Lakewood, FL July 2026

The Explore Issue

Rose Dental at Lakewood Ranch

a modern boutique private dental practice dedicated to providing exceptional cosmetic and comprehensive dentistry in a warm, luxurious, and patient-centered environment

Combining advanced technology with artistic precision, the practice is committed to creating beautiful, confident smiles while delivering compassionate, personalized care.

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By Diana Houston

I was thrilled, at age 54, when my husband and I retired and moved to Florida in 2004. I was leaving behind a stressful job and looking forward to a fresh start here. But what I found was not exactly the carefree, active life I had imagined.

Instead, I felt old. For one thing, my left foot had begun dragging when I walked, giving me a noticeable limp.

The severe bursitis in my left shoulder was not only painful, but also limited my range of motion. I was just weak. Even a grocery bag felt heavy.

The truth is, I knew why I felt this way: I was completely and utterly out-of-shape. And it was my own fault.

Staying fit had always been important to me – especially earlier during my professional singing career. My desire to exercise fell by the wayside, however, when I left the music industry. Being treated for breast cancer hadn’t helped, either. I was just waiting for the day I’d need medication for my declining bone density, a side effect of the chemo and radiation I’d received.

HOW I

CHANGED

MY LIFE,

FOREVER.

After a few not-so-golden years in Florida, I had a revelation. I was too young to spend the rest of my days swapping stories of aches and pains with friends.

I wanted a REAL life back. MY life. And that’s exactly what I got the day I discovered 20 Minutes to Fitness.

20 Minutes to Fitness is a fitness studio that takes a unique slow cadence approach to strength training. In just ONE 20-minute session a week, you get the kind of results you might expect from working out THREE hours a week in a regular gym.

I know. It sounds too good to be true. But a consultation and introductory session were free, so I figured I didn’t have anything to lose.

At 20 Minutes to Fitness, you work out on special state-of-the-art equipment with a personal coach by your side to make sure you do each exercise safely and correctly. As promised, the workout takes just 20 minutes.

You can do this workout in your street clothes if you want. There is a changing room available if you prefer workout clothes. But, no need for showers – it’s a sweatless workout – so come as you are!

Thank goodness. After my first two sessions, I had to take a nap afterwards to recover. It wasn’t that the exercise was that difficult. I was just that pitifully out-of-shape and weak.

But that didn’t stop my fabulous coach, Eveline Grondin, from cheering me on. Each week, she prevents me from –doing too much – or too little – sharing her health wisdom along the way.

Within a couple of months, a miracle occurred. I could feel myself getting stronger. I could see more definition in my body. For the first time in a LONG time, I had actual muscles! My core was stronger. I today stand straighter and taller. This is an incredibly powerful feeling!

About the author

Diana Houston has trained at 20 Minutes to Fitness in Sarasota, Florida since 2011. “Thank you, 20 Minutes to Fitness, for giving me the active retirement I always dreamed of,” she says. “I am hooked for life.”

And remember that limp I mentioned earlier? It’s gone. So is the foot-dragging. The pain in my left shoulder has also gone away, and I have almost complete range of motion again, both in my arm and my arthritic neck.

But here is the thing that surprised me most. When I retired from singing, I lost my vocal range. My workouts at 20 Minutes to Fitness, however, have strengthened my diaphragm. I’ve now taken up singing again and, with practice, my vocal range is as good as – and maybe even better – than ever. What an unexpected thrill!

Another thing: my doctor just told me that my bone density actually IMPROVED in my recent test. I know why. In my 60’s, I’ve now been a devoted “student” of 20 Minutes to Fitness for many years. I can’t tell you how happy I am to look and feel healthy. I feellike I can accomplish anything. www.20minutestofitness.com

The Season to Explore Differently

July has a way of inviting us to slow down, if we let it.

