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FOR STAYING GREEN AT HOME As people from all over the nation are settling in to a new normal of working from home while also caring for their kids, Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) is here as a resource with tips and tools for making the best of this time with the littles while instilling green thoughts and practices into the day. VIRTUAL LEARNING AND FIELD TRIPS
PLANT A RAISED-BED GARDEN WITH YOUR KIDS
As our daily routines now include regular interaction with virtual tools, TDS is happy to provide you with several video resources and invites you and your kids to take virtual field trips. On the TDS YouTube page, you can access an informative video explaining basic recycling practices for your home, as well as a virtual tour of the facility, the landfill and composting operations, the materials recovery facility and even the animals at the Exotic Game Ranch. Grab the popcorn and let’s learn together!
Make your own raised-bed veggie garden. Your tots will love digging in the dirt and you might even have a little fun, too! And if you’re looking for a great place to find locally sourced, natural garden products such as soil, mulch and compost, look no further than Garden-Ville. For complete details, visit garden-ville.com.
SIMPLIFY CHORE TIME WITH THE WASTE WIZARD APP
Now more than ever, you’ll want to find ways to make chore time, well, less of a chore. The TDS Waste Wizard app can help remind you (and your youngsters) of your collection day in TDS service areas, so there’s no excuse for missing it! Need a lesson in how to sort different types of waste? Click on the “What Goes Where?” section to determine whether a specific item goes into your trash, recycling or compost. There’s even a great waste-sorting game, so your kiddos can brush up on their waste-sorting knowledge. After completing the game, your kids can even print out a certificate to show off their waste-sorting expertise!
DIY DISINFECTING AND CLEANING TIPS
In order to protect your family during this time, we know how important it is for you to keep your home as clean as possible. Find tips on the TDS blog for using items you probably already have in your home as a natural disinfectant. And what about all the extra chemicals in the bleach and those cleaning wipes, not to mention the waste? Make your own cleaning wipes while helping protect yourself and the environment! GREENER TOGETHER
As you can see, there are a wide variety of ways to learn about the environment and keep children busy while you’re home together. Want to keep up the work once school resumes? Ask your district leadership about becoming an Eco Academy school! With age-appropriate lessons and Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) alignment, Eco Academy— as well as the rest of Texas Disposal Systems—is here to be a resource for you and your family year-round. Visit ecoacademy.org for details.
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50
FEATURE
GAMER GIRL
Photo by Rudy Arocha.
BY BRIANNA CALERI
CONTENTS | JUNE
46
48
46
58
22
COUNT US IN Women in Numbers
24
FROM THE DESK OF Mélissa Peng
26
LEAN IN Jen Hatmaker
46
AT HOME WITH Leah Ashley
48
SEE HER WORK Zoey Banks
58
WHAT’S COOKIN’ Chi Ndika’s Vegan Avocado Ice Cream
60
HER ROUTINE Nurse Grace Chege
62
ON THE MONEY Rebuiling Your Emergency Fund
64
I AM AUSTIN WOMAN Priscilla Sauceda
ATX WOMEN TO WATCH ROLL CALL 30
JAMIE BOWERS
31 TANYA BOYD 32
MELISSA PACE
33
TYCHA KIMBROUGH
34
COURTNEY RAY GOODSON
35 FARRAH MOUSSALLATI SIBAI
60
64
36
ILANA ZIVKOVICH
37
JEANNIE SAMSON
38
DR. ALINA SHOLAR
40
ALYSSA ARVIE, LISA BOX
41
CARA CAULKINS, ANNIÉ COLÓN
42
NICOLE ELLIOTT COOKE, ROXANA HANNAH AND LORI MCCLEARY
43
LYNETTE REED, MICHELLE TAYLOR
44 H EATHER WALSH, NINA NELMS AND CARLA MOLINA, TWINKLE ZAMAN
12 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JUNE 2020
Thank you to all of the creative and resilient woman business owners. Stay strong. We will get through this together.
WOMAN’S WAY
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LIVE GIVEAWAY BROUGHT TO YOU BY: BOLA PIZZA, BRAZEN, CATER TO MOM, KENDRA SCOTT, LISA J MAKEUP, NOVITA SPA & MEDICAL REJUVENATION CENTER, ON Y VA WINE, ROBIN EMMERICH, TIFF’S TREATS, URBAN BETTY
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CONTRIBUTORS This month, we asked our contributors: What’s your favorite Austin small business?
A PUBLICATION OF AW MEDIA INC.
VOLUME 18, ISSUE 10
DAWN WESTON
Publisher
NIKI JONES
Creative Director
These awards have been critical to our operation as a small business for the RUDY AROCHA
Photographer, “Gamer Page 50 of our sponsors past four years and would not be possible without theGirl,” support COURTNEY RUNN • Is missing the gym
Interim Editor and attendees. Thank you all for standing by us and supporting our mission of • Is missing happy hours
Live presentation of the Woman’s Way Business Awards 2020 MADILYN BISCOE His favorite Austin small business: Home Slice Pizza
• Is missing friends Austin’s businesses. celebrating and honoring the women behind
Marketing and Events Manager
Virtual mentoring and networking experience MONIKA KELLEY in live curated groups Account Executive Interactive live content created Sales and Production Coordinator specifically for YOU LESLIE WILLIAMSON
CONTRIBUTORS Fireside chat with actress and entrepreneur BRIANNA CALERI Editorial: Landry Allred, Brianna Caleri, Mariah C. Harper, Brooklyn Decker Writer, “Gamer Girl,” Page 50 Jenny Hoff, Sierra Rozen, Courtney Runn, Priscilla Sauceda
Art: Rudy Arocha, Heather Banks, Madilyn Biscoe, Madeline Harper, Paige Miller, Annie Ray, Madison Weakley, Jessica Wetterer
•H as written more than 20 thousand words for Austin Woman • Accidentally became a photographer • Can do her own acrylic nails
TH ANK YOU TO O U R SP O N SO RS Her favorite Austin small business: East Austin Succulents
INTERNS
Landry Allred, Sierra Rozen, Joanne Xu
PLATINUM AW MEDIA INC. MELINDA GARVEY Co-founder/Co-owner SAMANTHA STEVENS
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MARIAH C. HARPER Writer, “Fighting on the Front Lines,” Page 60
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. SUPPORTERS: For submission information, visit atxwoman.com/jobs.
UNIVERSITY No partCONCORDIA of the magazine may be reprinted or duplicated without permission. BENOLD’S JEWELERS
•R eads a new novel every two to three days and especially loves mysteries and thrillers •W as a competitive swimmer for the Texas Longhorn Aquatics Masters Swimming team • C an speak Dutch Her favorite Austin small business: Clean Cause
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ATXWOMAN.COM | 15
FROM THE EDITOR
Even the most daring entrepreneur’s gumption might turn to panic in the face of a global pandemic and an unstable economy. Asking for money from investors, drumming up customers and taking the plunge into working for yourself can be daunting regardless of current events but now, those tasks might feel overwhelming—even impossible. Every year, we focus an entire issue on the theme of entrepreneurship. An entrepreneur herself, our founder, Melinda Garvey, has promoted the stories of women striking out on their own since the beginning days of the magazine in 2002. From our very first cover woman—Amy Simmons of beloved Amy’s Ice Creams—to this month’s cover woman, the women featured in our pages would be the first to tell you there are countless obstacles on the path to building your dream company. While you might see the success story on the cover, that success was not achieved overnight. And true, they might not have had to start a company during a pandemic, but they’re now having to adapt, fail, worry and ask for help right alongside you. Amber Allen, CEO of Double A Labs, is a dominant figure in the world of experiential marketing and immersive experiences. She rose through the ranks of numerous companies to branch out on her own, becoming one of the few leading women in her industry. But she’s spent the past several months at home, figuring out work via Zoom with the rest of us. I’m inspired by Allen’s grit and passion, but I’m also encouraged by her humanity. That’s what I hope you find yourself thinking as you read this issue, too. From the 9-year-old entrepreneur making her own jewelry to tips on identifying your target audience, I hope these stories offer you practical advice and hope in the midst of an unsettling season. To the businesses that have had to close doors permanently, we miss you. To the companies barely making it, we see you and support you. To the dreams waiting to become reality, we can’t wait to cheer you on.
ON MY READING LIST
The Upside of Being Down: How Mental Health Struggles Led to My Greatest Successes in Work and Life by Jen Gotch
Love, Loss and What We Ate by Padma Lakshmi
Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots by Deborah Feldman
COURTNEY RUNN
Editor
16 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JUNE 2020
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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.
