community. She wanted me to continue the dream.”
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studio in New York and later moved to California. “I’m selling an improvement of lifestyle,” says Irina, who also designs original, intricate dance costumes— such as ombré green-and-black dresses and sequinclad, flowy gowns—from scratch. “You learn a new skill, you meet people and gain a whole new group of people to hang out with. You get to exercise and think better about yourself.” Irina, CEO of Dance It Up—a nonprofit organization with a mission to promote and maintain the artistry of the sport of dance and enhance the wellbeing and culture of the community—also taught Anna to dance as a girl. “I grew up around dancing, and I was the kid who was backstage waiting. I can remember walking around back there when I was 3 or 4 years old,” recalls Anna, who has been paired with everyone from Olympic ice skater Evan Lysacek to football legend Jerry Rice, boxing icon Sugar Ray Leonard and fashion expert Carson Kressley on Dancing with the Stars. “It was a natural transition, and it was not a weird thing. In Russia dancing is a very, very big deal. It’s a sport more so than it is just a dancing.” Anna, now a mother to 2-year-old daughter, Amalya, has appeared in television shows such as HBO’s The Newsroom and Agent Carter. She describes her role at the studio as “artistic director,” teaching private lessons and moving into a choreographer and producer role. “I always say to people that I’m very fortunate and blessed to get paid for something that I absolutely love to do. For most people, dancing is their hobby, but I get to do it and clearly share with others my love for dancing, music and movement,” she says. Anna just returned from performing in Forever Tango at the Vail Dance Festival in Vail, Colorado and will serve as a judge for the U.S. Dance Competition in Orlando, Florida this month. “With Facebook and Twitter and things that we have now, people don’t have to see each other and interact a lot,” she says. “At the studio we are able to provide that sense of community and communication and share a love for dancing, face-to-face, and not via Skype or something. I think that’s pretty special.” On September 17 the studio will play host to “Hot Ballroom Night,” a charity event founded by Irina and Anna conceived in a similar format to Dancing with the Stars, with six local notable personalities dancing for preferred charities. The overall winner is awarded extra funds for the prospective charity. When it comes to working together and running a business together, Anna and Irina never take it for granted. “We have that extra layer,” says Anna. “They always say, ‘Mother knows best,’ and it’s true.” Irina agrees: “It’s awesome. We are fulfilling a passion.”
Palos Verdes Performing Arts executive director Julie Moe Reynolds (palosverdesperformingarts.com) can’t
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imagine doing anything else. After all, her late mother, Joan Hurst Moe—a Hollywood starlet and prolific professional fashion model, founded the organization more than 30 years ago. “I was in third grade at Rancho Vista Elementary, and my mom said, ‘It’s a shame that kids here don’t have theatre,’” recalls Julie. Her mother had a vision to build a theatre, along with friend Agnes Moss and 20 Peninsula residents who formed nonprofit organization Community Association of the Peninsula to fulfill the unmet needs of the community. “That was a huge part of the dream—to be able to bring in professional shows and not have to go downtown and pay for parking,” Julie explains. “It’s a labor of love and a lot of work, but it’s so wonderful for our community. She wanted me to continue the dream.” Julie, who majored in business with a minor in biology at California Lutheran University, formerly worked at TRW and most recently as principal and chief financial officer at E2 ManageTech—an environmental engineering company. Now the mother of three spends an average of 40+ hours each week fundraising, launching new accounting software, corralling highprofile performers such as Kenny Loggins and Eddie Money, and working behind the scenes to coordinate a long line of musicals and shows (four to five per year) spanning Legally Blonde, Cats, Alice In Wonderland, and Mary Poppins. For the 2016-2017 season, shows such as Young Frankenstein, 1776, Nunsense and The Music Man are scheduled. “When people come in and see our shows, they are won over,” says Julie, who explains they just debuted a new website and are working hard to promote outreach. “It’s great for people to get out and see live theatre. And as far as the kids in our program, for those kids to be able to perform on that stage, it’s a real gift. It’s just amazing.” This year the organization is breaking ground on a new 13,000-square-foot pavilion across the street from the Norris Theatre, to replace the existing leased Harlyne J. Norris Pavilion space. It will feature five dance rooms, a recording studio and two rooms dedicated to Ready, Willing, and Able—a dance program for special needs youth. “It’s going to be about a $5 million project, and it’s really exciting,” says Julie of the new building expected to open in 2018. “I think teaching our kids that giving back to the community is important, and my parents set that example for me.” Julie’s father is still very involved in the organization too. “He was definitely the wind beneath my mom’s wings,” she adds. “He still comes in every single day, and the new building is one of his dreams. He’s now 88, and he really wants to finish the campus.” As for continuing her mother’s legacy: “I think she would be really thrilled,” says Julie. “She brought it so far, for 32 years. What an amazing thing she did. And she didn’t do it alone. It was a neat camaraderie, and I think she garnered a lot of enjoyment from it.”
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DESIGNING
MOM A local South Bay woman balances being a business owner and a mom from the comfort of her own home. WRITTEN BY AMBER
KLINCK PRESSEY
PHOTOGRAPHED BY LAUREN
Designing Mom
T
o say Wendy Word has good grasp of the various Manhattan Beach boroughs would be an understatement. As the owner of Wendy Word Design, a full-service interior design firm with a large South Bay-based clientele, Wendy and her team have worked on projects covering every inch of the tiny Beach City, as well as up and down the West Coast. But her Manhattan Beach roots are more personal than professional. “I’ve lived in the Tree Section, I’ve lived in the Sand Section, now I’m living in the Hill Section,” notes Wendy, who has lived in the South Bay since graduating from UCLA. “I don’t think that I could pick a favorite—there are no bad spots in Manhattan Beach.” So when the opportunity came to design her own home on a coveted lot in the Beach City where she has worked and lived for years, Wendy took it. “This is an ideal setting for my family,” she explains. “We can be active outdoors while having access to all the amenities of LA, minus the hustle and bustle. It’s just enough off the grid without feeling too remote.”
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With the perfect locale locked down for Wendy and her two sons, Alec and Jonny, she got to work creating the perfect space for her family and her business. The process began at the end of 2012 when she found the lot. “I contemplated ideas of what to do—a tear-down or a remodel—but it just made more sense to start from the beginning,” Wendy explains. “There wasn’t much to be salvaged.” In 2013 she began working with architect Michael Eserts, principal of Eserts Studio in Santa Monica. “Working with Michael was a dream,” Wendy says. “The entire process was streamlined from the beginning. He really helped me sift through all of my ideas and all of the things I’ve seen and been exposed to. He helped me define what I was looking for in my own home.” After years of helping clients bring their dreams to reality (Wendy started her design business in 2004), she was now—for the first time—doing a project from the ground up with only her own family’s needs in
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The goal of the project was to create a “low-key, luxury and calm retreat—a space to live casually, relax together and entertain.”
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mind. And while she loved the experience, it gave her an entirely new perspective. “I really have a new appreciation for clients that may have a difficult time making a decision,” she says. The build took a total of 18 months, starting in February 2014 and ending in the fall of 2015. The goal of the project, which Wendy refers to as “Scandia Beach,” was to create a “low-key, luxury and calm retreat—a space to live casually, relax together and entertain.” Mission accomplished. Flooded with natural light, open floor plans and high ceilings, Wendy’s home is absolutely stunning, while still maintaining a warm and welcoming livability that caters to the needs of family life. Signs of Wendy’s impeccable taste and years of experience as a designer are sprinkled throughout the house. The kitchen is clad in Turkish marble with elements of movement that mimic both the sky and the sea. The floors are European white oak, laid with random width for a more relaxed feel. The exterior wood element wraps into the interior entry and conceals an integrated powder room with glass tile walls boasting a quiet iridescence. “It felt like a more natural option than wallpaper here,” Wendy explains. After seeing some of Wendy’s previous projects and now viewing her own home, what is perhaps most striking is how unique each and every project is from the others. “We’re not here to give you our look; we’re here to help you find yours,” she says. “Our work is meant to be a reflection of you and your lifestyle. However, it’s Wendy’s role as mom—not designer—that really brings the space together for her and her boys. “They motivate everything I do,” Wendy says. “We are truly Team Word, with me acting as the captain and Alec and Jonny as my two MVPs.” The media room serves as a dedicated zone for the boys
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to hang out, study or entertain their friends. “I can always tell how many kids are here by the number of shoes at the front door,” Wendy notes. “The house has become a nice hub for the boys.” Ironically, the greatest feature of the home that benefits Wendy as a mom equally serves her professionally: her studio. “It really answers my need to pursue my career while not missing a moment with my boys,” Wendy explains. The dedicated work space is connected to the second floor with its own deck, full bathroom and hidden Murphy bed—just in case the room is needed for an impromptu house guest. And while Wendy may have to “clock in” a few times after-hours in the studio, it’s a welcome tradeoff for the flexibility it provides. “I don’t think [the boys] really feel the rigor of my schedule because I have the ability to be present as a parent and designer,” Wendy explains. With her reputation solidified and her business continually growing, Wendy and her team of four keep their schedules full focusing on “multiple complex projects from start to finish, ground-up construction and all interior elements and furnishings.” They’re a full-service boutique firm with Wendy at the center balancing her role as business owner and momand doing it well.
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Your map. Your journey. Vistamar gives you the world to explore. Get to know us
Joe Class of 2016 Starting point: Redondo Beach, CA Along the way: Founder of Vistamar’s first Philosophy Club, Editor-in-Chief of the Vistamar View student newspaper, Vistamar Admissions Ambassador. What defined your Vistamar journey? I found the culture of the school to be a synthesis of intellectualism and kindness—a rare and special combination. My Vistamar experience has given me a strong foundation upon which to live a good and meaningful life. Next stop: U.C. Berkeley
OPEN HOUSE October 22, 2016 9:00 - 12:30 PM November 5, 2016 9:00 - 12:30 PM December 3, 2016 9:00 - 12:30 PM January 21, 2017 9:00 - 12:30 PM (Registration begins at 8:30 AM)
RSVP at vistamarschool.org/openhouse
The best education the world has to offer. 737 Hawaii Street, El Segundo, CA www.vistamarschool.org
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A Masquerade-Themed Evening at Terranea Resort! Saturday, October 29, 2016 Dinner, Dancing, Live & Silent Auctions Tickets $350 Sponsorships $5,000+ PRESENTED BY BENEFITING THE CARDIOVASCU R CENTER OF EXCELLENCE PROVIDENCE LITTLE COMPANY OF MARY MEDICAL CENTER
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SPECIAL THANKS: TravelStore in partnership with Azamara Club Cruises and Terranea Resort For more information, or to view complete sponsor list, visit California.Providence.org/PLCMevents or contact Katie Moe at (310) 303-5350 or Katherine.Moe@providence.org.
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A Life Worth Though some would be quite content living out their golden years in a steady state of serenity, Maureen Nunn greeted retirement by turning up the volume. Gifted by her parents with a healthy mantra of “do it now,” she ensured friends and family that an idle existence would not be her late-life trajectory. Instead the bright, bilingual, brave, redheaded matriarch took the reigns and expanded her optics beyond the white fences of her lifelong Rolling Hills home. For her, philanthropy is more than a signature on a check or a name on a building … it’s altruism in action. WRITTEN BY SHANNON
SHARPE |
PHOTOGRAPHED BY KREMER
JOHNSON
A Life Worth Living
“People say, ‘How do you do what you do?’ But I’m just an ordinary person who has had extraordinary opportunities.”
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F
or nearly a decade, Palos Verdes native Maureen Nunn has traveled to Africa to work with residents of a small Ugandan village. Her dedication to these people may seem astounding to some, but those who know the vivacious Rolling Hills Estates mother of five and grandmother of five would not be surprised that she is spending her retirement taking on a huge challenge. She has spent her life doing everything from studying aeronautical engineering to producing her own television show to writing a book. And her latest endeavor has proved to be life-changing, with Maureen establishing what she considers a second family in this small Ugandan village. Her extraordinary life was set in motion when she left the South Bay in 1960 to pursue a degree in aeronautical engineering at Purdue University in Indiana. “I think the school made a mistake because it was all men,” she jokes. “I think they thought was my name wasn’t Maureen but Marvin.” Maureen’s ultimate goal was to be part of the space program, but her advisors forewarned her that the chance of a woman obtaining a job in the field at the time was extremely unlikely. “They said, ‘You can go ahead and graduate, but you won’t be hired.’” Hoping that she’d prove to be an exception, Maureen returned to Palos Verdes and worked at Nortronics Research Park. “I thought if I delayed it long enough, then they’d be hiring women—but they didn’t.” The determined young woman decided she would instead pursue a career in her college minor, Spanish. She eventually obtained a master’s degree in the language and taught for decades. Upon retirement Maureen realized she wasn’t ready to settle into a life of simple relaxation. She was ready for a new challenge and soon found it when she saw an advertisement for a class on television production. The first class assignment was to develop a show pitch, and Maureen turned to her community for inspiration— pitching the concept of everyday heroes. “There were a lot of wonderful people on my street,” she says. “Some people were raising guide dogs for the blind; others were Eagle Scouts. I thought I could interview these people.” A satellite company in Texas picked up the show, and soon Everyday Heroes was broadcast throughout the United States. “We got really lucky because at the time, ‘good news’ shows were very popular,” says Maureen. When the popularity for this type of show waned, she decided she wasn’t done yet and created a Hispanic educational call-in show, Comunidad Latina con Maria y Lety, in Orange County. She partnered with Lety Dominguez, whom Maureen declares to be the “Mother Teresa of Mexico.” The award-winning program came to an end when Lety passed away and Maureen was ready to retire for
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good. But her colleagues weren’t about to let her do that and suggested the show Moments with Maureen, in which she would interview ordinary people. When the cable station was sold, Maureen once again thought she was ready to retire. But her children’s friends, who were having their own children by that point, began asking her to write a child-rearing advice book. In 2006 she produced—with the help of neighbors, children and their friends—what would eventually be entitled Got Kids. And with this book came an opportunity once again. Maureen was at Camp Pendleton in 2008 with her husband, who was a bronze medalist in rowing at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. He and other athletes had been asked to speak to service members. In a casual conversation, a wounded warrior asked Maureen what she did for work. “I told him that I’d just written a book on parenting,” she says. “He replied that I should come down again and speak to the service members and their families.” And of course she did, returning not just once but now going down several times a year, speaking to largescale audiences as well as working with people in small groups. She helps families deal with the hardships that are unique to the military—perhaps most importantly addressing the fallout from post-traumatic stress disorder, the consequences of which can be drug and alcohol abuse, depression and physical abuse. Maureen sees this work as just a small thank-you to veterans. “These people are giving so much to our country,” she says. “It is such a privilege to work with them. Every time I leave I think how honored I am to have spent time with such heroes.” But even before she started volunteer work at Camp Pendleton, Maureen had begun exploring other inroads to helping people. In 2007 she received a phone call that changed her life. A Ugandan priest wanted her to come visit a Catholic church in his village—a church that her father had left money to be built when he passed away in 1999. The phone call was unexpected to say the least—she hadn’t realized her father had left the church money, although she knew well her parents’ passion for the country and people of Uganda. “My mom was an explorer,” she explains. “She read this book and said to my dad, ‘Let’s go to Uganda,’ and he said, “Okay, sure let’s go to Uganda!’ They were fearless travelers.” Her parents first visited the country in 1971 and visited a local Catholic church. “After mass a priest, Father Mudiabah, came over, shook their hands and in beautiful English said, ‘Welcome to Uganda.’” It was the beginning of a lifelong relationship. And it was through Father Mudiabah that the family was introduced to Father Francis, a Ugandan priest who moved to Los Angeles to study at Loyola Marymount. It was Father Francis who placed that life-changing phone
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call to Maureen. “When he asked me if I could come, my mouth was forming the word ‘no’ but somehow ‘yes’ slipped right out.” She arrived in Uganda in March 2007 and stayed for three weeks. “I thought I had landed on the moon,” she says. “I went to the dedication of the church, and I completely fell in love with everything and everyone. The people are joyful. They have nothing, but they are just so incredibly joyful.” Thus began Maureen’s biannual trips to the country, with her next return happening in October. It’s an arduous journey—even for the most well-seasoned traveler—taking two days with a layover in Dubai. Once she arrives in the city of Entebbe, Father Francis picks her up and takes her to a small village outside the city, where they’ll stay in anything ranging from a bamboo structure with a dirt floor to a concrete home with a cement floor. No matter where she is being housed, she is sure to sleep within a net. “Malaria is rampant,” she says. “It’s horrible. It’s the #1 killer of children under 5.” Every morning Maureen follows Father Francis’ cue and rises at 6:30 a.m. “Sometimes there’s electricity; sometimes there’s not,” she says. “There’s no running water, so they go to the well and get water that they boil to brush their teeth.” After attending 7 a.m. mass and eating a simple breakfast, Maureen and Father Francis set out to work with the community—doing everything from visiting the sick, working in the schools, organizing soccer games or simply speaking with local women about their needs. At times the normal, day-to-day routine is broken up with travel to other towns, visiting hospitals or attending celebrations such as baptisms and weddings. These personal interactions with the Ugandan people spurred Maureen to learn basic Luganda, the native language. “I was so frustrated,” she says. “I thought maybe if I could just say, ‘How are you? How many children do you have? Tell me about your chickens, your pigs,’ then I could better relate.” And relating to the locals is even more important with Maureen’s latest endeavor. Ever the student, she returned to school two years ago to study drug and alcohol counseling, and she is now taking that knowledge to Uganda. “There’s quite a bit of alcoholism,” she says. “There is a lot of domestic violence.” So Maureen speaks to men’s and women’s groups about how to cope with these things. “I often speak about using your words rather than your fists.” She is currently teaching parenting, marriage and healthy relationships to the Marines and their families at Camp Pendleton. She says it’s an honor and a privilege to be associated with the life-changing work and devotion that the Marines are doing. For all of her accomplishments, Maureen doesn’t credit herself as much as she does all the people who’ve surrounded her over the years. “It’s been a lot of people just encouraging me,” she says. “‘You’ve got to write a book.’ ‘You’ve got to do a TV show.’ ‘You’ve got to come to this dedication for a church.’” She emphasizes that anyone can do what she does, as long as they’re willing to embrace the chance to do so. “There is no red tape,” she says. “You just get a passport, you go and you make a difference.” To Maureen that difference can be made with something as simple as singing music with children or connecting members of the community who can help each other. It is about realizing that it is a privilege to help others. “People say, ‘How do you do what you do?’” she says. “But I’m just an ordinary person who has had extraordinary opportunities.”
