I had the chance to attend my very first Austin Sustainability Professionals event, and it was everything I hoped for and more.
What makes this group special is that it isn’t an organization you’ll find on a website or social media. It’s more of a word-of-mouth community — a grassroots, invite-only network of people across industries who are advancing sustainability in Central Texas. From climatetech founders to corporate sustainability leads, from nonprofit advocates to circular economy innovators, this group is full of changemakers doing real, on-the-ground work to build a more sustainable world (here in Austin).
The University of Texas at Austin hosted the 2025 Mitchell Sustainability Symposium at the William C. Powers Student Activity Center. This event brought together faculty, students, sustainability experts, and community members to examine the state of sustainability on campus and explore its broader impact on education, research, and community engagement.
With a packed agenda from morning networking to student lightning talks, the symposium showcased the university’s role as both an innovator and facilitator in the sustainability space. Below is an overview of the key sessions and highlights.
August was packed with opportunities to reconnect, learn, and expand my network across sustainability, marketing, and innovation communities in Austin. Each event brought something unique to the table, here’s a look at the highlights.
After bouncing back from my fifth round of COVID, it felt incredible to return to the USGBC Texas Green Coffee Hour at Easy Tiger. Conversations ranged from fire prevention strategies to career journeys and even how solar can be more seamlessly integrated into design. More than anything, I realized how much I’d missed being surrounded by green-minded peers. This morning left me recharged and ready to rebuild momentum in my networking efforts.
FIESTA (Founders, Investors, Entrepreneurs, Startups, Techies, and Austin Newcomers) delivered its usual mix of big ideas and fresh connections. From ten one-minute founder pitches—including innovations like turning methane into jet fuel and an RV-sharing platform—to sponsor companies like FreeWater and SoberWater leading with purpose, there was no shortage of inspiration. I walked away with fresh perspectives, valuable conversations, and a renewed sense of just how dynamic Austin’s startup ecosystem has become.
Last night I had the chance to attend the 2025 Circular Austin Showcase, an event that celebrates innovation, collaboration, and bold ideas for building a zero-waste future. Hosted by Austin Resource Recovery and the City of Austin Economic Development Department, the showcase brought together entrepreneurs, investors, city leaders, and community members who all share a passion for sustainability. It was an evening that reinforced Austin’s reputation as a city where creativity and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.
Grand Prize CompetitorsCircular Accelerator CompetitorsJudges Panel
The event focused on its finalist pitches — eight businesses sharing how they’re tackling real-world waste and resource challenges. Each idea pushed the boundaries of what’s possible when we rethink our relationship with materials.
Cocarbon is using agricultural plant waste to produce activated carbon for clean water filtration. Their carbon-negative, solar-powered process provides safer water and eliminates the need for costly water transport while creating local jobs.
CRAFTshowed how a public studio model can reduce waste by making art supplies and workshops more accessible. Instead of single-use consumption, they foster creativity through shared resources.
Save the Good Stuff is tackling the preservation and reuse of historic building materials, ensuring Austin’s architectural history isn’t lost to landfills.
Wanderlust Wine Co. is proving that even the wine industry can adapt, using wine-on-tap systems with reusable packaging to cut down on waste and emissions.
Since the start of Taylor-Made Socials, I’ve been experimenting with what it looks like to create easygoing, inclusive social spaces for adults in Austin to meet new people without all the awkwardness that can come with traditional networking or bar-hopping with strangers. It’s not about hype or big ticket productions—it’s about showing up, being real, and creating the kind of social spaces I wished existed when I was trying to make new friends in this city.
Each event has been a learning experience, and each one has offered its own surprises, challenges, and moments of connection. Here’s a closer look at what we’ve done so far.
Pizza Party Social at Tony C’s Pizza & Beer Garden (Our First Event) – Saturday, January 25
Our very first social mixer was hosted at Tony C’s in North Austin, and I couldn’t have asked for a better kick-off. The weather cooperated, the seating setup was lively but not overwhelming, and people started showing up before the official start time — something that told me I was onto something. The crowd skewed a little larger than expected, which created this really natural buzz of conversation that carried through the event. Some folks came solo and found themselves at tables with total strangers-turned-new-acquaintances within minutes.
What made this event special wasn’t just the turnout, but the tone it set. People weren’t glued to their phones or trying to “network” — they were just there to relax, chat over pizza, and enjoy a shared experience that didn’t require dressing up or having an agenda. I left the event physically exhausted but socially energized, with a mental list of ideas to try next.
There’s something truly special about helping people find their people.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of creating space for connection, laughter, and belonging—especially for those who are new to Austin, looking to expand their social circles, or simply hoping to have a fun night out. Hosting social events has never just been about filling a venue—it’s about building community, and that’s something I’ve always taken to heart.
Where It All Began: Austin Social Scene
My event-hosting journey began several years ago in 2022 with Austin Social Scene, a Facebook Group with a massive following that brings people together through various social events and meetups across the city. Our events weren’t centered around networking or matchmaking—they were about providing opportunities for making real, in-person, human connections in a city that’s always growing and changing.
