Finance + Legal Services

Your P&L Is Telling You Something. Are You Listening?

There is a difference. Having a P&L means your bookkeeper or CPA produces one. Owning it means you understand what it says, you review it consistently, and you make decisions based on what it reveals. That shift, from having to owning, is one of the most important moves a small business owner can make.What Does It Mean to Own Your P&L?Owning your P&L is not about becoming an accountant. It is about understanding the story your numbers are telling. Your profit and loss statement is...

Life + Culture

Cardiac Crusade

Nonprofit of the Month Sponsored by Artisan Masonry & Granite Article by Courtesy of Cardiac Crusade | Photography by Greg Coon Some journeys begin with a destination in mind. Others begin with a heartbeat—or the terrifying absence of one. In 2018, Julie Coon was volunteering for the drill team at Plano Senior High School when her heart suddenly stopped. Without warning, she collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). What saved her life wasn't luck alone. It was the swift, heroic actions of...

Travel

Rediscovering San Antonio

Exploring Fresh Family Adventures in One of Texas’s Favorite Cities Article and Photography by Angi Burns As native Texans, my husband and I have been to San Antonio more times than we can count. We have done the Alamo tour, walked the River Walk, eaten plenty of tacos, and checked off most of the classic tourist stops over the years. So when we planned a weekend getaway with our son Jaxx, we decided it was time to experience the city a little differently. Thanks to Visit San Antonio and...

Travel

A Life Built on Exploring

Exploring with My Camera Taught Me That Art Begins When I Stop Looking and Start Feeling Article and Photography by Catherine Reese Standing with my camera as horses ran across the open field, manes flying and dust rising behind them, I felt something shift inside me. Their movement carried freedom, wildness, and a reminder that life was meant to be fully lived. Losing both of my parents close together changed everything for me. One day life felt normal, and the next, it didn’t. What I once...

Travel

Camp Around DFW

Four Campgrounds Around DFW Provide the Perfect Outdoor Getaway Article by Deborah Dove | Photography by Macy Alex Photography From lakeside campsites to wooded parks tucked just outside the city, Dallas-Fort Worth families don’t have to travel far to find a memorable outdoor escape. Across North Texas, local campsites offer the perfect mix of adventure and convenience—whether your crew is roasting marshmallows under the stars, hiking scenic trails, fishing at sunrise, or simply unplugging for...

Life + Culture

Traveling Texas's Small Towns

Local Author's New Release, Small Town Texas, Explores the Legends, Lore, Attractions, and Charm of Fifty Small Texas Towns Article by Deborah Dove | Photography by Photography Courtesy of Kim Croisant Bluebonnets. Texas Longhorns. Cowboy boots. These are the images people instantly associate with Texas. Texas also brings to mind the state’s big-city attractions: the Texas Capitol in Austin, the Alamo in San Antonio, the Space Center in Houston, and the Fort Worth Stockyards and iconic...

Life + Culture

One Summer, Countless Memories

An Interview With Linda Paulk, CEO of Sky Ranch Camps Article by Angi Burns | Photography by Photography Courtesy of Sky Ranch Christian Camps I recently sat down with Linda Paulk, CEO of Sky Ranch Camps, to talk about the impact and lasting value of summer camp experiences for kids and families. Here are a few highlights from our podcast conversation. For those who are not familiar with Sky Ranch, what makes it so special? We are 71 years of a mission of leading youth and families to...

Life + Culture

First Responder of the Month

Fire Chief James Longbrake Keeps our Community Safe Article by Valerie Merrick | Photography by Photography Courtesy of James Longbrake First responder, veteran, or overall good human? It’s hard to determine exactly what category best fits Fire Chief James Longbrake. After all, he’s served his country as a member of the Air Force, he’s served his community in various EMS and firefighting roles, and he continues to make an impact every day in the lives of those he helps. And yet, he wasn’t one...

Finance + Legal Services

Are You Running Your Business Looking in the Rearview Mirror?

Most small business owners track their financials by looking backward. Last month's sales. Last quarter's profit. Year-over-year revenue. These numbers matter, but they describe what already happened. By the time a problem shows up in those figures, you are already behind it.There is a better way to manage your business, and it starts with understanding the difference between lagging indicators and leading indicators.What Is the Difference Between Lagging and Leading Indicators?Think of it this...

Finance + Legal Services

Why Small Business Owners Need a Pricing Strategy - and a Regular Plan to Review It

Pricing is one of the most powerful levers a small business owner has. It affects cash flow, profitability, customer perception, and long-term growth. Yet for most businesses in the $500K to $25M revenue range, pricing gets set once and rarely revisited. That habit is quietly costing them.As a fractional CFO working with small businesses across North Texas, I see this pattern regularly. Business owners are working hard, delivering real value, and still struggling with margins. Often, the issue...