South Austin Small Business January 31, 2023

Meet South Austin’s Candy Magician

Getting to know my community continues to be one of the major perks I enjoy as a Realtor. This blog allows me to share conversations I’ve had with local business owners and individuals regarding their desired impact on the community and their hopes for the city.

The Sweetest Job In The Whole Wide World

I met Jack Bessudo, owner of Sugarox Candy Studio, while attending a class at CrossFit SoChac. One day we partnered on a workout and I asked him what he did professionally. He said he made candy. My response was of pure awe… “STOP… you make CANDY for a living?” This sounds like the sweetest (pun definitely intended) job in the whole wide world! And it makes sense, because when you meet Jack, you are greeted with a warm smile and a big heart.

The following week, Jack brought me some of his candy creations. The bag was labeled Tamalitoz. According to his website, a customer of his, early on, noticed the shape of the candy and noted that they looked tiny little candy tamales. Or in spanish, “tamalitos”. Jack’s husband, Declan, then suggested the name “Tamalitoz” with a “Z”, and so it was born. Each piece is comprised of a hard candy shell, and inside each candy has a pocket of a chili, lime and sea salt.

This candy has big flavors, and names to suite, such as Peach Slapped, Lip Smacking Mango, and Bite Me Blood Orange. Before I knew it, Tamalitoz was a household staple in my pantry. This addictive, salty, sweet, sour Mexican candy is perfectly complex yet balanced. Here’s a little bit about South Austinite Jack Bessudo and his confectionery journey into the creation of Sugarox Candy Studio USA.

Childhood Photo of Jack

International Beginnings

Me: Where did you grow up?

Jack:  I grew up between Houston and Mexico City. At the time, my dad was in his 20’s, working at a soft drink company started by his father in Mexico. My father and grandfather didn’t see eye-to-eye, so my father went out on his own. He joined his cousin in Houston to do real estate development. This was 1978, and little did they know they were heading towards a downturn in the market.

My dad struggled to find his way in that market, and although he tried to get by at a car dealership, he eventually took us back to Mexico. It was very hard on me. I had moved to Houston at age 3, then swiftly moved back to Mexico at age 13 without any notice or say. Being 13 is already hard enough.

Journey Back To Mexico

Me:  What was it like returning to Mexico?

Jack:  When I moved back to Mexico, I hated it. I could not understand the chaos. The streets looked different from what I was used to in Houston. Everything smelled different. Social relationships were different.

It took some getting used to, but I acclimated. It felt like my life was over, because I was a teenager. But that soon passed. Then I started assimilating again. My Spanish was pretty awful. I had a very heavy American accent. And the kids used to tease me for it.

Childhood Photo of Jack

Me:  What did you want to be when you were a kid?

Jack:  When I was a kid, an uncle asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I answered “The world’s Number One Roller Coaster Rider”. He still reminds me of this my whole life!’

Finding Joy By Bringing Joy

Me:  What was your first career?

Jack:  My first job out of college was at an advertising agency. I have a degree in communications. Advertising always seemed like it would be fun. I also had a connection, a friend’s dad who was an executive at a big multinational ad agency. He told me that if I ever wanted to get into the field, to look for him. And I did.

Working in advertising exposes you to a lot of clients in different industries. Every day was different. The challenges were always shifting, one day working with a car company, next day with a chocolate company, next day a bank. It really keeps you on your toes. You have to be a big sponge to absorb a ton of information in order to help your client grow their brand.

After years of working 12 to 13 hours a day, convincing people of one thing or another, I decided I’d rather do something that brought me and others joy. So one day, I decided I was going to find something that let me use my skills in creating brands, but for myself. That is how I started my candy business.

Jack and Declan’s Wedding

Partners For Life

Me:  How did you meet your husband Declan?