Longer days, warmer nights, and a season that naturally pulls us outside of our routines and into something more intentional. But exploration doesn’t always mean going far. Sometimes, the most meaningful discoveries happen right where we are.

This month, we’re redefining what it means to explore. It might mean taking a closer look at something as essential as the water in your home. What we often over look plays a powerful role in how we feel, how we live, and how we care for our families. Exploring better solutions, like those offered by LiquidTec, is a reminder that even the smallest details can transform our daily experience. Perhaps exploration shows up in motion. Getting behind the wheel of something new. Rediscovering the sense of freedom that comes with the open road. Local partners like Nissan of Bradenton remind us that sometimes exploration begins with simply deciding to go.

For others, it may mean going farther than you ever have before; stepping into a curated experience abroad, like sipping Champagne beneath centuries-old stone in France with A Vine Affair. A different kind of journey. One that invites you to slow down, to be present, and to experience life not just through where you go, but how deeply you allow yourself to feel it.

And sometimes, exploration is even more personal. For our family, it looks like something we’ve dreamed about for a long time, purchasing land in Montana and beginning the process of building a home near the mountains. A place that represents freedom, simplicity, and a different pace of life. We haven’t even fully stepped onto the land yet, but the vision is already there. And maybe that’s what exploration really is… having the courage to follow something before you have all the answers.

Because not every journey starts with a map. Some begin with a feeling. That’s what this issue is about. Not just where you go, but how you live. How you design your spaces. What you choose to invest in and the experiences you allow yourself to fully step into.

Because true exploration isn’t about distance. It’s about awareness. It’s about choosing to see your world differently and having the courage to step into what’s possible next.

As you move through this season, I hope you find inspiration not just to explore new places, but to rediscover the beauty, purpose, and potential already around you. Because sometimes, the most meaningful journeys begin exactly where you are.

July 2026

PUBLISHER

Jessi Neitzel | jessi.neitzel@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Michelle Numann | michelle.numann@citylifestyle.com

SALES DIRECTOR

Sean Averso | sean.averso@citylifestyle.com

SALES SUPPORT

Carley Ridley | carley.ridley@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Joann Chang, Kristi Sellers

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Leo Ginaihac, Photo Guru SRQ, A Simple Dreamer, Roni Padua Photography, Gulf Coast Realty Media

JESSI NEITZEL, PUBLISHER @LAKEWOODCITYLIFESTYLE

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.

Where

TRANSFORM YOUR HOME WITH A NEW OR REMODELED POOL

Serving Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte Counties

AWARD-WINNING POOL INSTALLATION & POOL REMODELING SERVICES

Bringing the very best version of your outdoor space to reality. From new pool builds to pool remodeling and pool resurfacing, we’re proud to be Sarasota’s #1 pool builder. Browse our website for inspiration and we will help you design your outdoor space!

FAMILY-OWNED FOR OVER 40 YEARS www.sparklingkleenpools.com 8111 Uzita Dr, Sarasota FL 34240 | 941-927-7133 VB

business monthly

Exploring the Beauty of Intentional Interiors

Creating a home that feels both elevated and deeply livable is at the heart of Interiors by Sunday. Led by designer Sunday Sudharto, the Sarasota-based studio specializes in thoughtfully curated interiors that blend functionality, warmth, and timeless style. With an eye for detail and a passion for creating spaces that reflect each client’s lifestyle, Interiors by Sunday transforms everyday living into something intentional and inspiring. The brand brings a refined yet approachable perspective to modern interiors. Visit: interiorsbysunday.com for free consultation.

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A New Space for Growth and Possibility

Edge Therapies is celebrating the grand opening of its beautiful new Sarasota location at 40 Sarasota Center Blvd., Suite 102. Founded by speech-language pathologist Jillian Pendergast, the practice specializes in individualized pediatric speech and occupational therapy, offering play-based, neurodiversity-affirming care for children throughout Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch. From early intervention and feeding therapy to reading support and sensory development, Edge Therapies is creating a welcoming space where children and families can thrive through compassionate, personalized care.

