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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
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.
11600 Manchaca Rd #301
Austin, TX 78748
512.851.1626
Follow CrossFit SoChac on Facebook
Nurturing The Whole Child In South 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.
Looking Back With Gratitude
Situated in South Austin, Children’s Discovery Center sits under a dome of oaks surrounded by wood platforms and rainbow playhouses. Most of the structures were made by the hands of the parent community. Half filled paint jugs, tires, costumes, metallic windmills, and donated instruments lay ready to be utilized in a narrative that is child-created and limitless.
Burke and Dahlia
This school is special to me. Sometimes I even get terribly sappy-sentimental, thinking about pick-up time, my kids glowing in a thick layer of sand, paint, glitter, shaving cream, and mud.
Bombarded with electronics, Netflix binging, STAR Testing and weekly Spelling Tests, I realize how extremely fortunate we were to have discovered Children’s Discovery Center at the right time. Those 5 years molded them into the grub digging, tree climbing, messy adventurous children that they are today. And even with all the world’s endless distractions, their foundation is strong, poured at the right time. They’ll navigate life’s greatest challenges from a foundation of GRIT.
I called Lynne Collier, Director of Children’s Discovery School South, to see if we could talk about her program’s philosophy. And because I wanted to tell her how thankful I was that we were a part of it. I asked Lynne to describe the program in her own words.
“If it hasn’t been in the hand, and the body, it can’t be in the brain.” -Bev Bos
Lynne Collier, Director (Left) and Chris Box, Assistant Director (Right)
Lynne: We are a play based, nature based program that keeps the perspective of the young child in mind. We support whole child development.
Me: What do you mean by whole child development?
Lynne: Whole child development means we pay attention to the cognitive, physical, emotional and social needs of the child. We pay attention to each child’s unique strengths, interests and any areas that the child needs support in. We build on their strengths that consequently allow the child to follow their own passion, how they individually want to process new information.
Things are really hands on, and by the child’s preference. In the words of Bev Bos, “If it hasn’t been in the hand, and the body, it can’t be in the brain.”
They have to have too much to know when it’s too much. Kids need to physically go through the motions in order to learn. We are process oriented, be it the creative process, and the learning process. We’re not focusing on the polished product at the end, we’re not focused on milestones, we’re focused on lots of uninterrupted time, to explore new materials, to engineer to the heart’s desire.
But we set up an intentional environment, with thoughtful materials, as closely matched to real objects as possible, real PVC pipes, real tires.
A Future Of Innovation and Critical Thinking
Me: What do you think the finished product SHOULD look like?
Lynne: The ability to have critical thinking skills, integrating the left and the right hemispheres to their approaches as holistically as possible. These are the people creating the prototypes, business ventures of their own.
We’re not trying to put out cookie cutter people, we’re trying to put out the next inventors. Trying to put out social change that appreciates individual human strengths.
We are not trying to get OUR KIDS ready for school, we would like SCHOOL to get ready for our kids.
Lynne: We’ve formed 90% of our brain by age 5. The brain continues to change the neurological pathways as long as you keep giving into new experiences. New synaptic connections change the architecture of your brain. The first 5 years are critical though because it’s around age 3 when you start creating the cognitive ability to empathize.
We hone in on every teachable moment we can. And we don’t AVOID conflict, we DIVE into it. It’s how we scaffold, giving the child as little as they need to achieve it in their own big way. For a 1 year old, this may mean giving them everything. For a 4 year old, we empower them more to use their words and critical thinking skills.
Me: Give me an example of how this plays out in the classroom?
Lynne: If you put a group of children together naturally, conflict will arise. So we are teaching self discipline in our daily routines, activities, transitions between activities. If everyone wants to wash their hands at the same time it’s the perfect time to teach social justice and reestablish the boundaries of respect that you’re trying to reinforce in the classroom.
And mindfulness is a huge component to all of this.
Teaching Mindfulness, Self-Awareness and Self-Care
The Quiet House on one of the many tree covered playgrounds at CDC.
