Life + Culture

Life Minded

Sisterhood of the Traveling Plans Article by Jen Fortner In my experience, traveling with children isn’t relaxing. If you have very young children now and cling to the hope that it will be so much better in five years when you don’t have to remember sippy cups, packets of squeezable applesauce, and extra clothes to tote around…you are lying to yourself. Those items get replaced with trendy water bottles, a giant tumbleweed of charging cords, and extra clothes to tote around. I’ve been carrying...

April 2024

Health + Wellness

Beyond Beauty

How community connections foster success at Bella on the Bay Article by Kendra Johnson | Photography by Anna Kostochko Passionate. Determined. Independent. Kindhearted. Those are just a few words I would use to describe Melissa “Missi” Davis, the owner of Bella on the Bay in Excelsior — a spa and salon with services ranging from hair, skin, and nail care to lashes and massages. The current success of Bella on the Bay, according to Missi, is owed to her team and the community. But Missi has...

April 2024

Local Services

Spotlight: Selina Martire

How Selina is using her experience to create a supportive space for women in business Article by Lauren Beaubaire | Photography by Anna Kostochko “I didn’t dream of becoming an insurance agent. I’m not sure anyone grows up with that dream,” laughs Selina Martire. “I did know I always wanted to do something to help people and make a difference ever since I was a kid.” But before stepping into the position as an insurance agent at State Farm, Selina worked at a non-profit as a case manager in a...

April 2024

Food + Beverage

Ninety Minutes with Mom

Special ways you can celebrate Mom on Mother's Day Article by Rebecca A. Hahn Without a doubt, being a mom is the toughest yet most rewarding title anyone could claim! Even the word MOM, if you read it upside down, spells WOW! When was the last “WOW” moment you can remember? What was it that caused you to hear your own voice exclaim, “WOW?” It’s a powerful word, describing a moment in time that is “halted and memorized” simultaneously!  When you think about your mom, common words such as...

April 2024

Life + Culture

The Buying Power of Women

How Women Shape the Economy and Business World Article by Kimberly Blaker Women today control about one-third of household financial assets, constituting more than $10 trillion, points out Ted Jenkin, CEO/founder of oXYGen Financial, in his May 3, 2022, CNBC article, “Women are gaining power when it comes to money – here’s why that’s a big deal.” Moreover, he says the female economy will reach $30 trillion by 2030. These statistics reveal the crucial role women play in keeping the economy...

April 2024

Sports + Recreation

New in Lake Minnetonka

How two local women-led businesses are transforming their communities in body, mind and spirit Article by Sara Hoeman Rêve Studios Aspen King and Molly Hanten-Tomaszewski noticed a gap in fitness offerings in the Wayzata area, and they aimed to change that. “I was searching for a Pilates studio that checked all of my boxes,” says Aspen, CEO and co-founder of Rêve Studios alongside Molly. “I wanted somewhere to go that inspired me, gave me an incredible well-rounded workout including a...

April 2024

Life + Culture

What Advice Would You Give to Your Younger Self?

We asked women leaders in the community what advice they would share with their younger self. Photography by Emily John "Think BIG and BACKWARDS. I grew up before Title Nine and the Women’s ‘movement’. As women were seeing more opportunity to become whoever ‘they wanted to be’, we were all told about our choices. There were many avenues for us to take besides that of a homemaker. However, I had not the vision of where the choices might take me. As the owner of Gear West Ski and Bike, my path...

April 2024

Life + Culture

Life Minded

A Cut Above Article by Jen Fortner I recently purchased a knife that I’m very excited about. This is a sign of becoming firmly middle-aged. When I was twenty-five years old, I had cheap knives and thought people who got enthusiastic about knives or lamps or pillows were sad and needed to get out more. But I’m not sad and I don’t want to get out at all. I’m excited about my knife, and I’m quite proud of my purchase.  Not to brag…but it’s a Shun Premier 5.5” Nakiri. It’s like a trophy wife but...

March 2024

Health + Wellness

New in Lake Minnetonka: Brush Dental Studio

From anxiety to ease, how Brush Dental Studio redefines what it means to go the dentist Article by Sara Hoeman | Photography by Anna Kostochko For many, the prospect of visiting the dentist can evoke feelings of anxiety or apprehension. However, Brush Dental Studio is on a mission to rewrite this narrative, ensuring that every visitor walks through their doors feeling cared for and at ease.  Since opening in the summer of 2023, Brush Dental Studio has received resounding acclaim for its...

March 2024

Home + Design

Inspiration to Installation

Excelsior Paint & Design shares small investments in your home that make a big impact Article by Kendra Johnson | Photography by Emily John After a long day of work, it’s a joy to settle into a house that feels like home. Whether your family is always on the move or you’re more of a homebody, feeling comfortable in your own home makes all the difference. And turning your home into a place you love doesn’t have to be a chore. With some help from Excelsior Paint & Design, small investments can...

March 2024