Our bi-annual Women-Owned Businesses feature gives us the wonderful opportunity to highlight female leaders in our community and inspire other women with entrepreneurial ambitions. As a women-owned and run business ourselves, there is a certain pride we take in seeing so many other women leaders emerging in Lincoln. When women rally behind each other, amazing things happen. All women are powerful—stay-at-home moms and business owners alike. So please join us in celebrating the following woman powerhouses in Lincoln. Read their story, support their work, and do business with them. Who knows, one of them might even become your future mentor! If you are a women-owned business and want to be included in the next feature, please contact us.
Jodie McGill is impassioned about supporting women and others who strive for independence, diversity, and recognition. Jodie’s training and experience in Collaborative Divorce are unmatched in the state of Nebraska. Since 2011, she has helped families reach amicable, swift, and peaceful resolutions to their legal issues. Jodie’s mastery of family law and unique understanding of the trauma and stress families can experience with divorce are a few of the reasons why she has been locally and nationally recognized.
Jodie founded McGill Law in 2011 and recently expanded. McGill Law now has offices in Lincoln and Bellevue, as well as Omaha. McGill Law has four highly skilled attorneys and a dedicated support staff. They specialize in family law issues including divorce, modifications, adoptions, estate planning, and guardianships. McLill Law legal services include collaborative law, collaborative mediation, mediation, and litigation. Learn more about McGill Law and their unique approach at mcgilllawyers.com.
Shannon Schultz-Hammerschmidt is the owner and founder of Nebraska LTC Pharmacy. Shannon has spent her entire life in Nebraska and has worked in many different pharmacy settings before settling into her passion here at Nebraska LTC Pharmacy.
“Here at Nebraska LTC Pharmacy, everything is about YOU,” said Shannon. “We are a locally owned ‘concierge’ pharmacy that specializes in compliance and adherence as well as simplifying the medication process from start to finish. Our attention to every little detail decreases hospitalizations while prolonging our patients’ independence by keeping them at home. We offer a free in-home consultation, free blister packaging of medications, and free delivery. We accept all insurance plans, so what is not to love about our program!” There is no better time to join the Nebraska LTC Pharmacy family than now. Learn more online at www.neltcpharmacy.com or call the Lincoln office at (402) 328-0231.
John Henry’s Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning has been in business for over 26 years. One of their owners, Lindsey Reinke, has been working at John Henry’s for 21 years. While working at the business, she received her bachelor’s degree in Business and Marketing at Doane University in Lincoln. Lindsey focuses on the culture within the company, community support, and helping the business grow. Lindsey is very passionate about helping the community, which is why supporting local nonprofits is a high priority at John Henry’s.
“Owning a company in a predominantly male industry encourages me to grow it with the same family values that were instilled in me from day one of John Henry’s,” said Lindsey. “Our slogan is ‘Our Family Serving Yours’ because that is what we want you to feel every time you call us!”
Lindsey is married to her husband, Joe. They have two sons together. They enjoy attending their boys’ sporting events, traveling, and getting together with friends and family.
Learn more about the John Henry’s family at JHLincoln.com! You can also reach Lindsey at (402) 435-5555 or LReinke@jhlincoln.com.
Farmers Union Midwest Agency provides insurance protection to individuals and businesses of all sizes across the Midwest. Jennifer Larabee joined Farmer’s Union Midwest Agency in August of 2018. Her insurance career originally started in 2005 at Assurity Life Insurance where she worked in multiple positions for 12 years and then with State Farm for nearly two years. When she was given the opportunity to start an agency at Farmer’s Union Midwest Agency, she knew this was the right fit as they strive to build better communities by protecting where you work, where you live, what you own, and the ones you love.
“I enjoy helping people find the best coverage that fits their needs, and I want to be there for my clients by helping them understand their insurance benefits,” said Jennifer.
Connect with Jennifer if you are looking for life, health, disability, Medicare, and/or long-term care solutions for personal/family coverage or employee/group benefits. She can be reached at (402) 560-0047 / jennifer@fumafinancial.com or visit www.fumafinancial.com to learn more.