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CONNECT WITH US
Can’t get enough of this issue? Check us out at atxwoman.com. 40 Books by Austin Authors: If you need a break from Netflix, try one of the 40 books on our roundup of Austin female authors. Our city is home to some incredible authors and bookstores that need our support during this season. If you can, shop local and let us know what’s next on your reading list.
Graduation in the Time of Coronavirus: Canceled graduations are yet another ramification of COVID-19. While universities and high schools pivoted to online ceremonies and socially distanced alternatives, seniors are mourning the loss of marking a milestone moment with their peers. Joanne Xu, a recent graduate from the University of Texas, shares her memories of college and what it’s like to graduate and enter the workforce during a pandemic.
#ThisTexan: When Tiffany Puett moved to Texas, she didn’t experience the stereotypes she expected. With a background in nonprofit work, she set out to research a simple yet nuanced question: What does it mean to be a Texan? Through the Institute for Diversity and Civic Life, Puett and her team are digging into the myriad cultures that make up our state in hopes of presenting a more holistic— and realistic—view of Texans to the state and nation.
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WIN THIS! A Pair of Little Clay Goods Earrings At 9 years old, Zoey Banks is a budding entrepreneur. She’s surpassed 400 sales and her beautifully crafted earrings get quite the buzz online and in person. This month, one lucky Austin Woman reader will win a pair of her Little Clay Goods earrings. To enter to win, follow us on Instagram @austinwoman and stay on the lookout for the giveaway announcement. A winner will be chosen by the end of the month. Learn more about Banks’ work on page 48.
18 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JUNE 2020
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@ austinwoman Joanne Xu photo by Paige Miller. Little Clay Goods picture by Heather Banks.
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WOMAN’S WAY IS
June 17, 2020
Live presentation of the Woman’s Way Business Awards 2020
Virtual mentoring and networking experience in live curated groups Interactive live content created specifically for YOU Fireside chat with actress and entrepreneur Brooklyn Decker Your ticket includes... All-event access One-year subscription to the networking platform hosting our event
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WOMEN IN NUMBERS
As the coronavirus has spread through the country and state this spring, Austinites have rallied to support each other despite significant losses. BY COURTNEY RUNN ILLUSTRATIONS BY JESSICA WETTERER
3.000 As of late May, Travis County has surpassed 3,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Mayor Steve Adler first declared a state of disaster “due to a public health emergency” on March 6 and Austinites continued to receive weekly—and, at times, daily— health updates including shelter-in-place orders and mandatory mask guidelines throughout the first few months of the pandemic.
12,000 Many women and local companies have stepped up to answer the call for masks. Jennifer Reyes, a director of clinical operations with Urgent Care and Family Practice Clinics, launched Make-A-Mask, a volunteer effort to provide cloth masks for medical workers. The cloth covers are worn over medicalgrade masks and can be switched out after each patient with the hope of prolonging the viability of a single surgical mask. As of early May, her volunteer group had produced and donated 12,000 masks.
$356 Million South by Southwest’s cancellation sent shockwaves through the community and was the first sign of the cancellations and shelter-in-place ordinances soon to come. In 2019, the festival had a $356 million impact on the Austin economy and its cancellation immediately resulted in the loss of thousands and millions of dollars for local smallbusiness owners, creatives, restaurants and serviceindustry workers. According to I Lost My Gig, an online directory launched by Mary Kathryn Paynter, Luke Lashley and Shelly Lashley to let Austinites self-report their lost wages and ask for help, a total of $4,285,037 was individually lost because of SXSW’s cancellation. 22 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JUNE 2020
75,000
According to Texas Monthly, H-E-B began preparing for COVID-19 in early January and first developed a “pandemic and influenza plan” in 2005. The grocery chain launched Texans Helping Texans and, as of late May, has donated more than 75,000 meals to health-care workers and $1.2 million to food banks.
$40,000 Tso Delivery teamed up with Snap Kitchen, Richard’s Rainwater, Zhi Tea, Vital Farms and Alpha Paving Industries to launch #TsoGiving. Through its giving campaign, the restaurant donated more than $40,000 worth of food during the month of April to Austinites in need and, in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, donated $50,000 worth of meal credits to teachers across Central Texas throughout the month of May.
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FROM THE DESK OF
DON’T BE AFRAID TO TARGET A NICHE AUDIENCE.
MÉLISSA PENG
Serial entrepreneur Mélissa Peng shares tips for identifying your target audience. BY LANDRY ALLRED ILLUSTRATION BY MADISON WEAKLEY
Mélissa Peng knew she had a knack for entrepreneurship at the age of 8 when she sold flowers to fund a trip to Martinique. By college, she had developed a network of 70 associates nationwide selling health supplements through Isagenix International LLC. Before the age of 30, she had graduated from the MIT Sloan School of Management and worked in marketing roles at businesses like Hewlett-Packard, Procter & Gamble Company, Macy’s and NBCUniversal Media. But she wasn’t fulfilled. Two years ago, Peng left corporate life to pursue self-funded entrepreneurship, moving from Los Angeles to Texas to chase her passion. Now, she manages three businesses: Camellias and Curls, a hair-accessory company, Pon Di Beat, an Afrobeat and dancehall studio, and Curly Executive, a branding company which culminates her entrepreneurial and marketing skills to help others. Based on her rich experience in entrepreneurship, she’s compiled five tips to help fellow entrepreneurs identify their target audience.
ASK YOURSELF: WHO DO I WANT TO HELP? “Marketing and selling are about meeting a need for your customers. You're giving them a thing that fulfills a need. If I already have a product, [I ask myself ], 'Who does it help?' If you start there, you can understand who your target customer should be, and that anchors you well for the future because you know you're creating a product or idea that will help people.”
BE SPECIFIC. “I ask, 'Who is your target customer?' Most people say, 'Like me,' or 'Everyone.' That’s not specific enough. When you say someone is your target customer, it includes all things about them. 'Someone like me’ means race, behavior, how they think, etc. As Americans, we tend to shy away from things that define target customers, like race. The problem with that is if you're creating for a diverse customer and haven't stated that as your plan, you'll miss out on core things. That customer needs to see themselves in the product.” 24 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JUNE 2020
“A lot of people are afraid to state their actual target customer because they worry it'll turn off other people. Niche marketing is sometimes the best marketing. The more specific, the better we can find people we actually want. It's not about getting everybody to you. It's about getting those people who are going to go crazy for the thing you've created. One of the other reasons people are afraid of niching is that maybe you don't see your customers where you are. Don't be afraid to make that choice because sometimes, even if it requires a bit more work to go after that audience, you'll get a much bigger payout.”
GET TO KNOW YOUR TARGET CUSTOMER. “With Pon Di Beat, I man the door and meet every person that comes to my events. Don't be afraid to talk to your customers. I would ask them, 'How did you find out about my event?' I was able to talk to 250 people and know my Instagram ads are working, my Facebook is doing okay, Google's actually surprisingly helping me. You can learn so much from your customers. But even if they don't exist yet, free, available information exists all over the internet about your customer. You should be leveraging that.”
COMMIT TO YOUR TARGET CUSTOMER. “Decide who that target customer is going to be and make things for that person. Don't switch it up. When you’re a smaller brand, and especially when you're an entrepreneur, you're trying to make money. Maybe at the beginning stages, you get into this habit of trying to tailor everything so people will want it. In that, you're not staying true to your target customer and spending time building a following that maybe isn't even the following you need. Staying true to your target means committing to products that work for them, focusing on that [and] building your brand.”
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LEAN IN
JEN HATMAKER
Author, Speaker, 2015 Cover Woman
Like countless other small businesses and local companies, Austin Woman was faced with the financial ripples of COVID-19. Our founder, Melinda Garvey, turned to the women who have always been our loudest and best cheerleaders: our former cover women. She asked if they would lean in and finacially support us, so in turn we can continue to support all Austin women. Jen Hatmaker was one of the many women who leaned in. We’re so grateful for her support and we hope as she supported us, you will support her. Austin Woman: Your Austin Woman cover followed your career as a speaker, author and an HGTV star and promoted your latest book, For the Love. What have been some career updates since your 2015 cover? Jen Hatmaker: Since I was a cover model (Stop asking me about it, you guys!), I released Of Mess and Moxie in 2017, the For the Love Podcast the same year ( just surpassed 20 million downloads), the Jen Hatmaker Book Club in 2019, went on four tours and I just released Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire. So, basically the last five years have been super boring. AW: Your latest book, Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire: The Guide to Being Glorious You, guides readers through five categories: who I am, what I need, what I want, what I believe and how I connect. During this season of COVID-19, what have you learned about your own needs and wants and how do you practice self-care through seasons of fear and unknowns? JH: Without the predictable distractions that keep me from deep interior work, I’ve gotten very still with my own heart and soul and asked what they would like to tell me. I am listening to my own instincts and trusting my own voice. It is revolutionary work for women to trust themselves; [it is] the height of self-care.
