The Weekly Slice
Notes from the Desert
First off: Substack is growing, and I just want to say thank you. Seriously. I’ve loved being on this platform so far. It feels more connected, more intentional, and it’s been so fun getting to interact with all of you in a different way. I have some fun things planned as we continue to grow, so stay tuned!
We’re also gearing up for our big 500-mile walk this June (Camino de Santiago), which still feels a little surreal to say out loud. I’ve started thinking through how I want to document it, and I’m leaning toward sharing updates here on Substack and on YouTube, then pushing everything out to my other channels. So if you want to follow along in real time, make sure you’re subscribed. I have a feeling this is going to be something really special.
This week felt a little magical. I got to hike Cattail Falls with my dad for the second time, and it was just one of those perfect West Texas mornings. We had the trail mostly to ourselves, and after a good rain, everything out there just feels alive. It’s one of those places that reminds you to slow down and take it all in.
Work has been really good, too. The restaurant is starting to slow down as we move out of peak season, which always shifts my focus a bit. Real estate has been a big priority lately. For those of you who may not know, outside of the restaurants, I coach and consult in real estate. I help people start their careers and grow their businesses, with Keller Williams, specifically with Keller Williams Austin. I genuinely love what I get to do. These conversations around growth, business, and building something meaningful never get old to me. And, it’s crazy that I hit 10 years in the business last December!
Speaking of business, I’ve got something fun in the works for this fall. If you’re a small business owner, or someone trying to grow your brand or presence on social media, just know… I’m building something for you. More to come soon.
And a big personal milestone: I have TWO weeks left of grad school. I can’t even believe I’m typing that. I’ll officially have my Master’s in Strategic Communication with a focus in social media. It’s been a lot of work, but also incredibly rewarding. To be able to pair real-world experience with actual education in this space has been a game changer, and I’ve already seen the impact. I’ve loved marketing and social media for as long as I can remember so to be able to communicate strategically has worked wonders for our businesses.
If there’s one thing this week reminded me, it’s this: you’ve got to roll with it. Power outages, unexpected challenges, things completely out of your control: it’s all part of it. You figure it out, you keep moving, and you don’t let it steal your joy.
Life is good. I’m grateful. And I’m really glad you’re here.
—Mallory