Philadelphia Family 2024 Community Builder Shoutouts
These local business and nonprofit leaders are the Community Builders we were looking for when we founded Philadelphia Family in 2013.
Through their hard work, creativity, and unwavering commitment to the well-being of our Philly Family Community, these local business and nonprofit leaders have become the greatest Community Builders we could have hoped for when we founded Philadelphia Family. Join us as we shine a spotlight on these remarkable individuals, showcasing their work and the invaluable role they play in making our neighborhood a better place for us all.
Family Focus Media recently hosted its Seventh Annual Community Builders’ Luncheon at The 1912 Club, bringing together local business and nonprofit leaders for an afternoon of networking, learning, and community building. The event featured valuable insights on marketing strategies, AI implementation, and the highly anticipated 2025 LOVE Awards process.
Founder and CEO, Sarah Bond shared exciting updates about Family Focus Media’s growth across their three brands – Main Line Parent (approaching 15 years in January), Philadelphia Family (entering its teenage years, turning 13 on Valentine’s Day), and Bucks County Parent (our “Pandemic Baby,” celebrating its third year). The organization has reached nearly 410,000 unique website visitors in the past year while maintaining strong engagement across social media platforms and email newsletters.
The event highlighted successful marketing strategies from various community members, from acupuncturists to professional chocolate makers, demonstrating how different businesses effectively connect with local families. (You can get to know these Community Builders below.) Through facilitated networking sessions, attendees shared their most impactful strategies from 2024 and discussed plans for 2025.
A major focus was the announcement of the 2025 LOVE Awards process, building on the success of last year’s program which reviewed over 4,530 nominations and recognized 346 organizations. Key updates for 2025 include:
- Priority will be given to endorsements received through Profile Pages on mainlineparent.com, phillyfamily.com, and buckscountyparent.com
- New nominee spotlights in guide-dedicated emails and social media for organizations with Profile Pages
- Streamlined nomination process with automated notifications
- Early bird event tickets January 1-31
- Return of printed Best for Families Guides for our events
The timeline for the 2025 LOVE Awards includes:
- Nominations open now for Members
- December 8: Nominations promotions begins with Community LOVE Guide Dedicated Emails
- February 14, 2025: Voting ends
- March through May: Series of celebration events including the new Favorites Fling in Philadelphia (scouting locations for March 19-21), LOVE Luncheon at Terrain Gardens on March 26, 2025, and the Best for Families Celebration at Radnor Country Club on April 3, 2025.
The event concluded with a gift exchange among the attending Community Builders.
Connor Quesenberry, Cupola Academy
Proud Main Line Parent, Philly Family, & Bucks County Parent Member
Cupola Academy (CA) is a secular, nonprofit educational organization that provides a supportive community-base for homeschooling families. CA offers full-day programs for young people ages 4-18 to attend 2-3 days a week in a collaborative and resource-rich environment.
Learn more at cupolaacademy.org.
Erica Kowal, Owner, Big Blue Swim School
Proud Main Line Parent, Philly Family, & Bucks County Parent Member
Big Blue Swim School focuses on swim lessons for children 3m-12years. Their distance and stamina based instruction develop strong swimmers by measuring how far they swim at each lesson. They focus on developing safe confident swimmers through straight leg kicking.
Learn more at bigblueswimschool.com.
Victoria Clement, Restore Physical Therapy and Pelvic Health
Proud Main Line Parent & Philadelphia Family Member
Restore Physical Therapy and Pelvic Health is your go-to physical therapy clinic that specializes in pelvic floor, orthopedic, and perinatal health. They have a passion for helping people to be functionally stronger in daily life, reaching peak performance, and experiencing the best possible birth.
Learn more at restorethefloorpt.com.
Brianna Dawson, Behavioral Wellness for Women
Behavioral Wellness for Women offers compassionate, personalized support for women. They address sadness, overwhelm, stress, PMDD, pregnancy, and postpartum using holistic approaches, including medications and supplements. They listen, validate, and create tailored plans to support lasting wellness.
Learn more at behavioralwellnessforwomen.com.
Brittany Webb, Better Minds Counseling & Services
Better Minds Counseling & Services provides online mental health therapy at your fingertips. They provide quality services to our clients who are navigating the challenges with ADHD, anxiety, OCD, and trauma. Offering individual and group therapy to those in DE, MD, NJ, PA, and VA.
Learn more at bettermindscounseling-services.com.
Kim Wright, Owner, Nothing Bundt Cakes Wynnewood, Springfield, Wayne, Collegeville, and Warrington
Proud Main Line Parent, Philadelphia Family, and Bucks County Parent Member
Nothing Bundt Cakes are available in a variety of sizes to accommodate gatherings both large and small, from bite-sized Bundtinis, to miniature Bundtlets, to full-sized 8″ and 10″ cakes and even tiered cakes. In addition to Bundt Cakes, Kim’s bakeries feature an assortment of artfully designed gifts and decorations with a playful, timeless quality to help make any occasion even more special.
