Lake Minnetonka, MN March 2026

The Home & Design Issue

THE ART OF BUILDING

Built on a collaborative process and a commitment to our clients, Highmark Builders is proud to receive the 2025 Remodeler of the Year Award—an honor that reflects the craftsmanship, quality, and intention behind every home we build or remodel.

For six decades, we've helped couples begin their lives together with timeless pieces, thoughtful service, and enduring quality. Our bridal registry is more than a listit's a tradition of beautiful beginnings. 60 Years of Celebrating "I Do"

Where Home Begins

Home is more than an address in Lake Minnetonka — it’s something we thoughtfully design.

Home is more than a place where life unfolds. It’s where mornings begin, celebrations happen, and memories are made. A house becomes a home when design supports daily life in a way that feels personal, welcoming, and lived in. As March arrives and spring seems near, it’s the perfect time to reimagine the spaces that shape our everyday lives.

But home is not only the spaces we create — it’s the people within them. It’s the organizations, small businesses, and volunteers who contribute to our Lake Minnetonka area and help turn neighbors into community.

In this March Home issue, we explore what it truly means to live well — through spaces thoughtfully designed to elevate both form and function. From the homes that anchor our community to the creative professionals shaping how we experience them, this issue celebrates all that makes Lake Minnetonka home to so many. Stories featured include ways to elevate your home design style while staying true to your home’s unique character, bringing health care into the home, treating your windows to frame your view, and who to call for those handyman jobs around the house.

As spring invites renewal and fresh beginnings, we hope this issue encourages you to see your home not just as a place you live, but as a space that tells your story — beautifully, thoughtfully, and uniquely yours.

See you around the Lake!

DAVE ROBERTSON, PUBLISHER

March 2026

PUBLISHER

Dave Robertson | dave.robertson@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Lauren Beaubaire | lauren.beaubaire@citylifestyle.com

PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Kate Munson | kate.munson@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jen Fortner, Hannah Harms, Kendra Johnson, Lauren Beaubaire, David Scheller

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Tyler Spangler at CURA Studios, Posers Photography

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Mary Albers

LAYOUT DESIGNER Andi Foster

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle

city scene

1-4: It was a fantastic time at this year’s Minneapolis Boat Show! The CrossPoint Marine Co. team displayed their best-in-class hydraulic boat lifts, giving attendees the chance to test their stability firsthand — and they didn’t disappoint. The lifts proved truly unshakable! Adding to the excitement, the crew from Erickson Marine arrived with dozens of stunning luxury boats for guests to explore, turning the event into a showcase of craftsmanship, performance, and style.

FLOORING CABINETS TILE PAINT WINDOW TREATMENTS WALLPAPER

We design spaces tailored to you. With complete services and intentional craftsmanship, we deliver

LAKE MINNETONKA’S

FAVORITE

VACATION RENTAL

guest book entries

“Awesome place! I will be back soon!”

- David Love III (American Professional Golfer)

“Our family loved staying in the Banker’s Suite! So close to walk to restaurants & shopping.”

- The Early’s from Sour Lake, Texas

“This space provided a cozy & beautiful backdrop to an amazing memory we will share for years to come.”

- Guests from Bozeman, St. Louis Park, Roseville, & Fort Lauderdale

AVAILABILITY: by

Enjoy a stay in the Banker’s Suite by Hotel Excelsior featuring 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms in over 1,300 sf overlooking historic downtown Excelsior, just one block from Port of Excelsior.

business monthly

A ROUNDUP OF NEWS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES

Meet Hopkins’ New Arts & Amenities Director: Jill A. Anderson

Jill A. Anderson is the new Arts & Amenities Director for the City of Hopkins, overseeing the Hopkins Center for the Arts, the Hopkins Activity Center, and the Depot Coffeehouse. She brings decades of leadership experience across major regional and national arts organizations, paired with a collaborative, community-first approach. Anderson is focused on strengthening partnerships, supporting artists, and ensuring Hopkins’ cultural spaces remain welcoming, vibrant places where people connect and belong.

