Leading with Care: Meet Dr. Candice Hutcheson and the All-Female Team at Children’s Dental Specialists
Discover how Dr. Candice Hutcheson and her team at Children’s Dental Specialists provide tailored pediatric dentistry while remaining deeply rooted in the Richardson, TX community.
☕️ Brewing Change: How Counsel Brew Co-Founders Bring Insight—and Fun—to the Airwaves
Meet Shereen El-Domeiri and Nicola Hobeiche, the dynamic co-founders and co-hosts of the podcast Counsel Brew, which launched in May 2024. Dropping a new episode every two weeks, their conversations are described as the best kind of coffee date: meaningful, surprising, and fun. The Co-Hosts: Law, Life, and Laughter Both Shereen and Nicola are attorneys working as in-house counsel and proud graduates of SMU Dedman School of Law. Though they grew up in Texas, their large extended families overseas keep their perspectives beautifully wide. They initially met after law school while studying for the bar exam. Since then, their careers have intertwined multiple times. The co-hosts are both moms, proud children of immigrants, and firm believers in the power of humor, caffeine, and connection to navigate life’s challenges. They actively support their communities through civil service and involvement in professional organizations. The Inspiration Behind “Counsel Brew” The duo created Counsel Brew to keep their partnership and laughter going, but with a clear purpose: to inspire others and themselves. They aim to share the experiences and knowledge gained over the last 20 years and create a safe and inspiring space for the next generations. They are also passionate about highlighting everyday heroes whose stories aren’t widely shared. The “brew” in the title comes from a shared tradition of pausing midday to connect over coffee or tea with family—a ritual of connection they hope to pass on. Defining the “Path to Badassery” The podcast focuses on “paths to badassery,” which the co-founders define not by titles or resumes, but by: Resilience. Authenticity and experience. The courage to keep rewriting your own story. They are drawn to guests who have faced challenges with grit and grace, who embrace the “messiness” of life, and who lead with heart. ⚖️ The Legal Edge: Structured Empathy Their background as attorneys significantly influences the show. They approach conversations with structure, empathy, and a dash of cross-examination flair, but they also know when to “ditch the script”. Their legal experience taught them that every person’s story has many layers, and within each unique experience lies wisdom that can guide others. The podcast uses three key questions—favorite brew, path to badassery, and something ridiculous (stupid sh*t)—but they embrace the spontaneity of unscripted conversations. A Purposeful Pause and Future Growth Counsel Brew itself reflects the importance of taking a purposeful pause. Whether it’s 10 minutes for coffee or an hour recording, the pause is a reminder to slow down, connect, reflect, and dream. This personal practice is a way to show their children that meaningful work doesn’t require “running on empty”. Looking ahead, they aim to grow the podcast community and audience. They are also working on a new project focused on professional development for attorneys transitioning to in-house counsel. Ultimately, they hope Counsel Brew continues to remind listeners, especially women listeners, that there is strength in connection, beauty in imperfection, and always time for another cup. Read more content like this at Richardson Life Magazine.
Emerson Cox Renfro: Cultivating Community and Sustainability Through Compost in Richardson
The Compost Corner: Turning Scraps into a Movement By Patti Otte When Richardson resident Emerson Cox Renfro founded The Compost Corner in May 2023, she set out to turn everyday kitchen scraps into a movement. What began as a personal homesteading hobby has blossomed into a vibrant local business dedicated to teaching others the art—and joy—of composting right here in the community. What is Composting? Composting is the natural process of recycling organic waste—like food scraps, coffee grounds, and yard trimmings—into a nutrient-rich soil mixture called compost. Microorganisms, worms, and beneficial fungi break down these materials over time, creating a dark, crumbly substance that: Improves soil health Retains moisture Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers Drawing on her background in hospitality management and more than a decade in the restaurant industry, Renfro combines creativity, passion, and a keen eye for detail to educate clients about the many benefits of sustainable living. Education, Entrepreneurship, and Organic Treasures Through speaking engagements, classes, vendor booths, and now book signings for her debut children’s book Mama’s Mulch, Renfro shares practical how-to tips and inspires families to reduce waste and nurture their own gardens. Her Instagram feed is filled with videos on the fine art of composting, making the process seem simple and approachable. The Compost Corner is more than just a compost supplier. Renfro offers: Fresh compost, tools, and supplies online. Charming merchandise. A variety of organic goods at festivals and farmers markets, including seasonal canned goods, eggs, and sourdough starter kits, straight from her Richardson backyard homestead. Renfro has coined two playful yet powerful mottos that reflect her commitment to the environment: “Waste Not, Love Rot” and “Make Compost Great Again!” These guiding principles emphasize her belief that small, sustainable habits can make a big difference, keeping valuable nutrients out of landfills and