Dancing Through Dallas

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Name: Margot Martin

City: Dallas

Neighborhood: Preston Center

Company / Title: The Ballet Burn – Owner, Founder

When did you move here? From where? 
2014 from Raleigh, NC

Where else have you lived?
New Orleans, Dallas, Seattle, Raleigh, back to Dallas

What made you decide to Say Yes to Dallas?
I have family here and Dallas was the kind of city I was looking for to further my career. There is inspiration around every corner and the market is teaming for more growth.

How did you choose where to live in the Dallas Region?
I chose Preston Center to open my business because it is a major hub of Dallas. Located near the crossroads of two major thoroughfares and easily accessed from the toll road and 75 makes it a breeze to get to. There are a ton of fantastic restaurants, places to shop, and spas for extra pampering.

Where do you go and what do you do on the weekends or days off?
I spend a lot of time on the Katy Trail and at Mutts Canine Cantina. The city is surprisingly dog friendly, so my pup and I venture out to various patios for excellent people watching. I love the Dallas Museum of Art and Klyde Warren Park. Being a part of the arts community allows me to frequently attend shows at the Opera house and performance halls.

What is your passion, and how does Dallas help fulfill it?
I am a retired ballerina, turned entrepreneur. My passion lies in teaching people how to move not only their bodies, but also their lifestyles, relationships, and hearts for the better. Dallas has an avid dance scene and an even more avid fitness scene. I knew that my passion would thrive here because of the nature of the city: fast paced, healthy, fit, and conscious.

Tell us about the work environment here.
Commuting in Dallas can be a challenge, but it is manageable once you learn the ropes. There is a constant sense of hustle, which keeps me motivated to stay on my game.

What is your favorite restaurant in the region?
Mesero… I would eat there everyday if I could.

What is your favorite outdoor activity, and where is your favorite place to do it?
Dog Parks are a priority, and Dallas has several. I am a member at Mutts Canine Cantina, which is a great place to meet people.

What is your favorite festival/event?
The Easter Parade on Turtle Creek is a blast!

Who is your local hero? Why?
I do get starstruck anytime I see Troy Aikman.

Where do you feel you are nearest to your “tribe” in the Dallas Region?
At my studio, The Ballet Burn. My passion has led to the creation of an incredible community of supportive, kind women.

Do you travel often? Is it easier or harder to do here?
I travel a couple times of year and usually fly out of DFW or Love Field. Road tripping to Austin happens several times a year.

Photo Credit: Merissa De Falcis



Embracing Opportunity

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Name: Cameron Woods

City: Lewisville

Neighborhood: The Colony

Company/Title: The University of Texas at Dallas

When did you move here? From where? 
I moved here from Chicago in August, 2017.

Where else have you lived?
Florida, Pennsylvania

What made you Say Yes to Dallas?
My reasons for choosing Dallas and returning to Texas were numerous, including: family ties, cost of living and new opportunities in general.

How did you choose where to live in the Dallas Region?
I chose my first apartment here with proximity to work in mind (only a 15 minute commute), but I do plan on moving closer to friends near the downtown area at some point.

How has your opinion of the Dallas Region changed since moving here?
I think the level of diversity has been a great surprise. There are ALL stripes of people here, living and working together. It’s a very encouraging thing to see.

Tell us about your city/neighborhood. What do you like best? What makes it different?
I live on the edge of Lewisville in the Colony, and it’s basically a nice and quiet enclave just north of the city. I really enjoy the space, friendly people and general “cleanliness” of the area, if that makes sense.

Where do you go and what do you do on the weekends or days off?
Well since I’m from East Texas (Tyler) and also have immediate family down in Round Rock, I spend a lot of weekends road tripping to catch up with family and friends. When I’m not on the road, I love finding new food places, catching good movies OR going to places where I can get both – Alamo Draft House!!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to move here? **
I say do it! I think you should do a little research depending on your specific goals, but the sooner you make it happen, the better off you’ll be. And if you need new friends, look me up!

What is the one thing that you could have done to make your move easier?
I actually put a lot of thought into my move and had everything all planned out (thanks six sigma). However, I think joining Meetup groups beforehand is beneficial in forming a social network if you don’t have one prior to moving.

What would you miss most about the area if you had to leave?
I think I’d miss the people. They’re a diverse bunch and super polite but fun-loving as well.

What is your favorite restaurant in the region?
Earnest Donuts hands down

What is your favorite festival/event?
Dallas Brewfest

Where do you go to experience culture? Why do you like it?
I find myself drawn to the Deep Ellum area because of the entertainment factor. There are tons of bars, restaurants and live music venues.

Who is your local hero? Why?
I admire Jim Schutze from the Dallas Observer. I think he’s a great big-picture thinker.

