By Karen Hendricks

Vision, talent, creativity, perseverance, and passion are five traits I believe every business owner possesses. But there’s one more common thread woven into every business’ story of success–the belief that people should be treated like family. Whether those people are employees, colleagues, clients, or customers, time and time again, I heard this message from business leaders across Central PA. I believe it’s the most important factor contributing to their success.

I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing 21 business leaders throughout the region for Susquehanna Style magazine’s “Faces of the Susquehanna Valley,” appearing in the current May 2016 issue. Their inspirational stories fill 25 pages of the magazine, and it was my joy to attempt to capture each business’ unique spirit, ingenuity, love of people, and story of success:

• The Face of Custom Furniture & Interior Design: Steiner-Houck & Associates
• The Face of Understated Elegance in Women’s Fashion: Tiger’s Eye
• The Face of Culinary Adventure: Zest!
• The Face of Hand-Crafted Butchery: Rooster Street Butchery
• The Face of Smile Makeovers: Dr. John A. Weierbach, II
• The Face of Strategic Marketing and PR: Marcia Perry | Perry Media Group (PMG)
• The Face of Vitality: Willow Valley Communities
• The Face of Outdoor Living: CE Pontz
• The Face of Design Build: TONO Group
• The Face of Branding: The Infantree
• The Face of Good Taste: Cafe Fresco Center City’s Executive Chef Travis Mumma
• The Face of Custom Jewelry: Finch Jewelers
• The Face of Sweet Traditions: Miesse Candies
• The Faces of Financial Knowledge: Smith, Mayer & Liddle
• The Face of Award Winning Landscapes: Hively Landscape
• The Face of Artful Interiors: David Lyall Home & Design
• The Face of Fashion through Generations: Fillings Clothing
• The New Face of Primary Care: Dr. Christopher Hager
• The Face of a New Kind of Law Experience: Brubaker Connaughton Goss & Lucarelli LLC
• The Face of Hospital Finance: William (Bill) H. Pugh, PinnacleHealth System
• The Face of Commercial Photography & Video: The Premise Studio