Rebecca Clifford-Cruz

Story Archive

Veteran dedicated to improving lives of children, Gold Star families in Southern Nevada: Monday, July 23, 2018; Meet John Coogan, who heads two local nonprofit organizations — the Golden Knights Foundation and Folded Flag Foundation.
Family-owned business takes chef's approach to whiskey-making: Monday, July 16, 2018; On his wife’s suggestion, Nik Strauser set out to learn all he could about the art of distilling. It occurred to him that distilling relied on the same skills as cooking. He saw all the equipment — the still, mash tun, fermenters and grain mill — as cooking equipment.
Real estate boss: You can’t finish the race if you don’t get out of the starting box: Monday, July 2, 2018; Jaimee Yoshizawa, president and sole stockholder of The Red Ltd., established her multipurpose firm in 2013. With new expansions happening throughout Nevada, she plans developments for the locals who need them, she says.
Executive director puts his stamp on Golden Rainbow: Friday, June 22, 2018; The executive director of Golden Rainbow talks about the organization's upcoming fundraising events, his passion for helping those living with HIV/AIDS, and the increasing rate of syphilis and chlamydia transmission.
PR pro's advice: Read everything, and be mindful of the power and responsibility of social media: Monday, June 18, 2018; The owner of JP Public Relations talks about her work with nonprofit organizations and offers advice for those looking to enter the field.
Las Vegas native makes apparel for locals to show their city pride: Monday, June 11, 2018; Krystal Rosenthal was born and raised in Las Vegas, and she's betting there are more people like her than most people think. She started her apparel company with the idea in mind that locals would want to show their pride in Las Vegas the way other cities' residents do, and that Las Vegas apparel doesn't have to be glittery souvenirs of the Strip.
A sweet career path: From the Army to insurance to doughnuts: Monday, June 4, 2018; After leaving the Army, Mark Rothermel, who earned his master’s degree in business administration, took a job designing products for insurance companies. But he realized he didn’t fit in the ...
Memorial-cleaning service gives grieving families one less thing to worry about: Monday, May 28, 2018; Lisa and Tim Anderson have worked in the cemetery and funeral industry for more than 20 years. In that time, they discovered a void that could be filled in memorial upkeep, and so in 2016, they launched Headstone Cleaners.
Cybersecurity firm's message: 'Theft today is not just about robbing a house or stealing a car': Monday, May 21, 2018; In 2009, Victor Chaltiel came up with the idea to start an email security service that protects emails from getting intercepted or hacked, and allows the sender to track the email chain. In 2017, three years after his death, his wife completed that work.
Nonprofit CEO: 'Health care will help us diversify our economy and attract new industries': Monday, May 14, 2018; The CEO of Las Vegas HEALS talks about the next big thing in health care in Las Vegas, the advantages of the nonprofit's new office location, and what Southern Nevada can learn from Pittsburgh, Pa.
Development on west side could unearth a resort gem for tourists: Monday, May 7, 2018; Over the past year, Michelle Bacigalupi has overseen major renovations at JW Marriott/Rampart Casino to keep up with the quickening pace of development in Summerlin.
Michelle Bacigalupi talks renovations at Summerlin casino and resort: Monday, May 7, 2018; Michelle Bacigalupi is vice president and assistant general manager at Rampart Casino/JW Marriott, an established commodity for locals on the west side of town but not necessarily well-known to Southern Nevada tourists. Over the past year, Bacigalupi has overseen major renovations at the property to keep up with the quickening pace of development in Summerlin....
This health care team is 'bringing back the house call': Monday, April 30, 2018; DispatchHealth brings treatment to the privacy and comfort of your home, your workplace or to a senior-living community.
Chef's mantra: Never lose touch with your style: Monday, April 23, 2018; The locals favorite Bratalian reopened recently and returned focus to the traditional Italian dishes chef Carla Pellegrino loves.
Honky tonk hairstylist excited to help 'decide the direction' of downtown Las Vegas: Monday, April 9, 2018; Salon owner Larry Reha opens up about the winding road he took to owning a successful business, talks about what sets Makeshift Union apart and explains why he is never offended when a client doesn't tip.
Commercial real estate attorney: Without litigators, negotiations are vulnerable: Monday, April 2, 2018; The of counsel for commercial real estate at Bailey Kennedy talks about the influx of large, national companies in Clark County and ways tenants can maximize the value of their rental agreements.
