Features

From the luxury fields of fashion, food, design and more, these 10 local VIPs are at the top of their respective fields. So, how did they get to where they are today? 

Elycia Marie

Stylist and founder of Arcadia Vintage

“Collecting vintage clothing and accessories was a hobby of mine for many years. I call it treasure hunting. I launched Arcadia Vintage online in 2011.

Robert Roberts, a successful financial banker, was experiencing stomach pains daily, leading to a diagnosis of Stage 4 stomach cancer. It had spread through his waist and up to his chin, leaving him with three months to live. That was four years ago.

Crystal Reidy, a 37-year-old community affairs worker for Maricopa County, first discovered a lump while she was breastfeeding her 6-month-old baby in early 2012. A mammogram later confirmed her fears: she had breast cancer.

For a daredevil like Jeff Hall, the sport of polo is something that came naturally. He was born into a family of polo players; he began to ride horses at age 4 and was in his first tournament by the time he was 7. “Polo is so much more than just a sport because it has a whole lifestyle surrounding it. The lifestyle has been a part of my life since day one.”