Learn more at nothingbundtcakes.com.
Kay Pugh, Director of Marketing, Nothing Bundt Cakes Wynnewood, Springfield, Wayne, Collegeville, and Warrington
Proud Main Line Parent, Philadelphia Family, and Bucks County Parent Member
Nothing Bundt Cakes are available in a variety of sizes to accommodate gatherings both large and small, from bite-sized Bundtinis, to miniature Bundtlets, to full-sized 8″ and 10″ cakes and even tiered cakes. In addition to Bundt Cakes, Kim’s bakeries feature an assortment of artfully designed gifts and decorations with a playful, timeless quality to help make any occasion even more special.
Learn more at nothingbundtcakes.com.
Ilyse Shapiro, Founder, The Candy Lab
Proud Main Line Parent & Philadelphia Family Member
The Candy Lab is a creative workspace where kids age 5-105 create edible art using candy, fruit and vegetables.
Learn more at thecandylaboratory.com.
Keith Wilkerson, Owner, CollegeThoughts
CollegeThoughts simplifies the college journey for students and families. The company defines, develops, and implements college readiness plans, including comprehensive SAT/ACT preparation, college essay coaching, and college list creation. CollegeThoughts also offers a specialized study skills series designed for middle school students.
Learn more at collegethoughts.com.
Lily Katz, Lead College Adviser & COO, CollegeThoughts
CollegeThoughts simplifies the college journey for students and families. The company defines, develops, and implements college readiness plans, including comprehensive SAT/ACT preparation, college essay coaching, and college list creation. CollegeThoughts also offers a specialized study skills series designed for middle school students.
Learn more at collegethoughts.com.
Jackie Erley, Business Developent, BELFOR Property Restoration
Proud Main Line Parent, Philadelphia Family, & Bucks County Parent Member
BELFOR Property Restoration delivers industry-leading disaster restoration services across the Greater Philadelphia Region and worldwide, providing comprehensive recovery solutions when disasters strike. They partner with individuals, businesses, and communities to rebuild and restore what matters most.
Learn more at belfor.com.
Ian Perler, Realtor, KW Empower
Proud Main Line Parent & Philadelphia Family Member
With over 20 years of experience and deep family roots in real estate, Ian Perler serves Philadelphia with proven expertise. Licensed since 2004, this GPAR member combines traditional work ethic with modern marketing strategies to deliver results for buyers and sellers alike.
Learn more at ianperlerteam.com.
Jenn Metzger, Founder, Safer Babies
Proud Main Line Parent, Philadelphia Family, & Bucks County Parent Member
With 25 years of experience, Safer Babies is Philadelphia’s premier child proofing expert. They enhance family life through comprehensive safety solutions, specializing in stairway gates and furniture brackets. Services include virtual/in-home consultations and custom installations.
Learn more at saferbabies.com.
Sarah Cornwell, Owner/Founder, Sarah Cornwell Jewelry
You find an array of handmade jewelry, gifting, and home products at their brick and mortar location in Doylestown.
They create to connect, shine, and stay curious.
Learn more at sarahcornwelljewelry.com.
Ashleigh Hill, Owner, The Barn Yard
Proud Main Line Parent & Philadelphia Family Member
The Barn Yard is an indoor play space featuring a village for ages 1-8, basketball court, and accessible library. This community-focused venue offers classes, parties, open play and special events in an imaginative, educational environment.
Learn more at barnyard4kids.com.
Darryl Schick, Owner, Plymouth Performing Arts Center
Proud Philadelphia Family Member
Plymouth Performing Arts Center enriches the lives of children through performing arts and music education. Students attend year-round musical theatre classes and summer camps, voice and piano lessons, and the First Notes baby-toddler music program.
Learn more at ppac.live.
Christopher Drucquer, President, Certapro Painters of the Main Line
Proud Main Line Parent, Philadelphia Family, & Bucks County Parent Member
CertaPro Painters of the Main Line delivers exceptional painting services with skilled professionals. This community-focused team hosts charitable events including coat drives and a 5K, while maintaining high standards on every project.
Lear more at certapro.com/bryn-mawr
Arlet Zeibari, Bookkeeping & Business Solutions, Certapro Painters of the Main Line
Proud Main Line Parent, Philadelphia Family, & Bucks County Parent Member
CertaPro Painters of the Main Line delivers exceptional painting services with skilled professionals. This community-focused team hosts charitable events including coat drives and a 5K, while maintaining high standards on every project.
Learn more at certapro.com/bryn-mawr
Katie Kupstas, Founder, Innovators Club for Women
Innovators Club for Women™️ (ICW®) empowers women and gender journey innovators to transform groundbreaking ideas into thriving ventures. Through strategic guidance, funding access, and tailored IP solutions, ICW® fosters equity, helping founders build resilient businesses that shape the future.
Learn more at innovatorclubforwomen.org.
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