By Jill Nagy

A combination of hard work, ambition, and a creative menu have helped Kari Cook, owner of MochaLisa’s Caffe in Clifton Park, to succeed, despite a Starbucks drive-through almost next door and another independent coffee shop across the street.

“We’ve had to really capitalize on some of the things that we have,” said Cook, the owner of the restaurant at 22 Clifton Country Road in Clifton Park.

The restaurant has evolved from mostly a spot for morning coffee to more of a lunch and evening venue, offering paninis and wraps. Flat breads and soups are coming to the menu with onset of cooler weather.

By Susan E. Campbell

ABN Design Inc. brings a triad of skill sets to interior decoration and renovation that fills a gap as few design firms can.

Over her 20-year career, owner AnnBritt Newey, ASID, has worked at a leading art deco gallery, outfitted high-end townhomes with antiques and fine art pieces, and collaborated with contractors and vendors for the architectural arm of a luxury interior designer. She has learned to speak fluently the languages of architects, contractors and designers.

This unique vocabulary gives her the tools to provide greater integration between traditional interior design and the architectural process, which is the goal and hallmark of her full-service interior design consultation firm.

KeyBank Capital Region Market President Ruth Mahoney will be the keynote speaker at the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County’s Women in Business annual fall luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 18, at Van Patten Golf Club, 924 Main St., Clifton Park.

Lessons In Leadership is the theme of the event. Registration and a pre-reception runs from 11:15-11:45 a.m., with the luncheon and presentation slated for noon to 1:30 p.m.

There will be door prizes as well as networking opportunities.

Mahoney will share lessons she has learned along the way and incorporated into her life that have helped her become one of the region’s most respected and accomplished leaders. Her talk will touch on competition, overcoming obstacles and the importance of mentorship in growing a career.

BY MAUREEN WERTHER

Chelsie Henderson, owner of Rural Soul Studio in Schuylerville, blends the female entrepreneurial spirit with the soul of a musician and the generosity of a teacher.

Originally from Easton, N.Y., Henderson received a degree in music education from the University of Vermont. She was always keenly interested in ethnomusicology, but she also loved teaching.

After graduating from college, Henderson went on to develop a portfolio as teacher, director, conductor and performer. She developed and implemented a choral program and co-directed theater productions in rural Vermont. She honed her conducting skills with the Bella Voce Women’s Chorus of Vermont.

In 2009, Henderson was awarded the title of “Outstanding New Music Educator,” shortly thereafter satisfying her urge to travel and experience ethnic music first hand. Her travels took her to India, Ireland and Italy with, as she says, her “ears and eyes wide open.”

She fell in love with music from West Africa and began studying the djembe and doundouns, drums that come from West Africa.