Lynette Sorrentino is a sought-after “chaos consultant” and speaker dedicated to helping busy professionals, solopreneurs, and entrepreneurs experience more work-life balance and increase income so they can relax and have the freedom to do the things they choose. Taking her 30+ years of experience as a successful entrepreneur and true “boss lady” herself, Lynette created Boss Lady Rising to reach business owners and entrepreneurs who are overwhelmed, stressed, overworked, and often burned out while trying to grow their businesses. She is passionate about empowering leaders so they can win, their businesses can win, and their families can win.
In 1988, Lynette decided to start a direct-sales business with Mary Kay to have the freedom and flexibility to have a successful career and participate in her kids’ lives and all their activities. She became a high-ranking leader earning multiple company cars and prizes. Lynette attributes her success to her ability to build trust and relationships and to quickly identify what someone needs and help them achieve that result.
Today, Lynette’s biggest success is watching the results her clients achieve by working with her—seeing them start to live a more calm, peaceful life while growing their business. To become one of the thousands of entrepreneurs Lynette has helped, visit bossladyrising.com or contact (402) 250- 7074 / Lynette@BossLadyRising.com.
Megan Leikam took over ownership and the executive director role at Associates in Counseling & Treatment in January 2020. Megan has her alcohol and drug license, certified gambling license, and is certified as a domestic violence counselor. Alongside her duties as executive director, she serves the Lincoln community by conducting substance abuse evaluations, facilitating group, individual and family counseling sessions, and strives to resolve the mental health, domestic violence, gambling, and substance use issues that affect our community in a caring, compassionate, and confidential manner. She believes that good mental health is essential for the well-being of individuals of all ages.
“Modern life can provide a variety of stresses that can have a negative impact on people. Problems can arise at any stage and our therapists can assist with helping you and your family with mental health, domestic violence, gambling, grief recovery, and substance abuse,” said Megan.
Megan has worked hard to maintain much needed services in the Lincoln community and hopes that every individual that struggles with addiction, mental health, or domestic violence issues has an opportunity to get the help they need for recovery. To learn more about Associates In Counseling & Treatment, go online to actnebraska.org or contact (402) 261-6667 / information@actnebraska.org.
Natasha Lundy (formerly Salem), owner of Willow Key Interiors, is a Lincoln-based interior designer whose focus has always been to create spaces that clients will love for years to come. Natasha has had a busy year between getting married and rebranding (Willow Key Interiors was formerly Inspiring Homes Design)! Her team also moved the studio into a newly renovated home in east Lincoln last fall. They are finding that having the home set up as their studio is super helpful for clients to visualize spatially and it is so great to have a vast assortment of samples in one space.
When the business was established in 2014, Natasha began offering staging services, however, the design team is now focusing on new construction and residential design.
“My passion is creating a comfortable, functional living space that is tailored to my client’s personal taste and needs,” said Natasha. “I offer approachable, flexible design services that will cater to just about any design project, large or small.”
Natasha is a Lincoln native and graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University. Her background includes interior design, project design management, lighting design, and property management. In addition, she enjoys traveling, hosting gatherings, practicing yoga, and spending time with my family, especially her son Will and husband Kile.
To learn more about Willow Key Interiors and connect with Natasha and the other talented ladies on her team, email coordinator@ihdne.com and they will answer your questions and provide you with their pricing structure. You can also visit www.IHDNE.com to see beautiful project photos!
JoSi Events is a new up-and-coming event planning business started by best friends, Jordan Kempkes and Sidney Parks, who met while serving together at Parthenon Greek Grill and Taverna.
“Working together was an amazing experience and gave us the opportunity to get to know each other,” said Jordan. “Being in the restaurant industry made us fall in love with event planning and sharing big moments with others. We saw everything, from end-of-life celebrations to weddings. Being there to make a guest’s big day easy and pain-free was so rewarding.”
“We knew we wanted to do more, so we decided to start event planning to make sure that not only the guests but the hosts were able to enjoy all of life’s biggest moments in a stress-free manner,” said Sidney. “Our easy-going personalities and strong work ethic make for a killer event planning team. We are just two dorks planning parties!”