Me: Talk about mindfulness more please.
Lynne: Being present, actively listening to others, knowing your own triggers and individual biases, your composure. Which means you have to have self-care practices in place. Social and self-awareness.
Me: How does your staff practice self-awareness and mindfulness?
Lynne: In the Orientation Process staff goes through Becky Bailey’s Conscious Discipline Program, which sets the foundation. Consequently, it gives our teachers the tools we’re trying to teach our children. We have monthly staff training which covers emotional development, whole brain development, and social guidance techniques.
Furthermore we extend this to our families quarterly so that they can come and learn with us. We’re in a state of continuous self-evaluation. It’s critical in a child’s full educational program that parents feel empowered and informed to be their child’s advocate. It’s critical in elementary school and junior high.
For family night in November we will have Bliss Kid Yoga where we all do yoga together. It’s a big yoga fest and we all get to practice stretching and breathing, a mindfulness exercise together. And then Bliss Kid Yoga comes every Friday for the kids. They are a local nonprofit, founded by Katherine Banker, and they specialize in family friendly yoga practices.
Nature Inspires
Me: How often are the kids outside?
Lynne: Our day is 10 hours long. They’re inside from 1-3 for nap. They’re at least outside 7 ½ hours out of the 10. We leave the class room door open so they have the choice of being outside. NATURE INSPIRES. Any activity you can do indoors you can do outdoors but with more space, volume, time.
Joey and Dahlia
There is still a steady decline in outdoor time these days in daycare. Any time you can be barefoot outside you’re helping your child master balance, allow them to feel the earth beneath their feet.
Proprioception is increased outdoors and by being barefoot. Children have choices and that sets us apart. Therefore, as much as possible, children have choices. We want them to follow the guidelines of safety and respect, and obviously we have a weather policy. But if the weather is nice, the kids have the choice to be in or out of their shoes. We empower them through choice.
Mud, Tears, Paint, Smile Wrinkles
Me: Do you feel this school is for every family?
Lynne: A lot of schools do what’s convenient. It’s convenient to keep the kids clean. It’s convenient to keep everything structured. But here we are covered in mud, tears, paint, smile wrinkles. It may not be for everyone, but we are up front about that. Every family has to take a tour, to see the school in action, and we make it so they have to come back and visit at least once with their child so that they can be really clear on how we learn, how messy we get and the process we have here.
A Well Laid Foundation
The shock of moving from Children’s Discovery Center to public school was extreme. The thought of our kids going from 7 1/2 hours outdoors every day to a 30 minute recess absolutely wrecked me. And there was a lot of fear that they would forget how the awe, wonderment and beauty that naturally surrounds them.
As a result of their time at CDC, I have realized this foundation was laid early and layered with patience and love. It will last their lifetime. Even at age 9, there is still excitement over the simplest creatures in the dirt. And I don’t worry so much anymore.
Here’s The Proof
Dahlia hooking her own worms 2019
A grub found on the CDC playground 2014
P.S. Yes there are no pictures of Oliver in this blog. That doesn’t mean I love him ANY less. If he stood still long enough, I’d have more pictures.
Blues, BBQ and Hot Rods
Slow Pokes Brisket Shack
’59 Rambler Marquee at the Entrance
Cruising down FM 1626 through Manchaca, TX there is a chance you’ve blown by this establishment speckled with classic cars, picnic tables and a giant smoker at the center. Slow Pokes unites the bike, hot rod and BBQ enthusiasts in community through the shared love of live blues, cold beer and quality brisket on this historic lot. With the entrance to Slow Pokes boldly stated with a classic ’58 Rambler as the marquee, you quickly get the vibe of this South Austin gem. Pull in and you’re instantly embraced by the sweet, sweet smell of a rich brisket smoke blanket straight from the heavens above.
Family Business
This is a family run establishment, where Josh and Sarah Rodriguez are busting their tailbones in the heat every day that meat is smoking. Sundays are their only off days. Come up here on a weekday night and you’ll see the Rodriguez children Jude, Buddy and Scout taking turns herding two cats in and out of the old cars that adorn this place.
