N OV E M B E R 2 02 0
Untreated high blood pressure can lead to stroke, vision loss, heart failure, heart attack and kidney disease/failure. Join the American Heart Association in supporting our Veteran community with a gift that helps fund the donation of individual blood pressure cuffs allowing patients to monitor at home. Recording blood pressure at home will be able to ensure that treatments to lower high blood pressure are working. A diagnosis of PTSD and/or a more severe injury can more than double a Veteran’s risk for high blood pressure. High blood pressure is the single most important risk factor for stroke because it’s the leading cause of stroke.
Your gift will help provide individual blood pressure cuffs to the Plano Veteran Affairs Clinic for patient at-home monitoring.
SUPPORT COLLIN COUNTY VETERANS BY DONATING TODAY!
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LIFESTYLE LETTER
NOVEMBER 2020 PUBLISHER
Becka Corbitt | becka.corbitt@lifestylepubs.com EDITOR
Julie Brown Patton | julie.patton@lifestylepubs.com
Embracing Thanksgiving IS IT REALLY ALMOST THANKSGIVING? This year has flown by and we've all
MARKE T SUPPORT DIRECTOR
Bindu Chowritmootoo SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Jessica DeWitt
seen many new situations happening around us. What I've witnessed is how people
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS
have overcome obstacles, figured out ways to compensate and the determination
Phillip Slaughter, Blake Richard
to continue growing businesses, working jobs, going to school, grocery shopping... simply, continuing to live and thrive. Our month of Thanksgiving is here and many may think we don't have much to be thankful for after such an unusual year. Realistically, it may be difficult to think
AD DESIGNER
Whitney Lockhart L AYO UT DESIGNER
Dani Moore
about Thanksgiving during a year like we have experienced. However, I encourage
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
you to think outside of these circumstances and embrace this season with even
Bindu Chowritnootoo, Paul Salfen, Katrina Watland, Julie Brown Patton
deeper gratitude. Inside every single experience we face, there can always be ways in which it could have been worse. November is always a beautiful time of the year.
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
We've had amazing weather. That true, crisp Fall feeling. Leaves are actually turning
Suad Bejtovic Photography, Issac Gonzalez
into the golden colors of Fall. As you meet with your family, friends, neighbors, or spend the day volunteering to help those less fortunate for Thanksgiving Day, take time this year to purposely recognize how blessed we truly are this year.
CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore
In this month's Issue, we're thrilled to bring you a feature story about the many ren-
ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor
ovations happening in downtown Frisco. If you haven't checked out the Rail District
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson
in awhile...we encourage you to take a ride to Main Street. Also, this month you can
AD MANAGER Chad Jensen
read about Personalized, Artistic Gift Ideas, bringing Joy into event planning for
REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams
businesses and Stress-Free Celebrations. On our cover, we're proud to feature one
WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell
of our own talented Frisco artists, Milessa Murphy. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! Enjoy every single minute you have this month to celebrate a spirit of Thanksgiving with those you love. 514 W 26TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO
We hope to visit with you soon. See you around town!
ARIZONA | CALIFORNIA | COLORADO | CONNECTICUT | FLORIDA | GEORGIA
Becka Corbitt, Publisher
IDAHO | ILLINOIS | KANSAS | MARYLAND | MASSACHUSETTS | MICHIGAN MINNESOTA | MISSOURI | MONTANA | NEW JERSEY | NORTH CAROLINA OHIO | OKLAHOMA | OREGON | PENNSYLVANIA | SOUTH CAROLINA TENNESSEE | TEXAS | VIRGINIA | WASHINGTON
CityLifestyle.com/Frisco ON THE COVER “Havana Nights” as created by local artist Milessa Murphy. 4
Frisco Life | November 2020
Proverbs 3:5-6 Frisco Life™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Frisco area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Frisco Life™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.
INSIDE THE ISSUE NOVEMBER 2020
FEATURES 12 Personalized Gift Idea Frisco Artist Creates Powerful, Oneof-a-Kind Life Reflections To Sell
18 Adding Joy In The Breakroom Local Entrepreneur Helps Other Business Executives Take Gratitude To New Levels In Corporate World
24 Rail District Renovations Leading The Renaissance Of Frisco’s Downtown
24 18
30 Stress-Free Celebrations Transform Events Into Monumental Memories With A Local Planner
12
30
DEPARTMENTS 4
Lifestyle Letter
8
Good Times
10
Around Town
12
Artist’s Palette
18
Culinary Creations
24 Our Town 30 Inspired By 34 Parting Thoughts
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GOOD TIMES
Frisco Life Networking Event Welcomes Many To New Office The Frisco Life team was enthused to invite partnering advertisers, community leaders, business colleagues and friends to a recent networking event to share the publication's new office space at Venture X at The Realm in Castle Hills. Wine, appetizers, live music and giveaways were part of this come-and-go event. IMAGES BY ISAAC G PHOTOGRAPHY.
