May 2024

46 FEATURE

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE

BY JENNY HOFF

PHOTOS BY JOI CONTI

54 FEATURE TRANSFORMING SPACES

BY ISABEL NEUMANN

CONCIERGE PRIVATE PAY SITTERS

IN HOME NURSING AND THERAPY SERVICES

PALLIATIVE CARE

HOSPICE CARE

REMOTE PATIENT

MONITORING

Collaborating and Connecting with the Austin communit y to prov ide Award Winning In-Home Care for over 10 years!

Locally owned in Austin by a local Physician’s Assistant

8133 Mesa Dr., Suite 200, Austin, TX

info@halcyonhome.com

www.halcyonhome.com

featured in the May 2024 edition of Austin Woman

Locations in Austin, San Marcos, and Waco, Texas (512) 815-9009

2024

DISCOVER THE FUTURE OF FUN AND LEARNING AT ALPHA AI SUMMER CAMP!

We believe that AI is for everyone. Inspired by our students' year-round excitement for AI-based activities, we created this unique and innovative experience. Our program empowers young minds aged 5-13 to explore the extraordinary realm of AI and develop stellar, standout skills.

AGES: 5 - 13 yrs

DATES: June 24 - 28 | July 8 - 12 | July 22 - 26

HOURS: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

KIP GARVEY COO

CY WHITE

Managing Editor

NINA GLORIA

Production Manager

JAIME ALBERS

Creative Director

DARBY KENDALL

Copy Editor

SHANNAN HALE

Community Engagement Manager

BETSY BLANKS VP of Business Operations

JESSICA CAMPOS

MICKI GRAM

Marketing and Events

MICHELLE BERMEA

Media Sales Director

Media Sales Executives

STACY COALE

JORDAN FARIS

ABBY SCHWARTE

CONTRIBUTORS

Editorial: : Janaye Barabin; Brandi Clark Burton, Jenny Hoff; Bella Larralde; Isabel Neumann; Hannah Nuñez; Laurel Sanchez; Shonté Jovan Taylor, M.Sc., Ph.D(c); Shiela White, Cy White

Art: Con Mi Madre, Consuela, Consumable Content, Joi Conti, Tom Harris, James Johnson, Lucero Studio, Tonya Chavez Laguna, Mindful Media, Isabel Torrealba, Shiela Walker, Jessica Wetterer

INTERNS

Bella Larralde, Isabel Neumann, Hannah Nuñez

MELINDA GARVEY Co-owner/Co-founder

LANA MACRUM Co-owner

LYNELLE MCKAY Co-owner

TERRY MITCHELL Co-owner

GRETEL PERERA Co-owner

SHURONDA ROBINSON Co-owner

ANA RUELAS Co-owner

NEHA SAMPAT Co-owner

SAMANTHA STEVENS Co-founder

Contributors

This month, we asked our contributors: What did you want to be when you grew up?

JAIME ALBERS

Creative Director

• Her Polish grandmother just celebrated her 99th birthday!

• Watching sports is her jam.

• She loves living in the Midwest because you get all four seasons.

“I grew up in the kitchen helping my Polish grandma cook. I envisioned one day I would be a famous chef. Today, I am just a momchef in my own household, and I love every minute of it.”

DARBY KENDALL

Copy Editor

• She loves queso with a passion.

• Her favorite plants to grow are tomatoes.

• Her cat doesn’t have a tail.

“Growing up I wanted to be everything, from baker to photographer to ceramicist. Now I satisfy that urge by having way too many hobbies.”

CY WHITE

Managing Editor

• She’s a bedroom producer, with two fulllength albums (working in a third).

• Her favorite video game series is The Legend of Zelda.

• One of her writing mentors in college was Toi Derricotte.

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

“I grew up surrounded by music: Dad in a band, brother a musician, Mom singing in church. I knew that I wanted to do something with music, and, hey, I got close! ”

Dedicated to Jeff Oaks. Thank you for teaching me the music of words.

The May flowers we were promised with the rains of April have arrived, dear reader. With them, a certain perfume floats on the air. This is a time of blooming, coming into one’s own, owning one’s greatness.

The women-identified entrepreneurs within these pages certainly have leaned into their own power. The numbers don’t lie: According to a study by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, as of April 2024, the number of women-owned business has reached upward of 14 million, making up nearly 40% of all U.S. businesses and generating an eye-watering $2.7 trillion in revenue. The opportunities are out there, and the entrepreneurs in this issue took them and didn’t look back.

For Halcyon Home founder Amy Sweet, a desire to break away from the often-restrictive nature of her Seventh Day Adventist upbringing and to help an ailing family member to whom she was extremely close started her on her entrepreneurship journey. Thirteen years later, it still serves as one of the most unique and affirming home health and hospice companies in the country. Speaking of legacy, there’s few who can boast one as innovative and ever-evolving as SKG. Founded more than a quarter century ago, and helmed by Beth Goff-McMillan, the company continues to be a leader in customer service, intentional hiring practices and product quality. Miles Bloxson, one of the most recognizable personalities on KUTX, has become an entrepreneur in her own right, while shining a beacon on the entrepreneurial spirt and innovations of the Black and Brown communities in Austin, particularly East Austin. There are so many more women-identified folks in this city who’ve thrown fear to the wayside to reach for their dreams and for successes they couldn’t even imagine!

Here’s your call to action! If you find yourself between taking the dive and shrinking back into your comfort zone, I implore you, dear reader, allow the stories of the women-identified entrepreneurs who defied odds to create their own legacies to encourage you to leap. This is your season! While basking in the summer sun, recognize your own glow and go for it! You only have one life. Don’t live it scared.

CY WHITE EDITOR

EDITOR’S PICKS: THIS IS YOUR SEASON!

that have shown their

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 team at Austin Woman is grateful for these businesses

commitment to the advancement of women in Austin and hopes you, as readers, recognize their efforts and support these businesses.

Janelle Monáe: The Age of Pleasure

Betty Davis: They Say I’m Different

Mélat: Canon Metis…

“WILT IS NO WILTING VIOLET”

Rising band wilt stuns at the SXSW Women That Rock showcase.

FOUNDING MEMBERS

Marisel Ballard

Kim Barnes

Megan Baumer

Amy Bell

Judy Beltrez

Morgan Bergman

Beverly Biehl

Amanda Bonilla

Paula Bookidis

Amber Bradbury

Lillian Brown

Lauren Bryant

Krista Burk

Meghan Butler

Maria Amelia Calaf

Jessica Campos

Rebecca Lopez

Meg Lowry

Eliza Loyola

Liliana Lozada-Beverido

Hilda Lunderstedt

Bobbie Mack

Rosanna Martinez

Cherie Mathews

Cindy Matula

Lynelle McKay

Lauren Mireles

Shelley Moon

Searcy Morgan

Brooke Murray-Etnyre

Tulsee Nathu

Sabrina Nelson

“AUSTIN

LEGENDS ASK FANS TO ‘JUST… JUST F*CKIN

Perla Cavazos

Aditi Chauhan

Christina Collazo

VOTE!’”

As night deepens on, not even conference fatigue could tamp the energy on Stubbs’ back patio.

Elizabeth Colvin

Nichola Cotto

Lindsay Crowell

Faye Dedrick

Michelle Denny

Patti DeNucci

Lauren Dwiggins

Lala Elizondo

Sierra Fernandes

Lollis Garcia-Baab

Cristina Garcia-Chappell

Marisol Giron

Bonnie Glass

Tara Godby

Jill Goodman

“SOULFUL CROSSINGS: THE ODYSSEY OF MARIANGELA”

Explore Mariangela’s musical journey stemming in Monterrey, Mexico, going to San Antonio, Texas, and now, SXSW.

Check out what’s happening over at atxwoman.com!

Mica Gutierrez

Raette Hearne

Jen Henderson

Mindy Hofman

Wendy Howell

Veronica IMery

Lisa Ivie Miller

Nikitra Jackson-Sagirius

Jill Jacobs

Shelby Johnson

Amy Jones

Meagan Jones

Veronica Jordan-Matlock

Shivani Kamboj

Ann Kasper

Carrie Kass

Erika King

Taryn Kinney

Sarah Kyle

Lurleen Ladd

Kendall Law

Tatiana Leadbetter

Leesa Lee

Andra Liemandt

Charlotte Lipscomb

Janene Niblock

andrea nucete-elliott

Holly Odom

Kim Ortiz

Julia Parke

Sophie Parrott

Heather Parsons

Liliana Patino

Jean Poeet

Melinda Quiroz

Alexia Raven

Felicia Reed

Jenny Remington

Emily Rollins

Alison Roscoe

Jamie Rose

Ana Ruelas

Raka Sandell

Lori Schneider

Cyndi Schultz

Jessica Shor

Diana Skellenger

Trinity Stennfeld

Sunny Sutherland-Depaz

Isabella Taylor

Jeanne Teshler

LisaBeth Thomas

Perri Travillion

Nelda Trevino

Avni Trivedi

Stephanie Verdugo

Ana Villegas

J Rene Walker

Laura Webb

Liz Wendler

Felicia White

Cassandra G. Wiggins

Joy Wiggins

Tiffany Wilson

Tania Yousaf

“wilt

F*ckin Vote!’” photos by

White. “Those Who Dig ‘Begin Again’ with ‘Underwater’” photo courtesy of Those Who Dig. “Soulful Crossings: The Odyssey of Mariangela” photo courtesy of Madero Agustin.

Championing Legacy in Austin

Through her new podcast, Miles Bloxson both redefines Austin’s perspectives on entrepreneurship and preserves its legacy of Black business.

BY ISABEL NEUMANN

Miles Bloxson is a distinguished radio host, prolific podcaster and visionary entrepreneur. As a prominent figure at Austin’s NPR music station, KUTX, Bloxson and co-host Elizabeth McQueen hold the reins of Pause/Play, a podcast illuminating the pulse of Austin’s dynamic live music scene. Beyond her broadcast endeavors, Bloxson is a catalyst for cultural dialogue, curating podcasts such as Black Austin Matters and Miles to Mogul that resonate with diverse audiences. Yet her creative pursuits extend beyond the realm of audio storytelling; she recently launched Black Austinite, a clothing line emblematic of her commitment to celebrating community identity.

Black Austinite carries profound personal significance, rooted in the Bloxson family’s history in East Austin. The tagline for the line, “Established on the East Side,” honors this history and preserves East Austin’s cultural identity. The origins of this tagline stems from the effects of Austin’s 1928 Master Plan, “an event in 1928 that moved all of the Black and Brown people to the East Side of Austin no matter where they were located in the Austin area at the time,” Bloxson elaborates. “I wanted something that resonated with those from that part of Austin, who’ve witnessed its evolution over time.”

Bloxson’s clothing line embodies her commitment to community empowerment. As multiple generations of her family live in the East Side, Bloxson expresses a deep desire to make them proud. By celebrating East Austin’s creative spirit, she aims to enrich the area’s cultural fabric. Through her designs, she reinforces belonging and pride among Black Austinites, ensuring their history and contributions endure. “I want to make sure that people still feel like they have a home on the East Side and that others recognize that we’re from here, we still have roots here and we belong here.”

