inspire coastal bend business october/november 2014

I N S P I R E C OASTA L B E N D M AG . C O M 1

COASTAL BEND BUSINESS MAGAZINE

OCTOBER.NOVEMBER 2014

IN DEMAND AND DEMANDING RESPECT

THE SKILLED TRADE WORKFORCE AND THE BACKBONE

OF AMERICA

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OCTOBER.NOVEMBER 2014

PUBLISHERADRIAN GARZA

EDITORAllison Alvarado

ART DIRECTORLiv Madison

MARKETINGDIRECTORHolly Duvall

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSMandy AshcraftKristen BilyLisa BlackAmanda ButcheeKaitlin CalkChase CarlisleTim ClarkConnie LaughlinMelanie A. MartinezCheryl MauchRyan MooreTerry SchadeAshley SmithSarah TindallSarona Winfrey

PHOTOGRAPHYDustin AshcraftEdgar de la Garza

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVESMichelle RecioJessica Salinas

COASTAL BEND BUSINESS AND MEDICAL MAGAZINE

JESSICA SALINASACCOUNTEXECUTIVE

MICHELLE RECIOACCOUNTEXECUTIVE

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CONTENTSOCTOBER.NOVEMBER 2014

FEATURE

08 Weather the Storm10 The Joys of Adoption12 Beyond Your Imagination14 Fun for the Holidays16 Protect Your Pieces

BUSINESS COACH

18 Modern Business Management

ENERGY &TECHNOLOGY

32 Valuable Services34 Hidden Treasure

MONEY MATTERS

38 Conversations, Not Computers40 Elephants in the Room

REAL ESTATE

44 Living Outdoors

TASTE

48 A Perfect Way to End the Day

TRAVEL

50 Feel the Warmth

STYLE

56 From Poolside to Polished60 Style and Substance - Kristen Bily

ENTERTAINMENT

64 Larger Than Life

NONPROFIT

66 Nothing to Fear

20 KATIA URIARTEThis successful news anchor lives her dream and makes a difference in the Coastal Bend every day as an active community member and a fixture on Kiii Channel 3.

24 LA BOUTIQUEMari Mendoza caters to the real women of Corpus Christi at this unique boutique, which carries glamorous styles to suit all tastes and all figures.

26 RYAN MOOREThis senior account executive with First Fidelity Tax and Insurance is there for his clients for the long haul, always focusing on protecting their assets and helping them make the most from their money.

20

ON THE COVERPhoto by:

Dustin AshcraftHair and Makeup by:

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WHEN SOMETHING such as a fire, a windstorm or another natural disaster happens, it often means your regular business operations are inter-rupted. When this happens, you can’t perform the work that makes your com-pany successful, but you still need to pay bills, employees and other expens-es. This is where business interruption insurance comes in.

In its simplest definition, business in-terruption insurance is a form of insur-ance coverage that works to replace the income your business loses as a result of something that disrupts your business operations, usually a fire or natural di-saster. Business interruption insurance is often added to your current commer-cial insurance policy or included in a fully comprehensive policy. Business interruption insurance premiums are deductible as normal business expens-es, and the amount payable is generally based on your company’s past financial records.

There are a few important points to remember when considering business interruption insurance and how it will work for you. When determining what coverage is needed, a business owner needs to consider the different options of coverage that are available with a business interruption policy.

One of these options is business in-come coverage. Business income pro-vides coverage for the loss of income your company suffers when work is in-terrupted after an incident. This loss of income can also be caused by fixed costs that are still owed, such as payroll, rent, etc., even though your business isn’t able to operate. Extra expense coverage can be added to your business income coverage and provide additional cover-age for expenses your company incurs during the period of restoration; these are expenses your company would not have suffered if your business were not interrupted.

Another aspect of the business in-

come endorsement includes service interruption, which provides cover-age for damages to utility services and property of service providers. Contin-gent business interruption is similar to service interruption, and it provides payment for loss or damage to proper-ty owned by others.

Business interruption insurance is designed to keep your company going forward, no matter what obstacles you encounter. There are numerous options available to customize your business interruption coverage to fit the needs of your company.

Business operations can be inter-rupted for a number of reasons. No matter where you live, there is always the chance of a natural disaster affect-ing your business and making it dif-ficult for you to continue your work. When this happens, business interrup-tion insurance can help you get back to work and give you peace of mind that your business will weather the storm.

BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE PREMIUMS ARE DEDUCTIBLE AS NORMAL BUSINESS EXPENSES.

For more information, visit Carlisle Insurance online at www.carlisleins.com.

FEATURE

WEATHER THE STORMHow business interruption insurance can keep your business going in the event of a natural disaster

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THE joys OF ADOPTIONThousands of children are set to find their forever families on National Adoption Day this November. By: MELANIE A. MARTINEZ

his November, the Junior League of Corpus Christi and Nueces County Court at Law 5 will join an unprece-dented number of courts, communi-ties and businesses throughout the country to be part of National Adop-tion Day. This day celebrates the joys

of adoption and encourages more people to cre-ate or grow families through adoption. Spon-sored by the Junior League of Corpus Christi, the celebration will take place on Nov. 24 at the Stripes Corporate office at 4525 Ayers St.

An estimated 4,500 children in foster care will find their forever families on National Adoption Day. This one-day project gives hope to children waiting in foster care and encourages others to adopt. It has made the dreams of thousands of children come true by working with CPS

caseworkers, foster parents, local judg-es, policymakers, practitioners and advocates to final-ize adoptions and create and celebrate adoptive families.

“Together with the Junior League of Corpus Christi, we create a friendly, family atmosphere with food, activ-ities and fun for the newly adopted child and their for-

ever family,” said Angelica Vela, Junior League member. “It’s a positive, uplifting event that we are grateful to be a part of each year. It’s grat-ifying to witness National Adoption Day as a growing movement across the country and in the Coastal Bend. I am honored to be a part of this incredible day that celebrates what I value most in my life: children and families.”

There are approximately 400 local celebra-tions taking place across the country this No-vember. This will be the third consecutive year that the Junior League of Corpus Christi has hosted National Adoption Day in Nueces Coun-ty. National Adoption Day raises awareness of the more than 100,000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families. It is also a day to draw attention to the more than

23,000 children each year who turn 18 or 21 and age out of the foster care system without fami-lies to support them in the future.

More than 4,500 children were adopted by their forever families during National Adop-tion Day celebrations in 2012. Approximately 44,500 children have been adopted from foster care on National Adoption Day since it began in 2000.

AN ESTIMATED 4,500 CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE WILL FIND THEIR FOREVER FAMILIES ON NATIONAL ADOPTION DAY.

T

FEATURE

For more information about National Adoption Day, please contact Angelica Vela at [email protected], or visit the Junior League of Corpus Christi website at www.jlcc.org or the National Adoption Day website at www.nationaladoptionday.org.

Pictured here: the Hon. Judge Brent Chesney and JLCC members at a past Adoption Day


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BEYOND YOUR IMAGINATIONThe Far Beyond name: “keeping people cool” since 1987

By: CHERYL MAUCH

For more information, stop by the shop at 5734 B McArdle (right behind Catfish Charlie’s), or give them a call at 361-288-7400with any questions about your truck, jeep, car or fleet vehicle. You may also email them at [email protected],

visit www.farbeyondtrucks.com or look for them on Facebook.

ar Beyond Tint & Alarm has been serving the Corpus Christi and Coast-al Bend area since 1987. Barry Mor-gan started tinting windows out of his great-grandparents’ home garage after he finished high school, and he opened the shop a few years later. He

says the main reason he opened the shop was for his love of cars and “keeping people cool.”

The Far Beyond Tint & Alarm crew aims to please and to have everyone leave with a smile. The friendly staff is knowledgeable and knows how to help customers choose which tint they want and what exactly they want the tint to do for them. Whether it is for an auto, a home, an office, a boat or even an RV, the staff is skilled in matching the tint to customers’ wants. Morgan trains his staff to be professional, but at the same time, to be happy and positive and to make sure everything looks beautiful.

Recently, there has been an increase in the de-mand for truck accessories in South Texas. This has led Morgan to open a new truck shop: Far

Beyond Trucks & Accessories. Here, you will see some familiar faces. A few members of the Far Beyond Tint & Alarm crew were excited to work at the new shop. Here, you will find everything you need to make your truck look more awe-some. Whether it is your everyday truck, your weekend truck or even a fleet vehicle, Far Be-yond Trucks & Accessories has it all.

If it is a lift you are looking for, Far Beyond Trucks & Accessories can lift you up. They have a large selection of wheels and tires to go with your lift. If you go out to the ranch a lot, Far Beyond Trucks & Accessories has you covered. There is a wide selection of brush guards, bull bars and grill guards to choose from. If you go to the beach a lot, don’t forget what the rust can do to your vehicle. Far Beyond Trucks & Acces-sories can also protect your vehicle with a spray-on bedliner or undercoating.