8
Frisco Life | November 2020
Meet Leadership Frisco Class XXIV Members Frisco Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Frisco Class XXIV is underway. Its 25 members were selected from a competitive pool of applicants. Leadership Frisco is a nine-month community leadership program to develop a set of qualified, highly motivated individuals who are interested in expanding their leadership skills, deepening their sense of civic responsibility, and becoming more involved in the community.
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AROUND TOWN This educational program assists 11- to 18-year old students start to run businesses and social movements over the course of an academic year with the help of mentors, events and classes. Peter Burns, one of YEA’s program managers, said COVID-19 prompted changes to the program, which enable students who live outside of Frisco to now join. More than 100 students already indicated interest through the virtual information session. Students work in close cooperation with local industry leaders, community members, and educators to develop ideas and objectives, write business plans, pitch to potential investors, register with
FRISCO’S RAIL DISTRICT GETS HAYSTACK BURGERS & BARLEY
governmental agencies, develop their brand identity and participate in a tradeshow. Frisco Chamber of Commerce leaders were the
The husband-and-wife team Kevin and Jenny
first chamber of commerce in Texas to offer the
Galvan entered the burger food sector in 2013
Young Entrepreneurs Academy. For additional pro-
after running Tex-Mex restaurants for quite some
gram details, contact Roz Righetti, Frisco Chamber
time. They opened the first Haystack Burgers &
office manager at rrighetti@friscochamber.com.
Barley in Richardson at that point, and now seven years later, that fast-casual restaurant team opened three other locations, including Frisco’s Rail District. The Galvans also serve sandwiches, salads, appetizers and desserts at their 6705 Main Street location, such as Ranchero chicken-stuffed jalapeños with queso. Photo courtesy of Haystack Burgers & Barley.
HOTEL & GOLF CLUB TO UNDERGO $30 MILLION RENOVATION Owners of The Westin Stonebriar Hotel & Golf Club on 400 acres in Frisco plan to debut a $30 million renovation before the end of 2020. They vow that the hotel and golf club will re-emerge as a laid-back luxury destination reimagined through the lens of Merriman Anderson Architects and MTA Urban Design Architecture Interior Design Inc. The revitalized property will offer 302 upscale
Chido Taco Lounge owners say they want
guest rooms, three chef-curated dining outlets,
to "redefine Frisco dining with a Texican swag-
more than 26,000 square feet of tranquil indoor
ger." They add that with chído being Texican slang
and outdoor meeting and event space, access to a
for “cool," they aim to serve a meal worthy of fine
premier 18-hole golf course and pro shop, state-of-
dining but with a fun, interactive service style.
the-art gym and fitness studio, luxurious spa and a reinvigorated outdoor pool.
YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS ACADEMY IN FRISCO BEGINS 10TH YEAR REMOTELY Frisco’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy kicked off the group's 10th year with students participating virtually. 10
CHIDO TACO LOUNGE TO OPEN IN SHOPS AT STARWOOD
Frisco Life | November 2020
Slated to open in Frisco at 6959 Lebanon Road, Ste. 123, in The Shops at Starwood, this business team claims to be a hybrid of a fast-casual and full-service restaurant to focus on specialty tacos, handmade tortillas, signature cocktails and desserts. Photo courtesy of Chido Taco Lounge.
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LOCAL WOMAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS OWNER NAMED TO NSBA LEADERSHIP COUNCIL Ese Aihie, founder/CEO of Work Innovators LLC, was named to the National Small Business Association Leadership Council. NSBA is the nation’s oldest small-business advocacy organization, operating on a nonpartisan basis. Ese joins this Leadership Council alongside
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ARTIST’S PALETTE
PERSONALIZED GIFT IDEA FRISCO ARTIST CREATES POWERFUL, ONE-OF-A-KIND LIFE REFLECTIONS TO SELL
ARTICLE JULIE BROWN PATTON
LOOKING FOR COLOR AND CHARACTER IS AN INTRINSIC WAY
This Frisco-based artist offers two main ways to secure her
OF LIFE FOR IMPRESSIONIST ARTIST MILESSA MURPHY. She
artwork. With the year-end gift giving season underway, cus-
tends to see light and delight in so many of nature’s canvasses, that
tomers can comb through her varied, online inventory of pieces
positive energy oozes into her energetic and inspiring oil paintings.
to select purchases.