Jack:  I met Declan through a mutual friend. I was going to London on a business trip, and my friend told me I should reach out to him while I was in in town. Before my trip, we started chatting on Facebook. But my trip got canceled. So Declan decided to come to Mexico. This was when I was still brainstorming the candy business. He visited for 10 days, which led to a long distance relationship.

After 15 months, Declan moved to Mexico. Soon we were married. Our wedding was going to be small, intimate. But my mom started sharing the news, and before I knew it, my parents were planning the whole thing, haha.

Sweet Discoveries in Sidney

Me:  Where did you first get the idea for your business?

Jack:  While working in advertising, one of my clients was Johnson and Johnson. The agency was having a global business review. It was being held in Sidney. I ended up visiting a candy shop there called ‘Sticky’. Seeing how the candy was made, the production, to the shop, it inspired me to do something similar. I hired a great candy maker, Damian Brewer, to teach me how to make candy like I had seen on my trip to Sidney. He was in Mexico showing me the ropes for 2 months until we took off on our own. We opened a brick and mortar called Sugarox Candy Studio in Mexico.’

Jack Making Candy

Surviving The Shutdown

Me:  When did you come back to the US?

Jack:  I moved back in November 2019. We got to Austin November 1st, wide eyed, bushy tailed, so happy that we were finally in a position that our Tamalitoz had gained enough traction. That Declan and I could move here to operate the business. Little did we know that we were just a couple of months away from a shutdown!

We thought we could operate the business remotely. But it wasn’t as easy as we thought. Then Mexico went into lockdown. We had to close the stores for 6 months, paying salaries during this time so that we didn’t let down our staff. But eventually we have to close our stores in Mexico. We couldn’t keep paying salaries without any income coming in. It was a very hard decision for us.

Jack and Declan, Owners of Sugarox

We weathered the storm, and eventually Sugarox USA gained momentum again. It turns out that in times of crisis, people look for comfort in the little things. And that includes CANDY.

 

Home Sweet Home

Me:  What made you decide to make Austin, TX your home?

Jack:  I always loved Austin. Growing up in Houston, we came a couple of times with friends and family. Then also on school trips. Later I would notice that Austin was always topping the lists of ‘Best Places To Live’ and ‘Coolest Cities’ in the USA. So when we decided to move to Texas we just knew it has to be Austin.’

Where To Find Tamalitoz Candy

Me:  Which stores carry your candy?

Jack:  We are on shelves at HEB, Michael’s, Los Olivos Market in Buda and Wimberley, Royal Blue Grocery, and Big Top.  HEB was on our radar from day one. We were persistent enough, and finally we were able to meet the buyer for HEB. She said to us ‘When y’all are ready, and have your business set up here in Texas, you let me know’. As soon as we were set to launch in the US, they let us roll Tamalitoz out, little by little. We started delivering to our local HEB in Circle C which was close to where we lived then.

A Shout Out To Jack’s Favorite Places

Favorite Restaurants: There are so many South Austin businesses that we love. We adore Loro on South Lamar. Bluefin Sushi Bar and Ramen on Brodie makes really great Ramen.  IM Thai in Buda makes great Thai takeout. Tarka is our place for Indian. And Gabriella’s in South Park Meadows is also a spot to check out

Favorite Bar: If you’re looking for cider, we always recommend Texas Keeper in Manchaca. Of course there’s the whole line of bars down Menchaca Rd. such as Lustre Pearl, Armadillo Den and Moontower

Favorite Gym: CrossFit SoChac

Favorite Natural Area or Park: Mary Moore Searight Park is a great place to walk the pups!

Look For Jack’s Candy

Jack is a hands-on business owner. Look for him at your local HEB. You may find him handing out samples of his candy and chatting it up with the customers. Support your local economy by buying Tamalitoz. Even the printer that he uses is a local Austin company. Every bag you buy supports a real person, just pursuing his dream to find joy for himself by creating joy for others.

