June Pristine Connections

pristine connections EXPERT ADVICE FROM YOUR OWN DFW PROFESSIONALS

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What Is Pristine Connections Group?

PCG is not your typical networking or marketing organization; we are a blossoming community dedicated to fostering meaningful connections within shared and cross-functional realms of business. It goes beyond being a mere business initiative and transforms into a dynamic ecosystem where businesses and professionals come together to collaborate and thrive.

Why is PCG Relevant?

Pristine Connections Group is highly relevant in today’s business landscape because it recognizes the significance of connections and our collaborations.

In a world where success often hinges on the strength of your professional relationships, PCG provides a platform that prioritizes these connections.

It is relevant because it brings together skilled professionals who share fundamental values, such as exceptional capabilities, dedication to client service, community enrichment, team collaboration and ethical business practices. By emphasizing these principles, Pristine Connections Group ensures that its community members are well-equipped to navigate the challenges of the business world and achieve lasting success.

Pristine Connections Group brings significant value and benefits to both individuals and businesses through the following key aspects: Exceptional Capabilities: PCG utilizes professionals who excel in their respective fields offering opportunities for growth and learning.

Leveraging the collective expertise of our members expands and enhances the overall client experience.

Dedication to Client Service: Collaborating within this community ensures that you work with professionals who share your commitment to client satisfaction.

Leading to consistent client relationships and business success.

Community Enrichment: PCG believes in giving back to the community it serves. Members actively engage in initiatives that contribute to the betterment of society.

By aligning our businesses with a sense of purpose, PCGs commitment to local enrichment brings benefit and value to the community.

Team Collaboration: Collaboration is at the heart of what Pristine Connections Group stand for.

Members understand the power of working together, pooling resources, and harnessing our collective expertise to achieve remarkable results.

Fostering a spirit of innovation, growth, and mutual support among individuals and businesses.

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Ethical Business Practices: Pristine Connections Group places a strong emphasis on ethical business practices.

Honesty, integrity, and fairness are nonnegotiable values within the community.

This commitment to ethical conduct not only builds trust it also contributes to sustainable business success.

In summary, Pristine Connections Group is a relevant and valuable community that empowers individuals and businesses by encouraging meaningful connections, cultivating ethical values, and facilitating collaboration. A platform where professionals prosper, where connections are nurtured, and where collective strength propels each member forward towards sustained success in this dynamic world of business.

JOSHUA KOEHN / MICHAEL SMITH EDITOR TEAM

PRISTINECONNECTIONS.ORG

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JOSHUA KOEHN: LANDSCAPING, ROOFING, & NETWORKING

JEREMY MAY: PRESSURE WASHING

LIANNE BROWN: EDUCATION CONSULTING

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KAREN LAINE: PHOTOGRAPHY

PRISTINE EVENTS

EDWARD CAREL: CUSTOM HOME BUILDING

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LEVI PERRY: AUTO HAIL & DENT REPAIR

LIZ SANTAMARIA: WEALTH PLANNING

GAVIN BARNETT: SEO & WEB DESIGN

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BECOME A MEMBER OF PRISTINE CONNECTIONS

CRYSTAL JOHNSON: REAL ESTATE

CHRIS MCDANIEL: ROOFING & REMODELING

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GEORGE GUTIERREZ: HEALTH INSURANCE

NIELSEN HERNANDEZ: ROOFING & REMODELING

LOCAL EVENTS

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KIM MCCARTY: REAL ESTATE

KEITH MCCARTY: REAL ESTATE

ASHLEY FURR: ENTREPRENEURSHIP & NETWORKING

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ANDREW HABERMAN: MARKETING

LENNARD GILHAM: EVENT SPACES & CIGARS

ROBERTO GONZALEZ: PRESSURE WASHING, CLEANING & STAINING

28 MEMBER CONTRIBUTORS

Episode 1: Joshua Koehn From entrepreneur to master connector, our first podcast kicks off with Joshua Koehn, CEO of Pristine Landscape and Lighting, Pristine Roofing and Outdoors, and founder of Pristine Connections Group.

In Joshua’s podcast, we dive into the benefits of networking and working with professionals in different industries.

Joshua inspires us with stories from his start in the construction industry, as well as his vision for his different companies.

He emphasizes why it’s important to understand the challenges it takes to start companies from the ground up and how leaning on your network is crucial to building a successful business,

Leaning on our competitors for learning opportunities and even collaborations helps us build our network and find new opportunities.

