Austin Woman MAGAZINE | MAY 2017
“Being rich is having money. Being wealthy is having time.” —Margaret Bonanno
Mazda Ranked Most Fuel-efficient Automaker by the EPA for the Fourth Year in a Row. MAZDA NAMED
2017 Best Car Brand www.usnews.com - Nov. 15, 2016. 2017 Best Vehicle Brand Awards. The awards recognize the brands whose vehicles perform the best on an overall basis within four major categories of the U.S. News vehicle rankings: Cars, SUVs, Trucks and Luxury.
PROUDLY SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY
MAZDA’S 2015 FLEET OFFERS THE HIGHEST ADJUSTED MPG. Based on the EPA’s Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 - 2015 report on MY 2015 vehicles.
INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW 2017 MAZDA CX-5. NOW EVEN BETTER. Announcing a new level of engineering and design. Bolder. More athletic and more sophisticated. Born from the DNA that created the best-selling Mazda CUV of all time. The All-New 2017 Mazda CX-5. Like every Mazda, it’s built for people who love driving. And for those who want to feel that way again. Or even for the first time. Stunning new design radiates from every corner, curve and detail. Exceptional driving dynamics connect you to the road.
CENTRAL • SOUTH • GEORGETOWN • KILLEEN
rogerbeasleymazda.com
866-779-8409 • M-F 8:30AM - 9:00PM | Sat 8:30AM - 8:00PM
stunning is an understatement Skorpio Keramik table designed by Paolo Cattelan. Features a sculptural metal base with clear lacquer finish and modern porcelain ceramic top with a unique oval shape. The man-made top mimics Calacatta marble but is extremely hard and nonporous making it much more durable and user friendly than the natural product. Go ahead, spill your wine. Various sizes. From stock at 94.5� X 47�. Made in Italy and directly imported by Copenhagen.
contemporary furniture & accessories
inspired design from italy
San Antonio 18603 Blanco Road 210.545.4366 (just north of 1604 in The Vineyard next to Whole Foods Market) Austin 2236 West Braker 512.451.1233 (just east of The Domain and Burnet Road next to Culver’s)
www.CopenhagenLiving.com
Christopher Brennig, MD
Austin Vein Institute State-of-the-art Varicose Vein Treatment
C h r i s t op h er W. Br e n n i g , M . D . CERTIFIED: The American Board of General Surgery SUB-SPECIALTY CERTIFIED: The American Board of Vascular Surgery
Va r i c o s e V ei n s S p i d e r V ei n s L aser therapy Sclerotherapy
512.346.2727
7000 N. Mopac Ste. 320 Austin, TX 78731
Dr. Brennig is Board Certified in Vascular Surgery and in General Surgery. He is recognized for his expertise in the minimally invasive treatment of varicose veins, spider veins, recurrent varicose veins, and complex venous disorders including DVT. Please call the Austin Vein Institute to schedule a comprehensive consultation.
V e i n A u s t i n . c o m
R E A L PAT I E N T S. R E A L S TO R I E S.
‘‘
A living donor kidney transplant saved me from dialysis.
’’
When Tamra Warner was pregnant with her second son, a prenatal sonogram revealed she had polycystic kidney disease. Kidney failure was inevitable. But Tamra took advantage of the living donor kidney transplant option at her local Baylor Scott & White Medical Center. She received a living donor kidney transplant and avoided a life of dialysis. Now, she says, “Life has returned blissfully to normal. I didn’t realize how bad I felt. Now I feel amazing.”
For more information on transplantation care services or for a physician referral, visit us online at transplant.sw.org. Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers, Baylor Health Care System, Scott & White Healthcare or Baylor Scott & White Health. Not all services available at all locations. ©2017 Baylor Scott & White Health SWTRANS_9_2017_WacoToday CE 03.17
Light Painting & Night Photography Friday, May 19 from 6pm to 11pm Photographing in low light can be a challenge, but mastering this technique also grants freedom. Painting your subject with light gives amazing control. During this class, we will explore the possibilities of light painting including how and when to use different types of light sources, how to control and play with color at night, how to determine proper exposure and the basics of compositing multiple painted frames to form a single image.
Cost: $99
OTHER UPCOMING PHOTOGRAPHY CLASSES Adobe Lightroom Organizing Images
Intermediate Studio Photography
Tue, May 9, from 6pm to 9pm
Sat, May 20 from 1pm to 4pm
Cost: $129
Cost: $129
Introduction to Studio Lighting
Intro to Film Photography
Fri, May 12 from 6pm to 9pm
Fri, May 26 from 6pm to 9pm
Cost: $79
Cost: $69
Nikon Advanced Photography Class
Basic Real Estate Photography
Sat, May 13 from 2pm to 5pm
Tue, May 30 from 6pm to 9pm
Cost: $69
Cost: $69
Preserve your family memories... with our photo lab’s professional archiving services!
Video Transfers
Have old film reels and VHS tapes filled with special moments from the past? Have them transfered to a DVD or USB. From $34.99.
Print Scans
Have albums full of family photos? Have your them scanned onto a DVD or USB. Scan 500 prints for just $99.99.
Film Scans
Inside every 35mm camera is a 26MP digital camera! Unlock ultra-crisp digital images with our expert scanning services!
40 YEARS IN AUSTIN | COMPETITIVE PRICES | TEX AS SIZED INVENTORY | VAST KNOWLEDGE & FRIENDLY STAFF
In West Anderson Plaza
2438 W. Anderson Ln & Burnet Rd Austin, Tx 78757 | 512.467.7676 | 800.677.1023 M-F: 10-7 | Sat: 10-6 | Sun: 1-5
At Dell Children’s, our doctors and nurses are dedicated to helping children with bone and joint conditions get back to playing and being kids. Welcome to the only orthopedic care program in Central Texas recognized by U.S. News & World Report in 2016–2017.
DellChildrens.net/Specialties
CONGRATULATIONS
2017
WOMAN'S WAY BUSINESS AWARDS
F I N A L I STS THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2017, 6-9pm JW MARRIOTT AUSTIN UNDERWRITING PARTNER
I AM AUSTIN WOMAN BABY GREENS CHEZ ZEE RED VELVET EVENTS
PRODUCT INNOVATION AUSTIN COCKTAILS MIRACULUM INC OLIVE + M
HEALTH & WELLNESS FARMHOUSE DELIVERY JENNIFER L. WALDEN MD REDBIRD FITNESS LLC
PR & MARKETING AUTUMN RICH & CO CULTIVATE PR LOOKTHINKMAKE LLC
GOODS & SERVICES PROVIDER CARE.COM HOME PAY HEATHER SCOTT HOME & DESIGN THE STEEPING ROOM WOMEN RISING
DIGITAL INFLUENCER STYLE BEACON CLEAR BLUE SKY DIGITAL ROCK CANDY MEDIA
PHILANTHROPIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR BRAVELETS PAINTING WITH A TWIST CEDAR PARK THE SETTLEMENT HOME FOR CHILDREN SURVIVE2THRIVE
WOMAN-LED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (UNDER 1 MILLION)
JACK & LOLA THE AUSTIN SCHOOL FOR THE PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS TXRD (TEXAS ROLLER DERBY) WOMAN-LED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (OVER 1 MILLION)
TECHNOLOGY HARUTUNIAN ENGINEERING INC LOANABLES SCHOOLINKS
CONSORTIA HEALTH JUICE MARKETING AND LMS ACQUISITIONS PPDS INC TWIN LIQUORS WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (UNDER 1 MILLION)
MEDIATORS OF TEXAS SULLIVAN PHYSICAL THERAPY AUTUMN RICH & CO. WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
RISING STAR FAY + BELLE ROCHELI PATISSERIE YARD BAR
(OVER 1 MILLION)
HARUTUNIAN ENGINEERING INC JHL COMPANY RED VELVET EVENTS WHIM HOSPITALITY
THANK YOU TO OUR WONDERFUL SELECTION COMMITTEE
EMILY REAGAN BAZAARVOICE
JAN RYAN WOMEN@AUSTIN
ANDRA LIEMANDT
PATRICIA G. GREENE
NIKKI GRAHAM
THE MRS.
BABSON COLLEGE
BANK OF AMERICA
LANA MACRUM J.P. MORGAN
STEPHANIE BREEDLOVE
MELLIE PRICE
LYNN ATCHISON
SARA BRAND
GIGI BRYANT
LIZ MATTHEWS
CARE.COM HOMEPAY
DELL MEDICAL SCHOOL
SPREADFAST
TRUE WEALTH VENTURES
GMSA MANAGEMENT SERVICES
DELL
PLATINUM SPONSORS:
GOLD SPONSORS:
SUPPORTERS: TEXAS CAPITAL BANK
J.P. MORGAN
BAZAARVOICE
GIRLS EMPOWERMENT NETWORK
WOMEN@AUSTIN
Surgical | Medical | Cosmetic
Non-surgical Skin Cancer Treatment Experts
Tru-Skin Dermatology’s SRT-100 Vision utilizes revolutionary, FDA-approved technology to provide highly-effective and pain-free skin cancer treatment with excellent cosmetic results. Board Certified Physicians • Medicare/Major Insurance Accepted
tru-skin.com
SRT-100 Vision is available in: Austin • Bastrop • La Grange • Kerrville • Bulverde/Spring Branch
888.451.0139
Look good, feel good, do good. A portion of every service, patient visit and product purchase at Tru-Skin Dermatology is donated to The Shade Project and Skin Cancer Foundation to help skin cancer prevention efforts.
76
On the cover
THE FUNDING IS FEMALE
Photo by Annie Ray.
BY sarah E. Ashlock
84
feature
BANKING ON AUSTIN By Rachel Rascoe
Contents
Photo by Keith Hajovsky.
MAY
64 on the scene
GOURMET
24 SAVE THE DATE
92 r ecipe reveal Miniature Key Lime Pies 93 F OOD NEWS Mattie’s
Five Must-dos for May
savvy women
26 count us in Women in Numbers wellness 28 B OTTOM LINE How to Build Startup Support 94 W AITING ROOM Shade Your Skin 30 F rom The desk of Jenny Hoff 98 E AT THIS, NOT THAT Crunch Time 32 G IVE BACK I Live Here, I Give Here’s 100 H ER ROUTINE Dionn Schaffner Celeste Flores 34 P ROFILE 36 P ROFILE 38 P ROFILE
AffiniPay’s Amy Porter Trophyology’s Eva Schone
Austin Cocktails’ Kelly Gasink and Jill Burns
POINT OF VIEW 102 mem o from JB Hit the Road 104 i am austin woman Gayle Reaume
MUST LIST 64 Discover Alaska 66 roundup Pack Mentality 68 L ITTLE LUXURIES Investment Luggage
style + HOME 70 SPLURGE OR STEAL Sea of Style 72 accessorize Blush-worthy 74 entertaining Spring Garden Party 14 | Austin Woman | may 2017
on the cover Photo by Annie Ray, annieraycreative.com Hair and makeup by Laura Martinez, bylauramartinez.com Styled by Ashley Hargrove, dtkaustin.com
On Kerry: Parker Amazon floral blouse, $220, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com. Sugarfix By BaubleBar tassel earrings, $12.99, available at Target stores, target.com. On Sara: Havana pom-pom earrings, $32, available at baublebar.com. Dress, model’s own.
Established in 1998
3705 Medical Parkway, Suite 130
|
(512) 533-7317
|
www.tocmedicalspa.com
EYELASH EXTENSIONS | LASH & BROW TINTS | THREADING | MICROBLADING
Round Rock Location 200 University Blvd suite 410 | Round Rock, 78665 512.868.5274 /ATXVolumeLashandBrowRR @ATXVolumeRoundRock Northwest Location 10601 RR-2222 | Austin, TX 78730 (512) 346-5274 /ATXVolumeLashandBrowNW @ATXVolumeLashandBrow
Volume 15, issue 9 Co-Founder and Publisher Melinda Maine Garvey vice president and Co-Publisher Christopher Garvey associate publisher Cynthia Guajardo Shafer
EDITORIAL
.COM
Editor April Cumming copy editor Chantal Rice contributing writers
Sarah E. Ashlock, Jill Case, JB Hager, Rachel Rascoe, Gayle Reaume, Alessandra Rey, Kat Sampson, Gretchen M. Sanders, Shelley Seale, Darcy Sprague, Morgan Stephanian, Emma Whalen
ART
Because our readers look to us to help them make informed choices, including which doctors to see, we have launched a powerful digital solution—ATXDOCTORS.COM.
CONTRIBUTE TO ATXDOCTORS.COM
CREATIVE Director Niki Jones ART DIRECTOR Stef Atkinson
Become a part of our online directory featuring Austin’s leading doctors and health-care centers
CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
Kenny Braun, Chris Cha, Kevin Garner, Neil Ghandi, Keith Hajovsky, Ashley Hargrove, Ashley Kriegel, Callie Kerbo, Rebecca Morelo Jackson, Laura Martinez, Joanna McCray, Dustin Meyer, Lisa Muñoz, Annie Ray, Jay B Sauceda, Shelley Seale, Nick Simonite, Jessica Wetterer, Todd White
Answer our readers frequently asked health questions in an exclusive Ask An Expert article
ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Morgan Acree
Showcase your business and experience with an in-depth doctor profile page
operations and marketing Director of marketing and engagement
Lisa Muñoz Sales Coordinator AND Office Manager
Caitlin Candelari
Interns
Monica Hand, Alessandra Rey, Emma Whalen
Emeritae Co-Founder Samantha Stevens Editors
Emily C. Laskowski, Deborah Hamilton-Lynne, Mary Anne Connolly, Elizabeth Eckstein
Austin Woman is a free monthly publication of AW Media Inc., and is available at more than 1,250 locations throughout Austin and in Lakeway, Cedar Park, Round Rock and Pflugerville. All rights reserved. For submission requirements, visit awmediainc.com/contribute. No part of the magazine may be reprinted or duplicated without permission. Visit us online at austinwomanmagazine.com. Email us at info@awmediainc.com. 512.328.2421 • 3921 Steck Ave., Suite A111, Austin, TX 78759
Physicians and healthcare providers, we welcome your participation. Please contact us at: sales@awmediainc.com or 512.328.2421
From the Editor
Each issue brings a plethora of planning, troubleshooting and moments of silent panic, but on the flip side, there are also daily moments of anticipation and excitement, not to mention the rewarding knowledge that comes from having the power to share and creatively showcase someone’s story. Just like a human baby, each issue of the magazine has its own quirks and standout characteristics, but one feature that runs like a current through each article—one element I’ll never grow tired of— is the power each of the women we feature carry in their words. Reading their quotes is honestly one of the best perks of this job. Their morsels of wisdom have the power to impart and inspire change. This power to inspire is why I first fell in love with magazines. Fittingly, I’ve also always had an affinity for quotes. One quote, in particular, that’s forever committed to memory—most likely because I forgot to wipe it off my dry-erase board throughout my college years—is from Henry David Thoreau. The quote reads: “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” When reading this month’s cover story on first-year venture capitalists and dream-team duo Sara Brand and Kerry Rupp, I couldn’t help but be reminded of this quote.
Join the conversation @AustinWoman #TheFinancialEmpowermentIsuue
18 | Austin Woman | may 2017
Who doesn’t love the notion of unexpected success? It’s the idea that if you work diligently enough and apply a persistent passion toward all you do, you will eventually arrive, one day, at the intersection where opportunity meets skill. The takeaway: Never lose sight of your dreams; they’re absolutely worth the work it takes to mold them into reality. Another commonality I notice when editing the words of wise women each month is that we, as women, are charmingly quick to speak up about the people who helped us get to where we are today. Reading these acknowledgments is a constant, humbling reminder that there really is no clear textbook path to achieving success, which is why it’s imperative we not only recognize the role models in our own lives, but also act as sounding boards and sources of support to others like us who are looking for a leg up. It’s my sincerest hope that, as you flip through the pages of this issue, you feel emboldened to be a dreamer, that you feel empowered to be confident in yourself and courageous enough to embrace the community of female support that surrounds you. Centered above my desk hangs a colorblocked quote from Benjamin Franklin that I hand-painted onto white canvas. It stares back at me every morning between my eager sips of iced coffee, issuing its challenge: “Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.” Whatever it is you choose to do, here’s hoping it is something worthwhile and that one day, you are met with a success unexpected in common hours. Sincerely,
APRIL CUMMING Editor
Photo by Lisa Muñoz.
P
eople are often curious about the behind-thescenes process of putting a magazine together. My standby answer to those paying attention is this: It’s like having a baby. I should clarify the analogy comes from someone who has never had a baby, so please take it with a grain of salt.
I AM A TEXAS MBA “I pursued my Texas MBA six years after I founded Amy’s Ice Creams. The intelligence and high level of achievement by my classmates and keen perspective of my professors unlocked potential in me I’d never known. I stepped my game up in all areas of my life and found a new level of confidence. The camaraderie and support of lifelong friendships made between classmates and professors has proven to be priceless.”
AMY SIMMONS Founder, Amy’s Ice Creams, Baked By Amy’s Co-founder, Phil’s Ice House, Austinville Entrepreneurial consultant, Amy’s EDU First professional boxer in the State of Texas Mother of three Marathon runner Former Mayor Pro Tem of West Lake Hills, Texas Texas MBA 1994
TexasMBA.info
EXPAND YOUR NETWORK
Photo by Korey Howell.
Evening & Executive Programs
contributors
This month, we asked our contributors: What was the last feel-good purchase you made?
au st i N sympho N y or chest ra
ANNIE RAY
COVER Photographer, “THE FUNDING IS FEMALE,” Page 76 Since 2005, Annie Ray has focused on bringing out the “real stuff” in everything she shoots. Her relationship with every subject will make 1,000 words say so much more. “The last feel-good purchase I made was my Hampton Bay outdoor lounger for lots of book-reading time!”
Sarah E. Ashlock
COVER writer, “the funding is female,” Page 76 Sarah E. Ashlock is a freelance writer and editor who is dedicated to telling women’s stories. She has a master’s degree in English and a scholarly publishing certificate from Arizona State University, and is the writer for Austin Woman’s daily inspirational newsletter, On The Dot Woman. Sarah likes to explore Austin one happy hour at a time and share her discoveries on social media. Follow her on Twitter @Sarah_Ashlock. “There are two: Jess Lively, from the podcast The Lively Show, teaches a course called Life With Intention Online focused on identifying your values and listening to your intuition. After finishing the course, my intuition—and nose— guided me to my second feel-good purchase: The Burlap Bag’s hippie scent.”
your perfect
Date Night
DUSTIN MEYER
PHOTOGRAPHER, “BANKING ON AUSTIN,” Page 84 Dustin Meyer is an internationally recognized wedding, portrait and commercial photographer based in Austin, with more than 10 years of experience in the photography industry. His work has been displayed by Kodak in Times Square, featured in USA Today and on CBS. Published in numerous magazines, including Southern Weddings, Style Me Pretty, The Knot, Rangefinder Magazine and more, Dustin’s work has earned him acclaim from clients throughout the country.
starts here
upcomiNg eveNts: May 19 & 20, 8:00 p.M. 2016–17 Masterworks Season Finale! Gabriela Montero, piano Long Center’s dell Hall June 2 & 3, 8:00 p.M. “Fascinating Gershwin™” Leon Bates, piano alicia Hall Moran and destan owens, vocals Long Center’s dell Hall
æ
tickets/info S e a So n Sp onSorS
“The last feel-good purchase I made was getting my wife a beautiful flower arrangement for her birthday from Verbena Floral Design. It’s always a huge surprise for her when it’s delivered to her workplace. Plus, it makes her co-workers jealous!”
GaBrieLa Montero
GeorGe GerSHwin
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Gretchen M. Sanders is a writer and multi-media producer in Austin. She has worked in public radio and has a background in social work. This Louisiana native loves to swim and run when she’s not tapping away on her keyboard. She ran the Boston Marathon in 2014 and swam around Manhattan Island several times before that. Lately, she has discovered her inner entrepreneur. In 2015, Gretchen started Audio Archives, an oral-history recording business that helps families capture and preserve the voices and memories of loved ones.
(512) 476-6064 or austinsymphony.org
Me d ia SponS orS
Gretchen M. Sanders Writer, “Digging the Dancing Queen,” Page 100
All artists, programs, and dates subject to change.
“I went on a bender last month and, in one sitting, purchased four new swimsuits from swimoutlet.com. One by one, I have slowly debuted my colorful suits at morning practice with the Longhorn Aquatics Masters swim team. I think they make me go faster!”
YOU DIDN’T WAKE UP TODAY
TO BE MEDIOCRE Step 1
POUR YOUR
COFFEE
Step 2
Step 3
MASCARA
“LISTEN”
GRAB YOUR
Rich Content. Audible. Only 4 Minutes. Free.
ONTHEDOTWOMAN.COM
HIT
Connect with us! Can’t get enough of this issue? Check us out at austinwomanmagazine.com.
➥ More trails. Think you know all of Austin’s best-kept secret hiking routes? Think again. Check out our roundup of the top 10 under-the-radar trail networks you should explore before the sweltering heat of summer hits.
➥ More movies. Female-founded Cine Las Americas, an annual nonprofit film
festival, will celebrate its 20th anniversary in Austin May 3 through 7. For a sneak peek at what to expect at this year’s event, we caught up with Festival Director Jean Lauer.
