Boerne – Fair Oaks – Leon Springs – Comfort - Bergheim – Bulverde
The Hill Country’s Premier Business Publication Vo lu m e 1 : : I s s u e 5 : : O c to b e r / N ov e m b e r 2 013
BUILDING THE
DREAM In thirty-eight years as a custom builder Ken Nietenhoefer has formed a team who shares his philosophy of putting the customer first.
+
RISING INTEREST RATES
NEW INSURANCE LEGISLATION
BUSINESS PROFILES
... AND MORE
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CONTENTS 8
FROM THE PUBLISHER
10 CALENDAR 16 INSURANCE 22 PROFILE
12
Are you prepared for rising interest rates?
TEXAS TIMBER FRAMES
30 UNDER THE RADAR 32 FOOD BIZ 34 REAL ESTATE 36 IN THE NEWS 38 THE PERFECT OFFICE
18
Texas Tack & Rags new business profile
40
BUILDING THE DREAM
In thirty-eight years as a custom builder Ken Nietenhoefer has formed a team who shares his philosophy of putting the customer first 6 | COMPANY MAGAZINE
26
Paul Wilson concludes his series on how to best L.E.A.D.
46 COMMUNITY 48 LUNCH HOUR REVIEW
COMPANY magazine is published by Schooley Media Ventures in Boerne, TX. COMPANY Magazine and Schooley Media Ventures are not responsible for any inaccuracies, erroneous information, or typographical errors contained in this publication submitted by advertisers. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of COMPANY and/or Schooley Media Ventures. Copyright 2013 Schooley Media Ventures, 930 E. Blanco, Boerne, TX 78006
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WELCOME | a letter from the publisher Dearest COMPANY Reader, The strength of a business depends heavily on the importance given to its customer service. It is one of the most important things that distinguishes a business in this saturated world of competitors. Good customer service not only compels the customer to come back, but the good recommendations from them provide a business with a new set of potential customers. This concept, while central to any good business, can easily be over looked in the day to day trenches of workdom. We’re all human, so it can easily be explained away that someone who was rude or inattentive to the customer was having a bad day. But more and more you call a business and only get a voicemail. Or walk in somewhere and 10 out of the 11 employees are standing around doing one of three things; talking to each other (ignoring you), playing or talking on their cell phones (ignoring you), or staring into oblivion obviously contemplating and coming up with viable solutions to all of the world’s problems (ignoring you). Only at furniture stores and car dealerships are you swarmed with helpful individuals eager to make the case
for you to leave copious amounts of money with them. Gone are days where the customer comes first. Or are they? It seems in the world of “small” businesses, customer service is part of the life blood of the company. Without it, it’s only a matter of time before the doors close and the “For Lease” sign is on the road. Customer service is essential to small businesses because small businesses undoubtedly know their customers. Whether it’s because of geography, as in a small town. Or by nature of the industry, like a home builder such as our cover story Ken Nietenhoefer. Ken gets to know his client. It’s hard not to in his line of work. Ken is old school. He builds relationships, works with people so that THEY are the ones happy, and if he calls he expects to talk to a person. Not a machine. And for the past 38 years it’s the way he’s run his business, KCN builders. Which tells you how big a role customer service plays in a business’ success. Sure it’s not the ONLY thing. But it’s what gets people to keep coming back again and again. Welcome to the October/November issue of COMPANY. As we begin to delve headlong into the impending holiday season and the shopping it brings, make sure the phone lines are manned and the employees are attentive. Because you’re not just selling a product or service. You’re selling your business as well.
Administration / Advertising Publisher Benjamin D. Schooley ben@thecompanymag.com OPERATIONS MANAGER Kate Kent kate@smvtexas.com ADVERTISING SALES 210-507-5250 sales@thecompanymag.com
ART Creative Director Ben Weber ben.weber@smvtexas.com Benjamin D. Schooley Publisher
8 | COMPANY MAGAZINE
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THE TERRELL TEAM Where personal service is still in style.
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Senior Loan Officer NMLS#219044 (830) 816-5399 Office 116 W. Blanco Rd., Ste. 100 • Boerne, TX 78006 www.legacymutual.com | DTerrell@legacymutual.com
CALENDAR |
BUSINESS AND HILL COUNTRY EVENTS CALENDAR
OCTOBER 9
Leadership Boerne Session Leadership Styles and Skills
OCTOBER 17
Networking Breakfast sponsored by Texas Heritage Bank 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM Come join us for the Chamber Networking Breakfast sponsored by Texas Heritage Bank
OCTOBER 4
Ribbon Cutting for 1st Year Anniversary for Simply Serene Salon and Spa 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Come and celebrate with Simply Serene Salon and Spa. 10 | COMPANY MAGAZINE
OCTOBER 17
Networking Breakfast sponsored by Texas Heritage Bank 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM Come join us for the Chamber Networking Breakfast sponsored by Texas Heritage Bank
OCTOBER 24
Business After Hours Mixer sponsored by Cibolo Nature Center 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM www.boerne.org Come mix and mingle with your fellow Chamber Members at the Business After Hours Mixer sponsored by Cibolo Nature Center.
NOVEMBER 7
Business After Hours Mixer sponsored by GVTC Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM www.boerne.org Come mix and mingle with your fellow Chamber Members at the Business After Hours Mixer sponsored by GVTC.
NOVEMBER 13 Leadership Boerne Session Time: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Leadership Boerne Session
GET MORE VALUE WITH G.J. GARDNER HOMES. NO MATTER WHAT YOUR BUDGET.
CALL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION.
Kyle V. Cox, Architect/Owner/Builder :: 830.249.4952 :: kyle.cox@gjgardner.com :: www.gjgardnerboerne.com
FINANCIAL |
Are You Prepared for Rising Interest Rates?
Interest rates…we’ve historically had a love-hate relationship with them. When they’re low and we are ready to buy that new house, we love them. At the same time, if we are forced to keep our money in a savings account with a low rate earning nothing, interest rates can quickly become our enemy. One thing is certain, interest rates aren’t going away and they affect us all in very different ways. Many of our life decisions are dependent upon them and timing can be everything when it comes to interest rates, so here’s the big picture. Many key long-term interest rates have been on the rise since early May. Even though they are still a far cry from the 16% that some of you may remember in 1981, the recent rise may signal the end of a 32 year downtrend is near. So, what does this mean for you? Nearly everyone is affected by interest rates in some way, and now is the time to start preparing for the possibility of life in a rising rate environment. First, let’s distinguish between the two main types of interest rates. There are short-term interest rates which the U.S. Federal Reserve controls and are currently at 0.25%. Many loans (especially commercial or business loans), certificates of deposit, and savings accounts are all based on this short-term interest rate. The Federal Reserve has already stated that this particular rate will not be rising until the national unemployment rate falls below 6.5% and inflation rises to 2.5%. At the current pace of economic improvement, this is at least one year away and probably even longer. Therefore, it’s too early to get excited about earning 12 | COMPANY MAGAZINE
higher rates of interest on short-term interest bearing accounts. The interest rates that have been rising are long-term interest rates. These are the rates that affect home purchases, refinancing, and investments. Unlike short term interest rates, the Federal Reserve cannot declare a specific level for this type of rate. They can influence them with their rhetoric and by purchasing or selling bonds in the open market, but governmental impact is limited. If you have recently been in the market to buy a home or have other investments, you have probably seen a glimpse of how rising rates have negatively impacted you. The good news is that if the overall economy is not strong enough to absorb higher long-term rates, they will likely pause or decline until the economy strengthens. Consider the list of ways below in which your life might be affected by a possible rising rate environment and begin thinking how you will adjust accordingly: Student Loans More than 7 million undergraduates have Stafford loans or loans that allow students to defer payments until after college. However, depending on the type of loan, the interest might accrue. Recently, the interest rate on Stafford loans for new applications increased. Mortgages: The average rate on a 30-year mortgage jumped from a record low of 3.3% in November 2012 to over 4.5% in September 2013. If you have an adjustable rate mortgage or a higher fixed rate, you should contact a mortgage specialist soon to discuss your options. Ironically, some people who may not qualify for a mortgage today may have greater odds of qualifying at higher rates in the future because banks will be more willing to lend as their profits rise. Business Loans/ Lines of Credit Most business loans and lines of credit have adjustable rates, but are tied to the Fed’s short term interest rate policy. Although these rates are not expected to rise imminently,
now is the time to start talking to your banker about your future borrowing needs and hedging against the threat of higher rates in the future. Credit Cards Most credit cards have floating rates and the interest charged will increase when the Federal Reserve’s short term interest rate policy changes. Paying off balances sooner than later should be a top priority.