Follow Sugarox Candy Studio USA

https://www.facebook.com/Tamalitoz

info@sugarox.com

South Austin Small Business November 19, 2021

A Healthier Community: One Habit, One Life At A Time

Getting to know my community continues to be one of the major perks I enjoy as a Realtor. This blog allows me to share conversations I’ve had with local business owners and individuals regarding their desired impact on the community and their hopes for the city.

Just Show Up

The first step to success is simple. Just show up. It is the key to strong relationships and a thriving career. To place yourself on the doorstep of opportunity is just the beginning. But showing up can feel really vulnerable.

Will I say the right thing? What if I fail? Am I good at this?

It took me 35 years to realize that I needed someone to witness me ‘showing up’ to be successful. I wanted change. In the winter of 2017, I saw an ad for CrossFit. I had never touched a dumbbell let alone a barbell. I was terrified. And I signed up. There was a lot that I struggled with, but every time I appeared to give up, the coach would throw me a modification. The excuse to quit was removed. My only job was to show up, and try.

During the 6-week program I showed up for every class. Consequently, it became easier to show up to more opportunities in my life, than to watch them from afar.

As a parent, a Realtor, a human, sometimes I struggle to show up. As a gym member, there are weeks where I sacrifice my workout because I have too many business appointments, I’m buried in paperwork, because of softball and baseball practices, music lessons, etc.

But then a witness, noticing my absence at the gym, sends a text message: Are you coming in this week? Just checking on you. – Coach Heather

Heather Tuley is one of the owners of CrossFit SoChac located in South Austin. She owns this gym with her brother Tim and her mother Carri. Heather hopes to have a positive impact on the South Austin community through promoting healthy practices at her gym.

I Used To Think That Just Because I wasn’t Overweight I Was Healthy

Me: What was your first experience with CrossFit?

Heather: I was 38 years old with three kids. I heard about CrossFit from my brother, Tim. He gave me a Groupon for the gym in 2012. He thought it would be a great idea for me to join. It took 6 months of convincing me. Reluctantly, I went. The workout was brutal, but it lit something inside of me, a fire. I knew there was something here.

Me: Do you think CrossFit has transformed the course of your life?

Heather: It has completely transformed my entire life. From my career path, to my views about myself and how I view fitness today. I used to think that just because I wasn’t overweight, I was healthy.

Growing As A Person

Me: At what moment did you decide to become a coach?

Heather: I didn’t decide I wanted to be a coach until I was already coaching. My path started when I was asked to cover a class while my coach was on vacation. It was Christmas 2015. I look back and realize I had no idea what I was doing or what it meant to be a coach and leader. I didn’t realize the gravity of having people’s well being in my hands. Eventually I started to regularly coach classes while growing as a competitive athlete. My passion for the sport was growing, and I was growing as a person. I was starting to see transformation in my own life.

Me: When did you decide to open up your own gym?

Heather: There wasn’t a defining moment. The gym I was currently coaching at was up for sale, but the numbers didn’t make business sense. While I continued to coach at one gym, I eventually started training competitively at a different gym. The coaches where I trained were more knowledgeable and professional. I knew things could be different where I was currently coaching.

Because I was consistently training at a different gym, the gym I coached at let me go. They cited that it was a ‘conflict of interest’.

I continued to train under Coach Winchester where I grew both as an athlete and a coach. It was the best training I could have ever received. It really prepared me for what lay ahead.

Eventually I ran into my previous employer. It was at HEB, 2017, where all great things in Texas happen. He asked again if I wanted to buy the gym. Needless to say, this time it went through, and the rest is history.

A Place Of Love And Acceptance

Me: What type of transformations do you see as a coach in your clients?

Heather: We see athletes overcome health issues that have plagued them for years. Some come off of medications, overcome addiction, and grow mentally and physically stronger. Additionally, we see athletes overcome themselves and their own limiting beliefs. Athletes find a place of love and acceptance that they may not have in their home or work life. Each athlete walks their own transformation path.