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PRESENTS
AN EVENT SUPPORTING MANY LOCAL CHARITIES
SEPTEMBER 17TH 7:00PM - 9:30PM HERMOSA BEACH COMMUNITY CENTER
ANNA TREBUNSKAYA
Dancing with the Stars Professional
DMITRY CHAPLIN Emmy Nominated Choreographer & DWTS Professional
JONATHAN ROBERTS Dancing with the Stars Professional
www.HotBallroomNight.org DANCE IT UP IS A 501 (C)(3) ORGANIZATION
UR BAN COWGI RL Chic city slickers trade saddlebags for horse saddles and get wild in the Old West at The Resort at Paws Up. WRITTEN BY
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DARREN ELMS
VENTURA BLVD, SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016
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A
famous Californian, John Steinbeck, once said, “I’m in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection. But with Montana it is love. And it’s difficult to analyze love when you’re in it.” It’s hard to argue with Steinbeck’s feeling for Big Sky Country. As its nickname implies, a brilliant blue canopy envelops verdant hills and snow-caped mountains to create one stunning panorama—the kind Lewis and Clark encountered with astonishment during their early1800s expedition. In Montana you inhale, then exhale, repeat … and give permission for any stress or burden that might be holding you to back disappear with every release. The Resort at Paws Up might be one of the state’s most talked-about upscale ranch getaways. Positioned 35 minutes northeast of Missoula in Greenough—a little town nestled in the heart of the Blackfoot Valley—the rural property is a short connection flight and drive for visitors coming from the West Coast. The resort itself sits on a sprawling 37,000-acre authentic working cattle ranch, outfitted with both expansive private homes and sophisticated, safari-style luxury tents. Both the accommodations and common areas are scattered among the property to ensure privacy and undisturbed experience. The resort offers shuttles and convenient green Kia Souls to cruise around at leisure. Drawing from the agricultural wealth of Montana and the West, executive chef Ben Jones created refined, rustic ranch cuisine that articulately blends the most sophisticated culinary techniques with the freshest meats, produce and ingredients available. Huckleberries picked from the slopes of surrounding mountains might complement a breakfast of French toast and handmade sausage. Fresh Rocky Mountain trout sautéed with herbs might be paired with an exquisite Napa Valley chardonnay. “I believe that I should be able to make every guest smile,” says Chef Ben, “perhaps by the way I present my dishes or where I buy my vegetables or from the simple vapor from a dish that takes them back to a memory long lost. When I discovered that food was my creative outlet—as well as the most satisfying way to make people happy—it became my passion.” Enjoy the atmosphere at either of the two on-property restaurants, or soak up the rustic atmosphere at a lavish barbeque where guests may indulge in vintage wines as dinner sizzles nearby. Discretely nestled on the edge of an expansive meadow, Spa Town is a colony of pristine white tents stitched together by a wooden boardwalk, situated just past an authentic babbling brook and nestled among towering pines. The welcome tents feature full baths and showers, while individual treatment tents are fashioned with a lovely sink, a heated massage table and a view of the meadows spotted with horses. A traditional “spa” soundtrack isn’t required because the brook,
Feature Hed
GIDDYUP! Taking a guided horseback ride is just part of the experience at The Resort at Paws Up .
chirping birds and a rustle of the wind in the trees above is played daily by Mother Nature herself. This is one occasion where you won’t mind “getting lost” in the woods. While Paws Up is open to the public in the late spring, summer and winter holiday season, there’s one special weekend each year reserved exclusively for women. The Cowgirl Spring Roundup, limited to 50 participants, is a three-day experience. It includes cowgirl skills workshops; a ranch photography clinic with award-winning Barbra Van Cleve; and conversations with freestyle champion Stacy Westfall, artist and costume designer Cathy Smith, and Dr. Eleanor Green—a pioneer in equine veterinary medicine. In between the mingling, guests will enjoy relaxing trail rides, wrangling, clay shooting, hiking, campfires and, of course, fine dining and amazing accommodations outfitted in Western chic. The Cowgirl Spring Roundup is scheduled for April 27–30, 2017 and open to women and girls ages 12 and older. For more, call 877-588-6783 or visit pawsup.com.
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Urban Cowgirl
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Home is where the heart is...
1966 to 2016
YOUR TABLE IS WAITING! LuAnn Fabian General Contractor & Developer CA LIC #981015
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“In our People Services team we have a myriad of backgrounds, and that has lent us to have different life experiences and perspectives. Collectively we have used these experiences to connect on a more empathetic level with our associates.”
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– ANITA KWOK, DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE STRATEGY & ALIGNMENT, TERRANEA RESORT SOUTHBAY,SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016
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Women In Business More than 9 million U.S. firms are now owned by women, employing nearly 8 million people and generating $1.4 trillion in sales, according to the National Association of Women Business Owners. We’re proud of the South Bay’s “Women in Business” and the impact they are making on our community and the world. Read on to learn more about these remarkable women.
WRITTEN BY LAURA WATTS PHOTOGRAPHED BY TAMEKA JACOBS, KAT MONK, SHANE O’DONNELL & LAUREN PRESSEY
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FAST FACT In 2015 and 2016, the South Bay community voted the Guzman Law Group “South Bay’s Best Attorneys.”
L to R: Carol T. Contes, Carla B. Hoffman, Marcus Chang, Richard A. Luftman, Denise M. Guzman, George G. Romain, Drew Hallett, Edward Powell, Anita V. Shah
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Women in Business DENISE M. GUZMAN Founder/Principal Attorney Guzman Law Group, PC
1230 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 650, Manhattan Beach 310-321-6640 guzmanlg.com
D
enise M. Guzman has been working in the South Bay for more than 30 years, providing startups and already established private businesses with cost-effective legal counsel. She often functions as virtual in-house corporate counsel for clients. Ms. Guzman is also the founding partner of Guzman Law Group, PC, a firm that focuses on providing high-caliber legal services for businesses, entertainment, intellectual property and estate planning clients. Ms. Guzman, who earned her bachelor’s degree from USC and a law degree from UCLA, founded the South Bay Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association in 1993—a national organization dedicated to fostering professional and personal growth for businesswomen. In 2003 she received “Woman of the Year” from The Switzer Center for her service to the community. In 2010 Comerica Bank, in partnership with the Los Angeles Lakers, named her their “Woman of Entrepreneurship” honoree in the 2010 Best of L.A. Women’s Business Awards. And in 2015 and 2016 the South Bay community voted the Guzman Law Group “South Bay’s Best Attorneys.” Over the past three decades, Ms. Guzman has served as a sole practitioner, headed a mid-sized law firm and founded her own multi-service law firm. In each capacity, she remains actively involved in helping professional women by imparting the same core values that have guided her own career.
Tell us a bit about your working style.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY MARISA GUZMÁN-ALOIA
Denise M. Guzman, Business, Estate Planning and Trust Attorney: “As an attorney my working style is direct, intuitive and, by nature, collaborative. However, I also know how to deliver the bottom line to opposing counsel. I am very good at effectively communicating a difficult message. Timing is everything in a case, and I know how to choose the right moment to engage in battle—and only if needed.”
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How do you differentiate yourself from others working in the wealth management industry?
Denise M. Guzman: “Experience. I have seen a lot of successful and unsuccessful structures, whether in estate planning or corporate succession planning. I use that experience and knowledge in guiding my clients.”
How do you advise your clients to achieve and maintain success?
Denise M. Guzman: “Be proactive. Whether its business or estate planning, it’s about creating a strong foundation that the next generation can work from. It helps everyone
involved have a clear picture of where they are going.”
How do clients benefit from working with your team?
Denise M. Guzman: “We work in a team environment. There is always more than one attorney familiar with a case. If a client calls when the lead attorney is unavailable, there is always someone present in the office ready to assist the client in their matter.”
What would you like potential clients to know about you?
Carla Hoffman, Estate Planning Attorney: “We work with our clients to help them understand their options and guide them to make informed decisions that are best for their family.”
What is the ideal client relationship?
Carol T. Contes, Entertainment, Copyright & Trademark Attorney: “I take my clients’ work very seriously and strive to achieve excellence on matters big and small.”
Why does your industry appeal to you?
Carol T. Contes: “The entertainment industry is fastpaced and international in scope, both of which attributes appeal to me. I like to be challenged intellectually and be a part of a worldwide business.”
What would you like potential clients to know about you?
Anita V. Shah, Business, Employment and Estate Litigation Attorney: “No legal problem is too complicated for me that I cannot create a plan for resolution. I bring a seasoned and practical approach to each case and legal dispute in order to reach a desired result in the most cost-efficient way.”
How do you tailor your services to each client?
Anita V. Shah: “Each case or legal issue is not the same. At the first meeting I listen very carefully to the client in order get a full picture of the legal question that brought them to my office. I ask questions to understand the nuances of the particular issue, claims and defenses, and any factual and financial constraints that the client may face in obtaining a desired result. Based on this understanding I provide straightforward advice that will serve the client’s best interest—whether that advice is to quickly settle a case or pursue an aggressive litigation strategy. Sometimes the advice is not what the client wants to hear. But as attorneys were are not only advocates but counselors at law.”
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FAST FACT Gina started her furniture business in 1989 and has worked in the industry for 30 years.
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Women in Business
GINA QUATRINE
Founder/CEO Quatrine Custom Furniture Manhattan Beach 562-616-6370 Quatrine.com
Q
uatrine Custom Furniture is a custom furniture resource that builds furniture at their factory in Long Beach and has showrooms in four states. Quatrine is launching a new line of furniture called Quatrine Home, consisting of their best-selling furniture pieces in their best-selling fabrics at half the cost of the custom line. Quatrine Home will be available at the new Quatrine Custom Furniture store in November at The Point in El Segundo. Owner Gina Quatrine has worked in the industry for three decades. She manages 72 employees.
Tell us something unique about your business.
“We are unique in that we truly build a relationship with our clients. Our customer service and furniture quality is what keeps our clients coming back. Our corporate culture is steeped in the knowledge that everyone should be treated special and with the utmost respect. We have a bespoke product from start to finish. Our choices are truly limitless, as we produce pieces only after the client has told us exactly what they want— from style to size, cushion fills, foam fills and fabric. We also are known for our unique details such as custom welts, skirt bandings and ribbon detailing. All our slipcovers are home machine washable and dryable. We have a dedicated quality control department at the factory so that we send out top-notch furniture made exactly the way the client requested. Our greatest testimonial is the fact that we are a referral-only business, and all our clients send new clients all the time. We hear so often from our clients that they were in someone’s house and sat on one of our pieces and had never been in something so comfortable … and they wanted the same!”
How do you remain true to yourself and find your own voice in your industry? “I work in an industry where most of the decision-makers are male. This is shocking to me, as furniture is purchased almost exclusively by women. I am always swimming upstream trying to change the way our product is developed, shown and made to a woman’s standards. I think I have a huge advantage in this arena as I understand
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the female sensibility and know what they are looking for in their homes. I have learned not to make decisions based on the financial cost. When I stick with my gut and heart, no matter what the cost it always turns out right.”
What would you like potential clients to know about you?
“That I truly am passionate about my product and care that my clients absolutely love their purchase. I love that I can walk through the communities that I do business in and have people tell me that bought something from me and just love it! I constantly walk the quality control department at the factory and ask myself, ‘Is this work exceptional? Are we staying true to our quality standards?’ I am always tweaking and reinventing ways to make things better. I also enjoy the fact that ‘I am my client.’ I want a beautiful home but one that can be lived in. I want my kids to hang out on the furniture and be their messy selves, as I can just wash the covers and make them like new. I love the comfort and the fact that everyone comments on how comfortable my home is.”
What concern do you frequently hear from clients?
“Buying furniture for most people has been a disappointing experience. We are there for them throughout the entire process. When we do make a mistake or a client has some concerns, we address them right away (within 24 hours) and always ask, ‘What can we do to help? How can we make this better?’ They are always shocked that we give the same service after the purchase as we do before the purchase. Some of our best reviews come from clients that got delivery of their furniture and had concerns. They call us and are just in disbelief at how we handle them, giving them always the benefit of the doubt and work until they are happy with the outcome. Clients also worry about sustainability and green products, and the furniture industry is so vague on this it is hard for clients to navigate through what they should be asking about and looking for. As a woman and a mother, it is my duty to ensure we are providing a healthy and safe piece of furniture for the homes that our product goes into.”
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FAST FACT LuAnn moved to the South Bay around 25 years ago and raised four children here.
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Women in Business LUANN FABIAN
General Contractor/Owner LuAnn Development P.O. Box 1911 Redondo Beach 310-428-3578 luanndev.com
L
uAnn Fabian is a licensed general contractor who has built homes and managed remodels and additions in the South Bay for the past 16 years. She started her own firm, LuAnn Development, in 2007.
How do you distinguish yourself from the competition?
“Actually being a female general contractor almost immediately distinguishes us from our competition. But if I had to distill it down to two words, I would say communication and organization. Communication is paramount, and we pride ourselves on being completely accessible throughout the project, allowing for fluid, two-way communication. Organization is not just a ‘buzz’ word but a way of life for us that begins with the first conversation and continues even past the certificate of occupancy. From start to finish, organization is the key to building a new house.”
What are some of the challenges you have encountered being a female in your industry?
“The biggest challenge is that there are not many women general contractors. So the first main obstacle I have to overcome is that I am a woman in a primarily man-dominated world. But that doesn’t mean I don’t know what I am doing or I am not good at my work. My client reviews and portfolio speak for themselves. The second biggest obstacle is respect, and you don’t automatically get respect just because you get a license to do this work. Respect comes from doing the job you were hired to do and doing it well—with my ethics and integrity at the forefront. I am passionate about what I do, and it’s evident to those around me.”
What would you like potential clients to know about you?
“We put great care, effort and details into the building of their home. No matter the size of the project we treat each and every project as if it were our only project.”
How do you advise your clients to achieve and maintain success?
“Pre-planning, and communication are likely the most important factors going into the planning of a new home or remodel. There are a lot of decisions that have to be made throughout the process, and there is plenty of time to do that in the early stages. This allows for thought and care to go into every decision so that they are not made in haste.
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Communication is key to ANY relationship—and especially with your general contractor.”
Tell us about your family.
“I am the proudest of mothers to four amazing children who all reside in the South Bay. Dominic, who also works for me, and his wife, Amy, have my two lovely granddaughters, Bailey and Brooklyn. My oldest daughter, Paachez, and her husband, John, are expecting their first son any day now. Corey and Jazmin both attend college, and Jazmin is continuing her training to be a professional aerialist.”
Tell us a bit about your working style.
“A crucial element in our working style is the ability to establish realistic goals for ourselves and our subcontractors and clients. By establishing a reasonable schedule, we keep work flowing at all times. We treat our subcontractors as valued members of the team. We treat people fairly, admit when we’re wrong and are not too proud to apologize. I am a woman of my word with strong morals and ethics and require the same from everyone in our company.”
How do you handle issues that are unique to the working female?
“Project management has always been a core skill set for me, and as a single mother and business owner it is still the core strength. It’s a challenge to find time to be a mother, grandmother, business owner and friend and still have time for yourself.”
How would your clients describe you?
“I am easy to work with, organized, professional, great eye for detail, dependable and readily available when needed.”
In today’s world of social media, do you feel your clients are motivated by emotions and feelings of connection? “Without a doubt! I think connection is by far one of the biggest reasons our clients choose us, and that connection continues to grow throughout the process. To this day I am pleased to say we have many valued friendships/relationships that have originated from a client/project.”
How do you provide top-notch customer service?
“Our team communicates throughout the project with our clients, subcontractors, architects, city officials and engineers to ensure a smooth project timeline. We continue to make ourselves available to ensure decisions are made in a timely manner as not to impact the timeline or costs.”
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Women in Business ALEESA DALEY Founder & CEO Playa Technologies
2711 North Sepulveda Blvd. #727, Manhattan Beach 877-818-7685 playatechnologies.com
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laya Technologies helps fast-growing companies build the business tools to expand and take their business to the next level in the areas of manufacturing, retail and product distribution of consumer goods. Owner Aleesa Daley grew up in Silicon Valley and has been surrounded by the world of technology her entire life. She has worked in the industry for more than two decades and founded Playa Technologies within the last year.
Tell us something unique about your business.
“We are a seasoned team of NetSuite consulting professionals, offering more than 50 years of combined experience. We have all had ‘traditional’ corporate jobs and have found a way to combine our unique love of California (surf, sun and sand) with our love of technology to create a truly amazing culture. We aren’t able to hold all of our team meetings on the beach, but we love the days when we can meet on the sand.”
Which issues are unique to the working female?
What’s the best way you’ve discovered to find new business leads?
“I am grateful that the majority of my business comes from happy clients who recommend me, so word-of-mouth and referrals. I have also found LinkedIn to be a goldmine for developing new business.”
What would you like potential clients to know about you?
“I am someone who wants my clients to succeed with their NetSuite investment, whether it’s consulting or a new business purchase. I set my sights on having a happy client who is getting results with the technology or process I have helped implement. I take my work and their success personally, which is what I believe has resulted is so many referrals.”
“Most women I know are natural multitaskers, and the personal/professional lines can get blurry. In our corporate world we are taught ‘it’s just business,’ but I have learned it is just business with long-term relationships. As a female executive I have found that my ability to make it personal while at the same time keeping it professional has been the winning combination.”
What concern do you frequently hear from clients?
How do you remain true to yourself and find your own voice in your industry?
How do you advise your clients to achieve and maintain success?
“Sales is all about relationships, and relationships work best when they are authentic. Being myself and finding my own voice has helped me create great client relationships.”
Give us a few tips for finding work/life balance.
“Get outside, take little breaks, go to the beach when you can, and remember that staying in balance allows the business to flourish. While I have created a daily intention to meditate, it does not necessarily happen daily—but then there are other high-stress times where I may meditate two or three times in a day. Having success habits that you lean on but also not being rigid with them has proved to be truly balancing for me.”
What is your best piece of advice for a female entrepreneur just starting out?
“Have patience with yourself, your vision and the process. Some days your business will grow by leaps
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and bounds, and other days it will seem to be stagnant. Stay focused, have patience and keep going forward—one step at a time.”
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“I work with clients whose business is in a position to make significant growth. Choosing NetSuite is a significant investment and change for their company, and their biggest concern is to work with someone who will not just install a system but who is invested in the relationship to support their longer-term desired goal.”
“My clients tend to be fast-growing enterprises that have a number of competing priorities and short time frames to be successful. I support them in helping them create the right solution in the right way the first time so they can spend their time expanding their business to get the highest level of return and success.”
How would your clients describe you?
“My clients would describe me as a partner who is focused on their success both as an individual and within their role in the organization. They would say I support and partner with them to always move forward together toward our shared goals.”
Why does your industry appeal to you?
“I love solving complicated problems and influencing a positive solution, which is the cornerstone for being successful with introducing NetSuite as the answer for a business.”
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FAST FACT Aleesa is a mentor with the Bresee Foundation; its program “I Believe in Her” helps young women prepare for college and the working world.
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Women in Business
WOMEN’S COUNCIL OF REALTORS® South Bay Network
Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, The Peninsula
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omen’s Council of Realtors® is a network of successful Realtors and affiliates that advances women as career professionals and leaders in the industry and the communities they serve. The group provides an environment of collaboration in which members can form, build and maximize relationships for business and personal success. It operates based on a shared value system of integrity, respect, consistency and a commitment to excellence and continuous development. The women give back to their communities by raising money throughout the year for several charities with various events, including an annual trade expo for Realtors and an annual wine, beer and food festival held at Botanic Garden. Here the members of Women’s Council of Realtors® tell us what they would like potential clients to know about them.
through this business.”
