WILMA Spring Issue 2026

Coastal Cures

Rx’s Sarah Doss and ocean solutions

Pickleball Gains

Expanding the sport with Denise Foat

Undone Appeal

The casual, posh style of chaos

spring flavor seaside sushi

travel notes curated chaos

Madeline Gray photographed Rx co-owner Sarah Doss, who, with her husband, has taken a hands-on approach to sourcing seafood on their restaurant's menu. on the cover

jewelry stacking learning new habits

court connections

Leadership + Lifestyle since 2003

PUBLISHER Rob Kaiser

PRESIDENT Robert Preville

EDITOR / DIRECTOR OF WILMA LEADERSHIP

Vicky Janowski

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES & MARKETING

Matthew Coleman

SENIOR MARKETING CONSULTANT

Craig Snow

MARKETING CONSULTANTS

Alexis Powers

Jillian Hon

Fawn Carey

EVENTS DIRECTOR Jamie Merrill

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF WILMA LEADERSHIP & EVENTS

Alec Hall

ART DIRECTOR - EDITORIAL Suzi Drake

ART DIRECTOR - MARKETING Tara Weymouth

MEDIA COORDINATORS

Tara Sestanovich

Lindsay Podraza

OFFICE MANAGER David Taylor

FASHION STYLIST Drewe Smith

CONTRIBUTORS

Tim Bass, Nina Bays, Karen Bright, Meghan Corbett, Emily Gorman Fancy, Beth A. Klahre, Samantha Kupiainen, Laura Moore, Barbara L. Nelson, Lynda Van Kuren

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Daria Amato, Chris Brehmer, Megan Deitz, Danielle Desnoyers, Drewe and Kate Branding Co., Madeline Gray, Aris Harding, Terah Hoobler

DIRECTOR OF FEAST WILMINGTON

Jessica Maurer

@ WILMAmag / WILMAmag.com

FOUNDER

Joy Allen

SUBSCRIBE

For a one-year subscription, please send $26.00 (check) to: WILMA, 101 N. 3rd St., Suite 400, Wilmington, NC, 28401or call 910-343-8600 x201

Copyright 2026

MADELINE GRAY is a freelance documentary photographer based in Wilmington. With a master’s degree in photojournalism, her work is regularly featured in local and national publications. She enjoys spending time in places that are off the beaten track and collaborating to share the diverse stories found there. Gray photographed the issue’s cover of Sarah Doss for “Coastal Solutions” (page 61), KinderStop’s owners (page 72), and DareDevil Improv’s founders (page 74). madelinegrayphoto.com and @madelinepgray on Instagram

LAURA MOORE is an English professor at Cape Fear Community College in one of the top three-rated English departments in the state. In addition to education, she has a background in public relations and journalism. Moore talked with Sarah Doss, Marae West, and Christy Swann about their jobs that are helping protect the coast in different ways (page 61).

BARBARA L. NELSON has a diverse background in storytelling and journalism. She began her career by reporting for local newspapers in California, Louisiana, and New York. Later, she became the editor of a real estate trade magazine in New York City. Currently, she works as a digital content creator, having developed engaging content for an international hotel and travel membership, a travel agency, a Caribbean resort company, and various other businesses. She interviewed Kim Nelson about the Cameron Executive Network (page 28). blncontentstrategy.com

DREWE SMITH and KATE SUPA own a creative studio – Drewe and Kate Branding Co. – that helps companies elevate their brand and digital presence through photography, brand styling, logo design, and website creation. The duo styled and photographed “A Fine Mess” (page 44), “Jewelry by Design” (page 51), and “Icy Haut” (page 50) – also written by Smith. dreweandkate.com

LYNDA VAN KUREN , a transplant from the D.C.-metro area, is a freelance writer and content marketer whose work has appeared in national as well as regional publications. She loves connecting with others, whether through writing, ballet, or training her dogs for agility competitions. She spoke with Denise Foat about her pickleball club with big community goals (page 42).

W SOUNDING BOARDS

here do you turn to for advice? A friend, coworker, the internet?

Ideas don’t thrive in a vacuum, and giving them oxygen sometimes means tossing them out to someone else who brings a different perspective.

Finding those sounding boards can take some effort, however.

Fortunately, there are some go-to places in the area to find options and see how they fit for what it is that you need. Several of them can be found in the pages of this issue, in very different ways.

First up in discovering new perspectives is seeing if you need to recalibrate your own. In our WILMA Leadership section, Lisa Brooks writes about unlearning old habits to let new ones in. “Unlearning invites you to listen closely and notice what is happening beneath your surface. To explore blind spots, hopes, dreams, and new perspectives without assuming there is a single right answer that you are failing to find,” she writes on page 26.

For those blind spots, sometimes it’s a mentor – or peer mentor – who can help add that perspective.

A roundup of mentoring groups and resources can be found on page 29 for the issue’s Plugging In directory. One of those groups is the Cameron Executive Network (page 30) to help mentor UNCW students. And sometimes mentoring means simply learning – passing on a skill or tip. It might be picking up a new sport (page 42), a new menu (page 38), or a new hobby (page 74).

Lauren James is no stranger to sharing advice. As a travel and lifestyle influencer, she often updates her followers on recommendations. But it’s her latest project, bringing women together for mountain retreat trips, that offers up perspective overhauls (page 80).

Flip through and see what views might open up in the latest WILMA.

Vicky Janowski, WILMA editor editor@wilmingtonbiz.com

ENDOWMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

THE NEW HANOVER COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT in February named SOPHIE DAGENAIS president and CEO.

Dagenais previously served as interim president and CEO and will now permanently fill the role. She stepped into the interim role after former CEO DAN WINSLOW resigned in July. Dagenais previously served as the endowment’s vice president of programs and grants.

“We are still early in our history, and I am honored to help shape our next chapter carefully, and thoughtfully, in service to the community we have been called to serve,” Dagenais says.

The $1.7 billion endowment was created from the 2021 sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Novant Health. Since its inception, the endowment has committed $176 million in grants, with $53 million committed in 2025 alone, officials have said.

“Sophie stepped forward at a pivotal moment and led with focus, discipline, and purpose,” board chair SHANNON WINSLOW says.

photo by MALCOLM LITTLE

ROLLING INTO TOWN

ALISON FRAGALE (ABOVE), UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA Kenan-Flagler Business School professor and author of Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve, was the keynote speaker at the North Carolina Trucking Association’s Women in Trucking Summit in Wilmington. The group’s annual conference featured a state of the industry panel and talks for women in the industry ranging from financial wellness to mental health mastery.

LIVING MASTERPIECES

WHAT: Design NC 2026

WHEN: April 30-May 1

LOCATION: Cameron Art Museum

DETAILS: This two-day event focuses on designers, artisans, and thought leaders across the design community. Events include Cocktails in the Courtyard Party and a Design Forum and Luncheon.

INFO: cameronartmuseum.org/ design-nc-2026

CHILDREN’S CHAMPS

WHAT: Smart Start Children’s Champions Awards

WHEN: April 14, 1-3 p.m.

LOCATION: Plaza on Princess at The Harrelson Center

DETAILS: This year’s event celebrates twenty-five years of the awards honoring people who make a lasting difference for young children in New Hanover County.

INFO: newhanoverkids.org

VETERANS FLIGHT

THIS YEAR’S HONOR FLIGHT OF THE CAPE FEAR AREA TAKES OFF in April with local veterans aboard for a day of remembrance.

This is the nonprofit’s fifth annual trip since the project resumed locally in 2022. As in other parts of the country, Honor Flights honors WWII-, Korean War-, and Vietnam War-era veterans by taking them on an expense-free flight to Washington, D.C., to visit national memorials.

On April 18, eighty-five veterans will board at Wilmington International Airport, along with a team of volunteers. “I’m the daughter of a WWII WAC and a retired Navy Chief. Being on the Honor Flight allowed me to pay tribute to all the ladies before me and show future generations there is a place of honor for women,” says KATHRYN HARE, who served in the Navy and was one of the

veterans on last year’s flight.

During the day, they visit the World War II Memorial, Navy Memorial, Marine Corps War Memorial, the Air Force Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and Korean War Veterans Memorial.

“We do make a special stop at the MWM (Military Women’s Memorial) for the women veterans onboard to receive a certificate,” Ravitz Smith says.

The community can participate in a welcomehome celebration at the airport when the flight lands that evening, when hundreds of community members greet the returning veterans. The group is also collecting letters until March 20 to hand out to veterans on the flight up as part of Operation Mail Call.

Info: honorflightcfa.org

CHARTING HER COAST

FOLLOWING MANY YEARS AS A SHIP-ASSIST TUG CAPTAIN, ERICA CUSTIS TOOK CHARGE of her career and moved up the chain in the fast-paced, male-dominated maritime industry as the general manager of Wilmington’s Moran Towing, a company that has been helping and towing ships and transporting cargo since 1860.

In another milestone career achievement, Custis was recognized recently as one of the Top 20 Women in Maritime by Marine Log Magazine

Before becoming general manager at Moran’s Wilmington office, she spent sixteen years as a ship-assist tug captain in Norfolk, Virginia.

“It’s pretty wild. And it can get hairy fast,” Custis says. As captain, she operated the tug and was responsible for the safety of the crew, equipment, and environment. Her duties included monitoring weather conditions, navigational hazards, vessel traffic, and port evolutions.

She worked equal-time rotations, spending two weeks aboard the tug with a three- to four-person crew followed by two weeks at home.

As of July 2022, Custis now runs the show from ashore as the general manager of Moran Towing, a position she describes as running a small business – with tugboats. In addition to crew leadership, she monitors vessel traffic in and out of port, coordinates with ship agents and pilots, schedules tug maintenance, oversees billing and payroll, manages human resources, and responds to emergencies.

