When Katie Stone was growing up in foster care, she often felt like she was missing a guidebook for life. Nobody had shown her how to navigate hard conversations or prepare for the milestones ahead. Years later, as co-publisher of Texarkana Parent Magazine, she set out to give local families the kind of resource she once needed — stories that celebrated resilience, guides that made parenting a little easier, and a publication that connected people across the Texarkana, Texas region.

The bi-monthly magazine quickly became a trusted resource. Each issue offered everything from summer camp and medical directories to holiday gift guides and volunteer opportunities. But what truly set the publication apart was its willingness to share “boots-on-the-ground” stories: single parents overcoming obstacles, families coping with loss, and teenagers charting their path toward independence.

Behind the scenes, though, Stone faced her own challenge. She carried the day-to-day workload, while her business partner carried the finances. That imbalance left her without the knowledge to make key financial decisions about the magazine; a business that they planned to one day have her operate on her own.

Looking for help, Stone turned to the Entrepreneurship Team at Communities Unlimited (CU). She already knew of the organization after featuring some of its events in the magazine, but a referral from the Northeast Texas Small Business Development Center (SBDC) made the connection clear: “What you’re actually looking for, they can do more advisement and advocacy for you,” Stone recalled the local SBDC office saying.

With support funded by the USDA Texas Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG), CU Senior Management Consultant James Custer stepped in to help Stone navigate her options.

Custer conducted a benchmark analysis of the magazine, reviewed partnership documents, and walked Stone through various buyout scenarios. He also broke down the financials in plain language, explaining systems like QuickBooks and guiding her toward resources and classes to strengthen her business skills.

The consultation gave Stone a clearer picture of her business and the confidence to consider next steps. In the end, she and her partner chose to sell the magazine to a third party. While she will remain through the transition period, Stone is already looking ahead — planning to return to school for graphic design, finish several books she’s been writing, and one day launch another publication on her own.

Stone said the guidance left a lasting mark: “I feel confident I could do it without a financial partner now.”

And just as she once sought to give families the resource, she wished she had, she now carries forward the knowledge and confidence to write her own future.