Issuu

AUSTIN WOMAN MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2018

“You don’t get older, you get better.” —Shirley Bassey

In a split second, her world was torn apart.

Roopal Bhatt was hit by an SUV while she was walking with her son and daughter. It took months of therapy for her to learn how to walk again. Watch her story at stdavids.com.

Emergency Care

simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

furniture & accessories for your modern lifestyle

www.CopenhagenLiving.com phoenix

tucson

tempe

scottsdale

san antonio

austin

el paso

Mammograms can save more than 13,000 lives a year.

Thanks Mamm!

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and over 75% of them have no family history. The fact is mammograms can find cancer before a lump can be felt and early detection saves lives.

Make your mammogram appointment now at ausrad.com! Or call 512.453.6100

A Leader in Breast Imaging ARAMammoFacts.com

At Texas Children’s, we’ve made our mark by pioneering new treatments and constantly breaking new ground in our quest to cure complex conditions and devastating diseases. Now, our drive to create a community of healthy children is taking us even further – all the way to your front door. With new locations and services opening throughout the Austin area this year, we’re looking forward to partnering with local families and physicians to give kids the right care at the right time in the right place.

Authentically Texas. Dedicated to Children. texaschildrensaustin.org

Second to none in Texas, U.S. News & World Report has recognized Texas Children’s Hospital as one of the top children’s hospitals in the country. Here are our specialties that made the top five in the nation: 1st Cardiology & Heart Surgery, 1st Pulmonology, 3rd Nephrology, 3rd Neurology & Neurosurgery, 4th Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, 4th Urology. ©2018 Texas Children’s Hospital. All rights reserved. Heyne Ranch. AUS_022452_18

Special Promotion

TEXAS DISPOSAL SYSTEMS

COMMEMORATES 40 YEARS OF SERVING CENTRAL TEXAS

For four decades, these environmental stewards have put an emphasis on protecting the Lone Star State. Texas Disposal Systems is a pioneer in refusing to let support. TDS partners with a variety of local nonprofits, the Texas environment go to waste. It’s a passion the orincluding Austin Habitat for Humanity and Keep Austin ganization has been driven by for four decades. As TDS Beautiful. Through these important partnerships, TDS is celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, these trailblazable to donate physical resources such as trees, mulch and ers in waste solutions continue to innovate, pushing the soil, beautification materials and garden-build components boundaries of what is possible in the realms of recycling, while also volunteering services during community cleanup reusing and repurposing while also serving as dedicated events and homebuilding endeavors. stewards in teaching Texas communities and kids how TDS has tirelessly worked to ensure the next generations to embrace environmental responsibility. of Texans understand the importance of environmental It was in 1977—when the responsibility, servicing schools for Austin population teemed at more than 13 years, teaching staff about 322,000, the Austin City and students how to recycle approLimits television show had just priately and compost to preserve AS TDS CELEBRATES ITS premiered its national broadcast resources. Driven by this commit40TH ANNIVERSARY and the famed Pennybacker ment, TDS currently works with Bridge was still years from being more than 330 schools in Central THIS YEAR, THESE built—that brothers Bob GregTexas, and recently launched its ory and Jim Gregory had the innovative Eco Academy program, TRAILBLAZERS IN foresight to found TDS. Starting which reaches kids on their level, edwith just one truck, one customer ucating students from kindergarten WASTE SOLUTIONS and a staunch commitment to through 12th grade about the waste CONTINUE TO INNOVATE. the Central Texas community, disposal, recycling and composting the Gregory brothers established options available at school. The a business that is holistically program includes campuswide recydifferent by design. cling programs and compost collections in school cafeterias, Helping its customers manage and divert waste by making environmental responsibility easy for students to employing solid-waste disposal programs, materials prounderstand and embrace now and into the future. cessing, compost production and recycling operations, In its first 40 years in business, TDS has grown from TDS, the first entirely integrated facility of its kind in one truck and one customer to more than 900 employees the Lone Star State, now processes between 3,000 and servicing 180 cities and an array of businesses, educational 4,000 tons of solid waste every day, which amounts facilities, government entities, municipal utility districts to keeping some 200,000 tons of waste from reaching and individual property owners in more than 45 counties landfills each year. in Texas. TDS’ dedicated team looks forward to growing From the beginning, this award-winning organizathe organization, servicing more customers and identifying tion has remained committed to its core values, maknew ways to improve the disposal business—and Texas’ ing great strides in its environmental and educational environment—one customer at a time. Here’s to another efforts, and emphasizing philanthropic and community successful 40 years!

Learn more about how TDS supports and educates communities at www.texasdisposal.com.

ENVIRONMENT TDS facilities incorporate solid waste disposal, materials processing, compost production and recycling operations.

PROCESSING ON AVERAGE BETWEEN

3,000 & 4,000 TONS OF SOLID WASTE PER DAY

WE PROUDLY SERVE DIVERTING APPROXIMATELY

200,000 TONS

180 CITIES IN 45 COUNTIES

OF WASTE PER YEAR FROM LANDFILL DISPOSAL

EDUCATION WORKING WITH MORE THAN

TDS has been servicing schools for more than 13 years, focusing efforts on cafeteria diversion. The companyâ€™s Eco Academy program educates K-12 students about trash, recycling and composting options in their schools and includes campus-wide recycling, plus compostables collection in cafeterias.

300 SCHOOLS

IN CENTRAL TEXAS

Compost

PHILANTHROPY TDS supports the community through corporate sponsorships and use of the TDS Exotic Game Ranch and Pavilion to host fundraising events free of charge.

Trash

Recycle

HELPED RAISE MORE THAN

$24.6 MILLION FOR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

Learn more about our services and commitment to environmental preservation at texasdisposal.com.

Surgical | Medical | Cosmetic

NON-SURGICAL SKIN CANCER TREATMENT EXPERTS

Tru-Skin Dermatology’s SRT-100 Vision utilizes revolutionary, FDA-approved technology to provide highly-effective and pain-free skin cancer treatment with excellent cosmetic results. Board Certified Physicians • Medicare/Major Insurance Accepted SRT-100 Vision is available in: Austin • Bee Cave • Cedar Park • Bastrop • La Grange • Bulverde/Spring Branch

Contact us today to learn more. tru-skin.com Look good, feel good, do good. A portion of every service, patient visit and product purchase at Tru-Skin Dermatology is donated to The Shade Project and Skin Cancer Foundation to help skin cancer prevention efforts.

888.451.0139

ON THE COVER

CONVERTING OBSTACLES INTO OPPORTUNITIES BY HANNAH J. PHILLIPS

FEATURE

STATE OF THE ART

Photo by Andrew Chan.

BY NICHOLAS BARANCYK

Herve Leger scoopneck, deco-jacquard, flutter-hem bodycon cocktail dress, $1,640, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com. Kendra Scott Diane statement earrings, $95, available at kendrascott.com. Shawl, modelâ€™s own.

CONTENTS

Photo by Jill Maasberg.

SEPTEMBER

48 SAVVY WOMEN

STYLE + HOME

20 COUNT US IN Women in Numbers 22 G IVE BACK Kellie Moore of Kellie’s Baking Co. 24 F ROM THE DESK OF Julie Oliver 26 S TART THE CONVO SAFE Alliance

48 SEE HER WORK Carol Jillian 50 BEAUTY Oil Change 52 AT HOME WITH Erin Mursch 54 ENTERTAINING Lounge-in Movie

ATX WOMEN TO WATCH

GOURMET

30 CARLA HATLER 31 DR. YETUNDE SOKUNBI 32 JENNIFER WELCH 33 MICHAEL MANNING 34 REENA RICHTERMEYER 35 CRISTINA SOLL 36 CARA CAULKINS 37 LINDA YOUNG 38 ELISE O’CONNELL AND SUSANNA THORNTON 39 DR. NAHAL DELPASSAND 40 SARA REICHARDT 41 CARLY SANCHEZ

MUST LIST 43 D ISCOVER Coupland, Texas 46 STAFF PICKS Podcasts We’re Loving 10 | AUSTIN WOMAN | SEPTEMBER 2018

70 R ECIPE REVEAL Wild Chix & Waffles’ Strip Cheese 72 F OOD NEWS Bakery Lorraine

WELLNESS 74 W AITING ROOM CBD Oil 76 E AT THIS, NOT THAT Bone Broth 78 H ER ROUTINE Sharon Smith

POINT OF VIEW 80 I AM AUSTIN WOMAN

Marian Garrard

ON THE COVER Photos by Andrew Chan, chaninator.com Hair and makeup by Gertie Wilson, elevecosmetics.com

Equipment Gowen floral-print silk wrap dress, $478; Manolo Blahnik BB leather 105mm pumps, $625, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com. Cassandra Collections multi-flower drop earrings, $270; Cassandra Collections large Cassandra ring, $180, available at cassandracollections.com.

VOLUME 17, ISSUE 1 CO-FOUNDER Melinda Maine Garvey CEO Kip Garvey PUBLISHER Cynthia Guajardo Shafer

EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR Chantal Rice ASSISTANT EDITOR Courtney Runn CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Nicholas Barancyk, Rhoda Brimberry, Deborah Lynn Blumberg, Anna Crelia, Marian Garrard, Jenny Hoff, Niki Jones, Mary Murphy, Kaiti Neuman, Hannah J. Phillips, Chelsea Pribble, Chantal Rice, Phaedra Rogers, Courtney Runn, Gretchen M. Sanders, Crystal Zuzek

ART CREATIVE DIRECTOR Niki Jones CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS

Andrew Chan, Tyler Crelia, Marian Garrard, Korey Howell, Niki Jones, Jill Maasberg, Corey Mendez, Chika Otuata, Annie Ray, Tony Redmer, Felicia Reed, Chantal Rice, Courtney Runn, Gretchen M. Sanders, Maggie Svoboda, Jessica Wetterer, Gertie Wilson

OPERATIONS AND MARKETING CFO

Ashley Goolsby MARKETING AND EVENTS MANAGER

Madilyn Biscoe OPERATIONS MANAGER

Poonam Patel

SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Lindsey Granberry, Monika Kelley, Christine Moore, Dominique Prejean LeBlanc INTERNS

Mary Murphy, Kaiti Neuman, Chelsea Pribble

EMERITAE CO-FOUNDER Samantha Stevens EDITORS

Mary Anne Connolly, April Cumming, Elizabeth Eckstein, Deborah Hamilton-Lynne, Emily C. Laskowski

Austin Woman is a free monthly publication of AW Media Inc., and is available at more than 1,000 locations throughout Austin and in Lakeway, Cedar Park, Round Rock and Pflugerville. All rights reserved. For submission requirements, visit atxwoman.com/contribute. No part of the magazine may be reprinted or duplicated without permission. Visit us online at atxwoman.com. Email us at info@awmediainc.com. 512.328.2421 | 3921 Steck Ave., Suite A111, Austin, TX 78759

FROM THE MANAGING EDITOR COMMUNITY

PARTNERS

Publication of Austin Woman would not be possible without the support of our monthly advertisers and sponsors, who believe in the impact we are making in the Austin community. The following businesses have stepped up their support of our efforts beyond traditional advertising and we are proud to recognize them as our partners. The team at Austin Woman is grateful for these businesses that have shown their commitment to the advancement of women in Austin and hopes you, as readers, recognize their efforts and support these businesses and all our regular advertisers. CYNTHIA GUAJARDO SHAFER

Publisher DIAMOND-LEVEL PARTNERS

COMMUNITY PARTNERS LAW OFFICE OF JANET MCCULLAR

f you’re anything like me, when you reflect upon your 16th birthday, you conjure up memories of the desperation you felt in needing a shiny new car, a hunky and popular beau and one heck of a raging party. Or perhaps my foggy recollections are not so much my own as an amalgamation of themes from that archetypal cinematic gem that dominated my youthful years, Sixteen Candles. Though not at all akin to my teen life, the film remains a staple in my viewing repertoire these many years later, and maybe that’s because it speaks to me on a nostalgic and wistful level. After all, many of us find comfort in remembering the magical aspects of experiences past, as opposed to the sometimes harsh reality of those occasions. I kept that idea in mind as we curated this 16th anniversary issue of Austin Woman. When I consider our founder, Melinda Garvey, the many challenges she must have faced and the doubt she must have battled in attempting to launch an innovative, women-centric magazine into the Austin media realm 16 years ago, I can only imagine the numerous obstacles that could have derailed her success. Yet she persevered, skillfully establishing Austin Woman as the go-to publication for, about and inspired by the fabulous women of Central Texas. Of course, like any teenager, Austin Woman has gone through many changes since its birth, and will likely undergo any number of evolutions in the next 16 years. But the dedication to highlighting women’s stories that has always been at the heart of our mission continues to drive and empower us to excel at that charge so many years later. We take great pride in and responsibility for bringing you, our readers, the stories of Austin’s most extraordinary women every magazine issue. In this issue, those phenomenal stories include that of our tireless cover woman, Monica Peraza, a serial entrepreneur and social innovator whose countless accomplishments and remarkable approach to solving long-standing problems in the community are not only noteworthy, but positively inspirational. Likewise, the four women highlighted in our second feature are proof that Austin’s thriving arts community would not be the treasure it is today without their commitment, both behind the scenes and in the spotlight, to carefully nourishing and thoughtfully growing a variety of arts-focused endeavors in this city. As always, we hope you find inspiration from the passionate women featured in these pages. Please follow us on social media and reach out to let us know your thoughts.