Photography by Brenna Merritt

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SCAN TO CHECK

A Year of Top Honors for Highmark Builders

In 2025, Highmark Builders earned wide-ranging industry recognition. Along with being named Housing First Remodeler of the Year, Highmark earned Housing First ROMA recognition for an Addition Over $300,000. This momentum continued with multiple NARI Remodeler of the Year (RotY) awards, including Gold for Commercial Interior, Silver for Bath Over $150K, and Silver for Historical Renovation/ Restoration $250K+, demonstrating versatility across commercial, luxury residential, and preservation-focused projects. Highmark was further celebrated by Midwest Homes, taking First Place for Addition Project/ Architecture. Congratulations!

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CLASSES, CAMPS & GAME PLAY

Since 2001, RevSports has delivered consistent, high-quality youth sports programs. RevSports has grown to be a leading programming partner for communities. Families trust RevSports experienced coaches, proven approach, and family-friendly structure.

YEARS OF QUALITY

COACHING

Year-round offerings. Over 10 different sports options! Metro-wide partnerships with these locations near you!

Ask Susan

Susan Stiles CFP, CHFC, AIF, CPFA, MBA Founder / CEO Stiles Financial Services, Inc.

Dear Susan: My spouse and I are considering a second home. Are there advantages to looking out of state?

Susan:

Before purchasing a second home, you and your spouse should evaluate three key factors: your long-term lifestyle goals, the true cost of owning and maintaining two homes along with the potential income tax savings if you seek residency in a state with lower income taxes than where you currently live, and then what it really takes to prove legal residency—because it’s more than just buying property. The best decision is the one that aligns your financial plan with how you actually want to live and this takes a lot of soul searching and conversation. Let’s take a look at what that means in my deep dive, follow-up video on this topic. Snap the QR code below to join me.

Chris Dennis Opens Satellite Office for Compass

Chris Dennis and his team have joined Compass, and his Excelsior office will become a satellite office, expanding the company’s presence in the Lake Minnetonka community. The team has expanded and will now operate as The Lakes Team, a group of 16 agents serving real estate clients from across Lake Minnetonka and the Twin Cities. With decades of experience and a long-standing commitment to professionalism, responsiveness, and client-first service, Chris continues to provide trusted guidance rooted in deep local market knowledge.

SPRING SALE ON BARLETTA BOATS!

This spring, Erickson Marine is offering a special sale on all Barletta boats! Enjoy big seasonal savings on the full lineup of Barletta pontoon models — from classic cruisers to premium luxury editions. Whether you’re gearing up for lake days with family or weekend adventures with friends, there’s a Barletta with your name on it at an unbeatable price.

Check out our in-stock inventory!

YOUR HOME, Your Style

HOW SAWHILL BLENDS BEAUTIFUL DESIGN WITH YOUR HOME’S UNIQUE CHARACTER

ARTICLE BY LAUREN BEAUBAIRE

Farmhouse. Cape Cod. Tudor. Ranch. Midcentury modern. And the list keeps going. Each architectural style brings its own personality, history, and unmistakable appeal — and for most homeowners, that distinct character is exactly what made you fall in love in the first place. So when it’s time to remodel or refresh your space, honoring that original charm and making sure every update fits the home’s style isn’t just important, it’s essential.

“You can tell when something just doesn’t fit,” explains Matt Cook, president at Sawhill Custom Kitchen and Design. “When a style or design just doesn’t feel right or doesn’t belong in the home. Take a newer home, for example. When the home already has all modern elements, putting in a Vintage French range would look completely out of place.”

As experts in custom luxury design and home remodeling, the award-winning Sawhill team understands the power of intentional, thoughtful design — and they know immediately when it’s missing. “We’ve gone into homes built in the ’40s and ’50s with some questionable kitchen or bathroom remodel choices from the ’70s that current homeowners want to change,” Matt shares, “because the aesthetics, function, and flow do not fit the home’s architectural style and era.”

However, if you’re drawn to a design that doesn’t naturally align with your home’s architecture, not to worry. Matt assures there are countless ways to thoughtfully weave a style into the space and make it feel right at home.

“There are a few key elements you’ll want to keep consistent with the home’s architecture to create that cohesive feel,” shares Matt. “To start, whether your home has a plastered texture or smooth sheet-rock walls, you’ll generally want to keep that large scale element the same. The next feature is the millwork. Is the trim really thick? Does it have character? Is it painted or stained?  Doors also make a major statement and help define the overall look and feel of a home. Flooring is the final piece you’ll want to keep consistent throughout the home, but from there, you can have a lot of fun and get creative!”