No business is created equal, regardless of whether you’re utilizing the same resources or if you’re in the same location. Being resourceful and thinking quick on your feet will help you stand out when others stay traditional.

In order to stand out in your industry, you have to be able to have a better product and sell it better than your competition.

For comments, questions, or business inquiries, contact Joshua at pristinelandscapeandlighting@gmail.com.

Episode 2: Jeremy May Jeremy May talks about how he got into the pressure washing business and gives advice for young entrepreneurs.

Tune in to Jeremy’s episode to hear an amazing story of overcoming obstacles and starting a business from the ground up!

Starting his business from scratch, he’s grown his social media following and does an amazing job of highlighting his happy clients and completed projects.

For comments, questions, or business inquiries, contact Jeremy at 4texsoftwash@gmail.com.

In his podcast episode, Jeremy talks about overcoming obstacles he’s faced growing up and in starting his business.

He also encourages entrepreneurs to look past their present circumstance and see the opportunity ahead, recognizing that most obstacles are a learning opportunity to put you ahead of your competition instead of something that’s getting in the way.

Episode 3: LiAnne Brown In her podcast, LiAnne notes how important it is to understand not only your employees and their personalities, but also to grasp the education they need to succeed in their respective careers.

Training materials have evolved over time, and the way individuals learn differs from one another. How materials are thoughtfully delivered starts within the company through management and leadership.

There is a huge need for quality course design through education consulting, especially as books are being rewritten with the wealth of information available.

The most important takeaway is to understand your type of learning and the preferred type of learning for your employees—whether it’s hands-on, skillbased, or memorization—and then streamline your content to fit that assessment for employees at your company.

As technology continues to evolve, so does training.

For comments, questions, or business inquiries, contact LiAnne at lbrown@genesiseduconsulting.com.

Episode 4: Karen Laine How has photography changed over the years? We've progressed from sepia filters to black and white, and now to full color.

And the way people are photographed and published has evolved as well, shifting more towards digital than print.

Karen's primary focus is to help individuals feel beautiful in their own skin through various life events. Whether it's weddings, maternity shoots, or simple family photos, the goal is to capture the art and beauty of each person in those moments.

Photography is a journey with constant learning opportunities. There's an old saying that the best camera is the one you have with you.

Regardless of your experience, there's always something to learn. Every moment captured by a camera is one you’ll save forever.

Capturing photographs in vulnerable moments has become increasingly popular, and Karen's passion is to capture every detail and aspect of life's precious moments, ensuring that the person behind the camera feels like the best version of themselves.

For comments, questions, or business inquiries, contact Karen at Karen@karenlaine.com.

Pristine Events PRISTINE CONNECTIONS POKER NIGHTS EVERY OTHER MONDAY 6-8 PM LG’S CIGAR LOUNGE ALLEN, TX

WEEKLY PRISTINE CONNECTIONS MEETUP EVERY TUESDAY, 930-11AM BOOMERJACK’S FAIRVIEW, TX

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Episode 5: Edward Carel We spend a lot of time daydreaming about our future homes and what every aspect and detail will look like. From blueprints to the design studio, there are so many intricacies that go into building a custom home.

Edward Carel dives into the details of the custom homebuilding process and how he established such a successful brand.

Buying a home is the largest investment of your life, and having a mentor to guide you through each step of building a custom home is crucial. Each project can take anywhere from a few months to over a year to complete, depending on the client and the building process.

Increased material costs have posed challenges in the real estate industry, but being adaptable and resilient helps guide homeowners to their completion and move-in date.

Life events account for a significant portion of moves, and finding that perfect home in a buyer's market can make it challenging to secure the ideal space. Effective communication, respect, and a strong work ethic are essential in attracting repeat clients.

For comments, questions, or business inquiries, contact Edward at Edward@legacyhomecarepro.com.

Episode 6: Levi Perry North Texas has experienced some of the most severe weather to date, particularly hailstorms. Levi Perry plays a crucial role in educating customers on the significance of hail damage and its implications with insurance carriers, emphasizing the efficiency of paintless dent repair (PDR) in automotive rebuilds.

The practice of paintless dent repair is becoming more popular due to the complexities and costs associated with replacing or matching parts' paint colors.

Perry navigates the landscape of big box retailers and insurance providers to educate his clients on repair options and damage assessment.

Both personally and professionally, Perry emphasizes the importance of networking to sustain and strengthen relationships, which in turn boosts referrals.