Through Black Austinite, Bloxson aims to convey that Austin’s Black and Brown communities endure, deeply tied to their roots despite neighborhood changes. “We’re Black Austin, and we’re still here.” Her designs serve as a conduit for people to feel acknowledged, valued and linked to their heritage. This commitment extends beyond fashion, echoing themes present in her podcast Black Austin Matters, where she amplifies the contributions of Black individuals to the Austin community.

With Miles to Mogul, Bloxson interviews visionaries, creators and entrepreneurs, exploring their paths to success. Covering topics from daily routines to overcoming obstacles and sustaining motivation, each episode encapsulates a guest’s journey, like “Surround Yourself With Bosses” with J Soulja or “The Element of Excellence” with Alisa Rolle. “The themes are very dependent upon the guest, but it all comes back to success, growth and building who you are as a person,” says Bloxson.

The podcast aims to inspire listeners by offering insights and tools applicable to their lives. “I want to share information about the mindset behind success, especially with the Black and Brown community, because I feel like we don’t always share success recipes with each other because we’re in survival mode, just trying to figure it out.” Through candid conversations and poignant anecdotes, Miles to Mogul encourages individuals to pursue passions and strive for personal growth.

Reflecting on the podcast’s impact, Bloxson notes its diverse audience, spanning from young adults to seniors, emphasizing its universal appeal. The same topics are discussed with each guest; however, Bloxson insists that each episode explores “different perspectives and different lenses, so if someone doesn’t resonate with one episode, they might with another, and they are learning regardless.” By sharing stories of resilience and determination, she hopes to empower listeners to recognize their potential and chase aspirations.

Looking ahead, Bloxson aspires to leave a legacy of inspiration and empowerment in podcasting and through her clothing line. She hopes to instill the belief that dedication, passion and a positive mindset can achieve anything. “We can create our own reality; we can live the life of our dreams; everything is possible,” says Bloxson. “There is no limit to what you can do.”

Photo by Mindful Media.

Local Businesses To Celebrate A Mother Figure

Staff love to spoil the women-identified folks in their lives.

STACY COALE, MEDIA SALES EXECUTIVE

Clover + Maven, located within East Austin’s Springdale General campus, is the ultimate destination for unforgettable gifts for the special moms in your life. Featuring a thoughtfully curated collection from more than 60 local women and LGBTQIA+ artisans, the shop offers a diverse array of items. From delicate jewelry to blown glass, artworks, home decor and heartfelt keepsakes, each piece reflects the unique craftsmanship of its creator. Clover + Maven provides a platform for these artisans to shine, ensuring that every purchase brings joy to the recipient while supporting the creative community.

MICHELLE BERMEA, DIRECTOR OF MEDIA SALES

Having lived in the Texas Hill Country for more than 15 years now, it’s hard to pick one experience to share with your mom on Mother’s Day. There are so many to choose from! My mom has always loved visiting Fredericksburg, Texas, and who wouldn’t? There are more than 60 wineries and, of course, you can’t leave out the Main Street shopping and amazing restaurants. If you’re looking for an all-in-one Hill Country weekend getaway to pamper Mom, I would try the Hill Country Herb Garden in Fredericksburg. They have a great spa, restaurant, charming cottages and lush herb garden. It’s that perfect blend of relaxation, great food, beautiful, natural surroundings and only a few blocks away from all the Main Street boutiques.

BETSY BLANKS, VP OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS

I am a big believer in gifting experiences or things that make someone’s life easier. I am a huge fan of Zen Blend Mind + Body Spa, which is definitely my husband’s go-to gift for me. I’ve received some of the best massages I’ve ever had there, and it’s perfect for a short escape from the family. If you’re wanting to splurge, you can’t go wrong with a day pass (or even better, an overnight stay for one!) to Miraval Austin Resort & Spa. I think an opportunity to relax away from home, kid-free, is one of the best things you can gift to a momma. Something I haven’t tried but have heard amazing things about (and asked for myself this Mother’s Day) is a gift certificate to All the Small Things—a mom-run professional organizing company that is sure to make any mom’s day-to-day easier!

Psychedelic Sisters

Word on the Street is there’s a new Vintage Hideout in town, located in downtown Austin.

BY LAUREL SANCHEZ

The Psych Sisters, Emma and Grace, embody the unique essence of the Austin fashion scene with their eye-catching style, which often features bright and fun colors reminiscent of the 1980s or psychedelic patterns that transport us back to the ’70s. These twin sisters never fail to turn heads wherever they go. But what truly sets them apart is their entrepreneurial journey. They turned their passion for vintage clothes into a reality, showcasing their unique eye to the world with the opening of Vintage Hideout, located in downtown Austin.

Upon entering this vintage store, which now resides where the beloved western thrift Full Circle Vintage used to be, visitors are immediately greeted with a comforting atmosphere that only a family-run business can provide. The twin owners, with assistance from their mother, treat every guest with a friendly warmth. Given their kin-centric business, it comes as no surprise that their love for vintage clothing began with their mother. “I think it started when my mom would take us to antique malls,” says Emma. “We would see little clothes there that we thought were really cute.”

Their love for classic old movies and modern musicals like Hairspray and Grease also played a significant role in shaping their personal style, which initially leaned toward the 1950s. Upon moving to Austin, they were exposed to more vintage clothing. Grace recalls that “this is where we bought some more of our first vintage stuff; it was really inspiring to see the people working and everyone wearing it.” In Austin, they

discovered a newfound freedom in fashion, allowing them to mix and match pieces across eras for unique looks. Although the majority of their personal collection is from the ’60s and ’70s, their store features vintage pieces from the ’50s to the early 2000s.

While patrons get to see the finished product of their journey, it started as a simple love for vintage clothes and the desire to dress sustainably. “I know this happens to a lot of people who wear vintage,” Emma begins, “that you start collecting so much and acquiring a lot of clothing that you just fall into selling it.”

This is exactly what they did: They found themselves with an excess of clothes and decided to sell their vintage on Etsy. They combined their fashion-centric Instagram presence with their Etsy clothing page to reach a wider audience and expand their brand. While figuring out how best to promote their fledgling brand, they were also attending Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), located in Savannah, Georgia. They soon realized, like many successful entrepreneurs, that pursuing a college degree is not always a prerequisite for achieving success. “If you look at the curriculum of the fashion school, it does not offer an entrepreneur class on how to build or run a business,” Emma reveals. “There was nothing like that. They instead want to streamline you into the fashion industry, working for another person. I wish there was more opportunity to learn about starting your own brand because that was our goal.” After completing a year at SCAD, they moved to Texas to focus all of their efforts solely on starting their business.

Austin is filled with creatives looking for a space to share their voice, art and passion. More importantly, it’s where they found a career that goes hand in hand with something that excites them. The Psych sisters, through a lot of effort and time, were able to build this for themselves. “In terms of starting a vintage store, you have to have a passion for it,” says Emma. “I feel like sometimes people think you can make a lot of money doing it, but you will never make that much. The reward comes in knowing you are saving the garments.

“If you are dedicated and work hard, you will be able to get to the point of having a real business. Sometimes it is hard, and you are your own worst enemy. It is a lot to pour yourself into a business, but it is worth it in the end, so don’t let fear stop you.”

Photos by Amaya Aztecatl.

The Rise and Future of Consuela

“We exist for people who make today ridiculously awesome.”

BY BELLA LARRALDE

Almost two decades ago, Conni Reed founded her oasis of fashion expression with her brand Consuela. Based on her hopes and dreams and out of both Austin and Mexico, Consuela has grown immensely since October 2014, when Reed first appeared on the Austin Woman cover.

In 2006, Reed brought the brand up from scratch, did all the designing and attended all wholesale trade shows from Dallas Market Center to the Javits Center in New York, having to build the set, work the show and tear down herself. However, in 2014, she worked her way up to 10 corporate members, and now Reed has a team of 50 and counting, including a visual and sales team that help grow the company, as well as year-round permanent showrooms.

“Back then I didn’t have a president, I did not have a VP of marketing and a VP of sales; it was just me,” expresses Reed.

Expanding in more ways than one, Consuela is now sold to about a thousand independent retailers and has found a home in Dillard’s, with around 250 stores that carry the brand currently.

“We are also starting to open our own stores; we have two right now and are starting to move forward with more,” Reed says.

When COVID-19 took over the nation in 2020, as with every business, Consuela faced hardships. Reed recalls the brand having a big growth spurt, but when the pandemic hit, things slowed down. “It’s hard because you were going and going, and it is so exciting, and then all of a sudden it is hard again and you’re like, ‘Oh gosh, am I ready for another go again?’” Reed admits.

However, the people keep Reed going. Beyond the heavy influence Mexico has on the brand, it is also the second home to another Consuela headquarters that Reed is hoping to grow in the future. The manufacturers and suppliers that Consuela uses are a community of artists from Mexico that hold meaning for Reed.

“We have been with the same manufacturers and suppliers for all these years,” Reed reveals. “It makes a difference to them and their family and the trajectory of a craft in Mexico because they have a place to sell it.”

A true art of the unmatched, Consuela’s new spring collection displays an array of designs from the vibrancy of various colors of the rainbow to muted and neutral colors for fans of the low-key vibe.

Photos courtesy of Consuela.

“I love textures and bits and pieces of things because I feel like it tells individual stories,” Reed explains. “I believe color lifts people, so to me to have something bright, even if it’s on the inside, makes today ridiculously awesome.”

The journey isn’t ending anytime soon for Reed, who has high hopes for Consuela’s future. “We have something called Consuela Connects and a program called Viva Babe,” says Reed. “Viva Babe is where we honor women who are doing amazing things in the world. We like to honor them and talk about them and just show them gratitude.”

Not only is she looking to grow Consuela’s community programs both here and in Mexico, but she hopes to expand her whole brand, including home décor.

“When I started the company, I also did home décor, and I did shoes and all kinds of stuff like blankets, pillows, poofs, frames. I want to go back into all of that again.”

Driven by huge visions and dreams for her future, Reed credits her success so far to simply waking up every day and doing her best. “One of my secret talents is that I’m steady,” Reed proclaims. “I am here every day, I am responsible and I do what I say I’m going to do. Over time it works out.

“At the end of the day, even though we’ve grown so much, we are still small in the scheme of things. We have so many people who have never even heard of us yet. So, there’s just a huge opportunity to continue to grow and share the message of ‘Make today ridiculously awesome.’”

Reimagining Tradition

Nonprofit Con Mi MADRE is reframing parent involvement to increase student success.

BY HANNAH NUÑEZ

Data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that only 20% of Latinos aged 25 to 29 in the U.S. have obtained a college degree.

Con Mi MADRE (Mothers and Daughters Raising Expectations) is a women-focused organization that has been working for more than 32 years to change the odds against educated Latinas. What began as a Junior League of Austin project in 1992, initially named the Hispanic Mother-Daughter Program, has blossomed into a multi-district education program that is breaking the barriers of traditional curriculum norms. Founded by Sandy Alcalá, Karen Kahan, MariBen Ramsey and Laura Wolf, the organization was officially recognized as a nonprofit in 2008 and continues to uphold the values of community and female empowerment that first inspired the cause.

