Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristine Schwope.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I moved to Dallas in 2000 to work for major convention hotels including the Adam’s Mark (now the Sheraton) and the Anatole — respectively the 6th and 9th largest conference hotels in the U.S. When I first moved here, I knew exactly ONE person and they were over 45 minutes away from where I lived. In an effort to meet new folks, I began to volunteer. I asked around my workplace for suggestions and heard everything from Crystal Charity Ball to young professional auxiliaries. I balanced work with volunteering at Ronald McDonald House once a week and began to meet amazing people who cared about helping others.
When the tech economy (which was my target market) hit a major speedbump in late 2001, I went to work for the Dallas Regional Chamber in International Business planning special events for foreign delegations and for our executives who were visiting abroad and through that experience I became interested in influencing Big D to be a better place for the best and brightest from the world to call home. The Chamber opened my eyes to being involved in civic leadership and I began to serve on community boards like the Women’s Council of Dallas County with the late great Jan Pruitt. I even called my city councilman in Lake Highlands to see about serving on a city commission. Little did I know, that I’d still be serving on that commission TODAY close to 15 years later.
While I worked at the Chamber another three years, I continued to meet changemakers — people who saw a need and didn’t wait for someone else to take action but charged ahead. Sheryl Fields Bogen, a trustee of the M.B. and Edna Zale Foundation, is a perfect example of this. She had moved back to Dallas from Atlanta and was sitting on the board of the Vogel Alcove, an agency dedicated to helping homeless people to have quality childcare so they can pursue finishing their education or gainful employment so they can transition to stability. When they would move into their own apartments, they didn’t have money for furnishings which aren’t given through HUD funding. She knew it didn’t feel like a real success for folks to have their own roof over their heads but have to sleep on a blowup pool rafts. She founded the Dallas Furniture Bank and I had the privilege in my early 30’s to serve as board chair. I made lots of mistakes but learned from each one thanks to the grace of the board members I served with. The most important lesson I took away was that we rise by lifting others. Literally– lifting them off the floor where they were sleeping and into dignity. It changed my desire to work in the corporate world instead of the nonprofit arena.
Upon marrying and having a family, I left the Chamber to form my own business as a nonprofit consultant. Class Act Creative Solutions was born. The name spawned from my recollection that my great-grandfather classified someone who stood by their word and performed with excellence as a “class act.” I knew I wanted to live up to that standard and to achieve success while supporting others.
I began by planning events for clients like the North Texas Food Bank in partnership with the Dallas Cowboys for Taste of the NFL — who doesn’t love a gourmet chef showcase that raises enough to feed over a million North Texans in need? My volunteer work deepened as I was an active member of the Junior League of Dallas and was exposed to more diverse non-profits. Outside of business, my role on the Community Development Commission (CDC) for the City of Dallas opened my eyes to the incredible need for affordable housing. I served for four different council people for that commission and after many years of learning the ins and outs of HUD financing and how $27 million a year doesn’t spread nearly as far as we’d like it to, I was named Chair.
Today, Class Act is serving a variety of clients– most of them are non-profits. Many of those agencies focus on preserving healthy families– through the prevention of child abuse, the protection of human rights, or the support of education as a key to prosperity. It interweaves integrally with my community service and allows me to bring expertise and advocacy into my day to day tasks. Dallas ended up being a PERFECT place to live and serve.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I love the quote, “I never lose. I either win or learn.” because in my life it’s absolutely true to embrace failure as the single best catalyst for growth. I may carry best practices forward and have benefited tremendously from the mentorship of leaders who helped me avoid some pitfalls but I didn’t always miss those falls. I’ve experienced the closure of agencies I was trying to help because the sustainability of funding was just a little too late or just simply not enough. I’ve overcome the disappointment of a well-conceived idea not gaining traction due to timing or lack of support. In my business, I’ve bitten off more than I can chew or realistically had the bandwidth to handle and been burned. It stings, but it also taught me a lot and made me a more realistic owner who now says no occasionally when it’s just not the right piece of business or partnership.
My advice is to seek out a mentor who is ten years ahead of where you are now. Network professionally but don’t forget that what differentiates us is really our values. WHO you are is the most important part of your business brand and fostering yourself and your team makes a difference. I make sure to delegate and give people opportunities to show their gifts, grow their leadership and be collaborators instead of just employees. When everyone owns a part of the success, the bar is raised and we rise to it.
For years, I was a sole proprietor and I know how hard it is to wear ALL the hats — accounts receivable, marketing and business development, chief dishwasher. Laugh when you feel like crying — this too shall pass. Before all else fails, VOLUNTEER. It’s a fabulous way to build perspective and relationships.
We’d love to hear more about Class Act Creative Solutions.
It’s laughable but I’m known for understanding “champagne dreams… beer budget.” Every non-profit treat each dollar as the important thing it is — that dollar is an example of good stewardship to the donors and it means a lot to the clients. My favorite part of work is heightening customer experience with an unexpected but affordable WOW moment. I had an event recently where I knew every guest was going to line up for valet at the same time. To keep people from being cranky, we set up a “We Like You a Latte Bar” where guests could grab a coffee and cookie as they waited. Everyone relaxed, continued to talk with other friends in line and in post-event surveys, they commented on it being one of their favorite valet experiences. As it’s noted on our website, “The details make the difference.”
Another thing that sets my company apart is that I tend to hire people (mostly women) wanting flexible hours and the opportunity to telecommute or job share who are returning to the workforce after taking time off to shepherd their children. Once those kiddos are in late elementary, often these professionals who had a career in project management, media sales, communications or strategic thought services before having a family find that it’s hard to re-enter those same arenas that want them to work 80 hour workweeks if they deem there hasn’t been too significant of a time lapse since their original experience. I scoop up these gems, capitalize on their gifts by connecting them to parallel skill tasks like managing production timelines, writing scripts or conceptual design. I’m proud to say my company culture is based on family, faith and fund development. I honor their desire to be able to drop off or pick up their children by not scheduling meetings during those times. Almost every client of ours knows and respects that about the company. By respecting people’s lives, I get their best and their loyalty.
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
Technology is my friend. Whether it’s a simple shared platform like Trello or Basecamp to ensure everyone is meeting deadlines or inspiring information like Goalcast, I look to be an early adopter of organizational tools.
Contact Info:
- Address: 16230 Amberwood Road, Dallas, TX 75248
- Website: www.ClassActCreative.com
- Phone: 214-734-2281
- Email: kristine@classactcreative.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ClassActCreative
Image Credit:
Gittings (the one of the band), Selig Polyscope (the one of the Indian performers)
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
