STELLAR GIFT GIVING GUIDE

It’s the holiday season – yay!! Life is finally getting back to normal, why not celebrate with some awesome gifts? If you are having a hard time hunting down that perfect gift, we have some of our favorite businesses that will put a smile on anyone’s face. We’ve compiled a little list of local shops we love to support.

GIFTS FOR FOODIES
UNIQUE GIFTS & STOCKING STUFFERS
GIFTS FOR MUSIC LOVERS
GIFTS FOR THOSE ON THE MOVE
STAY SAFE AT HOME
TREAT YO' SELF!
PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

FIRST THINGS FIRST… FOOD!

BISTRO WASABI

4590 W Algonquin Rd, Lake in the Hills

www.thebistrowasabi.com

You don’t even have to be a sushi fan to love it here (although they ARE the freshest in town!). Lynne isn’t a sushi person, but she loves their chicken teriyaki and her husband always gets the New York Steak. Purchase gift cards to treat yourself or your friends and family!

Purchase Gift Cards

EL COCHINO

4580 W Algonquin Rd, Lake in the Hills

www.elcochinotacos.com

An American taco, tempura, and tequila bar, El Cochino is a new spin on the traditional Mexican Taqueria. Kristin always gets a Sake Cucumber margarita and avocado tempura to start before making the really hard decisions of what kind of tacos to get?!?

Purchase Gift Cards

UNCLE BUB’S BBQ

132 South Cass Ave, Westmont

www.unclebubs.com

We can’t decide what we love more – the family that runs this joint or the delicious BBQ! Get a gift card for a friend and receive one free for yourself or order ahead for a stress-free holiday meal. We highly recommend the Fried Mac & Cheese!

Purchase Gift Cards

BISTRO WASABI

1578 W Algonquin Rd, Hoffman Estates

www.bistrowasabihoffman.com

A night with Sushi Sean Kang is one you won’t forget! Bistro Wasabi serves inspired sushi, perfectly broiled steaks, and contemporary Asian fusion cuisine. Molly loves their crab cakes and Kamakazi Maki… well, really anything sushi!

Purchase Gift Cards

MILK HOUSE ICE CREAM

230 Reinking Rd, Pingree Grove

www.milkhouseicecream.com

Milk House Ice Cream is all about having the freshest, locally made ice cream in the area, made with natural & local ingredients. Holiday Dessert ordering is now open! Piecakens, Ice Cream Cakes & Pies, Naughty List & Nice List 4 packs, Mini-Ice Cream Sandwich Buckets… *drool*

Purchase Gift Cards

FORK IT GRAZING

256 N Oak St, Unit B, Crystal Lake

www.forkitfoods.com

A favorite around the Stellar office and a go-to for any gathering – you can’t go wrong with anything you order from this Crystal Lake business! If you’re like Lindsay, you never met a cheese you didn’t like.

Purchase Gift Cards

CHECK OUT THESE GREAT SHOPS FOR UNIQUE GIFTS & STOCKING STUFFER IDEAS!

ARTEMISIA

101 S Third St, Geneva

www.artemisiastyle.com

A go-to store for all things beautiful… gorgeous, unique jewelry, clothing and home interior pieces and excellent customer service. Or, as Molly says, “The perfect place to find a gift for my mother-in-law that I know she will love!”

Shop Online

BEAUTILITY

Shop Online

www.livebeautility.com

The recoup Beautiscoop is the perfect stocking stuffer for moms and teens! Lindsay hates wasting any of her expensive shampoo and always keeps one in the shower!

Buy Online

THE HALF FULL NEST VINTAGE MARKET

205 W Main St, West Dundee

www.thehalffullnest.com

This gorgeously designed shop offers a carefully curated, vintage style collection of all things lovely for your nest and beyond. Lindsay and Sin met the owner while mentoring their son in the DCHS Incubator program – entrepreneurship runs in the family!

Purchase Gift Cards

THE OLIVE TAP

68 N Williams St, Crystal Lake

www.olivetapcl.com

Love dipping sauces and marinades? The Olive Tap offers high-quality, freshly pressed 100% extra virgin olive oils, flavored oils and balsamic vinegars made by award winnings artisans and small batch producers worldwide. This makes a perfect treat for a holiday at home!

