Linking arms to safeguard our local economy by raising awareness of small local businesses and nonprofits
Author: Lesleigh Hodam
Topeka Native | Writer | Photographer | Community Advocate
Lesleigh is a passionate Topeka native who wears many hats with grace and determination. As a devoted wife and loving mother, she understands the importance of building a strong and vibrant community not just for her family and but for generations to come.
Her journey as a writer, photographer, Business Development Advisor and community advocate has been nothing short of inspiring, as she continuously strives to make a positive impact on the world around her.
With an innate love for storytelling, Lesleigh's writing transcends words on a page – it's a means to connect hearts and minds to celebrate the human experience. As a product photographer, Lesleigh possesses a unique ability to capture your 5 Senses, in a single frame.
However, it's Lesleigh's role as a community advocate that truly sets her apart. Recognizing the vital role of small local businesses and nonprofits in fostering a strong local economy, she founded Rise Media. With unwavering dedication, she utilizes her platform to raise awareness and shine a spotlight on our small businesses, nonprofits and the unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes. She isn't just a catalyst for growth – she's a dreamer and a hope-thriver. Her visionary approach to community-building extends beyond the present, as she envisions a future where Topeka thrives as a hub of collaboration and progress. Her tenacity, combined with her compassionate heart, paves the way for positive change.
In a world where meaningful connections can sometimes feel scarce, Lesleigh's work reminds us of our shared humanity. She's more than a writer, more than a photographer, more than an advocate – she's a driving force behind the transformation of her community into a tapestry of resilience, unity, and limitless possibilities.
Every nine minutes, a child somewhere in America is confirmed to have suffered sexual abuse. That’s 160 confirmed cases every single day. In 2023 alone, more than 60,000 cases of child sexual abuse were substantiated by Child Protective Services in the U.S.—and those are just the reported ones.
But behind each number is a story. A little voice that was silenced. A child whose world was torn apart. In our own community, children in Topeka are suffering. And one man—Andy Diegel—is determined to make sure they aren’t suffering alone.
Andy, Catering Director for AIM Strategies, is one of just 17 men selected as a 2025 LifeHouse Hero. When asked what he wants the community to understand, he said:
“This isn’t just a private tragedy. It’s a community issue that demands a community response. Every child deserves to feel safe living anywhere in Topeka.”
LifeHouse Child Advocacy Center provides more than just a place to talk. They provide hope, justice, healing, and a safe, trauma-informed path forward. Their multi-disciplinary team—made up of law enforcement, child protection services, mental health experts, and medical professionals—works together to reduce the trauma these children face, often when they’re at their most vulnerable.
We asked Andy what he thought he would feel if his own child ever needed the support on LifeHouse, “Aside from the heartbreak, disgust, and anger I’d feel if my own child needed their services,” Andy added, “I would also feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Because LifeHouse exists. Because there is a compassionate team ready to walk families through unimaginable pain.”
Thanks to LifeHouse, children who once felt broken, ashamed, and terrified are being given the chance to heal. They’re more likely to stay in school, form healthy relationships, and grow into resilient adults who know their worth.
Seth Wagoner, CEO/CFO of AIM Strategies, says this about Andy and LifeHouse:
“Andy is an inspirational leader—ethical, visionary, and committed. LifeHouse is an incredible charity doing difficult, vital work for children when no one else is there.”
And now, AIM Strategies is stepping up again—this time with a generous matching donation. Every dollar our community gives from NOW until April 22, to support Andy’s fundraising efforts will be DOUBLED up to $2,000. That means your $25 becomes $50. Your $100 becomes $200.
Don’t look away.
Don’t scroll past. Too many people do.
Every minute that passes, another child suffers. You can be part of changing that.
👉 DONATE HERE to support children in our community walking through the unimaginable trauma.
There is also an online raffle Andy is working on. Check out all the details
Topeka has a new gem for fashion lovers and home décor enthusiasts — JLDesign, a chic boutique located in Westboro Mart at 3125 SW Huntoon, Topeka, KS 66604. This store, which opened its doors in record time, is the passion project of three women who’ve called Topeka home their entire lives: Jo Davise Meitner, Lanelle Dinkel, and Danielle Byers.
The name JLDesigns reflects the initials of the founders — a trio with deep backgrounds in sales and marketing. Jo, Lanelle, and Danielle share a unique synergy, describing their personalities as perfectly aligned: “We just click.” With a clear vision and drive, they secured their ideal space and launched the boutique within just three weeks.
JLD Boutique is all about versatility and inclusivity. Shoppers can find a thoughtfully curated selection of women’s fashion, from business attire to casual wear, with a few formal pieces for those special occasions. They also offer tween girl sizes and elegant home décor items, creating a top destination for fashionable women and their families.
Some of the notable brands you can discover at JLD include:
AG Jeans
Sugar Lips
Sanctuary
Gola Sneakers
Glasshouse Candles
But JLDesigns is more than just a boutique; it’s a place for connection and community. The founders plan to host private shopping events, personal styling sessions, and girls’ night out gatherings. For those who love to shop on the go, keep an eye out for their mobile store, which will make appearances at local events.
These women entrepreneurs are already weaving into Topeka’s community fabric by participating in events like the Plaza Glow on December 6th and supporting charitable causes like Couture for Cancer. They are also committed to partnering with local vendors and uplifting the community wherever they can.
Visit JLD during their store hours:
Wednesday to Friday: 11 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 11 AM – 3 PM
You can also follow them on social media at @jldesignstopeka on Instagram and Facebook or reach out at 785-414-6191.
With JLDesign’s arrival, Westboro Mart — and Topeka — now have an exciting new destination for fashion, décor, and community connection. Stop by and see what Jo, Lanelle, and Danielle have brought to the heart of Topeka.
