At Dress for Success and Women of Wardrobe's annual Summer Soiree, generously hosted by Tootises, fashion-forward attendees dressed in pretty pastels, bold patterns and lots of ruffles — many designed by Houston's Hunter Bell, who showed off her fall line alongside jewelry by Claudia Lobao. Chairs Karishma Asrani, Courtney Campo, Allie Danziger and Melissa Sugulas welcomed guests to the event, which toasted the 20th anniversary of Dress for Success, and raised more than $20,000 for the org.
How did you get where you are today? “Life is what happens while you’re making plans.” After graduating with a BBA from the University of Texas, I married, and was a stay-at-home mom. Divorcing when my children were just four and six, I became their sole supporter, and I chose real estate for the time flexibility and income potential. After four years working for another Broker, I founded my own company with one sales associate and 375 square feet. Little did I imagine this journey. Houston offers amazing opportunities for those who are willing to work hard and persevere! I have watched the city mature with the addition of all the wonderful, talented people from around the country and around the world who have made Houston their home. It was once said that Houston had a “can do, cowboy capitalism attitude.”
What lessons have you learned that might enlighten and inspire others? “The only constant is change!” I have found that we often cannot control events that affect our lives. Our power comes in the way in which we react to these events. We can learn from difficult times and must find strength and faith to press on, most recently we talk of “pivoting.” A positive attitude, which is sometimes hard to maintain, goes a long way in influencing the outcome.
It is important to have a passion for what you do. I think back and realize that I always wanted to be in business, although it was not common for women when I graduated from college.
I also found when I focused on others instead of myself, I became successful. Zig Ziglar said, “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”
How has community service impacted your business? I felt so fortunate to be a woman in Houston that I wanted to give back to the city that had been so good to me. I started volunteering at the downtown Chamber of Commerce, now the Greater Houston Partnership, and was selected for the third class of Leadership Houston. I found that I received so much more than I gave. Eventually I served on their board and have been selected by five mayors to serve the city that I love so much. It is an opportunity to make a difference and has enriched my life. Most recently I co-chaired the Symphony Ball. The arts are so important to our city, not only for the quality of life but also economic development.
What’s new in your life or work that you are excited about? Beth Wolff Realtors is in its 44th year and has grown over the years. I never wanted to be the biggest, just the best. My son Ed is the president of the company and has been with me for 29 years. My daughter Cynthia has just joined us! Cynthia is an attorney and Realtor who has not been home since she attended Tulane and LSU Law School. The innovation and enthusiasm infused by their addition to Beth Wolff Realtors propels our firm to excellence.
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AUGUST IS ALWAYS the hottest month of the year. Many Houstonians endure the dog days of summer by trying out a Houston Restaurant Week menu. And Greenway’s sushi hotspot Roka Akor has upped the game with three specially priced menus — and lots of chilled sashmi — to get through the last of the season!
The Summer Sushi Experience, just $49, is a chef’s selection of sushi and sashimi dramatically presented on an ice-cold platter touting flowers that grow out of the dish. Highlights include Atlantic oysters with yuzu jelly and fresh chives, and the buttery toro sashimi topped with ossetra caviar. The special ends Aug. 31.
Not in the mood for sushi? The elaborate Houston Restaurant Weeks menu, $55, starts with not one but three appetizers: dumplings, yellowtail sashimi and a spicy tuna maki roll. Entrée options include black cod, prime New York steak or lamb cutlets. There’s multiple desserts to pick from, but we’re partial to the chocolate cake — it’s filled with almond caramel and served with vanilla bean ice cream. The HRW menu ends Sept. 2.
No matter which menu whets your appetite, get there early, because happy hour ends at 6:30pm. There’s a refreshing blood orange margarita and the booze-forward Roka Fashion on the menu, along with beer and wine specials. Plus, find a whopping 18 food options including sushi rolls, Japanese fried chicken and grilled scallops!
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AS THE ION District in Midtown gets a boost from recently opened restaurants like Late August and its brand-new pickleball courts, there's new information about the next tech-savvy tenant.
The Ion, which debuted in 2021 in the blocks of Main Street previously home to the 1939-built Sears, already has several startup incubators and climatech companies under its roof. Now, Rice University has unveiled renderings of its forthcoming Rice Nexus, which it calls a "groundbreaking innovation factory within the Ion that will transform ideas from Rice faculty and students into market-ready technology."
It will span two floors within the Ion building, with prototyping tools, entrepreneurial support, lab space and funding to bring big ideas to life — and fast. “We are thrilled to introduce the Nexus so that our faculty and students can rapidly develop, derisk and deploy solutions into the world by harnessing the full resources and capabilities of the Ion District,” said Paul Cherukuri, Rice’s chief innovation officer, in a statement. “Houston is a grand city of innovation, and the Nexus at the Ion further amplifies Rice as a global leader in inventing and commercializing world-changing technology at both speed and scale.”
There will be a particular emphasis on clean energy and sustainability among the first companies to utilize the Nexus space: Those already confirmed to incubate at Nexus include ones founded by Rice professors, like Solidec and Coflux Purification. There will also be space for students and faculty to office, network, and show off their developing technology.
Nexus workspace and break room (courtesy of Tramonte Design Studio)
Nexus work space and lounge (courtesy Tramonte Design Studio)
First-floor rendering (courtesy Tramonte Design Studio)
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