Twenty years ago, Southlake Style began not as a grand publishing plan, but as a heartfelt response to a community that immediately felt like home. Newly married and settled in Southlake, Mike and Nicole Tesoriero arrived with advancing careers and big hopes of starting a family.
Built during a season of diapers, deadlines and dreams, the Tesorieros started Southlake Style as a side project. The goal was simple: create a business that allowed for balance while celebrating the people, places and moments of their newly adopted hometown. What began as a passion project quickly became a staple that is currently the city’s longest-running lifestyle magazine.
More than 270 issues later, Southlake Style remains rooted in relationships, community pride and thoughtful storytelling. As the magazine celebrates 20 years in print this month, Mike and Nicole reflect on the stories, friendships and milestones that shaped both their publication and their lives.
1. How did the idea of Southlake Style come to life?
Mike (M) — We had just gotten married and were looking to start a family. We intentionally moved to Southlake in 2004, ready to enjoy all that DFW has to offer. Being new to the area and realizing we weren’t alone, we chose to highlight all we were learning about the people, places and things in our new hometown. Within a few years, our side project became full-time jobs, and we’ve never looked back.
Nicole (N) — With a newfound love for the Southlake community and our growing family, I always joke that we had three babies in three years. Mia in ‘05, Southlake Style in ‘06 and Gabriella in ‘07. We’ve enjoyed watching them all grow.
2. What stands out about Southlake back then?
N — Ha! A lot, especially that Southlake Blvd was just two lanes, Town Square ended at Pottery Barn, and we shopped for groceries at an Albertson’s, which is now Urban Air.
M — Yeah, how did anyone live before Central Market? I definitely remember when we had two newspapers and no magazines.
3. A moment you almost thought “This isn’t going to work,” was…
M — Oh boy, I remember realizing all the executives at my job were going to get a copy of our first issue. So, I got in front of it by speaking with my boss, but when the president of your company knows you for your side project, it can be a bit unnerving. Before long, he was calling me “Mr. Southlake” and asking for dinner recommendations. Honesty is the best policy, and it all worked out in the end.
N — For me, it was when multiple competitors came to Southlake quite quickly. I’ve taken it as a compliment that we’ve made publishing look easy and fun. But how we’ve stood out has been through a lot of hard work, integrity and really caring for the community where we both live and work.
4. What’s it like to work with your spouse every day?
N — It’s a good thing we have separate offices, wink wink! We are very different in our personalities and roles, but similar in the passion and care we put into our work. There can be tough days when conversations and emotions run deep, but also so many rewarding moments. I’ve got a framed copy of Mike’s opening letter about motherhood as part of our first “best mom essay contest” as a constant reminder that we chose the right path for our family.
M — Looking back on our journey as a family, our girls have been part of this, too. There were days I wasn’t sure it was for us. Work-life balance is just different. But after twenty years, I wouldn’t change a thing.
5. What is something your spouse brought to the table that you never could have done yourself?.
N — He’s always been our visionary. His passion for continuous learning and making things better has driven us both. I always joke that he sells me on an idea, and then I sell everyone else.
M — That one is easy. You can’t say enough about the job Nicole continues to do, making our business whole. People may not realize, but she was a national award-winning salesperson long before we started Southlake Style. She consults small businesses and large agencies with class and ease. She’s the difference between us and all the other magazines that have come and gone.
6. What’s it like behind the scenes for you two?
N — We throw out the term “divide and conquer” a lot. We share in all of our family and business responsibilities. The decision to start our own business was one we made, knowing we both wanted to be home for our daughters. Mike in coaching, and me picking them up at the end of every school day, together being there for our girls for whatever school project, sport or club they were a part of. It’s one of the best things about building a business together: we've always been able to prioritize our family and our community.
M — We both take a lot of pride in handling all that life and business throw at us. Whether it's dinner and the carpool or finalizing details on a deadline day, we both trust in each other to make it happen.
7. Like raising kids, running a small business also takes a village. Who is in yours?
M — We’re not shy about sharing our affections, and our friends and supporters know who they are, but there is no doubt that spending quality time with [Southlake Town Square visionary and developer] Brian Stebbins in the beginning was a real launching point for the magazine. I’ll never forget when he picked me up for a personal tour of Town Square’s second phase one day in 2005. His early enthusiasm for our idea was the boost I didn’t know I needed. Nicole actually set that meeting up.
N — For me, the mentorship and friendship from Roxann Taylor have been second to none since we met in December 2005. We had sent out personal letters to people we felt were the top community leaders and partners, sharing our vision for Southlake Style. Within 48 hours, Roxann called to say, “I love your idea, come on in and tell me more.” Over 20 years, she has been a part of our magazine family as our very first advertiser, a contributor, mentor, cheerleader and a very close family friend.
8. You must have a few favorite stories?
N — I loved our November 2007 feature on the Carroll Theatre production of “Phantom of the Opera.” We were one of the first high schools to be given the rights to it, and our Dragons put on an amazing show, complete with the infamous floating chandelier. The way our community came together to support their production and accomplishment is a great memory!
