Rebecca Clifford-Cruz

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Story Archive

Contactless house painting service cuts to the chase: Monday, Feb. 8, 2021; Blue Ape Painting recently finished its “Paint it Forward” program, which took nominations from Southern Nevadans to find local homeowners and organizations who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and could use a fresh look.
Credit union CEO has passion for teaching financial literacy: Monday, Feb. 1, 2021; Scott Arkills, president and CEO of Silver State Schools Credit Union, speaks passionately about improving people’s lives through teaching financial literacy. “It’s incredibly important to me,” he says, “and something I have dedicated myself to.”
Hair removal entrepreneur wants to elevate her entire industry: Monday, Jan. 25, 2021; Nicole Maldonado believes in living an organic and natural lifestyle, and she has applied that belief to her business, the hair removal service Be Sugared.
Director of aviation: Visitors’ safety is top priority for successful tourist destinations: Monday, Jan. 18, 2021; For Rosemary Vassiliadis, it’s important that people visiting Las Vegas understand that life in Southern Nevada isn’t just the Strip.
World-class pastry chef has carved her niche in Las Vegas culinary scene: Monday, Jan. 4, 2021; Sonia El-Nawal has worked for some of the most accomplished chefs at some of the most distinguished restaurants in the world. In Las Vegas, she launched Rooster Boy Cafe, branded after her Rooster Boy Granola, which was built on El-Nawal’s philosophy of “taste something happy.”
Cheese expert: "When you find the thing you love, you’ll take the time to nurture it': Monday, Dec. 21, 2020; Diana Brier, a Certified Cheese Sensory Evaluator and local business owner, talks about her journey from financial analytics to cheesemonger extraordinaire, and shares tips on creating a perfect holiday cheese platter.
Realtor expects huge spring for Las Vegas housing market: Monday, Dec. 14, 2020; “The real estate market is being supported by the low rates for financing,” says Sam Coleman, owner of Hoops to Homes.
CrossFit gym owner: 'It’s the supportive, like-minded community that creates the magic': Monday, Dec. 7, 2020; Nick McCombs never has to look far for motivation: He just looks around his gym. Branded One CrossFit, a nonprofit that provides free memberships to disabled servicemen and women, aims to empower veterans through physical exercise and a supportive community.
Young restaurateur: Competing in culinary world takes passion, perseverance: Monday, Nov. 30, 2020; Van-Alan Nguyen began his journey in the culinary industry as a 16-year-old cashier at In-N-Out Burger. Today, he co-owns one restaurant, 595 Craft and Kitchen (as well as the affiliated Arts District Kitchen inside the Able Brewing Company in downtown Las Vegas), and is preparing to open another, Street Burger.
Flight school owner: Business is a roller coaster, so don't jump off: Monday, Nov. 23, 2020; Paul Sallach’s parents and grandparents wanted him to be a third-generation pastor, but his vision for his future had a bird’s-eye view.
Las Vegas brewing company co-founder: Every businessperson should start in sales: Monday, Nov. 16, 2020; Adam Coates and Ryan Reaves have been friends since they were 8 years old, and even won a hockey championship together in high school. As Reaves continued his career on the ice and reached the NHL, Coates began a career in the beer industry.
Small-business owner's advice: Find your inspiration, then chase it with everything you've got: Monday, Nov. 9, 2020; Although Any Occasion Baskets is a year-round business, the holiday season is when the bulk of its sales come. And during a pandemic, owner Felicia Parker and her team have to be ready for anything.
Fergusons Downtown co-founder: Look forward, but be present: Monday, Nov. 2, 2020; For Jen Taler, living small got a little bit more complicated this year when she became a mother. The co-founder and creative strategist for Fergusons Downtown, though, remains a staunch advocate of minimalism.
Tech recruiter: 'Companies that don’t let the pandemic define them will allow it to refine them': Monday, Oct. 26, 2020; When companies had to make cuts at the start of the pandemic, many released their contract workforce first. As a result, businesses like Sonia Petkewich’s Taurean Consulting Group took a hit. Petkewich is CEO and tech recruiter for her business, an IT staffing and project solutions company. As businesses bring back workers or make decisions to fill key roles, though, Petkewich says they are reaching out again.
Insurance salesman never misses chance to learn from his elders: Monday, Oct. 19, 2020; For Patrick Casale, selling insurance is about relationships and helping people. Being able to sit down and explain to clients exactly what they’re buying is part of that. So while many businesses have adjusted to remote offices and plan to continue with that work dynamic even in a post-pandemic world, Casale doesn’t want to consider the move to Zoom meetings permanent.
Architect sees limited long-term impact of COVID on building design: 'Time will pass and we will return to spaces where people can socialize like they did before the pandemic'; Monday, Oct. 12, 2020; Windom Kimsey, principal and CEO of TSK Architects, has had a hand in designing several Southern Nevada buildings that residents would recognize immediately, such as the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas, the Student Union at UNLV and the Springs Preserve Visitor Center. But airports hold a special place in his heart.
