July 2021 by Austin Woman Magazine

S E A S O N

O F

D IS COV E RY SALES EVENT

Why Roger Beasley? • One of the largest Mazda dealers in the country. • Continue to have an incredible selection of new Mazdas to choose from. • Able to offer the same great prices as always. • Trade-in values are at an all-time high. • It’s a great time to shop Mazda.

Mazda named

2021 BEST CAR BRAND FOR THE 6TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

2021

www.usnews.com - Nov. 17, 2020. 2021 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.

MAZDA CENTRAL • SOUTH • GEORGETOWN

The 2021 Mazda CX-3, CX-5, CX-9, Mazda6, Mazda3 Sedan & Hatchback and the CX-30 (built after September 2020) have all been named a 2021 IIHS Top Safety Pick+.

since

This magnificent bedroom is 100% made in Italy and is a perfect example of truly elegant design. Simple lines focus on function while select finishes add just enough glamour. By employing the latest in modern manufacturing and using earth friendly, man-made materials, our Italian bedroom offers great value while maintaining a truly distinctive look and feel. King bed $1399, Queen bed $1199 (mattress and bedding not included). Nightstand $449 each. Dresser $998.

www.copenhagenliving.com

elegance.

expressing a clear purpose without unnecessary adornment. Visit Copenhagen for the largest in stock collection of European style platform beds.

Austin 2236 West Braker Lane 512.451.1233 San Antonio 18603 Blanco Road 210.545.4366

furniture & accessories for your modern lifestyle

SPECIALIZED CARE FOR YOU AND YOUR BABY

Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin partner to deliver highly specialized maternal and fetal care The Comprehensive Fetal Care Center is now open on the Dell Children’s Medical Center campus. As the only center of its kind in Central Texas, the Comprehensive Fetal Care Center ooers diagnosis, treatment, and management of complex and rare fetal conditions, including fetal heart conditions, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, urinary tract conditions, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, and neural tube defects, such as spina biﬁda. Through the Comprehensive Fetal Care Center, you and your baby gain access to: • Fetal specialists providing high-quality care for babies before, during, and after birth • A brand-new, state-of-the-art labor and delivery unit • A Level IV NICU ooering the highest level of care for newborns who are critically ill or require advanced care immediately after birth • The only Level I Pediatric Surgery Center in the region that has been recognized for meeting the highest standards for surgical care

To make an appointment, call 1-512-982-9729 or visit the QR code below:

FEATURE

THE MAGIC WILL FIND YOU BY CY WHITE

FEATURE

PLAY ON BY BRIANNA CALERI

ATXWOMAN.COM | 5

CONTENTS | JULY

STAFF PICKS What or who have you reconnected with in the last few months?

FROM THE DESK OF Sara Mulder

COUNT US IN Reconnecting through self-improvement

SEE HER WORK Artist and creator Laura Elizabeth

GIVE BACK Women leaders connect with Austin Habitat for Humanity

MAKE ROOM Designer Killy Scheer

WHERE TO WORK Are you hiring?

DINNER WITH Pastry Chef Susana Querejazu

ON THE MONEY Cashing in unused points

I AM AUSTIN WOMAN Patricia Buchholtz

ATX WOMEN TO WATCH

6 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2021

APRIL FRIED

HAILEY O’NEILL AND BARBARA NADALINI-PRIESNITZ

EMILY WALDMANN AND MEGAN GALLAGHER

LESLEA ROBERTS

FRI, SEPT 17 9 A.M. - 5 P.M.

Save the Date! Marriott Austin Downtown

Tickets on sale Aug 1, 2021

304 EAST CESAR CHAVEZ

PRESENTED BY

PLATINUM

Anniversary Celebration LUNCHEON

WORKSHOPS, NETWORKING AND KEYNOTES THAT FOCUS ON INTERSECTIONALITY, USING OUR STRENGTHS AND RESOURCES TO BUILD STRONG AND SUPPORTIVE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES.

Nominate a business to win package valued over $5K

VIP HAPPY HOUR

ATXEVENT.COM GOLD

From simple legal matters to complex disputes, we have the

experience and knowledge to handle and support you throughout the process.

512.699.5632

dorothybutlerlawfirm.com

151 E. Mercer Street, Suite E, Dripping Springs, TX 78620

@dorothybutlerlawfirm

Surgical | Medical | Cosmetic

BOARD-CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGISTS MEDICARE/MAJOR INSURANCE ACCEPTED

Schedule your appointment today • tru-skin.com •

• 888.451.0139

CONTRIBUTORS This month, we asked our contributors: What or who have you reconnected with in the past few months?

A PUBLICATION OF AW MEDIA INC.

VOLUME 20, ISSUE 10

JAIME ALBERS DAWN WESTON

Interim Art Director

Publisher

• Her grandparents are immigrants of WWII, which makes her half Polish.

JAIME ALBERS

• She is terrified to fly in all airplanes, but her love for travel forces her in them.

Interim Art Director

• She loves to cook and would have loved to become a chef, but her kids still request box mac and cheese.

CY WHITE

Managing Editor

“Thanks to social media we can stay in touch with friends and co-workers from our past—even if it

DARBY KENDALL

was almost 10 years ago. This is how I was able to

Copy Editor

reconnect with old friend and co-worker Dawn, who just so happens to be the publisher of Austin

PARKE BALLANTINE

Director of Events and Branding Strategy OLIVIA HUNTLEY

ANNIE RAY

Marketing Sales Specialist

Photographer, “The Magic Will Find You,” page 34 • She’s obsessed with Nut Pods Creamers (soo good!).

ANNE COX

Production Coordinator

• She always has Dr. Phil on in the background when editing images.

CONTRIBUTORS

• Chuy’s is her happy place!

Editorial: Patricia Buchholtz, Brianna Caleri, Monica Godinez, Jenny Hoff, Stacey Ingram Kaleh, Tori Klein, Chef Susana Querejazu, Killy Scheer, Cy White Art: Brenda and Jabari, Commodore Perry Estate/Auberge Resorts Collection, Molly Culver, Ryann Ford, Joslyn Holtfort Photography, Romina Olson, Moyo Oyelola, Pause/Play, Susan Potter, Annie Ray, Robyn Shinn, Julia Soniat, Jessica Wettere

Monica Godinez, Tori Klein, Erin McTaggert, Claire Misfeldt, Niccola Pelicano, Chloe E. Young

as of late. It is so nice seeing everyone out and actually going into the library to browse books.”

STACEY INGRAM KALEH Writer, “Building a Better Austin,” page 24 • She is a fourth-generation Austinite. • Her destination of choice is an art museum. “In the absence of live concerts, I’ve enjoyed reconnecting with some of my favorite artists and albums by listening to vinyl records, first song to last song, and taking time to read through the

AW MEDIA INC. MELINDA GARVEY

KIP GARVEY

Co-founder/Co-owner

CEO/Co-owner

Co-founder

“Going to the library and happy hours with friends

• She’s been to 18 ACL Festivals.

INTERNS

SAMANTHA STEVENS

Woman.”

song lyrics and appreciate the album art while listening.”

ASHLEY GOOLSBY

CFO

Austin Woman is a free monthly publication of AW Media Inc. and is available at locations throughout Austin and in Lakeway, Cedar Park, Round Rock and Pflugerville. All rights reserved. To offer feedback, email feedback@awmediainc.com. For submission information, visit atxwoman.com/jobs. No part of the magazine may be reprinted or duplicated without permission. Visit us online at atxwoman.com. Email us at info@awmediainc.com. 512.328.2421 | 7401 West Slaughter Lane, Austin, TX 78739

TORI KLEIN Writer, “Follow Your Passions and Success Will Come,” page 18 • She’s obsessed with late-’90s romantic comedies. • Her favorite book is Emma by Jane Austen • Swimming is her favorite summer activity. “Recently I reconnected to nature on a camping trip I took with my sister where we went from California to Utah and Arizona.”

ATXWOMAN.COM | 11

FROM THE EDITOR

hat does it mean to reconnect? To come back to the middle and recenter after a long absence from everything and everyone we know? What does that look like for people? Our cover woman, Terri Broussard Williams, had to reconnect with her peace. Reclaim her time and her energy so she could truly live in her joy and her desire to help people find their true selves. Terri and I have spoken for almost a year. We found in each other kindred spirits. Two Black women who walk into a room full of people who project their preconceived notions of who we are and how we’re supposed to behave based on how we look. Though we straddle different ends of that spectrum, the reaction to us when we open our mouths is the same. We related on the basis of our shared experience as the daughters of educators who expected (and still expect) us to do our best in everything we do, including being a blessing for those we meet. Our reconnection after a year culminates in the story you’ll find within the pages of this issue. The story of a woman who is more than what you might perceive her to be on the surface. Incredible depth of intellect, passion and firm spiritual connection are the foundations of Terri Broussard Williams. I spoke to the amazing women of podcast Pause/Play, Miles Bloxson and Elizabeth McQueen, earlier this year. Being able to reconnect with them through Brianna Caleri’s words reminded me of just how special what they’re doing truly is. They are fiercely passionate about Austin’s music. Artists and venue owners trust these women with their truths. Miles and Elizabeth give each and every guest the room to express their joys, failures, successes and insecurities about the future. Pause/Play has brought the heart of Austin’s music scene back to the city, allowed it to actively seek to reconnect with its “live music capital of the world” moniker with intention and a renewed sense of purpose. We have stories about reconnecting with nature, reconnecting with childhood memories, reconnecting with the city we call home. Austin Woman is on this path to reconnection as well. Reconnecting with the community, with every womxn of Austin. Since I began my tenure as the managing editor here in August 2020, I’ve been able to find new connections. I am eager to find more. I want to hear from you. We want to hear from you. This is a time for coming together, rekindling connections with those we haven’t been able to over the past year and half (and perhaps longer). To heal old wounds and mend and restore worn bridges. The women in this issue have reached out with their hearts, have opened their arms wide to embrace those they meet on their personal journeys. As the world reopens, let us all be intentional in how we reconnect, how we come back together. It won’t be quick or easy (change and, probably more importantly, growth never are), but we will navigate through all the pains of our past. We will because we must. We at Austin Woman will be here changing and growing right along with you. Cheers!

CY WHITE EDITOR

Publication of Austin Woman would not be possible without the support of our monthly advertisers and sponsors, who believe in the impact we are making in the Austin community. The following businesses have stepped up their support of our efforts beyond traditional advertising and we are proud to recognize them as our partners. The team at Austin Woman is grateful for these businesses that have shown their commitment to the advancement of women in Austin and hopes you, as readers, recognize their efforts and support these businesses and all our regular advertisers.

12 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2021

DIAMOND-LEVEL PARTNER

PLATINUM-LEVEL PARTNERS

OFFICIAL EVENT PRODUCTION COMPANY OF AWMEDIA INC.

YOUR COVID CONSCIOUS CLEANING SERVICE

We offer standard and detailed cleaning services for your residential and commercial space. Call for a free estimate. 34 Years Serving Austin BBB Accredited Business Locally Owned Fully Insured

Mention this ad for 20% off a detailed cleaning.

AmesCleaningAustin.com

512.331.9694 | 12308 Hwy 620, Austin

CONNECT WITH US

Can’t get enough of this issue? Check us out at atxwoman.com. Project Schoolhouse: Led by Executive Director Selina Serna, Project Schoolhouse builds sustainable infrastructure, like water and education systems, in Nicaragua.

Kate Albert:

The Capstone Collection: Members of the University Fashion Group (UFG) exhibited their annual student-run fashion show, The Capstone Collection, on Sun., May 9.

Don’t forget to visit and subscribe to the Austin Woman YouTube channel!

@austinwoman

LIKE US

austinwoman

WIN THIS! Find Your Fire Terri Broussard Williams is a powerhouse firestarter and changemaker. With her Amazon #1 bestselling debut book Find Your Fire: Stories and Strategies to Inspire the Changemaker Inside You, she wants to help you ignite your own flame. For this month’s Win This, Broussard Williams is giving away a signed copy of her book as well as her Movement Maker Mindful Marks, her collaboration with LumenKind, to propel you to reach your goals. Enter to win by following us @austinwoman on IG. We’ll choose a winner at the end of the month.