Michelle Accetta, Beach City Brokers
“Living in the South Bay for most of my life has been truly a special experience and one I love to share with my clients. We are lucky enough to sell real estate in one of the most beautiful locations in the world.”
“The quality of your life is shaped by your surroundings— with the heart of that being your home. For me, helping people make one of life’s most meaningful transitions to a home or investment that best serves the rest of their life is why I love my job!”
Michele Brown, Keller Williams Realty
“Because we over-deliver on a broad spectrum of services—all the while protecting our sellers’ lifestyles and daily routines—our happy clients have a seamless and stress-free move, resulting in long-lasting friendships and great referrals to us.”
Joanne Galin, Sanger Insurance & Financial Services | State Farm
“I have been in the State Farm family for close to 27 years. I take pride in my work and always care about my clients’ interests. I am there for them day and night. Like a good neighbor, Joanne Galin is there.”
Vicki Goorchenko, Vista Sotheby’s International Realty
“I love what I do, which is discovering what our clients’ needs are for each situation and how we can best guide them to their desired goal in the smoothest, easiest way. Whether it’s buying your first home or investment property or selling that home to buy your dream home, our team is here for you!”
Marcie Gutierrez, Southbay Magazine
“I love helping my clients reach their marketing goals and ultimately helping their business grow. Really listening to what their goals are and doing what’s best for them is the key. I am so grateful for the relationships I’ve made
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Traci Horowitz, Chicago Title
“I have the knowledge and experience to close your deals and the creativity and tools to help you grow your business and achieve your goals. What sets me apart is how much I care about you, your clients and your transactions. After almost 20 years in the title business, I know that with both caring and experience comes results.”
Jessica Kalkin, American Trust Escrow
“I work as hard for my clients as you work for yours! Our escrow officers are amongst the best in the business. Add a hands-on rep in the field as a partner, and we are sure to create a raving fans escrow experience for your client.”
Ursula Mix, Hunter Mason Realty
Julia Parton, Premier Bank of PV
“As Vice President, Corporate Development of Premier Bank of Palos Verdes, a full-service community bank specializing in financing for today’s professional, I am dedicated to delivering unsurpassed service and a banking experience that is—in every sense of the word—Premier.”
Sybille Saint-Leger, Hunter Mason Realty
“I honor the relationships I have with my clients by educating, protecting and guiding them through their real estate experience. And for this reason I remain fully engaged from ‘Hello, nice to meet you’ to ‘Congratulations’ and beyond.”
Courtney Self, Hunter Mason Realty
“I have been in this interesting business for almost 30 years, and I love it. Helping my clients achieve their real estate goals helps keep this business fresh and exciting. Almost six years ago I decided to take the next step and open my own independent real estate firm, Hunter Mason Realty, which has been challenging but also fun and rewarding.”
Lauren Weber, Hunter Mason Realty
“The most rewarding part of being in this business comes from working directly with each client and getting to know them on a personal level. I enjoy the time spent developing unique and cherished relationships; it is what keeps me enthusiastic and grateful to be in the real estate industry.”
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L to R: Lauren Weber, Sybille Saint-Leger, Courtney Self, Jessica Kalkin, Ursula Mix, Michele Brown, Traci Horowitz, Vicki Goorchenko, Joanne Galin, Michelle Accetta, Julia Parton, Marcie Gutierrez
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Women in Business
JEANEVRA CALHOUN Owner Ampersand Development 23661 Telo Ave, Torrance 424-634-8238 AmpersandEstates.com
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mpersand Development is a residential homebuilding company in the South Bay. Owner Jeanevra Calhoun manages all remodels and new construction projects from the acquisition phase through design and construction and eventually resale.
Tell us something unique about your business.
“Ampersand Development is not just another development company. While we are still a business, every detail of each design serves a purpose. You won’t get that sterile, empty feeling when walking into an Ampersand home. There is a conscious effort to provide inviting homes that people will love to live in. When approaching a new project, I always ask myself, ‘What would I want?’”
How do you remain true to yourself and find your own voice in your industry?
“I start by listening to others. My dad once told me, ‘If you’re the smartest person in the room, find another room,’ and that concept resonated with me. I am constantly revising my methods and adapting to change. I wholeheartedly believe that seeking those with more experience and learning from them on a regular basis is what helps me shape my own opinion. I will never stop asking questions because I believe humility is imperative for growth. Staying curious and eager to learn is a core part of my personality that I mindfully aim to keep.”
What is your best piece of advice for a female entrepreneur just starting out?
“Don’t be a female entrepreneur—just be an entrepreneur. I believe gender neutralization first starts with the individual. It is through open-minded collaboration that people find success together, so focus on your goals—not your gender—and success will follow.”
Why does your industry appeal to you?
“I truly appreciate form and function, and the seamless combination of the two makes me smile. My fascination with how things work and my strong affinity for creativity goes back as far as I can remember. I picked up the nickname of MacGyver from my college roommates, as I was always rigging up some sort of contraption to ‘fix’ things (on a college budget, of course). I also continue to draw and paint in my spare time. These youthful hobbies have scaled in the most wonderful way possible, and I am so fortunate for the opportunity to pursue my fundamental interests in the form of a career.”
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Do you have a professional support network that has contributed to your success?
“I am a licensed real estate agent with the BCB Premier Estates division of Beach City Brokers. Our teams have some of the top producers in the area, and I am so grateful to be surrounded by such a supportive and passionate network of professionals.”
What does the future hold for Ampersand Development?
“I am working on a beautiful country-style estate in the private community of Rolling Hills. It is fully equipped for the entertainer. With more than 8,500 square feet of living space, this new construction is fully loaded with wholehouse iPads, three wet bars, movie theatre, 1,000+-bottle wine cellar and panoramic city views! This is the largest project I have managed, and I am eagerly anticipating completion by 2017.”
What do you enjoy the most about your job?
“Problem-solving! What others may see as a hassle, I see as a puzzle—and there are always new solutions to be found. Every project is different, with a range of obstacles to overcome. Sometimes it may even be the same problem but with a different solution! Every day feels different instead of mundane.”
What do you like to do for fun, when you’re not at work?
“I try to stay as active as I can. The South Bay has so much to offer, and I take advantage of living here every chance I get. Whether it’s playing volleyball on the beach, finding new dining destinations or hiking with my rescue dog, Bailey, I am always looking for something different to try. Lately, I have been especially focused on my yoga practice and exploring the world of aerial fitness.”
Tell us about your family.
“My family is very tight knit. I grew up in Palos Verdes, and luckily for me the majority of even my extended family is still close by. My parents are phenomenal individuals whom I deeply admire. Between my parents and my three younger siblings, I always have someone to confide in. My family is built on strong moral character and has guided and supported me through all of my personal and business ventures. I am so grateful to have them.”
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FAST FACT Before opening Ampersand Development in 2013, Jeanevra earned a Bachelor of Science degree in public relations at Boston University and worked for a boutique PR firm representing actors and artists in the Los Angeles area.
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Women in Business THE WOMEN OF MOON TIDE MEDIA 200 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 110, El Segundo 310-376-7800 MoonTideMedia.com OurSouthbay.com OurVenturaBlvd.com
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oon Tide Media is a content marketing agency that owns and operates a network of digital channels and lifestyle publications. The firm helps leading brands and organizations use content to engage and motivate their audiences. Whether it is a social content platform, a branded magazine, a web-based video series, a live event or anything in between, Moon Tide Media works with clients to understand their objectives and create content-driven marketing solutions that deliver measurable results. Moon Tide Media’s lifestyle publications include Southbay, Ventura Blvd, Southbay HOME, Ventura Blvd HEALTH, Southbay HEALTH. Starting this fall the firm will launch Et Cetera, a magazine and digital brand focused on fashion and design. Moon Tide recently launched several digital film series from its new Southbay Studios, including Southbay Strong, Behind the Seams and House to Home. Here’s what the women of Moon Tide Media have to say about the exciting projects they’ve been working on this year.
Peggy Jo Abraham – Copy Editor
“I’ve found it especially fun to work on Ventura Blvd magazine and hope to get involved with MTM video production.”
Angela Akers – Creative Director
“Working with Tumblr. They enabled our team to execute fun and dynamic designs from print to social. Love the variety!”
Emily Stewart Baker – Partner & Brand Publisher
“The work we’re doing with Liquid I.V., which produces a premium hydration powder drink mix. They are quickly growing into a national brand player, with distribution at top retailers across the country. By creating content to effectively tell their story and developing a marketing and media strategy to smartly communicate that content, MTM has helped Liquid I.V. successfully launch in three regional markets in 2016!”
Erika Carrion – Account Executive
“The launch of Et Cetera magazine. I’m thrilled
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we have an exclusive vehicle to showcase and celebrate all the unique fashion and style our community has to offer.”
Janet De La Cruz – Accounting
“Bringing accounts receivable up-to-date and keeping it current.”
Christine Georgiades – Graphic Designer
“We have three new video series that have really expanded our horizons on the digital side of the company. I’m really looking forward to seeing what other film and animation work we’ll get to explore in the coming year.”
Rachel Gotko – Marketing Manager
“The local events we produce, managing the media sponsorships, being the hands and feet of MTM, and seeing how our support impacts the success of local businesses.”
Linda Grasso – Editor-in-Chief, Ventura Blvd
“In general, as a cooking enthusiast, I get a kick out of the food-oriented stories; it’s an exciting time now in the Valley. And I love working on the home features. I’m a closeted Martha Stewart— peeking inside gorgeous homes is a thrill.”
Marcie Gutierrez – Account Executive
“Working with Wendy Bond and our marketing team on Guaranty Escrow’s grand opening of their fourth location in Malaga Cove Plaza! So creative, festive and lots of celebrating!”
Allison Jeackjuntra – Director of Operations “Being an integral part of our move to our new office space. It was exciting to see Moon Tide’s new home go from a shell of a space to the creative and collaborative work environment that will be our home for years to come.”
Elena Lacey – Senior Designer
“Working on GIFs and other social posts for national brands during the Olympics this year.”
Hannah Lee – Brand Publisher
“Working with Chef’d. The home-delivery meal kit company came to us to create engaging con-
tent to build their food lifestyle brand. Creating a hybrid magazine-catalog and micro-content for their social platforms combined two of my loves: great food and telling interesting stories.”
Mia Pierre-Jacques – Associate Publisher
“Coordinating the Staycation sections for each Ventura Blvd magazine. I love to travel and learn about new exciting properties.”
Danielle Price – Marketing Manager
“My favorite events I plan for Southbay and Ventura Blvd magazines introduce new businesses to the community. There is nothing like seeing entrepreneurs’ faces light up when hundreds of new faces flood through their doors!”
Robin Sanders – Senior Account Executive “Finding new ways to expand our publications’ visibility and reach. 2016 has been filled with so many opportunities to meet new local business owners and provide them with opportunities to connect with each other through Ventura Blvd’s multi-faceted platforms.”
Cherice Tatum – Associate Brand Publisher
“All projects related to our client Liquid I.V. We’ve created a hefty brand book, launched a website, executed regionally targeted paid social campaigns, brought on brand ambassadors, organized demos and events, managed their organic social efforts, created an illustrated film and produced a documentary-style film.”
Amy Tetherow – Account Executive
“I love working with all of our clients in HOME. It’s exciting to go into the community and see all of the amazing projects they are working on.”
Michelle Villas – Creative Director
“Definitely Et Cetera, our new style publication. I loved establishing the look for this and pushing the design in a new direction.”
Laura Watts – Copy Editor
“I love writing about the people in our communities. I’ve been writing and editing our magazines’ business profiles for the past five years, and it’s still one of my favorite projects!”
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L to R: Back row: Angela Akers, Emily Stewart Baker, Robin Sanders, Linda Grasso, Rachel Gotko Middle row: Danielle Price, Allison Jeackjuntra, Erika Carrion, Cherice Tatum, Hannah Lee, Amy Tetherow Front row: Brody the dog, Mia Pierre-Jacques, Janet De La Cruz, Elena Lacey, Michelle Villas, Christine Georgiades Not pictured: Peggy Jo Abraham, Marcie Gutierrez, Laura Watts
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Women in Business
SHANNON KELLY
Vice President Sales & Marketing Choura Events 540 Hawaii Ave., Torrance 310-320-6200 chouraevents.com
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s VP of sales and marketing for Choura Events. Shannon Kelly leads a team of event designers in providing all the details of clients’ special events. Shannon has worked in the apparel and events industries for nearly a decade and joined Choura Events in 2013.
Give us a few tips for finding work/life balance.
“I try to focus less on work/life balance and more on work/life integration. My work and our agency is an extension of who I am and what I can best contribute, and by reflecting on this I’m able to add more personal value and meaning to all of the hours I spend at Choura. I’m mildly obsessed with sports and exercise—running, spinning and tennis—and know this is critical to me performing at my best inside and outside the workplace. I’ve turned my commute into a great excuse to
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listen to inspirational podcasts, and I make it a point to take full advantage of my weekends with as many short getaways with my husband and friends as possible.”
FAST FACT
which I love. The thing I love most about my role at Choura is working alongside an amazing team and helping provide a framework that allows the company to grow while enabling the individuals to truly develop their passions and authentic gifts. Trust me, we’re definitely not boring … and that alone makes it all worth it.”
Shannon graduated from Columbia University in 2007. She is a two-time inductee in the Columbia Athletics Hall of Fame for soccer.
What are some of the challenges you have encountered being a young female in your industry?
Why does your industry appeal to you?
“Events mark all the greatest moments life, and while it’s a rollercoaster, there is never a dull moment! We get to be a part of some amazing moments that ultimately transform people, companies and relationships. If we can help make people’s most intimate experiences better, that means we’re having a big impact—
“I work with very experienced event professionals who have been in the business for decades. It’s important to recognize and appreciate their strengths while also challenging their sometimes dated business practices and tactics for the sake of continual progress and innovation. For the most part, I feel being a woman in any industry—especially a creative one—is a strength that companies should consciously utilize.”
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Women in Business
Terranea’s People Services team, L to R: Anita Kwok, Director of People Strategy & Alignment Kei Eusebio, Senior People Services Manager Lizette Martinez, Culture & Associate Engagement Manager Vanessa Garcia, Talent Acquisition Manager Maira Carrasco, People Services Manager Vanessa Woods, Director of People Services Operations
ANITA KWOK
Director of People Strategy & Alignment Terranea Resort 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes 855-416-3928 terranea.com
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s the Director of People Strategy & Alignment, Anita Kwok oversees the human resources division at Terranea Resort, which employs more than 1,400 associates. Anita has more than 15 years of experience in hospitality and joined Terranea in 2015. Since opening in 2009, Terranea boasts 102 acres of Pacific Ocean views located on California’s Palos Verdes Peninsula.
events for hospitality professionals to connect and learn.”
What is your best piece of advice for a female entrepreneur just starting out?
How did you choose to work in this industry?
“Surround yourself with smart, successful individuals, even if it’s not in your industry. Be willing to accept other people’s perspectives. Having strong mentors who can guide you is very important to building a successful career. Sharing experiences and learning from stories of success and failure is incredibly valuable. It is important to have a network that will both challenge and support you. Terranea supports female networking, hosting Women In Lodging
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What do you love about your job?
“The daily interactions with associates and ability to coach and develop their careers is what makes my job meaningful to me. Also I get to work at such a beautiful location on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. I’m so thankful to get paid for doing something I absolutely love.”
“I earned a bachelor’s degree in hotel administration from Cornell University but decided to change course and transition to human resources.”
How do you remain true to yourself and find your own voice in your industry?
“The key for me is to always do what you believe is right. Have a strong moral compass and surround yourself with mentors who you can give
guidance, bounce ideas off of and tell you when you’re going down the wrong path. In our People Services team we have a myriad of backgrounds, and that has lent us to have different life experiences and perspectives. This has allowed for greater empathy to our associates based on our own life experiences as a single mom, a working mom, a recent college grad, one who is currently working on her degree, a survivor of domestic violence and an individual who lost both her parents at a very young age. Collectively we have used these experiences to connect on a more empathetic level with our associates.”
FAST FACT Terranea supports numerous charitable organizations in the community through a variety of programs, events and ongoing projects throughout the year—including the Chef’s Table Dinner Series and monthly Full Moon Yoga.
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Women in Business
COURTNEY SATOW PAIGE ELLIOTT JULIE WELCH
Owners Bliss: Boutique Health and Beauty Center 1303-1/2 Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo Beach 424-265-9748 BlissRedondoBeach.com
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liss: Boutique Health and Beauty Center is comprised of three businesses offering a variety of services, as well as retail items like yoga mats and towels, essential oils, skin care, makeup and jewelry. NutriZen (NutriZenLifestyle.com), owned by Courtney Satow, offers private and small group yoga/ meditation, nutrition and health counseling, as well as group and corporate wellness programs. Paige Elliott, owner of Bare Natural Skin Care (BareNaturalSkinCare.com), offers facial waxing and facials including treatments such as microdermabrasion, micro-needling and stem-cell therapy. Balanced by Julie (BalancedbyJulie.com) is a massage therapy and Reiki practice owned by Julie Welch.
How do you remain true to yourself and find your own voice in your industry?
“We have chosen not to recommend or sell any products to our clients that we would not use
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ourselves. We want to be known as a business that uses products that are green, organic, natural or made with a purpose to give back.”
FAST FACT Bliss offers different monthly specials on their social media platforms for customers to experience the services of all three businesses—such as their Women’s Wellness Weekend.
Give us a few tips for work/life balance.
“A symbol of success in today’s society is to be busy—which leaves us spread too thin. Picking and choosing what is important to us helps in all aspects of our lives. When we have time for our relationships and self-care, it seems that our financial well-being falls into place as well—giving us more energy to put into Bliss.”
What question or concern do you frequently hear from clients?
“Stress is a huge concern for our clients. We want to be a one-stop-shop for health and beauty while implementing modalities to leave our clients relaxed, peaceful and ultimately feeling better than when they arrived.”
How do you advise your clients to achieve and maintain success?
“The only way to succeed at anything is to be consistent and have the willingness to try.”
What would you like potential clients to know about you?
“When you call to book an appointment at Bliss, it will be with the owner of that unique business. We offer a custom approach to each client and think that because of this, we create lasting relationships with our clients. We get to know them, listen to their needs and do our best to accommodate them accordingly.”
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Women in Business
CAROLINE BURKE
Owner Caroline Burke Designs and Associates Inc. 1020 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Suite #210, Manhattan Beach 310-546-6862 carolineburkedesigns.com
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aroline Burke Designs is a fullservice interior design business for new builds and existing homes. Owner Caroline Burke and her team work from conception to completion with architects, builders and clients to achieve a complete aesthetic of the home that enriches each client’s individual lifestyle. The firm’s interior design services range from designing a single room to the entire house. Caroline has worked in the interior design and decorating field for 17 years and started Caroline Burke Designs nine years ago.
How would your clients describe you?
“I run a very professional, well-organized office, and we’re creative and fun to work with. As a person, I’m very caring and fair, and I’m proud of my company and the business I’ve been able to build.”
Tell us something unique about your business.
