We Are Here to Help: Saving Companies Hassle
In this video, Schooley Mitchell Optimization Specialist Matt Nagy explains how he can save you the hassle of dealing with vendors and negotiating the prices your business deserves.
Interview with the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce
In this video, Schooley Mitchell Strategic-Partner Mary Pociask has a virtual conversation with the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. Mary explains what Schooley Mitchell does and how her services can benefit any company across the US and Canada.
Recommendation Letter for RoadBuilders Machinery & Supply
To whom it may concern:
It is a pleasure to write this letter in recognition of RoadBuilders Machinery & Supply. Founded in 1985, RoadBuilders Machinery & Supply is the leading construction equipment distributor in the Midwest, servicing Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri.
RoadBuilders Machinery & Supply has a wide selection of new, used, and rental construction equipment. This includes bulldozers, compactors, excavators, motor graders, wheel loaders and more. It also has an extensive parts inventory and offers onsite service for your convenience.
Not only does RoadBuilders Machinery & Supply have fantastic equipment, but it also has a great team. They are extremely knowledgeable about the industry they serve, and their clients’ needs. They work hard to provide their clients with quality equipment and consistently great customer service.
I highly recommend RoadBuilders Machinery & Supply to anyone looking for new, used, or rental construction equipment. With RoadBuilders Machinery & Supply, you will always receive outstanding products and service!
Sincerely yours,
Darren Morris
Strategic-Partner
Schooley Mitchell
Interview with Suyen Stevenson of Yen Graphics LLC
In this episode, Schooley Mitchell Optimization Specialist William McKissock sits down virtually with Suyen Stevenson of Yen Graphics LLC. Suyen explains the impact Yen Graphics’ designs can have on your business and how each design is customized to meet your unique needs.
Jim’s Tips: Lack of Options
In this video, Schooley Mitchell Strategic-Partner Jim Lichtenberg explains that you have more options than you might think, when it comes to expense reduction.
We Are Here to Help: Interview with John Bacon | Business Cost Reduction Consultants
In this video, Schooley Mitchell Optimization Specialist Matt Nagy has a virtual conversation with the Founder of PayThrive, John Bacon. John explains the benefits of working with a payroll broker and how PayThrive can help your business.
Renee Fair of Trustee Capital LLC Interview
In this episode, Schooley Mitchell Optimization Specialist William McKissock has a virtually interview with Renee Fair, the key decision maker with Trustee Capital, working alongside her husband Andre. The company provides a valuation service as well as looking at robotic and automation solutions to streamline services that enhances enterprise value.
Check out Laclede Chain Manufacturing Company LLC
If you haven’t heard of Laclede Chain Manufacturing Company LLC, you should check it out! It’s a fantastic company that has manufactured quality industrial and tire traction chains for over 160 years.
Interview with Shellie Fenelon of Marketing That Works
In this episode, Schooley Mitchell Optimization Specialist William McKissock sits down virtually with Shellie Fenelon of Marketing That Works. Shellie talks about how she got into marketing and how she can help businesses improve their brand using her marketing strategies.
SM Spotlight Lone Star Roots
To many, the word ‘big’ is synonymous with Texas. While this is certainly accurate in a geographical sense, Texans are also well known for their large, welcoming hearts. This is especially true of Carrie Ermence, the founder and CEO of the Texas-focused lifestyle brand Lone Star Roots.
The company’s story actually began 1000 miles north, inside a garage in snowy Illinois.
In the early 2000s, while living in Chicago, Carrie and her husband Mark regularly gathered with family to discuss the possibility of starting their own business.
“What began with garage talk quickly moved to porch talk and basement talk and patio talk and pool talk,” says Carrie. “We just kept talking and felt like we really needed to make this idea a reality.”
Through these chats, ideas continued to grow and the couple decided to start a lifestyle brand. With a relocation to Texas in 2006 and an escape from the harsh Midwestern winters, the Ermences went south and never looked back.
“You know that saying, ‘I got here as fast as I could?’” says Carrie. “Texas instantly felt like home.”
As the family quickly settled in Frisco, they began immediately planting their roots. Carrie found work as a kindergarten and first grade schoolteacher, allowing her to assist, and rewardingly contribute to the local community.
“We are active in our community and lead by example,” says Carrie. “It is really important for us to give back to causes we believe in.”
But the idea of starting their own business was never far from their thoughts. 2016 saw the beginnings of a trademark process, and the first giant steps forward to achieving their long-held dream.
Carrie and Mark excitedly began to incorporate their values and Texas pride into their new venture, and in April 2020, Lone Star Roots was born!
“Inspired by the Texas spirit, we provide hip, comfortable, fun, stylish apparel and gift boxes,” says Carrie. “We have t-shirts, hats, coasters, tumblers – you name it!”
If the company name alone doesn’t give it away, the sheriff badge logo design (and its appropriate colors that match the flag of Texas) certainly adds to the Lone Star State feeling – which includes a map of the state marked with a heart.
“We designed our logo very intentionally to include the heart over Texas, and in particular the Dallas and Fort Worth area that quickly became our home,” says Mark.
This added touch is particularly meaningful to the family as the heart not only symbolizes their love for the state but also serves as a tribute to Carrie’s late father, who passed away in 2019 from heart disease.
“Heart disease prevention and cardiovascular health is very important to us, and we run a campaign through our website that donates directly to the American Heart Association in his memory,” says Carrie.
Like many others, the Ermences have seen plenty of highs and lows over the last 12 months, as running a business during a worldwide pandemic has come with its fair share of challenges.
Carrie saw this extra time at home as an opportunity to further discuss ideas and eventually came up with a game plan to partner with a local sports team.
“One day we sat down, looked at each other and decided to make it happen,” says Carrie.
As sports fans with a keen interest in their local basketball team (and minor league affiliate of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks), the Texas Legends, Carrie and Mark thought they had a clear starting point to engage their local community and leverage their passion for the Legends.
According to the couple, the interest was mutual, as the company recently announced an official collaboration with the Legends.
“We picked the name Lone Star Roots to not only represent the roots we’ve planted in Texas, but also the importance of rooting for your team and supporting local athletes,” says Mark.
So, what’s up next for Lone Star Roots? Spurred on by their partnership with the Texas Legends, the couple are discussing further collaborations with organizations that share their values.
“There are lots of exciting times ahead” says Mark. “We’ll continue developing the product line, continue growing the brand and continue to dream big” — Texas big!
The Ermences are always proud to say that their first product order came from Australia — solidifying the idea that no matter where a Texan moves, their roots always remain attached to home.
“To see our products being shipped across the country and the world is awesome,” says Mark. “We’re proud to give people the chance to have that little piece of Texas with them wherever they live.”