Me: What are some thoughts that you think people have that keep them from joining a CrossFit Gym?

Heather: I think people see the same obstacles in CrossFit that they see with any other change in their life. Some probably believe it’s money, time, worry about the challenge, worry about gaining too much muscle, or worried that they won’t fit in. Some people think that they’ll hold the class back or that they need to be “fit” before starting CrossFit.

Read about some of the members here: Transformation Stories

But it’s all really a bunch of nonsense. Really it comes down to this question ‘Are you ready to make the change?’ I do my best to overcome these objections when new clients come in because I know they could experience real change. I know myself and my staff can have that impact. We are laying the groundwork for overall health and longevity. But you must first want change.

The Way You Do One Thing Is The Way You Do Everything

Me: How do you see CrossFit SoChac impacting the immediate community around you?

Heather: We are making a positive impact, mentally and physically, on our community. If a mother leads a healthier life, her children see that. Hopefully that changes the habits of future generations. In like manner, when someone see’s their friend looking and acting differently, they start to question, ‘Can I do that too?’

When I was training as a competitive athlete, my coach always said ‘The way you do one thing is the way you do everything’. If we are consistently late to class, we are consistently late to everything. If we are unprepared for class, we are unprepared throughout our day. We ask our clients to expect more of themselves in the gym, because if they expect more of themselves in this space, they know they can do even more in all facets of their life.

We are overstressed, under-slept, and over-consumers in a culture with little value on exercise. In the gym, there’s hope to change all of this one class at a time, one habit at a time, one life at a time.

Me: Is gym experience necessary in order to start at CrossFit SoChac?

Heather: Absolutely NOT! The only qualification is that you are willing to put forth effort. That’s all we ask. Give me your best and I will give you mine. We can make the change together.

The Time Is Now

For those who have never joined a gym like this, the time is now.  For all of you looking to shake things up in 2022, I highly recommend reaching out to Heather at CrossFit SoChac.

CrossFit SoChac

11600 Manchaca Rd #301
Austin, TX 78748

512.851.1626

Follow CrossFit SoChac on Facebook

 

 

 

Austin Artists September 21, 2018

Preserving What Makes Austin

Getting to know my community continues to be one of the major perks I enjoy as a Realtor. This blog allows me to share conversations I’ve had with local business owners and individuals regarding their desired impact on the community and their hopes for the city.  

When I explain my love of Austin, there are attributes of this city that have become a mantra for me: Swimming holes, breweries, iconic venues, local live music. Ownership of what makes Austin unique comes out in our every day conversation. Often it’s only partial ownership. The reciprocal relationship between fans and artists, patrons and venues, is necessary for the survival of Austin’s appealing music culture. While we like to point to job growth and the explosion of the tech industry as proof of Austin’s growing success, it’s easy to forget what makes Austin such a desirable destination and home for so many.

An hour before their show at Slow Pokes Brisket Shack, I had the chance to chat with  Guy and Jeska Forsyth. While we started off talking about life in general, we ended up on the subject of Austin’s appeal as a music destination and whether it’s a sustainable culture in this time of great economic growth.

 

The Forsyth Family: Guy, Mary Mae, Bella Jane and Jeska

A Little About Guy and Jeska

Guy Forsyth was born in Denver, CO, but grew up in Kansas City, MO. Guy moved here in 1990 after traveling here as a stuntman with the Renaissance Festival. In his words, “I fell in love with this town, with the music scene.” Soon after, he became an Austin staple, winning several Austin Music Awards as well as the hearts of the locals.

I asked Guy whether his parents supported him as a musician.

“My folks were not musicians but rather fans and record collectors. They taught my brother and I as toddlers how to drop records while other kids were learning how to stack blocks. My mom now lives in Ingram and she comes to my shows.”