Their youngest child, Scout, domesticated these strays using a piece of brisket, a touch of patience and what I would assume to be the pure stubborn grit of a 5 year old rough-and-tumble girl. Something I know too much about, having one of my own. If you’re lucky you can catch a beloved local Austin favorite like Guy and Jeska Forsyth up here on a Tuesday night, harmonizing as they would if perched on their own front porch, their daughters dancing around on the grass before the stage.
Josh and Sarah Rodriguez
From Hot Rods To South Austin BBQ Haven
Josh Rodriquez is one of those rare native Austinites, born and raised in South Austin. Prior to opening Slow Pokes Brisket Shack, he owned Rodriguez Rod and Cycle where he did custom paint jobs on motorcycles and race cars.
Josh says he’s been painting cars since he was 13 years old. Prior to Slow Pokes, Josh and his shop were featured on a Discovery Channel series called ‘Texas Car Wars’. He didn’t leave his love of hot rods behind, as you’ll see once you make it up here. The entire outdoor area, from the bar to the stage to the Brisket Shack, is made by Josh’s own hand. He went from building cars to building a family friendly BBQ playground that satisfies all ages. From what it seems, Josh hits every challenge head on and without hesitation.
From The Beginning
Me: How did you come up with the name?
Josh: I named it after a character off of the old Looney Toons Cartoons. Speedy Gonzalez had a cousin named Slowpoke Rodriguez. I used to paint that character on race cars as a joke. (Slowpoke is the antithetical character to Speedy Gonzalez, known as the ‘Slowest Mouse in all of Mexico’)
Me: How did you get into the business of BBQ?
Josh: It got really hot one day working on cars in the shop. Driving by, I saw a sign for lease on this land. The lot had been empty for 50 years and there was no septic. Just an empty lot with some history. I had a trailer that I used for events, car shows. And I had a car that I decided to sell for 7K. And that’s where it all started.
The Car Josh Sold For The Start Up
I had experience from watching my grandfather, and my father, who had BBQ joints out near Taylor, TX. BBQ is something that has run in my family. But I’ve taken that experience and done my own thing here.
Community and the Old Austin Culture
Me: What can you tell me about this distinct atmosphere you’ve created with the cars and the antiques everywhere?
Josh: When I had my hot rod shop it was a big building, had every inch covered with this stuff. A lot of stuff I would go find in barns or at swap meets. The community and clientele started adding to it. Everyone gets to leave their mark here.
Me: Do you see Manchaca growing into a haven of sorts for people who miss ‘old Austin’?
Josh: Yeah, I kind of see it as the last frontier. Last standing. Feels like Manchaca is preserving and growing the feeling of the Old South Austin culture. This land is a historic site. Below those old oak trees where that stage is located, people have been singing hymns since the 1870s. This was the site of a black Baptist Church that stood until the 1950’s. People have been making music here for a long time, and now we continue to do so.
Me: What can we look forward to as Fall descends upon us here at Slow Pokes?
Josh: More music throughout the weeknights. Right now we’re a venue Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. But I’d like this to grow and expand to other nights of the week.
Preserving What We Had
Slow Pokes Brisket Shack is exactly what I picture when my heart swells about my home Austin, TX. It falls in line with all of the reasons I never left once I graduated UT. It’s the reason I fell hard for this city. And even though we can all agree the town is growing up, like Peter Pan leaving Neverland to become a big boring adult, there are still pieces of what it was being preserved in these spaces. You just have to look for them, frequent them and keep them alive through your frequent patronage.
By the way, I recommend the Brisket Plate, where you get a hearty serving of brisket, potato salad, beans and sausage. All the things. You get all the things. On one plate.
