Focus 2017

2017

FOCUS on locally owned businesses

Celebrating the locally owned businesses in Hays County

2 | FOCUS ON LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES

SEPTEMBER 2017

BUY LOCAL FOCUS on

Locally Owned Businesses

is published by Barton Publications, Inc.

113 W. Center Street Kyle, TX 78640 (512) 268-7862

Publisher Cyndy Slovak-Barton Editor

H

omegrown businesses are what make a town feel like a community. They are the lifeblood of the local economy.

That’s why in this special Focus issue produced by the Hays Free Press, we feature local, homegrown businesses in northern Hays County.

With the current population boom, local economies in Hays County have the opportunity to grow and connect with other homegrown businesses at a faster rate than other areas. One byproduct of that is an increase in local sales revenues and a wider variety of options for consumers who value keeping their spending dollars in their communities. In this

Focus edition, we spotlight a few of the bright local businesses that are making a difference here.

As you read, we hope you will learn something new or find a business you didn’t know existed. And we encourage you to try out as many of the businesses in this issue as possible, because without our local shop owners, doctors, insurance agents and restaurants, we would be just like every other city in America.

Thanks for reading – enjoy!

P.S. – If you know of a hometown business you think should be included in next year’s Focus, drop us a line at news@haysfreepress.com.

INSIDE Austin Extreme Graphics..........................................9, 19 Buda Print & Ship.......................................................... 3

Moses Leos III

Buda Protein Weight Loss Center.. .............................7, 8

Marketing

Dance Unlimited............................................................ 3

Tracy Mack Jim Darby Copywriter

Central Texas Collision.............................................6, 12 Ellipsis Boutique. . .......................................................... 3 Noah’s Ark Storage. . ............................................... 20, 24 Onion Creek Kennels....................................................17

Kate Barton

Pennington’s Cakes....................................................... 3

Graphics Director/

Shaggy Dog Market....................................................6, 7

Distribution David White

Graphics Assistant Christine Thorpe

Pups and Mutts........................................................9, 13 StarTex Real Estate................................................ 13, 19 The Stitch Shoppe/Lavish Leathers. . ...................... 14, 15 Virtual Church Secretary. . .........................................8, 12 Well Boutique Spa........................................................17

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WoMen’s ConTeMPorarY CloThinG & aCCessories in the Buda Mill & Grain Co.

Buda Print & ShiP (512) 361-3580 Copy • print • Fax notary • Laminating maiL Box rentaL paCkaging & Shipping ServiCeS & SuppLieS poStage StampS greeting CardS

LARGE FORMAT PRINTING

noW CarrYinG: BB dakota kut FroM the kloth hoBo BaGS aleX & ani BraCeletS

Canon imagePROGRAF iPF785 36” Large-Format Inkjet Printer

Fall Fashions have arrived!

1645 Main Street, Suite D Buda, TX 78610

306 S. Main St., Suite 105 Buda, tX 10:00aM - 6:00PM

Voice: 512.361.3580

•

Fax: 512.295.7701

BudaPrintandShip@gmail.com • www.BudaPrintandShip.com

Pennington’s Cakes Cakes for all occasions Cupcakes, Cookies Cake Pops too!

Voted Best of

Hays County

Little Dancer’s Workshop * Ballet * Tap Jazz * Pointe * Hip Hop Cheer * Acro * Gymnastics Lyrical * Mommy and Me * Contemporary Performance & Competition Teams

Register online!

www.DanceUnlimitedBudaTX.com 1019 Main Street, Buda TX 78610 (512) 295-3667

Weddings Birthdays Celebrations 512-396-4059

1662 S. Interstate 35 San Marcos, TX 78666 penningtonscakes@mygrande.net www.PenningtonsCakes.com

4 | FOCUS ON LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES

SEPTEMBER 2017

THE DYNAMIC CORRIDOR

p

PHOTO BY TRAVIS MITCHELL

f t b G S C U h

Cities perform balancing act to build opportunities for small and big businesses

i y l o C c h g

“Large entities are very exciting and play a great role in giving that sort of ‘stamp of approval’ for the area and the region ... But you can’t forget that the foundation of the economy is built on small business owners and entrepreneurs.”

b p c

by Moses Leos III

B

usiness is booming in Texas and Hays County is right in the thick of it.

Hays County, which in 2016 was named as one of the fastest growing counties in the nation, is also one of the top counties to experience investment and business growth.

According to a survey conducted by SmartAsset, a New York based financial technology company, Hays County ranked 8th in investment growth in 2017.

Investments can be categorized as someone opening a home or starting up a small business.

The county also experienced a 11.7 percent increase in business growth in 2017, which

– Adriana Cruz, president of the Greater San Marcos Partnership

was ranked 14th in the state, according to the SmartAsset. com's study.

Adriana Cruz, president of the Greater San Marcos Partnership, said Texas as a whole has been ranked as

one of the top states for small business. Central Texas in general has been a place where big and small business has thrived, Cruz said.

“We think there is such an entrepreneurial spirit and

vibe in Hays County for small business owners, which is really exciting,” Cruz said.

A handful of factors are guiding the success of small business in the area. Being at the “dynamic corridor” for population growth and job growth is one factor, Cruz said.

Another is affordability, both for business and the cost of living, along with a talented workforce that's “extremely productive and hard working.”

“You have the great combination of a number of factors that help our small businesses get started, get off the ground and find success,” Cruz said.

However, small businesses still face the challenge of getting their name brand and

D e b i t b b c g c

a b e

s t

“

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HAYS FREE PRESS FILE PHOTO With many small businesses located on Buda’s Main Street, the city has joined the Texas Main Street program in order to bring in tourism dollars by making improvements to the downtown area. In April 2017, First Lady of Texas Cecilia Abbott presented Buda with her vision of Main Street Buda during the official kick off of Buda’s program.

product out into the market.

Connecting with resources for financial help is one of the biggest challenges small businesses face today. The GSMP partners with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Texas State University in San Marcos to help small business.