Investments: Typically, rising rates are bad for most types of investments, especially bonds. Most of the investing public gains access to bonds through mutual funds. For smaller amounts of money, mutual funds are a great way to diversify and gain access to a large basket of bonds. However, there is a problem with traditional bond mutual funds. Bond funds are inversely correlated to interest rates so as interest rates rise, bond mutual funds fall in price. There are specific types of funds that hedge against rising rates while others receive higher amounts of interest during these times. It’s important to research the various types of funds that are able to withstand rising rates. Interest rates can go up for numerous reasons. If rates are rising because the economy is improving, stocks can do quite well. In fact, since rates have been on the rise, some of the best investments have been bank stocks. When long-term interest rates rise and short-term interest rates remain low, banks are more profitable and thus their stocks rise. Rising interest rates aren’t bad for all types of investments. But, knowing which ones are affected and which ones aren’t is the key.
THERE IS REGULAR HAPPY. THEN THERE IS NEW HOME HAPPY.
Insurance Many insurance companies hold a portfolio of bonds. As rates rise, their bond portfolios lose value. This puts many insurance companies in jeopardy of lower profits. Therefore, they will often make up the difference by raising premiums or lowering benefits on your policies. Higher Taxes With long-term rates rising, the government’s cost of borrowing (national debt) will rise as well. This makes higher taxes a distinct possibility in the future. Bank Accounts The Federal Reserve has indicated they are still at least a year away from any increase in short-term interest rates. This means savers will continue to earn miniscule amounts of interest in savings accounts and short-term CDs. For those seeking income and who have at least 6 months worth of living expenses saved, consider alternative types of investments that can produce higher returns. Foreign Imports and Travel The value of the U.S. dollar typically strengthens compared to other foreign currencies when U.S. interest rates rise. This could be a plus if you are a business that purchases supplies or receive revenue from abroad. Also, the overseas vacation you’ve been planning might get a little cheaper! Being proactive with your personal finances is the key to feeling prepared. Although interest rates will always fluctuate, making some necessary changes now could save you a lot of money in the future. Karl J. Eggerss is President & CEO of Eggerss Capital Management, a registered investment advisory firm specializing in wealth management. Karl has 18 years of experience as an investment advisor and his market analysis and commentary have been featured on national and international television including CNBC, Bloomberg, Fox Business, and various local affiliates. He is frequently invited to speak to various organizations regarding the state of the financial markets and can also be heard by thousands weekly on his podcast, “Through a Trader’s Eyes” at eggersscapital.com. Karl resides in Fair Oaks Ranch with his wife, Amy and their 2 children.
|MORTGAGE RPM Purchase • Re-Finance • Home Equity Toll Free: 877.696.2504 or 830.755.4635 31004 Interstate Highway 10 West | Boerne, Texas 78006 www.rpm-mtg.com/boerne/ RPM Mortgage, Inc. – NMLS# 9472 Regulated by the Texas Dept. of Savings and Mortgage Lending.
thecompanymag.com | 13
PEO / EM PLOY EE LEASIN G
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INSURANCE | • Expansion of exemptions for certain organizations in the insurance and title industries, as well as political subdivision corporations • A break in calculating apportioned receipts for those providing internet hosting • A relocation incentive to bring new business to the state, applying to businesses who have not previously done transacted business in Texas before • A credit for rehabilitating historic structures • For certain pipeline operators providing services to others, changes to expenses allowed for cost of goods sold calculation • Clarification of calculation of cost of goods sold for movie theaters • Some changes in how to calculate an entity’s taxable margin • Change to the No-Tax-Due provision • Temporary tax rate cuts applying only to report years 2014 and 2015 • Revenue exclusions for certain businesses • Some big changes in how to calculate an entity’s taxable margin This article will focus on the some of the modifications that are certain to have your bank account sitting up and taking notice in the short term.
BUSINESSES SEE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES FROM THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE By Kimberly L. Kleinhampl 16 | COMPANY MAGAZINE
Most Texans may not know that more than 1,600 bills were passed into law at the end of the most recent session of Texas Legislature. You also may not know that one of these bills, House Bill 500 (H.B. 500), will have a significant impact on businesses that are subject to the Texas fFranchise tax. es. H.B. 500 is a voluminous hodgepodge of items relating to various areas of the franchise tax code. We can’t cover them all here, but a short list of items of note includes the following: • An expanded definition of retail and wholesale businesses; now included are: • Automotive repair shops of various types • Some rental-purchase agreement activities • Rental and leasing of party and event supplies • Rental and leasing of heavy construction equipment
The No Tax Due Provision Originally introduced in 2009, this was a temporary provision stating that a business having less than $1,000 tax due OR or total revenues equal to $1 million or less in a reporting period was not considered to owe any tax for that period. Happily for small business owners, Tthis provision has been made permanent, which is good news for small business owners.. Temporary Tax Rate Cuts Small business owners could see a break on their 2014 and 2015 tax bills, due to a temporary rate cut enacted for businesses that qualify for the EZ Computation Method (usually those with total revenue of $10 million or less).
Most Businesses Retail/Wholesale Businesses 2013 rate: 1% 2013 rate: 0.5% 2014 rate: 0.975% 2014 rate: 0.4875% 2015 rate: 0.95% 2015 rate: 0.475% The amount of the 2015 tax reduction isn’t an absolutely sure bet just yet; this particular cutis contingent upon certain revenue estimates beingmetand certified on or after September 1, 2014. While both the 2014 and 2015 temporary rate cuts were passed into law, the actual rate for the 2015 reduction is no’t definitively set as of this time. The franchise tax percentage for 2015 is contingent upon certain revenue estimates being met and certified on or after September 1, 2014. If the State Comptroller is not able to certify the revenue estimate, the 2014 rates will apply for 2015 as well. Revenue Exclusions Several amendments were passed detailing revenue exclusions, potentially lowering taxable margins for those in the listed industries. Exclusions from total revenue: Aggregate haulers - subcontracting payments to independent contractors for performing deliveries on behalf of the business Transporters of barite - subcontracting payments to non-employee agents for transportation services performed on behalf of the business Businesses primarily offering landman services - payments made to nonemployees Registered motor carriers may exclude flow-through revenue from taxes and fees Amounts paid for vaccines for physicians, amounts paid for qualifying vaccines may be excluded Waterway transportation businesses not subtracting cost of goods sold from taxable margin, can exclude direct costs of providing transportation (provisionally) Calculating Taxable Margin One of the most significant items in H.B. 500 is the change in how an entity calculates it’s taxable margin, or the amount of revenue that is subject to the Franchise Tax. While small businesses with $1 million or less in total revenue have seen the benefit of the No Tax Due provision for the last several years, businesses that were right on the cusp of the $1 million threshold were denied any relief. The new rules for calculating taxable margin level out the playing field a bit. In addition to the previous choices for excluding either a percentage of revenue, cost of goods sold, or amounts paid for compensation, businesses can now elect to exclude $1 million of revenue from the taxable margin. Overall, many Texas business owners stand to see positive outcomes from the passage of H.B. 500, either from one of the provisions mentioned above or one of the many not listed in this brief article. Make sure that your business receives every possible benefit of these changes by becoming familiar with H.B. 500 or speaking with ayour tax advisor. Our team at ADKF will be glad to investigate any possible new benefits for you or your business.