Establishing a solid rapport with a trusted body shop and maintaining a positive relationship with insurance providers is crucial. Having a reliable partner who prioritizes relationship-building is invaluable for families seeking to save on repair costs in a for-profit industry.

For comments, questions, or business inquiries, contact Levi at leviautohail@gmail.com.

Episode 7: Liz Santamaria On this episode of the Pristine Connections Podcast we sit down with Liz Santamaria to discuss the importance of wealth planning for families.

Having a plan in place to protect your family's assets if someone passes away is important for the future of your children, grandchildren, siblings, and parents. Liz gives us great advice on where to begin as the process can be overwhelming for many families.

Liz shares heartfelt stories about her own family growing up that led her down this career path and why educating her clients is so important.

Her main focus is business owners who are looking to cover their business assets, estate planning, and taxes. She shares that it’s okay to start slow and accomplish one task at a time as long as you begin somewhere. It may seem costly to start but Liz explains that in the long run, if something were to happen to a family member, the costs to pick up the pieces are much greater.

To learn more about Liz’s story and how she can better advise you and your family, check out the rest of her episode.

For comments, questions, or business inquiries, contact Liz at elizabeth.santamaria@nm.com.

Episode 8: Gavin Barnett Young entrepreneurs can build successful businesses, especially through website design and SEO. Gavin Barnett has taken a successful family endeavor into his own hands and turned a small business into a huge success. Having an entrepreneurial mindset and leveraging resources creates a lifestyle free to focus on family and personal interests.

Many high school students, much like Gavin did, are opting out of college to pursue their own interests, whether that means taking a gap year or entering the business world without a degree.

When it comes to SEO and website design, it’s crucial for potential clients to understand that optimization takes time.

It's important to have a comfortable budget and an open mind toward the SEO process. Whether starting a business or using company resources to enhance marketing and SEO, it's essential to have a strong budget capable of expanding customer reach.

It’s crucial to find your niche in your industry. Attempting to do too much at once can lead to failure in many areas. As the saying goes, “Jack of all trades, master of none.”

For comments, questions, or business inquiries, contact Gavin at gavin@clickwisedesign.com.

Episode 9: Crystal Johnson Navigating the ups and downs of the real estate market amidst a changing economy requires hiring a real estate professional.

Crystal guides us through the nuances of the current real estate market, emphasizing the need to focus on minor details that significantly impact your largest investment—whether buying or selling.

Each market, from DC to Dallas, presents unique challenges. Establishing strategic partnerships with vendors such as lenders, appraisers, title companies, and home inspectors can make or break a deal.

The influx of relocations to Texas, coupled with major life events, has led to heartwarming stories that Crystal shares with us on the podcast.

Successfully navigating a transaction from A to B requires considerable resources.

Drawing from her experiences both with Congress and as a real estate agent, Crystal's key takeaway has been learning from mentors and peers while advancing through various roles to achieve success.

For comments, questions, or business inquiries, contact Crystal at crystal-johnson@kw.com.

Episode 10: Chris McDaniel Chris McDaniel emphasizes work ethic, drive, opportunity, and education as foundational to his business philosophy. His passion for remodeling fuels both his motivation and the thriving business he manages. On Chris’ podcast we explore client expectations, his project approach, and why he values learning opportunities beyond his immediate project scope.

Chris' commitment to educating clients about every step of the remodeling process comes from his belief that informed clients make better decisions, minimizing potential pitfalls such as mismatched paint colors or costly errors.

His proactive approach ensures projects run smoothly, despite the numerous complexities and involvement of multiple stakeholders in roofing and remodeling ventures. At Pristine Roofing and Outdoors, Chris excels in transforming modest assignments into exceptionally executed roofing and remodeling projects.

He embraces each task with a meticulous eye for detail, ensuring every client's expectations are exceeded.

For comments, questions, or business inquiries, contact Chris at chris@pristineroofing.org.

Episode 11: George Gutierrez Health insurance is not easy to understand, and it’s important to have knowledgeable health insurance agents on your side as the industry evolves.

George sits down to explain the ins and outs of health insurance, how his team takes care of their clients, and why it’s so important to understand your policy.

Referrals and networking have been crucial resources for George as rates continue to soar and policies undergo constant changes.

Over the years, while everyone had a health insurance policy, few discussed the details or truly understood how it worked. You don’t always need to rush off to the ER or Urgent Care.