“You may be an expert in your particular field, but you may not be an expert in loans and finding financing or marketing or advertising,” Cruz said. “Being able to connect with resources can help a small business lay a good foundation.”

For many cities, small business brings a variety of positive attributes into the community.

Ann Miller, Buda Economic Development Corporation executive director, said small business benefits cities by infusing money back into the local economy. Smaller businesses generally have better customer service than corporate stores and are will to go “above and beyond” to help customers, Miller said.

But cities must also find a balance between small business and larger, corporate entities.

Cruz said the diversity of small and big business makes the region stronger.

While the economic is “greatly run” by smaller

HAYS FREE PRESS FILE PHOTO Kyle welcomed Wal-Mart into its business community in March 2015.

Local cities are looking to strike a balance between big box stores such as Wal-Mart and small, locally-owned businesses.

businesses, Cruz said larger companies also plays a role in helping build the economy.

“Large entities are very exciting and play a great role

in giving that sort of “stamp of approval” for the area and the region,” Cruz said.

“But you can't forget that the foundation of the economy is

built on small business owners and entrepreneurs.”

In Buda, Miller said several big box stores, such as Walmart and Cabela's, have popped up over the last decade, which has helped fill a specific need in the city.

She said the city has worked to achieve a balance in where big box stores and locally owned business are located.

Larger chain stores are seen along the Interstate 35 corridor, while Buda's smaller businesses are generally located in the Main Street sector.

“The challenge is with the outsider; people who don't live in Buda,” Miller said.

“Most people just see the I-35 corridor. Getting them to downtown or to unique stores can be challenging.”

Cruz said she doesn't expect to see growth curbing anytime soon. However, the types of industries that come to Hays County could shift over the next decade.

Where once retail was the focus for cities, Cruz said more advanced manufacturing and technologically focused businesses could make its way to the area. An influx on the entrepreneurial side could also be in the cards.

“We're at the edge of a very exciting time and an exciting future is ahead of us,” Cruz said.

6 | FOCUS ON LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES

SEPTEMBER 2017

Find your car guy at Central Texas Collision Growing up in the Motor City, Steve Ohlman didn’t have to wait long to be immersed in car culture.

While in high school in the Detroit, Michigan area, Ohlman took classes in collision repair, which was part of the curriculum.

From that point on, Ohlman, who has lived in Buda for the past 11 years, has worked in the car industry and has been self employed in the body shop business. Ohlman has extensive experience with cars and commercial medium duty trucks and has been in this line of work for over 35 years.

As the owner of Central Texas Collision Services, which opened in 2000, Ohlman and his staff take great pride in their quality workmanship and repair services.

Central Texas Collision can professionally restore damaged cars as well as provide friendly expert service.

Some of the services that are offered at Central Texas Collision Services in addition to auto collision repair are lift gate sales and service, crane repairs for service body trucks, as well as RV paint and repair.

Central Texas Collision also does large fleet paint

and collision repair and customer welding and fabrication, along with removing and replacing graphics while your vehicle is at their shop.

Central Texas Collision is located at 230 Distribution Cove in Buda and they can be reached at 512-295-7618. No

appointment is necessary (although recommended) and estimates are free. All insurances are accepted.

They are open MondayFriday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Examples of their expertise can be found online at www.

CentralTexasCollision.com.

Buda Sportsplex 1626

Buda Dog Park AWESOME STUFF FOR DOGS

Shaggy Dog

967

NOW CARRYING: Fromm Nulo

Acana/Orijen

Taste of the Wild

Stella & Chewy's

Zignature

Come check us out!

(512) 312-4339 3420B FM 967, Buda TX www.SHAGGYDOGMARKET.com

2 self-serve dog wash stations Grain-free, raw, freeze-dried and all-natural foods Healthy, organic and tasty treats Quality toys Knowledgeable, dog-loving staff

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Healthy, happy pets love Shaggy Dog After regularly driving to Austin for pet supplies, new Buda resident Craig Barron grew tired of the task and decided something had to change.

“I got very passionate and interested in dog nutrition years ago,” Barron said. “When I moved to Buda, I was going back into Austin for all my dog stuff and I realized there was quite a need here for high quality, good pet food and a pet shop in the area.”

By opening the Shaggy Dog Market, Barron hopes to provide a locally based pet-related service to the area.

Barron saw that Buda and Kyle are very dog friendly communities and he knew that people would be receptive to a local pet supply store

Pets are always welcome to join in shopping at Buda’s Shaggy Dog Market.

They may get a chance to meet store mascot ZuZu the Goldendoodle.

The store also offers selfserve dog wash stations and cat supplies.

with healthy products for their pets. The store carries everything an owner might need for their furry friends, including nutritious food, grooming supplies, collars, chews, toys, treats and two selfserve dog wash stations.

The shop even supplies some cat food and toys as well.

“We sell awesome products and foods that don’t have any fillers or by-products in them,” Barron said.

Shaggy Dog Market

opened in June and Barron says he decided to name the shop after Zuzu, his Goldendoodle.

“We were looking for a unique name that no one else was using for this kind of store, and we tossed around several different names,” Barron said. “We knew she would be here at the store, and we used a drawing of her face for our logo, it just worked out perfectly.”

Zuzu is mascot of the store and she is ready to greet customers and their pets when they come in.

Shaggy Dog Market is located right in front of the Buda Dog Park at 3420B FM 967 in Buda. It is open Monday-Friday 10 a.m-7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday 12-5 p.m. Stop by the shop or call 512-312-4339.

Buda’s Protein Weight Loss Center The Ideal Protein Method

Ideal Protein is the #1 RATED DIET that doctors most often refer to their patients.

Take control of your weight loss and make a dramatic change in your health!

CALL NOW! 512-295-0173 825 Main St. #150, Buda budaweightloss.com Attend a FREE workshop on the 2nd or 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm.

Owners Kelly Reyes and Debby Brewington are readily available to get you started on your journey.

