On Working With Your Mom And Running A Supportive Kitchen: Chef Victoria Elizondo
Victoria chats scaling and expanding Cochinita & Co. and the importance of nurturing your community while you grow.
THIS SPRING, WE’RE CHECKING IN WITH OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS ON WHAT IT MEANS TO NURTURE.
For this interview, we touched base with Victoria Elizondo of Cochinita & Co., one of our vendors within The Front Market.
Victoria chats scaling and expanding Cochinita & Co. and the importance of nurturing your community while you grow.
ABOUT VICTORIA ELIZONDO AND COCHINITA & CO.
“My name is Victoria Elizondo, chef and owner of Cochinita & Co. I am a DACA recipient who started the business with the purpose of reconnecting with my culture by bringing a piece of Mexico to me and sharing it with our community. ”
GET TO KNOW VICTORIA:
NO. 1 — What are you hoping to nurture through your work in 2022?
After the pandemic started I realized how important it really is to support local. We wish to continue to grow and also help grow other small businesses and vendors around us.
NO. 2 — Who are your biggest inspirations in Texas?
My mom. She works side by side with me and takes control when my mental health is low. Her energy never runs low. She is powered by living her American dream.
NO. 3 — What does creative collaboration mean to you?
A creative collaboration is something that you put work and love into. It's a symbol of passion and dedication shared by two entities.
NO. 4 — How do you make space in your life to creatively recharge? Any tips or routines?
Going to the park. Whether for a walk or a picnic, being out in nature and watching other people look happy releases so much serotonin for me. I recently took on pilates, its probably the hardest workout I've ever done and I did martial arts for a little bit.
NO. 5 — How do you approach building community around your work?
Using local products/ingredients on our menu is definitely my favorite way to support the local community. We also enjoy creating collaboration dinners or markets. Lastly, I love to go out to eat to local restaurants on my time off.
NO. 6 — What's the one recommendation you'd make to someone new starting out as an independent creative or small business owner?
Be patient. Do good. Treat your team with respect. Having a bad ego will not take you very far. Connections are important, but make sure they’re meaningful. Don’t use people or their resources. Take care of yourself first.
Want to stay involved with creators like Victoria through Future Front Texas?
Keep up with what we’re up to—from virtual events to membership—here.
On The Ebbs And Flows Of Creativity And Community-Building: Artist Swathi Konduri
Swathi chats with our team about transitioning into art full-time and the creative environments she needs to recharge.
THIS SPRING, WE’RE CHECKING IN WITH OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS ON WHAT IT MEANS TO NURTURE.
For this interview, we touched base with Swathi Konduri of Swatcasso, one of our vendors within The Front Market. She chats with our team about transitioning into art full-time and the creative environments she needs to recharge.
ABOUT SWATHI KONDURI OF SWATASSO
“I am an artist originally from Orlando, Florida who loves bold colors and experimenting with a variety of mediums such has acrylic paint, colored pencil, photography and digital art. I am inspired by art that makes me feel deeply and aspire to create pieces that do the same! After quitting my tech sales job, I now make art full time and sell art prints at markets all around Austin. ”
GET TO KNOW SWATHI:
NO. 1 — What are you hoping to nurture through your work in 2022?
I am hoping to nurture a more disciplined approach to art—creating works as a series rather than bouncing around and trying a bunch of new ideas.
NO. 2 — Who are your biggest inspirations in Texas?
One of my biggest inspirations is Sari Shryack. I followed her on Instagram before I even moved here and first saw her art hanging in Revival Coffee in 2019. She uses her talent to add a little bit of color and humor to daily objects. Specifically, I really am inspired by her ability to make literally any mundane object interesting. I am, of course, also inspired by all the people I see constantly vending with me at art markets around town and their work ethic.
NO. 3 — What does creative collaboration mean to you?
Creative collaboration means coming together to create one vision from a variety of directions and constantly pivoting to see how these different approaches can aid one another.
NO. 4 — How do you make space in your life to creatively recharge? Any tips or routines?
I make space in my life to creatively recharge by changing the environments where I create, whether that's painting at the park or sketching in a coffee shop. Each environment has different sources of inspiration to offer and puts you in a whole new mindset. My creative practice incorporated a variety of mediums and that allows me to explore different parts of my imagination. But most importantly, I constantly remind myself that creativity ebbs and flows and no amount of force or work can change that.
NO. 5 — How do you approach building community around your work?
I build community around my work by befriending as many people as I can in creative spaces I inhibit such as art markets or my art classes. I try and make sure I cultivate these relationships where I can share my creative struggles and discuss with people who share similar perspectives.
NO. 6 — What's the one recommendation you'd make to someone new starting out as an independent creative or small business owner?
I would just recommend not letting your failures or successes affect you too much because you may start to create for the external world or validation rather than for yourself! And also reach out to people for help, the Austin community is so warm and everyone wants to see each other win.
Want to stay involved with creators like Swathi through Future Front Texas?
Keep up with what we’re up to—from virtual events to membership—here.
On Co-Founding A Creative Space And Collaborative Mindsets: Ceramicist Corrie Pocta
Corrie Pocta shares her advice for small business owners starting out, as well as her thoughts on the arts community in Dallas.
This spring, we’re checking in with our members and friends on what it means to nurture.
For this interview, we touched base with Corrie Pocta, one of our vendors within The Front Market.
Corrie Pocta shares her advice for small business owners starting out, as well as her thoughts on the arts community in Dallas.
ABOUT CORRIE
“My name is Corrie Pocta and I am a ceramicist based out of Dallas, Texas. I spent the past seven years as a high school art teacher and this May marks one year of pursuing my art-based small business full-time. ”
GET TO KNOW CORRIE:
NO. 1 — What are you hoping to nurture through your work in 2022?
With a baby on the way this summer, I am hoping to nurture sustainability within my practice. I recently got molds made of some of my favorite vase designs and will be focusing on texture and experimental glazes with larger works rather than big batches of mugs and smaller pieces for the remainder of the year.
NO. 2— Who are your biggest inspirations in Texas?
