Natacha Gaspar

If the Wind Has a Personality, Ours Needs an Intervention Wind Is Not Weather. It Is a Lifestyle. If you live, work, or own land around here, you already know the wind is not a weather condition. It is a lifestyle. At this point, no one checks the forecast to see if it will be windy. The forecast exists solely to tell us how offended we should be when we step outside. Relentless does not quite cover it. The wind does not knock politely or ease in. It shows up unannounced, rearranges everything you own, and dares you to complain. Hats have been sacrificed. Trash cans have traveled farther than some people do on vacation. Conversations begin with, “Think the wind will blow?” as if there has ever been another answer. The Exhaustion No One Talks About There is a specific kind of exhaustion that comes with wind. Not physical exhaustion. Wind exhaustion. It is the fatigue that comes from leaning into it day after day. From squinting into dust. From holding doors with both hands like you are fighting for your life. On the rare calm days, the quiet feels suspicious, as if the wind is simply regrouping before the next round. Outside of Town, It Gets Worse Beyond city limits, the wind feels less theoretical and more personal. Tumbleweeds stack up along fence lines. Dust finds its way into places dust should never exist. Semis lean into the gusts, some of them eventually taking unplanned naps in the ditches. Anyone who ranches, farms, or manages acreage has likely muttered a few words into the wind that are not fit for print. What the Wind Teaches You As aggravating as it is, the wind is part of what shapes this place. It carves the land and hardens the people. It reminds you, sometimes aggressively, that control is an illusion. You can plan meticulously and prepare carefully, only to be humbled by a forty mile per hour gust that laughs at your effort. When the Wind Finally Pauses If you are feeling worn down by the wind, you are not alone. Somewhere nearby, someone else is chasing a lid, re-stacking patio furniture, or standing in their driveway asking themselves why they live where the air actively tries to fight them. Someday the wind will stop. Briefly. When it does, we will all step outside, suspicious but grateful, soaking in the silence like it is a luxury amenity. Then we will remember the quiet truth we rarely say out loud. It keeps the riffraff out. Until then, hold onto your hat. Literally. And if you see me out and about in a baseball cap for the next few months, just know it is because of that atmospheric drama we call the wind. Check out our wonderful Wyoming Weather Check out our Wyoming Listings where you can experience all our weather for yourself!

I had the pleasure of visiting with Reata Gross with Bison Wealth Management. She is a wealth of knowledge in many areas of the financial world and I’m glad to bring you a more in-depth overview of what she and Bison Wealth management have to offer. Tell us about yourself and your background? My name is Reata Gross, and I am the Director of Retirement Plan Services at Bison Wealth Management in Cheyenne Wyoming. I am a die-hard Wyomingite, having done my master’s in business administration at the University of Wyoming while also being a part of the UW Rodeo Team. I come from a small farm/ranch in southeastern Wyoming and was fortunate enough to marry into another farm/ranch family in the area. How did you get into this field? Coming from an agricultural background I have seen many family farms/ranches in the area struggle with succession and financial planning. My passion is to provide simple solutions to those common problems. After completing my bachelor’s in political science at UW I changed course and went into the MBA program. While in that program I also completed a minor in Certified Financial Planning. I began to see a big need in our area for simple financial planning techniques in Agriculture. Many farmers/ranchers are extremely adept at write-offs and running their operations however many also tend to avoid difficult questions such as, ‘what will happen when I pass away?’, because we all know farmers and ranchers don’t retire! Through my studies I noticed financial planning offers many solutions for this to ensure ranches can stay in the family for generations to come. What specifically do you do? My role is twofold, I am the Director of Retirement Plan Services and a Financial Advisor with Bison Wealth Management. As Director of Retirement Plan Services, I set up and explore retirement plan options for small and medium sized businesses in the area. We have a high touch service model and can price plans through any recordkeeper which allows us to have highly customized and affordable plans. It is my goal to simplify the group retirement process as much as possible for the individuals in the company that manage their plan. I also provide financial planning for a variety of different individuals and their family members. Our planning process helps us spot risks and gaps in your plan and goals for your future and then provide a way to fill those gaps and mitigate risks. Typically, it is not a matter of ‘if’ something will happen to you or your family but ‘when’, creating the need for a solid foundational plan that is then able to build on itself year after year, including in and after retirement. We then continually stress test your plan to ensure you stay on track for your goals as they grow and change with you. Some of the specific services we provide include: Financial Planning Estate/Generational Planning Tax Efficient Planning Business Planning Wealth Management and Investment Solutions Retirement Planning Education Planning Life Insurance, Disability, and Long-Term Care Employee Benefits What is your favorite part of your job? Many people have a misconception that financial advisors are only for wealthy or high net worth individuals. The best part of my job is working with traditional families to get them to their goals. I love being able to sit down with a family and listen to their goals and then provide a roadmap and see the progress that is made throughout the years. What does your community mean to you? Being from Pine Bluffs, our community is extremely close. I love the fact that I typically see someone I know when I’m at the grocery store or the gas station. As a tight community, promoting growth and supporting each other is paramount and made even more rewarding when you see a friend or neighbor growing and succeeding. If you are interested in reaching out to Reata, you can reach her at 307-630-5983 or by email at reata.gross@nm.com. The Bison Wealth Management website is bisonwealth.nm.com.

