From Firefighter to Landscaping Pro
Lance Lanier’s story is one of entrepreneurial spirit and a never-quit attitude. In 2016, the then-COMO firefighter began a relatively simple landscaping business to help fill his free time. Today, that small project has grown into a “full commercial site-work/excavation, landscaping, pool & spa, maintenance, and design” business, according to the Lanier Landscaping Facebook page. […]
What’s the Scoop?
It was during the cicada swarm in 2011 when business really started to boom for Sparky’s, downtown Columbia’s beloved ice cream shop. “When we made the cicada ice cream – that’s when it became bonkers,” says manager of 14 years, Tony Layson. The phenomenon even made national news, with an article in TIME magazine stating, […]
More Than Just a Blanket and a Basket
If a woven basket and checkered blanket is what comes to mind when you think of a picnic — Andrea Lyn Seppo is here to challenge that. CoMo Picnics offers extravagant picnics for any occasion. “By hosting a luxury picnic, you can turn everyday experiences into a celebration,” says Andrea Lyn, CoMo Picnics director of […]
Putting the ‘Community’ in ‘Community Theatre’
Established in 1973, Maplewood Barn Community Theatre is a nonprofit organization located in Nifong Park with the intent to provide family-friendly, outdoor live entertainment to mid-Missourians. Maplewood invites the community to come out, bring a blanket or a lawn chair, and enjoy an evening under the stars. In 1969, Nifong Park was established as a […]
The Advantage of a Head Start
Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA) helps empower people and improve their quality of life through its programs and services. One of the programs CMCA operates — and its largest — is Head Start. Head Start is a federally funded program that helps at-risk children prepare for kindergarten and improve their cognitive, social, and emotional development. […]
Vintage Designs, Timeless Style
Gracefully Made Boutique offers custom, handmade children’s clothing and accessories. All the clothes and bows featured in the online boutique are handmade from start to finish by owner Corey Buckman. Additionally, Corey partners with other women owners of U.S.-based businesses to provide high-quality retail options such as graphic tees, stockings/tights, socks, and other unique gifts. […]
Aid to Ease the Baby Blues
Many claim that having a child is the most wonderful experience in the world. But once the congratulatory balloons deflate and the baby comes home, it might not seem that way. Many families struggle with the “baby blues,” and the CDC estimates that roughly 1 in 8 moms experience postpartum depression. It can be a […]
The Purrfect Family
When Alex Schwartz and Sadie Thibodeaux arrive home after a long day at work, they are greeted at the door by their six children. However, their children don’t regale them with tales from their days at school or show them an art project — they prefer to shower Alex and Sadie with purrs, wagging tails, […]
Contemporary Luxury
At the southeast corner of West Broadway and Stadium is a 4-acre estate with two enormous homes, addressed at 100 and 111 West Briarwood. Ed Brent and Yangmali Sahadev Rai co-own and rent out the Briarwood Estates properties through Airbnb, and the two homes couldn’t be more different. The house at 100 West Briarwood is […]
A Secret Family Recipe for Success
In the case of the Claysville Store, the old adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover” rings truer than ever. Located just off the Katy Trail in the river town of Hartsburg, the family-style restaurant’s faded, red exterior wouldn’t lead you to believe that interior is overflowing with love, life lessons, and mouth-watering, made-from-scratch […]
Lanterns of Love
Andrew and Kristen Camp say they’ve spent a lot of time talking about what their “why” is for making music as indie-folk duo, The January Lanterns. They say it’s to tell the stories that need to be told, but that wasn’t their original intent. The January Lanterns were a byproduct of the couple’s attempt to […]
RNs On The Open Road: Travel Nurse Leah Bernard
The world needs nurses. In recent years, their areas of expertise have been in such high demand that hospitals worldwide have offered temporary positions to RNs, and the people who take them are referred to simply as “travel nurses.” Leah Bernard, an emergency room nurse and Columbia native, became enticed by the idea of becoming […]