I am most inspired by the arts community I come in contact with regularly here in Dallas. I co-founded an artist co-op and shop called Trade Oak Cliff with artist Brooke Chaney in 2020. Our members include Molly Sydnor, Charli Miranda, and Niki Dionne. These women and their work inspire me daily. In addition to our crew, I am greatly inspired by the work of Mylan Nguyen, Analise Minjarez, and Sarita Westrup. Each of these artists incorporated a rich knowledge of fibers and clay within their pieces. Outside of DFW, I really admire the work of Broad Studios in Austin and their educational efforts with the arts in their community.
NO. 3 — What does creative collaboration mean to you?
I believe our ideas are bettered when we share them with others and allow for their experiences and expertise to help develop them. I believe our communities are bettered by an increase in people connecting with their creative selves and each other through the arts and reject scarcity mindset that keep us in competition with people working within similar mediums.
NO. 4 — How do you approach building community around your work?
One of the ways I build community through my work is through monthly clay classes I teach out of my studio, TRADE. Throughout the pandemic I have helped multiple people get started with home clay studios and offer kiln firing services to make the medium accessible to local people working from home. In addition to classes, my co-op members and I host monthly artist markets in our space helping to connect our audience to additional local crafts beyond what we showcase regularly in our studio shop.
NO. 5 — What's the one recommendation you'd make to someone new starting out as an independent creative or small business owner?
A recommendation I make for someone starting a small business is to go see a tax consultant and a few fellow small business owners at the beginning of your first year of business to get tips for best book-keeping practices. Sometimes the process of taxes can be the most daunting part of starting a small business and it’s best to get a structure for logging things before you get in over your head with events and sales that have already taken place.
Want to stay involved with creators like Corrie through Future Front Texas?
Keep up with what we’re up to—from virtual events to membership—here.
On Sustainable Fashion And Pop-Up Boutiques: Lucid Voyage
Veronica Hood of Lucid Voyage talks balancing burnout, her childhood visions and her luckiest vintage finds.
Today, we’re chatting with our first resident creative of 2022, Lucid Voyage.
Veronica talks balancing burnout, childhood vision and her luckiest vintage finds.
As an Austin-based fashion boutique, Lucid Voyage offers unique clothing curation and custom designs. Last month, she took over our headquarters to explore her approach to sustainable fashion, upcycling and clothing waste reduction. If you missed the series, you can still get to know Veronica and her boutique below.
ABOUT VERONICA HOOD AND LUCID VOYAGE
“Hi! I’m Veronica, owner and operator of all things Lucid Voyage. Growing up, I was always involved in fashion. I began sketching and sewing at a young age, and when you asked me what I was going to be when I grew up, I would say the owner of a fashion boutique. As time went on, I lost a bit of that vision but still remained involved in the fashion industry as a stylist for photoshoots and working for Miu Miu in their NYC showroom. I moved to Austin 5 years ago, and as soon as I landed my energy felt renewed, and that childhood vision came back.
Lucid Voyage was established in fall of 2019. To be honest, at first, I just wanted to sell cute clothes, and vintage seemed the easiest to obtain when first starting out. As the business evolved, I dove deeper into the world of sustainable fashion and the importance of it, which eventually brought me to the decision that Lucid Voyage would be a sustainable fashion brand. As of right now, Lucid Voyage offers a selection of unique vintage, reworked pieces and custom designs made from vintage fabrics. I also offer styling advice, creative direction and love to work one on one with clients to help them reimagine/redesign a piece.”
GET TO KNOW VERONICA HOOD:
1. How do you want people to feel when wearing your pieces?
Fun, happy, confident, stylish, cool.
2. Describe your approach to clothing curation and upcycling — where do you find your pieces?
Most of the vintage clothes are sourced from estate sales as well as the vintage fabrics I use for customs. I’m very picky when it comes to sourcing. The clothing needs to be in good condition aka no holes or stains that can’t be fixed and must fit the Lucid Voyage aesthetic which tends to be fun, unique, colorful, on trend. I usually only upcycle pieces I feel could use an extra flare, and for those I always use secondhand trimmings. Austin Creative Reuse is a great resource for that.
3. How did you first become interested in sustainable fashion?
I first became interested in sustainable fashion in 2013. I took a sustainable fashion summer course at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. Before that, I wasn’t familiar with the term or what it was. That summer, I learned a lot that really opened my eyes to the future of fashion.
4. Your style in three emojis?
🌈❤️🔥🌸
5. Tell us about your proudest find.
My favorite find has to be this gorgeous 1970’s tan suede penny lane coat with the most luxe fur trim cuffs and collar. I found it at an estate sale in West Texas tucked away at the back of closet. When I spotted it, I gasped, and then I gasped again when I realized it fit perfectly.
6. What trend should we leave behind in 2021?
Honestly, I can’t think of one. I love fashion and can see the beauty in all trends. It’s fun — the different ways we can express ourselves.
7. How do you balance burnout and running a creative business?
It’s hard. I used to get really down on myself for feeling burnt out and uninspired, but then I realized that just put me more into a rut. As my business and creativity has evolved, I’m now more aware of when burnout is coming on, and I embrace it and accept the invitation to recharge and come back better.
8. What are some of the biggest challenges you face in managing a sustainable fashion boutique?
Sourcing quality product. When it comes to sourcing vintage clothing and fabric in particular, it is all about the hunt and very often the hunt can end up being a waste of time and energy. Every so often you hit a jackpot, and it’s all worth it.
9. What are you most excited about for the new year?
I’m super excited to see what this year has in store for Lucid Voyage. I feel that every year I become more confident in the business I’m running, and because of that, more opportunities present themselves.
Want to stay involved with creators like Veronica through Future Front Texas?
Keep up with what we’re up to—from virtual events to membership—here.
On Shared Memories, Nostalgia And The Power Of Good Food: Gan Bei Gals
Gabby, Michelle and Jackie talk their favorite Asian snacks, dream collaborations and most memorable events.
In light of our own rebirth, we’ve been catching up with Future Front Texas members and friends to explore vision.
Today, we’re chatting with our September studio mates, Gan Bei Gals. Gabby, Michelle and Jackie talk their favorite Asian snacks, dream collaborations and most memorable events.
As a Texas-based collective, they celebrate shared cultural experiences and Asian American nostalgia through food, stories and art. Last month, they took over our headquarters to highlight a few creatives and small business owners they’ve been working with this year.