Resort VP: 'The comfort we have all found during this is that we were all in it together': Monday, Oct. 5, 2020; Shane Allor worked his way up from front desk agent at a Hampton Inn to vice president and general manager at JW Marriott in Las Vegas, joining the resort’s team March 9 — “You can imagine how my first weeks went,” he said.
Southern Nevada attorney on a mission to destigmatize bankruptcy: Monday, Sept. 28, 2020; In law school, Rory Vohwinkel envisioned a future of high-stakes real estate attorney, negotiating contracts and closing deals. But before long, he realized that he preferred making a difference in people’s lives and helping them get back on their feet when they were down. And so, he became a bankruptcy attorney.
How to ensure you’re ready and able to vote in the 2020 election: Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020; Registration deadlines, early voting and mail-in details, Election Day expectations and more.
Owner of new downtown art gallery is 'in it for the long haul': Monday, Sept. 14, 2020; Lee Lanier opened his gallery, Lee Lanier Paints, in July — amid a pandemic. But although the timing isn’t ideal, but he’s betting on the location and life eventually returning to normal.
Quarantine has led to spike in business for some Las Vegas industries: Monday, Sept. 7, 2020; Some Las Vegas businesses are thriving during the pandemic.
Cupcake Girls 'stepping out bolder and more activated': Monday, Aug. 31, 2020; Joy Hoover talks about the organization's new holistic resource center, her passion for helping victims of sex trafficking and the important feminist messages her husband is passing down to their daughters.
For show creator, pandemic "not an ending, but a new direction to create new opportunities": Monday, Aug. 24, 2020; The "Cherry Boom Boom" show had to shut down as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. But Lindsley Allen, its creator and director, is keeping the brand alive and connected to fans by introducing Boom Boom Skool.
Las Vegas pawnshop owner: Downturn can create real opportunity: Monday, Aug. 17, 2020; For Michael Mack, a former Las Vegas city councilman and owner of Max Pawn, there are silver linings to be found amid trying times, not only as a businessman but as a human being.
PBS made rapid shift amid pandemic; 'truly staggering,' GM says: Monday, Aug. 10, 2020; The show must go on, even during a pandemic. At Vegas PBS, the show has gone on, but it’s changed significantly. General Manager Tom Axtell was part of a rapid pivot in television programming and internet services to respond to community needs in response to COVID-19.
Entrepreneur's message: Focus on being great, and keep moving forward: Monday, July 27, 2020; Nelson Tressler, a long-time successful Southern Nevada commercial real estate agent, drew on his own life experiences battling poverty, dyslexia and other childhood troubles to develop a new program that helps people hold themselves accountable to accomplish their goals.
BOMA Nevada president: "This is the time for us to lean into our connections and industry partners": Monday, July 20, 2020; If there’s one thing the pandemic has reinforced to Tena Cameron, it's that there’s always more to learn, and those willing to be open and adaptable will succeed.
Shutdown paused some business but opened other avenues for founder of Vegans, Baby: Monday, July 13, 2020; When Diana Edelman searched for vegan options online, she was dismayed to find so few. She knew that wasn’t accurate, though, so she set out to document and share information on local restaurants with vegan options. In short, she founded Vegans, Baby.
Appreciation for small businesses drives entrepreneur's mission in a world of "forced digitization": Monday, July 6, 2020; Jake Ward started Connected Commerce Council (3C) in 2019 to help small businesses, promoting access to and adoption of digital technologies and tools. His timing could not have been more serendipitous, as the COVID-19 pandemic has forced so many industries to rethink the way they conduct business.
'When it comes to security, everything is fine until it isn’t,' says Southern Nevada entrepreneur: Monday, June 29, 2020; James Kerr’s wife confided in him that she felt unsafe when he was away on business, even though they lived in a gated community within a safe neighborhood. He asked if she wanted a gun, but she didn’t want to shoot anyone. A big dog? She wouldn’t want it hurt while protecting her or their children. So Kerr came up with a different solution to their security needs.
There is no 'one size fits all' approach to improving the health of our communities: Monday, March 2, 2020; Since 1990, the United Health Foundation has helped create awareness of how states and the nation are faring across a wide range of public health measures through its platform America’s Health Rankings. Over the past 30 years, the understanding and science of public health has changed dramatically. Many health issues that were concerning in 1990 remain so today, and additional issues have arisen that require action now.
Realtor: Low inventory will keep Las Vegas housing market hot: Monday, Jan. 13, 2020; Justin Miller, a Navy veteran who practiced construction-defect law in Southern California and has worked in the IT/security field, has reinvented himself several times in his professional life — most recently in the Southern Nevada real estate business. He talked to us about market trends and more.
Milkman-like water delivery service touts waste-free system: Monday, Jan. 6, 2020; Gary Gould is the owner of Solus Sustainable Hydration, a service that delivers regionally sourced spring water — still or sparkling — that’s bottled in reusable glass bottles. The company delivers to restaurants such as Buddy V’s, Honey Salt and Border Grill, and is working on expanding into the residential sector, beginning in the Anthem and Green Valley areas.
