City Lifestyle with Angi Burns

Chris Thomas, owner and fractional CFO of Blue Oak Consulting, joins Angi Burns for a conversation about what a fractional CFO actually does and how small business owners can get a clearer handle on their finances. Chris explains that he is not a CPA or a bookkeeper, but a strategic partner who manages the finance function and helps owners decide where they want their company to go. After a corporate career in manufacturing and industrial companies and a layoff, he started Blue Oak Consulting to help small businesses avoid the cash flow problems that close so many of them within two years. He works with companies in the $1 million to $25 million revenue range, with a focus on industrial manufacturing and trade businesses, and gets embedded with the leadership team. Chris also shares how he leads bank and line of credit efforts through small and mid-sized relationship banks, and why he has only adjusted his rates once.

🌟 Perfect For:

• Small business owners who feel they have plenty of revenue but little left on the net income line
• Owners who lose sleep over making payroll or managing cash flow
• Business owners who are not sure what a fractional CFO does or how it differs from a CPA or bookkeeper
• Industrial manufacturing and trade company owners with $1 million to $25 million in revenue
• Owners planning to buy equipment, add staff, open a new facility, or grow into new territory
• Business owners preparing to apply for a loan or line of credit
• Bookkeepers, CPAs, business coaches, and bankers looking for referral partners for their clients
• Anyone who has stared at a P&L or balance sheet and wondered what it all means

🎟 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• What a fractional CFO does and why it is different from a CPA or an accountant
• How Chris's three pillars of cash flow, profitability, and strategy guide his work
• Why cash flow forecasting, loan restructuring, and bank relationships matter when payroll is on the line
• Why small business owners often undervalue their services by not updating their sales pricing
• How one client's pricing went unreviewed for two years and dropped from a 30% target to 5%
• How budgeting, forecasting, and equipment or facility decisions fit into the strategy side of the job
• How a layoff led Chris from a corporate career to starting Blue Oak Consulting
• Why so many small businesses fail within two years because of cash flow challenges
• Why prospects often reach out only after months of struggle, and why earlier is better
• What happens in a discovery call and why Chris asks for access to a company's accounting system
• How errors like a missing bank loan, credit card, or unbalanced balance sheet can hurt you when presenting to a lender
• Why the cheapest accounting solution is often not the best one
• How Chris gets embedded in the leadership team and leads bank efforts before handing off what only the owner can sign
• Who makes a great referral partner, from business coaches and bankers to accountants and bookkeepers

💬 Memorable Quotes:

"You don't know what you don't know until you don't know."

"I wanted to put a dent in the small business world, a positive one."

"Small businesses cannot afford a C-suite, and this is where the fractional part comes in."

📍 About Blue Oak Consulting:

Blue Oak Consulting is a fractional CFO practice owned by Chris Thomas that helps small and mid-sized businesses manage their finance function and plan for growth. Rather than acting as a CPA, Chris oversees accounting and bookkeeping from an overall perspective and focuses on cash flow management, profitability, and financial strategy.

Chris draws on a corporate career in the manufacturing and industrial space and works best with industrial manufacturing and trade companies earning roughly $1 million to $25 million in revenue. He typically becomes part of the leadership team, leading efforts such as securing loans or lines of credit with small and mid-sized, relationship-driven banks, and working alongside business coaches, bankers, accountants, and bookkeepers.

Email: [email protected]

Website: blueoakconsulting.net

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: LinkedIn (search Chris Thomas, Blue Oak Consulting)

-----------------------------------------------

City Lifestyle is the digital destination for local living - a one-stop-shop for hyper local, expertly created content that inspires and connections communities.

While other sites take a content-first approach to providing local information, City Lifestyle sets itself apart by positioning people first - creating a platform that emphasizes the best of what your city has to offer, created and promoted by the people who know it - and represent it best. These authentic voices in each city are key drivers of the brand by providing an inspiring, genuine and trusted look at life in their communities.

https://citylifestyle.com/swdentoncounty | @dentoncitylifestyle

-----------------------------------------------

Podcast services provided by The Podcast Trailer

https://thepodcasttrailer.com

Evelyn Kershaw, owner of Evelyn Kershaw Salon in Plano, joins Angi Burns for a conversation about growing up in a family of hairdressers and building a salon known as a high end salon without the attitude. A second generation hairdresser whose mother worked behind the chair for 52 years, Evelyn now works alongside her daughter, a third generation stylist. She shares how the salon went from a hybrid commission and rental model to a focused hair salon with a hands-on mentorship program for new stylists. Evelyn talks about the salon's specialties in color, curly hair, and hair extensions, and why healthy hair always comes first. She also tells how her team gives back each year by volunteering haircuts for kids heading back to school with Local Good.