If you missed the series, you can get to know them (and their work) below.
Photo courtesy of Gan Bei Gals.
ABOUT GAN BEI GALS
Gan Bei Gals is a celebration of shared cultural experiences and Asian American nostalgia told through food, stories and art. We are comprised of three women who grew up in the strong multicultural scene in Houston, Texas and are heavily influenced by our own explorations of dual Asian and American identity.
For us, food is how we connect not only with our culture, but also with friends, family and even strangers. We draw a lot of inspiration from our own nostalgia— foods we grew up eating and the memories, smells and feelings we remember. Our primary medium for celebrating this shared culture is events, but we also utilize art and design via digital and print graphics. (Keep a lookout for our upcoming zine!)
GET TO KNOW GAN BEI GALS:
1. What’s your day-to-day mantra?
Life is short and random—create fun when you can. Gan Bei!
2. Gan Bei Gals in 3 emojis?
Power puff girls (lol). JK. It’s 🍻🧧✨.
3. What is your vision for GBG?
As we grow and get busier, we’d like to scale in a way that doesn’t make us insanely busy in operations and management and leaves us free time to work on food and design. As for our events, we hope they only get more immersive and interactive!
4. Something you treasure?
Our shared childhood memories and our past food experiences that we are so grateful to have had. These inform much of who we are individually and many of our event ideas.
5. Something new you’re trying?
Both Gabby and Jackie are taking ceramics classes! Gabby is also taking a Vietnamese class to brush up, and Michelle is thinking about learning 3D illustration.
6. No. 1 muse?
Honestly our cats! They inspire us to enjoy life more and live in the moment.
7. Who’s your dream collaborator?
Ananas Ananas (@__ananasananas)! We set out to create interactive experiences and stories with our dinners and the experiential design of Ananas Ananas' dinners is the most immersive and thought-provoking that we've seen. Other dream collaborators whose food we go back for time and again include Nicolai of @penangshack, Abi of @theduskykitchen, and Fil n Viet (@fil_n_viet).
Photo by Jessica Joseph.
Photo by Jessica Joseph.
8. What was your childhood dream job?
We all had claimed something in healthcare or other socially acceptable job for Asian Americans, but our true dream jobs revolved around creativity and food. Between the three of us, our dream jobs included food taster/writer, chef and architect.
9. Currently snacking on…
Yuzu and black pepper shrimp chips which we had in our trailer and Cookie Wookie Kitchen's seasonal flavors.
10. You want the future of Texas to look like...
One in which BIPOC, women and queer folks have equitable rights and access to resources within a community and system that supports their growth, health and personal happiness.
11. How would you describe your creative and production process?
Our processes are extremely collaborative. We all work in creative jobs but in different fields, so we are fortunate to leverage each of our various skills and experience.
One of us might remember a fun childhood moment or get nostalgic for a certain dish, which ends up sparking an event idea. Gabby and Michelle will then work on the food component while Jackie and Michelle work on design collateral. Gabby also works on most of our PR, communications and marketing needs.
12. Go-to restaurants in Austin?
Suerte, Fil n Viet, Sazan Ramen, Koriente, Neighborhood Sushi
13. What does a day in your life consist of?
Since GBG is none of our full-time jobs, we spend the majority of our time at work. After-hours and on weekends, we explore our respective cities for new food spots and hang out at museums, bookstores and parks. Gabby and Michelle also spend quite a bit of time on recipe development and critique.
14. Proudest personal or career milestone?
This happened for all of us at different times, but our proudest career milestone is realizing that we are not tied to our parents' expectations or what we originally studied in school.
Photo by Jessica Joseph.
Photo by Jessica Joseph.
15. Favorite Asian cuisine?
So hard to pick! We all love food and aren't that picky taste-wise. For Gabby, it's probably Japanese cuisine for the simplicity, balance of flavors and quality of food preparation. For Michelle, it's Southeast Asian cuisines for the punchy mix of salty, sweet and spicy flavors. For Jackie, it's probably Vietnamese cuisine—its dietary restriction-friendly, fresh and healthy.
16. Least favorite Asian cuisine?
None! We love all of them.
17. Most memorable event you’ve produced so far?
Our inaugural Lunar New Year Hot Pot dinners at the top of 2020 just before the pandemic hit. We didn't know at the time that it would be our last live event with all three of us in Texas at the time (at least for a while), which probably makes this event even more sweet and memorable. We sold out the first dinner so fast that we opened ticket sales for a second date. Over the course of two hours, 18 people became closer friends over a spicy, steamy dinner.
18. What would you love to see more of from small businesses like yours?
More crossover collaborations with other small businesses!
19. How do you want people to feel when they attend a GBG Event?
Exultant, celebratory and curious. We want people to come as strangers, and over the course of eating or making something together, leave together as friends.
20. What are the best ways to get involved with GBG?
Get on our volunteer list! We definitely need some help for our remaining events this year, and are working on a long-term volunteer/intern program for the future.
21. What's coming up next for you?
A big, big zine launch party. Last winter, we reach out to our community and asked for family recipes and were able to select a handful of amazing recipes to feature. We've been working on the design and illustration on and off throughout 2021 and will be finishing that up soon. We'll have copies of the zine and a celebratory, Kamayan-style feast!
Want to stay involved with creators like GBG through Future Front Texas?
Keep up with what we’re up to—from virtual events to membership—here.
Meet Eight Community Curators Behind Future Front Texas
From chefs to leaders in tech, we work with some incredible people to bring our program seasons to life.
Each year, we work with a group of community members, aka FRIENDS, to co-curate our showcase lineups and shape the vision of our programs. From chefs to leaders in tech, every FRIEND brings a unique perspective to what we do—and helps us ensure that the 1500 exhibition and commission opportunities we offer each year are community-centered.
Keep reading to learn more about this year’s founding curatorial team.
MEET OUR FRIENDS:
AISHA LEWIS
Aisha Lewis (she/her) is the Director of Strategic Programs at Notley where she launched Beam Angel Network to provide early-stage, women-founded companies with capital and Notley Health to fund health equity solutions that increase access to care for underserved Texans. Her passion for community impact stems from various roles connecting emerging founders to resources to scale their companies and investing in innovative solutions that are solving some of the world's toughest social and environmental problems in Los Angeles, Nairobi, San Francisco, Durham, and Austin. Outside of work, she loves patio hangs, DJ-ing, eating fruit and cheese (sometimes separately, sometimes together), and traveling!