CHANTAL RICE Managing Editor Join the conversation @AustinWoman #The16thAnniversaryIssue

14 | AUSTIN WOMAN | SEPTEMBER 2018

Photo by Korey Howell.

Cheers!

DISCOVER

PLANTS AND WILDLIFE

“And above all watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you.” – Roald Dahl. Develop your child’s sensory curiosity by finding and exploring nature’s intricate details. Look for flowers, leaves, and bugs in a nearby park or along a creek. For more ideas, visit naturerocksaustin.org. #getoutsideatx #creeklove #childrenandnature

“THE MIGHTy RuSSIAnS, PART III”

hear a great story

CONTRIBUTORS In honor of Austin Woman’s 16th birthday, this month, we asked our contributors: What’s your favorite Sweet 16 memory?

ANDREW CHAN

COVER STORY PHOTOGRAPHER, “CONVERTING OBSTACLES INTO OPPORTUNITIES,” PAGE 56

LiSe de LA SALLe, gueST PiANiST

Andrew Chan is a freelance editorial and fashion photographer based in Austin. He is a native Texan and graduated from the University of Texas. He works out of the Whitebox Studio located in East Austin. When not out grubbing the city’s finest barbecue offerings, he can be seen around town with Milton and Kermit, his Boston terriers. “I asked my parents for a Super Nintendo. They gave me a PSAT book.”

HANNAH J. PHILLIPS

Sergei rAChMANiNOff

PyOTr iLyiCh TChAikOvSky

COVER STORY WRITER, “CONVERTING OBSTACLES INTO OPPORTUNITIES,” PAGE 56

Hannah J. Phillips is a native Austinite who didn’t truly grasp her Texas state pride until living in the United Kingdom for nearly seven years. She returned in 2012 and loves traveling throughout the Lone Star State with her pit bull, Lucy. Hannah covers food, culture, travel and all things Texas for local and national publications. “My favorite memory from 16 is a trip with my mom to Northern Ireland. We visited the castle that inspired The Chronicles of Narnia, and we could see Scotland across the sea. I promised myself I’d stand on the other side some day, and exactly a year later, we visited the University of St Andrews, where I lived and studied for four beautiful years.”

CHIKA OTUATA

DESIGN AND MARKETING INTERN

ALexANder gLAzuNOv

Opening Night! Fri & Sat, Sep14 & 15 Lise de la Salle, piano n Peter Bay, conductor n Long Center’s Dell Hall Concert at 8:00 p.m. n Concert Conversations with Bob Buckalew at 7:10 p.m.

The ASO begins its 2018–19 Masterworks Series season where last seasons ended… with an all-Russian program that includes three of the country’s great composers: Sergei Rachmaninoff, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and Alexander Glazunov, along with one of today’s great pianists, Lise de la Salle, performing Rachmaninoff ’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Still want more? How about enjoying activities like playing on stringed instruments provided by our friends at Violins Etc., texting with ASO staff and musicians using #aso108, Concert Conversations with Bob Buckalew, and capturing a memory in front of our new photo wall? CO nCERT S PO nSO R

Download the app:

Connect:

Download the app:

Connect:

Tickets/info:

MEDIA S POnS ORS

All artists, programs, and dates subject to change.

Download the app:

Connect:

Download the app:

Connect:

Download the app:

Connect:

Download the app:

Connect:

(512) 476-6064 or austinsymphony.org

Chika Otuata is an Austin-based freelance designer who aspires to be a creative director after graduate school. She loves grocery shopping, not for food but to look at package designs. During her free time, she enjoys binge-watching TV shows like Insecure and Empire. “The best part of being 16 was competing in my first archery competition and making it to regionals.”

NICHOLAS BARANCYK

WRITER, “STATE OF THE ART,” PAGE 62

Nicholas Barancyk found himself in the world of journalism through a love of creative writing. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Indiana University Bloomington, he’s gone on to publish pieces in Millennial Magazine, Austin Fit and Austin Woman. He likes to focus on narrative-driven stories and draws much of his inspiration from his journeys abroad. In his spare moments, he spends his time cultivating far too many ferns and writes posts for fantasy/ comedy blog The Barrowhill Enquirer. “When I was 16, my friends and I used to hunt ghosts around this abandoned boys school in Northwest Indiana. After an outing, we scrolled through our pictures and found one with a dark shape at the end of a hallway. We spent the next four months thinking our phones were haunted until we realized the shadowy figure was just a dent in a metal door.”

CONNECT WITH US! CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF THIS ISSUE? Check us out at atxwoman.com.

➥ More scrumptious brain food. As Austin kids—and parents—ease back into the rhythms of the school year, we’re whipping up some easy and healthy make-at-home snack recipes that are sure to please even the pickiest little palates.

➥ More cat’s meow. As Austin celebrates seven years as the largest no-kill

city in the country, we connect with Austin Pets Alive! Executive Director Dr. Ellen Jefferson to chat about the organization’s 10-year anniversary, the more than 60,000 animal lives the group has saved and her dogged plans for the next decade.

➥ More inspiring female chefs. Executive Sous Chef Abril Galindo of the

Four Seasons Hotel Austin, generally regarded as Executive Chef Elmar Prambs’ right-hand culinary gal, discusses her Mexican upbringing, the future of dining at one of Austin’s most beloved hotels and how her life was changed by one bite of eggs Florentine. national nonprofit VoteRunLead, which aims to train more than 30,000 women how to run for political office by 2020, and shares her insights after the organization’s recent leadership workshop in Austin.

WIN THIS!

DON’T

MISS

SIXTEEN DAYS OF AW GIVEAWAYS In honor of Austin Woman’s 16th birthday this month, we’re celebrating our Sweet 16 in style, with 16 full days of awesome giveaways. One winner per giveaway day will score fantastic goodies from some of our favorite women-owned and -run businesses in Austin. Throw the glitter confetti, dig into some birthday cake and make sure you’re following us on Instagram @austinwoman to learn how to enter to win one of our fab Sweet 16 giveaway prizes.

@austinwoman

18 | AUSTIN WOMAN | SEPTEMBER 2018

Austin Woman Fall Launch Party Sept. 5, 6 to 8 p.m. The Zella Company, 407 Radam Lane atxwoman.com/launch-parties YWCA Fabulous People Party Gather Venues, 411 W. Monroe St. Sept. 13, 6 to 9:30 p.m. eventbrite.com/e/the-fabulous-people-partytickets-47429965303 Hello My Tribe Girl Party Sept. 22, 7 to 11 p.m. The Refinery, 612 Brazos St. app.hellofund.com/view/WVPY7Q19 Zeta Tau Alpha Celebration of Life Luncheon Sept. 28, 11 a.m. Fairmont Austin Hotel, 101 Red River St. austincelebrationoflifeluncheon.com

LIKE US

facebook.com/austinwoman

@ austinwoman

Dr. Ellen Jefferson photo courtesy of Austin Pets Alive! Chef Abril Galindo photo courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Austin.

➥ More reasons to run. Our assistant editor provides an inside glimpse at

JOIN US FOR A FULL DAY OF

empowerment

PRESENTED BY

WESTIN AT THE DOMAIN | OCTOBER 5, 2018 | 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M.

9 12

NEURO-LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP HOW TO HARNESS YOUR BRAIN POWER FOR SUCCESS WITH ALYCIA HUSTON *LIMITED SEATING*

LUNCHEON LUNCH AND PANEL OF #BOSS FORMER COVER WOMEN

NETWORKING HOUR ,

COMPLIMENTARY CRAN-ROSE MIMOSAS, LOCAL BRANDS AND NETWORKING

AFTER PARTY AT NEIMAN MARCUS SIPS AND AN EXCLUSIVE BEAUTY LOOK

HAPPY HOUR AT ERIN CONDREN MINI MANIS, COCKTAILS AND GIVEAWAYS

TICKETS FOR THIS ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION ON SALE NOW!

atxevent.com TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR EARLY BIRD PRICING AND GET YOUR TICKET BEFORE ITâ€™S SOLD OUT!

Sponsored Content

DIVORCING A NARCISSIST

(or Any Other Really Difficult Person) BY KRIS ALGERT

When dealing with a difficult spouse, One of the toughest personalities to be married to, or to divorce, is the person who exhibits keep the following tips in mind: narcissist qualities. The word â€œnarcissistâ€? is in the news a lot lately, with people frequently using the word loosely to describe anyone who is boastful, arrogant, manipulative or seems 1. Do not mirror or engage in the same to let emotions control his or her actions and reactions. Someone with a narcissistic personalbehavior as the difficult spouse. ity disorder may indeed exhibit these characteristics. However, other individuals may share these same qualities, not have a personality disorder, but still be very difficult to interact 2. F ight the urge to criticize or call with, especially in the divorce context. out the bad behavior of the difficult Labeling someone as personality-disordered is not as important as is identifying the spouse. This person will take the warning signs that indicate a spouse may be very challenging or difficult. Also important criticism personally, cannot and will is creating a strategy for not recognize his or interacting with this person her difficult qualities during a divorce. and likely will retaliA spouse may be difate. Labeling someone ficult to work with during 3. Do not share your a divorce if he or she tends as personalitydiagnosis of this to escalate conflict, prevent person with him disordered is not solutions, react emotionor her. ally to any criticism, blame as important as everyone else for his or 4. E mphasize how her problems, manipulate is identifying the specific outcomes others, compete in all life may make him or warning signs situations, think only of her look good to himself or herself and fail to the public or cothat indicate a see any other points of view. workers, friends or spouse may be Compounding the difficulty family. This highof dealing with this person conflict personality very challenging is that he or she can be inis motivated more telligent, attractive, charmby how a decision or difficult. ing, personable, successful makes him or her in business or politics and look than what accustomed to getting away benefits his or with this behavior. her spouse or One of the leading the family. experts on high-conflict individuals is Bill Eddy, a licensed clinical social worker, lawyer, 5. F ind a good therapist who can therapist, mediator and president of the High Conflict Institute. He describes a highassist with feedback and tools for conflict person as having some or all of the following 10 characteristics: communicating productively with 1. is rigid and uncompromising a difficult spouse. 2. repeats failed strategies With the right knowledge, awareness 3. is unable to accept and heal from loss and advice, it is possible to divorce 4. makes everything personal a very difficult spouse without the 5. has emotions that dominate his or her thinking divorce turning into an all-out war. 6. is unable to reflect on his or her own behavior Please contact me at 512.454.8791 7. avoids responsibility for the problem or solution or gbafamilylaw.com if you would 8. is preoccupied with blaming others like more information about con9. draws others into disputes structive strategies for divorcing a difficult spouse. 10. c an look really good for periods of time (intelligent, attractive, charming, persuasive) GB

Kris Algert brings to clients a wealth of experience in developing creative, individualized solutions for highly complex divorces. An innate problemsolver, Kris is adept at managing issues such as high-conflict personalities, sharing or dividing unusual assets, and complex characterization issues. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, is board-certified in family law by the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, is a Master Credentialed Collaborative Professional and has been named a 2018 and 2019 Best Lawyers Collaborative Law Lawyer of the Year in Austin.