“One of the great paradoxes in life is the difference between
Secondly, Milessa relishes opportunities to establish trust with
what’s real and what’s imagined, because our reality is skewed by
others who commission her to create artwork of a specific subject,
our experiences and perceptions. Those complex combinations are
idea or scene in her unique styles and genres. She says she’s happy
what inspires my artwork,” explains Milessa.
to review existing images to see if the target concept is one with
“The authentic emotion and commitment I give to each painting
which she can work.
leaves each piece representing a portion of artistic soul. Each day,
For those who would like to give an innovative gift of a customized
my artwork grows and changes with me. I believe an artist should
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never stop learning, especially when there’s so much in life to
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explore,” she adds.
artistic background details along with a voucher certificate.
12
Frisco Life | November 2020
Connecting with others through art comes naturally to this professional. Milessa’s artistic expression began with drawing before she could spell words. Her desire to pursue art led her to apply to an art university she saw on a television commercial when she was only 12 years old. Her parents didn’t know she’d done so – complete with submitting her drawings – until she revealed to her mother that she’d been accepted! Imagine her bubble bursting when she learned she wasn’t old enough to attend, and envision a parent who realized that art was a permanent part of Milessa’s identity. “I think I was born with the desire to be an artist, and I was open to being taught to be a professional one,” Milessa recalls. Despite Milessa’s love for art, she launched five other types of entrepreneur businesses based on her family’s urging to be sure to have a way to earn a “real, steady” income. During her mother’s passing in 2008, she says her mother’s last words were: “I want you to promise me you’ll sell your businesses and get back to your painting. I’m sorry I didn’t take your art seriously.” Her mother’s freeing words sent her back to her easel with new resolve, and she hasn’t left art since. She actually started in watercolor, but segued into oil painting when art galleries became unsupportive of glare from the glass of framed watercolors.
CONTINUED >
“PAINTINGS ARE A WONDERFUL WAY TO GRAB THOSE MEMORIES AND HELP THEM COME ALIVE TO ENJOY ON A DAILY BASIS.”
Behold
CityLifestyle.com/Frisco
13
ARTIST’S PALETTE (CONTINUED)
Truffles
“It was an easy transition for me, with my watercolor The Light Shines In The Darkness
background in design and composition. It helped me know how to layer and keep colors pure. To this day, people sometimes say they see a watercolor influence in my cleanly executed pieces,” says Milessa. She’s painted more than 600 pieces, some that reflect and blend humor, whimsy, fact, fiction, dreams, reality and surrealism. Some are done with contemporary flare; others are more traditional. Milessa just last month worked with one of her true passions via en plein air painting by joining the staff of PleinAir magazine in New Hampshire for an artists’ retreat. “En plein air painting allows me to capture what I can see in the moment, including the daylight and essence of the atmosphere. This type of impressionistic painting spurs the imagination and makes it magical,” she says. “I like to think that when I paint outdoors, I am channeling the work of some of the great Impressionist painters like Monet or Van Gogh.” With more people spending so much time in their residences, Milessa says people are considering how to make their homes, rooms and ‘Zoom backgrounds’ more personal. “This year, we’ve had time to reflect on what’s important and even to look through photographs. Now more than ever, we want to keep those memories closer to ourselves within our homes. Paintings are a wonderful way to grab those memories and help them come alive to enjoy on a daily basis,” she says. mms@Milessa.com 214.402.2886 Milessa.com
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Frisco Life | November 2020
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addin g joy LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR HELPS OTHER BUSINESS EXECUTIVES TAKE GRATITUDE TO NEW LEVELS IN CORPORATE WORLD ARTICLE JULIE BROWN PATTON PHOTOGRAPHY SUAD BEJTOVIC PHOTOGRAPHY
18
Frisco Life | November 2020