“Caroline Burke Designs offers our own line
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of custom upholstery, and that’s very rare in today’s market where so many big-box stores
FAST FACT Caroline studied at Skidmore College and at the London School of Economics prior to studying interior design at UCLA. and showrooms sell inferior quality options at high price points. By creating our eponymous line—CBD Furniture—we’re able to provide clients superior craftsmanship including handcrafted, tailor-made furniture with down blend cushions at competitive prices.”
What’s the best way you’ve discovered to find new business leads? “Beautiful work combined with exceptional quality is my business card; people notice comfortable elegance in homes of distinction. From working with architects on space planning, to specifying finishes with build-
ers, to creating custom interiors, Caroline Burke Designs can address every client need. As a result, my company growth is based on referrals.”
What do you like to do for fun, when you’re not at work?
“When I am not working I love to spend time with my family and friends at my home, where I frequently entertain in my gardens. I love to travel and learn, so I am always working looking for new items and vendors for my clients.”
How do you give back to your community?
“I’ve served on the Foundation Board of Trustees for the Providence Little Company of Mary Hospital for more than four years. It’s a vital part of our community, and one that’s very important to me. This year I’m co-chairing the Masquerade Gala that will benefit the Cardiovascular Center of Excellence at the hospital. The Gala is being held on October 29 at Terranea Resort.”
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LENORA MAROUANI Owner The Souk
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he Souk in Manhattan Beach features ceramics, rugs, clothing and accessories from Tunisia, North Africa and abroad. Owner Lenora Marouani is a trained chef who has worked in the restaurant industry for more than a decade. Drawing from her passion for food and design led her to create The Souk this April.
How do you remain true to yourself and find your own voice in your industry?
“You have to do what you love. Be willing to jump into it, breathe it, give everything in your power to grow it. I feel like I find my voice by empowering these hardworking women behind our products—giving their voice an opportunity to be heard.”
Give us a few tips for finding work/life balance.
“Being a mother of two girls and running a couple of businesses is extremely challenging at times. But one thing I have learned is the
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1201 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach 310-545-1016 thesoukmb.com importance of being flexible and using my time more effectively. When I work, I work. When I’m with my girls, I’m with my girls. I also think that as a woman, it’s so important to give back to ourselves. I personally need my time to breathe and rejuvenate ... to figure out how to be a better woman, wife, mother and entrepreneur. I truly feel that my success is not only measured by my business but also by my family.”
What is your best piece of advice for a female entrepreneur just starting out?
“Start off simple! As an entrepreneur, your excitement can lead to 100 more ideas and concepts. Keep the excitement alive, but don’t overwhelm your mind. Perfect your basic concept, then build from there.”
How does social media play into your business’ marketing strategy?
“Social media is huge! Since I manage our social media, it puts me in direct contact with my
clients. It’s a great way to personalize and grow in your marketing strategy. Also we’ve recently launched our online store, TheSoukMB.com/ collections. I’m really excited to expose our Souk products to the whole world! We’re also focusing on building more relationships with local designers and stagers.”
How do you give back to your community?
“At The Souk, we recycle and re-use old local newspapers to stuff our poufs. It feels good to play a role in making our community a bit greener!”
FAST FACT Lenora also owns Barsha Wines in Manhattan Beach and often hosts community fundraisers there to benefit local schools and nonprofits.
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Women in Business
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r. Christine Petti is a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in aesthetic surgery and laser procedures of the face, eyelids, neck, breast, abdomen and body contouring. She also offers minimally invasive and noninvasive rejuvenating services to preserve and enhance the face, neck, hands and body. Dr. Petti has worked in plastic surgery since 1986 and has been in solo private practice in the South Bay since 1990.
Tell us something unique about your business.
CHRISTINE PETTI, MD, FACS
Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeon Palos Verdes Plastic Surgery Medical Center Spa Bella Medical Day Spa 3400 West Lomita Boulevard Suite # 305, Torrance 310-539-5888 dr-petti.com
“My aesthetic plastic surgery practice is unique because I offer expertise in laser facial and body contouring, as well as laser skin rejuvenation. I have been offering laser services to my patients since 1994. An example of the most popular laser procedures I perform include Smartlipo™ for facial and body contouring, SmartSkin™ for facial, neck and hand rejuvenation, PrecisionTX for minimal incision neck skin tightening and neck fat reduction and the innovative SculpSure™ noninvasive body contouring for permanent fat reduction. Lasers have allowed me to provide my patients with superior results due to laser tissue specificity and targeted treatment design. I have been a consultant for Cynosure Lasers researching and developing FDA approval for some of their laser procedures. I have a laser-training center, providing education to doctors and nurses interested in laser aesthetic procedures. In 2016 my daughter, Jacqueline and I published a scientific paper on a unique laser procedure for the combined treatment of fat with Smartlipo™ and cellulite with Cellulaze™.”
What are some of the challenges you have encountered being a female in your industry?
“I love being a female professional, but I initially struggled handling the double standards in the workplace. Remaining strong, I have pursued these challenges by continued strengthening of my aesthetic education, positioning my practice at the top of the contemporary field of aesthetic medicine and surgery. I encourage women to remain self confident in their unique talents throughout their careers.”
What do you find most exciting about your career?
“Plastic surgery is exciting to me because it provides me with a fulfilling and synergistic blend of my scientific skills and artistic talents. The results I create continue to be more natural and long-lasting, with reduced risk and down time due to technological advancements. This is extremely satisfying and rewarding for both my patients and me.”
FAST FACT Dr. Petti’s team at Palos Verdes Plastic Surgery Medical Center includes seven highly trained staff members, including medical assistants, registered nurses, a financial coordinator and a USC medical student.
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arol Lowry and Julie Lee are leaders in the SBA lending community and head up the SBA division at Premier Business Bank. Premier is a full-service community bank with a service philosophy that focuses on today’s professional. Carol, SVP and SBA Manager, and Julie, VP and SBA Loan and Business Development Officer, focus on helping clients obtain Small Business Administration (SBA) financing. Collectively they have more than 40 years of lending experience.
How would your clients describe both of you?
“Our clients commend us on the exceptional service we offer. We get to know the wants, needs and expectations of each client. We are great listeners—we make sure we understand the client’s vision and make it our vision. We are accessible to our clients and advocate for them to achieve successful outcomes.”
What’s the best way you’ve discovered to find new business leads?
“We are very active within the business community through business organizations, real estate associations and our local chambers of commerce. Our satisfied clients—both business owners and real estate professionals— offer an additional lead source through client referrals.”
What question do you frequently hear from clients?
“This is a very typical and common question we get from clients: ‘Why use a SBA 7(a) loan rather than a 504 for the purchase of owner-occupied commercial real estate?’ We let our clients know that only with SBA 7(a) financing, we are able to provide longer terms with a lower down payment AND include funds for tenant improvements, remodeling and working capital—not available with 504 loans.”
What would you like potential clients to know about you?
“We are able to underwrite and approve SBA loans inhouse without seeking the approval from the SBA, which allows us to process loan requests much faster to meet your deadlines! Premier is an SBA Preferred Lender and has funded more than $30 million in SBA loans.”
FAST FACT Carol and Julie collectively have more than 40 years of lending experience.
CAROL LOWRY & JULIE LEE Premier Business Bank Premier Bank of Palos Verdes
21515 Hawthorne Blvd., 4th Floor, Torrance 700 South Flower Street, 20th Floor, Los Angeles 36 Malaga Cove Plaza, Palos Verdes Estates 310-944-9245 – Carol | 213-443-4846 – Julie ibankpremier.com
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How do you advise your clients to achieve and maintain success?
“Here are a few recommendations we offer our clients to help them achieve financial success: (1) Meet with and develop a relationship with your banker, even if you are not yet ready for a business loan. (2) Maintain current and quality financial statements. (3) File your tax returns on time! (4) Look at an SBA loan—it really can be one of the smartest ways to grow your business!”
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r. Danielle Gran is a holistic doctor and healthy aging expert practicing integrative primary care at the Health & Wellness Center at Beach Cities Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. She specializes in women’s health and naturopathic dermatology.
Tell us something unique about your practice.
“I am the only naturopathic doctor currently practicing in the Beach Cities and the very first ND in my hometown of Manhattan Beach. I was very excited when Dr. Julia Moen from the Health & Wellness Center at BCO approached me with the opportunity to expand my Santa Monica practice. I deeply value collaborating with both conventionally trained medical doctors and alternative health care providers. Beach Cities Orthopedics is the only all-inclusive clinic with orthopedic doctors, physical therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists and massage therapists all under one roof.”
Why does your industry appeal to you?
“It’s very exciting for me to be a part of the current paradigm shift in health care—one that focuses on treating the whole patient rather than just their symptoms. I believe that now more than ever patients are interested to learn about their health, and they want their doctors to participate in that education. They are focused on wellness and prevention as well as natural yet effective treatment alternatives for current complaints.”
Why did you choose to be a naturopathic doctor?
“When I was a little girl, one of my closest friends was hospitalized frequently. She and her family exhausted all conventional medical approaches and turned to complementary treatments for additional pain management solutions. I had been on the path to becoming a conventional MD, but I changed course after seeing how an integrative approach addressed multiple facets including spiritual and mental well-being. I chose to be a naturopathic doctor because I resonate strongly with the philosophy that a patient is more than the summation of their parts.”
How do you give back to your community?
“Many people cannot afford the rising cost of health care, and that is exacerbated by the limited insurance coverage for many complementary and alternative therapies. With this in mind, we are working to build an integrative sports medicine foundation to provide comprehensive care for female athletes. As an active board member of the foundation, I am very excited to be able to give back to my hometown community.”
DR. DANIELLE GRAN, ND Health & Wellness Center at BCO 400 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 247 Manhattan Beach 310-798-6496 beachcitiesortho.com
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FAST FACT In California licensed NDs complete four years of post-graduate medical education, as well as thousands of hours of clinical training and patient care. NDs also must pass two national board exams and are considered primary care providers—blending traditional healing methods with conventional Western principles.
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amilton Butler Jewels is a new fine jewelry boutique in the South Bay offering original designs and a curated selection of designer jewelry. The store specializes in custom design, repairs and appraisal services. Owners Joni Hamilton and Shelia Butler have both worked in the jewelry industry for more than 16 years. Joni, a Los Angeles native, began her design career as a film and television makeup artist and enjoyed a 25-year tenure at NBC. Soon after, a friend invited her to join a jewelry business in the Los Angeles jewelry district, where she learned design, sourcing and manufacturing. Shelia, originally from Chicago, earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Cal State Long Beach. She entered the design field as a fashion merchandiser for XOXO, followed by 14 years at a retail jewelry store where she did everything from sales to design.
JONI HAMILTON & SHELIA BUTLER Owners Hamilton Butler Jewels 200 Pier Ave., Suite 301 Hermosa Beach 310-374-7700 hamiltonbutlerjewels.com
Tell us something unique about your business. “We are able to transport our entire store to inhome or special venue jewelry parties, where we donate a percentage of the sales to a charity of the organizer’s choice.”
How do you remain true to yourself and find your own voice in your industry?
“You must focus on your own business and create your own path. Don’t worry about what others are doing. We design and buy pieces we love and we think other people will love as well. ‘Your’ customer will find you.”
Do you have a professional support network that has contributed to your success?
“Having both worked in retail jewelry stores, we have close relationships with many people in our industry. The vendors and designers we have nurtured over the years have been wonderful to us with their support, help and encouragement.”
What is your best piece of advice for a female entrepreneur just starting out? “Don’t let your age dictate your future!”
What would you like potential clients to know about you? “We love what we do, and we’re beyond excited to have our own store! We look at jewelry as wearable art—it should evoke a feeling and make a memory.”
How do you give back to your community?
“As we have just opened, we are exploring ways to support the community. We recently donated a piece of jewelry to the silent auction for the Walk With Sally White Light, White Night event.”
FAST FACT Rounding out the team at Hamilton Butler Jewels is gemologist Marjorie Pugliese.
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Women in Business
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athleen Adams, a senior associate with Signature, Estate & Investment Advisors (SEIA), helps entrepreneurs develop strategic personal plans for wealth management to enable them to achieve financial freedom with or without business revenue. She has worked in the financial field for 16 years and joined SEIA in 2012.
Tell us something unique about your business.
“My team and I built our own planning process, The Owner’s Plan®, and trademarked it because business owners need a different kind of plan. We also have a self-assessment scorecard available online to allow owners to decide if it’s time to talk to us, available at thegettingoutbook.com/owners-scorecard.”
KATHLEEN ADAMS, CFP® CPWA® Senior Associate Signature, Estate & Investment Advisors 1815 Via El Prado, Suite 100, Redondo Beach 310-712-2322 seia.com/kathleen-adams
Which issues are unique to the working female?
“In our practice we see similar issues among many entrepreneurs—not necessarily male or female issues. Our female clients who are self-made success stories carry the same qualities as we see in male clients; they are smart, driven, persistent, optimistic and very demanding of themselves and others. Our process fits these unique abilities and unique needs.”
How do you remain true to yourself and find your own voice in your industry?
“We offer planning-driven advice vs. prognostication on market direction. It’s essential to use an outcome-oriented approach to portfolio management. Plans can be adjusted to fit different needs, but everyone needs to know the purpose of their wealth and when/if they are going to need to use it.”
How do you advise your clients to achieve and maintain success?
“Our clients have already achieved a high level of success. Our financial planning allows you to focus on what you do best and always make sure your future is bigger than your past. If you know you don’t have the time, desire or expertise to manage your personal planning, let us do it—because that’s what we do best. Our goal is to provide a clear focus for the future so when you are ready you can step away from your business with a plan for total financial freedom.”
What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
“I recently wrote a book, Getting Out: Personal Financial Planning to Successfully Exit the Owner Driven Business, to help business owners understand how to increase clarity, confidence and achieve the freedom to enjoy life without your business.” Disclaimer: Registered Representative/Securities offered through Signator Investors, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1600, Los Angeles, CA 90067 (310) 712-2323. SEIA, LLC and its investment advisory services are offered independent of Signator Investors, Inc. and any subsidiaries or affiliates. KAA CA INS LICENSE #0C76833. Opinions expressed here are the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of SEIA. SEIA has no affiliation with “Getting Out” by Kathleen Adams.
FAST FACT Kathleen holds a BS degree, Certified Private Wealth Advisor® certification, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation and IMCA Certification in Behavioral Finance.
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red Astaire Dance Studios provides a customized program of ballroom dance education designed to fit each client’s goals and desires. Owner Izabella Lewandowski has worked with the company for the past six years and opened her own Fred Astaire studio 1½ years ago. She has been dancing since she was very young and has worked as a dance teacher for 17 years.
Tell us something unique about your business.
“It does not recognize race, age, status, ability or disability. It’s absolutely for everybody, and it’s a form of activity that helps each individual transform and enrich their lives, make positive changes, find their passion, overcome life challenges, lose weight, find balance, gain self-confidence, improve social skills—all through movement and music.”
Give us tips for finding work/life balance.
“For me it is learning how to prioritize, organize and plan my time. I work 24/7, but I realized that I have to find time for myself. It helps to get some distance on things—getting a fresh perspective and recharging. As my mother used to say to me, ‘You can do anything but not everything.’”
What is your best piece of advice for a female entrepreneur just starting out?
“Don’t panic. Starting a business can be challenging; learning patience is key. Figuring out a business model that suits you and finding the right team of people is also very important in bringing your vision to life.”
How do you advise your clients to achieve and maintain success?
“Consistency! Changing your life starts with making that one choice, but maintaining success is being consistent. Things do not happen overnight, but taking a positive approach, staying consistent and trusting your team of professionals will get you there in no time. Whatever you do, be all in … and you have to have fun doing it. Then it never feels like work!”
What are some of the challenges you have encountered being a female in your industry?
IZABELLA LEWANDOWSKI
Owner Fred Astaire Dance Studio 1650 S. Pacific Coast Hwy Suite 110, Redondo Beach 310-316-5800 fredastaireredondo.com
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“By the time I began my career, there were quite few amazing, powerful females who proved that being a dancer/coach/choreographer/judge in our industry really depends on your education, commitment, creativity and passion—not gender. These women opened the doors wide for my generation of professionals.”
FAST FACT Izabella and her husband/dance partner moved from their native Poland to the U.S. in 2000.
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Women in Business
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ummer Orthodontics specializes in creating smiles for children and adults. Dr. Summer Blake and her team employ the latest in proven, cutting-edge technology, such as invisible braces, metal braces, clear braces and digital imaging. Dr. Summer completed dental school at UCLA and earned her master’s and her post-doctoral orthodontics certificate at Temple University in Philadelphia. She has been specializing in orthodontics for more than a decade.
SUMMER L. BLAKE, DDS, MS Orthodontist/Owner Summer Orthodontics
451 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Suite D-224 Manhattan Beach 310-545-0770 summerorthodontics.com
What would you like potential patients to know about you?
“Delivering the highest quality treatment is my top priority. Every decision I make in my practice is based upon one simple rule: Will this decision improve the patient experience?”
What trend is defining your specialty today?
“The technology available in modern orthodontic care has dramatically improved the patient experience. Increased patient comfort, reduced treatment time and less visible treatment options are the results of these advances. In fact, many adults are opting for orthodontic treatment who never would have considered it before.”
What’s most rewarding about your work?
“Seeing the confidence patients exude from their new smile is really rewarding. However, I also enjoy getting to know each patient throughout their treatment.”
How do you give back to your community?
“We support a variety of community programs as diverse as the interests of our patient base. From education to sports to arts, we are engaged in supporting programs that put our patients’ beautiful smiles to good use throughout the South Bay.”
What would you like potential clients to know about you?
“It is never too late to have a confident smile. More than 40% of our patients are adults. Advancements in technology can not only dramatically reduce treatment time (in some cases by as much as 50%) but can also offer a variety of hidden and inconspicuous treatment options.”
What do you like to do for fun, when you’re not at work? “Spending time with my family is what I like to do most. I also enjoy Pilates, yoga, cooking and travel. My husband, Matt, and I have three children—two wonderful daughters, Ahnika, 8, Tegan, 5, and our big boy, Briggs, 3. It is a very exciting time for our family!”
FAST FACT Dr. Summer works hard to create an atmosphere that is not only relaxing and stress-free but also fun—for adults as well as younger patients. Her office offers an ocean view, iPads in the reception area and activities and contests for patients.
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BRYANNE LAWLESS Managing Partner BLND Public Relations
205 Pier Ave., Suite 102, Hermosa Beach 310-372-2151 blndpr.com
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LND Public Relations is a boutique agency based in Los Angeles specializing in lifestyle PR campaigns for both established and emerging companies including: fashion, accessories, beauty, entertainment, food/beverage, tech and travel/hospitality brands. A native of the South Bay, owner Bryanne Lawless opened BLND Public Relations in 2013.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY PENNY CORDERO
What exactly does BLND PR do?
“We specialize in small businesses and lifestyle brands. We elevate a client’s brand to another level by bringing more awareness through media coverage and social campaigns. Our services include everything from traditional public relations campaigns (gaining editorial exposure in magazines) to social media marketing and management (taking care of the daily posts on all social channels) to event planning (product launches, store openings, etc.) and branding and web design.”