➥ More love for Mom. You don’t have to spend a fortune to celebrate Mom this Mother’s Day (May 14). From suggestions for quaint coffee shops and savory brunch spots to mural sightseeing and shopping musts, follow our 12-hour agenda and opt to take Mom on a day tour of Austin instead.
➥ More summer camp. Whoever said you’re too old for summer camp had yet
Win This!
Don’t miss
Katie Kime Earrings Giveaway Brighten your accessories this spring and summer with bold earrings from Katie Kime. This month’s giveaway is for not one, but two pairs of earrings from Katie Kime. Select the silk tassel earrings in a color of your choosing and play a game of Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Mo between a pair of pom-pom earrings that come in a subtle gray or a bold pink/orange.
Woman’s Way Business Awards May 4, 6 to 9 p.m. JW Marriott, 110 E. Second St. austinwomanmagazine.com/womansway2017 Down & Derby Benefiting The Shade Project May 6, 4 to 7 p.m. Ranch Austin, 10313 Circle Drive theshadeproject.org
Katie Kime is an emerging lifestyle brand of fashion, furniture and accessories inspired by Kime’s own spirited approach to dressing both herself and her home. Her eponymous storefront is located at 500 N. Lamar Blvd. To enter, keep an eye on our Instagram account, @AustinWoman, for the giveaway announcement in May. Word to the wise: We like to be spontaneous. A winner will be chosen and notified at the end of the month.
Follow us
@austinwoman
22 | Austin Woman | may 2017
like us
Heart Ball Austin May 13, 6 to 10 p.m. JW Marriott, 110 E. Second St. ahaaustin.ejoinme.org/myevents/20162017austinheartball Polished Austin Luncheon May 17, noon to 1 p.m. Uncle Julio’s, 301 Brazos St. polishedonline.org/austin
facebook.com/austinwoman
FOLLOW us
@ austinwoman
Summer camp photo by Chris Cha. Jean Lauer photo by Rebecca Morelo Jackson. Win This photo courtesy of Katie Kime.
to experience Camp No Counselors, an adults-only summer camp set to take place May 11 through 14 in Vanderpool, Texas. Check out one reporter’s firsthand dispatch from the field. It’s a tough assignment, but someone had to do it.
FEMME FILM FRIDAYS
Obvious Child Screening & Conversation AUSTIN’S ORIGINAL WIG SALON. SERVING CUSTOMERS ALL OVER TEXAS FOR OVER 50 YEARS. PROFESSIONAL STYLING
CUSTOM FITTING PRIVATE ROOMS
PERSONAL APPOINTMENTS
HAIRPIECES
WE SPECIALIZE IN WIGS FOR CHEMO & RADIATION PATIENTS
Ander
son Ln .
6PM Cash Bar 7PM Screening + Q&A w/ Elizabeth Mims
Amber Bixby
Writer/director
Comedian and writer
Burn e
Mo
pa
c
N
June 2, 2017
t
NORTHWOOD PLAZA 2900 W. Anderson Ln., Ste H | 512.323.9220 O P E N : M-F: 10am-5:30pm | Sa: 10am-4pm
Director/writer Gillian Robespierre and comedian/actress Jenny Slate shine in this Femme Film Fridays, one of a series highlighting the cinematic works of women.
www.SERENITYWIGANDSALON . com
Support for the Bullock Museum’s exhibitions and education programs provided by the Texas State History Museum Foundation.
O
n the scene
save the date
save the date
Check out the May agenda from our favorite local insiders. Austin Entertains “Austin’s newest culinary event is led by Austin’s greatest female chefs, with libations from local mixologists and a live-music showcase. All funds raised will benefit The Junior League of Austin and its mission of developing the potential of women and improving the Austin community.” May 4, 6 to 10 p.m. | Brazos Hall, 204 E. Fourth St. jlaustin.org | Tickets are $120.
Jane Ko @atasteofkoko
Hot Luck Festival
May 18 through 21, times vary | Locations vary hotluckfest.com | Ticket prices start at $145. Kristy Owen @365thingsaustin
Austin Fashion Week “Last year, we debuted [the Katie Kime] clothing collection at AFW in our first-ever runway show. It was unforgettable. Fashion Week is an exciting week in Austin. Matt Swinney has done an amazing job with it all, and I love watching it grow each year.” May 12 through 21, times vary | Locations vary austin.fashionx.co | Ticket prices start at $250. Katie Kime @katie_kime
Sunday Ritual at South Congress Hotel “This Sunday Ritual is a special day for self-care and wellness, and includes all of my favorite things that help me feel good: yoga, meditation and mimosas to follow!” May 7, 10 to 11:15 a.m. | South Congress Hotel, 1603 S. Congress Ave. austin.wanderlustyoga.com/music-arts/schedule | Tickets are $20. Adriene Mishler @yogawithadriene
Grateful Thread “2Fold, an Austin-based nonprofit organization, has created Grateful Thread, a one-night, 100 percent free shopping event for women all over Austin to receive clothing, shop their neighbors’ closets and create new friendships with Austin women. The event, dubbed ‘the largest clothing swap in Austin,’ will be held at a secret location that’s only disclosed to guests who have RSVP’d. A personal stylist will be on hand for you to shop with as you savor complimentary sips and snacks from Austin Gourmet Popcorn, relax in a lounge area created by Loot Vintage, dance to a DJ and listen to career tips from Austin leaders.” —April Cumming May 12, 6 to 9 p.m. | The location is secret. gratefulthread.org Austin Woman
@austinwoman
24 | Austin Woman | may 2017
Hot Luck Festival photo courtesy of Hot Luck Festival. Austin Fashion Week photo by Todd White. Sunday Ritual photo by Neil Ghandi.
“You may have been thinking the last thing Austin needs is another food festival, but you would be wrong—oh so wrong—to think that. The Hot Luck Festival isn’t just another festival. It’s the brainchild of barbecue hero Aaron Franklin, Mohawk Owner James Moody and Mike Thelin, the co-founder of Feast Portland. As the press release says, ‘Together, they have curated a Texassized get-together featuring world-class culinary talent and a true Austin live-music experience.”
Studio Bella is a full service spa & boutique
MOTHER’S DAY SPECIAL
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Eyelash Extensions, Facials & Waxing By Joan Schroeder (512) 888-5838
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SICK AND TIRED OF FEELING
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EPIGENETICS The future of medicine Precision medicine The Master Key
Re-writing the Rules of Disease Methylation Mutations Autoimmune Diseases Anxiety and Depression Chronic Fatigue ADD/ADHD Sleep Disorders IBS/Gut Disorders
Dr. V holds educational lectures on genetic defects and their role in anxiety, depression, neurochemical imbalances and chronic inflammation and disease. NEXT LECTURES: When: 2nd Thursday of each month and more Where: People’s Rx | S. Lamar 7:00PM May 11th: Thyroid, Adrenals, and Fatigue: “Elimination” RSVP here: 512.328.0505
Dr. Elena Villanueva • Dr. Tenesha Wards • Dr. Amanda Massey AustinHolisticDr.com 5000 Davis Ln., Ste. 106, Austin, TX 78749 • 512.328.0505
S
avvy Women
count us in
women in numbers
Facts and figures on females from throughout the world. By Alessandra Rey, illustrations by jessica wetterer
Bill SB-25
3 Days
That’s the name of Texas Republican Senator Brandon Creighton’s bill that eliminates a patient’s right to sue his or her physician should they withhold any information pertaining to signs of fetal abnormalities during a woman’s pregnancy. The primary incentive of the bill, which passed with a vote of 8-0 in the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs in February, is to dissuade female patients from obtaining an abortion. According to Democratic Senator José Rodríguez, members on the opposing side argue the bill limits a woman’s choice. As of press time, Bill SB-25 was under consideration in the Texas Senate.
That’s the number of days women in Italy could have off work should a newly proposed “menstrual leave policy” get approved by the country’s parliament. If approved, the law will mandate companies to grant three days of paid leave each month to female employees experiencing painful periods. Italy already has extensive laws for females in the workforce, such as five months’ paid maternity leave and an extra six months of parental leave. Proponents of the policy, drafted by four female lawmakers from Italy’s ruling Democratic Party, argue the monthly time off could help combat employee absenteeism and Italy’s low number of females in the workforce. According to The Independent, only 61 percent of Italian women work, giving Italy one of the lowest female-workforce participation rates in the world.
11 Years Old
According to a survey conducted by Microsoft, 11 years old is the average age when many girls garner interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. Unfortunately for many science and tech programs, girls tend to lose interest shortly thereafter, by the age of 15. Such a quick rebound, the survey notes, is attributed to a lack of female role models and current gender stereotypes, making it difficult for young women to choose a career in STEM. The study found that six of 10 women would feel more comfortable in pursuing a career in a STEMrelated field should they be guaranteed equal pay and treatment when compared with their male counterparts.
#5WomanArtists #5WomanArtists, the hashtag launched March 1 by the National Museum of Women in the Arts, is being used to further arts education and raise awareness of gender inequality. The museum, located in Washington, D.C., has made a goal to kick-start conversations regarding gender disparity in the arts, as very few visitors to the museum have been able to name more than one or two prominent female artists beyond, say, Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keeffe. According to the museum, only 3 to 5 percent of permanent exhibition collections in the U.S. and Europe contain pieces created by a woman. The campaign is an effort to bring these iconic female artists and their work out of the shadows. This year, more than 150 institutions from 41 states in the U.S., 16 countries and five continents have agreed to contribute to the cause and participate via social media.
Planet 50-50 By 2030 Established by a cohort of women-centric organizations, Planet 50-50 By 2030 is an effort inspired and spearheaded by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. Planet 50-50 By 2030 is an incentive spread throughout the U.N. and multiple media channels to expose women to their career potential and shift their focus from past ways of thinking to present, encouraging them to transition from traditional household duties to more professional careers. The campaign calls for governments worldwide to help transform media portrayals of women, as well as increase their representation in education, with a particular focus on achieving gender equality in the digital sphere. As of now, only 18 percent of women worldwide hold degrees in computer science. It’s estimated that further developing women’s equality in all job sectors could increase the global GDP by $12 trillion in the next eight years. 26 | Austin Woman | MAY 2017
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How to Build Startup Support
Jean Anne Booth, founder of medical-alert startup UnaliWear, shares her curated tips for securing investor funding. After selling two previous startups to Texas Instruments and Apple in 2009 and 2010, respectively, Jean Anne Booth could have hung her hat and bid adieu to her successful career as a tech entrepreneur. She could have retired and spent her days working as a dive master on a liveaboard dive boat if she wanted, and that’s exactly what she chose to do for a short period of time. Ever the serial entrepreneur though, she soon returned to the drawing board and started working on a new endeavor, UnaliWear, a startup inspired by Booth’s mother, who, at the time, was about to turn 80. “She wasn’t willing to wear today’s emergency-alert products,” Booth says, explaining there are multiple reasons people choose not to. “They are ugly, limited outside the home unless tethered to a smartphone, which [my mom] doesn’t have or want, and those big help buttons are socially stigmatizing.” Booth has since created a stylish, wearable watch called Kanega (Cherokee for “speak”) that combines cellular, Wi-Fi, GPS, continuous speech and automatic fall-detection technology to help seniors keep track of their medications, and to provide directions and offer immediate medical support. So far, UnaliWear has raised $7 million in two rounds of funding, including from institutional investors Maxim Ventures, True Wealth Ventures (The startup was True Wealth’s first investment in 2016.) and Social Starts, along with some “fantastic angel investors.” With the product currently in beta testing, one could say Booth has mastered her technique for pursuing investor funding. Here, she shares her sage how-to advice. —April Cumming
Consider the right accelerator for your business. “Even though I’ve founded several startups, I interviewed accelerators before joining StartUp Health with UnaliWear. Thanks to StartUp Health, I have connections in health care and health innovation that I could never have developed on my own. When you look at an accelerator, make sure you consider it in terms of what your business needs and what the accelerator can really deliver. And remember, funding is your job, not the accelerator’s.” Never let it show. “I have to confess, I struggle with this one, but it is one of the most important pieces of advice that I’ve gotten from one of my mentors, the incomparable Jan Ryan. Though there have been times that I’ve gone into investor meetings or sales calls as UnaliWear is running out of money, you can’t act like you need money. Take a deep breath, go to your positive people for a pick-me-up, remind yourself of how far you’ve come and never let it show.” Never give up. “Funding and running a startup takes tenacity and grit—a lot of it. In the times when I’ve been challenged to keep UnaliWear going, the question I ask myself is, ‘Are there still paths to go down? Are there options left?’ It’s not time to give up until there are no more options available, and that takes grit. Never give up.”
Practice your pitch. “The art of raising money for startups has changed significantly over the years. Yes, there’s more money available, but there is also a lot more competition for that money. You can bemoan the beauty-pageant nature of today’s pitch, or you can just get it done. For UnaliWear, I can give a pitch in one, three, five, eight, 10 and 12 minutes. And for those pitches that include slides, I can give the pitch without ever looking at the slides so that I can engage the audience in the compelling story I’m telling. This sounds a lot easier than it really is, so make sure you give it the practice time that you need.” Surround yourself with positive people. “Startups are hard, not just in work effort and hours consumed, but in emotional cost as well. Recognizing that most fundraising efforts yield ‘no,’ it’s important to surround yourself with positive people who can help you stay focused on the purpose and mission of what you’re doing, and who can remind you of how far you’ve already come when the weight of ‘no’ begins to drag you down.”
28 | Austin Woman | MAY 2017
Photo courtesy of UnaliWear.
Tell a story. “People remember stories, not data. Especially in the early stages of the business, it’s your passion for the business that communicates that you have the grit to make it happen. Convey that passion in the story that carries a listener from hearing about your business to thinking about the business’ impact on their lives. In UnaliWear’s case, this means transforming the reference point of the listener from a business-evaluation perspective to considering the impact of extending independence with dignity on the lives of their own loved ones.”
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The managing editor of Bankrate and personal finance reporter at creditcards.com cuts through the confusion of determining your credit score. By april cumming, photo by kevin garner A veteran broadcast-news journalist, Jenny Hoff is a certified personal-finance educator at creditcards.com and the managing editor for videos and web content at Bankrate. Fluency in tackling the complex financial issues that consumers face is part of her daily job. A former news anchor and reporter at KXAN Austin, Hoff is also the producer and host of financial podcast Charged Up! With Jenny Hoff, a platform she’s used to interview authors, experts and thought leaders like Tony Robbins, Robert Kiyosaki and Nicole Lapin.
One question she repeatedly hears from readers and video followers is two-part: How does one determine their credit score and how does one improve their rating? Hoff explains it’s not that complicated once you take the time to understand and come up with a game plan.
Her Notes 1. P ayment history. “This determines 35 percent of your credit score, so it is the most important factor. Paying your bills on time will have a huge impact on your score. The more recent a late payment, the greater effect it will have [on your score]. If you have a questionable payment history, get your score back up by paying on time going forward.” 2. Credit utilization. “Coming in at 30 percent, this is the second-most important factor in determining your score. While there is no golden number, it’s advisable to not use more than 30 percent of your available credit at any one time. So, if you have a $10,000 credit limit on your card, try to pay it down by the time it gets to $3,000 so you keep your credit-utilization rate low.”
HER ADVICE
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Pay your cards in full every month. Never pay interest if you can help it. 30 | Austin Woman | MAY 2017
3. L ength of credit history. “Counting for 15 percent of your total score, this is one situation where getting older comes with perks. The older your credit history, the more information creditors have and the better chances you have of upping that score. So, if you’re thinking about closing a credit card, don’t make it the one you opened in college since that may be your oldest line of credit.” 4. New credit. “This counts as 10 percent of your score, meaning if you open too many new cards at once, you could get a serious score hit. Too many new credit lines signal financial distress, so be sure to only open cards when you need them or, if you’re looking for points, when you know you won’t be applying for any major loan soon.” 5. C redit mix. “This also counts for 10 percent of your score and, in this case, a variety of loans can help you. If you have both credit cards (revolving credit) and a mortgage, auto loan or student loan (installment loan), you are building a more robust credit history, showing creditors that you are responsible with any kind of line of credit or loan.”
H -E-B B EGA N WI T H O NE WOMAN’S VI SIO N. With a $60 investment, Florence Butt started H-E-B in 1905 on the first floor of her Kerrville, Texas home. Now, H-E-B is a leading Texas company with over 370 stores throughout Texas and Mexico. Her high standards of business and deep sense of community responsibility are still H-E-B’s guiding principles. Today, women throughout H-E-B continue to inspire. Many of Florence’s values and qualities like service, innovation and perseverance continue to thrive within our company more than 110 years later.
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GIVE BACK
The Amazon of Nonprofits
As the executive director of I Live Here, I Give Here, Celeste Flores is proud of how the 10-year-old organization is living up to its name. by Alessandra Rey
Ten years ago, a select group of community leaders made a call to action. They noticed a stark contrast between the rise in Austin’s population and the decreasing amount of citywide nonprofit donations. What started out then as a grassroots marketing campaign has evolved into the present-day fundraising initiative I Live Here, I Give Here, which encourages thousands of Austinites to give back to the community through the donation of one small gift at a time. Being the artistic, culturally vibrant Take inventory just like and active city Austin is, it’s no you would any asset and surprise our sense of ask yourself, ‘What can I community is unparalleled. The mission give and how can I benefit of I Live Here, I Give the greater good?’ Here, led by Executive Director Celeste Flores, is to raise attention and monetary support for the network of volunteers, thought leaders and good Samaritans working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep Austin moving forward. “There are so many organizations that are taking care of us and we don’t even realize it,” Flores says. “When I think about our mission, I think about it empowering people to act on the responsibility of investing in our community.” Flores first realized her passion for philanthropy and fundraising in 2001. A San Antonio native, she was living in Houston at the time, taking a sabbatical from work as a tech consultant and craving a career change. “I quite literally walked into this work,” Flores says. “At the time that 9/11 happened, I walked into the Red Cross and told them my skills and I started working with the team in the development department.” Flores hardly knew what such a department did. “I didn’t realize what kind of job that looked like. But I quickly realized that it was someone’s job to ask someone for money for the benefit of others or the greater good. I loved it,” she says. Fast-forward nearly 16 years from her first day working with the Red Cross, and Flores is living in Austin and working as
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32 | Austin Woman | MAY 2017
Photo courtesy of I Live Here, I Give Here.
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the leading force behind I Live Here, I Give Here, which celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year. Now an organization led, in part, by a stalwart team of eight women, I Live Here, I Give Here is responsible for one of Austin’s largest days of giving, Amplify Austin Day in March, as well as other philanthropy-focused initiatives such as See Jane Give in June and Give Back Jack in October. “Our mission is to grow local philanthropies through a host of programs, which are geared toward the individual donor and the merging donor,” Flores explains. “We are laser focused on growing local giving, making sure that families, businesses and individuals are investing in our community.” For those unfamiliar with I Live Here, I Give Here’s largest fundraising event, Amplify Austin Day is a 24-hour period in which Austinites can log onto amplifyatx.org and browse through hundreds—700 to be exact—of local nonprofit organizations in need of donations. From Alzheimer’s Texas to the Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy, the nonprofit options are endless. Flores describes the website as the “Amazon of nonprofits” since a donor can add a variety of different organizations to his or her cart and check out in a single transaction. This year’s designated period of
giving, which took place March 2 and 3, raised more than $9.8 million. In the five years since Amplify Austin Day’s inception, the day of fundraising has brought in a cumulative $35 million for nonprofits in the community. “Of that $35 million, I think it’s close to 300,000 individual gifts,” Flores says of the donations. “That’s a lot of people coming together for different reasons, interests, passions and organizations.” For her, the phrase “financial empowerment” means not only being smart with your money, but also allocating your finances wisely. “I think it’s all about taking inventory of all of your resources. We all have a finite amount of time, talent and treasure,” Flores says. “Take inventory just like you would any asset and ask yourself, ‘What can I give and how can I benefit the greater good?’ ” She’s adamant that anyone has the ability to be a philanthropist, that making a contribution doesn’t have to mean spending an entire paycheck. “My grandparents always taught me that we take care of our own,” Flores says, reflecting on the work I Live Here, I Give Here has accomplished in the past decade. “For us, that’s our community. Our Austin community built us and made us who we are, so it’s our responsibility to give back.”
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Digital Ambition
Amy Porter, CEO of online-payments company AffiniPay, reflects on her path to claiming a seat at the financial-tech table. By Kat Sampson
Long before dreams of running her own company became reality, Amy Porter was a 23-year-old speeding through South Texas, selling Varsity cheerleading uniforms. She’s now the CEO of Austin-based online-payment platform AffiniPay. “I was a road warrior,” Porter says. “I probably had eight [speeding] tickets my first year, blowing through every town in South Texas. If you ask me the mascot and color of any school south of San Antonio, I got you covered.” Porter, who graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in fashion merchandising and cheered for the Longhorns, says that first real job out of college came naturally to her. She was ambitious and had a strong desire for achievement. “I was always trying to figure it out, and I didn’t really know what figuring it out meant,” Porter says, reflecting on past career choices. “I tell my kids, ‘Thoughts are things. When you picture yourself in a cer-
tain way, the actions and decisions you make start driving you in that direction.’ Without knowing it, I started driving myself in a certain direction.” As she drove from town to town, unloading racks of uniforms and buckets of bows, Porter says her time working for the Varsity cheerleading brand quickly became a crash course in marketing and customer loyalty, two skills she still uses today.
