What if some of the biggest business opportunities in Austin aren’t in startups, venture capital, or the next big app — but in the companies quietly keeping the city running?

In this episode of Austin Eras, Adam Flagg sits down with Kade Thomas, founder and CEO of Emory Oak Partners and Cerv Property Solutions, to explore the overlooked service economy underneath Austin’s explosive growth. Kade started his first landscaping company at just 13 years old, sold it while attending the University of Texas, and has spent the years since building, buying, scaling, and selling service businesses across the Southeast.

His philosophy is simple: “Sophisticate the unsophisticated.”

But this conversation isn’t really just about landscaping, janitorial services, pest control, or private equity.

It’s about where opportunity still exists in a city where many people feel like they already missed the boat.

Kade explains why the businesses maintaining Austin’s buildings, pools, landscaping, and infrastructure may offer some of the most durable entrepreneurial opportunities in the region — and why building a great company often has less to do with inventing something revolutionary than with assembling the right people, processes, culture, and technology.

Together, they explore:

• Why service businesses remain one of Austin’s most overlooked economic engines
• Why people and process matter more than having a groundbreaking idea
• How AI is transforming traditional service businesses
• Why Austin’s growth continues to create opportunities beyond tech
• How rising housing costs, wages, and traffic could reshape the city’s workforce
• What Austin needs to protect as it becomes wealthier, larger, and more technology-driven

The conversation also explores Kade’s relationship with the University of Texas, his work mentoring students and student-athletes, Austin’s hospitality scene, comparisons between Austin and other fast-growing Southern cities, and why entrepreneurship doesn’t require creating the next unicorn.

For anyone who has wondered whether Austin’s biggest opportunities are already gone, Kade offers a different perspective: the city is still being built, and many of the best opportunities may be hiding in plain sight.

Get in touch with Austin Eras

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.austineras.com/

Call: 512-387-2333

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

What if Austin’s next great social club isn’t a country club, a gym, or a bar…but a sport most Americans are only just beginning to discover?

In this episode of Austin Eras, Adam Flagg sits down with Will Boyce, founder of PADEL39, to explore why one of the world’s fastest-growing sports may have found its perfect American home in Austin.

But this conversation isn’t really just about padel.

It’s about how people build community. Why making friends as an adult can be surprisingly difficult. And how sports, hospitality, and wellness can come together to create places where people genuinely want to stay.

Will shares his journey from growing up outside Paris and coming to the United States through tennis to attending the University of Texas, building a successful digital marketing company, earning an MBA from INSEAD, and working in investment banking in New York City.

After watching padel explode across Europe and Latin America, Will left Wall Street, researched more than 20 American cities, and returned to Austin to build PADEL39.

Together, they explore:

• Why padel is growing so quickly around the world
• What makes the sport easy to learn, social, and addictive
• Why Austin was the right city to launch PADEL39
• How PADEL39 combines sport, wellness, hospitality, and community
• Why many people struggle to make friends after moving to Austin
• How to build a lifestyle brand that is bigger than its founder

The conversation also dives into entrepreneurship, career uncertainty, Austin’s international population, the importance of third places, and the mentor who changed Will’s life by helping him attend the University of Texas.

Whether you care about sports, entrepreneurship, community, wellness, or Austin’s future, this episode offers a fascinating look at how a global sport could help create a new kind of gathering place in the city.

Get in touch with Austin Eras

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.austineras.com/

Call: 512-387-2333

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

What if the future of fashion isn’t being built in New York or Paris — but in Austin, Texas?

In this episode of Austin Eras, Adam Flagg sits down with Nina Means, Director of the ACC Fashion Incubator, to explore how Austin is quietly building a new kind of fashion ecosystem — one rooted in technology, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and creative opportunity.

But this conversation isn’t really just about fashion.

It’s about how cities build industries. How creative people turn ideas into real careers. And why Austin’s collaborative culture may give it an advantage legacy fashion cities no longer have.

Nina shares her journey from public health into fashion design, working with brands like Rebecca Taylor and Halston, and helping transform an empty room at Austin Community College into one of the country’s most unique fashion incubators.

Together, they explore:

• Why Austin approaches fashion differently
• How technology is reshaping fashion careers
• Why fashion jobs are becoming higher-paying and more technical
• The intersection of AI, sustainability, and manufacturing
• How ACC is creating affordable pathways into creative industries
• Why Austin’s openness and collaborative spirit matter more than ever

The conversation also dives into career reinvention, Austin style, local designers, creative infrastructure, and what it actually takes to build a sustainable industry instead of just a trend.

Whether you care about entrepreneurship, technology, creativity, or Austin’s future, this episode offers a fascinating look at a side of the city most people still don’t realize is already emerging.