With the leading names in the truck accesso-ries like Ranch Hand, Westin, Fabtech, Ready-LIFT and ProMaxx, just to name a few, it is no wonder Far Beyond Trucks & Accessories has

customers coming back for more. Whether it is a small fixer-upper like headlights or a big lift, Far Beyond Trucks & Accessories does it all.

Since opening their doors in May 2014, they just get busier and busier every day. More and more customers leave satisfied and refer their friends, family and coworkers to get work done here. The awesome customer service and trained technicians make every visit to Far Be-yond Trucks & Accessories a pleasant experi-ence. The sales staff members greet all custom-ers with a smile and are eager to help them with all their questions regarding their vehicles.

This is your one-stop truck shop! Drop your vehicle off, and they will transform it into the dream vehicle you have always wanted. Make sure to take a “before” picture because when you get your vehicle back, you will be amazed at the transformation.

Far Beyond Trucks & Accessories will take you far and beyond your imagination. Next time you are feeling down, let Far Beyond Trucks & Accessories lift you up!

F

FEATURE


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For more information on La Palmera or The Shops at La Palmera, go to www.lapalmera.com or www.theshopsatlapalmera.com, visit us on Facebook or call 361-991-3755.

About La PalmeraLocated in Corpus Christi, Texas, La Palmera is a 1-million-square-foot super-regional mall with more than 100 retail and restaurant tenants, including Dillard’s, J.C. Penney, Macy’s, P.F. Chang’s and Coach. Acquired in July 2008 by Institutional Mall Investors LLC (IMI) and Trademark Property, La Palmera is the first mall to be awarded LEED Silver for Core and Shell 2.0 established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The mall features a 600-seat food court with a 4,500-gallon feature aquarium and a children’s ocean-themed play area.

About The Shops at La PalmeraThe Shops at La Palmera is a 200,000-square-foot outdoor center located in Corpus Christi, Texas. Currently undergoing redevelopment, The Shops at La Palmera will feature approximately 26 retail and dining options, including Dick’s Sporting Goods and Corner Bakery Café, as well as T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, Jared The Galleria of Jewelry and DSW. Purchased in April 2012 by Trademark Property Company and joint venture partner Institutional Mall Investors LLC (IMI), the center is located directly across from Trademark’s La Palmera mall.

THE YEAR FLIES BY, and before you know it, the holidays are upon us once again. So be sure to mark your calendars now for some fun fall festivities at La Palmera and The Shops at La Palmera.

Join La Palmera Saturday, Oct. 25, for our fall festival. It’s an afternoon of family fun, including crafts and ac-tivities for the kids and a special Halloween-style fashion show in Center Court, sponsored by Aveda. Go to lapa-lmera.com for a complete schedule of events.

November marks the start of the retail holiday season, and the La Palmera Shopping District will ring in the holidays with its traditional festive flair.

There’s a lot going on at The Shops at La Palmera this holiday season, as several national retailers and restau-rants continue to gravitate to the 228,000-sqaure-foot center. Many are already open, including Dick’s Sporting Goods, DSW, T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, Jared The Galleria of Jewelers, DressBarn, DXL, Catherines, Big Lots, Great Clips, Gossip Nails & Spa, Subway and Corner Bakery, along with local favorites such as Victoria’s Jewels and SAS Shoes. Shoppers will soon have even more to choose from with Chipotle, Marble Slab and the Beef Jerky Out-let, all slated to open soon.

On Thursday, Nov. 13, the holidays will be in full swing at La Palmera with the annual arrival of Santa Claus. The evening’s activities will take place from 5 to 8 p.m., with Santa’s arrival at 6 p.m. As is tradition, there will be a special ceremony to welcome Santa at the main entrance by P.F. Chang’s and Grimaldi’s, where he will be greeted by his helpers and members of the U.S. Ma-rine Corps, who will escort him to his traditional throne in Center Court.

Guests will enjoy live music and entertainment throughout the mall with face painting, arts and crafts and local mascots, plus cookies and storytelling with Mrs. Claus in the children’s play area on the upper level.

La Palmera merchants will be part of the festive atmosphere with promotions and specials, as well as giveaways throughout the evening, including a $500 La Palmera gift card.

While waiting to visit with Santa, guests will me-ander through the Forest of Giving, a collection of trees uniquely decorated by participating local char-ities. The public is invited to vote for their favorite from Nov. 13 through Dec. 10, and the tree that re-ceives the most votes will then receive $2,500 for the Coastal Bend charity of their choice from La Palmera.

Shoppers at La Palmera will find new shopping and dining options, as well, with Oakley and a holiday Toys “R” Us location on Center Court, as well as Sun Optics now open on the upper level.

“We are very excited with our plans for this fall in the La Palmera Shopping District,” said Fred Walters, general manager for La Palmera and The Shops at La Palmera. “We are always working to create fun events and special traditions in the Coastal Bend communi-ty, including the annual arrival of Santa Claus. We are also happy to celebrate the official grand opening of The Shops at La Palmera, which is already enjoy-ing great success, with so many national retailers now calling it home.”

FUN FOR THE HOLIDAYSAt the La Palmera Shopping District, the coming months will be filled with fun family activities.

By: SARONA WINFREY

FEATURE



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PROTECT YOUR PIECESJewelry appraisals: what you need to know

By: TERRY SCHADE

WHY DO I NEED A JEWELRY APPRAISAL?

The most important reason for hav-ing an appraisal done on your jewelry collection is for insurance purposes. It is heartbreaking to lose a treasured jew-elry item to loss or theft, and that heart-break can be compounded if the items are not insured.

Once you have your initial jewelry appraisal, you should visit with your jeweler every few years and discuss whether or not the appraisal needs up-dating. Replacement values can fluctu-ate a great deal due to the variable pre-cious metals market, the diamond and gemstone market and increasing labor costs. So it is important not only to have appraisals, but also to keep them cur-rent. The updates should be less expen-sive than the initial appraisal.

DOES MY HOMEOWNERS’ INSURANCE AUTOMATICALLY COVER MY JEWELRY?

Your jewelry is not generally covered

by your homeowner’s policy unless you have your items appraised and scheduled separately. If you are rent-ing, you may obtain a renters’ insur-ance policy.

WHAT DOES AN APPRAISAL COST?

Fees for appraisals can differ a great deal from jeweler to jeweler and vary depending on the article of jewelry. The jeweler should charge a flat fee based on the amount of time for the appraisal. This fee should in no way be tied to the value of the item being appraised. Most appraisals in our store cost $75 to $150; however, there are exceptions.

There is an old adage: You get what you pay for. You should make sure the appraiser is a graduate gemologist or that there is one on staff who will eval-uate the quality of the diamonds and precious stones. The appraisal should be as detailed as possible, and it should include specifics about the jewelry piece, as well as pictures.

SO WHAT DOES THE APPRAISED VALUE MEAN?

The value given by an appraiser is an insurance replacement value. This means you should be able to replace a lost or stolen item at most jewelers for the stated amount. An appraisal for in-surance purposes is not a market value appraisal – meaning, it is not evaluating the actual resale value of the jewelry piece.

As always, it is important to find a jeweler you trust. He or she should be able to handle any questions or concerns you may have regarding your jewelry items and your appraisal.

Casa de Oro Jewelers was founded in 1979 by Gene and Dee Schade, and Terry Schade is a vice president and owner. For more information on this topic or any other jewelry-related questions, you may contact Terry Schade at 361-991-7054 or [email protected], or visit Casa de Oro Jewelers online at www.casadeorojewelers.com.

FEATURE

THE APPRAISAL SHOULD BE

AS DETAILED AS POSSIBLE,

AND IT SHOULD INCLUDE

SPECIFICS ABOUT THE

JEWELRY PIECE, AS WELL AS PICTURES.


C a s a d e O r o J e w e l e r swww.casadeorojewelers.com | 4940 Gollihar Road, Corpus Christi, TX 78412 | 361.991.7054 | [email protected]

We are a locally owned and operated

jewelry manufacturing company, established in 1979 by Gene and

Dee Schade. Terry and Stefany Schade,

the next generation of the Schade family are the future of Casa de Oro Jewelers. Terry is

responsible for using the latest in technology for custom design and both

he and Stefany have extensive experience

in marketing and business management.


MODERN BUSINESS MANAGEMENTHow to grow your business and keep costs predictable in the current business environment

By: CONNIE LAUGHLIN

METHOD MANAGEMENTBusiness methodologies (process

management) are important to mas-ter and effective tools to use whether you’re a small business or a large cor-poration. If you’re looking for growth and profitability, examine your options in search of the one that best suits your organizations needs. They are numer-ous in count – six sigma, lean six sig-ma, lean production, best practices and blue ocean strategy, to name some of the most popular.

In review of the various business models, look for the one that brings ef-ficiency in operating procedures, with the most financial gain. The speed of reaching ones goals is relevant.

A company is known for the people it keeps. It takes time and talent to en-sure the right person is in the right seat on the bus.