‘TIS THE SEASON OF JOY AND WONDER, NO DOUBT, BUT FOR ONE LOCAL EXECUTIVE, JOY RINGS TRUE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN HER LINE OF BUSINESS. Lilian Chavira launched her business, called Joy In The Breakroom, on March 17, 2016, after she and her family relocated from Michigan to Frisco in 2013. Prior to that she had founded a gourmet bakery business. “Any celebration is a reason to bring joy in the workplace,” says Lilian, who caters events, decorates spaces and designs custom gift baskets. By highlighting companies’ logos, core values and brands, Lilian says she helps make employees, clients and associates through the DFW region feel extra special. “Our goal is to bring teams together, and to transform ordinary moments into joy,” she adds. Lilian often works her magic through creative branding and decor at full-service events, healthy salad stations, hors d’oeuvres bistros and delectable snack or dessert bars. “We also can do whimsical hot drink and s’mores bars. All food and beverage items are now planned and designed with individual packaged items,” she says. She handles unique birthdays, team milestones, customer appreciation events, ribbon-cuttings and holiday celebrations for employees, too. “We create a customized Appreciation Plan that helps your company’s brand and core values come to life. Why settle for the mediocre when it comes to your work culture and brand?” poses Lilian, who earned a bachelor’s degree in business and co-authored a book called Behind Her Brand, published in February 2017. She says monthly or quarterly appreciation breakfasts or lunches that are provided in individual boxes for employees or customers enables clients to apply budgets in smart, meaningful ways. “More than ever, companies need to find innovative and safe ways to bring their people together, especially during the upcoming holidays. There are still ways to make this happen within current limitations,” says Lilian. “I can be a resource for those leaders to customize creative ideas for their teams.” Originally from Mexico and then El Paso, Lilian says she fell in love with Frisco, and chose to learn the city by becoming a member of several community organizations. “I’ve built my business around the core values of faith, family, honor, heritage, strength, wisdom, creativity, loyalty and friendship,” she confides. She says she often believes she’s channeling lessons learned from her father, who had a career in hospitality through managing resorts, hotels and restaurants.
CONTINUED >
CityLifestyle.com/Frisco
19
CULINARY CREATIONS (CONTINUED)
sa mples of l i l ia n’s joy ser v ic e i nc lude:
As a result of adapting to this year’s COVID-19 pandemic and health restrictions, Lilian is happy to arrange events in physically social distant manners. “Our priority is the safety and well-being of our clients, their employees and customers, so we observe strict guidelines under this current reality. However, we believe our mission of delivering gratitude, spreading joy and sharing hope in the workplace is more important than ever,” she says.
+ Themed breakroom deliveries with food and branded
During this year’s pandemic, Lilian says her business
gifts to surprise staffs, starting at $100.
tagline came to life even more: “Deliver gratitude,
+ Individual treats on custom-designed displays or festive
spread joy and share hope” to signal that clients could
holiday themes, starting at $5 per person.
count on her for festive celebrations, as well as special
+ Gift baskets or care boxes, starting at $50.
gifts, notes and kind gestures when tragedy hits. “Now
+ Pre-packaged to-go food boxes from local restaurants,
I design and deliver personalized gifts when sad news
decorated with clients’ brands and messages, starting at
is received, such as cancer, divorce, depression or grief,
$20 per person.
along with an uplifting, encouraging book to truly shar-
+ Individually packaged hors d’oeuvres setups with artis-
ing hope,” she proclaims.
tic, sophisticated displays, starting at $15 per person. + Catered, elegant meals for board meetings through part-
A book often included by Lilian is one she published during October 2018 entitled Souls In The Sand.
nering with local, upscale restaurants to provide high-end
lilianchavira@joyinthebreakroom.com
experiences even in the COVID-19 pandemic.
214.843.8268 JoyInTheBreakRoom.com
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Frisco Life | November 2020
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Frisco Life | November 2020
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OUR TOWN
ARTICLE PAUL SALFEN | PHOTOGRAPHY BLAKE RICHARD
RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF MAIN STREET
With a focus on restaurants and startups
renovated home just a couple of blocks from
-- GEOGRAPHICALLY THE CENTER OF
with no chains in sight, this $50 million rede-
the area and knew of a few properties for
FRISCO -- IS WHAT’S QUICKLY BECOM-
velopment of just eight blocks comes as a
sale that were ripe for development, he knew
ING THE HOTTEST PART OF TOWN, THE
pleasant surprise to residents who wanted
just who could handle it.
RAIL DISTRICT.
a place within walking distance where they
While many big developments, such
can live, work and reinvest in downtown.