That’s where your personal style comes in, allowing your personality and vision to shine while still honoring the home’s unique character.

“One of our clients loved a piece of art they bought that had an Italian, Tuscan food theme. That artwork became the inspiration for their entire kitchen design,” shares Matt. “We used a merlot, plum-colored tile, reclaimed wood beams, stucco art over the oven, a range style inspired by the artwork, and imported tile with each one featuring one-of-a-kind hand-drawn designs by an artist. It turned out amazing.”

But sometimes personal touches aren’t always visible. They’re behind the cabinet doors and are tailored to what the homeowner needs from a functional standpoint. “The kitchen, for example, can showcase that unseen personal design,” says Matt. “Where does the homeowner prefer to store their pans? Where do they put their spices? We always ask the homeowner what features they love in the home and which stylistic and functional elements they don’t, and through that process, we have a nice foundation to build upon.”

From there, the Sawhill team creates drawings and provides the homeowner with a virtual rendering of the remodel’s layout and flow to give a realistic visual. “We get feedback from the

homeowner until we have a final working plan and then oversee the entire building process to ensure it all runs smoothly,” says Matt. “The process is really fun. We’re advisors and we are here to help give homeowners the best possible result.”

If you’re thinking of remodeling this year and looking for inspiration, Matt says he’s seeing a shift away from the stark black-andwhite Modern Farmhouse style that has dominated the market for the last 10 years. “Homes in Lake Minnetonka are shifting into a Modern Cottage style that has warmer tones like tans and browns, with a softer design approach that includes more curves and arches. You’ll also see more antiques and vintage pieces, giving spaces a cozy, lived-in feel.”

Transforming your house into a home you love is what Matt and his team do best. “We often meet with homeowners who have completely resigned on the potential of their space,” Matt says. “We love when we can help them see that there’s so much more possible they can do with their home. We’re great listeners, openminded, and here to bring your vision to life in a way that fits both your home’s character and your personal style.”

sawhillkitchens.com

REVOLUTIONARY SPORTS

BRINGING THE LOVE OF SPORTS TO ALL CHILDREN

ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

1998. Coach John, fresh out of college, coaching soccer full time.

2001. Coach John, hired to coordinate a neighborhood soccer league in Minneapolis, and then a kindergarten program, followed by a preschool program. Later that very same year, Coach John was chosen by the city’s Park and Recreation Board to coach soccer year round, for a program that would soon become citywide, encompass multiple sports, and welcome five hundred groups annually.

2026. Coach John, now a coacher of coaches, spreading the powers of athleticism, positivity, and teamwork across the Twin Cities.

“And soon, hopefully, across Minnesota, and then someday the whole country,” said Coach John Richardson, founder of Revolutionary Sports, which provides world-class athletic programs for children of all ages to schools, community centers, park and recreation boards, early childhood learning centers, and sports associations.

“Revolutionary Sports is pretty unique among businesses that make it to twenty-five years,” Coach John continued. “We have never been driven by profitability. Instead, our primary goal is supplying as many great coaches as we’re able. The rest kind of just falls into place.

“That commitment makes Revolutionary Sports fairly selective of our team members. If we receive three hundred fifty applicants, only twenty-five will meet the criteria for professionalism, reliability, and genuine ability to connect with kids we require of a leader.

“We’re currently gearing up for growth: improving our administrative infrastructure, and establishing ties with new community partners who want the highest standard of coaching for their children. But as we add more and more full-time coaches to our current roster of seventy-five, we’ll never lose sight of our primary goal.

“I started out coaching the same sport I had played through college. Many of our new hires begin the same way, and become central to the robust single-sport programs we offer. But by following our proven ‘Learn, Practice, Play’ approach, any one of those novice coaches can quickly learn to teach baseball, T-ball, basketball, soccer, flag football, and any other sport they set their mind to.

“Multitalented coaches like those are invaluable. There is nothing inherently wrong with raising a child on only one sport, but I believe their life becomes richer when they play several. It helps them avoid burnout, make friends, and discover new pastimes they’ll cherish long into adulthood. In other words, I believe our renaissance coaches are making the world a better place.

