Celebrating American Voices

Stories by Liesel Schmidt

As an area with such deep ties to the military, Alexandria's military community is an extensive one, representing both those previously and presently serving. During November, we join the Department of Defense Education Activity in celebrating Military Family Appreciation Month. In this issue, we share stories of veterans and military spouses who followed their passions to become business owners, honoring these individuals as well as the families whose service was given right alongside theirs. Their dedication, honor and integrity are a testament to their character, both in the military and out, and the business community is enriched by their presence. In sharing their stories, we hope to shine a light on some of the amazing people who have worn—or stood beside—the uniform and now make their mark in a different way.

Melissa Green, Badass Coffee Causes Kyeneil Tippett, UpTOP Cigars John Heck, Legacy Lawyers Melissa Grandin, Grand Lash Co. Monifa Caines, Queen of Spades Style David Ryan, Code Ninjas

If you’re like 30 to 40 percent of the world, you can’t function properly without at least one cup of coffee coursing through your veins. When looking at the different world cultures that gather around coffee, one can see how both essential and social coffee can be. So what better platform for a social cause than coffee? As the owner of Badass Coffee Causes, that’s precisely what Melissa Green does. Her mission statement says, "connecting communities one cup at a time." The concept is simple: Badass Coffee Causes, a merger of Southern, Sweet & Sassy Coffee and Rise Above Coffee, supports socalled #coffeeforacause initiatives. “Each month, we spotlight two nonprofits—one that supports our Military Family community, while the other supports our LGBTQ+ community,” says Green, who, as a Navy veteran, military spouse

Melissa Greenand member of the LGBTQ+ community, has a personal connection to the mission. “We bring education and awareness to our audience and, at the end of the month, we donate a portion of our coffee sales to these nonprofits. Our coffee beans are roasted once an order is made and shipped free here in the US, APO and FPOs, so it's the freshest coffee you'll have tasted. Plus, it's smooth, low acid and not bitter.” In addition to freshly-roasted coffee, Badass Coffee Causes features a line of coffee mugs whose messages are fun, snarky and amusing—in a tongue-incheek way. “Yes, we sell amazing coffee,” she says, “but we do so with the intent to help our communities. We’re bringing education and awareness to our audience, and by donating a portion of our monthly proceeds, we’re helping these nonprofits continue doing their amazing work.”

As a cigar aficionado, Kyeneil Tippett knows his way around a good cigar. He appreciates the smell, the ceremony of smoking it and the craft that went into rolling it. As the owner of UpTOP Cigars, he shares that with other enthusiasts, welcoming them to share their stories, make new friends and relax and enjoy the rich fug of a beautifully-created cigar. Launched in 2019, UpTOP Cigars was born of Tippett’s love for cigars and “the conversations that happen with others while smoking. I have a deep passion and respect for the tobacco leaf,” he says. “For me, it is a great teacher. Not only

Kyeneil Tippettspiritually, but in reality. The process of making a fine cigar takes time, patience and years to perfect. My passion is to share this knowledge and smoking experience with everyone and to have great conversations while we smoke.” A Marine who served four years, Tippett’s self-described “ridiculous and sickening” work ethic is something that he credits to his time in active duty—something that he has called upon often now that he is a business owner. “I never stop working,” he says. As an event vendor, he travels and rolls cigars at events. In this way, Tippett brings the experience to his clients, making their event more memorable and all the more special. “Most people have not seen a cigar rolled from scratch and do not realize the skill it takes to create one. I provide this experience,” he says. Having come to Alexandria in 2017, Tippett found his niche in the business community, working closely with Sonoma Cellar to create regular events. “They have made my business experience here very comfortable,” he says. “I love the community and how close the people are here. Makes me feel right at home.”

When John Heck began his law practice in estate planning, Legacy Lawyers, the retired Air Force officer understood the importance of planning ahead—even when end-of-life preparations seemed like a distant need. In Heck’s particular experience, the need for a will came with the job; but necessary as it was, there were some things he did not understand. This was the impetus to start his own law practice. “During my 31 years as an officer and aviator, we were taught that our service could result in the ultimate sacrifice, which naturally led to estate planning,” Heck says. “For years, I had a JAGdesigned plan that I really didn’t understand. When I married and had children, I realized I needed a plan that worked at the time when it was most critical, in the way I wanted. After a lot

John Heckof study, I found that I [could] use my law degree to help my family as well as other families. After my military retirement, I once again dedicated myself to service, but this time to individual families and communities rather than our nation.” Heck’s years of service in the Air Force taught him valuable lessons that he uses in his practice today. “The military taught me the value of a steadfast work ethic, the importance of ‘mission first’ and the idea that a customer almost always takes priority over your personal needs. The military also taught me the importance and unwavering value of honesty and integrity as a way of life—concepts which I have carried into my law practice and which fit nicely into the state bar’s ethics requirements for attorneys.”