STOP yo-yo dieting and get serious about not only losing the weight, BUT most importantly maintaining that weight loss for life.

Permanent Weight Loss is our #1 goal!!

Learn all about: • The #1 rated diet in the nation • Why doctors recommend it over other programs • How body fat is effectively burned • The relationship between insulin and weight gain • Which foods are best suited for healthy weight management • When, why and in what combination to eat carbs, fats and proteins • Weight stabilizing methods and maintenance habits

SUPPORTING A HEALTHIER YOU Pepper’s Market was designed with the dieter and diabetic in mind. Find products that support your diet, especially the ketosis diet. It will introduce you to diet foods that will expand your menu choices.

Shop from our delicious products: • Miracle Noodles & Rice • Skinny Syrups for Coffee, Tea, Water • Chips / Dorados • Flavors of Syrup – Pancake, Blueberry, Chocolate • Salad Dressings, BBQ Sauces • Gum and Mints • Coffee Creamers • and much more!

Bring in this ad and receive $5 OFF your purchase of $10 or more!

Most importantly - taste the products!

WE CAN’T WAIT TO MEET YOU…………….COME ON IN AND START YOUR JOURNEY TO A HEALTHY AND HAPPIER YOU!

8 | FOCUS ON LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES

SEPTEMBER 2017

Ideal Protein: The most recommended diet among physicians

Business partners Debby Brewington and Kelly Reyes of Buda’s Protein Weight Loss Center offer the #1 most popular diet, the Ideal Protein method. The Ideal Protein Protocol is medically designed, developed and consistent with evidence-based guidelines for weight loss management.

The protocol maximizes the body’s ability to burn fat by restricting carbohydrate intake, and maintaining normal protein intake in order not to lose muscle mass. According to Brewington, “Our success lies in the specially formulated bio-protein utilized in this product. Our clients experience unfounded weight loss accompanied with fat burning, body sculpting results. There is no other diet that can make the scientific claim that this protocol boasts. The satisfaction that the formulated protein brings to the diet propels Buda Protein clients to burn

fat, transform their bodies, slimmer body.” Some of manage medications and what their dieters are saying: maintain their weight loss “I have been on many diets for life.” Brewington adds all my life but never had that this such a program positive is sucexpericessful in ence as I reversing have had and treathere.” ing many “Thoughtmedical ful and condiextremely tions such caring. as Type 2 They are Diabetes. also very Brewrealistic ington about and Reyes goals and Pepper’s Market have eating. successThere were fully traveled this journey, always smiles to greet me transforming their own at my weekly visits.” “The bodies and achieving optistaff was knowledgeable, mal health. “Encouraging patient, and kind. They were others in this weight loss more like family than staff. I journey” is what Brewington would HIGHLY recommend and Reyes like most about them.” “The coaching they helping their clients. “We provided me made all the have assisted more than 450 difference in the world to clients obtain a healthier, keep me motivated.”

PEPPER’S MARKET

Pepper’s Market is a new concept for the Buda/Kyle area that Brewington and Reyes hope will help those looking for low-cal, lowcarb, low-fat, aspartame free & pharmaceutical grade protein products and supplements. Everything for the health conscience shopper and those looking for products to support healthy weight loss.

Buda’s Protein Weight Loss Center has been in Buda for the past 2 1/2 years. Their KIS Tutoring Center, located in the same building, has been here since 2004. They have been involved in the community for 13 years. Their location is 825 Main St. #150 in Buda.

For more information call 512-295-0173 or visit budaweightloss.com. Their hours are Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Supporting pastors of small to medium size churches of all denominations • Website Design/ Maintenance • Weekly Worship Bulletin • Newsletters • Brochures • Bookkeeping photo by Katherine O’Brien

512-350-1027

| info@virtualchurchsecretary.com | www.virtualchurchsecretary.com

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Find your pet’s second home at Pups & Mutts Justine Gooding hails from an animal loving family.

A 31-year resident of Hays County, Gooding has three horses and four dogs she calls her own. That’s down from the donkey, cow, five dogs, three horses and cat she used to have.

But for all intents and purposes, Gooding’s love of animals allows her to understand what it takes to take care of them. She and her staff imparted that knowledge when they opened Pups & Mutts in Kyle.

Kyle’s new doggy daycare, Pups & Mutts, is a place where residents can take their energetic pup to play while they’re away.

Gooding said she wanted to open a safe and fun environment for dogs to play, whether they are there

“We wanted it to have a home-like feeling and not a commercial-like feeling ... We’ve been told the place is too nice for dogs, and when I was told that, I knew we had built it right.”

– Justine Gooding, owner

for a few hours or boarding for a few days.

“I saw the need for it, with all of the new apartments and houses, and working professionals that are moving here, we needed a place to take our dogs,” Gooding said. Along with doggy daycare, Pups & Mutts offers boarding and grooming services.

Gooding says they are different from a typical kennel.

“We don’t call ourselves a kennel, we call ourselves more of a pet resort, because we have ‘open play boarding,’ and what that translates to is the dogs being social and friendly with other dogs,” Gooding said.

Even dogs who don’t want to be social with other canine clients will have individual staff assigned to them for play time, so they can still get

the exercise they need.

Gooding designed Pups & Mutts with an environment that’s comfortable as possible.

“The whole concept and the way the building was designed the way it is is we wanted it to have a home-like feeling and not a commercial-like feeling,” Gooding said. “We’ve been told the place is too nice for dogs, and when I was told that, I knew we had built it right.”

Pups & Mutts is located at 598 Rebel Drive in Kyle.

The office and daycare hours are weekdays from 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Weekend hours for boarding are drop-off and pick up on Saturday and Sunday from 8-10 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. Grooming services are by appointment at 512268-9177.

Vehicle Wraps & Graphics Signs · Banners · Logo Design · Magnets & More Proud Member of Buda and Kyle Chamber of Commerces

10 | FOCUS ON LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES

SEPTEMBER 2017

Buda Demographics City of Buda Population......................................... 16,428 Retail Trade Population.......................................... 80,129 Median Age.................................................................... 32 Median Household Income.................................. $84,087 How big are Buda businesses?