“Remember: the best athletes play multiple sports! Michael Jordan’s stint playing outfield for the Birmingham Barons might not be as memorable as his time with the Bulls, but he certainly proves the rule.

“No matter how big we grow, we’ll never lose sight of sports’ true purpose: fun . That’s not to say we wouldn’t be delighted if someone we coached should happen to go on to play for the Vikings. But so long as they’re engaged and enjoying themself during their precious few years of childhood, we’ll consider our job a success.”

Go to the Parks and Recreation Programs page on Minnetonka.RevSports.org for RevSports’ upcoming sessions. They’re also active in Hopkins Community Education, plus Eden Prairie, Edina, Plymouth, and many other neighboring communities. Visit RevSports.org to hire them!

LITTLE BLIND SPOT

ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY POSERS PHOTOGRAPHY

I admit to having exquisite taste. I’m sure you could do the same. To us, envisioning the perfect interior space – complete with window treatments that elevate it to the pinnacle of good taste – comes easy.

“We loved everything about Little Blind Spot right away. The great brand, name recognition, and reputation for customer service it had cultivated.”

But here’s the problem with visionaries like you and me: when it comes to execution, we often find ourselves getting a little flustered. Actually finding the perfect shades, blinds, shutters or drapery can prove frustrating, if not outright impossible. And installing them in a way that doesn’t embarrass your home? Equally so.

That’s why I thank goodness Little Blind Spot of Hopkins is here. Bring them your vision, or have their expert design services help your vision take form. They’ll give you the royal window treatment either way. It’s just that easy!

“My longtime colleague Bill and I recently sold the software company we had spent twenty years building,” said Mark Johnson, co-owner of Little Blind Spot. “We weren’t sure what our next venture should be, but we both knew we wanted to switch things up by creating something tangible; something people could see and appreciate, as opposed to little electric ones and zeros.”

“Mark and I went through big home improvement projects during that hiatus,” said Bill Osteraas, co-owner. “I moved from the suburbs to South Minneapolis. Mark did a complete renovation of his home in Excelsior. It was fortuitous, then, that we would both really get into redesigning living spaces at that time.”

That Little Blind Spot would go up for sale right when Mark and Bill had awakened their inner Property Brothers? Even more fortuitous still.

“We loved everything about Little Blind Spot right away,” said Bill. “The great brand, name recognition, and reputation for customer service it had cultivated since its grand opening in 1978. Its stress-free startto-finish window treatment consultation, design and installation process. Its existing staff, who are already the best in the Twin Cities at their respective specialties, and whose installation professionals share over four decades of experience between them.

The unbelievable number of people we already knew, who turned out to have been happy Little Blind Spot customers in the past. Everything pointed to our perfect next business!”

“Bill and I are a couple of old… actually, let’s say ‘experienced’ entrepreneurs,” said Mark. “We recognized everything great about this opportunity, but we also saw how much we could improve on it. That began with a full showroom makeover, transforming a space that had grown frumpy ages ago into one befitting of a luxury car dealership. (It’s now the chicest spot in Downtown Hopkins, if I do say so myself.) Next we helped our staff expand their perception of our services; not merely designing and installing custom window treatments, but looking for any way our process can create greater value, right down to offering couch pillows to match new drapery. We’ll soon elevate our customers’ experience even further by incorporating virtual design into our services – a huge boon to our clients who are remodeling remote vacation homes, and only have photos to share with us.”

“Little Blind Spot’s long-established partnership with Hunter Douglas is here to stay, though,” said Bill. “Their products’ quality, functionality and variety are all without equal, and perfectly in keeping with the luxury our brand is synonymous with.

“Hunter Douglas’ expansive selection of shades, blinds, shutters and drapery guarantees the perfect fit for any property. Maybe you’re just refreshing your bedroom or living room. Maybe you’ve replaced every window in your home, and now need all the right finishing touches. Or maybe you’re updating a commercial space, and want to make a great impression on your own clients. From traditional draperies to ‘automagic’ electric blinds with full Wi-Fi integration, Hunter Douglas provides it all.

“Motorized window treatments have come a long way, by the way. Instead of replacing eighteen double-As every other month, you’re now recharging a lithium-ion battery once or twice a year – or not, with a hardwired option.