MICHELE MARTELL
Michele Martell (she/her) is a media and technology attorney and entrepreneur, with more than 30 years of experience working with brands like The Muppets, the WWE and My Little Pony. Michele provides business & legal guidance to clients who are makers, inventors, creators and builders, with a focus on the intersection of technology and entertainment. She actively mentors a diverse group via her leadership as President of the Forklift Danceworks Board of Directors, Programming Chair for Women in Toys, Licensing and Entertainment, Vice-Chair of the Entertainment and Sports Law bar of Austin, and Co-Chair of the Austin chapter of the International Association of Privacy Professionals.
What's your vision for your work and life?
As a long-time attorney, I have learned that if I follow my passions and interests, it generates work that is meaningful to me. When I'm doing meaningful work, it feels completely integrated into my life. I love being my own boss, because it makes it easier to balance taking care of myself with taking care of clients.
What do you want the future of Texas to look like?
The Global Majority! Women & BIPOC running everything! Equity & community care, not extractive exploitative capitalism.
What do you love about being a FRIEND? <3
I love getting to play a small part in an organization that I have admired since moving to Austin. Jane & the team are incredible, and the community that has been formed around FFTx is filled with inspirational women.
AMANDA VAUGHN
Amanda Vaughn, PhD (she/her) is a biochemist and science communicator with creative habits of painting, DJing, and zine-making for recharging and overall well-being. She has lived in Taiwan, a tree house, an old bar in Madrid, and aboard a cruise ship, among other locales, and gets great joy from connecting with people from all walks of life via conversation in different languages. She is infinitely inspired and challenged by the goal of animating scientific thought in playful, engaging ways that encourage awe-inducing recontextualization.
What's your vision for your work and life?
My vision of work and life is to always remain curious, and ask all the stupid (and intelligent) questions. I feel that if curiosity is lost, so is a drive to continue to grow and learn throughout life. Surrounding oneself with people, sounds, and images that inspire is essential.
What do you want the future of Texas to look like?
For me, the future of Texas is free range, open sourced, and communal. In order for this to even begin to reach a level of possibility, people will need to shake it up, step out of old patterns, and meet people they otherwise would not have encountered without making an effort. By intermingling communities, Texans can evolve on both a genetic and communal level, while capturing a truer sense of what it means to be from this part of the world. I hope for the future of Texas to reflect this evolved state, all while providing more opportunities for women and queer members of the community. We still have a long road to travel, but we are making and increasing awareness of the current disparity.
What do you love about being a FRIEND? <3
Being a FRIEND gives me a bird eye's view of the org and provides the space for me to offer support as we grow our programming and community. The resilience of this community that has shone brightly throughout this pandemic era is beyond inspiring - it is *instructional* for how we can continue to thrive when our resources are limited.
CHEF JRODI
Most days, Chef JRodi aka Jen Rodriguez (she/her) plays with knives and blends colors of the earth's palette to feed, and serve others. Texas-born, Jen is the executive chef and owner of 3 small plates catering, a contemporary tapas-style catering company, specializing in culinary journeys. The award-winning DoD journalist retired her pen and paper for a knife and cutting board to share European travel through food, one plate at a time.
What's your vision for your work and life?
My vision for my work and life are interchangeable, one does not work without the other. If anything, my work leads my life.
Our vision is to transform everyday ingredients into unique dishes bringing the world of travel to our community, and great conversations back to the table.
Using similar ingredients from different cultural dishes showcases the diversity of these ingredients, and helps us to bridge the gaps between cultures through food.
One day, it’s our hope to have our own creative space (small bistro) to serve others on a larger scale. By having the necessary tools, space and equipment, 3SP would offer classes (cooking, writing, photography and business), event rental space, and pour into other entrepreneurs to help them reach their goals through networking, collaborations, grants, and partnerships.
What do you want the future of Texas to look like?
Together we thrive! I am an advocate for joining forces with other entrepreneurs, and persons of various backgrounds, and cultures to grow and thrive together. By understanding our neighbors, we’re able to connect in various ways without passing judgment first, and understanding later.
I’m Texas born, the Texas of my childhood and now are different. But, Texas doesn’t define who I am or how I engage with others who are not like me. I attribute my openness of engaging with other nationalities to living aboard. Many of my friends aren’t just friends to me, they’re family. We’ve learned a lot from each other’s heritage, culture and backgrounds from spending quality time with one another.
This is why I hope that Texas becomes a melting pot of all nationalities, learning, appreciating and growing with each other.
What do you love about being a FRIEND? <3
Friends help us to connect to each other without judgment. We realize that we are either creatives, artists, entrepreneurs or fighters of injustices. At some point ,we will cross paths to support each other directly and indirectly. Friends allow us to collaborate and help us to learn from one another, support one another and grow in our respective fields. By joining forces, we build and sometimes rebuild the community to what it was essentially meant to be. Then, together we thrive, and conquer the world.
SHANNON ELDER
Shannon Elder (she/her) is a writer, editor, designer, and curator with a focus on art and social justice. She currently oversees documentary photography projects as the Managing Editor and Designer at Native Agency, an organization diversifying the journalism industry. Catch her making collages and eating tacos in Austin, Texas.
What's your vision for your work and life?
Overall I would say to maintain joy, to be in community with and care for others, and to work towards justice. I really enjoy keeping my hands in multiple projects because it keeps me learning, growing, and creatively challenged. I have been on a journey of reshaping my idea of what labor means in our society and what our relationship to labor can look like after reading the book Laziness Does Not Exist by Dr. Devon Price. Right now I'm trying to move a little slower, be more present with myself, and take time for the projects that I've been putting off for too long.
What do you want the future of Texas to look like?
The future of Texas is diverse, creative, and powerful. At a time where we have many coexisting challenges to overcome - whether that's rooting out systematic racism, or ensuring the right to reproductive healthcare, or protecting those who migrate to this country for a better life, or working to address the immediate needs of a dying planet - everyone has a role to take on. This is a big state filled with fierce, radical, loving people doing that work to lead us to the future we all deserve.