“The maritime industry is dynamic,” she says. “It’s 24/7, and there are a lot of entities needed to make it all work.”

ON THE AGENDA

Advice and connections from local leaders + the latest on the WILMA Leadership initiative

p.22

WILMA LEADERSHIP UPDATES

p.25

WILMA LEADERSHIP SPONSORS

p.26

LEADERSHIP ADVICE FROM LISA BROOKS

p.29

PLUGGING IN: MENTORING GROUPS

p. 30

PLUGGING IN: GUIDING UNCW STUDENTS

p.32

SABRINA DAVIS ON LEADING SMALL BUSINESS

UPDATES

RECAP:

The latest on the WILMA Leadership Initiative and its mission to empower women to lead with confidence and purpose

• LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: The 2025 Leadership Institute (above) graduated in December. The class went through leadership skills training, peer advisory discussions, and connections with area executives. Applications were submitted to participate in this year’s class, and those who were selected will begin meeting in April. Stayed tuned for an announcement soon about this year’s group.

• MENTORING: This year’s group of WILMA mentors and mentees have been meeting one-on-one each month to work on the women’s professional goals.

• IN THE LOOP: Keep up to date with these and other Leadership Initiative programs as well as application announcements by going to WILMAmag.com or signing up for the WILMA Leadership email at WILMAmag.com/email-newsletter.

EXPLORE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED

WOMEN TO WATCH AWARDS GET ON BOARD

UP NEXT:

How to connect with WILMA’s leadership programs

• WOMEN TO WATCH AWARDS: Applications for this year’s awards open in April in the categories of Arts, Business, Education, Health, Nonprofit/Volunteer, Public Sector, and Rising Star. Info: W2WAward.com

• GET ON BOARD: The next board training session, held in conjunction with UNCW’s Quality Enhancement for Nonprofit Organizations (QENO), takes place 10-11:30 a.m. April 8 at The Harrelson Center. Info and to preregister: WILMAmag.com/leadership/get-on-board

• LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: The 2026 WILMA’s Leadership Institute class kicks off with a day-long orientation at Beau Rivage, including team-building, communication style assessments, goal setting for the year, and time to interact with alum.

• LEADERSHIP ACCELERATOR: WILMA’s annual leadership conference returns to the Wilmington Convention Center in July. Info: WILMAmag.com/wilmas-leadershipaccelerator

SPONSORS

DENISE FOAT Senior Operations Support Manager / VP - SBB Closings LIVE OAK BANK

“As Live Oak Bank’s representative on the board, I’m proud to champion our ongoing partnership with WILMA and its work to elevate and inspire the women who drive our community forward. Live Oak has long believed in promoting strong pathways for women to lead, innovate, and influence meaningful progress. This collaboration with WILMA continues to strengthen those pathways—helping ensure that women across our region have the support, visibility, and opportunities they need to thrive.”

“At Novant Health, we are proud to invest in WILMA’s Leadership Initiative as part of our commitment to building healthier, more equitable communities. By supporting programs that empower women locally, we are helping advance leadership, upward mobility, and long-term professional growth. We look forward to continuing our partnership and supporting the meaningful impact WILMA delivers across our region.”

PRESENTING SPONSORS

CORPORATE SPONSORS

LISA BROOKS: Unlearning Rules That No Longer Serve Us

photo by DANIELLE DESNOYERS

We live in a culture that rewards adaptability, composure, belonging, and self-sacrifice. From an early age, many of us learned the importance of reading a room, managing expectations, not appearing “needy,” and prioritizing other people’s feelings above our own.

We became skilled at being “fine” even when life felt anything but. This way of living can be compelling for a time until it eventually unravels and becomes exhausting, empty, and overwhelming. One day, many of us wake up feeling disconnected from ourselves without knowing exactly when, how, or why it happened.

Much of my life has been shaped by a willingness to unlearn what is not working and a deep desire to develop a connection to myself and my voice. So much of what was modeled to me personally and professionally felt like a suit of heavy armor built for a version of me that I could not make peace with. Unlearning the rules, roles, and behavioral patterns that offered the illusion of “having it all together” has been a complex practice with many layers. Turns out, it is perfectly human to feel stuck when life feels full of rules, “shoulds,” and “have tos.” The noisy fears, projections, expectations, and cancel culture that permeate the world around us can make it almost impossible to hear ourselves, navigate challenges of all kinds, and feel safe in our own skin.

Unlearning is a process that helps you return to yourself in ways that are aligned with your values,

authenticity, choices, and lived experiences. It is a quieter, more self-reflective approach that reminds you of who you were before anyone told you who to be, how to be, where to be, or what to be. Unlearning invites you to listen closely and notice what is happening beneath your surface. To explore blind spots, hopes, dreams, and new perspectives without assuming there is a single right answer that you are failing to find. This work takes time, patience, self-compassion, and loads of imperfection. It readies you to meet yourself with the same love and devotion that you so freely offer the people you care about most.

To be fair, most of us are not looking for more responsibility or ways to overfunction on other people’s behalf. Most of us are tired. Tired of carrying the bulk of the emotional labor at home and at work. Tired of fixing, smoothing, and holding everything together. We are craving deeper connections to ourselves and others. Connections that support growth, healing, rest, renewal, and freedom. Yes … freedom.

Freedom from people pleasing

From managing other people’s moods

From blaming ourselves when things go awry

From keeping the peace, comparing ourselves to others, and taking responsibility for all the things

We long for relief from the pressure to do more, be more, and move at a pace that requires self-abandonment. And the “rules” are in our way.

Be nice

Don’t be selfish

Be easy

Don’t complain

Do it yourself

Be available

Be agreeable

Don’t rock the boat

Don’t shine too bright

No one formally teaches us these rules. We learn them by watching, adapting, and through the reinforcement/rewards/consequences that come from our families, communities, and systems. With repetition and time, they settle into

our minds and bodies and shape how we show up in relationships, work, and caregiving.

And eventually they become expensive.

Unlearning asks us to be willing to brave discomfort and to do something different.

To set boundaries

To tell the truth

To rock the boat

To allow people to be disappointed

To ask for what you need

To live in the authenticity of your values

To step outside of your helicopter tendencies and let people have the sovereignty of their own experiences

This takes abundant courage because some people are going to miss the version of you who stayed agreeable, remained constantly available, and made things easier for everyone but you. This is where the guilt tends to creep in and can cause you to revert to the shelter and safety of old patterns. Remember, guilt is a feeling associated with doing something wrong. Unlearning often feels like you are doing something wrong because you are making new and unfamiliar choices that are right for you. It takes time and willingness to process the guilt and trust yourself. With practice, the freedom will kick in. I promise.

So, here is a gentle invitation:

Be curious about the rules and roles you are living by.

Explore their origins, their function, who they are designed to serve, and what they might be protecting you from.

Notice what they are costing you and where you might begin the unlearning. Make a move.

You are not broken, and you don’t need to be fixed.

You are not selfish.

You are not too much or too needy.

You are right where you are meant to be, and you do know the way. W

Lisa Brooks is a lecturer at the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s School of Social Work and operates her own coaching and consulting practice in Wilmington. wilmingtonthrivetribes.com

PLUGGING IN MENTORING

Each issue, WILMA includes a Plugging In directory to help you connect locally. This time, we’re focusing on mentoring resources to help connect people to advisers in all fields, from academics to business. Let us know about your organization by emailing editor@wilmingtonbiz.com

CAMERON EXECUTIVE NETWORK

The Cameron Executive

Network is a part of the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Cameron School of Business. The volunteer network is composed of current and retired business executives dedicated to the professional development of undergraduate business students. CEN provides one-on-one mentoring where executives help students with career planning, resume preparation, interviewing skills, and networking. Learn more about its purpose on page 28.

INFO: UNCW.EDU/ACADEMICS/COLLEGES/ CSB/POINTS-OF-EXCELLENCE/CAMERONEXECUTIVE-NETWORK

CFCC PEER MENTORING

PROGRAM

Cape Fear Community College offers a peer mentoring program to help new students navigate the transition to college life. New students (mentees) are paired with experienced CFCC students (mentors) with regular individual and group meetings and a meet-and-greet at the start of the fall semester. INFO: CFCC.EDU/STUDENT-LIFE/MENTORINGPROGRAM

WILMA LEADERSHIP MENTORING

Up-and-coming women in the community are matched with mentors to assist with their leadership development. These mentoring relationships offer support, chances for growth, and advice to the mentees. Each year, a call for mentee applications opens for the year-round program. Applications will be open through the month of August, and the program runs from October to September. Those who participated in WILMA Leadership programs during the previous year are invited to apply. INFO: WILMAMAG.COM/ LEADERSHIP/MENTORING

WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS COUNCIL

The Women Business Owners Council is part of the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and designed for established female entrepreneurs looking to scale their operations. This group provides a peer-topeer mentoring environment where members exchange high-level expertise on strategic growth, employee management, and financial sustainability. To qualify, businesses must have been operating for at least one year, employ at least one person, and hold a small business level membership or higher with the chamber.

INFO: WILMINGTONCHAMBER.ORG/WOMENBUSINESS-OWNERS-COUNCIL

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

The Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce’s program is dedicated to empowering, educating, and entertaining emerging and established women in the workplace by providing guidance, support, resources, and opportunities to be successful in the business world. It functions as a network where women of influence in the community are recognized in part for their roles of supporting and mentoring women in business.

INFO: BRUNSWICKCOUNTYCHAMBER.ORG/ WOMEN-IN-BUSINESS

CIE MENTOR PROGRAM

The UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) mentors are community advisers who work with entrepreneurs with high-growth, innovative ventures. About 150 CIE mentors are available to help entrepreneurs, with about 70% of them working as attorneys, investors, software developers, digital marketing experts, founders, and more, and 30% of the mentors are retired C-suite executives and past founders. CIE mentors meet in teams with entrepreneurs to provide advice for six months to help founders reach their next milestone. The CIE Mentor Program is available to both UNCWand community-based startup ventures.

