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.