Lake Cities Living Magazine February 2022

FEBRUARY 2022

NTX PDR

paintless dent

REPAIR 10 HOT

RESTAURANTS W ITH OUTDOOR PATIOS

5 THINGS TO D O D O G PA R KS

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contents

REPAIR

ARTICLES

03

ARE YOU ALLERGIC TO YOUR PET?

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10 HOT RESTAURANTS WITH OUTDOOR PATIOS

TA B L E O F

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NTX PDR paintless dent

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FOODIE FRIDAY DFW: FLURRY’S MARKET + PROVISIONS

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ANIMAL MOVIES - FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

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SHERIFF’S CORNER WITH SHERIFF TRACY MURPHREE

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INSIDE COMMUNITY & EDUCATION

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MATTERS OF THE HEART

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5 THINGS TO DO

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FIVE REASONS TO ADOPT A SHELTER PET

FEATURED

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BLANKETS OF LOVE

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SENIOR PAWS - HELPING SENIORS FEED THEIR PETS

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LEARNING LEGACIES

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Publisher of Murray Media Group, kelly@murray-media.com Publisher & Editor Scott & Kelly Murray

Administration

GET OUTDOORS with your

I

FAMILY and pets

have a long-time friend who, just like me, loves eating at local restaurants. But while I won’t pass on a chance to sit out on the patio at my favorite eatery with Scott and the kids, she insists

on sitting indoors. When we plan anything between our families, the same is true — she’d prefer to do everything indoors.

Needless to say, we don’t always see eye to eye.

I’m not sure what side of the fence you’re on in this argument, but now that we’re past the latest version of February winter storms in Texas, it’s high time we break from our crotchety routines and get outdoors.

In this month’s issue, you’ll find fun pet articles, including one that features 10 of the hottest local restaurants with outdoor patios. One of our writers even pieced together a list of the best dog parks. The point, ladies and gents, is that we spend way too much of our time indoors. Think about it — we’re inside for work, school, home life, restaurants, movie theaters, shopping malls, etc. Every once in a while, it’s nice to take the dogs for a walk at a nearby park or spend the day having a picnic with the family.

I may never convince my friend to change her ways. And that’s fine — I’ll love her like a sister forever. But she’s not going to change me, either. So I’m going to put my laptop up and head outside.

Who’s coming with me?

Thanks for reading, and enjoy this month’s issue!

Managing Editor Jana Melton Sub-Editor Bobbi Byrne

Writers

Caylie Howard, Steve Gamel, Diane Ciarloni Jade Kensington, Jean Eisenmann Leena Duwadi, Mark Miller

Advertising Inquiries

sales@murray-media.com

Production

Graphic Designers Mish Cunningham-Scott Cayla Thompson Arynn Tomson Hallie Preece

Photography

Miranda Longoria Photography Your Candid Memories Photography What’s That Guy’s Name? Photography by Guy T Live Beautifully Photography

Letters

Lake Cities Living invites reader feedback, story suggestions and general comments.

Email artwork@murray-media.com.

All submissions become the sole property of Murray Media Group.

Editorial Inquiries Call Caylie Howard at 972.899.3637 or email editor@murray-media.com www.Murray-Media.com Address: 3513 Yucca Dr., Ste. 200 Flower Mound, TX 75028 Lake Cities Living is published monthly by Murray Media Group. Some articles and/or content may be sponsored by advertisers. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. Lake Cities Living is not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Advertisers and its agencies assume all liability for advertising content. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without the permission in writing from the publisher. © 2022 Murray Media Group

Sincerely, Kelly Murray 6 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | FEBRUARY 2022

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NTX paintless dent repair

by Diane Ciarloni | photography by Miranda Longoria Photography

J

ohn Thompson enjoys meeting new people and striking up easy conversations, making him a prime candidate for a variety of sales positions.

“PDR started in the 1980s, and I had a brush with it in 1999. Most of my family has always been

hands-on automotive people so I wasn’t a stranger to that type of work. But, in 1999, I was just too young and not ready to move off in a completely different direction.”

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“

At frst, everything I did was on a mobile basis.

PDR doesn’t require large, specialty equipment. I use hand tools.

That’s it.

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Wonderful, but where would Thompson take the vehicle? He had no shop.

“I called my mentor, who said to bring it to his place. I did. We fixed it, and things started moving in the right direction for me.

“At first, everything I did was on a mobile basis. PDR doesn’t require large, specialty equipment. I use hand tools. That’s it. It was kind of a ‘Have-tools-will-travel’ operation.

Nearly two decades later, the stars aligned for one of those silver lining events.

Thompson was involved in a custody battle for his son, Samuel. He needed a job that was not sales and commission. He found one. It wasn’t his first choice, but it gave him what he needed at the time. With full custody of Samuel in writing, he fanned the embers of his former interest in PDR. “I found a training school in California that offered classes in Texas,” he explained. “I enrolled for an 80-hour course. After that, I found a mentor and began working with him.

I still had my full-time job, but I knew I was getting close to something really good.”

That “something good” was North Texas Paintless Dent Repair.

“I stayed with the full-time job until my mentor told me I was ready to fly and make money,” Thompson recalled.

Suddenly, his innate sales ability returned to full-force action.

“I started going to dozens of dealerships and asking if they had a PDR expert,” Thompson said. “Finally, after about two months, I stopped at a Subaru dealership that had a hail-damaged car but no PDR. They asked me to take it, and I said yes.” cont... www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

FEBRUARY 2022 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 17

cont...

“My first goal was to have a real, brick-andmortar shop. I have one now, in Denton. I’ve also hired my first independent contractor. My plans call for hiring two more.

“I’m working with five dealerships, which gives me a steady workflow,” Thompson explained.

“At this point, I’m actively seeking more retail and individual business. That, for the most part, is a function of time; of getting my name and my brand out there,” Thompson shared.

With the proliferation of franchises, Thompson notes he is the sole owner of North Texas Paintless Dent Repair.

“My roots are here in North Texas,” he stressed.

“We don’t chase storms for our business. We’re here. We’re local. We’re here to stay.”

Are there specific advantages to PDR? “Yes,” Thompson answered.

“For starters, it’s much less expensive. We seldom need to replace any parts, which means there’s no need to send the vehicle to the body shop. The factory paint is the best paint job your vehicle will ever have. That means we’re actually bringing value back to your car.”

Thompson is relentless in taking the necessary steps for building a solid reputation for NTX PDR. “I’ve brought in a lot of people to the shop as prospective employees,” he said, “but, in the end, they just don’t measure up to our standards. I let them go because the entire system must function at the highest level.

“I have no intention of ever giving up my mobile work. It’s a tremendous convenience for our customers and adds something special to our service menu.”

Thompson does admit to one shortcoming.

“There are times when I wish for more business experience,” he said, “but I’m gaining more every day. I also have someone who helps out in that area.

“I have no regrets about my decision. And the best part? I’m happily remarried with a wonderful blended family with my wife Laura, my new daughter Savannah, my son Samuel, and my oldest daughter Madisun who has given us two grandbabies.”

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