WHAT’S BEEN ON YOUR READING LIST OR NETFLIX QUEUE DURING QUARANTINE? I just finished The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd and I am shook. It shares the same themes as Fierce, and I am just freaking out. Sue and I were both on Brené Brown’s podcast discussing what happens when women claim their own voices. What a time to be a woman in the company of women like this. Lucky us.
26 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JUNE 2020
JH: Austin is my best and first city in every analytical demographic. This city has been so good to me. Grab a copy of Fierce, neighbors. Give it to your daughters and sisters and best friends. It is our freedom song. May it serve you well in your own march toward liberation.
Photo by Micah Kandros.
AW: How can Austinites support you and the women in your community right now?
INTRODUCES
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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
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ATX
WOMAN to WATCH
JAMIE BOWERS CEO OF BOL A PIZZA
J
amie Bowers is the CEO and co-creator of Austin’s niche frozen-pizza producer, Bola Pizza. She is also a member of Women United, a donor network supporting United Way for Greater Austin. She loves meeting women in business, especially in the food industry, and she finds the collaborative nature of women can make a huge impact in any organization. Bowers’ goal at Bola Pizza is to change how frozen food is made by supporting suppliers who share her belief in sustainable, healthy, environmentally friendly products while giving consumers an option for a delicious, fast dinner. Originally launched as a wood-fired caterer, Bola Pizza is now known for its handmade frozen pizzas sourced from natural, high-quality ingredients. The company is named after Bowers’ first rescue dog, who also became the company’s first official pizza crust taste tester. Bola Pizza is available at grocery and specialty stores across Texas. bolafrozenpizza.com
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TA N YA B OY D Photo courtesy of Cheeky Monkey Studio.
O W N E R O F T A N YA B O Y D & A S S O C I A T E S
A
ter 17 years working for others in the employee-benefits field, native Texan Tanya Boyd gained a wealth of knowledge and a true passion for helping employers and individuals navigate the complex health-care system. In fall 2006, she took a leap of faith and launched her own business, Tanya Boyd & Associates. Her independent, majority-female insurance agency specializing in health insurance for individuals and companies opened its doors with zero debt and doubled its business within the first year. It all came from Boyd’s drive to help people through cost-effective solutions. Honored by industry publication Employee Benefit Adviser as one of the most influential women in benefit advising in 2014, 2015 and 2017, Boyd is among a select few leading female brokers recognized as thought leaders and is passionate about elevating the status of all women in the industry. tanyaboydassociates.com
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M E L I S S A PAC E
C O - O W N E R O F S M O K E Y D E N M A R K S A U S AG E C O M PA N Y
P
eople make memories around food. Native Austinite Melissa Pace has loved preparing homecooked meals and setting a beautiful table for as long as she can remember. As a young girl, she would plan menus, cook and set the table with her mother, creating wonderful family memories. With that exposure to hospitality, it was a natural progression to buy Smokey Denmark Sausage Company with her husband, Jonathan Pace, in July 1999. Traditionally, Smokey Denmark’s sausage has been enjoyed by generations of Texans around the tables of their favorite local restaurants. The vision of being on every plate in Texas prompted Melissa Pace and her team to pursue retail channels and online sales in addition to food service. In 2019, Smokey Denmark was a finalist in H-E-B’s Quest for Texas Best and Smokey Denmark Sausage is now available at select H-E-B stores. It has always been and will continue to be about helping people make memories around food. smokeydenmark.com
32 SPECIAL PROMOTION | ATXWOMAN.COM 32 | | AUSTIN WOMAN | JUNE 2020
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WOMAN to WATCH
T YCHA KIMBROUGH
F A M I LY L A W Y E R A T K I M B R O U G H L E G A L P L L C
Photo by Shelly Borga - Dakota & Co.
T
ycha Kimbrough is the managing attorney of Kimbrough Legal PLLC, a family-law firm that cares deeply about the Austin community. She is a fearless, knowledgeable and passionate advocate. In addition to handling complex family-law matters, she also handles criminal defense and auto-accident cases. Kimbrough works tenaciously to serve her community. Some of her community service includes leading voter education and registration drives, serving as a mentor and volunteering with legal organizations to ensure everyone has access to justice. This year, Kimbrough Legal PLLC was voted as one of the 10 Best Law Firms in Texas for Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys. When Kimbrough is not in a courtroom, she enjoys networking, traveling and spending time with her husband and daughter. Connect with Kimbrough on social media @KimbroughLegal. kimbroughlegal.com
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C O U R T N E Y R AY G O O D S O N O W N E R O F U N C L E R AY ’ S P E A N U T B R I T T L E
A
gal with Texas-sized gumption (and hair), Courtney Ray Goodson is the founder and owner of Uncle Ray's Peanut Brittle. Her company offers a line of gourmet brittle with a clean ingredient list. It’s gluten-free, contains no high-fructose corn syrup and is made in small batches, with vegan options on the way! It all got started in a sweet way, over coffee, peanut brittle and charming talks about life with her Great Uncle Ray. After serving as a Peace Corps volunteer from 2009 to 2011, Goodson was inspired by how much her village went bonkers over brittle. Using her Uncle Ray's recipe as inspiration, the day she created her bacon pecan brittle was the day she decided to start her business. To some, bootstrapping a business all on your own could be the fight of your life, but she'll say it was the fight for her life. Her business has been her anchor and opportunity to live in a world she's proud to have created! unclerayspeanutbrittle.com
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FA R R A H M O U S S A L L AT I S I B A I FOUNDER OF AFIA FOODS
B
orn and raised in England and of Syrian descent, Farrah Moussallati Sibai dreamed of having a big family and becoming a doctor, but life would show her a different path. From enduring personal tragedies and loss at home in Syria came resilience, strength and determination. After settling in Austin, Sibai wasn’t able to find the Mediterranean foods her family knew and loved at the local grocery stores, and so the idea for Afia Foods was born. Relying on the recipes for falafel and kibbeh used by her family for generations, she provides American customers with nutritious, delicious, flavorful authentic Mediterranean food. In 2019, Afia was picked as H-E-B’s Diversity Supplier of the Year and became a Chobani Incubator brand. On a mission to serve the community and with the belief that all women and children have the right to feel empowered and safe to reach their dreams, Sibai and Afia are just getting started. afiafoods.com
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WOMAN to WATCH
I L ANA Z IVKOV I CH
CO-FOUNDER AND CEO OF WERQ
werqpeople.com
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Photo by Courtney Runn.
I
lana Zivkovich is the co-founder and CEO of Werq, an executive and teamperformance coaching firm. An experienced executive leader and certified executive coach, Zivkovich works with her team to help leaders align their people, processes and strategy so that businesses can achieve exceptional results. Werq is highly sought out for its dynamic facilitation abilities, along with its effective and trusted leadership coaching services. Werq is described by clients as an indispensable asset, offering coaching skills that keep things moving forward. Along with being a certified executive coach, Zivkovich holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Texas at Austin, serves on multiple nonprofit boards and councils, and lives with her husband and daughter in Central Austin.
ATX
WOMAN to WATCH
JEANNIE SAMSON PRESIDENT OF LEVELFIELD
J
eannie Samson, a lifetime competitive swimmer and world-ranked amateur triathlete, dove into the business world after 11 years as a full-time mom of four to assist her husband’s technology company, Levelfield Inc. For 20 years, Levelfield has provided syndicated data services to top cruise lines, website services for travel retailers worldwide and marketing tools for small businesses in the Austin area. She was initially reluctant to see herself as a business executive, but ultimately accepted the role of president. Her confidence grew while building relationships with local business owners, taking risks to bring her clients value, and passionately helping people around her live a life they love. The pandemic has been devastating to many of her clients but has made Samson more driven to provide tools for success. Samson enjoys spending time with family and is a board member of Northwest Sertoma, a nonprofit dedicated to children with special needs. levelfield.com
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D R. A L I N A S H O L A R
OWNER OF SKIN SCIENCE SOUL, SAGE PR ACTICE SOLUTIONS AND SERENIT Y MEDICAL CENTERS
skinsciencesoul.com
38 SPECIAL PROMOTION | ATXWOMAN.COM 38 |  AUSTIN WOMAN | JUNE 2020
Photo by Taylor Prinsen.