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“Regardless of how you come into Varsity’s circle, they want you to be part of their family,” Porter says. Fast-forward two decades or so and Porter is sitting in a windowlined office that overlooks Austin’s West Lake Hills, reviewing blueprints for AffiniPay’s new office space. Porter, who was awarded EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 for Central Texas, says the team is expanding, necessitating a bigger office. The company growth coincides with the rapid adoption of online-payment platforms—those one might use to buy a concert ticket or a magazine subscription— tailored specifically to professional associations. Porter says she first saw the switch from paper payments to online payments during the 2008 recession, when professional groups like bar associations were looking for ways to make membership
34 | Austin Woman | MAY 2017
Photo courtesy of AffiniPay.
It’s important to get the chip off your shoulder about being a woman and just be yourself.
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payments easier for their members. From there, the company built specialized payment systems LawPay and CPACharge for lawyers and accountants to take customer payments using the custom AffiniPay software. “That’s become our mission, to help lawyers and accountants embrace technology and online payments,” Porter says. “Our product has become a practice-management tool designed for professionals. We’ve really turned from a payment company to a financial technology.” Before founding AffiniPay in 2005, Porter worked for Visa Mastercard, Cardservice International (now First Data Independent Sales) and owned her own credit-card-machine sales company, National Bankcard Systems. Porter says she spent much of the 1990s learning everything there was to know about credit-card payment processing, and when the internet blossomed in the early 2000s, she seized her shot at taking the payment process online. “I wanted to do something different than what everyone else was doing, which was chasing people around trying to sell credit-card machines,” Porter says. “Then this thing called the internet happened and suddenly, there was another way to manage payments.” She decided to start AffiniPay after partnering with member-management software Affiniscape. They both had something the other needed: She brought payment knowledge and a certain skill set with electronic payments, and Affiniscape brought a software product and a client base. Porter says business owners, especially those who are new to the entrepreneurial game, should consider strategic partnerships every step of the way and that’s exactly what she strived to do. In all her years developing the partnerships essential to a company’s growth, Porter has learned a couple things about the art of the deal. She says it’s important the most successful partnerships are the ones in which you wouldn’t mind sitting on either side of the deal. “Maybe it’s inherent to being a woman, but it’s important to be aware of both sides of the table,” Porter says. “You want to create a win-win situation. It’s OK to give a victory to the other side.” Porter, whose daughter currently attends UT, visits the school often to speak with students about her entrepreneurial experience. She says her best advice to young women considering starting their own businesses is to strive to add value. Don’t just trade hours for dollars, Porter says, because there are only so many hours in the day. She also reminds others that the fight against discrimination against women in the workplace has come a long way, and the best way to continue to move forward is to get down to work. “The reality is if you are going to UT or live in Austin, if you can sit in on a lecture on entrepreneurship or read a magazine, you have more opportunities than most women on the entire planet,” Porter says. “It’s important to get the chip off your shoulder about being a woman and just be yourself.” As AffiniPay continues to grow, Porter says she’ll bring her ever-present cheerful attitude with her. “I probably seem a little bit of an anomaly in the corporate world. One, I’m a woman [and] two, I still have some of that cheerleader energy, but it’s the only way I know how to do it,” Porter says. “I don’t feel the need to present myself any other way.”
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Designing a (Mantel)piece
Trophyology Founder Eva Schone is transforming the face of the awards industry, one trophy at a time. Minimalism is rarely associated with rule breaking, but in the trophy-making industry, Eva Schone’s self-described style of “casual elegance” is what sets her trophies apart. Schone started her trophy company, Trophyology, as a passion project in 2011, and now offers a full cadre of awards, as well as options for custom designs. Her clients include Fidelity Investments, the Texas Society of Architects and the School of Visual Arts in New York City, to name a few. Originally an architect, Schone made her first foray into the design world at the School of Architecture and Community Design at the University of South Florida. While a student, she entered a trophy-design contest and, although she didn’t win the competition, was reminded of it later in her career any time she won an award. “I’d always wondered, ‘I’m really proud of this recognition, but the object I’m receiving is really nothing I want to show. Why is that?’ It was just this paradox,” Schone says. Eventually, she began to experiment with designing and making trophies herself, all the while considering the possibility of starting a side business. “I started the company out of my spare bedroom, very modestly,” Schone says of the now 6-year-old Trophyology. “I did a lot of research and development because we’re breaking all the rules of this industry. It took a long time to figure out with whom we could work and different techniques. I heard a lot of times, ‘Oh, you can’t do that,’ and I would have to go and [ask], ‘Well, can we try?’ ” During her first year as a budding trophy-design entrepreneur, she worked with just two clients, both in Austin: the American Institute of Architects and Design Within Reach. While she was drawn to the industry by her instinct (She knew there were ways award aesthetics could be improved.), she also researched the psychological and professional benefits of award presenting. “It’s a basic human need. It’s actually very important for all of us to know that our contributions are valued and that we’re doing well,” Schone says of the emotional benefits involved in receiving recognition. “It’s super important for us to know this so that we can build the confidence to keep thinking, keep doing, keep working and keep inventing and so on.” If identifying why awards and recognition are important was Schone’s first step, determining how to design trophies that reflected that sense of pride and acknowledgement was her second. Today, Trophyology is a tangible product of Schone’s creative design skills come to life. 36 | Austin Woman | MAY 2017
“We primarily work with wood, which we pair with secondary materials like glass and metal,” Schone says. “The wood has this instant emotional quality. It’s a material with which people can immediately identify and have a warmness to. It expresses the sentiment of the people giving the awards and also for the people receiving the award.” Schone says receiving a heavy trophy made from dark wood helps signify that it is valuable as well. “It’s sometimes funny to see when people receive one of our awards. They don’t expect it to have that weight and then you see the eyebrow raise when they realize it,” Schone says. Schone adds she aims to apply her minimalist-design sensibility to all her trophies. It’s all part of her effort to craft a piece that will be something people want to put on display, she says. “I try to edit the pieces as much as we can to really just think about, ‘What are the most essential pieces that have to be here? What can we take away and what can we not take away?’ ” Schone says. By following this internal thought process, her designs take on a shape that challenge the status quo of trophies past. “We’re not the flashy Corvette and we’re not the Ferrari. We’re the understated, elegant, really nice S-Class Mercedes [that’s] really well made [and has] good detailing but not the flashy kind of design,” Schone says. It’s the perfect analogy to describe the amount of effort she puts into her work product. “By working with these materials that need specialty tooling, when something goes wrong on the engraving, you have to start from scratch. It’s not just a cheap metal plate that we can quickly replace. That was very challenging in the beginning for me,” Schone says. Today, Trophyology has three full-time employees and a sizable network of contractors to help create the trophies. In retrospect, Shone says her best advice for turning a side project into a full-time business venture is to have an even-keeled approach. “Observe what comes your way. You will have a streamlined vision, but the path isn’t exactly like that. It zigzags around a little bit. You have to adjust the sails to go with it,” Schone says. Despite the challenges of breaking all of the rules in the trophy industry, Schone says her motivation always goes back to the importance of giving people the recognition they deserve and need. “When you really think about it, it’s a transaction from heart to heart,” Schone says of award presentations. “It says, ‘You’ve done a really good job. Thank you,’ and the other person says, ‘I love doing it. Thank you so much for recognizing it.’ ”
Photo by Jay B Sauceda.
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All Shook Up
Sisters Jill Burns and Kelly Gasink’s crafted-cocktail company is making a splash in the premixed-beverage industry. By Darcy Sprague
Are you doing this full time?: It’s a question Jill Burns and Kelly Gasink, founders of Austin Cocktails, have often been asked while fundraising for their business, and will likely continue to be asked, despite their company reaching almost $1 million in sales. “It stings when you are working 60-hour workweeks and paying a ton for your nanny and missing your kid’s birthday and traveling. That’s hard,” Burns says. Before co-founding Austin Cocktails, Burns, who received her undergraduate degree from Santa Clara University, had previously developed her own PR firm. Gasink, who has a degree from Stanford University and a graduate degree from Harvard, had developed three businesses, two of which were sold to publicly traded companies. “I bet my life that my husband, with my resume and my experience, would never get asked that question,” Gasink says,
referring to whether her business keeps her employed full time. Gasink believes there is a need now more than ever for female entrepreneurs. “We are trying to be part of the change we want to see, and that is having women out there,” Burns says. In addition to claiming shelf space in every chain store in Texas, Austin Cocktails’ beverages have been served at the Emmy Awards and are currently stocked behind the bar at Madison Square Garden. From bergamot orange margarita to cucumber vodka mojito, the premixed-cocktail line is low in calories and designed for those who want the taste of mixed cocktails but aren’t attracted to the overly sweet, neon options commonly found on store shelves. The sisters founded Austin Cocktails in 2012 after both women quit their fulltime jobs and invested their savings to build out the business. “We didn’t go into this blindly saying, ‘OK, we have this good idea and we think it will work,’ ” Burns says. “It was a two-month process of researching and talking it through to make sure it was what we wanted to do.” Here is a rough outline of Burns and Gasink’s road to success so far:
Photo courtesy of Austin Cocktails per Kayla Williams.
Sisters Jill Burns, left, and Kelly Gasink, are the owners of Austin Cocktails.
38 | Austin Woman | MAY 2017
2012 // Developing
“First and foremost, we asked ourselves, ‘Does this product solve a problem?’ ” Gasink says. “We felt the timing was in place. We felt the category was really stalled but ripe for innovation.” Burns and Gasink saw a hole in the spirit market. Beer consumption accounts for not quite half the alcohol market, but this is the first time in modern history the rate has been less than 50 percent, Burns says. According to a 2015 Yahoo Financial article, premixed drinks only make up 2.7 percent of the market. “Everything that is on our shelves is kind of cheap and neon and gross,” Burns says of the premixed-drinks aisle. “[Because of that,] there is natural skepticism that we have to get over every day in our sales work.” Part of the reason the pair was able to start their company was timing. Food-truck openings had exploded in Austin, proving to the duo there is a need and a market for affordable, accessible luxuries. At the same time, higher quality ingredients from throughout the world were becoming available at better prices. The growth of businesses called “co-packers,” bottling services that essentially rent their space to craft companies, also coincided with the spawn of the sisters’ business idea.
2014 // Proof of Concept
After spending a year and a half developing their product, in 2014, Burns and Gasink signed with the two largest beverage distributors in the country. “Our distributors wisely said, ‘Launch in your backyard and see what works and what doesn’t work.’ … That was one of the best pieces of advice we got,” Gasink says. The Austin Cocktails operation grew from three employees, two of which were the sisters, to seven full-time employees. “We internally feel like this is such a quintessentially Austin product,” Gasink says of the brand. Initially, retailers asked them to lower their prices, but they didn’t cave to the pressure, citing the high-quality, more expensive ingredients they source from four continents. A 750-millileter bottle serves approximately six cocktails and sells for about $18. “It is a tension in that you want to be able to keep things affordable,” Gasink explains. “Our whole ethos is affordable luxury. We would like [Austin Cocktails] to be accessible and part of people’s social lives.”
2016 and 2017 // Fundraising and Scaling
The co-founders internalized the feedback they received in Austin, changed their label, determined the best marketing strategy and developed two new drinks. Sales continued to grow by 49 percent and Burns and Gasink began to, once again, focus on fundraising. “One of the things that people tend to overlook about entrepreneurs, especially in the cocktail business, is that while it is exciting, we are working a lot, I would say about 60 hours a week,” Burns says. Austin Cocktails is more than a full-time job for the duo. It’s their passion project, their baby, their ever-evolving brainchild. “Prior years were kind of that existential proof-of-product time,” Gasink says. “Now it is time for us to scale our product and our brand.”
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Getting your mammogram with ARA Diagnostic Imaging 512.453.6100 | ausrad.com ARA Diagnostic Imaging is an Austin-grown, community-oriented imaging group that has been a leader in medical services in Central Texas since 1954. ARA knows you want the top medical services for yourself and your family. That’s why we listen to our patients and bring you convenience, expertise and advanced technology. 3-D mammography, which detects 41 percent more invasive breast cancer, is now available at 12 ARA locations, making this revolutionary exam accessible to all Central Texans.
When should you get your first mammogram? ARA is committed to saving women’s lives, which is why we recommend women have mammograms starting at 40 and yearly thereafter. The evidence is clear. This saves the most lives. Starting at age 40, not age 45, the incidence of breast cancer rises sharply, doubled when compared with women ages 35 to 39, and continues to increase with each decade. Large studies show getting regular mammograms decreases breast-cancer deaths by about one-third. Additionally, more lives are saved in women who get a screening mammogram every year, as opposed to those who only get a mammogram every two years. Annual mammograms are critical in the early detection of breast cancer, when there is the best chance for a cure.
Why should you ask for a 3-D mammogram? 3-D mammography (breast tomosynthesis) is the latest technology in screening mammograms. 3-D mammography gives the radiologist the ability to see inside the breast layer by layer, viewing multiple images taken during the exam. In contrast, a conventional mammogram shows all of the breast in a single image. Studies have shown an up to 41 percent increase in the number of invasive breast cancers detected with 3-D technology. Because of the ability to view the breast in depth, radiologists are better able to discern between benign and cancer abnormalities, resulting in the reduction of callbacks. 3-D mammography is especially beneficial for viewing details in women with dense breast tissue.
Why should you visit an ARA clinic for your mammogram? ARA is the largest radiology private-imaging group serving the health-care needs of Central Texas. We are committed to providing compassionate care, responsive service and convenience to all patients. That’s why you will find us in your neighborhood. We have 17 locations throughout Central Texas and also offer extended hours for patient flexibility. Our radiologists are some of the most highly trained physicians in the nation and our patient-care satisfaction rate exceeds 94 percent in our clinics.
Why should you be walking around today not knowing if you have breast cancer? Most insurance companies cover screening mammograms for women 40 and older with no out-of-pocket costs. Many insurance companies, including Medicare and Medicaid, also cover the new 3-D mammogram. Please don’t wait. Make the call today at 512.453.6100 or visit ausrad. com to request a screening-mammogram appointment.
Austin Dental Spa Dr. Jordan Slagter
3305 Northland Drive, #515, Austin, TX 78731 | 512.452.9296 | austindentalspa.com Dr. Jordan Slagter grew up in a small town in Central Pennsylvania, where her father practices as a general dentist. Slagter attended Penn State University, where she was a member of the cross country and Track & Field teams, and graduated in 2008. After college, Slagter moved to Baltimore, Md., for dental school, and graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University Of Maryland School Of Dentistry in 2012. After dental school, she completed a one-year residency in advanced general dentistry at the University of Maryland. Since earning her dental degree, Dr. Slagter has undergone numerous continuing-education courses. This included training for TruDenta® treatment to help patients with TMJ disorder. She has also trained under world-renowned dentist Dr. John Chao, who invented and patented the Pinhole Surgical Technique™. Dr. Slagter is a certified PST™ dentist, offering the minimally invasive treatment to patients with receding gums. Slagter enjoys all aspects of dentistry, with particular interest in cosmeticdentistry procedures, such as porcelain veneers and smile makeovers. She is highly experienced at performing these as well as all other treatments offered at Austin Dental Spa. Since joining our team in the summer of 2013, Dr. Slagter has added greatly to our mission of providing the highest quality of care possible. As she continues to hone her skills, she looks forward to growing both personally and professionally at Austin Dental Spa. Outside of dentistry, Dr. Slagter loves spending time with her family, friends and the world’s greatest golden retriever, Oliver. She married her wonderful husband, Adam, in June of 2013, and moved with him to sunny Austin, where he grew up and his family resides. Dr. Slagter enjoys playing and watching sports of all kinds, cooking and traveling.
MARK SWEENEY, D.D.S.
3D mammography detects 41% more invasive cancer. Women 40 and older need to get an annual screening mammogram. Many insurance companies, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover 3D mammography. Why should you wait when you can get your screening now? Ask for a 3D mammogram*. Schedule today!
Schedule now at
512.453.6100 Request an appointment online at
ausrad.com
*also known as breast tomosynthesis
Austin Thyroid & Endocrinology 2200 Park Bend Drive, Building 3, #300, Austin, TX | austinthyroid.com | 512.467.2727 Dr. Simone Scumpia’s Austin Thyroid and Endocrinology, founded in 2002, is one of the largest thyroid clinics in the country specializing in thyroid and general endocrine (hormonal) problems. Dr. Scumpia, FACE, FRCP, FNLA, has treated thyroid and endocrine disease in Austin for 20-plus years. The vision behind Dr. Scumpia’s center is to provide a comprehensive diagnosis-andtreatment center for all thyroid and endocrine (hormonal) ailments. New patients take all the necessary tests in-house. Dr. Scumpia evaluates all tests, then creates a treatment plan for each patient to treat thyroid, osteoporosis, women’s and men’s health, and diabetes, as well as provide insulin-pump or radioactive-iodine treatment for thyroid cancer and Graves’ disease. Dr. Scumpia’s expertise extends to optimal health, the ideal yet achievable health of your body as you reach middle age and beyond. Our specialized equipment allows Dr. Scumpia to measure and evaluate your biological age, a measure of how well or poorly your body is functioning relative to your actual calendar age. Biological age is a composite of several “ages,” such as brain age, bone age, heart age and vessel age. Optimal health focuses on your wellness before disease can even be identified; it is a step before disease prevention. Dr. Scumpia also offers second-opinion consultations for general hormone assessment, thyroid disease and bio-identical hormone-replacement therapy, separating myth from fact.
What is endocrinology? Endocrinology is the science of hormones, which affect every function in your body. Your body functions like a complex computer system with thousands of feedback loops. Hormones control everything in your body from birth to death. Without hormones, your body cannot function. Examples: estrogen, testosterone, insulin and hormones like thyroid, cortisol, adrenal and pituitary. Hormone treatments need to be followed by a hormone specialist (endocrinologist) the same way heart disease needs to be followed by a heart specialist (cardiologist).
What sets our clinic apart? Why should you consider us? 5 A new patient can be seen within three to five days. 5 All new patients are seen by Dr. Scumpia, not by a physician assistant or a nurse practitioner. 5 All testing is in-house; Dr. Scumpia interprets all tests and creates your treatment plan.
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Medi-Weightloss® 13359 Hwy. 183 #403, Austin, TX 78750 | mediweightloss.com | 512.243.5050 Medi-Weightloss® offers a physician-supervised, individually tailored weight-loss system known as “The One That Works!®” It is known for its comprehensive approach to weight management and established record of success. Medi-Weightloss® patients have lost more than 3 million pounds nationwide! Medi-Weightloss® patients experience one-on-one education and coaching on nutrition, behavior modifications and exercise to help patients lose weight and keep it off for a lifetime. Patients at the new Austin location will receive care under the supervision of a caring team of experts. “In my experience, I’ve seen more overweight and obese people every day, and I know the impact that it has on their health. That’s why I wanted to become part of the MediWeightloss® team,” says Wendy Lankford, medical director at Medi-Weightloss® Austin. “I feel the Medi-Weightloss® program really provides the right tools to help people lose weight safely and keep it off. It works because it incorporates a medically guided weight-loss program with nutrition, exercise and accountability.” Lankford explains how the system works for new patients. “Because everyone’s needs are different, we start with a complete evaluation by medical staff to determine the program that’s best tailored for each person specifically. We like to focus primarily on helping patients achieve a healthy lifestyle through education, nutritional counseling and behavior modification. Research shows that is the best way to achieve lasting weight-loss success.” Once an individualized program has been established, the Medi-Weightloss® system includes weekly one-on-one consultations focusing on nutrition, lifestyle and exercise. Once their weight-loss goals have been achieved, patients learn how to keep excess weight off for life through a specialized Wellness Phase. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to weight loss. Each patient receives an individualized plan based on his or her individual goals and diet and exercise preferences. If medically appropriate, patients may be prescribed an appetite suppressant. Medi-Weightloss® Austin won the Health & Wellness Award at the 2016 Greater Austin Business Awards presented by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. For more information or to make an appointment at the Austin location, call 512.243.5050 or visit the company’s website, mediweightloss.com.
“Patients lose up to 10 pounds the first week, and up to 20 pounds the first month†. They can achieve a total weight loss of 20 to 300 pounds, depending on their goals. Whether you want to lose 10 pounds for a high-school reunion or 150 pounds for critical health reasons, we can definitely help you get there.” † On average, patients compliant with the Medi-Weightloss Program lose 6.4 pounds the first week and 14 pounds the first month. Rapid weight loss may be associated with certain medical conditions and should only be considered by those who are medically appropriate. 2016 Medi IP, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Before
After
Erin, Actual Patient, Lost 47 Pounds.
Before
After
Tonna, Actual Patient, Lost 48 Pounds.
