How do I love Bob Armstrong? Let me count the ways. Bob is a montage of so many things... all in one nice little package. He's meaty...cheesy...with a little sass mixed in...I love-me-some-Bob-Armstrong and I can't seem to stay away. Everytime I think I can just say no, alas, no control. Bob and I recently re-connected after many years absence and I am ashamed to say I am a tad obsessed now. He's so amazing that even my sweet husband approves! Lucky me!



It's ok! Bob is not some long-lost love or hottie who I've kept under wraps 'til now! Get your mind out of that gutter. Bob Armstrong is the off-the-menu tantilizing appetizer available at Frisco's newest gem-of-a-dining-experience, Mattito's. Located on the northeast side of booming Frisco Square, you can't miss the vibrant storefront that faces a busy Main Street. Their patio is always bustling, especially during happy hour. You can't help but smile when driving by. It is a welcome addition to that fast growing area of town. And the fact that it takes about three minutes to get there from my house? Oh boy. That's a whole 'nother conversation. (It's like when we moved in right across from the new SuperTarget, I just knew they would all be calling me by my middle name soon! It's just way to convenient. If I could JUST buy stock in ONLY the SuperTarget/Eldorado store...)

Let me tell you how I first heard about Bob Armstrong. I used to work at 99.5 The Wolf in Dallas, and my office was at Maple and Oaklawn. Mattito's, located in Uptown off Cedar Springs, was the first restaurant I ever ate at with some people from work. When Katherine, one of my co-workers ordered the Bob Armstrong, I inquired, "Where's THAT on the menu? I don't see it!" She smiled and answered as if she had THE best-kept-secret, "It's not! You just have to ask for it!" (Talk about word-of-mouth at its best!) The BA Dip consists of ground beef, guacamole, cheddar cheese and sour cream. Bob Armstrong may not sound like a genius creation, but it's the queso that makes it extraordinary, in my opinion. So creamy...it's SO delectable!

So go to Mattito's. Ask for Bob Armstrong. The server will know exactly what you want! My tip: I like to eat mine with corn tortillas instead of the chips. I can get more of BA on that tortilla than on a chip and in some crazy way, I can rationalize to myself that Bob Armstrong is just a "little" more healthy for me!

As one of my first radio sales managers told me many years ago, "The only thing constant (in life) is change." How true that is!

CHANGE: Many people thrive on it. Some learn from the past and use it to grow further in their personal or professional journeys. Others retreat and go into their own selves, depressed, face anxiety and become upset that their seemingly status-quo world has been turned upside down. How naive of people in that latter category to truly believe that life can stay at such a comfort level for any length of time.

I have never bought into the thought that "things as they are should stay that way; shaking things up is unwelcome; we've always done things this way/this is how they should always be." WHAT? Where is the LIVING with that? Where is the chance to experience a personal growth experience with that? Some of my favorite people are those who are constantly reinventing themselves. I think it takes so much drive and confidence to just "do" because they can. Not because others THINK they should; I am talking about those people being the instigators, the initiators, the LEADERS. Those that recognize a possibility that something could be better than it is now, not knowing how it might be done, but knowing they WANT it be done and can visualize a reality.

Think about some of the most influential people in history...how about Alexander Graham Bell, for example? Do you think he knew HOW he was going to invent the first telephone device? He just knew he was GOING to do it and believed. And he did! Thomas Edison...where would we be without his huge contribution to our world? It's mind boggling to think of all the greats throughout history who didn't know how something would be accomplished, but they just knew they would "figure it out." They didn't want to be happy with the status quo.

Recently, I said goodbye to the corporate world (which goes along with bye-bye to the corporate paycheck!) to venture out on my own. For almost 19 years (see my first blog below), I have been involved in so many areas of the media and have helped countless business, small and large, grow to new levels. One thing has been consistent with every job I took throughout that time: I wanted to help businesses grow. I wanted to be their "idea" person; I didn't just want to sell them something. The companies I worked for were (very good!) vehicles for helping them get there, each with their own merits and drawbacks. MANY, many times I referred other media and other solutions that didn't net me a dime, because I knew it was in the best interest of the client. I know the power of "what goes around, comes around" and I have never been proven wrong with that thought.

