Krista Wharton MARCH 2017 FOLLOW UP STORY TO HER MARCH 2016 COVER
“I want to live life with no regrets.” “I cried when Angela told me,” says Krista Wharton, about her reaction to being chosen to be on the cover of VIPSEEN magazine in March 2016. “It was very humbling and completely unexpected,” she adds. Almost six years ago, Krista got to know Angela Baker and her VIPSEEN team when Angela agreed to be the first room sponsor for Special Spaces Tri-Cities, a nonprofit and ministry that Krista co-founded. The mission of Special Spaces is to help make a difference in the lives of children with life-threatening illnesses by creating and providing their dream bedrooms, giving the children a peaceful place to rest. Through her involvement with Special Spaces, Krista realized just how precious life is: never take life for granted, and life to its fullest. “I want to live my life with no regrets,” says Krista. She had a new desire to take some chances and try things out of her comfort zone. It was this newfound zest for life that convinced her to be a participant in 2013’s Dancing With the Tri-Cities Stars and also audition for a musical production (a childhood dream!) at Jonesborough Repertory Theatre that same year. She was cast in that show in and is now currently in rehearsals for “Sister Act”, her 5th theatrical production at JRT. When the opportunity presented itself for her to own her own business, she was once again faced with doing something out of her comfort zone but knew she would regret not trying. Krista officially opened her clothing boutique, Monkee’s of Johnson City, in 2015. Krista loves meeting new people and loves helping people, and her boutique has been a way to do both! Monkee’s has a range of sizes and styles that work for most ladies, and a bright and cheery atmosphere. Krista and her staff want all people to feel welcome in their space and want to appeal to a range of ages. “We have shoppers in their teens to shoppers in their 80s,” says Krista. “We provide excellent customer service and will help everyone find something that is fun and flattering while still being age appropriate. We even have many male customers who shop with us for the special lady in their lives! People constantly thank us for bringing Monkee’s to the Tri-Cities!”
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march 2017 | www.vipseenmag.com
When Krista was told that she was chosen as the VIPSEEN cover person last year, she didn’t feel she deserved it. “I don’t feel like I’m a ‘power woman’. I try to be an ‘empowering woman’. I try to be a person who helps others and helps others feel good about themselves. I try to support and encourage people every chance I get. There are too many mean people in the world trying to tear us down...I want to be that person who builds others up. If I’m seen as a woman in power, then I want to use that power for good...it’s how I was raised and it’s how my husband and I raised our boys.” She receives much love and support from her husband and boys, and for Mother’s Day last year, they framed her cover article and story for her to display at her boutique. Krista was honored to have been chosen for the cover of last year’s Power Women issue that featured many women she admires, and she is looking forward to reading about this year’s deserving honorees. She particularly admires her friend and business mentor and Sher Extensions salon owner Sherrie Bacon, who sets a godly example for owning a business. “Sherrie has always been very loving and generous to her clients and her community. She wants ladies to leave her salon feeling happier and more beautiful than when they arrived. She’s a true blessing to me and all who know her! She is the ultimate ‘Empowering Woman’!” In addition to her incredible and loving parents, Krista also admires Lester Lattany (former President and CEO of her local United Way) and her dear friends Mike and René Zervos, all of whom encourage and inspire Krista and others in our community and who give generously of themselves at every opportunity, always putting God first. It is clear when speaking with Krista that she shares many of these traits that she looks for in friends - a Godly outlook on life and giving to others. Thank you, Krista, for gracing our cover last year with your beauty and kindness.