Women in Business

Capturing People’s Essence

Prescott Woman Magazine chatted with Michelle Lewis of Mama Bear Studios to find out what makes her enjoy being a part of the Prescott Chamber of Commerce and how it benefits her business.

Jen Martin is a prominent name in the aerial performance industry, renowned for making weddings truly unforgettable. Her company, Suspended Fluidity, specializes in delivering breathtaking aerial performances that entertain and enhance various events. Jen is committed to ensuring these presentations are safe, artistic, and professional, helping couples create memorable moments for their event.

Previously, Jen owned an entertainment company in New York that booked dancers and aerialists. After relocating to Arizona, she founded Suspended Fluidity in 2021 to combine her passions for performing, creating, and teaching.

When it comes to her craft, Jen says, “I will always love to combine aerial and dance in unique ways whenever possible.” She continuously brings fresh ideas to captivate event guests, including an aerial-based lollipop diamond apparatus and a movable, wearable champagne skirt.

‘Create Beauty and Deliver Happiness’

When Rakini Chinery moved to Prescott in 1989, she was seeking a fresh start. Having worked at flower shops in her native Boston, she applied to several local ones and landed a job at Allan’s Flowers.

A decade later when the owner wanted to sell, Rakini saw a way to create a future: she had a vision for what the store could be.

“I felt like it was something I could grow,” she said during a recent interview. Now, 25 years later, it has met her expectations. “We’ve taken it by leaps and bounds.”

The Allan’s staff is as busy as ever with flower arrangements and deliveries for every occasion, but even more importantly, the shop offers an experience.

‘A Satisfying Experience’

“Why would you not make it beautiful?” she said during a recent interview. “You want to enjoy the experience.”

Since she launched her business, Mac Daddy Macarons, two and a half years ago, its offerings have expanded to include other baked goods and charcuterie boards, grazing tables, and full catered meals (for 20 to 30 people).

“It always starts with the macarons,” she said, adding that her business growth started when people began ordering add-ons. “Once people find out you do something with food, they want all the food.”

Sip in Style

Planning an event comes with countless details, but when it comes to drinks, A Cold Pony ensures you can sit back, relax, and sip in style. This innovative mobile bar and cocktail service combines professional expertise with creative customization, offering an unforgettable experience for events across Arizona—and beyond.

From inspiration to reality, the vision for A Cold Pony began with a simple observation. While bartending in the mid-2000s, founder Kelly Tolbert frequently received requests to handle private events, from holiday gatherings to backyard parties. Realizing the need for professional mobile bartending services, she launched her journey in 2005, serving events directly in clients’ homes. By 2019, she transformed her concept into something truly unique: a beautifully revamped horse trailer, “A Cold Pony,” bringing charm and convenience to events of all kinds.

Unlike traditional bars, A Cold Pony offers a personalized and intimate experience. As the face of the company, Kelly takes pride in facilitating every event herself, ensuring memorable interactions for guests. Custom signage and themed decorations further elevate the experience, whether it’s a rustic wedding, a chic corporate event, or a lively birthday party. A Cold Pony caters to a wide range of events and can be set up indoors or outdoors, requiring a small footprint.

The Wonder of the Nighttime Sky

Suzy Gurton grew up Cananea, Sonora, Mexico, a small mining town with “gorgeous night skies.”

She grew up with an interest in science but chose to attend the University of Arizona (U of A) to become an accountant because it seemed like a good, stable job.

Then she took an astronomy class. The wonder she experienced set her life on a new trajectory. Most recently, that trajectory has brought her to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), where she is the Assistant Director of the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium.

At this point in her career, Suzy said during a recent interview, she is looking to “find the joy.”

Her work in astronomy and physics has spanned five decades and taken her to Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, the University of Colorado at Boulder, Santa Fe Community College, the American Museum of Natural History, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

According to Eric Edelman, the Planetarium’s Director, “Suzy is an incredibly knowledgeable and passionate scientific storyteller who is single-minded in her devotion of spreading the wonders of astronomy, STEM, and more generally, learning to all who are willing to listen.”

Empowering Prescott Valley

The Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Hispanic Business Association (HBA) is a vital committee dedicated to supporting Hispanic-owned businesses in Prescott Valley and its surrounding areas. With a mission to foster growth and success, the HBA focuses on education, training, networking, and community outreach to empower local entrepreneurs.

The idea for the HBA originated with Chamber CEO Marnie Uhl, who identified an opportunity to engage with the local Hispanic business community. In 2021, the Chamber partnered with Yavapai College’s Lisa Raygoza and Alianza’s Rosanna Feyerbend to visit Hispanic-owned businesses in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. During these visits, Marnie shared her vision of establishing a committee within the Chamber to provide tailored resources and educational programs specifically designed for Hispanic entrepreneurs.

This vision quickly gained momentum, thanks to the collaborative efforts of then-Chamber staff member Kim Menosky, along with local business owners Lucy Leyva and April Chavez. Together, they began shaping the structure and goals of the HBA. The association officially launched its first event in 2021, supported by a grant from APS, introducing the group to the community and setting the stage for future initiatives.