St. David’s Healthcare Multiple locations throughout Central Texas | stdavids.com With more than 110 sites throughout Central Texas, St. David’s HealthCare includes seven of the area’s leading hospitals, making it one of the largest health systems in Texas. St. David’s HealthCare has recruited a number of world-class physicians to the region and has helped positon Austin as a national and international healthcare destination. The healthcare system has continually been ranked among the top in the nation for high-quality patient care and serves more patients than any other health system in Central Texas. In 2014, the organization was recognized with a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. St. David’s HealthCare is the third-largest private employer in the Austin area, with more than 9,000 dedicated employees. The care and service provided within its hospitals also extend well beyond those walls and out into the community.
Beyond delivering high-quality care, how does St. David’s HealthCare serve Central Texas? The seven-hospital healthcare system is actually a unique partnership between a hospital management company and two local nonprofits— St. David’s Foundation and Georgetown Health Foundation. Proceeds from the operations of St. David’s HealthCare hospitals directly fund the foundations, which, in turn, invest those dollars right back into the community. Since the inception of this partnership in 1996, more than $379 million has been given back to the community to improve the health and healthcare of people in Central Texas. St. David’s HealthCare is committed to being the best for you, your family and our community. When it comes to healthcare, the best is here.
Christine Fisher, M.D. Board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast reconstruction
512.815.0123 | christinefishermd.com Breast reconstruction specialist Dr. Christine Fisher is inspired daily as she works with her patients on their journey to recovery. With two grandmothers who survived breast cancer, Dr. Fisher strongly believes in the value of emotional and practical support when facing such a diagnosis, which is why her patient-care team includes breast-cancer survivors. She established her practice after graduating medical school with honors from the University of Texas and completing her training in plastic and reconstructive surgery in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Paris, France. Upon return home to Austin, Dr. Fisher joined the Medical Advisory Committee for the Breast Cancer Resource Center and has been a bra designer with Kendra Scott for the organization’s signature fundraiser, Art Bra Austin. She was also appointed faculty at the new University of Texas Dell Medical School. Dr. Fisher’s day starts with spin class before returning home to get her three young children ready for school. At the end of a long day, she enjoys cookie dough and cold beer. On weekends, she relaxes by enjoying live music and horseback riding with her family.
Laurie Logue Broadway Bank
911 W. 38th St., #100, Austin, TX 78705 broadway.bank | 512.465.6550 | 800.531.7650 Broadway Bank, a Texas-born family institution, is committed to the financial solutions that make the Lone Star State a place where families and businesses thrive. When we say, “We’re here for good,” we mean it. For 75 years, the hallmark of Broadway Bank has been exceptional customer service while always seeking the innovation and sophisticated products our customers expect. Our local bankers offer unmatched expertise in private and business banking, as well as wealth management. They understand the unique and sometimes even weird traditions that make the capital city a rare blend of high-tech entrepreneurship, music genius, burnt-orange fanaticism, and healthy and artsy living. With more than $3 billion in assets, we have the financial strength and stability to help our customers prosper and seize new opportunities. Broadway Bank has 39 financial centers, including those in Austin, Bee Cave, Buda, Dripping Springs, Kyle and Wimberley.
“The way I see it, great leadership hinges on one skill: listening. To lead, you have to learn; to learn, you have to listen. When you master this skill, you’ll earn respect, trust and loyalty, which are all essential to a strong relationship. Seeing those relationships flourish and what we achieve together is one of the greatest joys of my job.” —Laurie Logue
People Fund peoplefund.org | 512.472.8087
We are a nonprofit of women for women.
“PeopleFund was a stair step to an area that I didn’t even know existed. To have someone look at me and see something that I couldn’t see, and to become that successful person is priceless.” — Kelly Jedele, founder and CEO of Let Kelly, a PeopleFund client
PeopleFund creates economic opportunity and financial stability by providing access to capital, education and resources to build healthy small businesses. We believe small-business success is the key to economic growth and that every person, no matter their background or economic situation, has the ability to become a successful entrepreneur and job creator, given access to resources they need. We inspire, educate, fund and elevate entrepreneurs on the path to prosperity and the American Dream. For more than two decades, we’ve helped women access the tools they need to grow thriving businesses. Thanks to the support of generous partners like Bank of America, we’ve lent $53 million and counting. Our low-interest loans and free educational programs can help you grow your business, build your expertise and be your own boss. Women just like you create jobs, provide valuable goods and services, and keep Austin weird.
Marcela Bogado Founder and creative director of Malleret Designs
malleret.com A culturally rich and diverse background makes Marcela Bogado who she is and drives her approach to floral design. Growing up on a farm in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Marcela has fond memories rooted in nature. To this day, the scents of jasmine, laurel and pine trees still transport her to that time and place. In 2002, Bogado founded Malleret Designs in Austin. After excelling in corporate business for a number of years at Dell, she decided to switch gears and pursue a creatively fulfilling path. She has designed effortlessly elegant florals for hundreds of events and provides a wealth of professional knowledge, insight and fresh perspective. If you’re looking to collaborate with someone who has finesse in creating unforgettable moments, then Bogado is for you. Whether it’s a corporate event, private party or arrangements for your office, she will use her styling expertise to create a unique ambience catered to your event or company’s needs.
Photo by Lisa Hause Photography
“Malleret Designs was a pleasure to work with for our biggest fundraiser of the year. Marcela was able to visit with me briefly and portray exactly the feel we wanted for the event. The flower arrangements were elegant and classy while maintaining a fun theme, which perfectly fit the casual atmosphere of our restaurants. Marcela went above and beyond!“ — Patricia Kruse, event manager Lone Star Paralysis Foundation Fundraiser at El Arroyo Restaurant
THERESA SCHWAB Theresa Schwab Consulting
twitter: @theresawschwab | theresaschwab.com | 512.942.5884 Theresa Schwab is an American business advisor serving entrepreneurs and executive leaders wanting to quickly grow their businesses. Offering one-day retreats and expert consultancy services, she has a mission to help you do in one day what would normally take you three to six months! Taking a bold, fresh approach with small and mid-level markets, Schwab is one of the original Thoughtfully RuthlessTM certified consultants in North America today. Recognizing how easy it is to get distracted from working on the right aspects of your business that generate real growth, Schwab works with you to set yourself apart as a leader and a team. Whether clients are located in Austin or throughout the nation, Schwab teaches you the importance of becoming ruthless in a thoughtful way with your time, energy and resources.
“I talk to hundreds of executives who need an awakening before they transform their business. Rapid growth happens when leaders get both ruthless and thoughtful with their time, energy and resources. The very first thing I do is help leaders figure out what boosts their energy and what zaps their energy so they can start to move from their current reality and deliver breakthrough performances as the best leader they can be.”
Sydney SCOTT-SULLIVAN Muse MedSpa
5524 Bee Cave Road, #B1, Austin, TX 78746 512.230.3422 | musemedspaaustin.com Sydney Scott-Sullivan has been in the skin-care industry for more than 18 years. She has dedicated her career to learning about the science of skin and has been clinically trained in medical aesthetics in the U.S. as well as internationally. After Scott-Sullivan had been working with some of the top Plastic Surgery, Dermatology, and Medical Spa practices overseas and in Texas, she decided to combine her knowledge and experience in skin care and aesthetic procedures to pursue her own passion in medical aesthetics. Scott-Sullivan is committed to offering the highest level of patient care and offers the latest in facial aesthetics and injectable techniques. She regularly attends professional conferences, trainings and continuingeducation classes to learn up-to-date advances and procedures in the aesthetics industry. Scott-Sullivan is an Allergan, Galderma and ArqueDerma certified injector. Integrating art and science to give you optimal skin health, it is our mission to give you the care you deserve, results you desire and an experience that makes you feel empowered.
What people are saying: “Sydney and her staff were awesome, professional and I can say, from a physician’s point of view, medically proper and sound.”
Twin Liquors twinliquors.com | info@twinliquors.com Twin Liquors is celebrating its 80th anniversary! It is an Austinfamily-owned and -operated wine and spirits business that started after Prohibition. Margaret and her brother, David Jabour, are third-generation co-owners and have expanded the business to a successful company consisting of more than 80 locations in more than a dozen counties in Central Texas. The company consists of retail sales and wholesale distribution to bars and restaurants.
“Relationships are important and why we believe in neighborhood stores that give us the opportunity to know the people in the communities and the needs of the communities.” —Margaret Jabour
Bridgett Wallace, PT, DPT 360 Balance & Hearing
5608 Parkcrest Drive, #100, Austin, TX 78731 | 360balance.com | 512.345.4664 Bridgett Wallace, PT, DPT, has a doctorate of physical therapy and holds certifications in vestibular rehabilitation and concussion management. She has treated patients with dizziness and balance disorders for more than 20 years and is the founder of 360 Balance & Hearing, a specialty clinic for the evaluation and treatment of dizziness, balance and hearing disorders that includes both audiology and therapy services. Wallace lectures nationwide regarding dizziness and balance disorders, has provided consulting services for the University of Texas Athletics in concussion management since 1998, and spent four years working with the MLB Umpires’ Medical Team. Wallace co-authored two patents for vestibular disorders and developed a sideline concussion iPhone app Play It Safe. She has published in the Eye & Brain Journal and is co-authoring chapters for an upcoming neurology textbook. 360 Balance & Hearing has received the Top Clinics award from the Austin Business Journal for 9 years. Wallace is a recipient of the “Health Care Heroes” award given by the ABJ, and has received the Outstanding Alumni Award from Texas State University.
“I believe it is our responsibility as health-care providers to focus on the whole person over time rather than illnesses and visits. This model is based on personcentered care. Having the trust of a patient, family member or referring provider is a privilege, a true gift and not to be taken lightly.” —Bridgett Wallace
Aisha D. White, M.D., MBA Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
draishawhite.com | 512.324.4815 Primary Location: 6811 Austin Center Boulevard #420 Austin, TX 78731
Secondary Location: 301 Seton Parkway #402 Round Rock, TX 78665
Aisha White, M.D., is a highly skilled and dedicated plastic and reconstructive surgeon helping women to achieve the physical body they desire. Experienced in an array of reconstructive and cosmetic procedures, Dr. White’s commitment to you being the best you is evident in all aspects of her work. Some of Dr. White’s specialties include breast-reconstruction surgery, breast reduction, breast augmentation, body-contouring surgery and facial-rejuvenation surgery. Encouraging, supporting and empowering women plays a huge part in Dr. White’s life, both professionally and personally. Her interest in women’s health issues was ignited at a young age. She expresses her passion through her plastic-surgery practice, as well as volunteer work and partnerships with organizations dedicated to impacting important women’s issues, such as domestic violence, teen pregnancy, education and breast cancer. Dr. White has a bevy of loyal, happy patients. If you have ever considered cosmetic or reconstructive surgery, Dr. White is your go-to doctor.
Call for an evaluation and to discuss your options. Dr. White would love the opportunity to empower and support you to achieve the body you desire.
Through every connection we make, we are invested in Austin women At Bank of America, we’re connecting women with the human, social and financial capital they need to succeed. Through our partnerships with the Tory Burch Foundation, PeopleFund and others, we’ve learned that mentoring, networking and access to capital are keys to women’s success. We’re committed to putting our company’s extensive resources to work for them — supporting their vision for the future and furthering their ability to bring it to life. Learn more at bankofamerica.com/women.
©2017 Bank of America Corporation | AR55MMC6
WHEN WOMEN ARE EMPOWERED, THE WORLD IS EMPOWERED
“In my eyes, every person has the potential to be a great leader”
When it comes right down to it, Broadway Bank is better equipped to serve Austin because of Laurie Logue’s leadership. With 30 years of financial industry expertise, her impact on our team of experts has led to a better experience and better solutions for the people of our community.
LAURIE’S FINANCIAL KNOWLEDGE IS YOUR FINANCIAL EDGE.
LAURIE J. LOGUE Executive Vice President | Austin Market Executive 512.465.6589 | llogue@broadway.bank
Personal Banking | Commercial Banking | Wealth Management | Private Banking 800.531.7650 | www.broadway.bank | 39 Financial Centers | Member FDIC
Lisa B. Gaynor Design With Consignment
3301 Steck Ave., Austin, TX 78757 dwconsignment.com | 512.301.9800 Since opening in a modest South Austin strip center in 2005, Design With Consignment has been changing perceptions of consignment shopping. After relocating to a beautiful 10,000-square-foot showroom in Central Austin’s “furniture district,” it has become the spot where professional designers and savvy homeowners find luxury brand names like Century, BoConcept and Kosta Boda. By building alliances with local charities, DWC has donated more than $50,000 annually to several deserving organizations. This charitable drive was key in Lisa Gaynor’s selection as Woman Entrepreneur of the Year by Texas Women in Business. Design With Consignment has received attention from local and national media, becoming a feature story on CNN’s Building Up America series.
Ame Frezza Ame’s Cleaning LLC
12308 N. RM 620 | Austin, TX 78750 amescleaningaustin.com | info@amescleaningaustin.com | 512.331.9694 In 2017, Ame’s Cleaning will celebrate its 30th year serving Austin. Ame Frezza cleaned homes personally and learned the detail involved in keeping a home or office in pristine condition. Indeed, that personal touch has influenced the success of her business. “I still personally train each of my employees,” Frezza says. “We have clients that have been with us from the very beginning, and they agree that our thoroughness is what makes us great.” Ame’s Cleaning has since grown to include a staff of 30 and a fleet of hot-pink vehicles. Frezza is a breast-cancer survivor. Her fully insured company uses non-toxic, non-abrasive products, and is a proud supporter of SafePlace and the Breast Cancer Resource Center.
Dr. Kallina Mikulencak, DDS Rose Dental Group
893 N. I-35, Round Rock, TX 78664 rosedentalgroup.net | 512.310.9374 Dr. Kallina Mikulencak, also known as Dr. Mik, is a University of Texas graduate and devoted Longhorn fan. After attending dental school at the UT Health Science Center in Houston, she returned to Austin to be close to her family and the beautiful Hill Country. She is a native Texan and enjoys being outdoors, cooking new cuisines and traveling. Dr. Mik is passionate about dentistry and helping others maintain a beautiful smile. She ensures her patients’ concerns regarding oral health are addressed with specific options through modern technology to provide better treatment outcomes. Dr. Mikulencak practices at the Rose Dental Round Rock location.
Katie Niemeyer Handana
myhandana.com | twitter: @myhandana | facebook.com/myhandana Katie Niemeyer nearly died in a burn unit after suffering from an adverse reaction to a medication, a condition called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. Out of necessity, due to scarring in her eyes, Niemeyer started a company called Handana Sweatbands (mayhandana.com) while training for the Austin Marathon. Recently winning a grant from athletic apparel designer Under Armour, she donated the proceeds to Massachusetts Eye and Ear at Harvard University, where researchers are developing protocols and treatments for patients facing SJS. Just this year, she started SJ Syndrome of Texas (sjsyndrome.com) and will host its inaugural golf tournament. Look for her husband and two children there cheering her on.
Misty Poe, M.Ed. Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Diocese of Austin
6225 E. Hwy 290, Austin, TX 78723 | csdatx.org | 512.949.2400
As the newly appointed superintendent of Catholic schools and with 22 years of experience in Catholic education, Misty Poe brings a unique perspective of servant leadership and curriculum innovation to Central Texas. Poe holds a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and a master’s degree in school administration. In her new role, Poe is responsible for the operations, development and policy implementation of 22 Catholic schools from as far south as Buda and extending north to West, Texas. Poe enjoys visiting the classrooms and mentoring new school leaders, and is constantly serving the community to bring the gift of Catholic education to all students in the Diocese of Austin.
Amelie Robitaille Identity Diamonds
6701 Burnet Road, #160, Austin, TX 78757 identitydiamonds.com | 512.518.3636 Amelie Robitaille is the owner and founder of Identity Diamonds. She has gathered years of experience working in retail jewelry stores, as a diamond grader and buyer, and custom designer. Throughout those years, she never felt like traditional jewelry stores had any real options for individuals like herself, who sought sustainable, transparent sourcing and ethically made quality goods. In 2016, Identity Diamonds was founded as a response to this demand. Its mission is to deliver a new and innovative generation of diamonds and gemstones to mindful consumers who seek beautiful, ethical and sustainable jewelry. The boutique offers a refreshing assortment of responsibly sourced jewelry designed and crafted by independent artisans, as well as environment-conscious, conflict-free engagement rings, wedding bands and fine jewelry. They are proud to say all their bridal rings are made in America using sustainable materials. Additionally, the boutique offers a custom design service for customers seeking a one-of-akind ring, and also works with clients to upcycle and repurpose their old jewelry and create unique, personalized pieces.
Eva Schone Trophyology
trophyology.com | 702 Shady Lane, #134, Austin, TX 78702 | 512.788.4558 Seeing that recognition awards seemed predictable, standardized and outmoded, Eva Schone shifted her career from being an architect to founding Trophyology in 2011. Trophyology offers a meaningful alternative, with innovative design, unconventional materials and outstanding craftsmanship that bring a modern, designer sensibility to the art of recognition. Each piece is handmade in Austin by master craftsmen as proud of their work as they are of yours. We create trophies that matter and mean something special, reflecting the care, hard work and quality of the people being honored and that represent your brand with sophistication and style. Our esteemed clients include Fidelity Investments, O’Melveny & Myers, the American Institute of Architects and Austin Energy Green Building.
The Hills Dental Spa 6836 Bee Cave Road, #300, Austin, TX 78746 thehillsdentalspa.com | 512.347.0044 When choosing a doctor, it’s smart to consider your personal goals for your health. This goes for searching for a dental-health professional as well. The longevity of your teeth and the look of your smile are important to your overall well-being. Not all dental treatments are equal, and you want a dentist who has experience with the services and treatments you seek. Choose an office with a caring staff who takes the time to really listen to you. No two patients should be given the exact treatment. Your personal desires, budget and long-term goals should all play a part in the treatments you opt for. The Hills Dental Spa offers a luxurious, spa-like environment for your total comfort, but even more importantly, the staff is trained to listen carefully to your needs and work for you to create a customized plan for your best health.
Texas disposal Systems texasdisposal.com | 800.375.8375 | customercare@texasdisposal.com At Texas Disposal Systems, we operate in the best interests of our customers and pride ourselves on offering unparalleled customer service. Leading that charge is Suzanne Zarling, director of operations. She oversees all aspects of our business, interacting with drivers daily and making certain we’re meeting and exceeding the needs of our customers. Her role ensures we’re constantly challenging each other to do things differently as we seek to make a difference for our customers, serve our community and ultimately, be good stewards of our environment. We’re proud to offer employment opportunities for other women interested in joining the TDS team, from truck drivers to management roles. Learn more at texasdisposal.com.
Maura Thomas RegainYourTime.com
regainyourtime.com | 424.226.2872 twitter: @mnthomas | facebook.com/regainyourtime Maura Thomas is an award-winning international speaker and trainer on individual and corporate productivity, attention management and work-life balance for clients such as Dell, Old Navy and L’Oreal. She is a TEDx speaker, founder of RegainYourTime.com and author of Personal Productivity Secrets and the best-selling Work Without Walls. She is a media favorite on these topics and appears weekly in business outlets such as Fast Company, Inc. and Forbes, and is a regular contributor to the Harvard Business Review, with articles there viewed more than a million times. Follow her on Twitter @mnthomas.
Vani Vallabhaneni, M.D. SLEEP 360
10601 Pecan Park Blvd., #203, Austin, Texas 78750 | sleep360md.com | 512.810.0360 Dr. Vani Vallabhaneni started her private practice in 2008. Sleep 360 Sleep Diagnostic Center, which is a four-bed American Academy of Sleep Medicine accredited sleep center that provides comprehensive sleep-medicine care for the people of Central Texas. Dr. Vallabhaneni also has a second location in Killeen, Texas. She provides continuity of care in CPAP-compliant clinics. Sleep 360 also offers home sleep tests. The staff is knowledgeable, board certified and does quality sleep studies as per AASM standards. They provide cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia and work with local physicians, DME companies and dentists trained in sleep medicine to provide well-rounded care for their patients. She enjoys hiking, tennis, gardening and cooking.
WP ENGINE 504 Lavaca St., # 1000 | Austin, TX 78701 wpengine.com | 512.827.3500 WP Engine is the world’s leading WordPress digital-experience platform that gives enterprises and agencies the agility, performance, intelligence and integrations they need to drive their business forward faster. WP Engine’s combination of tech innovation and an award-winning team of WordPress experts trusted by more than 60,000 companies throughout more than 140 countries to provide counsel and support helps brands create world-class digital experiences. Founded in 2010, WP Engine is headquartered in Austin, and has offices in San Francisco, San Antonio, London and Limerick, Ireland.