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What would you like potential clients to know about you?
“We are all about the quality of our work, which is why we only take on clients we believe in. We are a team of women who are passionate, creative and dedicated—all of whom come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and contribute unique ideas to our business as a whole. We are our clients’ biggest supporters, representation, shoulders to lean on and source of expert advice. Our success is based on their success, and our ultimate goal is to see their business thrive.”
Why did you start your firm in the South Bay?
“I opened BLND in the South Bay not only because this is my hometown, but because I also wanted to create something that didn’t previously exist for small businesses here. As the community continues to rapidly grow— from restaurants openings to new boutiques— I saw the need for an approachable PR firm
for these small businesses. We like to keep things local and in the community as opposed to outsourcing.”
What’s most rewarding about your work?
“We feed on making our clients happy by seeing their businesses flourish in the time they are in our hands. I like to base our company morale on the success and happiness of our clients so that it’s a two-way street with mutual excitement and upward mobility on both ends of the spectrum. This way, they know that their falls are our falls and their successes are our successes.”
FAST FACT Bryanne is the public relations manager of the Neptunian Woman’s Club, represents the Manhattan Beach Fire Foundation and coordinates many charity events, such as The Annual Best of Manhattan Awards.
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inancial Advisor Shannon Ryan has worked with individuals, families and businesses for more than two decades, helping them make financial decisions. Shannon is also involved in giving back to her community as president of Manhattan Beach Rotary and a provisional patroness with NCL Manhattan-Hermosa Chapter.
How do you distinguish yourself from the competition?
“My passion for financial literacy and building financial strategies. To accomplish your financial goals you have to know why and what you are investing in. You also have to consider taxes, liquidity, estate planning and risks you will face on the path to your goals.”
What’s most rewarding about your work?
“Helping clients become financially confident.”
Tell us something unique about your business.
“In addition to being a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors, I am an author, a public speaker and blogger on financial literacy for children through my small business, The Heavy Purse, LLC.”
Why does your industry appeal to you?
“I have always been intrigued by money and financial literacy. Educating clients on strategies they can use to achieve their financial goals is very rewarding.”
What are some of the challenges you have encountered being a female in your industry? How have you overcome those challenges? “Twenty-four years ago when I started in Washington, D.C., I was one of two women in an office of 30+ advisors. It was a challenge at times. I remember being told that I do not ‘look’ like a financial advisor. I put my head down and worked hard—got my CFP and became one of the top advisors in the office. I am passionate about what I do, and the challenges of being a woman in a profession that is predominately men has only made me better.”
When did you move to this area?
SHANNON RYAN, CFP®
“My husband grew up in Manhattan Beach, and I moved to the South Bay after we were married. I cannot imagine a better place to raise my children than in this amazing community.”
2321 Rosecrans Ave., El Segundo 310-725-2268 shannon.t.ryan@wfadvisors.com
In addition to being a financial advisor, Shannon is an author, a public speaker and a blogger on financial literacy for children.
Financial Advisor/Senior Vice President – Investments Ryan Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, member SIPC
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FAST FACT
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isa’s Bon Appétit is a catering/event company with a café/bakery that is open daily and serves salads, sandwiches, soups and a variety of desserts made on-site. Owner Susanne Alexander and her team organize small and large events— from sit-down dinners and weddings to company picnics and BBQs.
What would you like potential clients to know about you?
“We don’t just do Chinese chicken salad and little petite sandwiches. We specialize in traypassed appetizers, and we have great grazing stations: mashed potato martinis, street tacos, carving stations, fish and chips, sliders, french fries, etc. We have done many plated dinners with anything from filet mignon to chicken piccata and grilled garlic basil salmon.”
Give us a few tips for finding work/life balance.
“Take days off, go on vacations, delegate and give your trusted employees permission to take charge and make decisions on their own. I try to make sure that everybody knows what is coming down the pipeline prior to a vacation, and then when I leave, I am truly gone. I trust that my team can handle everything, and it also gives them a sense of ownership and pride. Making time for yourself is probably the most important thing to a balanced life and sanity.”
How does social media play into your business’ marketing strategy?
“Social media is huge in this marketplace—from Yelp to Instagram to Snapchat. Everything changes so rapidly, and you have to stay current—especially in the wedding portion of the business. It used to be word-of-mouth, and to a certain extent it still is, but the number of likes and online reviews you get are where brides are looking now.”
Tell us about your family.
SUSANNE ALEXANDER Owner Lisa’s Bon Appétit
3535 Lomita Blvd., Torrance 310-784-1070 lisasbonappetit.com
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“This is a family business, as my mother is the ‘Lisa’ of Lisa’s Bon Appétit. My two adult sons, Leif and Ian, are now both involved in the business as we are growing and expanding. We are building a catering kitchen in Torrance, and our Torrance café will be moving down the street from our current location to The Town & Country shopping center. We will also be opening a new location in El Segundo at Elevon, a beautiful new business park.”
FAST FACT Susanne has worked at Lisa’s Bon Appétit on and off since she was in high school and took over the business from her mother in 1990. S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N
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MN Singers is a group of vocalists that offers a wide variety of music of all eras and styles. The ensemble was formed in 2015 by Dr. Joanna Medawar Nachef, who has been conducting and teaching professionally for 31 years. This season’s concerts will be in December, April and June at the Palos Verdes Performing Arts Norris Theatre.
Give us a few tips for finding work/life balance.
“‘Life is a performance and not a rehearsal’ – Ask any of my JMN Singers or students at El Camino College about my motto, and they will boldly agree that the statement is what they live and experience in my groups. I choose to give 100% every day, completely committed to investing all my efforts at every opportunity. My desire is to seek excellence and not perfection, and encourage everyone to become disciplined, determined and hardworking individuals who are able to lead productive lives through the amazing power of music.”
What is your best piece of advice for a female entrepreneur just starting out?
“Young female conductors can succeed if they adopt certain traits. Among them are being an excellent communicator, an effective problem-solver and a team player. Focus on bringing out the best in people and then aligning all the parts into one whole.”
What would you like potential clients to know about you?
“The mission of JMNS is to build bridges of understanding, dissolve misconceptions, nurture tolerance and expand the strands of harmony across cultures through the powerful message of music. Today, perhaps more than ever, we need positive forces that bring people together.”
Why does your industry appeal to you?
“I have known from a very young age that I wanted to be a conductor. My most powerful and memorable connections have centered on the commonalities in music of contrasting cultures. Bridges of understanding and tolerance can replace misconceptions and ignorance. Peacebuilding strategies using soft-diplomacy through music can establish cross-cultural strands of harmony. We, as musicians, are in a unique position to be advocates for the arts and ambassadors of harmony for our future generations. My mission is to use this incredible gift of music to make a difference and leave behind a legacy of excellence in the arts and through the arts.”
DR. JOANNA MEDAWAR NACHEF
Founder/Artistic Director Joanna Medawar Nachef Singers Palos Verdes Peninsula 424-262-SING jmnsingers.com S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N
Disclaimer: JMNS is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization Tax ID #47-5031172.
FAST FACT Joanna is from Beirut, Lebanon and moved to Los Angeles in 1976. She earned her master’s degree and her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral music from the University of Southern California.
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Women in Business Clockwise from left: Sunni Won The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah Margot Farris Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan Linda McLoughlin Figel Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler Patty Gibson The Girls by Emma Cline
{PAGES} A BOOKSTORE
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wned by Margot Farris, Linda McLoughlin Figel, Patty Gibson and Sunni Won, {pages} a bookstore carries books across all genres including children, fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, coffee table books and surf books. Open since 2010, {pages} employs more than a dozen South Bay residents—many of whom are students in local schools who then return to work at the store during summers and holidays while they are in college.
Tell us something unique about your business.
“We pride ourselves on our curated inventory, knowledgeable staff and excellent customer service. If {pages} doesn’t have what you want on the shelves, we can usually get it for you in a day or two. Mass merchandisers and online retailers may be more competitive on price, but we will work harder for your business and are committed to being the best independent bookstore we can be. Local independent
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bookstores enhance communities; we hope we have done that for ours.”
filling out shelf-talkers and making recommendations to us.”
How does social media play into your business’ marketing strategy?
How do you give back to your community?
“Margins are extremely thin in the book business, so we have a very limited marketing and advertising budget. Social media is an excellent way for us to get the word out about {pages} and promote our author events and book clubs in the most cost-efficient way, and our customers can help spread the word!”
What would you like potential clients to know about you?
“We offer complimentary gift wrap and a weekly children’s story time (Mondays at 10:30). We offer free author talks, book signings and book clubs to our customers and members of the community who want to expand their horizons. We will go out of our way to pair readers with just the right book. We encourage customers to share their views of books by
“We give back generously to local schools through our Scrip program and book fair business, which donates a percentage of all of our sales to the schools with which we partner. We also support local charities’ fundraising efforts. In 2015 we donated more than $30,000 to the community and provided a $5 {pages} gift card welcoming every incoming kindergartner through the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation.”
FAST FACT Margot, Linda, Patty and Sunni have nine children, five dogs and thousands of books in their homes—among the four of them.
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PHOTOGRAPHED BY GRAHAM & GRAHAM PHOTOGRAPHY
904 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach 310-318-0900 pagesabookstore.com
Women in Business
JESSICA LOCOCO President/Owner Town Social Events, Inc. Manhattan Beach 310-529-8686 townsocialevents.com
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own Social Events is a fullservice event-planning company based in Southern California. Before starting her own firm, owner Jessica Lococo worked for a red carpet event production company, producing high-profile awards show after-parties.
PHOTOGRAPHED AT SUNNY SIDE UP
What would you like potential clients to know about you?
“I work with all kinds of budgets. I have clients who I work with to plan even a simple, special dinner. Sometimes a husband wants to have an evening taken care of with a beautiful table and dinner for two at home. Other times I do corporate events for as many as 3,000 people. My goal is always to make each event unique to my clients’ requests and, ultimately, exceed their expectations with an experience they will never forget.”
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What is your best piece of advice for a female entrepreneur just starting out?
“Define your passion and your brand and then commit to it. Network with a variety people. In any business there are highs, and there are lows. Be fearless enough to be in it for the marathon—not the sprint. Believe in yourself and go after your dreams. Highlight your strengths and cultivate your business around that. Hire other people for their talents and stand out of their way. Know that there is always more to learn and be open. Love what you do because when that happens, work is no longer work. And most importantly, just go for it! I had people tell me that I wouldn’t be able to pull it off, and I had a business partner who left. I used all of that for fuel to make Town Social everything I knew it could be. Now we are the #1 rated event production company on Yelp in Manhattan Beach.”
Why does your industry appeal to you? “I love so many things about event planning. But what I love most about my job are the connections I make with clients. My dad said, ‘You have to live with yourself 24 hours a day and the decisions and relationships you make.’ I remember that in event planning because every client that I have had, I have walked away with a new friend. If I can achieve that and give them a party that will live on forever, I have done my job.”
FAST FACT Jessica graduated from Sonoma State University with a degree in American Multicultural Studies and a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies. She has worked in the events planning industry for seven years.
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Women in Business
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evive Wellness Center is an aesthetic medical practice offering treatments such as cosmetic surgery, feminine rejuvenation, and advanced non-surgical facial and body rejuvenation. The Torrance office opened in 2012; Revive also has aesthetic offices in Irvine and Palm Springs. Shonda Chase has been an advanced aesthetic injector since 2004 and has treated more than 15,000 aesthetic patients.
What would you like potential clients to know about you?
“Revive Wellness Center is not only concerned about the patient’s treatment experience but how each treatment affects their overall happiness. Clients are in very experienced hands with the medical experts at Revive. New clients will learn that we care as much about their happiness with their results as we do about the quality of their treatments.”
How do you remain true to yourself and find your own voice in your industry?
“My mission is to carefully listen to each patient and provide them with even more improvements than they realize is possible. Being patient-focused also helps me keep Revive providing the most effective treatment programs at fair prices.”
Do you have a professional support network that has contributed to your success?
“One of the guiding principles of nurse practitioners is collaboration with colleagues. The stronger my network is, the more expertise I can bring to our patients for all of their medical issues.”
What is your best piece of advice for a female entrepreneur just starting out?
PHOTOGRAPHED BY TAYLOR SHERRILL
“The most important activity is to create as strong an infrastructure as possible before you begin your business. Taking time to research and set up the best systems to support all of the requirements of your business will accelerate it’s growth and profitability. Operating your business will take more time than you can imagine. Making your business efficient before it opens will keep your limited time and energy from slowing down growth.”
How does social media play into your business’ marketing strategy?
SHONDA CHASE, FNP Co-owner | Aesthetic Artistic Director Revive Wellness Center
22330 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite J, Torrance 310-375-7599 revivecenter.com
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“Social media has become a primary advertising strategy for Revive. Our social media activities consume the efforts of three or four employees every day in order to be visible and relevant to the community.”
FAST FACT Ms. Chase has been in involved in medical device trials and certifications since 2014. Currently she is participating in the treatment design and FDA approval study for the Fiore radio frequency medical device for feminine rejuvenation at Revive.
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Women in Business
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arol Ann Glover is a real estate attorney, the principal of Carol Ann Glover, Inc. and of counsel to Chase Law Group, which she joined in 2012. She attended law school at Loyola and has worked in the legal industry for more than 25 years.
Why does your industry appeal to you?
“Real estate is incredibly dynamic and highly creative. In doing any project—whether it be a ground-up development, a commercial lease or a real estate purchase—there’s this amazing confluence of vision, strategy, design, engineering, construction, finance, management and, of course, law—all applied to a patch of dirt! No two deals are ever alike, and that makes the practice of law in this area fascinating. There’s nothing like the feeling of being a part—sometimes more than one part—of a successful project. It’s very rewarding on so many levels.”
Give us a few tips for work/life balance.
“Find what you are passionate about. I’m lucky to be able to dual-track in real estate: I have my professional life as a lawyer, and I get to flex my creative side in my development business. There’s never enough time in a day to get everything done, but when ‘work’ is something you love, it’s not ‘labor.’”
What concern do you frequently hear from clients?
“Risk. My clients are investors and business owners who are expanding or reworking their businesses or their portfolios, and—rightfully so—they’re always sensitive to the risk inherent in investing in real estate. My responsibility, in turn, is exploring the paths of risk in the lifecycle of a deal, exploring their risk tolerance and then applying creative problem-solving to minimize the downside of any particular deal. The trick is to create as much protection as possible without killing the deal. The optimum position is to make sure that the client has mentally walked the paths of risk vs. reward and is clear about a decision to move forward or move on to the next project, lease, purchase and so on. Conversely, if a client comes to me after a deal has gone bad, we work backwards through the deal to analyze where it went off-track, break it down to its elements and then determine how to move forward again.”
CAROL ANN GLOVER
Real Estate Attorney Carol Ann Glover, Inc., APC, of Counsel Chase Law Group P.C. 1334 Parkview Avenue, Suite 203, Manhattan Beach 310-545-7700 (office) 310-999-9195 (cell) chaselawmb.com
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FAST FACT Carol is also a principal with Estate Construction & Development, LLC, a real estate development company that focuses on value-add infill projects in the South Bay area. She has spent more than 25 years as a business owner, real estate broker, investor, developer and owner/operator of income properties.
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Women in Business
LINDA A. ARTIANO & JOANNE K. LEIGHTON Artiano & Associates
3828 Carson St. #102, Torrance 310-543-1240 artianolaw.com
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rtiano & Associates is a South Bay law firm that has represented individuals and businesses in a variety of legal areas since 1984. Owner/ managing partner Linda Artiano has been an attorney since 1989; associate Joanne Leighton has worked in the legal field for more than 20 years, joining Artiano & Associates in 1992.
FAST FACT Both women are East Coast transplants. Linda is from Buffalo, New York, while Joanne was raised in Philadelphia.
What is your best piece of advice for a female entrepreneur just starting out?
Linda: “Build your business around your own strengths, interests and passions.”
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Joanne: “Be more prepared than the competition, regardless of whether they are male or female. And if you are in the service industry, be more responsive to your clients than your competition is.”
ration for my career as an advocate. If I am well prepared and honest in my communications, then my clients, opposing counsel and/or judges will listen very carefully to my position.”
What would you like potential clients to know about you?
Linda: “Accessible and responsive. I know that when they reach out to me, they are reaching out for me to solve a problem they are having at that moment, which they have already tried to solve themselves. So I get back to them as soon as I can.”
Linda: “I come from a long line of business owners and own a business myself. My passion for representing business owners in employment law comes from seeing firsthand how difficult it is to be a California employer.”
How do you remain true to yourself and find your own voice in your industry?
Joanne: “I grew up in a family as the only girl with three older brothers, so I was forced to find my voice early on. I found the only way I would be heard was if what I was saying made sense and was authentic. This was great prepa-
How would your clients describe you?
What’s the best way you’ve discovered to find new business leads?
Joanne: “Doing an excellent job for your current clients is the best marketing anyone can do. In this age of automation, texting and emails, answering your clients’ phone call and speaking directly to them about their concerns will always be more useful than a text or email.”
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Women in Business
CHRISTINA L. HUTCHINSON, DDS Owner Hutchinson Dental
512 Main Street, #4, El Segundo 310-640-2025 hutchinsondds.com
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utchinson Dental is a family dental practice that offers general dentistry procedures, cosmetic dentistry and management of sleep disorders. Owner Dr. Christina Hutchinson has been practicing dentistry for 13 years.
my friends. Being my own boss is one of the best luxuries I have and has allowed me to work in exactly my style to promote my vision—not someone else’s.”
our patients are well taken care of, and this contributes to the trust our patients have in me.”
Which issues are unique to the working female?
What would you like potential clients to know about you?
“I hope patients like that I’m honest with them. I’ve been practicing long enough that I can realistically advise them of their current dental problems or future ones. I never want any patient to sign up for treatment they don’t understand. I’m willing to spend time communicating so patients can receive the treatment they need with confidence.”
“I’m fortunate that I love my job and don’t consider it work. I look forward to going to the office every day, and this keeps it from being too serious despite the long days. When I get home, I’m ‘home’ and have time every day with my husband where we sit outside, listen to music and simply hang out.”
“Today’s working woman has to balance giving 100% of herself to both her home and her business. Women are driven to create and maintain a home for our families, but we also have to give the same level of attention to our businesses to keep them successful. Both roles are demanding, so women have to learn how to be efficient so we can be successful at both.”
How do you remain true to yourself and find your own voice in your industry?
“My style has always been casual and genuine with patients. I think it’s disarming in a dental setting. I always treat patients as though they’re
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Do you have a professional support network that has contributed to your success?
“When I have a patient who is in need of a treatment I don’t perform, I have an exceptional network of specialists in the South Bay that I have worked with for years. They always ensure
Give us a few tips for finding work/life balance.
FAST FACT Dr. Hutchinson began her dentistry career in Oklahoma before relocating to the South Bay, where she completed her general dentistry residency at UCLA and worked at a private practice in Manhattan Beach. She started her own practice in 2015.