Get in touch with Austin Eras

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.austineras.com/

Call: 512-387-2333

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

For years, Buda was viewed as a place people moved when Austin became too expensive. Today, that story is changing.

In this episode of Austin Eras, Adam sits down with Jennifer L. Storm, CEO of the Buda Economic Development Corporation and the first Texan ever named Economic Developer of the Year by the International Economic Development Council. Together, they explore how one of Central Texas' fastest-growing communities is evolving from a bedroom suburb into a destination for business, culture, and opportunity.

Jennifer shares why Buda is becoming a community of choice, how historic Main Street is being revitalized, and why preserving local character matters as growth accelerates. She discusses the return of Buda’s 1884 train depot, the city's thriving live music scene, the famous Wiener Dog Races, and the community traditions that give Buda its unique identity.

The conversation also dives deep into economic development: what it actually means, how incentive deals work, why Buda prioritizes local entrepreneurs alongside major employers, and how companies like Perseus and Terra Firma are helping reshape the region’s economic future. Jennifer explains her vision of creating high-paying jobs that allow residents to live and work in the same community while preserving the small-town character that residents love.

Along the way, she reflects on lessons learned growing up on a South Texas Christmas tree farm, the importance of community involvement, and why some of the most exciting stories in Central Texas may no longer be happening exclusively inside Austin’s city limits.

Whether you're interested in city-building, economic development, entrepreneurship, Texas growth, or simply discovering one of the region's hidden gems, this episode offers a fascinating look at what happens when a community grows with intention.

Get in touch with Austin Eras

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.austineras.com/

Call: 512-387-2333

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

What makes a city feel alive across generations? For Jim Ritts, CEO of the Austin Theatre Alliance, the answer lives inside the walls of the Paramount Theatre.

Recorded inside the historic Paramount Theatre on Congress Avenue, this episode of Austin Eras explores how one iconic venue became the connective tissue of Austin culture for more than 110 years. From Harry Houdini performing eight sold-out shows in 1916 to modern SXSW premieres, comedy festivals, and unforgettable musical moments, the Paramount has remained one of the city’s most enduring gathering places.

Host Adam Flagg sits down with Jim Ritts to discuss his remarkable journey from ABC Sports and Monday Night Football to launching Channel One News, leading the LPGA during its global expansion, and eventually returning to Austin to help guide one of the city’s most beloved institutions into its next century.

Jim shares incredible stories about Maya Angelou’s unforgettable performance, Jimmy LaFave’s emotional farewell concert, the rise of the Moontower Comedy Festival, Austin’s evolution into a major comedy and film destination, and the Paramount’s deep commitment to arts education and community impact.

The conversation also dives into the theatre’s ambitious $66 million “Shine On” capital campaign and restoration project, which will modernize the Paramount and State Theaters while preserving their historic soul for future generations.

This episode is about much more than entertainment — it’s about memory, community, creativity, and why places like the Paramount matter more than ever in a rapidly changing Austin.

Whether you’re a longtime Austinite, a lover of live music and film, or someone fascinated by how cities preserve their identity, this is a powerful conversation about Austin’s past, present, and future.

Get in touch with Austin Eras

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.austineras.com/

Call: 512-387-2333

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

Austin isn’t just built by founders—it’s shaped by the people who help them be seen.

In this episode of Austin Eras, Adam sits down with John King—venture builder, storyteller, and community leader whose career has been defined by one core idea: giving others a voice.

From his early days helping elevate Austin’s clean tech ecosystem to joining SparkCognition in the early days of AI—and now launching companies through WorldQuant Foundry—John has been at the center of some of the city’s most important growth moments.

But his story goes deeper.

Growing up feeling unheard, John found purpose in amplifying others—whether advocating for students, shaping industry narratives, or helping founders clarify who they are and why they exist.

John continues that work through his role as Chair of the Austin Under 40 Advisory Board, helping guide the next generation of leaders and deepen the event’s impact for the Austin Sunshine Camps and across the city.

In this conversation, we explore:

• The real impact behind Austin Under 40—and why it matters
• What it really means to “give a company a voice”
• The early days of AI in Texas and building an AI unicorn
• Why storytelling is the foundation of every successful startup
• How Austin’s culture of collaboration sets it apart
• How venture studios are building the next generation of companies

And ultimately, a bigger question: What makes Austin work—and how do we protect it as it grows?

This episode is a look at the people behind the progress—and the power of community in shaping a city’s future.