1-4 Employees....................................................... 55.53% 5-9 Employees....................................................... 22.55% 10-19 Employees................................................... 10.02% 20-49 Employees..................................................... 8.14% 50-99 Employees..................................................... 2.71% 100+ Employees....................................................... 1.25% Income Distribution by Household <$10K............................................................................ 128 $10-20K......................................................................... 213 $20-30K......................................................................... 337 $30-40K......................................................................... 294 $50-60K......................................................................... 450 $60-75K......................................................................... 773 $75-100K....................................................................... 883 >$100K....................................................................... 2,275 Commercial Growth At the end of 2016 Buda had a total of 479 businesses.

The leading industies were retail, accommodation & food services, construction and manufacturing.

Number of jobs by industry Retail.......................................................................... 1,248 Accommodations and Food Service................................................................. 892 Construction.................................................................. 732 Manufacturing............................................................... 480 How do people in Buda spend most of their money?

Shelter.................................................................... $14,558 Transportation........................................................ $13,303 Food & Beverage.................................................... $10,152 Health Care............................................................... $5,342 Utilities...................................................................... $5,066 Source: The Retail Coach, Tupelo, Mississippi

K

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Where do business get revenue from in Buda and Kyle?

In community economic development, a city’s retail trade area typically contains about 75% or current customers.Kyle’s primary trade area population is expected to grow to over 293,000 people by the year 2020, while Buda’s is expected to grow to around 90,000.

BUDA RETAIL TRADE AREA MANCHACA

967 1626

BUDA

NIEDERWALD KYLE

Kyle Demographics

KYLE RETAIL TRADE AREA MANCHACA

City of Kyle Population............................................ 39,400 Retail Trade Population.......................................... 195,762

BUDA

Median Age...................................................................... 29 Median Household Income.................................... $75,925 The Kyle population consists of mostly blue collar and white collar occupations earning 30% higher than the national average.

15 Year Growth Rate..................................................493% Residential Growth 12 major master planned developments are in the works, representing 40,000 new lots Source: Catalyst Commercial, Dallas, Texas

WIMBERLEY

KYLE 21

12 | FOCUS ON LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES

SEPTEMBER 2017

Virtual helper lets pastors focus on what matters Terry Foley recognized a need among smaller churches that don’t have the resources to hire full time staff for tasks and duties outside of ministering.

Instead of letting churches compromise on these important tasks, Foley created Virtual Church Secretary, to provide the services they needed online and remotely.

Foley says her mission is to give pastors time to minister, a slogan also written on her website.

She says she loves working with pastors and helping them so that they can help others.

“It’s a very reciprocal business,” Foley said.

Foley is a recent graduate from St. Edward’s University with a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational

“I’ve been very blessed to have worked with some really great people and I just love helping them so they can do what they do, which is shepherd a church ... Their time can be better spent if someone can take that off of their plate for them.”

– Terry Foley, owner

Leadership and she is also a Certified Professional Church Secretary in the United Methodist Church.

Currently, Foley is serving the local community as the business administrator at Buda United Methodist Church and has been doing so since 2005. But her long-term goal is to work toward managing Virtual Church Secretary full time.

“I love working with pastors. I’ve been very blessed to have worked with some really great people and I just love helping them so they can do what they do, which is shepherd a church,” Foley said. “Like my website says, they’re not going to seminary to publish a bulletin or newsletter every week. Their time can be better spent if someone

can take that off of their plate for them.”

For most of her clients she produces weekly orders of worship, also known as bulletins, and sends out weekly communications to the respective church’s congregation. Additionally, Foley manages several of her clients’ websites, making sure they are up to date with news and events.

She also does bookkeeping and data entry as well.

Most of her clients are local, with some in Austin and one in Florida.

Potential clients can take a survey at www. virtualchurchsecretary. com on the “About Me” page to easily see what Virtual Church Secretary can do for their congregations! Or for more information, give her a call at 512-350-1027.

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Start giving back with StarTex Real Estate StarTex Real Estate has been a local business in Hays County since 2004.

Chris Dunkin, owner and broker of StarTex, started out working as the manager of Michael Thames Custom Homes in 1994 and then naturally progressed into real estate.

“I just jumped into the real estate business when I was managing for Michael Thames, and I had to have a real estate license,” Dunkin said. “And then once I became licensed, a lot of my friends asked if I could help them find a house, or sell their house, and it just has grown from there.”

StarTex is a full service real estate company which means they do just about everything.

“We help you buy and sell residential, we

“It’s a small company, locally owned, we’re not part of a franchise, so that’s why we’re able to give so much money back into the community.”

– Chris Dunkin, owner and broker of StarTex

help with buying and selling commercial, we do commercial property management, investor purchase sales, and we do some residential property management,” Dunkin said.

The company has recently expanded a little outside of Hays and Travis counties into San Antonio and the Corpus Christi area. Even though they are growing, Dunkin takes pride in being a local

business that gives back.

“We’re very community oriented. We give 10 percent of our earned sales commissions back into the community in local nonprofits,” Dunkin said.

This year so far, StarTex has given more than $15,000, and in 2016 they gave back over $30,000.

“It’s a small company, locally owned, we’re not part of a franchise, so that’s why we’re able to give so much money back

into the community,” she said.

Many of Dunkin’s agents attended Hays High School and all of them live in the local Hays County area, including Dunkin who lives in Driftwood.

“My passion is giving back to the local community and the agents that work with me agree with that passion,” Dunkin says.

Dunkin is also involved in the local community by being on the board of directors for the YMCA Hays and for Hays Praise Emmaus.

The StarTex Real Estate office is located on 251 N FM 1626 in building #2A in Buda. Those interested can also call 512-3121150 or email Chris@ StarTexRealEstate.com for more information.

