“I started with an office as big as this desk,” said Christina Talley with a smile. She sat at an expansive executive desk in her corner office that overlooks Flagstaff from San Francisco Street and Dale. Last December, the CPA moved her business, Christina R. Talley CPA PLLC, into the two-story building that the firm purchased. “I started in Kingman with a laptop, a portable printer and a cell phone.” Talley’s passion for excellent service has fueled the growth of her business from a … [Read more...] about Pre-Med Student Finds Career in Accounting
Women In Business
Keeping the Northland Floored
She has survived economic downturns, barroom brawl-type fights in her showroom and 25 years in her male-dominated industry. Heather Cunningham says the experience has made her a strong woman. Cunningham and her husband, Michael, moved to Flagstaff from Akron, Ohio, to be entrepreneurs. They bought a family-owned business, Carpets of Dalton, and then completely overhauled the store and built a loyal clientele. “We had no interest in flooring,” she said. “We wanted a business to run and this one … [Read more...] about Keeping the Northland Floored
Rooted in Fitness
Kelsey Mercer, owner of Roots, Mind, Body, Health and Fitness Center, is the picture of toughness. While obtaining her training and education in exercise physiology and Pilates, she did not let anything get in the way of her goal, and that included raising six children. “I’ve been in fitness for over 20 years and started teaching aerobics in high school,” said Mercer. “My intention was to earn a degree in physical therapy, but plans changed with my husband’s job, so I became a personal trainer. … [Read more...] about Rooted in Fitness
Sisters Over-the-Top about Overland
Jessica Kirchner and Lindsey Hubley are the new owners of the very popular Overland Expo, a camping and exploring extravaganza for the outdoors man and woman. They are also no strangers to staging large events. While these sisters were growing up, their dad had an event promotion company. “We used to tear tickets at the gate. We did everything. We were slave labor. No kidding,” Kirchner said with a chuckle. Based in Indianapolis, the two grew up learning the family business from the ground up, … [Read more...] about Sisters Over-the-Top about Overland
NAU Alumna is Growing Her Company, Showcasing Communities, Inspiring Colleagues
Lori Anna Harrison has always had big ideas and could not wait to be in business. Growing up in Flagstaff, her sister, Faith Zember, recalls how the two of them dreamed of owning a hotel and would dig through the Sears catalogue to decide how to furnish it. “She has this relentless, creative drive and ambition,” said Zember. “Lori was always inspired to come up with new ideas or a new perspective for how to get something done.” As a teen, Harrison would spend weekend afternoons exploring … [Read more...] about NAU Alumna is Growing Her Company, Showcasing Communities, Inspiring Colleagues
Trapeze Artists Training Students to Dance in the Air
Attendance is flying high at Momentum Aerial dance studio, where co-owners Joanie Garcia and Morgan Louvier train 150 students a week and present several aerial dance performances a year. Though relatively new, aerial dancing is a combination of modern dance and static trapeze utilizing silks (a long piece of fabric hanging from anchoring equipment creating two long tails) and lyras (steel aerial hoops hung vertically by ropes). Joanie Garcia and Morgan Louvier have more 25 years … [Read more...] about Trapeze Artists Training Students to Dance in the Air
Combining Taekwondo with Community Service
Picking up trash along the highway and volunteering at the Flagstaff Family Food Center are not your conventional ways of teaching Taekwondo, but for Mechelle Felsted, a fifth-degree black belt, master instructor and owner of Academy of the Martial Way, it is part of the experience. “When we go to the soup kitchen, we prepare food, clean shop and the floors. We do this on a regular basis. One of the perceptions of martial arts is kicking and violence, but when you have a positive outlet, … [Read more...] about Combining Taekwondo with Community Service
Local mosaic artist decorates beloved bridge with images from nature
How do porcelain and ceramic tiles, mirrors and glass gems make an image? In the creative mind of mosaic artist Karen Knorowski of Flagstaff, with a tack hammer, tile nippers and glasscutters, these materials can be crafted into miraculous scenes. With deliberate and specific cuts and hands protected by gloves, Knorowski has fashioned a unique and stunning work of public art in the form of mosaic panels lining the sides of the North Thorpe Road Bridge that spans the Rio de Flag just past the … [Read more...] about Local mosaic artist decorates beloved bridge with images from nature
Giving a Hoot
There is a lot to love about the owl. Just ask Cecily Maniaci, an eight-year Flagstaff resident who has enjoyed a flurry of activity opening popular business ventures since arriving in town. “Ahhh, owls I love because they are symbols in literature, they are elegant raptors that protect their young and are very family oriented,” Maniaci explained. “Honestly, everyone has an owl story. They are majestic birds and are wise, they say!” The passionate entrepreneur has opened a number of … [Read more...] about Giving a Hoot
Motivational Speaker Helping People Be Better Humans
Perhaps the best way to describe work as a volunteer or public servant goes something like this: Give a man a fish, he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime. Also, keep the pond stocked so people will have a place to fish, says Sharon Tewksbury-Bloom. Tewksbury-Bloom has spent most of her professional life in public service, volunteerism and motivational speaking. Her podcast, “Do Good Be Good,” is in its third year and hosts a variety of guests who describe … [Read more...] about Motivational Speaker Helping People Be Better Humans