Our September issue is dedicated to the professional women making a difference in our community. Get to know some of them here, and take a moment to appreciate the women who have made a positive impact on your life too.

Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.

My passion for helping people, dogs and horses has been a continuous thread throughout my life, and it is a huge part of why I became a professional dog trainer. I’m thankful to be on a path that allows me to live authentically and make meaningful differences in the lives of people and animals. Helping families understand their dog(s) and strengthen their relationship gives me a sense of purpose I’m deeply grateful for.

What are you passionate about, professionally and personally, and why?

I’m passionate about building happy, healthy, respectful relationships with people, dogs and horses. Professionally, that means helping families communicate clearly, build trust and strengthen their connection with their dogs. Personally, I believe in approaching relationships with understanding and respect, creating stronger connections, greater trust and ultimately a more fulfilling life.

How do you give back to your community?

I give back by volunteering with Combat Recovery Foundation, a veteran-founded nonprofit dedicated to preventing suicide by helping veterans and trauma survivors build connection, purpose and belonging. Volunteering allows me to help others, build relationships and contribute to a cause that matters to me.

How do you make time for self-care and/or family time?

The life I’ve created is my self-care. It may sound cliché, but the saying, “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life,” rings true for me.  Doing work I love keeps me grounded and fulfilled. That said, I never say no to a pedi with my besties.

Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.

I was born and raised in Orange County, Calif., where I attended culinary school and began my career as a chocolatier. In 2019, I embraced a new chapter and relocated to Estes Park. I joined Kind Coffee as a barista and advanced to general manager, and in April 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to purchase the business.

What are you passionate about, professionally and personally, and why?

I am passionate about sustainability and making small changes to help save the planet. We only get one Earth. I love plants and gardening. I’m a cat mom and love to spoil them. I also enjoy being outdoors and spending time with my boyfriend and friends.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment, either professionally or personally?

Becoming the owner of Kind Coffee. It is an honor to be living in this role and working alongside the most amazing staff. Kind wouldn’t be the same without them.

How do you give back to your community?

Kind Coffee is a member of 1% for the Planet. Annually, we donate 1% of our coffee sales to the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, the Estes Valley Land Trust and Leave No Trace. We also support the Estes Nonprofit Network–they’re so great.

What are the biggest challenges as a woman in your profession?

That little voice in the back of your head saying you don’t belong here or deserve this. But look at us: We’re out here doing it.

How do you make time for self-care and/or family time?

Prioritizing my health and fitness. I’m big into essential oils and how I spend my time after work. Carving time out for myself is sometimes difficult, but it is so important.

What is your superpower?

I can remember dates and details very well. It’s definitely an advantage when it’s busy behind the bar and I’m unable to write things down.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
In 10 years?

Still owning and operating Kind Coffee. I do know I’ll be making more trips back to California to see my niece, Izzy. She has a barista job lined up here already.

Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.

I spent 15 years in education before making a leap into real estate in 2019. As a single mom of three, a business owner and someone who has navigated divorce and homeownership firsthand, my life experiences shape how I serve people today: with empathy, strategy, education and a deep belief in empowering others.

What are you passionate about, professionally and personally, and why?

I’m passionate about helping people feel informed, capable and supported during big life transitions. Professionally, that means making real estate less intimidating and more empowering. Personally, I’m passionate about my kids, our community and creating a life that positively impacts others.

How do you make time for self-care and/or family time?

My calendar is everything. Time with my kids, workouts, connecting with friends and memory-making trips sit right alongside client meetings, showings and office time. I’ve embraced the integration of life and work. With intention and flexibility, I can keep building a full life around what matters most.

What are the biggest challenges as a woman in your profession?

What I find challenging is that women make up the majority of real estate agents yet remain less represented in executive leadership. I value women’s competency and perspective. I’d love to see more of us trust our expertise, use our voices and pursue opportunities to meaningfully shape the industry’s future.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment, either professionally or personally?

I’m proud that I had the courage to build a successful business from the ground up that reflects my strengths, passions and purpose, while continuing to show up for my family. In doing so, I’ve shown my kids what it looks like to dream big, take risks and create something meaningful.

How do you give back to your community?

I’m a connector of people, and I give back by using that gift to help others. I’m always looking for opportunities to connect someone with a trusted local business, a helpful resource or another person whose knowledge or experience could make a difference.