RISK MANAGEMENTA business risk management anal-

ysis should review all potential risks and liabilities. First, assess your risks, such as:

► Employee-related liabilities and safety procedures► Product and services liabilities► Tools and equipment condition and liabilities► Building and content insurances► Insurance policies► Emergency preparedness

Maintaining a profitable business involves keeping all your risks mini-mized. As Ronald Reagan once said, “when you’re up to your armpits in alligators, it’s hard to remember to drain the swamp.”

TIME MANAGEMENTBusiness owners always put off hon-

ing time management skills. Get a grip on your time. Key strategy: Know the process management solution that will

work best for your business, study the model and implement it. Get organized and prepare your management strate-gies well in advance. Leave no stone uncovered and no assets bare for some-one to take a big chomp.

OUTSOURCING MANAGEMENT

One of the most effective solutions is to look at a professional employer or-ganization (PEO) service offering. You will streamline your operation with best

practices and procedures in place, min-imize risks and contain your employee cost. The service offering includes:

► Payroll administration► Human resources► Workers’ compensation insurance and claims administration► Safety programs► Benefits (optional)

Like Goldstein S. Truism said, “Suc-

cess means only doing what you do well – letting someone else do the rest.”

There’s more to it than just meeting payroll. Many mom-and-pop shops are disappearing because they’re getting gobbled up by industry moguls that of-fer the full spectrum of services and cap-italize on contracted opportunities.

The ones left need to pony up and do their homework, as they’re running at a disadvantage, lacking appropriate hu-man capital management, employee cost projections and asset protection. They

don’t know how to effectively manage certain HR administrative duties, and they lack the basic business acumen (training, regulatory compliance, profes-sional handbooks and manuals) to effec-tively grow their business and keep costs predictable.

You won’t understand what you don’t know until you invest time in your own development – do you personally have the time for this, or should you out-source it to professionals?

Connie Laughlin is a business consultant for UniqueHR (a highly accredited Texas PEO). For more information, you may contact her at 361-852-6392 or [email protected].

BUSINESS COACH

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COVER STORY


“I’m so honored to be sitting here reading with you; I grew up watching you every night!” At the time, she was mor-tified that she had said it, because she knew it must be a cliché that he had heard over and over through the years, but now the same can be said of Uriarte herself. She’s been a fixture on Kiii Channel 3 for years, and she comes into homes across the Coastal Bend every night, bringing folks all the news they need to know about what’s going on in their hometown.

Uriarte says she still can’t believe her dream of being a newscaster is a reality. Her story began when she moved to New Orleans from Honduras at the age of 10 so her mother could get medical treatment at Ochsner Hospital there. Her mother is a visionary entrepreneur who opened an aromatherapy spa in the Big Easy and worked long hours there to make it a success.

Uriarte attended Loyola University in New Orleans. She originally thought she would major in political science and then attend law school, but a chance encounter at a high school career fair her senior year changed everything. A Nich-ols State alumnus who was working at the local Fox channel was there, and Uriarte was hooked.

“I remember thinking, ‘You can get paid to do this?’” she laughs. Friends told her she’d never make it, especially after changing her major “a thousand times” and spending five years getting a degree. But once she committed to commu-nication and did her first internship at a station, she never looked back.

“I was offered an internship with ‘The Real World’ when MTV was filming it in New Orleans, but I was also offered

KATIA URIARTE ONCE TOLD A NEWSCASTER IN AN INTERVIEW,

LIVING THE

By: Sarah TindallPhotos By: Dustin Ashcraft

Reporting the news, living her dreamand making a difference: Meet Katia Uriarte,

one of our favorite fixtures on KiiiTV.

►


one by Fox 8,” she says. “Ev-eryone thought I was nuts for going with Fox, but I got my first job offer because of that internship.”

Uriarte attributes every job she’s had to hard work and a little luck. “I was in everyone’s face asking for assignments until they finally gave me one,” she says. “My first as-signment was terrible; I wrote the piece longer than the AP copy. But I am so thankful to the people who took the time to train me while the oth-er interns were just goofing around.”

Her last semester of college was a nail biter; she was ready to graduate, but she was still not employed until her big break came two weeks before she walked the stage. Bob Noonan, the assistant news director then at Fox 8 News, told her about a job opening at a little station over in Biloxi, Miss. They were looking for a producer, and even though she knew that wasn’t the job she wanted, she also knew it was a good steppingstone, so she took it gladly.

Wardrobe provided by: Julian Gold


For more information, visit KiiiTVonline at www.kiiitv.com.

Uriarte produced a one-hour nightly newscast, and she says it was a great hands-on learning expe-rience. The station closed down, but everyone who knows Uriarte knows she is a huge New Orleans Saints fan, so she is proud to say that her last story on that station was heading back to her hometown to cover the pep rally when the Saints were heading to the playoffs for the first time in many years.

She then spent a month-and-a-half looking for her next gig before she got the call to head to Jackson, Miss., to produce the morning show on a station there. “That’s the lowest end of the totem pole, work-ing from midnight to 8 a.m., but I knew that was still a steppingstone, so I took the job,” she says. Within three months, she was moved up to weekend produc-er, then weeknight producer, all the while insisting that she wanted to move in front of the camera.

Her big break came two years later, when the assis-tant news director gave her a chance and sent her out to cover the small town nearby that was the first city in America to go smoke-free. “I remember my stom-ach burning like a pit of fire and feeling absolutely terrified, but I told myself, ‘If I don’t talk and do this, I won’t get the job,’ and so I started talking, and I’ve been reporting the news on television ever since,” she says. “My dream came true at that point.”

After some time as a reporter, she set a new goal for herself: the anchor chair. When her contract was ready to expire, she sent her tapes out across the country on a Thursday, holding her breath to see if anyone would bite.

The call came the following Monday morning from Channel 3. “My now boss told me his daugh-ter’s name was Katia, too (but spells it Cattia),” she says. “Nobody in any of the other markets even knew how to pronounce my name. I knew Corpus Christi would be a great fit for me. They flew me down here and I auditioned for the weekend show, but after-ward, they told me I was hired and I would be on the morning desk with Bill Vessey. I couldn’t believe it – an actual show. Bill and I had such great chemistry, though, that it all came very naturally.”

The dynamic duo did so well in the ratings that Vessey and soon after, Uriarte herself, got moved up to evenings. Uriarte has now anchored the news at Kiii for nearly 11 years. “I love my job,” she says. “After becoming a mom, I’ve become very organized – my house, my life, etc. I’m trying to get it all or-ganized, and I’ve become even more involved in the community. Because of what I do, I really know we have the power to make a difference here. Right now, I’m working on a story where we are literally helping a family who cannot afford to stay in their home, and because I work at Channel 3, I’m able to make a dif-ference in their lives.

“I love what I do. The best feeling is when someone comes up to me and says, ‘I feel like I know you’ … or asks me about my son or even asks me about Joe Gaz-in (how is he, really?). The people in Corpus Christi make our jobs rewarding, and it’s our job to do the same for them.”

Now Uriarte is the one kids are “growing up watching” on the nightly news, making a difference every day in the Coastal Bend.


ThatExtra

SomethingLa Boutique: a glamorous

shopping experienceBy: Sarah Tindall

Photos By: Edgar de la Garza

PROFILE


There seems to be an assumption that all bou-tiques are the same. Typically, boutiques are described as having one thing in common: The styles and the sizes they carry are fit and designed for teenagers and women in their 20s. Never fear, however: Mari Mendoza has come to the rescue for the ladies of Corpus

Christi with a boutique on the city’s south side that caters to a woman’s figure.

La Boutique has been open for three years, and the cli-entele have fallen in love with the fresh styles and glam-orous options made to flatter every woman, no matter her age or dress size.

“I love fashion, as you can see,” says Mendoza, as she waves her hands around the store with rack after rack of colorful prints. She opened La Boutique after years of trunk shows, when her husband found the space at 5440 Everhart Road and told her about it. It was perfect for her storefront. “I didn’t want to do the store, but when my husband and his nephews knocked down all the walls in-side and put in the hardwood floors, I was able to see the finished product and my vision come to light,” she says. “I knew it would be a beautiful space for my shop.”

The couple worked night and day for six months to fin-ish the renovations, and the result was worth the wait. With lots of floor space and plenty of room to showcase the clothes, La Boutique has become a favorite space for many local gals ready who want a glamorous shopping experience.

“This is a women’s boutique,” Mendoza says. “It’s for real women – for grandmas like me who want to feel fab-ulous with style and class, but also for women wanting fun things to wear to work or for a night on the town. We have all sizes in our clothes, as well, from small to 3X – something for everyone. Our clothes are different; it’s something you can wear during the day for work, but then add some heels and jewelry, and it is ready for a night of fun. Most importantly, however, we look for piec-es that are classy and stylish.”

Her most popular clothing line – and also her personal favorite – is Julian Chang, a designer from Miami. “I’m the only one in Corpus Christi who carries this brand, and every year, I get to go to the Las Vegas market,” she says. “This helps me to get my patterns and designs to make something amazing for all of us here.”