Do you travel often? Is it easier or harder to do here?
I live off of the Sam Rayburn Tollway, so it’s my mainline to everywhere in the region.

Photo Credit: Merissa De Falcis



A City of Diversity and Opportunities

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When did you move here? Where from?
I moved here in May 2018 and came from San Angelo.

What made you Say Yes to Dallas? 
My job brought me here but I had strategically applied so that I could live in Dallas. It’s one of the best and most affordable places to live and the economy of Dallas is booming. For someone like me, who is joining the banking industry, that provides a huge opportunity.

How did you choose where to live in the Dallas Region?
I wanted to be close to work and in a safe neighborhood. I found a neighborhood in Plano that resonates with my lifestyle, and it seemed like even architecturally, it was designed to attract millennials. It sure did a good job attracting me.

Tell us about your city/neighborhood. What do you like best? What makes it different?
The sheer volume of restaurants in Plano blows my mind. I can eat something new every day and I will still never run out of restaurants. I found this Greek restaurant called Zorba’s nearby work and it’s the best Greek food I’ve ever had.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to move here?
Make sure you speak to your potential neighbors before you sign a lease on your apartment. They will be honest with you and you can make an informed decision. Buy all the furniture off of Amazon and have it delivered.

How has your opinion of the Dallas Region changed since moving here?
I was told people are a little rude in big cities and being here made me realize how false that statement was. Everyone I have met through job, networking events and even acquaintances have been warm and welcoming. People in majority are good, or at least want to be good. I just had to keep an open mind and an open heart and I fit right in.

Tell us about the work environment here.
I didn’t realize until I got here that I’m the youngest business banker at Wells Fargo – in not just DFW region, but the country. I thought it might be difficult to relate, but it wasn’t. My boss told me the first day that he wants to set me up for success and he meant it. People think that banking is boring, but it’s all about the people you surround yourself with. If you have a diverse team, anything is interesting. Personally, I love being a business banker. I can’t believe I get paid to do this.

Where do you go and what do you do on the weekends or days off?
So far, I’ve explored the Little Elm beach, the Shops at Legacy in Plano, and bars at Uptown Dallas. I also found the parks in the area to be a good place for yoga and relaxation.

Where do you go to experience culture?
I don’t think culture is bound by geography. Given how diverse Dallas is, you can experience different culture everywhere.

How do you interact with your community?
I just started a lean in circle for women at Wells Fargo, I am looking to join the organization CHOICE to mentor an at-risk kid in Dallas to increase their chances of going to college, and I recently joined the Dallas Regional Chamber’s Young Professionals program as well, and am looking forward to serving in non-profit boards in the near future.

What is your favorite outside activity, and where is your favorite place to do it?
I really enjoy hiking, but haven’t explored all of the parks yet to pick a favorite.

What would you miss most about the area if you had to leave?
I would definitely miss the food. I literally try a new restaurant every day, and I enjoy it immensely.

What is your passion, and how does the Dallas Region help fulfill it?
There are opportunities to get involved and volunteer everywhere. There is always an event or a concert or something going on and as long as you can have fun and contribute to a good cause at the same time, well, what more do you want! I was worried I might lose myself in a big city and a corporate life but I found many ways to stay grounded through non-profits.

Where do you like to shop? Why?
I like to shop at The Shops at Legacy in Plano and The Galleria in Dallas. There are just so many options.

Where do you feel you are nearest to your “tribe” in the Dallas Region?
I am an absolute nerd and I feel close to my “tribe” in public libraries.

Do you travel often? Is it easier or harder to do here?
With two major airports nearby, I’d say a thousand times easier than before.

Photo Credit: Yvena Chowdhury



From NYC to OCC

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Name: Rita Varghese

Position: Operations Analyst

What made you say “yes” to OCC?

OCC is growing. It’s always great to work for a company that’s growing because there’s opportunity for learning and to advance your career. The culture is very supportive, and leadership is willing to listen to your needs and to help you acquire new skills.

What can you find at OCC that you can’t find anywhere else?

OCC is committed to supporting my professional development, as well as the development of my colleagues, through internal face-to-face programs, online courses and career development workshops that help you learn about our company, other departments and our industry. In addition, colleagues can benefit from a formal education tuition reimbursement program and support to attend external technical trainings. OCC also supports the Options Industry Council, an unbiased provider of education on the options industry. In 2017, OCC launched an innovative student debt contribution program that allows colleagues to pay off student loans more quickly, reducing the interest owed and supporting a path to improve financial wellness. The development opportunities are great and my ability to better balance between work and family is everything I’ve ever wanted.

What are the benefits to OCC being in the Dallas Region?