NOW OPEN! CALL FOR GROOMING APPOINTMENTS, BOARDING RESERVATIONS, DAY CARE INFORMATION AND MORE:

512-268-9177

It’s playtime all day, every day!

Are you looking for a safe, fun, and loving place for your dog while you’re away?

Social dogs boarding at Pups & Mutts enjoy playtime every single day of the year, either in one of our climate controlled indoor play areas or out in our secured outdoor play areas. Our special environment will leave your dog tuckered out by the end of their stay so that you can enjoy a calm companion when you return from your trip!

Want to see what’s going on?

512-268-9177

Watch your dog on webcam in the play areas! pupsandmutts.com/web-cams

598 Rebel Drive, Kyle, TX

pupsandmutts.com Questions? info@pupsandmutts.com

14 | FOCUS ON LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES

SEPTEMBER 2017

Find the answers to all your fashion woes at Lavish Leathers and The Stitch Shoppe Longtime Buda resident Monica Davidson had already retired from corporate America when inspiration stuck to her mind like a stitch on a pattern.

The purchase of an embroidery machine for personal monogramming quickly turned into something more. Several years later, Davidson opted to open The Stitch Shoppe in 2016.

Now alongside sisters Amber Graning and Sienna Jones, owners of Lavish Leathers, the trio have come together for a two-store boutique that is a split between a women’s apparel store and handmade leather accessories.

Davidson said she originally began The Stitch Shoppe in her own home.

The personal monogramming turned into commercial embroidery, to where she eventually had to move out of her house and find a space. That’s when the boutique began.

“It wasn’t something that I set out to do, it kind of just happened,” Davidson said.

The base of the shop was originally monogramming and personal embroidery.

Davidson sold and continues to sell items like custom personal gifts, baby gifts, backpacks for school and commercial embroidery for local businesses. Davidson enjoys helping small businesses in the community grow through promotion.

“I’ve always been passionate about this community, so we’re heavily involved in things via the boutique for the community whenever we can. So it was an accidental business, but it grew into something I’ve enjoyed to be able to connect with the community, and it wasn’t something that I set out to do, but I truly believe that God set me on this path to touch more lives,” Davidson said.

"We both have always enjoyed creating and making. We grew up in a very creative home, we have very fond memories of our mom sewing us clothes and even custom Barbie clothes. There's such pride in seeing others enjoying our handmade creations."

– Sienna Jones, co-owner of Lavish Leathers

Along with custom embroidery, The Stitch Shoppe sells favorite go-to brands such as Piko, Dear John Denim, DIFF Eyewear, Headbands of Hope Corkcicle and more. With fashionable items in styles of boho to chic to casual, Buda’s Stitch Shoppe has the answer to wardrobe woes.

Beautiful, light-weight, leather earnings, bracelets, necklaces and more created by the sister duo of Lavish Leathers can also be found in the store as well. Amber and Sienna also have a similar story of accidentally falling into their business, which was originally created in March 2015.

“Amber actually made the first pair and she showed them to me and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh these are awesome, I love them,’” Jones said.

That same week, one of Sienna’s friends she grew up

with posted the earrings on her fashion blog, “The Mrs. & The Momma,” and they knew they were going to be popular.

“Within a week we had a website up and about 15 different styles. That week we started getting orders in and it hasn’t stopped since,” Jones said.

At the beginning, their business was solely online, but as they expanded to wholesale, they needed more space. They opened up their storefront in August 2016, and expanded with The Stitch Shoppe in January 2017 when both businesses took over the building. Now the girls share The Stitch Shoppe with Davidson and it’s their main place for producing their jewelry. Both of the sisters handmake and create all of the jewelry and designs in their store and are starting to hire help to accommodate their growth.

“We have a huge wholesale part of our business. There are stores all across the U.S. that carry Lavish Leathers in their stores,” Jones said.

The inspiration for the business came only from the sisters’ own creative drive.

"We both have always enjoyed creating and making. We grew up in a very creative home, we have very fond memories of our mom sewing us clothes and even custom Barbie clothes.

There's such pride in seeing others enjoying our handmade creations," Jones said.

The girls are also passionate about beauty image in their customers.

“Our tagline is, uniquely beautiful, uniquely you, uniquely lavish, and we think every woman is uniquely beautiful in their own way.

And that the jewelry is an accent to that,” Jones said.

The sisters are very thankful for their community’s support, and they love sharing their success. The duo is proud to utilize the business as a platform to give back “as much as we can.”

The two have a “huge campaign” during Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month in September where they give 100 percent of the sales of a specific earring to Cure Search, which is a research group for childhood cancer.

“It’s a very personal campaign for us and it’s important to us that since we’ve found success with Lavish Leathers that we give back in any way we can,” Jones said.

Lavish Leathers and The Stitch Shoppe are located at 3310B FM 967 Ste. 107A in the Buda Sports Center. The hours of operation are Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

For more information, call 512-295-0869 or check out the stores online: www.TheStitchShoppe.com and www. lavishleathers.com.

HAYS FREE PRESS

15

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16 | FOCUS ON LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES

SEPTEMBER 2017

Shouldering small business Cities take steps to ease start-up struggles

by Moses Leos III

L

ike many candidates vying for elected office, Travis Mitchell’s mind swirled with ideas he hoped could one day come to fruition.

One overwhelming idea was to ease the burden for small businesses to get off the ground.

Eighteen months and a seat on the city of Kyle dais later, Mitchell and Kyle city staff are attempting to do just that.

Through the “First Year on Kyle” (FYOK) initiative, Kyle aims to help offset the first year of property taxes for qualifying small businesses. Kyle’s plan, which has been budgeted for this fiscal year, is one of a handful of measures local cities are taking to ease the burden of starting up.

FYOK is a tax rebate, where the city offers a credit to small businesses for paying its first year of property taxes. The city has allocated $50,000 for the program in Fiscal Year 2018.

Mitchell said one business so far has expressed interest in participating in the program.

Mitchell said the idea came about after complaints that Kyle only offered tax incentives to large national companies or big box stores.