ATX

WOMEN to WATCH Our pages are full of stories of Austinâ€™s most engaging, empowering and successful women, and this section is specially designed to provide you access to even more incredible role models and success stories. Be part of this amazing tribe and share your story with thousands of women. Contact us at sales@awmediainc.com or call 512.328.2421 for more information. PHOTOS BY COURTNEY RUNN

SPECIAL PROMOTION | ATXWOMAN.COM |

ATX

WOMAN to WATCH

C A R L A H AT L E R

OWNER AND FOUNDER OF L ACQUER

arla Hatler opened Lacquer nail studio in 2015, setting out to redefine the nail-salon experience for Austinites. With a background in advertising and an expertise in launching new brands, this University of Texas alum created Lacquer as a destination for healthy, natural nail care using the best products and latest nail-care innovations. Her business now has two locations in Austin, and she has plans to expand to other cities. Hatler is also committed to redefining standards in the beauty industry and works alongside other industry experts to advocate for employee rights and generate awareness for ethical employment practices. She believes caring about the products you are using in your services isn’t enough; knowing your service providers are being treated fairly and paid legitimately matters too. Actively supporting a local woman-owned business that provides ethical employment is something you can certainly feel good about. ilovelacquer.com

30 | AUSTIN SPECIAL WOMAN PROMOTION | ATXWOMAN.COM | SEPTEMBER 2018

ATX

WOMAN to WATCH

DR. YETUNDE SOKUNBI

BOARD-CERTIFIED FAMILY-PR ACTICE PHYSICIAN

Photo by Dez Keelty.

oard-certified family-practice physician Dr. Yetunde Sokunbi is a physician who views her work as a calling. As a senior in high school, she was accepted to the Rice/Baylor Medical Scholars Program. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rice University in 2008, and her M.D. from Baylor College of Medicine in 2012. She completed her residency in family medicine at the Halifax Family Medicine Program in Daytona Beach, Fla. At completion of her residency training, she received Resident of the Year and Excellence in Pediatrics awards. She currently works full time at the Circle C Austin Diagnostic Clinic, where she sees patients of all ages and provides chronic-illness care management, sick visits and preventative-health examinations. Her special interests include behavioral health and women’s health, and she also enjoys working with medical students as a clinical assistant professor for Dell Medical School. adclinic.com

SPECIAL PROMOTION | ATXWOMAN.COM ATXWOMAN.COM | | 31 31

ATX

WOMAN to WATCH

JENNIFER WELCH

R E A LT O R AT G O T T E S M A N R E S I D E N T I A L R E A L E S TAT E

ennifer Welch, a Realtor at Gottesman Residential Real Estate, exemplifies hard work, warmth, integrity and drive, all of which have earned her a strong reputation among her colleagues and clients throughout the Austin area. Welch began her career under the leadership of top producer and industry leader Laura Gottesman, broker and owner of Gottesman Residential Real Estate. Thanks to Gottesman’s mentorship, Welch acknowledges and prioritizes relationships, client service, housing market trends and development, marketing and advertising, attention to detail, ethical leadership and community involvement throughout the ever-evolving Austin industry. From properties on Lake Austin to luxury homes in Central Austin to charming cottages in South Austin, Welch’s diverse knowledge of Austin’s housing portfolio attracts a diverse group of loyal clients and lifelong partnerships with cutting-edge architects and builders. gottesmanresidential.com

32 SPECIAL PROMOTION | ATXWOMAN.COM 32 | | AUSTIN WOMAN | SEPTEMBER 2018

ATX

WOMAN to WATCH

MICHAEL MANNING

PRESIDENT OF ROCKSAUCE STUDIOS

hroughout her life, Michael Manning has pursued being an engaging, empathetic and results-driven leader. Upon graduating with a degree in culinary arts and business management, she and her family planted their roots in Austin in 2006. She currently serves as president of Rocksauce Studios, an innovative design and development agency. In 2012, Manning started out as a marketing associate and earned significant awareness, revenue and culture development for the team at Rocksauce. In 2017, she was named president to take the company to the next level of growth, projects and clientele. She was recently named a finalist in the 2018 Austin Under 40 Awards and a nominee for the Austin Business Journalâ€™s Profiles in Power. In addition to her career at Rocksauce, she volunteers for Bake A Wish Austin and Court Appointed Special Advocates of Travis County. She and her husband have two sons and two corgis. rocksaucestudios.com

SPECIAL PROMOTION | ATXWOMAN.COM |

ATX

WOMAN to WATCH

REENA RICHTERMEYER

PA R T N E R AT A R E N D E S , G R E E N , R I C H T E R M E Y E R & S TA H L P L L C

eena Richtermeyer is a founding partner of Arendes, Green, Richtermeyer & Stahl PLLC, and has practiced corporate and technology law for more than 20 years in the Austin area. Her clientele includes many nationally recognized, high-growth technology companies and entrepreneurs who value her skill in balancing complex legal needs with savvy business-focused thinking. Leveraging her keen business sense, paired with deep expertise in corporate and technology law, has allowed Richtermeyer to help her clients accelerate their growth, knowing their business is well-protected. Prior to founding her own firm, Richtermeyer served as in-house counsel at Dell and was an attorney for Jackson Walker LLP, as well as Ernst & Young. She is an avid supporter of nonprofits focused on the education of women and children to help break the cycle of poverty. Richtermeyer harbors a lifelong wanderlust and when not traveling with her family, she can often be found on her yoga mat or in a spin class. Â agrslaw.com

34 SPECIAL WOMAN PROMOTION | ATXWOMAN.COM 34 |â€‚ AUSTIN | SEPTEMBER 2018

ATX

WOMAN to WATCH

CRISTINA SOLL

Photo courtesy of Laura Lemond. Photo by Christina Feddersen.

DIRECTOR OF WOMEN’S INTIMATE HE ALTH AND WELLNESS AT AUSTIN PL ASTIC SURGERY INSTITUTE

s the director of women’s intimate health and wellness at Austin Plastic Surgery Institute, Cristina Soll understands firsthand the importance of delivering incredible results for her patients every day. Empowered by the doctors at APSI, she has brought the group to the forefront of women’s health, helping APSI become one of the few health groups in Austin to offer Diva vaginal rejuvenation, a highly sought-after treatment, as well as other innovative options, such as the O-Shot, BioTe hormone therapy and the Ideal Protein Weight Loss Protocol. Soll also created a best-in-class skin-care clinic with a robust online store through which patients can easily prepurchase their treatments. APSI is dedicated to providing fantastic noninvasive treatments using state-of-the-art technology to help patients obtain the youthful glow they deserve. As a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery Professionals, the Westlake Chamber of Commerce, Austin Rowing Club and more, Soll is committed to improving the lives of women throughout the Austin area. austinpsi.com

SPECIAL PROMOTION | ATXWOMAN.COM ATXWOMAN.COM | | 35 35

ATX

WOMAN to WATCH

CARA CAULKINS

O W N E R O F C A R A C A U L K I N S C O M M U N I C AT I O N S

ara Caulkins began her public-relations career working at global, award-winning agencies in Chicago and New York before relocating to Austin in 2013. During the past decade, she found her passion in helping brands tell their stories to their target audiences, specifically products and businesses that empower women or serve a positive need or benefit to females. Caulkins’ ease in developing professional relationships, strong skills in marketing communications and creative strategy for brands have allowed her to grow and succeed in a career she truly enjoys. Since opening her own boutique PR agency, Cara Caulkins Communications, in Austin more than two years ago, Caulkins has grown her team and client roster exponentially and has solidified her place among Austin’s top PR professionals. caracaulkins.com

36 | SPECIAL PROMOTION

ATXWOMAN.COM

ATX

WOMAN to WATCH

LINDA YOUNG

PARTNERSHIP CHAIR OF CATALYSTS FOR INNOVATION wo years ago, Linda Young and two friends from global technology companies decided to form Austinbased Catalysts for Innovation. C4i serves health-care clients by matching them with technology companies to create tailor-made ecosystems of partners to support sustainable success. C4i’s vision is to be the leading integrated-solutions provider for disruptive technologies in the surgical space to drive new standards of care. C4i recently expanded its partnership, adding two new partners, and Young was elected chair of the partnership. Young served on the White House Personnel Committee for President Barack Obama, spoke about human trafficking and other human-rights violations at the United Nations multiple times during Women’s History Month and participated in the American Association of University Women’s UN programs. catalysts4innovation.com

SPECIAL PROMOTION | ATXWOMAN.COM ATXWOMAN.COM | | 37 37

Photo by Carli Rene.

Photo by Barbara Schlief.

ATX

WOMEN to WATCH

ELISE O’CONNELL AND SUSANNA THORNTON O W N E R S O F T H E W O O D H O U S E D AY S P A – C E D A R P A R K

ound Rock, Texas, residents and spa lovers Susanna Thornton and Elise O’Connell made many trips to the far side of Austin to enjoy spa services on special occasions. During one of those trips, they decided the long commute to the spa needed to end. Their goal became providing a luxury day-spa setting in the North Austin suburbs. Fast-forward two years and The Woodhouse Day Spa – Cedar Park opened its doors in October 2017. Their combined experience in nursing, health and fitness has created the perfect complementary management team. Guests at The Woodhouse Day Spa – Cedar Park can enjoy massages, facial treatments, waxing and natural nail services. Each guest is greeted with a cozy robe and given time to relax in the beautifully appointed Quiet Room before and after worldclass spa experiences. cedarpark.woodhousespas.com

38 SPECIAL PROMOTION | ATXWOMAN.COM 38 | AUSTIN WOMAN | SEPTEMBER 2018

ATX

WOMAN to WATCH

D R . N A H A L D E L PA S S A N D PSYCHOLOGIST

r. Nahal Delpassand completed her doctorate in counseling psychology at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. She completed her doctoral residency at Emory University in Atlanta and obtained her local training from St. Edward’s University Health & Counseling Center, Austin Child Guidance Center, McCallum Place Eating Disorder Treatment Center and Hospice Austin. Delpassand enjoys working with adolescents and adults. She describes herself as a solution-focused, future-oriented psychologist and believes in the benefits of brief therapy and empowering clients to cultivate a life that is in alignment with what they value. Delpassand emphasizes creating a safe, trusting environment that allows for collaboration, empathy and awareness so sustainable progress will ensue. She values her diverse cultural background, as it informs her understanding of cultural humility. She believes understanding each client’s unique cultural identity provides space for increased meaning and attentiveness to individual experiences. drnahaldelpassand.com

SPECIAL PROMOTION | ATXWOMAN.COM ATXWOMAN.COM | | 39 39

ATX

WOMAN to WATCH

SARA REICHARDT

OWNER OF SAR A REICHARDT DESIGN

ara Reichardt is the owner of Sara Reichardt Design, a modern, playful and colorful brand. She strives to create furniture, textiles and décor that emphasize the fun in functional. A self-proclaimed craft nerd since childhood, Reichardt has always had a desire to create art. Out of nostalgia for the toys she grew up playing and creating with, her first collection of unique side tables is built from Lego bricks. These designs utilize the intricacy of pattern and repetition, as well as her love of color. Reichardt’s favorite designs are practical and aesthetically pleasing, useable art. She looks forward to producing a textile collection and light-installation sculptures in the near future. sarareichardtdesign.com

40 | AUSTIN SPECIAL WOMAN PROMOTION | ATXWOMAN.COM | SEPTEMBER 2018

ATX

WOMAN to WATCH

C A R LY S A N C H E Z

OWNER OF AUSTIN SKIN PLUS

s a teenager, Carly Sanchez had severe acne and her self-confidence suffered as a result. That experience propelled her to become a licensed aesthetician and open Austin Skin Plus in 2014. Armed with a medical background and firsthand expertise about the root causes of acne, Sanchez developed a proven process with a 98 percent success rate of clearing skin without using prescription medications. It’s not about trends or a one-size-fits-all approach. Each unique treatment takes into account factors such as diet, hormones, genetics and the client’s existing care regimen. To Sanchez, clearing skin is just the surface of her most important mission, which is to help each client recover the self-esteem necessary to put his or her best face forward. When she’s not at work, Sanchez enjoys running the trails and camping. She practices what she preaches, leading a healthy lifestyle to look and feel her best. austinskinplus.com

SPECIAL PROMOTION | ATXWOMAN.COM ATXWOMAN.COM | | 41 41

ATX

WOMAN

WANT TO BE A

WATCH

WOMAN TO

WATCH?

Receive the recognition YOU deserve as one of Austin’s success stories.

ATX

WOMA to N WATCH

Each month, Austin Woman features 10 ATX Women to Watch in a beautiful special promotional section.

