Common Threads

Figuring out your true passion takes time and my conversation with Leigh Acord (Watson) shows you how long that journey can take.After painting a mural of a tree for her sister's nursery in 2001, she slowly built a book of clients by doing what she loved on her free time while working in the corporate world.Leigh decided to follow her heart and launched Watson Murals (formerly Watson Design) in 2004. Since then, Leigh has thrived on taking a broad concept from a client and turning it into something that speaks directly to that person, whether it be a mural in the bedroom of a five-year-old boy or a larger than life showpiece in a venue where thousands of patrons will see it and be inspired.Watson Murals has been a smashing success and if you don't believe me.....take a look at her clients on her webpage (were talking Fortune 500).Be ready to be inspired and laugh hard in this episode.https://watsonmurals.com/

A trip abroad to London during her junior year at the University of Texas helped Leigh make the move to New York City after graduation in 1999. In New York she picked up valuable sales experience at Getty Images, a company that was in the process of becoming a juggernaut of its industry. (Were talking about Facebook type of dominance in the Social Media space) In 1995 Mark Getty founded Getty Images by 2006 he sold it to Hellman & Friedman for $2.6 billion (today's value is 3 billion with an estimate annual revenue of 1 billion). Leigh moved back to Austin, Texas in the mid aughts and found another inspirational founder in the wine company Scout and Cellar. Our conversation shows that she loves to talk about the grape and the clean crafted process for wine making.Opening Song - Can't Do Without You by Caribou Ending Song - People Everyday by Arrested Development

Hawdy tawdy gosh almighty who the hell is she!She is Jessica Roan and she is the co-founder of Interior Philosphy in Atlanta, Georgia.Jessica worked as buyer for Saks Fifth Avenue in New York before relocating to Atlanta to work in merchandising for Ballard Designs. She opened Interior Philosophy in September 2007 with Mandy Mayers. They now are working with customers daily and collaborating on projects for the clients who have enlisted their design services.Interior Philosophy has been featured multiple times in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyle which serves as a definitive guide to cultivating Atlanta style, offering unmatched entrée into the area’s most inspiring residences.Opening Song - Better Place by GodfordEnding Song - Ben Folds Chat Roulette Fun in concert 2013 https://youtu.be/vhJyX08GecU?t=35

Nestled next to Fishing World on West Lovers Lane is one of the best spots in Dallas to grab a cold beer while contemplating your steak for the evening. It's not an ordinary steak. It's Wagyu Beef. Storm Sands and Tasso Ziebarth deliver an informative session on the Wagyu difference and the success of The Meat Shop.The Meat Shop’s entire beef selection is certified all-natural, hormone-free, antibiotic-free, grass-fed and grain-finished Wagyu Beef from Rosewood Ranch. Other offerings include hormone and antibiotic free pork, all-natural chicken, and a selection of smoked and cured meats and cheeses.

THIS INTERVIEW IS WHY I AM DOING THE SHOW!Who knew that Laura had a perfect score on her math section of the SAT and has been working for one of the premier real estate asset managers in the United States????? Did you? A humble but tough negotiator, this excel whiz talks to John about the future of the office and her role at KBS real estate. This conversation was/ lifted from the Paper Bash interview so apologies for the sound cuts.In 1991 KBS real estate was founded and operates prime commercial real estate in some of the most successful markets in the country. As of September 2020, the firm has $42.7 Billion worth of transactions in the commercial real estate market. Laura joined the firm around 2000 so she must be a valuable asset for Messrs Schreiber & Bren. Oh and also she is a mom of 2 with a healthy residential business -Laura is working for Allie Beth on the residential sideMusic - Intro - Hopes Up (Drama)Exit - Princess Diamond (Kero Uno, Kelsey Bulkin)

Paper Bash! What is it?Well it is one of the more interesting startups in Dallas and a trending store on Etsy. It was inspired by Jessica Roan and her success with Interior Philosophy in Atlanta.We all know that when Elizabeth and Laura get together on a project, something great will happen and I have a feeling that Paper Bash will be around for a long time.