It's not the economy, stupid... it's culture.  Why? Because economies are cultures inscribed—their values, goals, and priorities.  We've been making much fun of generic American business practices here for several months, in part because it is so damn easy.  This is as much a stinging critique of larger structures in American culture as it is anything.  Fucked up business practices reflect the fucked up cultures that produce them... Oh well, have another drink and go back to sleep.

Austin Inc.

As Bandit has been hinting at here, we are now trying to be a bit more positive.  As we continue our fear and loathing in coworking journey, we are now in San Francisco, writing from Ritual Roasters.  It is really hard not to be positive when you are hanging out in a place this sweet.

With that in mind, I am thinking about the Culture->Business connection in Austin, Texas, my favorite place in all the world.  If economics (and thus business) is an extension of a place's culture, then the types of businesses and business culture that thrive in a given place is as much a cultural statement as an economic one.  In Austin, the businesses are distinct, and combined they tell a story.

GSD&M, one of the most creative ad firms in the world (now called Idea City), sits across from Whole Foods, the largest natural foods grocery chain in the world.  Just read Whole Foods' 'Declaration of Interdependence' and you can quickly see that it is not just another grocery store chain. 

Several years ago in a Fast Company article on cool hotels, Austin's Hotel San Jose received a write-up, and deservedly so. It is one of the most unique and special hotels you will ever encounter, and it is quintessentially Austin.  The San Jose distills the Southwest/Japanese Zen/Northern California (Mill Valley) design elements to create the embodiment of the Texas Zen architectural trope that now is visible throughout the city.  Austin-modern is its own thing, and the San Jose helps define that aesthetic.

And the music. What can I say, on any given night you can see great music in countless places, and thus Austin's claim to being the music capital of the world: because it is.  For larger and outside consumption there is, of course, Austin City Limits.   ACL is a cultural institution that many of us grew up on, and seeing Crowded House on the other night brought life full circle. 

And SXSW, what can I say.  In addition to being one of the go-to music festivals in the US each year, it has become both a technology and film festival that rival some of the best in the world. 

As a friend once put it, 'Yeah, it's a Groovy Little City.'

Austin's groovy businesses are successful because they are of the culture and for the culture in which they are rooted.  While this is true of any given cultural milieu, to be sure, Austin is its own thing.  Celebrating Austin's businesses is a celebration of culture, a worthy celebration indeed.

See you guys at SXSW!

The Butcher