Order Online

AROUND THE CORNER CANDY

101 S 1st St, West Dundee

www.aroundthecornercandy.com

Often a destination on our Stellar walks, you can’t go wrong stuffing your stockings with goodies from Around the Corner Candy. They have all the classics and some fun novelty items as well. Don’t pass up the chocolate covered pretzel trees – they are the BEST!

Curbside Pickup

ATLANTIC COAST MERCHANTS

Shop Online

www.atlanticcoastmerchants.com

Atlantic Coast Merchants brings the beauty and essence of the ocean to your home by offering a collection of ocean, beach, sun, surf and sand inspired products. Lindsay loves all things ocean/beach so this site is a go-to shopping stop every time!

Shop Online

BEG AND BARKER

www.begandbarker.com

We can’t forget our fury friends on Christmas. Treat them with something special. Beg & Barker treats are single ingredient, high protein, real meat treats so you can feel good about what you’re feeding your dog this holiday season. The flavor variety tasters are 1 oz bags filled with bite-sized meat strips & make for perfect stocking stuffers. Want to treat them with something more? Show them Who’s a Good Doggie & build your own gift box.

Order Online

GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR THE MUSIC LOVER IN YOUR LIFE!

AUSTIN’S VIOLIN SHOP

316 Wheeler Rd, Sugar Grove

www.austinsviolinshop.com

For everything string, consider Austin’s Violin Shop. Starting out? Austin’s Violin Shop. Lessons? Austin’s Violin Shop. Time for an upgrade? Austin’s Violin Shop. Repair? Austin’s Violin Shop. We’re telling you – everything violin, viola, and bass. Family owned and local!

Shop Online

CENTER STAGE DANCE ACADEMY

10631 Wolf Dr, Huntley

www.danceatcsda.com

Get your wigglers & gigglers moving at CSDA. Offering professional dance instruction for ALL ages. Not only have Sin, Lindsay and Molly’s daughters danced there, Sin teaches adult classes too (Lindsay & Molly were students!).

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EVENFLOW

302 W State St, Geneva

www.evenflowmusic.com

Bands, Dueling Pianos, Karaoke, LIVE MUSIC, oh my!! EvenFlow Music & Spirits is a bar, restaurant, and live music venue located in downtown Geneva! It is the perfect place to safely host a small gathering of friends and family or plan a huge bash when this stupid pandemic is over!

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GIFT IDEAS FOR THOSE THAT NEED TO BE OUT AND ABOUT!

COMEDY VAULT

18 E. Wilson Street, Batavia

comedyvaultbatavia.com

Laugh out loud during a night of comedy. Catch your favorite local and national comedians in action at the newest comedy club in downtown Batavia, The Comedy Vault. Give the gift of laughter this season and catch your favorite standup comedians. Tickets make for great Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers.

Buy Tickets

ROARING TABLE BREWERY

739 West Route 22, Lake Zurich

roaringtable.com

Roaring Table Brewery is a must for any beer lover on your gift list. Enjoy the cozy taproom and an eclectic menu of fresh, hand-made beers, local ciders and hard seltzers. There’s sure to be something here for everyone! 

Purchase Gift Card

SANTA’S VILLAGE AZOOSMENT & WATER PARK

601 Dundee Ave, East Dundee

santasvillagedundee.com

Make the kids on your list smile as they unwrap summer this holiday season! A Season Pass is the best way to experience everything Santa’s Village Azoosement & Water Park has to offer. Enjoy 2 parks for the price of one and receive unlimited access to the exciting rides, water park, animal attractions, games, food and more. Imagine the smiles on the faces of those you love and all the memories you’ll create next summer!

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DON’T FORGET TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

ROCKIT STUDIO

473 W Wise Rd, Schaumburg

www.myrockitstudio.com

Elyse can do it all and do it all beautifully, but she specializes in balayage, vivid fashion colors and extensions. Not only does she suit her clients’ personal tastes, but she keeps their hair healthy and looking fantastic. Just ask Sin, she’s been going to Elyse for 10 years!