🌟 Perfect For:

• Anyone in Plano looking for a trusted hair salon with a welcoming, no-attitude atmosphere
• Curly hair clients searching for a stylist who truly knows how to cut and style curls
• Anyone curious about hair extensions, how to care for them, and how often to maintain them
• Newly licensed stylists looking for a salon with real hands-on training and mentorship
• Salon owners and small business owners figuring out what business model works for them
• Families who love the idea of generations of clients and stylists sharing the same salon
• Neighbors who want to support local businesses that give back to the community
• Anyone planning a wedding or special event who needs on-location hair styling

🎟 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How Evelyn became a second generation hairdresser after a boutique layaway taught her how much she could earn
• Why her daughter went from studying dance to becoming a third generation stylist
• How the salon shifted from a hybrid commission and rental model to what works best for the business
• How the mentorship program trains new stylists right out of school with a transparent level system
• Why Evelyn waited so long to offer hair extensions and what changed her mind
• How extensions can be a healthier way to add vivid color or lighter ends than dyeing natural hair
• Why extensions need more frequent care in summer and what to avoid, like wearing them in the ocean or spraying sunscreen on them
• Why hands-on training matters more than online courses for building a stylist's skills
• How the team creates duplicatable haircuts so stylists can build long-term client relationships
• Why a haircut has to fit your hair texture and the time you have to style it at home
• How the salon handles blowouts, updos, and on-location wedding and event hair
• How the salon takes the Parker and Preston location, 3,000 square feet, and 21 years in business into account when welcoming clients
• How the team volunteers with Local Good to give back to school haircuts to children
• Where to take the hair longevity quiz to find out if extensions or treatments are right for you

💬 Memorable Quotes:

"I am a second generation hairdresser. My mother was a hairdresser for 52 years."

"High end salon without the attitude. That's exactly who I want us to be."

"I don't feel like I needed to dress up to go to the salon. I can come in and be casual and comfortable and authentically myself."

"I can give you an amazing haircut, but if you don't have the time to style it yourself, that matters."

📍 About Evelyn Kershaw Salon:

Evelyn Kershaw Salon is a full-service hair salon in Plano at Parker and Preston, in the heart of Old Plano. The salon has been at the same location for 21 years and spans about 3,000 square feet with room for 12 stylists at individual stations.

The team is known for color, curly hair cuts and styling, hair extensions, blowouts, updos, and on-location wedding and event styling. Evelyn keeps the salon at a size where she can stay hands-on with training, and the mentorship program brings stylists in right out of school and trains them through a transparent level system.

The salon is described as a high end salon without the attitude, where clients can feel welcome and comfortable. Several families have been coming in for three or four generations.

Giving back is part of the culture. Each year the team volunteers with Local Good, giving haircuts to children preparing for back to school, and this past year they completed 83 haircuts in about five hours.

Website: evelynkershawsalon.com

Learn More About Evelyn & Take the Hair Longevity Quiz: evelynkershawinc.com

-----------------------------------------------

City Lifestyle is the digital destination for local living - a one-stop-shop for hyper local, expertly created content that inspires and connections communities.

While other sites take a content-first approach to providing local information, City Lifestyle sets itself apart by positioning people first - creating a platform that emphasizes the best of what your city has to offer, created and promoted by the people who know it - and represent it best. These authentic voices in each city are key drivers of the brand by providing an inspiring, genuine and trusted look at life in their communities.

https://citylifestyle.com/plano | @planocitylifestyle

-----------------------------------------------

Podcast services provided by The Podcast Trailer

https://thepodcasttrailer.com

Julie Barlow, business broker with Transworld Business Advisors, joins Angi Burns for an on-site conversation about the art and strategy of buying and selling small businesses. With three years as a broker, prior experience owning three brick-and-mortar businesses, and 20 years in real estate, Julie shares how she acts as a "professional matchmaker" for main street businesses, helping owners uncover hidden value, prepare a smart exit, and connect buyers with the right opportunity.