14 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2021

@ austinwoman

Project Schoolhouse photo courtesy of Project Schoolhouse. Kate Albert photo by Aubre Salas. The Capstone Collection photo courtesy of UFG.

Kat Albert, founder of the Lake Travis Film Festival, champions gender equality in the film industry with incredible passion and fearlessness.

Presented by

Holistic Women’s Health and Wellness Annual Gynecological Exams Treatment of Menopause Breast Cancer Screening and Risk Evaluation Contraceptive Counseling and Management Evaluation and treatment of Abnormal Pap Smears Treatment and Evaluation of Abnormal Bleeding

FEEL GOOD AGAIN

Teen Health Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy Evaluation and Treatment of Reduced Libido and Sexual Dysfunction

Give the 1 in 5 Central Texas children at risk of hunger a shot at a happy summer.

GIVE centraltexasfoodbank.org

Dr. Saima Jehangir, M.D./M.P.H., F.A.C.O.G

3407 Glenview Ave., Austin | lotusobgyn.com | 512.716.0971

STAFF PICKS

WHAT OR WHO HAVE YOU RECONNECTED WITH IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS?

The Austin Woman staff have finally been able to reconnect with some people and places they missed during the pandemic. PARKE BALLANTINE DIRECTOR OF EVENTS AND BRANDING STRATEGY

June is Pride month, and it was the highlight of the year to reconnect with my vibrant, loving and fabulous LGBTQIA2S+ people! Filled with the bold embodiment of being, I basked in the sun, sweated on the dance floor and adorned myself with glitz and glam. I was often reminded of Madison Moore’s book Fabulous in which he notes, “Fabulousness almost always stems from a turning point: the moment we realize that suppressing our full selves by trying to fit in does us more harm than good, that it just isn’t working, even if sometimes we are forced to blend in to feel safe.” Being queer, femme and nonbinary can be complicated, yet reconnecting with my community I am reminded of the incredible gifts we offer: the brave modeling of radical self-love and the creation of worlds where we can be all our parts, fabulous and proud.

DAWN WESTON

ANNE COX PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

When the pandemic first started, my circle got very small (as did most people’s). I basically only saw my girlfriend and my roommates. Now that vaccinations are widely available, I’ve been able to reconnect with friends I haven’t seen in over a year! I didn’t realize how much I’d missed them until seeing them in person and being able to talk about all the memories and weird hobbies we all picked up in quarantine. Before the pandemic, I totally used to hide when I saw someone I knew out and about just because I didn’t feel like having a conversation. Now it’s like the greatest feeling in the world. (Pictured: My weird quarantine hobby, knitting!) 16 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2021

Virtual meetings have certainly found a place in my heart mostly because you don’t have to account for traffic and travel time. But it has been so nice to get back into my regular work flow, which always includes lots of coffee meetings and networking events. I’m thrilled to be out of my “Zoom office” and having in-person conversations with our partners and team. The connections are so much more impactful when you’re meeting someone in person. I’m also really excited for a few upcoming concerts that we’ve got tickets to. I think I speak for all of Austin when I say we missed you, live music!

All photos courtesy of respective staff member.

PUBLISHER

TORI KLEIN EDITORIAL INTERN

Recently, I reconnected with the outside world by going on a camping road trip with my sister. We went from the Bay Area in California to Death Valley, Zion National Park and Horseshoe Bend. It was amazing to see how the desert fades into the red mountain ranges of Utah and then to the colorful rock of the canyons in Arizona. In Zion, we did the Angel’s Landing hike to the top of one of the mountains. The last part of the hike is so steep you have to hold onto a chain as you climb, meaning that you get beautiful, breathtaking and life-threatening views from every direction. It was incredibly grounding to be able to immerse myself in nature with someone I love, and I am so grateful that I got to reconnect to the outside world in this way.

CLAIRE MISFELDT EDITORIAL INTERN

Consistent dog-walking has made it easier to reconnect with the outside world. After my university switched to online courses for the 2020 spring semester, I moved back in with my parents. I started walking the dogs every afternoon just to get out of the house, and they quickly got in the habit of me giving them walks. For the 2020 fall semester, I moved back on campus and found myself stuck in my dorm. To get out, I joined my friend on daily dog walks. Her dog, Dobby, loved the extra attention I gave him. It’s still uncanny, after a year of Zoom University and not going out. Yet this practice of dog-walking has made it easier to reconnect with the outside world.

CY WHITE MANAGING EDITOR

I’m very much a home body. So when the pandemic hit it didn’t affect my overall lifestyle as much as most. However, one of my dear friends, Rebs, ended up having to leave the state. She just now got to come back for real. We got a chance to see each other in May for the first time since she officially moved back. It really was an emotional experience for both of us. Being able to see her and know that she was staying for good just made my heart lighter. Reminds me of our last SXSW together (2018). Those are the types of moments I want back more than anything. I don’t need to go out a lot or even be in public very often. But seeing those closest to me and experiencing music again…that would mean so much.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 17

FROM THE DESK OF

FOLLOW YOUR PASSIONS AND SUCCESS WILL COME

Sara Mulder, founder and creative director of Bella by Sara, has learned to adapt in difficult times. BY CLAIRE MISFELDT

As the founder and creative director of Bella by Sara, one of Austin’s premiere wedding and events florists, Sara Mulder tells young women to “love what you do and do what you love.” Before working in Austin, Mulder started her journey with a background in interior design in her native city of Lima, Peru. However, she soon found her creative passion in the event-coordination industry. She then gained extensive experience with her own event planning and design business, Sara’s Creations. The first job Mulder landed in Austin was with a home-decor business. After a few years of experience in event planning and interior design, she found that her absolute favorite aspect of her job was floral design. She was determined to expand her knowledge. She obtained a certification in floral design, wedding planning and event design through Preston Bailey and Lovegevity’s Wedding Planning Institute. In 2009, Mulder founded Bella by Sara with hopes of filling others with a passion for beauty. With more than 15 years of experience in the Austin event industry, Mulder learned how to stay relevant in its ever-changing landscape. These are her tips to evolving with your industry while staying true to yourself.

INVEST IN YOURSELF. One challenge that has shaped how my business has grown over the past decade is the competitive nature of the Austin event industry. As an up-and-coming event florist with several years of event coordination experience, I learned that investing back into your own business and yourself as a professional is crucial in keeping up with competition and providing the best for your clients.

taking care of my couples, letting them know I’m here for them in any way they need and making their wedding day special no matter what is happening in the world.

LEARN TO ADJUST IN DIFFICULT TIMES. The past year undoubtedly pushed the events industry into plenty of challenges, but it has been absolutely inspiring and wonderful to see the ways in which we innovated. We worked with clients to adapt their previous plans to be more pandemicappropriate in any way. With every new challenge I face, it’s extremely rewarding to continue to adapt, pivot and provide a better service for my clients. There’s so much to be said for the satisfaction and pride that comes from putting time and effort into your own business and seeing it come to fruition.

COLLABORATE WITH YOUR PEERS. Spending time working with industry peers is not only inspiring and creative, but also helps you feel like a part of a community. Another element that drove shifts in my business is the advent of collaborating with fellow industry professionals. There is so much meaningful learning and purposeful work that can be done when combining your strengths as a small business with those around you. I’ve come to deeply cherish the friendships of fellow vendors and lean on them for support.

My first business was in home decor, but after so many years my passion for design faded and my interest in floral design grew rapidly. By refocusing my attention to florals, I was reinvigorated and inspired to continue as an entrepreneur, just in a different way than I initially thought. Listen to your passion and don’t give up on trying to follow your dreams.

BE FLEXIBLE. COVID-19 definitely had a negative impact on my business. We are living in unusual times, making it very difficult for wedding industry professionals. It is unprecedented. Without clearly understanding what is happening today, it has become infinitely harder to predict what will happen in the future. For most industries, 2020 was a year of flexibility. Traditional events were no longer in demand, so I made a quick update to my services and included elopements. That flexibility to change is what helped my business stay afloat. As a wedding professional, my priority is

18 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2021

Photo by Joslyn Holtfort Photography.

LISTEN TO YOUR PASSION.

Sponsored Content

ADRENAL FATIGUE No one will forget March 2020 and what it looked like to navigate the COVID

world. No one will ever be the same. We are seeing more exhaustion coming through the doors than ever before. There is a very high chance 2020 will have left many of us with chronic fatigue/ adrenal fatigue, which can lead to inflammation, thyroid dysfunction, sometimes autoimmunity and even cardiac issues. Not only are we still in a pandemic, but we had to navigate the Great 2021 Freeze, many of us are stressfully homeschooling, the racial tension is palpable and all the social media anger…ugh. It’s all just too much. Meanwhile, we are socially distanced, masked and continually the most hyperconnected to information yet disconnected from humanity and nature the planet has ever seen. It’s a perfect storm for chronic fatigue/burn out! These events are leading to a terrible situation for our physiology. Human physiology is designed to adapt to stress for short times and then return to homeostasis (normal). Think running from a tiger or bear. We are not built for this. Not 14 months of missing your friends, your community, your people. Not 14 months of watching the world hate one another. Not 14 months of the unknown: Will I get sick? Will I get laid off? Will my business thrive? Will I get to travel this year and see family? This is leaving us in fight-or-flight for hours, days, weeks and months instead of minutes. The problem with our world as we know it is that we were never far away from stress as it was. Insert 2020 and it all intensifies the fight-or-flight response and burns out our adrenals. This level of stress, for this amount of time, leads everyone (not an overstatement, everyone) to be overly stressed or, to put it another way, adrenally fatigued. We see it every day in almost every patient right now. The exhaustion in their eyes, the worry, the stress. In practice right now, most people walking in the door have some adrenal fatigue, not a medical-level condition of adrenal insufficiency or Addison’s disease yet. But we are seeing adrenal exhaustion, causing all kinds of other imbalances.

Here are the signs and symptoms of adrenal fatigue: aFeeling tired/struggling to wake up in the morning aLow thyroid aGI issues (when you are in flight/flight, you can’t rest and digest)

aIrregular periods aLow sex hormones aLow motivation aTrouble falling asleep aWaking up at night aA midafternoon slump (falling asleep at 3 p.m.) aAnxiety or feeling on edge aMood swings aDepression aWeight gain aAutoimmune issues aBrain fog aBody aches aHair loss aLightheadedness (especially when going from lying to standing)

aAdjustments don’t hold aSlow healing time aPotential decrease in immune function

What can you do right away to pull out of it and get your energy under control? Diet – Avoid refined sugars/carbs, cut out bread and most things that use wheat or grain flours. Eat smaller meals a bit more often to keep your blood sugar stable. There is much debate on this one, but you have to keep cortisol down to help the adrenals balance themselves. Exercise – If you are more exhausted after exercise, then you are doing too much. You may need to switch to a lower intensity like walking or hatha yoga. Meditation – This has been crucial for me and is possibly the only reason I am still upright. I like the Calm app, but there is also Headspace and other meditation apps out there. Breath work – This will renew motivation, boost mood and calm your anxiety. I am a big fan of Nadi Shodhana or “alternate nostril breathing.“ Support – This is based on your individual needs, but a good start is methylated B-complex, vitamin C and apoptogenic herbs. Minerals like magnesium, or GABA, are good if you have a lot of anxiety. But really, we need to dig in and figure out what is best for you. To do that, you can book your appointment to discuss your specific problem set and what would be the right one for you.

1201 West Slaughter Lane Austin, Texas 78748 512-328-0505 Stay healthy. Stay safe. Stay calm. Stay sane! Dr. Lauren Sanchez

COUNT US IN

RECONNECTING THROUGH SELF-IMPROVEMENT

Women lead the self-help movement, reconnecting with themselves and the world. BY MONICA GODINEZ ILLUSTRATIONS BY JESSICA WETTERER

46% The IBM Institute for Business Value conducted a survey in 2020 to track consumer changes. The institute noted that 46% of all consumers search for brands that provide products that have both health and wellness benefits.

70% In 2018, Brandon Gaille, CEO of RankIQ.com and professional small-business and marketing advocate, reported that women make up 70% of the self-help market.