Jordan is from Lincoln. Her dog and nephew are the most important things in her life. She loves going to conventions and takes any opportunity to fan out on all things. Jordan is on the Board of Directors for a ShelterMe Nebraska. She is even ordained to perform ceremonies!
Sidney is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with degrees in graphic design and advertising/public relations. She fell in love with wedding planning, and really enjoys assisting vendors and designing wedding signage. In her free time, Sidney likes to redo old furniture, teach dance, and spend time with friends, family, and her pup.
To learn more about JoSi Events, visit josievents.com or email letusparty@josievents.com.
Naomi Bargen and Maggie Harms, co-founders of Woven Willow Picnic Co., made their vision come to life on July 1, 2020 when they got to see their first clients experience a picnic at their favorite location in a quiet and intimate location right by a little pond at Pioneers Park.
“We wanted to bring something new to Lincoln—a way for people to get outside and enjoy something beyond their daily lives,” said Naomi. “So we thought of picnics!”
A luxury picnic is a mixture between an aesthetically curated experience mixed with a natural and earthy setting where each client gets to enjoy the ambience of the picnic with their loved one.
“We include games and a charcuterie board so that our clients are able to do something other than check their phones,” said Maggie. “This gives them an opportunity to ‘unplug’ from the real world.”
The sunset picnic for two experience includes 1.5 hours with a table, pillow seating, followed by a tablescape setting. Current rate starts at $180 for a weekend and $130 on a weeknight. At this time, picnics can seat up to 20 people and have previously been set up for proposals, bridal showers, and birthday parties.
Woven Willow Picnic Co. focuses on creating a new memorable and enjoyable experience for those in the Lincoln community as well as surrounding locations. Learn more at wovenwillowpicnicco.squarespace.com or follow on Instagram (@wovenwillowpicnicco).
If you haven’t already had the chance to meet Lizett Nissenson, owner and president of Maven Tile & Stone, since she recently moved her family and business to Lincoln—you’re missing out! Lizett is an inspiring woman who continues to wow people with her coastal-meets-farmhouse-style offerings. Maven features unique tiles and stones, as well as other commodity products for both residential and commercial clients.
Lizett’s history in the world of tile design dates back to the age of 20 when she became a sales associate at a tile store in Long Beach, CA, where she was born in raised. It was a total fluke, but Lizett ended up never leaving the industry! She went on to open up her own shop in Manhattan Beach at the age of 36, working by appointment only for high-end clients. Then, about two years ago, Lizett and her husband Hugo decided to leave California and find a good home where they could raise their daughter. The guidance from a few friends lead them to Lincoln, and now Lizett is excited to grow Maven Tile & Stone and her clientele in this new market.
To hear more of Lizett’s story, contact her at (531) 249-5917 / mavendesign2016@gmail.com or visit maventileandstone.com / Instagram (@maventileandstone) to check out Maven’s beautiful tile and stone collection. The new studio is located at 7011 Kentwell Ln., STE 300.
Five years ago, Natalie Leon pursued her desire to provide a better life for seniors in need of care and assistance in the comfort of their homes, and she hasn’t looked back. Natalie is grateful to be the owner and executive director of Visiting Angels in Lincoln.
Natalie attended Nebraska Wesleyan University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in business administration. She also holds a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Clarkson College, and then she even went on to teach Gerontology at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, which she still does today. However, Natalie’s journey in the healthcare field started back in high school when she worked as a CNA and Medication Aide. Her first job involved working with Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. Before this, Natalie never knew anyone with a form of dementia, but she soon realized it was her calling to work with these patients and their family members.
Natalie discovered Visiting Angels while exploring opportunities to open her own business. It was evident that, due to the combination of a rapidly growing senior population and the rising costs of nursing homecare despite depleting retirement funds, there was and still is an urgent need for in-home elderly care.
Visiting Angels helps ease the daily load by providing non-medical in-home care, including assistance in bathing, dressing, and walking; meal preparation/diet monitoring; light housekeeping; errands and shopping; medication reminders; joyful companionship; and respite care for family caregivers. To learn more, visit www.visitingangels.com/lincoln!
