River City Podcast

Midore Takada is a trauma-informed, certified master coach with over 25 years of experience in architecture, design, and construction. Specializing in career-driven women in midlife, she blends cognitive, mindset, somatic, and nervous system expertise to help her clients overcome burnout, navigate uncertainty, and embrace life transitions with confidence.

In this episode, Jess Ellett sits down with Midore to explore how she empowers women to uncover their core values, recognize their strengths, and align with their deepest desires—creating a life of balance and fulfillment without compromising their professional ambitions.

This conversation is a must-listen for any woman navigating midlife! Plus, Midore has a special gift for you: Mention River City Podcast to receive a free 30-minute mini session with her. 

She has also offered her "Buffet of Free Resources' to our listeners which can be found here: www.midoretakada.com/bio-link

Connect with Midore online at the links below!

www.midoretakada.com

www.linkedin.com/in/midore-takada-coaching

www.facebook.com/Midore.Takada.Coaching

www.instagram.com/midore_takada_coaching

Thanks for listening to River City Podcast!  A River City Consulting Production. To learn more about how your organization can be interviewed on the show, please visit River City Podcast online!

In this episode, Jess Ellett sits down with seasoned real estate expert Vicki Vogt to dive into all things real estate—including her insights and predictions for the 2025 market.

With 26 years of experience at Long & Foster, Vicki has built a reputation for excellence in residential real estate across the Greater Richmond, Virginia area. She represents buyers, sellers, and investors, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Among her many achievements, she is especially proud of earning the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation, a distinction held by only 26 agents in the Richmond area.

If you're planning to buy or sell in the coming year, you won’t want to miss this episode!

To connect with Vicki, reach out via email, cell phone, LinkedIn, or her website.

Website: www.longandfoster.com/VickiVogt

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 804-399-8231

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/vickiandtomvogt

Thanks for listening to River City Podcast!  A River City Consulting Production. To learn more about how your organization can be interviewed on the show, please visit River City Podcast online!

In this episode of River City Podcast, host Jess Ellett sits down with Chris Gutzmer, owner of G & R Contracting, a trusted name in Richmond’s landscaping scene. With over 31 years of experience, Chris has worked on everything from cozy backyard retreats to expansive irrigation projects.

Join us as Chris shares his expert insights on the latest landscaping and hardscaping trends, essential tips for homeowners looking to enhance their outdoor spaces, and the key elements of curb appeal that can boost property value. From irrigation and drainage solutions to the type of foliage that will thrive in the Virginia climate, Chris breaks down how to transform any yard into a beautiful and functional space.

Whether you're a homeowner with a DIY spirit or someone considering professional landscaping services, this episode is packed with valuable advice to help you make the most of your outdoor investment. Don’t miss this deep dive into the art and science of landscaping with one of Richmond’s most experienced pros!

To learn more about G & R Contracting or to get a quote on your next project, you can find them at:

www.gandrcontracting.com

Follow G & R Contracting on social media:

www.facebook.com/gandrcontractingllc

www.instagram.com/gandrcontracting

Thanks for listening to River City Podcast!  A River City Consulting Production. To learn more about how your organization can be interviewed on the show, please visit River City Podcast online!

Jess sits down with Andrea Starr to find out the latest happenings at Forward Foundation. They are a unique nonprofit that serves a very niched demographic of single parents who typically cannot receive help from the state due to earning too high of an income. Through their 12-18 month program, they empower single parent families to move forward beyond their current hardship.

Andrea also shares information about their upcoming Celebratory Gala taking place on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the Cultural Center of India. 

If you are a working, single parent in need of assistance, please reach out to Forward Foundation through any of the links below or by calling (804) 840-8687.

forwardfoundationva.org

Social Media Links:
facebook.com/forwardfoundationva
instagram.com/forwardfoundation_va
linkedin.com/company/forwardfoundationva
www.youtube.com/channel

And for tickets to the 6th Annual Forward Foundation Celebrity Gala go to:

Buy Tickets 

This episode was sponsored by River City Consulting 

Thanks for listening to River City Podcast!  A River City Consulting Production. To learn more about how your organization can be interviewed on the show, please visit River City Podcast online!

Jess Ellett welcomes nationally renowned business networking expert Dawne Brooks Gulla for an insightful discussion on all things networking. This episode is packed with invaluable information, offering something for everyone—from newcomers stepping into the business world to seasoned professionals. You'll gain practical tips to help you truly master the art of successful networking.

At 76, Dawne is the epitome of a serial entrepreneur, currently owning 33 URLs for future business ideas and books she’s planning to create. She was an absolute delight to speak with, and we hope you enjoy this inspiring episode!

Connect with Dawne to learn more about BNI or to book her for an inspiring speaking engagement:

[email protected]
www.linkedin.com/in/dawnestarr/

Thanks for listening to River City Podcast!  A River City Consulting Production. To learn more about how your organization can be interviewed on the show, please visit River City Podcast online!

Whether you're looking to enhance your beauty with Botox or fillers, perfect your brows with microblading, achieve weight loss goals, explore hormone replacement therapy, indulge in an amazing facial, or tighten and tone your body, DermaHue has you covered. In this episode, Jess sits down with Kristin Peck, the owner of DermaHue Total Wellness Studio, to discuss their exciting new services, upcoming space expansion, and the incredible work they're doing for women's health. 