$11 Billion As a part of the 12th edition of its “The U.S. Market for Self-improvement Products & Services” report, Marketdata Enterprises states that as of 2018, market research data estimates that the U.S. selfimprovement markets are worth approximately $11 billion, about an 18% increase from the $9.38 billion it was worth in 2016.

$121 Billion $40 billion In a report published by Grand View Research, Inc., in 2020, the global personal development market size value was reported to be worth approximately $40 billion. This has become a large global market in a short amount of time and is only predicted to have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1% from 2020 through 2027.

20 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2021

In November 2020, the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) released its report “Defining the Mental Wellness Economy,” which explored varying business endeavors “that drive the mental wellness economy.” In 2020, it was reported that this was a $121 billion global market. Because of the increasingly lucrative nature of the global market, more countries are placing a heightened emphasis on the quality of life of their citizens.

For the last 19 years, Austin Woman has been the heartbeat of women’s empowerment and advancement in Austin. Join our community and connect with like-minded women!

• Monthly print issues • Digital content • Weekly newsletters

SUBSCRIBE NOW!

July 19 25

iamaustinwoman.com AUSTINWOMANMAGAZINE.COM | 21

SEE HER WORK

RECONNECTING WITH NATURE

Artist and creator Laura Elizabeth’s craft reflects her connection and ode to the earth. BY MONICA GODINEZ

time at graduate school. “I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit,” she says. “I always had the girlboss attitude. From a young age, I found myself wearing many hats.” In her neighborhood she was known for being “a jack of all trades”—from reselling Reese’s and Fireball snacks to locals in her North Austin neighborhood to being a gymnastics instructor for young girls in her community. It all began with the 5-year-old Elizabeth was nannying at the time. “The young girl was interested in creating jewelry,” she reveals. “One day I accompanied her to a wire-wrapping class in Santa Monica, and the rest was history. I fell in love.” This seemingly casual night sparked Elizabeth’s lifelong interest. “Soon after my craft flourished,” she continues. “Within a year, I met Nicole, who works in the sustainability world. She asked if I had ever thought of making my jewelry sustainably. I was immediately convinced, so I asked her how I could do that.” This set the tone in influencing the work she sought to create—pieces that are created ethically and as environmentally conscientious as possible. Laura Elizabeth prides herself on the environmental significance her company has. Since the start of her business venture, she has made it a priority to focus on creating products that are ethically made, naturally sourced and durable. This stance became increasingly significant to her once her niece Lucy was born. “Holding my niece for the first time, all I could think about was how I wanted to protect her in any way I possibly could,” Elizabeth says. At the root of her deep connection with nature is her understanding of how the world around her functions and keeps her alive. “I am able to breathe the air around me and drink clean water here in the U.S., and I want that for myself, for my future niece, for all the children around the world,” Elizabeth continues. “This all begins with my part in maintaining and protecting the [earth] we live on.” Her niece reminded her that even as one person Elizabeth could play a role in the maintenance of the world around us. This is apparent in the varying natural resources she uses as molds for her products. “I use nature as inspiration for my pieces,” she discloses. Her designs are inspired by tree bark and leaves she has found while out in nature. Alongside the environmental influences there is an abundant number of women in Elizabeth’s life who inspire her work. “My mother, Claire, constantly inspires me,” she reveals. “One of my first pieces was named after her. She raised me to stand up for myself, to care for and love each other and to always lean into my creativity. Each piece is named after someone who inspires me,” she continues. “I do [this] because I see these women doing amazing things and I want them to know that I [recognize] it and acknowledge their work.” The dedications are a way of remaining connected to her sustainable practice and each of her products. Her

22 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2021

jewelry serves as a daily visual of “the beauty, strength, perseverance and knowledge that is in all of you.” As many have said before, success doesn’t come overnight. It stems from dedication, failures and persistence. “There is a lot I wish people [had] told me,” Elizabeth admits. “I wish someone had told me it would take this long. I have put in all of myself. This business is my baby. I have loved, cried and worked for this [business]. It has taken me this long to get to xyz; however, that is not what this journey is about,” she insists. “The journey is about growth and the lessons you learn along the way. Remember that while your eye is on the prize, the journey to that prize is most important. “Not that I would have listened,” she jokes. Laura Elizabeth is proud of her company and all that it encompasses. “I want people to remember to always [cherish], value and acknowledge everything that got you to where you are,” she says. “Your business, creations and brand will always be a reflection of who you are and what you stand for.”

Photos by Susan Potter and Robyn Shinn.

Laura Elizabeth embarked on her jewelry-making career during her

“” I want people to remember to always [cherish], value and acknowledge everything that got you to where you are.

AUSTINWOMANMAGAZINE.COM | 23

GIVE BACK

BUILDING A BETTER AUSTIN

Women leaders connect with Austin Habitat for Humanity and roll up their sleeves to help their neighbors. BY STACEY INGRAM KALEH

to stay home to protect our families and our neighbors from COVID-19, our homes became refuge, workplace, classroom and gym. As the months wore on, the retreat into what once may have been our sanctuary and safe place to refuel became more and more isolating. We began to realize how much we need each other and how much of what makes Austin so special is our culture of kindness—the generosity of a neighbor, the warm smile of the barista at your go-to coffee shop, the cheers of a crowd singing and dancing in unison at a concert. However, as many of us remained in our homes, other Austinites had no place to go for safety and comfort. Homelessness and lack of affordable housing have been pressing issues in Austin for years, and they have only been exacerbated by the pandemic. During this trying time, nonprofits like Austin Habitat for Humanity and their networks of community-minded volunteers stepped up to serve the most vulnerable in our community, as they have done time and again. With a deep-rooted commitment to providing affordable homeownership opportunities and building sustainable homes for hardworking low-income families in Central Texas, Austin Habitat for Humanity is a vital force in our community. They dedicated the month of May to celebrating and empowering local women through their Women Build campaign, which equips volunteers with the tools and training to build a house for a woman or family in need. “The Austin Habitat for Humanity Women Build is a community project that engages and empowers women to create sustainable, affordable housing in our community,” says CEO Phyllis Snodgrass. “It brings together women from all backgrounds, ages, skill sets and industries to make a difference. Women Build is an opportunity for women-owned and women-led organizations in the Austin community to partner with Austin Habitat to support women heads of households and single moms hoping to achieve homeownership dreams.” Started in the 1990s by Luci Baines Johnson, Austin Habitat has partnered with many female leaders and women-led companies over the last three decades. The campaign, while not limited to women participants, is an opportunity to showcase the crucial contributions of women in our community and to exemplify the transformative positive impact that manifests when women support other women. “We are using this build to highlight female leadership and the importance of women empowerment in our community,” says Snodgrass. “Women Build family partners feel an extra sense of support knowing that a community of top women, and women-led organizations, supports them.” The 2021 campaign was led by three women who volunteered their time and expertise to re-engaging our community after a year of social distancing: Melinda Garvey, Nikki Graham and Heather Ladage. Garvey is the co-founder of Austin Woman magazine and AW Media, Inc. and founder of On The Dot Global. Graham served as Austin market president at Bank of America. Ladage is the market president and publisher at the Austin Business Journal. To promote this year’s Women Build initiative, they tapped into their personal networks to open doors and introduce Austin Habitat’s mission to a broad audience while rolling up their 24 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2021

Photos by Romina Olson and Habitat for Humanity.

Over the past year, “home” has taken on a new meaning for many of us. As we were called

(l to r: Heather Ladage and Nikki Graham)

(l to r: Virginia Visser and Marceline Verette)

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED WITH AUSTIN HABITAT FOR HUMANITY? Join a Women Build Volunteer Day this fall:

Oct. 9, 2021 Nov. 6, 2021

Dec. 4, 2021

The Women Build program is open to all, regardless of gender. No prior construction experience is necessary. Austin Habitat for Humanity’s volunteer agreement includes a list of health and safety protocols to promote a healthy job site. Learn more about partnerships, make a donation and sign up to volunteer at austinhabitat.org.

AUSTINWOMANMAGAZINE.COM | 25

sleeves to get to work on the build. They each exemplify the potential we can achieve when we lead with heart and support the causes that are important to us. Speaking on what inspires her to engage the community around Austin Habitat’s mission, Garvey says, “[Austin] Habitat has been doing such amazing work for years. What most people don’t know is that the majority of their new homeowners are single moms. “Moms will do anything to provide for their kids,” she continues. “Habitat has been there to make sure they can afford the dream. With housing [prices] skyrocketing in Austin and home insecurity on the rise, this mission has never been more important.” When asked about what makes Women Build a unique experience for volunteers, Garvey says, “It’s about learning, stepping outside of your comfort zone and making an impact for others right here in our community who are dreaming of the security of their own home.” As vaccines become more accessible and the summer sun re-energizes us, let’s reconnect with our community and what “home” means to us. Take action and get involved to make sure our hometown is supportive of all of our neighbors and that we’re a city that continues to prioritize our culture of kindness through giving. As we give back, we build each other up and give meaning to the concept of what it is to feel at home in Austin. With women leading in our community with their hearts and lending a helping hand in times of crisis, we can all be proud to call Austin home. 26 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2021

(l to r: Phyllis Snodgrass, Heather Walsh, Julie Petri, Melinda Garvey, Jessica Nelson)

Home grown. Austin strong. In 1975, the unique combination of true regional Mexican cuisine and a collection of museum quality artwork propelled Fonda San Miguel into the forefront of the Austin culinary experience.

By 1975, the surgeons of Austin Oral Surgery had established their own brand of full-service surgical care for their patients. Now, our 12 convenient locations staffed by board-certified oral surgery specialists continue to innovate and expand services to meet the needs of Austin and the surrounding area. Our legacy is exceptional care. Photo by Krishna Aduru, Sept. 2017

50 years of exceptional care • 512-591-9557 • AustinOralSurgery.com Cedar Park Central Austin Dripping Springs

Georgetown La Grange Lakeway

Marble Falls N. Central Austin Pflugerville

San Marcos South Austin Temple

WORK FULL-TIME: LEARN AT NIGHT!

At Huston-Tillotson University, the Adult Degree Program (ADP) reflects the urgent demands of the changing times by providing the practical, relevant knowledge needed for success in today’s global economy. While highly focused, courses are offered in a format designed specifically for working adults. In order to accommodate students’ busy schedules, classes are offered once a week. Degrees available through the ADP include Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Education, or Psychology.

Why the HT Adult Degree Program? CONVENIENT SCHEDULING | CENTRAL LOCATION | AFFORDABLE

The Huston-Tillotson University experience has changed my life in ways that I did not anticipate! Initially, I enrolled to receive my degree to become more competitive in my current industry. However, my HT experience has provided me with a stronger business foundation, heightening my business mindset, and propelling me to a stronger business path in my current industry and ministry. It is because of HT’s Adult Degree Program; I can proudly share that I am graduating with a 4.0 G.P.A. and have been accepted to a prestigious MBA program, this Fall! Chevalier DeShay, HT Alumna Business Administration, Class of 2021

Application Deadline: July 30, 2021 | Classes start date: August 24, 2021 APPLY NOW at htdegrees.com/apply 900 CHICON STREET, AUSTIN, TX 78702 | 512.505.3000 | htu.edu

AUSTINWOMANMAGAZINE.COM | 27

WANT TO BE A

WOMAN

WATCH? Receive the recognition YOU deserve as one of Austin’s success stories. ATX

AN WOM to H WATC

Each month, Austin Woman features ATX Women to Watch in a beautiful special promotional section.

