Over the last few years, discussions about our business and our creative lives have begun to turn to the topic of Next Chapters. We had (and continue to have) a lot of ideas and ambitions within and outside of Hemlock & Heather, but throughout those conversations a definitive theme began to emerge: A need for community and a sense of belonging among us small business owners. As entrepreneurs, we often feel like we are on an island. Our problems (and there are many) seem unique to us. And the solutions? Well, the internet is full of information, but it’s not always obvious how to tell the good info from the useless. We realized that one of the things we look...
I worked today. Not long. Maybe 4 hours. But it was the 4th of July, and while most people were having backyard bbqs and beers with friends, I was waxing, putting D-rings on, and stamping pieces that either need to be photographed or shipped. At some point, it occurred to me that it was a holiday and that I could probably be relaxing in front of the TV or taking a nap. There was a time when I probably would have gone down the self pity route. But instead of thinking “Why me?”, I felt grateful. I can’t say that I always feel that way, and I would be lying if I said I felt that way last week. Truth...
About two months ago, I was heading home from an errand when I happened upon Outside, Texas’s brand new Austin location. I’m honestly not sure why I was even on that stretch of Lamar on that particular day. It definitely wasn’t the quickest route home. But there I was, cruising along, when I happened to look to my left and saw this cool retro sign hanging on a small building in the parking lot across from The Tavern. I made a u-ey and whipped into the parking lot. Ethan, the young man working behind the counter, was super nice and answered all my questions about the brand while I checked out all the amazing retro gear. Outside, Texas’s brand aesthetic...
