Making A Difference

Many years ago, when I had two young babies at home, I looked for a job that I could do at night so my husband could be at home with the kids and we could have additional income. Steak and Ale was a new and growing restaurant group, and I was fortunate enough to get hired at one of the first locations in Plano, Texas. I loved interacting with people, and thanks to my years in 4H had a love of cooking and food as well. I guess you could say this was the beginning of my Lifestylist® journey.

At the time, I didn't know how life-changing that opportunity would be, but since we were near our founder, Norman Brinkers' Wilowbend Polo Grounds, he would stop in often and many times do the wine tastings with us. That became my lifelong love affair with Chateauneuf du Pape, one of his favorites that he loved to share.

These were groups of less than 20, and he loved to give us business and life advice while we talked about marketing and the business of selling. So much of his advice still affects how I do business and, most importantly, treat people, but the advice he gave me that has always stood out was about politics.

Norman believed that everyone should understand the gift we have as Americans to have a voice and a say so in how our country is run and managed and how each of our votes and voice has the same value, whether you are a server at Steak and Ale, or own one of the most successful restaurant groups in America. Our voices and opinions mattered, and he always encouraged us to get involved, even on a school board or working on a campaign for someone running for office in our small town. Norman made me a believer, and I have never forgotten those memorable evenings with him.

My neighbor overlooking the construction of the new home that the City of Dallas helped him build.

When I moved to The Home Idea Factory in historic Oak Cliff, I did so because I envisioned this diverse neighborhood as a place where I could give back. The backyard is perfect for Easter Egg hunts for my Shared Housing family, for which I volunteered, and I loved how it was a melting pot for all nationalities and lifestyles. My neighbors quickly learned that I knew a lot about real estate and would come to me with questions about saving their homes and who to trust at City Hall. When my disabled neighbor came to me about issues he and his disabled mother were having with the city, I stepped in and was able to help them get a new, safe home built where Ramona was able to live her last years with Woody. After a "flipper" stopped in and bought Woody's house from a relative with no rights to it, I thought about what Norman always taught us and maybe that it was time to step up and try to make a difference for all of the residents of Dallas. Woody didn't have a voice, but I did and filed an application to become part of the City of Dallas Inclusive Housing Task Force.

It had been about a year, and I was amazed to get a letter saying I was elected to this task force! We had our first meeting this week when I was in Las Vegas at the Summer Furniture Market, but I wasn't going to miss a moment of this opportunity. I changed my flight to a 5 am one on an earlier day so I could be sure to make the meeting, and it was worth it. Around 20 of us were elected to the task force, and I was so impressed with our diversity of interests and careers. The city staff is outstanding - I can't wait to work with them. 

With affordable housing being such a massive need in Dallas, I'm looking forward to sharing my expertise on factory-built homes and how this type of construction can significantly impact the residents of Dallas and beyond. 

So Norman, you were right - getting involved in politics can be good, and I am excited to see where this new journey will take me.