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The Future of Wellness Starts Within

My Exotic Peptides is bringing a modern approach to wellness through advanced peptide therapies designed to support energy, recovery, longevity, performance, and overall vitality. Focused on education, innovation, and personalized wellness solutions, the company is helping clients explore science-backed options for optimizing how they look and feel. As interest in regenerative wellness continues to grow, My Exotic Peptides is positioning itself at the forefront of proactive health and performance-driven living. To learn more or explore available wellness solutions line visit MyExoticPeptides.com

A Sweet Second Chapter

A MOTHER-SON DUO BRINGING PERSONAL CARE THROUGH HOMEMADE COOKIES AND CONNECTION

ARTICLE BY KRISTI SELLERS | PHOTOGRAPHY

For many parents, the transition into an empty nest might feel uncertain. Eventually, there comes a moment when life suddenly looks a little different. For Ericka Lyman, that transition became an opportunity not to slow down, but to rediscover herself in entirely new ways.

Today, around her son Dr. Austin Lyman’s dental practice, she is affectionately known as “The Cookie Lady,” a title that has become synonymous with warmth, kindness, and homemade treats shared throughout the surrounding dental community.

According to Dr. Lyman, “Our office is unique to the area. We are a small family business in dental, more specifically oral surgery, in a world of growing corporations and group practices. We set out to introduce ourselves to our dental office neighbors in hopes of establishing a cooperative relationship. In a neighborly fashion, we thought to bring a tasty treat. Instead of catering or ordering from a food franchise that may reflect the impersonal corporate nature we live in today, we considered bringing homemade cookies in order to show the personal approach to care that our family brings to the Practice every day.”

As Dr. Lyman reflects on his mother’s journey, one thing stands out clearly: Ericka has always found a way to grow and move forward. When Dr. Lyman finished college, Mom decided to go to college herself. Later, when he completed graduate school, she pursued graduate school as well. Rather than viewing motherhood as the end of her own ambitions, she treated each phase of family life as an opportunity to evolve personally and professionally.

That strong mindset helped shape Ericka’s career as a dental hygienist, eventually leading her to where she is today.

Then, Ericka Lyman created something uniquely her own. She began making chocolate chip cookies for her son’s dental office and neighboring offices.

“Before setting out to bring cookies to other dental offices, Ericka obtained a certification in food handling. Some asked why we spent the time, and our reply was that we wanted to recognize the professionalism behind food service craft while conveying the trust, affection and care that we put into our relationships with the patients and dental offices,” said Dr. Lyman.

Inside the practice today, Ericka’s presence is impossible to miss. Each week, she bakes fresh homemade cookies not only for Dr. Lyman’s office, but for other dental offices as well. What began as a thoughtful gesture gradually turned into a beloved tradition.

In many ways, the cookies became more than desserts. They are a way to make and grow connections.

While Dr. Lyman provides care through dentistry, Ericka offers something equally memorable: comfort, familiarity, and a reminder that small gestures still matter. Together, they have created an environment that feels less like a business and more like a community,  one homemade cookie at a time, or in office-espresso.

When they aren’t working, you can find Dr. Lyman and Erica enjoy local pop-up markets, traveling or walking through a local park.

“Retirement became an opportunity not to slow down, but to rediscover purpose, deepen relationships, and create meaningful moments through simple acts of kindness.”

“Instead of catering or ordering from a food franchise that may reflect the impersonal corporate nature we live in today, we considered bringing homemade cookies in order to show the personal approach to care that our family brings to the Practice every day.”

According to Dr. Lyman, “We actually went the other day to get a mani-pedi. The opportunity to sit back, kick the feet up and bond together with a treat was a refreshing moment.”