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thecompanymag.com | 17
SMALL BUSINESS |
TEXAS
TACK & RAGS by Brent Clark Texas Tack & Rags was born out of a passion for horses and the Western lifestyle. The owners Sergio and Carla Elizondo saw a real need for a store that caters to the competitive horseman. There wasn’t a store that carried high quality saddles and tack combined with popular Western clothing. Sergio’s background includes Hunter/Jumpers and currently is actively involved showing reining horses in NRHA shows. Carla’s background includes competitive cutting and reining. The store is focused on offering quality merchandise coupled with incomparable service. All employees have been involved with horses on a competitive level and live the Western lifestyle. One key feature of the store is a full service hat bar. The store offers felt and straw hats, open crown, which means each hat is shaped distinctly for the customer. “We are fortunate to have one of the best hat shapers in Texas, Juan Machorro. Hat shaping is an art,” says Sergio. The store carries boots by Rios of Mercedes, Anderson Bean, and Rod Patrick Boot Makers. They are the most respected names in the business and all are made just like boots were a hundred years ago…by hand, all leather construction, and hand pegged. The quality carries on in the tack department where you can choose fine harness leather strap goods, handmade bits and spurs by Jim Edwards and Tom Balding, and saddles by Bob’s Custom Saddles. Sergio says, “I think we bring a new level of tack and saddle options to the area. Bob’s Saddles are used by the top trainers and exhibitors in reining, working cowhorse, cutting, and western pleasure to name a few.” We will be offering some new Bob’s models of barrel and roping saddles that will raise the bar for quality and function in these disciplines. We strive to offer something different in our clothing lines, western styles sprinkled with trendy fashions. Texas Tack 18 | COMPANY MAGAZINE
and Rags has a broad knowledge base to truly understand and service its customers. “We love our jobs and line of business.” This is very important when starting a business. There has to be a passion. There are tough times and challenges to any business but the difference in being successful or not comes down to the passion and commitment. We are fortunate to be able to offer such a wonderful store in a great location. Future plans include: multiple locations, expanding tack offerings to include English, and putting a mobile store on the road servicing a wide variety of horse shows and events in the next 6 months.
Brent Clark, General Manager Brent has been involved in the equine business for over 20 years. He started out riding horses on the family ranch at a young age, began team roping in high school, and during college rode and trained a variety of disciplines including reining, cutting, and Western pleasure while acting as assistant manager of a boarding and show facility in Flagstaff, AZ. Brent was a manager at D & D Farm and Ranch in Hockley, TX for a time before opening his own tack store and mobile unit that traveled to many horse shows in the Southwest. Most recently he has traveled the roads for Cowdog Saddles as a sales manager. “I believe I bring a unique knowledge as both a consumer and retailer. I’m involved in attending horse shows and keeping current on trends and what horseman are really looking for and using. I’m very excited about Texas Tack and Rags; it is truly going to be a first class operation.”
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thecompanymag.com | 21
BUSINESS PROFILE |
TEXAS TIMBER FRAMES by Sonja Howle
For over 25 years, Texas Timber Frames’ home has been in San Antonio in a big, metal building high on a hill east of Interstate 10 off Camp Bullis Road. They provided the crafted timber framework for commercial and residential structures throughout Texas and the Rocky Mountain States… structures like The Dallas Country Club, the upcoming North Park Lexus dealership, and hundreds of beautiful homes, barns and outdoor structures. Their manufacturing facility was a great home for fabrication and for the final touches of the mortise and tenon joints of their frames and trusses until demand began to outstrip the production capacity of the location. Nor was it ideal for showcasing their craft in finished form. In 2008 Texas Timber Frames was purchased by Len Dickinson, Jule Goeller and Jack and Cathy Dickinson. They knew of Texas Timber Frames, and their reputation, since they owned a post and beam barn company in northeast Nebraska. Buying the company would allow them to expand into a more high-end product line and expand their geographic capabilities. They could work with the talented and dedicated professionals in design and fabrication that had made the company what it is today. When a Canadian company offered them the opportunity to buy one of the country’s largest, state-of-the-art German fabrication machines in 2010, the owners flew to Canada to inspect. But if they invested in the 140’ Hundegger, it would not fit in the plant and neither would the output – the new machine would allow them to double their capacity. Texas Timber Frames has just completed the construction of a showroom that showcases their craftsmanship and houses the new equipment. It’s on 12 acres of Highway 46 between Boerne and Bulverde. CEO Jack Dickinson said, “The visibility and accessibility to San Antonio and our Hill Country clients made this a very attractive site, so does the welcome we’ve received.” 22 | COMPANY MAGAZINE
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thecompanymag.com | 25
LEADERSHIP |
L.E.A.D THE FOUR ESSENTIAL PRACTICES OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE LEADERS (part 5) By Paul Wilson
Let’s get one thing straight: Being a leader is not the same thing as being the boss. There are plenty of people sitting in the top strata of their corporate org chart who are lousy leaders. By sheer force of their position in the company food chain, they get people to do what they want. That is not the same as leading. Unfortunately, many people in positions of leadership don’t actually know what a leader is supposed to do. In their ignorance they resort to common authoritarian activities like throwing their weight around, barking orders and issuing ultimatums. All of this is done to protect their carefully protected status as “the boss.” At best, it is leadership by intimidation, not influence.
