It’s time to wrap up season 2 of the Around Flower Mound Podcast, and what a fantastic season it has been! If you weren’t already convinced of the depth of character among our citizens, my hope is that these interviews have served to shed light on much of the goodness that our community has to offer. 

In fact, the fabulousness of Flower Mound hasn’t gone unnoticed by the internet community. A recent study by smartasset.com, an online personal finance company, named Flower Mound the number four most livable small city in the entire United States. This is the second year in a row Flower Mound claimed that number four spot and it is the only Texas community in the top 30. Wow! 

Statistics aside, it truly is the people of Flower Mound that make it such a wonderful place to live. My twelve guests represented many walks of life and included our Mayor Derek France, mortgage expert with a heart Stacy Lynn Schriever, our town librarian Sue Ridnour, and business owner Yvonne Stewart and others. I am so thankful for the time and energy each guest I had the pleasure to interview over the last several months. Be sure and listen to any episodes you may have missed!

As we break for the summer, I want to leave you with a thought of my own. I’ve been helping families buy and sell houses here in the Metroplex since 1995 and each transaction is truly a life-changing moment for them. This inspired me to go back and think about each house I’ve lived in, and reflect on it as a chapter of my life. After sharing this exercise with my family and seeing how impactful it can be, I created a handout to explain the process, which I would love to share with you. Please reach out to me through the links below to get a copy and explore the chapters in your own life. 

Thank you for listening and learning about the wonderful people who live right here in your community. 

Make sure to subscribe to the Around Flower Mound Podcast as well, as follow us on social media to keep in touch!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Full list of Most Livable Small Cities in the U.S. – 2022 Edition:

https://smartasset.com/data-studies/most-livable-small-cities-in-the-us-2022

Have a listen to season 2 episodes:

https://www.aroundflowermound.com/podcast

Access Town of Flower Mound Resources:

https://www.flower-mound.com/

Connect with the Town of Flower Mound

https://flower-mound.com/899/Stay-Connected

To receive the "Our Homes Create the Chapters in the Story of Our LIves" framework to help you know yourself better, or to know someone deeper, email me:

nicole@nicolesmith.net

If you’re looking to buy a house, qualifying for a mortgage is one of the most important steps. Stacy Lynn Schriever is a residential mortgage loan originator and brand manager at Premier Nationwide lending, and she is dedicated to making the dream of homeownership a reality for her clients.

Many people are overwhelmed by the process involved in qualifying for a mortgage. When considering why it seems so scary, Stacy points out that a lot of people try to be their own experts. Much like you wouldn’t go to trial without a lawyer, or attempt your own surgery, having an experienced mortgage expert in your corner will make the process more successful.

And success doesn’t always mean an immediate “yes” on a mortgage decision. Sometimes Stacy’s team needs to say, “not right now,” and provide additional guidance on how to qualify for that loan. Giving extra support is a key part of her business values, because she views each loan application as a whole person, not just a collection of numbers.

In fact, it was helping her own parents become first time homeowners that has been one of the highlights of Stacy’s career. Walking them through the process and then watching their excitement on moving day is a memory she’ll always cherish.

Whether the mortgage is for the family themselves or an investor who will rent it out to a family, Stacy makes every mortgage application decision with the people themselves in mind. As her team celebrates one year in their Flower Mound location, they are thrilled to support the community through educational programs for both Realtors and potential homebuyers.