Book Online

ROSECRANS & ASSOCIATES

1457 Merchant Dr, Algonquin

www.rosecransassoc.com

The holidays are rough. Maybe you’re spending TOO much time with your immediate family all cooped up and y’all need a little help working through things. Or perhaps you’re learning more about your children’s behavior as they struggle with online learning. Rosecrans & Associates is a wonderful resource right in our community.

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DARE TO END ANXIETY

Coaching Available

www.daretoendanxiety.com

Don’t let fear get in the way of doing business success. Female entrepreneurs tend to have more on their shoulders, but that doesn’t have to stop you from being great.  Perhaps your plans for the year went up in smoke? We’re here to tell you, it’s okay to ask for help!

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PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR HOME 

RMG SECURITY SOLUTIONS

IL License # 127.001378

www.rmgsecuritysolutions.com

Do you need security for your home because of all the kick ass gifts you got?! RMG Security Solutions, Inc. presents the most advanced security and home management solution in the industry, for both residential and commercial! Past neighbors of Lindsay, this family owned and operated business is down to earth and will help you find the right solution!

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PLAN AHEAD FOR NEXT YEAR’S CHRISTMAS

MOONEY LYONS FINANCIAL ADVISORS

1 Executive Court, Suite 5, South Barrington

www.mooneylyons.com

The economy is constantly changing, but financial security doesn’t have to. If you haven’t thought about what next year may bring or you want to think even further down the road, reach out to Mooney Lyons. Their goal-driven financial planning helps you get where YOU want to be.

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MEET ISABELLA PARISE

Isabella is a sparkling addition to the Stellar marketing team, bringing a bubbly enthusiasm and proven SEO expertise. With a Bachelor's in English and a minor in Mass Communications, Isabella knows how to craft captivating content that's as refreshing as a perfectly chilled glass of champagne. She's always popping with excitement to learn new things and uncorking new techniques designed to help Stellar clients celebrate success! Isabella enjoys spending quality time with her family and having a nice glass of champagne.

MEET ALLISON BOROSKI

An adventurer at heart, Allison is always looking for something new to try. She's always on the lookout for the next big thing, and when she saw the opportunity to join the Stellar team, she jumped in with both feet! Armed with a Bachelor's in Marketing and a minor in Business Analytics, Allison has a knack for making brands shine bright, and her skills are backed by a solid foundation of real-world experience. From internships to club involvement, Allison has a track record of success that's as impressive as her adventurous spirit. Whether she's navigating a mountain, lining up her next golf shot, or discovering ways to help your business grow, Allison isn't afraid to jump right in!

MEET UTAH

Johnny Utah, named to be the perfect companion to Lindsay's older dog Bodhi, quickly established his role as the lawman in the Stellar office. Nicknamed simply Utah, the Border Collie / Australian Shepherd mix definitely wants to make sure he knows where everyone is and announces all new visitors with a bark or twelve. Often found at Lindsay's feet, Utah was adopted from Animal House Shelter in July 2019. His snaggletooth charms staff and clients into providing as many scratches and treats as he demands. Utah may not be helping out with analysis and strategy yet, but he makes sure the beanbags are all broken in whenever a Stellar team member needs a break.

MEET CHRISTIANA HARRIS

Give her an "S", give her an "E"... Give her a creative challenge and she’ll bring the energy! Always ready to support the team, Christiana earned a bachelor's degree in Communication from Oakland University in Rochester, MI and has a powerhouse résumé! From her days as an Operations Manager for the Walt Disney Company to her seasons with The Detroit Pistons on their Community Relations and Corporate Partnerships teams, Chris brings a wealth of professional experience and an infectious spirit to the Stellar squad. Additionally, as the Talent and Business Development Director for two bustling Chick-fil-A restaurants she has honed in on the magic of a perfectly coordinated team and an exceptional guest experience. With her unbeatable mix of strategic insight, operational excellence, and unstoppable energy, she's geared up to champion brands and rally audiences like never before. With poms in hand, a heart full of enthusiasm, and the home team made up of her professional semi-truck driving husband and energetic son, Chris ensures every project exudes both passion and precision. Ready? OKAY!

