Building a business is no small feat, but building one rooted in compassion, advocacy, and trust takes a special kind of partnership. Stoke members Courtney and Stephanie, co-founders of North Texas Guardianship Services, combined their unique experience in guardianship work to create a business that serves some of the most vulnerable individuals in North Texas with both professionalism and heart. What started as recognizing a real need in the community has grown into a business built on integrity, collaboration, and a shared passion for helping others. We asked them about entrepreneurship, working together as business partners, and what they’ve learned while building North Texas Guardianship Services.
How did the two of you decide to go into business together, and what made you realize you’d make strong partners?
Stephanie is great at guardian of the estate and has a lot of on the job knowledge from different angles. Courtney has a long work history with guardian of the person, so the two of us joining made sense for North Texas Guardianship Services.
What inspired you to start North Texas Guardianship Services, and what gap did you see in the industry that you wanted to fill?
North Texas Guardianship Services was started by Courtney at the urge of some local attorneys. Courtney had worked in the public sector and after leaving and going to an attorney’s office to work as a case manager and potential guardian for those in need on a private level. Unfortunately there are always people that need the services, and there are not enough service providers to go around.
Guardianship work is deeply personal and sensitive. What does it mean/look like to you to advocate for individuals who can’t advocate for themselves?
We see our role to Advocate and Protect those who are unable to do so for themselves. Individuals with a guardian are the most vulnerable citizens of our County and deserve to be protected and supported. The role of NTGS is to do just that.
What does a meaningful “win” look like in your work, either for a client, a family, or your team?
NTGS takes the “small” wins. When a client makes their own appointment and relays that information, when NTGS is able to gather resources to support the individual, when NTGS is able to stop the abuse, neglect, or exploitation for those served…those are the wins.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in building this business, especially in a field that requires both emotional and professional balance?
Letting referral sources know that NTGS is up and going, and fully able to take appointments.
How do you navigate the weight of this work while also sustaining yourselves as business owners and individuals?
Stephanie and Courtney use humor as a way to navigate through the weight of the work. They also take time to talk about the day's work and situations. This helps keep everything into perspective for both of them.
What is something you’ve learned about yourselves through building this business that you didn’t expect?
Owning your own business is fun, challenging, scary, and freeing all at the same time.
Your work is rooted in integrity, compassion, and advocacy. How do those values show up in your day-to-day decisions as business owners?
Integrity-People are depending on us for everything and we have the highest ethics to ensure we are doing what is in the persons’ best interest.
Compassion - This is a trait that cannot be learned or taught, you either have it, or you don't. NTGS has people that are compassionate.
Advocacy is the top skill in guardians. Both Stephanie and Courtney are also part of Texas Guardianship Association where Courtney serves on the state board as the President, and therefore both are advocates at a local and state level for the vulnerable population in Denton, Collin, Wise, counties and state wide.
For other women or friends thinking about going into business together, what would you want them to know?
Be open and honest with each other.
Have different skills so that you work well together
Keep business separate from your personal life.
Look for opportunities to have fun among yourselves.
Learn more about Courtney and Stephanie at their website here.