She’s Reading

By Megan M. Seckman Madelynne Myers, 22, wears the tiara with pride as she makes her way through the small towns of the state, but don’t underestimate this Miss Kentucky USA. Where the runway ends, a future in medicine and public service begins. In May, Madelynne graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in molecular and cellular biology and minors in chemistry and Spanish. Once her year as Miss Kentucky is complete, she plans to begin medical school and pursue a career in pediatric trauma surgery.Madelynne was not born into pageantry. Instead of Toddlers and Tiaras, [...]

By Megan M. SeckmanJoyce Nethery and her daughter Autumn merged their talents together to create Jeptha Creed Distillery. Photos by Trina WhalinA lifetime of career moves went into preparing her for this great venture. She earned a chemical engineering degree from the University of Louisville’s Speed School, worked as a process engineer in a distillation unit, spent six years teaching high school chemistry and physics, then shifted gears to become the CFO of her husband’s companies for a decade, and, last but not least, learned the art of growing the perfect heirloom tomato. Now, a [...]

By Megan M. SeckmanSince the inception of their business Elixir Kombucha in April of last year, Danielle Wood and her husband Corey have followed the same routine. Before “Monday-Brew-Day” begins, Danielle and Corey (bonafide high school sweethearts) meditate and practice yoga together. With their minds and bodies ready to channel peaceful energy into their product, a 2,000-year-old elixir known as kombucha, they set off to their facility in Chef Space, a shared, commercial kitchen in the Russell neighborhood available for rent to food entrepreneurs. While brewing, however, Danielle, 29, has a different ritual: she binge-listens [...]

By Megan M. Seckman Before afternoon coffee, Kimberly May had written a poem, traded a healing session with a friend (Pranic for her, Havening for him), and counseled clients on how to find their inner fire. Years ago, this certified life and wellness coach, and owner of Inspire Wellness, would never have imagined these items on her daily agenda — a drastic shift from her former life in the corporate world.“I went from fast food to wellness,” she says with a chuckle, describing her days at Papa John’s Pizza. “I was using all my life’s [...]

By Megan M. SeckmanThink “hemp farmer” and I’m sure your mental image conjures up someone bearded and bohemian. But Kentucky, it’s time you met your real local hemp farmer: Phyllis Haag Smith. She’s 67, a part-time elderly caregiver, women’s fitness coach, farmer’s market vendor, and a full-time grandmother. She loves heirloom tomatoes, Wendell Berry, Kentucky history, and, of course, farming. She and her husband have worked their Henry County land, Green’s Fork Farm, for decades, and they think they’ve finally found a crop that can pay the mortgage and secure their retirement: hemp.The Kentucky Department [...]

By Megan SeckmanColene Elridge started her own consulting firm to help employees thrive in the workplace. Colene Elridge is probably the coolest person you've never met. After our short hour together I left feeling calm, inspired, and reinvigorated. Her contagious smile, overt positivity, and sensible philosophy on life had me wondering where I’d gone wrong — and that was just from an interview over hot tea — no coaching involved.Colene, 34, has dedicated her life to improving women’s lives, inspiring effective leadership, and creating a healthy workplace environment. She coaches women (hence the name “Coach Colene”) [...]