Learn About Starting or Managing a Small Business with These Tips from the SBA

Whether you’ve always dreamed of opening your own coffee shop or you’d like to own and operate a roofing company, these helpful tips from the U.S. Small Business Administration can help you on the path to getting started.

Thinking About Starting a Business?
This SBA website offers an informative guide full of tips for anyone thinking of starting a small business. Here, you’ll find articles that will help you decide if entrepreneurship is for you, lists of questions to ask yourself before making any business decisions, and guides to necessary steps to take to ensure the success of your new business.

Create Your Business Plan
Once you decide to jump in and open that boutique or start that design firm, the Small Business Administration can then help you to create a lucrative business plan. This webpage can aid you in developing medium term goals for your new business, and it offers advice for writing the business plan, too.

Before Popping the Question, Consult the Experts at Abercrombie Gems & Precious Metals

Those who have made a major jewelry purchase might agree that it's not something to be done on a whim, and Yelp reviewers indicate that the customer service and staff expertise at Abercrombie Gems and Precious Metals makes jewelry shopping a stress-free experience. In fact, since this family-owned Rollingwood jewelry store first opened in 1989, it has made a name for itself through its antique, estate, Art Deco, and custom designed jewelry, and it is widely recognized as the place to go whether you’re looking to purchase a one-of-a-kind piece for that special someone.

This shop may not have the massive space or huge inventory of the big-box jewelers, but it makes up for that with personalized service and the high quality of the jewelry. Abercrombie also offers appraisals, purchasing, repairs, and trade-ins.

Abercrombie Gems and Precious Metals
3008 Bee Caves Road
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 328-7530
www.abercrombiegems.com
www.yelp.com/biz/abercrombie-gems-and-precious-metals-austin-2

Esther’s Follies: A Mash-Up of Entertainment

Part magic show, part comedy set, part musical, the productions put on a Esther's Follies every week can't really be pigeonholed into any one category. It breaks down theatrical boundaries by mashing up political satire, music, and more in a single show every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night.

The theater has roots in the late '70s, when founders Michael Shelton and Shannon Sedwick through their first bash on 6th Street. Back then, it was nothing more than a haphazard hodgepodge of performances by singers, dancers, mimes, comics, musicians, and everyone in between. Although the show has more structure today, nearly 40 years later, it still brings the same level of energy and fun to the stage. Yelp reviewers award particular praise to magician Ray Anderson, who delights crowds not only with his tricks, but also with his own unique brand of humor.

Esther's Follies
525 E. 6th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 320-0553
www.esthersfollies.com
www.yelp.com/biz/esthers-follies-austin-2

Enjoy Freshly Made Pastries and Pretzels at Easy Tiger

The sweet aroma of freshly baked breads engulfs you when you pass through the doors of Easy Tiger Bake Shop & Beer Garden in downtown Austin. The comforting, warm ambiance invites you to relax and stay while you enjoy the made-from-scratch menu.

The extensive coffee and tea list includes espresso, chai lattes, hot teas, and a variety of water, soda, and juice choices. Don't miss one of Easy Tiger's melt-in-your-mouth pastries, danish, cookies, and croissants. Snacks and sandwiches include beef jerky and pretzels, as well as house-smoked pastrami, turkey breast, and muffulettas. The restaurant also offers a variety of charcuterie boards and house-made sausages.

Easy Tiger has a full bar and the cocktail, beer, and reserves menu is extensive.

Easy Tiger
709 E. Sixth Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 614-4972
www.easytigeraustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/easy-tiger-austin

Find Food Co-Ops Near You With Help From These Two Websites

Shopping at a food co-op in your area is one of the best ways to obtain healthy, fresh foods and support your area’s local farmers and purveyors. Many people in small towns assume that they don’t have a food co-op in their areas, but they are actually more common than you might think. Here are two online tools to help you find co-ops near your home.

Co-Op Directory
This expansive website enables you to search by state in order to find the closest food co-ops. Each listing includes an address, phone number and links to the store’s website for additional information. Co-Op Directory also provides a short description of many of its stores, including the types of food that each store sells, its mission statement and other details.

