BY ALISON STANTON
Memory foam flip-flops, adorned with whimsical charms. Custom-fit and stylish toe rings.
These are just a few of the many
things that shoppers will find inside
Tootsie’s Boutique in Chandler.
Sophia Gorke opened Tootsie’s Boutique last November. She says
owning her own store fulfills a longtime dream.
“For many years I’ve wanted to open my own business, and I’d explain it to my husband, who usually said ‘not now,’” Gorke says.
“But when I had some changes at work last year, I told my husband ‘it’s now or never,’ and he said I could go ahead and check into it, and decide what I would want to sell there.”
Coming up with ideas for her inventory was easy for Gorke. The Arizona native says she and her family enjoy visiting California frequently, and they almost always make it over to Laguna Beach.
“There’s a store there that sells these great custom-fit toe rings that you can wear with all kinds of shoes because they are solid bands and don’t pinch. I told my husband that if I opened my own store some day, I’d sell them there.”
Gorke was also inspired to carry the Popits brand of flip-flops and charms after traveling with friends to Disneyland.
“One of my friends broke her shoes while we were walking around, and we found a kiosk in Downtown Disney that sold Popits. They are a memory foam flip-flop with interchangeable charms.”
Gorke bought a pair of the SEE TOOTSIE’S PAGE 20
“Get Golf Ready” provides golfers, whether they are new to the game, want a refresher, or simply do not have the time to play 18 holes an opportunity to play four holes of golf “The Loop” on Tuesdays after 4 p.m. Admission is $10.
A partnership was formed between Ocotillo Golf Resort and Women on Course to help grow the game of golf. It opens the door and invites individuals to enjoy all the benefits the golf lifestyle has to offer. Visit www.womenoncourse. com for more information.
The Ocotillo’s Junior Golf Academy is offered for golfers ages 18 and younger. For just $50 a month, practice and playing privileges are offered on a space available basis.
Ocotillo Golf Resort is located at 3751 S. Clubhouse Dr., Chandler.
Nish Shah, D.M.D., M.D.
Amy Jones voted Chandler's BEST REALTOR For 3 Years
Gated Oakwood Country Club, Sun Lakes
$350,000 2,846 sq. ft., 3BR, 2.5BA 3 Car Garage. Can be sold furnished!
Gated San Sebastian at Valencia, Chandler
$1,050,000, 6,189 sq. ft., 6 BR, 4.5 BA, 4-Car Garage Basement Home with Backyard Resort
Gated Ryan Estates, Chandler
$920,000, 4,584 sq. ft., 4 BR, 4.5 BA Custom Home Resort-Style Backyard
Gated Watermark at Ocotillo, Chandler
$650,000, 2848sf, 4BR, Den, 2.5BA Waterfront, Unbelievable Backyard Resort
Spyglass Bay at Ocotillo, Chandler
$639,900 3,360 sq. ft., 5BR, 3.5BA Basement Home Backyard Resort – Golf Course & Lake Views
Carino Estates, Chandler
$325,000, 2354 sq. ft., 4BR, Den, 2BA Granite Countertops, Move-in Ready
Gated Oakwood Country Club, Sun Lakes
$239,900, 1,624 sq. ft., 3BR, 2BA Silestone Counters, 18” tile, move-in ready
Corona Del Mar in Ocotillo, Chandler
$285,000 2,050 sq. ft., 3 BR, Den, 2.5 BA Move-in ready, Pool with water feature
Felty Farms, Gilbert
$475,000, 3,829 sq. ft., 4 BR, Den, Loft, 3 BA Upgrades Galore, Fenced pool,
Owner: Michael Pollack
Specialty: Movies, sing alongs, corporate rentals. $3 admission.
Unique features: More than $800,000 in new digital audio, video and new seating. Also the largest character and memorabilia displays.
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Address: 1825 E. Elliot Rd., Tempe
Phone: (480) 345-6461
Website: www.pollacktempecinemas.com
Owner: Denise Ovalle
How long in business: More than 20 years
Specialty: Residential real estate
Unique features: Exclusive buyer brokers
Hours: By appointment
Address: Gilbert and Germann roads
Phone: (480) 345-6000
Website: www.buyerone.com
Owner: Beth Lawton and Shelly Carr
How long in business: Seven years
Specialty: Pediatric speech, physical and occupational therapy
Unique features: Home, clinic, hippo therapy (on a horse), AAC evaluations (devices to help communicate)
Hours: Seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. by appointment
Address: 690 E. Warner Rd., Suite 105
Phone: (480) 820-6366
Website: www.atsaz.net
SEND IN YOUR BUSINESS PROFILE FOR ‘DOING BUSINESS’
The SanTan Sun News would like to welcome new area businesses or existing ones that may be new to our readers.