Even Mendoza’s accessories always have a personal touch. She makes most of the jewelry she sells herself, and she takes personal pride in the shoes she carries. “I’m the wedge queen; it’s what all my customers always want,” she jokes. The store also carries purses, wine glasses, can-dles, hair accessories and scarves to add that extra some-thing to every outfit.

La Boutique is also committed to outreach in the Cor-pus Christi community, participating in events like the Head to Toe Women’s Expo, as well as the Sembradores Style Show every year.

Mendoza is in her element at La Boutique. She says she always loved to dress up as a child, and even now, she

doesn’t wait for a special occasion to dress up. “When I get something new, I can’t wait to wear it,” she says. “I love getting up every morning and dressing up for my-self, and my husband loves it, too.”

She loves the clothes, and she loves helping customers find things they love when they walk in the store. “I love when people walk in and they let me help them pick out things,” she says. “We play with colors and put things together that are un-

expected for them, but work out great.”Now Mendoza is working on the fall

line; she says colors will be a little bit darker, but the fabrics will still be very lightweight to accommodate the South Texas climate. Her customers have lots of chances to come check it all out; there are fun “Girls’ Night Out” fashion shows with wine and music every few weeks, so there’s always something fun happening at La Boutique!

La Boutique offers fresh styles and glamorous options made to flatter every woman, no matter her age or dress size.

For more information, find La Boutique on Facebook at “La Boutique Classy and Fabulous”; visit the storeat 5440 Everhart Road, Ste. 7, in Corpus Christi, Texas; or call 361-947-6274.

PROFILELOCATIONS

5262 South Staples St., Ste. 300Corpus Christi, Texas

13750 San Pedro, Ste. 650 San Antonio, Texas

1619 E. Common St., Building K, Ste. 1101New Braunfels, Texas


RYAN MOORE says there is a time and a place for taking risks in life – but your investment portfolio is not one of them. Moore, who grew up in McQueeney, Texas, spent his youth waterskiing all over the Texas Hill Country. His dad built boats for a living, so being on the water was second nature to him. He became a world-class water-skier and even opened a boat shop and waterskiing school as soon as he graduated from high school. Taking risks out on the water was second nature to Moore, who says he loves the thrill of it all.

But when it comes to managing the money of his cli-ents, Moore says there’s no room for risk. As a senior account executive with First Fidelity Tax and Insur-ance, his goal is to keep his clients’ fees to a minimum and ensure that their money is safe from variations in the stock market.

Moore helps his clients find fixed safe vehicles and other sources of long-term investment success. He has a team that ensures success from CPAs to make recom-mendations based on current tax law to elder attorneys who specialize in wills and trusts to protect his clients’ money for generations to come.

“I love educating people about how to protect their investments and make the most from their money,” Moore says. “I was working in my boat shop one day when Robert Dorrestijn, the principle at First Fidelity, walked in to buy a boat and asked me if I was interest-ed in becoming one of his agents. I started working for him and never looked back. I love working with peo-ple, educating them about their options and getting the

most return on their investment, so it’s been a natural fit for me.”

Moore and his staff manage everything from safe re-tirement planning to tax and estate planning. “I don’t like losing money,” he says. “I like making money, and that’s my top priority for each of my clients.” He does this by focusing on what he refers to as “safe accounts,” which are guaranteed. Moore sums it up this way: “If you don’t lose money, you’re going to win in the long run.”

In order to stay on top of the game, Moore says First Fidelity shops thousands of banks and insurance com-panies to ensure that he is offering his clients the best possible rates. He also warns investors to stay away from these two words to keep their money safe: risk and fees. Instead, he encourages seeking ways to invest money that involve tax deferment and planning tech-niques that protect the cash. This becomes especially important as tax rates continue to rise. “I take a life pre-server and chunk it underneath my clients’ assets,” he says, “so over the long haul, I’m going to smoke other advisors.”

That attitude, as well as plenty of satisfied clients, has spelled success for Moore, who now operates out of offices in Corpus Christi, New Braunfels and San Antonio. He keeps himself cutting-edge by offering ed-ucational seminars twice a week in the area. And he’s enjoying it; working out of Corpus Christi has given him a chance to catch up with family who live in the area, as well as spend some time out on the water and take the kinds of risks he says make life worth living.

FOR THE LONG HAUL

Ryan Moore helps clients protect and make the most from their money for generations to come as a senior account

executive with First Fidelity Tax and Insurance.

By: Sarah Tindall / Photos By: Edgar de la Garza

For more information about Ryan Moore or First Fidelity Tax and Insurance, visit www.firstfidelityamerica.com or call 361-288-7995.


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VALUABLE SERVICESA few simple reasons to use a broker for retail energy procurement

By: TIM CLARK

Whether it’s the energy industry, the insurance industry or the banking industry, brokers provide a valuable service to the mar-ketplace. In the case of the energy industry, energy suppliers consider brokers a valuable channel to the retail energy markets that al-lows suppliers to have smaller in-house sales and marketing groups.

This saves them the overhead costs associat-ed with maintaining these employees, as well as the marketing cost associated with acquir-ing customers. Brokers account for almost half of the volume of some energy suppliers.

REASON #1When energy suppliers are

forced to compete for your business, you save money. It is human nature that whenever

people are selling a product (whether it’s a car, a necklace or an MW of electricity), their offer price is affected by the prospect of competi-tion. If they feel they have no competition, the price offered will be higher.

Brokers force competition. Many suppliers will offer a different/lower price to brokers compared to giving a customer a price directly, simply because they know they have to com-pete for the business. This drives the suppliers’ margin, as well as your final price, downward.

REASON #2Another reason suppliers

are more likely to give a broker a better price than individual companies going directly to the supplier for pricing is due in

large part to the fact that larger brokers such as Stellar Energy Solutions are placing many customers with suppliers over the course of the month. Suppliers are much more likely to give a competitive price to a broker not only because they know they are competing for the business, but also because they know competi-tive pricing through a broker will get them the opportunity for more business from the broker.

When a customer goes directly to a suppli-er, this “volume discount” is not necessarily realized by the customer. The supplier doesn’t necessarily feel the need to price as aggressive-ly because the customer’s one contract may come up for renewal only once every year or two. Compare this to brokers giving them the opportunity to bid on dozens of customers per month – who do you think is more likely to get a better price?

REASON #3Some brokers, such as Stellar

Energy Solutions, offer consult-ing services that go far beyond the scope of what a supplier can

offer. Most suppliers are only interested in giv-ing a price to supply electricity, which is their core business. They simply don’t have the staff to provide “value added” services.

If your company’s situation is non-standard in any way, brokers such as Stellar Energy Solutions can offer you services that most sup-pliers won’t. This includes such things as util-ity bill auditing, rate schedule analysis, sales tax audits and quantitative analysis services, just to name a few.

REASON #4Faced with the prospect of

shopping for electricity on their own, most companies would be hard-pressed to name more

than one or two electricity suppliers to solicit pricing from. Larger brokers like Stellar Ener-gy Solutions work with a dozen or more sup-pliers, which increases the probability of low-er, more competitive pricing for you.

REASON #5It is difficult for customers to

properly and effectively com-pare the results of bids received from multiple suppliers. A sup-

plier’s bid is based in large part on market prices for electricity, which change by the min-

ute. A price received from a supplier on one day is not directly comparable to a price re-ceived from a second supplier on another day. This makes comparing results very difficult.

Furthermore, the contract terms and con-ditions for each supplier are different. As an educated buyer for your company, you need to understand the subtle differences between the contracts. Some differences can materially affect what you pay. More experienced brokers like Stellar Energy Solutions have extensive experience with contract language, maintain-ing and reviewing all supplier contracts on a regular basis.

REASON #6Do you know for sure that all

pricing components are includ-ed in the price you receive from a supplier? For example, some

suppliers will quote prices that do not include certain taxes. This will make their price appear lower than it really is. Stellar Energy Solutions reviews supplier pricing for all pricing compo-nents and makes sure all items are included so that the price you see is truly an all-in price.

WHO PAYS BROKERS FOR THEIR SERVICE?

Brokers are paid a fee by the supplier for the business they bring the supplier. This is similar to the fees paid to car

dealers by banks for having customers finance their cars with a particular bank. It is also very similar to the way you purchase insurance. In the case of the energy supplier, this fee is re-flective of the fact that the supplier is avoiding employee overheads and marketing expenses associated with acquiring customers through their own in-house sales force. The broker is compensated for the marketing and employee expenses associated with customer acquisition for the supplier.

For more information, contact Tim Clark at [email protected] or call 361-884-8973.

ENERGY & TECHNOLOGY


361-884-8973www.stellarnrgsolutions.com

WANT A CHEAPER ELECTRIC BILL?The money we save you is worth investigating.

• Commercial & residential rates

• We shop multiple electricity providers, and provide a comprehensive quote for you, usually within 24 hours.

• We will find cost effective solutions custom tailored to your unique business needs, leaving you free to work on your core business objectives.


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HIDDEN TREASUREWelding and other skilled trades are in demand and demanding respect – and Craft Training Center of the Coastal Bend is addressing the need.

