Business Leader in Boerne, Texas Helps Amplify & Support the Entrepreneur Community: Justin McKenzie
Justin McKenzie is the founder of multiple organizations centered around amplifying and supporting entrepreneurs and business leaders across Texas such as: Boerne Kendall County Angel Network, Das Greenhaus, Building Texas Podcast, and more. He shares with us how he started those initiatives, what Boerne, Texas is like, and his optimism about the future of Texas.
A recent launch you’ve helped lead is the opening of the coworking space and incubator, Das Greenhaus. It’s a beautiful space that now accepts new businesses to cowork there. What has the journey been like and what are you excited about now that it’s open?
The journey was a long process but resulted in a strong public/private relationship that allows our community to invest in innovation, future, and our local talent. Kathy Estes, Amy Story, and I worked with business leaders across the community to create Das Greenhaus. As a 501c3, Das Greenhaus creates the tools, place, and mentorship to our budding entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The members from our forward-thinking Boerne Kendall County Economic Development Corporation have led our community in creating a long-term vision that includes creating our own opportunities. We recognize that we have the ingredients locally to create a broader impact and attract the right growth outlined by our community.
Since opening the doors on June 1st, 2023. We have reached so many people, we have discovered nearly 20 new founders who have signed up and are working through our Idea to Market program. These are people and companies that we did not know before June 1st, proving the demand exists throughout our rural communities.
You’ve also launched a podcast called Building Texas. We love it, and thanks for hosting us (link is here)! What made you want to start hosting a podcast and what can listeners expect from each episode?
The vision for Building Texas came from our community leaders, we recognized that so many stories weren’t being told. Economic Development efforts were misunderstood, we had a 9% turnout to an important local election, and promoting people making a difference in their community. I saw an opportunity to have interesting, influential, and impactful conversations with the people Building Texas. We encourage curiosity, and want our listeners to ask the next question and get involved locally.
With sponsorship from the Boerne Kendall County Economic Development Corporation, we are working to make Boerne and Kendall County visible as an entrepreneurial hub with a capacity for early investment, and the leadership and programming to help the region scale.
Listeners can expect to learn how their City (any city) works, the size and scale of a thriving school district, or even how transplants work across the State of Texas. We recognize that our story, struggles, and successes are similar to many communities across Texas. We hope that by sharing our story, we can spark energy into communities around the State who share our vision for the future of work in Texas, Our incredible community of people have a global impact across many industries, and sharing those stories helps everyone think of the Texas Hill Country through a new lens.
You started the Boerne Kendall County Angel Network as well. Please share with us your founding story– how is it going, and what should we look forward to from your organization?
The Boerne Kendall County Angel Network (BKCAN) was formed as a pivot from my original vision of a maker space/coworking location in my rural community. After partnering with the Boerne Kendall County Economic Development Corporation, they inspired the need to activate the community first. BKCAN was an opportunity to create a solid foundation of volunteers, investors, community leaders, and founders that all share the vision for a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in our community and further across the Texas Hill Country.
We meet every third Thursday of the month and have seen some incredible founders come through the network. Hera Biotech, Locoal, Responsum, are just a few brands that we enjoy in our portfolio. We focus on medical/healthcare, energy, and AI tech. We understand that the Hill Country is a place where we can raise capital and incubate early stage companies, but the most important thing we offer is mentorship. Our community members have an incredible ability to connect with industry leaders across the country.
Ultimately, the goal for BKCAN is to create a community that inspires, and produces opportunities for future generations being raised in the Texas Hill Country today.
You obviously know the Hill Country region of Texas very well. What are the biggest opportunities and challenges in the entrepreneurial and/or startup landscape in Boerne? What would progress be like that could help that?
The biggest opportunity I see for the Hill Country is a defined regional approach to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Recognizing that Texas is raising and attracting the best and brightest innovators and entrepreneurs, the Hill Country needs to define its future. Stepping out of the shadows of San Antonio and Austin, the Texas Hill Country should be determining industries of the future that will meet our sustainable growth vision for our hometowns.
Our ISD’s have been leaders in this initiative for decades, creating STEM curriculums, rocket teams, robotic teams, and business incubator programs. Unfortunately, our municipal systems and policy have not matched that initiative fully. We are playing catch up in Boerne, but we have a path and participation across our community. This addresses water concerns, and drives innovation for new, more efficient solutions. It also diversifies the tax base and moves us to alternative revenue streams for the county and city through a flourishing tax base. Our goal is to share our lessons and expedite the organized capacity and capabilities of the Texas Hill Country.
On the topic of landscapes, let’s talk about the current landscape of Boerne. What are your favorite places to eat, activities to do in town, etc? Have any remained the same, and/or are there interesting new establishments you like to patronize? What is a must-see if new startups and investors come into town?
Where to begin! We have enjoyed some great restaurants finding their way to Boerne, but I do also miss places of the past. Boerne has changed a lot, but that is good! We are evolving to meet the demands of the market.
Peggy’s on the Green
Cypress Grille
Richter
Bumdoodlers
Epicure
And of course, Mary’s Tacos. One of my favorite entrepreneurial stories in Texas. Places like the Cibolo Nature Center, and our community’s commitment to parks and outdoor space available to the public is great. It is fun to see my boys experience the same outdoor space that I did at their age. Places where you can catch frogs and talk big about catching the next snake you see.
How would you describe Boerne to folks who haven’t been there before and in terms of quality of life and the business community?
Boerne is an escape from the modern suburbs. We are still a rural community that enjoys a top school district, and a community of industry leaders, influencers, and just good hard working people all focused on creating a modern city that still respects and maintains a small town feel.
Boerne Historic Hill Country Mile will always define our tourism and retail shopping. If you slow down, you may catch the shop owner working behind the counter, taking a break from their international name brand business. Our look around and you may recognize an A-list celebrity enjoying a beer with a world series winning pitcher. At the end of the day, everyone is approachable, and ready to help you. help connect you, point you to the best food, or fund your future startup. Boerne is welcoming and ready to see you succeed.
What do you think are the opportunities for Texas’ future that you look forward to, and how will or how might Boerne fit into that?
Texas has a bright future, and we are positioned to win for decades to come. Unfortunately, this success will continue to stress our systems. Our vision of the future focuses on creating a sustainable economic future that brings opportunities for everyone across our community and region.
With the majority of investment going to the Texas triangle, I hope that Boerne will remind people to consider rural Texas as a place to find talent and drive innovation, while having fun, creating a sustainable community and region in the future.
I look forward to sharing the stories of success that we generate 10 years from now, because of the work we are doing today building an environment for purposeful collision and ready to innovate into the future of work.