MEET JENNIFER GDULA

A self-proclaimed organizational guru (slightly OCD, if you will), Jennifer thrives on keeping both personal and professional life in tip-top shape. With a background in retail management and education, Jennifer brings a unique blend of customer service skills and creativity to the role of Client Support Specialist. An East coast transplant, she’s perpetually in search of authentic NY-style pizza (seriously, can't find it anywhere!). An avid Anglophile, she loves binge-watching British crime dramas and dreaming of the rolling hills of Great Britain. Outside of work, you'll find Jennifer hitting the trails for a brisk walk, indulging in some quality Netflix and chill time, or annoying her daughter with questionable singing skills.  And if she had it her way, Jennifer's ultimate dream would be to own a sprawling farm to rescue animals.

MEET JOHN SOPCHYK

With a future so bright he’s gotta wear shades, John comes to Stellar with a background in social media marketing having worked in broadcasting and product promotions. This and a historical blog that he started in college gave John the opportunity to exercise his creative juices and explore different methods of content creation. A self proclaimed movie buff, John religiously watches Christopher Nolan and Martin Scorsese movies. When he’s not out hustling or watching flicks, you’ll find John on the links, building model planes or boating Lake Geneva.

MEET JULIANNA KLECKA

“They say the neon lights are bright…” at Stellar! Julianna’s current leading lady role is as a Marketing Assistant, and she is ready to put our Stellar clients center-stage, under the spotlight! With a Bachelor’s degree in Musical Theatre and a license in Esthetics, Julianna is filled with creativity and a passion for helping others. Working in the entertainment and beauty industries has made Julianna a very determined gal, and now that dedication is ready to translate to all of our clients’ dreams, too. In her spare time, Julianna is most likely quoting Gilmore Girls (“Life’s short, talk fast!”), snuggling her Mini Aussie, or traveling to a Disney park.

MEET RICK GIBSON

More than just a rockin' attitude, Ricky is a graduate of Oregon State University and has a passion for entrepreneurship and marketing. As Marketing Assistant, Ricky leverages his creativity and work ethic to help drive client success at Stellar. When he’s not working or pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors, Rick enjoys playing guitar, volleyball, and spending time with friends.

MEET JULIE HRDLICKA

Whether it was playing softball in college, sweating it out at the gym with friends or fishing with her family, Julie knows what it takes to bring everyone together and work hard towards the end goal. Having spent the majority of her career in healthcare working with large physical therapy companies and every pro sports team in Chicago, Julie's experience with brand positioning and project management comes in clutch when collaborating with Stellar clients. As a busy mom of 4, Julie knows how to handle chaos and maximize time. When she's not challenging the Stellar team to step it up a notch, you can find Julie coaching baseball, teaching religious education, working out, playing Uber driver, or being slightly bullied by her "friends" into participating in fitness races.


MEET MARGARET SCHLEEHAUF

Starbucks in hand, Margaret joined the Stellar team in the fall of 2023. Margaret uses her previous experience as a freelance social media manager to be sure Stellar clients are looking, well, stellar across all platforms! Fueled by constant caffeine, her quick wit and creative ideas are an asset to the entire office. Margaret graduated from the University of Missouri - Columbia in 2022 and continues to cheer on the Tigers with a big M-I-Z every Saturday in the fall. Feel free to stop by the office and say hi… but don’t come empty handed. She’ll take a venti vanilla sweet cream cold brew with an extra shot and with vanilla cold foam topped with caramel drizzle. 🙂


MEET CAT MAHNKE

Can you dig it? Cat may be the picture of youth, but she is definitely an old soul. Dressed in bell bottoms with her dad rock playlist on a constant loop in her headphones, Cat conjures up the grooviest designs for our team as a Graphic & Marketing Specialist. Cat graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design. In her spare time you can find Cat chillin’ at her pad, cooking up a pasta dish of some sort, watching Harry Potter, or listening to oldies music (her favorites are Led Zeppelin, ABBA, Jim Croce, ELO, Black Sabbath, and the Grateful Dead!). ~The Night is Young and the Music’s High~


MEET LEXINGTON GRACIA

Lexington is a fresh-faced dynamo who brings a background of retail management, hospitality, and customer service to the Stellar Edge team! Lexi’s personality is as bold as her name, and she loves coming up with creative ideas to help Stellar clients put their best foot forward through social media management and email campaigns. Lexi loves all things beauty and before graduating from college with a Bachelor's in PR & Marketing, she worked as a makeup artist for events and shows. A lifelong Fox Valley resident, Lexi joins fellow DC Charger alumni Clare and Lindsay in the Stellar office. You can’t miss her smile and energy as soon as you walk in the door – stop by and say hi!