🌟 Perfect For:

• Business owners thinking about selling in the next one to three years
• Entrepreneurs dreaming of buying an established business instead of starting from scratch
• Owners considering closing their doors who may not realize their business has value
• Franchise owners, tradespeople, and main street business operators planning an exit
• Anyone curious about how business valuations, SBA lending, and broker deals actually work
• Owners who want to strategically increase the value of their business before selling

🎟 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why you should talk to a business broker before deciding to shut your doors
• How Julie's "professional matchmaking" process pairs the right buyer with the right business
• Which industries are hottest right now (spoiler alert: it's HVAC, plumbing, med spas, and manufacturing)
• What goes into a business valuation, from net income and margins to customer concentration
• Why three years of clean financials matter and how bookkeepers, CPAs, and fractional CFOs fit in
• How employees, contracts, vendors, and franchisor approvals transfer during a sale
• Why "social currency" (social media, Google My Business, and reviews) impacts sale price
• What SBA lenders look for in a buyer's relevant or transferable experience

💬 Memorable Quotes: "I often call it professional matchmaking for businesses because a lot of times, there's not a perfect ideal buyer for every business." "Before you make the decision to close your doors, come talk to me because your business may have value that you're unaware of." "If you wanna sell in the next year, you need to talk to me now."

📍 About Transworld Business Advisors: Transworld Business Advisors specializes in helping people buy and sell main street and small businesses, acting as the intermediary who brings buyers and sellers together and handles the entire transaction, from valuation to closing.

Email: [email protected] Phone: (817) 556-7534 Website: CityLifestyle.com (Rockwall publication)

-----------------------------------------------

City Lifestyle is the digital destination for local living - a one-stop-shop for hyper local, expertly created content that inspires and connections communities.

While other sites take a content-first approach to providing local information, City Lifestyle sets itself apart by positioning people first - creating a platform that emphasizes the best of what your city has to offer, created and promoted by the people who know it - and represent it best. These authentic voices in each city are key drivers of the brand by providing an inspiring, genuine and trusted look at life in their communities.

https://citylifestyle.com/allentx | @allencitylifestyle

https://citylifestyle.com/plano | @planocitylifestyle

-----------------------------------------------

Podcast services provided by HappyBox Productions

hpybx.com

Bryna Talamantez, therapist and play therapist at Talamantez Therapy, joins Angi Burns in her colorful, toy-filled office to talk about the award-winning feature editorial she wrote for the Plano publication: "ADHD is More Than Just Fidgeting." Bryna dives into the three types of ADHD, why so many kids (especially girls) get missed, how play becomes a child's language, and the practical tools parents can use to help their kids regulate and thrive.

🌟 Perfect For:

• Parents who suspect their child may have ADHD, anxiety, or another neurodivergent diagnosis
• Families navigating a new ADHD or dyslexia diagnosis and wondering what comes next
• Parents of kids ages 2 and up, teenagers, and even adults open to play-based therapy
• Teachers and caregivers looking for practical regulation tools for the classroom
• Anyone curious about how play therapy actually works
• Parents wanting to better understand and communicate with their neurodivergent child

🎟 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The three types of ADHD — hyperactive, inattentive, and combined — and why inattentive kids (especially girls) often get mislabeled with anxiety
• The first steps parents should take when they suspect their child has ADHD, including evaluations and 504 plans
• Why ADHD is at its root an emotional regulation issue — and why deep breaths often don't work for neurodivergent kids
• Practical fidget and sensory tools like worry stones, pop tubes, Kinetic Sand, Model Magic, and Loop earplugs
• How big repetitive movement (running, swimming, scooters, trampolines) helps kids regulate
• How to use emotion and sensation wheels to help kids identify what they're feeling in their bodies
• How movies like Inside Out and books like In My Heart can open up conversations about feelings at home
• The educational side of Talamantez Therapy, where Bryna's husband Michael works with kids on dyslexia and reading comprehension

💬 Memorable Quotes: "Toys are kids words and play is their language." "ADHD at the root is an emotional regulation situation." "Our fidgets and things are here to be tools to just help us navigate the bigger world."

