Describe your business

My business is called Transformations by Jill. I “transform the ordinary into extraordinary” by providing interior redesign, home staging services and color consultations. Check out my new website! www.transformationsbyjill.com

What brought you to Hanover?

Very good friends and the Hanover lifestyle.

What is the biggest challenge you are facing?

Finding enough time to schedule my clients. This has been a great economy for redesigning – you know, “using what you already have and love.”

What is the biggest challenge you’ve overcome?

Convincing Realtors to use me as a home stager. Many of them have been “staging” on their own, but I bring a “buyer’s eye” to the home being sold. I can say things the Realtor can’t. I often times help reinforce what the realtor has suggested to their client. Really, it is a win-win situation. Call me before you drop the price of your home.

What is your most satisfying moment?

It is definitely the “big reveal” after I have completed a redesign. I come in and use the items you already own. With your permission, I “shop” your home. Then I ask you to leave–go shopping, run errands, visit a park. Then I get busy transforming the room with the furniture, art, and accessories that you already own. Once I am done, you will love your new space—all for a fraction of the cost of a traditional designer. Home owner reactions are priceless!

Where do you hope to be in 5 years?

Right here in Hanover County – redesigning and/or staging your home.

Are you a member of MAP?

No, sounds like I should be…

How many employees do you have?

Just me and my moving crew

What’s your best time of year?

Spring is always a fun time of year for me. Once the Christmas décor is put away, there are “holes” in the décor and everything looks a little dull. That’s when the calls come flooding in, “Help me Jill, I need to paint”, “Jill, my living room just doesn’t feel right”, “Hey Jill, I need ideas for our playroom”, “Jill, come do that thing you do and make my room beautiful”!

Do you have a favorite customer or vendor?

I have great clients. My favorite ones keep calling me back to “do another room.” Not only because it is more business, but I can really get to know them and their family and build a relationship with them. That is when it is really special for me.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

The Mediterranean. I love the ocean, the food, the architecture, the people, the landscape, everything.

Favorite place you have visited?

Concord, New Hampshire

Why do you love Ashland/Hanover?

It is somewhat quiet, yet close to everything.

What is your favorite childhood memory?

Racing GoKarts with my family and friends.

What is your favorite childhood cartoon?

Looney Tunes.

If you could talk to any historical figure (real or fictional), who would it be?

Any of the Founding Fathers.

What would you ask them?

If they would change anything.

Where is your favorite vacation spot/activity?

The Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Where to you work?

Ashland Police Department.

How long have you lived in Hanover?

One year.

What is your favorite book?

“Survive!” by Les Stroud

Who is your role model?

All of the men in my family are great role models.

What are you most proud of?

Being part of the best police department in Virginia.

Are you a “cat” person or a “dog” person?

Both

What brought you to Hanover?

I was hired by the APD.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I have always wanted to visit Europe.

Barbara came to Ashland with her husband and son this past June of 2008 after living in Smithfield, Virginia for 19 years. It was in Smithfield that she began practicing Yoga about nine years ago. Says Barbara, “I loved Yoga immediately. I find that many people do. I had taken years of dancing as a child and teenager so I believed it was the same required body awareness, the same inner focus, and the overall sense of well being that is gained in both dance and yoga. People who love to dance usually love yoga.” Barbara had always wanted to teach yoga in a studio and had considered teaching in one of the Richmond studios. But, she felt that there was a need for more yoga classes in Ashland. One of her biggest initial obstacles was to find a space.

Fortunately, Diane Hale agreed to allow her to lease her studio for yoga classes. The studio provides a wonderful atmosphere, warm lighting, soft, old hardwood floors, a good sound system and great energy, (good chi). Barbara believes that the great energy comes from the wonderful old building and the many children who have spent years dancing in the studio. Additionally, there is space outside the studio itself, usually used as a waiting room for parents, for persons to gather after class and have a little social time. Barbara is presently conducting a special program for persons with back problems on Sunday evenings.

Beginning February 15th she will add a level 1 class on Sundays from 6:00 p.m to 7:15 p.m.  Barbara is presently completing a room in her home that she can use for private yoga classes during the day or evenings. “I love teaching yoga and my most satisfying moments are when students tell me that yoga has made a big difference in their lives. I have been told by students that I have helped heal their back problems greatly improving their quality of life, have increased their range of movement and general activity level, increased their strength, helped them to lose weight, improve posture, and most importantly to bring about a peace in their life they have yet to know.”