Get in touch with John King

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmking512/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmk512/

WorldQuant Foundry

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/worldquantfoundry/
• https://www.worldquantfoundry.com/

Get in touch with Austin Eras

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.austineras.com/

Call: 512-387-2333

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

The best nights at the ballpark often have very little to do with the game itself. In this episode, Adam talks with Tim Jackson, General Manager of the Round Rock Express, about how the franchise has become Central Texas’s “front porch” by blending servant leadership, creative promotions, and a fan experience that goes far beyond the game itself. Tim also shares what it really takes to build something that lasts, and how community, entertainment, and leadership come together to create an experience that keeps people coming back year after year.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

⚾ More Than Baseball: It’s an entertainment and hospitality business, not just a team

🧢 Legacy Leadership: The Ryan Family vision and a community-first approach

🎆 Fan Experience: Promotions, fireworks, and creating unforgettable ballpark moments

⚾ Career Journey: From mascot duties to GM 

🏙️ Future Growth: The evolving role of minor league baseball in a growing city

Get in touch with Tim Jackson: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-jackson-08567536      

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timmyj44/ 

Round Rock Express:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/round-rock-express/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExpressBaseball 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rrexpress/ 

Website: www.RoundRockExpress.com 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RRExpressBaseball

Get in touch with Austin Eras

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.austineras.com/

Call: 512-387-2333

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

What if the rise of Austin as a global hub for music, film, tech and culture can be traced back to one event?

For more than three decades, Hugh Forrest helped shape SXSW into one of the most influential gatherings in the world. In this episode, he reflects on the early days of SXSW and the creative energy that helped it grow alongside the city of Austin. Hugh shares his perspective on the people, moments, and culture that helped shape both the event and the city.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🎶 SXSW’s Austin Impact: The festival helped shape the city’s identity

✨ The Magic of SXSW: Creativity, culture, and innovation collide

🚀 Early SXSW Growth: A regional event became a global stage

🏙️ Austin’s Role: The city’s culture fueled SXSW’s success

🎤 Iconic Moments: Influential figures and unforgettable stories

🔮 Looking Ahead: The future of SXSW and Austin’s evolution

Get in touch with Hugh Forrest:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hughforrest/ 

Website: www.hughforrest.com 

Gather and Grow Experiences:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gather-grow-experiences/   

Website: www.gatherandgrowexperiences.com   

Get in touch with Austin Eras

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.austineras.com/

Call: 512-387-2333

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

What if the future of public education isn’t about working harder, but redesigning leadership entirely? In this episode, Dr. Lindsay Whorton shares her journey from Missouri classrooms to leading one of Texas’ most influential education nonprofits. Drawing lessons from sports, global study, business culture, and her own experience as a foster parent, she challenges the way we’ve structured schools for generations. 

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🎓 Lindsay’s Fifth-Grade Aha Moment: The early spark that set her on a path toward teaching and leadership

🏀 Winning, Losing, Leading: What basketball taught about sustainable success

🛒 H-E-B Leadership Model: Why business culture offers clues for school transformation

🏫 New Leadership Architecture: Moving beyond the overextended principal model

🚀 What’s Next for Holdsworth: Redesigning systems for sustainability

Buy the Book: A New School Leadership Architecture: A Four-Level Framework for Reimagining Roles. Now available on Amazon: https://shorturl.at/LphJA

Get in touch with Dr. Lindsay Whorton:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-whorton-9685aa26/

Website: https://holdsworthcenter.org/a-new-school-leadership-architecture/

Holdsworth Center:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-holdsworth-center/posts/?feedView=all

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HoldsworthCenter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holdsworthcenter/

Website: https://holdsworthcenter.org/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHoldsworthCenter

Get in touch with Austin Eras

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.austineras.com/

Call: 512-387-2333

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

Austin’s growth didn’t happen by accident. In this episode, Adam sits down with A.J. Bingham, founder of The Bingham Group, to explore the trust, relationships, and leadership that quietly shape the city behind the scenes. A.J. explains how reputation, consistency, and long-term relationships drive real influence and civic leadership in Austin.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🏙️ Austin’s Evolution: How the city changed from the early 2000s to today 

🤝 Trust Over Power: What lobbying actually looks like behind the scenes 

🧭 Finding Your Place: How newcomers can truly get connected in Austin 

🧠 Leadership & Legacy: Civic responsibility, boards, and long-term impact

🔮 What’s Next for Austin: Infrastructure, growth challenges, and long-term vision

Keep up with A.J. Bingham:

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajbingham

Personal Instagram: @gobingham

The Bingham Group:

https://www.binghamgp.com/

Company LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/binghamgp

Company Instagram: @binghamgp

The BG Podcast: 

https://open.spotify.com/show/0fFYrdYFPf1ZAmBLGZYaCO

Get in touch with Austin Eras

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.austineras.com/

Call: 512-387-2333

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1