Takeaways from this episode:

1. When looking to buy a house, whether a primary residence or investment property, it’s important to choose a mortgage loan originator who is knowledgeable and caring.
2. Stacy Lynn Schriever and her team consider each application carefully, thinking about the people behind the numbers.
3. Buying a house often makes a lot more sense than renting long term.
4. Giving back through educational programs for Realtors and potential homebuyers is helping make Flower Mound a stronger community.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Stacy Lynn Schriever

https://stacylynnschriever.com/

Hero Nation Coaching: https://www.theheronation.com/

Cross Timbers Rotary: https://crosstimbersrotary.com/

Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce: https://flowermoundchamber.com/

St. Nicholas Church: https://www.stnicksonline.org/

To get receive the framework to help you know yourself better via the homes that create the chapters in the story of your life email me:

nicole@nicolesmith.net

To listen to previous episodes, and to submit your application as a guest, please visit:

https://aroundflowermound.com/

When you think about our town mayor or other politicians, do you picture a celebrity - aloof and unapproachable? Derek France, Mayor of Flower Mound, is determined to change that perception! 

A local businessman, Mayor France's first foray into local politics was joining the Animal Services Board and Veterans Board, a route which he highly recommends. It helped him understand how much local politics matter and that local politicians are just regular people. 

Mayor France loves the numerous opportunities being Mayor gives him to connect with the community - from reading at the elementary school to speaking at business meetings. He explains Flower Mound's government is a “weak mayor system” with responsibilities split among a council.  As Mayor, he provides guidance, while the city manager handles operational decisions.  He and the council members serve as volunteers - these are not paid positions.

Positivity is inherent to his leadership style, as he encourages residents to have fun and get involved. 

Because there are so many places in the community for people to volunteer and events to enjoy, Mayor France has started his own email newsletter summarizing the options. This email combines information coming from Town departments like Parks and Recreation, with upcoming event calendars of citizen groups like the Chamber and Rotary Club. Signing up means you won’t miss any of the ways to be involved in Flower Mound, so follow the link below to get on the list!

Mayor France takes his work for the people of Flower Mound very much to heart, so next time you see him at the grocery store, don’t be afraid to stop and say “hi!”

Takeaways from this episode:

1. Local government is very important. Everyone should get involved!
2. Three easy ways to do that are through volunteering for a town council board or commission, joining a local club, and attending town council meetings. 
3. Local government officials aren’t celebrities, they work for the people of the town.
4. Making your voice heard is what keeps Flower Mound a thriving community!

What should citizens do?

1. Get educated about what's going on in the community
2. Volunteer for a Board or Commission
3. Join a local club
4. Attend Town Council meetings

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Be in the know of everything Flower Mound:

https://flower-mound.com/

https://www.facebook.com/FlowerMound

Subscribe to Derek France's newsletter:

https://derekfrance.com/

Connect to Mayor Derek France on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/MayorDerekFrance

To get receive the framework to help you know yourself better, or to know someone deeper, email me: nicole@nicolesmith.net

To listen to previous episodes, and to submit your application as a guest, please visit:

https://aroundflowermound.com/

If you live in the Flower Mound area, chances are you’ve received the Cross Timbers Lifestyle magazine. Each month, its crisp pages share the stories of local residents and businesses in a powerful way, a goal dear to the heart of publisher Jane Kryzsiak. 

Jane brings her decades of marketing experience in the corporate world, working with companies like PepsiCo & Tyson foods, to help build up businesses and nonprofits in our area. She loves coming alongside local business owners and learning what their objectives are to help get the word out. Telling the stories of nonprofits and charities is also one of her favorite parts of the publication.   

Together with her team, they create a magazine each month that avoids politics and other difficult topics to provide a focus on the good news in the community (and a welcome respite for readers). From the design, to the content, to the paper it’s printed on, each decision is intentionally made to create the best reader experience possible. 

The importance of connection within the Flower Mound community has led Jane to serve in many capacities. If you are looking for volunteer opportunities, she suggests you start with your church, school, or community organization. Young Men’s Service League, for example, is one of her favorite projects where she can include her sons. Volunteer service isn’t “one size fits all,” she reminds us, and each person should find the right place for them!

Be on the lookout for future issues of Cross Timbers Lifestyle magazine, which will include highlights of influential men and women in our community. You might just learn something unexpected about the local residents and business owners. Make sure to follow the magazine on social media as well for daily content or to submit a story idea. 