Shannon Filing coaches, trains, and leads people through ActionCOACH Lincoln. A business coach is often compared to a sports coach, and every successful athlete has an outstanding coach, right? It’s the same for businesses. Coaches help you achieve greater business performance.
There are many resources out there like books, articles, blogs, newsletters, etc. that tell you how to run a business profitably, what to change, and what to do to improve your business. While many are good, they don’t account for the fact that every business is unique and that everyone has their own strengths and areas in which to grow. Generic advice isn’t near as effective as the guidance and support of a personal and dedicated business coach. A coach is able to provide the customized resources and insights needed to clear the woods from the trees, co-create a game plan, identify the pressure points within the business, understand what’s stopping you from moving forward, and how to overcome obstacles and take your next steps.
ActionCOACH Lincoln supports you to accomplish greater focus and success in identifying the areas you want to work on as well as other areas discovered throughout the process. It’s all about achieving business milestones, one step at a time, to ensure your business succeeds using a variety of proven tools and techniques.
Shannon is a certified business and leadership coach who works with business owners, executives, board of directors, and organizations and groups. If you are looking for a speaker, trainer, certified DISC facilitator, or personal coach to help you achieve more and reach your goals, schedule a no-obligation discovery meeting with Shannon at (402) 314-2181 / shannonfiling@actioncoach.com or visit www.actioncoachlincoln.com to learn more.
Marcie Young leads Marcie Young & Associates as Series 6, 63, 65 & 26, Investment Adviser Representative for Primerica, the #1 Most Trusted Life Insurance Company and #3 Most Trusted Financial Company. Services available include Financial Planning, Managed Accounts, IRAs, 529 Plans, Mutual Funds, Variable Annuities, 401k, and Cash Balance Plans.
Marcie has over 35 years of investment experience working with clients in Nebraska and throughout the Midwest. Raised in a Nebraska farming family, Marcie infuses the values of honesty, integrity, and pragmatism into her relationships with clients. She finds great fulfillment in helping clients create workable solutions to their personal financial challenges.
Marcie works with individuals, families, and business owners, educating them about their financial options for building and protecting wealth. Marcie is committed to delivering financial advice and solutions to clients with the highest integrity. Creating personalized investment plans for her clients gives them confidence as they navigate retirement planning and other important life events.
You can rely on Marcie to be accessible, to support you in your investment decisions, and to help you implement changes as they become necessary. Marcie is a dedicated financial service professional committed to excellent service. Learn more at www.primerica.com/marcieyoung or contact marcieyoung@primerica.com / (402) 476-6778. Her office is located at 3701 O St., STE B-3 in Lincoln.
A Primerica representative’s ability to offer products and services is based on the licenses held by the individual, and the states in which the individual is registered. Not all representatives are authorized to sell all products and services. For additional information about a representative, including licenses and state registrations, please visit www.BrokerCheck.com.
PFS Investments Inc. (PFSI) offers both brokerage and advisory accounts. Representatives do not have investment discretion over any client account or assets. For additional information about the products and services available in brokerage and advisory accounts, including fees, expenses, and the compensation received by PFSI and your representative, please review a copy of our Form CRS, Form ADV brochure, and our informational brochure, Investing with Primerica, available from your representative and online at www.primerica.com/pfsidisclosures.
Securities offered by PFS Investments Inc. (PFSI), 1 Primerica Parkway, Duluth, Georgia 30099-0001, a broker-dealer and investment adviser registered with the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), a member of the Financial Regulatory Authority (FINRA) [www.finra.org] and a member of the Securities Investors Protection Corporation (SIPC) [www.sipc.com]. PFSI’s advisory business is conducted under the name Primerica Advisors. Fixed indexed annuities are offered by Primerica Financial Services, LLC (PFS). PFSI, PFS, and Primerica Inc. are affiliated companies.
The Lifetime Investment Platform is an advisory program sponsored by Primerica Advisors. For additional information about Primerica Advisors, please ask your representative for a copy of the Lifetime Investment Platform Form ADV brochure.
Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, fees, and expenses of any mutual fund before investing. This and other important information can be found in the fund’s prospectus and, if available, the summary prospectus. Please read the prospectus and, if available, the summary prospectus carefully before investing. Prospectuses are available from your Primerica representative.
