I often say that when I started my advertising agency, T3, in 1989, Austin was still a sleepy small town—and in many ways, it truly was. We had the State government, the University of Texas and numerous mom-and-pop businesses lining Congress Avenue.
But there was already a drumbeat that had started back in the 1960s, the harbinger of what was to come. IBM, Texas Instruments and later 3M and Motorola opened outposts in Austin. Business leaders in Texas knew the future of the economy couldn’t rely solely on oil.
These technology giants were drawn by the University of Texas at Austin, with its reputation as a leading research institution, as well as the city’s then–low cost of living. Eventually, Austin would blossom into the tech boomtown we now know as “Silicon Hills.”
In the early 1980s, I attended a dinner where Ross Perot was the guest speaker. He outlined Austin’s future as a technology hub. Little did I know that just a few years later, my company would take off thanks to the influx of technology-focused companies starting or moving here. By 1992, we were working with Dell, which shifted the focus of our business toward what was then the fledgling internet.
The Dell effect on Austin has been phenomenal. Founded in 1984 by Michael Dell, the company grew into a global powerhouse in the personal computer market, and my firm was fortunate to work with them during those go-go years. The supportive environment that followed helped fuel startups and fostered a strong community of angel investors and venture capitalists.
We’ve since watched the trend grow into serious business as Google, Apple, Tesla, Samsung and Facebook set up shop here. As a longtime supporter of the University of Texas and education in Austin, I’ve seen firsthand how the city has benefited from this focus, along with the diversity and vibrancy that make Austin unique. It may no longer be a bargain to live here, but it’s still more affordable than Silicon Valley or New York.
Next on the horizon is a world-class medical center, powered by the science, research and excellence of the University of Texas—and once again, Michael and Susan Dell are helping to lead the charge.
This walk down memory lane is to remind us of how Austin has grown in to a major city that has thrived because of planning years ago. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, but leadership requires us to step back and create strategies that build a brighter future wherever we live.
The future is so bright, I have to wear shades!
Gay Gaddis
Founder. Author. Artist. Trailblazer.
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