The Buzz At The Hive: Co-Working, Coffee and Childcare
A Solution For Parenting Professionals
Down Old Manchaca Road you’ll see a grey-violet house nestled in the back of a large lot. When you pull down the driveway you’ll see a coffee trailer and a playscape. This is The Hive. Owner, Shelly Weiser, greeted me as she does every customer with a warm welcome. This coffee shop and co-working space embraces the average Jane and Joe’s desire for work-life balance. For those who know the struggle of keeping one foot in the workforce while the other is chasing after a toddler can appreciate Shelly’s savvy solution. This model really caters to a very under-served part of today’s workforce. As I sat working at the concrete counter, I noticed an equal balance of young men and women getting an hour or two of concentrated work done while their children had supervised fun on the playscape adjacent to the shop.
Another way The Hive positively impacts the community is through supporting locally handcrafted gift items. Shelly has managed to use Austin vendors that are primarily woman owned ventures.
Shelly had a little time to fill me in on her new business adventure, what it grew from and where it’s heading.
How did you come up with this concept?
I’m a graphic designer. I worked out of my home and often times I just needed an hour here or there to work on a last-minute project without interruption. For people who work from home with small children, you may not need full time daycare, but just a few hours of quiet time.
For $10 an hour, 4 hours a day max and 12 hours a week max we will babysit on site. The difference between us and other places with playgrounds is that we provide childcare with supervision. We have a monthly membership for $80 which gives you 10 hours of supervised childcare per month.
What woman-owned local businesses are you supporting here?
We use Perky Perky for our espresso beans. We connected with Maruxa Murphy, owner of Perky Perky Espresso, through a woman’s entrepreneur network. She started Austin Moms’ Network and she’s super tapped in to the Austin local mom-markets.
Cuvee is our drip coffee. Cuvee really helped us navigate the coffee business and the logistics of running a coffee shop.
The local honey we sell is Bee Gone by Mandi Ledford. Mandi did bee removal and ended up bringing them all to her property. This resulted in Mandi keeping these bees and harvesting the honey, which created Bee Gone. We carry Salty Lemon Apothecary owned by Daphane Mitlo. I met Daphane as a customer who happened to come in the The Hive. We started talking and hit it off right away!
As I got involved in the mom networks, I realized how many amazing things were being made by women living in the surrounding neighborhoods. I love the feeling of supporting women who like me are trying to navigate their own way.
What amenities do you offer as a business center?
For those needing to meet clients or conduct meetings, we have a board room for $25 hour. The board room seats 8 and includes a white board and projector. We also offer Free Wi-Fi to our customers during their visit.
For $550 a month, you can have your own desk which includes 10 hours of childcare, 4 hours of conference room rental and most importantly one bottle of wine every Friday.
Need more reasons to show up to The Hive?
Shelly is packing the calendar these days with events that serve a broad range of interests. Coming up in February:
Feb 3rd Hive Market Day
Feb 7th Free Boot Camp Demo
Feb 11th Valentine’s Day Brunch Date & PJ Party
Feb 17th ATX Goat Yoga
Feb 17th Tye Cooks Austin Date Night
Feb 18th UnHushed Sexuality Education for Girls
Looking to grab a drink with a friend? The Hive’s signature cocktail, Bee’s Knees, is mixture of Ray’s Lemon Spirits, soda water and a hint of cherry. Check out her assortment of wine and beer.
Oh yeah, and you can rent the facility out for birthdays, cocktail hour… you name it!
See the many ways their space can be used here: http://www.hiveaustin.com/facility-rental/
Future Plans
Coming soon to The Hive, a drive thru coffee trailer! The plan is to have the drive thru in the front, so you can snag your cup to go if you’re an office dweller! Also in the works is a food truck court yard with an array of food options. Keep watching as new developments arise and follow Shelly on Facebook to keep up with what’s new at The Hive.
https://www.facebook.com/hiveaustin/
Independence Fine Foods Has My Heart
Independence Fine Foods offers a rotating dinner menu with the finest ingredients.
A Perfect Balance
Every time I need to get hours of serious work done, I find myself back at Independence Fine Foods on Manchaca Rd. in South Austin. The ambiance is perfect for digging into whatever project requires my uninterrupted attention.