“We’ll

soon elevate our customers’ experience even further by incorporating virtual design into our services – a huge boon to our clients who are remodeling remote vacation homes, and only have photos to share with us.”

“So much variety might have overwhelmed our clients were it not for our in-house design service,” said Mark. “That begins with a complimentary consultation, where one of our experts visits your home, learns how you live and what you expect from your new window treatments, and advises the styles, fabrics, and motorization options that will complement your living space best. Once you’ve accepted our proposal, we’ll have completed the installation within just a couple of weeks.

“We believe window treatments should never be an afterthought. They are too central to creating the right mood in whichever room they accentuate. They may be decor, but at the end of the day, they are also an emotional decision. We give something so important the care it is due!”

Visit Little Blind Spot’s newly updated showroom at 17 8th Avenue South, Hopkins Monday through Saturday, 10am-4pm. If you don’t schedule your free consultation in person, call (952) 935-4353 or visit LittleBlindSpotMN.com today!

Framed

Wildlife

Landscapes

Europe

Abstracts

One thing nobody tells you is you spend a majority of adult life fixing things. The more things. The more fixing. Teenagers are racing to adulthood as fast as they can. They should slow their roll. Adulthood can feel like a series of problems that need to be addressed, from

FIXER DOWNER

the smallest irritations to massive, complex issues that involve decision trees and family meetings and stacks of cash. If we are lucky, we all end up here. But oh, the FIXING.

I have lived in my house since 1998. When we bought this house, we told our friends, “We probably won’t even be able to find each other in all this space.” Now I’d pay a thousand dollars if there was a place to hide in this medium-sized,

Life Minded

always-filled-with-humans house. I can hear someone sigh from a floor away. There is a lot of sighing.

Adding people and their things to this non-mansion ate up square footage but also provided more “opportunities” to fix things. Our family is filled with personality but has not been blessed with a lot of patience. So when things need maintaining we try hard to resist the throw-away and start-over mentality. But we are frustrated fixers.

The satisfaction of fixing something and avoiding the $150 service call is really unparalleled. But the number of things seems to grow. Help. Me. I don’t know that we have all the skills.

Remembering/changing passwords, troubleshooting with electronics, fixing sports equipment, mending ripped seams, tightening cabinet knobs, rethreading hoodie drawstrings, repairing leaking faucets, changing air filters, smoke detectors, light bulbs, dishwasher filters, cleaning drains, addressing all the squeaky things with all the specialty solvents, remembering to refill the salt for the water

softener, the salt for the walkway, the salt for the kitchen and on and on and on. Maintenance is a full-time job.

I’ve been lighting my burner on my range with a Bic torch lighter for about three years now. I had a technician come look at it when the problem started. The cost of having the igniters replaced is approaching half of what a new range costs. Also, the parts are very difficult to obtain. Also —Will we remodel soon? Should I replace all the appliances? Do I want to spend that on the repair when I just found out I need new tires on my car? Should we just move to Fiji and leave this life behind? So I just keep on with the lighter. It’s like camping every day here… inside.

Many years ago, I asked a builder friend and their spouse if it was “perfect” to live in a house they designed and planned from the ground up. They said it was pretty wonderful to see their vision come together. It certainly looked perfect. Everything brand new. Theoretically, they were living life without fixing. Privately, she admitted

her dishwasher door did not open to a 180-degree angle because they had placed the island too close, making it nearly impossible to load and unload the dishwasher. I felt a real perverse joy knowing this. I still do. It proves that even NEW isn’t the solution.

There is a home renovation and maintenance course offered by our local high school. I wish I had taken something like that many moons ago. I wish I could take it right now. I took computer science in high school, which consisted of me typing 4 pages of commands to watch a tiny green car beep across my screen. Ask me how often I’ve needed to call upon this skill. If only I had learned how to install a garbage disposal.

A few days ago, I fixed my pepper grinder. It hadn’t been working, and I watched not one but two YouTube videos on how to fix it. It works for now. If you are feeling powerless, go fix one small thing. It is euphoric. There is no fix it and forget it. It’s fix it and remember what you did because it will be needing to be fixed again.