While the organization is now accepting all femaleidentifying students and their respective guardians, it bases its programs off of traditional Hispanic values. Con Mi MADRE is acting as a voice for many young women who feel both responsible for and limited by their parents. “When I was in college, I knew that if anything were to happen to my parents, I would drop everything and go back home to help them without question,” says Executive Director Johanna Maya Fábregas. “Understanding that responsibility has encouraged us to ensure that if something happens back at home, the student can still maintain their education.” By acknowledging family as such an integral part of a young Hispanic woman’s life, Con Mi MADRE is recognizing and providing aid to these potential struggles.

FOUR PILLARS

The team at Con Mi MADRE runs the nonprofit based on four key pillars that allow students and parents to grow alongside one another. For the organization, parental engagement creates the foundation that all other success is built upon. “We serve as a bridge to connect the student’s academic life and family life,” says Fábregas.

The involvement of parents creates a space where the girls are more likely to seek out resources and ask for help rather than feeling like they’re in it alone. The organization allows for a support system to be created between parents and encourages their individual success. “We have parent workshops throughout the year that

“

We serve as a bridge to connect the student’s academic life and family life.

—Johanna Maya Fábregas

Photos courtesy of Con MI MADRE.

highlight how they can play their part, while also creating a community of their own,” Fábregas explains. “Some of the moms have even decided to go back to school, and we provide them with connections and resources so they can follow their own path.”

Rather than rigidly focusing on academics, the organization prioritizes the development of social-emotional skills, encompassing the second pillar: holistic education. “While our end goal is very academic based, we strive for our students to be very well-rounded. We understand that their well-being goes so much deeper than a degree; it’s about knowing who they are as people,” says Fábregas. This idea of instilling a strong sense of self represents the third pillar: empowerment. “By recognizing how their experience can create an advantage for them, it reinforces the fact that regardless of what others think, these girls are the future.”

Their fourth pillar, community engagement, ensures that the students have the proper resources and experience to comfortably navigate their academic careers. By providing opportunities such as college tours, interview prep and leadership seminars, the girls are sure to be well prepared and supported. “We have partnerships with other organizations in the community that help students with their needs, anything from legal issues to tutoring,” says Fábregas. “Think of it as being a part of a bigger family. Even if we can’t help you directly, we know someone who can take care of it.”

Con Mi MADRE guides students every step of the way to college, by creating programs that best correlate with the girls’ age groups. The preparedness program consists of grades six through 10 and allows for the construction of a solid foundation. “This is the age that we focus the most on instilling social-emotional skills and confidence for the future.” Once the girls reach 11th and 12th grade, they progress into the participation program, which transitions focus onto college planning. “Here we go over details like interview prep, resumes and navigating leaving home for both parents and students,” explains Fábregas. Even whilst in college, the organization stands by for support through its success program, covering more real-world struggles such as credit and financial planning.

As the students progress in their education, the nonprofit makes a point to celebrate each and every milestone. From graduation ceremonies to scholarship events, the young girls are uplifted by the community. This year Con Mi MADRE will be celebrating its 12th annual Corazon Awards, recognizing those who shine bright within the organization. The community is reimagining traditional Hispanic values by emphasizing parent involvement while giving daughters the freedom to grow. From the beginning, Con Mi MADRE has worked to guide Latina daughters and mothers toward success, showcasing that balancing school and family is not only possible but powerful.

For Con Mi MADRE, parental engagement is one of the four fundamental pillars of success for young students. Statistics from Positive Action, a digital evidence-based social-emotional learning program, support Con Mi MADRE’s dedication to parentstudent connection.

Students with engaged parents are 81% more likely to graduate high school.

Students who discuss school work with parents have 44% higher odds of attending college.

Students with involved parents have a 98% average school attendance rate.

In It for the Long Haul

There’s something to be said about longevity, and these women have set the standard for long-time success.

BY CY WHITE ILLUSTRATIONS BY JESSICA WETTERER

2009

After working in the service industry for more than 15 years, a couple of friends pulled Kristin Jacobson to the side after one of their many annual trips to New York City. “You should do something in Austin like the Brooklyn Flea,” and in 2009, Jacobson did just that. Austin Flea has been an Austin staple ever since. With events happening almost every weekend (multiple times a weekend, at that), Jacobson has seen the business flourish from a passion project to a sustainable, enduring local legend.

2018

19 years

Serial entrepreneur Mousumi Shaw has quietly established herself as the “Coach brand of the jewelry industry.” Founded in 2005, Sikara & Co. was inspired by Shaw’s love of international travel and her deep desire to make meaningful connections with people and communities all over the world. However, it was her mother who truly inspired her to pursue entrepreneurship. As a teenager, Shaw helped her mother when she started her own jewelry company. This experience spurred her to found her affordable luxury jewelry brand almost 15 years later. Throughout the past 19 years, Shaw has remained an almost silently omnipresent force in the community, having appeared in Oprah’s O magazine, Austin Monthly, Boston Magazine, Brilliant Magazine, Tribeza, San Francisco’s 7X7 magazine, Austin American Statesman, Brides Magazine, Accessories Magazine, was awarded the 2017 Austin 40 Under 40 award for Business & Entrepreneurship and nominated as a maker at Austin Woman’s Woman’s Way Business Awards.

Pei Sim, founder of The Paper + Craft Pantry, understands the concept of a slow build to an incredibly successful business. She began her entrepreneur journey in 2013, selling hand-crafted cards on Etsy. In 2015, she opened her first brick-and-mortar, what we know as The Paper + Craft Pantry, in East Austin. From there, she went from success to success, and in November 2018, she launched her in-house stationery and product line, sporting hundreds of SKUs. A part of her entrepreneurial journey includes her dedication to giving back to the community that helped her blossom into the business owner she is now. She donates a portion of the profits from the Paper + Craft Pantry’s inhouse line to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Black Mamas ATX.

Love Doesn’t Cost a Thing

There are ways to spoil mom for free this year.

BY JENNY HOFF

Mother’s Day is a wonderful time to celebrate love and appreciation for our mothers, with our children, with a friend or with someone who played a motherly role in our lives. But between brunches, massages, facials and all the trappings that have become associated with the holiday, it can also put us in a lot of financial stress.

Don’t worry, you can still celebrate Mother’s Day on or around the actual date without having to give Mama something additional to worry about (like racking up credit card debt). With plenty of free or affordable events around

MAY 4, 11 A.M. TO 2 P.M.: BEAUTY & BLOOMS AT THE HILL COUNTRY GALLERIA IN BEE CAVE (FREE) Head on out to the Hill Country Galleria on May 4 for the City of Bee Cave’s Beauty & Blooms event for moms. Co-sponsored by the Hill Country Galleria and the International School of Texas, this special event will have a photo booth with a floral backdrop where you can capture a beautiful family photo and take home a physical picture to frame! Moms will also get a special bouquet to take home from the event’s flower bar.

MAY 4, 8:30 A.M. TO 9:30 A.M: MOMS OF MUELLER YOGA, MARY ELIZABETH BRANCH PARK (FREE, with suggested donation of $20) Before heading for the photo booth at Beauty & Blooms, work up a sweat at this event benefiting Partners in Parenting. A spread of snacks and mimosas will be on hand after the yoga class. Free to attend, but there’s a suggested donation of $20, if you are able.

town, you can make this Mother’s Day truly special, without adding more financial stress to your life.

Other ideas include packing a picnic and going to an idyllic park; visiting the Bee Cave Sculpture Garden, where you can look at artwork for free; or hitting up some of Austin’s famous murals and taking photos together to make into a collage. Or you could make it a girls’ night in, doing your Mom’s nails, giving her a nice foot massage and thanking her for all she has done. Love doesn’t have to cost a thing. The best gifts are the ones from the heart.

MAY 11, 1 P.M TO 5 P.M.: CREATE & HEAL: THE ART OF GRACE, GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER CULTURAL AND GENEALOGY CENTER (FREE) A celebration of Black motherhood, this Create & Heal event includes “a fabulous brunch, jewelry making workshop and fabulous door prizes!” The event is limited to 50 participants, so reserve your spot on Eventbrite.

MAY 12, 1 P.M. TO 5 P.M.: SECOND SUNDAY: TAKE MOM TO THE MUSEUM, BLANTON

ART MUSEUM (FREE for Blanton members, $10-$20 for nonmembers) While this event isn’t free for non-members of the museum, it packs a lot of punch for the ticket price. Not only will you get to soak up some culture with Mom or with the family, but there will be special treats throughout the museum including a photo booth, chocolates and roses for Mom sponsored by H-E-B, and a card-making activity. Plus, they are encouraging attendees to bring their own picnic, making Mother’s Day brunch a lot more affordable.

MOTHER'S DAY

Laura Elizabeth Jewelry

Explore Austin’s local jewelry line Laura Elizabeth, where timeless elegance meets accessibility. Delight a beach enthusiast with the Sea Collection including starfish studs, or a culinary maven with earrings cast from spice. Unsure of her ring size? Opt for LEJ’s adjustable rings. Give the gift of versatile sophistication this Mother’s Day.

Price: $115 to $295 lauraelizabethjewelry.com @lauraelizabethjewelry @lauraelizabethjewelry

Austin Woman AW Connects Club Membership

Give the gift of community to the special mom in your life! AW Connects Club is designed for women to strengthen their connections, influence and leadership and amplify their voices through AW's media and social channels. Membership unlocks exclusive access to virtual events, expert career advice from Austin Woman columnists, tickets to VIP events and most importantly, an amazing network of Austin women. Price: $399 atxwoman.com/aw-connects-club @austinwoman @austinwoman

Austin Skin

foy X by Dr. Collins Foy by Kristina Collins, M.D., is a natural and clean skin care brand that strives to empower all women to love themselves and remind them of their brilliance. Collins is a nationally recognized boardcertified dermatologist on a mission to create authentic skin care that empowers. Her doctor-designed and innovative line of products combines the best of evidence-based and holistic skin care ingredients to nourish your skin and manifest your magic. At foy, we believe there is beauty and magic within every woman, which is why we created products and formulas to emulate those characteristics. Perfect for mothers everywhere!

Price: Under $100 lovefoy.com

Earlybird CBD Earlybird CBD+THC Gummies

What mom doesn’t need a little extra relaxation this Mother’s Day? Austinbased Earlybird gummies are a perfect way to support mom’s well-being this year. Formulated with CBD and a microdose of THC from hemp, many describe the effects of an Earlybird gummy like a couple of glasses of wine, without the hangover. With easy online ordering, free shipping and three great flavors to choose from, treat mom to a little TLC with THC this Mother’s Day at earlybirdcbd.com.

Price: $9.99 to $59.99 earlybirdcbd.com @earlybirdcbd @earlybirdcbd

Primp and Blow Confidence on the Go!

At Primp and Blow Austin Triangle, our aim is to give you a real special treat to remember. Our Three Service beauty series is perfect to share! Bring your mom, get your Shampoo and Blowout Style (45 minutes, no extensions) and share your Two Full Face Makeups (45 minutes) with mom!