MGM executive's philosophy: 'Work hard, play hard': Monday, March 26, 2018; The corporate director of entertainment brand strategy at MGM Resorts International talks about homeless in Southern Nevada, personal feelings in business and the gratification of seeing her creations dot the landscape of Las Vegas.
For dentist, 'Vegas is home, and home is family': Monday, March 19, 2018; For husband and wife R.J. Guideng and Audrey Nghiem, marrying traditional values with modern technology gives their dental practice a familial quality they depend on for success.
Entrepreneur: 'The same things that make what I am doing scary are the things that make it special': Monday, March 12, 2018; Natalia Harris spent 12 years in marketing for the nightlife industry — event planning, event production, artist relations and more. So she knows what people who want to be seen want to look like.
College professor delights in empowering students: Monday, March 5, 2018; The founder, president and executive director of the Cultural Diversity Foundation talks about the organization's upcoming wine tasting fundraiser, provides tips for novice wine shoppers and shares a moving success story of her organization's scholarship program.
New concept in real estate can serve homeowners' wanderlust: Monday, Feb. 26, 2018; Opendoor’s founder and CEO, Eric Wu, bought his first house at 19 and was instantly hooked. He bought 20 homes within the next three years and went on to start two real estate technology companies. After selling ...
Power broker: 'Each of us has a profound effect on everyone we interact with every day': Monday, Feb. 19, 2018; The former CEO of NV Energy talks about the success of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, diversifying Southern Nevada's economy and the legacy each person has the opportunity to leave.
PBS content director enjoys 'contributing to national conversations': Monday, Feb. 12, 2018; The content director at Vegas PBS talks about events planned for the network's 50th anniversary, changes coming in programming, and her life as a construction worker.
Mining boss walking in footprints of activist grandfather: Monday, Feb. 5, 2018; The president of Barrick USA talks about the company's charitable mission, expansion plans and a few of the people he most admires.
Brand specialist’s advice: Never stop marketing: Monday, Jan. 29, 2018; The founder of FIG Brand Strategy Firm talks about her first catering experience, the evolution of Las Vegas’ culinary scene and her No. 1 tip for restaurant branding and expansion.
Apparel designer: ‘All I need is my sketchbook and a pen’: Monday, Jan. 29, 2018; Ermelinda Manos and her team of seamstresses and pattern makers create uniforms that don’t conform to others’ expectations.
PR pro: Don’t underestimate social media: Monday, Jan. 22, 2018; The founder of Your Marketing Liaison talks about the value of social media for businesses, the importance of self-confidence in corporate interactions and her passion for helping people who suffer from addiction.
Fitness instructor: ‘You can stop wondering how Cirque acrobats do what they do’: Monday, Jan. 22, 2018; Ever wonder if you had the ability to perform some of the stunts seen in Cirque du Soleil shows? Marco, Paulo and Carmita Lorador are longtime circus performers whose fitness studio can teach you how.
Crafty restaurant taps into the Las Vegas food scene: Monday, Jan. 15, 2018; Chris Barish and Chef Joe Isidori have brought crazy shakes and burger salads to the Strip.
Exec's thrills: Business, sports, fast cars, educating children: Monday, Jan. 15, 2018; The president and chief operating officer of SpeedVegas talks about his appreciation for customer service, names his favorite car to drive and explains his passion for improving education in Nevada.
'Serial entrepreneur' is bullish on future of cannabis industry: Monday, Jan. 8, 2018; There’s still a stigma about using cannabis, says Peter Findley, managing partner of Exhale Nevada, which cultivates, produces and sells marijuana. And Findley wants to help break that ...
Franchisee leaves legal career to share in the female experience: Monday, Jan. 8, 2018; Nancy Ramirez Ayala spent more than 20 years working as an attorney, but left her career to open a location of the successful hair styling franchise. And she couldn’t be more pleased.
There’s no escaping it: Businesses need raving fans: Monday, Jan. 1, 2018; The president of Escape Reality USA talks about the increasing popularity of escape rooms in the United States and abroad, explains why he chose Las Vegas as his company headquarters, and shares his self-described nerdy qualities.