What do you love about being a FRIEND? <3
I've popped through different Future Front events since I moved to Austin in the fall of 2017. Over the last few years I've kept coming back because I found a sense of community that is often difficult to come across elsewhere. I love being a FRIEND because it provides a structured way to contribute to Future Front programming, and event curation is something I have always really enjoyed. Beyond that, though, through this role I'm able to connect more deeply with others which is especially valuable to me as someone who has been working remotely.
SHANNON RIVERS
Shannon Rivers (she/her) is a local connection expert with clients featured in WWD, Forbes, and Tribeza. Her ten years of retail experience has led to a pivot into creative strategy, PR, and partnership roles, with various startups at the intersection of art and tech. Her passion for sustainability across industries and co-writing with musicians fills her free time.
What's your vision for your work and life?
My mission has been to assist clients in achieving sustainability in both their business and personal lives — the pandemic has been a lesson for me to take my own advice. Moving forward, I am looking to prioritize rest so I can continue co-agitating in both the creation and demolition of structures.
What do you want the future of Texas to look like?
Organizers in the South to get the support and visibility they deserve. Visible non-profits like Future Front who work to amplify other orgs expanding their reach to include all of Texas has been an important step. As someone who works in media, holding press that's not local accountable for reinforcing harmful narratives about our state is another important step.
What do you love about being a FRIEND? <3
I think especially right now there is a universal feeling of wanting to help and not being sure where to even begin. I'm grateful to be a part of a local social justice ecosystem that allocates volunteers. Being from here, it is an opportunity to give back to an org who has given myself and the community hope.
Tess Cagle
Tess Cagle (she/her) is a photographer and writer in Austin, Texas. Hailing from the Rio Grande Valley, Tess moved to Austin to study journalism and cultural anthropology at the University of Texas. Currently, her work centers around documenting the milestones of her neighbors and community to curate heirloom-level photos that tell stories.
What's your vision for your work and life?
My vision for my work and life can be summed up in one word: Balance.
I’m striving to cultivate a work/life balance that allows me to both create work that creatively nourishes me, but also leaves ample space for life beyond a career. I’ve struggled with hustle culture and burnout for much of my adult life and this year I finally see myself building a business that supports mental, emotional, and physical sustainability.
For my work specifically, my vision is documentarian photography that’s attainable for all. Candid photos that capture the essence of our community. My goal with every client I work with is to make them feel at home in themselves — comfortable in front of the camera and in love with the person they see captured. I want to show the Insta generation that photography is not about making you look a certain way or editing away parts of your body or even manufacturing a moment for the gram — it’s a tool we use to capture a feeling, time, and place. It’s a way to create an archive of your life.
What do you want the future of Texas to look like?
Vaccinated.
What do you love about being a FRIEND? <3
Whenever I feel hopeless about the future, I’ve learned to turn to my direct community and see what I can do to help locally. I love being a FRIEND because it’s a rewarding outlet to channel that need to help. Also, watching small business owners we partner with thrive is one of the most rewarding feelings ever.
TAYLOR DAVIS
Taylor Davis (she/her) is a graduate of UT Austin's Masters of Landscape Architecture program and works for a local design firm in Austin. Understanding that systems of marginalization exist by design, as a designer, it is important that her practice actively attempts to dismantle those systems. She hopes to facilitate and design spaces for communities to utilize, and to thrive in.
What's your vision for your work and life?
I want my work to be influenced by my life experiences and I want my life to be enriched by my work
What do you want the future of Texas to look like?
I want the future of Texas to look like a culture of healing and reparations.
What do you love about being a FRIEND? <3
Connecting with talented and driven people in Austin and collaborating on amazing opportunities!
LOOKING FOR MORE?
You can meet the rest of our team here. Keep up with what we’re up to—from virtual events to membership—here.
On Making Music, Producing And Queen Energy: Angélica Rahe
Spanish-American artist and musician Angélica Rahe chats about her upcoming show at Mohawk, producing her own debut album and her experience as a young woman in the Texas music industry.
This summer, in light of our own rebirth, we’re catching up with Future Front Texas members and friends to explore vision.
Today, we’re featuring Spanish-American artist and musician, Angélica Rahe, a current FFTX member.
Keep reading to learn about her upcoming show at Mohawk, producing her own debut album and her experience being a young woman in the Texas music industry.
Photo by Jana Cantua, Design by Alie Jackson
ABOUT ANGÉLICA RAHE
After touring around the world as musical director and guitarist for Kali Uchis on tour with Lana Del Rey, Spanish singer-songwriter ANGÉLICA RAHE (pronounced “ray”) moved to Austin in 2018 to produce her own project.
After recording an EP (Love, Translated) with Adrian Quesada of Black Pumas that year, Angélica focused on her debut album, REINA, which was released on Valentine's Day 2020. Her music reflects her journey of femininity, sensuality, and self-love, and has garnered her comparisons to Sade, Rosalía, Jill Scott and Solange.
Tell us a little bit about yourself — how did you get into music?
I’m a Spanish-American artist and musician. I create things to share parts of myself and my experience that I feel could help others appreciate parts of themselves and their experiences. Sometimes, that is a song and, more recently, that has been painting portraits. I got into music in part because my parents were performers, and music was one of the things that we shared as a family.
Our experiences were of being foreigners in Japan or Spain or America even, so music came naturally to me as it consistently contributed to our shared experience. As I grew older, I started writing songs as a way to consume the experiences of others and share my own, and I’ve been writing songs for 15 years now. Making songs with Adrian Quesada of Black Pumas and being musical director for Kali Úchis on a global tour back in 2018 are, in a way, just extensions of the journey I’ve been able to have by constantly feeding the connection to music I’ve had since childhood.
Photo by Jana Cantua
Photo by Jana Cantua
Proudest milestone?
Creating and releasing my debut album, REINA. It’s the first time I’ve ever written and self-produced a complete body of work. It was a true labor of love and life-changing experience.
Angélica in 3 words?
Woman. Artist. Queen.
What’s your No. 1 muse?
Women. And people who uplift and honor them.
