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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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.”
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Houston Named Most Affordable Big City for New College Grads — and ATX's Rank Will Shock You
Sep. 16, 2024
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."
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