You can easily call MD Live, a service most customers have access to. This not only saves time but also reduces costs significantly. Additionally, being truthful about ongoing health issues when creating a policy is very important. Underlying health issues can significantly impact a health policy, and the financial impact can be astronomical. Regardless of age, it’s essential to pay attention to your health insurance policy, coverages, deductibles, and payouts.

Lean on your health insurance agents for any confusion, questions, or understanding how your policy works in different scenarios. For comments, questions, or business inquiries, contact George at Gutierrezggf220@gmail.com.

Episode 12: Nielsen Hernandez Nielsen Hernandez shares his perspective on what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur in the roofing and remodeling industries. At Black Gold Exteriors, his focus is on customer service and always doing right by his customers.

His expertise lies in kitchen and bath remodels as well as roofing repair and installation. When it comes to quality of work, Nielsen prioritizes providing all available options and allowing the customer to decide what works best for their situation.

Not all insurance carriers pay out, and it’s important to understand your deductible in case you need to have a roof replaced.

Some insurance carriers will only pay out 20 to 30%.

Because of this, it's crucial to educate yourself on your policies, talk with different insurance carriers about coverages, and learn from your peers through networking.

Whether it’s a remodel or a roofing job, Nielsen’s focus is on the customer first. To be a successful entrepreneur in the construction industry, you need to be wellversed in other vendor opportunities and expansion. Consider focusing on franchising opportunities or becoming a one-stop shop for all construction needs to set yourself apart from the competition.

For comments, questions, or business inquiries, contact Nielsen at sales@nielsenspr.com.

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Episode 13: Kim McCarty In this episode, we sit down with Kim McCarty who alongside her husband, Keith, runs a highly successful real estate team at Keller Williams Allen. Kim is no stranger to real estate and her long line of family members in the industry helped pave the way for her success. Kim dives into the importance of team members and education which is why she chose to lead classes at the KW Allen office.

Her number one advice for the next generation working on their licenses is to work as an assistant to really learn the ropes and the process of transactions.

There is a wealth of knowledge that you can get from each client. Maintaining professionalism and clear communication will set you apart from the competition.

Kim also touches on the importance of continuing education and learning from within the brokerage and different teams.

Whether it’s new rules, updated documents, or simply sharing current listings and buyer needs, agents have access to a wealth of resources.

Representation in Real Estate isn’t necessarily a requirement but is important to document with the upcoming changes for Realtors in the industry. Kim explains the NAR settlement regarding commission splits and buyer representation agreements and how this will impact new agents.

For comments, questions, or business inquiries, contact Kim at kimmccarty@kw.com.

Episode 14: Keith McCarty In this episode, we sit down with Keith McCarty, the other half of the McCarty Group Realtors with Keller Williams Allen.

We discuss what it looks like to work as a husband and wife team, the importance of leaning on family and network, and where their kids stand with joining the family business.

When purchasing their largest asset, it can be overwhelming for most, especially for first time homebuyers when there is a lot of inventory. If the timing of a purchase is unfeasible for a current prospect, Keith and his team will work with their clients to lease and have a game plan for future purchase options when the time is right.

Keith’s background was in healthcare before coming onboard under his wife. He talks a lot about burnout and why he needed to take a break and focus on sales as his own boss. He finds that helping clients purchase their largest asset is more fulfilling than seeing hundreds of patients per day.

New home builds have been a great asset to helping families because builders are currently offering great incentives. Keith and Kim strive to provide an open platform of communication as they continue to scale their real estate business.

For comments, questions, or business inquiries, contact Keith at keithmccarty@kw.com.

Episode 15: Ashley Furr Ashley takes us down her career path and explains how she has navigated different industries. We talked about the importance of enjoying your job in a world where everyone is stuck in a 9-to-5 routine.

Ashley argues that not everyone needs to attend college to have a successful career.

Lean on your network of peers, especially if you are just starting out in your respective industry.

Make time for yourself and your family, and don’t let a job get in the way of life.

Companies succeed because their employees succeed.

Leadership starts from the top, and utilizing your employees' strengths and weaknesses is what sets you apart.

Be open to business coaches, networking opportunities, and mentors, whether they are in the same field as you or not, because you never know what new opportunity lies ahead. All it takes is one “yes.”

It’s imperative that people find their “why” when it comes to serving others and themselves.

For comments, questions, or business inquiries, contact Ashley at ashley@beefyverse.com.

Episode 16: Andrew Haberman From corporate employee to marketing agency owner, Andrew takes us through his journey as a successful entrepreneur.