Although, the physical benefits of yoga are great, it is the meditation, allowing the mind to be still and rest in the present that is of the greatest benefit. Barbara loves to read and has many “favorite” authors. Thomas Moore, a catholic priest who is a wonderful spiritual writer, Eckert Tolle and Deepak Chopra for putting complicated spiritual concepts into such understandable , practicable form, Anne Lamont for her humor and candor, Willa Cather for her beautiful, touching prose.

Her newest find is a book by Mary Pipher, which will be released in March, called Seeking Peace, Chronicles of the Worst Buddhist in the World. If Barbara could meet one world figure it would be the Dali Lama. Says Barbara, “I wouldn’t ask him anything, I would just like to be in the presence of someone who has it so together and is so happy to just be alive. I don’t think words are really necessary with him but I would certainly be thrilled to hear anything he felt like saying.” Barbara really enjoyed his book, The Art of Happiness and think it’s a great read for anyone of any religious persuasion.

If she could go anywhere in the world, she would go to the smaller islands in the South Pacific off Tahiti via a sailboat. These many islands are seldom visited except by sailing vessels. Barbara is an avid sailor. She says, “Sailing is my most favorite activity. We have a sailboat that we dock in Deltaville, Va.and is the place we will spend most weekends in fair weather.” Her favorite destination thus far has been the British Virgin Islands, but they are becoming more touristy and commercial every year. Still, they are incredibly beautiful with wonderful sailing.Barbara looked for a house for many months and finally found one — the new blue house on the tracks. She loves the house but even more, she loves the town. Immediately, she recognized the appreciation of diversity in the town and came to understand what a caring community she had come to live in. Says Barbara, “I once had a very wise friend say you can tell a lot about a community by the way they care for those who are less fortunate than themselves.”

Come out to the Ashland Musical Variety Show on March 19, 20 and 21, and you will see Lenora and this terrific choir perform. Lenora has lived in Hanover County for 18 years. She met and married her husband here in Hanover. Lenora loves Ashland/Hanover because it is a “very quiet, friendly” country style of living. Lenora’s role model is her mom, the “most caring woman” and a woman who is loved by everyone. Her favorite childhood cartoon is “Woody Woodpecker.” Lenora considers herself both a cat and a dog person, but she prefers dogs. Her favorite author is Danielle Steele. Lenora is most proud of earning a college degree 31 years after graduating from high school. She is also proud of her family, her church and her community. Lenora is especially proud of her daughter, Jessica who is following in her footsteps. When she isn’t playing piano or directing music groups, Lenora works for Dominion Virginia Power. If Lenora could go anywhere in the world, she would go to Maldives. Her favorite place to visit is a beach, like St. Croix or cruising to the US Virgin Islands. If she could talk to any historical figure (real or fictional), it would be Mahalia Jackson. Lenora would ask Mahalia, “You sang in front of thousands of people, what about speaking in front of the same?” Lenora’s philosophy of life can be summed up by Ralph Marston, “Being genuinely happy is a powerful way to express your confidence and your expectation that positive things will happen. And when you confidently expect the best, that’s precisely what you get.”

• Favorite place you have visited? Disney World
• Why do you love Ashland/Hanover? Because it’s small and everybody knows each other.
• What is your favorite childhood memory? Getting my first guitar.
• What is your favorite childhood cartoon? Phineous & Ferb
• If you could talk to any historical figure (real or fictional) who would it be? Albus Dumbledore (from Harry Potter)
• What would you ask him/her? If he would train me.
• Where is your favorite vacation spot/activity? Disney World
• Where do you work? I am in 7th grade at Liberty Middle School
• How long have you lived in Hanover? Six years

• What is your favorite book? (OR Who is your favorite author?) Jeff Kinney (Diary of a Wimpy Kid)
• Who is your role model? Patrick Stump – singer/songwriter for Fall Out Boy
• What (OR who) are you most proud of? Teaching myself how to play guitar
• Are you a “cat” person or a “dog” person? Definitely a dog person
• What brought you to Hanover? My parents
• If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? Area 51