Submit information about your business for a “Doing Business” mini-business profile in an upcoming issue of our publication, which is distributed to 35,000 homes, racks and boxes on the first and third Saturdays of the month.
Please include all of the following items: Name of business, name of owner(s), how long the business has existed, unique features, hours of operation, address, telephone number, website, email address. Also include an at least 300 dpi photo of the business owner or logo.
The sooner you submit the information to us, the sooner we’ll be able to profile your business, as it’s on a first-come, first-served basis.
Email this information to business@ santansun.com or visit www. santansun.com and click on the “Doing Business” form to submit.
Discover Career Connectors, a nonprofit organization that connects professionals to high quality resources and hiring companies. Professional career speakers with presentations on relevant job search topics, three or four hiring companies, networking, resume help, career coaches, LinkedIn coaches and business portraits are a part of each event.
Join Career Connectors from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, at Central Christian Church Student Center, 965 E. Germann Rd., Gilbert.
Career Connectors events are held four times a month at three locations, all at no cost. For more information, call (480) 634-4205 or visit www. careerconnections.org.
comfortable flip-flops, too, and says she was immediately hooked.
“I told my husband that if I ever owned my own store, we needed to carry Popits too, because here in Arizona we are wearing open-toe shoes all year round.”
While a few customers assume that Gorke named her boutique after a nickname for feet—especially because she carries some products made for “tootsies”—she says this is actually not the case.
“When I was growing up, my Grandma Nancy bought a beauty shop in downtown Scottsdale called Irene’s Beauty Shop. I would ask why she didn’t rename it, and she told me it’s not about the name, but about the customers. That really stuck with me.”
When it came time to name Gorke’s new boutique, she says she talked about it with her husband and their two daughters, ages 20 and 21.
“Grandma Nancy’s nickname growing up was Tootsie, and she was from California too. We lost her a couple of years ago, so we named the boutique in honor of her.”
In addition to the Popits flip-flops, more than 100 kinds of charms and custom-fit toe rings, Gorke says she sells a variety of clothing in a wide range of sizes, including junior plus sizes and women’s sizes. She also sells jewelry, cute socks, wall art and a variety of gift items.
“We have cute tops, some skirts, dresses, leggings and camis, dresses,
Inner Vision Yoga is hosting a sevenday yoga retreat to Maya Tulum, Mexico, from May 10 through May 17.
Co-owner and Master Yoga Teacher Jeff Martens and Master Teacher Donna DiNunzio invite all levels of yoga practitioners to nourish their mind, body and spirit on this exotic adventure to a beautiful setting on the Riviera Maya, between pristine ocean and emerald green rain forest.
rompers and scarves,” she says, adding that she tries really hard to keep prices affordable.
“I want to provide things that people can afford. Customers will often say ‘this is so cute and so reasonably priced.’”
In the short time Tootsie’s Boutique has been open, Gorke says it’s been exciting to build her customer base, including starting a birthday club.
“I love my store and I’m very excited about it. It’s a really cute store, and I’m
thrilled to bring these unique items to the East Valley.”
Tootsie’s Boutique is located at 1940 S. Alma School Rd., Suite 2 in Chandler. For more information, call (480) 9631541 or visit www.tootsiesboutiqueaz. com or www.facebook.com/ tootsiesboutiquechandler
Alison Stanton is a freelance writer who lives in the East Valley. She can be reached at alison@santansun.com
Experience the unhurried pace and healing power that will allow participants to detoxify, rejuvenate and elevate their spirits as they enjoy yoga classes in a loving, supported environment emphasizing individual alignment, strength and fun.
The retreat is inclusive with oceanfront bungalow accommodations, amazing meals, daily private yoga classes, evening yoga workshops and other adventurous activities. Space is limited and participants should call Inner Vision Yoga at (480) 632-7899.
BY TRACY HOUSE
Grab a snack, a cup of coffee or browse the crafts at Chandler Downtown Library’s newest addition, Cup O’Karma Chandler, the “Community Café for a Cause.”
The café is operated by National Advocacy and Training Network (NATN), a nonprofit that was founded in 2002 by a group of survivors, volunteers, advocates and professionals working to end violence against women and children.
“They are planning on having different coffee beverages, food, snacks,” explains Brenda Brown, library manager. “They also sell gifts and handmade jewelry and crafts. I’m excited about it because I believe having a café in the downtown library will add value for the library experience.”
