Bringing Art to Her Beer

By Holly Hinson

Leah Dienes wasn’t always a beer drinker. In fact, when she turned 21 she preferred bourbon. “When I was in college, I could only afford to drink one beer when I went out with my friends, and I didn’t even like it,” Leah says. “But after college, I began to develop a taste for it — not just drinking it but brewing it, too.” Fast forward to today and Leah is owner, partner, and head brewer at Apocalypse Brew Works in Butchertown, which opened in 2012. “It was a hobby that went completely out of control,” Leah says. 

Strong Women Lift Up Other Strong Women: Toni Clem’s Path

    By Holly Hinson

Toni Clem, president of Scoppechio, an award-winning advertising agency in Louisville, didn’t always know that she wanted a career in advertising. A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in teaching, Toni found her vocation by telling her boss she was bored. “In some cases, that might get you fired,” Toni says, “but in my case, he put me in charge of marketing.”

A Doctor Who Has Followed Her Calling and Climbed Mountains: How Does She Get Her Power?

By Holly Hinson

With both of her parents employed as practicing physicians, Dr. Valerie Briones-Pryor realized by the time she was in high school that she was destined to follow in their footsteps. But what she never imagined for herself was one day climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

She is Running a Startup -- and How Her “Vent Line” Helps

By Megan S. Willman

Angelique Johnson's new medical innovations will provide impactful benefits to the community. Photo by Melissa Donald 

Angelique Johnson never planned to start her own company. After graduating from the University of Michigan with her Ph.D. in electrical engineering and attending the University of Louisville for one year of post-doc work, Angelique realized she had a solid business idea. Using innovative technology, Angelique is exploring the ways that implantable electronics can be used to treat diseases and neurological disorders. Not only will these advances lower the cost of various treatments, but she anticipates tremendous improvements in the performance of those devices. “I didn’t expect to become an entrepreneur, but I saw a need, and I thought, ‘Let’s go after it!’” Angelique says. That idea became the beginning of her company, MEMStim.

Survival Skills: Laura Rice’s Six Suggestions for Changing Careers

By Megan S. Willman

Laura Rice describes herself as an idealist. After graduating from the University of Louisville’s Brandeis School of Law in 2004, she worked for the next nine years as a successful attorney in Louisville. “I loved being an advocate for people in dire circumstances, helping to empower my clients to stand up for themselves. I loved the courtroom and being a voice for disadvantaged people,” Laura says.

I Escaped the Sex Industry — After 35 Years

By Megan S. Willman

Mary says playing the guitar brings her peace and calmness. Photos: Patti Hartog 

When Mary Frances was 15, her neighbor “Dirty” recruited her into the sex and adult entertainment industry. He bought her ice cream and promised to marry her one day. He did come back but not for marriage. Dirty pulled Mary into the sex trade where she remained for the next 35 years. “It all began with a milkshake,” Mary says. “I was a hungry kid with alcoholic parents. He told me what I wanted to hear, and I followed him.” After surviving decades of abuse and exploitation, Mary escaped the sex trade at the age of 50. Now, seven years later, Mary Frances shares her story in the hopes of shedding light on the growing problem of human trafficking.

Paula Blankenship’s Secrets for Creating a Business

By Marie Bradby

The walls inside of Paula's office were painted using her chalk paint. 

Most of us shirk away from change, but not Paula Blankenship, an entrepreneur whose paint business headquartered in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, is gathering world-wide attention after only three years in existence.

Donna Wilcock is Working to Stop Alzheimer’s

By Marie Bradby

Every day, Dr. Donna Wilcock and her team of researchers at the University of Kentucky (UK) move by milliliters toward the fundamental understanding of and treatment for one of the world’s most debilitating conditions — Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). It’s a progressive condition that destroys brain cells and eventually will wipe out the cognitive function of millions of people, leaving them unable to even dress or feed themselves.