Included in the package is: r Full-page profile in the magazine r Custom photo shoot in your choice of location (and you keep the photo for personal use!) r Feature email blasts and social-media posts r Invitation to a private Facebook networking group r Invitation to three exclusive ATX Woman to Watch connection events

KELL

Y W

ER AND Y N N E F D E S IG N ERGU ER, KE S L LY W Y elly Wyn NNE ne Fe

FOUND

and “w yn rg ne” with uson created he she crea bold an r names te d ake bran d to em which is d a brand to insp meaningful de po signs. Tr evident ue to he wer women to from he ire joy and cele in the co dr r social r positiv bration mmunity in the m media an e and pl eam, dare parties th ro ug om ay ful na d h and spec ents be co her phila ture, tween th ial even nthropic mpany culture. kellywyn ts e mom Fe fo pa r rg rtnershi local no ne.com ps by ho uson makes an ents, nprofits like Helpi sting he impact rD ng Hand Home fo are to Donate r Childre n.

Show our readers the WOMAN SPEC 38 | IA ALUPR STO IN MO WTIOOMNA N |

|ATSE XW PT OEM MAN B.C ER O

M 2017

behind the BRAND Don’t miss out on this exclusive and limited opportunity! 512.328.2421 | sales@awmediainc.com | atxwoman.com

42 | SPECIAL PROMOTION

ATXWOMAN.COM

MUST LIST

HONKY-TONK HAVEN

The Old Coupland Inn and Dance Hall is drawing from its roots while cementing its status as a Texas legend. STORY AND PHOTOS BY CHANTAL RICE

ATXWOMAN.COM |â€‚ 43

UST LIST

DISCOVER

As any Central Texan worth her weight in brisket knows, Austin is teeming with legends. From storied music icons and fabled weirdos to historic architecture and extraordinary landscapes, the capital of the Lone Star State is brimming with grand locales and distinctive luminaries. But it’s one boot-scootin’ joint on the fringes of Central Texas—long treasured by some as a honky-tonk gem—that has been proving for more than a century what it truly means to be a Texas legend.

Welcome to Coupland, Texas, home of, well, not much. With a population of about 300, Coupland comprises 2 square miles of farmland in Southeast Williamson County. And though it’s only about 30 miles from downtown Austin, this tiny hamlet feels like a bucolic oasis from another time, a haven of history where visitors are welcomed with open arms, full hearts and heaping plates of barbecue. Without question, the highlight of this community is the Old Coupland Inn and Dance Hall. A stately brick structure originally built in 1904, it once housed various drug stores and a medical practice, and adjoins a similar building erected in 1910 as the Coupland Tavern, which later accommodated a hardware shop, a newspaper and a grocery store. In the early 1990s, the owners converted the space again, renaming it the Coupland Dance Hall & Tavern, constructing a 7,000-square-foot dance hall and reigniting the classic barbecue enterprise that once drew throngs of Texans to Coupland. The property has even been the backdrop for music videos for Stevie Ray Vaughan, Kevin Fowler and Jerry Jeff Walker, and played host to TV and movie productions, including A Perfect World, Home Fries and the quintessential Texas opus, Lonesome Dove. But it’s the Old Coupland Inn and Dance Hall’s new proprietor, Abbey Road—the longtime event manager and talent booker for celebrated institutions like Threadgill’s and Luckenbach, Texas, as well as a former on-air personality for Central Texas’ most beloved country-music-driven radio stations—who’s breathing new and energetic life into the heirloom establishment. After a serendipitous twist of fate enabled Road to purchase the venue last year, she employed some elbow grease and

Billy Joe Shaver at the Coupland Dance Hall

44 | AUSTIN WOMAN | SEPTEMBER 2018

a whole lot of passion to repairing and maintaining the revered space, all the while re-establishing it as a legendary Texas hot spot. “There are only so many dance halls and legacy venues in Texas,” Road says. “It’s like stepping back in time here. I believe there’s a chemistry between people when they come to Coupland. Maybe that’s because you have to put down your phone. You can’t be texting when you’re two-stepping!”

COUPLAND AND THE HISTORIC DANCE-HALL CIRCUIT Visit the Old Coupland Inn and Dance Hall as part of a road-trip tour of the top four historic dance halls in the Central Texas area. •C oupland Inn and Dance Hall: 101 Hoxie St., Coupland, Texas, couplanddancehall.com • Luckenbach: 412 Luckenbach Town Loop, Fredericksburg, Texas, luckenbachtexas.com •G ruene Hall: 1281 Gruene Road, New Braunfels, Texas, gruenehall.com • Floore’s: 14492 Old Bandera Road, Helotes, Texas, liveatfloores.com

A SMOKY AFFAIR

The Old Coupland Inn and Dance Hall is open solely on the weekends, which makes it the ideal Friday-night-through-Sunday-morning honky-tonk destination. If you hop in the car Friday after work, you’ll arrive in Coupland within just half an hour. Or you can take time to shed the stressors of the week and embrace a country state of mind by heading first to East Austin and bopping along rarely traveled rural back roads lined with pastoral farmlands and lush countryside. Upon arriving in Coupland, your first stop will be your last stop: the Old Coupland Inn and Dance Hall, so park the truck and stroll on into the onsite restaurant, where Road helms one of the largest barbecue pits in the area, grills steaks over an open mesquite fire and ensures every morsel is made in-house. With help from Chef Jacob Martinez, a Threadgill’s alum, she dishes out an array of Texas favorites and barbecue specialties, including a drool-inducing appetizer of crispy and colossal brisket-stuffed jalapeño poppers, chicken-fried everything, Texas-sized shrimp, a stunning mesquite-smoked pulled-pork sandwich and cooked-to-your-idea-of-perfection rib-eye and sirloin steaks. Of course, you can’t go wrong with the one- to four-meat barbecue plates featuring brisket (with the most delectable bark, by the way), sausage, pork ribs and pulled pork, and served with “homemade tater salad,” New Orleans-style coleslaw, sweet baked beans and all the barbecue fixins, including what Road refers to as a to-die-for barbecue sauce that’s far from traditional, but sticky, somewhat sweet and lip-smackingly scrumptious. Wash it all down with a cold beer or cocktail, but save room for warm, freshly made cobbler served with homemade Coupland vanilla ice cream. A TWO-STEP BACK IN TIME

After filling up on barbecue, mosey just a few feet into the dance hall for the evening’s live entertainment. Here, Road’s real expertise is on display. Local and nationally recognized musicians and bands regularly grace the stage, and it’s not uncommon to cross paths with such country-music powerhouses as Hal Ketchum, Shinyribs, Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis, Asleep at the Wheel and even the venerated Billy Joe Shaver. Rumor has it native Texan and Ms. Delta Dawn herself, Tanya Tucker, may make an appearance in the fall. With ample space, the Texas-relic-bedecked dance hall never feels crowded, and the epic sound system rivals that of any well-loved Austin venue. The giant decades-old oak dance floor has some kind of magical allure that charms patrons into dancing the night away. “This dance hall’s legacy is the dance floor,” Road says. “On Friday and Saturday nights, Coupland is a place where hardworking people come to drink cold beer and dance their boots off!”

The brothel-style Old Coupland Inn

COUNTRY DREAMIN’

After a night of barbecue, beer and two-stepping at the best live-music venue in the county, you’ll no doubt be longing for a comfy bed. Luckily, you don’t have to stumble far, as Road’s 1800s-inspired Wild West-brothel-style B&B is just steps— literally 24 stairs—away. And as Road says, there’s no shame in crawling. With seven uniquely decorated guest rooms, each with a queen-size bed, 1,500 square feet of shared living and dining space, charmingly squeaky wood floors and elevated ceilings adorned in classic tin tiles, the enchanting inn is certainly where honky-tonk dreams come true. Road has taken great pains to enliven the space with luxe fabrics, historic items, Texas flair and one-of-a-kind baubles. But she admits she’s not quite done tinkering. “I want more cowbell,” she exclaims, “and velvet!” Whether you’re in search of mouthwatering barbecue and a delightful inn to rest your weary head or are simply on the hunt for a good time at a legendary Texas venue, you’re sure to find a honky-tonk haven in the Old Coupland Inn and Dance Hall. So, as they say in Coupland, “Stay a little longer.”

BARBECUE ROAD TRIP From the Old Coupland Inn and Dance Hall, head out to a few other legendary Texas barbecue joints. Southside Market and Barbecue, 8 miles south of Coupland: 1212 Hwy. 290, Elgin, Texas, southsidemarket.com Louie Mueller Barbecue, 8 miles north of Coupland: 206 W. Second St., Taylor, Texas, louiemuellerbarbecue.com Snow’s BBQ, 30 miles east of Coupland: 516 Main St., Lexington, Texas, snowsbbq.com

ATXWOMAN.COM | 45

UST LIST

STAFF PICKS

LISTEN UP

The Austin Woman staff and readers lend our ears to our favorite podcasts. Madilyn Biscoe, marketing and events manager

Chantal Rice, managing editor

Niki Jones, creative director

Her favorite podcast: This American Life

Her favorite podcast: Reply All

Her favorite podcast: Ladygang

Why she loves it: “While I’ll happily listen to just about any NPR podcast, my go-to pick is This American Life because without fail, it features compelling and captivating stories of all kinds of people doing remarkable and often life-changing things. It’s truly inspiring. That’s no doubt why it’s been so successful for 23 years! Also, you can never go wrong with a host like Ira Glass.”

Why she loves it: “A superinteresting podcast about the internet, Reply All goes in depth to find out and explain all the things you probably have been wondering about, like: Is Facebook really spying on you?”

When she listens: “I usually listen while working out since I can focus on great storytelling instead of how much I hate working out!”

When she listens: “I listen when I’m driving or walking hills in my ’hood.”

Why she loves it: “It’s hosted by three women who are just real and funny. They talk about anything from health to beauty to sex, answering the questions we all have.” When she listens: “I listen at work, mostly when I’m designing.”

Reader pick:

Reader pick: “The Chase Jarvis Live Show is my new favorite podcast. This is the perfect podcast for creative professionals.” -Amanda Nicole Chase, @amandanchase

Monika Kelley, account executive

Courtney Runn, assistant editor

Kip Garvey, CEO

Her favorite podcast: Freakonomics Radio

Her favorite podcast: The Moth

His favorite podcast: Four Minutes With On The Dot

Why she loves it: “I love learning. As freakonomics.com notes, Freakonomics Radio tells you ‘things you always thought you knew but didn’t,’ as well as ‘things you never thought you wanted to know but do.’ ”

Why she loves it: “For 21 years, The Moth has given the mic to anyone and everyone who has a story to share. The result is a beautiful collection of hilarious, heart-wrenching, eyeopening and touching stories about the highs and lows of life. From President Barack Obama’s speech writer to veterans to celebrities, you never know who you’ll hear from but they will all make you laugh out loud, cry, smile or all three.

When she listens: “In the car and at home.”

When she listens: “I always listen in the car on the way home.”

46 | AUSTIN WOMAN | SEPTEMBER 2018

Why he loves it: “It empowers women around the globe through role models, and it’s only four minutes!” When he listens: “I get this Flash Briefing every morning through Alexa while I get dressed.”

Photos by Courtney Runn. Kip Garvey photo by Corey Mendez. Backdrops courtesy of Erin Condren.

“I am loving Armchair Expert. Every episode makes me just a wee bit smarter. Plus, it’s funny and the guests are amazing.” -Christina Linnell, @C_Linnell

discover your

design

interior design 512.904.9137

home staging

ZELLACOMPANY.COM

event styling

INFO@ZELLACOMPANY.COM

TYLE

SEE HER WORK

IN BLOOM Local artist Carol Jillian reimagines what’s possible in the sphere of fashion with her unique botanical couture.

Photo by Tony Redmer.

BY CHANTAL RICE

48 | AUSTIN WOMAN | SEPTEMBER 48 | AUSTIN WOMAN | SEPTEMBER 2018 2018

Carol Jillian of Jillian Design has a love affair with floral design and has been working with botanicals her entire life. In 2016, after attending the Floral Design Institute of America, she became certified as a wedding floral specialist. During her time at the institute, she was inspired to start creating wearable floral and botanical couture. Since that moment, she has devoted her time to perfecting this art form, working only with freshly cut leaves, flowers and succulents.