Price: $149 primpandblow.com/locations/triangle-austin-tx @PrimpandBlowAustinTriangle @primpandblowATX

VOODOO Makeup

Coconut Cream Foundation

Lake Austin Spa Resort

Lake House Spa Gift Certificates

La Peony Clothing

The Kate Denim Dress

As we celebrate the special mothers and mother figures in our lives, what better way to show our appreciation than with a stunning and unique dress like La Peony’s Kate denim dress. This tea-length dress exudes elegance and sophistication, while also being comfortable and versatile enough for any occasion. The butterfly sleeves and gold top stitching add a touch of femininity, while the plunging neckline and asymmetrical hemline make for a flattering fit. The dress’s charm and uniqueness will endure for years to come, thanks to its custom, exclusive print and sustainable, lightweight stretch denim. Shop lapeony.com

Price: $575

lapeony.com/products/the-kate-stretch-denim-dress @LaPeonyClothing

Once inside the gates of this award-winning lakeside destination, you’ll understand why guests travel the world to indulge in the unparalleled luxury and ambience offered here. Nestled just a short drive from downtown Austin, this beautiful spa oasis is one of the best in the world, where timeless tradition meets contemporary therapies. Dive into serenity amidst lush landscapes, tranquil pools, peaceful alcoves, and savor sophisticated culinary delights at The Venue. Embrace the ultimate in relaxation with treatments and gift certificates, each featuring all-inclusive pampering including lunch, snacks, nonalcoholic beverages and full use of pools, sauna, steam and peaceful spaces. Ask about the Local Luxe special every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday!

Price: $85 to $800 lakehousespa.com @lakeaustinspa @lakeaustinspa

On a mission to prove that “clean” and “high-performing” can co-exist, the brand continuously pushes all the boundaries of innovation in skin care and beauty, promoting them both as interconnected aspects of health. This foundation is not any ordinary makeup product. It is made with nourishing ingredients that will enhance your natural beauty. Say goodbye to harsh chemicals and hello to a clean formula free of mycotoxins and allergens. Show Mom how much you appreciate her by gifting her this luxurious coconut cream-to-powder foundation, perfect for creating a flawless and healthy complexion. Let her indulge in the nourishing benefits of coconut oil while also feeling confident in her own skin. With VOODOO Makeup, she can feel good about what she’s putting on her face! Shop voodoomakeup.com

Price: $45 voodoomakeup.com/product/coconut-cream-to-powder-foundation @VoodooMakeup @voodoomakeup

MAY 16TH 2024

JW MARRIOTT AUSTIN

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MEET OUR FINALISTS

WOMAN’S WAY CELEBRATES THOSE WHO ARE CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO AND BUILDING A BETTER AUSTIN. JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THESE AMAZING WOMEN!

BRITTNEY WILLIAMS Origin Studio House

NICOLE LAIRD Hays County Physical Therapy and Wellness

SARAH YANT Twistleaf

KASSI LONGORIA MAYA Consulting

HEATHER WAGNER REED Juice Consulting

KATHERINE MCLANE The Mach 1 Group

SHALOU BARTH Ghostline Kitchens

IBIYE ANGA Anga Haus

JENNIFER SPALL Dream City Dimes

KEOCHA LAFLEURANDERS Chestnut Publishing House, LLC

TAMARA ATKINSON Workforce Solutions Capital Area

KATIE BOUCHILLON Spero Rehab

JILL GONZALEZ Women’s Storybook Project of Texas

KATRINA TOLENTINO Naturally Network

CRISTINA SCHNEIDER Favor Delivery

RONNIE SHETH SENEN Group

JULIE MYRTILLE Julie Myrtille Bakery

AGATA SOLDATO Posh Permanent Makeup

MICHELLE MARKS Inviting Affairs Paperie

JESSICA CAMPOS The Greatness Agency

MONICA TALAN TechTranslators.ai /CryptoConexion

NEASEL CONNER Beyond the Happy

MARISEL BALLARD Trustworthy Cleaning Services

MICHELLE LAPIDES dozanü innovations

BARBARA CAVNESS (un)Common Logic

KANA LIVOLSI Dos Mundos Creative

ROSAMARIA MURILLO El Buen Samaritano

TERESA KWON Bom Bakeshop

STEPHANIE HOUSTON Island Getaway

CARINA COEL Restructure Studio

TAYRIN "TY" CARDENAS WITTENSTEIN

Cardenas Witt Law

KASSI LONGORIA

MAYA CONSULTING | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Kassi Longoria is the CEO for MAYA Consulting. Longoria is an equity and systems strategist with more than 15 years of experience in education and child welfare and is driven by her values of equity, justice and belonging. A proud Latina, Longoria is inspired by liberatory design and believes the key to systems change is to authentically shift power to families and communities. In her role as CEO, she leads MAYA’s strategic direction and supports the team in collaborating with schools, nonprofits, philanthropy and public agencies to strengthen the social capital, economic mobility and overall well-being of children and families across the U.S. Additionally, she is passionate about the connection between workplace well-being and community impact. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, cooking, yoga, traveling and Austin’s live music scene. Longoria resides in Austin with her husband, Matt, and their three dogs, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and Dolly Parton. mayaconsultingllc.com

SHANNAN HALE, JESSICA CAMPOS AND MICKI GRAM

THE GREATNESS AGENCY AND YOU ARE MAGIC MEDIA

Shannan Hale, Jessica Campos and Micki Gram: the powerhouse team at The Greatness Agency and You Are Magic Media. These businesswomen are experts in transforming brands through innovative social content, engaging community management and compelling storytelling via video. They work with businesses looking to enhance their digital footprint and want a practical alternative to hiring a full marketing team, reducing overhead while effectively boosting brand presence and impact. When not creating some magic, you’ll find the team immersed in the community through HeyATX, where they host dynamic events that connect professionals and entrepreneurs. “Let’s connect!” thegreatnessagency.com

MARISEL BALLARD

TRUSTWORTHY CLEANING SERVICES | OWNER-CEO

Marisel Ballard’s journey from Lima, Peru, to the vibrant streets of Austin is a testament to resilience, determination and the unwavering pursuit of dreams. Arriving in the U.S. with a newborn in her arms, Ballard faced daunting challenges as a single mother, with no knowledge of English and no familial support.

Fueled by her ambition to build a better life for her family, and with only a broom and a vacuum cleaner, she founded Trustworthy Cleaning Services in 2004. Over the years, she diversified her ventures, expanding into event design with Colorina Party Events and real estate investment with Pink Power Properties.

Transitioning into real estate, Ballard’s mission extends to helping others achieve homeownership and making a difference in impoverished neighborhoods. Marisel Ballard is a beacon of hope, lighting the way for others to turn their dreams into reality.

trustworthycleaningserv.com

HEATHER WAGNER REED JUICE CONSULTING | FOUNDER + CEO

Heather Wagner Reed is the founder and CEO of Juice Consulting, a boutique PR and marketing agency that specializes in sectors including music, film, tech, international government, nonprofit, the arts and more. Founded in 2007 (and after building a hard-working dream team over the last 17 years!), SPIN magazine recently hailed Juice as “Austin’s premier marketing & PR firm.” With a heartfelt passion for mentorship, Wagner Reed is an adjunct faculty member at Austin Community College teaching Marketing and PR for Creatives. Before launching Juice in 2007, she served as senior product manager for 32-time GRAMMY-winning artist Beyoncé, handling her day-to-day management and global marketing coordination. She also spent many years in The Netherlands and some time in France, working for international brands such as Universal Music. She is a very proud mom to Livingston and Lotus, is active on a number of boards and is also a vintage goods purveyor on the side.

juiceconsulting.com

CARINA COEL, AIA

RESTRUCTURE STUDIO AND ARBOR PLANS | FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT

arina Coel is the founder and principal architect of Austin-based residential architecture firm Restructure Studio and sustainable home plan provider Arbor Plans. A graduate of Rice University, she has worked in the architectural field in Austin since 2003 and launched Restructure Studio in 2010. Restructure Studio’s work has been featured on two AIA Austin Homes Tours as well as in the pages of the Wall Street Journal and Austin Energy Green Building case studies. Coel is proud to have served Austin’s thriving design community as chair for AIA Austin’s Women in Architecture committee, where she was invited to lead the “Call to Action” initiative, which now provides an annual scholarship for minority women at the University of Texas School of Architecture. Coel happily resides in South Austin where she enjoys taking dance classes, listening to live music with her husband and trying to keep up with her two active children.

restructurestudio.com | arbor-plans.com

JULIE MYRTILLE

JULIE MYRTILLE BAKERY AND THE ROSE BAKERY BY JULIE MYRTILLE | EXECUTIVE PASTRY CHEF AND FOUNDER

A ward-winning pastry chef Julie Myrtille is regarded as the most talented pastry chef who transitioned to the culinary world after a successful career in the fashion industry. She is considered the first international award-winning pastry chef to grace the Austin culinary scene and became an important figure as a longtime member of the farmers market in Austin and founder of Julie Myrtille Bakery and The Rose Bakery. Dubbed “The Golden Pastry” chef by the French media, Myrtille has shaken up the pastry degree exam in France, spreading all the fundamentals of French techniques and recipes in her blog (winner of the International Golden Blog Award 2015). In 2017, she joined the Academie Culinaire de France, becoming the youngest woman to receive the prestigious recognition. She received various accolades, including the French Minister in 2018. In addition to nomination for six gastronomy prizes, she won Austin Monthly ’s 2020 Best Bakery and Best Pastry Chef by the Girl Scouts in 2024. She is a member of Austin Dames d’Escoffier, American Culinary Federation. juliemyrtille.us

SHALOU BARTH GHOSTLINE KITCHENS | CO-FOUNDER AND CEO

Shalou Barth is the co-founder and CEO of GhostLine Kitchens, revolutionizing the food industry with innovative shared-use commercial kitchen spaces. Designed to empower food and beverage producers of all kinds, GhostLine offers purpose-built facilities, abundant daylight and a range of amenities, services and flexible plans to elevate productivity and success rates. The unique demonstration kitchen and event space allow chefs to connect with clients and offer experiences like cooking classes, team building and dinner parties. Under Barth’s leadership, GhostLine’s 18,000-square-foot facility in South Austin has supported more than 200 food and beverage businesses within its first two years of operation. Barth’s entrepreneurial spirit has been evident throughout her career, from her roles at large companies like 3M in strategy, business development and product management, to independent ventures in commercial real estate development and launching a restaurant. Barth holds an MBA from McCombs and is a dedicated mother to two young boys.

ghostline.kitchen

JILL GONZALEZ

WOMEN’S STORYBOOK PROJECT OF TEXAS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Jill Gonzalez is the executive director at Women’s Storybook Project of Texas, where she helps propel the mission of connecting children to their incarcerated mothers through the joy of literature. Originally from Wisconsin, Gonzalez moved to Austin in 1989 as a volunteer coordinator for the statewide nonprofit. She has come full circle after teaching and serving as a reading specialist for 20 years. At the Storybook Project, Gonzalez promotes growth and diversity in programs, volunteers and staff. She is dedicated to excellence and strives to serve and lead by example. storybookproject.org

Cardenas Witt Law

2024 FINALISTS

Tayrin “Ty” Cardenas Wittenstein Criminal Defense Attorney, CEO cardenaswittlaw com