Retirement for Ericka Lyman was never about slowing down. Instead, it became an opportunity to rediscover purpose, deepen relationships, and create meaningful moments through simple acts of kindness. What started as homemade cookies for neighboring dental offices evolved into something much greater — connection, community, and care that people genuinely remember. In a world that often feels rushed and impersonal, the Lyman’s are proving that small gestures still matter. To learn more about Dr. Austin Lyman’s practice visit his office at 7170 University Pkwy, Sarasota FL 34240.

Sometimes life’s sweetest chapters begin after the roles we thought defined us end. Ericka Lyman’s story is a reminder that purpose, connection, and reinvention can happen at any stage of life — often through the smallest acts of kindness.

ARTICLE BY JESSI NEITZEL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEO GINAILHAC

EXPLORING BEYOND THE DESTINATION

WHERE CURATED ACCESS REPLACES ORDINARY TRAVEL AND EVERY JOURNEY BECOMES AN INVITATION INTO THE EXTRAORDINARY

It starts quietly.

A glass is placed in your hand—crisp, chilled, impossibly clear. You’re standing beneath centuries-old stone, deep in the heart of Champagne. The air is cool, still, almost reverent. Around you, bottles rest in perfect formation, aging patiently in a place few are ever invited to see.

There’s no crowd. No noise. No rush. Just a small group. A winemaker. And a moment that feels… rare.

He begins to speak, not as a presentation, but as a story. About the land. The harvest. His family. And as you listen, glass in hand, you realize something important, this isn’t something you could have arranged on your own.

This is access. And this is what exploration is meant to feel like. Not rushed. Not transactional. But intentional.

It’s the kind of experience A Vine Affair, founded by Gina Lyons, has built an entire philosophy around. As a certified caviar and

Champagne sommelier, Lyons brings a level of expertise that goes far beyond travel planning. Her understanding of terroir, pairing, and the artistry behind both Champagne and caviar allows her to curate experiences that are not only luxurious, but deeply informed, nuanced, and exceptionally rare.

She doesn’t just know where to go. She knows who to know. And that distinction changes everything.

Her 2026 journeys reflect that philosophy with precision and intention.

Take the Insider Champagne Experience, limited to just 12 guests. From the outside, it may sound like a trip. But once you arrive, you understand, it’s something entirely different.

You’re not being guided. You’re being welcomed.

Your mornings begin slowly...espresso in hand, overlooking rolling vineyards that seem to stretch endlessly. Lyons’ influence is felt in every detail, from the houses selected to the private

poured with intention, each selection chosen not just for its prestige, but for its story, its structure, its place within the region.

“THE DIFFERENCE ISN’T THE DESTINATION—IT’S THE DEPTH OF THE EXPERIENCE ONCE YOU ARRIVE.”

introductions made. These aren’t standard tastings, they are thoughtfully curated moments designed to deepen your appreciation and understanding of what you’re experiencing.

Lunch isn’t at a restaurant, it’s set among the vines, a long table dressed in linen, the sun warm against your skin. Champagne is

And then there are the pairings.

Under Lyons’ guidance, caviar and Champagne become something transformative; an experience of balance, texture, and flavor that most people have never encountered at this level. It’s not indulgence for the sake of luxury—it’s education through experience, delivered in a way that feels effortless and unforgettable.

Dinner that evening is something else entirely.

You descend into a private cellar, candlelight flickering against stone walls that have held history for generations. Each course is paired, each detail considered. There’s a quiet understanding among the group, you’re part of something not many people will ever experience.

And somewhere along the way, something shifts. Time slows. Presence takes over. The outside world fades. You’re no longer thinking about what’s next, you’re fully in what is.

That’s the difference.

Lyons has spent years cultivating relationships that allow her clients to step into this world—not as visitors, but as trusted guests. It’s why doors open. Why experiences feel intimate instead of curated. Why every moment feels layered with meaning.

Even beyond Champagne, A Vine Affair offers bespoke travel design across destinations like Provence, Bordeaux, and Saint Barth, each journey shaped by Lyons’ expertise and refined perspective. Because true luxury isn’t just about access. It’s about understanding.