MEET JASON PAWLAK

Do you need a solution to your web marketing needs? Fly the Stellar Edge logo in the sky and Jason will answer. After graduating from the University of Iowa with a degree in marketing, Jason set out to become a full fledged hero in the digital marketing world. He put in the work to learn behind the scenes through additional course work and entrepreneurship ventures in music. You may have even seen him performing with some of your favorite live musical acts. When not saving the world's marketing needs, Jason enjoys his time working out, playing video games or making music out of old vinyl records. With great power comes great responsibility and Jason is geared up to help Stellar web clients maximize their online potential.


MEET CARLY LEGNER

Carly brings marketing magic to the Stellar team! Transforming from Marketing Assistant by day to Cinderella serving tables at local hot spot Rosie O'Hares by night, Carly channels her inner Tiana as a hardworking, talented, self-starting princess! You definitely won't catch her sleeping on the job like Aurora, but rather focused on getting her clients more visibility via social media. Her unique jewelry and eclectic hairstyles put Jasmine and Rapunzel to shame! Carly discovered her special powers through her experience at University of Wisconsin-Parkside while earning a Bachelors in Marketing and Business Management and a Project Management Certificate. When she's not fighting the Huns or rescuing sailors, Carly likes to hang out with friends and family, travel {mainly going to Disney - duh!}, and do arts and crafts.


MEET EMMA OLSBERG

MEOW! This industrious cat mom come to Stellar with a fresh marketing & videography degree and the willingness to put in the work! Emma is a jack of all trades mastering social media for multiple clients, assisting with video editing, and tackling any task thrown her way. Her chill vibe fits into the Stellar office perfectly - contrary to her love of drama filled TV shows. Outside of work, you can find her getting down to oldies music or watching movies. Emma is a proud member of the LGBTQ community who loves walks by the ocean, good food and naps.


MEET CLARE SRAJER

Clare is no stranger to small business having grown up with a mom-preneur who opened Around the Corner Candy in 1998. She grew from employee to manager to co-owner before deciding that she was destined for more than just the sweet life. Clare came to Stellar with a desire to learn new things and put her customer service skills to great use! As Marketing Assistant, she dabbles in a bit of everything from social media to email to web. Hardworking Clare fits right in with her love of animals, music, crystals and plants. Best known for her obsession with vintage horror, Clare’s house is decked out in paintings and prints from old movies & shows like Dracula, The Munsters, and The Twilight Zone.


MEET DEVIN WRIGHT

Devin grew up in a family business quickly learning that marketing is essential. Having graduated from Judson University with a Bachelor’s in Communications and a Minor in Marketing, Devin is infatuated with the art of storytelling. He can spin a client’s vision into a fantastic tale to create value and attract customers with flair. Devin is always one to dress for success… even if the situation doesn’t call for it. A ballroom dance instructor, Devin is an old soul who enjoys classic cars, old movies and collecting vinyl records.


MEET BRIA LANGWORTHY

Bria joined the Stellar team just 2 days after her college graduation… talk about a go-getter! She is driven to help businesses shine combining both creativity and analytics. With a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Bria is ready to take on the world… or at least our amazing Stellar clients. Bria spends her time outside the office thrifting for clothing and collecting antique tea cups. Her unique style is present in her desk décor and the handmade earrings she wears each day! She is a mother… to over 20 house plants.


MEET HARRY SEMERJIAN

If you need something cleaned, call Harry. Seriously! Even if it’s not his mess, he’ll offer to fix it for you. As Stellar’s SEO expert, Harry's insight into a client's business is a valuable tool reaching more than just online audiences, but customers in the real world too! Harry has owned a handful of businesses since the ripe old age of 13 ranging from manufacturing to real estate to business services. A true Renaissance man, Harry can speak with someone for less than 30 minutes and have a complete business strategy worked out in his head leading them to definite success. A father of two teenage boys, Harry knows a thing or two about dealing with people on the brink of insanity. He fits in well at Stellar.