So, here I am, starting my own ad agency/marketing firm focusing on small to mid-sized businesses, really wanting to target Frisco businesses. I am literally *just* getting started, and I know I have the determination to make this successful. I see it. And I am so excited! It's very liberating. I'm passionate about helping other people succeed; that will never change. It's who I am.

No better time like the present, right?

Taking a risk never felt so good.

Wow, has it really been 3 weeks since I wrote last? Appears that way! Time has really flown. We have had so much going on the last few weeks and have really enjoyed the various campaign events meeting people from all over Frisco. It's very humbling when someone offers to open his/her home and invite neighbors to "get to know Matt".

So today, 30 days from today to be exact, is the election. May 10. Amazing how it seems just like yesterday that we announced Matt's intent to run for the seat of Frisco Mayor. Matt is termed out of being on City Council, and the current Mayor can't run again either. We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for us. It seems like daily, people come from out of nowhere pledging their support! God is so good to us.

Lately, people have asked me is if I am ready to be the "First Lady of Frisco." I had not really ever thought of that, quite honestly, because I feel like we are already living that life, helping others whether through public service, community volunteerism, and even work. I've done it my entire life, always being "the helper" in one way or another and LOVING every minute of it. Matt has been on City Council 6 years, so when he is Mayor, it is not going to be a new concept to him to be in the limelight or a new way of life. The newsletter he produces (that goes out to about 40k folks weekly!) takes 8-10 hours a week to compile, and that will continue. It provides a lifeline between him and the Frisco community. It has become an invaluable resource, being so accessible to citizens and knowing what's going on in Frisco. People know that if they have an event going on in town that Matt Lafata's e-newsletter will get the word out. People count on it to help make their events successful. It's a pretty amazing responsibility, when I think about it that way.

By the way...most people don't know that the position of Mayor is not paid. We aren't that kind of government here in Frisco. We have amazing Frisco City employees who run the day-to-day operations of the city. Matt is fortunate to work for a company that is not only flexible in his work arrangements, but the whole office is encouraging and supportive of his candidacy for Mayor. It is pretty cool that his office, HRchitect, is right across from City Hall. Talk about convenient!

Well, the thing that is taking a lot of my time, for the next few weeks anyway, is the Mrs. Texas United States pageant. This is the 4th year I have held it in Frisco (our host hotel is the Westin Stonebriar for the 2nd year), it is a 3 day event, and women come from all over the state to win the title and represent Texas at the Mrs. United States competition in Las Vegas this summer. Most people don't know that I own the franchise for Texas, and do most of the legwork prior to pageant weekend (Matt is a huge help with the fundraiser we do!). This includes recruiting the contestants, marketing the pageant (which even included TV advertising this year), getting judges, setting agendas, contracting with the hotel, setting up meals, setting up the excursions, ordering the trophies & flowers, producing a full program book, etc etc. It's extremely time consuming, but I LOVE it. Married women do so much for others that sometimes, they forget about themselves. This weekend is all about rekindling her self-awareness of WHO she is. I tell people it's a fun, girls' weekend! We take them and their husbands on a dinner cruise on Lake Lewisville one night and to the Frisco RoughRiders ballgame another. We have lots of fun!

Again, I feel like I am incorporating my desire to help other people reach their goals by using the vehicle of the pageant. Many women do it just for a fun experience, which is awesome, but some do it to further causes near and dear to their hearts. Plus, the pageant is a fundraiser for AutismSpeaks (as I mentioned in my first blog, my nephew is autistic). We gave the organization a $2000 check on stage last year! I love helping people achieve their goals, in whatever arena it may be.

It's interesting because I have SIX women from Frisco competing in the pageant this year. The final show is Sunday, 4/27 at Wakeland's High School Theatre here in Frisco. You can get tickets online at www.mrstexasunitedstates.com. Internet People's Choice voting will begin soon, too, so check back often to vote for your favorite contestant to win that special People's Choice award!