And when travel is guided by someone who not only knows the world, but understands it at that level, the experience becomes something entirely different.

More immersive. More personal. More unforgettable. Because once you’ve experienced travel this way, you don’t just remember where you went.

You remember how it felt.

To explore A Vine Affair’s 2026 journeys or begin designing your own private experience, visit avineaffair.com and request your invitation.

Where Moments Become Heirlooms

Kristen Miller | Your photographer. Wife, mom, outdoor lover & Disney fan. Candid, timeless moments you’ll always feel. Making moments turn into lifelong memories

Capturing what you didn’t even realize was happening.

www.asimpledreamerco.com 941-330-6263 | Bradenton FL

Exploring a Better Standard of Living

An unseen upgrade that transforms your home, your health, and the way you experience everyday life

Exploration doesn’t always require a passport. Sometimes, it begins at home—in the routines we move through every single day without question. The water we drink. The showers we take. The meals we prepare. It’s constant, familiar, and often overlooked. Until it changes.

That realization is something I’ve come to understand more deeply in this season of life. As a mother, I think constantly about what we’re putting into our bodies—what fuels us, what supports us, and what quietly impacts our health over time. And water sits at the center of all of it.

It’s not just about hydration. It’s about what that water carries or what it leaves behind.

That’s where Liquid Tec Solutions redefines the conversation, not as a product, but as an experience shift. A quiet elevation of something so fundamental, it touches nearly every aspect of daily life.

Based in Sarasota, Liquid Tec Solutions specializes in whole-home water filtration systems designed to reduce contaminants, improve water quality, and protect the integrity of plumbing and appliances. But beyond protecting the home, it’s about protecting the people inside it.

Because once water improves, everything connected to it follows.

ARTICLE BY JESSI NEITZEL PHOTOGRAPHY BY GULF COAST REALTY MEDIA

Showers feel softer—but more importantly, your skin responds differently. Hair becomes healthier, stronger, more vibrant. Teeth benefit from cleaner water, free from harsh elements that can wear over time. Even small irritations—dryness, buildup, sensitivity— begin to shift.

It’s a level of care most people don’t realize they’ve been missing. Liquid Tec Solutions also offers hydrogen and alkaline water systems , delivering cleaner, better-tasting drinking water directly from the kitchen. And when the water you drink is better, your body knows it. Hydration improves. Energy feels more sustained. There’s a noticeable difference in how you feel—not overnight, but consistently.

It becomes part of a larger picture of well-being. Because health isn’t built in extremes, it’s built in the everyday. And water is one of the most consistent inputs we have.

For those who value intentional living, this is where refinement begins— not just in how a home looks, but in how it supports the people living in it.

Liquid Tec Solutions also extends beyond the home through specialty water systems, creating custom applications for unique environments— including luxury automotive wash systems that deliver spotless rinses while protecting high-end finishes. In a community where detail matters, it’s a reflection of a larger mindset: excellence in every layer.

Because when you’ve invested in your home, your health, and your lifestyle, every element should align. And that’s where exploration takes on a new meaning.

It’s not always about going somewhere new, it’s about elevating what’s already part of your life. Rethinking the basics. Refining the foundation.

Liquid Tec Solutions invites homeowners to question what they’ve always accepted as “normal.” To recognize that something as essential as water has the power to influence not only how a home functions, but how a family feels.

Because the most impactful upgrades aren’t always visible. They don’t demand attention. They show up in healthier bodies, stronger hair, better skin, and a deeper sense of overall well-being. And once you experience the difference, there’s no going back. Because better water doesn’t just change your home. It changes how you live in it.

To explore in more detail:  Call: 941-877-5460 or email info@liquidtecsolutions.com

ARTICLE BY JOANN CHANG PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOANN CHANG & METROLAGOONS

“The swim up bar is wildly popular. Just to be able to cool off on a hot Florida day, sipping your cocktail or frozen drink in the water is a plus.”