After 12 years as a Texas prosecutor, I launched my own criminal defense law firm in Austin, TX in January 2023 My law firm is heavily focused on providing fierce, compassionate and communicative legal representation to the Hispanic immigrant community who are arrested for a wide range of misdemeanors and felonies in central Texas It is my priority to protect everyone’s (including immigrant’s) 6th amendment rights, allowing them to make informed decisions on their criminal cases and uncertain futures. Incorporating my Hispanic heritage into my defense work has allowed me to provide the “confianza” sought after by my community

El Buen Samaritano

Dr. Rosamaria Murillo, Ph.D. CEO elbuen.org

Dr Rosamaria Murillo is the CEO of El Buen Samaritano, a nonprofit that serves the Latino community of Central Texas by providing access to health care, education, food and essential needs Murillo is a public health advocate who has secured $100 million to support health and human services at the national, state and local levels During the pandemic, she led El Buen’s emergency response efforts to support thousands of families with access to food and basic needs, distributing $8 million in cash and rental assistance and providing virtual adult and youth education classes, access to COVID-19 vaccinations and health care resources

Refine Aesthetics

Dos Mundos Creative

Kana LiVolsi

Co-Founder, CEO dosmundoscreative com

Kana LiVolsi has worked with Fortune 100 companies, luxury brands and disruptive tech (e g , Apple, Cole Haan, Conde Nast, HBO and BBC) An expert in business development and brand strategy, her work infuses corporations with conscious capitalism, showing how inclusivity boosts profit She is recognized locally and nationally, from the National Diversity Council’s Top 100 CMOs to winner at the 2023 Women in Business Awards Along with other local business women, she spearheaded Worth of Women (formerly End the War on Women), advocating for economic social equity She is a guest lecturer at UT Austin and mentor for SXSW, SKU and MassChallenge

Twistleaf Land Design

Sarah Yant Founder, Principal twistleaf com

As a seventh-generation Texan, I grew up gardening on my family’s ranch on the blackland prairie of northeast Texas My passion for land stewardship began there, with a an organic gardener and an interior designer mother, and a father who was a small business owner Land stewardship and conservation are at the heart of my mission with Twistleaf Our name comes from the twistleaf yucca, Yucca rupicola, a native Texas plant that exemplifies beauty and resiliency As an award-winning, full-service landscape architecture and construction firm, our women-led team specializes in public green spaces, commercial campuses, master-planned communities and more

2024 NOMINEES

Courtney Gill PA-C, Owner info@refineaesthetics com

refineaesthetics com | 512 375 3386

713 W 14th St , Austin 78701

Los Chilakillers

Guillermina Ibanez

Founder, Head Chef

Henderson Professional Engineers

Jen Henderson, P.E.

President, CEO hendersonpe com | 512 350 6228 600 Round Rock W Dr , Suite 604 Round Rock TX 78681

Emily Jacob Agency

Emily Jansen Founder info@emilyjjansen com emilyjjansen.com | 301

2024 NOMINEES

Center for Healing and Regenerative Medicine

Carrie Kass Director of Operations and Business Development ckass@charmaustin com charmaustin com | 512 614 3300, ext 102

Janene Niblock Chief SFDC Xpert sfdcxperts.com

Empathy Uprise, LLC

Alicia Kae Miller Founder alicia@empathyuprise.com empathyuprise com | 512 749 4615

Vision Adaptogens

Adara Ostdiek Owner, Founder info@visionatx com visionatx.com

Across the Stitch

Dineen Parker Owner acrossthestitchembroidery com 512 734 5553 | 1108 S IH-35, Round Rock TX 78681

Melanie Roy President, Founder therosebakery com 10000 Research Boulevard Suite 123 Austin 78759

Yesterday’s Gone Transitional Housing Program

Loree Tamayo Executive Director, Founder loree tamayo@yesterdaygone com yesterdaygone com | 210 326 6662

Ross Scalise Beeler Pillischer Employment Lawyers

Margo Pillischer Partner, Employment Lawyer margo@rosslawgroup com rosslawgroup com | 512 474 7677 1104 San Antonio St., Austin 78701

Azurom Travel

Céline Swicegood Founder, Director, Head Advisor m m | 512 686 8735

Farandula Texas

Salwa Yordi Founder, CEO farandulatexas com 512 903 892

SFDC Xperts

The Rose Bakery by Julie Myrtille

DENISE JOHNSON, M.D., JUSTINE REILLY, M.D. AND KARLA MAGUIRE, M.D.

UT

DHEALTH AUSTIN | OBSTETRICIAN-GYNECOLOGISTS

enise Johnson, M.D., Justine Reilly, M.D. and Karla Maguire, M.D., are UT Health Austin board-certified obstetrician-gynecologists in Women’s Health, a clinical partnership between Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin. Johnson, Reilly and Maguire hold faculty positions in the Dell Medical School Department of Women’s Health at UT Austin, where they help educate and train the next generation of women’s health experts. They provide specialized care for women across all stages of their lives, including before, during and after pregnancy, and work closely with referring physicians and other partners in the community to coordinate additional care services that may be needed.

“Our goal is to improve the health of women by providing excellence in clinical care, improving access to care and fostering a supportive and compassionate environment where every woman feels heard, valued and empowered to prioritize their health and well-being.” uthealthaustin.org

ATX ATX WOMAN to WATCH

PENNY JO PULLUS

TEXCHROMOSOME.ORG | CEO

Penny Jo Pullus stands firmly at the helm of the independent women’s music community, as co-founder of TeXchromosome.org, a women’s international radio show producer, singer-songwriter, art-ivist and Girl Scout. The team at TeXchromosome.org are advocates for women in music, ran by alliances of creative visionaries coming together to form a musical coalition that believe in a safer, kinder world for women artists. Formed out of passion projects with co-founder Kay Miracle, the company began intuitively searching for survival as seasoned woman artists by lifting women’s voices in the industry and challenging the gender disparity in radio airplay and live performance. The team keeps women artists heard and safe on the road and is dedicated to building impactful, creative relationships that benefit and sustain the artist as well as the community, nurturing humanity not vanity. TeXchromosome.org sponsors festival stages at conferences, community events and educational opportunities. TeXchromosome.org Women’s Vinyl Sampler coming June 22. texchromosome.org

COURTNEY GILL, PA-C REFINE AESTHETICS | OWNER

Courtney Gill, PA-C, is a board-certified physician assistant and owner of Refine Aesthetics, a boutique medspa in downtown Austin. Refine offers an array of services from revitalizing injectables to transformative skin treatments and much more. After practicing as a dermatology PA-C for nine years, in October 2019, Gill experienced a rare heart attack called spontaneous coronary artery dissection 12 days after giving birth. Through this experience, she realized that life is short, so going after what you want now is the only way to guarantee you will experience your own dreams. Since opening in late 2020, Refine has had a fabulous team of professionals and staff join Gill on this journey, with more than 160 five-star reviews to date. Gill and the Refine team are dedicated to helping patients achieve their own version of beauty by combining science, artistry and medicine. Come in for a consultation today! refineaesthetics.com

ATX ATX

WOMAN to WATCH

ALYSE GAMBLE

H-E-B | SUPPLIER DIVERSITY AND DIVERSITY & INCLUSION SPECIALIST

Alyse Gamble is a supplier diversity and diversity and inclusion specialist at H-E-B. She provides leadership to the H-E-B Be the Change Initiative, Corporate Diversity Leadership Council and Supplier Diversity Council. Gamble is most known for spearheading H-E-B Supplier Diversity’s Learning Management System and curating strategic diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging curricula. Gamble serves the community through participation in The New Philanthropists Board Mentors of Color. Her accolades include DivInc nominations for Young Leader of the Year and Rising Star of the Year in 2023. She is also a writer, published model and business consultant. She has been featured in CFDA Runway360 and Elle. She holds a bachelor’s in public relations from Texas State University and a master’s in business and marketing from Louisiana State University. A native Austinite, she enjoys kayaking in Lady Bird Lake and hiking with her dog. Gamble expects to publish her book in 2024. heb.com/static-page/our-commitment-to-diversity

LESLIE J. BOLLIER BOLLIER CICCONE LLP | PARTNER AND CO-FOUNDER

Leslie J. Bollier is board-certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She is known for her courageous and compassionate advocacy in complex and contested family law issues. A trusted and confident leader, Leslie empowers clients through life's toughest challenges. As a dedicated female business owner, she extends her influence by actively supporting community and philanthropic efforts, embodying the firm's commitment to service and empowerment.

bclawtx.com

ATX ATX WOMAN to WATCH

JEN HENDERSON, P.E.

HENDERSON PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS | PRESIDENT AND CEO

Jen Henderson, P.E , is the president and CEO of Henderson Professional Engineers (HPE), a civil engineering firm headquartered in Round Rock, Texas. Henderson’s leadership sets high standards of excellence, integrity and community engagement. HPE enhances communities through superior-quality civil engineering construction plans for land development projects. Her strengths in strategic problem-solving, collaboration and diligence inspire diversity, innovation and excellence in engineering. She works hard to ensure all of her employees succeed as a team of very high performers, and with continual improvement while dedicating herself to not only foster a thriving work environment, but also to protect her staff’s work-life balance. She was born and raised in Amarillo, Texas, and moved to the Austin area after obtaining her civil engineering degree from Texas Tech University. She is the mother of two sports-loving kids and a wife to her husband of 17 years. Jen Henderson embodies the empowerment and inclusivity that women leaders bring to the fore front. hendersonpe.com

ARYANA DUBEY

THE KINDNESS CAMPAIGN | KIND LEADER

Aryana Dubey is a high school senior at Westlake High School and the creator of KindMind, a surveybased platform that evaluates stress, anxiety and mental health factors, then offers recommendations and resources for help. KindMind has an AI-powered chatbot that offers a listening ear and actionable tools for the user. “The chatbot can prompt the user to self-reflect so they can better understand what they’re feeling; then it can tailor advice to the user’s individual circumstances. For example, the chatbot could ask them about activities that make them feel good, then encourage them to go do those things.” Dubey was inspired to provide teens her age an encouraging tool they could access anytime, but to turn her idea into a reality, she piloted a leadership incubator with Andra Liemandt, founder and CEO of The Kindness Campaign. Together, the two developed Kind Leadership, a program that uses mentoring, meetings and materials to help teens develop Passion Projects. tkckindness.org/kind-leadership

ATX ATX WOMAN to WATCH

STEPHANIE VERDUGO

FIRST UNITED BANK | MARKET PRESIDENT

Stephanie Verdugo is a highly respected banking professional with 25-plus years of experience in the commercial banking industry. Her acclaim stems from a profound grasp of capital requirements, offering invaluable counsel for the expansion of local enterprises. She is renowned for her deep understanding of business needs and building lasting relationships with her clients. Verdugo’s dedication to excellence has made her a well-respected figure, currently serving as market president of First United Bank, where she has implemented an innovative approach to banking that drives growth and success. Beyond banking, Verdugo is an active philanthropist and board member of several nonprofits dedicated to improving the lives of low- to moderate-income children. She is also an avid cyclist, having pedaled hundreds of miles to raise awareness and funds for multiple sclerosis. Verdugo inspires and motivates those around her through her professional approach, deep compassion for others and ability to bring people together to achieve common goals. Her commitment to putting others first and making a difference in the world is unwavering.

linkedin.com/in/stvcommerciallender

N

The Circle of Life

BY JENNY HOFF

While most kids were setting up lemonade stands at 9 years old, Amy Sweet was baking a hundred loaves of bread every week and delivering them to neighbors on horseback.