• What is the biggest challenge you are facing? A) I think that most people will agree with me – the economy.
• What is your most satisfying moment? A) The birth of my daughter.
• Where do you hope to be in 5 years? A) In Ashland selling Real Estate.
• Member of MAP? A) Yes

• How many employees do you have? A) We have 3; Linda, Sharon, and Rea who all do a fantastic job for us.
• CEO you admire & why? A) Bill Gates – he is on the cutting edge of technology development.
• What’s your best time of year? A) There always seems to be an increase in the Spring months.
• Describe your business. A) We are a full service Real Estate firm that specializes in resale and new home sales, land sales, and commercial sales in the Richmond area including anover, Henrico, Caroline, Louise, Goochland, Richmond, and Chesterfield.
• Is this a family business? A) Yes, Lou Flanagan started Dew Real Estate in 1978, we merged with Coldwell Banker Stonehorse in 2001, and we are still one big family.
•  
• What brought you to Hanover? A) Born and bread here. 30 years.
• Do you have a favorite customer or vendor? A) All of our clients are fantastic and it is a joy to work with each one
• If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? A)I would love to visit Ireland, with the last name Flanagan it seems like a necessity
• Favorite place you have visited? A) Camden, Maine
• Why do you love Ashland/Hanover? A) The people, no matter where you are you will see a friendly face and receive a smile.
• What is your favorite childhood memory? A) Sledding down Fairway Lane with all of my neighborhood friends and playing sports with my Dad.
• What is your favorite childhood cartoon? A)The Super Friends.
• If you could talk to any historical figure (real or fictional) who would it be? A) Odysseus
• What would you ask him/her? A) I would want him to talk about his participation in the Trojan War and then his subsequent journey home.
• What is your favorite book? (OR who is your favorite author? A) Stephen King
• Who is your role model? A) My father, Lou Flanagan – I couldn’t ask for a better one.
• What (OR who) are you most proud of? A) My Daughter, she has such a big heart and cares so much for others. She also works hard to be a good student and well rounded young lady.
• Are you a “cat” person or a “dog” person? A) Dog.

Why do you love Ashland/Hanover?

PATTI:  I love the rural living, Hanover tomatoes and friendly people.  I also love the quaint town of Ashland.  As a teenager, I remember going to the “five and dime” and later the Stage Coach Restaurant.  Anyone who has lived in Hanover for a long time remembers the Stage Coach.

DENISE:  Everyone is so nice and friendly.

What is your favorite childhood memory?

PATTI:  Going to my Aunt’s house in Speed, North Carolina, where it was truly “country” with horses everywhere.  At age 10, I got my first pony for Christmas named “Flicka” after the show “My Friend, Flicka.”

DENISE:  Spending the summer with my grandparents in Henrico County riding ponies and swimming.

What is your favorite childhood cartoon?

PATTI:  Well, I’m not sure about childhood cartoon, but I do love “The Powerpuff Girls.” 

DENISE:  Bugs Bunny and Friends.

Where is your favorite vacation spot/activity?

PATTI:  My favorite activity is fox hunting.

DENISE:  I love being at home with my family.  My favorite vacation spot is in the mountains for some R & R.

Where do you work?

PATTI:  I work as a Hanover County traffic guard (Liberty Middle School), and I own Painted Horse Farm in Beaverdam.

DENISE:  I work as a traffic guard for Hanover County (Patrick Henry High School), and I condition race horses at Eagle Point Farm. 

I also own Edgemont Stables.

Who is your favorite author or what is your favorite book?

PATTI:  I love Rachel Ray’s cookbooks.

DENISE:  My favorite author JK Rowlings.

What or who are you most proud of?

PATTI:  I’m most proud of my business, which I’ve been building for 12 years.  I’ve seen many of my riding students grow up.  Some of them are in their 20s.  One of my former students is a jockey and is traveling all over the place.

DENISE:  My three children.

Are you a “cat” person or a “dog” person?

PATTI and DENISE:  Both.

What brought you to Hanover?

PATTI:  My parents brought us to Hanover in 1974. 

DENISE:  I’ve lived here all of my life.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

PATTI:  Fox hunting in Ireland.

DENISE: Ireland.