It’s easy to snag a table in the corner, plug in and spiral into hours of nonstop laptop tedium until finally looking up to realize the breakfast crowd is long gone and the dinner crowd has migrated in.
This respite isn’t huge in size, located on the corner of an unassuming strip center. Regardless, there is always the perfect table-to-customer ratio. It’s not ever empty, but I’m also never anxious about where I’m going to sit. Walking in I’m greeted immediately by a friendly barista, local artwork and wafts of freshly brewed Cuvee coffee.
Healthier Options, Healthier Community
The advertised dedication to locally sourced scratch cooking initially got me through the doors. While our culinary scene is diversifying and growing here in South Austin, IFF was the first in my neighborhood supporting ethically farmed ingredients and healthy cooking in an everyday café style environment.
I wondered what drew the owner and chef, Casey Livingston, to pick this location for his business.
Lucky for me, he was willing to tell.
Heidi: I just love what you bring to my neighborhood. What drew you to this side of town?
Casey: This area chose me. I grew up in South Austin. In fact, I went to Menchaca Elementary down the road. By choosing this area of town, I hoped to expose the concept of scratch cooking to my community. This is a culinary concept often offered and afforded by people living near downtown. There were a lot of fast food options here in my neighborhood, and I wanted to provide quality food from quality ingredients where I live, in my community.
Heidi: What sparked your passion for scratch cooking and local sourcing?
Casey: I started out cooking at Onion Creek Country Club where I realized the value of providing quality food without short cuts. The end result of using quality ingredients looks and feels better as opposed to using ingredients with 5 syllables. We like people to question what they eat, and we find people are doing this more and more.
Customer Relationships
Heidi: What is the most rewarding part of being a small business owner in South Austin?
Casey: Having a place where people can gather and watching them enjoy my work. Seeing a couple dating, then possibly coming back married or with their kids, and everyone just growing with us. Most importantly, these families sharing our mission of healthy eating with each other.
Heidi: What are the greatest challenges to a business like this?
Casey: When I first got started, I thought I knew what would be successful for our model. I found that I needed to be flexible in adapting to the needs of our guests. I had a clear-cut concept for my business, but I found that I really needed to listen to our customers to see what works and what doesn’t. It’s difficult but important to be flexible to your customer’s needs.
A United Front
Casey has aligned himself with vendors that preach a similar code of culinary ethics. Vital Farms for example touts ‘Bullsh*t Free Eggs’ from their pasture raised hens through the use of over 100 family farms. Their story is pretty cool, I recommend a visit: https://vitalfarms.com/.
Heidi: You advertise that you source from like-minded Texas Vendors. How did you gain experience in utilizing locally sourced products?
Casey: I’ve been a chef since 1995. When I joined the team at Whole Foods, I got to visit many of these local farms providing local ingredients. I grew up knowing where my food comes from, how it can be raised humanely and how food can be harvested responsibly. My grandparents own a farm in Llano, Texas where I spent my childhood learning how to care for cattle. To this day I still go out to the cattle farm 5-6 days a month. It’s always been a part of my life, and still is.
Other local purveyors include:
Cuvee Coffee Roasters – Austin, TX
Gundermann Acres – Wharton, TX
Solstice Farms – Driftwood, TX
Oak Hill Farms – Poteet, TX
BellaVerde Farms – Dripping Springs, TX
Village Farms – Marfa, TX
My conversation with Casey completely blew me away. I love his sense of purpose in the community he grew up in and how he has taken on a mission that benefits everyone around him, from the environment to his customers. His sense of responsibility is inspiring.
When you come by to check this place out, I highly recommend ordering an almond milk latte. Even if you’re a die-hard dairy snob, it won’t disappoint. The combination of the velvety steamed almond milk and the dark espresso makes this drink perfection in a cup, not to be soiled by sugar or other condiments! Don’t do it!
Check out their ever-rotating menu on their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/independencerestaurantsouthaustin/
Independence Fine Foods, 1807 W. Slaughter Lane, Ste. 100, 512-363-5672
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
