HEARTSTORIES
Crystal Gornto, HeartStories chief love amplifier, launched this community out of her passion to help women "hear Love louder" than all the negative noise in their lives. Through HeartStories, Crystal and her teammates are determined to create fun, innovative ways to connect women with the joy they crave and the courage to pursue their purpose.
She's a wife and mother who left a successful career to start HeartStories because she says she knows what it’s like for women to rush through life on autopilot, losing touch with close friends and the truth about themselves in little pieces along the way.
"In the busy, ever-changing seasons of your life, I believe with all my heart that consistent connection with girlfriends is what brings you the joy you crave and helps you replace the negative stories that can so easily hold you back. It empowers you to show up boldly, to live your one-and-only beautiful heart story," says this chieftess of love.
HeartStories offers GNO (Girls Nights Out) events that are typically in-person. Currently, GNO at Home events are offered through virtual meet-ups on Zoom. During these events, women are encouraged to show up authentically to connect with one another, laugh and share stories, all while experiencing an educational or crafty type of workshop. These workshops have ranged from cookie decorating and wine tasting to floral arranging and event closet organizing, all experienced with a tribe of like-hearted women, cheering each other on.
Crystal suggests three simple ways to get involved with HeartStories: Sign up for a weekly dose of love through emails. Buy a ticket to a GNO at Home event. Stay in the know by turning on up-to-the-minute social media notifications on Facebook or Instagram.
WOMEN ENHANCING BUSINESS | FRISCO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Frisco Chamber of Commerce leaders created WEB (Women Enhancing Business) to provide female business owners, managers and employees the opportunity to meet, advise, support, mentor, connect and encourage one another to promote the success of their businesses, as well as to provide opportunities for the members and guests to connect and learn more about the community.
Tami Alexander, Frisco Chamber of Commerce senior vice president and WEB staff liaison, says WEB's four pillars are: Advocating, Educating, Empowering and Community Support.
"This is a unique, remarkable group of women who are heavily involved in community needs and events. They all have servant hearts, and I'm very fortunate to be associated with them," reflects Tami.
WEB's pre-COVID-19 program revolved around quarterly meetings with speakers at Scottish Rite for Children, 5700 Dallas Parkway in Frisco, as well as monthly socials. At press time, Tami was busy setting up Facebook Live opportunities for council details, committee updates and virtual happy hours, as well as establishing an online meeting platform for members through the videoconferencing app Zoom.
"WEB members are sharing that they truly miss talking to and being with each other, however, we're learning to communicate differently in the meantime. We'll keep adjusting as necessary," Tami adds.
For WEB membership details, email Tami at talexander@friscochamber.com or WEB's committee chair at kathy.selvidge@ndbt.com.
TRUENORTH COACHING
Katrina Watland, founder of TrueNorth Coaching and Consulting, was always passionate about helping people accomplish their full potential. She combined that passion, experience, expertise and love for people, and turned it into a Frisco-based practice with a unique approach to helping people achieve their goals.
"I call it simply navigating the course for your new direction," explains Katrina -- whether that means setting a new personal mission, finding work-life balance, uncluttering life, establishing a time management system, identifying aspirational goals or kick-starting a new, healthy lifestyle.
Katrina has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s degree in social work, and 17 years of experience as a therapist. She uses an eclectic, customized approach to assist each client.
"Together we can chart the course to your true north by using a unique approach to helping you achieve your goals," promises Katrina.
She says TrueNorth specifically helps women who are:
- looking for new purposes once children are older.
- re-entering the workforce after time at home.
- managing stress.
- improving assertive communication skills.
- seeking parenting advice.
LADIES WHO LAUNCH | FRISCO ASSOCIATION FOR THE ARTS
Whether an artist, business owner, patron of the arts, entrepreneur or “wantrepreneur," women are welcome to attend and connect with other "boss ladies" through thought-provoking panel discussions at the Ladies Who Launch events, as moderated by Frisco Association for the Arts Executive Director Tammy Meinershagen.
The group's three objectives are to learn, network and share.
While tickets were required due to limited luncheon seating before the COVID-19 lockdown, Tammy says they conducted the April 7 virtual gathering on the Frisco Association for the Arts on Facebook Live at no charge. The featured guests were Lilian Chavira, founder of Joy in the Breakroom, and Shannon Hammond, owner of Countdown 2 Escape. Tammy plans to approach the May 5 virtual meeting in the same manner.
Ladies Who Launch scheduled meeting dates for the rest of 2020 are Nov. 3 and Dec. 1, which will be held at Crest Infiniti in Frisco. Registration is available at friscoarts.org.
Tammy says there are sponsorship opportunities for this exclusive group; she can be emailed at Tammy@friscoarts.org.
