City Lifestyle with Angi Burns

Kris Wise - The Wise Advantage Group

Kris Wise, expert realtor and leader of The Wise Advantage Group in Flower Mound, joins Angi Burns to break down today's "schizophrenic" real estate market. With 24 years of experience and a background as a self-described "phone accountant," Kris shares how she built a data-driven business in the land between the lakes, what really happened with the 2024 commission changes, and the tips every buyer and seller needs to know before making a move. 🌟 Perfect For: * First-time home buyers who want a clear, step-by-step process * Homeowners considering selling and wondering what updates are actually worth doing * Property owners preparing to protest their property taxes and needing comps * Anyone confused about the 2024 buyer's agent compensation changes * Buyers and sellers in Flower Mound, Salina, Azell, and the land between the lakes * People who want a knowledgeable, full-time realtor instead of a hobbyist 🎟 What You'll Learn in This Episode: * How Kris transitioned from accountant to realtor in 2002 and built her career through the 2008 crash * What the current DFW market really looks like and why we're still in a strong seller's market * How the August 2024 commission changes actually work and why they benefit both buyers and sellers * Why Texas being a non-disclosure state matters and how to get free comps for property tax protests * The "come from contribution" philosophy behind The Wise Advantage Group's culture * The number one tip every seller needs to hear before spending money on improvements * How to find a trusted agent and why your best friend or cousin may not be the right choice * Why the market shifts week by week and how Kris adjusts strategy based on real-time data 💬 Memorable Quotes: "So I always came from contribution, which is let me help you before I ever ask for any business to come my way." "Hope is not a strategy." "Do not do improvements before you've met with a realtor." 📍 About The Wise Advantage Group: A Flower Mound-based real estate team led by Kris Wise, specializing in the land between the lakes — Lake Grapevine to Lake Lewisville — with a culture of excellence, data-driven strategy, and a deep network of trusted tradespeople. The team provides free comps, consultations, and a "should I remodel or move?" service for homeowners. Website: meetwithchris.com [https://meetwithchris.com] Comps: www.compsbywise.com [https://www.compsbywise.com] ----------------------------------------------- City Lifestyle is the digital destination for local living - a one-stop-shop for hyper local, expertly created content that inspires and connections communities. While other sites take a content-first approach to providing local information, City Lifestyle sets itself apart by positioning people first - creating a platform that emphasizes the best of what your city has to offer, created and promoted by the people who know it - and represent it best. These authentic voices in each city are key drivers of the brand by providing an inspiring, genuine and trusted look at life in their communities. https://citylifestyle.com/allentx [https://citylifestyle.com/allentx] | @allencitylifestyle [https://www.instagram.com/allencitylifestyle/] https://citylifestyle.com/plano [https://citylifestyle.com/plano] | @planocitylifestyle [https://www.instagram.com/planocitylifestyle/] ----------------------------------------------- Podcast services provided by HappyBox Productions hpybx.com [https://hpybx.com]

Mollie and John Hancock - Elephant Trunk Moving Supplies

Mollie Hancock, co-owner of Elephant Trunk Moving Supplies, joins Angi Burns alongside her husband and business partner John Hancock to share the story behind DFW's original reusable moving box company. From a pickup truck mishap that scattered boxes across the highway to becoming Plano's 2024 Small Business of the Year, Mollie and John talk sustainability, community giving, and how their elephant-branded boxes have kept hundreds of thousands of cardboard boxes out of landfills. 🌟 Perfect For: * Homeowners and renters planning a local move in the DFW area * Realtors looking for a reliable moving supply partner for their clients * Eco-conscious movers who want to reduce waste and lower their carbon footprint * Anyone tired of fighting with cardboard boxes, packing tape, and bubble wrap * Small business owners curious about building a brand and giving back locally * People who want to save time and money on their next move 🎟 What You'll Learn in This Episode: * How Mollie and John discovered the reusable moving box concept from a Canadian company and brought the idea to Texas in 2015 * The hilarious origin story of their first delivery, a pickup truck, and a very generous Toyota manager * How the service works: they deliver, you pack, move, and unpack, then they pick up at your new home * Why the name "Elephant Trunk" was inspired by steamship travel and a philanthropic vision * The two box sizes available, plus quilted dish containers and stemware boxes that eliminate the need for packing materials * How Elephant Trunk has kept approximately 300,000 boxes out of landfills and lifted clients' carbon footprints * Why Mollie and John believe small businesses give a community its character, and how they support local nonprofits like Journey of Hope, Love Packs, and My Possibilities * How using their boxes can take an hour off your move and even pay for itself in mover labor savings 💬 Memorable Quotes: "I've always believed from the very beginning that small businesses give community character." "The more you give, the more you get." "When you start a business, you don't know what you don't know." 📍 About Elephant Trunk Moving Supplies: DFW's original reusable moving supply company, offering rentable plastic moving boxes, dish containers, and stemware boxes that save time, money, and the environment. Family-owned since 2015 and proud 2024 City of Plano Small Business of the Year. Website: elephanttrunk.net [https://elephanttrunk.net] ----------------------------------------------- City Lifestyle is the digital destination for local living - a one-stop-shop for hyper local, expertly created content that inspires and connections communities. While other sites take a content-first approach to providing local information, City Lifestyle sets itself apart by positioning people first - creating a platform that emphasizes the best of what your city has to offer, created and promoted by the people who know it - and represent it best. These authentic voices in each city are key drivers of the brand by providing an inspiring, genuine and trusted look at life in their communities. https://citylifestyle.com/allentx [https://citylifestyle.com/allentx] | @allencitylifestyle [https://www.instagram.com/allencitylifestyle/] https://citylifestyle.com/plano [https://citylifestyle.com/plano] | @planocitylifestyle [https://www.instagram.com/planocitylifestyle/] ----------------------------------------------- Podcast services provided by HappyBox Productions hpybx.com [https://hpybx.com]