INFO: UNCW.EDU/RESEARCH/CENTERS/ INNOVATION-ENTREPRENEURSHIP/MENTORS

PLUGGING IN MENTORING

MENTORING MERITS: Cameron Executive Network connects UNCW students to the outside

by BARBARA L. NELSON | photo by DANIELLE DESNOYERS

Under KIM NELSON’s guidance, business students at the University of North Carolina Wilmington have learned innovative strategies to conquer the complexities of the job market .

Since 2022, Nelson has been the co-director of the mentoring program at the Cameron Executive Network (CEN) at the UNCW Cameron School of Business. For over twelve years, she been involved with the program as a mentor helping the next generation of business leaders achieve their career goals.

CEN is a mentoring program that currently connects more than 420 students with 185 experienced business professionals for career coaching, networking, and professional development. Nelson keeps it running along with ARTHUR HUGHES, a lecturer in supply chain at UNCW, and CEN’s co-director, and program coordinator JENNY BINGHAM

The initiative matches students with volunteering industry leaders to help them with resume preparation, interview skills, and career planning. Since its inception in 2002, the program has mentored more than 7,000 students.

The CEN program is continuously seeking volunteer mentors from the business arena.

“Right now, one of the things that we pay attention to is what’s going on in the workplace,” Nelson says about how they focus CEN’s impact. “Because what’s going on in the workplace is really important to us to make sure that we’re preparing our students to join the workforce.

“One of the things that I do is I will periodically have conversations with employers to ask them, ‘What is it they’re looking for? What is it that students are doing super well? And what is it that maybe we need to teach them a little bit more about?’”

Students in the CEN mentoring program are more likely to secure internships and jobs in their desired field after graduation, and they tend to earn higher

salaries, Nelson says.

“We do a lot of mock interviews with students and preparation for interviews,” she says. “One of the young ladies I was mentoring said that a person who was actually interviewing her asked her a question that no one had ever asked her before, but because of the work that I had done with her, she didn’t panic the way that she would have done previously.”

With thirty years of corporate experience in the pharmaceutical industry, as well as a background in innovative thinking and strategic planning in both forprofit and nonprofit sectors, Nelson decided to share her knowledge with aspiring students.

“I get immense pleasure out of it, knowing that I’m having an impact on the lives of young people who maybe don’t have somebody else out there that’s looking out for them, either because it just isn’t feasible or people just don’t have an interest,” she says.

Nelson was inspired to become a mentor by the profound impact of a guiding force she encountered in her career.

“I had a mentor early on in my career,” she said. “Having a person who really is kind of looking out for you and helping you and offering you advice along the way is important.”

One of her current mentees is BERKLIE GREENE, an undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance.

“Her mentoring style fits me perfectly,” Greene says. “She has so many connections, and every week when we meet, we talk about who I’ve spoken with, what I’ve learned, anything she wants me to work on, my goals, and even some personal things. … She genuinely cares.”

Greene says that Nelson’s influence has inspired her to be more intentional, encouraging her not only to apply for jobs but also to deeply understand her fit and the value she can bring to a potential employer. Above all, Greene values her commitment to going the extra mile.

“The saying ‘Don’t drag the ladder up with you’ describes her perfectly,” Greene says. “She wants to share what she knows and who she knows, and she goes out of her way to find people for us to talk to.” W

SIGNS OF THE TIMES: SABRINA DAVIS STANDS ON BUSINESS

photo by TERAH HOOBLER

This year is SABRINA

DAVIS’ eighteenth year owning Port City Signs & Graphics. The full-service commercial sign and graphics manufacturing company on Capital Drive includes a team of nineteen employees, with two more coming on. They work on projects for clients ranging from general contractors to commercial real estate developers to regional businesses.

The journalist-turned-business owner talks about jumping into leading a company and representing small businesses in the community. Can you tell us about your background and career?

“I began my career in journalism. I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with degrees in journalism and political science. While in college, I worked in radio news for WPTF in Raleigh and WCHL in Chapel Hill before moving to New Mexico to work as a television reporter for KOAT-TV in Albuquerque. I later returned to North Carolina as a reporter for WTVD-TV in Durham.

Over time, I became disenchanted with local television news and began exploring other creative and communications roles. I bounced around a bit, working briefly in public relations and in continuing education at the UNC School of Journalism and Mass Communication; I did field production for ABC News, and I even copy-edited for the StarNews. While working at UNC, I pursued graduate-level coursework in graphic design and discovered that I loved the total package of writing, editing, and designing. I launched a business focused on corporate writing and branding. Through that work, I collaborated closely with commercial printers on behalf of my clients and became fascinated with print production. I wanted to understand how to get the very best final product, and I found myself digging into materials, processes, and equipment. I am a bit of a scientist at heart, so I asked a lot of questions of every printer with whom

I worked

At one point, I told my husband that I thought I wanted to own a print shop. He had a relationship with Fred Maurer, the second owner of Port City Signs, who had handled the branding of the box trucks for his company, Party Suppliers & Rentals. My husband asked Fred if he had ever considered selling the business and mentioned that I might be interested in buying it. That conversation opened the door.

When I looked at Port City Signs, I saw a small, established painting and vinyl-graphics sign company that was perfectly positioned to expand into advanced printing capabilities and softwaredriven production, which were quickly evolving at that time.”

What made you want to buy the business and what were some of the things you had to weigh before deciding to jump into small business ownership?

“After years of working in communications, design, and print setup, I was thirsty to build something of my own. Port City Signs was an established company with loyal clients, and I could see opportunities to modernize operations, introduce advanced printing technology, and grow the business. That potential excited me, however, major credit goes to my husband for having the vision of what I could build. I didn’t really see what was possible at first the way he did.

The timing required serious consideration. I had three small children at the time, ages one, three, and five. I had not planned to purchase a business quite so soon. Just one year earlier, my husband and I had purchased Party Suppliers & Rentals, the business his father had started, so the financial risk felt very real. I began working in Port City Signs in 2007, and we officially closed the sale on January 1, 2008. In hindsight, it was a blessing that we had no idea of the recession looming ahead.

There was also a substantial learning curve. I understood graphics and printing, but the signage component of the business required technical knowledge that unfolded over many years.”

READING RECOMMENDATION

Good to Great by Jim Collins and Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

OTHER WOMAN TO KNOW LOCALLY

GROUPS TO CHECK OUT

Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and its Women Business Owners Council and Kids Making It

With eighteen years under your belt as president and owner, what are some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way in business ownerships?

“Over time, I have learned that you cannot grow a business on instinct alone. Strategic planning matters. …

Shortly after I purchased Port City Signs, real estate developer Gene Merritt – a friend and client of the prior owner, Fred Maurer – came by and dropped some pearls of wisdom. He recommended that I read The E-Myth Revisited. It took me several years to truly implement its core lesson of working on the business rather than in it. I was making so many changes in the early years that I had to work in the business. I did everything from estimating and design to running the printers. It was fun. Even now, I still love every aspect of the craft. I enjoy spending time with my team as they break down how to bring client visions to life. … That said, over the years, my focus increasingly became getting the right people in the right seats so I could focus strategically on growth.”

You’ve also been active in the community. What are some of the groups you’ve been involved with and how?

“I am involved in the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, including serving on the Board of Directors and the Women Business Owners Council. I currently serve as Vice Chair of the Wilmington Regional Film Commission. I was a founding member of Cape Fear CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) and have recently made an effort to become involved again. I have supported One Love Tennis, an at-risk youth tennis and education program, and have been involved with First Presbyterian Church over the years as a deacon and in supporting youth programs when my children were younger. I am also passionate about workforce development and continue to follow and support the local work promoting skilled trades, including hosting the chamber’s Career and Leadership Development cohorts of seventh graders to learn the many skilled trades within the sign industry.” w

Rolling Boardwalk on the

Thriving at the beach, Cherry Blossom Sushi keeps an eye out for a second location

by SAMANTHA KUPIANINEN | photos by MEGAN DEITZ

In 2014, ANNA BENNETT arrived in Wilmington as a refugee from Myanmar.

Upon her arrival, she worked with various master sushi chefs and learned the intricacies of sushi making, building upon the cooking skills she developed in Southeast Asia years prior as a small business owner in her home country.

By 2018, Bennett had become a U.S. citizen.

“I instantly fell in love with the area,” says Bennett, co-owner of Cherry Blossom Sushi. “Everyone was so kind and helpful. I felt at home here.”

In 2022, after working with master sushi chefs from Charlotte and Columbia, South Carolina, Bennett opened her very own sushi shop with the support of her husband, THOMAS, in Carolina Beach. This year, Cherry Blossom Sushi, 8 Pavilion Avenue South #7, will celebrate four years in business.

“My husband is so sweet,” Anna Bennett says. “He said, ‘This is your dream.’ All I wanted was a

restaurant. When I was in my country, I had my own small business. I wanted my own restaurant in America, too. My husband always wanted to cheer me on.”

The couple is the restaurant’s only employees. Due to its size and access to a restroom, the restaurant is not open for dine-in; it’s exclusively open for carry-out.

Cherry Blossom Sushi’s menu features a variety of sushi combos, daily chef specials, regular sushi rolls, and various nigiri and sashimi choices. Bennett also crafted a selection of poke bowls, a traditional Hawaiian dish of diced raw fish served over rice, veggies, and specialty sauces. Her menu offers eight different poke bowl options: krab and shrimp, veggie, salmon, white fish, tuna, mixed seafood, Hawaiian, and a Japanese chirashi.