What is your superpower?

Grit. When something looks impossible, I get curious and creative. I ask questions, find resources, bring the right people together and keep looking for another way forward. I’m willing to dig in and do the work because sometimes the solution is simply the one no one has found yet.

Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years?

In the years ahead, I look forward to being of service to more people, bringing new ideas to life and continuing to refine my systems that allow me to provide a highly effective and individualized client experience. Ultimately, my vision is simple: to have a positive and meaningful impact on the people around me.

Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.

I’m a Northern Colorado Realtor, wife and mom of three with deep roots in the community. Before real estate, I studied biblical theology and spent several years in youth ministry, two experiences that shaped my heart for serving others. For more than 13 years, I’ve helped people navigate some of life’s biggest transitions through real estate, building my business around relationships, trust, service and a genuine love for Northern Colorado.

What are you passionate about, professionally and personally, and why?

My greatest passion is my family. My husband and our three kids are at the center of my life. I love sharing a home where we can spend time together, make memories and stay connected. I also love being involved in our community and supporting local businesses.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment, either professionally or personally?

Building a career while raising a family. Real estate can be demanding and unpredictable, so I’m proud to have grown a business while being present for my husband and children. I’m also proud of the relationships I’ve built with my clients.

How do you give back to your community?

Our family gives back through our church. We’re passionate about investing in the next generation through youth ministry as well as giving financially to our church and its outreach. For us, giving back is about being generous with both our time and resources and serving the people around us.

What are the biggest challenges as a woman in your profession?

One of my challenges is balancing the demands of a busy real estate career with raising a family. Real estate doesn’t always fit neatly into business hours, so I’ve had to learn to be intentional with my time, set priorities and stay present for both my clients and my family.

How do you make time for self-care and/or family time?

We plan family trips well in advance so that they stay a priority on our calendar. For self-care, I enjoy working out, going for walks and reading. Those simple things help me recharge and be more present everywhere else.

What is your superpower?

Multitasking. I can juggle a real estate transaction, client calls, kids’ schedules and planning dinner and probably be thinking about our next family trip all at the same time. Life is busy, but I thrive in the organized chaos and somehow manage to keep all the balls in the air.

Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years?

In five years, I hope to continue growing my real estate business while having more freedom to enjoy life with my family. In 10 years, I’d love to be working because I want to, not because I have to, while traveling with my husband and watching our kids begin their own adventures.

Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.

I’m a native Coloradan, and my career has always centered on helping businesses create exceptional customer experiences. When I “retired,” starting a business focused on hospitality felt like a natural next chapter. I’ve always loved entertaining friends and family, creating memorable experiences and spoiling people with thoughtful extras. Remington Flats has been the perfect way to combine those passions while sharing the city I love with visitors from around the world.

What are you passionate about, professionally and personally, and why?

My passion is creating meaningful experiences that make people feel cared for. My former careers involved extensive travel, which taught me the value of a true home away from home. That insight drives everything we do at Remington Flats: curating thoughtful stays, anticipating needs and ensuring every detail helps guests feel like locals. No detail is overlooked.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment, either professionally or personally?

Being sought out by a publisher to create a series of books designed to help people find, advance and sustain longevity in their careers. Published worldwide, these books are used by colleges, universities, workforce centers and correctional facilities, allowing me to positively impact people’s career journeys.

How do you give back to your community?

By championing the small businesses that make Fort Collins special. We partner with locally owned restaurants, breweries and tour companies to help introduce our guests to authentic local experiences. Our curated Where Locals Go boards showcase community favorites and help guests discover the best of Fort Collins.

What are the biggest challenges as a woman in your profession?

The challenges women face in my profession are the same challenges women experience across all industries: being taken seriously, balancing competing demands and having the confidence and support to pursue opportunities. I believe women bring many strengths to leadership, including empathy, collaboration and resilience, and those qualities are powerful assets.

How do you make time for self-care and/or family time?

I believe balance comes from being intentional about what matters most. I make time for family, friendships and the things that recharge me because they fuel the creativity and energy I bring to my work. Building a business has taught me that success is about more than accomplishments. It’s about living life.

Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years?

Doug and I built Remington Flats from the ground up, personally caring for every detail and cleaning each space ourselves. In five years, our goal is to transition those duties to a trusted team member who can carry on our standards, allowing us to retire, travel and focus on fostering dogs.

Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.

My journey began with a 1966 Mustang, which sparked a passion for working with cars and helping women understand repairs. I chose Colorado over Detroit after falling in love with my future husband, a battalion chief with South Metro Fire Rescue. My path took a personal turn after learning Dementia Together strategies, which transformed the way I cared for my mom. Today, these life-changing tools inspire my work in sharing tangible hope with others.

What are you passionate about, professionally and personally, and why?

Professionally, I love sharing the work of Dementia Together and helping families discover the life-changing resources and services offered at no charge. Personally, I treasure spending time with my family, watching my daughters play competitive softball, working out and cooking.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment, either professionally or personally?

In my four years at Dementia Together, I’ve learned that meaningful impact is never one person’s accomplishment; it truly takes a village. I’m proud to witness our staff, participants, volunteers, donors and community unite every day around a greater purpose, bringing education, enrichment and hope to people navigating the dementia journey.

How do you give back to your community?

Seeing firsthand what it takes for a nonprofit to change lives inspired our family to support Dementia Together financially and by volunteering. My daughters serve at memory cafes, where they experience the joy of connecting with people who
are living with dementia.

Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.

As Northern Colorado’s premier women-owned medical spa since 2008, Allura Skin, Laser & Wellness Clinic sets the standard for medical-grade aesthetics and whole-body vitality. Operated by highly trained medical providers across two locations, we specialize in advanced wellness and rejuvenation—including bioidentical hormone replacement, targeted laser therapies, injectables and intimate health—giving our clients total confidence in their care.

Education/certifications:

Allura is proud to be one of the only medical spas in Northern Colorado to have a doctor onsite daily. Our team includes two doctors, one physician assistant, one nurse practitioner, three registered nurses, five medical aestheticians and a team of highly trained medical assistants. We are committed to ongoing growth, continually advancing our expertise through both hands-on and virtual training.

What are you passionate about, professionally and personally, and why?

We’re passionate about empowering our patients to prioritize not just aesthetics, but their wellness goals too. Guiding someone through their wellness journey is extremely rewarding. Our clients trust our expertise, and that trust is a huge point of pride for our team.

Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.

Born in Colorado and raised in Deadwood, S.D., I made my way back to attend Colorado State University, where I met my husband shortly after graduating. He has been in the HVAC industry since the day I met him. After 14 years as a Realtor with a wonderful local real estate company, I decided to go all in on the family business.

What are the biggest challenges as a woman in your profession?

While there is work to be done to help women thrive in the trades, there are already a lot of women keeping them going. From front office staff to the behind-the-scenes teams, women are a big part of the HVAC industry.

How do you give back to your community?

We are big supporters of the Food Bank for Larimer County, Be The Gift, WomenGive and United Way of Larimer County, to name a few. We also do an annual furnace giveaway for a community member in need. Homegrown has big goals for giving back to the community that we love.

How do you make time for self-care and/or family time?

I’m a huge fan of goal setting and mindset work, and I love playing outside. Chasing one big physical goal has been especially important to me: I’ve been focusing on trail races in the last few years. I finished my first ultramarathon last year, and I’m currently training for a 50-mile mountain bike race in the fall.

Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.

I began cleaning residential and commercial properties in 2008 as a side hustle to put food on the table, which led to a post-construction cleanup job in 2012. Then I started Clean It Up in 2013 while working five jobs, with a vision and a prayer that one day I could have just one job. Now I get to work with great construction managers and awesome companies every day. It’s  the best job ever.

What is your superpower?

Never letting my customers down.

Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.

I was raised by a single mom and started working at age 14. After becoming a mom myself, I stayed home to soak up every moment with my daughter. When she started kindergarten, I knew it was my turn to grow too. With the constant support and encouragement of my husband, I took a leap and opened my tanning salon to build confidence, community and genuine connections with women.

What are the biggest challenges as a woman in your profession?

I think one of the biggest challenges is breaking the stigma that women are supposed to compete with each other. I want women to know that I’m for them, not against them. Building that trust and creating a space where women genuinely support women is incredibly important to me.

Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.

After a major life event shifted my perspective, I found myself reevaluating what I wanted from my career and life. That clarity gave me the courage to create something of my own. I opened Lustre to build a space where skincare feels personal and intentional. It’s a place rooted in genuine connection, where women feel cared for, confident and comfortable in their own skin.