“She would be baking bread in the kitchen with her mom and one day realized she could start a business with it,’” recalls her father, Sidney Sweet. “She hopped on her horse and went around the neighborhood. We were sort of homesteading; we built our own house and cut down our own trees. She has always been so driven to learn and explore and experience.”

Growing up with a strict Seventh Day Adventist upbringing, a snapshot of Amy’s childhood includes ankle-length dresses, a homeschool education, little money and an independent streak that often clashed with the rigid expectations placed upon her. Yet amidst the rustic simplicity of her upbringing, Amy cultivated a resourcefulness that would shape her future endeavors.

Today, Amy runs the fifth largest female-owned company in Austin, according to the Austin Business Journal, with 669 employees, around $40 million in annual revenue and thousands of customers across the region. In 2019, she won Austin Woman magazine’s Woman’s Way Business Award for health and wellness and in 2021 was an Ernst & Young national finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year.

Halcyon Home, named for a time of idyllic peace, is Amy’s brainchild, born not from the desire to start a multimillion-dollar empire, but from wanting to help her beloved aunt—a family member far removed from the world Amy had grown up in, but one who always believed in the spirited girl who wouldn’t take no for an answer.

A HOLLYWOOD ACTRESS INSPIRES HALCYON HOME

Eager to forge her own path and escape the yoke of a strict upbringing, by the time Amy was 16 years old, she was already working as a caregiver for elderly patients in their homes. She went on to become a physician’s assistant and even worked as a certified death doula. While she had left the Seventh Day Adventist community behind to live life on her own terms, she kept some of the more valuable lessons in her toolbelt. She had watched her father build successful businesses both within the church community and outside of it, learned from her mother how to be resourceful and disciplined and knew that no knowledge was beyond reach if she was ready to put in the work herself to acquire it. A voracious learner and intent on packing as much life into her years on Earth as possible, Amy says her experience with the terminally ill early on taught her to treat every day like a gift.

But perhaps most important in forging her future path was her relationship with her aunt, Susan Tyrrell, a former movie star with a vibrant and progressive outlook on life, who provided a much-needed perspective shift. Her aunt recognized Amy’s potential and had an unwavering belief in her ability to make a difference in the world.

“I needed someone in my life to say, ‘You can do it,’” says Amy. “My aunt always believed I could do anything. She said, ‘You will change the world; you have something most people do not have.’”

“

Even now, people ask what my strategy is, and I tell them that I just like taking care of people and helping caregivers become nurses and doctors. My vision for this company has never been to get as big as it can, just to continue doing what we’re doing.

Tyrrell could spot talent when she saw it. An Oscar-nominated actress and artist who defied norms, lived life on her own terms, hung out with the likes of Andy Warhol, starred in an award-winning movie with Jeff Bridges and refused to let the disease that ravaged her body affect her ability to find joy and passion for life, she was her niece’s biggest cheerleader and inspiration. When she fell ill in her 50s, she made a then 21-year-old Amy her power of attorney. Even when the disease took her legs, she lived every day with gusto, impressing friends like megastar Johnny Depp, who threw her a party to help raise money for medical expenses.

“She was a prolific artist,” says Amy. “We had art shows at the Alamo, and her caregivers came. We did her funeral at the Alamo. She died in her 60s as vibrant as she had been in her 20s.”

When her aunt first needed home care, Amy, who by then was a physician’s assistant, was shocked to find no suitable options. The care provided met clinical needs but neglected the emotional needs of the patient. No one that an elderly or ailing patient could bond with and trust on a more personal level. No one who could keep up with her vivacious aunt.

“She loved to be around young people,” recalls Amy. “There just wasn’t a company that was finding young people who were inspiring to her and who also wanted to be inspired. It was people who were showing up as a job, not thinking, ‘How can we better each other’s lives?’”

Amy knew it was possible because she herself had done it. While working as a caregiver when she was 16, she felt that each interaction with a patient had gifted her something too. These were people who had lived vibrant and interesting lives; changed the world in their own way; built families, businesses and communities. They deserved to be seen, heard, respected and cared about. They were more than just a patient on a roster, but a human being who still could offer so much to someone in a different stage of life. Amy realized there was a huge demand for this kind of care and she could be the person to meet it.

So, when her aunt was nearing the end of her life, Amy, who was now married with two children, hired her first employee to step in and give her aunt “Su Su” the kind of friendship and care she deserved.

Tahaja Murphy distinctly remembers the day Amy offered her a job.

“I was working for a medical team as a caregiver for them when Amy walked in and talked about her services,” recalls Murphy. “My colleagues were telling her how good I was, and she said, ‘Do you want a job?’ I told her I already had a job, and she replied, ‘Do you want another one?’”

Murphy admits she had no idea what she was getting herself into but was drawn to the petite blonde’s infectious energy and beaming optimism. With a can-do spirit, born of her days selling bread atop her horse, Amy exuded the confidence of a successful CEO, even though at the time she was running every department of her new business alone.

Murphy’s hunch to go with Amy turned out to be a good one. Her first assignment was unlike any patient she’d ever worked with: Susan Tyrrell came with a lot of spunk, a home filled with her original art and a parrot named Rico. When Tyrrell passed away six months after Amy founded her company, Murphy adopted Rico and took care of him until he was ready for a new home.

She then continued to work with Amy at Halcyon Home for 10 years, as the company grew from two people to hundreds. In 2020, she received her nursing degree, which Amy strongly encouraged her to pursue. With Amy writing her recommendation letters and helping in any way possible, Murphy says she knows she can still call Amy if she has a question and her former boss will always answer.

“I learned from her how to stay determined and go after whatever it is you want in life,” says Murphy.

Today, Amy continues to build bonds with her ever-growing staff, some of whom have been with her for more than a decade. She encourages them to grow in their fields and, like Murphy, pursue their dreams. She knows that the best caregivers are ones who feel cared about themselves.

“Even now, people ask what my strategy is, and I tell them that I just like taking care of people and helping caregivers become nurses and doctors,” says Amy. “My vision for this company has never been to get as big as it can, just to continue doing what we’re doing.”

Amy’s close friend Chitra Thankaswamy has known her since both of their children were in kindergarten together. She says Amy is the same in her personal life as her professional life: a resource for those she cares about, a problem-solver and a cheerleader for living life to the fullest. From taking scuba diving lessons together (where Thankaswamy was surprised to find out Amy had already been certified 20 years earlier) to group family vacations, she’s seen Amy pour herself into every experience she has.

“She’s busy, but she doesn’t want to let life pass her by, both for her family and her friends. She makes every effort to be present.”

As the senior vice president of marketing for Dell, Thankaswamy also admires her friend’s strong leadership skills and self-assuredness—a key to her company’s success.

“She is very decisive and doesn’t dillydally. Once she’s made a decision, she doesn’t mull on it forever.”

That decisiveness has helped Amy’s company grow exponentially over the last decade. Halcyon Home offers a variety of services for all stages of an elderly patient’s life. From picking up a client for lunch once a week to full-time in-home hospice care, Amy knows her work is making a true difference in not only patients’ lives but their families’ lives as well.

“Just the other day, I had someone stop me in the parking lot and ask me, ‘Are you with Halcyon Home? You gave my dad the best death,’” she says with pride.

The man’s comment about his father’s death is the whole reason Halcyon Home was born. Dying is inevitable, but as her aunt showed her, it doesn’t have to be filled with despair and sadness. Six months before her own death, Susan Tyrrell wrote in her journal, “I demand my death be joyful.”

COMPLETING THE CIRCLE

Having witnessed many births and deaths over the decades, Amy has always been in awe of how much these two life stages have in common. Coming into the world is just as scary, difficult and full of wonder as leaving it is.

“We all die and are all born in a very similar energetic process,” she says. “I’ve been at many births and many deaths, and not at one have I not thought about another.”

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We all die and are all born in a very similar energetic process. I’ve been at many births and many deaths, and not at one have I not thought about another.

This experience formed a dream in Amy of completing the circle of life in a way that still exists in much of the world but has dwindled in the U.S.: intergenerational communities. According to The Blue Zones, a book on longevity that features Loma Linda, a Seventh Day Adventist community and the singular group in the the country with a high rate of octogenarians, one aspect all of the “blue zones” have in common is a priority on family. As people get older, they are brought into the homes of their children and grandchildren and have both a support system and sense of purpose. Children benefit from exposure to older members of the community and vice versa.

With three children of her own, Amy has witnessed firsthand how exposing children to all stages of life is vital in releasing the fear of death and understanding the circle of life. She has also learned about the value in giving children responsibilities and purpose, which fosters their emotional and intellectual growth. Having read the work of Cameron Camp, Ph.D., who studied how the Montessori method of structure and a sense of purpose can not only benefit children but also adults who suffer with dementia, Amy is now working on a project that will bring these two communities together.

She believes in the value of intergenerational connectedness and has two big pieces of land to prove it. Before the pandemic, which affected elderly care centers and services almost more than any other industry, Amy had already laid the foundation for her vision of an intergenerational community. She bought land in San Marcos and Waco and funded a Montessori school to educate children in a way that would allow them to explore and find independence while also taking on a sense of responsibility within a structured system. The school is now paid off and has a two-and-a-half-year wait-list.

The next step for the complex is to have an elderly care center surrounded by land so family members who can’t necessarily take an elderly parent or grandparent into their own home can provide care for their loved one while having their children at the Montessori next door. The community is meant to provide ample opportunities for the elderly and children to interact. Working parents will be able to come and have lunch with their kids, visit their own parents and experience a level of intergenerational living that works with their busy lifestyles.

While the pandemic, followed by the fall of Silicon Valley Bank, delayed Amy’s plans by a few years, her father is confident Amy will bring her vision to fruition just like every other project she has launched. And this isn’t just a father’s pep talk. He’s bet his money on it.

“It’s my single biggest investment,” says Sidney, who explains he saw early on his daughter understand the language of business. “The one quality that you absolutely must have to run a business is the ability to solve problems efficiently. The ability to take a punch, to recover, to go on is essential. As long as there is no COVID or Silicon banks in the next six months, she’ll get it launched. She always finds a solution and moves forward.”

While Amy was eager to leave her homestead lifestyle to join the modern world, she may be coming full circle herself. Her newest project is a tapestry of what she appreciates from the community she grew up in— self-reliance, community and a focus on health—and the lessons she learned from her aunt. Amy is fearless and unrelenting with her dreams to impact the world.

“Our whole culture is becoming shielded from hard work and from getting your hands dirty,” says Amy. “To be able to teach that hard work and caring for people has so much reward for your own spirit is inspiring. It’s showing people how the circle works.”

Transforming Spaces

SKG revolutionizes interior design with a humancentered approach, shaping workspaces with diverse partnerships.

BY ISABEL NEUMANN

In the dynamic realm of interior design and commercial furnishings, one company emerges as a beacon of innovation and excellence: SKG. Formerly known as Shelton Keller Group, SKG has transcended the traditional boundaries of a furniture dealership, redefining its role as a strategic partner in creating spaces that inspire, engage and elevate both individuals and organizations.

