Lions and Tigers and PETS! Oh my!

People are easily swayed when it comes to the well being of man’s best friend. Why do people choose a huge national pet store like PetSmart over a local pet store such as Austin’s Bark ‘N Purr? Even the animal world is being infiltrated and overwhelmed by social media today.

Bingley, my four-month-old yorkie poo
He loves treats and walks anywhere!

According to the Humane Society, an estimate of over sixty percent of American households own pets. While cats and dogs are typically household pets, there are also a variety of uncommonly known domesticated animals such as llamas, goats, ferrets, guinea pigs, fish and birds.

PetSmart has over 3,000 tweets on the social networking site and over 17,000 followers. While Bark N Purr only has 117 tweets and only 202 followers. While Bark N Purr is a newer member to the Twitter world, they have their work cut out for them if they are to overtake the national company of PetSmart.

Petsmart has many locations across the nation, and they make a convenient experience for the customer with a highly efficient website. PetSmart has highly-developed technology which provides the gift of simplicity to consumers using the website. They also make social networking sites readily available on PetSmart’s home page.

Bark ‘N Purr, contrastingly, has a less technologically advanced website and has links to their Twitter and Facebook pages in a hidden page on their website. While Bark N Purr has a more modest website, the depiction of their website accurately conveys the feel of the actual store on Burnet Road.

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Bark 'N Purr located on Burnet Road

Bark ‘N Purr claims to be a local store that “knows best.” With K9 and feline experts working at the store, they buy only the best products, and therefore charge the premium price for these products. On their website, there is a tab that says, “why shop at Bark ‘N Purr?” they highlight specific bullet points such as the quality foods rather than the bargain brand prices, 8 nutritional specialists, extensive knowledge of breeds, products and information that is personalized for each person and pet.

The Twitter and Facebook accounts of both Bark ‘N Purr and PetSmart are similar in that they provide information about events and specials going on in their stores.  For PetSmart, it is a way to personalize the brand while Bark ‘N Purr uses this tool as a valuable conversation-started with its customers and the community.

The PetSmart Twitter works as a valuable tool because it makes this national company more personalized and available to the average consumer. Being such a large corporation, it would be easy for the customer to feel lost in the crowd of other consumers. Twitter helps prevent that from happening by asking questions to its followers, offering special deals as well as providing monthly in-store coupons.

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Pet Smart trade mark dog toys 

The Bark ‘N Purr Twiiter account also works as a useful medium, but in a much different way. Bark ‘N Purr uses its Twitter and Facebook account, not to gain a good opinion from its publics but as a conversation-starter. By advertising local dog walks, events in honor of pets as well as new product releases in stores, they are able to capture interest and convey compassion for the community. Bark ‘N Purr uses its local angle to the utmost through its social networking sites.

While PetSmart and Bark ‘N Purr both get useful feedback from its customers, the two pet shops are different in size, purpose and networking. Because of the local angle, Bark ‘N Purr has a niche community of Austin pet lovers. These consumers are probably wealthier and value quality over quantity. Pet Smart, being a national brand, does not have the same loyalty as Bark ‘N Purr, but they work to prevent the big corporation stereotypes by showing as much genuine interest in individuals as they can. 

Who knew there was so much barbecue?

Iron Works Barbecue, Lamberts Barbecue, the Salt Lick, Stubb’s Bar-B-Q, Franklin Barbecue, County Line Barbecue, Ruby’s Barbecue, Smitty’s, Artz Ribhouse, The Green Mesquite, Bert’s and so much more. These are the top Barbecue restaurants in Austin. They all offer varieties of barbecued meat, sauces, entertainment, and personalities. With so many options, it could take a person quite a significant amount of time to try all of these restaurants.

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Rudy's stickers next their hand washing machine

The most notable barbecue locations are the big three for college students. Stubb’s, Salt Lick and, of course, Rudy’s. College students are on their own for the first time, so having these easily accessible, quick-serving restaurants works in favor of both students and restaurants.