D
r. Alina Sholar is blazing a trail in female-led health care businesses, owning and leading Skin Science Soul, Sage Practice Solutions and Serenity Medical Centers. Her Skin Science Soul patients are loyal to her practice because Sholar makes them feel beautiful, strong and confident. Likewise, Sholar offers her clients at Sage Practice Solutions the tools, strength and confidence to start their own medical practices and medical revenue-cycle management companies. At Serenity Medical Centers, Sholar’s leadership style is centered on personal and professional development to give her team the resources to expand their careers. Through these businesses, and in honoring her own professional upbringing in biomedical sciences, medicine, surgery and business, she mentors young women in STEM and medicine and passes on her business acumen to women around the globe to build their own startups.
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A LY S S A A R V I E
OWNER AND FOUNDER OF BE AUTE STUDIO ESTHE TICS
A
lyssa Arvie is the owner and founder of Beaute Studio Esthetics. An Austin native, Arvie longed to undertake a specialized role in which she could create, build a team and help others feel their best. Beaute Studio Esthetics includes services such as microblading, semi-permanent makeup, facials, waxing, brow tinting and lash extensions performed by a devoted team dedicated to fulfilling her vision. This quiet yet charming canary-yellow building houses a relaxing and calming space for its visitors. Photo courtesy of Alyssa Arvie.
beautestudiobrows.com
LISA BOX SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF CORPOR ATE DE VELOPM ENT AT WP EN G IN E
Lisa Box is the senior vice president of corporate devel-
wpengine.com
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Photo courtesy of Lisa Box.
opment at WP Engine, where she is responsible for expanding WP Engine’s growth strategy and customer value through acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Box moved to Austin to join Trilogy and lives with her husband of 20 years and two kids. She is active in mentoring female leaders in the business community. Recently named a CRN 2020 Channel Chief honoree, Box enjoys applying her energy and experience to further build up WP Engine’s growth and leadership and bring the best possible digitalexperience solutions to market for WP Engine’s customers.
ATX
WOMEN to WATCH
CARA CAULKINS FOUNDER OF CAR A CAULKINS C O M M U N I C AT I O N S
Cara Caulkins began her public-relations career working at
global, award-winning agencies. During the past decade, she has discovered her passion for helping consumer lifestyle brands tell their compelling stories. Caulkins’ ease in developing professional relationships, marketing communications and creative strategy for brands has allowed her to grow her own boutique PR agency, Cara Caulkins Communications, in Austin, and has solidified her place among Austin’s top PR professionals.
Photo by Courtney Runn.
caracaulkins.com
ANNIÉ COLÓN P R E S I D E N T O F T H E Z E L L A C O M PA N Y
A
Photo courtesy of Annié Colón.
nnié Colón is native New Yorker and longtime Los Angeles resident with a background in architecture, interior design and corporate events. She is known for taking a hands-on approach to directing artists, collaborating with clients and bringing innovative design concepts to life. Her unique conceptual skills, exclusive signature style and ability to push teams to deliver stunning work has repeatedly landed her collaborative works in BizBash publications. Whether she's working with a Fortune 500 company or staging for a realtor and its client, Colón strives to evoke emotion and curate emotional experiences. zellacompany.com
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ATX
WOMEN to WATCH
N I CO LE E LLI OT T COO K E NEW PRODUCT PROGR AM MANAGER AT CISCO SYSTEMS
N
icole Elliott Cooke is well known at Cisco Systems for her ability to get the job done while still finding time to inspire the next wave of women in STEM. She is a new product program manager for Internet of Things products and leads the Girls Power Tech initiative and the Women in Science and Engineering chapter at Cisco Austin. Cooke also serves on the Girl Scouts of Central Texas Women of Distinction committee. She loves three things most of all: cookies, volunteering and her cat Halley Berry. Recently, she tied the knot pandemic style, signing the marriage license with her husband while family watched via video chat. cisco.com
ROX ANA HAN NAH AND LORI MCCLEARY CO-FOUNDERS OF RITUAL AUSTIN
R oxana Hannah and Lori McCleary are the co-founders of
Ritual Austin, a boutique catering and events company that specializes in creating culinary experiences. Ritual offers a variety of menus for grazing boards and tables, including classic cheese and charcuterie, brunch, vegan options, cocktail boards and creative dishes for every course. By providing regional cheeses, produce, nuts, honey, dips and jams, as well as a plethora of farmers market goods, they reinforce their mission of bridging the community and creating everlasting rituals. ritualaustin.com
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LY N E T T E R E E D
WOMEN to WATCH
PEOPLE AND CULTURE PARTNER
Photo courtesy of Lynette Reed.
L ynette Reed is a people and culture partner for both in-
dividuals and organizations. She has found that connecting expectations and reality translates into increased employee engagement, improved corporate culture and decreased conflict for organizations. Reed is the co-founder and a board member of the Institute for Soul-Centered Leadership at Seton Cove, holds a doctor of ministry degree in spirituality, sustainability and interreligious dialogue, holds a Master of Science degree in communication sciences and disorders, and is the author of Fixing the Problem: Making Changes in How you Deal with Challenges. Find her new podcast, 5 Minutes with Dr. Lynette Reed, on iTunes and I Heart Radio. expectations2reality.com
M I C H E L L E TAY L O R C R E AT O R A N D F O U N D E R O F THE ZELLA COMPANY
Photo by Courtney Runn.
T he Zella Company is a women-owned and -operated
business that defines and tailors a consistent vision to enhance your home or event. Michelle Taylor, interior designer and home-staging specialist, began her career in the software industry where she became a force in marketing. Following her 2014 relocation to Austin, Taylor led Zella to its current integral position in the Austin design community. Whether she’s creating an elegant setting for a lakeside lawn party, reinventing a family home’s aesthetic or providing event rental furniture from the company’s 11,000-square-foot warehouse, Taylor is on the leading edge of design and her business shows no signs of slowing down. zellacompany.com
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WOMEN to WATCH
H E AT H E R WA L S H , NINA NELMS AND CARLA MOLINA E X EC U T I V E S AT B A N K O F A M E R I C A
T
hese three executives sponsor Bank of America’s employee networks in Austin. They believe that achieving strong operating results—the right way—starts with our teammates. The bank’s Human Capital Report highlights that 50 percent of its management team is diverse: Women make up more than 45 percent of the management team and 50 percent of the global workforce, and more than 45 percent of the U.S.-based work force is racially or ethnically diverse. Plus, Bank of America is one of only four S&P 100 companies with six or more women on the board. bankofamerica.com
TWINKLE ZAMAN AUTHOR AND POE T
A uthor and poet Twinkle Zaman has expressed herself
through writing since she was a young girl. Zaman’s fourth book Moon Tales Baby is available for preorder now. She’s also excited to launch her new coffee brand Pipe Dreams Coffee Co. soon. You can catch up with Zaman at a virtual meet and greet in July to celebrate her new book. She hopes you pick up a copy and grab a cup of joe and join her. Tickets are available at loopedlive.com.
Photo by Sparkle Zaman.
twinklezaman.com
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D I R EC TO RY WOMAN-OWNED AND WOMAN-LED BUSINESSES IN AUSTIN
ATTORNEYS/LEGAL KIMBROUGH LEGAL
Compassionate, dedicated family, criminal and car-wreck law firm 833.533.4251 kimbroughlegal.com
BEAUTY SKIN SCIENCE SOUL
Empowers women to feel confident and beautiful from the inside out 512.646.2744 skinsciencesoul.com
FOOD AND BEVERAGE AFIA FOODS
WOMEN to WATCH
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Family-owned, women-run small business specializing in Mediterranean cuisine 512.963.8963 afiafoods.com
EXPECTATIONS 2 REALITY
BOLA PIZZA
LEVEL FIELD
SMOKEY DENMARK’S SMOKED MEATS CO.
MARKETING FOR GREATNESS
Handmade frozen pizzas made with three-day fermented dough 512.453.7223 bolafrozenpizza.com
Helping people and organizations feel more connected to the world and in the relationships that matter most expectations2reality.com Content management, sales management, reporting tools and email-marketing features 866.489.4889 levelfield.com
COMMERCIAL/ INDUSTRIAL SERVICES
Premium smoked sausage made in Austin 800.705.1380 smokeydenmark.com
CONTAIN WATER SYSTEMS INC.