Handana® is a high performance sweatband to wipe sweat during any workout! Recently winning a grant from athletic apparel designer Under Armour, Katie donated its proceeds to Mass. Eye & Ear at Harvard University. myhandana.com
Broadway Bank, founded in 1941, is one of the largest independently owned banks in Texas. With more than $3 billion in assets, Broadway Bank has 39 financial centers, including Austin, San Antonio and the surrounding areas. 911 W. 38th St., #100, Austin, TX 78705 broadway.bank | 512.465.6550 | 800.531.7650
Dentistry
Banking
Activewear
Handana
Custom Awards
Katie Niemeyer
Kerry Hall
98 San Jacinto, Suite 200 Austin, TX 78701 512.305.4073 kerry.hall@texascapitalbank.com
Motley Crew Media is an agency providing custom project development and management. The company provides professionals with expertise in strategic marketing, public relations, event management and sales promotion. 512.695.0799 amy.layton@motleycrewmedia.com
At The Hills Dental Spa, we promise to offer you the highest quality, most state-of-the-art dental care available, along with five-star customer service and personalized attention. 6836 Bee Cave Road, Building 1, #300, Austin, TX 78746 thehillsdentalspa.com | 512.347.0044
At Rose Dental Group, the oral health of your entire family is our top priority. Our friendly and caring staff is here to provide you and your family with excellent dentistry and top-notch customer service. With four convenient locations and evening and weekend hours, we are a great fit for your busy family’s dental, oral-surgery and orthodontic needs.
WP Engine is the world’s leading WordPress digital-experience platform that gives enterprises and agencies the agility, performance, intelligence and integrations they need to drive their businesses forward faster. 504 Lavaca St., #1000, Austin, TX 78701 wpengine.com | 512.827.3500
Misty Poe, M.Ed.
Ame Frezza
Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Diocese of Austin
Ame’s Cleaning is your locally owned, fully insured residential and commercial cleaning service with 30 years serving Austin and the surrounding areas.
12308 N. RM 620 | Austin, TX 78750 amescleaningaustin.com | 512.331.9694 info@amescleaningaustin.com
Thoughtfully Ruthless
TM
Certified
Rapid-busines-growth specialist Theresa Schwab consults with executive leaders and business teams to deliver breakthrough performances, offering personalized business solutions and one-day retreats. theresaschwab.com | 512.942.5884 theresa@theresaschwab.com
Educator
Ame’s cleaning LLC
THERESA SCHWAB
Consultant
Digital Platform
Motley Crew Media
trophyology.com | 512.788.4558
WP Engine
Amy Simpson Layton
Financial Consultant
Cleaning Services
Boutique Agency
Banking
At Texas Capital Bank we help businesses grow and communities prosper.
Dentistry
Texas Capital Bank
We work closely with you to design truly unique, heirloom-quality, custom-engraved awards that honor your values, efforts and brand in sophisticated style. Each piece is proudly handcrafted in Austin, to be treasured for a lifetime.
Misty Poe is the newly appointed superintendent of Catholic schools and has 22 years of experience in Catholic education. 6225 E. Hwy. 290, Austin, TX 78723 csdatx.org | 512.949.2400
Koreena Malone KM Business Solutions LLC KM Business Solutions LLC has 16 years of expertise in Austin, offering tax services, bookkeeping, payroll and financial consulting for businesses, nonprofits and individuals.
cpaksm.com | 512.350.0127 koreena@cpaksm.com
Identity Diamonds Identity Diamonds offers a refreshing assortment of responsibly sourced and ethically-conscious jewelry designed and crafted by independent artisans. 6701 Burnet Road, Ste. 160, Austin, TX 78757 identitydiamonds.com | 512.518.3636
Imaging
Fine Jewelry
identitydiamonds.com
Austin Radiological Association is a specialty healthcare organization dedicated to providing quality imaging services at 17 locations in Central Texas. 512.453.6100 | ausrad.com
Malleret Designs is a luxury floral and event-design company that is sure to make your corporate event or work environment pop! info@malleret.com | 512.656.8803
Master Stylist
Marcela Bogado
Specializing in color, extensions, hair restoration and wigs in a private boutique setting. Call for your consultation today! 3921 Steck Ave., #A101 | Austin, TX 78759 shannashairtherapy.com
Cherie B. Mathews
Celebrating 13 years in Austin, Design With Consignment has become Central Texas’ favorite decorator resource for professional designers and savvy homeowners alike. 3301 Steck Ave. | Austin, TX 78757 dwconsignment.com | 512.301.9800
Medical Apparel
Home Furnishings
Floral Design
Shanna Moll Studio and Spa
Healincomfort It’s hard to know how to help a breastcancer patient. Please save my website, healincomfort.com. It’s the perfect gift and the same price as flowers.
St. David’s South Austin Medical Center 901 W. Ben White Blvd. Austin, TX 78704 512.447.2211
Hospital
St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center 2400 Round Rock Ave. Round Rock, TX 78681 512.341.1000 St. David’s Georgetown Hospital 2000 Scenic Drive Georgetown, TX 78626 512.943.3000
St. David’s Children’s Hospital 12221 N. Mopac Expy. Austin, TX 78758 512.901.KIDS St. David’s Surgical Hospital 1201 W. Louis Henna Blvd. Austin, TX 78681 512.248.7000 Heart Hospital of Austin at St. David’s Round Rock 2400 Round Rock Ave. Round Rock, TX 78681 512.341.0889 St. David’s Rehabilitation Hospital 919 E. 32nd St. Austin, TX 78705 512.544.5100
Medical Specialist
St. David’s North Austin Medical Center (including St. David’s Women’s Center of Texas) 12221 N. Mopac Expy. Austin, TX 78758 512.901.1000
Heart Hospital of Austin 3801 N. Lamar Blvd. Austin, TX 78756 512.407.7000
Medical Specialist
stdavids.com St. David’s Medical Center 919 E. 32nd St. Austin, TX 78705 512.544.7111
Medical Spa
Sydney Scott-Sullivan Muse MedSpa Integrating art and science to give you optimal skin health, it is our mission to give you the care you deserve and results you desire. 5524 Bee Cave Road, #B1, Austin, TX 78746 512.230.3422 musemedspaaustin.com
Dr. Simone Scumpia Austin Thyroid and Endocrinology Dr. Simone Scumpia, a board-certified endocrinologist, specializes in hormone disorders, thyroid, osteoporosis, diabetes, cholesterol and bio-identical hormone replacement. 2200 Park Bend Drive, Building 3, #300, Austin, TX 78758 512.467.2727 | austinthyroid.com
Dr. Vani Vallabhaneni Sleep360 Dr. Vani Vallabhaneni provides a complete sleep analysis, evaluation and treatment to enable you to get a better night’s sleep. Its a complete solution to your sleep problems. sleep360md.com | 512.810.0360 info@sleep360md.com
CEO, JHL and Rocca
At 360 Balance & Hearing, our mission is to value every individual and meet the healthcare needs of patients that suffer from dizziness, hearing and/or balance disorders. 5608 Parkcrest Dr #100, Austin, TX 78731 360balance.com | 512.345.4664
JHL is a public-affairs, communications and event-planning firm located in Austin and serving clients throughout the U.S. Rocca is a promotionalproduct and custom-gift company. 512.2361001 jennifer@jhlcompany.com jhlcompany.com | shoprocca.com
Public Affairs
Jennifer Stevens
360 Balance & Hearing
Wendy Lankford, M.D.
Margaret Jabour
Medi-Weightloss® Medi-Weightloss® offers a physician-supervised, individually tailored weight-loss system known for its comprehensive approach to weight management and record of success. 13359 Hwy. 183, #403, Austin, TX 78750 mediweightloss.com | 512.243.5050
Twin Liquors
Retailer
Medical Specialist Medical Weightloss
Bridgett Wallace, PT, DPT
Plastic Surgeon
Christine Fisher, M.D. Board-certified plastic surgeon Breast-reconstruction specialist Dr. Christine Fisher is inspired daily as she works with her patients on their journey to recovery. Dr. Fisher strongly believes in the value of emotional and practical support. christinefishermd.com | 512.815.0123
Private Yoga Instructor
Plastic Surgeon
Aisha White, M.D. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Dr. Aisha White is an outstanding and dedicated plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Compassionate, skilled and thorough, she is the partner you want in your surgical journey. Visit her website for more info. draishawhite.com | 512.324.4815
Lisa Galizia, E-RYT, CHWC Bee Cave Yoga Lisa Galizia is a registered yoga teacher and wellness coach with more than 10 years of experience in the Austin area. Call or email for a free 10-minute consultation. beecaveyoga.com | 512.775.4568 beecaveyoga@gmail.com
Technology Trainer & Speaker
630 W. 34th St., Austin, TX 78705 personique.com | 512.459.6800
Waste Management
Dr. Lauren Crawford, a board-certified plastic surgeon, and her staff are committed to taking the time to understand the individual needs of each patient.
Wealth Management
Plastic Surgeon
lauren crawford, m.d.
Family-owned and Authentically Austin™ since 1937, Twin Liquors helps customers match wine and spirits to every occasion. Visit our website for the event calendar and information on our 75-plus Central Texas locations. twinliquors.com | info@twinliquors.com
Bazaarvoice helps brands and retailers find and reach consumers, and win them with authentic consumer-generated content, including ratings, reviews and curated visual content. 10901 Stonelake Blvd. Austin, TX 78759 bazaarvoice.com | 512.551.6000
Maura Thomas RegainYourTime.com Maura Thomas is a TEDx speaker, corporate trainer and published expert on productivity, time and attention management, and work-life balance. regainyourtime.com | 424.226.2872 twitter: @mnthomas facebook.com/regainyourtime
Texas Disposal Systems is a leading resource-management company that helps manage and divert waste to beneficial uses. Our integrated facility incorporates solid-waste disposal, compost production and recycling operations to make it easier to reduce the landfilling of resources and protect the environment. 800.375.8375 | customercare@texasdisposal.com
Lisa J. Thomas, CFP, CRPC Thomas Wealth Management Group First VP, Wealth Management Lisa has more than 25 years of experience providing financial and wealth-management advice and services to affluent individuals and families. P: 512.795.2502 | F: 512.351.3222 Lisa_Thomas@ml.com www.fa.ml.com/lisa_thomas
Your vision. Our mission. The world’s most powerful women start with innovative ideas. Ensuring greater access to capital, connections and technology is vital to helping them achieve their goals. With the Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network, we’re committed to providing the guidance, solutions and opportunities for women to build their big ideas from today’s startups to tomorrow’s success stories. Visit Dell.com/women to learn more.
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discover
AMERICA’S Last Frontier
Whether you travel by land or by sea, Alaska is home to a stunning and sublime supply of natural resources and wildlife. BY SHELLEY SEALE By Boat
This is Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska, which naturalist John Muir called a “temple of nature” when he explored it in 1897. Today, it remains one of the last truly pristine places in the U.S., largely untouched by human development. Muir was so struck by the solitude, remote beauty and purity of Glacier Bay that he instantly sought its protection, a move that led to the creation of the National Park Service. Covering more than 3 million acres, the park is part of a 25-million-acre World Heritage Site located in Alaska’s Inside Passage, and is home not only to the constantly changing glacier, but also to rugged mountains, wild coastlines, fjords and even a temperate rainforest. While several cruise-ship companies offer itineraries that include visiting the park, the only way to get this up-close and personal with the glacier is on a small ship, like the UnCruise Adventure Safari Endeavor that I and my fellow passengers spent a week on. Such a small ship (It carries a maximum of 84 guests.) not only allows sightseers to experience parts of Alaska’s wild beauty that can only be seen by water, but it also allows access to places the gigantic cruise ships simply can’t go. One such hard-to-reach spot is ominously called Ford’s Terror. The history behind the name dates back to 1899, when a naval crewmember named Ford rowed into the narrow waterway while conducting a survey. The bottleneck entrance eventually opens up to a large expanse of serene water nearly a mile wide, but Ford was not thinking about high tide, nor what would
Photo by Shelley Seale.
Standing on the deck of the ship, the massive blue glacier towered above us. Among the 80plus passengers, there was a collective silence of awe, broken only by the regular cracking thunder of a piece of ice calving off the glacier, a delayed sound heard seconds after its visible splash into the frigid waters below. The boat and people onboard seemed dwarfed beneath the powerful, 12-mile-long Johns Hopkins Glacier, one of the few Ice Age relics in the world that is still advancing rather than shrinking. In fact, during the past 350 years, the glacier has grown and retreated down the 65mile length of the inlet, culminating at the solid, 250-foot-high, 1-mile-wide block of ice. It was a moment when we realized you do not inhabit a place, but the place inhabits you.
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By Train A fun and exciting way to explore Denali and many other spots in Alaska’s interior is by train. Traveling by locomotive conjures images of early explorers riding the rails and having grand adventures as they discovered new frontiers. Local tracks were laid starting in 1903, in the only ice-free coastal town in the state, Seward. Eleven years later, the U.S. Congress authorized construction of 470 miles of railway line from Seward north to Fairbanks. Today, the Alaska Railroad provides travelers with a fun, informative and exciting adventure over land, offering up some of the most stunning views you’re likely to ever see from a train. Along the way, extremely knowledgeable guides provide narrative commentary, from facts about the nature and wildlife to stories of Alaska’s history and its people. I took the Denali Star Train, which ventures down one of five Alaska Railroad routes and departs each day in the summer for a 12-hour journey between Fairbanks and Anchorage with several stops along the way, one of which is Denali National Park. The weather on the morning we approached Denali was beautiful. As we rounded a corner, suddenly, there was the mountain, rising above everything in its majestic splendor. This clear sighting was such a rarity that the conductor stopped the train for a few minutes so everyone had a chance to view—and photograph, of course—the mighty snowcapped mountain. Once we arrived at the park, I de-boarded for a two-night stay at the Grande Denali Lodge, a short shuttle ride from the visitors’ entrance to the 6-million-acre park. Denali’s wilderness is only accessed via one 92-mile-long road, a path that traverses through a low-elevation forest to the high alpine tundra, culminating at the base of the daunting mountain and the start of a smattering of trailheads.
The optimum way to explore the majority of Alaska’s prominent beauty is to enjoy it by both land and sea. As Glacier Bay Park Ranger J.T. McLaughlin put it, the park system is a reminder that nature belongs to all of us. “The natural world is all around us every day, but we may never see it,” McLaughlin says. “We come somewhere like this to see these wild places and remember our origins, [to] remember where we came from and what we belong to.”
Photo by Keith Hajovsky.
happen when those waters rushed through the tight canyon walls. The story goes that a powerful, unstoppable wall of water rushed through and trapped Ford with terrifying force. He frantically paddled the strong current for six hours before escaping, inadvertently giving this section of the Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm fjords its name. Venturing into Ford’s Terror requires absolute perfect conditions of weather combined with tidal timing. Fortunately, on the day Safari Endeavor approached, we had both of these factors tipping in our favor. I could tell the place was something rare and special by the visible excitement of the crewmembers. Our guide, Phil, was wide-eyed and grinning uncontrollably as he led us into the remote, silent area. He told us this—one of the last Alaskan sailings of the season—was the first time they had been able to access Ford’s Terror all year. A guided cruise is just one of the magnificent ways to explore the many nearly inaccessible places of the 49th state, to experience incredible wildlife sightings of whales, bears, seals, bald eagles, sea otters and a dizzying array of bird species. One early morning in the bay of Port Houghton, I heard excited shouts and footsteps. Upon emerging from the cabin, I discovered several pods of humpback whales, with a dozen or more animals in each, feeding all around the ship. Their backs glided up out of the water as they ate—once, twice, maybe three times—until the final dive, when their flukes came up out of the water in a truly aweinducing sight. The whales stayed with us the entire day, along with playful sea lions, as we explored the tidal pools onshore with a guide and went kayaking in the bay. Of course, with Alaska’s massive size, there are plenty of land-based adventures to be had as well. The state is home to the three largest parks in the National Park System: Wrangell-St. Elias, Gates of the Arctic and Denali. The last is perhaps the most famous of these, due to the mountain of the same name, which tops out at 20,310 feet and is the highest peak in North America.
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roundup
Pack Mentality
Austin author Tsh Oxenreider offers up her top five reasons for embracing family travel. BY APRIL CUMMING Tsh Oxenreider first started her blog, theartofsimple.net, in early 2007, when she was living in Turkey. It was a place, she says, to “catalog her experience of what it was like to live in a much simpler, slower culture.”
Photos courtesy of Tsh Oxenreider.
Fast-forward seven years, to a household with kids and the approaching 2014–2015 school year, and Oxenreider decided to pack her bags and travel the world with her children—ages 9, 6 and 4 at the time—in tow. “We wanted to expose our kids to all our global diversity while they were still young,” she says of the decision. “We knew it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for family bonding and a widen-
ing of their worldviews, and we wanted to take advantage of both [my husband and I] having jobs we could work from anywhere, and the kids being young enough to be flexible and uprooted without too much upheaval.” Today, Oxenreider co-hosts the podcast The Simple Show, on which she discusses her tricks of travel, love for home and passion for books, including her own, At Home in the World: Reflections on Belonging While Wandering the Globe, published by Harper Collins in April. “Not a day goes by that we don’t still talk about our adventure,” Oxenreider says of her family’s yearlong journey. Here, she offers five reasons why you should travel with family.
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1. The inevitable stellar education. “Instead of reading about the Great Wall of China in a book, you can feel its smooth stones as you walk along the ramparts and through its fortifications. Instead of talking about Aboriginal history, you can explore the oldest rainforest in the world with an Aboriginal guide, hearing firstaccount stories from his life in Queensland. History, geography, science and everything in between come alive through immersion. I can’t think of a better way to truly learn more about the world.” 2. An expanded worldview. “When your eyes are opened to a true day in the life in Ethiopia, your ears perk the next time the newscaster says the country’s name. When you know how it feels to travel at 223 miles per hour on a high-speed train between two Italian cities, you’ll take more interest in your own city’s transportation system. Traveling cross-culturally is an invitation to broaden your perspective and learn from others.” 3. Stronger traveling muscles. “People balk at the thought of traveling with kids because of its challenges. But what’s the best way for kids to become excellent travelers? By letting them travel. Kids can teach adults a thing or two about adaptability, [from navigating] unpredictable bus routes and long airport lines to carrying your own backpack through crowded streets. As our world grows smaller and smaller, astute traveling becomes a necessary life skill.” 4. Living a minimal lifestyle. “Packing light is key with international travel, which means very few toys, perhaps no toys. It means just a few items of clothing, a book or two and little access to screens. Learning that experience trumps stuff when you’re young is a gift before moving into adulthood. Cultivating the habit of focusing on the present, wherever you are, is a vanishing skill. Traveling internationally provides a low-stuff, high-experience environment. Mastering this talent early reaps benefits the rest of your life.” 5. Family bonding like little else. “Our clan has shared experiences that no one else will ever know because we lived through them together. We all know what it’s like to skid along the gravel roads to the Maasai Mara in Kenya. We all remember our tiny guesthouse in Croatia that turned out to be part of Diocletian’s ancient palace. We have our private ranking of the best playgrounds in the world. And we’ve worked through the challenge of living in tight spaces, sketchy rental cars, strangers staring at us and being lost at midnight in the French countryside—together. It’s these experiences that have created our present-day memories and it’s the foundation for our closeness today.”
Women ofDistinction
opening doors of opportunity for all girls
2017
Thank you to our 2017 honorees, sponsors, and guests for joining us at our signature event!
Honorees:
Sarah Butler Beverly Dale Jackie Hawkins Gerry Tucker Terri Broussard Williams Workplace of Distinction:
H-E-B
PRESENTING & JULIETTE SPONSORS:
Change the World.
M
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little luxuries
Ready to Roam
Make security do a double take at your luggage for all the right reasons. BY APRIL CUMMING, photo by lisa muñoz, modeled by Caitlin candelari Airports are one of the finest places to peoplewatch. From pantsuitdonning travelers on business trips to khakiclad families of four on summer vacation, one thing everyone has in common is luggage. Whether stored under the plane or above the cabin, a suitcase, duffel bag or backpack is a necessity. But it is also an accessory, an accoutrement that speaks volumes about your sense of style. So, the next time you pack for a flight, express yourself and make the choice to emphasize the art in departure. Tumi Halle banana-leafprint backpack, $295; Tumi banana-leaf-print extended-trip packing case, $595; available at Tumi, 11506 Century Oaks Terrace, 512.821.2766, tumi.com.
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tyle
splurge or steal
SEA OF STYLE
A classic nautical look is eyecatching on land or at sea. PHOTOs BY Annie ray Modeled and Styled by Ashley Hargrove
SPLURGE Burberry trench, $1,895 Burberry striped shirt, $395 Dolce & Gabbana white wide-leg pants, $1,175 Gas Bijoux gold beaded bracelet, $188 Oscar de la Renta blue statement earrings, $350 Celine white sunglasses, $515 Gucci gold heels, $795 Stella McCartney East/West Shopper tote, $1,210
All items except shoes available at Nordstrom, 2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., 512.691.3500, nordstrom.com. Shoes, stylist's own.
$6,523 70 | Austin Woman | MAY 2017
STEAL Joe Fresh trench, $89 Banana Republic striped shirt, $39.50 ASOS white wide-leg pants, $58 BaubleBar gold bracelet, $34 Kate Spade tassel earrings, $98 BP white sunglasses, $12 Steven Madden Carrson shoes, $89.95 Rebecca Minkoff Regan denim handbag, $176.98
Trench available at joefresh.com. Shirt available at Banana Republic, 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, 512.836.1112, bananarepublic.com. Pants available at asos.com. Bracelet available at baublebar.com. Sunglasses, shoes, hangbag and earrings available at Nordstrom, 2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., 512.691.3500, nordstrom.com.