What do you want people to feel when they listen to your music?
Empowered, worthy, felt, and drenched in self-love.
How would you describe your creative and production process?
It’s very rooted in ritual. I do my best work when I give myself time to ease into my day. I have a journaling practice that I do daily while I drink my beloved cup of coffee.
From there, I’ve started incorporating the piano into my practice, and that usually sets the tone of whether I want to start working on a new lyric or melody or a new track, or now, in the last year, start to paint. I taught myself how to paint with oils, and it’s opened up a whole new world for me creatively. I really try to avoid forcing things in any way, both in art and in life. So when I’m not flowing musically as much, I pick up my paint brush. Some days, I’ve realized productivity is not doing any of it.
On days where none of this feels right, I’ll do something that fills my well. Yoga, plants, cooking, hunting for vintage treasures, taking a walk with a friend or a run around my neighborhood, or spending time with my love—all of these things can sometimes be the most productive thing. I make my best art when I take the best care of myself. (And yes, I still have to remind myself of this all the time because I definitely do have perfectionist tendencies.)
You've collaborated with a lot of cool people in the music industry. What has that experience been like?
I spent almost seven years living in LA before moving to Austin and was fortunate to collaborate with a lot of incredible and very successful artists, songwriters and producers during my time there. But I must say my experience coming here and deciding to develop my own personal project has been the highlight of my career so far. Adrian Quesada (Black Pumas, Grupo Fantasma) was the first person I had the honor of working with when I arrived. We recorded a couple songs on my first EP “Love, Translated”—and I remember feeling so overwhelmed by how someone with his talent and track record treated me with so much respect and humility.
As a young woman in the industry environment in LA, I constantly felt the need to prove my worth when I entered a room or writing session, being measured by how many Grammy wins or record deals or Billboard hits I didn’t have and ultimately always having to fill a support role as a songwriter or background singer/guitarist for the artist(s) that had all these things, as a way to “get my foot in the door.”
So, I can’t understate how powerful it was for me coming here and having this experience working with people like Adrian and, later, the incredible musicians that played on my album REINA—namely Nick Clark (Kanye, H.E.R., Demi Lovato), Cleon Edwards (Erykah Badu, Jill Scott) and Jake Sherman (Nick Hakim). I mean, these are literally some of the most talented musicians out there. From the get go, all of them truly were in service of my vision; they let me lead and took me seriously. It was life-changing for me to feel that.
I can’t be more grateful to all of them for giving me that gift, which ultimately lead me to also see myself in this light.
What are you most excited about for your upcoming show?
This show is really important to me because it’s my first time performing with my band in a year and a half; literally since my album release show in February 2020. At the time, I was getting ready for a 26 city tour across the U.S. and Canada scheduled for March/April, which got cancelled due to the pandemic.
Honestly, I was heartbroken because getting things to that point had taken years of planning and hard work. So, I’m super ready and grateful to have the opportunity to be on stage again and share space and connection with this amazing community that has really been integral to my growth as an artist.
You can purchase tickets here.
Photo by Sophia Lawson
Photo by Jana Cantua
Want to stay involved with Future Front Texas?
Keep up with what we’re up to—from virtual events to membership—here.
On Nurturing Young Women of Color: The R.O.S.E. Project
Nina Bailey of The R.O.S.E. Project chats about her vision behind the nonprofit's new scholarships, the value of a daily mantra and why Texas should mind its own business.
This summer, in light of our own rebirth, we’re catching up with Future Front Texas members and friends to explore vision.
Today, we’re chatting with one of our sponsored community projects, The R.O.S.E. Project. In May 2021, we supported their new scholarship program for girls pursuing STEAM education, The Rosebud Scholarship, by donating tote bags and $20 gift cards to all of the applicants.
We caught up with founder Nina Bailey to learn more about the nonprofit’s new scholarship program, the value of a daily mantra and why Texas should mind its own business.
Photo courtesy of Nina Bailey
ABOUT NINA AND THE R.O.S.E. PROJECT:
I’ve been in Austin for 7 years, and I’m originally from Detroit, Michigan. My background is mainly working with youth and family, as I’ve worked in parole, childcare, and counseling within residential facilities. I started The R.O.S.E. Project because I’ve recognized a lot of gaps within educational systems, where young children of color, specifically Black girls, have almost no representation, nor emotional or mental wellness.
I tried to change this by working within systems, but I’ve realized that we are dealing with systems that are doing what they were created for. I decided to focus on preventative measures so young women don’t have to deal with these things as they grow up. I teach them better communication and guide them through daily issues from something as simple as homework to talking about family, dating and personal challenges.
What compelled you to launch THE ROSE BUD scholarship, and how have you seen it make a difference?
I launched the scholarship to focus on girls pursuing STEAM, trades and entrepreneurship because we often don’t get funding in these areas for girls of color. A lot of the time, parents are busy working and don’t have time to look into scholarships, either. Even if families are actively looking, it’s hard to navigate finding money for your child.
I don’t think girls should struggle through the process of getting funding to go to school. To have that entrepreneurial mindset of doing things, such as making and selling keychains or making your own products, is amazing to me. Who am I not to assist?
The girls who received this year’s scholarships were really appreciative and talked about the things they wanted to do with their money. They’re very talented, and I know it boosted their self-esteem.
We also use the program to show the girls that there are people out there who can help them and that there are women in Austin who would open their arms to them. I want to help the girls start a network at a young age and learn all the things I learned as an adult.
Photo courtesy of Nina Bailey (Gift bags sponsored by us!)
Photo courtesy of Nina Bailey
What’s your day-to-day mantra?
I am worthy. Life happens for me naturally. For a long time, I had been in a victim mentality when things didn't go my way. I now tell myself that whatever happens leads me to wherever I need to be.
You want the future of Texas to look like…
Safe. Texas needs to mind its own business when it’s come to women’s bodies, education systems and mental health. I want Texas to stay in its lane, so we can take care of OUR business and OUR people.
Best advice you’ve been given?
Stop talking. When you’re doing things that feel good, you naturally want to share your ideas and dreams. But that can unfortunately be our own downfall and sometimes a barrier to reaching our goals.
What was your childhood dream job?