Special to INSPIRE COASTAL BEND

“It’s about time that we address our workforce,” says Dr. Michael Sandroussi in response to a question about the passage of House Bill 5 in Texas and the growing national sup-port for vocational training.

As an educator, Sandroussi knows that everyone has a different learning style. He also knows from his experience as a campus princi-pal and superintendent of schools that students who are not actively engaged in learning often drop out of school.

“Not everyone is an auditory learner,” Sandroussi says. “About half of the students in class are hands-on (kinesthetic/tactile) learn-ers. This means that they learn by doing and are mechanically inclined. Students that fit this mold learn by using their hands to apply the in-formation that they are learning in a classroom setting. They want to see how math actually works in everyday life, learning from real experiences rather than a classroom lecture.”

Thank goodness for changing at-titudes about career preparation that no longer just focus on attending col-lege. According to Sandroussi, Craft Training Center of the Coastal Bend (CTCCB) is a hidden treasure that is slowly being discovered. High schools are starting to address the needs of students who want to en-ter the workforce immediately after

high school graduation. The stu-dents who attend CTCCB thrive in classroom environments where 100 percent of their time is devoted to perfecting their craft – skills that will directly lead to employment.

The goal of CTCCB is to develop craft professionals who are drug-free, experienced and capable to work under the highest profession-al standards. Curriculum and in-struction are delivered utilizing the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) program. Strong partnerships with public schools, colleges, contractors, plant representatives and state and local officials facilitate the training of tomorrow’s workforce.

Founded in 1987, CTCCB was born out of the need for skilled la-bor. Coastal Bend employers were experiencing a shortage of qualified workers, so CTCCB was created to address the workforce shortage. The organization’s leadership ac-tively pursued high school students and adults in order to start training skilled craftsmen. While hundreds of men and women were graduating from CTCCB each year, thousands more knew nothing about the place. According to Sandroussi, all of that is changing now.

“This country, and our commu-nity, is finally realizing that we’re facing a shortage of skilled craft pro-fessionals in the workforce through-

out the nation,” he says. “We already knew it here in the Coastal Bend, but now it seems companies all over the nation are realizing that we have a problem. I see it myself not only as president of the CTCCB, but an ad-vocate to develop trained craftsmen to address the workforce shortage, which in turn, improves the quality of life for our human race.”

The industry and the government are noticing, indeed, as CTCCB re-cently was featured in the Wall Street Journal. Former West Oso High School student Anthony Solis was featured in a story about how his decision to learn welding in order to get out of his regular classes at West Oso High School changed his life. Since he dropped out of school, So-lis has gotten a great job as a welder, and he can earn $75,000 to $100,000 this year.

“I can think of several college graduates that aren’t making any-where near that amount of money,”

Sandroussi said. “The attitude that blue-collar jobs were low-paying and less important really discour-aged a lot of people from choosing skilled crafts as a career, but now the backbone of America are the blue-collar workers. When these in-dividuals are not working, America suffers.”

The national, state and local gov-ernments are now sounding the alarm: We need more skilled crafts-men and women! If we do not devel-op our workforce in America, we’ll lose local jobs to workers outside of Texas and the United States. New companies around the world are building many plants in the Coastal Bend; it is time to get serious and get trained!

To learn more about Craft Training Center of the Coastal Bend, visit www.ctccb.org or call 361-289-1636.

About Craft Training Center of the Coastal BendCraft Training Center of the Coastal Bend (CTCCB) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization. The training center is a state-of-the-art training facility, and all programs offered are fully accredited by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). Courses offered include welding, pipefitting, scaffold building, field safety, safety technology, industrial painting, mobile crane operations and instrumentation. CTCCB also has DOL apprenticeship programs in electrical and plumbing.

ENERGY & TECHNOLOGY


35th Annual Community Leaders Awards Banquet Tuesday, November 11, 2014 Networking 6:30 pm-7pm Dinner 7pm-9pm

Salute to Leadership " A Celebration of Those who Serve”

Save

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Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz Center 402 Harbor Dr. Corpus Christi, Texas

For tickets and sponsorship information, contact Deborah Garza at (361) 881-8105 or via email at [email protected]

Westside Business

Association

Col Richard J. Noriega (Ret), AVANCE President and CEO

Guest Speaker

www.facebook.com/pages/Westside-Business-Association


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CONVERSATIONS, NOT COMPUTERS

By: ASHLEY SMITH

ealistically, your three-digit cred-it score does not describe you as a person, and we recognize this. Au-tomatic decision-making definitely does not describe NavyArmy Com-munity Credit Union as a financial institution. Basically, money talks,

but we would much rather hear what you have to say. This out-of-the-box decision-mak-ing, in regards to auto loan lending, gives us an edge when it comes to developing positive,

long-lasting relationships with our members. Need some proof? Take our midyear 2014

numbers into consideration: More than 34 per-cent of NavyArmy members held an auto loan with us, while the average for other Texas credit unions sat at just over 21 percent. This shows that we’re focused on opening the door for a dialogue with you instead of shutting it based on your credit score alone. The auto loans we provide are catered to you based on a detailed account not only of your current financial situation, but also

of your financial past. This kind of information comes from a conversation – not a computer.

Let’s break this down to the basics. You need an automobile to make it to work every day. You need to make it to work every day in order to pay off a loan. We afford auto loans to a wider variety of people than the rest. The way NavyArmy sees it, the more financially successful you become, the more successful we become. Utilizing this type of mutualistic relationship is part of how we developed into a homegrown success story.

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MONEY MATTERS

At NavyArmy Community Credit Union, they get personal with their members.


FAMILY LAW• Divorces• Child Support/Custody• Modifications/Enforcements

CRIMINAL LAW• Felonies and Misdemeaners• Bond Reductions• Revocation Hearings• Expunctions• Occupational License

PERSONAL INJURY• Oil Field Accidents• Trucking/Auto Accidents• Wrongful Death• On The Job Injuries

ASK ABOUT• Flat Fee Pricing• Affordable

Payment Plans

For more information, contact Ashley Smith, marketing director at the NavyArmy Community Credit Union, at [email protected].

About NavyArmy Community Credit Union

NavyArmy Community Credit Union provides financial services to meet your goals, from checking and savings to auto loans and mortgages. If you live, work, worship or go to school in Aransas, Bee, Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces or San Patricio County, you are eligible to be a member. Visit us at www.navyarmyccu.com or call us at 361-986-4500 for more information.

We prefer to go a little further than the usual assessment based on your credit score and gather your information based on these five key points:

To help you get a better visualization of this steadfast belief we have in our members, take into account our current loan portfolio. It consists of 20 percent new auto and more than 27 percent used auto. That amounts to nearly half of our financial faith, and it’s in your hands in the form of transportation. One out of three vehicles in the Coastal Bend is on the road because of a NavyArmy loan. And best of all, most of those loans happened right at the dealership, saving members time and money.

There’s a good reason we’ve had a 10.7 percent member growth over the last 12 months, tripling the state norm according to a peer-to-peer analysis by Callahan & Associates. A large number of coastal residents have felt the financial gain and stability of the Eagle Ford Shale, and we’re excited to help you begin the journey to long-term financial success.

Our members are individuals who cannot be consolidated into numbers, and as a creative investor, we want to roll up our sleeves and do what we can to get you on the highway. It’s great having the seventh-largest credit union in Texas in the passenger seat, and it’s even better with you behind the wheel.

ABILITY TO REPAY:Take the amount you’re asking for into sincere consideration.

Will you have the means to pay it back?

STABILITY:How long have you been at your current job?

Do you switch jobs often, or do you stay with one employer for an extended amount of time?

CREDIT:Have you been prompt with your scheduled loan payments?

If you ever did have to skip a payment (hey, life happens), explain why you skipped and how many times it happened.

RELATIONSHIP:How long have you been a NavyArmy member? Which ofour services do you use? What kind of experience have you

had in managing your other financial products?

COLLATERAL:What will it cost you if you default? Tell us about

everything you have on the line.

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ELEPHANTS IN THE ROOMThe largest opponents to achieving your financial goals and what you can do to overcome them

By: RYAN MOORE

n the financial world, I deal with people’s hopes and dreams and try to make them come into reality. But with every client and every portfolio, I always find problems that have to be overcome to achieve success. I would like to introduce the elephant in the

room and highlight some of the largest oppo-nents to achieving your financial goals.

► LACK OF PLANNINGWe all have a goal in life – a place we desire

to be. Think about your financial goal, and ask yourself a few questions: When do I want to re-tire? How much money do I need to retire? How is that money going to get there?

► PROCRASTINATIONTime is the most valuable tool in life; it’s the

only thing that can never be regained once it’s lost. The best time to start saving for the future was the day you were born, but the second best time is today. Putting off what you can accom-plish today will never leave you time ahead to enjoy the spoils of your hard work.

If you set aside just $1,000 when you are a child and just let it sit and earn 5 percent for 50 years, that thousand dollars will turn into $11,480. Doesn’t sound like much? Then set aside $10,000, and watch it turn into $114,674. That is the power of time.