Donny recalls, “I saw the Double Dip Frozen Custard place up for sale about four
as The Star, offer the glitz and glam of the
When local real estate superstar Matt
years ago and met with Matt to discuss pur-
ever-growing suburb, this formerly quiet
Calloway started brainstorming with Nack
chasing that and he suggested pairing it with
part of town is offering something unique:
Development founder Donny Churchman,
the car wash, which was up for sale as well.
an open-air marketplace where small, local
something special happened. Matt had
We envisioned what we could put there that
unique businesses are popping up and giv-
been selling about 90 percent of the avail-
would impact downtown and realized it could
ing alternatives for residents that they used
able commercial properties in the area,
be a catalyst project if we did it right. Then I
to have to leave town to find.
but because he himself lived in a historic
thought, ‘Gosh, I can’t do just one. Downtown
24
Frisco Life | November 2020
RAIL DISTRICT R E N O VAT I O N S LEADING THE RENAISSANCE OF FRISCO’S DOWNTOWN
Frisco is really overlooked until this day.’ A lot
He says he’s especially enthused about
as currently there’s only one restaurant
of people don’t know what’s going on down
the 200-seat venue, which will open Dec.
space to fill and only two luxury brown-
there. I can’t believe it. We just have to get a
19 with Trey Kennedy, a “clean” come-
stone homes left.
lot more focused on downtown and make it a
dian who is quite popular on YouTube
cool place to go and this project acts as the
and TikTok.
catalyst to get a lot more folks down there.”
“People want an area like this. There’s a huge amount of people that want to get
The duo is also enthused about Patios
out of their bubble. We want them to expe-
The developer says once he realized
At The Rail, which is a 40,000-square-foot
rience that in Frisco,” says Matt, who put
more projects were needed, he bought the
area that features restaurants, a park, an
his money where his mouth is by investing
property that was the old Frank’s Tires and
outdoor market and a new concept called
in his own business there with his wife,
is now Tower at the Rails, which is a luxury
Maker’s Gym. With historic homes being
Cibo Kitchens, a commercial kitchen for
brownstone and 8,000-square-foot of retail.
renovated, new businesses popping up,
rent by the hour that caterers and chefs
Now they bought a property that’s going to
and something different to do, residents
can use as one-offs for projects or for
be The Nack Theater.
are gravitating to the area in a big way,
teaching classes.
CONTINUED >
CityLifestyle.com/Frisco
25
OUR TOWN (CONTINUED)
“PEOPLE WANT AN AREA LIKE THIS. THERE’S A HUGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT WANT TO GET OUT OF THEIR BUBBLE. WE WANT THEM TO EXPERIENCE THAT IN FRISCO.”
“All in all, if people want to escape the suburban feel,
Kevin adds, “The cooperation of the city and the eco-
they come down here. There’s an artsy, cool foodie vibe. I
nomic development council working with big organiza-
love being down here because I can be anywhere in Frisco
tions to being the Cowboys and PGA in but also small- to
in 10 minutes,’ he adds.
mid-size businesses, it adds a vibrance I don’t think a lot
Now that property is a whopping $300 a square foot, the most expensive in town, anything in the area requires a more thoughtful use of space.
Visually, the project is about to stand out more in an artistic way, thanks to well-known mural artist Patrick
After sitting on the Downtown Advisory Board for eight
Ganino, who is painting a 40-foot mural and is coming
years, Matt, who somewhat jokingly refers to himself as
back for three other projects, which will likely include the
the “unofficial mayor of The Rail District,” saw that not
renovation of the historic Ford building, bringing in the
everyone wanted the megahome, but the lifestyle: getting
infrared heated yoga studio Karma Fitness and a hip hop
the picket-lined fences and the big trees, but also being
clothing boutique called Miracle’s Closet. Somewhere
able to walk to a park or restaurant. And he wasn’t alone.
between a Lower Greenville and Bishop Arts feel is the
Kevin Westerfield, a longtime resident with a certain amount of inside knowledge, has raised his family and
26
of other communities have.”
goal and so far, the group has somehow created something that might be even more appealing.
worked in the area for decades. “I work three blocks away
Matt says, “Five years ago I used to say The Rail District
and I’ve watched it go from a car wash to a little ice cream
was going to be the biggest thing in Frisco, and they kind
joint to where we are today. It’s a little bit different! I think
of laughed, but the timing is right. People want to experi-
it’s an amazing project. This is going to be a game-changer.
ence something different, and now this is our area.”
