[VIDEO] In this episode, Adam Flagg, host of the Austin Eras Podcast, sits down with Texas trailblazer Gay Gaddis—entrepreneur, artist, and civic leader who built one of the nation’s largest woman-owned advertising agencies, T3. She went from launching the firm in 1989 to now mentoring future leaders through initiatives like Women Who Mean Business and Texas Trailblazers, continuing her influence well beyond the business world.

Gay shares candid stories about taking bold risks, building a culture that embraced innovation, and even creating an on-site childcare program in the early 1990s- well ahead of its time. She reflects on Austin’s transformation into a national tech and creative hub, a rise that T3 helped shape through partnerships with brands like Dell, UPS, and Microsoft.

Beyond business, Gay opens up about returning to her first love of painting and her art career today with exhibitions and collectors across the country. Along the way, she discusses the future of Austin, why water policy is critical to Texas, and why surrounding yourself with the right people is the cornerstone of leadership.

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For this episode and more, visit the Austin Eras Podcast by Collective Advisors.