We were lucky to catch up with Elizabeth Bostic recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Elizabeth thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?
Jen and I started Dallas Adventures of J&B on Instagram about ten years ago. Over time, Jen welcomed three beautiful little girls into her life and experienced significant career changes, while my career also evolved, and I faced health challenges. We were at a crossroads: either shut down the account or adapt our approach.
After some prayers and discussions, we decided to focus on our core values of friends, family, and fun. We expanded our partnerships to include close family and long-time friends, featuring their experiences alongside our own. This shift not only supported our other ventures—like my role as CEO of our family foundation, LRE McGlotham Foundation, and starting my consulting business under EDB Industries—but also allowed us to intentionally share and connect with our community.
By showcasing the diverse experiences of people of color, we aim to inspire others to try new things and embrace adventures they might not have considered.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am Elizabeth Bostic, co-founder of Dallas Adventures of J&B, CEO of the LRE McGlotham Foundation, and founder and owner of EDB Industries. My journey into these ventures is driven by a passion for education, community engagement, and personal growth.
How did you get into your industry/business/discipline/craft?
Dallas Adventures of J&B started over a decade ago when Jennifer Thomas and I, long-time friends and colleagues, embarked on new job opportunities. We wanted to maintain our bond and document our friendship. As Instagram gained popularity in Dallas, we found ourselves at the right place at the right time. What began as a way to capture our fun times evolved into an influencer platform, inspiring our followers and showcasing people who looked like them enjoying activities they wanted to try.
What type of products/services/creative works do you provide?
At Dallas Adventures of J&B, we create engaging and relatable content that showcases our adventures and experiences in the Dallas area, inspiring others to explore and enjoy their surroundings while maintaining meaningful connections.
The LRE McGlotham Foundation focuses on initiatives that promote lifelong learning and community responsibility, offering motivational and educational outreach programs, school supply drives, annual book donations, and scholarships.
EDB Industries provides professional services, including traveling notary services, strategic coaching, grant writing, and educational leadership consulting, helping individuals and organizations achieve their goals through expert advice and practical solutions.
What problems do you solve for your clients?
• Dallas Adventures of J&B: We provide inspiration and relatable content, encouraging our followers to engage in fun and meaningful activities.
• LRE McGlotham Foundation: We support schools and students in need, fostering a passion for learning and a sense of community responsibility.
• EDB Industries: We offer professional services that streamline processes, enhance strategic planning, and secure funding for educational initiatives.
What sets you apart from others?
Our genuine connection with our audience and dedication to community service distinguish us from others. At Dallas Adventures of J&B, we create authentic, relatable content that resonates with our followers. The LRE McGlotham Foundation stands out through its consistent commitment to supporting education and community growth. EDB Industries is unique in its comprehensive approach to professional services, combining notary, strategic coaching, grant writing, and educational consulting under one umbrella.
What are you most proud of?
I am incredibly proud of the impact we’ve made through the LRE McGlotham Foundation, especially as we celebrate our 10th year as a charity. Seeing the positive changes in the schools and communities we support is immensely rewarding. Additionally, I take great pride in the successful launch and growth of EDB Industries, which allows me to provide valuable services to clients and contribute to their success.
What do you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about you/your brand/your work?
Our work is driven by a passion for education, community, and personal growth. Whether through our engaging content at Dallas Adventures of J&B, our supportive initiatives at the LRE McGlotham Foundation, or the professional services provided by EDB Industries, our goal is to inspire and empower others. We are committed to making a positive impact and fostering a sense of responsibility and lifelong learning in our community.
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
Jen and I met in 2007 as first-year teachers fresh to Texas. We shared a wall in an open-concept building, leading us to become fast friends. Our shared experiences and mutual support during those early teaching years laid the foundation for a lasting friendship. Over time, we realized the importance of maintaining our bond despite changing jobs. This realization inspired us to document our friendship and adventures, creating Dallas Adventures of J and B. What started as a fun way to stay connected evolved into a popular influencer platform that resonates with many people. Through this platform, we were able to promote various initiatives, including those of my family foundation, LRE McGlotham.
The LRE McGlotham Foundation’s history is deeply personal and rooted in family and community values. After my father’s passing, Leicle Bostic, a beloved educator, in 1992, the Wichita Public Schools named an elementary school in his honor. Starting in 1997, my mother, Maxine, donated books to the school’s library every Christmas. By 2010, my siblings and I shared the desire to contribute more significantly, increasing the value of our book donations to $600 annually, ensuring the collection represented diverse perspectives.
Around 2011-2012, during a visit to Bostic Elementary, we noticed a severe lack of updated technology. This led to discussions among my family about how to address this need. Soon after, my brothers Leicle Macque and Robert and I authored a book to donate the proceeds to the newly founded LRE McGlotham Foundation. The foundation was established to honor our parents’ legacy and support educational initiatives. More details about the origins and mission of the foundation can be found on our website and GuideStar profile.
The board of the LRE McGlotham Foundation includes:
Gwen Anderson, a former CPA, Red Cross member, and community leader.
Kerstin Allen, a school principal and community leader.
Maya Nunley, a dentist and community leader.
Maxine L. Bostic is a licensed clinical professional counselor, educator, and community leader.
Elizabeth Bostic, an educator.
In addition to these ventures, I launched EDB Industries, a business offering notary services, strategic coaching, grant writing, and educational leadership consulting. EDB Industries allows me to leverage my expertise and passion for education and community service to help others achieve their goals.
Although Dallas Adventures of J and B, the LRE McGlotham Foundation, and EDB Industries are distinct ventures, they are all connected through my commitment to positively impacting the community. Each venture allows me to inspire others to engage in lifelong learning, support their communities, and enjoy meaningful connections.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
Align with Your Passions: Each of my ventures—Dallas Adventures of J and B, LRE McGlotham Foundation, and EDB Industries—reflects a core passion of mine. For instance, at Dallas Adventures of J and B, we organize team-building activities that reflect my love for friendships and exploring new things. The LRE McGlotham Foundation represents my dedication to philanthropy, which we incorporate into our corporate social responsibility initiatives. EDB Industries channels my passion for education, coaching, and lifelong learning, which we foster through our continuous learning programs. When your work aligns with your passions, it naturally translates into enthusiasm and motivation, which can be contagious for your team.
Communicate Your Vision: Clearly articulate the mission and vision of your organization to your team. Help them understand the bigger picture and how their contributions make a difference.
Encourage Personal and Professional Growth: Invest in the development of your team members. Provide opportunities for learning, training, and career advancement. At EDB Industries, I focus on coaching and guiding adults, sharing what I’ve learned to help them grow.
Build Strong Relationships: Just as Dallas Adventures of J and B emphasizes the importance of friendships and connections, building solid relationships within your team is essential.
Show Appreciation, Openness to Feedback, and Constant Communication: Working with family and friends in small businesses makes it even more important to show appreciation for their efforts, remain open to feedback, and maintain constant communication. Regular and open communication ensures that everyone is on the same page, feels involved in the decision-making process, and understands their role in the team, creating a supportive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lremcglothamfoundation.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dallasadventuresofjnb/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LREMcGlothamFoundation/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-bostic-3b876741
- Twitter: https://x.com/msedbostic