📍 About Talamantez Therapy: Talamantez Therapy offers play therapy and counseling for kids ages 2 and up, teenagers, and adults, specializing in grief, ADHD, and anxiety. The practice also provides educational services with a certified academic language therapist candidate supporting kids with dyslexia and reading comprehension struggles.

Website: talamanteztherapy.com

-----------------------------------------------

City Lifestyle is the digital destination for local living - a one-stop-shop for hyper local, expertly created content that inspires and connections communities.

While other sites take a content-first approach to providing local information, City Lifestyle sets itself apart by positioning people first - creating a platform that emphasizes the best of what your city has to offer, created and promoted by the people who know it - and represent it best. These authentic voices in each city are key drivers of the brand by providing an inspiring, genuine and trusted look at life in their communities.

https://citylifestyle.com/allentx | @allencitylifestyle

https://citylifestyle.com/plano | @planocitylifestyle

-----------------------------------------------

Podcast services provided by HappyBox Productions

hpybx.com

Mary Jones, Owner/Broker of Mary Jones Real Estate, joins Angi Burns to talk all things Rockwall County real estate. Mary shares her journey from accounting and retirement into building her own boutique brokerage, and why Rockwall's small-town charm, exceptional schools, and lakeside lifestyle are drawing families east of the bridge.

🌟 Perfect For:

• First-time home buyers looking for guidance through the process
• Veterans interested in learning about VA loan benefits and programs
• Families considering a move to Rockwall, Heath, Fate, or Royse City
• Homeowners thinking about selling in the current market
• Buyers looking for land, acreage, or a custom-built home
• Anyone curious about the lifestyle and community of Rockwall County

🎟 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How Mary transitioned from a 20-year business with her husband, into accounting, and finally into real estate as her third career
• Why she chose to start her own boutique brokerage after managing 60 agents at a larger firm
• What makes Rockwall County special — from Thursdays at the Harbor to the farmer's market, pickleball, golf, and lake life
• Why families are moving east of the bridge and what to expect in Rockwall, Heath, Fate, and Royse City
• How Mary walks first-time buyers and veterans through pre-qualification and the home buying process
• The current state of the Rockwall market in 2026 and why buyers have the advantage
• How Mary's negotiation skills helped her win deals during the competitive 2020 market
• Why having a real estate advocate matters when making the biggest purchase of your life

💬 Memorable Quotes: "Everybody's just a little more calm, relaxed, personable." "I don't leave the island very often." "You have to be able to pivot. You have to be able to go with the flow and you have to keep yourself educated."

📍 About Mary Jones Real Estate: A boutique Rockwall-based brokerage specializing in Rockwall, Heath, Fate, and Royse City — serving first-time home buyers, veterans, sellers, and custom build clients with personalized service and trusted local expertise.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 214-707-0308

-----------------------------------------------

City Lifestyle is the digital destination for local living - a one-stop-shop for hyper local, expertly created content that inspires and connections communities.

While other sites take a content-first approach to providing local information, City Lifestyle sets itself apart by positioning people first - creating a platform that emphasizes the best of what your city has to offer, created and promoted by the people who know it - and represent it best. These authentic voices in each city are key drivers of the brand by providing an inspiring, genuine and trusted look at life in their communities.

https://citylifestyle.com/allentx | @allencitylifestyle

https://citylifestyle.com/plano | @planocitylifestyle

-----------------------------------------------

Podcast services provided by HappyBox Productions

hpybx.com

Kris Wise, expert realtor and leader of The Wise Advantage Group in Flower Mound, joins Angi Burns to break down today's "schizophrenic" real estate market. With 24 years of experience and a background as a self-described "phone accountant," Kris shares how she built a data-driven business in the land between the lakes, what really happened with the 2024 commission changes, and the tips every buyer and seller needs to know before making a move.

