What do a former nurse, federal government employee, paralegal, teacher and banker have in common? They’re all Austin women entrepreneurs who traded their careers to open small businesses in our city. And they all share a passion for the local community and a commitment to sustainability.

Austin’s entrepreneurial spirit is rivaled by few other cities, and it seems more and more people are abandoning traditional careers in favor of forging their own way through less conventional means. Meet five Austin women who have turned what began as hobbies into budding local businesses, and who are thinking globally while acting at the grassroots level. [Read more…]

“When something inspires you to create, you have to run with it,” says Becky Simpson. It’s a motto she lives by, that led her to where she is today.

Simpson began working as an illustrator after an idea for a flow chart popped into her mind while she was sitting at Caffe Medici. At the time, she was working as a graphic designer in Austin. Though we often ignore our ideas, promising ourselves we’ll “get back to it later,” Simpson ran with hers. She allowed herself to focus and develop the concept until it was complete.

Today, the flow chart she created—“Should I Wash My Hair Today?”—is one of her signature pieces. [Read more…]