Local Harvest
Local Harvest is one of the most popular websites for all types of fresh, local and organic foods, and it also offers a large directory of food co-ops in every state. You can search for your area by using the site’s interactive map, which offers pinpoints for each store. Once you find a co-op near you, Local Harvest provides all of the necessary driving directions, phone numbers and more.

What’s Your Favorite Animal at the Austin Zoo?

Although the Austin Zoo is on the smaller side, its interesting selection of wild animals and fun, friendly environment proves it to be an enjoyable way to spend a weekend afternoon. The Austin Zoo doubles as an animal sanctuary, which means that the majority of its animals were rescued, adopted, or even born at the zoo.

From the majestic Bengal tigers to the curious lemurs and the colorful peacocks that roam freely around the zoo’s grounds, all of the Austin Zoo’s animals have plenty of indoor and outdoor space to enjoy. The reptile area offers visitors an up-close-and-personal look at numerous snakes, tortoises, and large lizards, and there is even an exotic bird facility filled with beautiful birds from around the world. With its low ticket prices, the Austin Zoo makes a fun and affordable activity for the whole family.

If your little one loves the zoo, you can even host a birthday party surrounded by animals at one of the pavilions!

Austin Zoo
10808 Rawhide Trail
Austin, TX 78736
(512) 288-1490
www.austinzoo.org
www.yelp.com/biz/austin-zoo-and-animal-sanctuary-austin-2

Zilker Nature Preserve: Escape the Noise of the City

Just west of where the Mopac crosses the Colorado River lies the Zilker Nature Preserve, a wonderful place to experience the tranquility and beauty of nature without driving way out into the country. The preserve maintains 60 acres of plants, wildlife, and untamed landscape native to central Texas.

Well-tended trails wind through the brush, making this an ideal spot for a morning walk or brisk jog. Birdwatchers appreciate the variety of avian life that frequents the area, while swimmers and kayakers enjoy the preserve's easy access to Town Lake. Photographers should take the Overlook Trail to catch a spectacular view of downtown Austin.

You should know that parking can be a bit tricky here, especially on Saturdays, so your best bet might be to park at Zilker Park, then hike to the trail head just off Barton Springs Road.

Zilker Nature Preserve
302 Nature Center Drive
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 327-8181
www.austinparks.org/our-parks.html?parkid=696
www.yelp.com/biz/zilker-nature-preserve-austin

Happy Independence Day!

We hope everyone enjoys a fun and relaxing time with family and friends as we celebrate America's freedom.

The League Kitchen & Tavern: Comfort Food for the Sophisticated Palate

The League Kitchen & Tavern offers a unique dining experience. The dining room at this Austin hotspot is decorated to evoke the feeling of a Prohibition-era speakeasy, and once you're seated you just might find yourself glancing over your shoulder as you order a cocktail in your historic-feeling surroundings.

The food at The League Kitchen & Tavern, however is, thoroughly modern. The kitchen is focused on elevating familiar comfort foods, and regulars say the hand-cut truffle fries served with garlic aioli shouldn't be missed, while the bacon wrapped shrimp atop a smoked gouda grit cake makes a tasty start to any meal. The spinach and kale salad mixes savory and sweet with a combination of shaved cheddar, tart granny Smith apples, candied walnuts, and red onions, and hearty eaters will enjoy the chicken fried pork chop accompanied by mashed potatoes and a creamy jalapeno gravy.

Whatever you decide to order, Yelp reviewers say you're sure to enjoy the restaurant’s innovative preparations.

The League Kitchen & Tavern
1310 Ranch Road 620 South
Lakeway, TX 78734
(512) 263-3279
leaguelakeway.com/page/home
www.yelp.com/biz/the-league-kitchen-and-tavern-lakeway

Happy Father’s Day!

Happy Father's Day! We hope all of the Dads out there have a great day with loved ones! Let us know how you plan to help Dad relax today!

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