It will make downtown Frisco more of a destination and the
Now Donny says he’s toying with the idea of inviting a
nightlife more vibrant. It’ll add a whole new flavor,” he says.
brewery to Frisco and making it “the best in Texas,”
Located between The Star and the future PGA site,
which is a personal goal of his -- and he adds that
the 8-by-10 block area was ripe for something new under
he knows just where to put it. After a 135,000-square-
the leadership of city manager George Purefoy, and
foot office building plan was scrapped due to office
Donny says he hopes he has realized his vision, as the
demand falling after COVID-19, he admits “we didn’t
city has grown and many believe The Rail District is a big
want to take a $25 to $35 million bet the office was
part of that. This is something Matt felt all along. He says,
going to come back.”
“Frisco has always been the golden goose. All of these
He’s also thankful they were running six to 12 months
companies are relocating here, we have great schools,
behind to avoid a coronavirus fallout for the small busi-
it’s the safest city in the country, it’s a strong economy,
nesses and restaurants, which he calls a “God knew what
the average per capita income is $160,000. A lot of people
he was doing thing.” Now it’s full speed ahead as the area
want to have businesses here. We’ve still got 30% to build
reopens and growth has returned. After all, he has a mis-
out so we’re not going to be stopping anytime soon.”
sion: “I’m leading the renaissance of Frisco’s downtown.”
Frisco Life | November 2020
CityLifestyle.com/Frisco
27
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Meet Dr. Skousen Dr. Joel Skousen was born in Warren, Michigan, and grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a Texas transplant via his wife, who went to Allen High School. Dr. Skousen received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management with a minor in Chemistry from Brigham Young University-Idaho. He then attended The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and received his D.D.S. degree. He loves dentistry and prides himself in building trust, and helping patients overcome dental fear and anxiety. Heritage Dental Studio is a new practice in Frisco and are welcoming new patients.
(469) 535-6516 | HeritageDentalStudio.com | 12828 Eldorado Pkwy Suite 110, Frisco, TX 75035
E V EN T P L A N N I N G • FR I S C O, T X 2 1 4.5 3 2. 3 07 9 • M A K EM O N U M EN TA L M EM O R I E S.C O M BRIDE WA S SHELBY EZZELL | VENUE WA S UNDER THE WILDWOOD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HALEY K ATHERINE PHOTOGRAPHY
28
Frisco Life | November 2020
INSPIRED BY
STRESS-FREE CELEBRATIONS TRANSFORM EVENTS INTO MONUMENTAL MEMORIES WITH A LOCAL PLANNER
ARTICLE BINDU CHOWRITMOOTOO
THERE’S GENUINE PASSION AND EXCITEMENT IN THE
marketing strategies: word of mouth. In addition to birthday
EYES OF A FRISCO-BASED EVENT PLANNER WHO
parties and celebrations, she expanded into wedding plan-
WILL GO ABOVE AND BEYOND TO MAKE EVENTS
ning. Kamrin recalls the interaction with her first bride: “It
VERY MEMORABLE ONES. Her name is Kamrin Cloutier,
was the most amazing experience to plan every detail of the
and she’s the founder of Monumental Memories.
wedding. At the end of the wedding, the bride hugged me
Kamrin’s husband inspired her to follow her dream of
and thanked me for making her special day a magical one.”
being an event planner. She says planning parties for her
Another of Kamrin’s bride clients testified that she and her
3-year-old daughter allows her to consistently work on her
team took away all the stress and decorated the wedding
creativity. With a natural eye for detail, style and fashion,
beautifully. “She is literally a gift from God!” confirmed that
Kamrin began to plan parties and weddings in 2018, and she
happy woman.
hasn’t looked back. “I started this company with one tool,
When asked why she does this type of business, Kamrin
passion; the desire to create something beautiful,” she says.
instantly says it’s important as a woman to be independent.
Because first impressions are everything, Kamrin’s ear-to-
“I started this company knowing that I can make a person’s
ear smile, fashionista style and charm adds to her company’s
day extra special. I love taking the stress out of planning an
brand. As a young female entrepreneur, her determination
event,” she proudly adds.
for success is evident. She says her journey as a highly
Kamrin says she looks forward to getting to know her
driven entrepreneur has been an experience that taught her
clients through complimentary consultations. Each consul-
the importance of setting and reaching goals.
tation allows her to breathe life into their vision. Everything
Kamrin, who has a background in retail sales, says she’s always enjoyed connecting with clients and providing them with unique experiences. Monumental Memories initially experienced organic growth with the one of the best
30
Frisco Life | November 2020
from colors, sounds and the overall feel of the event is carefully planned with great attention to detail. When asked how her clients describe her services, she responded with “fun, dependable and creative.”
