Gina Puente-Brancato

And to think, Gina Puente- Brancato really wanted to be a broadcast journalist like me!!! I don't doubt she would have been extremely succesful but I think most would agree she found her calling as an entrepreneur. Her father's airport concession business was already successful. However, when Gina came on board it truly became an empire. Not only that, she also had the foresight (and bravery) to start, as far as we know, the nation's only airport winery. That's right, they MAKE THEIR OWN WINE and even have their own label.
What impressed me about Gina is how respected she is with her employees. They love her.
I know you may be thinking "of course they smile when the boss is around." Or maybe you're wondering whether they've sampled the inventory and, afterward, think everyone and everything is rosy. I don't think so. It seems they respect her accomplishments and sincerely like her as a person.
Gina is also very active in the communtiy and encourages other future entrepreneurs.
Gina, maybe you can combine your experience in business with your interest in broadcasting. Watch out Donald Trump! If you have to face Gina in the boardroom.. my money won't be on you!! :-)

CASA

CASA is an organization that I sincerely wish did not have to exist. Thank God they do.
As I explained in the story, CASA is an acronym for Court Appointed Special Advocates.
As their website reads, "Every year thousands of Texas children are removed from their homes because of severe abuse, neglect, or domestic violence. CASA of Collin County's mission is to train community volunteers to advocate the best interests of these children while they are in foster care."
One of the ways CASA fulfills this mission is its Parade of Playhouses. Generous volunteers donate their time and money to build beautiful playhouses which, upon completion, are raffled to raise money.
In the Spotlight story you may have noticed one of these volunteers, Carl Cook. He truly is a man of few words. His demeanor may even be a bit intimidating. But he has one of the biggest hearts for children that I've ever seen. Carl is one of those guys that masks his "soft spot" with a tough exterior. Too late Carl because the secrets out!!! Now everyone knows you're just a big giant Teddy Bear with a heart of gold. He volunteered for several weeks and dozens of hours to build the red playhouse in the story.
By the way, the Parade of Playhouses raised thosands of dollars during the May 7 raffle.
Thanks to all of those, like Carl "Teddy Bear" Cook, who helped raise money for our children.

KEMSE & COMPANY

Kimberly See had a problem. Whenever she shopped for greeting cards and other kinds of stationary, she rarely found people of color. Rather than do nothing but complain... Kimberly went into action and founded Kemsee and Company. Now she provides the kind of stationary she always wanted to have herself.
Kimberly keeps it real. The stationary is colorful and represents the culture of African American families. Not every woman drawn on the cards is built "razor thin" like today's supermodels. No no!! Kimberly likes to showcases the ... how can I say it "proportions"... that more realistically represent every woman.
She's been featured in Essence and "O" magazines and was just included in the Fort Worth Business Press "40 Under 40" edition, which recognizes up and coming entrepreneurs that are under 40 in the Fort Worth area. You go girl!!!
Despite her success there is one dream that is still unfulfilled: a call from Oprah.
Yo Kimberly, when that call comes remember, I get the exclusive!!!

Gift from Grief

I'm a relatively new Daddy, so this story kind of got to me on a very a personal level. Jenny Hander, like any new parent, could not wait for the birth of her twin girls. How devestating to learn that one would not live. I can't imagine the anguish and pain that must have caused her and her husband. However, sometimes through tragedy we discover a strength inside we never knew existed. That is Jenny Hander's story. She truly turned her tragedy into triumph. She received several stuffed animals during her daughter's illness. After her daughter's death, she decided those animals should still have a life for another child experiencing a life threatening challenge no child should have to endure. She would have been completely justified wallowing in self-pity and grief as she recovered from what must have been unimaginable pain. Somehow she took her mind off herself and managed to give away more than toys. She's giving hundreds of children throughout North Texas a reason to smile. And I'm sure her daughter is looking down at her mother and smiling too.

Financial Literacy

I didn't always like school. I guess it was something about the early mornings and continuous homework assignments that just weren't that appealing to me. Ya know?? However, a course on money.. Cha Ching!! Now for that I would have shown up early and stayed late!!!
A lot of kids in south Dallas are also staying late.. taking a course AFTER school on Financial Literacy. What impressed me is that the instructors made teaching fun and the students had tangible evidence of their success... most notably a growing bank account. As I reported in the story, they learn how to write checks, maintain a balance in a savings or checking account, and earn money by doing odd jobs around the Community Center where they take the course. These are life skill lessons they may not learn elsewhere.
The best lesson? Perhaps it's that they learn to separate what they want from what they need. One of the students I interviewed is Barry Ford. He's quite a character... very smart and not afraid to share his opinions. Trust me, he has a lot to say. He's also very insightful. He tells me he definitely wants the "bling bling." (Expensive cars, jewelry and loads of cash for those of you who may not know. Take a look at videos on BET or MTV for visuals) Anyway, Barry says he's learned that before all of these luxuries, he wants to be able to afford the necessities. When I asked what those necessities may be, he told me clothes, food and an education. He REALLY wants to go to college.
A plus young man!!!