Takeaways from this episode:

1. Cross Timbers Lifestyle magazine, published by Jane Kryzsiak, is a monthly magazine highlighting local residents and businesses. 

1. Jane loves the chance to share unique stories about these businesses as well as nonprofits and charities here in North Texas. 

1. She encourages everyone to find a way to serve the community, whether through church, school, or a local organization.

1. Follow Cross Timbers Lifestyle on social media for daily content and information about the Flower Mound area!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Cross Timbers Lifestyle:

https://citylifestyle.com/crosstimbers/#recent-issues

You can contact Jane Krzysiak:

(972) 655-4234

crosstimbers@citylifestyle.com

On Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/crosstimberslifestyle

The Defining Decade:

https://megjay.com/the-defining-decade

To get receive the framework to help you know yourself better, or to know someone deeper, email me:

nicole@nicolesmith.net

To listen to previous episodes, and to submit your application as a guest, please visit:

https://aroundflowermound.com/

DATCU is a local credit union here in Flower Mound, and if you’re looking to step away from the big banks and into a world that focuses on supporting the local community - Mary Jacoby encourages you to become a member!

Mary has been in banking for 33 years, and a DATCU employee for the past 12. Her favorite part of the job as Community Relations Coordinator is all the wonderful friendships she’s made across Denton County. DATCU currently serves more than 100,000 members, and they have assets of more than a billion dollars. 

DATCU offers all the financial services its members need, from free checking and savings accounts to loans and financial planning. As a credit union, Mary wants everyone to know that they are dedicated to making the best choices not just for their employees, but also for their members. 

And that focus on the community goes far beyond banking. Mary explains that serving is part of the DNA at DATCU. Even at her interview, the DATCU CEO explained to Mary that joining a service organization is part of the expectations for her position, and she was more than happy to do so! She’s volunteered countless hours with Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce, Communities in Schools of North Texas, served on the Board of the Lewisville ISD Education Foundation, and others.

Although DATCU began as a teachers credit union back in 1936, these days anyone can join who lives, works, or worships in Denton County, or an adjacent county. Almost anywhere in the North Texas area qualifies! You can start the process of opening an account online, but will need to stop by a branch to complete the process and so they can meet you. 

Looking for a way to serve the Flower Mound Community yourself? As someone very involved in the volunteer scene, Mary has some suggestions. First, look for opportunities through your place of worship, the Rotary Club, or (for small businesses) the Chamber of Commerce. Aligning your skills and interests with your volunteer role helps you to be more purposeful about where you spend your time. Maybe you want to mentor in schools or help a food pantry? Just raise your hand and these organizations will be so happy for your help! 

Takeaways from this episode:

1. DATCU Credit Union serves members across North Texas, and Mary Jacoby is the  Community Relations Coordinator in Denton County. 
2. They offer a wide range of financial services and make choices that ensure the best outcome for their members. 
3. DATCU & Mary are committed to serving the community and encourage you to look for opportunities to serve aligns with your skills and interests.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Connect to Mary Jacoby on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-jacoby-689b903b/

DATCU, Texas Credit Union:

https://www.datcu.org/

Taste: My Life Through Food, Stanley Tucci:

https://www.amazon.com/Taste-My-Life-Through-Food/dp/B08K9CCK65/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9N75FIXRDEJ0&keywords=taste&qid=1649090865&s=audible&sprefix=taste+%2Caudible%2C85&sr=1-1

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: A Novel

https://www.amazon.com/Book-Woman-Troublesome-Creek-Novel/dp/B07QYCGYKN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2QF1W729J0WFU&keywords=the+woman+of+troublesome+creek&qid=1649091159&s=audible&sprefix=the+women+of+trouble%2Caudible%2C87&sr=1-1

To get receive the framework to help you know yourself better, or to know someone deeper, email me:

nicole@nicolesmith.net

To listen to previous episodes, and to submit your application as a guest, please visit:

https://aroundflowermound.com/

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who loves Flower Mound as much as Jay Marks. As a real estate professional of 29 years, Jay Marks has served thousands of clients in Dallas/Fort Worth and is especially passionate about Flower Mound and how it gave him and his children solid ground and a fresh start.