returning them to the earth. A Business Built on Community Roots A Dallas native, Renfro and her family settled in Richardson’s Canyon Creek neighborhood in 2021, transforming their home into a flourishing homestead. After the birth of her daughter Joy, she sought a way to blend entrepreneurship with full-time motherhood. Introducing backyard chickens led naturally to composting—and eventually to a thriving enterprise. For Renfro, the key to growing a business is simple but profound: networking. “Word of mouth goes a long way,” she says. “Start conversations about your passions and build relationships—you never know what doors will open.” The Compost Corner is proudly a one-woman operation, embodying Emerson’s dedication to sustainability and community education. To learn more, visit thecompostcorner.com or follow @thecompostcorner on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Ly Tieu: Owner of NOMIS Catering
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://richardsonlifemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/File-1.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]By Patti Otte[/author_info] [/author] In 1980, a young Vietnamese man, his pregnant wife, and their eight children boarded a boat headed for freedom in the United States. During the journey, the expectant mother delivered a baby girl on the boat. That little baby would wait seven years to meet her father, as he was caught during the journey and sent to prison. That baby girl made it to America with her mom and siblings and began a new life. She is entrepreneur Ly Tieu, owner of NOMIS Catering and a familiar face in Richardson. The Early Years When Tieu’s dad came to the US, he wanted to open a family business. That restaurant, named Quoc Ly Restaurant after Tieu, was a place for her not only to learn the value of hard work but also to discover the power of community. Tieu recalls, “The mayor would stop by a lot, teachers from our school would come in for lunch, and our friends would come in to try our food.” She loved making people happy by serving them her parents’ culinary creations. Tieu credits her work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit to her parents. As a young woman, Tieu was a stay-at-home mother to her four children and had a part-time position at Prestonwood Baptist Church as a Special Needs teacher. For five years, Tieu juggled motherhood, teaching, and her work as the manager of The Drawing Board, her brother Tim’s co-working office space in Richardson. But life took an unexpected turn for Tieu and her family. A Business Built from Heartache Almost six years ago, Tieu suffered a devastating loss when her oldest son, Simon, was tragically killed in a car accident. After Tieu lost Simon, she stopped making special meals, opting instead for simple dinners with her three children. However, she hosted a big party every year on Simon’s birthday and on his goodbye anniversary. She’d invite all his closest friends and family and serve food buffet style. Thankfully, that tradition planted a seed in her mind, and one day, it just clicked. She thought to herself, “Start your own catering business! Name it after Simon!” NOMIS Catering She is now the proud owner of NOMIS Catering. The name is an homage to Simon: it’s his name spelled backwards and pronounced “no-miss.” NOMIS Catering specializes in charcuterie boards: themed charcuterie boxes, charcuterie trays, and grazing tables. Tieu makes everything fresh and uses top-quality ingredients. States Tieu, “I pour my heart and soul into my work. There’s so much satisfaction in seeing my customers enjoy my food down to the last crumb. I appreciate all the feedback that I get and I thank Simon every time an order is fulfilled.” Life Beyond Catering While Tieu says she will never stop missing Simon, she has three other children, Sari, Ty, and Evi, who, she says, are the reasons she wakes up each morning. She and her children have lived in Richardson for the past six years. Tieu credits her ability to survive both the grief journey and life as a single mother to the proximity and unwavering support of her extended family. Tieu has also enthusiastically immersed herself in the Richardson community. She was in Leadership Richardson’s Class 38. States Tieu, “It was an amazing experience for me. It allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and has helped me build up my confidence and leadership skills. I met the greatest people and learned so many things about the city of Richardson.” She also recently joined the Citizens Fire Academy and hopes to one day participate in the Citizens Police Academy. For more information or to place an order, email nomis.catering@gmail.com or call 469-630-5793. Follow Tieu’s business on Instagram @nomis_catering.
Rozie Deloach-Zimmerman (Owner and Principal Luthier at Caraway Strings)
My family has been involved in the orchestra world since before I was born: my mother was a public school orchestra teacher and my father started a separate instrument rental business in the Arlington area, in his later years.
Ariel Gunn (Owner, Yoga Chikitsa)
Tell us about yourself, Ariel. What three adjectives best describe you? And have you always been an entrepreneur?
I am strong, sincere and driven. I have a Bachelor’s degree (major in sociology and minors in psychology, art, and criminal justice) and held a corporate job for many years, but it wasn’t my calling.
Allison Taylor (Entrepreneur Allison Taylor of Taylored Monogram Shop)
My name is Allison Taylor and I own Taylored Monogram Shop (TMS), which has been open since July of 2023. We just celebrated a year!Tell us about your shop. What are your specialties?