Lagoon Life

The next time you’re looking for a beach day, head to the Lagoon!

As the summer days get hotter, finding ways to cool off and connect as a family become more important. In Florida, we are blessed with a wealth of options. Beaches, springs and rivers surround us. In recent years, a new option has been added to that list – a day at a local lagoon!

Lagoons are a recent trend, brought to the United States by Metro Development. The first lagoon built in the United States was in Wesley Chapel at the Epperson development in 2018. It was so successful, Lagoons were built at other Florida communities including Southshore Bay in Wimauma in 2022, Mirada in San Antonio in 2023, Brightwater in North Fort Myers in 2025 with additional Lagoons planned for Angeline in Land O’ Lakes and Seaire in Parrish in coming years. These large artificial swimming lagoons are managed by the team at MetroLagoons. “It’s an immersive getaway right in their backyard,” explained David Heaton, MetroLagoons Vice President of Operations.

While these large resort-style amenities were created for local communities, what many may not realize are these lagoons are also open to the public to enjoy. For the price of a ticket, you can cool off and enjoy one of the largest swimming pools in the country, complete with a swim up bar and water activities. “It’s a day at the beach without driving all the way to the beach. No jellyfish, sharks or red tide,” shared Heaton. A perfect balance is struck between the host community and the public. “We do a lot of community events and host them at the property. We’ll do movie nights during the week. We’ll do seasonal events during Easter, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Fourth of July. Launching fireworks over these properties is absolutely breathtaking,” Heaton said. Residents are often offered designated seating areas for these activities, allowing them to feel at home with their neighbors while allowing the public to enjoy the experience as well. They also keep a

“It’s a day at the beach without driving all the way to the beach. No jellyfish, sharks or red tide.”

close eye on attendance, limiting ticket sales on peak days so everyone can enjoy the lagoon without overcrowding.

The lagoon experience has much to offer. Small children enjoy playing in the sand, wading and splashing in the shallow areas and playing in the kids splash zone. Those looking for a bit more adrenaline will enjoy the water slide, large water obstacle course, as well as exploring the lagoon on paddle boards or kayaks. Those who prefer more low-key activities have options too. “The swim-up bar is wildly popular. Just to be able to cool off on a hot Florida day, sipping your cocktail or frozen drink in the water is a plus,” Heaton shared.

Those looking for exclusivity and luxury by the water can find that as well. “Each property has our Cabana Cove area, where you can rent your cabanas. It has its own designated swimming area and bar with large screen televisions. You can scan a QR code, and your favorite cocktail or frozen drink is hand delivered right to you. It’s really the best way to have that kind of privacy, exclusivity and top-notch level of service when you visit,” shared Heaton. Cabana Cove offers both traditional cabanas with comfortable seating and loungers as well as Aquabanas that float right on the lagoon.

Above all, a day at the lagoon lets you leave your worries behind and focus on a cool day on the water. Whether it’s spending time as a family or treating out-oftown guests to a fresh slice of Florida, the lagoon experience offers something for everyone, turning an ordinary Florida afternoon into a resort-style escape just minutes from home.

ENJOY A DAY OF LAGOON LIFE

Planning your lagoon day starts at metro lagoons.com. You can pick the right lagoon to fit your needs, purchase admission tickets, add splash passes for water activities, and reserve seating lagoon side or even a cabana or Aquabana in Cabana Cove.

Guests should bring their towels and sunscreen, but leave the coolers at home. Each lagoon offers a wide variety of food and beverages to enjoy on your lagoon day. Be sure to check the FAQ about what to bring to enhance your day and what to leave at home.