M — There are so many to choose from, but if I had to pick one, it would be “High Flying Dragons”, which became an annual feature for many years, where we worked closely with CISD to profile high-achieving students specifically in academics and the fine arts.
9. What are some of your all-time favorite covers?
N — It’s not often a world-famous artist like Peter Max contacts you from his Dallas gallery with an idea for a magazine cover. But he did [June 2012], and we loved it! I also keep two covers framed in my office. We promised each of our daughters when they were little they could be cover models. Mia eating ice cream in Town Square in 2010 and Gabriella manning a lemonade stand in 2011.
M — Another one everyone loved was the issue when we got up close and personal with Mike LaFavers in November 2016. Feedstore BBQ and Mike are two true Southlake originals. My personal favorite was when we profiled Olympic diver Hailey Hernandez. I was always waiting for the right moment to use the Statue of Liberty Mural at the South entrance to Bicentennial Park as a backdrop for a feature, and Hailey’s Olympic quest was perfect [August 2021].
10. How have things in Southlake changed since your first issue?
M — We’re so football. But we’re so much more than that, too. As a community, our demographics and interests have broadened widely over the last two decades or so. It still amazes me to think Southlake Town Square was just a farm in the late 1990s. I’m not sure a single modern small city has changed as much as Southlake has in this short amount of time. Chronicling life here in our own special way is something we’ve not taken for granted.
11. How have things stayed the same?
N — Southlake has experienced a lot of change, but one thing that hasn’t changed is how invested we all are in our children’s future. We may not always agree on how to get there, but as a family-first community, we should always approach one another with this in mind.
12. Publishing a magazine is…
N — also a numbers game. We’ve covered Southlake like no other for 273 issues and counting. Along the way, we’ve supported hundreds of amazing organizations, thousands of deserving people and provided millions of dollars worth of in-kind community donations.
M — Non-stop. At the office, there’s a saying, “What have you done for Southlake lately?” I usually pull this one out shortly after we have gone to press. It's my way of reminding us all that there’s always a deadline on the horizon.
13. How has digital news and social media affected your day-to-day?
M — It’s hard for our small team to keep up with the pace of digital news and social media through a print magazine. However, we still know people value the investments we make in time and resources to bring a story permanently into the real world. You can’t keep an Instagram post on your coffee table.
N — That’s so true. We love getting calls from readers who want extra copies for friends and family. We even had a request once for extra copies to fill wedding goodie bags for out-of-town guests.
14. How have you defined success?
N — Being able to connect small businesses and organizations with our readers makes life go round. We always say that their success is our success.
M — I never sought to be a publisher, but I’m so glad we took the plunge together. Being able to give back through your work is its own reward.
15. Besides Southlake Style, what’s another free city amenity you encourage more people to enjoy?
N — The playground and trails at Bob Jones Park. With golden retrievers and two daughters who both ran cross country and played soccer, we’ve spent hundreds of hours cheering on Dragons and exploring nature throughout the trails. During the COVID shutdown, those trails were a lifesaver!
M — I like to unwind with the Cloud Library app via the Southlake library. I bring up the quick and free access to e-books and audiobooks all the time in conversation, and I’m surprised how many people aren’t taking advantage of it.
16. Anything you would do differently?
N —Not trying to please everyone. It’s near impossible to do, especially when we’ve always strived to be as inclusive as possible. Sometimes, that can ruffle feathers, but I’ve learned what matters most is setting an example for our daughters.
M — No one is perfect, and we’ve made our share of mistakes. But all we can do is admit to them and do our best to make it right. A few honest mistakes can keep you humble and build even more trust when you handle them right.
Putting a product out in the world with our names on it is a risk we happily take every month.
17. What have you learned along the way?
N — Relationships matter! Treating everyone with respect is what it's all about. From our most loyal customers and readers to those who have a differing opinion, we’ve always gone above and beyond to put our best into each and every issue.
M — It took a while, but I’ve learned to take criticism as a compliment. It means that people care.
18. So your kindergrads have left the nest, now what?
M — Ha! We ask ourselves, “Now what?” every day! Our girls are everything to us, but now is their time to fly. We still find ourselves at restaurants, enjoying concerts and our parks. You may spot me on the open roads, either on my motorcycle or jogging along our ever-expanding sidewalk system.
N — Our personal connection to Carroll kids is obviously shrinking, but we still cheer the Dragons on, especially our friends' kids, when we can. You can also spot me around town at Champion’s Club, getting. book at the library or on a walk at Bob Jones Park with our golden retriever, Rory.
19. What moments stick out to you from this journey?
N — Of course, naming Brian Stebbins as the recipient of our first-ever community impact award in December 2009 and later renaming it in his honor. Southlake wouldn’t be the same without his vision for Southlake Town Square.
M — Joining the Southlake Chamber of Commerce and being named Southlake’s Small Business of the Year in 2006. It was early proof that we were on the right track. Going into a small business actually made our world bigger.
20. After all this time…
N — … I still enjoy dropping magazines off in person to advertisers and friends.
M — … I’d like to think we’ve played a small part in making a great place to live even better.