If you know Texas, you know that our people are hella motivated with an infectious independent spirit, and it's no surprise that this trait is exemplified in our female entrepreneurs. In this blog, we're excited to share the stories of three successful women who have built thriving businesses in the Lone Star State. By sharing stories of women who have created so much, we hope to empower others to continue making progress in their own careers.
We asked these three outstanding female entrepreneurs to share:
- Details about their business and how they got started.
- One meaningful way they maintain a work/life balance.
- A few examples of women who inspire them (local or celebrities).
Here is what they had to say!
Ginger Diaz, Owner of Feliz Modern & Rancho Diaz
We started our business to bring our favorite local artists & makers’ works to a wider audience. What began as a brick & mortar shop in San Antonio has expanded to a second shop and online retail. All three shops are centered around products that hopefully bring our customers joy and some cheeky fun. We’re proud that it's a small business full of hundreds of other small businesses and makers from around the globe.
It took me a while to learn how to delegate and build the right teams, so I’m not chained to work. Sometimes I still have to remind myself that I’m not a surgeon and no one will die if I don’t finish my to-do list today.
I’m lucky to have a lot of amazing women in my life who inspire me. My sister has been a big influence ever since I started following her around like a groupie as a baby. She always knows what is most important in life. I would also love to someday be as quick and nimble as Dolly Parton’s wit. She is so good at being herself and seeing the humor, absurdity, and beauty of life.
Feliz Modern
@felizmodern on Instagram
Rancho Diaz
@rancho.diaz on Instagram
Kat Kyle, Owner of The Local & Lot 59
I started my first store (Lot 59) in 2013 after spending 15 years in management with the brands J.Crew and Abercrombie. I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree from Austin College in 1992 and never even considered a career in fashion or retail, even though it was a natural fit for me. Once I was put into management and began opening stores and traveling the country, I was hooked. Store #2 (The Local) opened in 2018. It took off quickly, and now store #3 is coming this summer!
Finding balance is a constant struggle. I will say now that my daughter is in college and older, it's a lot easier. I love what I do, and sometimes it doesn't seem like work. Then there are seasons where it feels never-ending.
I ALWAYS take a few weeks right after the holidays to reset. My boyfriend and I go to remote New Mexico and just decompress from the world. It's so quiet and wide open. I can think again. I love it. I also give everyone who works for me a paid week off after the holidays. We close the stores while I'm gone so they can recharge as well, and it also keeps "store issues" from interrupting my time off. :) Our team is so strong right now that I'm beginning to take more time off in general, which feels strange for me—but I'm getting better at it.
It sounds cliche, but my mother, Betty Kyle, and little sister Jennifer Kyle Hernandez are heroes in my book. They are incredibly giving and loving. Not enough space here to go into all of the reasons why. I've always been a fan of Liz Lambert, as well. I absolutely love a good boutique hotel and the branding and vibe surrounding them. Bunkhouse with her was amazing; what a vision! And I love her even more as she begins to rise again with a new brand and genius collaborations that are disrupting the norm. I'm always inspired by risk-takers (including Johanna!).
The Local
@thelocaltx on Instagram
Shelbi Baker, Owner of Indie River Outfitters
I moved to San Antonio from Corpus Christi when I was 18 and went to school for Cosmetology. I started my first business as a self-employed hairstylist and started my first salon at the age of 22. I met Paul, my fiancé and business partner with Indie River Outfitters, when I was 19. When we moved out to Spring Branch together, we would always talk about creating a business based on the things we love—like travel, the outdoors, and visiting state parks.
We finally got to a point where we had our ideas together on what we wanted the store to look like and our vision, not just for now but even down the road. I took some time away from the salon to make this new business a reality. My best experience was creating a space people enjoy and running social media platforms which is a big need in business nowadays.
One thing I have learned with both businesses is to make it fun. If it's fun and you enjoy it, then you will have more days of loving what you do. Those days will give you the strength to keep going when it gets tough to be a business owner—which will happen. It has taken me a long time to find some sort of balance between work and life. Sometimes you feel like all you do is work. The emails, the messages on social media, the invoices, payroll, taxes, etc., constantly need to be done, but if you don't take time for yourself, you won't be 100% there for your business.
Finding people to be a part of what you are creating that you can trust to help you and hand over some duties to has helped me find some balance. I'll be honest I love having control of everything, but it will drain you. Learn to let go and find the right team that fits your needs and that you trust has been the best decision.
When I think about me being a business owner, it sounds so crazy. I would have never in a million years thought this is what God would have in store for me and my life. My Granny told me when I graduated from beauty school that I should open something on my own one day, and I told her, "no way!" Well, look at me now. My Granny was also a business owner; she just retired last month. She is a very strong woman. Stubborn and independent unless she realizes she really does need help with something. She has the mindset that she's capable of doing a million things. Even if she can't, she sure is going to try her best. One day I hope to say I got to experience life in a way that represents all the things she has inspired me to be.
When I think about me being a business owner, it sounds so crazy. I would have never in a million years thought this is what God would have in store for me and my life. My Granny told me when I graduated from beauty school that I should open something on my own one day, and I told her, "no way!" Well, look at me now. My Granny was also a business owner; she just retired last month. She is a very strong woman. Stubborn and independent unless she realizes she really does need help with something. She has the mindset that she's capable of doing a million things. Even if she can't, she sure is going to try her best. One day I hope to say I got to experience life in a way that represents all the things she has inspired me to be.
@indieriveroutfitters
@shelbistyles
@rootednine10
These three women prove that anything is possible with hard work, dedication, and a little bit of Texas grit. Here are other great women-owned businesses that we partner with:
Buffalo Clover Flower - Lockhart
The Gypsy Market - Wimberley
Fredericksburg Natural Baby - Fredericksburg