MonaLou Callery, NATN founder and chief operating officer, explains that the money earned through Cup O’Karma is used to fund the four homes—two in Chandler and two in Mesa—for battered and sexually abused women and children.
Callery says the foundation helps approximately 80 women and children a year. Women can stay in the homes for up to two years as they work to become independent and learn transferable job skills. “It’s not just a short-term Band-Aid approach that we take.”
Cup O’Karma was established in Mesa. Callery says when the foundation heard about the request for proposal for the Chandler site it decided to pursue it.
“They selected us. We were ecstatic over that,” she says. “When we saw who we were up against...we saw some big retail coffee chains trying to get it so we were a little surprised they picked us.”
Some of the women from the homes and community volunteers acting as mentors work in the café. The NATN program provides career and job coaching and resume writing to help the women find a permanent job.
Cup O’Karma was featured on “Secret Millionaire” on Aug. 11, 2013, with Jay Deutsch, chief executive officer and co-founder of Bensussen Deutsch and Associates (BDA). From that encounter, NATN received a donation and was able to buy the fourth home in Chandler.
Once a woman is ready to move out on her own, NATN helps secure living arrangements.
“To start all over, you can only imagine how expensive that is to start from scratch,” Callery comments. “So we take donations of furniture and household items and really help set up the household for the women and the kids when they’re ready to move on beyond us.”
Callery says Cup O’Karma Chandler will have a theme each month, honoring
a different culture and featuring specialty drinks in addition to the food and craft items available.
The grand opening was March 1. Members from Soroptimist International of the San Tans (SIST) were on hand to lend their support and help serve. NATN’s main project, Support, Education, Empowerment and Directions (SEEDS) is the SIST 2013-2014 grant award winner. The grant money and proceeds from the coffee shop go toward the programs sponsored by NATN including services and training.
“It’s going to be more than a cup of coffee,” Callery says. “We say we don’t sell a cup of coffee we sell our mission.”
Cup O’Karma Chandler is located in the Downtown Chandler Library, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler. Open during library hours, the cafe is on the library’s first floor. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
For more information about National Advocacy and Training Network, visit www.natn-az.org. Connect on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nomoreviolence or www.facebook/cupokarma.
Tracy House is the news editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at tracy@santansun.com.
COFFEE-CAFÉ-CRAFTS:
chamber
membership orientation March 19
The 411 is a comprehensive membership orientation at which you will learn how to maximize the benefits of your chamber investment. Gain an insider’s view of our programs and services, ask questions of our staff and develop your action plan for chamber engagement and success. The event will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 19, at the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, 119 N. Gilbert Rd., Suite 101. Breakfast will be provided by Bruegger’s. The event is free for current and prospective members of the chamber.
The Chamber Chat-Midday Networking Event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at Famous Dave’s Barbecue, 2206 E. Williams Field Rd., Suite 101. Meet up with other chamber members for lunch. This informal gathering is a fun way to share conversation with other professionals and learn more about businesses in our community. There is no agenda, no script, just good food, great company and friendly conversation. There is no admission charge. Individuals are responsible for the cost of their own meal. RSVP for purpose of seating estimate.
The business and education communities will come together at this special luncheon featuring Arizona State University President Michael Crow from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix-Gilbert, 1800 S. SanTan Village Pkwy.
Crow will address the importance of career readiness and share the university’s engagement and cooperation with education, business and government partners to prepare Arizona’s students for employment in the global economy.
General admission is $50 per person and $35 for chamber members. Table for eight is $350 and includes company’s name on event program and log on reserved-table signage.
Power Hour - Networking will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 21, at Santé of Mesa, 5358 E. Baseline Rd., Mesa. Power Hour Networking is a quarterly networking event with the purpose of providing business professionals with networking opportunities to focus on connecting people, opening doors for new business, and developing new resources and relationships. Come out to share your creative and valuable ideas, network
with business leaders, create referrals and generate business. Admission for chamber members is $10.
An event of SRP’s Good Government series, this Town Hall meeting will bring together Rep. Matt Salmon and the business community for a discussion on the latest in federal issues from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 28. Join the group for this meet and greet and one-on-one conversation with Salmon. Ask questions and provide feedback that will contribute to a vibrant business environment. Chamber member admission is $20 and $35 for nonmembers.