“Barbecue is eternal, like the Mississippi. It’s big and it’s simple and it takes it’s own sweet time,” said C. B. Stubblefield, owner and creator of Stubb’s Barbecue.

Stubb’s is one of the hot spots of not only barbecue, but of musical entertainment. Stubb’s plays host to many different bands, usually once per day. While they are popular not only for the experience guaranteed upon visiting, they also stay in touch with visitors through facebook, twitter, their online website and, most importantly, through the specialty sauce available. Stubb’s was so popular that they made a product line of six sauces, five rubs, and six marinades.

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Stubb's Sauces

While Stubb’s offers and unique atmosphere of quality barbecue and live music,  the Salt Lick offers an experience that every young Austinite must have at least once in his lifetime. The likelihood of returning after that one experience, however, is almost a guarantee. With merchandise, sauces and rubs sold by the Salt Lick, this restaurant has come a long way from being just a fire pit with a screened-in porch surrounding it.

This delicious barbecue restaurant was started by Scott Roberts and his family as the only means for them to stay in the great state of Texas. While the Salt Lick is about a thirty-minute drive from the heart of Austin, the beautiful countryside offers true Texas atmosphere. Being able to see where the meet is cooked and how it is prepared is one of the unique experiences offered at the Salt Lick.

Salt Lick does a great job in keeping in contact with its consumers not only through the website and other social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, but they also create a buzz about their restaurant. While one of their main locations is in the Austin airport, they get Austin visitors as well as residents talking about their barbecue. While Salt Lick encourages a “bring your own beer” policy, they do cater for events including weddings and banquets.

The Salt Lick is a unique experience to be had on the outskirts of the beautiful city of Austin, but Rudy’s is front and center. With a family-style seating, Rudy’s has quality barbecue, fresh and heated sauce, a variety of meats as well as the best sweet tea in the state of Texas.

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The Green Mesquite BBQ

Rudy’s has a knack for creating word of mouth for multiple reasons. While the food is good and the experience fun, Rudy’s stays fresh on the minds of their customers. With the “I have clean hands” stickers as well as the reusable plastic cups, Rudy’s has subtle advertisements that consumers reuse. Their unique hand-cleaning machine is more than useful at the end of a messy barbecue, (not to mention it feels like a hand massage) and the stickers serve as free advertisement as well as helpful catalysts in generating word of mouth. While the cups are a keepsake of the experience, for the struggling college student, these cups are a way of life. People choose Rudy’s not only for the food, but for the “free” cup at the end of the meal.

With so many barbecue options, restaurants are in constant competition. Trying to outdo one another as well as making customers loyal to their brand are just a couple of the challenges facing barbecue restaurants in Austin today.

The Life and Social Network of Lululemon

Lululemon Athletica has made its mark. With 185 stores in the U.S. and Canada, Lululemon is looking to expand by over 50% in 2011. What makes this athletic apparel company so successful? Is it the great quality, the stylish design, the friendly atmosphere in the store, the involvement in the community, the constant conversation with its customers or is it simply the company personality that keeps people coming back?

There seems to have been a hole in the market when Lululemon was founded in 1998 by Chip Wilson in Vancouver, Canada. The original purpose was to make clothing for women that was not only flattering but also functional. While the price is high, considering it is exercise clothing, people stay loyal to the brand.

Lululemon Manifesto

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Lulu is largely known for its running and yoga apparel, but many men and women who purchase Lulu clothing use it for a variety of functions. From looking stylish while lounging around to a night out on the town, Lulu has taken North America by a storm.

While the clothing design and quality is extremely important to Lululemon, the way the company stays in touch with its consumers is truly impressive. Lulu has a website, a Twitter account, a Facebook account and they are involved in activities around the city.

“One of the coolest parts of working for Lululemon is the fact the company pays for any class you want to participate in. As long as you wear the brand, Lulu will pay for you to workout. It’s amazing!” said Jessica Tonahill, Austin store manager and dedicated “lemonhead.”