Popular menu items are classic California sushi rolls and the various military-themed rolls that pay homage to the different military branches. She also wove in a few gluten-free sauces and menu items.

Some of the more specialty items are sushi burritos, which are available in seven different options. A sushi burrito is a Japanese-Mexican fusion dish in which traditional sushi rolls are made in

FEAST

the size and format of a traditional burrito. Anna Bennett’s passion for creating high-quality sushi inspired her desire to create sauces and recipes that are exclusive to her restaurant. None of the sauces she uses are store bought. Many of her sauces and recipes are ones that were passed down from her family through generations, and a few are even recipes her sushi masters passed down to her from their families, too.

When she started the process of opening her own sushi restaurant, Anna Bennett knew she could only use the best ingredients possible. Even though she only sources high-quality ingredients, she ensures her sushi can be accessed by everyone and purposefully prices it low.

“We make it reasonably priced and use quality fish,” she says. “The fish is imported every Wednesday and comes from Japan and Korea. If you look at the menu, my sushi is not like others. I use very good quality fish, but I get the prices very reasonably.”

She is motivated by sharing her love of quality sushi with the community.

“This is not just making money,” she says. “It’s making the thing you love to eat. You want to share with your loved ones. I didn’t just do this for making money. I wanted everybody to eat delicious food. One day they eat my food and smile, and the way they love the food, that is a payoff for me. It cannot come from the money.”

As for a second location, Bennett is open to and willing to expand. She’s scouting out possible locations, but the biggest priority for her is ensuring the sushi chef at her second location is well-trained and shares the same drive and passion she does. So much so, she wants whoever fills the role as sushi chef at her second location to be a business partner, too.

“I would love to have a second location if I can find the sushi chef that loves to make food,” she says. “They need to be willing to learn and sacrifice. I would be happy to teach. The main ingredient in this sushi is love. Your customer isn’t just your customer. The restaurant is your whole. The customer is your visitor who’s visiting your home, like a family member visiting your home.” W

A Fresh Bite for Spring

Private chef TOSHA GUTHERIDGE’s salad recipe is a simple but colorful way to usher in warmer days.

“The vibrant colors, crisp textures, and bright, refreshing flavors remind me of spring. It brings a bright, sunny, energetic feel to the table. I love to serve seared sea scallops with it as a first course,” says Gutheridge, owner and chef of Petit a Petit by Chef Tosha (cheftosha.com and instagram.com/cheftosha.petitapetit).

“Blood oranges are at their peak in late winter and early

spring, making them a natural bridge between the two seasons,” she adds.

Gutheridge, who is classically French trained and has been a chef since 2010, has been a private chef for about four years locally, when she started her own business, which ranges from private dinners and events to in-home meal prep, cooking classes, and vacation meals for her clients throughout the region.

She describes her menu focuses as fresh and classic – “simple but delicious food,” she says. “I love using the fresh seafood that we have available to us here in coastal North Carolina.” W

Shaved Fennel + Blood Orange Salad

INGREDIENTS

1 medium/large fennel bulb (stems removed, save fennel fronds)

½ small red onion

3 oranges: blood, Cara Cara, navel, etc. (segmented or rounds)

(optional) 1 orange for juice for dressing (about ¼ cup)

3-4 cups baby salad greens (baby spinach and arugula or baby spring mix)

¼ cup pistachios (roasted, salted, and chopped/sliced)

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1/ 3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper (optional) fresh mint, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Cut the fennel bulb in half and take out the core, leaving the bulb in half. Thinly slice on a mandolin to get thin, flexible fennel pieces.

Cut a little of the top and bottom of oranges to expose fruit, and using a sharp knife from top to bottom following the rounded sides of orange, cut the peel and pith away. You can then cut in thin rounds or segments.

Cut along both sides of each inner membrane at a small angle to release clean, pith-free segments.

Squeeze juice out of the membrane for dressing or use the juice of an orange for the dressing.

Thinly shave red onion on a mandolin or with a knife.

Chop or slice pistachios for the top of salad.

DRESSING

In a small mixing bowl, add the red wine vinegar and juice from the orange, and whisk. Slowly add extra virgin olive oil and whisk it as you go.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. If needed, you can add more acidity with fresh lemon juice or honey for sweetness. I add a little chiffonade of fresh mint to the dressing.

BRING IT ALL TOGETHER

In a salad bowl, add the baby greens, shaved fennel, and red onion. Gently fold together. Mix in a little dressing at a time and add salt and pepper to taste. The greens and fennel are delicate, so be careful not to overdress, or it will get soggy.

Arrange gently on a platter, trying to build volume, add in orange segments or rounds, sprinkle with pistachios on top, and top with fennel fronds and mint for garnish.

Community Courts

Diverse Dimensions forms to spread pickleball

by LYNDA VAN KUREN | photo by TERAH HOOBLER

Pickleball. It’s the sport with the funny name that has become one of America’s most popular exercise trends. It’s also the sport that DENISE FOAT took up and then decided the game could do more than help people get fit. It could also be a way to support area organizations and residents.

Consequently, she founded the Diverse Dimensions Pickleball Club and gave the organization two missions: to be welcoming to everyone and to help the community.

“DDPC (Diverse Dimensions Pickleball Club) is supporting the culture already embedded in pickleball, its inclusivity,” Foat says. “What’s biggest for me, and what sets us apart from businesses and other clubs, is that we invest all our proceeds into our community. It’s our way of giving back.”

Pickleball is a blend of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. Though low-impact, players get an outstanding cardio workout. The game also helps players improve skills such as eye-hand coordination; forward, backward, and lateral movement; plyometrics; and reaction time, according to LAMAINE WILLIAMS, a club member and fitness instructor. But the best part of pickleball is that people get all these benefits while having so much fun, he adds.

To make DDPC as accessible as possible, Foat made the club a loosely structured organization that is easy to join and belong to. Membership is free, as are the club’s weekly drill sessions. Members find others to play with through the club’s chat room, and they play at free pickleball courts throughout Wilmington, such as at the MLK Community Center, Arrowhead Park, and Greenfield Lake’s pickleball courts.

Foat wants to raise money for the club’s philanthropy by charging for special events, and the first one is already on the books. DDPC is planning a pickleball clinic that will have a participation fee, and Foat says that proceeds will go to the MLK Community Center.

Since DDPC is just over a year old, Foat hasn’t yet solidified all its philanthropic goals or procedures. However, she and other DDPC members see multiple ways in which the club – and pickleball – can enrich the community. To refine the club’s philanthropic efforts, Foat wants to reach out to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern North Carolina and other local organizations to see how DDPC can help with securing

pickleball equipment or if there are other ways in which the club can assist them.

Club member TAMIKA MILLER, who teaches software services, also foresees a time when DDPC will raise enough funds to build pickleball courts in different communities.

“If we put courts in communities where people don’t have transportation, the people who want to learn and play will have that opportunity,” she says.”

Another DDPC member, JANET TUCKER, hopes DDPC can bring pickleball to area schools.

“DDPC’s investment in the community is not just monetary,” the school social worker says. “We’d like to support the Martin Luther King recreation center and go into some of the elementary schools like Snipes Academy of Art & Design and the Freeman School of Engineering and find out how we can help them. We can look at nontraditional ways to go in and do after-school programs. Children can learn the skills to play pickleball and be able to get some exercise as well. We can offer them something different.”

While many join DDPC because they believe in its goal of giving back, the club’s emphasis on a welcoming, diverse culture is just as important to them. Already, DDPC is a place where pickleball players can find others who help them feel at home. The club’s membership includes women and men of different backgrounds, and they range in age from teenagers to seniors. Members include beginners as well as intermediate and advanced players.

In fact, even the most intimidated feel welcomed by DDPC members, according to Miller.

“I’m very shy,” she says. “But the regulars don’t mind you being a beginner. They take it easy on you, and they are working on their game. You find your crew.”

The friendships formed through DDPC extend beyond the pickleball court, and members find themselves socializing with people who are outside their usual crowd. Going out for a drink, a walk, or a girls’ night out with fellow players solidifies relationships begun on the pickleball court.

While DDPC is just getting off the ground, its members say the club has the potential to make a real difference in multiple ways.

“DDPC members are supporting the community,” Williams says. “Denise is not only looking to give financially, she really wants pickleball to grow in the area. She wants to give fitness to the community.” W

1970s style black FAUX FUR COAT with quilted detail, black and white SLIP, 1970s-inspired SUNNIES, and gold RING (all available at Jess James + Co.); black ankle BOOTS (available at Island Passage Lumina Station); Elevator Button RING in Tiger’s Eye and Watch Signet RING (both available at I Like It Here Club); BAG (stylist’s own)

Fine Mess A

Let’s face it. Social media is exhausting. Our personal tastes have been squashed into a pulp of oblivion in favor of uber-curated beauty, fashion, and spaces. Toss those IG notions of quiet luxury and minimalism; the now is all about the lived-in feel, the messy chic.

Think of it as thoughtful chaos … A little polish with a lot of panache. An untucked button-down worn with faded denim under a furry coat. Slouchy bags and sunglasses big enough for paparazzi-dodging. An oversized suede trench draped over a silky slip dress. No iron needed here, keep the wrinkles. Roll up the sleeves. Show the chipped nails. Do the messy bun.

It’s time to (re) embrace your true style prefs, as varied as they may be – out with perfection, and in with personality. W

Hand-dyed fur COLLAR with pom poms, 1970s-inspired fringe DRESS, and 1930s large tortoise compact (all available at Jess James + Co.)

IcyHaut

by Drewe Smith

Ice blue and cherry red are carrying winter straight into spring. As wardrobes start to lighten up, this pairing feels fresh without going pastel. Ice blue is polished and a little frosty in the best way, while cherry red wakes things up: A pale dress with a flat shoe trimmed in red piping. A swipe of lipstick with a tonal coat. A gold sunburst earring set with cool blue stones that catch the light instead of blending in.

