64 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH | APRIL 2019 LIKE MOTHER LIKE DAUGHTER Cynthia Hightower-Jenkins & Annia Jenkins “Volunteerism is the currency, the rent you pay for living on this earth.” - Cynthia Many mothers and daughters would be envious of the amazing relationship Cynthia Hightower-Jen- kins has with her daughter Annia Jenkins. This dynamic duo is striking for the mutual respect and obvious affection they have for each other, for the style and dedication they bring to their business, and for their commitment to giving back to their community. “We’ve always been close,” says Annia. Raised in the presence of strong women, Annia grew up in Louisiana spending a lot of time with her mother and grandmother. She believes that her grand- mother’s death made her connection to her moth- er even closer. “It roped us together even tighter,” Annia says. Cynthia says that now the relationship she has with Annia closely resembles the relation- ship she had with her own mother. It’s based on a mutual respect for each other’s strengths and time spent together. When Cynthia is back in Louisiana, the two even just watch TV shows together over the phone. Annia talks about relying on her mom’s wisdom; Cynthia appreciates her daughter’s “bull- dog tenacity.” It’s that tenacity that they both have brought to their business, All Things Beautiful & Co., a luxury concierge service that curates experiences for the most discriminating clients. As Annia says it, “Ev- eryone knows us for the jaw-dropping ambience we try to bring to Dallas.” The pair works to chore- graph intimate occasions or large events, close to home or across the globe, as individualized as they can for every client. Their measure of success is of- ten all the “oohs and aahs” when clients see their work. They are quick to emphasize that privacy and confidentiality are always a priority. That trust keeps clients coming back, as does appreciation for their over-the-top approach. Anyone who has been to the ladies’ Krewe de Etoile Mardi Gras party has seen that extravagance themselves. Bringing Louisiana tradition to Dal- las was their inspiration, but wanting to give back to the city that’s been so welcoming to them is the motivation behind the event. Each year, Annia and Cynthia vet several philanthropies to determine which two will be the beneficiaries of that year’s event. One is usually a more well-known charity, the other a deserving organization that may be un- derfunded. Over the years they have worked with North Texas Food Bank, the Martin Luther King Scholarship Foundation, City Square, and Rays of Light, among many others. Cynthia instilled the importance of philanthropy in Annia and her brother from an early age. “Volunteerism is the currency, the rent you pay for living on this earth,” Cynthia says. Nothing these vibrant women do is on a small scale, and they are celebrating life with each other, with their clients, and with those who benefit from their charitable giving. For these Louisiana natives “Laissez les bon temps rouler!”