Imagine walking into a charming local store you’ve never noticed before and hearing, “We’ve been around for eleven years!” I recently overheard this conversation at Cashmere Popcorn in Downtown Topeka. Honestly, it’s a statement that we have heard many times which is one of the huge reasons TopCity Rise began. It’s stories like these that fuel our passion.
We at TopCity Rise believe every hidden gem deserves a spotlight, every nonprofit striving for change deserves unwavering support, the artists need eyes on their beautiful creations and every person who is a catalyst for change and growth in our community needs encouragement.
It’s not a secret. Many small businesses in our community are struggling. When staple businesses in our community, like The Burger Stand, Brew Bank and Norseman, begin to close their doors this is concerning.
One of the things we often see in small businesses and nonprofits, when they are starting up or struggling to keep their doors open, is they cut back on their marketing budget, hoping that their customers love them enough to keep coming. But we all know, even in friendships sometimes, that we lose track of the last time we connected with that business because let’s face it…some seasons of life are just so busy. That is why your positive reviews, branding and marketing are so important. When our community has reminders like positive reviews, and advertising, it brings back beautiful memories of experiences we had with a friend over a drink at The Tee Box, the sharing of dreams for the future over pineapple curry at Jong’s Thai Kitchen or the beautiful dress you picked up from The Mix that made you feel confident for that meeting that changed your life.
For years we have worked together with our community to help bridge that gap. We have shared stories on new businesses, artists, nonprofits, local gems and amazing people.
From day one, over three years ago, we started with one sponsor and a mission….”We believe in linking arms with our community to safeguard and strengthen our local economy”. Through storytelling and awareness, we highlight small businesses, artists, nonprofits, and inspiring individuals who serve as catalysts for growth. Together, we can inspire our community to rise and support those making a difference and weaving a beautiful unique tapestry.”
Over three years later and countless volunteer hours to the cause, we have a really exciting announcement.
Today, we’re thrilled to share an exciting milestone: TopCity Rise is now an official 501C3 nonprofit!
We want to give a huge shout out to Mary Thomas from Community Resources Council for all the support and work to get this accomplished! We are so grateful for you!
We are so excited to continue to link arms with our community to build a thriving, resilient local economy where every business and nonprofit is supported, celebrated, and empowered and equipped to RISE.
We are Fueled by what Our Community Says
We live for moments like:
“I can’t believe this business has been here for 7 years and I’m just finding out about it! I’m going tomorrow to check it out!”
“Our business doubled income in a year because of the marketing strategies you taught us!”
“We love hearing about these businesses who are so involved in strengthening the community. That’s who we will be spending our money with.”
“We follow you because we want to hear about the new businesses who need support.”
“I had no idea this event was a thing! Thank you for sharing about it so we can support the cause!”
“We follow you guys on Facebook! We love you! You consistently share about businesses and nonprofits we have never heard about.”
“With Lesleigh’s marketing strategies and coaching she helped me generate over 500k from digital marketing in the last year alone!”
“Honestly, I just did exactly what you suggested and that is when people started coming in.”
These aren’t just comments—they’re affirmations of a community, coming together, determined to thrive.
It takes community.
It takes collaboration.
It takes commitment.
It takes those who are willing to be a catalyst for change. Those leaders to rise up and pave the way.
The Power of Local Businesses
Small businesses aren’t just shops; they’re the heartbeat of our economy. They create jobs, fuel innovation, and keep dollars circulating within our community. For every $100 spent at a local business, about $68 stays in the local economy, compared to only $43 when spent at a national chain.
Supporting local isn’t just a feel-good act; it’s a strategic investment in our collective future. So, when you shop small you are part of building a legacy for our community.
Nonprofits: Pillars of Community Strength
Nonprofits uplift our community in profound ways—from providing essential services for the homeless to enriching education and healthcare. In the U.S., nonprofits contribute approximately $1 trillion to the economy and account for nearly 10% of all employment. Their impact is undeniable, and when we support them, we’re fostering a stronger, more compassionate community.
The purpose of a nonprofit is to maximize the donation dollars you give to serve their mission and rely on a lot of word-of-mouth advertising and community support. That is why we are passionate about coming along side fellow nonprofits, to share their stories and rally support from those who have a heart for their mission.
Amplifying Stories, Stretching Marketing Dollars
At TopCity Rise, we’re not just advocates; we’re storytellers. We partner with community, small businesses and nonprofits to:
Share Their Story: We highlight their unique journeys, values, and contributions to our community, ensuring they’re seen and celebrated.
Maximize Impact: We help them make the most of their marketing dollars through marketing coaching and connecting them with cost-effective strategies to maximize brand awareness that resonate with local audiences.
Community Spotlight: Through our platforms, we introduce the community to businesses and nonprofits they might not know about, creating new opportunities for support and collaboration.
We are so excited about the future of Topeka!
We don’t just want local to stay alive…we want it to thrive. We would love for you to link arms with us and be a part of building a thriving local economy.
If you are a community member, keep following along, invite your friends to follow us and write those positive reviews! We have some upcoming challenges and incentives, specifically for those of you who are supporting local, that we think you’ll love!
If you are a business owner or CEO and this resonates with your heart for community, consider joining us by becoming an Ad Astra Sponsor. If your business or corporation values community, collaboration, and compassion, consider becoming an Ad Astra Sponsor. This is an opportunity to have every dollar you spend on advertising for your business, duplicated for community impact. If you are ready to align your brand with a mission dedicated to supporting small businesses, nonprofits and building a thriving community for the next generation, let’s chat.
TopCity Rise 