26 | COMPANY MAGAZINE
There is a better way to lead. A way that yields much greater results personally and professionally for both you and your employees. As I have endeavored to explain throughout this series of articles, a leader must focus on a different type of work than the members of his team…for the good of the team. This work involves four essential practices. So far we have looked at the leader’s responsibility to love, empower and align the members of his team. The fourth practice of an effective leader is the focus of this final article. An effective leader must DEVELOP the members of his team. Every team can get better at what they do. (Teams that think otherwise are already doomed!) The pace of an ever-changing marketplace demands that companies understand they are either acquiring new skills or they are losing the race. The corporate competition will run over any company that grows complacent about developing new ways to think and act. The leader who spends time and money on developing the skills of his staff is making one of the best investments possible for the good of his organization. It’s your smartest R&D move every time. A wise leader is constantly on the lookout for resources that he can use to develop the people on his team. Workshops, books, articles, videos, blogs, subject matter experts, site visits and training experiences are just a few of the many ways a leader can expand the bandwidth of his team’s performance. For instance, every company can get better in the area of customer service. Seize every chance possible to learn more about serving customers from companies that are doing it well. High-profile hotels, restaurants, and retailers that offer outstanding customer service
can teach you a lot about how to serve your customers. Go visit them and experience what they do so well. Order merchandise you don’t even need from them (and return it) just to be a part of their customer-service experience. Host their managers or staff for lunch and dialogue about their service philosophy, stated goals, and specific practices. If what your team needs is better designs for your products, then find a few companies that are industry leaders in the area of design. In his biography of Steve Jobs, Walter Isaacson describes how Jobs and Apple’s lead designer, Jonathan Ive, regularly discussed their observations and experiences with the design of all kinds of products, not just mobile technology. They’d spend hours in showrooms handling everything from appliances to cutlery in an attempt to better understand what made certain items more appealing to customers. Their impressions of weight, texture, function and appearance had a profound influence on the designs of the iPod, the iMac, and the iPhone. If your team’s greatest need is better communication or greater synergy, bookshelves are full of information about these important expressions of teamwork. An entire industry has grown up around providing teams intensive training experiences in the fundamentals of teamwork such as trust, communication, risk-taking and problem solving. Whatever skill is lacking in your team’s repertoire, it is the leader’s responsibility to help them become more proficient in that particular area. Most teams need additional development in one of three categories. Partnership. This is about teamwork. High performance teams thrive in a strong sense of unity and synergy among each other. Inevitably, poor communication and insensitive behavior will threaten a team’s
camaraderie. Any training in the area of relational intelligence is going to be a gift to your team. Performance. Beyond the relational dynamics of teamwork, there is the execution side of the equation. Helping your team identify and rectify areas where they could be more efficient and effective is wise. Productivity. Whereas performance is about execution, productivity is about output. Developing better ways to produce more widgets not only feeds the bottom line, but it also brings your team a tremendous sense of fulfillment. A leader must attend to the unique work that nobody else on the team is going to do while they are busy doing their jobs. This is why a leader and his leadership are so vital to the success of any organization. The work of an effective leader is to love the members of his team, to empower them to act wisely on behalf of the organization, to align each team member around the important commitments of the organization’s culture, and to develop them into one the best teams possible. L = Love. E = Empower. A = Align. D = Develop. Leaders L.E.A.D. If you have found these articles to be helpful to you and your organization or if you have additional insights from your experience that might be helpful to me as I continue to think through these ideas, I’d love to hear from you. I’d welcome the opportunity to serve you or your company in any way I can. Please contact me at pwilson@cibolocreek.com.
Paul Wilson is the Senior Pastor of Cibolo Creek Community Church in Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas. Launched in 1996, Cibolo Creek is committed to the challenging mission of creating a church unchurched people love to attend. A Masters degree in Theology and thirty years of leadership experience in non-profit organizations have granted Paul a unique perspective on what it takes to lead people effectively. Paul and his wife, Charlotte, and their two teenage sons make their home in Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas.
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“There is no better place to land” an upscale, master–planned residential airpark community designed by and for those who love to fly. Here, everything is imagined at the 30,000foot level, from the instrument-rated airfield to the option of building a hangar with your home on your lot. Nestled in the picturesque Hill Country town of Boerne, 30 minutes from San Antonio, Threshold Ranch offers Hill Country living with big city proximity. Here, you’ll enjoy easy access to world–class golf, major shopping centers, fine dining, superior healthcare, top–ranked schools and runways to clear skies.
For more information contact
Kevin Best
of Phyllis Browning Real Estate at
210.260.5111
UNDER THE RADAR |
ANGELS ALL AROUND YOU MILITARY MINISTRY
On March 18, 2011 Colleen Voigt and Shelly Coy met for coffee at the Daily Grind Coffee Shop in Boerne, Texas... Two mothers, two cups of coffee and one heart cry: “Is this as hard for you as it is for me?” Both have sons in the military, and face separation and deployments. Both wonder how other parents cope. Who will care for these hometown heroes and how will their families survive? Colleen says, “I just needed peace of heart.” Following a series of God-incidents, and conversations with her pastor, Colleen sensed the Lord’s leading to launch a prayer/support movement of some kind. Then her son returned from training with the book, Psalm 91: God’s Shield of Protection (Military Edition) by Peggy Joyce Ruth. She couldn’t wait to read the stories of God’s protection of our troops from the Civil War to the current conflict. Ever since their four sons were little Colleen and her husband (Max) had been praying Psalm 91:11 over them – “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” Now she read how to use Psalm 91 to pray for those hometown sons and daughters, and the idea for Angels All Around You Military Ministry was born. Shortly Colleen and Carol Woodward would attend Military Ministry’s Bridges to Healing Seminar in nearby San Antonio, Texas on April 9, 2011. There they learned not only the importance of 30 | COMPANY MAGAZINE
praying for our troops, but that ministry itself must be rooted in prayer. They also began to see how their church could reach out to their hometown heroes when they return“ God really turned up the heat” at the seminar, Colleen says. She began to see how to be a bridge to Jesus, for He’s the only one who can really heal a wounded warrior. Four days after the seminar Colleen led the kick-off of Angels All Around You Military Ministry of First Baptist Church in Boerne, Texas. This ministry is already having an impact. Shelly, the mother who shared Colleen’s heart cry says, “Eight years ago my two sons joined the military. I had no one to turn to and would have days where I would just sit and cry. I can’t begin to tell you what this ministry has done for me. Before I had no Battle Buddy to turn to when I was feeling anxious. I prayed a lot and still do, but this deployment (their 5th and 3rd) I have my Battle Buddies right along with me praying. I can pick up the phone no matter what time and they are there praying with me and for me. I have become a stronger person spiritually and emotionally. The power of prayer is amazing!!!”The Lord used Colleen’s love for her sons to give her a passion for serving the troops and families of an entire community. And through loving, serving and praying for others, God has given her “peace of heart!” (History as written by Karen Dorner, Military Ministry.) The “Angels All Around You” Military Ministry mission is to recognize, honor, support and encourage members of the armed forces and their families of through 1) regular prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ on their behalf, 2) maintaining individual contact through email, letters and “care” packages and 3) as far as is practicable, to providing individualized follow-up when the military members return to the local area; All being done to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ through the empowering of His Holy Spirit.
SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE US!
Highlights of AAAu service to our community since 2011 include: Meeting monthly to pray for our warriors and their families; sending close to 1,000 care packages; providing hospitality for the Homes For Our Troops Build Brigade for Sgt Nicholas McCoy; serving lunch to over 400 veterans at the annual VFW Veterans Day Ceremonies; maintaining yellow ribbons at Veterans Park to encourage support and prayer for those still deployed; hosting a community prayer service in honor of Capt. Mark T Voss and his crewmates; partnering with the Boerne Wal-Mart, YMCA, and Independent Mary Kay Consultants (Lisa Wallace & Eleanor Van Wagner) to hold collection drives for donations of toiletries and healthy snack items for care packages; partnering with VFW Post #688 and Boerne Wal-Mart to honor our Veterans during Memorial Day Hot Dog cookout; and encouraging a letter writing campaign to advocate for the release of POW Army Sgt Bowe Bergdahl, who has been held prisoner in Afghanistan since June 29, 2009. It’s been said, “When the soldier goes to war the entire community goes to war!” We live in the land of the free because of the brave! Most military members and their families do not wish to be thought of or treated any differently than other people…However; the special circumstances of military life can severely test their faith and spiritual strength. The challenges of reassignments, lengthy separations from loved ones, deployments in harm’s way, dangerous and traumatic experiences, and financial issues lead to a special need for fellowship, love, mentoring and caring that our community has the opportunity and duty to give them. Wallace Bruce said it perfectly, “Who kept the faith and fought the fight; The glory theirs, the duty ours.” Easy ways to Support Our Troops…
PRAY FOR OUR WARRIORS EVERY DAY. DONATE
Individually wrapped healthy snacks/ toiletry items and CASH donations for postage. In March 2013 AAAu mailed 187 care packages to Afghanistan and the postage cost $2,804!
