From the Editor | August & September 2023
Change is always constant and while many view change as a bad thing, it doesn’t have to be that way. I am excited to be the new editor of Tex Appeal and look forward to the future of this great magazine.
While we (the talented writers, photographers and advertising gurus) may be the ones working behind the scenes, this is your magazine. We are telling your stories. Your stories are all unique and exciting — full of love, compassion and that special something that makes you appealing. We live in the heart of the greatest state in the nation, so what better way to tell your stories than by getting to the heart of the matter.
In this issue, we want you to see what makes Central Texas tick — small businesses. Every time you shop at a small business, you are helping an entrepreneur put food on their table. You are helping a single parent pay for their child’s dance lessons. You aren’t putting money into the pockets of the big business executives, you’re helping your neighbors. That’s what being in a community is all about and that’s why we want to celebrate those small businesses with this entrepreneur-focused issue.
The beautiful ladies from Leap Bounce House are featured on our cover. Heather Shelton and Erica Stone are sisters-in-law and business partners who formed a boujee bounce house business for the local community. Their laughter is contagious and their smiles are as big as the Texas sky. You can check out their story here.
Michael and Priscilla Linnemann opened a unique business in downtown Belton. Level 3 Co-working and Event Center has just about any kind of space someone would need, whether it be for working, a business meeting or even a wedding. Read all about the venture here.
The talented Tonya Warren interviewed Belton’s very own Athena Ellis, owner of Cake by the Lake. Athena shared her story of growing up as a Native American girl from Montana who fought for everything she has accomplished. Athena’s inspiring story can be found here.
Mosey over to Salado to visit Kaye Coachman at 21 Main, but not before you read about her here. The former Killeen school teacher, turned entrepreneur has an eclectic boutique in the heart of Central Texas’ very own “Hallmark” town.
If you’ve ever wanted to become an entrepreneur of your very own, Launch Temple has you covered! David Stone gives up a glimpse into the latest class of enthusiastic future business owners here.
Although it’s not your typical Tex Appeal story, this issue will also feature a special CenTex Safety story about National Preparedness Month. As a sidebar, we will also be catching up with Temple Fire & Rescue’s newest hero, Smokey. Find out more here.
Over the next few issues, you may be seeing some new types of features as we gain a feel for what our readers want to read about. To make room, there may be some regular stories missing from an issue. If you miss something, let us know! As we move forward, we would also value your feedback about our content. What do you like? What do you not like? Do you have ideas you would like to see? Sharing your feedback will help improve this magazine, so please send your feedback to editor@texappealmag.com.
I look forward to all the new friends — that’s you — I’ll be making as I embark on this Tex Appeal journey.
Brandy Cruz
Tex Appeal editor