Editor's Letter

What do you want to be when you grow up? In this issue, the stories of our seven “Rising Stars,” who have each made a mark in their respective professional industries, might inspire you to take a professional leap or pursue a passion project. Giannina S. Bedford interviews Marie Opeaye who recently launched a sports agency at 41 and adds agent to her various entrepreneurial roles; Michael Jacobs chats with Iraq vet Ted Kalb who just this year pivoted his career and bought a luxury woodworking shop; and Lauren Finney Harden pens the story of Salim Mekhmoukh who designed a new kind of energy drink for U.S. tastebuds. These doers, as well as our other stars, show us that anything is possible with a little (or a lot of) creativity and determination.

Beyond the cover story, our July/August issue also features a plethora of hot topics such as how to get your hair and makeup to stand up to the humidity, which Jennifer Bradley Franklin covers in the Beauty column. For those with summer travel and recreation top of mind, check out the Approved story with gear that makes packing and flying a cinch and the Home feature with a beautiful Reynolds Lake Oconee abode for dreaming of lake life. And for parents looking ahead to August’s school start, the Kids column is stacked with subscription boxes to make your life easier.

As I type this letter in June, and Atlanta’s heat advisory says to stay inside, I’m eyeing the icy pop recipes in Claire Ruhlin’s Foodie Journal piece.

Enjoy, and stay cool out there.

Sara Hanna

Karina Antenucci

Managing Editor

We welcome all contributions, but we assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. No portion of this publication can be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission.

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Joanne Hayes Publisher and Founder Sonny Hayes Chief Financial Officer

EDITORIAL Karina Antenucci Managing Editor Jennifer Bradley Franklin Senior Contributing Editor Alan Platten Creative Director Giannina S. Bedford Contributing Home Editor H.M. Cauley Copy Editor

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS H.M. Cauley Carly Cooper Lauren Finney Harden Taylor Heard Hailey Hudson Mickey Goodman Angela Hansberger Michael Jacobs Denise K. James Nicole Letts Amy Meadows Hope Philbrick Claire Ruhlin Vanessa Pascale Rust Ginger Strejcek

PHOTOGRAPHERS Terry Allen Sara Hanna Erik Meadows Joann Vitelli

SALES & ADVERTISING Cheryl Isaacs Senior Account Executive Michelle Johnson Account Executive Layal Akkad Graphic Designer

DIGITAL BHG Digital Website Development Management Mike Jose Director of Audience Development

LEGAL Scott I. Zucker Legal Counsel FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR

Hailey Hudson

Hailey Hudson is a fulltime freelance writer and content marketer who lives in Cumming, Georgia, with her cat. Her writing focuses on the health care, digital marketing and pet industries, and she pens Pet and Tastemaker articles for Simply Buckhead. Her other freelance clients include Dell, Lenovo, Chewy, Healthline and MetLife Pet Insurance. In her spare time, she writes young adult novels and does ministry and advocacy work in the chronic illness and disability field. @haileyh_writes

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The poolside view from the South Seas Island Resort is the Gulf of Mexico's turquoise waters.