With his videographer on staff, he’s also interviewed countless local restaurant owners as the host of his video series, Foodie Friday DFW. It’s an incredible spotlight that shines a light on local businesses (bringing them 100-150 new customers per week!) and their unique stories.

As a friend of Jay’s, I can say with conviction that he keeps things interesting… and always has. Even his background as a high-school dropout and 10 years in the military jumping from planes – yes, as a U.S. Army paratrooper – he draws from his challenges and experiences to work hard, think differently, and spread kindness.

Listen in as I interview Jay to learn more about the value he brings to his real estate clients, his cutting-edge marketing techniques, and how generously he gives back to the community.

Takeaways from this episode:

- No matter the state of the economy, people are born, they die, they get married, they divorce, their kids graduate, they retire … and they’ll need a trusted realtor.

- Jay believes every business should give back. It’s an important positive force in the universe.

- Look for opportunities to care for others, serve, and be kind to one another – especially with the state of the world as it is.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Get in touch with Jay Marks at:
972-724-2540
https://www.jaymarksrealestate.com

Denton County Giving:
https://dentoncountygiving.com/

Foodie Friday DFW:
https://www.jaymarksrealestate.com/foodiefridaydfw

Follow on Jonathan Smith's Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jonnyberockin/

To  receive the framework to help you know yourself or someone better, email me:
nicole@nicolesmith.net

To listen to previous episodes, and to submit your application as a guest, please visit:
https://aroundflowermound.com/

In today’s busy world, what you need is information about Flower Mound that is vetted, easy to consume, and speaks directly to what you need. One of my favorite resources that checks all those boxes is checkoutdfw.com. The co-founder of the site, Jed Williams, joins me in this episode, to share how it all started.

A North Texas native, Jed has lived all over the country - from East Coast to West Coast. He knows how tough it is to relocate and then start to get connected in a new place. These experiences channeled Jed’s entrepreneurial thinking towards creating the go-to resource for all things DFW. 

Teaming up with co-founder David Arkin, Jed’s mantra for checkoutdfw.com has always been to provide the most helpful content with the easiest reader experience possible. They launched the website last November and saw 400% growth in their first month! 

You can access their content online, on social media, and through their email newsletter. It makes it so easy to stay up to date on the best home services, small businesses, and real estate opportunities in and around the Flower Mound community. 

In fact, Jed is always seeking feedback to improve checkoutdfw.com even more. He wants to know your most pressing question about your community, as well as the best restaurants and service providers in the area. He invites you to add your voice to the conversation on their social media posts!

What does the future hold for checkoutdfw.com? Jed plans to stay focused on building the business and expanding along the way. Make sure to visit checkoutdfw.com and take advantage of all the wonderful content that’s available. You just might learn something new about Flower Mound! 

Takeaways from this episode:

1. Jed has moved a lot in his life and understands the information needed before, during, and after settling in a new town. 
2. He had the idea to build a website of helpful content for the Dallas area, and along with co-founder David Arkin, launched checkoutDFW.com last year. 
3. They designed a reader experience that is super easy to use and has grown exponentially since then. 
4. There’s something for everyone, no matter how long you’ve called Flower Mound home, or even if you don't live here quite yet!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Visit Check Out DFW and subscribe to their newsletter:

https://www.checkoutdfw.com

Connect with Jed on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jedwilliams/

To get receive the framework to help you know yourself better, or to know someone deeper by exploring how our homes create the chapters in the story of our lives, email me: nicole@nicolesmith.net

To listen to previous episodes, and to submit your application as a guest, please visit:

https://aroundflowermound.com/