His experience as a small business owner also played a role in creation of this plan.

Mitchell, who owns Mitchell Motor Sports in Kyle, recalled the challenges and difficulties he had going through city hall and trying to get started.

“What was formulating in my mind was some sort of deal that we could put into place that could level the playing field between large and small companies,” Mitchell said.

By doing so, Mitchell hopes to lessen the stress on small business owners, who are “always on the edge financially,” primarily in the first year.

“We wanted to answer the call to show in the critical

Buda’s Fat Quarter shop is one of the few businesses to have taken advantage of the city’s nontraditional small business incentive programs, one of four programs the city offers for new businesses.

new program.

“It gives us a way to reach out to them and build a relationship with them,” Miller said.

Rex Steele, a business advisor at the Small Business –Travis Mitchell, Kyle City Council member, Development Center at Texas on the city’s First Year On Kyle plan State University in San Marcos, said many cities could have a percentage of the permit fees some kind incentive programs, times, we can help small depending on their tax back to the business owner. business,” Mitchell said. structures.

The program stemmed from In Buda, a new program has He said the SBDC works a recent influx of home-based been instituted to help small with Kyle, Buda and San businesses that don’t qualify for businesses branching out to Marcos when it comes to traditional incentive packages. brick and mortar locations. small business programs. In Miller cited Fat Quarter Buda’s program offsets the addition, business owners who Shop, a Buda-based quilting cost of permitting fees for work with the Small Business company, which started out of new businesses, said Ann a garage and has now expanded Administration (SBA) can also Miller, Buda EDC executive apply for state and federal to a 60,000 square foot facility. director. Those fees include grants and loans that cover Buda’s EDC is also trying to obtaining a certificate of be as proactive as possible with expenses such as expansion or occupancy (COO), which is a building a new structure. its new program, Miller said. minimum requirement for all A benefit of small business When permits are filed every new businesses, and any other is the positive “domino effect” month, the EDC mails the building or work permits.

Miller said the program pays business a letter explaining the it can have on a community.

“We wanted to answer the call to show in the critical times, we can help small business.”

HAYS FREE PRESS

17

Local Small Business Incentive Programs BUDA SMALL BUSINESS PERMITTING

Provides 50% reimbursement of certain permit fees for small busineses locating in the City of Buda or limited purpose annexation area. This program is for small for-profit businesses that don’t qualify for incentives or grants from other programs.

Maximum reimbursement is $1,250. This program applies both to new businesses and expanding businesses in Buda.

BUDA BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM PHOTO BY SAMANTHA SMITH Shoppers mill around the Ellipsis Boutique at Buda’s Mill and Grain in downton Buda. Small boutiques are becoming more popular in Hays County.

Having small businesses could boost employment, bring more housing and put money back into a local economy, Steele said.

But Mitchell said municipalities must also be careful in how it engages the small business community.

Due to the fluidity of small business, Mitchell said the city must be responsible in how it allocates taxpayer dollars for such programs.

“I’d like to see more done, and I’m constantly looking to provide that in any way I can,” Mitchell said.

Provides grant funding for new or expanding small businesses located in an existing building in Buda’s Heritage Distrct. Funds are available for both interior and exterior improvements and are determined by the terms of the lease, square footage, and linear frontage of the building. Maximum grant amounts are $5,000 for interior and $5,000 for exterior. Businesses are required to provide matching funds.

FIRST YEAR ON KYLE

Provides owner-occupied businesses with a one-time tax credit up to $5,000 for improvements on real and personal property.

If an owner-occupied business opened and made capital improvements in order to operate that business, the individual would be reimbursed for the taxes paid up to $5,000 over the land value to the city during the first year.

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18 | FOCUS ON LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES

SEPTEMBER 2017

Bringing you the views of Hays County every week.. .

DRIPPING SPRING • WIMBERLEY • WESTERN HAYS COUNTY

News-Dispatch KYLE • BUDA • EASTERN HAYS COUNTY

Hays Free Press Subscribe to your local newspaper to stay up to date on breaking local news, city council meetings, high school sports, community events, business developments and more.

Call (512) 268-7862 or email paper@haysfreepress.com to start receiving the Hays Free Press or News-Dispatch every week. Subscriptions start at only $42 a year.

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HAYS FREE PRESS

19

Take it to the limit with Austin Extreme Graphics Ever since they first opened in 2005, Austin Extreme Graphics has specialized in vehicle decals, along with custom stripes and wraps that make it easy for businesses to advertise wherever they go.

Based in Buda, Austin Extreme Graphics provides high-quality craftsmanship and talent that can be seen on national brands, while maintaining the specialized and one-on-one attention that every customer deserves.

They have worked on projects for South by Southwest including popular brands such as Friskies and Brisk Tea. For Friskies, Austin Extreme Graphics put a temporary wrap on the Austin Duck Adventures bus for the internet-famous “Grumpy Cat” to ride in. The graphics

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBBIE OHLMAN One of Austin Extreme Graphics projects was this Austin Duck Adventure bus for Grumpy Cat.

company has also wrapped many local food trucks in the Austin area and has wrapped several high school band trailers, including those at Lehman, Hays and Bowie high schools.

Austin Extreme Graphics is also working on projects for local government as well.

“We wrapped utility boxes for the City of Austin and now we’re wrapping utility boxes for the Manor Road Beautification Project ...

Giving Back to the Communities Where We Live, Work and Love

those are a really cool project and they’re using local artists to design them and then we are printing them and installing them,” Ohlman said.

In addition to vehicle graphics and wraps, other services offered by Austin Extreme Graphics are logo creation, branding, banners, signs, car magnets, golf cart graphics and both vinyl removal and installation.

Ohlman credits her busi-

ness’ success to extraordinary customer service, talented staff, top quality products, and competitive pricing. She also makes it her mission to ensure clients are happy with their final product and experience throughout the entire production process.

“Our customers are wonderful and it makes us all happy when the customer is thrilled with their products,” Ohlman said.