To learn more about DermaHue Total Wellness Studio

Website: dermahue.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/dermahue/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/dermhue_totall_wellness/

Thanks for listening to River City Podcast!  A River City Consulting Production. To learn more about how your organization can be interviewed on the show, please visit River City Podcast online!

Today, Jess Ellett chats with Kristin Davis and Mike Wentworth, who work with Leashes of Valor, a Virginia nonprofit that provides highly-trained service dogs at no cost to wounded and disabled post-9/11 veterans. Their motto is ONE LEASH SAVES TWO LIVES. 

Leashes of Valor could not do what they do for our veterans without your help. They are always seeking foster homes for their service dogs for the duration of their training time as they get ready for their service. And donor contributions are also critical. And now through Dec. 31, the James K. Wright Fund will double all donations up to $100,000. You can help them cover the cost of 8 service dogs in 2025. 🐕‍🦺

This Leashes of Valor River City Podcast episode was sponsored by DermaHue Total Wellness Studio.

To learn more about Leashes of Valor:
Website: leashesofvalor.org
FB: https://www.facebook.com/LeashesofValor/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/leashesofvalor
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leashes-of-valor/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/leashesofvalor

To learn more about DermaHue Total Wellness Studio
Website: dermahue.com 
FB: https://www.facebook.com/dermahue/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/dermhue_totall_wellness/

Thanks for listening to River City Podcast!  A River City Consulting Production. To learn more about how your organization can be interviewed on the show, please visit River City Podcast online!

Business owners! Do you have an Accountable Plan in place? It could offer your business significant tax benefits and be beneficial to your employees who work from home. 

Today, Retha Valderas stops by to chat with host Jess Ellett about what Accountable Plans are, how to implement them and why they might be a benefit to your business. 

Valderas Financial prides themselves in their expertise and superior client service. They form a relationship with their clients where they work to make sure every aspect of their finances are in order through cool, calm, accounting.

Stay informed... with Retha!

Learn more about Valderas Financial Services:
www.vfscpa.com

Follow Valderas Financial Services on Linkedin:
www.linkedin.com/in/margaretha-retha-valderas-cpa-3bb47940

Thanks for listening to River City Podcast!  A River City Consulting Production. To learn more about how your organization can be interviewed on the show, please visit River City Podcast online!

AdventureFIT blends outdoor adventure type activities with traditional strength and conditioning with the ultimate goal of helping people achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Today, Jess Ellett is chatting with the Founder of AdventureFit, Chris Wheless and the owner of Bend Movement, Ben Klingelhofer.

If you are looking to go on an outdoor adventure, this is a podcast worth listening to! Chris is a certified strength and conditioning specialist in the national strength and conditioning Association. He has over two decades of experience training athletes of all different levels as well as the general population, including seniors and youth. His company will ensure that you are ready to safely experience all of the outdoor activities you want, without realizing too late that you were not prepared to sustain the physical components of what is involved.

Ben is a physical therapist with over 5 years of practice who has continued to grow and hone his clinical skills in order to get the best possible outcomes for all of his patients. He currently works with a wide range of patients who all share one common trait - the desire to move and feel their best! Ben provides individualized care to each and every client to get them out of pain and back into achieving their movement goals. He is here to provide insight into the type of work needed to prepare for a rugged, outdoor adventure.

To learn more about AdventureFit and Bend Movement, you can click below!

AdventureFit
www.youtube.com/@fit4outside

Bend Movement
www.bendmvmt.com
www.instagram.com/bendmvmt
www.facebook.com/bendmvmt
https://www.tiktok.com/@bendmvmt
www.youtube.com/@BendMvmt

Thanks for listening to River City Podcast!  A River City Consulting Production. To learn more about how your organization can be interviewed on the show, please visit River City Podcast online!

In this episode, Jess sits down with Dr. Aimee Harris, founder of the IE Wellness Center, to explore their mission of bringing together a diverse range of wellness providers and services aimed at building happier, healthier, and more productive communities. 

IE Wellness focuses on the key dimensions of wellness—emotional, occupational, physical, spiritual, social, intellectual, environmental, and financial—to promote optimal health and performance. 

Today’s conversation centers on the Financial Wellness dimension, with guest expert Mary Kay Hacker answering common questions. They also dive into some exciting news for the future of the center, including upcoming financial wellness events, the launch of a new aesthetic division, and exclusive wellness retreats for women, with the first retreat set in Greece! 

Tune in for all the details!

Discussions on this podcast are informed by the Dimensional Wellness Matrix™, a wellness framework developed by Dr. Aimee Harris that integrates the eight dimensions of wellness to support whole-person wellbeing.

You can reach out to Dimentional Wellness Center here:
Website:  www.thedimensionalwellness.com
Phone:     (804) 904-9731

You can follow Dimentional Wellness Center on Social Media here:
www.facebook.com/thedimensionalwellness
www.instagram.com/dimensional.wellness
www.linkedin.com/in/dimwellness

Thanks for listening to River City Podcast!  A River City Consulting Production. To learn more about how your organization can be interviewed on the show, please visit River City Podcast online!