Chris Rippy, Esq., of Nash, Raley, Rogers & Ripply, PLC in Maumelle, and his partners are primarily in the business of making sure the life planning needs of their clients are met. Theirs is a full-service law firm that specializes in elder law, estate planning, and family law. “Typically everyone will focus on at least one of these areas in their lifetime,” Chris said. Their firm includes four attorneys, two of whom have practiced law for a combined 60 years.

Estate Planning

Jessica Zimmerman, owner of A Southern Tradition in Conway and editorial advisory board member to Women’s Inc. magazine, was named to Arkansas Business’ “The New Influentials: 20 in their 20s.”
Zimmerman, 29, a native of Conway, graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville with a degree in communication.

Dr. Brandie Martin of Conway Women’s Health Center embodies everything
that is right in medicine: she’s honest, straightforward, aggressive, and is a true
advocate for her patients.
Married to Trey, who is also employed by Conway Regional Medical Center as
a nurse anesthetist, they are parents to J.T. and Tinsley. Brandie grew up in Ruston,
Louisiana and pursued her undergraduate studies at Louisiana Tech. She went
on to attend medical school at LSU Med Center in Shreveport, where she also did
her residency. She left her residency and came straight to Conway Regional Medical

Sarah Cook, a hygienist at Flanagin Dental in
Conway, takes her job seriously but also enjoys it a
great deal.
“I can wear two hats. I actually clean people’s
teeth, but I also have the educational aspect,” she
said. “It’s my job to educate people on how to have
good dental hygiene and the importance of having
good dental hygiene.”
October is National Dental Hygiene Month. Lea
Ann Moore, executive director of the Arkansas State
Dental Hygienists’ Association, said the purpose of
National Dental Hygiene Month is “to recognize our
profession and make sure people understand we are a

While Conway Regional’s lactation specialists do
not spell out words through a megaphone, they are
cheerleaders. No pom-poms here, just determination
that every mother who wants to breastfeed her child
should have the opportunity. Breastfeeding moms,
particularly new moms, need cheerleaders.
“Breastfeeding is an art,” says Linda Pabin, a
certified lactation consultant. “It takes time. It takes
practice, and the moms need the confidence to know
they can do it.”
There are so many questions, says Pabin. There is
never a stupid question. We take as much time as we

“E·merge [ih-murg] verb, 1. to become known….” Emerge, the name Renee Stone chose for her Conway boutique, is fitting for a girl who has made herself known through implementing her own charity, being an entrepreneur, and competing in pageants most of her life.

Debbie Eckert’s interview began with prayer for guidance and a gracious greeting at the entry to her business, Debbie’s Hair Productions. Alternately tearful and passionate, it was an honor to talk with Debbie about her 30 years as a woman in business in Conway.

Couple Jason and Ashley Kimbrow, on our cover this month, are one couple that practice what they preach every day. Marriage, family, healthy relationships, and dating are a few of the topics that this couple discusses with the young people they minister to. The Kimbrows serve as the Executive Pastors of Student Ministries at New Life Church in Conway. They work with students from middle school to college. Jason and Ashley teach by example, by showing that combining a healthy marriage and a healthy spiritual life, you can have all God’s best for you in your relationship.

There are two federal tax credits available to help you offset the costs of higher education for yourself or your dependents. These are the American Opportunity Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit.
To qualify for either credit, you must pay postsecondary tuition and fees for yourself, your spouse or your dependent. The credit may be claimed by the parent or the student, but not by both. If the student was claimed as a dependent, the student cannot file for the credit.

New Year, New You. As the New Year arrives, our two feature stories this month highlight two women who have started the New Year with a brand new business: Patti Stobaugh, owner of pattiCakes, and Angela Jackson, owner of Studio Skin.