‘Embrace Changes,’ Says Valobra, Whose Namesake Jewelry Store Has Become a Houston Institution
Whom do you credit? As I stand squarely on the shoulders of three great men that ran the company before me, my main motivation is to carry the torch to the next generation by carefully expanding the business, protecting the brand, and maintaining the highest level of ethics and professionality while doing it.
What lessons have you learned that might enlighten and inspire others? Passion and conviction for what you do are going to be of paramount importance for your success. Passion for success may not bring you success, but passion for your work will undoubtedly bring you success.
- Take great care of your client. A relentlessly fanatical approach to customer service is another great key to success.
- Never cease to learn about your business and ways to improve it.
- Don’t fear changes; embrace them and try to anticipate them.
What’s more important in a successful business: seeking the highest profitability or to striving to purvey your clientele with the best values? It is like health and happiness, the two do not exist without the other.
What’s new in your life or work that you’re excited about? The steady progression of custom designed jewelry creations for an ever more sophisticated clientele excites me. It challenges my staff and continues to refine our skills and knowledge. In terms of preparing for the future, my long-term goal is to instill the principles and business values to my next generations that were instilled to me.
What’s your biggest accomplishment as a business owner? Opening successful jewelry boutiques in America thousands of miles away from my comfort zone and making them highly successful. Creating a working environment that is both fun and efficient, cultivating long-term loyalty from clients and staff alike. Continuously curating a sterling reputation and an unequivocally ethical stance.
What’s one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner? Successfully adapting to my business’ ever-changing trends, competing ethically and efficiently in the world of digital content, and constantly creating new designs while delivering value and exclusivity to our clientele.
Alex Au-Yeung (photo by Jenn Duncan)
WHEN IT OPENED a few months ago, The Woodlands outpost of acclaimed Katy restaurant Phat Eatery was billed as Alex Au-Yeung's dream restaurant. Unfortunately, Au-Yeung never got to see it come to fruition, as he passed away earlier this year. But the James Beared-nominated chef-owner certainly left his mark — and in honor of what would be his 53rd birthday, operating partners Kevin Lee and Marvin He have organized two pop-up tribute dinners.
On Sept. 24, at the original location in Katy, enjoy cocktails beginning at 5:30pm, followed by a seated five-course menu with plates prepared by Au-Yeung's chef pals, including Pearl & Vine's Ryan Halstead and Blood Bros BBQ's Quy Hoang. Hoang will be smoking a beef-rib version of Phat's beef rendang, which was his favorite of Au-Yeung's dishes. “We wanted to participate in this event because not only was Alex a longtime friend, but he was also someone that was constantly involved with the industry and community," says Hoang. "We've done several events with Alex, and it was an honor when we got the call to be involved with this event. It was a no-brainer for us.”
The next day, Sept. 25, The Woodlands location hosts a similar event, also beginning with cocktails at 5:30pm. This evening's menu touts dishes by Luis Lopez of Killen's Steakhouse and Jassi Bindra of Amrina.
Both evenings include a special lion-dance performance by Lee's Golden Dragon, and a portion of proceeds from the $80 ticket sales will benefit the Southern Smoke Foundation.
But in addition to celebrating Au-Yeung's legacy, the two-night event is also a chance for the Phat team to come together and raise a glass to all they've accomplished since his passing. “Managing two locations comes with its challenges, but what makes it all worthwhile is the opportunity to build something meaningful and lasting,” says managing partner Lee. “Seeing our team grow, witnessing the impact we have on our community and knowing that we’re creating spaces where people can come together and make memories — these are the things that drive us. The support and dedication of our staff and the loyalty of our patrons make every obstacle seem manageable. Their enthusiasm and commitment inspire Marvin and me to keep pushing forward.”
- Eat Drink HTX Returns: Dine Out on a Dime — While Doing Good for the Community ›
- Get the 'Scoop!' Frozen Treats, Exciting Expansions, and More of This Week's Food News ›
- Hop to these Restaurants to Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit ›
- Marvelous Malaysian Is on the Menu at Power Pair’s Must-Try Katy Restos ›
- Phat Eatery’s Expansion, Japanese-Peruvian Fusion, and More of This Week’s Tastiest Food News in Small Bites ›
Houston Named Most Affordable Big City for New College Grads — and ATX's Rank Will Shock You
WHAT DOES IT mean to be "rent-burdened"? The phrase describes those who spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing, and it's become an increasingly relevant part of the larger conversation about the American economy in a post-Covid world.
But a new study shows that Houston, specifically, is actually the most affordable large metro in the United States for recent college graduates. The rent.com report analyzed what percent of income was needed to afford living "alone" (in a one-bedroom apartment) versus living with roommates in several cities across the U.S. Houston is one of only four places where recent college grads are not, on average, rent-burdened: They spend around 27 percent of their income on a one-bedroom apartment, the smallest share in the nation. According to the survey, the median rent in Houston ($1,142) is the lowest among the 33 markets analyzed, and the median salary ($60,277) is on par with the national median.
And for those recent college graduates seeking to live with roommates, Houston becomes even more affordable: The typical grad needs to spend only 17.2 percent of their income on rent when looking at splitting a two-bedroom apartment.
Nationally, these figures are much higher. The average college grad in the U.S. shells out around 38 percent of their income on rent to live alone, and the most expensive cities are New York (56.3 percent), Los Angeles (54.9 percent), Boston (54.8 percent) and Riverside (53.7 percent).
One of the "most interesting" metros in the dataset, according to the report, is Austin, which went from unaffordable (35.2 percent) to affordable (28.3 percent) between 2023 and 2024. It ranks as No. 3 in the current report, between Houston and No. 2 Detroit.
"This makes sense," reads the analysis, since "Austin was the poster child for booming metros during the pandemic, seeing a huge surge in migration from 2020 to mid-2022. This flood of new money and demand led to skyrocketing housing costs, large inflation increases, and a surge in new construction. However, once the sharp interest rate hikes and return-to-office mandates started in 2023, the city’s fortunes reversed, leading to price drops and population loss. Now, some property managers are having to compete for tenants."
- With Routes from H-Town to Dallas, Austin and More, Luxury Bus Service Expands to Texas ›
- Booming Burbs! Houses in These Three Suburbs Are the Houston Metro’s Hottest Commodities ›
- Summer Real Estate Report: Buying High in Houston’s Hottest 'Hoods ›