Summer is anything but a slow season for the folks at the Alley, who toasted the openings of three shows in recent months. First up was Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile, celebrated by 250 guests at a French-inspired dinner catered by City Kitchen. Not long after, The Cake, written by This Is Us producer Bekah Brunsetter, debuted. Alley board members and guests enjoyed a meal that was finished with pink lemonade cake, Brunsetter’s favorite. And the Alley closed out its season with Holmes and Watson. Naturally, a British-tinged feast — roast beef roulade, berry pudding — was served. After each show, patrons gathered in the lobby for a Champagne toast with the casts.
Thrive & Inspire: ‘Results for Clients’ in Oil and Gas Drives Michelman & Robinson’s Varnado
Mar. 6, 2023
WHAT WAS THE highlight of 2022 at your business? That’s easy, launching Michelman & Robinson in Houston was, for me, the absolute high point of 2022 — and that’s in a year that included so many highlights. Without question, being named the firm’s Houston Office Managing Partner is and was a professional milestone that I’m so very proud of. That I’ve already been able to expand the office to 10 of us (and growing) and significantly move the needle in terms of the firm’s reach within the energy space is icing on the cake.
What makes all this even better are the positive results my team and I were able to obtain on behalf of our clients in 2022. This includes a very favorable settlement we negotiated on behalf of EQT Corporation, the nation’s largest natural gas producer, in what turned out to be a very controversial trial in West Virginia in which EQT faced hundreds of millions of dollars in exposure. That case involved a judge who pulled out a handgun from beneath his robe and pointed it at me in his courtroom — an episode covered by People, Vanity Fair, The Daily Beast and CBS and NBC News and which led to his resignation from the bench. Like I said, It was a year full of highlights.
Successful people usually have many choices in what to do professionally? Why did you choose this? I’m a Houstonian through and through, so it’s no surprise that I’ve always been drawn to the oil and gas industry, which in many ways defines our great city. The people and issues that I have the privilege of working with — and on — in the energy space keep me on my toes, always engaged, and excited about each and every day.
We’re fans of the late educator Stephen Covey, who used to say that successful people “begin with the end in the mind.” At your business, what’s the end? What are you striving to accomplish? I want to be known as a preeminent first-chair trial attorney — a go-to lawyer handling the most consequential cases impacting the oil and gas business in Texas and beyond. Truth be told, not many women fit this bill. I’m proud to say that I do, and I’m so grateful to the clients that entrust me with their most important pieces of litigation.
What’s new for 2023 that you’re excited about? New colleagues as my office grows, new cases that I’m handling for amazing clients, and new challenges as I continue to spread my wings here in Houston — it’s all so exciting!
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Leadership in Action: ‘Setting Clear Goals’ Among Secrets of Success for Attorney Jess Bailey
Al Torres
Oct. 3, 2024
How did you get to where you are today? A few key principles integrated into my life: setting clear goals, maintaining a growth mindset, building strong habits, and surrounding myself with the right people. Goals provided direction, while a growth mindset helped me turn challenges into opportunities for learning. Consistent habits, like disciplined work and effective communication, kept me moving forward. Being surrounded by motivated, supportive individuals has elevated my standards and kept me accountable. They’ve provided advice, encouragement, and sometimes that extra push I needed to stay on track. With these elements, I’ve been able to create a framework that helps me succeed and ensures I continue to grow and evolve.
What lessons have you learned that might enlighten and inspire others? I’ve learned to honor the struggle and see challenges not as obstacles meant to stop me but as opportunities to grow stronger and wiser. Every setback, every difficulty, carries a lesson that can propel you forward if you choose to learn from it. Clarity about goals, who you are and where you want to go acts as a compass during times of chaos and confusion, helping to steer life back on course. Surrounding myself with people who uplift and inspire has dramatically enhanced my resilience and ability to bounce back from life’s challenges. The commitment to lifelong learning has also been a game-changer for me. Being a perpetual student of life keeps me humble and open to new possibilities. It builds confidence because I know I can adapt and handle whatever comes my way.
What’s new in your life or work that you’re excited about? I’m thrilled to be launching a new 12-episode podcast series with LaGina Harris, the founder of LaRae Infinity LLC, where we’ll dive into the challenges and resilience of entrepreneurship. In addition, I’m working with a publisher on a book set to be released in 2025!
What gives you the leadership edge? What truly gives me the leadership edge is a deep commitment to personal growth, a focus on service, and a profound empathy for my clients and team. Leadership, at its core, is about constantly adapting and growing. It’s about stepping into challenges and using them as opportunities to gain confidence and develop skills. This mindset of embracing growth and being open to learning has been pivotal. Understanding the core concerns of those I work with is crucial, as it allows me to tailor the support and guidance to their specific needs and situations. It’s about meeting them where they are, recognizing the effort they’ve put in, and understanding the context of their challenges. Creating with them, not just for them, which is a cornerstone of effective leadership. These elements, combined with a consistent practice of self-reflection and a commitment to embodying the values I preach, provide the leadership edge.
“Leadership is about being a role model, not just in success but in resilience, integrity, and compassion.”
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TO QUOTE THE wee one in Poltergeist: “They’re baaaaack!” Houston’s beloved gothic and girl-powered pop-up The Cursed Cauldron returns Friday, Oct. 4 to Aero Cocktail Co. in River Oaks. The new Aero Cocktail Co. will host the pop-up Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 4pm-12am, and Sundays 2pm-10pm. To help contribute to the spooky (and fun) vibe, visitors are invited to “don their magical attire;” kohl eyeliner and black nail polish are strongly recommended.
Co-founded in 2023 by long-time hospitality pros Alexis Mijares and Angelique Cook Cavazos, this spooky, seasonal immersive pop-up has everything a glamourous ghoul could want: crazy, creative cocktails (more on those in a minute), tarot card readings by The Aunty Alchemist, and spellbinding burlesque performances by the bodacious Belle be Damned & Jadore Productions. “We are going even bigger this year with creative design and spirited activities,” says Mijares. “This year has completely different visuals for a new experience for those who have visited us before.”
Cook, who serves The Cursed Cauldron as its artistic director, has led the transformation of Aero Cocktail Co. into a witchy woman’s abode, complete with curated artwork, a 3D fireplace (we’re not sure what that is…), and plenty of Instagram-worthy nooks and crannies. “I love incorporating tiny details into the installation,” says Cook. “We’ve spent a lot of time crafting this multi-layered experience, and I’m excited for our guests to find new mystical details to explore.”
Meanwhile, Mijares has concocted a menu of creative libations for guests to consume. Along with such classics as the Hexpresso Martini and Sex Magic On The Beach, the new cocktails include Oshun’s Offering, a combination of rum, pumpkin, brown butter, almond, orange liqueur, and lime; Coven’s Calling, an alchemic blend of gin, dry sherry, elderflower, sage, black pepper, lemon, and Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water; and Freyja’s Cup, a fertile mix of vodka, strawberry, rose, honey, lemon, and Fever-Tree Blood Orange Ginger Beer. Spirit-free options will also be on tap, and to keep your stomach full, Aero Cocktail Co.’s kitchen offers Hocus Pocus Popcorn, Paranormal Pizza, and Char-Boo-terie Boards.
“The design transformation, the drinks, it’s all very first-class,” says Nick Galvan, owner of Aero Cocktail Co. “We can’t wait for everyone to come check it out!” (Cue: Thunder, a black cat screeching, and maniacal laughter.)
Alexis Mijares and Angie Cavazos
Oshun's Offering cocktail
Sex Magic on the Beach cocktail
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