Gynecologist. I loved babies and was always fascinated by women’s bodies and the things that we’re able to do. I had the same gynecologist from age 13 until I moved away from Detroit. She guided me through my body changes, and I learned a lot from her.
Then, I wanted to be a chef on the side. I almost went through with it. I went to school for a year majoring in biology, but everything changed when we had to dissect a body. I couldn't stand that.
What does a day in the life of Nina consist of?
I get up, do some stretching, work out depending on how my body is feeling (recently, I’ve been jump roping), do my meditation, make a smoothie and set my intentions for the day.
Then, I work my full-time job. After work, I work on my own business project which usually involves writing, recording, or planning out what I need to do.
I am doing better at balancing my daily living between work and a semi-social life.
The thing you most wish for in the world is…
To do what I love to do, which is working for myself and pouring out into the community. I want to be in a financial position where I can give back to everyone. Money isn’t everything, but money helps. Finances are a huge part of what keeps communities from prospering the way they should be able to.
Photo courtesy of Nina Bailey
Photo courtesy of Nina Bailey
What’s next for The R.O.S.E Project?
Currently, I’m thinking of turning The R.O.S.E Project into a yearly scholarship program or bringing back our school event where we gave out backpacks and supplies, and provided educational panels.
I’m also starting my own business in meditation and healing. I want to provide the tools that young girls may need, and I don’t want it to come out of their pockets, so we also need to do a lot more fundraising.
What are the best ways to get involved and support your work?
We’re always taking donations and collecting supplies such as yoga mats, journals and water bottles, and/or gift cards. If community members would like to donate they can use our link for the scholarship Rose Bud Scholarship or our non-profit link The R.O.S.E. Project.
Want to stay involved with Future Front Texas?
Keep up with what we’re up to—from virtual events to membership—here.
On Pride And Community-Care In Texas: Black Trans Leadership of Austin
The organizers of Black Trans Leadership of Austin share their goals, what supporting QTBIPOC communities in Texas looks like and the year-round energy of PRIDE Month.
This summer, in light of our own rebirth, we’re catching up with Future Front Texas members and friends to explore vision.
Today, we’re chatting with one of our grantees for June 2021, Black Trans Leadership of Austin. BTLA will receive $1000 from proceeds collected at this summer’s Swim Sessions.
Keep reading to learn about their goals, what supporting QTBIPOC communities in Texas looks like and the year-round energy of PRIDE Month.
Photo courtesy of BTLA
ABOUT BTLA:
Black Trans Leadership of Austin exists to create better outcomes for Black Trans and Gender Diverse people in Austin. The organization was founded July 2020 during the COVID-19 Pandemic, by members of the Black queer and trans community.
BTLA has identified systemic and economic issues affecting QTBIPOC communities across central Texas and works to give care, reparations, and support to our community through direct aid and community connection.
Tell us a little bit about BTLA and the work that you do.
Our mission is to create better outcomes for the lives of Black Trans people in Austin and Central Texas. Together, we are pushing for community centers, where we can connect and be in fellowship, actual affordable housing, safety in the cities we live in and the luxury of leisure—to celebrate our talents, skills, and culture.
In just the past few months, BTLA has already been able to host community cookouts and food drives to get our people fed, release $1,000 grants to over 20 community members in crisis with funds that were directly reallocated from Austin Police Department through Reimagining Public Safety initiatives.
We’ve also created the ‘Black Trans Leadership Austin Community Questionnaire for the Advancement of QTBIPOC in Central Texas,’ a survey that will help us collect data concerning our communities needs, so that we can build a more accurate snapshot of where the system has failed Black Trans people, and get our needs met—because we believe data should not be a barrier.
What's your vision for the Black queer and trans community in Austin?
We want to build a closer knit community. Trans people are usually forced to lean on each other, just to make it through hardship, but imagine what we could do if we had easier access to the resources we needed to thrive—our movement would be expansive and radical.
BTLA wants to not only bring more Black trans leaders to the surface in our city but also support Black trans in having the freedom to thrive as ourselves. We visualize not only safer spaces that we can live and succeed in, but also places that we aren't expected to be in. We want to shake up the image and idea of what leadership is expected to look and act like to something a lot more colorful and diverse.
What does PRIDE mean to you in 2021?
Pride, for us, means supporting Black trans and queer folks voices. It also means remembering our past and not letting our trans ancestors and their work be forgotten.
Pride is more like an annual call-out and protest to a system that purposefully forgets us.
While this can be a time to celebrate our unique identities, it should also be said that this is a time for us to really continue to be vocal and advocate for our needs to the cis-straight community.
How can we continue to support BTLA (and the QTBIPOC community at large)?
By recognizing that you can contribute by investing your time and skills to those who are regularly marginalized. Take whatever it is you are good at and offer it to organizations like BTLA. We are big believers in mutual aid and resource-sharing to achieve true equity. The steps can also be as small as using more trans inclusive language at home and work, normalizing and correcting anti-trans sentiments in your personal network.
Being in a state that almost passed an unprecedented amount of violent anti-trans legislation and where Black folks continue to be mistreated, we encourage everyone to actively dispelling anti-Black and anti-trans behavior and language in your personal networks and beyond.
What's next for BTLA? How do you hope to grow your programs?
We definitely look forward to participating in more in-person events and gatherings. Being able to see one another and bringing more Black trans people into the fold is such an important part of our vision for the future. Our primary focus is direct assistance to Black trans folks.
From basic needs assistance in the realms of access to everyday essentials, jobs, housing and healthcare to a shoulder to lean on and someone to encourage them to keep going, we want to be there with them every step of the way. We are always working to build the capacity for our small, overworked team to do so.
Honestly, we need the support of the entire community to keep doing the work we are doing. Donations do go a long way—we are able to redistribute that into our community, but we also want to imagine beyond simply throwing money at a really huge issue. Donated time and skill, community collaboration and true allyship will help build programs that will continue to help our community.
Want to stay involved with Future Front Texas?
Keep up with what we’re up to—from virtual events to membership—here.
On Sustainability And The Art Of Dinner: Krystal Frame
Krystal talks her favorite dishes, the environmental impact of the service and fashion industries and manifesting her own conscious lifestyle brand.