The contrast looks styled, not accidental. W

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On model: Calypso Stack BRACELETS, Geometric Stretch BRACELETS, Beach

Combing NECKLACE, Sea Glass NECKLACE, and Lagoon Tassels EARRINGS

Smith Dickens combines impact and comfort in her pieces

Jewelery by Design

by EMILY GORMAN FANCY | photos by DREWE AND KATE BRANDING CO.

Alifelong fashion aficionado, SMITH DICKENS has always been drawn to the creativity of expressing her personal style through jewelry and accessories.

Dickens began making jewelry out of a desire to wear bold, colorful earrings without sacrificing comfort. Frustrated by how heavy and uncomfortable most statement pieces felt, she started experimenting with designs that reflected her personal style while remaining light and easy to wear.

“I love big statement earrings, but I have sensitive ears, so I was looking for something lightweight,” she says.

Today, Dickens is CEO and owner of Smith & Co. Jewel Design, a contemporary jewelry and accessories brand specializing in versatile, stackable, and colorful jewelry. With a motto of “elevating the everyday,” Smith & Co. pieces blend style, practicality, and color.

Her journey into jewelry making started as a hobby in 2020, when she began designing pieces from home during the pandemic. Through trial and error, she discovered lightweight acrylic materials that created the look she wanted while remaining comfortable for sensitive ears. As her collection grew, Dickens began selling her work at pop-up shows and through an e-commerce site. Word-ofmouth about her brand spread and, local boutiques started carrying Smith & Co. jewelry, and her business steadily gained momentum. By 2022, the business had outgrown Dickens’ workshop in her home, and she decided to focus on Smith & Co. as her full-time

career. Thus, she opened an office studio on Wrightsville Avenue where she designs, assembles, and ships her custom-made jewelry pieces. She now has a small office staff that handles everything from wholesale partnerships and business development to office management.

Smith & Co.’s jewelry and accessories are now sold in more than 400 stores across the country, from national brands like Anthropologie to local boutiques such as Monkee’s and Blended Shoes + Apparel. Dickens says she is committed to supporting small businesses “as they have always supported us.”

Growing up in Raleigh, Dickens spent many summers visiting Wrightsville Beach. After graduating from the University of Alabama, where she was a tennis player, Dickens and her husband, SKIP, moved to Wilmington. She began her career working in textiles for local interior designer House of Harris and found her favorite parts of that job were wholesale and customization.

The key to the comfort and ease of Smith & Co.’s earrings is the comfortable earring backs that Dickens designed. “They are gold plated with rubber inside, which takes pressure off ears so it’s more comfortable,” she says.

Functionality remains a central throughline of Dickens’ work. She enjoys designing pieces that serve more than one function, such as her line of bracelets that also double as hair ties. Dickens also designed a line of necklaces with an adjustable back, allowing the necklace to be worn in many different lengths.

The piece of jewelry that put Dickens’ name on the map was her City Girl Jewel Hoop earrings. Made from lightweight acrylics, bright rhinestones give the earrings a pop of bling while also creating a three-dimensional look. She describes her jewelry and accessories as “lightweight, easy, finishing touches of your outfit. They are user friendly and dual function. A lot of my earrings

can take a look from day to night,” she says.

Dickens still designs all of her pieces herself in her studio. Her process involves sketching designs, playing around with raw materials, and creating prototypes. She consistently tweaks her design until she feels she has gotten it right. She uses hand-dipped and hand-dyed colors and often incorporates acrylic rhinestones into her pieces for a pop of bling.

Dickens says you can tell that someone is wearing a Smith & Co. piece because it will be “bold, shiny, and bright with a finish that is somewhat reflective.”

For Dickens, jewelry is more than an accessory; it’s a form of self-expression that can boost confidence and reflect individuality. “It’s always fun to see how people wear and style the same piece in different ways,” she says. “You can use jewelry to make a look your own.”

Dickens describes her own personal style as comfortable, colorful, and joyful. She says she likes taking what she calls a “basic outfit” and making her look stand out through accessories. “I like to layer and pair things together with different pieces to pull things together.”

When asked about the future of Smith & Co., Smith’s response is straightforward. “I plan to continue to broaden my categories and make things that are fashionable and functional,” she says.

When asked about her favorite part of her work, Dickens points to the connection her jewelry creates with the people who wear it. Hearing how customers incorporate her designs into their everyday lives and personal style is especially meaningful to her.

“It always feels good when someone says they wear your piece all the time,” she says. “It makes me feel good like I’m putting a smile on their face.” W

CRAFTSMANSHIP AUTHENTICITY

PURPOSE TIME

STEADFAST UNSTOPPABLE MOMENTUM

WORDS TO LIVE BY

You don’t have to go it alone. These Women Who Mean Business are leading the way in their careers, teams, and lives and are here to share their vision for the year and their stories with you. Reach out to connect, check out their businesses, and help us continue to build a strong WILMA community!

Photography: Aris Harding & Madeline Gray

WOMEN WHO MEAN BUSINESS

DRIVEN BUSINESS

DR. EMILY POULOS

Smile Straight Orthodontics

WORD OF THE YEAR

Authenticity

WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU OUTSIDE OF WORK? Hanging with my 4 kids or taking a yoga class or spin class at Recess!

WHAT IS SOMETHING SURPRISING ABOUT YOUR COMPANY?

Most people think braces are really expensive and we try to make them more affordable for everyone.

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?

I get to watch a smile transform a person's self-esteem and grow success into other aspects of their life.

PROUDEST WORK MOMENT?

Watching our staff grow over the last 3 years into an amazing team of talented and compassionate leaders.

SmileStraightWilmington.com

EmilyPoulos@SmileStraightOrtho.com 910-940-0259

@SmileStraightWilmington

STEPHANIE BOLTON Patriot Roofing & Exteriors

YOUR WORD OF THE YEAR?

Craftsmanship

WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU OUTSIDE OF WORK? Local music venues; Eagles Dare, Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, Rusty Nail

WHAT IS SOMETHING SURPRISING ABOUT YOUR COMPANY?

Over 50% of our team at Patriot Roofing are women—huge contrast to just ~ 5% of U.S. roofers nationally.

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?

Building a resilient, beautiful community that honors history and preserves its legacy for future generations.

PROUDEST WORK MOMENT?

Removing the blue tarp from the historic 1871 Giblem Lodge after Hurricane Florence, restoring its strength and legacy.

PatriotRoofer.com

Admin@PatriotRoofer.com 910-218-0600

@PatriotRoofer

JILL CLARK

Coastal Home Store

YOUR WORD OF THE YEAR? Purpose WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU OUTSIDE OF WORK? On the beach as a proud volunteer member of the Topsail Island Sea Turtle Patrol.

WHAT IS SOMETHING SURPRISING

ABOUT YOUR COMPANY? We are more than just a store. We offer staging services, specialize in interior home styling for residential, commercial, & rental refreshes, host community events, and offer fresh cut NC Fraser firs every holiday season.

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? The People. Being part of their home & story is our greatest joy. It remains our purpose.

PROUDEST WORK MOMENT? When the community voted us #1 in Topsail's Top Choice Awards for two years in a row.

CoastalHomeStore.com

Info@CoastalHomeStore.com

910-821-1390

@CoastalHomeStore

BROOKE SKIPPER

Salt Air Heating and Cooling & Electrical

WORD OF THE YEAR? Time WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU OUTSIDE OF WORK? Spending time with my 2-year-old and husband, enjoying the outdoors.

WHAT IS SOMETHING SURPRISING ABOUT YOUR COMPANY? We recently celebrated 1600 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating! This speaks volumes to the rockstar team we have here.

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? Every day is different, and we genuinely get to help people while making a positive impact on our community.

PROUDEST WORK MOMENT? Winning the Women to Watch Award for Business in 2024.

SaltAirInc.com Brooke@SaltAirInc.com @saltairinc

WENDY MAYO

Express Employment

YOUR WORD OF THE YEAR? Unstoppable

WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU OUTSIDE OF WORK? At my farm with my husband, boys and animals enjoying all things outdoors.

WHAT IS SOMETHING SURPRISING ABOUT YOUR COMPANY?

Most people don’t know Express generated revenue of $4.1 billion in 2023, employing 492,000 associates across 862 global franchise locations.

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?

I take pride in knowing my team and I are difference-makers and positively impact lives by helping people find jobs.

PROUDEST WORK MOMENT?

Finding new purpose in my work and my life after the profound loss of my 12-yearold son to cancer.

ExpressPros.com

Wendy.Mayo@ExpressPros.com

Wilmington: 910-392-2300

Raleigh: 919-788-9575

@wendy_anderson7529

APRIL JONES

April Jones Insurance

YOUR WORD OF THE YEAR? Steadfast WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU OUTSIDE OF WORK?

Dining local, volunteering, and traveling with my children brings me joy.

WHAT IS SOMETHING SURPRISING ABOUT YOUR COMPANY?

We are a privately owned, scratch-built agency that scaled quickly through personal relationships, community trust, and smart technology.

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?

Building relationships that protect families, fuel local dreams, and create real peace of mind.

PROUDEST WORK MOMENT?

Building a scalable agency that’s thrived quickly and stayed strong through tough, shifting markets.

AprilJonesInsurance.com

April@AprilJonesInsurance.com 910-660-0215

@AprilJonesInsurance

MARCEE MAE FINN Sanctum 1791

WORD OF THE YEAR Momentum

WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU OUTSIDE OF WORK?

At the range, fishing, traveling to competitions, or with family and friends.

WHAT IS SOMETHING SURPRISING ABOUT YOUR COMPANY?

