Episode Five | Compassion in Crisis: How Small Businesses Can Communicate Care with Teddie Garrigan, Co-Founder of Coco & Dash

Beth Bender:
We’re back with Top Branch, and today I’m so glad to be joined by Teddie Garrigan. Teddie is the co-founder of Coco & Dash, a beautiful showroom here in Dallas. But before she entered the world of interior design, she spent over 30 years in crisis communication. In fact, during some of the more difficult events of the past few years, I’ve had two or three conversations with her about how to lead through crisis. She’s been a guiding light for me personally, and for how I guide our agency in tough times.

With the heartbreaking events that recently hit Texas, Teddie was the first person I wanted to call to have this conversation. So, let’s jump right in—unless there’s anything else you’d like to say before we start?

Teddie Garrigan:
No, thank you for asking me to be here, Beth. You have such a big heart—it was an easy yes.

Understanding Types of Crises in Business

Beth Bender:
Thank you, I really appreciate that. So let’s start by talking about how small businesses can tailor their communication strategy during a crisis. There’s a difference between a crisis that directly affects your business or community versus a broader event that hits you emotionally. Sometimes the heartbreak can paralyze you. How can businesses convey authentic care in both of those scenarios?

Teddie Garrigan:
Absolutely. There are different types of crises, but they mostly fall into two categories: internal and external. Internal crises are things that happen within your business—like a bad review, an accident, or a client issue. External crises are broader, societal events that can feel existential—a crisis of the soul or heart. That’s what we’re feeling now, especially here in Texas.

Regardless of your business size, I always recommend having a basic crisis communication plan. Even if you’re a solo designer or a boutique firm, you’re not immune. It might not be an Enron-scale scandal, but every business will face something. Having even an executive summary of your crisis plan is essential.

Beth Bender:
Right, because even something that seems small—like a negative review or a mishap on a project—can really affect your reputation.

Teddie Garrigan:
Exactly. And those internal crises are usually the easiest to deal with. Not necessarily pleasant—but manageable. The first step, whether you’re a solo practitioner or a Fortune 500 company, is always to assess the situation and understand what’s happened. And above all, commit to the truth. That was the number one rule in all my years of crisis work: only speak about what you know. Don’t speculate.

Balancing Personal Emotion with Professional Responsibility

Beth Bender:
So if you’re a business owner and you're navigating both the facts and your emotional response, how do you balance staying true to your company’s core values without projecting your personal beliefs or feelings onto your entire organization?

Teddie Garrigan:
That’s such an important point. As a leader, you have to step outside yourself. In a situation like what we’ve experienced here in Texas, I’ll be honest—I was frozen too. I’ve done this work for decades, and even I sometimes don’t know what to say when there’s such heartbreaking loss of life.

Beth Bender:
Same. It’s so close to home—being in Dallas, knowing families personally affected—it’s overwhelming.

Teddie Garrigan:
It is. And empathy is incredibly important. But where people sometimes misstep is in inserting themselves into the story. Saying things like, “I knew this person,” or “I was nearby,” when in reality, they weren’t personally involved. It’s natural to want to connect, but it’s more powerful to stay grounded in what your community is collectively feeling, rather than trying to personalize the event.

What to Say (and What Not to Say) on Social Media

Beth Bender:
So what strategies can keep the focus on shared values and community heartache without over-personalizing your communication? Especially on social media, where the tone can easily go sideways.

Teddie Garrigan:
It’s perfectly okay to be still. I handle our social media at Coco & Dash, so I know our voice well. And I also know when it’s time to pause. When I’m frozen, I listen—to what’s really going on—and then I think about how to help others.

Sometimes that means sharing vetted resources or places to donate. That allows you to express heartbreak in a constructive way. Because even when we’re not directly impacted, we can’t ignore what’s happening around us.

Beth Bender:
And there’s often nothing you can say that will make it better.

Teddie Garrigan:
Exactly. You won’t find the perfect words—but you can let people know you’re hurting too. That’s a human response, and it’s okay in a professional setting. In fact, I really hate when businesses act like nothing happened. That silence can feel just as loud.

Beth Bender:
That’s so true.

Teddie Garrigan:
If your words come from the heart, that’s the perfect place to start. Don’t go into the details or try to become part of the tragedy itself. Instead, focus on what your business and your community can do next. Whether that’s attending a vigil, supporting families, or sharing links to verified nonprofits—it all matters.

Thoughts, Prayers, and Footwork

Beth Bender:
You mentioned earlier that you’re not really a “thoughts and prayers” kind of person. Can you elaborate on that?

Teddie Garrigan:
Yes—I absolutely believe in prayer, but I also believe in doing the footwork. I’m a born fixer. I can pray, but I also ask, “What can I do?” Whether that’s delivering meals to first responders or making a small donation—it all adds up. Every effort matters.

Giving Back as a Small Business

Beth Bender:
Let’s talk about that a little more before we wrap up. When small businesses want to contribute—whether it’s time, money, or resources—are there any limitations to that? Or is it just about showing heart?

Teddie Garrigan:
Everyone can’t do the same thing. Coco & Dash can’t do what H-E-B can do, for example. But that doesn’t mean we can’t do something. Give yourself grace. You’re not expected to do it all—but you can take one step, make one gesture. And that will mean something to someone.

Don’t Forget About Your Team

Teddie Garrigan:
And I want to add one more thing. Don’t forget about the morale of your company. How you respond as a leader is absorbed by every single person on your team.

Beth Bender:
Absolutely. That’s such an amazing point to end on. And it really ties into one more important point you brought up—morale. How you respond as a leader directly impacts your team.

Final Thoughts: Lead with Compassion

Beth Bender:
That brings me to a quote we always end these Top Branch episodes with. This one is from Maya Angelou:
“Compassion is the greatest form of love humans have to offer, especially in times of crisis.”

Teddie, I can't thank you enough for your wisdom—not just today, but over the years. This has been such an important conversation.

Teddie Garrigan:
I’m always here for you, Beth. And thank you for being the kind of person who leads with heart.

Beth Bender:
And thank you for being the same. For anyone listening or reading, Coco & Dash is not only a beautiful space, but Teddie’s heart and grace shine through in everything they do.