The store in Austin offers in store yoga every Saturday. They move the merchandise to the side and have an in-store yoga class for all who want to participate.

"The company tries to organically connect to a community, to truly read the personality of the people and do everything we can to fit their needs. We are more than just clothings, we are a way of expression" said Tonahill.

The most important part of the Lulu brand is the compnay attitude. Customer satisfaction, creativity, goal-orientation in all endeavors, and healthy living are some of the most exemplified values of the company. They have a creativity in the clothing, the employees and the store itself. They have quotes on the walls, both inside and outside. All employees are friendly, wear Lulu clothing of their choice and are always fit! Many of them are yoga instructors or teach other fitness classes in Austin.

While the actual world of Lulu is friendly, optimistic and encouraging, the virtual world offers just as many incentives to be a true Lulu lover. Lululemon has a twitter account and often asks its followers to post goals, post one way they sweat that day or other interactive posts. Because “lemonheads” are so supportive and involved in the company, they are eager to communicate with the company in any way possible.

The website itself is interactive in a variety of ways. It has a featured employee every couple of weeks who briefly describes what he or she does to stay fit and maintain a healthy, happy lifestyle. The employees always relate it back to Lululemon and how much Lululemon has allowed each person to better himself or herself.

The website makes recommendations on how to set goals and stay committed to them. While there is information and merchandise available online, they also post blogs from employees through the website.

Lululemon Athletica Advertisement

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The Lululemon facebook serves as another mode of communication with customers and supporters as well as a way to advertise classes (particularly yoga classes) around Austin. By being so involved in the Austin community, Lululemon gets new customers all of the time. The company promotes itself in an original and more natural way. They, as a compaby, become an intricate part of the community. 

Once you are a “lemonhead,” you are always a member of their Lulu family . You have the ability to be as involved and active as you would like.

My only question is why don’t all companies adopt this natural, healthy relationship between company and customer?

Go Local: Supporting Local Austin Breakfast Restaurants

Understanding the Austin food scene is a complicated but unique experience. One must completely immerse oneself into the culture that is Austin.

The Original Kerbey Lane

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Pick any genre of food, and a person will be able to find a national-brand option as well as a local-brand option. Which one would you choose? The familiar food that is the same in every location or would you choose the unfamiliar quirky scene that helps “keep Austin weird?”

As a person becomes more assimilated into the city of Austin, he or she will start to appreciate all of the various “hole in the wall” restaurants. These are exciting, fun, unconventional restaurants with a certain charm. There is something to be gained from “going local.”

While there are “go local” cards that qualify any cardholder for a 10 percent discount, there is also the ability to develop personal relationships with these Austin-grown businesses. Austin is such an eclectic city with such personality. People want to see that uniqueness flourish and grow in its roots.

Kerbey Lane Special Cowboy Queso

Breakfast is the best way to start the day. While there are many options for breakfast tacos, bagels and coffee, the International House of Pancakes and Kerbey Lane both offer sit down options and usually take anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours for the full experience.

Kerbey Lane is a popular dining spot. While they serve breakfast all day, they also have a lengthy lunch and dinner menu. They have soups, pancakes, desserts and fruits of the day and pride themselves on the wholesome ingredients used in all of  their dishes. Kerbey Lane utilizes word of mouth, and does not need to spend a lot of money on promotion.

The International House of Pancakes offers an even more extensive menu. Because it is a national company, the menu tries to appeal to a wide audience. This business has been extremely successful in the past and is one of the most recognized brands in America. IHOP utilizes advertisements in magazines, newspapers and TV commercials. While they offer coupons, their pricing is slightly higher than that of Kerbey Lane.

Both of these restaurants offer many of the same perks, but both generate a loyal contingency. What makes them so great? What makes them stay alive? IHOP has its roots stretching across the United States, so what allows for Kerbey Lane to have such success? Why do people stay local?