MORE THAN A DEALERSHIP

HOW NISSAN OF BRADENTON IS REDEFINING WHAT COMMUNITY-DRIVEN AUTOMOTIVE LOOKS LIKE

ARTICLE BY JESSI NEITZEL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY A SIMPLE DREAMER

There’s a reason certain dealerships become part of the fabric of a community while others simply sell cars. It has very little to do with inventory.

The best automotive brands understand something deeper: a vehicle is rarely just transportation. It’s the first car a teenager drives to school. The SUV packed for family vacations. The truck that helps build a business. The vehicle waiting in the hospital parking lot after bringing home a newborn baby.

Cars quietly carry people through the most defining moments of their lives.

And in Bradenton, Nissan of Braden-ton has built its reputation around understanding exactly that.

Now operating as part of the  Garber Automotive Group — a family-owned organization with roots dating back to 1907 — the dealership represents a modern shift happening within the automotive industry: dealerships becoming lifestyle-centered community partners rather than transactional showrooms.

Across the City Lifestyle network, automotive editorials often focus less on horsepower and more on legacy, trust, customer experience, and the people behind the business. The dealerships that stand out are the ones woven into the daily rhythm of the communities they serve. That’s exactly the lane Nissan of Bradenton is driving in.

Under the leadership of Managing Partner and General Manager Erika Foley, the dealership has leaned heavily into a people-first philosophy — one centered on hospitality, accessibility, and local impact. Their recently unveiled state-of-the-art facility reflects that vision: modern, elevated, and intentionally designed around the customer experience.

But what truly separates Nissan of Bradenton isn’t found on the showroom floor.

It’s found in what happens outside of it.

In 2025, the dealership made headlines for donating $118,000 to Manatee County Habitat for Humanity to help fund the construction of a home for a local family in need. The contribution came after months of active involvement through sponsorships, fundraising events, and community partnerships.

For many businesses, philanthropy can feel performative. This didn’t.

“At Nissan of Bradenton, we believe in more than just selling cars,” Erika Foley shared in connection with the donation announcement. “We believe in the power of community and what happens when we all work together.”

That philosophy mirrors the broader culture of Garber Automotive Group itself, which has built a national reputation around community engagement and charitable investment for decades.

And it reflects something consumers increasingly care about today: alignment.

People want to know who they’re doing business with. They want transparency. Integrity. Consistency. They want to feel like the businesses they support are investing back into the places they call home.

Nissan of Bradenton appears to understand that intuitively.

Inside the dealership, that translates into a customer experience designed to feel approachable rather than pressured. Outside of it, it means becoming visible in the community not simply as a sponsor, but as an active participant in helping shape Bradenton’s future.

Because the modern dealership is no longer just competing on price. It’s competing on trust. And increasingly, trust is built through presence.

For drivers across the Suncoast, Nissan of Bradenton isn’t positioning itself as just another place to purchase a vehicle. It’s building something more enduring — a brand rooted in service, relationships, and long-term community investment.

In a rapidly evolving automotive landscape, that may ultimately become the most valuable thing a dealership can offer.

“Your Beauty is Our Passion”

Lakewood Ranch & arasota’s premier medical spa speciali ing in non-surgical aesthetic in ecta les, regenerative aesthetics, and skin-enhancing procedures. Proudly serving the Lakewood Ranch community for 7 years as one of the area’s first medical spas, with more than 3,000 patients treated

ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE

The 10% Target Mindset

Jen Cohen ON THE PRACTICE OF ASKING FOR WHAT YOU WANT

Winnipeg in the winter, and a 17-year-old waits 45 minutes in the cold for Keanu Reeves. Her fingers are numb. She is not there for an autograph. She is there to ask him to appear in her audition tape for MuchMusic, Canada’s MTV. When he finally agrees, she writes her number on a gum wrapper with a borrowed lip liner.

He calls days later.

That 17-year-old was Jen Cohen — fitness expert, host of the Habits & Hustle podcast, and best-selling author. She has built a career on the premise her frostbitten afternoon proved. She calls the practice the 10% Target: 10 attempts at whatever you want most in life.