► GETTING ON THE WRONGSIDE OF YOUR MONEY

Money is just a tool. How you use that tool can have a large effect on your life. Let me introduce you to a man named Mr. Interest. He likes work-ing hard with your money, but let’s make sure he always works for you; if he isn’t working for you, I bet he’s working just as hard against you.

What if your dream is to retire on a yacht and enjoy the sea for the rest of your days? Say you buy that boat today; it costs $100,000 and you choose to finance it at 5 percent for 15 years, which brings the monthly cost down to $790.79 per month. That’s not too bad. But after you add in the interest that’s working against you, it raises the cost of that boat to $142,342.85. That’s almost 50 percent more! Do you really need that boat today, or would you rather have that 5 percent interest work for you and, in 15 years, be able to buy a nicer boat to retire on when you want to?

► PUT A DOLLAR IN THE “SWEAR JAR”

Did your mother ever make you put a dollar in the “swear jar” if you uttered those bad four-let-ter words? Let me add two worse four-letter words from the world of money: risk and fees. I’m not a very big gambler with my money, so in my opinion, those two words can be detrimental to your finances.

There are tons of smooth-talking “experts” out there who will give you the next big “tip” to make your money grow. Just turn on any news

station. Have you watched “Wall Street” or, more recently, “The Wolf of Wall Street”? Sure, the dream of a get-rich-quick scheme sounds ap-pealing, but how will you feel when you realize it was a scheme?

On Sept. 5, 2014, the S&P 500 hit an all-time new high – a record-breaking 2007.71 points. What generally happens after the market hits a record high? The mortgage crisis of 2008 wasn’t that long ago. I don’t like risking my hard-earned money, and I certainly don’t like paying someone to lose it for me.

► TAXESTaxes are always going to be around; they are

designed to make everyone’s quality of life a lit-tle bit better. They are used to build better schools and smoother roads, and to beautify our city. Do rising taxes have to be a fear in your retirement? No, they do not. Not with proper planning.

There are two types of retirement money in the world today: taxable and tax-free. Please take advantage of both! Taxes in retirement can play a critical role in your peace of mind, but with prop-er planning today, they don’t have to.

These are just a few of the major pitfalls I see almost every day. Remember that best piece of advice I can ever give is to be your own expert: Educate yourself on all the possibilities, then come into our office and let us help build you a safe retirement plan to turn your dreams into reality.

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For more information, contact Ryan Moore at [email protected] or visit www.firstfidelityamerica.com.

MONEY MATTERS


5440 Everhart st 7 Corpus Christi, TX 78411 / 361.947.6274 / like us on facebook / la boutique classy & fabulous


Exceptionally Low Auto Rates with

Remarkable

Member Service!

www.gulfcoastalfederalcu.com

Visit one of our 3 Convenient Locations:

Main Office

2633 Rodd Field

C.C., TX. 78414

Staples Office

4677 S. Staples St.

C.C., TX 78411

Alice

1909 E. Main St.

Alice, TX. 78332

“Serving Members Since 1940”


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LIVING OUTDOORSHome & Garden by Ethan Allen extends your livable square footage with quality outdoor furniture in four timeless collections.

By: AMANDA BUTCHEE

iving in an area where the climate allows us to enjoy the outdoors year-round is such a luxury … at least it is in my opinion. I come from Oklahoma (a place where you can experience very dry, hot summers and some pretty frigid, sometimes too white, winters), and for me, the ability to be outside on any given day, basically 365 days a year, sounds nice for a change.

My wonderful husband, Brodie, and I, along with our happy-go-lucky pup, Collins (she’s an adorable 3-year-old mini aussie), moved here this

past July, and we are very much looking forward to a nice, mild 60-degree winter where we can still cook on the grill or cozy up on the back porch with our morning coffee (well, steamed milk for me) and a soft blanket; listen to the soothing songs of the chirping birds and the trickling water from the sprinklers (because we all know watering the yard is a never-ending process if we want to achieve that thick, lush, green grass we so desperately desire); and watch Collins play around in the backyard.

There are a number of factors that bring us outside on a regular basis: pets and children’s play/exercise/fresh-air time, events like birthday parties and barbecues, the relaxation of taking in nature’s beautiful wonders or reading that book you never seem to have the time to read and enjoying leisure activities such as swimming and gardening and landscaping. If we are going to be spending as much of our time out-side as we do inside, why not make our outside space(s) a desirable place to be and invest in quality, all-weather furniture to create invitingly comfortable, yet stylish outdoor living spaces?

Ethan Allen’s well-designed Home & Garden furniture, along with complimentary

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For more information, please visit Ethan Allen in person at 4325 S. Padre Island Drive or online at www.ethanallen.com.

design services provided by a staff of profession-al interior designers, can help you achieve beau-tifully functional outdoor living spaces for enter-taining and relaxing. Whether you need a simple outdoor conversational living space or a grand entertaining area with conversation, dining and cocktail zones, pool-side lounging or even lovely

little sitting vignettes throughout your garden, Ethan Allen has great design, style and color op-tions to suit your every need and want.

Ethan Allen offers four home and garden collections engineered for durability, each with its own distinct style, while still being versatile enough that you can mix and match various piec-

es from one collection with pieces from another. Starting with our most flexible collection, Bis-

cayne features a simply clean modern “X” design detail on each piece, creating a stunning, timeless look. Biscayne is constructed from cast alumi-num because of its nonreactive qualities, and it is finished with a one-coat powder finish in your choice of bronze, onyx or graphite.

We also have two collections constructed from a recyclable polyethylene woven material forti-fied with UV stabilizers and mildew inhibitors, which is applied to sturdy, rust-proof, aluminum frames: Lakehouse and Portico. Lakehouse has more of an open-weave that resembles the wicker styling with a braided trim detail for an updated traditional look. Portico has a tight, bold weave that lends the collection a smooth, casual look.

Ethan Allen’s newest introduction to Home & Garden is Millbrook. Millbrook is our beautifully designed teak collection. Teak is naturally a very strong and resilient hardwood with a reddish tone that will turn to a rich gray patina over time when exposed to the elements. But no worries: This is a natural characteristic that does not affect its strength and can be prevented, reversed or embraced; it’s your personal preference.

All of our indoor/outdoor frames are accom-panied with cushions constructed from antimi-crobial foam cores wrapped in polyester fiber, which are then encased in a water-resistant tick-ing. With Ethan Allen’s selection of performance fabrics, cushions are a great way to make a fun statement or keep it subtle. Add pops of col-or and pattern with throw pillows, accents and flowers.

Indoor/outdoor rugs are also a great way to add some flair; they serve much the same pur-pose as they do indoors by adding a layer of com-fort for standing and walking and anchoring the space by defining the perimeter.

Outside, there are no walls to form boundaries for various areas serving different purposes; as such, it is important to create those boundaries with a rug, a row of hedges or just the orientation of the furniture. Creating boundaries not only designates a specific area for a particular activity, but it also establishes traffic patterns that create flow.

Creating a cohesive outdoor living space can and should take as much thought and planning as the rooms inside your home. It is an extension of your home, and it will add value not only to your home, but to your life, as well. Not sure you can take on such a project on your own? Come in and take advantage of Ethan Allen’s compli-mentary design services.


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There’s something about the chang-ing weather that makes a hardy bowl of soup the most perfect, relaxing way to end the day. This one is mildly spicy, but it has the sweetness of squash. It is also easy on the waistline, so you can splurge a little on holiday desserts. Serves 4.

INGREDIENTS:1 medium purple onion, coarsely chopped 2 teaspoons minced garlic (4 cloves) 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 4 cups uncooked butternut squash, cut into bite-sized pieces 1 teaspoon cumin1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 four-cup carton vegetable stock (not unsalted)1/2 cup red quinoa, uncooked20-ounce can black beans with jalapeños and lime2 tablespoons olive oil Garnish options: avocado, cilantro, green onions, chives, sour cream and cayenne pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:1/ Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large pan or dutch oven. Add onions and allow to caramelize approximately 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, stir to distribute evenly and allow to cook for 1 minute.

2/ In a bowl, toss butternut squash with cumin and oregano. Add to pan with onions, and allow to cook for 5 minutes. Add 1/4 cup vegetable stock, and use a metal spatula to scrape the bottom of the pan (“deglaze”).

3/ Add 2 cups of vegetable stock and dry quinoa, bring to a rapid boil and then add remaining vegetable stock. Bring it back to a boil before reducing heat to medium and allowing to cook 8 to 10 minutes until butternut squash is soft, but still holds shape and quinoa is cooked through.

4/ Pour can of beans through a strainer and rinse so you retain the jalapeños and flavor-infused beans, but do not discolor your soup with the liquid from the can. Add to pot, stir and allow beans to heat through. Remove from heat.

5/ Garnish with desired toppings, and serve hot.

TASTE

Spicy butternut squash and black bean soup: big on flavor and easy on the waistline

A PERFECT WAY TO END THE DAY

By: MANDY ASHCRAFTPhotos By: DUSTIN ASHCRAFT For more information, visit www.

mandyashcraft.com.