Gym owner's mantra: Put passion and values into business: Monday, Jan. 1, 2018; For Jen Barnet, there’s no point in going into business unless you are passionate about the product or service you are offering, as well as the community in which you’re offering it.
Marketing exec: ‘All acts of kindness matter and multiply’: Monday, Dec. 25, 2017; The marketing manager for Olympia Cos.’ Skye Canyon and Southern Highlands master-planned communities talks about the joy of helping nonprofit organizations serve the community, the need for well-rounded education and her favorite place to have fun in Las Vegas.
Beautiful workplace blooms in the desert: Monday, Dec. 25, 2017; Ginger Melien was a Wall Street executive and Chelli Wolford was chief strategist for her brother, music star Pitbull. The two met through a mutual friend, and Wolford shared her idea of creating a co-working space for women. Thus, Bloom was born.
Consultant: Focus on solutions, not problems: Monday, Dec. 18, 2017; The owner of the Simmons Group consulting firm talks about the importance of cultivating relationships in business, the rewards of helping children through nonprofit work and “the most valuable thing a leader can learn.”
Connoisseurs of cigars have a new home away from home: Monday, Dec. 18, 2017; Amit Mehra is a fan of Las Vegas’ energy and emphasis on helping small businesses succeed. So this year, he brought his smokers’ lounge concept here from California.
Architecture starts with clients’ how and why: Monday, Dec. 11, 2017; The principal and citizen architect at BrazenArchitecture shares her passion for using her career as a medium for giving back to the community and explains why learning about clients’ work is the first step to successful architecture.
Homing in on technology: Why not build housing ‘like everything else'?: Monday, Dec. 11, 2017; Paolo Tiramani wants to revolutionize housing. His company turns construction on its head by applying economies of scale to the industry in an attempt to modernize the process and create efficiencies.
Viewing luxury cars is ‘like seeing a beautiful painting in the perfect lighting’: Monday, Dec. 4, 2017; Carolynn and Jesika Towbin look at luxury vehicles as works of art, and display them as though they are in a gallery.
Working in family business is ‘a dream come true’: Monday, Dec. 4, 2017; The director of marketing at Ellis Island talks about the property’s multimillion-dollar renovation, her passion for the local arts scene and the words of wisdom she’s kept for years on a Post-it note on her desk.
For chocolatier, success is tied to risk-taking: Monday, Nov. 27, 2017; The chief chocolatier at Ethel M Chocolates talks about his favorite confections and some new products being offered.
Stylist: Set trends, don’t follow them: Monday, Nov. 27, 2017; Steve Wynn was a client of Claude Baruk’s luxury salons in St. Tropez and Courchevel, and now Baruk has brought his brand to Wynn’s Las Vegas resorts.
Hospitality honcho: ‘There’s no room to be timid’: Monday, Nov. 20, 2017; The chairman of Armeni Enterprises and owner of Tipsy Robot, who also founded the Las Vegas Business Academy, offers advice that has served him for 40 years, tells us which U.S. president is his hero and breaks a musical stereotype about Italians.
Owner of 3-D print shop: ‘Anytime you want to make a physical thing, you’re our client’: Monday, Nov. 20, 2017; Three-dimensional printing has been around since the 1980s but has only recently taken off as a mainstream business model. Alex Gao opened his 3-D printing shop last year in Henderson and is happy to teach others about the technology.
For restaurateur, a little luck, pride and passion — and a lot of work — are a winning recipe: Monday, Nov. 13, 2017; The vice president of operations at District Tavern Group talks about the challenges of owning his own business at age 21, the evolution of the dining industry, and why he no longer hikes at Red Rock Canyon.
Venue reinvented with each event: Monday, Nov. 13, 2017; Eli Stearns and Keith Conrad recently opened an event venue that is customizable by brand, audio and design. It’s close enough to the Strip to be convenient for visitors, but far enough away that it’s unaffected by inconveniences such as parking fees.
Las Vegas teens answer the question, 'Do you approve of President Trump's performance?': Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017; Nearly 1,000 students from 52 local high schools gathered Nov. 8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, attending discussions moderated by thought leaders from diverse sectors.
Hospital’s message: No stigma for mental health care: Monday, Nov. 6, 2017; This mental health facility aims to help families navigate the treatment and recovery processes while dispelling the stigma many associate with seeking help.