I was working in New York City for more than eight years and I wasn’t sure if there was an opportunity for me in the Dallas region. I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoy my role at OCC, my commute to the office is better, the weather has been a great benefit and everyone I’ve met in the area is so welcoming and friendly. OCC benefits from being in the Dallas region because there is a large pool of talent and people with different backgrounds and experiences – our region is really a great melting pot and I’m happy to be part of it.

What does OCC do to give back to the community?

OCC helps market participants manage their financial risk and we believe it’s important to support organizations who help people at risk through employee participation and donations.  I recently joined our Dallas office employee charity committee. Our emphasis is on choosing smaller charities where we can have a greater impact. Last year, we raised money with more traditional events like onsite barbeques, Jeans Week and a few competitive challenges, like “Lock Up the Boss”, where a manager is nominated by colleagues to be “detained” in their office. The manager can only be released when colleagues have raised enough money to bail them out. The money raised goes to our office’s designated charity. We compete in teams and it’s a great morale builder, too.  Our 2019 charity is Family Gateway which provides stability and life-changing supportive services to children and families affected by homelessness.

If you could describe OCC in one word, what would it be?

I would say “engaged”. We’re very involved in the community. OCC also funds OIC – the Options Industry Council, which offers free education to the public about the risks and benefits of exchange-listed options. I feel like the fact that OCC wants to educate the public on these things is very charitable of them.



An Immediate Sense of Belonging

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City: Dallas

Neighborhood: Knox-Henderson

Company/Title: Weaver, Senior Associate II

When did you move here? Where from?
April 2018 from Melbourne, Australia.

What made you Say Yes to Dallas? 
In 2016, I lived and worked in Dallas for a short three months, and obviously liked it enough to move here permanently. During this time, I very quickly got a feel for Texan and Dallas culture and the region’s demographic, which I found very appealing. Texan culture is particularly inclusive – I felt an immediate sense of belonging in Texas like a jigsaw piece falling into its place. Dallas is a booming city with enormous economic growth, job opportunities and a vibrant social scene from sports to music, festivals and dining. I felt and continue to feel that Dallas offers limitless professional and social opportunities in an innovative and exciting landscape, while maintaining its southern salt-of-the-earth charm.

How did you choose where to live in the Dallas Region?
For the most part, I relied on my experience in Dallas during 2016; however, I also heavily researched each area online and reached out to Dallas locals and real estate agents. Deep Ellum, Uptown, Knox-Henderson and everything in between offer very similar living accommodations with slight differences in resident ages and life stages.

Tell us about your city/neighborhood. What do you like best? What makes it different?
At risk of sounding like a broken record – the demographic. I was eager to find a place and space where I would be surrounded by mid-twenty-year-old young professionals already progressing within their careers. Also, I enjoy the proximity to the city, bars, restaurants and the American Airlines Center (AAC) which I frequent. I would be hard pressed to find another city where I am able to live with the same level of comfort and amenities so close to the central business district and surrounded by such a lively social population.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to move here?
Carefully research the different neighborhoods of Dallas and speak to similar-minded locals. Rental prices vary significantly through the seasons and some careful planning can help this work in your favor. Perseverance is critical for those considering moving internationally. Dallas has a relatively small expat community and settling in processes/activities can be difficult at times – but not impossible! That aside, the rewards of moving to Dallas far outweigh the difficulties of the move. Pack your bags and head on over!

What would you miss most about the area if you had to leave?
I would miss having such immediate and convenient access to social opportunities with like-minded and similar-aged people.

Tell us about the work environment here.
At Weaver in Dallas, the work environment is challenging in the best possible way. A genuine care for each employee’s progression, personal and professional lives, and comfort is clear. The Dallas professional scene is competitive and filled with ambitious hard workers. However, Weaver respects each employee’s time and personal commitments and staff are trusted to balance their time appropriately without feeling pressured or exhausted.

Where do you go and what do you do on the weekends or days off?
During the summer I relish any weekend I can have by the pool. Dallas is hot and then it gets hotter. Over the winter I find myself in Deep Ellum, Knox-Henderson, or attending a variety of sports games.

What is your passion, and how does the Dallas Region help fulfill it?
I am passionate about meeting people and growing my social and professional networks. Dallas has infinite opportunities to continue to meet people in comfortable settlings.

Where do you feel most at home in the Dallas Region?
The Rustic or the Katy Trail Ice House. These restaurant/bars are lively, charming, social and casual. They blend a comfortable easy going social atmosphere with the outdoors, Texan culture and music.

How do you interact with your community?
I play on a volleyball league and another alternating sports league, frequent my religious community, regularly volunteer with the friendship circle, attend work-hosted social events and never miss a big sports watch party.

Do you travel often? Is it easier or harder to do here?
This year I have only travelled to Australia. For the most part this is easy (albeit long) as there are direct flights between Dallas and Sydney daily.