$598 austinwomanmagazine.com |  71
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tyle
accessorize
Blush-worthy Take the Pantone Color Institute’s advice and add some millennial pinkinspired shades to your to your stash of summer accessories. by Niki jones
Wa rby Par ke ava r Laure ilab le a l 17 fram t wa rby es, sta par r ker.c ting a t $9 om 5, .
Alexander Wang Mini Marti leather backpack, $795, available at nordstrom.com.
Beats Solo3 wireless on-ear headphones, $299.95, available at apple.com.
CassandraCollections 14-karat gold Peri pendant and silk tassel, $258, available at cassandracollections.com.
Kate Spade New York mistic bow flat thong sandals, $110, available at neimanmarcus.com.
Pharao Eos bracelet with rhodonite gemstones, $85, available at pharaojewelry.com.
Cole Haan StudioGrand sneakers, $230, available at nordstrom.com. 72 | Austin Woman | MAY 2017
H
ome
ENTERTAINing
Styling a Spring Garden Party
We offer up some how-to advice on making your alfresco gathering the talk of the town. Written and styled by Morgan Stephanian, photos by Ashley Kriegel
The springtime combination of budding trees, bright flowers and cool weather create a perfect backdrop for dining outside. Whether you’re simply wanting a change of pace from your family’s trusty kitchen table or are planning to celebrate the rich relationships between some of your closest friends and their mothers this Mother’s Day, here’s how to host a backyard garden party that is stylish yet simple, relaxed and ripe for candid conversation. With life in full bloom around us, raise your glass—and salad fork—to a day of laughter, eating, enjoying humorous anecdotes and creating fond memories spent together.
How to add to the Ambience I love to eat outside. There is something magical about the fresh air, the sounds of birds and the feel of the breeze whishing around me that make outdoor parties feel comfortable. Atmosphere is a huge component to any party and, particularly with outdoor gatherings, I focus on having plenty of seating and lighting. Simplified: Bring an indoor table and chairs outside if you don’t have an outdoor table. Indoor furniture for an outdoor party makes your backyard feel like an extension of the house. Next level: Use an unexpected theme, like a classic movie, and do some research to find out what foods, drinks and decorations came from that time or place.
How to Make It a Garden You don’t have to have a garden to have a garden party. Fresh-cut flowers, potted herbs and greenery placed around the table make for a beautiful setting. I also like to use natural elements like leaves and vines, which serve as creative, makeshift twists on place cards and napkin rings. Simplified: Buy small potted herbs for the centerpiece and then let each guest take one home as a party favor. Next level: Easily add a garden to your space by using a half-barrel from a local hardware store. Plant herbs that can be used in the meal (rosemary, thyme, basil) for a true garden-to-table experience.
74 | Austin Woman | MAY 2017
THE MENU skinny strawberry margaritas fresh fruit salad curried Greek yogurt chicken salad farfalle pasta salad with garlic, roasted tomatoes and goat cheese English pea salad with mint fresh green salad lemon mousse parfait
Skinny Strawberry Margaritas Serves four Mix 4 ounces tequila, 1/2 cup lime juice, 2/3 cup water, 4 tablespoons agave nectar and the juice of 1 orange until all ingredients are combined. Add ice and 1/2 cup strawberry slices to four glasses and pour the mixture over them. Garnish with a strawberry slice and lime wedge.
How to Build a Symphony of Salads One of my favorite menus to create is a host of salads. They are fresh, light and easy to prepare the day before the party. I think it’s important to balance the types of salad you serve to make sure there’s enough protein, as well as savory and sweet items on the table. Simplified: Ask your guests to each bring their favorite salad to share. This way, everyone gets to contribute and can leave with new favorite recipes. Next level: Consider using colorful, seasonal ingredients that will elevate your salads and make them more memorable. Some of my favorites include goat cheese, slow-roasted veggies and fresh fruit.
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76 | Austin Woman | may MAY 2017
The
Funding is
Female
Kerry Rupp and Sara Brand, the passionate leading ladies and power duo behind venture-capital firm True Wealth Ventures, discuss why investing in women is a smart business move and why supporting female innovation is their career calling. BY saraH E. Ashlock photos by ANNIE RAY hair and makeup by Laura Martinez styled by ashley hargrove
Left, on Kerry: Parker Gabe blouse, $198; Paige Verdugo distressed denim, $239, available at Estilo, 2727 Exposition Blvd., 512.236.0488, estiloboutique.com. Chloe Mia colorblock leather sandals, $645, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com. BaubleBar Crispin earrings, $48, available at baublebar.com. Raven + Lily gold bangle bracelets, $42, available at ravenandlily.com. Right, on Sara: Halogen lips dress, red heels, belt, model’s own.
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I
SARA BRAND
KERRY RUPP
78 |  Austin Woman |  MAY 2017
first chatted with venture capitalists Sara Brand and Kerry Rupp on a blistering summer day not quite a year ago. They had recently filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to launch their venture-capital firm, True Wealth Ventures, and were celebrating their first investment from a partnership that landed the firm $4.7 million. Less than a year later, True Wealth Ventures is still geared for greatness. The firm closed on two additional investments, and Brand and Rupp have the rest of this year to meet their fundraising goal of $20 million. This amount, the duo explains, will be invested during the course of four years into startups and companies that have at least one woman on the executive team making decisions.
On a recent March afternoon, a spring day that had yet to signal the oppressively hot summer ahead, Brand, Rupp and I settled in at Caffe Medici on South Lamar Boulevard, savoring our caffeine of choice beneath ambient pendant lighting. “I’ve already had my fair share of coffee today,” Rupp is quick to confess. During the course of the next hour or so, the ambitious duo effortlessly explains the intricacies of what it is they do, why it is they do it and how much they love their jobs. Though the theme of the conversation is inherently serious, every few minutes of discussion is interspersed with laughter, and it’s suddenly all too easy to understand why they love what they do. Observe and Question How the heck do two women with science backgrounds become venture-capital boss ladies in the first place? What came into focus during our conversation is that in order to discover the career you’re passionate about, you have to first uncover what you want your job to look like. This means honing in on the qualities and characteristics you most enjoy rather than focusing only on the position itself. Before Brand partnered with Rupp, she worked at worldwide consulting firm McKinsey & Company. She read a book written by the firm’s senior director, Joanna Barsh, called Centered Leadership, which urged Brand to explore questions like, “Think back to your childhood. When were you in flow? When did you not realize time was going by? What kind of activities did you do?” Part of this process, Brand explains, requires the reader to jog her memory or gain insight by asking those closest to her what they remember. “I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do exactly and realized when I was young, I would read lots of sci-fi books and books about how planes were made,” Brand says. “You knew exactly what you wanted to do in 8th grade. You were going to go into mechanical engineering, would give speeches about how fighter planes worked.” Brand would later decide to pursue a career in that field, but when she peeled away the layers of her underlying interests, she recognized what she was most passionate about was simply learning new things. After all, she didn’t have a poster of Albert Einstein on her wall as a kid for no reason. “I loved to learn about new technologies and have conversations about it,” Brand says. “I realized that is what I actually love to do. I climbed so far up the corporate ladder, where the air was so thin, but it was in management, not in technical stuff anymore.” Her affinity to grow, to evolve is evident in her thoughtful and clear-eyed approach to her work. “Being in venture capital is such a great mix for me because it’s still hands-on, making an impact, making successful businesses, but I love learning about technologies,” she says. Rupp has her own similar insights. “I am a really high P on the Myers-Briggs scale, which means I like things to stay in flux,” Rupp says. Brand interrupts to say, “That’s perfect for you!” The two laugh and Rupp continues. “In college, I didn’t pick my major until my senior year. They
make you pick one, so I kept fake picking one. I was English, I was psychology, I was foreign language. I’d just change it every once in a while. I ended up majoring in science, which meant I had to take, like, eight science classes my senior year,” Rupp says. “All my friends were done second semester, sitting on the quad in the sun, and I’m in the lab doing genetic experiments.” Like Brand, Rupp finds her energized feeling when she “gets exposed to lots and lots of different things.” After she moved 24 times, visited 55 countries and 49 states, Rupp’s adventurous spirit now serves as one of her greatest career strengths. “While this juggling-plates thing is really challenging, it’s also the only way I know how to be,” Rupp confides. When Rupp left her corporate job and was reassessing her next career move, she conducted meetings with people in coffee shops. “I wasn’t looking for a job. I took some time off. I was just meeting people,” Rupp explains of the transition. “I’d sit down with [people], work on their strategy, who to introduce them to, and I thought, ‘This is so fun! I wish this could be my job.’ ” Indeed, Rupp would end up making that her job. She has been in the startup world for two decades now and is the former CEO and general partner of Dreamit, where she helped launch more than 150 early stage companies. “It’s not like I was sitting in those coffee meetings thinking, ‘I should be a VC,” she says, “but through the course of time, as I took the accelerator role and saw what I was doing every day, I thought, ‘How funny. A few years ago, I wanted this to be my job, didn’t know it existed and now it actually is.’ ” Research and Review Once Brand and Rupp identified the components that ignited their spark, they joined forces to advocate for the economic advancement of women-led businesses. “There’s substantive data that shows that if there’s more gender diversity in teams across the board, not just in business, those teams perform better,” Rupp says. “In this case, in early stage companies, they actually have better performance.” Brand mentions that Kevin O’Leary, one of the “sharks” on investment-based reality show Shark Tank, told the press this very thing. Of the companies he’s invested in, more than half have female CEOs, and there hasn’t been one male-led business to outperform those women-led businesses. That sentiment makes a strong case for considering investing in companies that have women in top decision-making seats. A lot of operational and legal setup was required to make True Wealth Ventures a reality, but Brand and Rupp aren’t accustomed to shying away from the tough stuff, the nittygritty details of business. So, what does a day in the life of a venture capitalist look like? The only routine in Brand and Rupp’s workday is that there isn’t one. “About 75 percent of a workday is either in a meeting or on a call,” Rupp says. For venture capitalists, the clock is always ticking. Brand mentions they have increased their normal 20-minute meeting time to 30 minutes so they have time to fully engage with entrepreneurs. This 10-minute addition is just one example of
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how Brand and Rupp conduct their work, always evolving their balanced approach with both efficiency and intention so as to make wise, thoughtful investments. In order to prepare for said meetings and evaluate followup questions and potential investments, Brand and Rupp must, of course, first learn about the startup. It’s also crucial to have knowledge of that company’s particular industry, so their questions are more pointed and dynamic. The first step for a startup seeking funding is to provide a pitch deck, which often includes information on a problem, solution, business model, sales and so on. Much can be understood by simply reading a pitch deck, but for True Wealth Ventures, it’s crucial that Brand and Rupp listen to the entrepreneur. The company leader should be able to verbalize its intentions with ease and confidence. “We get that benefit of hearing how the entrepreneur presents it, which really changes the dynamic when so much of this is about the team behind the company, letting them have their voice tell the story rather than the deck that a designer probably did for them,” Rupp says. When True Wealth Ventures is ready to move forward with an investment, Rupp says the time spent analyzing a company’s industry and data “is almost infinite.” It might be easy to dismiss the research side of this job, but it’s one of those things that, if disregarded, causes more arduous work later on. “There’s some data for [angel investors] showing that angel portfolios have better returns when they do up to 40 hours of due diligence,” Brand says. Those 40 hours tie back to what Brand and Rupp love so much about this industry: learning new things, multitasking and simply figuring stuff out. While angel investors use their own funds to invest in startups and companies, venture capitalists fundraise for money to invest in companies. “Since we’re using other people’s money, [time spent researching a company] would probably be more,” Brand says. The duo must choose their investments wisely, and can only do so once they’ve gathered as much knowledge as possible. While angel investors can go with their gut feelings, venture capitalists have a fiduciary responsibility to read every word and conduct thorough research. Being the savvy women they are, Brand and Rupp work with interns from the University of Texas’ Venture Fellows Program. These MBA students assist in organizing and navigating True Wealth Ventures’ varied schedules while gaining vital venture-capital experience. “It’s a hard industry to get into, so having experience can make a big difference,” Rupp says. “It’s pretty exclusive too,” Brand adds. “It’s hard to get into the program.” As venture capitalists, both women are natural educators who patiently and eagerly explain complex terms and situations related to their industry. With the interns’ assistance, Brand and Rupp have the opportunity to reach a bigger audience and devote time to hearing pitches, researching companies and fundraising. They have more capabilities to cast a wider net in the sea of female business leaders in Austin. “In the past three weeks, we’ve probably been talking to 20-plus companies, two of which we’re going into real due diligence with,” Rupp says. Using the $20 million they’ve currently raised, True Wealth Ventures will likely invest in about 12 companies.
80 | Austin Woman | MAY 2017
Women in Business In a parallel universe, these statistics wouldn’t exist, but thanks to Sara Brand and Kerry Rupp, things are looking brighter.
#2:
Texas ranks second in the U.S. for fastest growth in the number of women-owned businesses.
(Source: American Express)
85 percent of consumer-purchase decisions are made by women.
80 percent of health-care decisions are made by women. (Source: Marketing Zeus, U.S. Department of Labor, Center for Talent Innovation)
32.1 Percent Women-led startups have a 32.1 percent greater chance of an exit (or making a profit) when funded by women VCs. (Source: Harvard Business Review)
35 percent of total funding on Kickstarter goes to companies with a woman CEO. #1: San Antonio is ranked No. 1 for women entrepreneurs out of 100 U.S. Metropolitan cities.
2 times: That’s the growth rate of women starting businesses, compared with men.
#2: That’s Texas’ national ranking for fastest growth in the state’s number of women-owned businesses. (Source: Kauffman Foundation, Ventureneer, American Express)
According to First Round Capital, based on 10 years of seed-stage VC funding, companies with a female founder performed 63 percent better than investments with all-male founding teams.
#3: Dallas is the third-best city in the country for women entrepreneurs. (Source: Center for an Urban Future)
#1: Austin is the No. 1 city in the U.S. for startup activity. (Source: Kauffman Foundation)
1,200: Women start about 1,200 new businesses every day. (Source: Open State of Women-Owned Business)
Page 78, on Sara: Alice & Olivia blueand-white striped maxi dress, $330, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com. Wanderlust + Co moon crescent necklace, $39, available at wanderlustandco.com. Earrings, model’s own. BCBGeneration cognac fringe heels, $49, available at DSW, 5207 Brodie Lane, 512.891.6777, dsw.com. Page 78, on Kerry: illia drape cardigan, $196, available at Estilo, 2727 Exposition Blvd., 512.236.0488, estiloboutique.com. Luxe Deluxe Stardust camisole in blush, $99, available at Estilo, 2727 Exposition Blvd., 512.236.0488, estiloboutique.com. BaubleBar Crispin earrings, $48, available at baublebar.com. Raven + Lily gold bangle bracelets, $42, available at ravenandlily.com. This page, on Kerry: Escada Doplia blue dress, $950; YSL Tribute patent heels, $895, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com. Raffia geometric earrings, $240, available at Bailey Banks & Biddle, 2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., 512.691.9100, baileybanksandbiddle.com. Raven + Lily gold bangle bracelets, $42, available at ravenandlily.com.
“Being in venture capital is such a great mix for me because it’s still hands-on, making an impact, making successful businesses, but I love learning about technologies.” —Sara Brand
This page, on Sara: Alice & Olivia Paulette red pants, $295; Diane von Furstenberg black-and-white striped top, $248; Kendall + Kylie Giselle black heels, $130, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com. BaubleBar red statement earrings, $38, available at baublebar.com.
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Once they’ve completed that round, they “Twice a year, we’re having these events will continue to fundraise for the same where we have our investors and the amount, if not more, to help continue the leaders from our portfolio companies get investment cycle. together. A lot of our investors want to help Their initial $20 million fundraising goal the companies when and where they can,” was a number chosen intentionally. In the Brand says. “That will make those kind of world of venture capital, that amount of serendipitous relationships happen.” funds is considered—on the spectrum of VC Investors also receive quarterly updates on dollars—on the smaller scale. But that figure, how the companies are doing. Brand and Rupp say, was selected on purpose. While Austin continues to burst at “There is data showing that smaller funds the seams with incredible growth, True do better,” Brand says. Wealth Ventures’ approach to funding Larger venture-capital firms with $200 these up-and-coming female-led businesses million in capital may have a big reputation, captures what made Austin so great in but they have to fund big companies to the first place, that sense of unparalleled match. Plus, True Wealth Ventures’ relatively connection and community. small size enables Brand and Rupp to invest where other VC firms cannot: in a company’s Protect Your Force Field seed stage of growth. Brand and Rupp meticulously came up It’s no secret shots are often fired at women with that amount partly because of federal stepping into new terrain. For female regulations. investors and entrepreneurs alike, it’s “The SEC has limitations of how many imperative to not only identify and vocalize investors can invest in a fund, and it’s 99 their points of view, but to protect them as individuals,” Brand says. “So, you can’t just well. Brand and Rupp wouldn’t be where take a $10,000 check. If we had a $50 million they are today without their resolve to be fund, everybody would have to be writing forward-thinking and stay true to their almost a millionmission. dollar check. That A little outreally narrows your of-the-box “Ninety-six percent of market.” thinking is often There’s also an venture-capital partners are necessary, and added personal Brand and Rupp touch when working have embodied men, and if you look at who with a small that sentiment. venture-capital True Wealth is really making investment firm. Think of it Ventures recently decisions, it’s probably more won a $250,000 like this: Would you rather have grant from the like 99 percent.” —Kerry Rupp your next meeting U.S. Economic catered by Tacodeli Development or Taco Bell? Administration, Entrepreneurs obtaining funding from Brand in conjunction with Dell Medical School, and Rupp may find their voices are heard the criteria of which centered on regional more and that, on the flip side, investors economic development in order to support feel more confident and comfortable in areas that are underfunded. contributing funds to True Wealth Ventures. But Brand and Rupp took a different In order to obtain funds to invest in approach in their grant application since companies, Brand and Rupp have to, of the grant was originally intended for course, obtain investments themselves. geographical regions. “We’re both fundraising and seeking “We applied with the premise [that] deals right now,” Rupp says. “It’s interesting women were the region that are underbecause it puts us in the shoes of the funded, and apparently, we got extra credit entrepreneur.” for the fact that women as investors are also That means a whole heck of a lot of underfunded,” Rupp says. meeting with investors where they are Clearly, having the insight to make this and sitting in coffee shops with startup distinctive approach proved effective. entrepreneurs seeking investors. When As venture capitalists, Brand and Rupp they’re not taking calls in their cars, they’re serve as catalysts for these companies, actively working in their homes—literally. which expands the breadth of their Both Brand and Rupp are now the proud reach. Without a woman, or in this case, owners of treadmill desks. women, financially supporting women-led Once one invests in True Wealth Ventures companies, the opportunity to flounder is or True Wealth Ventures invests in a even higher. And industry needs women-led company, they’re immediately ushered into a businesses. unique community. “Ninety-six percent of venture-capital 82 | Austin Woman | MAY 2017
partners are men, and if you look at who is really making investment decisions, it’s probably more like 99 percent,” Rupp says. Brand and Rupp have chosen to invest primarily in consumer-health markets and sustainable consumer markets, in which women are the predominant consumers. “It’s not just about the gender, but to leverage that gender strategically to focus on markets where women are the primary customers,” Rupp says. The sustainable consumer market is an avenue that interests Brand and Rupp. In the home, this ranges from eco-efficient appliances to beauty products and food. What interests Brand and Rupp about this area aren’t simply the products, but the supply chains behind the products. An example concept involves packaging food in a more sustainable way. This
can be subtle, and maybe the consumer doesn’t realize there’s a technology company behind a product that is manufacturing the packaging in a more eco-friendly way. “We aren’t just [investing in] a cool new veggie burger,” Rupp says. “We could, but we could also do clothing with recycled fabric that came from a materials science innovation.” On the health side, Brand and Rupp adhere to the concept of “health care versus sick care,” with the aim to invest in companies that target wellness and prevention. The key consideration is that consumers are the ones deciding, which means the companies aren’t selling their items to doctors, who then prescribe the products to patients. Rather, the consumer chooses the product or service. An example of this approach can be found in Rupp and Brand’s first investment: UnaliWear. Jean Anne Booth’s company was a winner of the 2016 Woman’s Way Women-Led Business of the Year award for her Kanega smartwatch. The wearable concept is a more approachable and aesthetically pleasing life-alert device used to empower senior citizens and those with limited mobility by acting as an emergency device and a medications reminder.
Of course, women’s health is a particularly interesting component of this field. “There’s been such little innovation because of who’s at the leadership table in corporate companies and who’s been investing,” Brand says. Spoiler alert: It’s mostly been men. And as Rupp explains, “[Men] don’t necessarily understand things like menstruation and fertility. This is exciting news for women because it means more options and better products are actually being considered by investors.” “Women keep things on track [in the home],” Rupp expounds. “But [they go] unpaid and unrecognized a lot,” Brand adds. Like a scientific experiment, entrepreneurs often start with observation, questions, research, a hypothesis, collected data and an aptitude to take on variables. What can happen as a result of an experiment that goes right? Innovation. There are a lot of Texas women with groundbreaking, pivotal, ingenious ideas who haven’t been given more than a passing glance of consideration, those whose innovations have yet to be given the time of day. That is, until now.
