I am a Social Enterprise Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Cross-Cultural Minister, Author, and Non-Profit Executive Director. While this sounds like a lot, they actually all overlap and extend from my personal mission–to use my talent, experience, and abilities to love God and serve others well. I love to create and connect with others in meaningful ways. I enjoy being outdoors, walking, hiking, and breathing in the fresh air. I love watching the ocean waves, and sunsets. I am not a morning person, but I enjoy quiet mornings where I can be alone with my thoughts, meditate, pray, and prepare for the day. I think more than I speak. I love to travel and experience new cultures through food, art, and faith, and I love Mexico—my second home.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I reunited with my college sweetheart, David, a few years ago, after losing my first husband of twenty-five years to cancer. David and I married in 2021. I have a sophomore at the University of Southern California, four adult step-children that are spread across Texas and in California, and one lovable lab mix, Lola.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Spending twenty-five-plus years in the fashion apparel and textile industry, I led design, merchandising, and sourcing teams developing national and international brands. No longer content to use business solely for profit, I now passionately pursue opportunities to use creativity for a positive impact in the lives and communities of others. My vision to leverage business as a tool to minister to vulnerable communities has led me to launch brands, Casita No. 8 and Common Project Artisan Market. I bring creative solutions that create hope and generate opportunities for better lives. I completed my Master of Art in Cross-Cultural Ministry at Dallas Theological Seminary in 2018. In addition to my social enterprises, I am the Executive Director of Little Things Matter Foundation–a non-profit I launched in 2016 with my late husband, Barry Annino. Our mission is to create opportunities and improve well-being through small-scale investments in Hispanic communities. Our mission was born from my late husband’s story of how a small investment impacted his life, and our love for the people and community in our second home, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Dream Cafe and Glorias for brunch and Scallinis for the best Jimmy’s sausage thin crust pizza, and Jimmy’s Market.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
From 1987, upon graduation from college until 2021, I have lived in East Dallas, with the exception of a few years spent in Uptown.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Croatia, Greece, and Portugal are at the top of my immediate list.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Lord of the Rings.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. ~ Aesop
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Finish a writing project that has been in the making for seven years.
Q: What is your go-to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
I go to my Apple playlist which includes everything from Neil Young, Van Morrison to Eagles, Pat Green, Lauren Daigle and MercyMe.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Barbecs on White Rock Lake. I miss their beer biscuits!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
East Dallas’ unique and authentic soul—from the businesses to the residents— is a diverse, creative, caring community within a big city.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Dividing my time between Mexico, Texas, and new places around the globe.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I hiked 500 miles on the Camino de Santiago, across Spain, and plan to complete more pilgrimages in the future!
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and the best single day on the calendar?
Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday. I love gathering around the table with others and spending the afternoon
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Others that are generous, authentic, and living adventurously. It can be someone I have a first-time chat with or someone I have known my whole life, like my father.
Q: How do you ignite kindness in your community?
Simple acts of kindness; allowing someone else to go before you in line, letting people in front of you in traffic, giving people the benefit of the doubt, and offering a smile, a simple greeting, giving generously of oneself.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Rosemary, Fresh Cedar, Lavender, Lemongrass, and Basil—all combined into a candle scent I created.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Love. Generosity. Forgiving.