Included in the package is:

• Full-page profile in the magazine • Custom photo shoot in your choice

U (HBC tson ves OF H n-Tillo d University chly belie Husto un l to an CEO of ck College gne. She sta 2015 arriva r ’s he nt and pa Bla cham rce Burnette barriers to to preside storically s and t all Hi is the rnette d only , dogs, book President Pie g any and commitmen ies Bu an rin ng rce ce sic ensu mpan vering te Pie r learni of mu option. Sin ssion— . Her unwa hips with co serves r. Colet n of highe and lover mi an t ed dly ers d no eer rated titutio focus oblite strong partn . She prou rtnership, est ins r; wife; engin equalizer an singularly d an d ion g a Pa at a mothe is the gre a woman on deconstructe rsity forgin ral Credit Un stin Transit ive on de d, Au ati . s been elucidate stin, educ tson Un iversity Fe she ha n-Tillo hip Au ban League are Un aders Ur Austin, ’ success in Husto erica and ulted tion, Le n Area nts Am stude has res , Bank of Founda d the Austi ssion unity e an this mi Apple, Tesla stin Comm mmerc as Au r of Co such ards of ck Chambe bo nt ide on the Austin Bla -pres .COM e-of-the OMAN Greater ATXW s/offic u/office htu.ed

PRE

Photo

Olson. mina

lie by Ky

Birch

field.

by Ro

• Feature email blasts

E O ETT E C O SLI D E N T & C

Photo

of location (and you keep the photo for personal use!)

.D. , ED ITY TTE ERS R N E N UNIV oldE BNU- T I L L O T S O stin’s C Au R rsity— U). She is STO PIE Unive

and social-media posts

• Invitation to a private networking group

• Invitation to three exclusive ATX Woman to Watch connection events

Show our readers the WOMAN behind the BRAND Don’t miss out on this exclusive opportunity! Email sales@awmediainc.com today. 28 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2021

29 | | 29 .COM OTION OMAN OM PR XW IAL AT EC | SP

ATX

WOMEN to WATCH Our pages are full of stories of Austin’s most engaging, empowering and successful women, and this section is specially designed to provide you access to even more incredible role models and success stories. Be part of this amazing group and share your story with thousands of women. Contact us at sales@awmediainc.com or call 512.328.2421 for more information. PHOTOS BY ROMINA OLSON

SPECIAL PROMOTION | ATXWOMAN.COM | 29 AUSTINWOMANMAGAZINE.COM | 29

ATX

WOMAN to WATCH

APRIL FRIED AT O M I C A P R I L , C E O

pril Fried is the founder and chief executive officer of Atomic April, Atomic Aprils Hair Studio and PopTinsel Accessories. Her 30-plus years of creativity and experience have taken her on a journey around the world to ensure her clients look their best. She has worked with multiple media outlets, television shows, TV and music award shows as well as a bevy of celebrated clients. Fried embraces the Austin community with in-salon services like The Austint, a portion of which she gives back to All ATX, an Austin music education-based nonprofit. She works with her clientele to achieve their ultimate beauty vision with heavy emphasis on consultation and communication. Her motto: “If you’re not having fun, don’t do it.” She brings couture color design, bespoke styling, creative cutting and prescriptive home-care products to Austin. There are so many reasons to meet “Atomic April.” Perhaps the best one is that she cares! atomicaprilhair.com

3030| AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY| 2021 | SPECIAL PROMOTION ATXWOMAN.COM

ATX

H A I L E Y O ’ N E I L L CO-FOUNDER & CEO BARBARA NADALINI -PRIESNITZ

WOMAN to WATCH

CO -FOUNDER & COO, MINDBAR

ustinites Hailey O’Neill and Barbara Nadalini-Priesnitz believe that if everyone could afford therapy, the world would be a better place. But everyone can’t, and it’s a problem. Together they created MindBar, a mental health club built on the idea that self-care is a necessity, not a luxury. MindBar’s no-contract membership is $99/month and offers unlimited access to more than 40 hours/month of live online peer support groups, meditation classes, guided visualizations and selfhelp book clubs, as well as in-person member socials. MindBar members also get 50% off series: eight-session deep-dive workshops on topics like body image, sexual ethics, solopreneurship, diverse wellness and more. MindBar isn’t therapy and isn’t meant to replace therapy or medical treatment for mental health. MindBar is there to fill the gap, teaching tools for personal growth in a safe space for people to alleviate stress, foster emotional intelligence and create connection. mind-bar.com

ATXWOMAN.COM | SPECIAL PROMOTION | 31 AUSTINWOMANMAGAZINE.COM | 31

ATX

WOMAN to WATCH

E M I LY W A L D M A N N A N D M E G A N G A L L A G H E R D E N P R O P E R T Y G R O U P, A S S O C I A T E S , R E A L T O R S ®

ith the mindset that two is always better than one, Emily Waldmann and Megan Gallagher are a Realtor team with DEN Property Group, based in Austin. Throughout their careers Waldmann and Gallagher have continually been on the forefront of what’s happening in Austin. After years of working with some of the best in hospitality, they bring that wherewithal to the real estate market. They work guided by their passion for building genuine relationships that will last far beyond a single closing, and approach situations with professionalism, humor and grace. They promise to provide honest, knowledgeable guidance to accomplish your goals. Whether that’s buying a first home, selling a home that holds years of memories or searching for the perfect investment (or where to find the best breakfast taco). They believe Austin is still a city based on relationships and look forward to seeing it evolve in a way that keeps that spirit strong. nextmoveaustin.com

3232| AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY | SPECIAL PROMOTION | 2021 ATXWOMAN.COM

ATX

WOMAN to WATCH

LESLEA ROBERTS

H O R S E S H O E B A Y R E S O R T R E A L T Y, R E A L T O R

eslea Roberts is the go-to woman if you’re looking to buy a home in beautiful Horseshoe Bay. She stands out from the crowd with her high work ethic, blatant honesty and strong financial background. Working without an assistant allows her to get to know her clients one-on-one so she can help put them in the perfect primary or vacation home. Whether it’s marketing a new development overlooking Lake Lyndon B. Johnson or listing a resale on the golf course, she puts her heart and soul into every transaction. Although she takes pride in working long hours to get the job done well, this single mom’s biggest joy is her 13-year-old son. She is a strong believer in life-work balance and has helped other single moms in this area. Her sense of loyalty, humor and knowledge make it easy to see why clients are gravitating toward her in 2021. leslearoberts.com

ATXWOMAN.COM | SPECIAL PROMOTION | 33 AUSTINWOMANMAGAZINE.COM | 33

THE MAGIC

WILL FIND YOU Firestarter and changemaker Terri Broussard Williams gives herself grace as she champions the light in others. BY CY WHITE, PHOTOS BY ANNIE RAY STYLED BY PARKE BALLANTINE WITH INSPIRATION FROM HEARTH & SOUL SHOT ON LOCATION AT INN CAHOOTS

34 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2021

This is a story about a woman whose life is lived in the service of her community, so much so that many times she forgets that she, too, deserves the same light she spreads to others. This is about connecting with the self, reevaluating what it means to be present and how to tap into the most human parts of ourselves. This is the story of Terri Broussard Williams. An aria in four acts.

ACT I: GROWTH This is the story of one woman’s journey to blooming, nurturing the most important parts of herself in order to fully blossom into the woman she truly wants to be. Through conversations over the course of almost a year Terri Broussard Williams grows ever more contemplative, more intentional about her energy and time. “I’ve been nonstop, but I’ve also evolved as a person, and I’m caring for that person in a very different way,” she says. In her pursuit of helping people find their fires, Broussard Williams neglected her own spark. But the powers that guide and maneuver our lives have an immensely dark sense of humor. In September 2019, while visiting Washington D.C., she attended a reception at one of the Smithsonian Museums. A guest lifted what she described as a ‘large piece of furniture’ in search of their cell phone. In a cruel turn of fate, the corner of the loveseat landed right on her head.* “When it came down it pushed my head into my spine,” she recalls. At the time of that conversation, she had been in therapy for almost a year after the accident. *The print version of this article inaccurately described the loveseat as falling from the second floor, which is not the case. When death literally tickles its suggestion into your spine, it’s hard to ignore the chill. However, Broussard Williams continued to try to push through the nagging unease. “That morning I needed to report something time-sensitive to my organization,” she recalls. “I made that call before I went to the hospital. Again putting work before self. The person who was in leadership at that organization at the time was so rude, so insensitive and hung up on me.” She remembers this as a time of revelation. As she sat waiting in the ER, she had a moment of silent contemplation. “I’ll never forget it,” she says. “I was just like, ‘God, I hear you. Help me figure it out, show me the way.’ I knew at that moment in the hospital that I had to change my life, and I decided right then I needed to change employers.” This woman of great will was nearly blindsided by her own need to push forward despite the toll it was taking on her, stuck in a never-ending cycle: working as a lobbyist while working on her Master’s at the University of Pennsylvania, as well as writing her debut book. “I was running myself into the ground,” she says. “I would work 18 hours every single day for months on end, and I was wearing it like a badge of honor. You’re on this hamster wheel, outputting, but you’re hollow inside, you’re not fulfilled. I was running like that for three solid years,” she continues. “I depleted a lot of what was inside of me that made me who I was.” She recalls living in limbo, a constant feeling of floating in space. “When I was in that mode I was living unconsciously; I was living on auto-pilot. My father passed away in 2017,” she reveals. “That was the first time I started understanding what [living unconsciously] was.” There’s a bit of heartache in her voice when she retells the story nearly a year after the initial conversation. “I was everything to everybody else and nothing myself. When I was living in that unconscious state,” she says, “I would compartmentalize my feelings from what was in front of me because that allowed me to keep pushing. Since then I know I can’t do that.”

“”

I would compartmentalize my feelings from what was in front of me because that allowed me to keep pushing.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 35

ACT II: PURPOSE This is a story about purpose. “From a very young age, I always knew that I wanted to help people,” she says. Broussard Williams has stood steadfastly in that purpose. Moments of doubt? Almost nonexistent, especially growing up. “Someone asked me the question, ‘Why do you think you’re wired the way you are?’” She puts it like this: “If I brought home all A’s, my parents would say, ‘Okay, are you going to make them again next week?’ Or if I won an award, they’d say, ‘Did you thank them for that award? Did you tell them how you were going to help the next person get that award?’ It was always, good job, but there is something greater. That’s always just been my lens of how to view the world.” However, even the most self-motivated have memories of learning how to shore up their strength to combat nascent questions about their capabilities. Broussard Williams recalls the first time thorns of self-doubt nettled their way into her mind as a young producer working at WIS-TV in Columbia, SC. “I know exactly the moment,” she says. “I made a mistake. I didn’t properly put quotes around the sound on tape, where they would tape the audio. [My director at the time] was looking at the script, and she said, ‘I told the news director to stop hiring kids! I need real help!’ “It stung because I moved across the country,” she says. “I moved there without knowing a single soul. She was also a Black female,” she continues, the surprise of that fact evident in the way her voice elevates in pitch. “That was the first time I ever remember an adult Black female not wanting to be an example and not wanting to be a role model. I learned really quickly I have to rely on myself. What got me here is what got me here. So I kinda got that fire in my belly and never backed down and never looked back.” There’s granite in her tone, a concrete edge to the words that underscores her resolve. It’s hard for someone with this much brightness in them to go unnoticed. Natalie Glover, founder of LumenKind, has known Broussard Williams for a couple years now. Upon first meeting she understood Broussard Williams’ exceptional sense of self. “One of my favorite things about Terri is her ability to fully surrender and yet be in deep action/motion/impact,” Glover says. “She often uses the words ‘faith and fortitude.’ I find this trait stunning and powerful. I also know that this is a choice she makes and a capacity she systematically develops within herself. I’m inspired by her elegant stance—one of trust and letting go while owning and fueling her fire within.” Broussard Williams’ unerring desire to serve comes from an upbringing steeped in the Catholic church. “My grandparents helped build the church,” she says. “When it burned down, my parents led the capital campaign to get it restored. So I have a lot of priests and nuns in my family.” It’s a legacy that binds her to principles that she never really gave up. However, she knows more than most how swift and harsh life’s lessons can come. “When I came home [from college], my grandmother’s cousin’s son was the priest at our church. He was just this beautiful homilist.” A short pause, then: “He recently got sick, [and he] passed away on my birthday.” There’s something in the tone of her voice. Though solemn, it isn’t full of regret. More than anything, there’s wisdom wrapped in a layer of sadness. “It was a reminder to double down on the things important to you,” she says. “But it was also this reminder that sometimes we become so myopic in the way we tell a story or the way we carry meaning that we might forget something so significant in our lives.”

