Like of Ken – Vol. 20

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Happenings from the Homefront

As expected, the month was full of celebrations and holiday parties. It kicked off with a gathering with our KW Lone Star family – a reminder of how meaningful long-term relationships become when life and business evolve together. Amber and I caught up with friends we hadn’t seen in quite some time, the kind of conversations that pick up effortlessly, as if no time has passed at all.

The highlight, though, was Amber stepping fully into her role as host and planner for our local GoBundance Christmas celebration. We held it at a venue in downtown Grapevine, and it honestly couldn’t have been a better backdrop. The place was dressed head-to-toe in Christmas spirit, and Amber absolutely nailed every detail. From the decorations to the food, the table seating to the GoBundance “Dundee” awards, it all flowed seamlessly. One of those nights where everything just works, and you leave grateful not just for the event, but for the people in the room and the effort behind the scenes that made it special.

My baby girl turned 23 in December, which still feels a little surreal to write. We celebrated the way we’ve done for more than a decade now, with dinner at Pappasito’s, a tradition that somehow keeps getting better as the years go by. We were joined by our extended family, including Grace’s mom and one of her best friends, which made the night feel full in all the right ways.

The food was spot-on, the company was exactly who it needed to be, and the waitstaff went above and beyond. They capped the night the Pappasito’s way—with singing, ice cream, and the kind of joyful attention that makes a birthday feel properly celebrated. Simple, familiar, and meaningful. Those are the moments that sneak up on you and remind you how fast time moves, and how grateful I am to still be sitting at the table for them.

We also carved out time for dinner as our “bonus family.” It’s our immediate family plus my kids’ closest friends—the ones who grew up in our home, stuck around through the awkward years, and became adopted kids without anyone ever needing to say it out loud.

The table was full in every sense of the word. Laughter, playful jabs, stories from recent travels, big visions for the future, and the kind of easy connection that had been missing for far too long. It felt unforced and familiar, like slipping back into a rhythm you didn’t realize you missed so much.

By the end of the night, my stomach was full, but my heart was fuller. That’s the kind of abundance that doesn’t show up on a calendar or a balance sheet, but matters more than most things that do.

In the middle of the holiday rush, the adults managed to sneak away for a quick overnight to Austin. One of our good friends was headlining as a DJ for an event, which gave us the perfect excuse to hit pause for a moment and change the scenery.

We met up for dinner beforehand, then rolled straight into a long, fun night filled with electronic dance music, lights, dancing, laughter, and a lot of smiling faces. No agendas, no responsibilities—just being present and enjoying the energy of the night.

We capped it off with brunch the next morning before pointing the car back toward reality and the holiday chaos. Short trip, big recharge. Sometimes that’s all it takes.

Not long after celebrating my baby girl, our little guy crossed a milestone of his own, moving from single digits into the big 10. Kai marked the occasion with a paintball party alongside several of his closest school friends, which felt exactly right for where he is in life right now.

He was joined by his older siblings and a few of his “bonus” siblings, which only added to the chaos and the fun. After the paintball beatdown, we regrouped in a party room for cookie cake and ice cream. That, of course, was the moment things really went off the rails.

Once the sugar kicked in, a wave of ten-year-old energy descended on us with zero regard for adult survival. Loud, messy, joyful—and unforgettable. One of those days that leaves you exhausted, smiling, and grateful you get a front-row seat to it all.

We wrapped the year the same way it began—quietly, intentionally, and surrounded by nature at the ranch. Just a handful of family members, a few close friends, and plenty of space to breathe. Vision boards for the year ahead were mixed in with lots of games, great food, college football on the TVs, and long stretches of simply being present.

There were fireworks to mark the moment, the dogs did great on bird hunts, and the days unfolded at an unhurried pace. No big production. No forced moments. Just being exactly where we wanted to be, with the people who matter most.

It felt less like an ending and more like a reset; one foot planted in gratitude for what was, and the other pointed toward what’s coming next.

Work, work, work!

At Laundry Luv, we hosted our final Discovery Day of the year. We spent the day with a husband-and-wife team who are interested in franchising a location we had originally been identifying as a potential corporate store, which made the conversation especially interesting.

What stood out most was their shared passion for serving the community and genuinely uplifting others. That alignment always matters more to me than the deal itself. It felt like one of those meetings where you can see the potential not just for a business, but for impact.

We’ll see where it leads—but I’m hopeful we’ll be able to share some good news before too long.

I also carved out time to be a guest on a couple of different podcasts this past month. I’ve always loved the podcast format, as it creates space to slow down, go deeper on meaningful topics, and actually get to know one another beyond the surface.

One of those conversations led somewhere unexpected. One of the hosts is now interested in becoming a franchisee and joining the Laundry Luv family. A good reminder that when you show up authentically and focus on connection over conversion, the right opportunities tend to find their way forward on their own.

The year closed on a very positive note as we finalized a transaction to bring on a new partner at Laundry Luv. One of our founding partners has chosen to focus more fully on his real estate business, which created the opportunity to bring in a new strategic partner who acquired a portion of that founding interest.

What matters most is the alignment. We’re unified around the mission, clear on where we’re going, and energized by the foundation that’s now in place. It feels like the right people are in the right seats as we head into 2026—ready for meaningful, disciplined growth in the years ahead.

Brain Food (what I am reading, watching, and listening to)

Amber and I wrapped up season two of Landman this month. I’ll admit it—we’re hooked. The storylines, the characters, the drama… it all pulls you in pretty quickly.

It’s definitely one of those shows we only watch on occasion, partly because it demands some attention and partly because it’s very much not kid-friendly. But as a shared escape, it’s been fun to get caught up in something together that has nothing to do with work, schedules, or responsibilities…just good storytelling and a little late-night entertainment.

I also stumbled into Kill Tony after hearing about it on an episode of the All In Podcast. That quickly turned into a bit of a rabbit hole, and before long I’d watched a few episodes on YouTube. The guy is funny…quick, sharp, and unapologetic.

It reminded me how easy it is to get so busy that I forget about comedy as an outlet. And it also reminded me how much work it takes to make something look effortless. Great comedy is a craft, and I love witnessing people who’ve put in the reps and earned their mastery. Watching experts operate at a high level—no matter the field—never gets old.

I started The Science of Scaling by Dr. Benjamin Hardy last month, and I’m only a few chapters in, but my thinking is already getting scrambled in the best way. It’s one of those books that quietly challenges assumptions and introduces a completely different way of looking at growth, leverage, and focus.

Schuyler is reading it as well, which makes the timing interesting. When new ideas start landing at the same time within a leadership team, it often points to something bigger taking shape. Too early to draw conclusions, but it definitely feels like it could influence some meaningful moves for Laundry Luv.

Kaizen

I spent a full day doing the unglamorous but necessary work of getting everything updated and aligned. Financials were refreshed, contingent debt schedules reviewed, budgets tightened, and quarterly goals set across the different “gardens” of life that all need tending in their own way.

I also updated my GoBundance One Sheet and mapped out travel for the year ahead. By the end of the day, my head was tired, but my mind was clear. There’s something grounding about putting structure around priorities. It’s not about control; it’s about creating enough order to move forward with confidence and intention.

And once it was done, Amber and I updated the Big A## Calendar for 2026!

Random Musings

If you’re ever stuck trying to find a gift for that hard-to-buy person, maybe check this out. Simple, practical, and oddly satisfying. It’s a great way to light a fireplace and feels a little more thoughtful than it has any right to be. Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that actually get used. 

Until next time.

Take action and be grateful!

-Ken

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