Thursday, October 23, 2014American Bank Center • Henry Garrett Ballroom • 11am to 1pm

Thursday, October 23, 2014Sponsorship and ticket information is available at www.ccef-ccisd.org,

just click “State of the District,” or call the CCEF at (361) 695-7412

American Bank Center • Henry Garrett Ballroom • 11am to 1pm

Hosted by the Corpus Christi Education Foundation

SAVE THE DATESAVE THE DATE


FEEL THEWARMTHHoliday Inn Express & Suites and Staybridge

Suites: two great hotels, one convenient location

Special to INSPIRE COASTAL BEND

Whether you are an extended-stay guest or a one-night leisure traveler, Holiday Inn Express & Suites and Stay-bridge Suites are ready to accommodate you. Both hotels have trained their staff in a customer service-focused culture. Guests feel the warmth immediately upon arrival and throughout their stay.

The hotels, both with the InterConti-nental Hotels Group (IHG), were opened in May 2009 at Weber and South Padre Island Drive. They share a parking lot and are managed by ZJZ Hospitality Inc. Both hotels won TripAdvisor Excellence Awards in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

These accomplishments do not come without strong management and lead-ers. The two general managers, Julie Johnson and Kaushik (Charlie) Bhak-ta, are constantly providing their em-ployees with extensive team training programs.

“We have a stellar training program that gets detailed to each department’s needs,” Bhakta said. They also help build morale with the employees by being very involved in the community. “We love to get our employees involved with com-munity events,” Johnson added. “As of recently, we all participated in March for Babies walk.”

Johnson has been in the hospitality industry since 1994, occupying every po-sition from front desk to housekeeping. She began her career at ZJZ Hospitality in 1998 as a front desk clerk at Best West-ern Ocean Villa, and she was promoted to general manager of Holiday Inn Ex-press & Suites-Port Aransas, another ZJZ Hospitality property, in 2005. She is cur-

rently the general manager of Holiday Inn Express & Suites-Corpus Christi.

Bhakta began his hospitality career in 1989. He grad-uated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from New Mexico State University in 1993. He pur-chased and operated his first hotel in 1994 in Alamagor-do, N.M. In 2006, he became part owner and general manager of Holiday Inn Airport-Corpus Christi. He is currently the general manager of Staybridge Suites-Corpus Christi.

Although these properties share quite a bit in common, they vary dramatically in the guests they attract and prospect. Stay-bridge Suites is built and designed as an upscale extended-stay hotel. It is ideal for travelers seeking a residential-style hotel perfect for business, relocation and vaca-tions. Holiday Inn Express & Suites attracts business travelers, family vacationers and those simply looking to relax. They provide their guests with quality and convenience.

To promote themselves, these top-notch hotels rely on an aggressive sales and marketing team. So we meet their sales team: Amelia Isaminger and Amanda Tijerina.

Isaminger is the director of sales at Staybridge Suites-Corpus Christi. Business is ever evolving due to new technology, new markets and dynamic supply/demand factors. As a consistently effective salesperson,

Isaminger understands that staying current with these issues will foster sound, strategic planning. “Every day, I work diligently in developing high-value, qualified clients, as well as reinforcing existing relationships,” said Isaminger, who brings to Staybridge a proactive personality and work style.

Tijerina is the sales manager for Holiday Inn Ex-press & Suites-Corpus Christi. She has been striving

to get new business and, like Is-aminger, to keep current client relationships happy. Tijerina is also the chair of the networking committee for Young Business Professionals of the Coastal Bend. “I feel that enhancing my own ef-fectiveness and marketability by being involved with community organizations and events will help the property I represent to be

promoted, as well,” she said. Together, Isaminger and Tijerina will achieve and

grow local accounts and global partnerships. These women will make the two hotels “fabulously strong.”

Using the shared geography as an advantage, Hol-iday Inn Express & Suites and Staybridge Suites have made their nearness to their benefit. By putting their guests first, they have grown strong account partner-ships, strong team member morale, strong leaders and a strong relationship within the community. By having two great hotels in one location, there is no end to what the team may accomplish together.

For more information, contact Amanda Tijerina at 361-857-7772 or [email protected]. You may also look for the hotels onFacebook: www.facebook.com/hiexpresscc for Holiday Inn Express & Suites, and www.facebook.com/staybridgecc.com for Staybridge Suites.

TRAVEL

ZJZ Hospitality Inc.

www.zjzhospitality.com

www.linkedin.com/company/zjz-hospitality-inc

www.facebook.com/zjzhospitality


SAVE THE DATE! 16th Annual “Las Estrellas y Espuelas” Gala

Thursday, October 16, 2014 Ortiz Center

6:30 p.m.—10:00 p.m. Dinner provided by the Corpus Christi Mustangs, Dance & Silent Auction

Proceeds benefit the HWNT-CC Scholarship Fund Individual Tickets $60 * Sponsorships Opportunities Available

2014 HWNT Las Estrellas y Espuelas Nominees

For sponsorship, ticket sales or silent auction, please contact Linda Benavides at [email protected] or 361-537-4322

Dr. Dolores Guerrero Carmen Arias Dr. Nancy S. Vera Adrian Garza Higher Education Health Trailblazer Community Advocate

Cecilia Perez JJ Johnston Education Corporate


PHO

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Another season, another hair care routine; are you ready? I don’t know about you, but I am super stoked to watch the mercury drop, even if it is just a little bit. Of course, now that the dog days of summer and their blessed friend, humidity, are on their way out, we have a whole new set of havoc-wrecking hair obstacles to combat. Never fear, though: Hair Peace Salon has a slew of tips to take you from poolside sassy to polished and classy.

STYLE

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Follow our advice for making a smooth style transition from summer to fall.

By: LISA BLACK

PolishedFROM

POOLSIDE TO

REALITY CHECK: Your new fall color should work for you. “Go big or go home” isn’t a good motto for changing your hair color. Jumping into a dramatic color change because your favorite celebrity did can be a traumatic experience if it doesn’t fit your color or your lifestyle. There are so many options for you to enhance your look with hair color. If you’re not sure what will work for you, just ask your stylist.

GOOD TO KNOW: Use sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners to keep any color radiant. Ladies (and some gentlemen), turn down the heat on those curling and flat irons to prevent tone changes to your vibrant locks.

Think buttery gold, vanilla, caramels and

pumpkin. And on your way back from picking up that caramel macchiato or that pumpkin latte from

“that coffee shop,” stop by and book your new color appointment with one of

our fabulous stylists.

Uniform and flat is “wiggity whack.” (What?) Bundle up those chocolaty

warm tones, and get dimensional with color

blocking and hand-blended ombres. Don’tbe afraid to step out of

the “crayon” box!

Be bold with spicy auburns and fiery

volcanic reds. Not sure which shade is right for you? Your colorist can

show you swatches and mix up a special formula to perfectly complement

your individual skintone. Don’t be shy!

Blondes Brunettes Redheads

COLOR TRENDS: Bolder, deeper, eye-catching tones are a fantastic way to start the fall season.


GOOD TO KNOW: Stop by Hair Peace Salon, and pick up a trial size Pillow Proof for yourself or a friend. It’s a “must have” product and your new secret weapon against bad hair days – plus, it’s a perfect fit for your purse.

Kiss summer goodbye, but don’t cry. Now that you are armed with these sensational tips, just give a holler: “Hap-py fall, ya’ll!”

IN THE SALON: Try a ChemShot that’s perfectly balanced for your hair needs. It only takes a few extra minutes during your shampoo time, but you reap the benefits for up to eight shampoos.

AT HOME: Redken and Pureology both have an amazing line of leave-in and rinse-out treatments to help you combat dry, lackluster hair. Try 1/ Redken’s Anti-Snap for all hair types, 2/ Blonde Idol BBB Spray for your golden locks or 3/ Pureology’s Color Fanatic. They each pack 21 essential benefits into one bottle. Partial to a rinse-out? Give 4/ Pureology’s Hydra Whip a go. Trust me, you’ll love it!

GOOD TO KNOW: Quite a few of Redken and Pureology’s conditioning treatments pull double duty: They moisturize and also protect your hair from heat styling damage. That means purchasing one product instead of two if you are trying to keep your beauty budget down.

GOOD TO KNOW (PART TWO): No matter how tempted you are to save time by heading out the door with wet hair, don’t do it! The atmosphere this time year will zap that moisture right out of your locks.

For more information, contact Hair Peace Salon at 361-851-8541, or visit the salon at 3636 S. Alameda St., Ste. K, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE: Fierce cold wind, humidity changes, on-trend heat styling and even that perfect new wool coat can leave your hair screaming for moisture. Extra conditioning helps stave off annoying static, too, so nourish those tresses, baby!

TRY THIS: This is the time of year when we have more social events to attend … and they always seem to be scheduled precisely 20 minutes after a long day at work, don’t they? Want to spend less time transitioning from “hard at work” to “hard at play”? Use 5/ Redken’s Pillow Proof Primer before drying. It cuts your drying time by 50 percent, protects your hair from heat damage and gives your style the extra staying power to be, well, “pillow proof.” And if your style falls flat during the day, use a little 6/ Pillow Proof Extender. It’s a dry shampoo that will absorb extra oil and give your hair a little grab power it needs to hold.