“At SKG, our mission is simple yet profound: We move people,” shares SKG CEO Beth GoffMcMillan. “Our goal is to create solutions that align with our clients’ business objectives while providing spaces that support physical, mental and emotional well-being.”

Founded 27 years ago, SKG has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of businesses across various sectors, including corporate, health care, education, government and hospitality. What sets SKG apart is its holistic approach to design, focusing not only on aesthetics but also on functionality and the overall user experience. “We’ve had the privilege of working on a diverse range of projects, from cutting-edge office spaces to inclusive learning environments for students with special needs,” shares Goff-McMillan. “Each project presents its own set of challenges and opportunities, but our goal remains the same: to create spaces that inspire and empower.”

Central to SKG’s ethos is its commitment to diversity and inclusion. As the only woman-owned and Historically Underutilized Business dealer in Austin, SKG prioritizes equal opportunities for all employees, with a particular focus on recruiting, hiring and developing women and culturally and ethnically diverse communities.

SKG’s design process revolves around collaboration and understanding the client’s vision. By leveraging innovative technologies and conceptualizing spaces tailored to each client’s specific requirements, SKG ensures that its designs not only look aesthetically pleasing but also function effectively. With a 50% woman-identified executive team and 65% of the workforce comprised of both non-white and woman-identified employees, SKG embodies diversity at every level of its organization.

“We work closely with our clients to understand their needs and aspirations,” explains Goff-McMillan. “Through conceptual design and commercial furniture products, we help them live their story, creating spaces that elevate the work environment and function for both people and businesses.”

According to Goff-McMillan, SKG’s unwavering commitment to understanding the unique needs and aspirations of their clients sets them apart from others in the industry. “We don’t just sell furniture; we see interior furnishings as strategic business tools,” she emphasizes. “Our goal is to align every design decision with the client’s brand identity, culture and values, creating spaces that reflect who they are and what they stand for.”

To achieve this ambitious goal, SKG employs a range of innovative methodologies, including their proprietary technology platform called Folio. “Folio is more than just a tool; it’s a gamechanger in how we engage with our clients,” says Goff-McMillan. “Through Folio, we guide clients through a comprehensive survey process, helping them articulate their needs, preferences, and budgetary constraints. This allows us to tailor our solutions to meet their specific requirements and ensure a seamless design process.”

SKG’s unwavering dedication to excellence and customer satisfaction is deeply ingrained in its makeup, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality service across diverse markets. SKG places a strong emphasis on the finer details that define exceptional customer experiences. “If we approach each experience with our customer in mind and ask ourselves, ‘What would I want?’ we keep that bar high,” says Goff-McMillan. From prompt response times to unwavering professionalism and effective problemsolving, every aspect of service delivery is meticulously refined. “This takes constant training, technology integration and coaching from leadership.”

SKG remains intensely dedicated to streamlining operating costs, a strategic imperative in today’s competitive landscape. With a keen eye on efficiency, the company has embraced technology as a cornerstone of its operations. The rapid pace of

“

If we approach each experience with our customer in mind and ask ourselves, ‘What would I want?’ we keep that bar high.

—Beth

client demands necessitates a leaner approach, leveraging technology to accomplish more with fewer personnel. Despite a reduction in staff of 30 staff members post-pandemic, SKG anticipates maintaining robust business performance, with growth projections across all markets for 2023. “People want to work with people, so striking the balance of technology integrations for production, while keeping our best resources, our people, client facing.”

A major part of SKG’s approach is their emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility. “Before partnering with any manufacturer, we conduct a rigorous evaluation process to ensure adherence to sustainability standards; diversity, equity and inclusion practices; and ethical labor practices,” says Goff-McMillan. “This ensures that our clients receive not only aesthetically pleasing furnishings but also environmentally and socially responsible solutions.”

SKG prioritizes human-centric design principles. “Our Nine Rules of Spatial Intelligence serve as the foundation of our design philosophy,” she explains. “From prioritizing human needs and well-being to creating intuitive and adaptable spaces, these rules guide every aspect of our design process, ensuring that our spaces are

not only visually stunning but also functional and user-friendly.”

A key component of SKG’s commitment to fostering a positive work environment is the SKG Culture Club. This voluntary group of employees is dedicated to four key principles: social engagement, making a positive impact, team building and enhancing convenience for all staff members. Throughout the year, the Culture Club organizes a wide array of events aimed at personal and professional development, community outreach and improving work-life balance. From skill-building workshops to community service initiatives and social gatherings, the Culture Club plays a vital role in nurturing a supportive and inclusive workplace at SKG. Through their efforts, employees come together to support each other and their community, creating a vibrant and enriching environment for all, Goff-McMillan emphasizing, “If you follow us on social media, you will see all kinds of ways we try to support each other and our community.”

The success of SKG is not measured solely by the aesthetics of the spaces they design but by the tangible impact they have on people’s lives. “Our ultimate goal is to create spaces where people feel inspired, engaged and valued,” says Goff-McMillan. “Whether it’s boosting employee morale and productivity or fostering a sense of community and belonging, our designs have the power to shape the way people live, work and interact.

“At SKG, fostering a supportive work environment is

paramount to our mission of creating spaces that inspire and empower.” Goff-McMillan highlights the company’s continuous evolution, acknowledging that perfection isn’t always attainable. Team collaboration is paramount at SKG where “we work in teams, we train in teams, we cross-train in teams, so we had to create a physical space that encourages teamwork while supporting individual contributions.”

SKG is currently undergoing facility upgrades and expansions, marking an exciting phase for the company. “Our recently updated San Antonio Showroom at the Pearl embodies our commitment to humancentric design, engaging the senses and promoting well-being,” says Goff-McMillan. Additionally, SKG is preparing to unveil a substantial 32,000-square-foot showroom and warehouse in North San Antonio, dedicated to healing and learning environments. This expansion underscores the company’s dedication to providing innovative solutions for health care and educational settings, including spaces designed for wellness, neurodiversity and behavioral health. “There are so many exciting things coming for our showrooms that will encourage walk-in shopping, design resources and community engagement.”

In a rapidly evolving world where the concept of work is constantly changing, SKG remains at the forefront of innovation, continuously adapting and leveraging emerging trends to enhance their services and offerings. “We’re always looking for ways to stay ahead of the curve and provide unparalleled value to our clients,” she says. “Whether it’s embracing remote work trends or reimagining traditional office spaces, we’re committed to shaping the future of the built environment.”

Where Tradition Meets Innovation

Chef Iliana de la Vega reflects on her journey as El Naranjo celebrates its 12th anniversary.

BY JANAYE BARABIN

Chef Iliana de la Vega opened her first restaurant, El Naranjo, in Oaxaca, Mexico, and operated it for almost 10 years. Due to social unrest in the area, her family made the difficult choice to close and leave their home. Despite this setback, de la Vega kept her dream alive and opened a restaurant in Austin in 2012 with the same name. In the years that followed, she has won the James Beard Award for Best Chef in 2022, one of the most prestigious awards for chefs in the U.S.; was a semifinalist for Best Chef Southwest in 2019 and Best Chef Texas in 2020; and worked as a chef instructor and cuisine specialist at the world-renowned Culinary Institute of America. Now, de la Vega and her family are celebrating the revered restuarant’s 12th anniversary.

It’s clear how important family is to her. Though she admits that working with family isn’t always easy, she smiles as she talks about them. She opened the restaurant with her husband and her two daughters, and her first memories of cooking come from watching her mother. There wasn’t a cooking school in Mexico when de la Vega grew up, so her mother was her teacher. “I loved [going] to the market with my mom and [learning] about things,” says de la Vega. “Asking questions—‘Why [did] you do that? How did you do this?’ I was looking at her doing things and learning from her.” Although de la Vega showed an interest in cooking at an early age, her family was skeptical. “I wanted to cook, but it was not well regarded in my family. Not because they didn’t like to cook. My mom was an excellent cook, [and] she was a chemist. So for her, she was a step forward with [having] a degree, but then her daughter wanted to be a cook. It was like, ‘That’s wrong; you should go to university.’ I tried, but I didn’t like it. Eventually I just decided to go into cooking.”

Top left: Oaxaca, Mexico. Photo by Isabel Torrealba. Top right: Morelia, Michoacán. Photo by Isabel Torrealba. Bottom: Valentine's Day menu, 2024. Photo by Consumable Content.

After de la Vega moved to Austin, she was offered a job as a culinary specialist at the Culinary Institute of America in San Antonio. “Not coming from an environment of a cooking school [was] interesting,” she muses. “I’m not a [chef] trained in a school, and they said, ‘That’s exactly what we want. We want to learn about Mexican food as it is.’” De la Vega desires to educate people about traditional Mexican cuisine while making space for innovation, with a firm belief that it’s more important to focus on tradition, instead of authenticity. “It’s hard to say what is authentic and who will name it,” she says. “Who will be the judge to say this is authentic and this is not? It’s more about the tradition. I’m not a judge. It’s part of the goal for us, you know, to present, as we feel like it, Mexican food and try to represent it well.”

De la Vega is intentional about each aspect of the restaurant, and it shows. She won’t consider making a dish unless she has the best ingredients available, and what she can’t find, she makes in-house. It’s also important that the team treats each other, as well as the food, with respect.

“Even if we make the most perfect food, if the service doesn’t deliver that information with pride it will get lost,” she insists. “We don’t allow anyone to be disrespectful toward each other. Everyone is valued the same here. [Respect] is one of the most important values of the company. Respect everything: the product, the food, the people. [There’s] not one over the other; it’s all of it. If you don’t respect the ingredients, then the food isn’t gonna be good. They have to understand that they need to study, they need to learn, they need to be curious and proud of what we serve. Otherwise it won’t convey that message to the customer.”

El Naranjo honors the rich traditions that have been passed down through families for generations. For Iliana de la Vega, family is what it’s all about. “I just love the way grandmothers have passed down recipes. We evolve them in a certain way, maybe the presentation, but it’s still gonna be the same dish. In general, I think my mom would be proud.”

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Even if we make the most perfect food, if the service doesn’t deliver that information with pride it will get lost.

Iliana de la Vega

(l to r): Chef Iliana de la Vega, Ana Torrealba and Ernesto Torrealba

Top: Photo by Tanya Chavez Laguna. Bottom left: Photo by Tanya Chavez Laguna.

Bottom right: Photo by Consumable Content.

Peaceful Warrior

Robin Rather, mother, environmentalist and entrepreneur, is at once peaceful, pragmatic and powerful.

BY BRANDI CLARK BURTON

ASK AND LISTEN

Robin Rather has a habit of asking others how they are, what they are working on or what is important to them, then deeply listening. Perhaps she picked up this interview style from watching her “fave reporter” (and dad, Dan) elicit compelling stories as a world-class newsman.

This approach is one key to her success in her early years as a tech executive providing market research, polling and communication strategy for a dozen years at Intelliquest, CMP Media, and then as CEO of Mindwave Research. It continues to serve in her sustainability-focused consultancy, Collective Strength, which she has led for nearly two decades. She has become the quiet go-to person to unstick and make progress on seemingly intractable issues.