On Sara: Tibi striped maxi dress, $875; Alexis Bittar raffia hoop earrings, $245, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com. Splendid Jara sandals, stylist’s own. On Kerry: Lela Rose Blair cap-sleeve dress, $1,295; Alexis Bittar drop earrings, $225, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com. Shoes, model’s own.
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Banking
Austin
ON
As the presidents of three of the largest banks in Texas, Nikki Graham, Kerry Hall and Rina Patel are building up the Austin community through better investing and a shared commitment to giving back. BY Rachel Rascoe | Photos by Dustin Meyer
84 |  Austin Woman |  MAY 2017
A
t the mere mention of working in finance, one might conjure up an image of a young, money-hungry Wall Street investment banker. It’s a persona that’s presumably justified, especially in Texas, a state that’s home to one of the largest pools of financial professionals in the country. Three women leading the pack in the Texas banking industry are Nikki Graham, Kerry Hall and Rina Patel. Venture to their downtown offices and you’ll surprisingly find any predispositions dashed. When it comes
to that stereotypical, stigmatized image, they’re nothing of the sort. These experienced businesswomen are focused on making the best experience for customers and supporting their banking teams, all while working to improve the Austin community. This powerful trio of commercial and retail bank presidents is devoted to building a stronger Austin. Through involvement in numerous community causes and nonprofits, they work to promote equal access
to education, economic growth and diversity in business. “I guess some people go into banking as a way to make money, but at least for most of the people I work with, that’s not their first motivation,” Bank of America’s Graham says. Her words ring true across the board for these three presidents. “A lot of the bankers of these big banks, we live here and our communities are important to us,” Graham adds. “The resources that we make go right back into Austin.”
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Her name: Nikki Graham Her 9 to 5: A ustin market president FOR Bank of America Bank of America gives employees two hours of paid After graduating college, Graham’s dream was to work on Capitol time off each week to serve their local communities. Hill to improve people’s lives. Rather than pursuing that mission Graham says this benefit and her team’s experiences as a politician, Graham now works to improve the local community volunteering help them not only connect with the city as the Austin market president for Bank of America. As president, they serve, but also build leadership skills that translate Graham makes sure all divisions of the bank are working together back to the office. and heads the company’s philanthropic engagement in Austin. “Our whole business is really driven by the economic “I always saw banking as another way to impact the community. viability in the community,” Graham says. “If you can We say that we’re here to make people’s financial lives better, and get people out solving a community issue without their I thought that 23 years ago as much as I do now,” Graham says, banker hat on, then they’re really engaged and all in referencing her years of work with Bank of America. for Austin.” After discovering her goal to one day work as a legislator Graham’s current philanthropic work focuses on didn’t pay very well starting out, Graham ended up working at increasing access to education. She the investment banking firm Shearson serves on the board of Communities in Lehman Brothers, her first exposure to Schools of Central Texas, which works the finance world. Have a strong sense to prevent school dropouts by offering Looking back, Graham attributes her social services and resources. parents to teaching her a lot about banking of yourself and what She further connects Austinites during her childhood in South Carolina. you want to accomplish. with educational opportunities as By age 14, she was required to keep a a board member at Capital Idea, a meticulous checking account. nonprofit focused on getting Austin workers employed “My parents taught me at a very young age the power and value by offering education and career services. of money,” Graham says. “If I needed money, my mother would “What I love about Capital Idea is that they support give me a loan and charge interest.” a living wage,” Graham says of her work with the Graham eventually left Washington, D.C. and returned to San organization. “These are women who go from being Antonio, where she had attended high school. There, she worked on subsidies to providing for themselves and their her way up from the position of personal banker to a bankingfamilies.” center manager with Bank of America. Graham also serves on the board of Barton Springs Graham went on to work with Nations Bank, a job for which she Conservancy and the Greater Austin Chamber of traveled the country to help implement interstate banking, a new Commerce. concept at the time. When Nations Bank acquired Bank of America, At her core, she is passionate about supporting Graham returned to Texas to work as the market manager for the women-owned businesses in Austin, which mirrors a San Antonio and Austin markets. In 2013, Graham became the Austin global initiative by Bank of America to invest in women. market president for Bank of America. Growing up, Graham says she was surrounded by the Graham says her willingness to adapt and tackle new projects “influences of women-owned businesses and women as has allowed her to explore many different areas of banking leaders in philanthropy.” throughout her career. Graham’s mother worked in nonprofits and, although “I have a little bit of a risk-taker in me,” Graham says. “At she studied at Auburn University, Graham spent different career points, I was able to pivot to different jobs when summers working at the children’s clothing store her new opportunities became available.” grandmother ran in Greenville, S.C. Her aunt now runs Graham advises young women to establish their strengths the business. and goals early on in their careers. She says this allows for more “My grandmother threw her whole life into making confidence when taking on new roles. that business work, and yet, she still found time to be a “Have a strong sense of yourself and what you want to great mother and a great grandmother,” Graham says of accomplish,” Graham says. “I am a natural learner and I don’t the family business. “It’s amazing what women do every mind being vulnerable, so a lot of times, I sought out opportunities day to make their businesses work. I see that example where I did not know anything about that particular topic. I was time and time again.” willing to put myself in there and learn.”
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My parents taught me at a very young age the power and value of money. If I needed money, my mother would give me a loan and charge interest.
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People shouldn’t discount the importance of treating people kindly. People value other people who give back here, and I love that about Austin.
88 | Austin Woman | MAY april 2017 2017
Her name: KERRY HALL Her 9 to 5: A ustin region president for Texas Capital Bank With more than 30 years of experience in Texas banking, Hall disappointed?’ ” Hall recalls. “That’s when I realized knows the ins and outs of the state’s financial scene, as well as its that doing things the same all the time also has its complex history. Having joined Texas Capital Bank in 1999, Hall risks. Sure enough, in retrospect, if I hadn’t made became president soon after and helped build the Austin region this change, it would probably have been the biggest from the ground up. mistake of my professional career.” For Hall, it’s the golden rule of kindness that makes for good Along the way to joining Texas Capital, Hall had business, a motto she applies and exemplifies through her work two children, Hilary and Hudson, and was faced with with many philanthropic organizations, as well as her own the challenge of balancing her roles as mom and bank banking team. president. It was all about time management, Hall says, as well as accepting that she wouldn’t be able to “My number one job is to clear obstacles for people,” Hall says, help at every school volunteer opportunity and host referring to her customers. “They know what they want to do and they’re driving alone and they hit a wall. My job is to help them every party. remove that wall so they can keep moving.” “You can do it all,” Hall says. “Some things aren’t as good as As the Austin region president of Texas Capital Bank, Hall recruits a team of bankers others, but that’s OK. There’s always ways you can add value. to help expanding businesses grow with the There is no such thing You’ve got to kind of give up on that help of loans and advising. The commercial bank works with a variety of local businesses, perfectionist thing. You’ll drive as an overnight success. including Alamo Drafthouse, Kendra Scott yourself crazy.” It usually takes about Hall was promoted to regional Jewelry and The Texas Tribune. After studying finance at the University president of Texas Capital Bank 15 years to become an of Texas, Hall began her career as an in 2002. She was able to grow overnight success because internal auditor at mBank. She remembers the bank with her own f lair, being beat out by a male classmate for a that’s how long it takes you deciding to add an emphasis on position she really wanted in the credit entrepreneurialism and giving to really learn something training program. A true optimist, Hall back to the community. Soon stayed on and says working as an auditor thereafter, she helped launch and really get good at it. allowed her to see how every department in Opportunity Austin, an economica bank works. Two years later, she moved development initiative that into the credit training program and became a commercial lender promotes the creation of Central Texas jobs. “We really needed to diversity our business base and with mBank. Hall credits all the experiences she’s faced throughout her career, our job base in Austin,” Hall says. “Without jobs, a city including setbacks and missteps, to making her a better banker. just dies. That’s what has made this city so vibrant and “There is no such thing as an overnight success,” Hall says. so robust, is that there are jobs for people.” “It usually takes about 15 years to become an overnight success In growing a healthy Austin economy, Hall says because that’s how long it takes you to really learn something and another vital part of the prosperity equation is access really get good at it, so don’t give up.” to education. She serves on the Champions Council of Amid the nationwide bank failures of the 1980s, Bank One the E3 Alliance, a collaborative that works to break bought out mBank. Hall was one of the few employees chosen down barriers to education in Central Texas. to move over to Bank One, where she built and managed a unit Hall also serves on the boards of the Austin of commercial bankers. In the late ’90s, Hall was asked to join Convention and Visitors Bureau and Big Brothers Big the 2-year-old Texas Capital Bank. Although she admired the Sisters of Central Texas. commercial bank started in her home state, Hall says she was She says the local business community’s commitment to giving is what makes banking in Austin so unique. nervous about leaving her longtime home of Bank One. “I kept saying, ‘What happens if I change and it doesn’t turn “People shouldn’t discount the importance of treating out or I’m disappointed?’ Someone I worked with sort of turned it people kindly,” Hall says. “People value other people upside down and said, ‘What if you don’t change and you’re really who give back here, and I love that about Austin.”
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That mindset led Patel through a number of childhood entrepreneurial ventures. Even before her fashion line, Patel remembers going door to door at her apartment complex as a kid, selling friendship bracelets out of a red wagon. After the bracelets came selling Girl Scout Cookies, which Patel says Her name: RINA PATEL taught her money-management skills. Patel now helps instill those same values in young girls through her position on Her 9 to 5: regional banking area president the board of Girl Scouts of Central Texas and as a part of the FOR Wells Fargo organization’s Juliette’s Circle. Patel’s division of Wells Fargo also works with Girl Scouts and local schools to teach financial literacy to students. Working at her parent’s dry-cleaning business growing up, Since taking on management roles with Wells Fargo, Patel has Patel developed a love of textiles and an unwavering work ethic. taken her teams out for monthly volunteer projects, a tradition Her love of fashion led her to develop her own small business her own family had while she was growing up. as a teenager, which eventually led to business school and her Patel serves on the board of United Way for Greater Austin, current role as the regional banking area president for Wells as well as with the group’s Development Committee and Fargo. The commitment to hard work never left her side. Women’s Leadership Council. She frequently speaks about the “I think my parents really taught me to never do anything importance of diversity and increasing opportunities for women halfway,” Patel says. “Nothing was ever a ‘no’ for me. A ‘no’ was in leadership roles. just a problem that I hadn’t figured out how to solve yet.” “I think it’s really important for everyone to own it,” Patel While in high school, Patel created her own fashion line says of efforts to increase diversity in the workplace, including called Rina Kishor. When the cost of New York City living those made in the financial industry. “I always say it’s everyone’s caught up to her after a semester in design school at the Fashion responsibility. It’s not just the manager of the business or the Institute of Technology, Patel returned home to Arizona. There, owner; it’s everyone working together and having respect for Patel decided to focus on her interest in business. diversity and inclusion.” While studying at Arizona State University, Patel As for women starting out in got a job through a friend as a bank teller at a local business, Patel advises them to let go Wells Fargo branch. On the job, Patel found she of fear and work their hardest. loved helping people solve their financial problems. Nothing was ever a “My philosophy is imagine if you “In finance, you get to know people and what their could live your life without fear. What needs and wants are. Then you help them get to a ‘no’ for me. A ‘no’ would you do? And then go do it,” Patel financial goal,” Patel says. “That was rewarding.” was just a problem says. “If you don’t know something, Patel has now been with the company for more learn about it. And then activate and that I hadn’t figured than 14 years, working her way up through the go do something about it.” ranks of teller, personal banker, service manager, out how to solve yet. branch manager, recruiting manager and district manager. In 2013, Patel moved to Austin to take on her current role as the area president of Wells Fargo’s Expert Advice Mid-Central Texas Division. She now oversees Wells Fargo employees who hold many of her own previous jobs. Patel says Austin Woman asked the bank presidents to share their her main focus as president is helping the bank’s customers. best tips for achieving financial success. “I always want to make sure that we satisfy our customers’ banking needs and help them be successful with their financial Pay attention to your credit. “Your credit score is really important. Understand and goals,” Patel says. “That’s my number one goal now and will appreciate the power of that credit because it can make always be our goal in the future.” a huge difference in your life, whether that’s getting a job, an As the area president, Patel says she makes an effort to start apartment or a credit card.” — Nikki Graham every day with a positive attitude.
“”
“Something that my family taught me at a young age is when you wake up in the morning, think about what you’re grateful for to start your day. I also think of something I’m really excited about,” Patel says. “That way, every time I get up, I know exactly what I want to accomplish in that day and it gets me motivated.” Patel cites her parents, who emigrated from India to Houston in the 1970s with only a couple hundred dollars in their pockets, as her major motivation throughout her career. She says her parents raised her to be grateful for what she had and work hard for what she wanted. “In my younger years, we didn’t have a lot,” Patel says. “But I never felt it because we came from a place of gratitude versus saying what we didn’t have.”
90 | Austin Woman | MAY 2017
Hope for the best, but plan for the worst. “Usually, a business hasn’t raised enough money to do what they need to do starting out. If things go really well, you’re going to need more money than you thought to grow. If things go bad, you’re going to need more money than you thought to find out what went wrong and reboot.” — Kerry Hall Start saving sooner rather than later. “Finance is such an important part of your life, but not many people put it as a priority. Make it a point to put money aside in your savings and your retirement [accounts], and do it now, not next year, but right now because you are investing in yourself.” — Rina Patel
“”
My philosophy is imagine if you could live your life without fear. What would you do? And then go do it.
austinwomanmagazine.com | 91
G
OURMET
RECIPE REVEAL
Lime Light
This miniature sweet sensation is designed to turn heads at the dinner table. Pastry Chef Courtney Franke can handle the heat in the kitchen. She is, after all, responsible for baking all the breads and desserts at Salt Traders Coastal Cooking in Round Rock, Texas.
“I like simple, well-executed food,” Franke says of her passion. “I feel that the simplest dishes can be the hardest to execute because it takes a certain level of practice and precision.” Here, Franke shares her step-by-step process for preparing one of her favorite summertime treats.
Miniature Key Lime Pies Makes six 4-inch pies
Ingredients
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
6 large egg whites
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups sugar
Zest of 1 lime
Directions
5 tablespoons butter, melted Directions 1. Mix together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and lime zest in a bowl. 2. A dd the melted butter and stir until the ingredients are thoroughly combined. 3. P ress the mixture into six 4-inch pie tins, covering the bottom and the sides. 4. B ake at 325 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes, then let the piecrusts cool.
Key Lime Filling Ingredients 4 large egg yolks Zest of 2 limes 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk 1/2 cup of lime juice Directions 1. Using a standup mixer, whip the egg yolks and lime zest until the mixture is pale yellow. 2. S tream in the sweetened condensed milk. 3. A dd the lime juice and mix until combined. 4. P our the filling into the piecrusts and bake at 325 degrees for nine to 11 minutes. The center should be set yet have a little jiggle. efrigerate the pies until chilled, about 5. R three to four hours.
92 | Austin Woman | MAY 2017
Meringue Topping
Ingredients
1. Place a large pot of water on the stovetop and heat it to a simmer. 2. I n a large bowl, whisk together the egg whites and sugar. 3. P lace the bowl on top of the pot (acting as a double boiler) on low heat, whisking constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved and the egg whites feel warm to the touch. emove it from the 4. R heat and whisk with the mixer until the meringue reaches full volume and is cool to the touch. poon the meringue 5. S on top of the pies to cover the filling, making a big pile. se the back of a 6. U spoon to create little divots and spikes. Use a torch to toast the meringue or place the pies in the oven and bake until the meringue is browned.
Photo by Kenny Braun.
Graham Crust
food news
A Delectable Revival The legacy of ‘the first lady of South Austin’ lives on at Mattie’s. by Emma Whalen Step into Mattie’s, one of Austin’s newest dining hot spots, and you’ll immediately feel like moving in. Opened March 1, the revamped and rebranded restaurant formerly known as Green Pastures, looks a lot like the cool new kid on the block. After all, with peacocks strolling the historic, oak-tree-lined grounds at their leisure and an interior space revealing historic, grand staircases mixed with sleek, modern furnishings and ample natural light, what’s not to like?
Photo by Nick Simonite.
The history of one of Austin’s finest dining institutions, located in Austin’s Bouldin Creek neighborhood, dates back to 1946. That’s the year when husband-and-wife duo and proprietors Chester and Mary Koock opened the doors of their Victorian estate and soon established themselves as ahead-of-their-time restaurateurs. At Green Pastures, they were known for their Southern hospitality and for serving people of all races and backgrounds well before Austin was desegregated. In tribute, one of the family’s favorite quotes is painted decoratively on the staircase at Mattie’s: “Be kind to those you pass on your way up, as you may meet them on your way down.” When, in 2015, Greg Porter and Jeff Trigger of La Corsha Hospitality (the team behind Second Bar + Kitchen and Boiler Nine Bar + Grill) acquired the Victorian estate, they set out to remodel the restaurant while striving to maintain its historical significance. The restaurant’s new name pays homage to the property’s original matriarch, Mattie Miner Faulk (Mary Koock’s mother), who was affectionately known as the first lady of South Austin for her contributions to the community. Offering upscale comfort food—buttermilk biscuits with guava butter, fried chicken and tender, bone-in pork chops with avocado chimichurri, shaved squash and grilled okra—the restaurant is as dedicated to carrying on a Texas hospitality legacy as it is to sending new visitors away with an appetite to come back.
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WAITING ROOM
Shade Your Skin
Being aware of your body and taking preventative precautions is key to saving your life. by Jill Case
Skin cancer affects people of every age and ethnicity, a fact that bears repeating since May is Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, early detection is vital and life-saving. When skin cancer is detected early, before it begins to spread, the survival rate is 98 percent. However, if it goes undetected and spreads, the survival rate drops to 17 percent. The best way to ensure early detection is to have a yearly full-skin examination with a dermatologist, as well as be aware of any irregularities you find on your skin. In other words, if you see something, say something. Dr. Daniel Ladd of Tru-Skin Dermatology says there is really no substitute for a yearly exam with a dermatologist. “People have this notion in their mind that they would know if they have skin cancer, and I think that’s a dangerous way to think,” Ladd says.
Skin-cancer Prevention Tips 3 Avoid direct sun exposure during the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“That’s what keeps people from going to the dermatologist. There may not be any telltale signs, or the cancer may be located where you can’t see it. You may be completely unaware that you have skin cancer.” Ladd adds that many people don’t really understand what a skin check involves, and many are surprised by the fact it’s a full-body check. “We ask patients to get down to their underwear for the necessary full-body skin exam. We’re going to look you over head to toe because that’s the way that we can find the most dangerous cancers at their earliest stages,” he says. Some people avoid annual skin checks because they’re so afraid the dermatologist may find something that requires a biopsy. Ladd assuages the only part of a biopsy that’s possibly painful occurs during the injection of a local anesthetic. After that, the patient may just feel a little rubbing. Nevertheless, fear should not prevent anyone from visiting a dermatologist for this important exam.
The Shade Project Lurleen Ladd and Kristen Albair are passionate about their involvement in The Shade Project. This local nonprofit organization (theshadeproject.org) is “dedicated to the prevention of skin cancer and skincancer-related deaths through sun-safety education, promotion of skin-cancer screenings and the implementation of shade in public spaces.” The Shade Project creates awareness and offers screenings year-round. Here’s what the group is up to in the Austin community: • It will offer free skin screenings at various locations throughout town May 1, 16 and 26. Check the website for a list of participating locations. •T he organization donates free sunscreen for people hosting events in the greater Austin area. • It works with local schools and community organizations to develop, plan and build shade structures. • It sends educated speakers to groups and schools to talk about skin-cancer prevention. Both Ladd and Albair stress that screenings are vital. “Having a trained professional look at your skin is so important. He or she will notice things you may miss,” Albair says. The Shade Project’s screenings are available for free year-round, and are offered at varying times and locations, removing the barriers that keep many people from having a screening. The organization’s primary fundraiser, Down & Derby, takes place from 4 to 7 p.m. May 6 at Ranch Austin and is a fun way to help raise money for the nonprofit. For more information, visit theshadeproject.org/down-and-derby-2017.
3 Avoid tanning beds. 3W ear hats and sunglasses, and cover your skin when possible. 3W ear broad-spectrum sunscreen, one with at least 15 SPF that protects against UVA/UVB rays, on a daily basis. Use a water-resistant sunscreen with 30 SPF or higher when you’re active and/ or in the water. 3H ave yearly professional skin-cancer screenings.
Skin Cancer By the Numbers 1. During their lifetime, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer. 2. There are more cases of skin cancer diagnosed per year than the diagnosed number of cases of prostate, lung, breast and colon cancer combined. 3. There are more than 4 million cases of basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer, and 1 million cases of squamous cell carcinoma, the second-most common type of skin cancer, diagnosed yearly in the U.S. 4. While melanoma is the least common type of skin cancer, accounting for less than 1 percent of skincancer cases, it is the most deadly; an estimated 9,730 people are expected to die due to melanoma in 2017.
94 | Austin Woman | MAY 2017
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DO YOU KNOW YOUR
TSH?