36 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2021

“” From a very young age, I always knew that I wanted to help people. What are three words you would use to describe Terri? Natalie Glover: Brilliant. Caring. Inspiring. Cordell Carter, II: Thoughtful. Connected. Resourceful What is your fondest memory of Terri?

I often think back to the last time I saw her in person right before the pandemic. She came over for us to take photos together for the announcement of our collaboration. It was a blast! And that’s definitely telling about Terri because I do not like taking photos! We laughed and talked shop and everything came together with such ease and flow. — Natalie Glover My best memory of Terri was an evening in spring 2019 where we were in old-town Jerusalem taking in the sights and sounds of pre-Sabbath Israel. She and I began speaking life into our projects and dreams, and I distinctly remember floating back to my hotel afterward. Levitating on her confidence in my abilities to manifest what’s in my heart. — Cordell Carter, II

ATXWOMAN.COM | 37

ACT III: WILL

ACT IV: PRESENT

This is a story about a woman of exceptional will. “Friend, it’s your time. The universe knows you are ready. Your life has prepared you for this very moment.” (Terri Broussard Williams, Find Your Fire: Stories and Strategies to Inspire the Changemaker Inside You) When she sat down to write Find Your Fire, Broussard Williams had already had nearly 15 years of starting her own. As the first Black woman national director of Strategic Partnerships and Alliances, Government Relations at the American Heart Association (AHA), she transformed an already powerful organization into a vehicle for inclusion and change. It’s fitting, then, that she would go on to become a lobbyist, the gravity of which was never lost on her. “Thank goodness I had a strong gut, and I had people who were teachers in my life,” she reflects. “When I think about the power I had as a lobbyist, negotiating legislation that would impact a whole state, if I did not have that anchor or [did not think] about community first, that could have been a disaster.” She’s always had the wherewithal to see any project through to the end, oftentimes taking lead, thus taking all the burden of the end result on her shoulders. However, Broussard Williams possesses a laser focus that propels her to seek out opportunities to not just spark change. This woman wants to incite an inferno. “My first impression was that she was an impressive woman in every way,” recalls Cordell Carter, II, executive director of the Aspen Institute’s Socrates Program. “I met Terri in the fall of 2017 at a criminal justice reform event in DC,” he continues. “We worked on the same criminal justice reform initiative and are part of a BlackJewish leadership consortium. She joined my board at the Aspen Institute in 2019 and has been a stellar board member and supporter of the work of civil discourse.” It should come as no surprise that life has expanded Broussard Williams’ purpose far beyond the steps of City Hall. With the release of Find Your Fire, which debuted as a #1 bestseller on Amazon, she has tapped into the global consciousness. Writing lengthy Facebook posts inspired Broussard Williams to start a blog, which took on a life of its own. “One person emailed me and said my blog article literally saved their life,” she says. “They had been really depressed, having postpartum issues, and it was what they needed to get help. The very next day I got an email where someone said they were in a job they did not like and they wanted to start a business. They quit because of my blog article.” She pauses. “I remember thinking, ‘Wait a second, I need to put a legal disclaimer on my posts,” she says with an open laugh. “But I just sat with it,” she continues after the laughter dies down. “It just became clear that it was something that was inside of me.”

This is a story about being present. “The one thing that connects all my professional experiences is one simple tenant,” Broussard Williams says. “I want to be a person or a vessel that gives people information so that they can make decisions for themselves and their community. I feel when we give people that information, and we give it in a responsible, unbiased way, they choose to do good with it.” Thinking back on moments in her life that have signalled the need for a shift in perspective, it’s no stretch to imagine Broussard Williams neglecting her own inner peace in lieu of giving other people the tools they need to live in theirs. For a time she worked very closely with a breathing coach. While she still utilizes the practices, she’s committed to going to therapy, at the suggestion of a couple close friends: lawyer and host of late-night talk show State of the Culture, Eboni K. Williams (who became the first Black cast member on reality TV series Real Housewives of New York City), and Alicia Smith, senior director of Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. “They were huge advocates for me, telling me, ‘Just go to therapy. Invest in yourself in that way,’” she says candidly. “For so many Black women, Black people in general, we don’t go to therapy. But it’s something that I’m truly enjoying.” She recounts an encounter that in the past would’ve sat with her. “I was talking to a Black man about racial equity. He asked me what my ethnicity was.” The audacity of the question drips with incredulousness. “Then he followed up with, ‘Where did you go to undergraduate school?’” Her retort certainly attests to her growth as a result of investing in therapy. “I said, ‘I’m a proud graduate of Louisiana State University, but I’ve spent an appropriate amount of time on the Yard,’ the AKA** blasting through the inflection in her voice. **The print version of this article described Broussard Williams as a “former AKA.” The wording is unclear, thus inaccurate. In Black Greek culture, once accepted into a fraternity or sorority, said member is part of that fraternity or sorority for life. Therefore, Broussard Williams is still and always will be an AKA, regardless of direct participation in every aspect of Greek life.

In the end, she was able to laugh it off. “I thought I was not bothered by him,” she says, letting go of all pretense. The kind of code switch shared between people with similar backgrounds. “But,” she says, a serious note coloring the syllable, “sometimes when we keep our composure we get questioned.” And when Broussard Williams was tested, she passed with flying colors, unsurprising for a woman who’s had to enter into spaces where she’s constantly questioned based on her appearance.

LOCATION: Inn Cahoots is a four-story boutique hotel and event venue on East Sixth Street that features five spacious and versatile condo-style suites (23 hotel rooms) a sprawling rooftop deck overlooking Downtown Austin and more than 8,000 sq. ft. of convertible indoor/outdoor

38 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2021

gathering space. From corporate retreats to bachelorette celebrations to networking events, we offer one-of-a-kind accommodations and venue space for any occasion. inncahoots.com

“” I’m inspired by her elegant stance—one of trust and letting go while owning and fueling her fire within. — Natalie Glover, founder of LumenKind ATXWOMAN.COM | 39

“” We might find more richness in our own story that we just forgot because of how we told the narrative. She’s also found an incredible confidante and partner in Natalie Glover. The two had a chance meeting at an event organized by a mutual friend of theirs right before Broussard Williams was to take what Glover calls “a trip to celebrate a milestone birthday.” Broussard Williams’ connection to Glover manifested several opportunities for her to dig deeper within herself to hold herself accountable for her own peace. This mutual need for peace resulted in an ongoing collaboration, once again allowing Broussard Williams to align herself with an opportunity to help others. “Together, we brainstormed and created the Movement Maker pack of Mindful Marks,” Glover says. “The aim of this co-creation is to help Firestarters find their fire and stay focused on their calling. Terri carefully chose four Mindful Marks and developed specific intentions for each to align with the intelligent and actionable method shared in her book.” Broussard Williams attests to the importance of inner peace. “I moved here in 2008,” she recalls. “By 2009, I was working on a board. In 2010, I chaired my first gala. I stopped chairing galas in 2017, 2018-ish. My last years with the AHA I was traveling so much I couldn’t do that, so I would just stay home on the weekends. Or I would feel guilty and create things to do because I hadn’t connected with people. Then I had my accident,” she says softly. “I’m in the house since September 2019, and I had the greatest question in front of me: ‘What is that reset? What does it look like?’ Well, I’m calling it the Great MeSet. I have to do it so I’m present. If I’m not present, I can’t learn all the things I’m learning about others. I can’t see that next step to really begin to understand what’s in front of me and who I’m becoming. “You gotta take a moment and step back and think about all of [your] life from this very fulsome approach,” she continues. “We might find more richness in our own story that we just forgot because of how we told the narrative, the way we were moving so fast in life or the way we weren’t even connecting with ourselves.” Armed with this new perspective, she once again sought ways to offer her wisdom and voice to meaningful causes. Her upcoming role elevates her history as a lobbyist for the underserved and underrepresented. “I transitioned to a role at a tech company that focuses on social justice and social impact,” she says. “The stuff I get to do now is so transformational. There are things I’m getting to work on that I feel are carrying on the legacy of the social justice and civil rights leaders that I love and follow. Working on voting rights. Protecting this fundamental right for all of us.” The passion in her voice resonates. She understands her responsibility as a Black woman in a position of actionable change at a notable company to not only embrace but honor the sacrifices of those who came before her. “It just hits different,” she says brightly. Broussard Williams also dedicates herself to a new calling: teacher. She’s taken a position at the Texas A&M Bush School Center for Nonprofits and Philanthropy as an instructor of the Social Justice certification program. “I’m teaching the part on policy and partnerships,” she reveals. “You have to really assess and understand what’s in front of you, become a cultural ambassador, then build a coalition to help you and get your hands dirty in that community. Then you can teach or take action for change. It’s been fun thinking about how to lay that out, writing the syllabus.” We’re living in an era of unrest and uncomfortable growth that will force many to confront harsh truths that have gone buried for far too long. Broussard Williams is determined to keep the flame of decades-old fires burning, and in that providing light and warmth for a new generation of changemakers. “It’s not just what you are doing as a party of one,” she insists. “How are you taking everyone else along? “We [have to] get people comfortable with being uncomfortable,” she says. “But also get people to reset how they think. This is not about you being the leader. It’s about being a leader of many, and doing it in service of the organization, the community, the movement. Even with all the dollars out there right now, there are still people hoarding dollars,” she says, the impassioned champion of communities speaking from her podium. “If you are a nonprofit accepting money without outcome measures and you don’t report back out what you do with that money, shame on you! You’re part of the problem too. You shouldn’t be out here with your hands out, but with your hands open to help to solve problems.”

40 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2021

Rap pioneer Rakim said, “I used to let the mic smoke. Now I slam it when I’m done and make sure it’s broke.” Ladies and gentleman, Terri Broussard Williams.

EPILOGUE: THE MAGIC WILL FIND YOU This story is grand, winding and exquisite. But it certainly doesn’t stop here. So much of who Broussard Willams is has manifested because of her unrelenting drive, ambition and fearless pursuit of her purpose. She keeps every lesson learned in mind, lessons she hopes will inspire others to seek out and fulfill their own purpose. Born into a family that valued excellence, nurtured in the spirit of helping others, Terri Broussard Williams’ passion for bringing light into the world at one point almost dimmed hers. But she is nothing if not intuitive. Her gut leads her in one direction. Her faith allows her to go there without hesitation. “The hardest part is the first step,” she says. “The magic will find you. People will show up, and they’ll show up when you least expect them. You just gotta trust yourself. There’s no way as a first-time lobbyist when I was walking up those stairs to City Hall, having never met a lobbyist before, that I didn’t have a fear, right? But I knew I could learn. I knew I was gonna work hard every day, and I knew that I was just gonna smile at people. I met my very best friend that first session. I passed two bills my very first session. I met some of my biggest cheerleaders, and they were the ones who told me what to do. Even now they’ll show up for me. “Life is like a set of stairs,” she says. “You always know you’re heading toward the top, but it’s not until you get to that rooftop that you see it. I really think the more I have conversations with people who traditionally would not have been in my path, or the more I take a chance on myself, the more I see. I truly believe every day I live, the universe, the people around me and God are preparing me for something much greater. Every day I pray for protection from drama and to order my steps so that I can live professionally with purpose, I can be happy, I can show up [how] I’m needed.”