Angela McIntyre & Aimee Pecina – Bright HR Solutions, LLC

Angela McIntyre, Director of HR Solutions, and Aimee Pecina, Associate Director of Talent Solutions at Bright HR Solutions, LLC, join Angi Burns to break down the world of HR for small business owners. Covering recruiting, onboarding, payroll, employee handbooks, and training, Angela and Aimee share how their fractional HR team functions as an in-house extension for the companies they serve, helping owners stay compliant, build strong cultures, and find the right people for the long haul. 🌟 Perfect For: * Small business owners who need HR support but aren't ready for a full in-house team * Entrepreneurs struggling with employee handbooks, policies, and compliance * Companies looking for quality candidates who fit their culture, not just the job description * Business owners navigating payroll, W-2s, 1099s, and quarterly tax filings * Managers who want training on hiring, leadership, and team development * Anyone who has ever said "I wish I would have known that sooner" about HR 🎟 What You'll Learn in This Episode: * The three pillars of Bright HR Solutions: HR, recruiting, and payroll * How fractional HR works and why it feels like having an in-house team * Why quality candidates beat quantity — and how Bright HR differs from a staffing agency * What every employee handbook should include, from harassment policies to vehicle and moonlighting policies * The importance of onboarding and how it reduces turnover * How Bright HR supports terminations, PIPs, severance agreements, and unemployment claims * The training and development services offered, including DISC, harassment training, leadership, and hiring manager coaching * How payroll services work across ADP, Paycom, and other HCM platforms 💬 Memorable Quotes: "I feel like you can train anybody to be great, but you can't train someone to be good." "Our goal is to call us when you need us, but it's gonna be like a four-year in-house HR team." "The biggest thing with terminations is consistency." 📍 About Bright HR Solutions, LLC: Bright HR Solutions is a fractional HR firm built on three pillars — HR compliance, recruiting, and payroll. Serving as an extension of their clients' teams, Bright HR helps small businesses with employee handbooks, policy building, employee relations, talent acquisition, onboarding, training and development, and full-service payroll processing including W-2s, 1099s, and quarterly filings. Email: info@brighthrs.com [info@brighthrs.com] LinkedIn: /bright-hr-solutions-llc [https://www.linkedin.com/company/bright-hr-solutions-llc] Phone: 972-410-6610 ----------------------------------------------- City Lifestyle is the digital destination for local living - a one-stop-shop for hyper local, expertly created content that inspires and connections communities. While other sites take a content-first approach to providing local information, City Lifestyle sets itself apart by positioning people first - creating a platform that emphasizes the best of what your city has to offer, created and promoted by the people who know it - and represent it best. These authentic voices in each city are key drivers of the brand by providing an inspiring, genuine and trusted look at life in their communities. https://citylifestyle.com/allentx [https://citylifestyle.com/allentx] | @allencitylifestyle [https://www.instagram.com/allencitylifestyle/] https://citylifestyle.com/plano [https://citylifestyle.com/plano] | @planocitylifestyle [https://www.instagram.com/planocitylifestyle/] ----------------------------------------------- Podcast services provided by HappyBox Productions hpybx.com [https://hpybx.com]