This summer, in light of our own rebirth, we’re catching up with Future Front Texas members and friends to explore vision.
Today, we’re chatting with one of our resident small business owners, creative and Sustain Frame founder, Krystal Frame. Krystal talks her favorite dishes, the environmental impact of the service and fashion industries and manifesting her own conscious lifestyle brand.
Photo of Krystal Frame by Jinni J for Future Front Texas
ABOUT KRYSTAL AND SUSTAIN FRAME:
Meet Krystal Frame! Originally from Hobbs, New Mexico, where she spent some of her childhood, Krystal has relocated to various cities over the years, such as Odessa, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, New York City, and finally landed here in Austin in 2018. Her career background is split between working in the fashion industry and multiple service positions which has ultimately led her to create Sustain Frame. Before moving to Austin, she lived in Brooklyn, New York and ran the grind in Manhattan, where she worked for multiple fashion companies like Creatures of Comfort, Anthom, and Maryam Nassir Zadeh. Moving to NYC was a pivotal moment in her career, so that she could better provide herself with the tools to launch her own clothing line. To her surprise, while living in New York, she received news that she would be expecting her first child. Taking some time and consideration for her decision, she landed on the idea of moving to Austin, Texas to make a new home for her little one.
Currently, she is now building and developing her own company, Sustain Frame, and on the side, she works full time for a non-profit, Tankproof, where they provide zero-cost swimming lessons to underprivileged youth. Of course in her spare time, she enjoys taking time for her little one to make the most of the time they have together.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and Sustain Frame.
My background is predominately in the fashion and service industry. Working in both of these industries, I found myself constantly looking for ways to do better. Ever since I was a child, I’ve always wanted to find a way to support people. I believe that seeing the good in people and believing in them is the most intentional way of living, and to say that way of thinking fed into my work life is an understatement. I’ve always been the person fighting ideas of consistency, so once I started to focus my attention on environmental issues, I felt like life went full-speed. Some issues were being left unnoticed.
So, Sustain Frame is almost like my alter-ego superhero character—here’s me going into the phone booth as Clark Kent and coming out as Superman “Sustain Frame.” SF is basically everything I’ve done in my life, as far as work goes, and leveling it up to be a company that focuses solely on environmental and racial justice issues through events, workshops and product assortments.
*Editor’s Note: Sustain Frame is a conscious lifestyle brand, built to sustain and support community through goods and services. They’re currently our resident studio-mate, which means that for one month, they get to use our space free-of-charge to host events, experiment with retail and start conversations around their work.
Photo by Riley Banks of Woke Beauty
Photo by Hannah Lasure
What inspired you to start Sustain Frame?
A moment I’ll always recall is closing a bar I previously worked at and noticing I had tossed 10 empty bottles of liquor in the trash. From that point on, I started noticing more and more how much waste I was throwing away during my shift, and I was so surprised we didn’t have recycling. Then, I began to notice the accumulation of food waste the restaurant had been taking out every night. It started to become surreal that no one was noticing the environmental impacts that the hospitality industry was having on the world. Of course, let's not forget my life in fashion—I could write essays about the number of problems I would see in my day-to-day.
With this weighing on my shoulders, I couldn’t stand by any longer. About five years ago, I started plotting the idea of creating my own retail/restaurant space that could be a template for a sustainable company that was more thoughtful. I wanted to create something that would think about the big picture, what a business does for its customer, its employees and the environment, while taking it one step further by acknowledging the domino effect of what a company can actually do for people and the planet.
Although I am currently not ready to launch a physical space, I realized when I was furloughed last year that I finally had the time to focus on developing a game plan for how I was going to get to that physical space. That was when I thought of a dinner series that would be a locally sourced three-course meal for two, centered on a theme, with a playlist, florals, movie recommendations and sometimes highlight local small business vendors. All created by me! Now fast-forward to one year in, and we are finally able to do in-person events!
How would you describe Sustain Frame in three words?
Storytelling. Community. Perspective.
What’s your favorite dish?
Hm, tricky question for me. I find my taste buds change with the season. Currently, I really enjoy a robust salad. For the hot days, I choose refreshing and light options to make it easier to manage the Texas sun. I also really enjoy the seasonal produce Texas agriculture has to offer; such as tomatoes, fresh herbs and radishes.
What do you want people to feel when they attend a Sustain Frame experience?
I always want people to take away what they connected with most at my events. I’ve never wanted Sustain Frame’s offerings to feel like a forced experience. Even if I choose to create something that is strictly educational, I don’t want to bore someone so much so that they completely forget the experience ever happened. I feel like it’s important to create an immersive experience that can connect with all of your senses, so you can feel a personal connection or a sort of fondness towards the time you spent with us.
With most of my events I want to do three things: support, educate, and explore.
I support by choosing to work with partners who I believe in or feel strongly about.
We live in a world where topics and people have either been left unsaid or unheard. So, I believe we need to educate ourselves on topics of the earth and people to foster new growth and development that will ultimately be a win for us all.
Lastly, I focus on creating a beautiful event that gives you a safe space to explore your thoughts or feelings.
Photo by Hannah Lasure
Photo by Riley Banks of Woke Beauty
What do you want the future of Texas to look like?
Texas is such a beautiful landscape; I lived here when I was younger, and for some reason, it has always felt like home. Currently, with the changes happening here in Austin, I haven’t felt as connected to the land. So, my hope is that we can all come together as a community and support our connection to the land and not forget where we came from.
What’s coming up next for you?
Coming up next for Sustain Frame is a program possibly centered around memberships, so that we can grow in a constructive way, focus on one topic at a time and really dive into what they mean. Also, we hope to create a resource hub of information and tools.
*Editor’s Note: Sustain Frame is also hosting a pop-up dinner, Guelaguetza—a three course meal featuring two traditional Oaxacan courses and one course honoring the Juneteenth celebration and the Afro-hispanic community—at the FFTX HQ on Saturday, June 19. You can learn more and RSVP here.
Photo courtesy of Sustain Frame.
Photo of Krystal Frame by Jinni J for Future Front Texas
Photo of Krystal Frame by Jinni J for Future Front Texas
Want to stay involved with creators like Krystal through Future Front Texas?
Keep up with what we’re up to—from virtual events to membership—here.