SHOW YOUR PDS (PUBLIC DISPLAY OF SUPPORT)!
Create a display of support for our troops in a visible location inside your business, door or windows. Simple posters that say, “We love our troops” are very much appreciated! Offer a military discount to show your appreciation for their service and sacrifice. Display that message on a sign near check out so they’ll know to offer their military ID. Please don’t make them ask for it, because most of them won’t. Offer a job to our returning veterans. The business community needs to understand its responsibility to our veterans and the community. The value of a veteran to an employer is undeniable when you consider the soft skills developed while serving the country, but it is the translation of their hard skills to the civilian job market that poses the biggest challenge. Many employers are unfamiliar with the skills and training that veterans have. That is where veteran groups can help. Collaboration is key. With so many men and women returning from military service, we need comprehensive and accessible programs and services now more than ever. We cannot allow a loss of funding or a decline in public interest to prevent us from carrying out our mission to serve those who put their lives on the line. Our nation has a long road ahead of us to ensure today’s generation of veterans have access to the services and care they need to successfully transition from combat to the community. Register your business with the Department of Veteran Affairs. Tell you world you are proud and honored to hire a Veteran! Donate a portion of proceeds from a specific service or sale item to a military non-profit such as AAAu. We’re asking for everyone to stop and think about their freedom. To be thankful for that freedom and to honor those who put their lives on the line to give that freedom to us. They’re our sons, daughters, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins and our neighbors. They are there for us ~ let’s be there for them! “Greater love has no one than this that one lay down his life for his friends.”
SEND ALL DONATIONS TO
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH (Memo: Military Ministry) 631 S. School St. Boerne, TX 78006 AAAu Prayer/Support Meeting is on the 1st Thursday of each month at 6:30pm in the Family Life Bldg at First Baptist Church. Call Colleen Voigt at 830.249.2527 for more information or visit our website: www.angelsallaroundyou.org
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FOOD BIZ |
THE POINT
issues, property lines, infrastructure services, fire marshals, city development, and a unscrupulous contractor! One year and three months and thousands of dollars later we were able to obtain our certificate of occupancy and open for business!
PARK & EATS
Future plans for the Point? With the expansion of Boerne Stage Road expected to begin this year we are being conservative with our budget and future improvements. Our focus is to provide stellar service, quality food trucks, family fun and local flavor every day. Then when the road construction madness begins we’ll cross that bridge ( and our fingers) and hope to get through it. The Point is also joining forces with Texasada Mexican Street Food truck and opening a restaurant near the Downtown area called Taps y Tapas, modern Mexican cuisine. With the uncertainty of the road construction we felt this was the right time to diversify ourselves. The location should launch in September.
By Denise
Where did the idea for The Point come from? As far back as 2000 I knew one day I would own a bar; a neighborhood outdoor open air hangout/bar. In 2009 the urge to leave my very well paying corporate job was just too strong so I started plotting and planning. Since we spent a lot of time in Austin we saw the growth of the food truck community there and food trucks slowly making a small presence in San Antonio. The concept then evolved into a family friendly food truck park and open air bar (at the time there were none in Austin or SA). How did you bring your idea to life? In 2010 we (business partner and significant other, Noel Cisneros) wrote out a very informal business plan in a notebook, a list of names for the business, projected expenses and a mission statement outlining our concept. I went to a Small Business development seminar offered by UTSA and discussed the concept with one of the SBDC business advisors (Patrice McElfresh). The initial reaction was confusion mixed with a little bit of curiosity but she was extremely helpful and encouraging. She directed me to some other city departments so I could get the ball rolling. When I met with people from San Antonio development services they were definitely confused and thought I simply wanted to open a flea market! I started researching everything related to food trucks in San Antonio, clipping articles and compiling a folder full of information and notes. I contacted a realtor to begin the search for the perfect location. What were some of the challenges you faced? The search for the “perfect” location was harder than expected. The initial location fell through (blessing in disguise). We would drive by the current Boerne Stage Road location on a daily basis to visit Noel’s parents. It was for sale and after a few hurdles and hiccups we were able to sign on the dotted line and move in. We quickly started the remodel and BOOM! - red tape and road blocks of the unthinkable kind. Flood plain issues, permits, property plat 32 | COMPANY MAGAZINE
What you love most about your job? The friendships we’ve made, the sense of community between all of us small business owners (food truck operators, local craft breweries), the pride in creating something for our very own community to enjoy. Also, the fact that The Point is the backdrop to so many special moments...first dates, anniversaries, birthdays, homecomings, reunions and so much more! The location...nature, trees, and the house built in 1948! I’m in love with this place.
Foodtruck schedules vary & can be found: Facebook/ ThePointPark&Eats Twitter/@thepointpark
What advice would you give to someone wanting to start a small business? Make a plan, set small goals and seek out the resources to help you. Go with your instinct. It’s scary, but so is staying in an unhappy, unfulfilled, mundane life wishing you had done that one thing, that one time when you had a chance. Hours/days open/location: 24188 Boerne Stage Rd. in San Antonio Bar hours Monday/Tuesday: closed Wednesday: 5-9:30p Thursday: noon-9:30 Friday: noon-midnight Saturday: noon-1am Sunday:Noon-10p
Welcome to Boerne
Bluebonnet Realty Serving Boerne area since 1989 Sales Listings Leasing Property Management VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.BOERNETEXASHOMES.COM or scan our QR code (right) to go directly to our website. Be sure and check out our full page ad in Explore Magazine or call any of our agents for information on any properties in the Boerne or surrounding areas.
Judy Filingeri
830-816-2288
Angela Schooley
210-912-8221
Scan Code With Your Smart Phone
Sandra Canavan
830-370-2011
REAL ESTATE |
THE RANCH AT CIBOLO CREEK By Ross Partlow
B&A Architects to design a unique apartment community that would compliment the area. We then engaged Concept Builders to build the project. Mark Gross, owner of Concept Builders lives in the Boerne area and understood what we were trying to accomplish. Once built, United Apartment Group will manage the community. They have a wealth of expertise in apartment management, managing over 8,000 units currently. It is very important to us that they are managed and operated in a manner that allows our residents to have a quality, comfortable place to call home. What challenges have you had in going through the construction? Probably the biggest challenge was the steadily increasing cost of materials. Across the board, material pricing has increased and continues to do so. The labor market is tight as well. Both are a result of production facilities and companies not having ramped back up from the slow down in the economy the past few years. Now things have turned around and there are supply issues as a result. The Eagleford has had a major impact on the markets as well which has contributed to the shortage in labor and demand for materials.