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Women in Business to R: L Associate Partner Sandi Pfister, Associate Partner Rebecca Chambliss, Partner/Manager Jan Rhees, Executive Assistant Nahed Rott
JAN RHEES
Partner/Manager Partners Trust Real Estate Brokerage & Acquisitions 1219 Morningside Drive, Suites 201 & 202, Manhattan Beach 310-500-3647 (office) 310-689-8779 (cell) jan.rhees@thepartnerstrust.com thepartnerstrust.com
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lmost 15 years ago Jan Rhees worked with Nick Segal, the founding partner of Partners Trust, at another Westside boutique brokerage in Santa Monica. After 13 years at Shorewood Realtors, where she continued to work with Nick referring business back and forth, the two opened the South Bay Partners Trust office in 2015. The office has since added three associates.
and marketing, working to launch numerous notable entertainers in music, television and film, I am practiced in discretion and discernment in all areas of business. As a Grammy nominee and music publishing catalogue owner with BMI/ ASCAP awards for hit songs I own, my approach to real estate is creative.”
Why did you choose to work in the real estate industry?
“Partners Trust is built on trust. We are qualityover-quantity. Every client is a ‘star’ we devote ourselves to.”
“Real estate came into my life via an unexpected route. It wasn’t until I began investing in property in Nashville, Tennessee while working in country music that real estate became a creative and financially prudent outlet. While on location with a well-known actor, I was inspired to learn he was as successful in investing in real estate as he was in winning Academy Awards. With a 30+-year career in entertainment production
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What would you like potential clients to know about you?
What is it like to work at Partners Trust?
“The safety net and confidence we provide one another in our office is refreshing. Entertainment was like that for me, and I knew from the moment I joined Nick Segal 15 years ago where I belonged in real estate. The Partners Trust agreement all associates sign reflects my heart
and my guiding principles. We are unlike any other boutique brokerage, and I strive to extend this feeling of place to every single associate who joins us.”
How do you give back to your community? “As a past president of the Rotary Club of Manhattan Beach (2010), former two-term City Council-appointed Library Commissioner, Leadership Manhattan Beach graduate (2007), Mayor’s Youth Council seminar leader (third year), and Neighborhood Watch captain, my roots are firm and deep.”
FAST FACT Every year since its founding (seven years total), Partners Trust has been named one of Los Angeles Business Journal’s Best Places to Work.
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Women in Business
AMY WILKENS
Owner The Urban Clothes Horse 1901 S. Catalina Ave., Redondo Beach 424-247-8948 urbanclotheshorse.com
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he Urban Clothes Horse is a men’s and womens lifestyle clothing brand that carries collections for all ages, shapes, sizes and occasions. The company features designer clothing, jewelry, footwear, handcrafted leather goods and accessories. Owner Amy Wilkens and her team offer full-service wardrobe consulting in-house to help clients make the perfect selections to suit their needs. Amy started The Urban Clothes Horse in 2015 as her third retail location and has worked in the fashion and entertainment industry for more than two decades.
the collections I personally design but to the designer brands my company represents.”
How do you remain true to yourself and find your own voice in the fashion industry?
What would you like potential clients to know?
“We can remain true to ourselves by celebrating our own personal style and individuality. I believe embracing my own identity and listening to my intuition as a clothing designer, fashion buyer, wardrobe stylist and business owner brings a true authenticity to the face of my company and a distinction to not only
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Tell us something unique about your business.
“We absolutely love being a true shopping destination in the South Bay! We pride ourselves on securing exclusivity of extremely sought-after brands! For example, we are now the official authorized Free People retailer in the Redondo Beach area, featuring their full collection of apparel, sportswear, intimates and footwear. The Urban Clothes Horse is truly the hot spot to shop in our area!”
“We have now officially launched our clothing line, Fifth & Urban. As a woman and stylist, I know we all come in different packages. This inspired me to create a collection for every woman—effortless and chic. It gives me great pleasure to offer trendy plus-size and petite styles to all my clients!”
What concern do you frequently hear from clients?
“Recently our clients have become a lot more socially conscious and curious about where and how their clothing is manufactured. We are proud to say we feature countless brands that are made in the USA. We also feature brands, like Eileen Fisher and Cut Loose Cotton, that use organic vegetable dyes and organic fabrics as healthy, sustainable, ecofriendly alternatives.”
How would your clients and staff members describe you?
“Dedicated; precise; straightforward; committed; resourceful; dependable; opinionated; encouraging; devoted; motivating; perfectionist; willing to go the extra mile!”
FAST FACT Amy is married to Matthew Wilkens, Dean of Students at Rolling Hills Prep School. They recently had a baby girl, Violet Sky.
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Women in Business
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legance Boutique Spa is a full-service day spa offering skin care treatments including massage and body treatments, endermologie, hair removal, skin tightening, makeup, waxing and manicuring. Aesthetician Andrea Dantzler co-owns the spa with Bernadette George and has worked in the field of esthetics for the past decade.
How has your life experience made you into the business owner and leader you are today? “My father has always been a small business owner, so growing up I watched him manage the day-to-day things—working long hours and putting everything he had into being as successful as possible to provide for me. I believe his hard work has helped me understand that success requires a lot of patience, perseverance and risk-taking. After 10 years of working in the corporate world, I found myself dreaming of owning my own business. I’ve been very blessed with some key mentors who believed in me along the way and gave me the selfconfidence I needed.”
Tell us something unique about Elegance.
“Elegance truly is a unique place. Established in 1983 by Bernadette George, we have remained owner-operated with a focus on providing the absolute best in skin and body treatments to Manhattan Beach. We have created a calming, comfortable environment within our restored beach cottage to allow the ultimate in relaxation. I would say our most unique feature is our garden lounge, where we grow our own herbs. It is also home to our newly updated private massage cabana. You can hear the ocean waves, feel the breeze and truly escape from daily life. The cabana is perfect for couples massage too and has its own private sauna. We treat our clients like honored guests. We provide cozy robes, serve organic tea and cookies and begin all skin and body treatments with a foot bath.”
What issues are unique to the working female?
ANDREA DANTZLER
Co-Proprietor & Aesthetician Elegance Boutique Spa 3516 Highland Avenue, Manhattan Beach 310-546-5610 EleganceSpa.com
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“Since I’m both a mother and a business owner, there are definitely moments where it’s tough to balance work with parenting. I’m incredibly lucky to have a career that doesn’t take me away from my children. It requires a lot of juggling, but I pride myself on being at all of their activities. I feel it’s valuable for my sons to see me pursuing my dream, and I hope I can influence them to pursue their own passions.”
FAST FACT Andrea and Bernadette recently updated Elegance with clothing, jewelry, handbags, gift items and top-quality skin care products and makeup.
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Women in Business
L to R: Shelley Church, Client Associate Ian McDonald, First Vice President– Investment Officer Jay McDonald, Managing Director– Investment Officer Kathleen Hogan, First Vice-President– Investment Officer
KATHLEEN HOGAN
First Vice President–Investment Officer McDonald Wealth Advisory Group of Wells Fargo Advisors LLC 500 Silver Spur Rd., Suite 300, Rolling Hills Estates 310-377-1942 | 800-541-4377
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s a member of The McDonald Wealth Advisory Group, Kathleen Hogan helps a select group of individuals, families, businesses and foundations build, manage, protect and transition wealth. A graduate of University of San Diego, Kathleen began her career in the financial services industry in 1988 and joined Wachovia Securities, a Wells Fargo Advisors predecessor, in 2004. She enjoys traveling with family and friends and is taking her niece and nephew to Germany and Switzerland this year.
What concern do you frequently hear from clients?
How do you remain true to yourself and find your own voice in your industry?
How do you advise your clients to achieve and maintain success?
“I treat our clients how I would like my family members treated—with integrity and respect. I want them to know that I have their best interests in mind and that they can trust us to do the right thing for them. Over time they feel the genuine nature of my concern for their wellbeing, both financially and personally.”
“Many of our clients are concerned with outliving their financial resources. As life spans increase, we can expect to spend more years in retirement than previous generations—25 years or more. Ensuring that their assets last throughout retirement requires careful planning now to determine how inflation, rising health care costs and other factors may affect their financial success.”
“Our investment planning process involves addressing the concept of critical financial events—everything that affects a client’s finances, either now or in the future—to help them stay on track and continue to progress toward their specific financial goals and objectives.”
Investment and Insurance products: NOT FDIC-Insured NO Bank Guarantee
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MAY Lose Value
What are some of the challenges you have encountered being a female in your industry? How have you overcome those challenges?
“The financial services industry has historically been a male-dominated field. When I started in this business there were very few female consultants. As a woman, I felt I had to work harder to prove myself, but I feel the industry is beginning to recognize the unique skill sets that we have in communicating and educating our clients, particularly women. Some feel more comfortable and can relate better to another woman, and it creates a trust and connection in the professional relationship.”
FAST FACT Kathleen has worked in the financial services industry for the past 28 years.
Disclaimer: Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.
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Women in Business
STACI TRIEF & PHYLLIS CALZA Co-Owners We Plan the Party
Manhattan Beach 310-625-7331 | 310-597-7700 weplantheparty.com
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e Plan the Party is a full-service event planning company that designs, produces and manages all types of party experiences. Owners Staci Trief and Phyllis Calza started the business four years ago, though both have been planning creative parties for many years.
Why does this industry appeal to you?
“Our favorite part of our job is experiencing our client’s excitement when they walk into their event and see how we have transformed the venue into their dream party. We make dreams a reality and promise no detail will be overlooked. We strive to build relationships with our clients that last way beyond the event.”
Tell us something unique about your business.
“We know that each client and event is unique, so we customize and create one-of-a-kind special events. Whether planning an intimate
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gathering or an elaborate event, we are committed to providing the highest level of service to our clients.”
as they remember the fun time they had!”
What is the biggest lesson you have learned as an event planner?
“In all the events we do such as weddings, mitzvahs, birthday parties, dinner parties, and holiday parties we strive to make each event as original as possible. We have a very high standard and are able to get creative even with the smallest of budgets.”
“Go with the flow, be flexible and always expect the unexpected. We can solve any issue that arises behind the scenes so our clients can enjoy their day.”
How do you remain true to yourself and find your own voice in your industry?
Give us a great idea for our next party.
“One of our favorite things to do at an event is to make dessert not just something to eat but a fun experience. Instead of a candy bar, set up a cookie bar that’s both easy to eat and easy to set up. Fill glass jars with several types of yummy gourmet cookies. Label each jar with a creative tag and have custom bags or boxes on hand for your guests to take some home with them as they leave. Your guests will love knowing that the next day they can enjoy a treat from your party
FAST FACT Both Phyllis and Staci are moms who give back to the community. They have planned and organized events at local schools and spent numerous volunteer hours fundraising for nonprofits such as the PTA, Sandpipers and a children’s theater group.
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Women in Business
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aura Chavers worked as a licensed pharmacist and managed a real estate development company before she became a licensed Realtor in 2015. She and her husband, James, met in Monaco and love to travel with their golden retriever, SkyRocket.
Tell us something unique about your business.
“I love working with my clients, handling every detail of the home buying process from beginning to end. Communication and really getting to know my clients and what they are looking for is very important to me. I may be new to the business, but the personal touch I give to each client and my integrity will make any transaction seamless.”
LAURA CHAVERS
Realtor® Vista Sotheby’s International Realty 608 Silver Spur Road, Suite 103, Palos Verdes 310-760-6997 LauraChavers.com Laura.Chavers@VistaSIR.com
Give us a few tips for finding work/life balance.
“If I don’t have time for a full workout during the day, I take 15 to 20 minutes to do yoga poses after work to help unwind. I also try to spend time with my family in the evenings by sitting down at the table for dinner and taking SkyRocket for a relaxing walk on The Strand where he often stops to just watch the ocean. While traveling with friends recently, we came up with a fun rule that while eating, we talk—no phones. My last thought to this question is a quote that I live by: ‘It’s healthier to be with people than behind a computer.’”
Why does your industry appeal to you?
“I love every aspect of real estate—from architectural design to interior decorating to landscaping. Meeting and working with people is also extremely important to me. Listening to—and learning—what someone wants or needs in order to find their dream home is very rewarding. I have always enjoyed helping people, and what better way than assisting them through the process of finding the perfect property.”
How do you give back to your community?
“Anything from donating my time to various charities, especially the Humane Society, to picking up rubbish on the beach during a walk in Manhattan Beach or on a trip to the Maldives. I also sponsor two children; one lives in Mexico, and the other lives in Peru. My goal is to make sure they both get a proper education so they can be anything they dream to be when they grow up.” Disclaimer: Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. If your property is listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers. We are happy to work with them and cooperate fully.
FAST FACT Laura loves to explore the world and has traveled to 49 states, 33 countries and six continents.
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Women in Business L to R: Jill Javahery, MD, owner Christina Beck, PA-C Ashley Magovern, MD, owner Melissa Camouse, DO, owner Claudia Cardarelli, esthetician
EL SEGUNDO DERMATOLOGY
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l Segundo Dermatology is a fullservice dermatology practice offering medical care and surgical expertise in skin cancer, along with esthetic and cosmetic dermatology. The practice is owned and operated through a collaborative partnership between Dr. Melissa Camouse, Dr. Jill Javahery and Dr. Ashley Magovern. Rounding out the team are Christina Beck, a board-certified physician assistant with extensive dermatology experience, and Claudia Cardarelli, a licensed esthetician with more than 20 years of experience in skin care.
FAST FACT El Segundo Dermatology opened its doors for business in May 2016 at the new Elevon campus.
What’s most rewarding about your work?
“Treating and improving a patient’s skin disease. Unlike other medical disorders, skin disease is
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713 North Douglas St., El Segundo 310-906-2788 elsegundodermatology.com on the outside for everyone to see, which can create a heavy psychosocial burden for the patient. Being able to manage and improve these conditions can be life-changing.”
What does the future hold for your business?
“Skin care has evolved tremendously in recent years, with patients looking to their dermatologist for much more than a prescription or a skin check. We are a fully integrative practice, providing state-of-the-art skin care— from traditional dermatology and skin cancer treatments to nutritional supplements and facial and body contouring procedures. We are also eager to become an integral part of the community and are particularly excited to be at the new Elevon campus.”
Do you have a professional support network that has contributed to your success?
“The three partners at El Segundo Dermatology were friends first and eventually became
partners. For years prior, we supported and encouraged one another, both personally and professionally. Opening this practice together felt like a natural extension of our friendship and support network.”
What is your best piece of advice for a female entrepreneur just starting out?
“We love to encourage young women to start their own businesses. If you love what you do and put your heart in it, these qualities will shine through.”
What would you like potential patients to know about you?
“As residents of the South Bay, we all take pride in caring for and treating our neighbors. We are excited to have Ms. Beck provide continuity of care to our patients in all aspects of dermatology—from skin checks to esthetics and laser treatments. Ms. Cardarelli works with our providers and patients to customize a skin care regimen to keep everyone’s skin healthy and protected from the southern California sun.”
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Women in Business
COLEEN KIRNAN & RHONDA VILARDO Owners Tuscan Women Cook Los Angeles 310-613-1477 tuscanwomencook.com
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or more than 20 years Rhonda Vilardo worked as sales director for a national cosmetics company and Coleen Kirnan owned a commercial real estate firm before they joined together to purchase Tuscan Women Cook last year. Originally founded in 2000, Tuscan Women Cook provides an authentic immersion experience in the Tuscan countryside, including exclusive cooking classes taught by Tuscan women; private wine, cheese and olive oil tastings; and excursions throughout Tuscany including Montepulciano, Monticchiello, Pienza, Siena and Bagno Vignoni.
Tell us something unique about your business.
“Our cooking school is differentiated from other international cooking vacations because our classes are taught by the Italian nonnas (grandmothers)—the true chefs of authentic Italian fare. The local women of Tuscany share their techniques with our guests, including special
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ingredients and family recipes. Each cooking class culminates with a mouthwatering lunch. Our classes are ideal for cooks at all experience levels. Also, our program is located within a medieval village with fewer than 600 residents; it is not a tourist destination. What we offer is a true, unique immersion experience.”
FAST FACT Tuscan Women Cook’s program takes place in an Italian medieval village, Montefollonico, located in an area of Tuscany that produces great wines such as Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Chianti.
Share a bit about the classes.
“There is as much or as little actual hands-on experience as the individual wants. You can
come and get elbow-deep in pasta, or you can come and watch, simply enjoying the fruits of everyone’s labors.”
Other unique features of the experience?
“We tour Siena on market day, which is largely for locals. Our guide has a doctorate in Siennese history and shares the rich history of that city. Also, one of our cooking classes is at a familyowned farm, which was converted to a B&B and is taught by three generations of female cooks.”
Describe your clients.
“Men and women of all ages—from all over the world. It’s surprising how many men come with their spouses and end up enjoying the experience much more than they anticipated. We have single travelers, book, golf and wine clubs, reunions, graduates—you name it. There are also some serious wine and food aficionados. And regardless of the mix of the group, we always see friendships forged.”
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PANTEA SHARIFI-HANNAUER, MD Owner/Medical Director Pediatric Minds Medical Center 3524 Fashion Way, Suite 104, Torrance 310-540-1630 PediatricMinds.com
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r. Pantea Sharifi-Hannauer is a board-certified child neurologist who is a South Bay native. She is the founder and medical director of Pediatric Minds Medical Center, the Early Childhood Treatment Center (ECTC), Pediatric Minds Family Services and Pediatric Minds Developmental Services. Dr. H, as her team calls her, specializes in helping children with special needs.
Tell us about the Early Childhood Treatment Center.
“The ECTC at Pediatric Minds is a unique program that provides short term, intensive daily treatment to young children with developmental delays, autism, behavioral issues, anxiety, ADHD and other neuro-developmental problems. Our team of specialists includes child psychologists, behavioral therapists, speech and language pathologists, an occupational therapist and other staff that specialize in early child development. The program has been so effective, there often is a four- to six-month waitlist.”
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Why is your program so effective?
“Decades of research have shown that early intervention is most effective in maximizing the child’s developmental potential. This is not only true for patients with autism but also for patients with other forms of developmental delays. Our program is unique and extremely effective because we are multi-disciplinary. All the various disciplines that are part of early interventions for young children work together and provide the treatment simultaneously. We also ensure parent training and education is provided to keep the benefits patients gain.”
What would you like clients to know?
“Pediatric Minds has become a training program for many different specialties including providing internships to psychology students from Alliant University, rotating and visiting medical students and neurology residents in training from UCLA Medical Center. We provide neuropsychological testing, psychotherapy, speech therapy, in-home behavioral support services, parent training and support
services, and social skills classes. We are also developing a nonprofit sector that focuses on research and development.”
How do you give back to your community? “It is critical to keep our community educated on the needs of children with special needs. Education provides acceptance. I have involved my own children (ages 10 and 11) by having them volunteer and help during social skills classes as a peer mentor to our patients. My team and I also participate in community programs and local schools and provide seminars, trainings and lectures to other professionals in the field.”
FAST FACT Dr. Hannauer is on faculty at the UCLA Medical Center, Department of Child Neurology, where she teaches residents and medical students and does research. She also runs an autism and epilepsy clinic at the UCLA, Santa Monica clinic.
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Women in Business
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achel Ezra has worked in real estate for 15 years and recently began working with Vista Sotheby’s International Realty.