ATXWOMAN.COM | 41

PLAY ON

Austin’s NPR stations tackle the changing music scene in a groundbreaking collaborative podcast. BY BRIANNA CALERI

I was in the Austin Woman office, so sure but still uneasy: They’re not going to cancel South by Southwest. It was a week away, and there were no COVID-19 cases in Austin yet. It was the only thing I was looking forward to. Surely we can hold on a little longer. Surely we can limit the events to Austin residents. There were rumors, and I’d been verbally threatening a meltdown all day. Immediately upon reading the announcement, I slumped into a chair in the assistant editor’s office. An intern had the misfortune of meeting me that day. So not only do I remember where I was, but Courtney Runn remembers where I was, and that poor intern might too. Pause/Play, the first podcast collaboration between Austin’s NPR station KUT and its sister station KUTX, revisits that moment. The local stations usually stick to news and full-time music, respectively, but co-hosts Miles Bloxson and Elizabeth McQueen are bridging the two with news about the changing shape of Austin music. Voices start setting up stories, either of busyness or of eerie mundanity right on the edge of being shattered. There’s no explicit context at first, but the trajectory is uncannily obvious. “What you just heard were the voices of some of the people who make up Austin’s music scene,” narrates McQueen. “They all remember where they were when South by Southwest was canceled.” I lost a few stories and a few handfuls of good reasons to get out of the house. But artists tuning in to the press event from around the city lost their best income all year, their opportunity for the ultimate exposure Austin can offer and, for many, a sense of purpose before a gaping abyss of disconnection as an entertainer and a social being. The omnipresent Austin electronic artist Mobley explained to Pause/Play that 50 to 70% of the band’s income for the year is expected from the two weeks of SXSW. Every city that recognized the reality of the pandemic had some version of a rude awakening, followed by an eerie slumber. Austin, with its easy access to the outdoors and high prevalence of remote workers even before the pandemic sent them home, had a relatively soft landing entering lockdown. It was the canceled festival, one nearly without rival across the United States, that served as an initial shock with immediate, tangible repercussions. It’s difficult to explain to outsiders, especially those who experienced earlier

42 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2021

“” What you just heard were the voices of some of the people who make up Austin’s music scene.

cases and more threatening numbers, why it was so devastating. It wasn’t the dreadful uncertainty of a looming health crisis; it was a sudden widespread collapse in all its gruesome tangibility. Living in Austin, it’s hard not to measure everything that came next against that moment. We’re doing so much better. How do we know when it’s time to move on? Texas lawmakers have been pushing forward, but not everyone is in agreement. This March, Governor Greg Abbott lifted the statewide mask mandate, with three of his four chief medical advisors telling the Texas Tribune they had not been consulted. Austin, backed by Mayor Steve Adler, kept the public mask mandate intact and was swiftly sued by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. In May, when the CDC announced that vaccinated individuals no longer needed to wear masks or social distance, Austin was simultaneously ahead of the curve and, for some, reluctant to be there. In response to the CDC’s announcement, the Pause/Play hosts asked the loaded question, “Is the pandemic over for the Austin music scene?” The answer was unanimously negative. “I think they were scared,” guesses Bloxson. “People are scared to say, ‘Guess what? It’s over.’” Austin’s deputy medical director and homeland security’s public information officer discussed statistics suggesting that no, the pandemic is not over. Mohawk venue manager Jeannette Gregor discussed reopening precautions. “Everyone else can say it’s over,” says Gregor, “but I’m going to retain a little bit of control over how long we get to go out on the playground.” Austin rapper The Teeta said it doesn’t matter if it’s over; Austin is opening up anyway. “I gotta stick with the times,” he says. “If everything is back open, I should be there. I should be visible.” While Austin needed people like Gregor to ease the transition, Teeta’s prediction quickly embodied what the scene seemed to take to heart after taping. It may be hard at this stage to keep tuning in for pandemic talk, but on Pause/Play, it’s often too relevant to feel burdensome. Artists know why they’re there, and their personal takes can be surprisingly nuanced. In that episode especially, they laced their feelings with the apparent awareness that these interviews were meant to answer a practical question. It was calming, informative and most importantly, not preachy or anxious.

Elizabeth McQueen and Miles Bloxson

ATXWOMAN.COM | 43

The idea for Pause/Play was conceived when McQueen’s prior podcast at KUTX, This Song, was coming to an end. The station wanted something new in its programming. Current events in June 2020 left a few obvious options. The show’s executive producer, KUTX Program Director Matt Reilly, suggested exploring the consequences of the pandemic in the music industry. McQueen ran with the idea and quickly realized it was too much to handle alone. (On top of Pause/Play, she was still on air once a week and producing a hip-hop podcast called The Breaks.) Initially, it was overwhelming and confusing to narrow down multiple individual stories into one clear narrative. Now the podcast has systems in place for interviewing as many as 15 people for just one episode. Bloxson, a full-time on-air personality at KUT, was in the studio early Saturday mornings, where she could see McQueen through a separating window. Her hands were in multiple projects, producing and editing as her help was needed. She would chat McQueen up about her family during breaks, curious about how different their lives were: Bloxson was navigating the dating scene, and McQueen was making time for her husband and kids. They found they both loved “crystals and the universe and energy and stuff” and just enjoyed each other’s presence. McQueen called Bloxson and invited her onto the project as a permanent fixture. The two now form a seamless team: Bloxson, a lifelong Austinite who never misses a chance to remind anyone of her provenance; McQueen, a professional musician who performed as both a solo artist and as part of the renowned country band Asleep at the Wheel. Together they embody the two things Pause/Play is really about. Bloxson proved to be especially helpful at narrowing down the scope of each topic and reining in McQueen’s tendency to overwork. Conversely, McQueen inspires her partner with her work ethic and sometimes acts as the push Bloxson needs to focus more deeply. The two meet in the middle and are both strongly committed to weekly check-ins. They’re proud that when outsiders ask them questions, they already have agreedupon answers.

The Pause/Play hosts mention the name Matt Largey often when reflecting on the support they receive from their public radio coworkers. Largey, the projects editor at KUT, was in the brainstorming meetings and was intrigued by the opportunity to combine the harder news of KUT with the musical focus of KUTX. When McQueen and Bloxson joined forces, he became a sort of mentor who helped them get used to working in more journalistic roles than they’d ever been in. “They’ve really sort of adopted this kind of journalistic mindset about this whole thing,” says Largey. “They’re really driving the bus here. A lot of people their first time out don’t necessarily get a lot of that stuff, so I’ve just been really, really impressed with what they’ve done.” Largey is the final audio editor for the podcast and helps the duo sort out issues within the process, especially regarding ethics. He points out that the podcast uncovers not just the movements of artists affected by the pandemic, but its implications for the identity of the entire city. It’s a morally significant task to chronicle this type of change. McQueen and Bloxson don’t want to give their entire script to pandemic talk. They didn’t at the beginning, when it was on everyone’s minds, and they don’t now, with an end in sight. Unavoidably, pandemic news does shape every aspect of what’s available to the Austin music scene right now, but there’s plenty of industry talk to get into. The episode “One Year Later” delves into, among other things, the rapid period of racial reckoning Austin went through with the rest of the country last June. Stephanie Bergara of the Selena cover band Bidi Bidi Banda discussed the diversity clause the band added to its live performance contract. If the band senses they are being used as a token, or in any way that doesn’t align with their views on diversity, they have a right to cancel the show without collecting payment. Episode “The Pivot” recorded the story of Free Lunch, a nonprofit started by musicians that pays workers to deliver meals to the unhoused and raises money through its print publication of the same name. The format usually jumps between little vignettes that are connected in topic or time frame. Some episodes, such as “Jackie Venson and Austin City Limits” or “Music and Activism with Jonathan ‘Chaka’ Mahone,” offer a deeper look into one person’s experience.

PAUSE/PLAY AT A GLANCE: Pause/Play won a 2021 regional Edward R. Muxrrow Award in the Podcast category. The Edward R. Murrow Awards is one of the most prestigious, recognizing

44 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2021

excellence in local and national news that “exemplify the importance and impact of journalism as a service to the community.”

ATXWOMAN.COM | 45

Photos courtesy of Pause/Play

There hasn’t been one type of episode that defines Pause/ Play. (Although “Is the Pandemic Over for Austin Music?” is perhaps its strongest journalistic accomplishment.) The podcast adapts to Austin’s climate and interests. Overall, it’s become a mutable balance of industry talk and personal experience. Bloxson, the more outwardly curious of the two hosts, is a subtle audience surrogate as a music lover who asks questions more than provides answers. McQueen started with firsthand awareness of the music industry but is still learning unexpected angles from interviews. She recalls talking to the Mohawk’s Graham Reynolds about his responsibilities as a concert promoter and feeling surprised by his answers. “The podcast is about the pandemic,” McQueen says, “but it’s really about the Austin music scene and getting people to really understand it in a deeper way. One of the things that we came up on again and again is before the pandemic, people kind of just took it for granted that it would just be here. The pandemic really showed how fragile it was and that it’s not a given that Austin is always going to have this live music ecosystem.” Bloxson bravely expressed a point of confusion in “The Pause” that had been nagging me, an outsider, for years. “I’ve lived here all my life, and I really never knew why we’re called the live music capital of the world, anyway.” McQueen explains that in 1991, Austin had the most venues per capita of any city in the world. The Austin City Council put the slogan to a formal vote. “We actually have audio of the moment that it all happened at the Austin City Council,” McQueen says before introducing a clip of said audio. The ensuing podcast conversation basically concluded that this status is feeble, and to live up to its statistical promise, Austin has to actively value and strengthen its music scene. “There’s this very specific kind of musician and creative who chooses Austin as a home base,” says McQueen later in the episode. “I mean, we have a lot of places to play live music, and we do have a lot of festivals. But beyond that, we don’t have much of a music industry infrastructure.” “You mean, like, we’re not home to a bunch of major record labels or publishing companies, right?” clarifies Bloxson. “Right. From my perspective, the kind of musician who works here tends not to be as concerned with music industry stuff or becoming famous.” Of course, McQueen is not insinuating Austin musicians lack aspiration, rather that they came to this city searching for authenticity. Artists in Austin make do without much on the industry side, so a lot rests on the grassroots music community. In turn, it rests on the public, who fund art, inspire it and need windows into the scene, like Pause/Play, to understand how to best engage in it. A pandemic story, coaxed out by a concerned interviewer, can get pretty sad. Bloxson notes that sometimes subjects feel timid talking about their wins during a tough time. The show is anchored to moving forward in reality on several

46 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2021

ATXWOMAN.COM | 47

levels: in weekly meetings with the radio teams, from listener feedback, from artists writing in to offer their stories and most importantly, from incredible honesty in interviews. Bloxson reflects, “Growing up in Austin and knowing that I’m in the live music capital of the world, I never really was connected to the scene. I would go to shows here and there. Now I can walk into Hotel Vegas and know the bartender because we interviewed her. Or I’ll walk into Mohawk and know the owner; Cheer Up Charlie’s is commenting on my Instagram. I feel more connected and didn’t even realize I was making those connections.” Now that venues are opening, there are few better ways for a musician to end their night than a concertgoer approaching to say, “I’m a new fan. I heard you on Pause/Play, and I’m so happy an artist in Austin really gets me.”

48 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2021

“” I’m a new fan. I heard you on Pause/Play, and I’m so happy an artist in Austin really gets me.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 49

MAKE ROOM

MAKE YOUR HOUSE ENTERTAINMENT READY

Local designer Killy Scheer shares tips for creating an inviting atmosphere in your home. BY KILLY SCHEER

Recently, while at a favorite restaurant, Killy Scheer, owner and principal at

Scheer & Co. Interior Design, realized how much she had missed the energy and ambiance of indoor dining. “The chatter of nearby diners, the clatter of dishes, scents of food from the kitchen, warm lighting and so many other little details that make the experience of dining out special,” she reflects. “I began thinking about entertaining at home and what that would look like postpandemic.” Most of us are ready to start seeing friends in familiar spaces again—but after being largely confined to our homes for more than a year, they may need a little revamping before the first guests arrive. Scheer, who’s Austin-based firm specializes in luxury residential and boutique business spaces, has created a list of easy yet thoughtful ways we can make our homes entertainment ready. COSMETIC UPGRADES

Refreshing your home doesn’t have to involve construction. Easy cosmetic updates can go a long way. Our Piedmont project is a great example. The newly built home had great bones and quality finishes, so in lieu of construction we focused on furnishings and decor that made a big impact. (Sofa and chairs from Lee Industries via Caffreys, coffee table from Four Hands, rug from Kaskas) We installed a custom woven pendant by Paris-based designer Julie Lansom above a wall-hung rug from Kaskas and a runner from Black Sheep Unique. In the powder room we integrated new wallpaper by Villanova via Culp Associates, a white Rubinet faucet and matching bath accessories from Alexander Marchant. A CB2 mirror introduced both warm wood and a sconce from Roll & Hill with glossy white shades, and a wood base brought the whole look together. The upstairs hall is swathed in a wallpaper from Supply that creates a whimsical backdrop for the client’s adjacent home office. TAKE THE PARTY OUTDOORS

Not yet ready to host indoors? Creating a flexible outdoor space is key. Modular or easily moveable furniture and overhead coverage make entertaining in most weather doable. Fans, misters, music and portable lighting will make your guests want to stick around. Take picnicking in the yard a step further with pretty individual tents and blankets for a unique, memorable experience. A porch in our East Texas project serves several purposes, with the ultimate goal of creating an outdoor space that would accommodate our client’s growing multi-generational family. The chairs from Teak Warehouse and coffee table from Design Within Reach are light and easily moveable. Cots and bedding are stored in a nearby closet to allow the space to undergo a quick and easy transformation to a sleeping porch on warm evenings, capturing breezes and views from the nearby lake.