Your name/title/company Ross Partlow, Owner of Partlow Properties & Investments Name of Project The Ranch at Cibolo Creek Apartments Size/Scope 116 Units 34 | COMPANY MAGAZINE
How did this project come to be? Prior to us purchasing this land, it had been approved for multi family when the land was subdivided for Boerne ISD and The Trails of Herff Ranch. While owning it, we did an extensive market study and determined that the market was being underserved for apartments. Furthermore, it revealed that Boerne needed a true “Class A” apartment community. After reviewing the study, we put together a team to deliver a product that would achieve both of those goals. We hired
What makes this development unique? The quality of the units and amenity package while still being affordable, will really set us apart. Shawn Beach, owner of Calamity Jane’s was our interior designer and has done a fabulous job with the clubhouse and unit finishes. The clubhouse offers a stylish fitness room, and a cyber café, which will include computer stations for our residents with Wi-Fi. It also includes a beautiful pool area offering comfort and relaxation. With Shawn’s expertise, the units offer an interior finish package like no other. The apartments will be pet friendly with a large dog walk area on the property for our pet lovers. There are some garages available, as well as covered parking. Each floor will offer small storage rooms conveniently available for those needing additional storage space. Due to our partnership with GVTC, our community will offer fiber services throughout. We worked hard to create a nice comfortable setting for our residents that fits in with Boerne and the hill country. Overall, we feel like this project will be truly unique and well received from our residents as well as the community. Tell us specifically about the retail center We are currently working on the design of a 9,500 sf retail center to be located directly in front of the apartments. Due
to the tremendous residential growth on this side of town, we feel like the market for retail is and will continue to be underserved. Our location in proximity to Cibolo Elementary, Champion High School and the influx of new residential lots currently under construction gives retailers an opportunity to exploit this underserved market. Our location will also offer access to Herff Ranch Boulevard, which will make it easy for customers to have access to and from businesses located within the center. Completion dates? The clubhouse is now open (first of September) and we are pre leasing units. We are looking to have the first building completed and ready for move in the first of November. We should commence construction on the retail center within the next 45 days and expect about 4 months to complete. Why build this in Boerne? First and foremost, we love Boerne and the quality of life it provides. We feel like long term it is a great place to not only live, but also to invest. Due to the rapid growth it is currently experiencing, there are opportunities to do just that. With that being said, we want to develop in a manner that compliments the community. We arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t out of town developers that are trying to just come in, make money and leave. We live here, our kids go to school here and how and what we develop in this community is important to us. Other projects coming down the pipe for you? We are currently looking at a couple of other very exciting ventures in and around the area. Contact info for interested parties. Property Phone number: 830.816.5585 Property website at: www.ranchatcibolo.com
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IN THE NEWS |
NEW THRIFT STORE IN BOERNE?
Grand Opening of Gussied Up Thrift Boutique The Hill Country and San Antonio Furniture Banks announced the grand opening of their new thrift store, Gussied Up Thrift Boutique. The store, located at 905 N. Main Street, will support the operations of the nonprofit organizations and their mission to provide furniture and other essential home items to those in need. The charity organization is hoping that another thrift store will support the overall local nonprofit community by drawing even more shoppers to Boerne and other nonprofit thrift stores in town. The grand opening, September 28th and 29th from noon to 5:00 p.m., will also serve as a fundraising event for the charities. There will be food, entertainment, demonstrations, and great deals on great stuff. A Different Kind of Thrift Store Gussied Up will offer something a little different to shoppers and supporters. While bargain prices will be available, the objects offered at the boutique will be more upscale, and will include upcycled, repurposed, and Pinterest-inspired items. At Gussied Up, it will not just be about good deals, but also about unique, vintage, and one-of-a-kind pieces. The boutique will also offer classes in arts and crafts, decorating and design, upcycling and repurposing items, and many other topics. Benefiting Those in Need All proceeds from the thrift boutique will support the operations of the furniture banks. Shoppers can get great deals on great stuff and support a great cause. The store will also serve as a donation drop off location for the charities. Founded in 2011, The Hill Country and San Antonio Furniture Banks partner with other local nonprofits to assist clients in need, including those transitioning from homelessness to housing, victims escaping domestic violence, disaster victims, and more.
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CIBOLO CREEK HEALTH AND REHABILITATION CENTER HIRES NEW DIRECTOR OF NURSING SERVICES, Chris Marshall, RN
Cibolo Creek Health and Rehabilitation Center is extremely proud to announce the recent addition of Chris Marshall to the outstanding team of professionals. Chris brings with her over 10 years experience in the management of longterm care facilities and 20+ years of nursing experience. “I am very excited to join the Cibolo Creek Rehabilitation Center’s team, it is a beautiful facility with some pretty terrific residents and care givers. I have really enjoyed getting to know everyone at the facility.” Chris Marshall began her career in nursing as a Certified Nurse Aide. “I think it is important to know and understand nursing at all levels of care giving.” After working her way through nursing school, Chris graduated from Victoria College in 1986. Ms. Marshall quickly found her way into the long-term care field where she has worked as a Director of Nursing for the past decade. “I love working in the longterm care arena, you are exposed to so many different levels of medicine. You get the reward of seeing some patients rehab and return to home, while others become an extended part of your family and remain with you for years.” Ms. Marshall has lived in the hill country for the past ten years and is proud to call it home. She has a daughter, who serves in the US Air Force and was married this past June. Chris is looking forward to becoming a grandmother and watching her family grow. Please stop by to welcome Chris to the Cibolo Creek Rehabilitation Center’s team.
SCRATCH FARM IS THE NEWEST “GREEN” BUSINESS IN TOWN.
With your health, your home, and the planet in mind, owners Nathan and Amy Anderson are creating products for cleaner living. Current products in the production and testing phase are homemade body scrubs, chap sticks, healing salves, laundry detergents, and bar soaps. Watch for their first appearances at the local farmer’s market and the Boerne Handmade Market. Until then, become a fan of their facebook page www.facebook.com/FromScratchFarm
STYLE OF GIVING
Hill Country Family Services (HCFS) proudly announces the annual “Style of Giving” fundraiser and fashion event. New this year, the event is an evening affair titled “An Evening with Gatsby” at the Boerne Community Center, Saturday, 11-9-13, 6pm – Midnight. The fashion event will feature live and silent auctions, a scripted fashion show, dinner and dancing along with the opportunity to dress in 1920’s attire. Also, a free silent auction preview will take place the evening before the event, Friday, 11-8-13, 5pm – 7pm, Boerne Community Center. The preview will provide an advanced peek at auction items and provide the opportunity to purchase selected items. Tickets are $125 per person and can be purchased online at www.hcfamilysvcs.org or at HCFS, 118 W. Advogt. All proceeds benefit the food pantry and family emergency assistance programs to fight hunger and empower families. For more information, contact Janice at 830-249-8643 ext. 2# or jwheeler@hcfamilysvcs.org .
AGENT PROMOTION
Kam Smeby and her Allstate office would like to congratulate her employee Maleigha Ellenwood on being promoted from a Customer Service Rep to a Licensed Sales Producer. We are proud of you Maleigha!
HEALTH EXCHANGE AGENT
Gloria Kravetz at Healthplansandmore.com is Licensed, Trained and Authorized to offer information on insurance products for the open enrollment period for the Mandated Health Plans of 10/01/2013-3/2014 for Individuals & Families. Appointments are necessary during this open enrollment period.
TOP SELLER
Tim Moranz, of Kendall County Air, was recently awarded a national sales award for high efficiency air conditioning systems. “We are very proud of the work Tim has done here at Kendall County Air” Driskill says, “Tim has helped us win the top TRANE award for high efficiency systems in South Texas for the past 3 years in a row.” Tim has been with the company for seven years. If you need air conditioning work, you can call Tim at 830-816-1879.
SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED
The Leon Springs Business Association recently awarded 2 $1000 scholarships to deserving graduating seniors from the 2012-13 school year. To find out how to apply for the 2013-14 scholarships, talk to your school counselor. Up to 5 are available each year.
BUSINESS CONFERENCE
Opportunities and challenges specific to small businesses in the Hill Country involved in international trade will be discussed at the Hill Country International Business Conference. This event is organized by UTSA’s International Trade Center and will take place on Friday, September 6, 2013 at the Boerne Chamber of Commerce. This conference will be kicked off by the Office of the Governor. The focus of this year’s conference is international sales and marketing. Experts will cover topics such as social media and search tools to find foreign clients, emerging foreign markets, sales and marketing assistance services for American companies abroad, as well as best practices for international sales. “We are very excited to bring together companies from the Hill Country to learn the latest sales and marketing strategies from trade experts that will help them become more effective in their international business development efforts,” said Alberto Rodriguez-Baez, Sr. International Business Consultant and International Trade Center’s representative to the Hill Country. For a complete agenda and list of speakers, visit http:// texastrade.org/training/hill-country-conference. For more information about the International Trade Center, visit http://texastrade.org. For more information about the Boerne Chamber of Commerce, visit http://boerne.org/. Follow this event on twitter #HillCountryIBC.