UNCLE RAY’S PEANUT BRITTLE
WERQ
Manufactures corrugated steel liquid storage tanks for water storage 1.855.420.8265 containwatersystems.com
Famous for its perfect crunch and mouth-watering taste 682.302.1619 unclerayspeanutbrittle.com
Helping leadership teams align their people, processes and strategy to achieve exceptional outcomes 866.413.8889 werqpeople.com
FINANCE/BANKING
HEALTH INSURANCE
TECHNOLOGY
BANK OF AMERICA
TANYA BOYD & ASSOCIATES
CISCO
Checking, credit cards, home loans and saving solutions 1.800.432.1000 bankofamerica.com
An independent insurance agency specializing in health insurance 972.203.8180 tanyaboydassociates.com
SEO and social-media strategy, management, training and marketing 512.694.4912 marketingforgreatness.com
The worldwide leader in networking for the internet 512.790.3364 cisco.com
DELL
HOME/DESIGN ADAMS COMPANY LLC
National award-winning remodeling company specializing in kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and painting 512.785.7226 adamscompany.biz
Technology solutions, services and support 1.800.624.9897 dell.com
WP ENGINE
WordPress digital-experience platform helping drive business forward faster 512.273.3906 wpengine.com
Show our readers the woman behind the brand. Inquire on how to be a Woman to Watch and be a part of our exclusive resource directory. Email sales@awmediainc.com or call us at 512.328.2421.
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AT HOME WITH
LEAH ASHLEY’S FAVORITE THRIFTING SPOTS IN AUSTIN Austin Antique Mall Room Service Vintage
LEAH ASHLEY
The interior stylist shares a peek inside her Dripping Springs home. BY COURTNEY RUNN
The Salvation Army off Research Boulevard Uncommon Objects
TIPS FOR THRIFTING Go often. “New things come in every single day... If you go often, you’re bound to score.” Bring a tape measure, hands-free bag and hand sanitizer. “Definitely have measurements of the space you need to fill and what you’re looking for.”
46 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JUNE 2020
Photo by Madeline Harper.
G
rowing up, Leah Ashley moved from country to country. Each time her family moved, some furniture was left behind, other pieces were packed up and new treasures were acquired. Today, her Dripping Springs, Texas farmhouse is a collection of curated pieces, mostly thrifted, that not unlike her nomadic childhood, share a larger narrative. “I love expressing myself through my vintage finds,” Ashley says. She prefers timeless over trendy and is always on the hunt for the next great bargain. The chartreuse velvet ottoman that sits in her bedroom? $5 from a side-of-the-road sale. “The joy that I get out of design really is the thrill of the hunt,” she says. “…90 percent of the decor in my home is second hand.” Ashley started thrifting out of necessity as a broke college student who still wanted a pretty home. Once she started DIYing and scouring shops for vintage pieces, she never looked back. Her passion became her profession after creating a popular YouTube channel dedicated to her DIY tips and in 2015, she joined the ABC show Fablife as a cohost with Tyra Banks, Chrissy Teigan, Joe Zee and Lauren Makk. She is currently the host of The Design Network’s online series Vintage Style/Modern Life and offers thrifting and decorating advice alongside snippets of her life as a mom of two boys on her Instagram account @livingwithleah. When Ashley and her husband moved back to their hometown of Austin several years ago after a stint in Los Angeles, they were surprised by the high housing prices and expanded their search to Dripping Springs. They instantly fell in love with the “slower-paced life” and small-town feel. The first room in her home, the living room showcases her “eclectic Americana” style—and possibly a penchant for the daring with a white sofa and two toddlers. “[The living room] definitely sets the tone for the rest of the house,” she says. “The decor is a little funky, it’s a little traditional but it has that little bit of collected eclectic flair.” While she’s currently focused on their farmhouse, she hopes to one day live on more land. After a life of moving, she’s found her home. “Texas has my heart,” Ashley says. “Texas is where I was born. Texas is where I grew up. Texas is where all of my family is so Texas in a broader scale will always be my home and be in my heart...As long as we’re in Texas and we’re together, we’re home.”
Do your research. “One of the ways to tell the difference between a replica and something that is actually old and antique is the signage on the bottom…It’s important to look at labeling and that really can give you an idea if something really is old or not. If it’s been made to look old, you can see brush strokes on it and that’s a good way to tell if someone brushed on old-looking paint versus actually having weather and wear and all that.” But, at the end of the day, if you love something, she says buy it, regardless of its lack of antiquity.
ATXWOMAN.COM |  47
Photo by Madeline Harper.
SEE HER WORK
ENTREPRENEUR TO WATCH
Zoey Banks grew her business Little Clay Goods before hitting double digits. BY SIERRA ROZEN
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Photos by Heather Banks.
Z
oey Banks has sold 400 pairs of earrings through her Etsy shop and in-person sales. She currently boasts more than 500 followers on Instagram, her jewelry has been worn in wedding parties and will soon be sold in stores—and she’s also only 9 years old. For such a young entrepreneur with impressive numbers, she’s surprisingly nonchalant. A simple DIY-earring experiment with her mom in 2019 sparked a business and, now, Banks divides her time between school, extracurricular activities and jewelry. For many young girls, the business could be the first thing to fall to the wayside but instead, it has become one of her favorite things to do. “I enjoy making them. Just making them is the enjoyment of [owning a business]. [For inspiration,] I often look at clothes people wear and think ‘Ooh that’s a pretty color, I could probably make that,” Banks says. Banks got her ears pierced at 2 1/2 years old and her colorful, patterned designs are quite popular with her elementary-school classmates. She even ended up giving them a friend discount that may or may not be more than half off. Behind this great businesswoman is a mother who has encouraged her from day one. Both mother and daughter work equally hard to make Little Clay Goods a success and there’s an easy balance between their familial and professional relationship. Banks is the designer and creative behind the earrings while her mother, Heather Banks, handles the administration and finances. “[Zoey’s] the creative genius and really good at doing things with her hands. She was just naturally skilled at it. When she made that first pair, it was nothing for her. It just came naturally,” Heather Banks says. For now, Zoey Banks is focused on doing what she loves, which includes designing with her favorite colors, hot pink and teal. With extra time at home, she’s looking forward to producing even more jewelry. Her designs can currently be found on her Etsy store, Little Clay Goods.
“”
Zoey’s the creative genius and really good at doing things with her hands. She was just naturally skilled at it. When she made that first pair, it was nothing for her. It just came naturally.
Photo courtesy of Sarah Q Photography.
—Heather Banks
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GG AMER
It will take more than a worldwide pandemic to keep Amber Allen from bringing people together. STORY BY BRIANNA CALERI PHOTOS BY RUDY AROCHA
IRL
When “social distancing” started becoming a household phrase,
Double A Labs started building bridges. On March 6, Mayor Steve Adler canceled South by Southwest, the ultimate pride of Austin, for the first time in its 33-year history. Despite losing gigs and cash, Double A CEO Amber Allen slipped on her Burberry heels and got right to work. Just that week, Allen had been in three states and worked 115 hours. Three of the company’s projects were cancelled, Apple poached an employee Allen loved and the team had to get a contractor back to his home in Argentina within three days before flights were grounded. “The world keeps turning, though,” says Allen, smoothly sliding into a recline on her convertible loveseat. “Isn’t that the life of an entrepreneur right there?” Allen seems like the kind of woman to scoff at the idea that blonds have more fun, just to turn and coyly wink in agreement. She leaves voicemails opening earnestly with, “Hey, woman.” Right above the loveseat in her
living room is a pink neon sign that reads, “Your princess is in another castle.” Her home on the edge of East Austin is tastefully cluttered with game consoles, portraits of musicians and album covers. Allen leans into every facet of her personality; her dualities keep her grounded while she stays on her toes. Like her personality, Allen’s business is larger than life. A marketing agency specializing in extended reality, Double A Labs produces everything from completely fabricated environments (virtual reality), to digital overlays (augmented reality) and actual environments rigged with AR triggers (mixed reality). The company’s three verticals—influencers, proprietary technology and events—fuel each other to create entire worlds for each new project. Double A’s job is not just to build the realms, but to invite people in. In the past six years, Allen and her team have reached 3 billion screens.
