There is an old phrase that says,”a picture is worth a thousand words.” I often wonder what a smile is worth in comparison? Can we put a price tag on a smile and a good attitude? Ironically, in business we can. A simple smile can mean repeated customers, higher customer satisfaction, better revenue and business longevity.

As I was sitting at a local coffee shop enjoying my Cappuccino one day, I couldn’t help but notice a group of individuals in the corner. There was a dry erase board, people were taking notes, smiling and interacting like old friends. Why did they catch my attention?

The Discover the Magic Toy Drive began in 2002 when founder Claudia De Velasco (also founder of Day to Remember, one of our featured businesses) “saw a need for patients at Texas Children’s Hospital to enjoy Christmas just as much as any other child, despite their sickness or failing health.” The first year, they received over 200 toys and participation has increased every year since then.

What do you get when you mix a very talented dancer, a smart business woman and children from diverse backgrounds? Divinity Dance Company, a school that is the vision and dream of entrepreneur Yvette Colbert. Yvette Colbert is a dancer that educates other dancers in her craft. She is also a very intelligent business woman who knows how to manage a company well.

Event planning is one of the best businesses to have in a major city. The wedding industry offers a lot of opportunities. Only the strong survive. For an individual to make it in the event planning industry, it requires a lot of hard work, innovative ideas and a very good product that stands out above the rest.