Which issues are unique to the working female?
“When you are a working mom, it’s a balancing act. I am big on keeping a schedule so I can get a handle on what the day may bring beyond the commitments to my children and my clients.”
How do you remain true to yourself and find your own voice in your industry?
“We are in the ‘please’ and ‘thank-you’ business. In our industry your reputation is everything. I am a very ethical person, and I pride myself on providing the highest level of service to each and every client.”
FAST FACT Rachel recently moved from Shorewood Realtors to Vista Sotheby’s International Realty.
Do you have a professional support network that has contributed to your success?
“My team members are adept at the latest web and tech trends, which helps us provide clients with the best digital service the real estate industry has to offer.”
Give us a few tips for finding work/life balance.
“In this day and age, we are reachable 24/7. A few years ago I decided to take off Saturdays—in observance of the Jewish Sabbath. Come sundown Friday until sundown Saturday I stay clear of the office. It is family time and gives me my inner peace—helps me recharge for the following week.”
What question do you frequently hear from clients?
RACHEL EZRA Broker Associate Vista Sotheby’s International Realty
2501 N. Sepulveda Blvd., 2nd Floor Manhattan Beach 310-400-0297 RachelEzra.com
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“Are we in another real estate ‘bubble’? When are prices going to correct? My answer: No one has a crystal ball. Interest rates are at an all-time low, and real estate has been proven to be a sound investment—especially in the South Bay, where there is limited land and a thriving local economy. Many people want to move here for the schools, weather and quality of life.”
How would your clients describe you?
“Some of my clients have said: ‘Rachel prides herself on providing the highest level of service to each and every client. A true problem-solver and honest broker. She started out as our Realtor, but in the process became a lifelong friend. Rachel is very experienced and competent in what could be a complicated process. Very courteous and pleasant to work with.’”
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GEORGE ROSENKRANZ, JD & CHERYL FRIEDMAN Owners The Rosenkranz|Friedman Group 550 Deep Valley Drive, Suite 359 Rolling Hills Estates 310-717-8767 310-504-4690 theRFGroup.com
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he Rosenkranz|Friedman Group is a top-producing, full-service real estate team of experienced professionals at Keller Williams dedicated to providing exceptional service while helping clients achieve their real estate goals.
How do you distinguish yourself from the competition?
Cheryl: “We have created our multi-generational, multi-cultural marketing platform that utilizes cutting-edge technologies alongside traditionally successful marketing methods to reach local, regional and global consumers and obtain the results our clients rave about.” George: “We also distinguish ourselves by being proactive and incredibly responsive. We are passionate about real estate, so we constantly study the market and network with other professionals to find great opportunities for our clients. When our clients are contemplating a move, we put ourselves in their shoes in order to anticipate their needs and questions. This
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translates into a high level of engagement and hands-on involvement, both day and night.”
How do you remain true to yourself and find your own voice in your industry?
“We have a very clear vision of how to best serve our clients and what is necessary to achieve that goal. We have established 8 Core Values—including open and honest communication. Our Core Values ensure that everyone in our group provides exceptional service consistent with our vision.”
What would you like potential clients to know about you?
“We are in this together—before, during and after the transaction. Our service does not end with the close of escrow. Every step of the way we protect your interests AND your pocketbook!”
Why does your industry appeal to you? George: “Being born and raised in the South
Bay, I know the market inside and out. As a ‘recovering lawyer’—having practiced transactional law for more than 11 years—I also understand and enjoy the art of negotiation, the importance of communication and the value of customer service. These ingrained skills give our clients a distinct advantage in our transactions.”
What’s most rewarding about your work?
“Being able to use our knowledge and experience to take the stress out of the home selling or buying process. We are very protective of our clients’ interests.”
FAST FACT Combined, George and Cheryl have more than 30 years of experience in the real estate industry.
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Women in Business
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TD Image Consulting (formerly Out of the Closets) specializes in personal/ business image assessments, wardrobe/closet makeovers, and concierge shopping and styling. Owner Gayle Theodora Drake started her business in 2010 after working for many years with some of the top models, designers, photographers and actors in the fashion and film industries.
GAYLE THEODORA DRAKE Owner/CEO GTD Image Consulting Palos Verdes 310-612-8095 GayleTheodoraDrake.com
Do you have a professional support network that has contributed to your success?
“My clients are my success team! They show amazing support through their referrals and testimonials. Seeing the value I provide, I have had the privilege of being asked by clients to donate my services to their charities and fundraisers in the South Bay. This has added to GTD Image Consulting’s continued success. Lastly, I have immense gratitude for my brand manager, Francine Hwang. She truly believes in GTD and loves to mastermind and execute the goals of my vision.”
How do you remain true to yourself and find your own voice in your industry?
“Building and nurturing relationships is essential to staying true to myself. With my clients, I create unique and special bonds on a very personal level due to the intimate space we share when working together. I care about people deeply, and I feel grateful when I know I have helped improve someone’s quality of life.”
What question or concern do you frequently hear from clients?
JEWELRY BY ROSE COLONNA | CLOSET DESIGN BY GTD IMAGE CONSULTING
“It’s a universal issue: TIME! There’s not enough time in the day, and we are—as a society—simply overwhelmed with ‘too much’ … too much stuff or too much on our calendars. Clients want to simplify. Some need wardrobe maintenance; some need styling or concierge shopping. The requests I receive are varied and vast! For instance, when my clients need on-thego styling help, I use my photographic memory to visualize their wardrobe and jewelry to create fashionable looks at a moment’s notice.”
FAST FACT Gayle started her business in 2010 and recently renamed her company from Out of the Closets to GTD Image Consulting.
Why did you decide to rename and rebrand your business?
“I decided the name Out of the Closets was limiting my brand perception, since what I do is so much more than closets. In fact, GTD Image Consulting offers a whole range of services to address one’s image needs and much more. For instance, many South Bay Realtors add value to their services by referring me to their clients, who have hired me to design and seamlessly transition their closets from one home to the next.”
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ynthia Snyder worked for years in the financial industry before joining State Farm in 2002. She opened her State Farm agency in 2004 and specializes in homeowners, auto, business and life insurance, as well as banking. She and her husband—also a business owner in the insurance industry—have been married for 14 years and have two children ages 7 and 10.
Tell us something unique about your business.
“I think my particular office is unique in that I don’t hire individuals who are sales people. I want my team to be educators. Everyone on my team has a huge heart and sincerely cares about the welfare of our clients. The professionals in our client base expect a lot from themselves and in turn they expect a lot from us. We have to be on our game.”
Which issues are unique to the working female?
“Even with the flexibility that I have with my work, there are always challenges—and guilt. When I’m at my office, I should be with my kids and vice versa. Due in part to my team, I don’t miss many presentations, award ceremonies or volunteering at my kids’ school. I also have a great network of amazing friends who help with carpooling our kids to their swim team practice or gymnastic workouts. Growing up with both of their parents being business owners will hopefully make being an entrepreneur less intimidating to our children when they are deciding their career path one day.”
What would you like potential clients to know about you?
“I think my clients would say that I’m an authentic and caring person—a good listener, and I always follow through.”
Why does your industry appeal to you?
CYNTHIA SNYDER Insurance Agent State Farm
1417 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Manhattan Beach 310-546-7803 cynthiasnyder.com
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“Being a small business owner, I enjoy the fact that I have my hands in so many aspects of business. One day I might be more focused on human resources; the next may be business development. I also enjoy that in my office I may have a few appointments on the calendar, but I truly don’t know what’s in store for me each day. One day can be so busy with phone calls, the next tons of email, the next clients stopping by or just a really quiet day to regroup.”
FAST FACT As a child Cynthia was a gymnast for many years. In college she was a springboard and platform diver, and she competed in triathlons after college.
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Women in Business
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izabeth Walker has worked in real estate for the past 27 years and recently joined NW Real Estate Brokers. Originally from New York, she moved to California to attend UCLA’s School of Architecture. She is an associate member of the American Institute of Architects and worked for a number years as a designer in LA architectural firms before transitioning to real estate sales.
What would you like potential clients to know about you?
“I believe in personalized service. Buying or selling real estate is an important event in people’s lives, and it should be fun! I want my clients to relax and know that I will be there 100% helping them make their real estate decisions. I’ll send handwritten letters to potential sellers to find my buyers that special house. For my sellers I tailor a detailed marketing plan starting with suggestions for home improvements, landscaping and staging. My online and print marketing campaigns are professional, starting with great photos (I work with a couple of fabulous photographers). I use a designer for my card stock brochures and try to find a catchy phrase or word to capture the essence of each home. Getting clients top dollar also involves the art of negotiating!”
FAST FACT Lizabeth has been a consistent multi-million dollar producer and is in the top 2% of Realtors nationwide, according to the National Association of Realtors. Lizabeth recently sold the Manhattan Beach home of Graham Nash of Crosby, Stills & Nash.
How would your clients describe you?
LIZABETH WALKER
Realtor® NW Real Estate Brokers 1213 Highland Avenue, Manhattan Beach 310-318-5200 SouthBayBeachBuyer.com
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“Here is a Zillow review from one of my former clients who bought a house from me last year: ‘My wife and I were buying a home in a tough and competitive sellers’ market. Lizabeth helped us every step of the way and provided truly exceptional professional service. Lizabeth showed such great judgement and knowledge on a broad range of issues that my wife and I got to the point where we ran to her for advice on all sorts of things … and she always came through. Lizabeth is simply an amazing agent and also a wonderful human being.’”
What do you like to do for fun, when you’re not at work?
“I am so lucky to have a wide circle of family and friends, many of whom are past clients whom I see on a regular basis—whether in my book club, my French literature club or at dinner at our wonderful local restaurants. Winter is my favorite time of the year because it’s the time I get to go skiing!”
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K
asey Jones, Ink. provides one-ofa-kind experiences, services, art and gifting for events, companies and individuals throughout the U.S. Owner Kasey Blaustein and her team of freelance artists and photographers use multiple art mediums to design handmade, unique items for clients. Kasey started the business in 2014.
How do you remain true to yourself and find your own voice in your industry?
“Prior to owning my own business, I worked in PR and in marketing, so I understand the importance of knowing ‘your brand.’ When I started KJI, I was taking a giant gamble on myself, so I went into it with a clear picture of what type of business I wanted to build and what type of founder I wanted to be. That has helped me immensely—from knowing what type of team I need to build to what opportunities to say yes to and which to politely decline.”
FAST FACT Kasey Jones, Ink. partners with The Crayon Initiative, which recycles unwanted crayons and donates them to hospitals, schools and children’s arts programs.
Do you have a professional support network that contributes to your success?
PHOTOGRAPHED BY DOMINIC MILLER / RELLIM CINIMOD PHOTOGRAPHY
“I have a professional and personal support network that has greatly contributed to my success. Clients from my brand manager days were some of my first clients when I went out on my own. They’ve also been some of my greatest referral sources for other clients. Friends and family have helped build the foundation KJI sits on and continue to help today. It’s definitely a family business!”
Give us a few tips for finding work/ life balance.
KASEY BLAUSTEIN Founder Kasey Jones, Ink.
Los Angeles 818-732-9277 hello@kaseyjonesink.com kaseyjonesink.com
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“Since I love what I do so much, I’m still trying to find my work/life balance. It’s such a passion of mine so the lines can easily blur, but I’m making more of a conscious effort to turn off work at least one day a week. The nice thing about my business is I have flexibility for my ‘weekend,’ and that’s really helpful.”
What is your best piece of advice for a female entrepreneur just starting out?
“Regardless of the area of your expertise, you have to be really hungry and able to do anything to get your name out there and show your stuff. Had I been a little more picky about clients, rates or barter opportunities in the beginning, I probably wouldn’t have the clientele I have now.”
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Women in Business
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abula Rasa Essentials and Yorktown are lifestyle gift and home decor shops owned by Maureen McBride. Before opening Tabula Rasa Essentials in 2000, Maureen was an executive in the fashion industry, traveling the world and developing a love for artisanal works from around the globe. Her experience is reflected today in the boutiques’ hand-selected merchandise. Emily O’Brien is the manager of Tabula Rasa Essentials, and Julie Amos is the manager of Yorktown, which Maureen opened in 2015.
What would you like potential clients to know about you?
“We are grateful that our town and environs SHOP LOCAL. We source worldwide, with a focus on U.S.and California-made merchandise. We offer corporate gifting, wedding and gift registry services, custom designs and interior home decor resourcing.”
FAST FACT Maureen and her team support local charity organizations; they created an educational scholarship fund, Fred’s Future, raising $14,000, and they sponsored the MBPD during this year’s Tour de Pier.
Which issues are unique to the working female?
PHOTOGRAPHED BY LAUREN PRESSEY
“Our entire staff is female. By nature we are multitaskers who strive to maintain balanced, happy and successful lives. Juggling obligations at home is challenging—especially in a small business that relies on a streamlined workforce including many part-time sales associates. We are open seven days a week, up to 11 hours a day. It is imperative we do our utmost to provide the very best customer service and bring the most unique, fabulous merchandise into our shops— not to mention whimsical and edgy too! Tremendous research, product development, trend forecasting and travel are crucial to accomplish this. The balancing is not always easy, but we are a high-energy team that loves what we do!”
How does social media play into your business’ marketing strategy?
EMILY O’BRIEN MAUREEN MCBRIDE JULIE AMOS
Tabula Rasa Essentials | Yorktown 919A/E Manhattan Avenue, Manhattan Beach 310-318-3385 | tabularasamb.com 310-379-5125 | yorktownmb.com
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“Social media is integral to the success of our business in today’s marketplace. More and more people of all ages are on Facebook, Instagram, etc., and we need to be in the mix. Taking and editing photos, writing content, posting and interacting with followers is part of our daily activity.”
What’s the best way you’ve discovered to find new business leads?
“Our managers are always on the lookout for new talent and fresh merchandise. We attend industry shows across the country and travel the world seeking new vendors and innovative trends. Friendly networking with clients, friends and fellow business owners offers many potential new contacts.”
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KATHY FLYNN MCQUIGGAN, CPA
CEO/Owner Beach Cities Accounting, Inc. 2100 Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 15, Manhattan Beach 424-257-0253 beachcitiesaccounting.com
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each Cities Accounting is a professional services firm that provides outsourced accounting and bookkeeping support to small and midsized businesses and high-wealth individuals. After more than 20 years as a CPA in corporate America, Kathy Flynn McQuiggan launched Beach Cities Accounting in 2012.
FAST FACT Beach Cities Accounting was chosen as one of 20 Intuit Firms of the Future—a recognition given to accounting firms using innovative technology and cuttingedge knowledge to help clients.
How do you distinguish yourself from the competition?
“There are many accounting firms out there, but few come with our level of expertise and
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knowledge. Everyone on our team is a CPA and/or QuickBooks-certified. Because we’re a small firm, we work together closely to make sure our clients’ needs are being met—using the most innovative and advanced technology and know-how in the industry.”
How do clients benefit from working with your team?
“We give our clients peace of mind. The finances of running a business can be incredibly stressful, and we want to take away that stress. We are there to be the back office, to take care of what the business owners don’t want to or perhaps don’t know how to do on their own. Whether that means handling a client’s financials directly or working with their in-house bookkeeper or tax CPA to provide a second look at the books, the oversight we provide ensures that reports are accurate. An extra set of eyes is also a deterrent to fraud.”
What are the most common problems when working with clients?
“Many businesses have high turnover in their accounting departments, which can make their bookkeeping inconsistent and susceptible to errors. It’s common to see QuickBooks files that are a mess because they were maintained by a well-intentioned bookkeeper who wasn’t adequately trained. Even if only 1% or 2% of transactions are out of that person’s scope or capabilities, those transactions can skew the numbers. We provide high-level oversight to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
What’s most rewarding about your work?
“My team and I have a passion for helping businesses succeed, and I really love it when my clients ‘get it’! When clients understand their financials and can use that understanding to grow their businesses, it’s incredibly rewarding for both of us. I love what I do, and I only hire employees who share my passion and vision!”
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Women in Business
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PM Commercial Real Estate is an in-house commercial property management, sales and leasing brokerage firm. The company also operates RPM Realty, which focuses on homes throughout the South Bay and the Westside. Senior associate Rose Vasilj has worked in the real estate industry for the past three years and joined RPM this April.
Tell us something unique about your business.
“We are a one-stop shop. We have the capacity to help individuals and businesses streamline their investments by encompassing sales and leasing activities with property management. Our staff has more than 60 years combined experience in multiple facets of the industry, offering expertise and extended knowledge for virtually all investment needs.”
Which issues are unique to the working female?
“Juggling a healthy work/life balance. There’s a dichotomy between work and family life that women today often struggle with. Staying competitive requires long hours and dedication in this field, directly competing with the time required to maintain healthy relationships. Finding the time for family, friends and oneself is critical in helping one stay focused and sane!”
FAST FACT Before beginning her real estate career, Rose graduated from Loyola Marymount University, worked as a wardrobe stylist for commercial and print advertisements, and worked in construction project management.
How do you remain true to yourself and find your own voice in your industry?
“I find that honesty and integrity often speaks the loudest. It’s tempting to say whatever you think a client wants to hear to close a deal, and oftentimes you risk losing that deal or client if you tell them otherwise. I maintain a focus on building a reputation as a trustworthy and dependable resource, which is the key to longevity in this industry.”
What is your best piece of advice for a female entrepreneur just starting out?
ROSE VASILJ
Senior Associate RPM Commercial Real Estate & RPM Realty 525 S. Douglas St., Suite 270 El Segundo 424-281-3705 rpmres.com | rpmrealtysb.com
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“Set realistic goals and make yourself accountable. Write your goals down and refer to them often. Know that you will encounter obstacles and be prepared for that. Be flexible and be kind to yourself, especially when things don’t go your way. And remember, the harder you work the luckier you’ll get!”
How do you advise your clients to achieve and maintain success?
“I often advise my clients to make investments that match their financial needs and goals. That generally entails sitting down with individuals and businesses to determine which type of investments would be the right fit. Buying and selling at the right time and in the right place is also central to one’s success when it comes to real estate investments.”
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r. Mercedeh Baghai’s South Bay surgical practice specializes in general, breast, bariatric and minimally invasive GI surgery. Dr. Baghai earned her medical degree at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Baghai opened her own firm in March 2009.
Do you think that trusting your instincts is important in order to grow your business?
“Absolutely. Not many physicians who run medical practices have a business background. Most are apprehensive of the challenges of run-ning a business. I have developed an instinct as to what works and what doesn’t. Both in surgery as well as the business side, my success is determined partly by my training and preparation and partly by my ability to instinctually think on my feet and solve problems.”
What’s most rewarding about your work?
“Unlike primary care providers, as a surgeon I typically meet my patient at a very stressful juncture in their lives. I have a brief opportunity during the initial encounter to reassure them and gain their trust to put their lives in my hands. I think of my job as two-fold: first, to perform the best technical operation possible, and second, to comfort and support my patient and their family. Both aspects are a huge privilege, honor and responsibility that I take very seriously with every single patient.”
Why do you think you have been successful?
