Notable Locals
Get to Know Your Neighbors
Photos by Raymond J Photography
Faces introduces you to people who make Ballantyne lively and interesting. In this edition, meet Martha Cooper-Hudson, Roberto Ruiz and Mackenzie King. Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Mackenzie King
Hometown: Asheville, North Carolina
Job: Founder and CEO, King Social Management
How do you maintain your well-being?
As of late, I’m ensuring that Sundays are work-free and spent with my husband either cooking, playing tennis or exploring the city. This has been SO good for my soul and the perfect way to recharge for a productive week ahead.
Ballantyne resident?
I have lived in the South Charlotte area for a little over three years now.
Favorite beverages
A homemade oat milk latte and a spicy margarita from day to night.
Martha Cooper-Hudson
Hometown: Ft. Pierce, Florida
Jobs: Financial Representative, Northwestern Mutual Founder, RediscoverHER 2.0
How do you maintain your well-being?
By resetting, refocusing and remembering HER (which is me). Every quarter I unplug from everyone, including my husband and children, to spend time with me. I like to call them “Me, Myself and I getaways.”
Ballantyne resident?
Yes. My family and I relocated to Ballantyne five years ago.
Favorite beverages
Water and a great glass of wine on Fridays to toast to the end of the week.
Roberto Ruiz
Hometown: Michoacan, Mexico
Job: Owner, Prestige Landscape Design, Inc.
Typical day
Get up at 5 a.m., eat breakfast with the family, and then make sure that everything is in order for meetings and managing several projects.
Ballantyne resident?
Yes, for 11 years.
Media to recommend
“Rich Dad Poor Dad,” a book by Robert T. Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter. It has a lot of insight.