International House of Pancakes special pancakes

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My only explanation lies in the experience of Austin. Living in such a friendly and unique city provides not only an wonderful lifestyle, but it also gives residents so much opportunity. Opportunities to explore, create, and experience. The city of Austin makes dining at these “one of a kind” restaurants part of the living experience. Austin is the Human Capital of the World, so having restaurants that exemplify the personality of the people seems only appropriate.

The restaurants, in a manner of speaking, give the city a voice, a representation in a creative atmosphere. Because of this circular relationship of people giving to restaurants, restaurants back to the people, there is an alliance, as well as reliance, upon one another. It is this culture, this reciprocal interaction, that not only creates the interesting and local dining, but it also ensures the continuing existence of these wonderful, local restaurants.  

The Austin Family Texmex

It’s really not hard to find texmex in the city of Austin. Breakfast tacos, burritos, and salsa are some of the most commonly served items in any restaurant. Texmex in the state of Texas is more common, perhaps, than seeing a burnt orange t-shirt on the campus of the University of Texas. The question isn’t where can I find texmex, but rather, which is the best texmex?

In a large family, there tends to be a variety of characters. The various texmex restaurants in Austin are like this large family. With so many personalities and styles, the many texmex restaurants provide a perfect meal for every occasion.

With so many options, it is important to have a specific purpose in mind when making the decision of where to dine. Each restaurant provides a specific atmosphere and style of food, just as each family member has a different personality and perspective.

First, there is dad, seated at the head of the table. With so much experience and so much responsibility, one always knows what to expect from dear old dad. Serranos is this “old reliable” character. Serranos  has a good atmosphere, good service, a good location and good food.

Directly across from dad at the other end of the table is, of course, mom. She keeps everyone happy, healthy and satisfied. She is the most versatile and patient, serving in a variety of roles. The mother of Austin texmex is Hula Hut. This hip and fun restaurant is located on the lake. This not only makes for a convenient location, but is also scenic, delicious, exciting and diverse.

Hula Hut

Then, there’s the oldest sister. Stunning and delicate, Vivo’s provides a seductive and artistic atmosphere. This enticing restaurant provides a perfect place for a romantic getaway, complete with a complementary rose for every woman at the end of the meal.

Next we have the talented athletic son. He’s the popular guy in school because he is talented, smart and funny, not to mention his good looks. Torchy’s is the guy’s guy of texmex. This local restaurant is quick, easy, fun and contemporary. It is constantly moving because of the great-tasting food, unique sodas available and the quick turnover rate of customers. Everyone likes Torchy’s.

Then there is the middle child, the overlooked talent. This is Santa Rita. This fantastic dining is cheap and pleasant with a great happy hour and sociable service. The food adds spice to your life and warmth to your stomach. Considering the low prices and vast amount of seating, Santa Rita is truly a diamond in the rough.

Kathleen and Hayes at The Oasis at sunset

After the middle child comes the confused teenage daughter. Teenagers are trapped between adulthood and childhood. The Oasis is also trapped between an absolutely breathtaking view and overpriced, poor-quality food. While the location is worth a visit for the beautiful sunsets, be prepared to leave slightly less than satisfied.

And what is life without the unhealthy teenage boy with the fast metabolism? He’s the one who eats anything and everything but stays the same pant size. Chuy’s is a quite delicious experience, but diet and exercise are a requirement for the week leading up to and the week following the Chuy’s excursion.

And last but not least, the crazy uncles. First, the wacky uncle people only meet on a need to know basis. While you love his wild stories, he is not someone your friends would really “get.” Cisco’s is the most fantastic hole-in-the wall restaurant. It looks like a rundown building, but it serves the best migas in town.

Finally, there is always a misunderstood artist in the family. Fonda San Miguel sparkles with blue lights at night and provides an ethnic, unique and creative atmosphere. It is family-oriented and friendly upon arrival, and the food is flavorful, authentic and fresh.

The Oasis at sunset

All of these restaurants compose one of the most diverse groups of local Texmex. Once identifying which personality best fits your mood, you are sure to have a wonderful dining experience.