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A
fter a career in esports, Double A served as Allen’s outlet to continue to pursue the growing industry of extended reality. By now, the parallels and borrowings between athletics and gaming are endless. If the world can unite to watch people kicking a soccer ball, why wouldn’t spectators gather to watch even more superhuman feats be performed on screens? Esports has leagues, teams, coaches and players. In 2019, the New York Times highlighted an excaptain of Denmark’s national handball team who was hired to coach an esports team. He broke stereotypes, helping gamers win by training them to eat healthy and exercise. By that logic, there’s nothing stopping traditional athletes from going digital. This year, as sports seasons crumbled under the obligations of social distancing, NASCAR held simulated races at virtual tracks. Gamers are entering the public eye as more than anonymous basement dwellers. They’re training, signing six-figure contracts, amassing fans and giving post-game interviews. The reach of esports is so vast that according to a documentary on the online multiplayer game League of Legends, one of Allen’s milestone projects, viewership of its 2015 finals outperformed the Stanley Cup finals, the World Series and the NBA finals combined. Allen is acutely aware of the power of technology and harnesses it to entertain and educate. Taking a cue from the annual Puppy Bowl, Double A’s most impactful project to date was a live stream that reeled in 28 million viewers and sent more than 300 shelter dogs to new homes. To produce the “Puppy Rumble,” Double A partnered with Blizzard Entertainment and a variety of animal shelters (including Austin Pets Alive!) to build a virtual model of the Lijiang Tower. The set served as the puppy-bowl arena and promoted the launch of the game’s special Year of the Dog content. Adoptable dogs were introduced with up-close features and characters stats, building audience rapport that, over the course of two hours, led to a forever home for each player. When Warner Brothers celebrated the 25th anniversary of the iconic sitcom Friends, it turned to Double A to interact with fans. The official app they developed paired custom digital stickers with a photo booth (allowing users to pose on the famous couch or behind the purple door), introduced them to an AR version of Marcel the monkey and tested their trivia knowledge. Double A also partnered with AT&T to drum up excitement for season two of the crime show Mr. Mercedes, a project that invited users to explore a complete set replica through an escape room-like clue hunt using VR, AR and high-tech display options. Pursuing education without abandoning its talents for entertaining, the marketing company also teamed up with local children’s book author Katie Jaffe to provide AR content triggered by illustrations in her STEM-centric book, Fly Fly Away, and partnered with Genentech Inc. to produce interactive diagrams on eye health and the spread of infectious disease. “If we’re having fun and we’re learning truth,” says Allen, “it’s going to stick a lot longer than me preaching at you. If I tell you what you should be thinking— God, we already grew up our entire lives with that in school.”
“” I believe early adopters and innovators will change the world.
Clothing courtesy of Estilo, 2727 Exposition Blvd., estiloboutique.com; Ted Baker, 11501 Century Oaks Terrace, tedbaker.com; Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, neimanmarcus.com; Catherine Deane, catherinedeane.com. Shoes and jewelry, model’s own.
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G
rowing up in Longview, Texas, Allen felt passed over by the rest of the world. Exciting technology was always a decade behind in her small town. Now she thinks about her nephews in the area and wonders how they’ll be introduced to groundbreaking tech being built more than 250 miles away in Austin. She knows it takes a human connection to make new tech experiences stick. “I believe early adopters and innovators will change the world,” Allen says. “And I think it’s my job to simplify that message so that people will not be scared of it.” Allen’s father was a Baptist preacher, vice president of a Bible college and a prolific entrepreneur whose projects had an unpredictable lifespan. Her mother went back to school to become an accountant when Allen was a teenager, leaving Allen to entertain her siblings with Super Mario Bros. in between homework and chores. Having two traditional parents with conventional careers, nuance disappeared into clear divisions of right and wrong. Allen learned to treat everyone equally but started her career sheepish about sharing her ideas in rooms full of men. There were polite notions about how a woman should act that were no help in building an aggressive professional presence. Displeased with Allen’s improper left-handedness, her mother taught her to write with her other hand, leaving her both ambidextrous and often unintelligible on paper. In search of more to make right, the preacher and the accountant traveled every weekend with their three children to serve meals, share Bible stories and visit nursing homes. After serving the world, the kids would end the night playing video games at the local Pizza Hut. Allen’s favorite—both then and now—is Galaga, the classic arcade game of space shooters. It’s so special to her, she has a console in her home. She finds 2D gaming less stressful, although she’s still easily flustered when evading fire from enemy craft. It’s a good one for dates, she says, because you don’t have to pay too much attention, and you don’t have to let the boys win. Like father’s wandering entrepreneurship, like daughter’s college education: Allen studied a variety of topics in college and, acting on an opposite impulse, pursued the stability of the corporate world after graduation in lieu of striking out on her own. She landed an advertising job where one major client, Reebok, introduced the self-proclaimed nerd to the sports world. Another client, Disney, took her on as an employee. She worked through the ranks of Disney to join Warner Brothers, learning the importance of an airtight team to a venerable company. Slowly, Allen became comfortable voicing her ideas instead of assuming a higher up in the gaming community had already beat her to it. For more than five years, she managed sales and ran global gaming events for franchises like Mortal Kombat and Lego. Her bosses, recognizing her entrepreneurial spirit, gave her access to a wide range of projects. Still, she was bored with just one job.
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When Riot Games recruited Allen as a strategist, she had a chance to create a new vertical—almost a brandnew business—using someone else’s brand and capital. Her charge was building an events presence in esports, leading the first-ever U.S. arena event as an executive producer. She expanded into merchandise and found a rhythm within the Riot team that gave her the freedom to create anything she wanted. Riot gave Allen the tools and the practice she needed, and the final push to branch out on her own. In 2013, Allen started as a consultant, but quickly realized the companies available for hire weren’t offering the quality she came to expect after 15 years in-house. The fix was easy: Hire the people she was used to working with. Starting with people who had been laid off, Allen built an increasingly competent team, and could eventually afford to entice team members from her old clients. By 2017, Double A had experienced enough success to operate from multiple offices. Allen moved the headquarters from Los Angeles to Austin, with the hopes of bringing tech jobs to her home state. The company soon outgrew a common entrepreneurial mistake Allen made early on: hiring friends and family. “[When] you love what you do, you want everyone you love to be in it,” she says. The lines between personal feelings and professional responsibilities were too hard to draw on both sides. Now, instead of trying to assimilate friends and family into an egalitarian workforce, she’s turned her workforce into a family of its own. Many of the team members who work closest to her have been with the company since the beginning. When a client withheld $1.5 million, some employees offered to cut their salaries. (Allen sold her house and applied for a line of credit.) She recalls another CEO advising her not to think of her employees as friends, and her voice breaks as she vows never to take his advice. Ahna Boley, director of production at Double A, has been with the company since the start, and credits her lasting career there to Allen’s flexibility. “Even though she’s very driven, she also really cares about people and [making sure] they’re pursuing what they want,” Boley says. Allen checks in with her staff, ensuring everyone feels their talents are being used and they’re getting personalized help where they need it. She’ll even help find a place for them at another company when it’s time to go. Back to the employee leaving for Apple, Allen was not feeling bitter, but bittersweet. Boley is rethinking her own role as the pandemic gives the company a chance to shift into even more tech-centric opportunities. To resume some sense of normalcy, Boley and Allen have continued the walks they would take through the cemetery near the office for some much-needed “quiet time” between friends.
