19 Big Brands That Started Small In Austin
The city of Austin, Texas, is famous for more than just its live music and delicious barbecue. The city has given rise to numerous Austin-based brands that started small, but today, they are top companies in Austin Texas, which are renowned worldwide.
Many Austin businesses evolved from startups built on the city’s reputation for innovation and creativity. When coupled with the potency of Austin corporate branding, this often leads to commercial success. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the biggest brands, headquartered in the city, that started small but are now some of the best companies to work for in Austin.
1. Dell
Michael Dell founded Dell in 1984 when he was just 19 years old. He started the company in his dorm room at the University of Texas. Dell began by manufacturing PCs and selling them directly to customers. Today, the company is a global leader in technology and has expanded beyond just selling PCs.
Dell has headquarters worldwide, and its products include a variety of tech gadgets and software. Dell has stayed true to its innovative nature, and despite being a publicly listed company, continues to spearhead future advancements in tech.
Click here to learn more about Dell
2. Kendra Scott Jewelry
Kendra Scott began her jewelry business in 2002 with just $500 in savings. She sold her handmade designs at local events in Austin. Today, her brand has expanded to over 100 stores.
Kendra Scott Jewelry is known for its bold, colorful designs that are inspired by travel and global cultures. Scott's company grew to be so popular thanks to her dedication to providing high quality and affordable jewelry to women all over the country. Her innovative designs remain incredibly popular even outside of formal or sporting events.
Click here to learn more about Kendra Scott Jewelry
3. Nada Moo
Nada Moo started as a simple and humble childhood dream of founder, Amy Ranshorn. She had always wanted to own an ice cream store that didn’t require any additives or preservatives and would naturally be delicious.
Starting on the road of making her own ice cream from coconut milk, Ranshorn and her family started to use various flavors. In June 2021, Nada Moo was bought up by a larger firm, which means the brand will be seen in new and exciting places!
Click here to learn more about Nada Moo
4. Outdoor Voices
Tyler Haney founded Outdoor Voices in 2013. The business was started with the goal of creating an activewear line that was functional and comfortable.
The company made its debut in Austin and eventually grew to multiple locations nationwide. Outdoor Voices produces stylish activewear that can be worn for any occasion, whether hiking, lounging, or simply going out. The company shows no signs of slowing down, and it continues to remain innovative today.
Click here to learn more about Outdoor Voices
5. Mighty Swell
Dana Allison-Crole founded Mighty Swell in 2014, making it the latest addition to Austin’s list of success stories in start-ups. The company produces canned cocktails and hard seltzer, which have become incredibly popular across the United States.
The company has embraced the use of real fruit in its concoctions with no added sugar to ensure it remains an all natural distilled cocktail. Mighty Swell has quickly grown from just a local business in Austin, Texas to becoming widely available across the United States in just a few short years.
Click here to learn more about Mighty Swell
6. Whole Foods Market
Long before Amazon bought Whole Foods in 2017, the grocery chain had a humble beginning in Austin.
In 1978, John Mackey and Renee Lawson co-founded SaferWay, a natural foods store that eventually merged with another natural foods retailer named Clarksville Natural Grocery, becoming Whole Foods Market. Today, Whole Foods has locations in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, with over 500 locations and counting.
Click here to learn more about Whole Foods Market
7. Supergoop!
Founded in 2007 by Holly Thaggard, Supergoop! is a leading skincare brand that offers a range of sun protection products.
Holly was inspired to create the brand after a close friend of hers was diagnosed with skin cancer. She saw a need for sunscreens free of harmful chemicals and started developing her products in her kitchen. Today, Supergoop! can be found in major retail stores like Sephora and Nordstrom.
Click here to learn more about Supergoop!
8. Schlotzsky’s
The famous sandwich shop, Schlotzsky’s, started in Austin in 1971, with just one location. Founders Don and Dolores Dissman had a vision for creating a unique dining experience that offered something different from your typical sandwich shop, with their signature round buns as a major part of that difference. Today, Schlotzsky’s has over 350 locations worldwide.
Click here to learn more about Schlotzsky’s
9. Indeed
Indeed, the popular job search site, was founded in Austin in 2004 by Paul Forster and Rony Kahan. The company first started out as a job search aggregator, pulling job postings from other sites and displaying them on their platform.
Fast forward to today, Indeed has expanded globally and has become a widely used tool for job seekers and recruiters alike.
Click here to learn more about Indeed
10. Yeti
Yeti started as a hardware store selling grills, but co-founders Ryan Seiders and Roy Seiders saw a gap in the market for higher quality ice chests that could withstand the extreme heat of Texas and Louisiana.
They started developing their own product line and created the first Yeti ice chest in 2006. Today, Yeti has expanded to a wide range of products, including drinkware, bags, and outdoor gear.