Meet up with other chamber members for breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, at Which Wich? Superior Sandwiches, 2795 S. Market St., Suite 110, Gilbert. This informal gathering is a fun way to share conversation with other professionals and learn more about businesses in our community. No agenda, no script, just good food, good company, and friendly conversation. No admission is charged. Individuals are responsible for the cost of their own meal. RSVP for seating estimates.
Jill Schiefelbein of Impromptu Guru, will help you generate ideas and solutions to improve your business during Power Hour from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, April 11, at Cooper Crossing Executive Suites, 1820 E. Ray Rd., Chandler. Come prepared to share your issues and be ready to learn from others. We’ll have the meeting space for an additional hour after Power Hour to continue conversations and network. This intensive work session is designed for small businesses with five or less employees, including homebased businesses and solopreneurs. The chamber member only event is free.
After spending 30 plus years in the diamond and jewelry business, you start to think maybe you’ve seen it all. Oh contraire, that is the amazing thing that keeps me going for so many years. We all chase the “Holy Grail” in diamonds and jewelry. To define the “Holy Grail,” we recently saw the 29ct plus Blue Rough Diamond found in a mine in South Africa. This is one of the finest and rare pieces of Blue Rough Diamond ever found and already estimated in the tens of millions.
So, are diamonds a good investment? This question surrounds the diamond and jewelry business and is met with great controversy. I, for one, never sell diamonds as an investment. To define investment, there can be many answers. Is the value the item sells for what you paid? Or is it a personal choice if you wear and enjoy the item for years, and then receive most of your money back when you sell? Either way, it is not for me to decide. After
“...KNOWLEDGE IS POWER! UTILIZE OUR KNOWLEDGE AT BILTMORE LOAN ANYTIME.”
reading about the blue diamond, it reminded me of a story that happened not too long ago. A friend brought in a bracelet to have adjustments made, I mentioned to her that the stone needed to be certified. After a short discussion of the reasons, we proceeded to certify the stone and my opinion and the certificate was the same. After receiving the certificate of this just over one carat Blue polished diamond, I discussed with the client an offer of $180,000. What happened next was amazing, she showed me the invoice from 1967 when her father purchased the stone at a jeweler who was no longer is in business in the Midwest. Her father paid $2,000! Another interesting part was the stone had a 1967 certificate, which I felt was outdated and incorrect. The standards over the years have changed; the updated certificate had an improved color from the original, thus increasing the value. Point to be made, “knowledge is power!” Utilize our knowledge at Biltmore Loan anytime. In conclusion, diamonds have considerate monetary and personal value.
Women in Business expands support to female business owners
Chandler Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Council has a new name and expanded mission.
The premier organization, the Chandler Chamber’s Women in Business, was created by women to empower and propel women into business success through education, networking and mentor programs.
Women in Business, a Chandler Chamber of Commerce committee, will meet the third Tuesday of each month at SoHo63, 63 E. Boston St., Chandler. Keynote business speakers, an educational salon, networking and an expert’s lounge for local business women and men are all a part of the monthly programs.
Call the Chandler Chamber at (480) 963-4571, for more information.
Three-part program mentors needed
A three-part mentoring program with Women in Business is seeking volunteers.
“Our mission is to empower and propel women into business success through education, networking and mentor programs,” D’vine Gourmet Chairwoman and Owner Denise
McCreery says. “Our program includes an Experts’ Lounge before our monthly luncheon, a Peer to Peer mentoring program, and Take Me to the Top, a program designed to help women business owners reach the $1 million revenue mark.”
From 10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. the Experts’ Lounge is available before each Chandler Chamber Women in Business luncheon. Questions related to such topics as HR, accounting, leadership and marketing will be answered by a panel of professionals. The experts, who have experience in various areas, will meet with attendees one-on-one to provide the right community resources are available.
A mastermind group for business owners, as well as executives is offered through the Peer to Peer mentoring program. The group, which is led by one individual, will meet monthly separate from the Women in Business luncheon. Business owners can learn from each other, obtain ideas on problem solving and help others by sharing skills and expertise in a confidential setting. A leader will head each group, which will be composed of five to six professionals and businesses and have no duplicate employers or industries.
The program is available to Chandler Chamber of Commerce members for free. An application must be submitted, as well as a commitment of time, effort and confidentiality to participate in the program. Leaders are also needed.
Women business owners and women executives who want to climb the corporate ladder is the focus of the Take Me to the Top Mentoring Program. The one-on-one program has mentees aided by a mentor. The program focuses on business or executive goals, creates a plan with its own identity and set measurable goals. Take Me to the Top Mentoring Program involves teaching, helping, directing and encouraging individuals to reach the goals they set. Mentoring is applicable to any field of commerce. The activities for learning focus on business, professional and personal growth areas that are needed to attain goals.