Jillian grew up in Kamakura, Japan, and the Japanese appreciation of stark aesthetic is visible in her underlying design. Now based in Austin, she designs wearable botanical and floral couture, customizing these pieces to inspire individual beauty within and giving every special occasion a sparkle of magic. Jillian’s work has been published and featured in Vogue Italia, Dark Beauty Magazine, Surreal Beauty Magazine, Elléments Magazine, Féroce Magazine, Wedding Chicks, The LA Fashion Magazine, Austin Fit, Austin Monthly and a variety of online blogs and feature pages. For more information about Jillian’s work, visit jilliandesign.com.

“The challenge I live for is creating fluidity between body and botanical.”

Top photo by Tony Redmer. Bottom photos by Felicia Reed.

—Carol Jillian

Carol Jillian, left, with model Carley Thornhill

ATXWOMAN.COM | 49

TYLE

BEAUTY

OIL CHANGE

Rev up your beauty regimen with one of the many facial oils on the market. BY NIKI JONES, PHOTO BY COURTNEY RUNN

There are so many different reasons to treat your skin to the benefits of facial oils. Whether it’s to hydrate, clear blemishes and even skin tone, combat the effects of aging or remove even the most stubborn dirt and toxins, there’s one out there that’s right for you, and—bonus—many are made right here in Texas!

Osea essential hydrating oil, .34 ounces, $32, available at oseamalibu.com. Agent Nateur Holi (Oil) refining youth serum, 1 ounce, $120, available at agentnateur.com.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a facial oil that doesn’t also have a heavenly scent, so add aromatherapy to the list of reasons to treat yourself.

True Botanicals Renew Pure Radiance Oil, 1 ounce, $110, available at truebotanicals.com. Olive + M cleansing oil, 4 ounces, $62, available at oliveandm.com. Mad Hippie antioxidant facial oil, 1 ounce, $24.99, available at madhippie.com. Tata Harper nourishing oil cleanser, 4 ounces, $76, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com. El Cosmico Provision Company Cosmic Face Oil, 2 ounces, $32, available at ecprovisionco.com. Newton + Co. Palo Santo face oil, 1 ounce, $40, available at newtonplus.co.

50 | AUSTIN WOMAN | SEPTEMBER 2018

7 YEARS AS AN EYELASH SPECIALTY SALON IN AUSTIN

Austin’s authority on “all things beautiful.” ShopS at RiveR place 10601 FM 2222 Suite i auStin, tx 78730 512.346.laSh

M A S T E R H A I R C U T | C O L O R | J A PA N E S E S T R A I T E N I N G | H I G H E N D L A S H E S | S PA FA C I A L T R E AT M E N T S

open M-F 9-7 Sat 9-6

A luxurious full-service salon and spa nestled in the Arboretum boasts 4000-square-foot of indulgence to capture the essence of your very next unforgettable experience... exclusively for you. atxvolumelashandbrow.com

1 0 0 0 0 R E S E A R C H B LV D .

L A B E L L E AT X . C O M

512.382.0978

FALL in love with

PLANNING Discover organization like you’ve never seen before at our stunning flagship store! Domain NORTHSIDE Personalize something unique today!

www.erincondren.com

OME

AT HOME WITH

ERIN MURSCH

A certified KonMari consultant shares her advice for how to usher out the clutter and make your home reflect your life. BY CRYSTAL ZUZEK, PHOTOS BY COURTNEY RUNN

As a professional home organizer, Erin Mursch relishes helping her clients clear out the clutter and restore order to their living spaces. But for Mursch— who earned a consulting certification from Marie Kondo, the Japanese organizing guru and author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up—the organization process, known as the KonMari Method, goes beyond finding inventive storage solutions and perfecting Kondo’s intricate clothes-folding technique.

“We may hold onto things out of attachment to the past or fear for the future,” Mursch says. “Having my clients recognize that, let go and live more in the present inspires me to keep doing what I’m doing.” Mursch, owner of Austin-based Organized for Good, is part of an elite group of 158 KonMari consultants living in 23 countries. After completing a rigorous 50-hour training course and passing an exam, Mursch received the prestigious KonMari certification in August 2017.

“It reminds us of our travels and infuses some color into the home.” 52 | AUSTIN WOMAN | SEPTEMBER 2018

“The KonMari Method is a personal journey that’s all about curating your belongings to suit the lifestyle you want,” she says. “The process entails first envisioning the lifestyle you want. It’s about examining and categorizing your belongings, allowing you to inventory everything you have.” Mursch and her husband, Eric Mackintosh, took that approach when they set out to apply the KonMari Method to their cozy 1,000-square-foot South Austin home. “We knew that biking, yoga and fitness were going to be part of our lives, so we dedicated a space in our home to these activities,” she says. To make the most of their limited space, they created a multipurpose room and divided the oblong area that used to be a garage into thirds. The front portion is the couple’s activity center, featuring a rowing machine, aerial yoga equipment, a decorative basket filled with yoga mats and a makeshift meditation altar. Mursch completed yoga-instructor training in 2013 and describes the process as healing. She says yoga has an impact on her work as a professional home organizer. Both the KonMari Method and yoga aim to increase mindfulness and encourage living in the present, letting go of unhealthy attachments while quieting the mind. “Healing my own wounds around perfectionism and accepting progress over perfection is something I can share with my clients,” Mursch says. “Yoga has also helped reduce my self-judgment and judgment of others. Shame is often associated with clutter, and clients don’t want to feel judged.” The middle of the multipurpose room is dedicated to the couple’s workspace. Because Mursch runs her business out of the home and Mackintosh works from home occasionally, they needed a functional area that wouldn’t take up too much space. “We decided to share a long table constructed by a carpenter we found on Craigslist. We have a shared printer space tucked under the desk, and I spraypainted filing cabinets to help us keep our papers in order,” she says. Inside each desk drawer, every office supply has its place, sorted by category and stored in small boxes. The back corner of the space serves as a mudroom, where two bicycles hang from the ceiling and a large shoe rack rests below a window. The room reflects the couple’s personality. The wall is a sunny yellow hue that provides a backdrop for colorful prints they brought back from a trip to Cuba. “It reminds us of our travels and infuses some color into the home,” Mursch says, adding that a big part of the KonMari Method involves “going through all of your belongings and keeping only those items that spark joy.” A small bookshelf along the wall opposite the desk displays an assortment of books the couple couldn’t part with. Throughout the tidying process, Mursch and Mackintosh had to let go of possessions they didn’t need or no longer used. “I love donating stuff to communities and organizations that could really use it,” she says. “That’s a big part of what I do with my clients, identifying where their values lie and finding organizations that match those priorities. That makes it easier to let go.” Since becoming a KonMari certified consultant, Mursch says her approach to consumption and waste has changed. “I used to shop when I was bored or stressed out. I now only buy things when I need to replace them,” she says. She and her husband also started composting food scraps and using reusable produce bags. “Going through certification,” Mursch says, “has transformed my life in a positive way.”

“I used to shop when I was bored or stressed out. I now only buy things when I need to replace them.”

Headshot by Maggie Svoboda.

Inside each desk drawer, every office supply has its place.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 53

OME

ENTERTAINING

LOUNGE-IN MOVIE

Cozy up outdoors with family and friends this fall for a homemade cinematic experience under the stars. WRITTEN AND STYLED BY RHODA BRIMBERRY AND ANNA CRELIA, FOUNDERS OF LOOT RENTALS AND LOOT FINER GOODS

In September, temps are beginning to cool, kids are back in school and life is kicked back into full throttle. It’s time to get outside and take advantage of the earlier sunset while gathering with friends and family for a new tradition. Take a break with a lounge-in movie!

THE SETTING This fun event is easier to pull off than you might imagine. Head to the hardware store to pick up a white waterproof drop cloth about 9 inches by 12 inches and make holes in the corners. You can also use drapery clips instead. These tools allow you to string up the drop cloth in the trees or with any anchors so you have a stable projection screen for the movie. Just hook a simple projector (We used a portable version made by Brookstone.) to the computer on which you have the movie cued up, and you’re ready for viewing. Bluetooth speakers are so powerful these days. Just pipe the sound through and you’re set.

Photos by Tyler Crelia.

Elevated: If you need assistance with a readymade setup, there are plenty of party-rental businesses in Central Texas that can help. Freedom Fun USA in Leander, Texas, is a great resource. The biz offers large outdoor screens alongside a projector and speakers that create a very professional movie-viewing experience. Company reps come in and set it all up so all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the show. All you provide is the Blu-ray or DVD.

54 | AUSTIN WOMAN | SEPTEMBER 2018

THE SCENE There’s no need to pull the living room out onto the lawn to make your guests feel comfortable. Just invite them to bring their folding chairs, and throw down some picnic blankets. Kids can even bring pillows and sleeping bags with stuffed animals for ultimate comfort. If they want to dress in their PJs, that’s even better. Elevated: Blow-up mattresses aren’t just for overnight guests anymore. Bring them out on the lawn for a super-comfy lounge experience in front of the movie screen. Dress them with blankets and top them off with a nice big bolster to prop up your guests in style. We used simple Army surplus duffle bags and stuffed them with anything we could find: blankets, T-shirts and pillows from throughout the house. We added in some soft seating from our rental collection for those wanting a different type of comfort and added in some footstools as well. Pepper in some little side tables to hold drinks and snacks. Adding rugs under the beds allows guests to go barefoot and gives the feeling of home under the stars.

THE MENU It is always fun to find some items that reflect themes in the movie. For our feature, The Sandlot, it was imperative we include s’mores in the list of offerings. Typically, these are created over an open fire, but we found the oven to be just as effective. Add in popcorn and theater candies from the store to give your guests some variety and fun. Elevated: A dark beer sweetened with ice cream will bring out the kid in you. For the adults in the crowd, we wanted to offer a spin on an age-old favorite, the root-beer float. Instead of root beer, we experimented with Guinness Draught paired with vanilla ice cream. The results were sensational! In addition, we had fun making little menus from which guests could select sweet or savory treats to snack on throughout the movie. This allowed us to be discreet in learning about their desires while giving them an opportunity to continue enjoying the movie as we prepared requests in the kitchen.

CLUBHOUSE S’MORES FOILIES Ingredients Graham crackers Chocolate bars Large marshmallows Aluminum foil Directions 1. Set the oven to 350 degrees and tear off as many 10-inch pieces of foil to equal the number of s’mores sandwiches you intend to make for your guests. 2. Layer the marshmallow and chocolate between graham crackers and fold over the ends of the foil to encapsulate each sandwich. 3. Place the s’mores sandwiches in the oven for 10 minutes. Then your s’mores are ready to serve.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 55

Monica

PERAZA CONVERTING OBSTACLES INTO OPPORTUNITIES

BY HANNAH J. PHILLIPS | PHOTOS BY ANDREW CHAN | HAIR AND MAKEUP BY GERTIE WILSON

56 | AUSTIN WOMAN | SEPTEMBER 2018

On this page: Etro scroll paisley cashmere poncho with fur trim, $3,72; Akris Frankie checked, woven, straight-leg, cropped punto pants, $495; Manolo Blahnik BB leather 105mm pumps, $625, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com. Kendra Scott Marin statement earrings, $125, available at kendrascott.com. Page 59: Lela Rose floral-embroidered tulle-yoke fitted cocktail dress, $1,695; Manolo Blahnik BB cow-print pointed pumps, $935, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com. Kendra Scott Justyne earrings, $250, available at kendrascott.com. Bracelet and ring, modelâ€™s own. Page 60: Dolce & Gabbana tie-neck long-sleeve rose- and peony-print silk chiffon blouse, $1,375; Kendra Scott Aragon earrings in rose quartz, $70, available at kendrascott.com.

onica Peraza remembers first hearing the term “serial entrepreneur” at a dinner party. The expression intrigued her. The words were just right somehow, affirming an identity she had always known but never named.