“”
It would be hard not to be friends with Allen. Double A’s company
outing in March, orchestrated last-minute to make use of a nonrefundable SXSW reservation at the Four Seasons downtown, was certainly a last hurrah for many before the city shut down. Allen pinged around the tables, laughing like the birthday girl. She swooned while Boley sang “Shallow” and took credit for convincing her to get up there. The acoustic guitarist was there as a personal favor. As the night wound down, she earnestly gathered tips from the photographer on posing naturally. She wandered off just early enough for it to be very fashionable, waving off goodbyes. It would be the last some employees saw of her before COVID-19 forced the team to work from home. Work-from-home calls can be a blur of screens and status updates but despite being apart, the team hasn’t slowed down. Alienware, a computer hardware company owned by Dell, is hosting worldwide product demos in Double A’s “Phygital World.” (Think “physical” plus “digital.”) YouTube partnered with the company to bring its insider dinner parties from influencers’ homes to a digital space and, alongside clients focused on pivoting during event cancellations, Double A is lending its connecting powers to a more direct pandemic response. The company is producing custom bracelets with logos that function as AR triggers, sending users to Austin philanthropist Kathy Terry’s charity website inLieu. Another friend of Allen’s offered a warehouse setup complete with high-fidelity audio equipment and wall-size LED screens, left behind as tours shut down. Artists enter to perform one at a time, taking their quarantine livestreams from acoustic couch sets to full-blown benefit concerts, where 25 percent always goes back to the city of Austin. Allen is tired, but she hasn’t slowed down or lost touch. She’s taking guitar lessons. She’s on 11 committees, boards and societies. She spent the semester teaching Intro to Augmented Reality & Modern Digital Media at the University of Texas. Mentorship is important to Allen, especially to women and girls, and she’s realized she can still be a “good Southern woman” without shrinking into the background. That used to mean staying out late to bond over the hardships of entrepreneurship over beers. Now, it means 22 meetings in a day, and a virtual happy hour for morale. Connection is everything, in person and through screens. It bridges gaps between false cultural opposites: gamers and jocks, men and women, even art and science. Allen points out the power of fact-checking through Amazon’s Alexa, connecting us with all the world’s knowledge. She laughs at the conception that gamers are antisocial, while games like League of Legends connect them with players all over the world. She befriends women who have trouble connecting with others over their love of gaming, for fear of judgment and gatekeeping. For a marketing company, fun is a tool for mining truth. An educational game can teach in ways that stick better than a lecture, an online multiplayer battle game can connect the world in a new language and an AR event can make social distancing feel much less distant. “It’s not just about the 500 people in the room,” Allen says. “It’s about the 5 million that need to see it.”
[When] you love what you do, you want everyone you love to be in it.”
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FIVE THINGS I WISH SOMEONE TOLD ME BEFORE I STARTED AS AN ENTREPRENEUR: 1. “ Understand the difference between cash flow and revenue.” Revenue comes from service fees, but cash flow is how much is in the bank. It’s important to keep them straight when you’re bootstrapping—growing your business without investors—and deciding how much to reinvest. 2. “ Think and act like the company you aspire to be like.” Amber Allen grew up admiring Disney, and she liked working for them. She thought the team was polished. Now she uses the principles she learned there to make Double A function like a multibilliondollar company. 3. “ It’s more important what you say no to than what you say yes to.” A growing company sees more opportunities every day and needs to choose its projects wisely. Learning to turn projects down means staying focused instead of wearing yourself thin. 4. “ Leadership means you focus on the good for the entire team.” A functional team can’t place too much emphasis on one member. Siblings and best friends don’t take precedence over the company. 5. “ Remember why you started the company and connect with the people who re-energize you.” When Allen moved to Austin two years ago, she had forgotten what it was like to play because she was so absorbed in her business. Now she knows she needs a pause button to be a better boss.
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WHAT’S COOKIN’
FAN FAVORITES Avocado Columbian Chocolate
THE SCOOP
Chi Ndika dishes on her vegan avocado ice cream. BY COURTNEY RUNN
Kenyan Chai Matcha & Lavender Soy Sauce
WHERE TO PICK UP A PINT Mozart’s Coffee Roasters 3825 Lake Austin Blvd. Texas Farmers Market – Mueller 4209 Airport Blvd. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
If there’s ice cream in the freezer, Chi Ndika knows it’s going to be a good day. The owner of Luv Fats Ice Cream, Ndika is never short on her favorite treat and spends her weeks concocting new flavors to serve at the farmers markets. In 2016, she started experimenting with vegan ice cream for her mom who couldn’t eat dairy. Instead of opting for the more commonly used banana or sweet potato as a thickening agent, she turned to avocados for their creaminess and mild flavor. The recipe was a hit. Soon, her friends started booking her to sell ice cream at gigs around town and, in 2018, Ndika officially launched her business. Entrepreneurship came naturally to her after a life of side hustling. She started Luv Fats without taking out loans or even applying for a credit card, choosing the farmers-market route for its low overhead cost and direct access to millennial women, one of her primary demographics. Eating ice cream has always been an important ritual for Ndika. Growing up, she picked up a pint at Walmart every weekend with her best friend and a spoonful of coffee or chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream still brightens any day. Despite the labor-intensive work, she says she can’t imagine doing anything else for the rest of her life. In accordance with the Texas Farmers Market regulations, Ndika sources all of her ingredients locally, often at neighboring market booths. She relies on local farmers to guide her flavors, using in-season ingredients like butternut squash, lemon balm, dewberries, pecans and citrus to create her surprising— and popular—flavor combinations. “The best feedback is when kids like [the ice cream] and continue to ask their parents if they can come back to our booth,” she says. While COVID-19 halted many industries, ice cream is still in demand. Ndika isn’t allowed to serve individual scoops, but she can still sell pints at the markets and has noticed old and new fans alike rallying to support her. For now, she’s viewing this season as a time to save money and connect with customers, but the dream of one day opening a brick and mortar is still alive: “There’s just something so nostalgic about going into a really cute ice-cream shop and getting ice cream.”
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Photos courtesy of Chi Ndika.
HER ROUTINE
FIGHTING ON THE FRONT LINES
Grace Chege is caring for COVID-19 patients with passion and positivity. BY MARIAH C. HARPER
THE ROUTINE:
“Routine in the COVID-19 unit is slightly different from a regular unit as I now do total care for my patients. I perform all assessments, take vital signs and discuss the patient’s daily plan with them. Nursing is continuous…I’m always assessing and adjusting interventions and, in a way, I’m like a cell nucleus. I coordinate care with physical and occupational therapists, inform doctors, communicate possible discharges with social workers and ask chaplains to update patient families. Currently, patients are scared and anxious. They want their loved ones beside them but, at this time, that isn’t possible. It’s not a situation I would wish on my worst enemy and I take care to reassure and educate patients, pointing out health improvements when possible.” THE DIET:
Grace Chege is no stranger to hard work or uncertainty. Originally from Kenya, Chege came to the United States in 2003 after winning a green card in the Diversity Immigrant Visa program. Only 22 at the time, she initially stayed with a sponsor in Fort Worth, Texas and took medical-assistant classes at Remington College. In 2007, she moved to Austin to work as a clinical assistant at Ascension Seton Medical Center while finishing her associate degree in nursing. Chege began nursing at Ascension Seton in 2012. The 38-year-old mother of four is currently a fulltime student at the University of Texas at Arlington, completing her bachelor of science in nursing. Chege works in the neurology, urology and ear, nose and throat unit, which was rapidly converted into a COVID-19 ward in March. Chege adapted her mindset to fit the new precarious norm, dropping her patient load, increasing safety measures and taking precautions outside of work since any exposure off the job could transfer to patients, too. Despite the emotional nature of her present work environment, Chege remains positive. She was a nominee for the 2020 Ascension Nurse of the Year and credits her spiritual and emotional fitness with helping her navigate COVID-19. She is quick to praise Seton’s interconnected mobility and the countless individuals fighting together against the pandemic. Love for the profession keeps her motivated Here’s how Chege is taking down COVID-19. THE A.M.:
“I wake up early for my 12-hour shifts to eat breakfast and usually arrive at the hospital by 6:45 a.m. First thing I do is attend my unit’s huddle where we receive updates, our patient assignments for the day and reports for those patients. I review patient history and progress notes and then make individualized daily plans.” 60 | AUSTIN WOMAN | JUNE 2020
“In the morning, I eat eggs or oatmeal before heading to my shift. For lunch, I have started blending kiwis, strawberries, blueberries and yogurt into a plant-based protein smoothie. For dinner, I cook traditional African meals for my family.” THE GEAR:
“My husband used to be a runner and he buys me shoes to wear during shift. He looks at my feet and the way I walk and buys shoes based off what he sees. I have a whole collection! Some of the brands I own are Adidas, Nike and Sketchers.” THE MOTIVATION:
“You have to love what you do. That goes for any job in the world. For me, the most rewarding part about nursing is patient education. I enjoy helping someone understand their medications or treatment plans and gaining their compliance. During this pandemic, I’m proud to work with such a supportive team and great management. Nurses, doctors and respiratory therapists might be front line, but we could not do our jobs without the help of everyone in the hospital. The housekeepers, cooks and nurse aids are also team members. Together, we beat this thing.” THE MINDSET:
“Moving forward, and with businesses reopening, everyone just needs to do their job. As a nurse, I always adhere to the hospital standard of infection control with hand washing, personal protective equipment and limited grocery trips. We will never know whether it’s over until we return to normal, but we still need to take personal responsibility.” THE P.M.:
“I’m a full-time student at the University of Texas at Arlington. I’m getting my BSN through an online program and, after the kids go to bed, I work on my courses.”