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THE PERFECT OFFICE | In the world of owning your own small business, cool new gadgets typically fall into one of two categories. Want or need. It’s always nice when those two overlap. Here are some items that you might want to make doing business easier and their usability might just catapult them into the need category. Take a look. Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman Few things say “I’ve made it” with the beautiful subtlety as this office chair. Sure, it’s not as flashy as a Ferrari. Or as ubiquitous as a Rolex. But plant your keister into this functional piece of office art and ALL the stresses of your workday will temporarily fade into serene sedentary bliss.
LG Portable LED Projector Looked at only as a piece of stunning industrial design, the LG Portable LED Projector ($700) has enough to make Dieter Rams and his ilk a bit jealous. Taken for what it is — a highly-portable, internet-connected LED projector — there’s not much there that disappoints. This tiny device (under five by five by three inches and weighing just over a pound) packs everything you’d want in a projector: built-in Wi-Fi, the ability to project up to a 125-inch screen, HDMI connection, and WXGA (1280 by 800) resolution. It can also mirror content from any Miracast-equipped device. Unfortunately, that seems to rule out iOS devices, at least for now. Bose Soundlink Mini If you’re tired of listening to music from your smartphone or laptop’s inadequate speakers, check out the Bose SoundLink Mini ($200). This palmsized speaker is small enough to fit easily into a bag (only about two by two by seven inches), but packs the kind of sound you’d expect from Bose. It connects wirelessly to any bluetooth-capable device — smartphone, tablet, laptop — with a wireless range up to 30 feet and seven hours of battery life. Comes with an auxiliary input, micro-USB port, charging cradle, and available soft covers in several colors. Sigmo Voice Translation Device If you’ve spent any amount of time traveling abroad, you’ve likely run into a language barrier, making it hard to get the most out of your trip. With the Sigmo Voice Translation Device ($50) you can avoid those issues, without resorting to learning a new language. This device connects to your iOS or Android device over Bluetooth and, using existing services, translates your voice into one of 25 different languages. Just speak into the microphone and it will translate everything you say, playing it back over the speaker. It’s small and light, so you can bring it anywhere, attach it to your clothes, or hang it around your neck.
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BUILDING THE
DREAM By Mary Lee Gowland :: Photography By Ben Weber “The key to an honest builder is - he is only as good as his contractors,” states Ken Nietenhoefer, owner of KCN Builders. In thirty-eight years as a custom builder he’s formed a team who shares his philosophy of putting the customer first. “I’ve had some of the same contractors for thirty-five years, they’re reliable and good with clients.” “Some people come with house plans already drawn. Others have seen a home we’ve built and want something similar. Or they’ll draw a sketch. I refer them to a designer to draw up preliminary plans. Then we work on changes.” Others may already know exactly what they want. “Some people create albums with photos cut from magazines and samples of tile, paint color, and flooring. It usually takes three to four steps to finalize plans, and we often help them get their loan.” Because Ken oversees each project personally he says, “I keep my territory to a seventy-mile radius – three-quarters of a circle – and try to have only a few projects going at a time. My typical client is someone who has land and wants a classic Texas-style home with wide porches where families can sit outside, catch the breeze and enjoy the beautiful Hill Country landscape. But,” he adds, “ one thing I won’t do is a flat roof. It’s not about if they’ll leak, but when.” So his homes always have pitched roofs.
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thecompanymag.com | 41
“Lumber comes from Canada, but otherwise we try to buy locally to keep down the shipping costs.” And because many suppliers don’t keep a lot of inventory Ken needs to factor in production time for needed materials. Ken tells the story of one couple: “I’d built two houses for them. Then they moved away. One day the wife called from Seattle and said, ‘We’re coming back and we want you to build us another house!’ She wanted me to promise I’d make time for them. It took several years for the couple to return, and a little longer to purchase land 42 | COMPANY MAGAZINE
and finalize plans, but eventually we built them a 10,000 square foot home. They like to entertain.” For twenty years Ken wrote an upbeat column for the San Antonio Express, and traveled extensively as a motivational speaker. His biggest pet peeves is the lack of customer service in most businesses. From his book Don’t Shoot the Customer, Shocking Revelations About Customer Service he recounts, “Recently, I dialed a bank’s telephone number and was promptly relegated to second-class status by a recording. In a squeaky
non-personal voice it recited, ‘You have reached XYZ Bank. If you need accounting dial ONE now. If you need customer loans, dial TWO now. If you need customer service, dial THREE now. You gotta be kidding me! Customer Service, a recording?” He practices what he preaches making sure a real person (Charlene, a Boerne native, who Ken says “knows everyone”) answers the KCN phones. Ken met the love of his life when he was completing a degree in English at UT Austin. “The problem was Carol
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was just a freshman and I was a senior. The solution? I decided to go to graduate school.” He got his master’s degree in business management which gave Carol time to get her degree in education before they married. “I went to work at AT&T, the old AT&T. But at the time the Vietnam War was going on. I thought I might be drafted. So I went to the draft board and asked them. When they told me I was about to be drafted, I enrolled in the navy. My brother was a navy pilot.” Ken and Carol married on July 31 and a week later transferred to Newport, Rhode Island. Eventually he was stationed in San Diego. “Actually, Coronado,” Ken adds. “That was before the bridge was built. We rode a ferry back and forth to the mainland.” When he finished his service, AT&T offered him his job back, “But I was too independent by then,” he says. “I took a job with a developer in Leon Springs and was told on his first day, ‘You’re in charge!’ I was thirtyyears-old. It didn’t take me long to learn.” Soon he understood all the aspects of being a building contractor, from finding reliable sub-contractors, to where to find materials, to knowing all the local codes and ordinances. In 1975 he formed his own business, KCN Builders. “In those days I was the only builder in the area. I’d built a few spec houses. I’ll never forget when we were hired to build our $100,000 home. I told my wife, ‘We have it made. We’re in high cotton!’” Things went well, but over time the sleepy little town changed. “Leon Springs used to an outpost. It was the boonies. But it became so crowded, the traffic got so bad.” Ken and Carol had a deep connection to Boerne, from years attending annual German heritage celebrations. “I’m a fifth-generation Texan,” Ken says. “My grandparents spoke only German. My folks spoke both German and English and I can speak a little Texas-German.” So six years ago, when they decided to leave Leon Springs, they chose Boerne. Many people know Ken as the MC of the annual Berges Fest pageant, which is one of the Hill Country’s
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most popular events, now in its thirtieth year. “Carol and I love have always loved attending Abend Konzert,”. the five-concert summer series performed by the oldest German band outside Germany, having given their first performance here in 1860. “It’s mostly German music, except for the Fourth of July.” For the third year in a row Ken was named the Outstanding Community Leader by readers of the Boerne Star. “Being out in the community is how I get a lot of my contracts. Most of my jobs are referrals, people whose homes I’ve built, friends of theirs, or realtors. Only a small percentage comes from the website.” Homes are ninety-five percent of his business, commercial is five percent, which includes a new addition for HEB. Ken and Carol have two daughters who each have an eleven-year-old son. One daughter lives here and is an attorney for the UT system, the other daughter home schools her son in Austin. “Carol tried to retire,” says Ken. “But she loves her work and the people she works with. She’s the Guidance and Testing Coordinator for Boerne ISD. “You’d think she’d e off in the summer, but she’s not, because of summer school. So it’s hard for her to take time off for a vacation.” But this year, over the holidays the entire family will visit Jackson Hole and Yellowstone. Ken admits, “I look forward to being in a beautiful place with my whole family, but really I love what I do here so much, I don’t like to be away for more than a couple weeks.” The Nietenhoefer family has a friendly rivalry: Aggies versus Longhorns. But one thing they all agree on is they’re glad Leon Springs became too big for them. Boerne turned out to be the perfect place for Ken to build their dream home – complete with a water fall – and for Ken to be able to do what he loves – adding more beauty to the beautiful Hill Country landscape. The day we sat down to chat Ken said, “I got a call yesterday from my twenty-sixth returning client who wants me to build them another home.” Customer service really does pay off.