Peraza started her first business at age 7, crafting and selling plastic watercolor bracelets in Mexico City. Growing up as an only child of entrepreneurs, creative innovation was in her DNA. These days, Peraza has moved on from bracelets. The founder of four successful companies and two nonprofits, and the chair-elect of the board of trustees for The Long Center for the Performing Arts, she is both an optimist and a pragmatist, a visionary and a problem-solver. To Peraza, dreams aren’t something to chase, but to map, strategize and achieve. “I always knew that I wanted the freedom to create,” she says. “A lot of being an entrepreneur is just about the freedom to do what you want and what you are passionate about.” But there’s more to entrepreneurship than freedom, more than identifying a need and finding a solution. Like explorers venturing into new frontiers, entrepreneurs possess the courage to take calculated risks, the creativity to navigate unforeseen obstacles and the commitment to see a mission through to the end. Combining an exceptional ability to cultivate both long-term dreams and detailed immediate strategies, Peraza embodies all the best qualities of a genuine entrepreneur. In her path from serial entrepreneur to social innovator, she has honed a natural capacity to convert obstacles into opportunities. A true pioneer, she sees the mountains in her way as more than hurdles to surmount, rather as new vantage points from which to assess the next steps of the journey.

IDENTIFYING PROBLEMS, DESIGNING SOLUTIONS As a marketplace by women and for women, Peraza’s latest venture, Alegreea, solves problems on both sides of the industry. From the perspective of an entrepreneur, Peraza saw the struggle of female makers trying to gain access and fair pricing in global markets. On the consumer side, she also noticed an increasing customer desire to purchase unique products with both a story and a social impact. The solution came to her while building her third company, Dalma Imports, which introduced high-end products from her native Mexico to North American markets. Since Dalma worked with some of the largest retailers in the U.S., the company prioritized designers producing large volumes, but Peraza frequently wished she could create a platform to showcase the smaller quantities of lesser-known artisans and makers. “We noticed that smaller designers were getting lost in the big marketplaces,” she says. “So, I started seeing the opportunity to create something that will do justice to their products and be able to highlight them as pieces of art.” By providing access to the largest market in the world, Alegreea removes geographical barriers (the need to travel to boutiques willing to buy their products) and time constraints for female designers. Some 85 percent of women makers have children, limiting their time to create within the hours of school or day care. Whereas most markets offer female designers 35 percent profit on a sale, Alegreea guarantees each maker 50 percent. Peraza believes increasing profitability for female designers enables them to grow a sustainable business and creates a cycle of happiness on both sides of the market. The company name comes from the Spanish word for happiness, “alegría,” and Peraza intends to spread that mission across the globe. “The core of Alegreea is happiness,” she says. “We like to think that we bring happiness to our customers with the products we curate. … And as we create sales for women makers, that brings happiness into their lives too.” 58 | AUSTIN WOMAN | SEPTEMBER 2018

PREDICTING A CHALLENGE Beyond her role as CEO, Peraza sees herself as chief curator, protecting Alegreea’s core mission to foster relationships with makers and tell their stories. As the company expands its reach, however, Peraza knows she will have less time to personally curate each new collection. “It’s all about building systems,” Peraza says. “A lot of people think that doing an online marketplace is pretty much like doing a web page, and it’s not. The hardest part of doing the two-sided marketplace is creating systems and funnels, making it an efficient process in order to scale the company.” To consistently curate incoming designs as the company grows, she and her team developed a brief questionnaire for new designers, which, in turn, exposed a need for a 360-degree view of each new applicant and their products. Now the process is very straightforward: Alegreea automatically downloads information from designers, allowing Peraza and her team to quickly assess each maker’s story and how to best highlight their unique offerings. In its seed round, Alegreea launched with collections from designers in Mexico before moving into its current focus on minority makers in the United States and Canada. Next, Peraza plans to tackle Latin America and beyond. “By 2022, we will have makers all over the world,” she declares.

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY Creating this kind of ripple effect is Peraza’s trademark in each endeavor. Perhaps more remarkable than her ability to scale several companies (often simultaneously) is the incredible diversity of projects she undertakes. Much to the benefit of her community, she is equal parts serial entrepreneur and social innovator, a pillar of both the business and nonprofit worlds in Austin. Moving from New York City to Austin in 2006, Peraza formed MexNet Alliance to provide educational tools and mentorship opportunities for Hispanic entrepreneurs. “Ever since I came to the U.S. in 1997,” she says, “I always questioned why people from Mexico were working in different parts of the industry, serving in the kitchens and washing dishes and not building businesses like other communities in the U.S.” To address the unique barriers facing Hispanic entrepreneurs, she launched a five-week seminar called Emprendedor U to cover all aspects of business, from accounting and operations to marketing and social media. Led by serial entrepreneurs like Peraza, the intensive course is completely free, open to all applicants and entirely in Spanish.

PUTTING THE FUN IN FUNDRAISING As the Emprendedor U program expanded, Peraza predicted the need for future fundraising in order to keep offering the course for free. With her inimitable flair for finding the untapped resource in every potential roadblock, she launched the Authentic Mexico Gourmet Gala. Not your average fundraiser, the annual event highlights the food and culture of a different state in Mexico each year and provides a platform for the talents of both emerging and renowned chefs. “I love creating things I’m very passionate about,” Peraza says about the event. “Authentic Gala enables me to create from a completely blank canvas, and it showcases incredible cuisine.” Now in its ninth year, the event eventually became the main fundraiser for the Hispanic Alliance and connected Peraza with Teresa Lozano Long.

FINDING MENTORS, FORMING STRONG PARTNERSHIPS At the end of 2010, Long approached Peraza with a desire to produce a nonprofit focused on engaging Austin’s Hispanic community with the arts. Their partnership would determine not only the founding of the Hispanic Alliance, but also the trajectory of Peraza’s career. “The Longs have been a pillar of the arts in Austin,” Peraza says.

Blueprint for Success: Monica Peraza’s Pointers for Female Entrepreneurs What does your daily schedule look like? “One of the things I teach and am passionate about is balance. I schedule my life first, my time for meditation and exercise. So, I schedule that and then my time with Alegreea. I commit to Alegreea until 3 p.m. every day, and then I have my meetings or calls with the nonprofits. And it’s very important to me to have eight hours of sleep.” How do you juggle it all? “I focus 100 percent on what I have to do until the next thing. I love being able to come into a different project with a different state of mind and ask, ‘How can I make impact here?’ You become a little more mindful because you have a certain amount of time, so you have to ask, ‘How can I give the best of me to that right now?’ ” What are the biggest challenges you face as an entrepreneur? “No. 1 is prioritizing time, being a mom and leading a business. Second is identifying the best opportunity in the market before it’s evident. Third is being aware of what I do well and what I don’t do well. Finally, I’ve learned that patience is a lifetime lesson. I like to do big things and I like to do things quickly. Sometimes you just need to wait a little bit.” How do you overcome challenges? “Identify your shortfalls. We need to become a little more practical because an entrepreneur cannot do everything. There are things you need to learn how to do and things you need to delegate.” What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs? “First, take care of yourself. … You only have one body and one mind. If you don’t nurture it and deal with the stress of life, you are not as sharp as you can be. Second, do things you are passionate about. It’s going to be the same amount of work, but the experience is totally different. When you are working in something you love, you thrive; it’s like time flies. Third, make sure you always give back in any way that you can. The world really needs all of us to give back. Find what talent you share with the world and do it!”

ATXWOMAN.COM | 59

“[Teresa] saw how the Hispanic community was growing and that if we didn’t get involved in the arts at all levels, the arts were going to struggle.” As the two began collaborating, they also observed a disturbingly high dropout rate in Austin’s high schools. Inspired by Venezuela’s innovative music-education program, El Sistema, the pair decided to tackle the two problems simultaneously, launching Austin Soundwaves in October 2011. Through high-quality musical training and mentoring opportunities, the program helps students develop the essential skills for creative, social and academic success.

MEASURING IMPACT In that same year, the entrepreneurial programs at MexNet merged with the education and arts programs at the Hispanic Alliance to become one entity. Today, the Hispanic Alliance encompasses both Emprendedor U and Austin Soundwaves, plus a 13-week program for Hispanic women entrepreneurs called OLEH, or the Organizacion de Lideres Empresarias Hispanas, which Peraza founded in 2016 in partnership with the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas. With each of these three programs, the Hispanic Alliance fulfills its mission to transform lives by focusing on economic mobility through arts education for youth and entrepreneurial training for adults. Each one has had a measurable impact, quantifiable data Peraza shares proudly without the need to consult notes, as if displaying photos of her own children. More than 2,000 adults have attended Emprendedor U since 2009, more than 500 students have participated in Austin Soundwaves (which has seen a 100 percent high-schoolstudent graduation rate since 2011) and nearly 200 women have graduated from OLEH since 2016. “By transforming the lives of individuals, we transform the lives of families,” Peraza says. “And by doing that, we transform the community.”

Peraza’s unique ability to consider both the forest and the trees, both to dream and to do, should excite Austinites for this new chapter at The Long Center. Through her tireless work in the Hispanic and arts communities, she is primed to transition the center into its next 10 years— and the city along with it. “If you see the skyline of Austin 10 years ago, it’s a totally different city,” she says. “Joe and Terry’s vision for The Long Center was always for it to be a center for the community. After 10 years, we have found our personality, and our diversity is our strength.” As chair, her top three priorities are to define the sustainability of The Long Center, measure its impact and build a stakeholder model of appreciation across the board—all building blocks in her vision to implement strategies that reflect diversity in The Long Center’s programming and the people it serves. As if that vision, paired with her plans for going global with Alegreea, weren’t grand enough, she sees an even higher purpose on the horizon. And few would be surprised that while spinning these two plates, Peraza already has the next plate in her back pocket.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Inspired by the impact the Longs have had in the Austin community, Peraza hopes to create something similar for the international community, establishing a foundation for women and children with a global footprint. Blending her expertise as a serial entrepreneur with her experience in the nonprofit world, it will be the culmination of all her work to date. “I’ve been learning in Austin,” Peraza says, “and now Alegreea is allowing me to go into the world, so the next stage is a foundation that has MONICA PERAZA AND THE TEXAS FASHION COLLECTIVE a global impact, my dream come true.” Monica Peraza is currently partnering with Ann Kasper, So, what new problem will Jennifer Stevens and Dan Graham to establish Texas as a her foundation solve? If Peraza’s region for fashion innovation. With a goal of focusing at least experience as both entrepreneur 30 percent of its efforts on sustainable fashion, the Texas and social innovator has taught Fashion Collective is the first accelerator of its kind in the her anything, it’s to not assume the Lone Star State. Through mentorship and entrepreneurial answers ahead of time. education, the program will help Texas fashion designers “The world is changing so fast,” she WALKING THE WALK scale their businesses into multimillion-dollar companies. says. “So, it will be a time to sit down Working to get Hispanics engaged quietly and ask what is the reality for with the arts, Peraza realized she women across the globe, and really hear it from them.” needed to practice what she preached, joining the board of trustees at She wants the foundation to be collaborative, an organization that The Long Center in 2011. October marks her eighth year on the board, and as chair-elect, she will become the first Hispanic woman to ever chair listens. Of course, she already has a few ideas. She plans to first utilize her travels with Alegreea’s international expansion as an opportunity to a major arts board in Austin. connect with female entrepreneurs throughout the world. Next, she plans Since joining The Long Center’s board, Peraza has served as a member to request proposals from social entrepreneurs and unique nonprofit of the executive committee and the finance committee and served as the models about how to make a big impact and change the lives of women chair of the strategic plan, an appropriate title for someone with such a across the globe. rare knack for executing long-term visions. But this will all take time. Until then, the world has only to watch “Monica approaches her nonprofit work as an entrepreneur,” says Patsy and marvel as she implements her master plan, and to participate in the Woods Martin, founder of I Live Here, I Give Here and former chair conversations she will no doubt set in motion. Wherever her path leads, it of the board of trustees for The Long Center. “[She has] great passion, will be for both the benefit of her immediate community and for the world. energy, commitment and follow-through.”