Carey Lynn Zarate - Artistic Endeavors by Carey Lynn

Carey Lynn Zarate, owner and creative force behind Artistic Endeavors by Carey Lynn, joins Angi Burns alongside her store manager Victoria and team member Alex to share the story behind one of the most unique makerspaces in the DFW area. From custom apparel and engraved cigar cases to senior overalls and big heads, Carey Lynn and her team talk about how they bring any creative idea to life — and why no two projects are ever the same. 🌟 Perfect For: * Anyone looking for custom, personalized gifts for any occasion * Parents planning senior overalls, spirit wear, or graduation gifts * Businesses needing branded swag, client gifts, or event giveaways * Families wanting matching vacation, cruise, or holiday apparel * People searching for sentimental keepsakes like recipe cutting boards or engraved heirlooms * Groups looking to host hands-on creative parties, team bonding events, or fundraisers 🎟 What You'll Learn in This Episode: * How Carey turned her photography background into a full creative makerspace * The wide range of services offered, from embroidery and engraving to sublimation, signs, and custom jewelry * How they take a child's drawing or a grandparent's handwritten recipe and turn it into a keepsake * Why senior overalls made by their team can actually go in the wash * How they host hands-on workshops, patch bars, hat bars, and mobile event experiences * The behind-the-scenes process of working with customers who don't know exactly what they want * Why shopping local means getting same-day quality you can see, touch, and trust * What's coming next, including the dream of a "cocktails and creations" experience 💬 Memorable Quotes: "The bad thing about being a creative is I can't do all the things." "People don't know what they don't know." "I'm not going to put a t-shirt out there that's scratchy." 📍 About Artistic Endeavors by Carey Lynn: A one-of-a-kind creative makerspace in Fairview Town Center offering custom apparel, embroidery, engraving, sublimation, sentimental keepsakes, spirit wear, event services, and hands-on workshops — all under one roof. Location: Fairview Town Center (next to Rocky Creek Candle) ----------------------------------------------- City Lifestyle is the digital destination for local living - a one-stop-shop for hyper local, expertly created content that inspires and connections communities. While other sites take a content-first approach to providing local information, City Lifestyle sets itself apart by positioning people first - creating a platform that emphasizes the best of what your city has to offer, created and promoted by the people who know it - and represent it best. These authentic voices in each city are key drivers of the brand by providing an inspiring, genuine and trusted look at life in their communities. https://citylifestyle.com/allentx [https://citylifestyle.com/allentx] | @allencitylifestyle [https://www.instagram.com/allencitylifestyle/] https://citylifestyle.com/plano [https://citylifestyle.com/plano] | @planocitylifestyle [https://www.instagram.com/planocitylifestyle/] ----------------------------------------------- Podcast services provided by HappyBox Productions hpybx.com [https://hpybx.com]

Bobby Gladu - Texas Artisan Group

Bobby Gladu, owner of Texas Artisan Group, joins Angi Burns to talk about building a business rooted in craftsmanship, service, and community. From artisan granite and masonry work to outdoor kitchens, historic restorations, and volunteer dive team leadership, Bobby shares how his company serves both homes and large commercial projects across North Texas. 🌟 Perfect For: * Homeowners planning kitchen, bathroom, fireplace, or outdoor living upgrades * Anyone considering granite, quartzite, masonry, or stucco work in North Texas * Property owners needing masonry repair, crack repair, or mailbox restoration * Builders and developers looking for a turnkey masonry and granite partner * People curious about outdoor kitchen materials that can handle Texas heat * Community-minded listeners who value servant leadership and local impact 🎟 What You'll Learn in This Episode: * How Bobby built Texas Artisan Group from small masonry jobs into large commercial projects * What Artisan Granite, Artisan Masonry, and Artisan Stucco each bring to the table * Why granite is about more than countertops, including showers, fireplaces, flooring, and outdoor kitchens * Why quartz is popular indoors but not recommended for outdoor kitchens in Texas heat * How the team uses digital templating and slab photography so clients can preview the exact finished look * What kinds of masonry repairs and restoration projects the company can handle for residential clients * How mock-ups and material matching help historic and existing brickwork blend seamlessly * Why Bobby sees business leadership and community service as deeply connected 💬 Memorable Quotes: "I really try to do everything we do upscale." "We are a turnkey facility. So you start with us and finish with us." "The Bible says to love your neighbor as yourself, so I feel like giving back is something we should all do." 📍 About Texas Artisan Group: A North Texas construction and remodeling company offering artisan granite, masonry, stucco, restoration, and outdoor living solutions for residential and commercial clients. LinkedIn: @texas-artisan-group [https://www.linkedin.com/company/texas-artisan-group] Phone: (972) 272-7200 ----------------------------------------------- City Lifestyle is the digital destination for local living - a one-stop-shop for hyper local, expertly created content that inspires and connections communities. While other sites take a content-first approach to providing local information, City Lifestyle sets itself apart by positioning people first - creating a platform that emphasizes the best of what your city has to offer, created and promoted by the people who know it - and represent it best. These authentic voices in each city are key drivers of the brand by providing an inspiring, genuine and trusted look at life in their communities. https://citylifestyle.com/allentx [https://citylifestyle.com/allentx] | @allencitylifestyle [https://www.instagram.com/allencitylifestyle/] https://citylifestyle.com/plano [https://citylifestyle.com/plano] | @planocitylifestyle [https://www.instagram.com/planocitylifestyle/] ----------------------------------------------- Podcast services provided by HappyBox Productions hpybx.com [https://hpybx.com]