Austin Founder Stories
Local Stories
Local Austin stories about the bars, builders, and neighborhood businesses that give the city its character.
P. Terry's Doesn't Want to Become Just Another Burger Chain
Austin-born burger chain P. Terry's is transitioning into an Employee Ownership Trust, starting at 5% of operating income and designed to rise to 20% over time for employees with more than two years at the company.
How a 110-Year-Old Austin Tavern Keeps Its Edge
The Tavern, the 110-year-old bar at North Lamar and West 12th, has survived ownership changes, COVID, and Austin's rapid growth. Owners Shannon Sedwick and Michael Shelton, founders of Esther's Follies, reacquired it in 2018.
Cuantos Tacos Goes From Food Truck to Brick-and-Mortar
Cuantos Tacos, the Michelin Bib Gourmand food truck Yelp named the best taco spot in Texas, is opening its first brick-and-mortar restaurant at 808 Justin Lane near Airport Boulevard, bringing its trailers along to preserve the food-truck-park feel.
From 42 Rejections to $5M: The Pupsentials Story
Austin's Pupsentials turns pet photos into custom embroidered apparel. After 42 local embroiderers said no, co-founders Jake and Kyndall bought their own machine and scaled past $5M in annual revenue, with customers like Justin Bieber and a spot on Oprah's Favorite Things.
How Austin's Chapter of eWomenNetwork is Building Bigger Rooms
eWomenNetwork, a 500,000-member community across 118 chapters, aims to help one million women each reach $1M in revenue. Austin's chapter, led by Sara Chevere of She Builds Empires, hosts curated Strategic Business Introductions.
Austin's Kendra Scott Brings On a Gap Vet as Its First-Ever CBO
Kendra Scott, the 165-store, 3,200-employee Austin lifestyle brand, named Adrienne Gernand its first-ever Chief Business Officer effective April 27. She spent nearly two decades at Gap Inc. leading Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta.
Austin Banned Her Yard Sign. Now Policy May Save Her.
Jennifer Worth has run Vintage Framing Studio from her East Austin home since 2010, but the city ordered her yard sign removed. Austin's new "Pink Zone" pilot aims to let home-based micro-businesses operate and advertise visibly again.
Tomo Mags' Iconic Blue Bus Just Got a Brick-and-Mortar Home Downtown
Tomo Mags, the roaming magazine shop known for its signature blue bus, has opened a permanent downtown location at 411 Brazos St., Suite 101, extending founder Vico Puentes' decade-long print obsession that started in Houston.
Prototype Vintage Expands to North Loop after 20 Years on South Congress
Prototype Vintage, Austin's long-running vintage clothing shop owned by Audrie San Miguel and Emily Larson, opened a second location at 123 E. North Loop Blvd., marking 20 years in business since its 2005 launch.
Small Business Spotlight: Mercado Sin Nombre
Owner Maltby's Mercado Sin Nombre grew from Austin farmers markets into a scrappy brick-and-mortar cafe at 408 N Pleasant Valley Rd, earning a spot in Bon Appetit's best new breakfasts and 2025's Michelin guide on food alone.
Austin is Becoming a Major Film & TV Powerhouse
Austin is Becoming a Major Film & TV Powerhouse
Austin is turning into a serious film and TV contender after Texas' Senate Bill 2025 was signed in 2025, injecting $300M every two years into the state's film industry over the decade and letting Austin poach projects from Hollywood.
Black Pearl Books: Right Place, Right Time?
Black Pearl Books went from about 5 orders a week to 10,000 orders in June 2020 after pivoting online, opening a storefront on Burnet Rd. while keeping its mission to support diversity and representation through literature.