Restaurateur's secret ingredient for success: 'Some very stern moral beliefs': Monday, Dec. 30, 2019; The owner of Echo & Rig discusses the recent opening of his first fast-casual restaurant, the importance of maintaining exacting standards, and his favorite places to eat in Las Vegas.
Health care provider bound by promise to community: Monday, Dec. 23, 2019; Silver State Health Services’ mission is to provide cost-effective care and expand affordable access to high-quality health care for Las Vegas’ underserved and impoverished populations. Its executive director, Ryan Linden, talks about its upcoming expansion, its work to help victims of October 1 and the changing landscape of health care as a result of technology.
Shake Shack exec stresses importance of social responsibility in restaurant industry: Monday, Dec. 16, 2019; Lissa Hamilton is area director for Shake Shack, which entered the Southern Nevada market in 2014 and now has five locations in Las Vegas and Henderson. She works with general managers and managers in Nevada, Colorado and Utah, focusing her professional leadership style on helping others advance but also dedicating her personal time to improving the lives of women who could use a hand up.
Roseman University doctor helping strengthen the 'backbone' of the community's health care industry: Monday, Dec. 9, 2019; As a physician who has been involved in medical education almost his entire career, Dr. Thomas Hunt jumped at the opportunity to join and help shape a new Southern Nevada medical school four years ago. As chair in the Roseman University College of Medicine and director of Valley Health System Family Medical Residency program, he has a hand in ensuring that the area's doctor shortage is addressed over the next several years.
Food exec vows to return the french fry to its former glory: Monday, Nov. 25, 2019; Lincoln Spoor is founder and CEO of Feel Good Brands, which franchises nine food concepts, including Einstein Bros. Bagels. After years of working with global brands, it recently opened its first homegrown concept — Frites at the Excalibur.
Lyft Nevada executive: Women in business must value themselves, and each other: Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019; Louisa Choi talks about her appreciation for different cultures, Lyft's partnerships with nonprofit groups and her passion for uplifting working women ...
For chef, no one is too young to succeed in business or too old to improve their craft: Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019; Ricardo Gudino owns Caked Las Vegas, which was featured this summer on Food Network’s “Cupcake Championship” and is the preferred cake vendor for such companies as Mansion 54, Hakkasan Group and JW Marriott Las Vegas. The shop offers a vast selection of cupcakes, including vegan, gluten-free and keto options, and also creates custom order cakes for any occasion.
For geologist, life of science comes with a flair for the dramatic: Monday, Nov. 4, 2019; Geology may sound like a dry field made for a stolid professional, but while the Harvard-educated Kirk Stowers of Broadbent & Associates understands the gravity of his work, he knows the value of not taking life too seriously, too.
Brewery owner takes community aspect of business to heart: Monday, Oct. 28, 2019; Wyndee Forrest is co-owner and founder of CraftHaus Brewery, which recently celebrated five years in business and opened a tasting room downtown, CraftHaus Arts District, which they lovingly call The CHAD.
Passion for pets drives entrepreneurs' business decisions, community involvement: Monday, Oct. 21, 2019; Mayte Garcia and Veronica Vega-Stiles share a passion for animals, and they knew they weren’t alone. So this year, they launched Boogie Time LV, a one-stop shop for pet owners’ needs — offering services such as boarding, training, grooming, “play dates” and photo shoots.
Growth of nonprofit is top of mind for new Goodwill CEO: Monday, Oct. 14, 2019; A retired Air Force colonel and Clark County School District chief operating officer, Rick Neal says he brings to Goodwill of Southern Nevada the ability to lead a large and diverse organization, as well as the values of “service, integrity and excellence” to the position.
Software platform built for aspiring entrepreneurs who don't know where to start: Monday, Oct. 7, 2019; Digital Genius Lab, its founders say, is “for the people, by the people” — a community driven by successful people who use it to earn a living as well as coach others through the process.
Two years of every mass shooting in the US: Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019; From Oct. 1, 2017, to Sept. 30, 2019, 723 mass shootings — an incident involving multiple victims of predominantly firearm violence — have taken place in the United States. Of those 723 tragedies, 54 of the shootings …
Beauty-tech and wellness company exec: Why follow trends when you can set them?: Monday, Sept. 30, 2019; Beki Hoxha talks about taking risks and leaps of faith, professionally and literally.
Website lets you in on culinary secrets: Monday, Sept. 23, 2019; Jolene Mannina is president of SecretBurger.com, which gives diners a chance to reserve off-the-menu items at restaurants in cities across the country, including Las Vegas. Users of the website search an upcoming event and reserve a dish that will be available for one day only, then show up for their exclusive meal on the day of the event.
For 'Eviction Queen,' clients' peace of mind is top of mind: Monday, Sept. 9, 2019; Kaila Leavitt says the evictions business is not about callously throwing people who can't pay their rent out on the street. It's about understanding the ...
'Solopreneur' forges her own path in Las Vegas: Monday, Sept. 2, 2019; Dana Berggren says she didn't even know what real estate was when she began in the field 22 years ago. But not only does she own her own commercial real estate brokerage today, but she also launched a coworking space as well and was recognized by the National Association of Women Business Owners.