Jeska Forsyth is a recent transplant to Austin, TX. She grew up in San Angelo singing and acting at a young age. While a singer-songwriter, like many musicians she pursues other artistic ventures such as acting and voice-over work. Jeska plays a few saved voice-overs for me off her phone. She plays a ‘sexy’ shampoo commercial voice on one recording. She then plays the voice of a child from a cartoon, showing her wide range.

I asked Jeska what it was like singing the National Anthem for NASCAR.

“I was extremely nervous. Because when you have jets flying in at a certain time in the song you have to be very accurate. You have to sing with consistency. You have to time the fighter jets because they were flying from Maryland. So they had me sing the National Anthem 5 times, then they took an average of the time it took me to sing the song. And that was how they timed the jets to leave the base.”

Jeska and Guy’s Wedding

Jeska formerly owned a blues club in San Angelo, TX called Sealy Flats where she originally met Guy. The two were married earlier this year. They make for an incredibly adorable couple.

I asked Jeska what her impression was of Guy the first time they met.

“I thought ‘Yay, he showed up for work’ and then he sang awesome, and I was blown away. I usually didn’t have time to pay attention to the shows, but I remember the exact post I was leaning on. He stopped me in my tracks, and I had to listen… and he had a terrible haircut. A mohawk… and a Hot Wheels button-down shirt.”

Guy Meeting Bella Jane

 

What We Were

Recently, Austin’s long-time music icon Dale Watson moved to Memphis, Tennessee seemingly in search for what Austin was. In an article by the Texas Standard, Dale is quoted as saying, “I just really feel the city has sold itself. Just because you’re going to get $45 million for a company to come to town – if it’s not in the best interest of the town, I don’t think they should do it. This city was never about money. It was about quality of life.”

I asked Guy what his thoughts are on Austin and the changes he sees as a musician.

“Music and art and culture in general are hard to monetize. I think of Austin in 1990. I think of how it was portrayed by Richard Linklater, who directed ‘Slacker‘. What makes him such a good director is he gave voice to strange and unusual people. He would find unique voices and then put them on film. He had a story to tell. The term ‘slacker’ suggests someone who doesn’t work very hard. But it was all about people who were just obsessed with what they love.”

“Unless Austin takes some action to protect the culture that makes it different, makes it special, it will end up being Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio. And that makes Austin uncompetitive based on the scale of those markets. We can’t lose touch with why people come here.”

“Money is a solvent, it will dissolve things that can’t defend themselves in the market place. I’m one of those things. As musicians, we could make a lot more money doing something else. The value of music is hard to monetize. Nietzsche said ‘Without music, life would be a mistake’ and he’s the biggest pessimist there is.”

The Future of Austin’s Music Scene

The Nietzsche quote resonates with me. What will Austin be without music and art but a colossal, unintended mistake? We can start with supporting the venues that house our artists. We can go further by participating in Austin’s rich music scene, getting out and attending concerts. But we can go one step further by paying attention to issues directly affecting our Austin artists, such as affordable healthcare and housing. By keeping our talent local and our long time venues open, maybe we can preserve that little spark that’s flickering in the heart of Austin, TX.

There is no replacement, no quick fix if we lose what makes us genuine, lovely, exotic, comfortable and damn original. We can talk about how awesome our funky iconic venues are, but if we don’t frequent them they will die. We can proudly tout that we’re the ‘Live Music Capital of the World’ but if we don’t care about the issues that keep our musicians local, we may see more falling in the steps of Dale Watson, leaving in search of what Austin was.

What we have can’t be recreated like a theme park. It can’t be thought up in a board room and pushed out in a nice, clean package. It’s rough around the edges, there’s a well earned rind, it’s seasoned with time, and it’s valuable beyond measure. We as Austinites need to recognize the value now while we can still remember who we are and why we stay. We can embrace the change and the growth as long as we strive to preserve what made us special in the first place.

See Guy’s upcoming shows by clicking here: https://www.reverbnation.com/guyforsythband/shows