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5433 S. STAPLES ST. CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78411

361.991.2559

VISIT US ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

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kristen bily


Style&Substance

Marketing and Media Relations Manager,american bank center

kristen bily

Photos by: dustin ashcraft


words to live by:“Only surround

yourself with people who willlift you higher.”


I have always loved public relations. But I love doing this in entertainment be-cause my days are never the same. At American Bank Center, one week, I am working on a hip-hop show, the next is a country show and I love the vari-ety. My favorite part is on show day, when I walk out on the floor of the arena and the crowd is going crazy! That’s what all the hard work is all about.

My philosophy:Your job is sure to take up a large part of your life, and your attitude is every-thing. If you have passion for what you do, it won’t feel like a job; you will sim-ply love what you do.

Why I lovedoing what I do:


LARGER THAN LIFEHeavyweight champion Mike Tyson talks about his upcoming show, “The Undisputed Truth,” and what fans can expect from this Broadway hit.

By: KRISTEN BILY

MIKE TYSON has long been the most feared man to hold the coveted heavyweight title. His larger-than-life reputation made him a legend both inside and outside of the ring, and his triumphs and sorrows have been front-page news throughout his career.

The truth is, Tyson has seen his fair share of ups and downs, and we continue to be entertained by him. He has truly left a last-ing mark on our culture. At one point, his fans knew him as the aggressive boxer, ready to stand up against anyone. That person-ality has really changed with him making us laugh in “The Hang-over,” and in his most recent show, “The Undisputed Truth,” he takes a real and raw look at his life told by him and only him.

“The Undisputed Truth” has been a huge success, from its start at the MGM in Las Vegas to its move to Broadway at the Longacre in New York, N.Y. “The Undisputed Truth” is now on a nationwide tour, going to 36 cities including Chicago, San Francisco and Corpus Christi’s American Bank Center Selena Auditorium on Nov. 22.

I recently was able to speak with Tyson about the upcoming show and what fans can expect when the champion of the ring gets onstage to tell his story.

Tickets are now on sale for Mike Tyson’s “The Undisputed Truth.” Tickets are available at the American Bank Center box office, all Ticketmaster outlets including select H-E-B and Walmart locations, www.ticketmaster.com and via phone at 1-800-745-3000. Additional fees may apply.

SMG-managed American Bank Center is Corpus Christi’s premier event center providing unprecedented guest experiences. For more information, visit www.americanbankcenter.com, www.facebook.com/americanbankcenter, www.twitter.com (@AmericanBankCtr) or www.instagram.com (@AmericanBankCenter).

ENTERTAINMENT

After much success in Vegas and on Broadway, what made you decide to take this show on a na-tional tour?This was crazy; we were not expecting this! The fans were asking for this show to come to their cities. It was not planned at first, but I wanted to do this for the fans.

How has the transition been from working an op-ponent in the ring to working a crowd onstage? I have become emotionally vulnerable, which is really interesting to me. It’s like being naked onstage, but I don’t participate in anything unless I know I can reach my full potential in it.

With that being said, how do you prepare to get onstage? Do you get nervous? I prepare just like I would for a fight. I head backstage, warm up and get myself mentally ready. I love that adrenaline. I am so ready to give the fans a performance of a lifetime.

What was your preparation process like getting ready for a live show, and how did you prepare?Wow, it was a lot of dialogue and script, but you know, eventually, I began ad-libbing as the show pro-gressed and I got more comfortable. I really enjoy playing off the crowd. This show is definitely not without seriousness and comedy!

This show explores so many moments in your life, from the triumphs to the setbacks. How open are you about all of them in your show?I am very open about everything. I

am ready to be honest with the crowd and stay objec-tive. I don’t see this as the “Mike Tyson” story; I look at it as telling my story.

I saw a clip where you addressed the Holyfield fight. As someone who saw the fight, I thought it was great that you addressed it so personally. How does it feel to have the audience to see that side of you? Great! I stay objective to this because I don’t want my emotions to take over. I want to give all the facts.

What is your favorite part of this show for you?(Laughs) My favorite part is when I play Mitch Green because I get to be funny and get out of character. I put on that wig and become some-one else.

What do you want the fans to take away from this show? I want the fans to feel their own individual emotions … all of it, and I want to hear from them. When they say hi to me at a meet-and-greet, I want to hear from them and what they took from this story as individuals. This show is definitely a roller coaster of emotions.


magine what it would be like if you grew up without ever going out in public. Sure, you have everything you need at home: food, water, a roof over your head and even ways to entertain yourself. It’s comfortable enough, but you have no idea what the outside world is like. Therefore, that world is absolutely terrifying.

Suddenly, your home begins to seem more like a prison. You are trapped within its walls by strangers who may do you harm, loud noises of mysterious

origins and an infinite amount of the unknown. When the day comes that you are forced to go out into the world, you are likely to respond with fear or even aggression.

As you go out more often, you notice that your heart rate goes down, you can breathe a little easier and you can see beyond that wall of fear and into a world that isn’t as scary as you thought it was. You find that instead of living in constant fear of strangers and new things, you are happy to meet new people and to explore the world around you.

Dogs that are not exposed to meeting new people, going to new places or interacting with other dogs feel the same way you would if you never left your home: scared.

It is easiest to properly socialize dogs when they are puppies. Once they are fully vac-cinated, you can take them anywhere that is pet-friendly in order to teach them early on that the world is not something to be afraid of. There are many places in Corpus Christi that allow dogs, including Petco, Petsmart and Half-Price Books. Even some restaurants and bars, such as the Executive Surf Club and Cactus & Vine, allow dogs on their patios. Not only will this experience help socialize your puppy – it is also a great way for you to bond with your furry child.

It is also a good idea to arrange play-dates with friend and family members’ dogs, or even to enroll in puppy training classes so your puppy can learn how to play with other

dogs. Consistent outings like these will help your puppy grow into a well-rounded, friendly and happy adult dog.

Sadly, most under-socialized adult dogs are surren-dered to shelters or even abandoned on the side of the road because their previous guardians saw their issues as insurmountable. Socializing an adult dog can be more of a challenge, but it is not impossible.

When Cairo (pictured) came to the Gulf Coast Humane Society in October of last year, he was very scared around new people and he would become aggressive when han-dled. After a lot of hard work and many hours of gaining his trust by sitting quietly with him, hand-feeding him and giving him tons of treats, Cairo came to trust us and he is now completely comfortable around all of the staff. He is still unsure around possible adopters, but due to the fact that he was given the chance to learn that people are not something to be afraid of, he warms up very quickly.

Unfortunately, when the majority of people go to a shelter to find a dog to bring into their family, they are looking for an instant connection – for a dog to come right up to them and immediately love them. Due to the idea of that instant bond, shy dogs consistently get overlooked and end up waiting for months or even years before they are adopted. In kill shelters, they are often euthanized be-cause they were not able to find a home in time. In reality, the dogs you have to work a little harder to get kisses and tail wags from end up being the most loyal, loving dogs.

In many ways, properly socializing your pet is just as important as spaying and neutering when it comes to keeping the stray and shelter population to a minimum. Making sure your dog is comfortable in new situations and around new people and animals will help prevent behavioral issues in the future that may make it seem like surrendering them to a shelter is the only option. They depend solely on you to keep them healthy and happy, both physically and mentally.

Another way to help is to adopt a shy dog. When look-ing for a dog to adopt, don’t disregard that dog cowering in the back of the kennel. Helping an under-socialized dog come out of that shell of fear is an extremely rewarding experience for you, and it is life changing for the dog that once could barely lift his head for fear of the unknown.

i

The Gulf Coast Humane Society is located at 3118 Cabaniss Parkway in Corpus Christi, Texas. Hours are Monday through Saturdayfrom 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 361-225-0845.

NONPROFIT

Cairo is a 4-year-old rat terrier X who, thanks to proper socialization as an adult, is waiting for his forever home at the Gulf Coast Humane Society.

NOTHING TO FEARThe importance of socializing your dog

By: KAITLIN CALK

SOCIALIZING AN ADULT DOG CAN BE MORE OF A CHALLENGE, BUT IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE.


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361.991.4967FAX: 361.991.2361

TOLL FREE: 866.991.4967

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THEARGENTA

PROJECT

THE ARGENTA PROJECT IS TAKING SUBMISSIONS FOR YOUR NON-PROFIT CAUSE. WE PARTICIPATE IN LOCAL FUNDRAISING EVENTS, SPONSER SPORTS TEAMS AS WELL AS CONTRIBUTE OUR TIME AND DIME TO SEVERAL COMMUNITIY EVENTS. SUBMIT YOURS AT:

WWW.ARGENTAPROJECT.COMOR CALL

361.906.0707

“INVESTING IN THEROOTS OF OUR COMMUNITY.”

inspire coastal bend business october/november 2014

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