Minded

Jen Fortner is a freelance writer who enjoys asking friends and strangers far too many questions. She spends her spare time sitting in inclement weather watching youth sports, traveling, cooking, and searching for the very best baked goods. She lives in Shorewood with her husband, three children and the most spoiled dog.

Balanced Kids brings compassionate, personalized pediatric care into the home

RIGHT AT HOME WITH BALANCED KIDS

For Dr. Sarah Slater, DNP, pediatric health care should work within the realities of family life. In August 2025, she launched Balanced Kids, an in-home pediatric health care practice that delivers primary care services directly to families through a concierge, direct primary care model. The approach is designed to give families more time with their child’s provider, easier access to care, and greater continuity, without the need for traditional clinic visits.

Balanced Kids provides many of the same services families expect from a pediatric office, including well-child visits, sick care, immunizations, and support for common concerns such as ADHD, eczema, and asthma. As a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with board certification as a Pediatric Certified Nurse Practitioner, Sarah focuses on preventative and acute care while building long-term relationships with families. By working in the home, she can spend more time with parents and children and tailor care to each family’s needs.

The idea for Balanced Kids grew out of Sarah’s experience in healthcare and the barriers she saw families encounter. Time constraints, rigid appointment structures, and other system barriers often limited opportunities for education or open discussion.

Her experience as a mother of two reinforced the model. Scheduling appointments, transporting children, and waiting in busy offices can disrupt an entire day. Bringing care into the home offers a more convenient, family-centered alternative that allows healthcare to fit more naturally into daily routines.

That philosophy carries through each Balanced Kids visit. Families complete paperwork ahead of time, and for sick visits, Sarah often calls beforehand to gather information and make the visit more efficient. When she arrives, the experience is intentionally different from a typical doctor’s appointment. Children remain in a

familiar environment, which helps them feel relaxed and engaged.

“Usually when I show up, kids are pretty excited to see me, which is very different from regular doctor visits,” says Sarah.

Visits are designed to be child-friendly and unhurried. Sarah often incorporates play into the exam, allowing children to participate in simple activities. She may bring drawing materials, coloring pages, or stickers to help kids feel comfortable. After the physical exam, she spends focused time with parents discussing concerns, observations, and next steps.

For parents, one of the biggest benefits of in-home care is how time is spent. Traditional pediatric visits often involve driving, waiting, and navigating multiple steps before seeing a provider. With Balanced Kids, that time is replaced by direct interaction with Sarah. Children are also more at ease at home, which can reduce stress during sick visits.

CONTINUED >

From a medical standpoint, being in the home allows Sarah to observe children in a more natural setting. Kids tend to behave more like themselves, which can support more accurate assessments of behavior, speech, and development. The home environment also provides context that may not be visible during a clinic visit.

“USUALLY WHEN I SHOW UP, KIDS ARE PRETTY EXCITED TO SEE ME, WHICH IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM REGULAR DOCTOR VISITS. VISITS ARE DESIGNED TO BE CHILDFRIENDLY AND UNHURRIED.”

Balanced Kids offers multiple pathways to care, allowing families to choose the level of support that best fits their needs. Families may book à la carte visits as needed or enroll in a Balanced Kids Membership for ongoing access to direct primary care services.

For families primarily seeking reliable care when their child is sick, the Sick Kids Membership guarantees same-day access for acute illness. This option addresses a common challenge many parents face when timely appointments with their preferred pediatric provider are unavailable and urgent care becomes the default. During Sick Kids visits, Sarah can perform on-the-spot testing for conditions such as strep, flu, and COVID, and prescribe medications when appropriate.

The comprehensive Balanced Kids Membership is designed for families seeking full-spectrum primary care. In this model, Sarah serves as the child’s primary care provider through age 21, offering preventive, chronic, and sick care.

Across all membership options, the greatest benefit is continued, direct access to Sarah. New members are contacted within 48 hours to establish care through an initial in-home visit, during which Sarah gets to know the child and family and provides a telehealth enhancement kit. This early relationship-building helps ensure families are prepared to access care quickly and confidently whenever a concern arises. Families can reach out anytime with questions, allowing Sarah to integrate as a consistent and trusted member of their child’s healthcare team. When an immediate in-person visit is not possible, the telehealth kit, which includes an ear, nose, and throat camera along with strep, flu, and COVID tests, allows Sarah to guide care remotely, the same day.