CONTINUED >
“AS A YOUNG WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR, IT’S IMPORTANT TO DO WHAT YOU LOVE. WHEN YOU DO WHAT YOU LOVE, YOU MIGHT AS WELL DO IT FOR YOURSELF,” - KAMRIN CLOUTIER OF MONUMENTAL MEMORIES
CityLifestyle.com/Frisco
31
INSPIRED BY (CONTINUED)
She says she understands how stressful planning an event can be, so her goal with any event is to make it as seamless as possible. Behind every great event planner is a dedicated team. “As a team, we take time to plan every detail of an event. We give great importance to communicating all details to the client throughout the planning and execution” she says. “I am so grateful for my team. They allow me to make every event a successful one. It’s so important to have team members who understand how important an event is to a client, especially a bride. It is her special day; we have to pay special attention to every detail.” Although 2020 has been a challenging year for all event planners, Kamrin found ways to overcome the challenges by expanding her services to corporate events. She is planning events within the Metroplex within current social distancing guidelines. “We’re approaching the holiday season. Companies have begun to make plans for Thanksgiving events and holiday parties. I look forward to planning and providing one-of-a-kind experiences regardless of the budget,” she says. In addition to planning events, Kamrin says she enjoys working with local photographers in designing spaces for photo sessions filled with perfect lighting and props that add unique flairs with personal touches for clients. Kamrin is an active partner at Frisco Life and helped plan the publication’s networking event held during September 2020.
MAKE MONUMENTAL MEMORIES
She partnered with other vendors with great enthusiasm and
makemonumentalmemories@gmail.com
a genuine smile.
469.980.1640 Instagram: @monumental_memories1 Facebook: @monumentalmemories MakeMonumentalMemories.com
32
Frisco Life | November 2020
CityLifestyle.com/Frisco
33
PARTING THOUGHTS
Corners of the Heart BEING GRATEFUL WHEN TIMES ARE TOUGH ARTICLE KATRINA WATLAND
WE’RE GRATEFUL TO HAVE KATRINA WATLAND CONTRIBUTE TO THIS MONTH’S CORNERS OF THE HEART. HER KIND HEART AND SWEET SPIRIT IS ONE WE KNEW WOULD SPEAK DIRECTLY TO THIS APPROACHING SEASON OF THANKSGIVING. WE EMBRACE HER THOUGHT TO FIND OUR SILVER LININGS. November brings a chill to the air and a warm, grateful feeling to the heart. Or at least that’s how I normally experience the month. But in 2020, there isn’t much that’s been normal, and I anticipate November and Thanksgiving being another different-than-normal event. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday; it gathers everyone, regardless of background or belief, to a table of gratitude. There’s good food and good feelings. But what do you during a pandemic when feeling grateful is just plain tough? Our collective focus this year has been on fear, disease, fire, unrest. We don’t see justice. We look around and it’s hard to feel thankful. In times likes these, it’s especially important to find gratefulness. We might need to dig deeper and look further than usual. We have to find the silver linings. That warm, grateful feeling that usually arrives in November won’t come on its own. You have to nurture gratitude even when – especially when – times are tough. The choice to be grateful comes with many benefits. Gratefulness has been shown to build up both our psychological and physical immune systems. The practice of gratitude also helps us stay more grounded and optimistic. So, here are some things I’m going to give thanks for during this November. I’m thankful for a table to gather around and the food on it. I’m thankful for the slower than normal pace the pandemic has given me. I’m thankful for the people who make up my tribe. And, I’m thankful for a backyard that has provided extra space as we spend so much more time at home. And, as always, but especially this year, I’m thankful for my health. Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you find your silver linings.
34
Frisco Life | November 2020
OFFICIAL MINOR LEAGUE AFFILIATE OF THE DALLAS MAVERICKS
THANK YOU
FRONTLINE & HEALTHCARE
WORKERS WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU AGAIN! COMERICA CENTER | FRISCO, TX | 214 .469.0822 | TEXLEGENDS.COM
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