Bea of Bea's Knees Waxing inside The Beauty Box Salon, in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, has opened up a second room and business in the salon, October Road, LLC. Here she offers permanent jewelry, retail, and features products from local artisans. What lead to starting your business? My family and I moved to Pine Bluffs almost four years ago. I have been an esthetician for 12 years and I love it! I opened Bea's Knees Waxing inside The Beauty Box just over two years ago. Last December, I graduated from Western Governors University with my bachelor's degree in marketing. Since that time I have been trying to figure out what my next move would be with my career. I first heard about Permanent Jewelry (PMJ) at The Beauty Box where the salon owner, Cali Warden, told me about it. Not long after that, my teenage daughter and I were on a family camping trip over Memorial Day weekend in the Black Hills of South Dakota. While strolling downtown Hill City, we both spotted a sign for PMJ inside a boutique. We decided to have it done! We enjoyed the experience and love our anklets. It is a memory we share and we have a piece of jewelry to remind us of it. Throughout the entire summer, I thought about bringing in PMJ. During move-in weekend at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, my husband and I were walking around Old Town and I saw someone with a PMJ pop-up shop and there was a line of ladies waiting to have it done. That's when I knew it was now or never! What is Permanent Jewelry? Permanent Jewelry is a unique experience. I have a selection of high-quality chains and charms. I have sterling silver, gold-filled, and rose gold. All of the chains are nickel-free. After a chain is selected I create a custom bracelet, anklet, or necklace. A weld is then made to make the custom piece claspless. Nothing comes in contact with the skin. It is safe and fun. If someone would prefer to have a clasp, I do have those available as well. I charge by the inch so the cost is dependent upon the chain selected and how much is used. People of all ages can get Permanent Jewelry. By the spring, I will be mobile and will travel for events and private parties. The possibilities are endless. They could include bridal showers, vendor events, pop-ups at boutiques or salons, or even a small ladies' night-in wine night. Are there any misconceptions about Permanent Jewelry? Upon hearing about PMJ, I have been asked if it is tattooing or piercing. No, it is not. I have also been asked if the jewelry is embedded in the skin. Also, no. Imagine wearing your favorite bracelet. Now, imagine it not having a clasp while wearing it. That's Permanent Jewelry. It can be cut off if necessary. I would prefer a client come to me to have that done so the chain can be reattached correctly in the future. Why the name October Road and what does it offer? Some time back, I told my sister that if I ever had my own boutique I would call it October Road. Many years ago, I bought a James Taylor CD and the name of that album is October Road. On the CD there is also a song called October Road. The song makes me feel like I am going home, going back to a time and place of peace after being gone for a while. That's how I want people to feel when they enter October Road Boutique. The timing of the business just so happens to be right before October! As I went through my training and certification through Linked, I knew I needed to work hard to make the opening in October happen. My colleagues, Cali Warden, Caiden Lemmon, and Skyler Wrage along with my friends and my daughter have been so supportive and patient as I learned this new skill. Many have let me practice on them. I have to give a special note of thanks to my husband who has worked alongside me in turning a room at the salon into a beautiful space for October Road. The boutique carries clothing, accessories, Tuèl professional skin care, gifts, and items from local artisans. I also have gift certificates available for the permanent jewelry. I am especially proud to offer books written by Deb Carpenter-Nolting and her husband Tim Nolting, natural skin care products created by Alyssa Munoz and Chelsea Hershey, and fine art photography by Chandel Pine of Pine’s Prairie, LLC. I will also have coffee mugs and other items that feature Chandel's work that promote Dyslexia Awareness. October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. It is always October at October Road so every month is Dyslexia Awareness Month. I am proud to support Pine’s Prairie, LLC, and the memory of Paul Kenneth Pine. Please visit www.pinesprairie.com I will still be operating Bea's Knees Waxing as well. My website for that is www.beaskneeswaxing.com. Bea's Knees Waxing and October Road, LLC is female and veteran-owned. I am excited to offer this unique and fun service in Pine Bluffs and the region. Contact info: October Road Boutique and Permanent Jewelry (Inside The Beauty Box Salon & Suites) 215 Main St., Pine Bluffs, WY octoberroadboutique@gmail.com Instagram and FB @octoberroadboutique Call 307-245-3296 Text 937-839-2327 Please check out these businesses! Hours are 10 am – 7 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and select hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Appointments are recommended and cash, Venmo, and credit cards are accepted.