50 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2021

KEEP IT CLEAN

Though we’ve moved on from feeling the need to have handsanitizer stations in every room, making sure your home is clutter-free and squeaky-clean will help guests feel a little more comfortable as we ease back into home entertaining. Stocking bathrooms with hand soap, kitchens with ample paper towels and maintaining clean surfaces are a baseline. Set the mood with soft lighting, music and a great candle to make your guests feel like a night in is a special night out. My current favorite scent is Le Labo’s Santal 33. SHOP YOUR HOME

Our homes have been working overtime. The rugs you’ve been walking on and the pillows you’ve been staring at may feel a little tired. Try moving a piece of art, decor or furniture from one room to another. You’d be shocked at how much this simple (and free!) change can inject a whole new vibe into a space. ABOUT SCHEER & CO.

Scheer & Co. Interior Design is a nationally published, award-winning multi-disciplinary interior design firm founded in 2013. We thoughtfully curate memorable, experiential private residences and small business interiors that are at once luxurious, livable and timeless.

“”

Photos by Molly Culver and Ryann Ford.

After being largely confined to our homes for more than a year, they may need a little revamping before the first guests arrive.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 51

WHERE TO WORK

ARE YOU HIRING?

Advertise your open positions here! Austin Woman reaches a very desirable, diverse and professional audience where you can find the next superstar for your team. Email us at sales@awmediainc.com to find out more!

AMY’S ICE CREAMS Ice Cream Maker

Amy’s Ice Creams makes Austin’s legendary smallbatch super-premium ice cream, and we’re hiring Ice Cream Makers now. We’ll teach you everything you need to know. Perks: Open-Book Management, quarterly bonuses, flexible schedules, no uniforms and free ice cream. Apply now and make the kindest ice cream on the planet.

CENTRAL TEXAS FOOD BANK Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Food Bank. We welcome groups and individuals Monday through Saturday—mornings, afternoons and some evenings—to sort food in our warehouse, work in our garden, help in our kitchen or distribute food at mobile pantries. CENTRALTEXASFOODBANK.ORG/VOLUNTEER

CRSH.IN/ICM

DOUBLE A LABS AUSTIN WOMAN

Austin Woman Marketing Sales Specialist Are you a marketing professional looking to earn some extra income and network with an engaged and supportive community? Ready to have a role where you can be passionate about what you do and make a difference in the community? We are seeking a person who is enthusiastic, passionate, goal driven and hardworking, who is living in this vibrant marketplace and knows Austin’s culture. Must be able to work on a variety of projects simultaneously, adhere to multiple deadlines and develop client/team relationships. This sales executive will be a hybrid role and responsible for selling across all platforms—digital, print and events. The ideal candidate must be innovative and creative in their approach and thrive in a fast-paced environment that is constantly evolving to fit the changing media landscape. Please send a resume and cover letter “selling” us on your expertise and passion to sales@awmediainc.com. ATXWOMAN.COM

SPONSORED LISTINGS | ATXWOMAN.COM 52 | AUSTINJOB WOMAN | JULY 2021

Director of Experiential Events and Broadcast Primary Duties: This position is a member of the extended leadership team, reporting to the Head of Customer Success, and will include direct reports that work on projects related to live events, virtual/digital events and offerings, broadcast/livestreams and content creation. This also includes maintaining a professional demeanor with both clients and Double A team members. This position is responsible for ensuring that a quality product/experience is provided to all clients through four functions: Production Management, Team Leadership, Intra-Departmental Coordination & Communication and Departmental Training. This position also serves as quality assurance and a guide for each team member as they complete each stage of the project life cycle, ensuring the project is on time and ready for launch, which may include owning parts of a project and being hands-on.

JOBS.LEVER.CO/DOUBLEALABS

art is alive! Part gallery. Part nursery. All wonderland.

6405 Menchaca Rd | Austin, TX 512.762.5228 www.ArticultureDesigns.com

Visit the Articulture boutique for original botanical designs, unique plants, and eclectic home décor.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 53

DINNER WITH

BANANA BREAD FOR THE AUSTIN SOUL

Executive Pastry Chef Susana Querejazu shares a banana bread recipe with roots to her Austin childhood. BY CHEF SUSANA QUEREJAZU

Restaurant and the Commodore Perry Estate in Austin. Querejazu shares an Austin origin with her husband, Executive Chef Bradley Nicholson, and boasts more than a decade of professional pastry experience. Querejazu worked in local restaurants like Enoteca Vespaio, Vespaio Ristorante, Uchi and Uchiko before taking on the role of executive pastry chef at Odd Duck and Barley Swine, and later as pastry sous chef at Quince Restaurant and three-Michelinstarred Saison in San Francisco. In addition to her expertise in plated desserts, breads, baking and viennoiserie, Querejazu served as assistant sommelier at The Riddler in San Francisco. She was named an Eater Young Gun in 2016 and was nominated for a 2016 CultureMap Tastemaker Award for Pastry Chef of the Year. Like Chef Nicholson, Chef Querejazu was also a recipient of the Ment’or BKB Grant program for 2016-17, where she staged at Le Meurice in the birthplace of patisserie: Paris, France. After time spent at acclaimed restaurants around the world, Querejazu and Nicholson returned to Austin in November 2019. “We always knew we were going to settle down back in Austin,” said Querejazu. “We used to live in Hyde Park and would pass by the estate often. We heard about the hotel and restaurant opportunity through a friend while visiting Austin from San Francisco, nearly two years ago. It was serendipitous to return to the place where Bradley and I both began our careers and finally set down roots. “The menu at Lutie’s is an homage to our love for local ingredients and flavors through preparation rooted in understated simplicity. We wanted to feature flavors that are recognizable and invoke memories, while also pushing our own creative boundaries. Lutie’s is a reflection of our experiences as chefs, from traveling and cooking in some of the best kitchens in the world to honoring the familiar flavors and products of the place we now call home.” Could you please introduce us to the dish? This is my banana bread recipe inspired by a version that connects me to my childhood growing up in Austin. While the desserts at Lutie’s tend to be more seasonal to reflect the restaurant’s ingredient-forward approach, I added this banana bread as a staple to the Commodore Perry Estate dining menu, topping it with honeycomb, chantilly cream and bee pollen for a touch of added elegance.

54 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2021

When did you first learn to make this dish? My love for banana bread started very early eating it out of the oven with butter and a touch of salt. It is one of the easiest things to whip up in a bowl with a whisk or spatula. It is also even better the day after you make it. What makes this dish special for you? I think I loved it because it was one of the only things my mom baked really well, and it was only on special occasions like Christmas or Thanksgiving mornings. Is there a certain ingredient that makes your version different than other versions? I love the texture of nuts in the recipe, but it’s easier to take them out of the version served at the hotel so that more people are able to enjoy it. If you love nuts, try throwing in a cup of toasted Texas pecans in your batter before baking.

Chef Susana photo by Moyo Oyelola; Banana bread photo courtesy of Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection.

Susana Querejazu is the executive pastry chef of Lutie’s

CHEF SUSANA QUEREJAZU’S BANANA BREAD Ingredients: 1 egg 250 grams brown sugar 1 tsp vanilla 83 grams vegetable oil 3 bananas, crushed 287 grams all-purpose flour 4 grams baking soda 50 grams whole milk 1 cup Texas pecans, toasted (optional)

Directions: 1. Preheat the oven to 325°, then grease a standard-size loaf pan 2. Whisk egg, sugar and vanilla together until combined. 3. Stream in vegetable oil until emulsified, then fold in bananas 4. Fold in dry ingredients and alternate with milk until well combined. 5. As an optional step, fold in pecans. 6. Pour into the pan. 7. Bake for approximately 1 hour until golden brown.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 55

ON THE MONEY

CASHING IN UNUSED POINTS

TRY THESE FIVE AFFORDABLE VACATION AND STAYCATION IDEAS. BY JENNY HOFF

Summer is here, and for many Austinites, the travel bug is strong after more than a year of staying close to home—or in your homes. Whether you now feel safe to spread your wings, or you’re looking for a getaway you can drive to, there are many ways you can cut costs without dampening the experience. PUT THOSE ACCUMULATED MILES TO USE.

While it may feel like a distant memory, you more than likely have a credit card you use that accumulates some sort of travel reward—hotel night stays, airline points or general points you can use toward flights, cars, hotels or experiences. Now is the time to take stock of your rewards and see if you have enough to book a getaway for free. Ready for some island hopping? Austin has announced a new nonstop flight to Honolulu on Hawaiian Airlines, which you can book using JetBlue points, Hawaiian Airlines points or points you may have accrued through a Chase Sapphire or similar card with general reward points. Since travel is still light, many airlines are letting you use fewer points to get to more destinations. CONSIDER A HOUSE SWAP.

You live in one of the hottest cities in the country, which makes your property a sought-after commodity in the world of Airbnb and house swapping. Yes, even in the summer! Check out sites like Love Home Swap and HomeExchange for the perfect location on your next trip. The sites have a membership fee, but just one trip could equate to thousands of dollars in savings. This is an especially great option for families with small children, since you can search for a home swapper that also has children and come to a house with everything you need already set up.

AIRBNB A CAMPSITE.

Are you dreaming of camping out under the stars but finding all the parks already booked out for the summer? While park camping is the most affordable option, if you can’t find a spot to set up your tent, check out Hipcamp, a site that dubs itself the “Airbnb for campsites.” Many sites you can rent for less than $50 a night, still making it a much more affordable choice for sleeping outside of your own home. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HILL COUNTRY DAYTRIPS.

RENT A CAMPER.

There are a lot more daytrip options outside of Austin than just Fredericksburg and San Antonio. If you want to live like a cowboy for a day, check out the “cowboy capital of the world,” Bandera, Texas, and go horseback riding through the countryside. Or if you have young children, another great way to spend the day, without spending above your budget, is taking kids to experience the science center in Johnson City before visiting nearby Natural Bridge Caverns. Need more ideas? The Daytripper is a great resource for adventure all over the great state of Texas.

Remember all those people who bought campers in 2020 when air travel became virtually obsolete? Many of them are now renting out those campers for great rates. The price varies depending on what you need—a trailer you can hitch to your vehicle and use for cooking and sleeping, or an RV that serves as a camper and vehicle in one. There are plenty of affordable options on Austin-based site Outdoorsy.

Certain credit cards also allow you to use points for experiences, like cooking classes, city tours and museums, so be sure to check out what you can get for free or at a discount before booking. Even if you’re hesitant to venture far, you can make your summer feel like a getaway using the right sites, card rewards and some creativity.

56 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2021

Want to Join the Networking Community Built Specifically for Austin Women? • • • •

STUDIO BELLA Permanent Makeup

Connect with intention Find or be a mentor Get exclusive Austin Woman content Now in the app store!

Cookie Bandel has been practicing Permanent Makeup 15+ years and is well-known and respected in the Permanent Makeup Community.

“EVERY CLIENT IS DIFFERENT. I MAKE SURE TO CATER TO THE LOOK YOU WANT” PERMANENT MAKEUP CAN COMPLETELY -Cookie REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR ROUTINE, SAVING YOU TIME

AND MONEY. WAKE UP, SHOWER, GO FOR A SWIM, YOUR MAKEUP STAYS WITH YOU

EVERY CLIENT IS DIFFERENT. COOKIE MAKES SURE TO CATER TO THE LOOK YOU WANT SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION WITH COOKIE TODAY, WHERE SHE WILL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE AND EXPLAIN THE PROCEDURES IN DETAIL

512-502-0002 www.Studio-Bella.com 6507 Jester Blvd, Suite 510-L

July Special:

25% Oﬀ Eyeliner 25% oﬀ Teeth Whitening

SERVICES

• Eyebrows • Eyeliner • Blush • Lips/Lip Liner • Eyelash Enhancement • Areola Repigmentation • Concealer • Eyebrow Highlighter • Under Eye Concealer • Scar Camouﬂage • Hair Simulation • And More!