Being able to quickly learn from testing to understand what works and what doesn’t can set your marketing apart.

Most mid to large sized companies hire marketers to within their marketing department. However, for the typical business owner, leaning on a marketing agency is usually the way to go, providing more flexibility, transparency, and accountability.

When a lot of the marketing industry is pushing towards AI generated content, Andrew still believes in the value of having real marketers create, review, and publish all pieces of marketing to protect your reputation and give better experiences to your clients.

Andrew’s approach to marketing it this: if your customers wouldn’t like, comment, or share a marketing piece, you probably shouldn’t publish it. Having great creatives is the first step towards successful marketing.

For comments, questions, or business inquiries, contact Andrew at andrew@beefyverse.com.

Episode 17: Lennard Gilham LG with LG’s Cigar Lounge educates us on how cigars are hand picked, what the consumer wants, and how pricing affects shops across the industry.

For LG, it’s important that his atmosphere is inviting for everyone, featuring a large bar, meeting rooms, and an open lounge area to create a welcoming space.

He’s grown his following and clientele by tailoring his large space for smoking and non-smoking events for Allen residents and surrounding areas.

Learning the cigar industry takes craft and skill much like a sommelier, noting the flavors and unique differences of each type of cigar and cigar manufacturer.

He features DJ’s, bands, vendor booths, and other events that benefit charities while creating a space for everyone.

Check out his latest episode to learn more about LG’s story and what led him to starting a successful cigar business here in DFW.

Having worked in the hospitality industry with various hotels and restaurants, LG wanted a space where he could make a center for his local community.

For comments, questions, or business inquiries, contact LG at lgscigarlounge@gmail.com.

Episode 18: Roberto Gonzalez Roberto Gonzalez talks about starting a family business with his brother and how his parents joined the venture.

He gives us advice about being a young entrepreneur and how learning a new business right out of high school has shaped his success. Roberto and his brother created Wash Broz, a power washing business that services both residential and commercial clients. They offer a wide range of services such as driveway cleaning, trash can rinsing, fence repair and staining.

Power washing is a seasonal business much like landscaping but leaning on peers and networking has helped form new business ideas for Roberto and his brother.

Moving into the holiday season they started a Christmas light installation business. Not only does this help them during the offseason but it also provides clientele for their power washing business.

While their business is only a few years old, they have paved the way for new opportunities and continue to service clients and educate them on the risks and benefits of power washing and upkeep of their homes and commercial properties.

Tune into Roberto’s podcast to learn more about Wash Broz and get more advice on how you could start your next business! For comments, questions, or business inquiries, contact Roberto at washbrozcompany@gmail.com.

member contributors Edward Carel Legacy Home Care www.legacyhomecarepro.com edward@legacyhomecarepro.com

Gavin Barnett Click Wise Design www.clickwisedesign.com gavin@clickwisedesign.com

Michael Smith Pristine Roofing & Outdoor www.pristineroofing.com michael@pristineroofing.com

Karen Laine Karen Laine Photography www.karen-laine.com karen@karen-laine.com

member contributors Joshua Koehn Pristine Landscaping & Lighting www.pristinelandscapingandlighting.com pristinelandscapeandlighting@gmail.com

Joshua Kane Northwestern Mutual

Drew Kirkpatrick Chiropractor www.healthcochiro.com info@healthcochiro.com

Elizabeth Santamaria Northwestern Mutual elizabeth.santamaria@nm.com

member contributors Chris McDaniel Pristine Luxury Remodeling (417) 763-2250 chris@pristineroofing.org

Mitchell Williams Best Biz To Buy, LLC (682) 732-7355 Mitchellbestbiztobuy@gmail.com

Susie Parker Life Wave (214) 883-2731 info@susieparker.biz

Nielsen Hernandez Black Gold Exteriors (469) 457-1799

member contributors George Gutierrez (254) 265-5371 J.gutierrezfield@ushadvisors.com

Levi Perry Independent Claims Consultant leviautohail@gmail.com

LiAnne Brown Genesis Education Consulting (817) 663-3584 lbrown@genesiseduconsulting.com

Lennard Gilham LG’s Cigar Lounge (240) 498-2859 lgscigarlounge@gmail.com

member contributors Sameer Bham (469) 408-7201 sameer.bham@thrivent.com

Jeffrey Ellison Elite Foundation Repair (469) 939-9799 info@elitefoundationrepairs.com

Dave Patton Grace Contracting Group (469) 544-1399 dave@gracecontractinggroup.com