HORMONES AND ENDOCRINOLOGY
Endocrinology is the science of hormones, which affect every cell and every function in your body. The glands secreting these hormones form your endocrine system, a tightly interconnected system with thousands of feedback loops. It is far more complex than any supercomputer today. Hormones control everything in your body from birth to death. Without hormones, your body cannot function. Examples of hormones: estrogen, testosterone, insulin and hormones like thyroid, cortisol, adrenal and pituitary.
WHAT ARE ENDOCRINE DISEASES?
They are diseases caused by a malfunction of one or more endocrine glands in your body. Examples: thyroid, osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome and obesity, hirsutism, menopause, low testosterone in males, andropause and impotence, polycystic ovaries, irregular or lack of menstrual periods, high and low calcium, and diabetes.
WHAT FACTORS AFFECT YOUR ENDOCRINE SYSTEM?
hypothyroidism. Thyroid ailments include Graves’ and Hashimoto disease, goiter, thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. Thyroid problems require lifelong attention. Each person has a different genetic set point for TSH, the thyroid stimulation hormone.
WHAT IS OSTEOPOROSIS?
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. Osteoporosis affects one in two women and one in four men over the age of 50 and is generally missed. Bone fracture is considered to be the heart attack of the bone and can have major consequences on your quality of life, from reduced mobility to potential loss of mobility altogether. A bone density test is the only way to test for osteoporosis. We perform such testing and provide consultation on bone metabolism and osteoporosis treatment.
HORMONE MYTHS DEBUNKED The facts about some hormone myths:
“Seek your optimal health, your ideal yet achievable health, and increase the quality of your life.”
Aging, other diseases, stress, environmental and genetic factors do influence your endocrine system. Aging changes how hormones are produced and absorbed by your body. Genetic factors and other diseases can do the same. Stress triggers a cascade of hormones that affect your heart, kidneys and other organs. Recent research identified endocrine disrupting chemicals in our environment.
WHY SEE AN ENDOCRINOLOGIST?
Hormone treatments must be followed by a hormone specialist (endocrinologist) the same way heart disease is followed by a heart specialist (cardiologist). An endocrinologist has years of special training in diagnosing and treating your hormone imbalances. Endocrine diseases are often missed, since symptoms are often subtle and easy to brush aside. An endocrinologist starts out with a thorough physical evaluation looking for these telltale sings, then follows up with a battery of blood and other lab tests. Often, additional highly specialized tests are involved to identify the root cause of your hormonal imbalance.
WHAT IS THYROID DISEASE?
Since hormones rule your body, have your hormonal balance assessed by an endocrinologist to optimize your health. Dr. Simone Scumpia of Austin Thyroid & Endocrinology outlines everything you need to know about hormones and their effect on the body.
Thyroid disease affects 30 million Americans, yet half of them do not know they have it. It is called the “silent disease.” One in eight women will develop a thyroid disorder in their life; women are five to eight times more likely than men to develop hyperthyroidism or
3 Bioidentical hormones are not human identical and may cause complications.
3 Fountain of youth hormones (otherwise known as human growth hormones) can cause serious side effects when used for anti-aging.
3 hCG diets (HCG) by themselves do not cause weight loss, but can cause irregular periods for women and breast enlargement for men.
3 Hormone treatment of fatigue, depression or anti-aging should be avoided due to many side effects it can cause. 3 Adrenal fatigue is not a real disease, but adrenal failure is a life threatening disease.
WHAT IS OPTIMAL HEALTH AND BIOLOGICAL AGE?
Medicine addresses disease treatment and prevention. Optimal health and biological age deal with your health before disease prevention or treatment. We focus on optimal health, the ideal yet achievable health of your body as you reach middle age and beyond. Our specialized equipment allows us to measure and evaluate your biological age, a measure of how well or poorly your body is functioning relative to your actual calendar age. Biological age is a composite of several “ages” such as brain age, bone age, heart age and vessel age. Optimal health focuses on your wellness before disease can be identified; it is a step before disease prevention and does improve the quality of your life.
AUSTIN THYROID & ENDOCRINOLOGY
2200 PARK BEND DRIVE BUILDING 3 SUITE 300 AUSTIN, TX 78758
(behind North Austin Medical Center) MON-FRI, 7 AM TO 4 PM 512.467.2727 | austinthyroid.com
Dr. Simone Scumpia treats all thyroid and endocrine (hormonal) ailments with emphasis on optimal health and biological age.
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Eat This, Not That
CRUNCH TIME
The next time you reach for a bag of chips, think twice. by Emma Whalen
Eat this: veggie chips Not that: potato chips Says who: Lauryn Lax, nutritional therapy practitioner, doctor of occupational therapy and functional medicine practitioner at Thrive Wellness and Recovery Why: “Many of us have conditioned our taste buds to like fake foods such as chips, crackers, sweets and other packaged items in the stores. Most of these contain additives and chemicals that light up the neurotransmitters in our brains, [similar to] a drug. They can also irritate our digestive systems, spurring a case of bad bacteria over time to ferment in our guts. Gut bacteria especially love foods like sugar and additives, so in turn, we crave more. It’s a perpetual cycle.” Benefits of this: “Your best bet nutritionally is to make homemade veggie chips. The health benefits vary, depending on which vegetables you use.” rS weet potatoes are high in vitamin A. Also known as beta-carotene, vitamin A is good for eye health, brain health and healthy fat absorption. Sweet potatoes also contain vitamin C, which acts as an immune-system booster. rK ale is high in magnesium, vitamin K, calcium and vitamin C. Magnesium helps aid digestion, heart health, anxiety and PMS relief. Vitamin K helps prevent blood clotting and encourages the absorption of healthy fats, while calcium helps strengthen the bones. rB eets are high in folate, which encourages cell-tissue growth and repair. They also contain betalin pigments that help support the body’s detox process and antioxidants that fight off disease. rZ ucchini is high in vitamin B-6, which helps regulate mood and brain health and prevents anemia. It also contains vitamin K and vitamin C. lantains are high in prebiotics that help boost healthy gut bacteria, fiber to regulate bowel rP movements, vitamin B-6, vitamin A and vitamin C. Bonus: Plantains contain more potassium, vitamin A and vitamin C than bananas.
Drawbacks of that: “Most regular, processed potato chips are made in bulk in a manufacturing factory, away from human hands, on a conveyer belt. It’s a long process that pretty much eliminates any trace of real food by the time they are finished.” The recipe for regular potato chips includes: r c hemicals to enhance color rh ydrogenated oil rp owdered seasonings “If you want to buy veggie or tortilla chips at the grocery store, look for brands that don’t process their chips in hydrogenated, soybean or canola oil. These oils can irritate your gut and disrupt digestion. Keep an eye out for tortilla chips with coconut flour because your body can absorb it more easily than traditional flour or corn. You’ll get the most vitamins from homemade veggie chips, but if you buy, look for brands like Siete Foods Tortilla Chips, Jackson’s Honest Sweet Potato Chips or Boulder Canyon Avocado Oil Potato Chips.”
98 | Austin Woman | MAY 2017
Lauryn Lax photo by Callie Kerbo.
Check the label: oils and flours
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HER ROUTINE
Digging the Dancing Queen
Pro dancer and coach Dionn Schaffner has a workout that will cheer you up. BY Gretchen M. Sanders Dionn Schaffner has great moves. The professional dancer and cheerleader started shaking her stuff long before she made Stanford University’s elite dance team as an undergrad.
“They only picked five girls each year,” recalls the 46-year-old Schaffner, “and we cheered for every sport.” Schaffner, who also coached cheerleading at Stanford while working on a master’s degree, went on to dance three years for the Golden State Warriors NBA team and later for the Minnesota Timberwolves. “I finally stopped when I had my first child,” says the mother of two. After taking a break to raise her family, run a few marathons and
compete in some triathlons, Schaffner realized she still had the music in her. “My son started playing Pop Warner Football and they needed a cheer-and-dance program,” she says. So, in 2009, she started one. “It’s funny. I have an engineering degree and an MBA from Stanford, but I really love coaching cheerleading.” She’s good at it too. In 2015, Schaffner choreographed the routine that led her squad to win the Pop Warner Junior Pee Wee National Championship in cheerleading in Orlando, Fla. Here’s how this dancing queen keeps up her high-kicking routine:
The A.M.:
Her local loves
“My best days happen when I get up to my alarm at 4:30 a.m. and start working out by 5 or 5:30 a.m. It just feels good to have my workout finished before I wake up my kids. If I don’t bike or run in the morning, then I don’t get to do it at all. Plus, I have those endorphins pumping when I say good morning to my children. Even if they’re groggy, I’m not!”
8 8
North Austin n Town Lake n barbecue n
8 8
Barton Springs n hours n
The Workout:
“For cheerleading, the girls I coach practice two to three times a week at two hours a pop. Cheer involves dance, tumbling and stunting, making it a tough sport on the body. A two-and-a-half-minute competition routine combines yelling very loud with nonstop jumping and throwing people into the air. It will definitely elevate your heart rate. I have a lead-by-example coaching style, so I show my girls what I want them to do. I’m too old for some of the advanced tumbling, but I can still do jumps. The girls often make me bust out toe touches or do splits with them in warm-up. They really get a kick out of seeing me do the moves. It also lends a level of respect. I will say to them, ‘If I can do it, then you can do it.’ If there were a professional cheer team in Austin, then I would try out. It’s just a great cardio workout that combines running, dancing, muscle building and stretching with balance and coordination skills. Then there’s the thrill of performing!” The Diet:
“Honestly, my nutrition stinks. I love Dr Pepper. I also don’t have a very wide food palate and I don’t like to try new things. We eat the same foods each week at my house and everyone is happy. I don’t eat broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower—no, none of those! If veggies come on a pizza, then I might eat them. Actually, I’d probably be a much better athlete if I ate better. I do like fruit, the sugary fruits, like grapes, pineapples and honeycrisp apples. Please put bacon and cheese on my grilled chicken, and can I have that with fries? I have made a commitment to work on my nutrition this year. At least I take hydration seriously. I basically keep a large Yeti tumbler full of ice water or Nuun with me at all times. Once athletes get behind on hydration, it’s all over. Hydration! Hydration!”
food truck n coffee n Whole Foods n
8
n South Austin n neighborhood trail n Tex-Mex 8 n Deep Eddy n miles n brick-and-mortar location 8 n water 8 n Central Market 8
rescue n
n purebred
mountain bike n
n road bike 8
8
beer n Torchy’s Tacos n
8 8
Alamo Drafthouse n MoPac n frozen yogurt n
n wine n Tacodeli 8 n Congress Avenue bats n I-35 n ice cream 8
The Gear:
“You want to wear something very non-restricting for cheerleading. We practice in black compression shorts, a jog bra and a tech T, and the girls must have their midriffs covered. Of course, we sport those cute little ankle socks with our Nfinity Cheer Shoes designed specifically for stunting and dance. The technology behind cheerleading shoes has come a long way. The more competitive you get, the more your shoes change. And yes, we have pom-poms!” The Motivation:
“I have a special opportunity to grow with these young girls. I’ve worked with some of them for years, when they couldn’t do a single toe touch. Today, many can nail a roundoff back handspring back flip. I get to see these girls grow into young women, to teach them work ethic and to help foster in them a sense of self-confidence. Plus, I still have a performance bug, and coaching lets me continue doing the sport I love. As I age, it’s nice to feel strong and capable.” “I say dance like everyone’s watching. It’s a great feeling when your body, mind and spirit become engaged. Also, dare to fail. When you go out and do something, just go for it. Try. Life is short. You’re not guaranteed anything, so find the things that speak to your soul. We all should also remember to lift as we climb, to reach back and help the next person.” The P.M.:
“Before going to bed around 10:30, I tuck in my boys and shut down the house. Then I think about tomorrow. I like to have a plan, so I write down how I want the day to go and what I’m looking forward to. At night, I need time for reflection and reset. I like to think about what’s coming next so I can hit the ground running in the morning.” 100 | Austin Woman | MAY 2017
Photo courtesy of Dionn Schaffner.
The Mindset:
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oint of view
memo from JB
Hit the Road
A family trip can impart many memorable life lessons. By JB Hager, photo by rudy arocha
Another school year is winding down and the conversation again turned to, “What are we going to do for a summer vacation?” I chimed in immediately, “Road trip!” The look my wife and daughter gave me was one of the most frightening things I have ever seen. And did I mention I was going to ban any smartphone use and laptops on this trip? I’m not talking about a quick jaunt to the Texas coast. I’m talking about at least two full days of driving as far east or west as we can go.
like, “If you cross that line, I’m going to stab you,” but if it did turn to violence, my mother—without even turning her head around—could smack us all upside our heads with one swipe and not spill the coffee in her other hand. We were all incredibly different but had to learn to cohabitate. If one kid had a farting problem, gosh darn it, we were all going to have a farting problem.
We are all going to succeed or fail together.
I insisted that we do it old school: with no digital navigation, literally just folding maps and on a tight budget, the way I remember road trips as a kid. I was serious and stated my case. I argued such an excursion teaches kids the life skills they are lacking today and serves as a great reminder for my wife and I on what it really means to communicate and be engaged. I made a list of the benefits of an unplugged road trip. Yes, this became my “This is how it was when I was growing up” speech. Preparation
We’ll need to map our trip in advance. We are certainly not going to eat fast food along our two- to three-day journey, so we’ll pack sandwiches, fruit and other snacks. Yeah, we’re those people who paid way too much for a Yeti Cooler, and in this scenario, we’re not stopping for ice. You know those little roadside picnic tables? We’re using them. Have you ever been to a Six Flags theme park and seen the picnic areas by the parking lot? My family used those when I was a kid. We would plan, get the stamp on our hands midday and meet outside for lunch, probably nosh a PB&J, an orange and a Little Debbie snack as a special treat, and no one complained. Tolerance
I have three sisters, and cars didn’t have third rows back in the day. That meant the four of us had to learn to spend several days shoulder to shoulder without killing each other. There was a lot of smack talk, 102 | Austin Woman | MAY 2017
Teamwork
Anything less than getting along and working together was unacceptable. If one of us was causing trouble, we were all in trouble. It was the same type of group discipline you see in the military: We are all going to succeed or fail together. We had to decide if we were all going to play the license-plate game, I Spy or agree on a radio station. It was a democracy. We voted and we all accepted the outcome. Patience
We weren’t just going to cross our arms, blink like a genie and arrive at our destination. There was a buildup and a great sense of accomplishment and gratitude when we got to the beach, the mountains or a theme park. It made the destination all that more glorious. We learned to delay gratification by putting forth effort to get the reward. Expect the Unexpected
Back then, there was no Yelp or Zagat. You learned you might be pleasantly surprised or severely disappointed. Your roadside hotel might have filled the pool with dirt or you might have eaten an entire 60-ounce steak only to find out the restaurant was out of free T-shirts. You either met wonderful people along the way or you learned to deal with difficult people. Although there are a lot of daunting and challenging moments as described above, there were and can be many moments when everything aligns, no one is fighting, everyone is in sync, enjoying the moment and moving forward— together. Everyone is laughing, smiling and sharing a wonderful memory that can’t be erased. Now go back and reread this list of skill sets, apply them to a relationship or the workplace as an adult and tell me a family road trip doesn’t prepare you for life.
Proudly serving Central Texas for over 40 years
Since 1977, Texas Disposal Systems has helped communities, organizations and schools manage and divert waste to beneficial uses. Our fully integrated facility incorporates solid waste disposal, compost production and recycling operations to make it easier than ever to reduce the landfilling of resources, improve communities and protect the environment. We always try to reuse and repurpose materials – from concrete and metal to everyday materials such as plastic bottles and food scraps – before sending to the landfill.
TDS also partners with communities by teaching others how to recycle and compost to preserve resources. We educate K-12 students about trash, recycling and composting through the TDS Eco Academy. The program was designed to minimize waste in Central Texas schools, and includes campus-wide recycling, plus compostables collection in cafeterias. TDS provides curriculum and educational materials to staff and administrators, as well as students, instructing them how to recycle and divert waste, and why it’s important.
At TDS, we’re constantly expanding our vision of what recycling can include by continually looking for ways to divert a material otherwise intended for landfill disposal and repurpose it for a new life. This can include traditional “closed-loop” recycling, when a material is reconstituted into the same product, such as turning a discarded aluminum can into another aluminum can. It can also include “open-loop” recycling, when a material is reused for a whole new purpose. For example, the Garden-Ville shovel, which is made from all recycled materials diverted from the landfill including scrap metal and telephone poles, was designed and constructed by our resident artist. The shovel stands tall at over 40 feet high weighing 5,000 pounds, displayed as a symbol of our commitment to reclaim, recycle and repurpose.
Learn more about our efforts to sustain natural resources and our environment for future generations at www.texasdisposal.com.
Noticeably Different. Noticeably Better.
Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) is a local resource management company that helps customers manage and divert waste to beneficial uses. Our fully integrated facility incorporates solid waste disposal, compost production and recycling operations. We’re also proud to partner with local communities by teaching others how to recycle and compost to preserve resources. TDS programs such as Eco Academy and Green Event Solutions implement recycling and composting within schools and community events. A few of our partners include Austin City Limits, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, The Dell Diamond, Keep Austin Beautiful and school districts from Lake Travis to Georgetown.
Learn more about our services and commitment to environmental preservation at www.texasdisposal.com.
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oint of view
I Am Austin Woman
On a Money Mission
It all started 12 years ago with a question from my young daughter Evan: “Why do we need money? Why isn’t everything free?” After several feeble attempts to introduce complex economic concepts, I realized her questions couldn’t be easily answered, so I went looking for a class or after-school club where she could learn about money. There literally was nothing that addressed the basic principles of building financial stability, like investing, putting your money to work for you and avoiding the earnand-spend cycle. I believe Moolah U found me. It was shocking to consider the next generation wouldn’t know how to manage their personal finances. I became determined to fill that void, not only for my own daughter, but for other young people as well. That’s when I started a money club at Evan’s school through which we created fun experiences with money, including setting up a bubble-gum business at Shady Grove. Then we invented the weeklong pop-up business camp. In 2009, we were featured in a Wall Street Journal story on innovative learning programs, and the momentum was underway. Moolah U was born and I was suddenly an entrepreneur! The concept attracted an impressive team of innovative education leaders and business experts who helped grow our little project from two camps in our first season to more than 30 camps per summer and programs forming in other cities. This year, we will surpass 3,000 kids served by Moolah U. The reward in this entrepreneurial journey is seeing our original campers as young adults, building lives of contribution and meaning rather than being stuck in the earn-and-spend cycle. While camp gives kids a great experience and understanding of money, the real learning comes “on the court” at home. As a parent,
I know money is a difficult subject to address. I’ve had parents tell me they would rather have the conversation about sex with their kids than money. The first thing to realize is that life skills are learned through experience, not taught. No amount of telling kids about money has them understand the truth about it until they experience it for themselves. Too often, as parents, we miss opportunities to give kids the practice they need for them to realize that mistakes are the path to proficiency. Give them responsibility to manage some of their own financial choices and, through their experiences, they form their own empowering ideas about money. What is naturally next for us is to support parents in creating the dramatic results we see with our young people in camp. How can parents have these conversations and demonstrate good financial responsibility themselves? We have created our online parent program, Your Kids and Money, providing simple step-by-step guides to raising money-smart kids. Arming the next generation with the skills necessary to go out into Gayle and her daughter Evan the world as independent young adults and accomplish whatever they choose is a huge goal and the mission that drives me every day. The most precious part of this journey for me is the relationship—partnership, really—with my daughter Evan. The company was born out of her curiosity and she has been involved every step of the way. Now, at age 22, she is proudly using her experience to support others as a Moolah U stakeholder and guiding light in the development of the company. In my wildest dreams, I never imagined myself creating this education, but it’s a beautiful example of entrepreneurial thinking: seeing problems as opportunities to create something magnificent.
Austin Woman features a reader-submitted essay every month in the I Am Austin Woman column. To be considered for July’s I Am Austin Woman, email a 500-word submission on a topic of your choice by June 1 to submissions@awmediainc.com with the subject line “I Am Austin Woman.”
104 | Austin Woman | MAY 2017
Photo by Joanna McCray.
As the founder of Moolah U, a summer camp program for kids, Gayle Reaume is educating future generations, one dollar at a time.
1 minutes per day behind the wheel. *
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Austin Woman MAGAZINE | MAY 2017
The new Volvo V90 Cross Country is ready to go whenever you are. Versatile and elegant with all-road, all weather capabilities. So it doesn’t matter if your next adventure is in downtown Austin or out in the hill country, this all-new V90 will be turning heads the whole way.
THE GETAWAY CAR OUR IDEA OF LUXURY
VOLVO CARS OF AUSTIN | 6375 HWY 290 EAST • 512-452-0266 • 1-800-278-6586 • VOLVOAUSTIN.COM VOLVO CARS OF GEORGETOWN | 7501 S IH-35 (EXIT 257) • 512-930-2111 • VOLVOGEORGETOWN.COM ©2017 Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. The Iron Mark is a registered trademark of Volvo. Rooftop carrier for illustration only.
“Being rich is having money. Being wealthy is having time.” —Margaret Bonnano
INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW VOLVO V90 CROSS COUNTRY