One constant for any military spouse is change. That being the case, careers are often the casualty of constantly-shifting circumstances. But as an entrepreneurial soul whose vision saw beyond the challenges of military life, Melissa Grandin explored her passion for great lashes and created a business that had flexibility, mobility and sustainability. “After being married to a service member, I wanted to have flexibility in my own career and hours I could put in while also being a mom to two boys,” she says. As the owner of Grand Lash Co., Grandin has the ability to start over when and if her husband gets new orders. “Being a military spouse means getting ready to close up shop and start over at any time, but I have learned that the military spouse community is so strong and all the wives love to support other military spouseowned businesses,” she says. “I've also really tapped into building my brand through networking, social media and word of mouth.”

What she offers at Grand Lash speaks for itself, specializing in eyelash extensions that range from subtle to dramatic. “Owning the business myself, I can offer a more personal experience to my clients--and I love that,” says Grandin. As a lash expert for 11 years, Grandin’s experience and passion for her work is a great factor in her success and something she carries with her from duty station to duty station. “I love Grand Lash,” she says. “It's my baby, but at the end of the day, it's second to my family. I have so much passion for what I do, but family is always first. I truly think every military spouse would agree.”

"I have so much passion for what I do, but family is always first. I truly think every military spouse would agree."

While her eight and a half years in the Air Force may not have encouraged individuality, they did equip Monifa Caines with exceptional organizational skills as well as a deep sense of honor and desire to pursue excellence. All of that has been invaluable in launching and managing her business, Queen of Spades Style, as she fills the roles of CEO, CIO, CFO, Shipping Manager, Customer Service Manager and Social Media Manager. “I have to be very organized to perform all the roles in a one She-E-O shop,” Caines says. As a passion-turned-business, Queen of Spades has the foundation for any great venture: purpose. “Queen of Spades Style started first from necessity and quickly turned [into] something that I was passionate about,” Caines explains. “After a lot of contemplation, I decided to stop using a chemical relaxer to straighten my textured hair because it constantly left burns on my scalp. I had this same lye-based cream applied to my hair every month for decades to hide my natural hair pattern, appear ‘professional’ and to assimilate into what the beauty standard is. Then one day, I

Monifa Cainesdecided I was going to stop hurting my scalp every month to make others feel more comfortable about my hair. While I was growing out my natural hair, [I] could not find one hair accessory that was made for thicker hair textures. I went to different stores and started to purchase supplies to make my own hair accessories for my hair—head wraps, head bands, hair combs and hair pins that were colorful and celebrated thicker hair textures. I realized a lot of other women had the same issue I had with finding accessories for their own hair texture. I want to help women accentuate their beauty regardless of their hair texture and live their authentic selves with a lot of style.”

David Ryan

During his 23 years with the Navy, David Ryan served many different roles—one of which was working for the Secretary of the Navy overseeing physical security policy and leading physical security research and development projects. This facet of his career exposed him to emerging technologies until he retired from the Navy in 2012. After that, he worked in the defense contracting industry for seven years. In 2019, he and his wife, Laura, took the leap into entrepreneurship by opening Code Ninjas in Falls Church and Alexandria.

“We were always interested in becoming business owners,” says Ryan. “We have kids of our own and the STEM space is a muchneeded skill that we felt was underemphasized in elementary and middle schools. We found Code Ninjas and thought it would be a great addition to our community and a great opportunity to bring coding and STEM to the schoolaged kids in our community.” What makes Code Ninjas so unique is the model of learning it uses. “Code Ninjas is a fun, safe environment for kids to explore STEM topics, make friends with like-minded children and gain skills in problem-solving, social interaction, math, robotics, 3D design and printing and more,” Ryan says. “Our core curriculum is project- and game-based. The kids— who we call ‘ninjas’—start in White Belt and work their way up to Black Belt. They code and build games, and parents get to see the games that they make, play their games and share in the joy they have when they’ve created their own games.” For Ryan, Code Ninjas isn’t just smart business—it’s something he’s passionate about. “Laura and I are both passionate about STEM education,” he says. “We hear from parents all the time about the impact we’ve had on their kids. It's not just about learning to code. It’s also about problem-solving, sequencing, math, social interaction and many other skills that their kids are getting at Code Ninjas.”

"We hear from parents all the time about the impact we’ve had on their kids."

Photography by Jeff Heeney

The Old Town North Alliance recently welcomed artists to get creative with sidewalk chalk throughout the Old Town North community. Works of art were created on flat plaza surfaces as well as building walls. Attendees were invited to watch the magic happen, take a walking tour of completed works, visit the dedicated Kid Creation area and enjoy food and beer trucks available at Canal Center Plaza. To learn more about the Old Town North Alliance, visit www.oldtownnorthalliance.com.

A NEIGHBORHOOD TAVERN + BAR

THE CUISINE AT KAIZEN IS A BLEND OF LATIN, ASIAN, AND AMERICAN COMFORT FOODS.

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As Head Chef of Kaizen Tavern in Del Ray, Aung Pyae Sone (or “Kelvin” as he is lovingly referred to by regulars) believes that making sushi is an art. But Chef Kelvin’s menu does not stop there. Scan the QR code above for a peek at his deliciously curated menu and be sure to stop by for Happy Hour, every day from 3-5pm. Chef Kelvin + his talented staff create some of the best cocktails in Alexandria!