It's more then just a shooting range, it's a beautiful and welcoming facility that offers more then just a place to shoot.

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?

Working alongside a team of talented individuals, and passionate members who support one another like family.

PROUDEST WORK MOMENT?

Watching first time shooters become weekly regulars, & seeing them bring their friends to share the experience with. Sanctum1791.com

Mfinn@Sanctum1791.com 910-470-0736 @Sanctum1791

RITA TATUM

Corning Credit Union

WORD OF THE YEAR? Driven

WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU OUTSIDE OF WORK? Traveling, relaxing by the ocean with my dog, volunteering, at home being creative.

WHAT IS SOMETHING SURPRISING ABOUT YOUR COMPANY? We put our members and employees first— everything else follows. Corning Credit Union does not just say it; we act on it.

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?

Every loan is an important family milestone I get to be a part of! Plus, I enjoy building new relationships.

PROUDEST WORK MOMENT? Every day, I guide members through one of the most important financial decisions of their lives.

Rita.Tatum@CorningFCU.org 1-800-677-8506 Ext 5253 @nc_corningcreditunion

JAMIE

HOWELL Saltwater Signworks

WORD OF THE YEAR? Steadfast WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU OUTSIDE OF WORK? Spending time with my family and friends.

WHAT IS SOMETHING SURPRISING ABOUT YOUR COMPANY? We don’t guess—every project starts with a site survey, ensuring accurate estimates and smooth installs.

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? Learning our clients’ “why”—from entrepreneurs to corporate teams— and bringing their brand to life in a sign they’re proud of.

PROUDEST WORK MOMENT? There isn’t one moment—our team amazes me every day, and I’m proud of what we’re building for them and our community.

SaltwaterSignworks.net

Jamie@SaltwaterSignworks.net 910-212-5020

@saltwatersignworks

COASTAL

Solutions

by LAURA MOORE

These

women are working to help the waters in their own different ways.

The opportunity for a person to make a living doing what they love while making a real difference is rare. For three local women, the work they do will impact the lives and livelihoods of those in coastal communities for years to come. SARAH DOSS, MARAE WEST, and CHRISTY SWANN are each dedicated to preserving the health and viability of our coastline and waters using their unique passions, talents, and skills.

Building Living SHORELINES

photos by DARIA AMATO

Ever since MARAE WEST was a little girl, she has loved science, and as the daughter of a coastal scientist, it was always a part of her life. Now, as executive vice president of SANDBAR Oyster Co., the company her father, NIELS LINDQUIST, co-founded, she is doing what she was born to do.

“I became a scientist because I love learning, exploring, and innovating. Being around science was a standard part of my upbringing,” West says.

Together with a commercial fisherman, Lindquist developed a biodegradable hardscape composed of plant-fiber cloths and a mineral-based hardening agent. This substrate provides a novel way to grow oysters as well as an excellent tool for coastal regeneration.

“Oyster reefs are a crucial component of the coastal ecosystem to prevent erosion and improve water quality. Not only do these reefs provide oysters and their benefits, but they also trap sediment to grow salt marsh,” West explains.

SANDBAR’s Oyster Catcher biodegradable hardscape combines oyster reefs and salt marsh habitat to form “living shorelines” that provide erosion control and fish habitat. With the installation of hard stabilization, regrowth of lost

sediments and grasses is promoted while maintaining the natural ecology of the local ecosystem. The company makes the reef frameworks at its manufacturing facility in Leland.

“It has evolved into an awesome tool for coastal regeneration to protect the coast. We are a niche market, but there are solutions. You can’t stop the water, but you can increase elevation and help the marsh grow back,” West says. “We protect investments by reducing the loss around a bulkhead, trapping sediment, and increasing the elevational profile.”

In her role at SANDBAR, West is working to secure partnerships with business ventures, engineering firms, homeowners, and military special projects to restore coastal marshes, the first line of defense for coastal properties.

“Our core is manufacturing, and we have the potential for substantial workforce development,” she says. “We are scientists becoming entrepreneurs, creating a positive impact.”

By partnering with the North Carolina Coastal Federation to reduce the financial burden on property owners, SANDBAR is helping to make their erosion control solutions more accessible to support more protection from storm surge, flooding, and sealevel rise and reduce the long-term costs of insurance and disaster response.

“It is a great incentive that not a lot of people know about,” West says, “but it is really cool to have that cost share available, so more people can take advantage and protect their properties.” W

“ We are scientists becoming entrepreneurs, creating a positive impact. “

MARAE WEST

SANDBAR Oyster Co. EVP

SANDBAR Oyster Co. makes reef frameworks for oysters to settle and grow on to help control erosion.

Sarah Doss cleans lionfish from an outing. She and her husband catch the invasive fish to include on their restaurant’s menu.

Harvesting MENUS

photos by MADELINE GRAY

SARAH DOSS is a true Renaissance woman. As an artist and a restaurateur, she recently added commercial fisher(wo)man and conservationist to her roles.

As co-owner of Rx Chicken and Oysters on Castle Street with her husband, JAMES, Doss is committed to providing customers with the most delicious and sustainable foods available.

“We are spearfishers and divers, so we stay busy fishing during the summer, but it is a challenge during the winter,” she says.

As avid outdoors enthusiasts, the Dosses try to be outside as much as they can, which is part of what drove Sarah Doss to earn her commercial fishing license in 2021, followed by starting their oyster farm in 2022, which got them really into the fishing aspect for the restaurant.

“As a farm-to-table restaurant, it is challenging every day, but during COVID, we took the time to reconnect and to reflect on the things that were most important to us,” Sarah Doss says. “We are outdoor people; it is where we want to be, so we asked ourselves, ‘Can we work this into our lives as business owners?’ It has been a big experiment, but so far, it works.”

The Dosses dive and target invasive lionfish, which are primarily nocturnal, so it is rare to catch them with a hook and line. The lionfish, which are harmful to native coral reef ecosystems in the Atlantic, have been found in the waters as far north as Rhode Island and have no predators. According to NOAA, a single lion-

fish can reduce the recruitment of native fish by 79 percent.

“The best way to kill them is to spear them, and that is a tall task,” Sarah Doss says.

While helping the ecosystem, they are also helping their customers feed their cravings.

“We have a waiting list for lionfish. It is a white fish that is mild and delicate. It is so versatile, for some who don’t even know they like fish, they like it,” Sarah Doss says.

The Dosses have several federal permits for fishing, including one that allows them to fish for grouper and snapper, as well as hogfish, which is a “guest favorite.” They also have a spiny lobster permit, which is not typically on a lot of menus.

In addition, the Dosses farm their own oysters, clams, and mussels. Sharing their yields at the Wilmington Farmers Market, they sell their Topsail and Stump Sound, Lucy Bea oysters, named for their two dogs.

Alongside their former server turned full-time oyster farmer, MATT JEWEL, the Dosses are working to increase their production and expand wholesale oyster sales to regional restaurants.

At Rx, only North Carolina seafood is on the menu, as well as everything else.

“We keep dollars in the local economy. We maintain the farmto-table ethos. All our meat, pasture-raised chicken, and vegetables come from local, organic farms,” Sarah Doss says. “We support our friends and farmers. It just tastes better when it has just been harvested, not preserved or sprayed with chemicals. It is a different kind of quality.” W

“ We are outdoor people; it is where we want to be, so we asked ourselves, ‘Can we work this into our lives as business owners?’ It has been a big experiment, but so far, it works.

“

SARAH DOSS Rx Chicken and Oysters co-owner

Tidal TECH

photos by DARIA AMATO

CHRISTY SWANN became “addicted” to science as an undergraduate at East Carolina University. Now, as a coastal scientist and founder of RCOAST, Swann’s 4D intelligence company maps coastal health to optimize coastal intervention.

“Wind is a fundamental process to building our dunes, and dunes are our first line of defense,” Swann says.

While working on her Ph.D., Swann began to build her own instruments to measure winds. Her dissertation research became the catalyst for her postdoctoral research funded by NASA’s Mars Fundamental Research Program, simulating the surface of Mars and redefining the thresholds for motion on the planet, earning Swann two national awards.

After working at NASA, Swann worked with the Naval Research Lab until the pandemic gave her a chance to re-evaluate her goals.

“I love data and collecting data on coastlines. I want to help everyday people. This is about the beaches I grew up on, and where I caught my first fish with my dad – not just about publishing papers,” she says.

Swann left her government role to start Wilmington-based RCOAST, “to bring data and science to help communities to intelligently adapt to an extremely urgent problem that is only

accelerating,” she says.

From Portugal to North Carolina, this shared 4D data provides a library of mitigation solutions with innovative ways to reduce erosion and build resilience as a global community.

“Instead of working in silos, we are building the bridge to connect science with engineering firms and average communities regardless of wealth or politics. We can get stronger together,” Swann says. “This is such an amazing moment in time that by collecting big data, before and after storms, we can process that big data and understand that big data. This allows us to do case study consulting and learn how to be resilient together.”

RCOAST optimizes investment in mitigation to “manage the coast with facts, not feelings,” Swann says. Its coastal science team won a Global Resilience Competition and $100,000 in funding to work in coastal communities. Having just moved back to Wilmington in May, Swann hopes to work with Wrightsville Beach to provide mitigation services for the north end of the beach near Shell Island.

Considering that in 2024, the nation spent $182 billion dollars responding to coastal disasters, Swann emphasizes the need for communities to work together and use the database to see what mitigation works best and where to optimize money and resources.

“We can give them the intelligence of where they need to manage hyperlocal erosion,” she says, “and plan financially by measuring the response of mitigation.” W

“

I love data and collecting data on coastlines. I want to help everyday people. This is about the beaches I grew up on, and where I caught my first fish with my dad – not just about publishing papers.