60 | AUSTIN WOMAN | SEPTEMBER 2018

Enhancing Life. Excelling in Care.. Sherry L. Neyman, MD, FACOG

Specialist in gynecology/women’s health

Dr. Neyman is highly trained in in-office gynecology procedures and minimally invasive surgeries. She offers a full range of gynecology services including: ●

Annual gynecology exams

●

da Vinci® robotic-assisted surgery

●

MonaLisa Touch® treatment for painful intercourse

●

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy

●

Endometriosis diagnosis and treatment

●

ACESSATM uterine fibroid therapy

●

Pelvic prolapse treatment

(512) 425-3810

www.austinobgynrwg.com

STATE OF THE ART From highlighting contemporary works and unforgettable vocal displays to growing a museum that preserves the history and crafts of Latin cultures to creating a skyrocketing local comedy festival, four women commanding Austin’s flourishing creative scene are proving they have it all down to a fine art. BY NICHOLAS BARANCYK, PHOTOS BY ANNIE RAY

Sylvia Orozco Co-founder of Mexic-Arte Museum Humans have obsessed about their origin for thousands of years. It’s a natural question to wonder where we came from and how we got here. Nowhere is this idea exemplified more than in museums, where art and artifacts are carefully documented, catalogued and preserved so some insight can be gleaned by future generations. However, much of history as it’s taught in the West has been dominated by a single perspective. It’s told through the lens of colonizers and conquerors, with minor regard for those who have been subjugated. This lack of totality is what drove Sylvia Orozco to co-found Mexic-Arte Museum in the early 1980s, so the stories of Latin peoples could be safeguarded against the rigors of time. Organizing galleries has been a lifelong pursuit for Orozco, even when she didn’t realize she was doing it. Growing up in her hometown of Cuero, Texas, there wasn’t much in the way of a museum. So, she made her own. Gathering twigs, leaves and rocks, she’d assemble micro installations in small boxes. “I didn’t know I was making collections,” she says, “but that’s what I was doing on my own.” As she grew, this affinity for arranging curiosities would push her to study painting at the University of Texas, earn her master’s degree at the Academy of San Carlos—the oldest art academy in North America—and eventually create Mexic-Arte with fellow artists Sam Coronado and Pio Pulido. In the beginning, Orozco only showcased Mexican art, incorporating dance, theater, music and visual art. But as the years progressed, she condensed her approach and broadened her breadth. Mexic-Arte expanded to include all Mexican, Latino and Chicano art, joining the small handful of museums throughout the country dedicated to Latin art. In the art world, context begets appreciation. Orozco compares understanding art with understanding a novel: The more books you read,

62 | AUSTIN WOMAN | SEPTEMBER 2018

the better grasp you’ll have on how language is constructed, thus strengthening overall competency. “I think most people don’t realize that art is a visual language,” Orozco says. Context is especially important for museums like Mexic-Arte, which strives to illuminate issues unrepresented or glazed over in Western polish. To fully appreciate the complexity of issues at sake, it is crucial to hear narratives from every side. “We’re saying something with just lines or dots or planes,” Orozco says. Currently, the museum is focusing on themes of immigration and conflict at the border. The latest exhibition, Beyond Walls, Between Gates, Under Bridges, is comprised of photographic images and new media showcasing scenes of protest and resistance, particularly resistance to the loss of one’s culture. For Orozco, museums are more than just repositories for creative works. They’re cultural lexicons that inform us of a society, how it used to work and how it works today. “Art documents a culture,” she says. “It’s a written or painted or sculpted record of the time.” When people move, their traditions follow, commingling with other cultures to create multifaceted societies full of depth and diversity. So, if we’re to understand how they got here, we must learn to read their past from every perspective. Mexic-Arte Museum Check out Mexic-Arte’s 35th annual Viva la Vida Festival and Parade Oct. 27. Austin’s largest and longest-running Day of the Dead celebration includes a parade, floats and live music. Admission is free all day.

“I think most people don’t realize that art is a visual language.”

ATXWOMAN.COM | 63

“Every time I see an opera or go to the symphony, I need it, I crave it because I crave the many layers that I can peel back.”

64 | AUSTIN WOMAN | SEPTEMBER 2018

Mela Sarajane Dailey Soprano and Co-producer of Mass Life is a joy ride for vocal chameleon Mela Sarajane Dailey. With a background in pop, jazz and gospel music, Dailey began her love affair with classical performance in high school, 25 years ago. Since then, she’s sung in countless venues, performed with numerous symphonies and even earned a Grammy Award with choral group Conspirare. One of her most glowing accomplishments of late is co-producing and performing in the Austin rendition of Leonard Bernstein’s celebrated musical-theater composition Mass. “That was one of the most memorable experiences of my life,” Dailey says. “It’s surreal when you see it. All of that two-and-a-half-plus years of day-in, day-out. … We were just happy we got to do it. We didn’t know it would mean this much. I think this piece touched on a lot. I think it touched on our need for community, our need to believe in something bigger than ourselves, our need to see people decide that they can work together and that working together is more important than anybody’s ego.” Perhaps best known for her work with Conspirare, which regularly engages audiences in a way that’s tantamount to musical magic, Dailey, also the wife of lauded Austin Symphony Orchestra Music Director and Conductor Peter Bay, is a skilled virtuoso in several musical genres, but this Grammy Award winner insists classical music is still relevant in today’s technologyfueled music industry. “There’s so many levels to [classical music],” Dailey says. “I can appreciate a pop song, and I can hear it and I can get something out of it, but every time I see an opera or go to the symphony, I need it, I crave it because I crave the many layers that I can peel back. It opens up a certain part of your brain and understanding that’s bigger. It’s almost like it widens the lens. And once you’ve widened that lens, the whole world is different.” Indeed, Dailey notes that as she’s gathered more experience in her musical career and classical study, she’s felt freer to express herself, to “paint with more colors” and tap more tools in her musical toolkit. At the same time, classical music demands more of her, which, in turn, makes her more efficient, more ambitious and a better musical “athlete.” And athletic is a good way to describe many of the grueling tasks Dailey undertakes in her effort to be her best. When it comes to preparing for a concert or lengthy opera, she approaches the endeavor in focused segments. “Whether it’s a pop song or a full three-hour opera, I always just start with the words. I have to understand who the person is first before I even try to touch the music,” she says. “For a three-hour opera, that’s a long

process and it’s worth it. It’s like the reward you get for spending a lot of time with a character.” In terms of what Dailey strives to understand about such characters, she notes the key component is having a good grasp of the characters’ humanity. “Even if it’s a character that’s a villain, let’s say, I want to understand their ‘why.’ If I understand their why, then I can understand their humanity, and if I understand their humanity,” she says, “then it will come off the page. The deeper the character is, the more satisfying and enjoyable it is.” Of course, as Dailey well knows, a vocal instrument can be a lot more difficult to maintain than any other musical instrument, by virtue of its human limitations. She approaches her voice as an instrument that’s constantly evolving. “That’s the difference between being a singer and every other musician,” she says. “We get this one instrument that evolves and changes, so you’re constantly relearning that instrument. The good news is that all your work starts to pay off. All your education foundation, your toolkit, is getting better and better at the same time your actual instrument is getting better and better. Vocalists don’t really hit their stride until [they’re] 45.” But she also admits to having a keen understanding of the time limits inherent in being a vocal star. Still, she’s perfectly happy to embrace the career she has while looking forward to the future. “Unlike a pianist, where you can play forever, there’s a time limit. And it forces you to be very appreciative of everything you have because there’s a time it won’t be there. And that’s something that every professional vocalist has to wrestle with. I will be grateful in any way I can express vocally for as long as I can,” Dailey says. “There are so many operas and oratorios that I had no business singing in my 20s, but you’re drawn to it because it’s so beautiful. But I didn’t have a clue of the depth of expression that’s needed, and also just the physicality. But I sang the Verdi Requiem with the Austin Symphony. … If I could sing that forever, I would sign up and do it every month.”

Conspirare Mela Sarajane Dailey will tour with Conspirare this fall on Artistic Director Craig Hella Johnson’s new show, Considering Matthew Shepard, dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the young man’s death.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 65

Veronica Roberts Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at Blanton Museum of Art Veronica Roberts had her doubts about contemporary art. She first encountered the movement during a class field trip to Los Angeles, where a piece by artist Felix GonzalezTorres left her puzzled. Gonzalez-Torres was Cuban-born, openly gay and creating at the height of the AIDS epidemic. He showcased a stripped-down aesthetic and used everyday items like beads and stacks of paper to realize his vision. But Roberts couldn’t wrap her head around how a pile of candy he had created could be considered art. People were grabbing pieces from the pile, undressing the tiny packets of hardened sugar and popping them in their mouths. She followed suit, peeling off the plastic membranes and chomping down. Then she noticed the artwork’s title: “Untitled (t-cell count).” She was riveted. “I realized what power art can have,” Roberts says. Along with her own grandmother, Gonzalez-Torres would continue to be a major inspiration for Roberts as she worked her way through an art-history master’s degree and subsequent associate curator roles. She’d eventually land the job, in 2013, as the curator of modern and contemporary art at Austin’s beloved Blanton Museum of Art, where she’s just as excited as ever to share art with Austinites. Roberts was never interested in curating to a small set of peers. Instead, she considers herself more of an educator, translating the complicated ideas of contemporary art for a more general audience. “I’m always thinking about how we can make art more relevant,” she says, “how we can bring more people under the tent.” But this can be a struggle in the heart of Texas, where there’s not a cultural history of fine-art galleries like there is in other metropolitan locales like New York City and Pittsburgh. Roberts sees it as a welcome challenge made more satisfying by the Austin community. “This city is a place where people are filled with intellectual curiosity,” Roberts says. With her audience driving inspiration, she’s unburdened from the pressures of the art community at large in favor of highlighting fresher perspectives. “I’m interested in the blind spots of art history in particular,” she says, noting a specific interest in friendships between artists. Roberts says too often, artists are pitted

“One of the things that I find thrilling about contemporary art is the way it responds to the world now.”

66 | AUSTIN WOMAN | SEPTEMBER 2018

against each other “like a boxing match” during shows, that scholarship exemplifies rivalries but forgets artists’ humanity, where friendships are as influential to their work as competition. This myth is what Roberts is combatting. “We’ve inherited [it] and it’s made the art world harder to be understood,” she says. At its worst, Roberts admits contemporary art can go a little overboard. Pieces may become overly conceptual, their prices astronomically inflated and their creators and critics insisting the average Joe just doesn’t “get it.” “I sympathize with people who feel that contemporary art is trying to make you feel dumb,” Roberts says. But she explains that is just a small subset of the movement because at its best, it can act as a portal or “an entry point for dealing with some of the complexities of our world...and [a way] to see those situations more clearly or critically.” When modern-day art is good, it can reveal new facets of old conversations and tackle tragedy with grace. “One of the things that I find thrilling about contemporary art is the way it responds to the world now,” Roberts says. “It feels constantly relevant to the lives that we lead and the world that we’re part of.” The types of shows Roberts likes to organize are those that penetrate, those that stretch into our reptilian brains and tinker with our physiology, pausing the air in our lungs or manipulating our heartbeats. And she doesn’t achieve this through blockbuster showings of Vincent van Gogh or Henri Matisse, but through the untold stories of great creators, wherein a new element about their life is illuminated. “Those moments where you can combine scholarship and new ideas with something that can have emotional resonance,” Roberts says, “really get me excited.” Contemporary and modern artworks, like people, are complex. They’re abstract. They’re not always easy to digest and it takes time for them to marinate in the mind. In this process of slow osmosis, ideas gradually assume shape, color, texture. These snippets of thought are fodder for crucial discourse about our lived realities and inherent humanity. These are the challenging conversations Roberts wants to inspire, restoring vision to our blind spots.

Blanton Museum of Art Don’t miss current Blanton exhibition The City by native Texan Vincent Valdez. The artist explores the Ku Klux Klan as a modern-day entity. The show runs through Oct. 28. Museum admission is $12.

ATXWOMAN.COM |â€‚ 67

“When you’re out in a room together and experiencing something as one, there’s a sense of camaraderie and community that you’re just not going to get at home.”

68 | AUSTIN WOMAN | SEPTEMBER 2018

Lietza Brass Chief Programming Officer at the Paramount Theatre What do Orson Welles, Harry Houdini and Barack Obama have in common? As Lietza Brass notes, each has graced the stage of Austin’s own Paramount Theatre. After 14 years as the theater’s executive director of programming, Brass is taking Austin’s century-old entertainment staple to new heights. After nine years at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, Brass, a University of Texas grad, was beckoned back to the city of her alma mater. When she assumed the role of the Paramount’s event manager in 2002, she reached for a yearly goal of 40 shows—a massive number by her account—which consisted mostly of musical theater at the time. Soon after, the then executive programming director began teaching her the secret arts of booking. “Learning how to put in offers and book shows is kind of a black-book career,” Brass says, something akin more to art than administration. “Everybody thinks they know how to do it instinctively.” They’re wrong, most of the time anyway. Brass wanted to orchestrate a different sort of season after she took over in 2004. She moved from variety, performing-arts-style shows to more genre-based programming. In the legends genre, she brought in Don Rickles and Bob Newhart, while Gladys Knight and Diane Keaton rounded out the theater’s collection of women-focused shows. “As social media became more and more how we promoted our shows,” she says, “the kinds of shows evolved again.” This recrafting, refocusing and retargeting is one of Brass’ core methodologies for booking relevant performances in Austin, and it’s been one of the ways she’s grown the theater’s calendar to include more than 200 shows per year. Today, the Paramount features everything from blues concerts to lectures about astrophysics. But very early on, Brass took note of the intimate stage, neoclassical revivalist architecture and the way the balcony stretched as close as possible to the action. It was a prime biome for comedy. “Comedians naturally gravitate towards a stage that has beautiful surroundings,” Brass says. The warm colors and classic elegance of the interior promote a more fluid exchange between performer and spectator. Brass says this has a transformative effect on the talent, observing that when he or she steps onstage, “the artist will rise to the occasion themselves.” Working off her success assembling comedy shows, Brass aspired for bigger and better.

