Foundation for Better Business

Apply for Better Business Awards today!

We are calling on Texas small business owners to step into the spotlight. The 2026 Better Business Awards recognize entrepreneurs, tradespeople, and community champions who are building something real, and doing it well. Applications are now open.

Apply by July 20 for a chance to win a $500 Delta Air Lines travel voucher. Final deadline is July 31. Winners will be announced live at the Better Business Awards luncheon on September 30 in Austin.

Learn more and apply at: https://bit.ly/4v17Smh

This Thursday, our money mindset gets rewritten.

On July 16, Jan Ryan opens the day as keynote on “The Most Expensive Lies Women Tell Themselves”. Gay Gaddis shares her wisdom and experience through a Fireside with a Founder session moderated by Tim Crowley built on backing yourself financially.

You'll hear from outstanding business leaders like Zack Pennington, Femke M., Kristine Palmer, Steve Cartwright, CFP®, Seema Desai DDS ACC, Michael Ciccolone, Michelle Savage, Rozina Vastani, Eunice Duong, and Jackie Stoker-Gonzalez who will lead us through an afternoon of roundtable conversations on financial decisions and the habits that move a business from surviving to scaling.

Allison Kaylor-Flink, Stacy Bouwman, CFP®, ChFC®, AAMS®, Jaleh Daie, PhD, and Madison Runyan will share their expertise in a panel on “The Confident Money Leader” moderated by Gay Gaddis which will result in a feature article in the Austin Business Journal's Women's Issue. We’ll end the day with a lively networking happy hour reception.

Many thanks to our title sponsor Frost and hospitality sponsors WildGins Co., West Pecan Coffee + Beer, Eleve, and Sloan Seasonings.

BONUS: We’ll give away an iPad thanks to Frost and a $500 travel voucher thanks to Delta Air Lines at the event!

We are offering our last few tickets at 20% off using code MONEY at checkout. Register today: https://bit.ly/3SKQBAh

You build companies. Raise capital. Lead teams. So why does money talk still feel off-limits?

We fixed that.

Jan Ryan (CEO, 3Hills Group) and Gay Gaddis (founder of T3, author, and CEO) headline an afternoon built for women in business who are done being quiet about money. Real conversations, real connections, real confidence, powered by Frost Bank. One lucky woman walks away with a $500 Delta Air Lines travel voucher.

This is worth your afternoon! Join us July 16.

Get 20% off your ticket through July 15 using code MONEY at checkout: https://bit.ly/3SKQBAh

Coffee and Connections: Money Mindset Mastery powered by Frost Bank The way you think about money is either opening doors or closing them. Cost: $65 Two women…

AI isn't waiting for anyone. 🤖

Nearly 46% of Texas small businesses are already using AI. 41% haven't started. If you're in that second group, we are teaming with Austin AI Alliance, Austin Technology Council, and Austin Women in Technology (AWT) for AI in Action: What We've Learned & Where We're Headed on July 14.

Real lessons. Real adoption stories. No hype.

Details: awtaustin.org/event-6714746

Two women. Three decades each. One stage.

Jan Ryan has four acquisitions and one IPO behind her. Gay Gaddis turned a $16K bet into the largest woman-owned ad agency in the country. Both are on stage July 16 at She Means Business: Money Mindset Mastery. 🎤

Huge thanks to Frost for powering this day and making it happen. 🙌

Seats are moving. Register now: https://bit.ly/3SKQBAh

Applications are officially OPEN for our inaugural Better Business Awards!

It's time to recognize the businesses, nonprofits, and leaders who are raising the bar through trust, ethics, innovation, and community impact across Central Texas.

Whether you're leading with integrity, making a difference in your community, or know an organization that deserves the spotlight, now is the time to apply or submit a nomination.

Don't miss your chance to be part of this inaugural celebration honoring those who are shaping the future of better business.

Apply or nominate today and learn more about the Better Business Awards: https://bit.ly/4v17Smh

We partnered with our friends at Deloitte to take a hard look at how we communicate, who we are reaching, and what we can do better. We need your input.

Will you give us 30 minutes on Monday for a virtual focus group?

Monday, July 6. 30 minutes. Virtual. No prep, serious impact!

🔗 https://bit.ly/4aAwdIt

Mark your calendars! Applications for the inaugural Better Business Awards open July 6.

We're proud to launch a new celebration recognizing the businesses, nonprofits, and leaders who are setting the standard for trust, ethics, innovation, and community impact across Central Texas.

Whether you're building a business with integrity, leading meaningful change, or know an organization that deserves the spotlight, this is your opportunity to be recognized.

Mark your calendar, get your nomination materials ready, and join us in celebrating the businesses that make our communities stronger.

Learn more about the Better Business Awards, sponsorship opportunities, and what to expect: https://bit.ly/4v17Smh

We're excited to welcome Gay Gaddis to She Means Business: Money Mindset Mastery on July 16! Gay is a founder, author, artist, and trailblazer.

The event begins with keynote speaker Jan Ryan, entrepreneur, investor, and innovation leader, who will share insights on building confidence, embracing opportunity, and developing a healthy money mindset.

Then, Gay Gaddis will moderate our Power of Better Business panel on The Confident Money Leader, bringing her decades of entrepreneurial experience to a conversation about confidence, leadership, and financial growth. This is a panel that becomes a featured article in the Austin Business Journal Women's Issue that carries the conversation far beyond the room.

But we're not done building the stage.

We're still looking for accomplished women leaders to join Gay on this featured panel. If you're a founder, executive, or business leader with insights to share on leading with confidence, making bold financial decisions, and growing a business with purpose, we'd love to hear from you.

Interested in being considered as a panelist? Email us today at [email protected].

Join us for an afternoon of inspiring conversations, expert roundtables, meaningful networking, and practical strategies to help you strengthen your financial confidence and business success: https://bit.ly/3SKQBAh

What if the biggest barrier to business growth isn't access to capital, but the mindset behind the decisions we make with it?

On July 16, women business leaders from across Central Texas will gather for She Means Business: Money Mindset Mastery, an afternoon dedicated to transforming the way we think about money, growth, opportunity, and leadership.

This event features keynote speaker Jan Ryan, along with expert-led roundtables, and a special Power of Better Business panel in partnership with the Austin Business Journal.

Whether you're navigating your next investment, scaling your business, or simply looking to strengthen your financial confidence, this event is designed to equip you with practical insights and meaningful connections.

Registration is open now. Secure your spot today and join the conversation: https://bit.ly/3SKQBAh

We're also welcoming sponsors and subject matter experts who want to be part of this powerful event. If your organization is passionate about supporting women entrepreneurs and business leaders, we'd love to connect.

Join us in helping create a space where confidence grows, connections deepen, and business leaders leave ready to make their next big move.