“

CHRISTY SWAN RCOAST founder

A Growing Footprint

Michelle Fogle picks up the retail pace

by BETH A. KLAHRE | photo by ARIS HARDING

As owner of two Wilmington Fleet Feet stores and locations now in Jacksonville and Myrtle Beach, MICHELLE FOGLE runs part of the nation’s largest franchisor of specialty running stores.

With more than 260 locally operated locations across the country, Fleet Feet provides tailored footwear, apparel, and gear for runners, walkers, and anyone seeking comfort and performance in their daily lives. “Anyone looking for footwear for athletics, or is recovering from injury, needs inserts for shoes, or needs advice about being outfitted for life, can benefit from a visit to Fleet Feet,” Fogle says.

Eleven years ago, Fogle opened her first store on Military Cutoff Road, a decision sparked by another Fleet Feet store owner and a side trip to Wilmington during a visit with her brother in Greensboro.

“I kept asking myself what I could bring to Wilmington that would both benefit the community and establish me here in Wilmington,” she says. “I loved the vibe of the growing town that still felt community-focused.”

When Fogle learned that Fleet Feet was not just about owning a retail outlet – something she said she would never do after working for a major athletic retailer during high school –she was all in.

Fleet Feet was much more than selling shoes. “I would be helping runners find ways to enjoy running even more. I would be supporting someone in rehab after a knee replacement and helping people select the correct footwear for long shifts in hospitals. And I would spend time outdoors supporting races for nonprofit organizations. I was sold,” she says.

Fogle’s spot on Military Cutoff was the perfect start but quickly became small and tight. “During COVID, business boomed as people picked up running and walking. I was quickly bursting at the seams, stocking inventory in my basement,” she says.

Two years ago, Fogle opened her second location on Carolina Beach Road.

A year later, she was approached by Fleet Feet about expanding into Jacksonville. “It’s been a rewarding experience,” she says. “It’s a great market with a wonderful staff and team. We service a lot of military here.”

And in December, Fogle expanded again, this time into Myrtle Beach, taking over a struggling Fleet Feet store. She opened in mid-January with the original Myrtle Beach staff.

“I came in when the team was facing unemployment. I paid them in between closing and reopening, and we now have a store up and running in the community they all love. That was a very cool experience,” she says.

Fogle brings a wealth of sports-related experience to her job.

“I was short, just five-foot-two in high school, so I didn’t play any sport year-round. But I wanted to play sports in the fall season to connect and make friends,” she says.

Fogle played basketball and field hockey but focused solely on field hockey in her senior year, a pivot that earned her a college scholarship. Fogle attended Central Michigan University, earning a degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing and a sports studies minor. During college, she interned with the Columbus Blue Jackets ice hockey team.

After graduation, she attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, a top program for sports administration, where she earned both an MBA and a master’s in sports administration. Staying in touch with the Blue Jackets paid off.

When she contacted the vice president of corporate development for guidance on resume prep, she got more than she expected. “Instead of advice, he told me to come in for an interview,” she says. Fogle became the rep for the hockey team’s marketing strategies, assets, and corporate partners, a job she describes as a lot of fun.

Fogle held a similar role for the NFL’s Houston Texans, leading the management of sponsorship activation. Long days and weekends were the impetus to look for a new opportunity. For the next ten months, she took a job as the vice president of corporate and community development for a company that trained athletes before embarking on her Fleet Feet journey.

Every Fleet Feet store is a high-energy, welcoming environment. Customers are assisted by an outfitter who has completed eighty to one hundred hours of in-store and online education. Each shoe purchase begins with a 3D scan of both feet for length, arch, width, and volume of the foot, plus a discussion on goals.

“We are not just about the shoes, but the whole system,” Fogle says. “We want to get every person to their personal finish line.” W

We are not just about the shoes, but the whole system. We want to get every person to their personal finish line. “ “

MICHELLE FOGLE Fleet Feet franchisee

In the Care Of

by KAREN BRIGHT | photo by MADELINE GRAY

Three Brunswick County moms all had the same problem: They didn’t have family nearby to watch their kids when they had an appointment, or when they wanted to run errands.

“It’s always a challenge to find child care if you don’t have a built-in family network,” says LIZ LONG.

As a result, Long, JESSICA MIDDLESWARTH, and LISA DOBSTAFF opened KinderStop in 2019, and their presence in Leland has become a lifeline for parents who need child care in a pinch.

The drop-in facility offers child care on an hourly basis for children ages one to twelve, and KinderStop also has afterschool programs and summer camps.

The KinderStop space is bright and airy, and it features several large indoor playsets. The trio has also included a calm room for children who might have sensory sensitivities or may wish to have quiet time to themselves, which they knew would be important from personal experience. “I left my corporate job after my third child was born, and he has special needs,” says Middleswarth.

When they were building the space, they brought in specialists with the North Carolina Autism Society and other behavior specialists to create a center that was inclusive. While KinderStop is not specific to children with special needs, they are trained to help those families feel comfortable.

“We have four core principles,” Middleswarth says, “and they are: kindness, safety, engagement, and community.”

The three founders have partnered with schools ranging from Wilmington to Southport to offer on-site afterschool programs.

“Our on-site program follows the same core values as our child care center,” Long says. They employ a qualified staff and provide extensive training, and they offer children homework time and free time to play.

Long and Middleswarth say opening KinderStop was the best decision they, along with Dobstaff, have made. “We knew we wanted to start a business,” Long says. “We wanted to build something that our kids could be at work with us.”

Liz Long, Jessica Middleswarth, and Lisa Dobstaff’s profile appeared in a recent WILMA newsletter. Here are some other stories that have been featured. To sign up for the free WILMA Leadership and WILMA Lifestyle newsletters, go to WILMAmag. com/email-newsletter.

LADIES ROCK THE LAKE

A few years ago, HEATHER WOOD SNYDER wanted to celebrate International Women’s Day by uplifting women in the community. Snyder, who is assistant general manager at Live Oak Bank Pavilion and Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, landed on raising money for Wilmington’s Domestic Violence and Shelter

Services Inc.

“I was trying to think – well, we can throw a fundraiser, but how do I get people to actually come?” she says. “We can have music, a local female vendor market, food, drinks, games – I was just trying to come up with a way to get a bunch of women together and find a space to connect and celebrate each other.”

Snyder organized and hosted the Ladies Rock the Lake event in early March at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater.

The free event offered opportunities to donate to the women’s shelter and supported local female vendors, while musicians EMILY BURDETTE and OLIVIA GILLASPIE performed onstage.

“I just think that it’s important for women to get together and support each other,” Snyder says, “and having International Women’s Day gives us an excuse to do that.”

-Lindsay

Podraza

HAPPY CAMPER

Traversing a zip line. Fishing. Swimming. Exploring nature trails. These and other fun activities are the norm at the YMCA’s Camp Kirkwood, and SAVANAH STANDIFER, the camp’s executive director, aims to ensure as many children – and families – as possible get to experience them.

“I want to make Camp Kirkwood as accessible and sustainable for as many people as possible,” Standifer says. “It’s never too late for kids or adults to have a camp experience.”

Standifer, who loves the YMCA and its mission, worked as a camp counselor at her local YMCA when she was a teenager. That experience led to her desire to work with children in education in some capacity. When Standifer learned she could use her education degree at the YMCA, her career path was set.

Standifer has now worked professionally for the YMCA for more than twenty years. Before coming to Wilmington, she held leadership positions in YMCAs throughout the United States.

As the head of Camp Kirkwood, Standifer fills all roles, from the boardroom professional to the person helping a scared child on the zip line. She is the visionary who develops plans for the camp’s future, ensures it fulfills the YMCA’s mission, builds relationships with the camp’s partners, and finds the funds to support the camp now and for decades to come.

Standifer also oversees the camp’s daily operations, which include overnight and day camps for youth, family camps, corporate and organizational retreats and conferences, and educational programs for school groups.

“There are not many places in the county that provide overnight camp that offers all the different components that Camp Kirkwood does,” Standifer says. “We serve all ages. I want kids to have the opportunity to be kids in the outdoors and to grow up and have passion for the outdoors.” W

-Lynda Van Kuren

FUNNY CUFF OFF THE

DareDevil ‘yes, ands’ its way to grow improv

by MEGHAN CORBETT | photos by MADELINE GRAY

While Wilmington is known as the Hollywood of the East due to the film industry, it is also growing a reputation for comedy, due in large part to the efforts of DAISY FAITH, CHAD FOGLAND, and ADRIAN MONTE.

“I grew up in Raleigh and moved to Wilmington to pursue acting back in 2006, and that’s when I took my first-ever improv class through CFCC,” Faith says. “I took to improv pretty instantly and loved it. I then moved to Los Angeles in 2008 to broaden my horizons in the comedy entertainment industry. I studied at The Groundlings, The Upright Citizens Brigade, io West, The Second City, Nerdist, and many other offshoots.”

Faith ran her own indie improv night to give herself and others stage time.

“I also met my now husband, Chad Fogland, who had been studying and performing improv for years in Hollywood,” she says.

After filming in shows including How I Met Your Mother, Pretty Little Liars, and Nashville, she decided to return to North Carolina to be closer to family and immediately found a home in comedy.

“Chad and I quickly found the Dead Crow (Comedy Room) and went to an improv show that Adrian Monte was hosting,” Faith recalls. “We introduced ourselves, and he invited us to come back the next week and perform. We’ve been a solid unit ever since then, trying to educate and elevate the Wilmington comedy scene to the magic of improv and sketch comedy.”

Monte started DareDevil Improv in 2017, and the Dead Crow Improv Show presented by DareDevil Improv officially commenced in 2021.