Click here to learn more about Yeti
11. El Arroyo
El Arroyo, a beloved Tex-Mex restaurant with a quirky sense of humor, has become a local favorite, but many don’t know that it began as a small food truck in Austin.
Owners Ellis Winstanley and Brian Stubbs started out with just a tent and a smoker but quickly gained popularity due to their delicious food and funny signboard outside. Today, El Arroyo has two locations in Austin and a massive social media following for their hilarious signs.
Click here to learn more about El Arroyo
12. Keller Williams Realty
Gary Keller and Joe Williams founded Keller Williams Realty in Austin in 1983 with only a handful of agents. They wanted to create a company culture that put agents first and provided more educational resources and training than other real estate companies.
Today, Keller Williams Realty is the largest real estate franchise by agent count with over 180,000 agents in 27 countries.
Click here to learn more about Keller Williams Realty
13. Vrbo
In 1995, Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner) started as a small startup based in Austin, Texas. Offering the chance for property owners to list their rentals anonymously for a fee to “renters”, the company has grown to become one of the largest vacation rental platforms.
The Expedia group subsequently purchased it and is now worth billions of dollars. Vrbo is the perfect example of a small business that managed to go big as one of the largest companies headquartered in Austin TX.
Click here to learn more about Vrbo
14. TicketCity
In 1990, Randy Cohen started selling tickets to Longhorn football games from a small office in Austin. Over time, the business expanded to include tickets to other sporting events across the country.
Today, TicketCity is one of the largest privately-held ticketing platforms in the country, and they even have offices located in major cities like Chicago, New York, and Atlanta.
Click here to learn more about TicketCity
15. Tiff’s Treats
In 1999, Tiff’s Treats began as a humble cookie delivery service run by founders Tiffany and Leon Chen.
Today, it is a well-known bakery chain with over 50 stores across 3 states. Known for their delicious cookies that are always freshly baked, Tiff’s Treats is a favorite among people in Austin and beyond.
Click here to learn more about Tiff’s Treats
16. Tito’s Vodka
In the late 1990s, Tito Beveridge started making vodka inside his own kitchen in Austin, Texas. His vodka was well-loved by his friends and family which led to him eventually starting his own distillery.
Today, Tito’s Vodka is one of the most well-known vodka brands in the world, making it the perfect example of how a great product can rapidly expand to become an international success.
Click here to learn more about Tito’s Vodka
17. Torchy’s Tacos
In 2006, Mike Rypka started Torchy’s Tacos as a small food trailer in Austin, Texas. Offering a unique take on tacos that combined creative flavors, Torchy’s Tacos quickly became a hit in Austin, leading to the opening of its brick-and-mortar location.
Today, Torchy’s has over 70 locations across several states in America, and it continues to expand as people around America learn about their delicious fare.
Click here to learn more about Torchy’s Tacos
18. Chuy’s
In 1982 Mike Young and John Zapp started Chuy’s, a Mexican restaurant in Austin. The restaurant quickly won over customers with its colorful atmosphere and unique menu items like the Elvis Presley Memorial Combo Platter.
Since then, Chuy’s has expanded into an incredible 100+ locations, making it one of the largest Mexican restaurant chains in the country.
Click here to learn more about Chuy’s
19. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
In 1997, Tim and Karrie League founded the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin, Texas. The cinema quickly became known for its innovative viewing experiences, serving food and drinks directly to customers while they watched movies.
Today, Alamo Drafthouse has 31 locations across the country and has become a favorite among cinephiles who want a unique viewing experience with great food and drinks.
Click here to learn more about Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
Conclusion
These Austin commercial producers have become some of the most successful and popular brands today. Their innovative ideas, coupled with hard work, dedication, and a commitment to quality, have paid off to make them some of the most successful businesses near me.
There are still many other small local startups, from innovative tech creations to beauty companies headquartered in Texas, who all have exciting offers to bring to the table. With no shortage of creative minds in the city, there is no doubt that Austin will continue to be the birthplace of many more big brands.
One more success story from Austin, TX includes:
El Famoso Austin - operational support for select labels, artists, estates, bands, and brands.
Flywheel Austin TX - Flywheel Creative is an integrative graphic design agency with clients throughout the US.
Texas Black-Owned Businesses in Austin
Restaurant Depot Austin - is a Wholesale Cash and Carry Foodservice Supplier turning over more than $300M.
MML Hospitality - Austin hospitality groups
Breed and Company Westlake - Veteran hardware store
JCPenney Barton Creek - one of the nation's largest apparel and home furnishings stores.
Virtex Austin - one of the city’s largest manufacturers of electronic components.
CVS Health - one of the largest healthcare companies Austin
Breed & Company photos - selling homeware, hardware and garden supplies for 40 years in Austin
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