Stop by Austin Extreme Graphics at 230 Distribution Cove in Buda or call 512312-2715 to see how they can make your ideas become reality. You can email them at austinxgraphics@ gmail.com. Their business hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

For more information and to view their portfolio visit AustinExtremeGraphics.com.

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20 | FOCUS ON LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES

SEPTEMBER 2017

Join the family at Noah’s Ark Storage Noah’s Ark Storage is a self Even though they are storage facility operating in newer to the community, Florida and Texas. Managers Jim and Gerry did not waste of the Buda property Jim any time getting involved and Gerry Lewis are newer in the chamber, board of to the area, but are very directors for the economic dedicated to the community development corporation and providing excellent cos(EDC), and other city functumer service. tions. They like to run the Noah’s Ark Storage is part company with a friendly of the Parham Group, a and neighborly touch. They company founded by Mike even hand out a chamber and Ann directory to new Parham, clients so they can which also know what is go“We’re not oversees ing on in the city.

NDS Con“What makes trying to struction, us unique is that, nickel and Joshua number one, we’re Manageconstruction dime people acompany ment, and so we’ve Learn Self built these propto death over erties for people Storage.

Jim and for the last 30 here. And Gerry years. These are started Class A properties, we love our working we have climate community, for the control, we have Parham drive up units. we work Group in And we have Florida another type of in our in 2010 unit that no one and when else has called an community, Mike and exterior climate Ann asked controlled unit,” we’re them to Jim Lewis said. involved move out The exterior to Buda climate controlled in our in 2012 to unit is just as it manage sounds, they are community the new drive up units property that are climate ...

We’re here, they controlled, so you were ready don’t have to walk part of the to help. into a building to community, “We get to your stuff. actually But Jim says they’re our got here what is really Thanksunique is how families. giving Day they run the stor2012, our age facility; They We’re just property like to run it like started betheir tenants are another ing built in their friends. neighbor.”

April and “We run it sweet we opened and simple. You –Jim Lewis, Buda the proppay me, you keep property manager erty in the the unit clean, afternoon we’ll be happy, I’ll of December 26, 2012,” Jim keep the property clean,” said. “We came out to Buda Jim Lewis said. to open this one and got He added they believe in involved in the community.” helping people with their Jim and Gerry also live on storage needs. the property with their dog.

In 2015, Noah’s Ark Stor-

Jim and Gerry Lewis, property managers at Noah’s Ark Storage

age was put in with 100 other properties for Storage Facility of the Year “It came down to three and then we won 2015 storage facility of the year nationwide,” Jim Lewis said.

Unfortunately, Mike Parham passed away in 2014 before he could see the success of his Buda company.

Mike prided himself on excellency in his construction and self-storage business.

“This property was a dream of Mike’s and he got to see it take off and start filling up and all that we were doing before he passed away. So it has extra special meaning for us,” Jim Lewis said.

Noah’s Ark Storage Facility isn’t hard to spot in the community. Originally they were going to put an old buck wagon outside the front of the facility, but the city denied it.

Now they’ve got statues of a buffalo and a deer family.

“People stop and take pictures of it. We’re just known as, ‘Hey, that’s the buffalo place,” Jim Lewis said.

He added they have also tried to tie in with the Cabela’s theme since the store is right across the street from the store.

“What we try to do is kind of tie in an outdoorsy feeling, we have deer mounts and fish on the walls,” Jim Lewis said.

Jim added people feel comfortable coming sitting down and talking with everyone or watching TV. “We’ve got a homey feel.

People just come in and chatter and talk. It’s a homey, inviting feel. It’s not just stark walls and boxes and take your rent and off you go,” Jim Lewis said.

Jim and Gerry Lewis love being part of the community in Buda.

“We give that customer service. We’re not trying to nickel and dime people to death over here. And we love our community, we work in our community, we’re involved in our community,” Jim Lewis said.

“We’ve helped the flooded ladies out on Bluff street, we helped the elderly couple who’s house got struck by lightning and caught fire out in Garlic Creek. We’re part of the community, they’re our families. We’re just another neighbor.”

Noah’s Ark Storage is located on 1280 Cabelas Dr in Buda. For inquires about storage facilities and pricing, call 512-295-3170.

HAYS FREE PRESS

21

Hays County makes top 10 list for investment growth

BY SAMANTHA SMITH

E

xponential growth is directly correlating to the increase in people making investments in Hays County, according to a survey conducted by SmartAsset, a New York-based financial technology company.

SmartAsset’s survey measured each county in Texas on business establishment growth, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, new building permits and federal contracts.

Hays County ranked 8th on the list with a business growth of 11.5 percent and a GDP growth of $1.3 million.

GDP is the total value of goods produced and services provided in an area during one

TOP 10 COUNTIES WITH HIGH INVESTMENTS IN TEXAS 1. Comal 2. Fort Bend 3. Collin 4. Harris 5. Travis 6. Rockwall 7. Williamson 8. Hays 9. Kendall 10. Dallas

year.

In addition, Hays County had 36.2 new building permits per 1,000 homes.

Ann Miller, executive director of the Buda Economic

Development Corporation, said more investments from businesses and individuals “means more capital investment into the community, which directly correlates with property tax revenue.”

According to SmartAsset, people make investments every day. Examples include opening a small business or buying a home.

Miller said she attributed the high rank of Hays County on the high investment list to its proximity to large metropolitan areas like Austin and San Antonio.

“The majority, if not all, of the counties in Texas on this list are part of a larger metropolitan area,” Miller said. “Texas is one of the best

SHWEIKI

states to do business in and businesses are attracted to areas where there is a high level of activity as this increases their likelihood of success.”

Miller said people invest in Buda because of the low tax rate and unique charm.

She added the city was an attractive location for investors as it doesn’t have as many issues for businesses located in larger communities.

“Our development and permitting process is simple, straightforward and easy to navigate.” Miller said, “Our low tax rate is also a contributing factor as to why people should invest in Buda.”