Only 15 mentor/mentee teams will be paired during the first year of the program. There is a charge for the program in order to cover material costs.
“The program provides three major benefits,” Meredith Dekker, chairwoman of the Women in Business mentoring committee and owner of Dekker Financial says. “One is learning from the personal experience of some of the most successful business owners and executives in our community. The second is gaining clarity to your goals and what you want to achieve. The third is to identify, absorb and integrate missing business disciplines that include assessing your planning, time management and how to handle short term problems.”
Mentee qualifications include: must have been in business for a minimum of two years; must join or have an active Chandler Chamber of Commerce membership for the duration of the program; must own at least 51 percent of the business; must be in revenue; must have a business plan or a personal plan written out; expect a future valuation of $500,000 or more and executives must have a current salary of at least $100,000 and a future salary of at least $200,000.
Mentor qualifications include: must have owned a business for a minimum of four years; have a desire to help other women business owners to move their business to the next level and executives must have a director or equivalent position.
Those interested in participating as an expert, mentor or mentee call (480) 229-7227 or email meredith.dekker@ dekkerfinancial.com.
Contact the Chamber
The Chandler Chamber of Commerce is at 25 S. Arizona Pl., Suite 201. Unless otherwise specified, for more information and to register for these programs, call (480) 963-4571, visit www. chandlerchamber.com or www.meetup. com/ChandlerChamber, or email info@ chandlerchamber.com. No refunds are available within 72 hours of an event.
Chandler landscape architecture firm anticipates growth in Lone Star State
With a No. 3 listing on Forbes’ list of fastest growing cities and positive U.S. Census projection for the foreseeable future, smart development in Dallas is a must as the city expands. Chandlerbased landscape architecture and urban planning firm AndersonBaron is bringing its development expertise, backed by its true places ideology to the Metroplex and surrounding areas.
The firm is known for its unique approach to deliver authentic projects centered on the needs of the end user, which include spaces that feel like an inevitable outcome of the natural surroundings.
Senior project manager and landscape architect Brian Rogers, RLA, will manage the Dallas office with the support of principals and cofounders Baron and Brett Anderson, ASLA.
Katie Elsberry earns Certified Association Executive Credential
Katie Elsberry, association and conference manager at KCA, has earned the Certified Association Executive credential from the American Society of Association Executives. The CAE is the highest professional credential in the association industry. Less than 5 percent of all association professionals have earned the CAE.
To be designated as a Certified Association Executive, an applicant must have a minimum of three years’ experience in nonprofit organization management, complete a minimum of 100 hours of specialized professional development, pass a stringent examination in association management and pledge to uphold a code of ethics. To maintain the certification, individuals must undertake ongoing professional development and activities in association and nonprofit management.
The United Aesthetics Organization, Arizona’s leading professional organization for aestheticians, recently welcomed Ann Sherman to its membership roster. Sherman is a student specializing in laser technique at the Southwest Institute of Natural Esthetics, but she is no stranger to the health care industry. She worked as a registered nurse for 10 years. Sherman has a Master’s Degree in business administration with emphasis in business and marketing. Prior to enrolling at SWINA, the Chandler resident worked for the leadership team at Hospice of the Valley where she enhanced operations and streamlined systems ensuring compliance and quality care of patients and families.
Vibetality, the world’s first yoga and whole body vibration human optimization studio, is hosting a Yoga and Fitness Alignment 101 Workshop for Chandler residents.
The hands-on, interactive workshop will focus on proper alignment and safety through basic yoga and fitness moves. The workshop’s goal is to support a new, or existing, fitness or yoga practice by revisiting and reviewing common movements, so that each student can build a strong foundation centered on healthy alignment and movement.
The one-hour workshop will be held at 10:45 a.m. Saturday, March 15, at the Vibetality Studio, 1940 S. Alma School Rd., on the northwest corner
of Alma School and Germann roads. The workshop is free to all Vibetality members and $10 for nonmembers.
The Vibetality studio offers 2,600 square feet of convenient health and fitness options for the East Valley community. In addition to offering premier yoga instruction, the focus of the Vibetality studio is the innovative whole body vibration classes. The studio is equipped with 10 state-of-the-art whole body vibration plates, which are used in the Vibetality one-of-a-kind 15-minute fitness, yoga and renewal classes.
For more information, visit www. vibetality.com or call (602) 842-3007 or email info@vibetality.com.