“The key to my success has been a combination of us trying to provide caring, personable, quality surgical care as well as having a strong community and physician referral base that has given me incredible support. Last but not least, we have well-informed, discriminating patients in the South Bay who tend to do their research and take charge of their health care. Very often we find patients who ‘choose’ to see me in spite of their insurance plan restrictions. This is a huge compliment to our practice and an indication that we are providing a great service to the community.”
What do you like to do for fun, when you’re not at work?
MERCEDEH BAGHAI, MD Surgeon | Owner
23600 Telo Avenue, Suite 120, Torrance 310-602-5002 mercedehbaghai.com baghaibariatrics@gmail.com
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“I’m a ‘sports fanatic’ and avidly follow professional basketball, football and hockey. On any given night (between October and May) there’s a good chance you’d find me at the Staples Center, cheering on the Clippers, Lakers or Kings.”
FAST FACT Dr. Baghai performed a residency in general surgery at the Mayo Clinic and a laparoscopic fellowship at Atlanta’s Emory University.
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From The Creators Of PATRÓN , A Perfect Balance Of Wheat, Rye & Potato. Please drink responsibly. © 2012 The Patrón Spirits Company, Las Vegas, NV. 40% Alc./Vol.
Chris Adlam 310.493.7216 www.chrisadlam.com
Magnificent bluff top property in Palos Verdes Estates. Dramatic one level, 5 bedrooms and 4750 square feet with pool and front courtyard. Situated on a 21,000 square foot lot. $6,250,000
REAL ESTATE OURSOUTHBAY.COM/REAL-ESTATE
FORMAL MODERN HOME BY WORLD-CLASS INTERIOR DESIGNER Panoramic view, pool, 6,200+ sq ft. Bring your suitcase and call it your own resort. Offered fully furnished at $4,599,000. Listed by Lily Liang Strand Hill Properties Christie’s International Real Estate 310.373.3333 www.lilyliang.com For more information, see page 186.
Exquisite Celebrity Owned Estate
3 9 8 S TA F F O R D R D SHERWOOD COUNTRY CLUB
Picturesque Views Of The Santa Monica Mountains & Built With No Expense Spared.
This Custom Home Provides The Best Of California Living.
6 Beds, 7 Baths
8,456 SF on 1.4 Acres
Offered at $7,995,000
www.398stafford.com
Rami Elminoufi
310.947.1180
rami@bcbestates.com
BRE 01434630 200 S PCH, Redondo Beach
a luxury division of
1716 S Catalina Ave, Hollywood Riviera
431 Main Street, El Segundo
Coming Soon
1 6 9 V I A L O S A LT O S REDONDO BEACH
4 Beds, 3.5 Baths, 2,881 SF on 7,251 SF Lot
Riviera Hilltop Home w/ Coastline, City & Mountain Views
Offered at $2,199,000
Justin Miller
a luxury division of
200 S PCH, Redondo Beach
310.619.9389
mrjustinmiller@gmail.com
BRE 01425870 1716 S Catalina Ave, Hollywood Riviera
431 Main Street, El Segundo
Estate Living in the Hollywood Riviera
23652 SUSANA AVE TORRANCE
6 Beds, 5 Baths, 3,585 SF, Approx. 1/2 Acre
Riviera hilltop home with ocean, mountain and city light views and lush, expansive, resort-like grounds.
Offered at $1,999,999
Holly Kauffman
310.345.0165
holly@perfectfamilyhomes.com
BRE 01425870 200 S PCH, Redondo Beach
1716 S Catalina Ave, Hollywood Riviera
a luxury division of
431 Main Street, El Segundo
Price Reduction!
7 1 6 E LV I R A REDONDO BEACH
4 Beds, 3.5 Baths, Approx. 2,600 SF
Two New Townhouses in South Redondo
Offered at $1,669,000 & $1,639,000
Gary ElminouďŹ
310.292.0332
GaryElmo@gmail.com
BRE 01139207
a luxury division of
200 S PCH, Redondo Beach
1716 S Catalina Ave, Hollywood Riviera
431 Main Street, El Segundo
Coming Spring 2017
NEW CONSTRUCTION ROLLING HILLS
5 Beds, 7 Baths, 8,580 SF, 2 Offices
*Price Is Subject To Pending Approval Of Private Road
*price is subject to pending approval of private road
Offered at $7,400,000
Jeanevra Calhoun
424.634.8238
Jeanevra@AmpersandEstates.com
BRE 01976822 200 S PCH, Redondo Beach
1716 S Catalina Ave, Hollywood Riviera
a luxury division of
431 Main Street, El Segundo
31975 Emerald View Dr
New Construction! T H E E S TAT E S AT
T R U M P NAT I O NA L R A N C H O PA L O S V E R D E S
Experience Resort-Style Living With Our Current New Construction Home Offerings
3 2 0 3 0 C a p e Po i n t D r 5 Beds, 6 Baths, 7,261 SF
Offered at $5,499,000
31975 Emerald View Dr 5 Beds, 6 Baths, Oversized Lot
Coming Soon - Price Upon Request
Michelle Accetta
a luxury division of
200 S PCH, Redondo Beach
310.293.1883
michelle@weberaccetta.com
BRE 01915986 1716 S Catalina Ave, Hollywood Riviera
431 Main Street, El Segundo
REPRESENTING PALOS VERDES’ FINEST HOMES & ESTATES FOR OVER 30 YEARS!
2990 Twin Harbors View Dr., Rancho Palos Verdes
$4,599,000, 4 bedrooms + Library, 6 baths, 6,208 sq ft, 12,647 sq ft Lot, All furnishings included! Panoramic Ocean/Catalina Island/Coastline views, 1 of the only 7 properties that were built by the Trump Golf & Estates. Richly appointed with the finest of materials, high-end appliances and finishes throughout. Every room has been decorated to perfection by a world-class interior designer. Striking center foyer leads you to a rich cherry wood library, formal dining room, gourmet kitchen, and elegant living room. Extraordinary master suite and 2nd master suite are on the main level and offers all of the luxuries that you would expect in such a fine estate. Upon entering, a circular marble staircase brings you to the enormous lounge area with a bar, huge wine cellar, media room,bonus room/gym, and 2 en-suite bedrooms. Resort-like backyard with an extra deep sparkling pool with a spa waterfall, outdoor kitchen, and unobstructed Ocean /Sunset/Catalina Island views! Located just a few steps away from the club house/restaurant of World Renown 18 HOLE TRUMP NATIONAL GOLF COURSE. Just bring your suitcases and move right in!!
3300 Palos Verdes Dr. W. Rancho Palos Verdes
$9,800,000, 5 bedrooms,10 baths 12,278 sq ft, Lot size 48,787 www.3300PalosVerdesDrWest.com
C
S OOM O ING N
C
S OOM O ING N
www.2990TwinHarborsView.com
Monte Malaga Palos Verdes Estates
$2,399,000, Lot with plans, 13,000+ sq ft Lot 5,000 sq ft Interior, Infinity Pool Ocean/Coastline/ Redondo to Malibu Views
Prestigious Guard Gated Community of Vantage Pointe, Rolling Hills Estates 5 bedrooms, 6 baths 4,500+ sq ft, 19,581 sq ft Lot Pool, Catalina & Ocean Views
LILY LIANG Executive Vice President, Strand Hill Properties 550 Silver Spur Road, Suite 240, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 14 SOUTHBAY, NOVEMBER (310) 2015 373-3333 | lily@lilyliang.com | www.lilyliang.com Cal BRE# 00837794
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Malaga Cove, Palos Verdes Estates Sold for $10,000,000 Represented Buyer
•
5 Beds
•
7 Baths
•
6,000 sq. ft.
BRE: 01967895
JULIE HAYNES
310.379.1724
•
•
Queen’s Necklace Views
BRE: 01779245
&
RICHARD HAYNES
www.manhattanpacificrealty.com
•
BRE: 01909107
CHAD HEITZLER FAHLBUSCH
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
Proven Marketing Plans that Will Sell Your Home Top 1% of Realtors in Los Angeles County Luxury Home Listing Specialist Selling Homes from Manhattan Beach to Palos Verdes
310.600.3555 | CHAD@SOUTHBAYCHAD.COM | WWW.SOUTHBAYCHAD.COM
Selling SouthBay BaySince Since1979 1979 Selling the the South R E AL ES TAT E BROKE RS , INC. INC. NW NW REAL ESTATE BROKERS,
WWW.NWREBROKERS.COM | 310.546.3468 WWW.NWREBROKERS.COM | 310.546.3468
RESIDENTIAL | COMMERCIAL | INCOME PROPERTY SALES | LEASING | DEVELOPMENT
RESIDENTIAL | COMMERCIAL | INCOME PROPERTY SALES | LEASING | DEVELOPMENT
Introducing
THE VILLAS AT TERRANEA
An exclusive collection of exquisite seaside second homes just 20 minutes from Los Angeles.
Become one of the privileged few who can call Terranea their own seaside sanctuary for every season. Choose from 2, 3 and 4 bedroom Ocean Golf Villas, each with its own sweeping ocean and sunset views, and gracious outdoor spaces perfect for a lifetime of entertaining family, friends and colleagues.
Call 310-265-2888 T ERRANEA R EAL E STATE.COM
TERRANEA REAL ESTATE
PRICING FROM $1,500,000 - $3,100,000 Only 14 Remaining
100 Terranea way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
BRE LICENSE #1774333
FORBESCORRALES.COM C O A S T A L
P R O P E R T I E S
C O L D W E L L B A N K E R | M O S T I N F L U E N T I A L R E A L E S TAT E B R A N D O N S O C I A L M E D I A
The Stars Are Out in the MB Tree Section
5 BD . 4.5 BA . large basement and guest house | $5,000,000
Incredible just got re-defined. One of the largest tree section residences opening to one of the largest front patios ever seen in MB Trees. Every area has a suitable intention in mind. All added space and grand LED lights give center stage to clean lines as well as your beautiful art. Indoor-outdoor formal living room with French doors for those balmy Southern California evenings - extended formal dining room offering more seating - kitchen with eye-catching-striking cabinetry featuring dual Wolf ovens, SubZero refrigerators, built-in blender, Cuisinart and knife sharpener for every type of chef. And, most-importantly, every drawer has a purpose. AC in the main house & the separate guest quarters above the garage with one of the largest separate Tree section guest patios ever created. There is a back patio with a BBQ-Rotisserie, water fountain and heated lamps. The 3-car-sideby-side-by side garage has a large icemaker & soft non-fluorescent lights. More than 20 amazing amenities (ie. elevator) not mentioned. Call for the list.
L A U R E N C A L B R E
F O R B E S
0 1 2 9 5 2 4 8
call | text 310.901.8512 Lauren@ForbesCorrales.com
JOHN
CORRALES
C A L B R E
0 1 2 6 3 6 8 7
call | text 310.346.3332 John@ForbesCorrales.com
©2016 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office is owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker® and the Coldwell Banker Logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International® and the Coldwell Banker Previews International Logo, are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Broker does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size or other information concerning the condition or features of property provided by seller or obtained from public records or other sources, and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information through personal inspection and with appropriate professionals.
WE KNOW THE MARKET. WE KNOW OUR CLIENTS.
SOLD | $4,500,000 724 30TH ST. MANHATTAN BEACH
SOLD | $3,100,000 3521 LAUREL MANHATTAN BEACH
SOLD | $2,750,000 33 3RD CT. HERMOSA BEACH
SOLD | $2,669,000 1611 18TH ST. MANHATTAN BEACH
SOLD | $2,200,000 1653 CURTIS AVE REDONDO BEACH
SOLD | $2,140,000 1440 5TH ST. MANHATTAN BEACH
SOLD | $2,000,000 733 30TH ST. HERMOSA BEACH
SOLD | $1,575,000 860 12TH CT MANHATTAN BEACH
TREE SECTION COMING IN FALL 2016
Luxury property specialists with a refined understanding of the South Bay.
EAST MANHATTAN COMING IN FALL 2016
JIM VAN ZANTEN 310.466.1004
ROB DEPAOLI 310.896.5343
CO-CEO, BROKER CALBRE #00544011
REALTOR® CALBRE #01918925
DAVID SMITH 310.720.7900
WALT SPADONE 310.345.7350
REALTOR® CALBRE #01949282
REALTOR®, DEVELOPMENT PARTNER CSLB #967329, CALBRE #01343434
VZG@VISTASIR.COM THEVANZANTENGROUP.COM
We represent both buyers and sellers in residential transactions, structure savvy property investments, and coordinate distinctive construction projects.
EACH OFFICE IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED
58 Strawberry Lane Rolling Hills Estates
This beautiful horse property features 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3,753 sq. ft. house with a 2 car garage, pool, spa, 430 sq. ft. pool house, and a new 3 stall barn. www.58StrawberryLane.com | $2,699,000
your palos verdes peninsula specialists
The Inman Team
InmanTeam.com | TheInmanTeam@gmaIl.com | (310) 944-5554
KEITH KELLEY BRE# 01810798
GORDON INMAN BRE# 00446156
WHERE WE LIVE | DEP
more
connections
Coldwell Banker® connects more buyers and sellers through an international network of 2,966 locations in 47 countries and territories with nearly 85,000 sales associates worldwide. Whether you are moving around the block or around the world connect with a Coldwell Banker sales associate today.
MANHATTAN BEACH - METLOX PLAZA (310) 802-5700 451 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Ste D220, Manhattan Beach Facebook.com/ColdwellBankerManhattanBeach
PALOS VERDES - BEACH CITIES (310) 378-5201 68 Malaga Cove Plaza, Palos Verdes Estates Facebook.com/ColdwellBankerPalosVerdes
ColdwellBankerHomes.com ColdwellBankerHomes.com 14
SOUTHBAY, SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016
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©2016 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office is owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker® and the Coldwell Banker Logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International® and the Coldwell Banker Previews International Logo, are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.
WHEN IT COMES TO JUMBO LOANS, NEW AMERICAN FUNDING HAS MORE TO OFFER. JUMBO PROGRAM FEATURES: • • • •
• Loans to $15 million • Bank statement loan in lieu of tax returns • Foreign nationals to 65% LTV
25% down to $5 million 15% down to $3 million 10% down to $1.5 million Self employed
• Up to 10 financed properties • Cross collateralization for down payment to lessen amount of cash needed to close
Manhattan Beach Branch 1230 Rosecrans Ave. #402 Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 844-247-6883
Coastal branches located throughout Southern California
Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. NMLS ID#6606. All products are not available in all states. All options are not available on all programs. All programs are subject to borrower and property qualifications. Rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. © New American Funding. New American and New American Funding are registered trademarks of Broker Solutions, DBA New American Funding. All Rights Reserved. Corporate Office (800) 450-2010. 4/2016
1202 SOUTH IRENA, SOUTH REDONDO BEACH Brand New Modern Cape Cod
· Unbelievable Panoramic Ocean Views from Palos Verdes to Malibu · 5 Bedrooms | 4.5 Bathrooms in Approx. 3370 Sq. Ft. · Prime Location | Close to Beach and Hollywood Riviera · Charming and Quiet Street · High End Finishes and Upgrades Throughout · 3 Stop Elevator | Wine Cellar · Expansive Open Kitchen with Calcutta Marble and Thermador Appliances · For more Photos and Info please Visit 1202SouthIrena.com
CARL HENKEL Founder/Broker CaliforniaRealEstateAlliance.com CarlHenkel@Gmail.com 310-210-1625 BRE LIC#01427998
1200 10TH STREET M A N H AT TA N B E AC H
$ 3,795,0 0 0
5 BEDROOMS | 6 BATHROOMS
NEW PRICE
4,746 SQ. F T. | 7,467 SQ. F T. LOT
An international associate of Savills
THEAGENCYRE.COM
KOF I NA RT EY CO M PA S S 3 1 0. 29 4 .9 59 0 K R I ST I N R EGA N T H E AG EN C Y 424 .4 8 8 .1 0 1 3
ROSE VASILJ
RPM
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT | SALES | LEASING | MANAGEMENT • Extensive knowledge of the commercial investment market. • Proven sales and marketing strategies. • Vast network and industry tools that set us above the competition. 525 S Douglas Street, Ste. 270, El Segundo, CA | www.rpmres.com 424 281-3705 direct | 424 281-3700 office | Rose@rpmres.com | BRE#01963068
the |KONDO|GROUP Have we met? Your Luxury Real Estate Team
WWW.THEKONDOGROUP.COM | THEKONDOGROUP@GMAIL.COM Keller Williams Palos Verdes Realty . 550 Deep Valley Dr. Ste 359 . Rolling Hills Estates
CalBRE # 01438455
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
Cancer, an Afterword When a doctor went from physician to patient, she needed more than her practice to get her through. Written by Susan Sleep, MD
I
am a Southern California local, born and raised in Long Beach and educated at USC for both undergraduate and medical school. I trained at Harbor/UCLA and St. Mary’s Medical Center. I have an incredible medical practice in both Los Alamitos and Long Beach, and live with my family in Palos Verdes. I have been so fortunate, even when I was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago. My partner, my daughter, my parents, my friends and my patients were all incredibly supportive. Surgeries, chemo, etc. are a challenge but doable when you know your options are limited and you need to do what you need to do and just keep moving forward. I look back and know that a community of women with shared experiences would have been of tremendous value. For those going through cancer with less support than I had, a community of shared experiences is priceless. To that end, Cancer Support Community Redondo Beach is an organization that is available to everyone impacted by cancer in the South Bay and surrounding areas. They are the go-to resource for anyone who needs support and a community that understands. Not only do they provide shared experiences and insight, they have programs for the entire family—at no cost to the participant whatsoever. I am so pleased to be a new board member of this unique and inspiring organization. I will also speak on behalf of Cancer Support Community at their upcoming Girls Night Out fundraiser held October 4–6 at The Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach. I hope to continue to both give and get support from this wonderful group. At my first meeting with the Cancer Support Community, some fellow survivors mentioned that after treatment, they
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felt a flurry of activity: being very busy, saying yes to everything and having new adventures and trying new things. Hearing this, I suddenly understood myself better. After my treatment, I planned an extensive European vacation and added medical and cosmetic dermatology training to my 25-year internal medicine practice. In addition to being board-certified in internal medicine, I am completing board certification in aesthetic medicine and have joined Ulmer Dermatology in Long Beach, while continuing my private internal medicine practice with Dr. Sarah Sandell. I have truly been on a roll and loving my expanded offering of patient services. I believe that I have become an even better resource for my patients, given my own experiences. It makes a big difference to understand oneself by learning through the experiences of others and sharing your own—especially in the context of a life-threatening health condition such as cancer. I found it to be both educational and inspiring. For my experience with Cancer Support Community, I am grateful and am happy to give back. Turning lemons into lemonade, enjoying life, work and, most importantly, connections with other people—both personal and professional, on a much deeper level—has made it all worthwhile. l Cancer Support Community Redondo Beach invites teens to take part in an essay contest with celebrity judge Carson Daly of The Voice for the chance to win $2,500. In your own words, share how cancer has touched your life, including your personal reflections and insight. Requirements and guidelines are available online at cancersupportredondobeach.org/essay. Submission deadline is Friday, October 28 at midnight.
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