PEACEFUL, BUT A FIGHTER

Robin Rather’s drive toward peacemaking and solution-finding has been influenced by her Quaker education, Buddhist practices and reverence for Indigenous wisdom. However, her journey has revealed a vital lesson: While committed to peace, effectiveness often demands a readiness to fight hard when necessary. Her approach integrates both peacemaking and advocacy, recognizing their indispensable roles in environmental progress. “I’ve tried to wield both kinds of arrows in my quiver because we absolutely need both. Often you can’t have one without the other,” she asserts.

Her evolving understanding acknowledges the iterative nature of consensus-building, interspersed with the necessity to defend or restore it through hard-core advocacy or lawsuits. “I literally wish we never had to fight, because I don’t enjoy it at all. I’m just wired for oneness. But for the greater good, sometimes you have to warrior up and fight back.”

FOSTERING CONSENSUS

Robin possesses a powerful skill to facilitate audiences of widely differing views. “I love trying to bring together people who can’t find their consensus and do whatever it takes to really find it.” She has a great capacity to take in a lot of information, opinions and concerns, synthesize and summarize them and reflect it back in a way that people feel heard and respected. Mind you, she’s not an impartial bystander. She injects her wisdom and framing to make the whole endeavor move forward faster.

She is most proud of her pivotal role in bringing together “very, very diverse stakeholder groups” to facilitate the creation of a new “groundwater management zone (GMZ) for the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (GCD), after they had not been successful in doing so for 15 years.” This GMZ protects the groundwater wells and springflow during droughts in the Hill Country, including the iconic Jacob’s Well. Even though consensus was reached, one of the major players has not abided by it, and now Robin is part of the team that has filed a lawsuit against them.

A BEAUTIFUL FUTURE

Robin chooses to focus on visualizing the better future we can create. Her most recent project is a new network called RewildATX, which connects the people and nonprofits already doing great work to make Austin a leader in urban rewilding, enhancing biodiversity, water protection and tree canopy.

“The future I see for Austin is full of incredible biodiversity, native plants, trees and watersheds that are flowing. Beyond the physical attributes, that beautiful future is a place where we have a culture of really deep caring, nurturing, tending to each other and really deep listening.”

Read more about Robin Rather’s work at atxwoman.com.

ECOCONCEPT IN ACTION: POWER PLAYER FOR PEOPLE AND THE PLANET

Robin Rather chooses to work with visionary clients who are bringing transformative work to the next level in a collaborative, consensusdriven way. These include Fortune 500 companies, municipalities, regional agencies, national nonprofits and universities. Her portfolio includes high-level strategic work on more than 50 transformative projects covering climate mitigation, land conservation, water protection, regional planning, health care, transit and biodiversity. Select examples include:

Helping a major national environmental group develop sustainable urban solutions around mobility, renewable energy and sustainable food systems, and ways to bring sustainable economic models to disinvested communities.

Creating a 600-member stakeholder group establishing soil, forest and blue carbon protocols as consultant and interim COO of B Carbon.

Working with the post-Hurricane Katrina planning and resiliency team across Louisiana.

Photo courtesy of Robin Rather.

Resilience and Innovation

Shonté Jovan Taylor,

M.Sc., Ph.D.(c),

delves into the “brain-set” of entrepreneurship.

BY SHONTÉ JOVAN TAYLOR, M.SC., PH.D.(c)

Humiliating! Painful! Noisy! Difficult to use!

Such were the words of Dr. Tania Boler, founder of women’s health tech company Chiaro, who highlighted flaws in existing breast pumps, spurring her quest to enhance these vital devices. This reflects a common challenge in female entrepreneurship: tackling real issues with a mix of science, empathy and creativity.

Entrepreneurship is a multifaceted journey that holds different meanings for different individuals. For some, it represents freedom and the ability to leverage personal strengths; for others, it emerges from necessity. Importantly, for many women, entrepreneurship is a path pursued to address and rectify societal issues.

Navigating this pursuit comes with unique psychological and emotional challenges for women. It’s a tough, often thankless and unrecognized job. It’s necessary to acknowledge women in entrepreneurship, particularly in Austin, who may not have received the recognition their impact deserves.

Entrepreneurship mindset revolves around “brain-set,” a concept I coined to explain the neural, emotional and psychological basis driving our intentions, decisions, behaviors and actions. Knowing this brain-set is vital for sustaining the entrepreneurial spirit in the face of uncertainties and obstacles. I explain these forces using the 10 C’s framework, five of which I dive deeply into below.

COGNITIVE FLEXIBILITY

Studies in brain imaging, like those carried out by neuroscientists at the University of Liège, have revealed notable distinctions in brain activity between entrepreneurs and managers, particularly in regions associated with cognitive flexibility and exploratory decision-making. Cognitive flexibility helps entrepreneurs see different perspectives, boosts resilience against rigid thinking and enables quick adaptation to new information for innovative problem-solving.

COMMUNITY AND CONNECTION

Have you ever heard the phrase birds of a feather flock together? Think about it. A turkey grounded in life develops specific navigation skills, perspectives and goals, shaping its mindset distinctively from an eagle soaring high, mastering the skies. Entrepreneurs can also flourish in communities where others reflect their values and intentions, nurturing a culture of purpose, mutual support and shared success.

Community is also crucial in combating the loneliness that can accompany the entrepreneurial path, stimulating the social networks in our brain, which are vital for maintaining focus, mood and creativity.

CASH FLOW

The link between innovation and financial performance cannot be overstated. Despite the creativity and potential of female entrepreneurs, a significant funding gap persists, with women receiving only a tiny portion of venture capital. Sufficient financial resources are crucial, not just for business sustainability but also for fostering innovative solutions beyond superficial changes like color adjustments (i.e., turning a product pink). By obtaining additional funding, closing gender data disparities and harnessing women’s insights, the development of products and technology, customized for women, can adeptly tackle their practical challenges.

Moreover, the unique brains of women drive innovation, leading to a multitude of products that benefit society as a whole. A 2018 study by the Boston Consulting Group unveiled that women, despite receiving only half the funding men do on average, manage to generate twice the revenue. Furthermore, research indicates that teams with greater diversity tend to foster more innovation due to the varied perspectives they bring. (I’m just the messenger folks.)

(UN)CERTAINTY

Dealing with uncertainty is a critical skill for any entrepreneur. The amygdala, or what I like to call “Amy,” plays a key role in how we handle fear and anxiety associated with risk. Ensuring that Amy does not hijack neural resources from areas of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions is essential for maintaining cognitive flexibility and resilience in the face of entrepreneurial challenges.

CONFIDENCE

Confidence is another critical component of the entrepreneurial mindset. Many women, even those highly successful in other careers, struggle with self-doubt when they step into entrepreneurship. My role as a mindset coach often shifts to helping these brilliant minds recognize and reconnect with their past achievements and inherent wisdom, empowering them to embrace and advance their entrepreneurial ventures confidently.

As we work to address historical gaps in needs and perspectives, the contributions of women entrepreneurs are vital and essential. Whether just beginning to entertain the idea of starting a business or a seasoned entrepreneur, remember: The unique insights and skills you bring are indispensable. Our society’s progress toward a more inclusive and innovative future depends on your continued courage and engagement.

To find out more about the 10C's framework, read the full article at atxwoman.com.

Living in Yellow

Shiela Walker talks about her journey to entrepreneurship and A Wink of Yellow.

BY SHIELA WALKER

“I Am Austin Woman”…As I thought about what to write, evolution and mindset growth kept coming to mind. I moved to Austin almost 20 years ago, and if someone had told me what my life would be like now, I’m not sure I would have believed it. In those two decades, it’s been slow unlocking all of me and a journey into entrepreneurship, with the developing Austin skyline in the background.

I’ve mainly lived life as a warrior, and becoming an entrepreneur required me to tap into my complete self. I’m well versed in the grind, hustle and execution. I’ve always seen challenges as opportunities to grow and build courage (and mostly, failure has never been an option). Coming from humble beginnings, my career was built from an arsenal of grit, hard work, chip on my shoulder, luck and strategy.

At 16, I started working at a GapKids store in downtown San Francisco. I clocked in 30-plus hours a week, not missing a beat at school (coffee helped!). I was hooked!

In college, my friends and I laughed at how many jobs I had. Gap retail was a staple job; I sold memberships at a local gym so I could workout for free; I waited tables at Olive Garden because I could walk there from campus. I always had my sights on Corporate America, so I made sure I had office work under my belt; I was a bank teller; I interned at an investment bank a couple of hours a week. I had jobs for money, and I had strategic jobs to build the good-’ol resume.

After college, I went on to work for Andersen Consulting (Accenture)—this was a non-negotiable company for me. (It was my dream to work for them!)— and Gap Corporate. Those were really crucial years there. To have that kind of challenge, success and empowerment in my 20s was a real privilege and armed me well for future roles. After a stint at Yahoo!, I moved to Texas and worked for a semiconductor company. I had been in finance, merchandise planning and operations—functional skills that were transferable across industries. Up to this point, I had worked for solid public corporations: Gap, Inc.; Accenture, Yahoo!; AMD; etc. I had planned huge businesses ($10 billion-plus).

Along with motherhood, an itch came to join a smaller company with purpose and impact. I spent six years at Noonday Collection, and by the time I left, I was leading design, merchandising, production, planning and operations. I worked for the best co-founders, who encouraged both my entrepreneurial and creative tendencies. I had a rockstar team that I would put up against any team today.

Maybe it was becoming a mom, the wisdom of my late 30s/early 40s or the post-COVID transition, but I wanted more. I wanted to achieve and create. The power of yellow was becoming impossible to ignore. It was frustrating to keep thinking about A Wink of Yellow—a brand that I wanted to build, a point of view I wanted to share. Thinking, not doing. I was being challenged to have faith and to lean into love and life. For the first time, I realized that the winks of yellow have always been there.

I’ve loved the color yellow my entire life; it’s always made me happy. Living a life of “I had to work hard for everything; nothing ever came easy; I don’t have a choice,” I developed grit, determination, resilience, a can-do attitude and a must succeed mentality. But that’s an incomplete story. The other part of the story is that I always believed in winks of yellow—hope, beauty, love, connection. Ultimately, it’s this more complete point of view that drives the brand. Whether it’s our jewelry, bags or candles, we want our pieces to make you and others feel happy, beautiful and connected. It is also a brand rooted on sustainability and impact.

My daughter calls starting A Wink of Yellow a leap of faith. It’s also been a mindset change. I shifted my definition of success and my relationship with failure. If success begins the moment you try, then failure is in not starting. But make no mistake, I want the numbers too!

So, who is “Austin Woman”? She’s a woman that lives a full life, who understands that her superpower is bringing the uniqueness of all of her to the table. Austin provides the perfect backdrop, as a vibrant city full of possibilities!

A Wink of Yellow is a lifestyle fashion brand offering beautifully designed and curated collections from the U.S. and around the world. They have jewelry, bags and small home décor. Their pieces can be found online, at pop-ups and in boutiques in Austin, New York and Napa Valley. awinkofyellow.com

@awinkofyellow @awinkofyellow

Photo courtesy of Shiela Walker.

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