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Photo courtesy of Grace Chege.
ON THE MONEY
REBUILDING A DEPLETED SAVINGS ACCOUNT
Here’s how to get your emergency fund back on track. BY JENNY HOFF
If the COVID-19 crisis has taught us any financial lesson, it is that an
STRETCH YOUR MONEY.
emergency fund is a necessity. Beyond 401(k)s or other investments, which are also very important, an emergency fund is an easily accessible account with at least three to six months of living expenses that you only touch in a catastrophic situation to cover your necessary expenses. If you don’t have one or if you’ve depleted your savings, now is the time to rebuild as we don’t know what the future of COVID-19 will bring. Here are some ways to get started.
You may think you are already forgoing a lot of the little pleasures you used to indulge in. But, Scott Sonenshein, a professor at Rice University and author of Stretch: Unlock the Power of Less and Achieve More Than You Ever Imagined, argues that there is always more stretching you can do. Whether it’s delaying your weekly grocery trip by a few days and making do with what you have in your cabinets and freezer, or stopping all online shopping for a couple of weeks, there are ways to stretch your dollar further and build up more cash in your accounts. “I want people to recognize that no matter how little or even how much they have, there’s a lot more that they can be doing with what they have,” he says. “Don’t worry about constraints; don’t worry about overcoming scarcity. These are actually things that counterintuitively could make us more productive and more satisfied.”
MAKE SURE YOU ARE APPLYING FOR EVERY STIMULUS OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE.
You’ve likely either received or heard of the one-time federal stimulus checks sent out in April and May. However, there are more benefits you may qualify for, even if you didn’t in the past. T he Texas Workforce Commissionhas added new information to its website specifically for self-employed individuals, child care workers and job seekers. Go there first to see if you qualify for benefits. Federal stimulus money is being added to normal unemployment benefits in some cases, so make sure you do your research and take the time to fill out the forms and provide the information needed to receive the benefits.
“” There are ways to stretch your dollar further and build up more cash in your accounts.
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REFINANCE, DOWNGRADE AND SELL.
Let’s start with the least painful of these options: refinancing. With historically low interest rates, you may qualify for a much lower mortgage payment than you are currently paying, possibly saving you hundreds of dollars a month that could go straight to your emergency fund. If that’s not an option, look at your major expenses where you still have quite a bit of debt, like your car or a boat, and see if it’s time to sell what you don’t really need or downgrade to something more practical. The same goes with an apartment; consider taking on a roommate or moving to a cheaper place or a smaller unit. You will feel immense freedom in getting rid of unnecessary debt and lowering your fixed costs so you can build up a cash fund in case of an emergency. Worry less about how much you can contribute to your savings account and focus on contributing something. Once you see your emergency fund growing, you’ll feel inspired to find more ways to add to it, giving yourself some financial peace of mind in a situation you can’t control.
Sponsored Content
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BUYING A CAR DURING COVID-19 BY CHELSEA BANCROFT
I get asked about buying a car during this pandemic all the time, so I wanted to use this month’s article to answer the questions people ask most frequently. Is it safe to buy a car during a pandemic? I can only speak for Roger Beasley dealerships, but we have implemented all recommended social-distancing and safety protocols and procedures. While there is always a risk whenever going in public, we are doing our best to make sure our dealerships are as safe as possible. Roger Beasley has also launched an online store that allows you to purchase a vehicle 100 percent online; you don’t ever have to leave your house or step foot in the dealership!
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to email me directly at cbancroft@rogerbeasley.com and I will do my best to answer them! While I am not a salesperson, I do help guide women with their car buying process all the time and am happy to help any Austin Woman reader as well.
Wait, you can actually buy a car 100 percent online? Yep, and we will even deliver the vehicle to your home for free! Visit express.rogerbeasley.com, browse our inventory and choose the vehicle you want, customize your monthly payments and financing, get a trade-in estimate, fill out a credit application and any other necessary documents, then submit for a final review. We will then deliver the vehicle to you, have you sign all the documents, and take your trade-in if needed. It really is that easy.
But what if I want to test drive the vehicle first? We will bring the vehicle to you for a test drive and pick it up the next morning. If it all works out, we will simply bring the paperwork out to you to sign and finalize the deal.
Are the deals actually as good as they sound? They are pretty darn good. At the time I am writing this, Mazda and Hyundai are offering a 0-percent annual percentage rate (APR) for 60 months (some for even longer) to qualified buyers plus deferred payments. Visit our website for the most current offers.
How much does 0-percent APR really save you?
Photo courtesy of Chelsea Bancroft.
According to Edmunds, the average cost of a new car in 2019 was $36,718. Typically, a “really good” APR for an auto loan is around 2.9 percent for buyers with great credit. If you financed $36,718 for 60 months with a 2.9-percent APR, you would pay about $2,770 in interest. So, with 0-percent APR, you would save almost $3,000!
Is buying a car right now a good idea? So many people have been affected by this pandemic and are not in the best financial situation right now, so, for them, I would not encourage going out to buy a new car just because the deals are really good and dealers are offering a lot of great perks. But, if you are in need of a new vehicle or have been considering upgrading in the next year and are in a comfortable position to do so, I would say now is a great time to buy a new car! It just all depends on your situation. Chelsea Bancroft is the strategic-partnerships and social-media manager at Roger Beasley Mazda and a blogger at onechelofanadventure.com.
I AM AUSTIN WOMAN
Priscilla Sauceda shares how she’s leading 64 employees through COVID-19.
If there is one thing I’ve learned in my six years as an
entrepreneur, it’s owning your own business requires being comfortable with a certain level of risk. There is no playbook; every business is different and each contains a unique set of risks. I’d love to sit here and tell you that I’m a naturalborn entrepreneur, but that isn’t true. In 2014, my husband, Jay B, convinced me to leave my “secure” corporate job. He wanted us to go all-in on our side business, Texas Humor, an e-commerce store based around a large social-media audience. Ultimately, I decided to take on that risk and bet on ourselves. I was confident in our ability to work together to conquer challenges and hopefully build a business that we could be proud of along the way. For the most part, we’ve succeeded. For the past several weeks though, our lives have been consumed by COVID-19 and what seems like an endless barrage of decisions based on calculated risk. Every moment has been focused on how to successfully steer our business and 64 employees through this pandemic. For me, part of managing that risk has meant a shift to working from home. My days are a whirlwind of attending Zoom meetings, writing COVID-19 policies and managing team morale. Intermixed in all of this are my daughter’s preschool Zoom meetings, meal prep, laundry and playtime. Needless to say, I’ve relied on more screen time than I’m proud to admit. When our kids go to sleep, Jay B and I pour a drink and crack open our laptops. At night, we’ve worked to reduce our company’s financial risk by securing funds from the Paycheck Protection Program. We’ve immersed ourselves in the details of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, making sure we understand our responsibilities as business owners under this new law. Overall, we ask ourselves, are we doing enough to protect the health of our people and the viability of our company? Throughout the past few months, I’ve struggled to process mixed feelings. There’s gratitude for the health of my family; relief that the impact to our business has been manageable; guilt in knowing that countless others can’t say the same; and doubt as I question if we are making the right choices through it all.
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Photo by Annie Ray.
CALCULATED RISKS
The mental load of all of this takes its toll. Some days are better than others. On the hard days, I think my daughter’s repeat renditions of “Let It Go” are the universe telling me not to stress over what I can’t control. In a world where so much is out of my hands, I’m grateful to be a business owner and at least have a choice in something, a choice in how our company responds to this virus. We’ve chosen to partner with a nonprofit to distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) free of charge to front-line workers in our community. We’ve chosen to pivot our retail store, replacing humorous t-shirts with cloth masks. We’ve chosen to redesign how our fulfillment team operates, disrupting our standard processes in an effort to keep our fulfillment team safe while we remain open. As a business we continue to adapt to COVID-19 and make choices based on calculated risks. In a way, it’s not so different from how all of us are personally tackling COVID-19. In a search for our new normal, we’re all looking at the information available to us and making a calculated risk that feels right for ourselves and our families. Maybe COVID-19 will help us realize there’s a little entrepreneurial spirit in all of us.
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AUSTIN, FOREVER YOURS
512.452.6491
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2900 W. ANDERSON LN.
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BENOLDS.COM
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