Finance + Legal Services

Are You Running Your Business or Is Your Business Running You?

If you ask most small business owners what they spend their time on, the answer sounds productive: serving clients, managing staff, handling operations, solving the problems that show up every day. All of that is necessary. But it describes working in your business - not on it.The distinction matters more than most owners realize, and it tends to become most visible at the moments when growth stalls, margins erode, or the owner simply cannot take a week off without the business wobbling.What Is...

Arts + Culture

Parents: How to Stand Tall This Fall

The school bell may signal the end of the school day, but for many families, it begins the busiest part of the day. Between homework, dinner, sports, music lessons, theatre classes, art classes, and everything else on the family calendar, the hours between school and bedtime can quickly become overwhelming. But with a little intention, those same after-school hours can become some of the most meaningful moments in a child’s week.A healthy after-school routine does not have to be complicated. I...

Finance + Legal Services

Non-Compliance Is a Financial Risk. Most Small Business Owners Don't See It Coming.

Most small business owners think about compliance the way they think about traffic tickets -- an annoyance that happens to other people, and only when you are seriously out of line. The reality is different. Compliance violations -- particularly in labor law, tax classification, and workplace standards -- are among the most common and costly financial surprises a small business can face.And unlike a slow quarter or a lost client, a compliance issue does not announce itself in advance.What Does...

Life + Culture

A Voice for Katherine

One Little Girl's Journey Through Foster Care Reveals the Life-Changing Impact of Denton County CASA Article by Jessica Crandall Lawrence | Photography by Christopher Bigenho Photography At five weeks old, Bethany Hartung's daughter Katherine came to her in a fragile condition after a difficult start in life. It was a sight that would prick the stoniest of hearts.  “She was so little,” recalls Bethany. “And she had this precious lip pout that we still often see on her face today. I remember...

Arts + Culture

New Song School of the Arts

Where Intentional Design and Passionate Teaching Inspire Students of All Ages Article by Averly Burns | Photography by Macy Alex Photography When families first drive onto the campus of New Song School of the Arts, they are instantly met with a profound sense of wonder. From the grand stonework and meticulously curated landscaping to the elegant recital hall illuminated by a crystal chandelier, every architectural detail communicates a single, powerful message: the arts truly matter here...

Life + Culture

Serious Fun

Fostering Confidence and Healthy Habits for Children Through Movement Article by Jessica Crandall Lawrence | Photography by Ty Harper Photography Stepping into The Little Gym of Roanoke is an instant cure for the gloomiest day. The walls themselves dance with a mosaic of spirited colors, while a playlist of sunny music slips through the building. It’s a little haven in the bustling city. A place where children can move and dance with abandon.   “When I walk in the door of this gym, there’s...

Life + Culture

Nonprofit of the Month-Pets!

Don't Forget to Feed Me Helps Keep Pets with Their Families During Times of Financial Hardship Article by Maria Koegl, Executive Director, DF2FM | Photography by Photography Courtesy of DF2FM There is a reason so many people use their first pet's name as a password. The bond between a child and their pet is unforgettable. For many children, a pet is their first friend, their best friend, and sometimes even their only friend. When school feels overwhelming, friendships become complicated, or...

Arts + Culture

Turning the Page on Parenting

Four unique books offering insight, encouragement, and practical guidance Article by Angi Burns Parenting doesn't come with a handbook, but the right stories and perspectives can provide encouragement when we need it most. The books featured here explore a wide range of parenting experiences, from raising children with unique abilities to helping young people develop confidence, purpose, and emotional resilience. Each author draws from personal experiences and hard-earned wisdom to offer...

Life + Culture

First Responder of the Month

Chief Emmitt Jackson Helps Kids in His Community All Year Round Article by Valerie Merrick | Photography by Photography Courtesy of Emmitt Jackson In Argyle, there’s a fourth generation “Dentonite” making a difference every day. After starting his career at police departments in Dallas and Keene, Chief Emmitt R. Jackson had the chance to return home in 2020. As the Police Chief for Argyle, Chief Jackson has had the opportunity to help many people in the community. But like many first...

Finance + Legal Services

Are Aging Invoices Quietly Draining Your Cash Flow?

Here is a scenario that plays out in small businesses across North Texas every month. A business owner looks at their bank account and feels uneasy. Revenue is coming in. The business is busy. But cash feels tighter than it should. They chalk it up to a slow week, a timing issue, and move on.What they have not looked at is their accounts receivable aging report. Or their accounts payable aging report. In most cases, those two documents hold the explanation.What Are AP and AR Aging...