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COMMUNITY |
BACK FROM
THE BRINK By Shawn Lovorn
A beautiful Sunday afternoon turned quite bleak in mid April while riding dirt bikes with some friends. After riding for a couple of hours, I was traveling over the same dip I had been over several times that day, but this passing was different. I don’t know exactly what happened, but the next thing I knew I was looking at the sky, the world was spinning, I couldn’t move, couldn’t see straight and couldn’t swallow. My friends quickly came over and I told them I had a concussion....as time would tell it was way worse than that. My friends drove me to the Boerne hospital; the drive was roughly 10 minutes, however felt as if I was in the car for hours. I was then quickly transported to the trauma unit at BAMC. I spent almost a month in the hospital. My diagnosis: cranial skull fracture, damage to the c6 & c10 nerves, spinal fluid leak, blood pooling in my spine, double vision, and a paralyzed vocal cord which in turn caused me to have a feeding tube in for 2.5 months and in-patient rehab for almost 2 months. Amazingly, I had only
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one surgery while in the hospital; however, I was confined to a hospital bed and neck brace my entire stay. I did another month outpatient rehab and am now at home. The support of the members of the Kendall County Bar Association and the Boerne community began immediately. Several attorneys came forward and filled in for me while I was recovering. A fund was started for our family to get through the hard times. Further, a fundraiser was put together by my friends and collegues: assistant county attorney, Nicole Short and local attorney, Lance Loyd at the Dog and Pony Grill. Cody Love, owner of the Dog and Pony Grill, opened up his restaurant to the attendees of my fundraiser and was integral in its success. In addition to all the prayers, letters and fundraising I was blessed to have a constant stream of visitors next to my hospital bed. Although I was in terrible situation at the time, I have never felt so much love from friends and also from people that I didn’t even know. The graciousness and selflessness of the legal community and Boerne community as a whole is extremely humbling. I cannot put into words how thankful I am to the entire Boerne community. Further, I feel so blessed to have such support from all of you. Currently, I am still recovering and plan to be back to work in January 2014. I have a deep love for my family, my friends, my colleagues and the Boerne community. Thank you.
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DOWN AND DIRTY, HOT AND CHEAP by Christine Friesenhahn
Since college students have returned to school, and parents are left paying for it. I am going to discuss cheap and easy foods eats. Not just for the students, but for the parents and for anyone else who finds themselves struggling to eat on a tight budget, and perhaps with limited kitchen access…..There will be ramen noodles. And meat that comes from a can. My friends and readers in the culinary business, or die-hard foodies, may want to avert their eyes for this article. My sisters and I were fortunate growing up, in that my parents could afford both to send us to college, AND to feed us while we were there. Bonus! We were also fortunate in that we got to live off campus in nice apartments, with actual kitchens, and full size refrigerators. I know that we all took this for granted, because in fact, we didn’t see much of what was going on behind dormitory doors. We did see dormitory life, but usually only late night glimpses when we were picking up our friends, or crashing in their dorm rooms. There was party hopping at the Dobie Dormitory on the University of Texas Campus, and I am pretty sure I saw bras and boxers hanging from the hallway light fixtures at Jester. Any movie you have ever seen around parties in college dormitories could easily have been filmed at, or based on life therein. Usually, we weren’t around during study time or dinner time, when the realities of sharing a 12 foot by 12 foot living space with another person were more apparent. Hot plates were forbidden, but most people had one anyway, hiding under the dirty clothes in their closets, where no prefects were likely to look. Only microwaves and mini refrigerators were allowed. 48 | COMPANY MAGAZINE
I spent the night one time with one of my friends in her barely air-conditioned campus dorm. She was so excited to prepare a meal for her first guest. It was popped rice cakes, topped with peanut butter and sliced bananas. It was tasty, but it was dessert. Or breakfast. I was hoping that something hot and meaty would follow for dessert. It never really occurred to me at the time that it was one of the few things to eat, given the lack of cold storage or heating mechanisms. Over the years, I heard more and more about how the other half was living. Some of them subsisting on monthly meal plans from the commissary. At Texas A&M, one such student dining hall was Sbisa (s-bees-uh), which we called S-grease-a. I never had the pleasure of dining there, so I can’t say for sure, but that was surely an exaggeration. Or not. My friend Lance went to Texas A&M at Kingsville. I remember him telling how, while on Spring Break at the coast, he and his friends lived mostly on ramen noodles and beer. I do not doubt the voracity of that for one moment. He also said that if one of the guys failed to do his daily chores, such as taking out the beer cans from the night before, his punishment was that he would lose his flavor packet from his ramen noodles the rest of the day. That would be difficult to bear. Death by hanging might have been a more compassionate choice. Over the years, though, I have seen more closely how people, not just students, struggle to pay for food. I see people at work who live on spaghetti-o’s, bologna sandwiches, and ramen noodles every day, because they are cheap and filling. The recipes given today will not appear at the top of any haute cuisine favorites lists. Hopefully they offer some tasty, cheap, and easy alternatives for college students or
people trying to save money by eating lunch at the office. Each includes microwave options for those without heating equipment. Please quit eating spaghetti-o’s and canned soup cold, out of the can. My little heart can’t take it. Chopped BBQ Beef Sandwiches Serves 4– $1.00 per serving, 5 minutes prep time 1 can corned beef, without potatoes ($2.30) 1 small bottle barbecue sauce (8-10 oz), your choice ($1.00) 4 small hamburger buns ($.70) In a small skillet over medium heat, fry corned beef until heated through and getting a crust on it. Add 1 cup of sauce, and heat through. Add additional sauce if needed, for flavor. Place on buns and serve. Top with sliced onions and pickles, if desired. **if using a microwave, place corned beef in a microwave safe dish, cover with paper towel and heat for 4 minutes. Stop every minute to stir. Add sauce, and heat through another 2 minutes. Stir and serve on buns. Broccoli Cheese Rice, With Chicken Serves 2—$2.52 per serving, 10 minute prep time 1 can condensed broccoli cheese soup ($1.00) 1 12 oz can evaporated milk ($.89) ½ cup water (free!) 1/2 teaspoon salt (basically free) 2 cups instant rice ($.75) 1 12 oz can white chicken meat, drained, if using ($2.39) In a small saucepan, or microwave safe bowl, combine soup, milk, and water until boiling. Remove from heat, and add rice and chicken (if using). Cover with a lid, a plate, or plastic wrap, and allow to sit for 10 minutes. Stir again, and enjoy!
Christine Friesenhahn is a food blogger (www.texanaskitchen.com) competitive chef, and writer based in Boerne, Texas. Married with two teenagers, she finds real life to be an endless source of humor and entertainment.
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