🌟 Perfect For:

• First-time home buyers who want a clear, step-by-step process
• Homeowners considering selling and wondering what updates are actually worth doing
• Property owners preparing to protest their property taxes and needing comps
• Anyone confused about the 2024 buyer's agent compensation changes
• Buyers and sellers in Flower Mound, Salina, Azell, and the land between the lakes
• People who want a knowledgeable, full-time realtor instead of a hobbyist

🎟 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How Kris transitioned from accountant to realtor in 2002 and built her career through the 2008 crash
• What the current DFW market really looks like and why we're still in a strong seller's market
• How the August 2024 commission changes actually work and why they benefit both buyers and sellers
• Why Texas being a non-disclosure state matters and how to get free comps for property tax protests
• The "come from contribution" philosophy behind The Wise Advantage Group's culture
• The number one tip every seller needs to hear before spending money on improvements
• How to find a trusted agent and why your best friend or cousin may not be the right choice
• Why the market shifts week by week and how Kris adjusts strategy based on real-time data

💬 Memorable Quotes: "So I always came from contribution, which is let me help you before I ever ask for any business to come my way." "Hope is not a strategy." "Do not do improvements before you've met with a realtor."

📍 About The Wise Advantage Group: A Flower Mound-based real estate team led by Kris Wise, specializing in the land between the lakes — Lake Grapevine to Lake Lewisville — with a culture of excellence, data-driven strategy, and a deep network of trusted tradespeople. The team provides free comps, consultations, and a "should I remodel or move?" service for homeowners.

Website: meetwithchris.com

Comps: www.compsbywise.com

-----------------------------------------------

City Lifestyle is the digital destination for local living - a one-stop-shop for hyper local, expertly created content that inspires and connections communities.

While other sites take a content-first approach to providing local information, City Lifestyle sets itself apart by positioning people first - creating a platform that emphasizes the best of what your city has to offer, created and promoted by the people who know it - and represent it best. These authentic voices in each city are key drivers of the brand by providing an inspiring, genuine and trusted look at life in their communities.

https://citylifestyle.com/allentx | @allencitylifestyle

https://citylifestyle.com/plano | @planocitylifestyle

-----------------------------------------------

Podcast services provided by HappyBox Productions

hpybx.com

Mollie Hancock, co-owner of Elephant Trunk Moving Supplies, joins Angi Burns alongside her husband and business partner John Hancock to share the story behind DFW's original reusable moving box company. From a pickup truck mishap that scattered boxes across the highway to becoming Plano's 2024 Small Business of the Year, Mollie and John talk sustainability, community giving, and how their elephant-branded boxes have kept hundreds of thousands of cardboard boxes out of landfills.

🌟 Perfect For:

• Homeowners and renters planning a local move in the DFW area
• Realtors looking for a reliable moving supply partner for their clients
• Eco-conscious movers who want to reduce waste and lower their carbon footprint
• Anyone tired of fighting with cardboard boxes, packing tape, and bubble wrap
• Small business owners curious about building a brand and giving back locally
• People who want to save time and money on their next move

🎟 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How Mollie and John discovered the reusable moving box concept from a Canadian company and brought the idea to Texas in 2015
• The hilarious origin story of their first delivery, a pickup truck, and a very generous Toyota manager
• How the service works: they deliver, you pack, move, and unpack, then they pick up at your new home
• Why the name "Elephant Trunk" was inspired by steamship travel and a philanthropic vision
• The two box sizes available, plus quilted dish containers and stemware boxes that eliminate the need for packing materials
• How Elephant Trunk has kept approximately 300,000 boxes out of landfills and lifted clients' carbon footprints
• Why Mollie and John believe small businesses give a community its character, and how they support local nonprofits like Journey of Hope, Love Packs, and My Possibilities
• How using their boxes can take an hour off your move and even pay for itself in mover labor savings

💬 Memorable Quotes: "I've always believed from the very beginning that small businesses give community character." "The more you give, the more you get." "When you start a business, you don't know what you don't know."

📍 About Elephant Trunk Moving Supplies: DFW's original reusable moving supply company, offering rentable plastic moving boxes, dish containers, and stemware boxes that save time, money, and the environment. Family-owned since 2015 and proud 2024 City of Plano Small Business of the Year.