What are you passionate about, professionally and personally, and why?

Personally, I’m most passionate about my family and my faith. Being a mom is one of the greatest parts of who I am. Professionally, I’m passionate about pouring into women and making them feel seen and valued. My goal is for them to leave the studio with their cup a little fuller.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment, either professionally or personally?

I married my high school sweetheart, Barry, in 1999, and together we have four amazing kids and one beautiful grandbaby. Our kids have all found their place in the business, from our son leading our fleet and diesel program to our three daughters helping with everything from social media to the everyday behind-the-scenes work. It truly is a family business, and having them all be part of it is such a blessing.

Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years?

I want life to be slower and centered on the people I love. I look forward to traveling and making memories with my husband, and cherishing time with our children and grandchildren. Most importantly, I want to stay grateful every day for the life and family we’ve built together.

Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.

I founded Northern Colorado Community, a regional business networking group, almost 10 years ago. I am passionate about helping small businesses grow through intentional introductions and events, and I love connecting professionals to the people they want to meet. Because of that dedication, Northern Colorado Community has placed in the top three networking groups in the Best of NOCO contest for three years.

Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.

Growing up in a small town where events were rare, I cherished those moments and the way they brought people together. Those experiences sparked my passion for creating meaningful experiences. Entering the professional world at a young age came with challenges, but it fueled my determination to learn, grow and gain knowledge while strengthening my appreciation for community, connection and family.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment, either professionally or personally?

I recently shared my journey as a keynote speaker, which challenged me to overcome self-doubt and realize the value of my experience and perspective professionally and personally. After loss, my perspective shifted. Faith became my foundation, helping me heal, grow and become a more intentional, grounded version of myself.

Tell us about your business.

Freestone Design Build is a full-service residential design-build firm specializing in thoughtful renovations, remodels and custom homes. We bring design and construction together under one roof, creating beautiful, highly functional spaces that feel personal to the people who live in them.

Describe your background, education and/or certifications.

I have more than 25 years of hands-on experience in interior design, remodeling and construction. Much of my expertise has been built through years of working directly with clients, craftsmen and industry professionals. I’m continually learning, evolving and staying connected to new materials, ideas and innovations while always designing with timelessness in mind.

What is your favorite part of your job?

I love seeing a vision come to life. There’s something incredibly rewarding about taking a space, seeing its potential and transforming it into a home that feels completely different yet completely right for the people who live there. Seeing our clients genuinely love the finished space is always the best part.

Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.

I’m a Realtor, educator, connector and community builder with 14 years of experience helping people navigate life transitions through real estate. As a trusted real estate advisor, my approach is rooted in relationships, integrity, trust and education. I believe real estate is about more than homes; it’s about truly understanding people, building lasting relationships, strengthening community and providing thoughtful guidance so that my clients feel informed, supported and confident as they discover what’s next.

How do you give back to your community?

I give back by supporting the community I love. As the creator of WoofStock, I bring people together to raise funds for local animal causes. I’m also passionate about supporting great local businesses and introducing my clients to them.

Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.

After earning my agricultural education degree from Colorado State University and marrying a farmer, I found myself living the life I spent years dreaming about. I became a stay-at-home mom and raised our family alongside the rhythms of rural life. Eventually my love for agriculture and community grew into a new dream: Cultivated Coffee Co. We built our shop, brewed great coffee and created a place for people to gather.

How do you make time for self-care and/or family time?

Cultivated Coffee Co. is my form of self-care. I love serving our community with our incredible baristas, who share my passion for brightening others’ days. Our children are part of it all, from helping on the farm to mingling at the coffee shop. Giving back, creating connections and loving our hometown fills my cup. Community is my love language.

Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.

I’ve spent more than 30 years in the beauty industry as a professional makeup artist, later adding photography and color analysis to my work. After moving to Northern Colorado, I built my business around helping women simplify beauty, understand what works for them and feel confident at every age.

What are you passionate about, professionally and personally, and why?

Professionally, I’m passionate about helping women feel confident, current and like themselves through color, makeup and personal style. Personally, I’m passionate about connection, creativity and continuing to evolve. I love showing women that beauty isn’t about chasing youth; it’s about understanding and celebrating who you are now.