An accomplished and renowned vocalist woke up one morning at the peak of her powers and realized that she was ready for a change. After a very successful career as a professional singer, performing all over…
Marat Essex
Marat Essex is a multicultural, international artist who was born in Norway, and now lives – to use her words – “in the graceful, rolling hills of Virginia.” “You know there is magic in the Norwegian…
Marianne Brennan
Marianne Brennan is a dynamic, contemporary anachronism. She and her business, Mrs. Brennan’s School of Etiquette, are on a mission to remind our often frenetic world of the credo embossed on her calling card, “No matter…
Chris Bettencourt
“My goal when I meet with new clients is to take the cloud of worry and doubt that they are carrying around about their future and have them leave my office walking a little taller and…
Peter Walker
With a name like Peter Walker, you would think that creating his business, Chevy Chase Dog Walkers, was a natural calling. It wasn’t. “I got started in this by accident,” Peter told me as I tried…
Anna Reeves
If there were a recipe that called for a cup of Alice Waters, a clove of Julia Child, a dash of Jose Andres, a handful of Fred Rogers, a sprinkle of your favorite grade schoolteacher the…
Terrie Christine
Terrie Christine radiates an electric calm. She is a renowned and gifted Intuitive Energy Healer. When I had the pleasure of meeting and having a conversation with Terrie a few days ago, I had no idea…
Susan Hayes
Susan Hayes created a successful business out of just being herself. “I was the only kid on the block whose mother never had to say ‘Clean Up Your Room,’” Susan said. “As a kid, you don’t…
Kevin “KK” Kistler & Tony Abdullah
There is something comforting about the aroma of cured tobacco, untreated cedar, and leather. Those earthy scents evoke a welcoming feeling of nostalgia and community, especially for a Washingtonian. They are the sensations I get whenever…
Maximillian Bachmann
I first met Max Bachmann a couple of years ago at a wine tasting in Vienna, VA. He was holding court in front of a gaggle of mesmerized onlookers, enthusiastically explaining the vinification process of his…