The Boating Life

Changes in latitude, changes in attitude at Margaritaville Lake Resort Margaritaville Lake Resort has been recognized as a 2021 TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice award winner and was named among the top 10% of hotels worldwide. Hello Texas

Bringing a touch of Florida and the Caribbean to Texas, Margaritaville Lake Resort on Lake Conroe celebrated their one-year anniversary on June 26. They will be celebrating all summer with margarita flights for this pandemic win! There are over 20 Margaritaville Resorts throughout the U.S. and Caribbean but only one in Texas. Sitting on 186 acres, Margaritaville is a 3 1/2-hour drive from 20 million Texans; therefore, 90% of their guests come from Texas. Everything is 100% on-brand at Jimmy Buffett‘s Margaritaville Lake Resort, from the seaside-teal doors of each cottage and 58 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2021

guest room, to the upside-down margarita glasses hanging on the lobby chandelier, to the surfboard that serves as the outdoor shower by the pool, every small detail serves to remind you that you have a “license to chill,” as Buffet sings. The tower hotel features 302 all-suite rooms, each with a view of the lake. But the 32 pastel-colored (think parrot shades) cottages are really where you find your “cheeseburger in paradise.” Each one has a porch that looks out onto Lake Conroe, with colored Adirondack chairs just begging for you to enjoy.

Photos courtesy of GetMyBoat and Margarittaville PhotosLake Resort.

Special Travel Section brought to you by

Stars on the Water Twenty-one of the cottages have upstairs lofts featuring two double beds, and all of the brightly colored cottages feature boat slips out front, parking right behind the cottage in the back, a master bedroom with a king-size bed, a small kitchenette, bathroom, living area and plenty of flat-screen TVs. You can easily create your home away from home, waking up with a view of the lake and enjoying happy hours in the evening, keeping watch over the boats by night. Tower Suites run $199-$499 and the Lake Cottages range from $299-$699. I Wish Lunch Could Last Forever Chef Jake has taken over the culinary program at Margaritaville, fresh off a flight from Florida, where he is bringing a delicious coastal flair to the resort at License to Chill Cafe & Bar and LandShark Bar and Grill. LandShark sits right on the lake with a great outdoor patio where you can enjoy scrumptious fish tacos paired with, none other than, a Landshark beer from the tap. Chef Jake is bringing some real artistic creations to License to Chill. Start with jalapeño cornbread topped with seasonal honey butter, followed by ginger carrot bisque with a unique table presentation that keeps the integrity of the veggies intact, an entrée of rockfish served with a cinnamon marmalade and a side of broccolini, or a wagyu beef over parsnip purée. Dinner here with a cold glass of chardonnay is the recipe to chill. Barefoot Children Guests do not want to miss hanging out at the Jolly Mon Water Park, which features multiple pools and a lazy river, all designed to maximize your relaxation. For a more active choice, guests can enjoy pickle ball or miniature golf. Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move on St. Somewhere Spa, overlooking a cove on the lake, will help you wind down with its signature St. Somewhere massage or a fantastic facial, accented by an afternoon enjoying the amenities of a steam room, outdoor whirlpool and relaxation lounge. Somethin’ Bout a Boat Rent a pontoon boat from Einstein’s Surf & Boat Shop, conveniently located on the backside of the resort, and enjoy a beautiful day on Lake Conroe with your friends and family. Lake Conroe is massive and offers several places to tie your boat up and enjoy a seafood lunch. Monty‘s Lighthouse Cajun Bar & Grill, named after the goat that is the area’s mascot, has an outdoor patio where you can enjoy a glass of cold iced tea with a variety of fresh seafood options that they put their Cajun spin on. Enjoy a dish as hearty as shrimp and grits or as light as a fresh green salad topped with crab. That’s What Living is to Me Head into town one evening to enjoy a dining experience like no other at the adorably named Hodge Podge Lodge. Located in a 167-year-old house, owner Chef Jeff works with four other chefs in a kitchen that was converted from a two-car garage to create culinary artistry. It’s a popular place and stays really busy on the weekends, so plan to make a reservation and show up beforehand to enjoy a cocktail in their speakeasy bar called Sips. In addition to the amazing menu, you’ll enjoy seeing the 1930s Model A out front that is an homage to their shabby-chic vintage style. Out back, they have a cottage made from original dorms from Stephen F. Austin University. The restaurant is a great example of Montgomery being called “the friendliest city in Texas.” From the owner to the hostess to the waitress to the chef, they really are very intentional with the entire experience. Hodge Podge Lodge features a simple but robust menu, with starters like a charcuterie board or crab cakes, a delightful offering of fresh salads, three chicken and pasta choices or their fan favorite, a sea bass topped with a crab cake and a light lemon sauce over broccolini and other fresh seasonal vegetables, cooked to perfection. It’s 5 o’clock Somewhere A few of our favorite aspects of Margaritaville are the Jimmy Buffet music playing on the TV in the room when you arrive, which is great for mood setting, and the on-brand fin faucets in the bathrooms, the Margaritaville Keurig pods in room and the parrot-emblazoned comforter on each bed.

Wonder Why We Ever Go Home ** There are over 300 Jimmy Buffet songs. Italicized captions come from song titles created by the songsmith.

I’M ON A BOAT! Looking to rent a boat around Austin? GetMyBoat, the #1 app for boat rentals and water experiences, encourages boating as the perfect “social distancing” activity to enjoy. Boats are regularly cleaned and sanitized, and nothing beats being outdoors on the water. GetMyBoat offers everything from luxury yachts to budget kayak rentals. Find and book boat rentals, Jet Skis, pontoon boats and fishing charters for lakes all around the Austin area and all over Texas. For captained experiences and drive-it-yourself rentals, GetMyBoat connects you directly with boat owners and captains to securely book online. One of their captains is Austin-based Austin Dubbs, owner of True North Charters. The process really doesn’t get much easier than working with Austin. He emails details and confirmation information, picks you up at the specified dock and facilitates a great day of play. With an easygoing demeanor, his aim is to make sure your daycation on the lake is one you’ll want to replicate (even offering 10% off on your next charter). BoatSetter has an array of various types of boats for rent, depending on what you’re looking for and where. It is the only peer-to-peer boat rental marketplace in the U.S. that includes insurance for owners, captains and renters. Boatsetter offers renters and owners access to the largest database of USCG-certified captains, making it possible for those with no prior boating experience to enjoy spending time on the water. Their diverse curated fleet is ready to get you off the dock, whether it’s for fishing or a lux experience.

Marika Flatt, Outstanding Austin Communicator 2021, is the travel editor of Texas Lifestyle Magazine. She began her travel writing career with Austin Woman magazine when it premiered in the fall of 2002. Now, she can be seen on TV shows across Texas, offering travel tips, in addition to her long-running “Weekend Trip Tip” on NPR’s Texas Standard.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 59

I AM AUSTIN WOMAN

MAGIC NEVER DIES

Patricia Buchholtz continues to see Austin’s brilliance through the eyes of an adventurous adolescent.

I grew up here. Not exactly a full-blown

unicorn, but I landed in what was then the suburbs of Northwest Hills at age 3. In middle school, my friends and I would sneak out (don’t tell my kids) and take a parent’s car to drive as fast as we could on 360. No stoplights, no traffic, nothing except hills and trees. It was magical. It wasn’t until high school that I discovered other magical parts of the city: the Barton Springs Bathhouse, where topless sunbathing was a shock to even my car-stealing sensibilities, and the long, low wall-fountain at the base of the pink granite wedding-cake office building (now One Eleven Congress). I dunked my whole head in that fountain when I was 15 because I had trekked from East Riverside through the sewer tunnels under I-35 and I was hot. But Austin’s magic never left me like it did for some people. It has morphed and grown. As I stroll through the streets today, I see the love that my company, lookthinkmake, has poured into the city over the past 13 years. My head-dunking fountain isn’t there anymore, but Fareground is. I still jump into Barton Springs on New Year’s Day and am proud of the campaign we developed, For the Love of the Springs. I can see the version of old Austin growing up, quite literally, with the skyline-changing towers of The Austonian, The Independent and the upcoming 6 X Guadalupe. These shiny new places are part of the lookthinkmake creative family—projects from our past and present clients. Austin is growing. That can’t be stopped, and not everyone will like how it’s growing. But I find it fascinating. I launched lookthinkmake in 2008 with my business partner, Sean Thompson. It was a time of anguish for the economy and maybe the worst time to launch an advertising agency, but we knew that brilliance pops out when economic bubbles burst. It was a risk, but it has been the best risk of my life. You see, I wanted to be in the advertising world for as long as I can remember. Then one fateful day when I was 20, I was introduced to an ad exec at a major agency. Armed with my artwork and my questions, I was eager and wanted advice. He told me that this business was terrible, that I was “too nice” and that I shouldn’t bother. So I laid it aside and went a different route. It took me 12 years to get back to my dream. I guess 12 years is a cycle, as the 12th anniversary of lookthinkmake saw us run to the safety of home to protect ourselves from COVID. It was the first time I thought we might have a layoff. We didn’t. I thought maybe we’d have to cut salaries. We didn’t. I thought we might close our doors. We didn’t. Rather, we did what we do best: We helped others.

60 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JULY 2021

We helped our clients pivot as quickly as possible into this new version of the world, ensuring they could continue connecting with their audiences. We created virtual travel campaigns for the city of Marble Falls, video walking tours of beautifully designed architecture for CG&S Design-Build and event branding for the Andy Roddick Foundation’s first virtual fundraiser. As the world—and our industry—slowed down for a moment, we found new ways to love and support the places around us by reconnecting with our community when we needed it most. Our creative team designed a logo for the Girls Hockey Club of Austin while the PR team worked closely with our new client, Measure Austin, to help empower underserved communities. We used our talents to help area nonprofits combat the sudden onslaught of new problems caused by the pandemic. So many out of work, so many closed places, so much isolation. Thankfully, my team at lookthinkmake is making plans to meet up in person again. We are talking about a proper Christmas party complete with plus-ones. We are looking forward to giving client presentations in person. We are ready to have regular lunches and happy hours. The fact is, the only reason any of us were able to keep working together, that our relationships with one another did not completely fail, is because we were all in it together. We’ve been living shared experiences, which is what actually builds relationships. We’ve had more in common to explore with one another than the weather, so we’ve been able to maintain our bonds, even if we haven’t maintained them in the real world. As the pandemic winds down, our relationships will need to be in person to remain healthy. Yet any kind of change can be hard. I fully expect that coming out of the fog will be bumpy. There is still uncertainty. Then again, life is uncertain. There are protocols that we want to keep, like working from home, and protocols that we miss, like working together. We need to sort out how to make that work best for most. What I do know is that we need to reconnect, in person, with great frequency. I’m personally looking forward to having all of the places that I love feel full of life—and magic—once again.

Photo by Photography by Brenda and Jabari.

BY PATRICIA BUCHHOLTZ

Meet the Volvo C40 Recharge Introducing the new pure electric C40 Recharge. The first Volvo with an electric-only powertrain.

RESERVE YOURS

VOLVO CARS OF AUSTIN | 7216 N. IH-35 • 866-974-6096 • VOLVOAUSTIN.COM

July 2021

Articles inside

DINNER WITH Pastry Chef Susana Querejazu

I AM AUSTIN WOMAN Patricia Buchholtz

WHERE TO WORK Are you hiring?

SEE HER WORK Artist and creator Laura Elizabeth

STAFF PICKS What or who have you reconnected with in the last few months?

FROM THE DESK OF Sara Mulder

MAKE ROOM Designer Killy Scheer

COUNT US IN Reconnecting through self-improvement