Brianna Ruelas Music
Brianna, you are such a talented and multi-faceted entrepreneur…musician, speaker, author, wife, mom. For those who don’t know you, how would you describe yourself and your business?
Chelsea Jacobs (Owner, Yellow House Story Shoppe)
My name is Chelsea Jacobs and I have had the joy of running my little bookshop since 2019. After hosting book weekends in my home, I moved to a booth in Richardson’s Cottonwood Market in 2020 and have since opened a second location in the coffee shop at Central Commons in Highland Park. I can also be found online at http://yellowhousestoryshoppe.com.
Nicole Gregory (Owner of Staycation)
What is your name, and how long have you had Staycation? Is that the full name of the shop? Nicole Gregory, yes, that is the full name. I opened Staycation in November of 2021. Tell us about Staycation. What makes it unique among coffee shops? I think what makes any concept unique is the heart and energy of the people who gave life to it. The heart and energy behind Staycation is simply about the enjoyment of simple yet beautiful things, moments, and conversations alongside other humans. Does Staycation have a motto? If so, what is it and why did you choose it? Our tagline is “stay awhile.” I think it speaks for itself, especially in tandem with the brand name. I felt like coffee shops were becoming more geared towards the remote worker and by association, this age of productivity that we live in, and I wanted a space that was geared towards “staying awhile” with a friend, with yourself, in conversation, in contemplation, in a moment—slowing down enough to maybe do nothing but savor the present moment and sit with it. Who is your typical customer? One of the special qualities about Staycation is that it is a space for ALL, and that is truly what we get. All age ranges, all life backgrounds, all social statuses. It’s a mixing pot of beautiful life. What inspired you to open Staycation, and what is the inspiration for the name? This question is a complex one for me because I did not set out to be a sole business owner when this project began. I was in a partnership with an individual, and when that partnership came to an end, I made the decision to build the company and give it life. The inspiration behind the name comes from the ethos I’ve operated within throughout my time in the coffee industry: it’s an idea around living a life that we do not have to “vacation” from in order to find rest. An idea around balance, around honoring the “new” in the middle of lives that we so often equate to ‘normal’ and ‘mundane routine.’ Life is magical, and being alive is material enough to always be in wonder and curiosity—if we are willing to slow down our pace and experience and savor it. After sharing these ideas with my ex-business partner, he said, “Staycation fits that,” and so Staycation it became. Do you live in Richardson? If so, what brought you here? If not, what made you decide to locate your business in our city? I lived in Richardson until I was 11 and now live in East Dallas. Richardson came up through a series of events, and when the little house on the corner was proposed, I knew it fit well with everything that rang true to me for a coffee shop brand. I have also been a longtime fan of Richardson’s diversity in its population and its food and cultural scene. I wanted to be a part of that. What made you choose the house where you located the coffee shop? Through a series of introductions, I met the developers who own the house, and discussions began for a coffee shop. Because I tend to love what most would label “the simple way of living,” having an old house as a backdrop for the brand seemed absolutely fitting. What is your background? Have you always been an entrepreneur? My background is a simple life. I grew up within the Mennonite community and spent my childhood in the garden, exploring the woods on our property, cooking, sewing, and learning about LIFE. Due to that free and untethered way of growing up, I believe I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit in me and even though I’d go on to work for corporate companies, I’ve always operated within a certain rogue mentality, if that makes sense. What are three adjectives that describe you? Passionate, Creative, Authentic What skills do you find most necessary in running a new small business? I believe the skills I’ve found most necessary for me have been the ability to say “no” and perseverance. What do you look for in a team member…especially in a barista? Authenticity and life-giving energy. Are there certain menu items that are unique to Staycation? What is your best-selling drink? Our Ginger Turmeric latte is unique to us. I make all of our syrups, and that one is made from boiling down ginger and turmeric root into a syrup and it is absolutely delicious. Our top seller is probably our Dulce De Leche latte. Share with us a funny or awesome story of having a business in Richardson. The amount of awesome stories I have is unending. Probably the one that has stuck with me most is when our back communal table got taken over by a Bible study group and a Muslim group, both on opposite ends. They were all regulars, but I was so curious how that seating union was going to pan out. After about an hour and a half of listening to them laugh together, open their Bible and Koran and share stories and similarities, I realized that THIS is what makes Staycation IN Richardson so special: this interfacing of diversity that supports, nurtures and encourages conversation/interaction outside of where our normal routines take us. Anything else you’d love for your neighbors to know about Staycation or you? Life is the most precious gift we’ve all been given and to spend it here— on this planet that’s teeming with magic and organic complexities (that we still cannot fully comprehend)— is truly special and I hope that as a person and as a brand, I never stop inspiring people to honor and take part in its beauty. Nicole and Friends at Staycation Staycation Interior Evening at Staycation A Perfect cup Staycation’s backyard