Website: elephanttrunk.net

-----------------------------------------------

City Lifestyle is the digital destination for local living - a one-stop-shop for hyper local, expertly created content that inspires and connections communities.

While other sites take a content-first approach to providing local information, City Lifestyle sets itself apart by positioning people first - creating a platform that emphasizes the best of what your city has to offer, created and promoted by the people who know it - and represent it best. These authentic voices in each city are key drivers of the brand by providing an inspiring, genuine and trusted look at life in their communities.

https://citylifestyle.com/allentx | @allencitylifestyle

https://citylifestyle.com/plano | @planocitylifestyle

-----------------------------------------------

Podcast services provided by HappyBox Productions

hpybx.com

Angela McIntyre, Director of HR Solutions, and Aimee Pecina, Associate Director of Talent Solutions at Bright HR Solutions, LLC, join Angi Burns to break down the world of HR for small business owners. Covering recruiting, onboarding, payroll, employee handbooks, and training, Angela and Aimee share how their fractional HR team functions as an in-house extension for the companies they serve, helping owners stay compliant, build strong cultures, and find the right people for the long haul.

🌟 Perfect For:

• Small business owners who need HR support but aren't ready for a full in-house team
• Entrepreneurs struggling with employee handbooks, policies, and compliance
• Companies looking for quality candidates who fit their culture, not just the job description
• Business owners navigating payroll, W-2s, 1099s, and quarterly tax filings
• Managers who want training on hiring, leadership, and team development
• Anyone who has ever said "I wish I would have known that sooner" about HR

🎟 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The three pillars of Bright HR Solutions: HR, recruiting, and payroll
• How fractional HR works and why it feels like having an in-house team
• Why quality candidates beat quantity — and how Bright HR differs from a staffing agency
• What every employee handbook should include, from harassment policies to vehicle and moonlighting policies
• The importance of onboarding and how it reduces turnover
• How Bright HR supports terminations, PIPs, severance agreements, and unemployment claims
• The training and development services offered, including DISC, harassment training, leadership, and hiring manager coaching
• How payroll services work across ADP, Paycom, and other HCM platforms

💬 Memorable Quotes: "I feel like you can train anybody to be great, but you can't train someone to be good." "Our goal is to call us when you need us, but it's gonna be like a four-year in-house HR team." "The biggest thing with terminations is consistency."

📍 About Bright HR Solutions, LLC: Bright HR Solutions is a fractional HR firm built on three pillars — HR compliance, recruiting, and payroll. Serving as an extension of their clients' teams, Bright HR helps small businesses with employee handbooks, policy building, employee relations, talent acquisition, onboarding, training and development, and full-service payroll processing including W-2s, 1099s, and quarterly filings.

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: /bright-hr-solutions-llc

Phone: 972-410-6610

-----------------------------------------------

City Lifestyle is the digital destination for local living - a one-stop-shop for hyper local, expertly created content that inspires and connections communities.

While other sites take a content-first approach to providing local information, City Lifestyle sets itself apart by positioning people first - creating a platform that emphasizes the best of what your city has to offer, created and promoted by the people who know it - and represent it best. These authentic voices in each city are key drivers of the brand by providing an inspiring, genuine and trusted look at life in their communities.

https://citylifestyle.com/allentx | @allencitylifestyle

https://citylifestyle.com/plano | @planocitylifestyle

-----------------------------------------------

Podcast services provided by HappyBox Productions

hpybx.com

Carey Lynn Zarate, owner and creative force behind Artistic Endeavors by Carey Lynn, joins Angi Burns alongside her store manager Victoria and team member Alex to share the story behind one of the most unique makerspaces in the DFW area. From custom apparel and engraved cigar cases to senior overalls and big heads, Carey Lynn and her team talk about how they bring any creative idea to life — and why no two projects are ever the same.