Miller lauded Hays CISD for their contribution to Hays County’s place on the list of high investment areas.

22 | FOCUS ON LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES

SEPTEMBER 2017

The origins of the Hays Free Press was the Kyle News, founded by Thomas Fletcher Harwell (middle, looking at newspaper). His son, Turner (third child from the right), took over the newspaper and ran it until he sold the paper in the 1950s.

Barton Publications brings local community news to life in Hays County Barton Publications, which prints the Hays Free Press, the News-Dispatch and the Hays County Echo, is probably the oldest continuously family-run – and home grown – business in northern Hays County.

It is strong to this day, expanding coverage, adding new products and branching out in many ways.

But how did this business come to be established here ... and what makes it grow?

THE HISTORY

The Hays Free Press started as the Kyle News in 1903 and is now celebrating its 114th birthday.

Originally founded by Thomas Fletcher Harwell, the Kyle News was a family venture. It covered events from throughout the coun-

ty, but was based in north Hays County. Harwell’s son, Turner, took over the business and worked at the Kyle News until it was purchased

by Bob Barton and Moe Johnson in 1954. Turner continued to help on the newspaper until his death 40 years later.

Barton and Johnson ran the Kyle News while they were both in college at Southwest Texas Teachers College. Their friends and spouses took up the call, with Wynette Barton, Bob’s spouse, then a junior in college, serving as news editor. Pete Guttery, 21, was a sophomore in college at the time and studying journalism. The business manager was 19, the sports editor 17, the printer’s devil 16 and the Linotype operator a mere

Bob Barton, Jr., former publisher

13. The average age of the staff? 19.

Johnson decided to get out of the business in a few years to pursue his career in teaching and later in school administration. He traded his share of the business for a box of cigars.

Johnson moved forward

with his education career and later became the superintendent of Hays CISD – during its consolidation and into the expansion before he retired in 1984. He lived in Kyle until his death in 2013 and would occasionally stop by the paper to see how it was going.

Bob Barton also passed away in 2013, having handed over the reins of the business to his daughter-in-law, Cyndy Slovak-Barton, a few years earlier.

But his influence continues to this day.

Barton believed in change. He moved the newspaper several times, combined it with other newspapers over the years, and tried new products.

The Hays Free Press, founded as the Kyle News,

HAYS FREE PRESS

has carried the names and/ or combined with other newspapers – Hays County Citizen, Austin Sun, Onion Creek Free Press, River City Sun, Hays County Free Press, The Chautauquan and more.

The character of the newspaper was formed by Bob Barton – always a maverick when it came to newspapers. He advocated for sometimes unpopular beliefs, including voting rights for minorities, desegregation of schools and more.

Because of the newspaper’s insistence on correctness, the Hays Free Press excels as a strong community newspaper. The office walls of it headquarters in downtown Kyle are lined with plaques awarded to it by the Texas Press Association, the National Newspaper Association, the Inland Press Association, South Texas Press Association and more. The Hays Free Press is now the largest circulation weekly newspaper in Hays County and one of the few remaining independent voices in the county.

In 2014, Barton Publications purchased the News-Dispatch, a paper serving western Hays County. Previously owned by Dale and Joyce Roberson, the News-Dispatch reflects essence of a community newspaper, covering local news, sports, schools, city councils and more for the citizens of Dripping Springs and Wimberley.

Barton Publications “family” of products includes its monthly feature magazine, the Hays County Echo, the News-Dispatch as well as various chamber of commerce publications, including visitors guides, wedding guides and special editions aimed at schools, sports, young families, business and much more.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION For a long time, the Hays Free Press has seemed to be always “on the move.”

When the Harwell family established it in 1903, its

23

Above: Barton Publications staff with awards won in the 2016 South Texas Press Association Better Newspaper contest. Below: Publisher Cyndy Slovak-Barton gets arrested by a Hays County Sheriff’s Office Brown Santa respresentative in order to raise ‘bail money’ to help fund Brown Santa, a program that provides Christmas cheeer for local children in need.

offices were located facing the railroad tracks in Kyle, along Front Street.

Since then, it has moved – to San Marcos (near Cheatham Street Warehouse), to Manchaca, to Buda (in the buildings now housing Raby’s Roots and then in Frasier Harris’ current pottery shop), to Mountain City (where Hill Country Driving School and Arrowhead Bicycles is currently located on FM 2770), to downtown Kyle again.

The newest location also happens to be Kyle’s first privately built two-story building in downtown Kyle in more than 100 years.

Constructed to look like the old building it replaced – Teddlie’s Pharmacy, the

Barton Word building at the corner of Center and Main streets includes not only the office of the Hays Free Press, but also business offices and four apartments above, which overlook the historic Kyle City Square Park.

WHY IS BARTON PUBLICATIONS GROWING? Maybe it’s about its products, which are hyper-local.

When alarms go off at schools, local residents turn to the Hays Free Press and News-Dispatch websites to find out what happened.

When a team goes to the state playoffs, those not able to attend following the newspaper’s twitter feed, @

haysfreepress.

When someone needs information about doctors, they pick up the medical guide, which lists local physicians along with their offices and facilities.

When voters want to know about bonds or candidates or what city hall is up to, they pick up the weekly newspaper, which has stands and point-ofsale kiosks all over Buda and Kyle, or Dripping Springs and Wimberley for the News-Dispatch.

Public notices are run in both newspapers by so many institutions – Hays CISD, the cities of Kyle, Buda, Dripping Springs and Wimberley, Hays County, Uhland, Mountain City, Niederwald, Creedmoor, and attorneys galore – because they know the newspapers reach the people they need – those that are informed and involved.

CONTACT US

If you want to talk – about marketing, about stories, about photography, about video – give us a call at (512) 268-7862. Got a news tip? Send an email to news@haysfreepress.com.

And always remember to check HaysFreePress.com for all your local news.

24 | FOCUS ON LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES

SEPTEMBER 2017