Every Last Word

Dallas Innovates’ signature series capturing what leaders across North Texas are saying — in their own words — about innovation, impact, and what’s next.

The Last Word: Group Behind Flower Child and The Henry Opens Doughbird in Dallas’ Inwood Village

by | Sep 9, 2024
Doughbird, a new restaurant from Phoenix-based Fox Restaurant Concepts, opened Friday in Dallas' Inwood Village near Inwood and Lovers Lane—joining a lineup of Fox's "sister restaurants" in the city including Flower Child, The Henry, Culinary Dropout, and North Italia. With an offbeat menu featuring a "fun spin on ordinary American classics," it's the fifth location and first in Texas for the concept. A cozy design scheme is the backdrop for wildly varied dining options—from Detroit-style pizzas to prime rib steak sandwiches to steak frites.
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The Last Word: Ken Schaefer on Fort Worth’s ‘Unique’ Collection of City Nicknames
by | Sep 6, 2024
Most cities are fine with one famous nickname. But Fort Worth stands apart by having a lengthy string of sobriquets, including the ones scattered across the skyline above. Schaefer, who's worked with the city on past marketing campaigns, told Fort Worth Report this stem's from the city's "unique" desire to nurture several brand identities.
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The Last Word: CRE Lawyer on AI Algorithms and the Antitrust Landscape
by | Sep 5, 2024
The use of AI and algorithms in business practices is drawing increased scrutiny from antitrust regulators. According to a recent report in The Business Journals, attorney Jerrold Bregman highlighted the legal territory these technologies present.
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The Last Word: Future One Rangers Way Resident on Why He Wants to Live Near AT&T Stadium
by | Sep 4, 2024
Most people who look out their window are lucky to see a tree. But residents who move into the upcoming One Rangers Way—a $100M, 300-unit luxury apartment project from the Texas Rangers and the Cordish Companies—will get a sports-related eyeful in multiple directions. The project is located several field-goal kicks from AT&T Stadium and across from Choctaw Stadium and nearby Globe Life Field, and close to the looming hubub coming with the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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The Last Word: o9’s Stephan de Barse On the North Texas Unicorn’s ‘Minerva’ Mission to Advance Women in Supply Chain and Digital Tech

by | Aug 28, 2024
“Across many professional industries, women have made strides in breaking down barriers; however, supply chain and digital technology are two sectors that are often seen as being male-dominated.”

Stephan de Barse Chief Revenue Officer o9 Solutions

… … on launching Minerva, an initiative set to boost gender equality in the sectors....

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The Last Word: Ross Perot Jr. on Southwire’s Massive New Facility at AllianceTexas
When North America's leading wire and cable company invests in a nearly 1.2 million square foot facility, it's a statement. Southwire, an $8 billion company with over 9,000 global team members, officially opened its newest and largest distribution center with a ribbon cutting and tour last week. 
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The Last Word: Law Firm Leader Paul Genender On Dallas’ ‘Supercity’ Status
by | Aug 26, 2024
In June, the Dallas-based TXSE Group announced plans to launch the Texas Stock Exchange (TXSE), focused on Texas and the Southeast U.S., with $120 million in funding lined up from BlackRock, Citadel Securities, and other investors. That's led to national buzz about "Y'all Street" and growing global awareness of the city's financial and corporate momentum. 
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The Last Word: Strut Partners’ Don Allen On AI Market Success vs. Ping Pong Perks
Leaders light up LinkedIn thread on ex-Google CEO's work-life balance comment.
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The Last Word: Texan by Nature On Its New Conservation Impact Report, By the Numbers

“Texans are rarely all hat and no cattle.”

Taylor Kennedy Frenchi Program Manager – Nature and Health Alliance Texan by Nature .…sharing the organization’s 2023 Conservation Impact Report on LinkedIn

Texan by Nature, founded by former First Lady Laura Bush in 2011, has released its 2023 Impact Report. The numbers tell the story:

11 million acres impacted by Conservation Wrangler and TxN Certified projects Over 5.5 million people reached through these projects 43 conservation leaders recognized $2 million directed to on-the-ground conservation efforts 6.8 billion media impressions 726 trees planted through business member projects

Texan by Nature isn’t just counting trees, though....

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The Last Word: Why Dallas’ Knox/McKinney Chuy’s Is Moving to Greenville Avenue
by | Aug 20, 2024
For 31 years, Chuy's has had an Instagram-ready location at Knox & McKinney in Dallas. That's 17 years longer than Instagram has existed—but the clock is now ticking. The Austin-based restaurant brand plans to move the location two miles east to 1520 Greenville Avenue in April 2025, according to the Dallas Morning News. Thankfully, the Elvis statue will go along for the ride. And hopefully so will the hubcap ceiling, the pet photo wall, and the countless art works and sculptures that make this spot special.
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The Last Word: Cosm’s Jeb Terry at a ‘Shared Reality’ Preview at Grandscape in The Colony
by | Aug 19, 2024
Terry welcomed an invitation-only crowd Saturday night for a preview experience of Cosm at Grandscape in The Colony. Officially opening on August 31 with a College Kickoff Weekend, the venue and its 87-foot diameter, 12K-plus LED dome will make people feel like they're magically close to the action of live sports and artistic events—from college football and NBA games to Premier League matches, UFC fights, performing arts events, and more. On Saturday night, the crowd got a taste of what "immersive shared reality" is like—and came away wowed.
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The Last Word: The Last Word: Richard Riccardi On Why Mentorship Isn’t About Creating Clones
by | Aug 16, 2024

“Mentorship is not cloning a Mini-Me, but supporting others in their journey to become the best they can be.

Richard Riccardi
Writer, 52 Steps Forward
Co-founder, DFW CPG
Investor

.…on...

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The Last Word: Dallas Airport System’s Vincent Lewis on Prepping for the 2026 World Cup

by | Aug 14, 2024
In 2026, AT&T Stadium will host nine FIFA World Cup matches, including a globally watched semi-final—more than any of the other 15 host venues in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. A stunning 3.4 million spectators attended the 2022 World Cup matches in Qatar. Now Lewis is tasked with making sure arrivals and departures go smoothly in 2026 at Dallas Love Field Airport, Dallas Executive Airport, and the Vertiport in downtown Dallas. 
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The Last Word: Sportico on the Dallas Cowboys Breaking the $10B Valuation Mark
by | Aug 13, 2024
Jerry Jones' 1989 deal to buy the Dallas Cowboys for $150 million looks smarter and smarter every year. Especially this year—because Sportico, the sports industry content platform, just released its NFL team valuations and put America's Team at the top at $10.32 billion. Cracking that 11th digit is a first for any sports franchise on the face of the earth.
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The Last Word: Quoting Mark Cuban on ‘Curiosity’ After Last Week’s Bisnow Multifamily Annual Conference
The Bisnow Multifamily Annual Conference was held last week at the Hilton Anatole Dallas. As one of the marquee speakers, Mark Cuban took part in a Greater Dallas Planning Council’s "Sports Economic Outlook" discussion with Dallas Interim City Manager Kim Tolbert.
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The Last Word: Franchisee on Opening Texas’ First ‘Smart’ Tide Laundromat in Dallas
by | Aug 9, 2024
It's sparklingly bright and highlighted by Tide's famous orange brand color. But what's really different about the new Tide Laundromat in East Dallas is how smart it is. The location—at Whiterock Marketplace at 11255 Garland Road—is one of only four to open in the U.S., after three others launched in the Chicago area.
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