INSIDE THE JUNE 2023 ISSUE: Finding Hidden Treasures in Wild Sage p. 3 Why Arizona is Popular for Working from Home p. 4 Financier Shares Roadmap for Success p. 6
Business Blooming at Wild Heart Farm p. 8 Expression Expert Looks for Style in Your Closet p. 10 Community Profile: Meet Yavapai-Apache Chairwoman Tanya Lewis p. 12
Tailoring a Workforce for Industrial Sewing Moonshot stitching together pilot program with a tapestry of collaborators
F
By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN
rom weather balloons to backpacks, shower curtains to parachutes, and awnings to space suits, the world needs people who can sew. Aerospace and hospitality industries, the U.S. military and outdoor
furniture companies are among those seeking a workforce with sewing skills, and Moonshot at NACET’s Arizona Stitch Lab believes there’s an opportunity to harness and cultivate that skill set. “We are creating a pilot project to see if a sewing program can have legs in Northern Arizona,” said Moonshot
President and CEO Scott Hathcock. “The focus is on skilled labor workforce development for companies in need of staffing industrial sewers and entrepreneurs with products in the sewn goods sector.” Using funding from a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant, Moonshot, in collaboration with the City of
Winslow, is hosting open houses at the Winslow Council On Aging Active Adult Community Center to explain the project and recruit participants for a six-week Basic Industrial Sewing Skills course that starts this month. Hathcock is inspired by the success of a similar Moonshot program currently underway in Tucson that has partnered
Continued on page 36
Artful Eye Focuses on Quality, Education, Creativity Family jewelry business celebrates 26 years
A Manager Cara Pfeiffer says Artful Eye is known for one-of-a-kind custom jewelry that “wows.” Photo by Stan Bindell
June 2023 | Issue 5 Volume 11
By Stan Bindell, QCBN
rtful Eye, a downtown Prescott jewelry store that wins national awards regularly and did so again this year, is celebrating 26 years in business. Manager Cara Pfeiffer, daughter of owners Dave and Sherri Rabellino, credits her parents’ ambition, business savvy, creativity and customer service for making the store a success. “We bend over backwards for our customers. We want them to be happy. Jewelry is happy,” said Pfeiffer. “We can take an old piece and make it look like new or we can fix it. People are thrilled with our store and our work. We’re one of the long-standing businesses in the downtown.” Artful Eye has a team of seven, including two master jewelers, all of whom have been working there for at least 15 years. The business is a
member of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which is the utmost authority in stone grading and continuing education for jewelers. “We are all extremely educated with jewelry.” The store is known for its one-of-a-kind custom jewelry, ranging in price from $19 to $30,000. Some pieces are reversible, which Pfeiffer says adds to the “wow factor.” The jewelers also offer customers something to drink and chocolates. “It’s the small touches that are kind of a lost art and keep people coming in to shop with us,” she said. With a large local following, the Artful Eye attracts many visitors as well, especially in the summer when it hosts jewelry shows on the plaza. “We get a lot of tourists, but we also have amazing local people,” she said. “A lot have become friends. We know their families, we know their birthdays and anniversaries. We hug and cry together.” Continued on page 38
4th Annual Quad Cities ATHENA Leadership Awards The ATHENA Leadership Award® is presented to an exemplary leader who has achieved excellence in their business or profession, served the community in a Presented by:
SEPTEMBER 24, 2023
meaningful way and, most importantly, actively assisted women to achieve their full leadership potential. Nominations Now Open: PRESCOTTATHENA.COM