Gone to Texas

In this episode of Gone to Texas, host "Super" Dave Quinn sits down with Amy Story, who runs the Boerne/Kendall County Economic Development Corporation (BKC EDC) in the Alamo region of Texas. Amy shares insights into the role of local economic developers in assisting businesses as they move to or expand in new communities like Boerne. She talks about the importance of having local connections and...

On this episode of Gone to Texas, Super Dave Quinn welcomes Ed Dominion, President of D6 Incorporated. Ed shares his experience first expanding to Sulphur Springs, eventually making it their headquarters. He talks about how the Sulfur Springs, Texas community welcomed and supported his company's move, offering insights into the positive impact on the local economy and the innovative recycling proj...

In this episode of Gone to Texas, Dave Quinn sits down with David Gillrie, President and CEO of Hoover Treated Wood Products, to discuss their expansion into Fairfield, Texas. David discusses why they chose Fairfield and why the central location was so important to their business. He also talks about the strategic importance of the Texas market and the role of economic developers in facilitating g...

Welcome to another episode of Gone to Texas. In today's episode, Dave sits down with Roger Treacher, the owner of Marching USA. Marching USA specializes in designing and manufacturing top-notch instruments and frames for the music education industry. Roger shares his journey from the United Kingdom to Texas when he was part owner of a snack food company and why he first picked the Dallas, TX area....

Welcome to another exciting episode of Gone to Texas, where we welcome Courtney Radloff, Founder of Purveyors of Fragrance. Courtney shares her entrepreneurial journey and the challenges she has faced along the way. From building a business from scratch and having to navigate the complexities of the fragrance industry to suddenly having to move her business from California to Texas, Courtney's sto...

Welcome to another episode of Gone To Texas, where Dave Quinn welcomes Accasisa Martinez of Accasia’s Event Venue in Fairview, TX. Accasisa talks about what it's like running an event business and how a post-COVID world and a desire for people to connect again in person inspired her to create her own business. They also discuss the ups and downs of running your own business and why being involved...

On this episode of Gone to Texas, Dave travels to Paris, TX and talks to Besser Pro CEO, Willy Dyck. Besser is a manufacturer of axels for utility, dump, flatbed, car haulers, and live stock trailers. Willy talks about why he loves growing his business in Paris, TX, from affordable living costs to a helpful Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Paris’ Economic Development Center has been committ...

In this special episode of Gone To Texas, Super Dave Quinn is joined by powerhouse guests live from this year’s Economic Summit and Leadership Conference hosted by Marshall, TX. Dave talks to Dr. Ray Perryman, President and CEO, The Perryman Group, Carlton Schwab, President/CEO of the Texas Economic Development Council, Aaron Demerson, Commissioner Representing Employers for the Texas Workforce Co...

A thriving economy is only as good as the workforce development that a community is willing to build. Helping attract new students and work candidates to the city of Marshall, as week as preparing their current student body, are two large initiatives of the Marshall Economic Development Center. In this episode of Gone to Texas, Dave is joined by Bart Day, Provost for Texas State Technical College,...

When they needed a more central location for their company, Texas seemed like the perfect spot. However, finding a place just anywhere in Texas wasn’t going to cut it. After Lester Thornhill, CEO of Life's Abundance, did some research, and when he thought getting closer to Oklahoma may be a better option, one of his co-workers mentioned getting an email from the EDC of Dumas, Texas. Lester looked...

Expanding your company to a new state can have many challenges, but imagine expanding to a whole new country. It’s the story of Carsten Wagner, President and CEO of Wagner Tuning, and he joins Dave on this episode of Gone to Texas, to tell his story of expanding to the United States, and picking Kilgore, Texas as his location. Carsten talks about why he chose Kilgore and what convincing his family...

You may take for granted the sight of a windmill while driving. However, its an industry that's still thriving, and one of the industry leaders is right in the heart of Texas. Aerator Windmill was started in 1883, and has been in the forefront of the windmill industry since its inception. After being moved to San Angelo in 1986, it’s been a staple in the city. In this episode of Gone to Texas, Dav...

A town with just as much history as it has charm, nestled between two lakes, San Angelo has so much to offer. The beautiful thing is that not only is this a great place to raise a family, with a small-town feel, but it’s a great job to build a company too. In this episode of Gone to Texas, Dave is joined by Wendland Manufacturing’s President and Co-Owner, Wendall Hirschfeld. Wendall talks about th...