“We had previously been performing at the Dead Crow, but then they shut down during the pandemic and ended up moving to a much bigger and nicer location where they are now on North 3rd Street,” Faith says. “Since they reopened, we’ve been performing, for free, every Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. and have reached more than 200 shows and counting. The show is new and fresh every week and consists of short-form improv, which is quick improv games like Whose Line Is It Anyway?”

Faith says the group currently has two rotating house teams that each consist of about eight people who practice their improv skills regularly and then put on a new show each week.

In addition to performing, DareDevil Improv hosts classes to encourage others to get started.

SCENE

“In these classes, you learn short-form and long-form improv, and these classes are great for people who want to meet friends, act like a kid again, have fun in a supportive environment, or for people who want to pursue this more seriously and get on stage one day,” Faith says.

Other activities include sketch writing lessons and workshops throughout the year, focusing on different comedy skills.

“We also have a free jam at our Sidecar show, which is the second Thursday of every month at Waterline Brewing, so people can try getting on stage before they commit to taking a class,” Faith says.

Their flagship show takes place once a month at the Cargo District’s Azalea Station, 1502 Castle Street.

“We use the best of our DareDevil talent to put on this one-of-a-kind show,” Faith says. “This show is Whose Line Is It Anyway? meets Saturday Night Live. We weave short-form improv and written sketches within the show, ending with some long-form improv and a fun musical element to create a one-of-a-kind night. The show is packed with variety.”

DareDevil Improv has big plans for the future.

“While we’d still perform weekly at the Dead Crow, we’d like to expand to provide more weekend shows,” Faith says, adding that they started a fundraiser to help with the goal of securing a home-base theater “to provide more performance opportunities for our performers as well as more hilarious shows for our Wilmington community.”

Their goal is to raise $20,000, both through an online campaign through April 29 and their in-person fundraiser show.

Faith describes the local improv scene as a “very welcoming and supportive community.”

“We just want to make people laugh and bring some lightness and fun to the community,” she says. “With comedy, you have to trust yourself, trust your fellow improviser, and jump and trust the process. You have to be brave to get on stage and make people laugh. Be fearless. Be a DareDevil.” W

Deer Watching for

THE DOG STOPPED AND LOOKED OFF INTO THE DARK.

It was early evening, and I had him out for his regular walk around the neighborhood. He’d been busy dragging me up the street, same as always, pausing to water the lampposts and sniff every holly, hibiscus, and hydrangea. (To be clear, the dog was doing the watering and sniffing. I was just doing the standing and waiting.) Now he had me holding the slack end of the leash while he studied something ahead.

Then I saw it—a deer by the side of the street, munching on something in the shrubs. I tightened the leash and braced myself for the dog to go into his tough-guy routine and launch forward, taking my arm off as he chased the deer out of the neighborhood, onto the interstate, and into the next county.

We moved ahead, slowly, until we got 15 feet from the deer. It didn’t move. I thought it was scared, but it just looked annoyed by this man and this dog who dared to interrupt deer dinnertime.

“What’s up, dude?” he said.

“Don’t what’s-up-dude me,” the dog said. “You’re on my street.”

“I don’t see your name on the sign,” the deer said.

“It’s Baxter Boulevard,” the dog said. “I’m Baxter. I own this place. Everybody knows that. I’ve marked every inch of this territory.”

I saw now that the deer wasn’t eating something in the shrubs. He was eating the shrubs themselves. He took another bite.

“Looks more like Antler Avenue to me,” he said.

OK, the deer and the dog weren’t actually talking. Or maybe they were, but I couldn’t decipher it. Still, the message was clear: This dog wasn’t happy. But the deer wasn’t impressed, wasn’t intimidated, and wasn’t going anywhere.

***

In my neighborhood, we have deer all over—on the shoulders of the streets, in the middle of the streets, in the front yards, in the back yards. The other day, I saw one sunning by a pond and reading National Wildlife. Some of them have joined the pickleball league. Every Friday night, a bunch of them take over the community clubhouse for an acorn roast and karaoke. (All night long, it’s “Dear Prudence” and “Dear John” and “Dear Mr. Fantasy.” They think it’s hilarious. At Christmas, they can’t get enough of that grandma song.)

The old saying is that surprised people look like a deer in the headlights. But in my neighborhood, the deer just put on their RayBans and keep eating the garden.

***

“Watch for deer!”

That’s my mother talking. When I’m leaving her house to drive home, she tells me to watch for deer. I’ve heard it a thousand times. I know cars hit deer. It’s tragic and heartbreaking. And it happens often, especially late in the year, when daylight is short and the animals are on the move because of mating and hunting. We all see the roadside warning signs with the buck leaping like an Olympic figure skater. But my mother seems to believe the deer are on the attack, crouching by the roadside and ready to jump when I cruise by, not watching for deer.

by TIM BASS | illustration by MARK WEBER

I’ve never hit a deer. My mother takes the credit.

***

“Move along,” the dog said.

“In due time, little buddy,” the deer said. “I’m not finished with this wax myrtle.”

“You’re asking for trouble.”

“What I’d like to ask for is a little ranch dressing,” the deer said.

***

A million white-tailed deer live in North Carolina, about one for every 11 human residents. I didn’t know this: Deer have two toes on the front and one, the dew claw, about three inches up the back leg. They must have a terrible time finding boots that fit. Deer are herbivores, feeding on everything from wild fruits to farm crops. They love home gardens and landscaping. Plant some pansies, tulips, carrots, and lettuce, and they gather for a buffet.

***

Some people in my community—most, I’d say—despise the deer. They consider the animals nuisances—freeloaders, unrepentant trespassers who mangle the hedges as their main course and the flowers as dessert before rudely performing their bathroom business on the manicured lawns, then hoofing it next door to do the whole thing again, night after night. The homeowners try shooing the deer away, but that doesn’t work. They drench the yard with a spray that smells like rotten eggs, but that doesn’t work, either. I once bought a house from a man who’d twist-tied plastic bags of fluid to the trees throughout the yard. “Coyote urine,” he told me. “It scares off the deer.” (No, it didn’t.)

I understand the exasperation. Nobody likes seeing their petunias munched like salad or their azaleas nipped in the bud. Gardeners don’t like finding toothmarks in their home-grown tomatoes.

But how outraged should we be? Deer make their homes in wooded or grassy areas. They want to be near water sources. They live where they feel safe. We’re the same. The deer haven't invaded our neighborhoods to eat everything but the patio furniture. We’ve built houses, with patios, where the deer were already living. If it’s a matter of who was here first, well, they were. Now we have to live with them. Or, rather, they have to live with us. When they eat our daylilies and roses, they’re collecting HOA dues.

***

On the dark roadside, my dog inched closer and gave a low growl, but the buck didn’t budge.

“Well,” the dog said, “my work here is done. I’m headed home for kibble and a nap. But I’ll be watching for you.”

“I’ll be eating your tulips later,” the deer said. “Look for a little gift near the driveway.”

I guided the dog to the other side of the street. The deer gave us the stink eye as we moved past, up and away from Antler Avene. (Don’t tell my dog I called it that.)

Tim Bass is a retired creative writing teacher and journalist. He lives in Wilmington. Mark Weber is a Wilmington-based artist and illustrates WILMA’s monthly Direct Male essay. weberillustration.com

In her 9-5, LAUREN JAMES works in environmental science, helping protect water resources and human health. But outside of her office hours, James has built an online following in the tens of thousands. A lifestyle influencer and content creator at Lauren’s Suitcase (@laurenssuitcase), James started posting under the brand in 2021. Through her TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook channels, as well as on her website blogs (laurenssuitcase.com), James shares snippets of her local outings and faraway travels. A recent project has been working with CATE SCHWEITZER (@ catescompass) to organize women’s travel retreats. The first, in October, included hiking, yoga, waterfalls, and bonfires in the North Carolina mountains. The next one in May is sold out, with another happening in June.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR CONTENT FOCUS FOR LAUREN’S SUITCASE? “Lauren’s Suitcase started as a travel page where I shared tips, tricks, and destination guides. As I’ve grown and my priorities have shifted, it has naturally evolved into more of a lifestyle platform. Travel is still a big part of it, but now I focus just as much on romanticizing everyday life, sharing local spots, recipes, and the moments in between trips.” WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT BEING A TRAVEL INFLUENCER, AND WHAT ARE THE LESS GLAMOROUS PARTS? “I’ve had experiences and opportunities I never would have imagined without this career, and I don’t take for granted that I get paid to travel and immerse myself in new cultures. It’s incredibly rewarding to turn

5 TAKE

by VICKY JANOWSKI

by DARIA AMATO

something I genuinely love into my work and to share those moments with my audience. The less glamorous side is learning how to balance being present with creating content, because sometimes I have to remind myself to put the camera down and fully enjoy where I am.” WHEN AND WHY DID YOU START ORGANIZING WOMEN’S TRAVEL RETREATS? “About a year ago, I approached a friend in the social media space with the idea, and we immediately knew we wanted to bring it to life. We had both experienced how hard it can be to build meaningful friendships as adults and felt there was a real need for intentional spaces for women to connect. The retreats grew from that desire to create community, deepen friendships, and give women an experience that feels both inspiring and supportive.” WHAT DID YOU SEE WOMEN GET OUT OF THE FIRST COUPLE OF RETREATS? “One of the most powerful things I witnessed was how quickly walls came down once everyone realized they weren’t alone. … Watching women leave feeling seen, supported, and understood was incredibly beautiful.” WHAT’S A CITY THAT’S ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET LIST? “Tokyo, and Japan in general, has been at the top of my bucket list for years. I’ve always been drawn to the culture, the attention to detail, and so many of my favorite foods come from there. I’m finally going this year, and it feels surreal to experience a place I’ve dreamed about for so long.” W LAUREN JAMES’ full profile will appear in an upcoming WILMA Lifestyles email. To sign up for the email, go to WILMAmag.com/email-newsletter.