That's it for now. I work full time as well and need to get back to work helping other small businesses grow!

Have a wonderful week.

Hello everyone! I have blogged in the past through another website, but thought I would move it to Blogstream since Matt says it's been great for him. I love writing my thoughts down; in fact, I used to work for a local newspaper when I was a Senior in high school, first as a feature writer and photographer, and then as a managing editor. It's a great way to set aside time just for me...to write what's on my mind and just relax for a few minutes.

Below is my bio...to get to know a little about where I have come from, and what's going on in my wonderful life now. Promise my blogs won't be this long in the future!

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ABOUT ERIKA

After winning her local Lions Club charity contest during her Senior year of high school for her numerous achievements during her high school career, Erika volunteered as the contest director for the next 9 years. During that same time, she was given the license for four years to produce a local preliminary to Donald Trump's Miss USA©/Miss Teen USA© state preliminaries, Miss Texas USA© & Miss Texas Teen USA©. She has the distinct honor of having two local winners win the highly competitive Miss Texas Teen USA© competition title back-to-back in 2001 & 2002, with one eventually becoming 3rd runner up to Miss Teen USA© 2001. Erika has judged, been a coach/mentor to contestants, emceed and consulted numerous like-competitions. Working with young women to develop their potential has always been a passion of hers.

Erika was a charter member and former Vice President and twice Past President of the Bay City Coastal Lions Club, where she also served on the District 2S-4 Governor’s Cabinet in Publicity/Marketing. She spent a lot of time traveling around the state speaking to various groups about the humanitarian causes of Lions Clubs International.

Professionally, Erika has had a career in the media for 18 years, including newspaper writer, photographer & managing editor; in radio as on-air talent (DJ) for 6 years in the Houston and southeast Texas area, as well as ad sales & promotions for 5 years; in cable TV ad sales and production for 8 years; and as talent, lending her voice & face to scores of radio & television commercials & industrial films locally to internationally. She has worked for clients such as Kroger, Foley’s, Oshman’s, Sakowitz, Pier One Imports, and Academy Sports & Outdoors.

Erika has been recognized in the radio & television industry a number of times for her sales accomplishments, including being the Dallas local market recipient of the Comcast Spotlight’s President’s Club Award 2004, and was named the CBS Radio President's Award Winner 2005 for the Dallas radio market’s six stations.

Erika moved to Frisco in May, 2002 from Bay City, Texas. For many years she was a church minister back in her hometown and at St. Francis of Assisi in Frisco as a Lector and also on the Diocesean level, serving on the Youth Ministry Resource Team. Additionally, she is the past Secretary of the American Women in Radio & Television Dallas-Ft. Worth Chapter, & past member and Ambassador of various chambers of commerce in southeast Texas. Additionally, Erika is proud to be a graduate of the Frisco Citizens Police Academy Class 20.

Erika is passionate about helping other businesses grow, and draws from her 18 years of diverse media experience to help find effective marketing solutions for them. She currently works for a cable advertising rep firm in Frisco, is on her second term to serve on the advisory board for the National League of Junior Cotillions—Frisco Chapter, and is the Public Relations/Marketing Co-Chair for the Boys and Girls Club of Collin County Chrysalis Ball 2008. Additionally, Erika is a former winner and now holds the Texas franchise license (Mrs. Texas) for the prestigious Mrs. United States® competition for married women. This spring will mark the 4th year she has produced it, with families coming from all over Texas to experience what Frisco has to offer. It doubles as a fundraiser, having given money to the Cancer Monument Fund and Autism Speaks. (Her nephew, Luke, is autistic.)

Erika has three sons, ages 15, 10 and 4 who keep her very busy with their respective activities, including baseball, soccer, basketball, and cooking classes. Combining all of that with Matt’s three children (ages 15, 13 and 8) and their activities makes for a very busy (and fun!) household!

Something interesting about Erika's family is that she also has five younger brothers, and grew up as the oldest and only girl. This is exactly like Matt's daughter, Kaleigh, who heads the six kids as the oldest and only girl! Additionally, Erika was born on her mother's birthday and Kaleigh was born on Matt's birthday.