Find a need, make a great product, provide excellent customer service, and a business is born. It’s the story of Priefert, a company founded by Marvin Priefert in 1964 and continues to be a staple in Mount Pleasant, TX. On this episode of Gone to Texas, Dave is joined by Priefert’s Rocky Christenberry, who talks about the company's humble beginnings, how they pivoted several times to stay afloat i...

Since 1985 Diamond C. Trailers has been a leader in building premium trailers, and they started right in Mount Pleasant, Texas. Jeffrey Crabb, CEO of the company joins Super Dave on this episode of Gone to Texas to talk about what it’s been like continuing his family’s legacy. They also talk about working with the city of Mount Pleasant, how the EDC has been an integral part of helping them grow t...

What if you could have an infusion of capital to help you with buildings or other items within your business that don’t include an investor or a loan? Many business owners have no idea about the opportunities that are available through EDCs. In this episode of Gone to Texas, Super Dave is joined by Vince Bussio, the CEO and Founder of Armorock. Vince shares his journey of opening a plant in Sulphu...

What would it be like to pick up and move halfway across the world for the love of your life, only to also find the perfect opportunity to start your own business? It may seem like a fairy tale, but it’s the true-life story of Dr. Jason Jones, Co-Founder and CEO of Hybrid Manufacturing Technology. Dr. Jones joins Dave on this episode of Gone to Texas to share his story of starting his company in E...

Imagine picking up your company from sunny San Diego, California and moving to Sulphur Springs, only to have COVID lockdowns begin only three days later. It’s the true story of Karen Neola, Founder and CEO of My Perfect Pet, A Natural Pet Food company. Karen shares her story of how she started her company after tragedy happened in her own home, and how by just helping others her small home-based b...

How can a university create opportunities for a greater workforce within its city? Dr. Jay Blair Blackburn, President of East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas, joins Dave Quinn on this episode of Gone To Texas to discuss the exciting synergy between Marshall, Texas and ETBU. People are on the search for a higher quality of life within the place they work, and in small-town East Texas, t...

Barton Damer's entrepreneurship story is a bit different from what we usually hear. He wasn't a terrible employee, nor was burnt by his nine to five; he actually did enjoy his job and had a side hustle as a freelancer with digital arts in which he loved working on the weekends. With time, his side hustle started growing to the point that he had to make a choice; he was overbooked as a freelancer,...

Altus Group Property Tax US helps its commercial real estate clients navigate and manage often-complex tax matters, so it’s a good sign the company has high praise for the City of Keller for helping them solve its own real-estate matter: consolidating a few offices into a single, desirable location – on a tight deadline and in the middle of a pandemic. “Altus is a conglomerate of multiple companie...

Gary Kappen says “only in America” could his story exist. And when you hear how his personal story and business evolved, you’ll be thinking more specifically, “only in Texas.” Today Kappen owns, operates and serves as president of a company he founded in 2008 - William Grant Tank & Vessel, Inc. in Henderson. It’s a company that has grown and turned a profit every year since it began (save the 2020...

Episode #6 | Guest Jessica Perno, Founder, Parent Day Out, Fairview, TX Parent Day Out Founder Jessica Perno’s journey from New York to Texas - and ultimately launching her tech startup here - began like that of many entrepreneurs, just looking to solve a problem she herself was experiencing. That led to a lot of research, including weekend playground surveys she conducted with a trusty clipboard...

Texas EDC: Gone to Texas Podcast Show Notes & Social Posts Episode #4 Michael Rufail, Founder & Chief Gaming Officer, Envy Gaming If you don’t know much about esports yet, you will soon. But first know that since 2017, the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex has been home to Envy Gaming, one of the world’s most valuable professional gaming organizations. The company made headlines last year for bringing o...

With stints in a Costa Rican Jungle, the Big Apple, the City of Angles, and now the Town of Fairview, Texas, Mackenzie (Mac) Miller, founder, and owner of Mobility Outdoor Media, has led quite an adventurous life. With the ability to live anywhere listen to this episode as Mac shares why she decided to return to Texas to run her burgeoning enterprise. Day One Experts: https://d1expert.com Texas ED...