Primerica representatives are not financial or estate planners, or tax advisors. For related advice, individuals should consult an appropriately licensed professional. Investing entails risk including loss of principal.
The APRNs at Health at Home Consultants provide care for patients in their home, not a clinic. Founded by Jamie Peters MSN, APRN in 2009, Health at Home Consultants was the first nurse-practitioner owned house-call practice in the state of Nebraska. Patients all have a different definition of home: private homes, independent and assisted living, hospice, skilled, and long-term care. The Health at Home team works with the patient wherever they call home! They work with the patients’ primary care physician to provide a more comprehensive plan of care for the patient. The practice has a wide scope of care, including performing and interpreting diagnostic tests such as lab work and x-rays, flu shots, pneumonia vaccines, and all other injections; diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, infections, and injuries; prescribe medications and other treatments; as well as mental health needs. Individuals best served by house calls are the elderly, chronically ill, people with disabilities, and psychiatric conditions. Jamie and her team at Health at Home Consultants provide compassionate, coordinated, and cost-effective care. Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance are all accepted.
Jamie is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, American Academy of Home Care Physicians, and the Nebraska Nurse Practitioners.
The goal of Health at Home Consultants, LLC is to provide home care medicine in one of the most rapidly expanding areas of healthcare. To learn more, visit healthathomeconsultants.com or contact Jamie at (402) 875-2500 / jpeters@healthathomeconsultants.com.
Daring Minds Therapy was founded in 2018 by Sarah Worley, LIMHP and Erica Schroeder, LIMHP, along with Maureen DeRyke, PLMHP, PMSW. Their team of therapists consists of many other wonderful and talented women as well.
Sarah graduated from Doane University with her Master of Arts in Counseling. As the clinical director at Daring Minds Therapy, she is well-versed in major mental health, trauma, and personality disorders. Sarah believes in individualizing treatment based on each person’s needs.
Erica also graduated from Doane University with her Master of Arts in Counseling. She enjoys working with children with a history of trauma and behavioral problems. Erica is proficient in a number of evidence-based therapeutic interventions.
Maureen graduated from the University of New England with a master’s degree in clinical social work with an emphasis on trauma-related studies and her undergraduate degree in social sciences/ social work with a minor in criminal justice from Nebraska Wesleyan University. Maureen draws from a variety of methods to create a tailored approach for each individual and situation. She believes that healing is a collaborative endeavor that requires honest caring without judgment, and she cooperatively assist’s clients in clarifying their goals for treatment.
If you’re looking for effective mental health treatment, turn to Daring Minds Therapy in Lincoln. More information is available at daringmindstherapy.info.
Very few women can say they own a sports talk radio station and even fewer people of color. Yet, 93.7 The Ticket can take pride in having both. Acquiring The Ticket on September 1, 2021, Rebecca Pearson and her husband Derrick have breathed new life into the way sports are viewed and consumed in Nebraska.
“Providing high-quality and in-depth sports talk across ALL Husker sports, not just football, and other teams such as the Lincoln Stars, Salt Dogs, and high schools, allows us to get to know the student-athletes, coaches, parents, and educators that make up the Lincoln community and the state of Nebraska,” said Rebecca.
Rebecca has led transformational change for over three decades by using her ability of influence and sharply honed strategic business acumen. Her eagerness to take on new challenges and dash the status quo has opened “elevator doors”, leading up to the C-level floors of the world’s largest publicly traded oil and gas company, ExxonMobil Corp. Along the way, Rebecca has created value for B2B/B2C retail brands and channel environments in countries worldwide. While at ExxonMobil, she served on their Executive Women’s Leadership Team and Communication Committee, championing diversity and inclusion. Beyond this, she was recruited to helm an international nonprofit focused on the economic empowerment of women business owners worldwide.
Through The Ticket, Rebecca is proud to be a woman’s voice in sports. Derrick and her hope to inspire people, especially those in minority groups, to achieve their dreams.
Check out shows and podcasts on 93.7 The Ticket at theticketfm.com to keep up with Lincoln sports and what’s happening locally. Connect with Rebecca at rebecca@theticketfm.com.