MEET BODHI

Named after Patrick Swayze’s character in Point Break, Bodhi joined the Stellar team in May 2017 and we don’t know how we got through the prior 6 years without an office dog! Adopted from Animal House Shelter, Bodhi is a Pitbull/American Bulldog mix that his human Lindsay cannot believe someone gave up. Bully breeds definitely get a bad rap because there is nothing sweeter than this 65-pound “lap dog” climbing into someone’s chair as we gather around the conference table. With as much charisma as his namesake, Bodhi greets visitors to the office with a toy in his mouth ready to play. He hasn’t quite developed any marketing skills just yet, but he can spot a duck or another dog out the window like nobody’s business.


MEET KRISTIN KILIAN

Anything that gets thrown Kristin’s way is handled with ease… at least as far as we know. Coming from the retail industry, Kristin is no stranger to a fast paced, ever-changing environment and has no problem adapting to the chaos that comes with managing Stellar’s high profile clients. With years of experience managing all aspects of communications for Fortune 500 companies, Kristin is able to schmooze clients, conquer any task, and ensure everything is running smoothly… even when it’s not! A Hallmark movie fan, Kristin loves spending time with her firefighter husband and rambunctious toddler.


MEET STACY KRUPA

As an expert on all things entertainment, Stacy really knows how to roll out the red carpet for Stellar clients! Her background with Fortune 500 companies makes her well equipped to deal with the ups and downs of any industry. Stacy lives for creative marketing – finding award-winning ways to entice audiences to click, download, buy, or visit through branding, social media, web design, and merchandising. When she’s not dazzling customers, she’s hitting the gym or spending time with her family. A mom of two, she’s used to working well under pressure and taking the lead to make sure sh*t gets done – traits we welcome in the Stellar office!


MEET LYNNE HARKIN

Using a space heater at her desk year-round, Lynne is no stranger to turning it up. With a background in retail and corporate sales, Lynne brings practical knowledge to help Stellar clients determine their path to success. As our content writer extraordinaire, Lynne helps brands find their voice and reaches a whole new world of customers. You may hear her getting flustered from time to time, but it’s always short-lived. Her get ‘er done, take charge attitude works in her capacity at Stellar and as the busy mom of 3 busy boys.


MEET CHRISTINA WOJTOWICZ

As a lover of spicy treats, Christina is a no-nonsense, get the job done kind of a girl. Any task thrown her way is done quicker than you can say Siracha! As our resident Web Developer, troubleshooting issues is her specialty… just like at home as the mother of two young sons! Christina’s ad agency background and experience developing websites adds another layer of insight to our client’s marketing efforts. You’ll often see her hiking and biking with her family (with a stop off at their favorite Dairy Queen for a treat!).


MEET MOLLY FIVELSON

Known around the office as Molly Pee Pee Pants, our resident Graphic Designer has more than just a small bladder. Her experience designing logos, developing brands, and creating amazing materials for Stellar clients brings a fresh perspective and artistic flair.  Molly’s easy-going attitude makes her the perfect candidate to work with constant changes and multiple ongoing projects. When she’s not out saving lives along the side of the road, she lives as a baseball widow and chauffeurs her kids to all their activities.


MEET SIN VAN V

Known for her rainbow hair, Sin is never one to settle for just one style. She pushes the Stellar team to think outside the box and consider things they would have never done before. Her Bachelor’s in Graphic Arts & Illustration from the American Academy of Art is just the tip of what she’s learned. With real-world experience in business management, marketing and promotions, event planning, and vendor coordination, Sin’s experience gives Stellar an Edge over the competition (see what we did there?). Despite her edgy moniker, Sin is a kid at heart riding her scooter, dragging the Stellar team on crazy outings, and smothering her adult son and daughter with embarrassing hugs and kisses.


MEET LINDSAY COATS

Known as the Dream Crusher, Lindsay’s level head keeps the office running like a well-oiled machine. When everyone else is trying to get in human-sized balloons and doing mid-day yoga, Lindsay is crunching numbers in a spreadsheet – literally one of her favorite things to do. With a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Lindsay has the know-how to help Stellar clients make the right decisions to reach their goals. She loves problem-solving and making things work. She has a soft spot for kids and animals… she’s been known to grab babies from strangers and roll on the ground with any dog that will snuggle her.