The premise is simple. Most people never make one attempt. Almost nobody makes two. The math works in favor of the person who keeps going.

The top-rated Habits & Hustle podcast has logged hundreds of conversations with high performers and the people who study what the body does to the mind. Her TEDx talk, The Secret to Getting Anything You Want in Life, has traveled widely inside Fortune 500 sales-training rooms. On the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Cohen sits down to share the working rules that are the foundation of her latest book, Bigger, Better, Bolder.

“You have to be the CEO of your own life.”

FEATURING JEN COHEN

Discover the full 10% Target Mindset framework.

1 2

MAKE TEN ATTEMPTS

The door opens, or another door does. The unmade attempt and the refused one leave you in the same place — except one of them teaches you something.

STACK THE DECK

Cohen frames her habits as a wager: How do I stack the deck so I win more than I lose? The workout happens first, and the food decisions follow. The email follow-up gets sent, and the answer arrives. The choices compound in a single direction.

3

DISCIPLINE IS A PRACTICED SKILL, NOT AN INHERITANCE

No one is born with it. The people who look disciplined are running a routine they have rehearsed long enough that it no longer feels like effort. The reps are the skill. Miss them, and the skill fades, the same as any other.

4

SELF-TALK ONLY WORKS WHEN THE BODY BACKS IT UP

Confidence does not arrive by repeating the word. It arrives after the body has done the thing — the workout finished, the cold walk endured, the email sent. The mind takes its cues from what the body proves it can do. Talk follows action, not the other way around.

5

NEVER MISS A MONDAY

The first decision sets the slope of the rest. Skip the Monday workout, and the rest of the week tends to follow. Hold the line on Monday, and the slope tilts the other way.

JULY 2026

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

EVERY WEDNESDAY

Sunset Volleyball

7301 Island Cove Terrace Sarasota, FL 34240 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Sunset Volleyball is a series of pickup volleyball games designed for volleyball players who are ready to jump in, play without instruction, and have a great time! Join us every Wednesday evening at 6:00pm for roulette-style pickup volleyball! See you on the courts!

JULY 3RD - 4TH

Suncoast Largest

Food Truck Festival 9

The Mall at UTC | 4:00 PM

Get ready to feast at Suncoast Largest Food Truck Festival 9—yummy bites and good vibes unite! Over 40+ food vendors, crafters & Local businesses! Enjoy fireworks Friday night

JULY 4TH Red, White, and BOOM! at The Bishop

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature 201 10th Street West Bradenton FL, 34205 | 7:00 PM

Looking for a safe and spectacular way to celebrate the Fourth of July? Look no further than The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature! Email for ticket info: mwinters@bishopscience.org

• Doors open at 7pm: Arrive early!

• Festive Food Trucks:

• Refreshing Drinks: Available for purchase at the bar.

• Laser Light Show

Personalized speech and occupational therapy designed to help children communicate, regulate, and thrive with confidence, whether that’s at home, in a daycare or in our office.

CONTINUED

JULY 4TH

July 4th Fireworks Celebration - Sarasota

Bayfront Park / Island Park, Sarasota Bay | 9:00 PM

Grab a spot early along the bay to watch the spectacular free pyrotechnic display.

JULY 9TH

Billy and The Jets LIVE

Encore Live, 8341 Lockwood Ridge Rd. | 4:00 PM

Get ready for a double -shot of rock & roll greatness as Billy and The Jets bring the ultimate tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John to life in one unforgettable night.

JULY 21ST

The Last Romance

Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Avenue | 8:00 PM

A chance meeting. An unexpected spark. A second chapter. When widower Ralph takes a different path on his daily walk, he meets Carol, an elegant woman who just might change his life. What begins as a simple conversation blossoms into an unexpected journey of second chances. A warm, witty comedy about discovering how love can arrive when you least expect.