“The one festival that was not being served in this town, which was basically developing a festival-based economy, was a really high-level comedy festival,” she says. So, in 2012, she teamed up with Rich Miller and Colleen McGarr of Cap City Comedy Club to create the very first Moontower Comedy & Oddity Festival. Cap City fronted the club connections, while Brass brought the logistical know-how. She says Moontower was a hit from the beginning and has only grown in popularity since. Her favorite part about the whole shebang is overhearing patrons, gathering what she calls “secret feedback.” Despite spanning 14 venues, Brass says the event has grown by only 5,000 or 6,000 participants since it started. But this is intentional. “Instead of growing the footprint of it, [we’re] growing the dimension of it,” she says. This extra dimension is the festival’s virtual presence online, which includes such popular elements as Netflix’s live shooting of David Cross’ comedy special. This way, it reaches audiences far larger than any of the city’s venues could allow. “We’re going for worldwide domination,” Brass jokes. There’s an intimacy to live performance that refuses to be captured by any recording. It’s a quality Brass describes as a system of give and take in which the artist is “giving it all and the audience gives it right back to them, and it’s this wonderful symbiotic relationship.” Although she’s plotting at online supremacy, Brass notes the physicality of seeing a show in a venue where so many others have sat before, laughing as you laugh, crying as you cry, creates a moment of unity that cannot be replaced. “When you’re out in a room together and experiencing something as one,” she says, “there’s a sense of camaraderie and community that you’re just not going to get at home.” For its entertainers and spectators, the Paramount is more than just a building. It’s a chance to pause the complexities whirling through life and, if only for an hour, add another voice to its hallowed golden walls.

The Paramount Theatre Catch Ira Glass at the Paramount Theatre Dec. 8 for an evening with one of NPR’s most influential radio producers. Tickets start at $35.

ATXWOMAN.COM | 69

OURMET

RECIPE REVEAL

THE BIG CHEESE

Stop waffling around. Meet your new favorite sandwich, Wild Chix & Waffles’ Strip Cheese.

Photos courtesy of Jessica Attie Photography.

BY CHANTAL RICE

70 | AUSTIN WOMAN | AUGUST SEPTEMBER 2018 2018

A trip halfway across the globe led to the inspiration for Austin eatery Wild Chix & Waffles, where Southern comfort food meets European panache—with a side of plucky Texas flavor. Chef and Co-owner Wendy Wu, who gained a passion for food as a girl while learning the tricks of the kitchen from her father, originally opted for a career in architecture. But after globetrotting and an enlightening stay in Paris relishing her time spent in neighborhood cafés, Wu returned to Austin determined to open her own restaurant offering a creative menu. From savory to sweet, brunch to dessert, Wild Chix & Waffles serves up unique homestyle fried-chicken-and-waffle specialties alongside premium coffees and imaginative cocktails. But it’s Wu’s Strip Cheese dish—a gooey, melty combo of crisp, warm waffles, cheddar cheese and roasted jalapeños—that has Austinites clucking. “I love this recipe because it’s a fun and wild spin on an all-American comfort-food classic,” Wu says. “The sweetness and the fluffiness of the waffle perfectly complement the ooey-gooey, melted cheddar cheese. The griddle jalapeño slices also give an extra kick to the dish.”

WILD CHIX & WAFFLES’ STRIP CHEESE Serves one—unless you’re willing to share Ingredients 1 freshly made waffle 4 slices cheese (Wild Chix & Waffles’ preference is cheddar cheese.) 1 jalapeño Directions 1. Choose one of your favorite waffle recipes and make the waffle batter. 2. Preheat the waffle iron to about 360 degrees. 3. S eed one whole jalapeño, grill it on a flattop and slice the grilled jalapeño. 4. D rop the waffle batter into the waffle iron to cook a freshly made waffle. 5. Over low heat, place four slices of your favorite cheese on a flattop griddle or in a large frying pan. 6. Place the freshly made waffle on top of the cheese and let it melt together. 7. Flip over the waffle with the melted cheese and top it with the sliced, grilled jalapeños. 8. Fold the waffle in half and enjoy!

“It’s a fun and wild spin on an all-American comfort-food classic.”

B O URB O N SALE 2 or more 7 50 ml b ott l es of B ou rbon*

Mix & Match

September 3-22

—Chef Wendy Wu

80 + loca ti ons thro u g ho u t Ce ntral Texas TWINLIQ UO RS. CO M *Bourbon Heritage Sale runs 9/3-9/22/18. Discount off regular priced 750ml bottles of Bourbon. Excludes Twin Deals, Bargain Barrels, EDLP, Ends in "2" pricing, online orders and sale items. Some exclusions apply. Please drink responsibly.

OURMET

FOOD NEWS

BAKING UP BUSINESS

Bakery Lorraine makes its Austin debut. BY MARY MURPHY

Ng and Mandrell thought their baking days were behind them as they planted their roots in Texas and took jobs in the tech industry. But soon, they began to miss baking for themselves and their friends. The two took their tasty skills to a farmers market in San Antonio, which sparked their popularity, passion and purpose. It was then the concept for Bakery Lorraine was conceived. At Bakery Lorraine, the smallest of things can make the biggest difference. From classic flaky croissants to rum-infused, custard-filled canelés, the attention to detail is impeccable. Bakery Lorraine stands apart from other bakeries, with its biggest influence being its customers. The bakers truly listen to what customers want. With great success in San Antonio, Ng notes it was natural to move into Austin. “Austin is right in our backyard, so it only makes sense to move in that direction,” she says. “There is so much culinary energy buzzing over there right now. We want to be part of it.” The pair is keeping all customers in mind with their menu options, recognizing many Austinites are quite healthconscious. There are lighter options on the menu, including beautiful salads, and the bakers make everything from scratch with premium ingredients. Starting a bakery was no easy feat. Ng admits the biggest challenge was recognizing the limitations. “We were working so much in the beginning,” Ng says. “We had to be able to accept that there was only so much product we could make between the two of us. We’d get so excited about all the ideas we had, but there was no way we could make all of them at the same time.” With a menu that changes seasonally, Ng and Mandrell are sure to eat something from the bakery every day to check the quality of their pastries. Bakery Lorraine’s expansive menu is unique in the sense there are a lot of classic pastries with a local twist, like the mangonada tart and the horchata cake. But by far, the most popular items on the menu are the mouthwatering Parisian macarons. Austin’s pastry lovers can sink their teeth into Bakery Lorraine’s delectable treats, with the bakery opening this fall at Domain Northside.

72 | AUSTIN WOMAN | SEPTEMBER 2018

Photos courtesy of Bakery Lorraine.

The clock was ticking and Anne Ng and Jeremy Mandrell needed to come up with a name for the bakery they never imagined they would open. As the opening day was quickly approaching, the dynamic duo went with Ng’s middle name: Lorraine. With personal meaning and French roots, it just seemed to click. It wasn’t long after that Bakery Lorraine opened its first location at The Pearl in San Antonio in 2012. Fast-forward six years and the attention-driven bakery has four locations, has been honorably mentioned in wellknown publications and has a growing fan base. It only makes sense this easy-to-love bakery is making its way to the city of Austin.

documentary wedding and event photography

coreys-photos.com

Want to commit to taking care of your body, mind, and spirit? Become a Founder.

FOU N PA S D E R S S

AUSTINâ€™S ORIGINAL WIG SALON. SERVING CUSTOMERS ALL OVER TEXAS FOR OVER 50 YEARS. PROFESSIONAL STYLING

CUSTOM FITTING PRIVATE ROOMS

PERSONAL APPOINTMENTS

HAIRPIECES

WE SPECIALIZE IN WIGS FOR CHEMO & RADIATION PATIENTS

yogayoga.com/Founders

Anders o

n Ln.

Burn

c pa

+ BRING A FRIEND FREE ... AND MUCH MORE!

N Mo

2 YEARS UNLIMITED YOGA & YOGAPLUS WORKSHOPS

NORTHWOOD PLAZA 2900 W. Anderson Ln., Ste H | 512.323.9220 O P E N : M-F: 10am-5:30pm | Sa: 10am-4pm

www.SERENITYWIGANDSALON . com

ELLNESS

WAITING ROOM

CBD OIL MYTHS DEBUNKED

A drop of CBD oil a day keeps the pain at bay. BY CHELSEA PRIBBLE

Mistakenly associated with the high from the cannabis drug, CBD oil gets a bad rap. Yet the trending oil’s broad range of benefits, success stories and stamp of approval from many in the medical industry are turning its misguided image around.

Looking for a healthy alternative to traditional medicines for her clients and epileptic pup, Sarah Scott founded Austin-based Hemp Doctors USA, which sells American-grown natural oils, tinctures and salves for people, dogs, cats and horses. Scott, an advocate for hemp-derived CBD products, sat down with Austin Woman to debunk the top myths surrounding CBD oil.

CBD OIL IS NOT DOPE. So, what exactly is CBD oil? It’s derived from the cannabis plant, but it does not cause the euphoric high often associated with the plant. Instead, CBD oil, which is legal in Texas, is extracted from the hemp plant and is akin to other legal, readily available hemp products such as hemp milk. Most notably, it is said to have anti-inflammatory, antianxiety and antiseizure properties, making it a viable product for an array of medical issues. “Hemp-derived CBD gets people healthy, not high,” Scott says. “First, CBD is not marijuana. CBD stands for ‘cannabidiol,’ one of more than 120 different cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. CBD is found in hemp and marijuana. CBD from hemp is non-psychoactive. Hemp has higher amounts of CBD and, as a result, CBD makes up a good portion of hemp genetics.” The reason some consumers may avoid CBD products is likely due to its sometimes unclear relationship with THC. “The component responsible for giving users a high is tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is prevalent in marijuana, not hemp,” Scott clarifies. “The sale of full-spectrum hemp-derived products containing less than .3 percent THC is legal in all 50 states.”

QUALITY MATTERS. “It is important to know that your products were not grown in soils that have lead, arsenic, mercury and other environmental toxins,” Scott says. “When evaluating a fullspectrum hemp-derived product, know where it is grown, make sure it is processed in an FDA-registered facility and utilizes third-party-verified good manufacturing practices.” When shopping for the product, Scott says to look for “CBD-rich hemp-oil products that encompass the whole plant and are capable of providing the ‘entourage effect,’ ” a term denoting the synergy between cannabis compounds that magnifies the therapeutic benefits. Scott warns that some CBD-labeled products are not always full spectrum and wholeplant-based. “Full-spectrum, entourage cannabis extracts are more effective for your wellness,” Scott says.

CBD OIL’S BENEFITS ARE EXPANSIVE AND GROWING. “What has been most exciting for me is witnessing many of my clients and pets titrating off of pharmaceutical medications either completely or partially,” Scott notes, adding that the oil is beneficial for any number of ailments, including lessening everyday aches and pains, easing anxiety and depression, and reducing the severity of symptoms associated with more acute conditions, like epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. From acting as an anticonvulsant and anti-inflammatory agent to easing neuropathic pain and even aiding in reducing symptoms of such maladies as Crohn’s disease, CBD oil offers benefits that spread far and wide. However, since most sustainable hemp products are classified as dietary supplements by the FDA, testing on specific claims about its use as a treatment for disease and other health conditions is still underway. “When applied topically, taken orally or both,” Scott says, “CBD dovetails with the human body’s central regulatory system of receptors responsible for establishing and maintaining human health.”

74 | AUSTIN WOMAN | SEPTEMBER 2018