Across Texoma, women are leading with vision, resilience, and heart. In this special feature, we highlight five remarkable leaders whose work is shaping businesses, supporting families, and strengthening our community. From advocacy and wellness to entrepreneurship and hospitality, each woman brings her own story, perspective, and purpose to the table. Kathleen Hagan, Jennifer Taylor, Alisha Rosenthal, Brina Dutton, and Michelle Castle share reflections on the experiences, motivations, and values that guide their work and the lasting impact they hope to leave on Texoma.
KATHLEEN HAGAN
Olive Oil de Fino
What is one defining moment in your career that shaped who you are today?
A defining moment in my career began with a simple goal. I wanted to take my boys skiing. I was about 40, working a job that didn’t pay much while my husband, a Dallas firefighter, worked a second job. With three boys at home, I felt a quiet pull toward something more.
I had always been known for a white pasta dish I made. Friends often asked for the recipe, though I had never considered myself a “recipe” person. One day I measured the ingredients and thought, if this turns out beautifully, this will be the recipe. It did, and Olive Oil de Fino was born.
In the beginning, I collected bottles from restaurants, removed the labels, and sterilized them to reuse. Later we took a leap of faith and ordered our first cases of bottles. In 2002, I received my license and began infusing each bottle by hand with garlic and herbs.
What is one investment you have made in yourself that changed everything?
One of the greatest investments I made was believing it was not too late to begin again. Building Olive Oil de Fino required learning how to create a product, build a brand, and step into something unknown. I chose growth over comfort, and that decision changed everything.
When you think about your legacy, what impact do you hope to leave on this community?
When I think about legacy, I think about connection. I hope Olive Oil de Fino has been part of moments where people gather around a table, share a meal, and create memories. If it reminds people that small ideas can grow and community matters, that means everything to me.
OliveOilDeFino.com
JENNIFER TAYLOR
Blue Willow Cafe, Bon Appetit Y’all, Old Quail Run Farm, Venture Luxx
How do you balance ambition with personal life and community involvement?
Several years ago, I made a conscious decision to block time on my calendar every January for the entire year. I schedule vacation, time to be alone, time to “work from home” on other projects, time for family, and time for the nonprofit boards I serve on. Then I allow the rest of my work and responsibilities to build around that calendar. It’s about controlling your time and your calendar, rather than letting it control you.
What is one investment you have made in yourself that changed everything?
Over the years, I’ve invested in myself through Mastermind groups, courses on writing and managing social media, and retreats. Each year I try to invest in at least one way to grow and learn. This year I enrolled in a year-long financial course with an accountability partner. It has stretched me and helped me gain confidence in an area where I once felt unsure. Understanding your financial picture and truly owning it is incredibly empowering.
When you think about your legacy, what impact do you hope to leave on this community?
More than anything, I want people to remember how I made them feel. Through meals, gatherings, and experiences, I hope the moments we create become memories that last long after the table is cleared. If people leave feeling cared for and connected, that means everything to me.
BonAppetitYall.net
ALISHA ROSENTHAL
Spa 31
What motivates you to continue growing and pushing forward in your field?
What motivates me most is the opportunity to help people truly feel better. At Spa 31, we often remind ourselves that we may be the only moment of rest someone experiences all day, sometimes even all month. When someone walks through our doors feeling overwhelmed or physically uncomfortable, our goal is to create a space where they can exhale, reset, and feel genuinely cared for.
I’m also deeply motivated by education. Through 31 Institute, our massage therapy school, I have the privilege of helping train the next generation of therapists. Watching students grow in confidence and begin careers that help others is incredibly rewarding.
What advice would you give to young women who want to follow a similar path?
Start before you feel completely ready. Confidence often comes after you begin. Any time I doubt a step, I ask myself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” Most of the time, it simply means starting over.
Work hard, but don’t sacrifice your well-being. You can pursue big goals while still honoring your health, family, and values.
When you think about your legacy, what impact do you hope to leave on this community?
More than accomplishments, I hope people remember how I treated others. I hope my children and community see that authenticity, courage, and serving others are the most meaningful ways to live.
Spa31.com
BRINA DUTTON
The Owen Academy & The Owen Foundation
What motivates you to continue growing and pushing forward in your field?
My husband and sons motivate me more than anything. My son Owen has profound autism and is nonverbal, which means the world doesn’t always understand him. Everything I do through programs, advocacy, and community work is rooted in creating a safer and more inclusive future for him and children like him.
My older son Carter inspires me just as much. Growing up as the sibling of a child with special needs takes incredible compassion, and watching the young man he is becoming reminds me why this work matters. When families tell me they finally feel hope or a child accomplishes something once thought impossible, it keeps me moving forward.
How do you balance ambition with personal life and community involvement?
Over time, I’ve learned balance doesn’t mean everything gets equal time. It means the right things get your best energy. My family always comes first because they are the reason behind the mission. I’ve also learned to protect my peace and be intentional about where I give my time and energy.
When you think about your legacy, what impact do you hope to leave on this community?
I hope families navigating autism feel supported instead of overwhelmed. If our work helps even one family feel less alone, that is a legacy that truly matters.
TheOwenAcademy.com
MICHELLE CASTLE
Guild Mortgage & Life Strategy Consultant
What is one defining moment in your career that shaped who you are today?
There have been many defining moments in my life. I became a mom at 17 while still a high school junior, and those early years taught me resilience quickly. But the most recent turning point came on March 15, 2020, when we were abruptly sent home from Cabo as the world began shutting down.
Two weeks of quarantine at our lake house in Bonham turned into a mirror. In that stillness, I faced what I’d been avoiding. I was burned out and questioning everything—my calendar, my priorities, and whether I was ready to walk away from a career I had built over 25 years.
That moment didn’t end my career. It redefined it. It began my “rethink” journey and ultimately led to my book, Rethink Everything You Know About Business Planning.
What is one investment you have made in yourself that changed everything?
During COVID, I made a bold investment and hired a nationally ranked business coach. At the time there were no guarantees, but I trusted my intuition and went all in.
That decision changed everything. It didn’t just transform my business—it reshaped how I lead, how I think, and what I believe is possible.
When you think about your legacy, what impact do you hope to leave on this community?
Legacy, to me, is about ripple effects across generations. I hope to be remembered as someone who helped people rediscover their confidence, reconnect with their purpose, and build a future that lasts far beyond themselves.
MichelleCastle.info
“Small ideas can grow into something meaningful” - Kathleen Hagan
“It’s not just a beautiful table or delicious food. It’s the feeling people leave with.” - Jennifer Taylor
“We may be the only moment of rest someone experiences all day.” - Alisha Rosenthal
“If our work helps even one family feel less alone on their journey, that’s a legacy that truly matters.” - Brina Dutton
Pull Quote 5 -
“That moment didn’t end my career. It redefined it.” - Michelle Castle