Not sure if your child needs to be seen? Ask her. Have a new concern the day after a visit? Ask her. There are no phone trees or long wait times, just direct communication with the provider who knows your child.

Families’ feedback after their first visit is consistently positive. While some parents initially assume housecall care may be limited, Balanced Kids delivers the same comprehensive care children receive in a traditional clinic setting. Through education and transparency, Sarah builds trust and helps families understand that Balanced Kids provides full-scope pediatric care in a way that is more convenient, more personal, and designed to meet families where they are.

Looking ahead, Sarah’s vision for Balanced Kids includes expanding awareness of In-home Pediatric Direct Primary Care Services and launching a kidthemed clinic van, fully equipped and thoughtfully designed to feel welcoming and fun for children. This mobile extension of Balanced Kids would further its mission to deliver accessible, relationship-driven pediatric care directly to families, wherever they are.

balancedkidsmn.com

THE HANDY SIDE of Highmark

WHY HOMEOWNERS ARE TURNING TO HIGHMARK HOME SERVICES FOR EVERY PROJECT—BIG OR SMALL

ARTICLE BY KENDRA JOHNSON

As a homeowner myself, I’m always finding small projects that need to be completed around the house. Whether it’s fixing a few shingles that blew off in the wind, finally deciding where to hang the shelves I got, or fixing a few loose boards on my deck, the list is never-ending. And I’m often met with the dilemma of who to seek out help from. I could call three separate roofing, design, and decking companies and get stuck in a scheduling nightmare, or I could try to finish the projects myself and likely make my house look worse.

It’s dilemmas like these that spurred Highmark to create their newest Home Services division. As a custom home and remodeling firm, Highmark is well-suited to the needs of homeowners in their community. When they continued to receive calls that were “too small” for their builders division, they decided to expand their own services to fill that gap in the industry.

“A thing that makes us unique at Highmark Home Services is — because we are part of Highmark, which is a multitude of different companies, different goals — we can pull the resources from all of those companies. We have the ability to take from the smallest handyman projects to the large-scale remodelings,” says Jeremy Gregorich, sales lead at Highmark.

Much like the rest of Highmark’s divisions, Home Services is led by a group of professionals with more than 20 years of homebuilding expertise. They specialize in fixing, repairing, or building new spaces inside and outside your home and take pride in using high-quality materials.

Some of their common exterior requests include roof and siding repair, window repair, porches, decks, and patios, while interior requests consist of drywall and painting, stairs, furniture assembly, TV and art hanging, and accent walls.

“We basically solve problems. Every home has them, and we show up and figure out a way to solve them. We come in where people have tried multiple repairs before, and then we’ll look into it and solve the symptom,” Jeremy says.

And solve problems they do.

A recent project that started with a homeowner requesting a fix for a small window leak ended up revealing — through a remediation analysis — a large presence of mold that required an entire window rebuild to prevent further damage.

The Home Services team explained the situation, provided options, and worked with the homeowner to address the issue.

If you’ve hired Home Services to complete some small home projects, but then decide you’d like an interior design makeover, the team can get you in touch with their full design-build division to determine what next steps to take. That way, you’re still in touch with the same team and can grow a genuine relationship with the people tasked with improving your home.

“We basically solve problems. Every home has them, and we show up and figure out a way to solve them.”

— Jeremy Gregorich

“We work closely with our clients and within their budgets,” Jeremy says. “It’s about meeting them where they’re comfortable and finding the right solution.”

And another perk of working with Highmark is that sometimes projects cross divisions, too.

“Our goal, ultimately, is to become the person our clients call for anything. Even if it starts with a small thing like hanging a mirror, it might turn into something bigger in the future. But we always want them to refer back to us as their go-to,” Jeremy notes.

And with a portfolio of brands like Highmark’s, you’ll never be questioning who to call in the future. Highmark’s brands include: Highmark Custom Homes & Remodeling; Exteriors by Highmark; Restorations by Highmark; Ruby & Suede Design Studio; Christian Bros. Cabinets; and now Highmark Home Services.

So if you’re like me and have an ever-growing list of home projects, Highmark Home Services can help take those off your plate.

highmarkhomeservices.com