🌟 Perfect For:

• Anyone looking for custom, personalized gifts for any occasion
• Parents planning senior overalls, spirit wear, or graduation gifts
• Businesses needing branded swag, client gifts, or event giveaways
• Families wanting matching vacation, cruise, or holiday apparel
• People searching for sentimental keepsakes like recipe cutting boards or engraved heirlooms
• Groups looking to host hands-on creative parties, team bonding events, or fundraisers

🎟 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How Carey turned her photography background into a full creative makerspace
• The wide range of services offered, from embroidery and engraving to sublimation, signs, and custom jewelry
• How they take a child's drawing or a grandparent's handwritten recipe and turn it into a keepsake
• Why senior overalls made by their team can actually go in the wash
• How they host hands-on workshops, patch bars, hat bars, and mobile event experiences
• The behind-the-scenes process of working with customers who don't know exactly what they want
• Why shopping local means getting same-day quality you can see, touch, and trust
• What's coming next, including the dream of a "cocktails and creations" experience

💬 Memorable Quotes: "The bad thing about being a creative is I can't do all the things." "People don't know what they don't know." "I'm not going to put a t-shirt out there that's scratchy."

📍 About Artistic Endeavors by Carey Lynn: A one-of-a-kind creative makerspace in Fairview Town Center offering custom apparel, embroidery, engraving, sublimation, sentimental keepsakes, spirit wear, event services, and hands-on workshops — all under one roof.

Location: Fairview Town Center (next to Rocky Creek Candle)

-----------------------------------------------

City Lifestyle is the digital destination for local living - a one-stop-shop for hyper local, expertly created content that inspires and connections communities.

While other sites take a content-first approach to providing local information, City Lifestyle sets itself apart by positioning people first - creating a platform that emphasizes the best of what your city has to offer, created and promoted by the people who know it - and represent it best. These authentic voices in each city are key drivers of the brand by providing an inspiring, genuine and trusted look at life in their communities.

https://citylifestyle.com/allentx | @allencitylifestyle

https://citylifestyle.com/plano | @planocitylifestyle

-----------------------------------------------

Podcast services provided by HappyBox Productions

hpybx.com

Bobby Gladu, owner of Texas Artisan Group, joins Angi Burns to talk about building a business rooted in craftsmanship, service, and community. From artisan granite and masonry work to outdoor kitchens, historic restorations, and volunteer dive team leadership, Bobby shares how his company serves both homes and large commercial projects across North Texas.

🌟 Perfect For:

• Homeowners planning kitchen, bathroom, fireplace, or outdoor living upgrades
• Anyone considering granite, quartzite, masonry, or stucco work in North Texas
• Property owners needing masonry repair, crack repair, or mailbox restoration
• Builders and developers looking for a turnkey masonry and granite partner
• People curious about outdoor kitchen materials that can handle Texas heat
• Community-minded listeners who value servant leadership and local impact

🎟 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How Bobby built Texas Artisan Group from small masonry jobs into large commercial projects
• What Artisan Granite, Artisan Masonry, and Artisan Stucco each bring to the table
• Why granite is about more than countertops, including showers, fireplaces, flooring, and outdoor kitchens
• Why quartz is popular indoors but not recommended for outdoor kitchens in Texas heat
• How the team uses digital templating and slab photography so clients can preview the exact finished look
• What kinds of masonry repairs and restoration projects the company can handle for residential clients
• How mock-ups and material matching help historic and existing brickwork blend seamlessly
• Why Bobby sees business leadership and community service as deeply connected

💬 Memorable Quotes: "I really try to do everything we do upscale." "We are a turnkey facility. So you start with us and finish with us." "The Bible says to love your neighbor as yourself, so I feel like giving back is something we should all do."

📍 About Texas Artisan Group: A North Texas construction and remodeling company offering artisan granite, masonry, stucco, restoration, and outdoor living solutions for residential and commercial clients.

LinkedIn: @texas-artisan-group

Phone: (972) 272-7200

-----------------------------------------------

City Lifestyle is the digital destination for local living - a one-stop-shop for hyper local, expertly created content that inspires and connections communities.

While other sites take a content-first approach to providing local information, City Lifestyle sets itself apart by positioning people first - creating a platform that emphasizes the best of what your city has to offer, created and promoted by the people who know it - and represent it best. These authentic voices in each city are key drivers of the brand by providing an inspiring, genuine and trusted look at life in their communities.

https://citylifestyle.com/allentx | @allencitylifestyle

https://citylifestyle.com/plano | @planocitylifestyle

-----------------------------------------------

Podcast services provided by HappyBox Productions

hpybx.com