Finance + Legal Services

What You Don't Know Can Cost You

Expert Strategies for Maximizing Deductions, Avoiding Costly Mistakes, and Protecting Your Wealth Article by Deborah Dove | Photography by Christopher Bigenho Photography While we invest in many things in our lives—our families, careers, hobbies, and causes we believe in—our financial investments are what make those possible. Saving money, and investing it wisely, helps us achieve financial independence, provides a safety net for emergencies, and enables us to reach major life goals like...

Arts + Culture

Where Art and Community Thrive

Allen Arts Alliance Nurtures Creativity, Connection, and Lifelong Artistic Growth Article by Ayesha Durrani Investing in the local arts is about more than just nurturing creativity; it also brings about social, cultural, and economic benefits that directly enrich a community. The Allen Arts Alliance, a dedicated nonprofit organization founded in 2006, was established with this mission in mind. Located in Watters Creek, it features a vibrant gallery that showcases local talent alongside local...

Finance + Legal Services

Raising Money-Smart Kids

Teaching Financial Literacy at Every Age Article by Angi Burns | Photography by Ty Harper Photography In a world of one-click purchases, digital wallets, and instant gratification, teaching children the value of money is more important than ever. Financial literacy is not just about dollars and cents. It is about responsibility, discipline, confidence, and long-term security. When we start early and build intentionally, we give the next generation one of the greatest gifts possible: financial...

Life + Culture

Nonprofit of the Month

Youth Aging Out of Foster Care Find Hope at DIRECTION61:3 Article by Simon Trask | Photography by Photography Courtesy of DIRECTION61:3 She was one day away from her eighteenth birthday and scared to death. Jazmine Goode was performing brilliantly in her senior year of high school, weeks from speaking at her graduation ceremony. She had been accepted to Texas Woman’s University, aspired to become a medical professional, and was hours away from homelessness—all because of a date on the...

Finance + Legal Services

Franchising Outside the Box

Structuring Your Investment So Your Money Works Harder Than You Do Article by Travis Hager | Photography by Photography Courtesy of Mollie Mayfield: MRM Agency Investing. Like it or not, if you truly wish to get ahead in this day and age, you need multiple revenue streams. One great option is franchising. Not franchising in the typical sense but absentee or semi-absentee franchising. For many, the first image that comes to mind when you say “franchise” is a golden-arched restaurant or a...

Arts + Culture

Empty Bowls McKinney

Fighting Hunger--One Bowl at a Time Article by Deborah Dove | Photography by Photography Courtesy of Mark Bishop Imagine live music drifting through the air, the irresistible aroma of savory soups, stews, and freshly made donuts wafting from every direction, tables lined with one-of-a-kind handmade bowls, and people coming together for the evening, united by something greater than themselves. That’s the magic of Empty Bowls McKinney’s annual event that brings art, community, and food together...

Finance + Legal Services

Business Protection Essentials

The Legal Pillars Every Business Owner Needs to Know Article by Fatima Durrani | Photography by Greg King Launching a business is a huge milestone. Business owners know how much blood, sweat, and tears go into a business’s formation, and into its maintenance too. But what many don’t stop to think about is how to safeguard it for the long haul.  Investing in business protection isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity in today’s world of disinformation, heightened litigation, and fraud.  At its core...

Life + Culture

Nonprofit of the Month: Change the World Allen

Improving our Neighborhoods One Home at a Time Article by Cliff Bohaker | Photography by Photography Courtesy of CTWA Change the World Allen (CTWA) is a vibrant, community-driven nonprofit that began in 2012 at the First United Methodist Church in Allen, Texas. Inspired by Mike Slaughter’s book Change the World: Recovering the Message and Mission of Jesus , this initiative has grown into a powerful force dedicated to strengthening the Allen–Lucas–Fairview region through neighborly service.  ...

Home Services

Keeping It Cool

Local Experts Share Tips to Protect Your HVAC System, Improve Efficiency, and Avoid Costly Breakdowns Article by Tiffany Ditto | Photography by Photography Courtesy of Big D Mechanical As North Texas temperatures climb, homeowners and business owners alike are preparing for months of heavy air conditioning use. But before the first triple-digit day arrives, HVAC professionals say now is the time to take preventative steps that can protect your system, and your wallet. “A lot of people think...

Local Services

Local Experience

Discover local gems, create memories, and embrace authentic community experiences. Article by Deborah Dove Debby’s Complete Services – (469) 667-6501 or debbygowen.weebly.com/ Treat your home to a professional spring cleaning. Nothing says spring like sparkling bathroom fixtures, a freshly deep-cleaned kitchen, and spotless floors. The AB Effect – (972) 849-5324   If messy drawers, disorganized closets, and an overabundance of “stuff” seem overwhelming, the AB Effect can help you...