Hey there WilCo professional,

Glad that the free AI 101 in-person training resonated so much! We’ve got over 100 people registered! If you didn’t, make sure you jump on it soon. Going to work on finding the right venue in the next week or so, want to make sure it has enough capacity. And trust me, if you’re not up to speed on where AI is today, you’ll want to be there. Seeing this stuff live is so much more eye opening than hearing about it’s potential on the news. Click the button below to get on the list.

We’re also going to start hosting some more casual networking happy hour events around the WilCo area. If you want to potentially help host one, or have a specific idea/location for one, please reply and let me know. Our goal here at WilCo Grind is to become the go-to source for all things business and money AND CONNECTIONS/EVENTS. So don’t be afraid to reply and let me know what you’re thinking.

Lastly, we want to be featuring more of the smart and successful people doing great things in business here in WilCo. So if you think you have an interesting story and want to be featured, or know someone worth featuring, send them this form. Excited to put all the great business people here out there and be able to be recognized!

ALSO, would love to start featuring great people who are looking for a new role. With all the disruption happening due to AI and economy, a lot of really great people are looking for their next role or career. If that’s you, or someone you know, reply to this email and tell me about you/them. I’ll create a form for this in the future, but for now just message me.

Would love to consistently feature at least one great business owner and two people looking for a new career every issue. So don’t be shy!

Opening Hype: Round Rock is adding a California tech-retail relocation to its win column as Digital Brands Group moves its corporate headquarters to 350 Texas Avenue inside the EastGroup industrial park. The data-driven apparel platform company is launching operations in 47,611 square feet, with plans to expand to 70,300 square feet within 12 months.

Why It Matters: Digital Brands Group builds apparel brands around e-commerce technology and consumer analytics, exactly the kind of high-value, tech-forward operation Round Rock actively recruits. The company arrives with 30-plus jobs at launch and substantial growth projected beyond year one, bringing direct-to-consumer digital retail into a local economy already strong in tech and manufacturing.

Bigger Picture: Digital Brands Group's departure from California for Central Texas reflects a corporate migration trend that Williamson County keeps converting into real addresses and real payroll. Round Rock's ability to land a headquarters relocation, not just a satellite office, signals the city is competing at a higher level for company-defining investment. As growth-stage companies chase Texas's cost and talent advantages, Round Rock's infrastructure and I-35 corridor keep it near the top of every short list.

Support TxDOT's Austin Traffic Management Center by configuring traffic management systems, managing IP-based networks, and analyzing operational data to keep regional roadways running efficiently.

Bachelor's degree in engineering and 5 years of TMS/network experience required. On-site work at TxDOT and CTECC facilities required. Position is contingent on contract award, background check, and drug screen.

Business Operations Manager at City of Round Rock ($88k–$110k).
Oversee recreation facilities and manage budgets and operations. Apply now!

Development Manager, Information Technology at Trellis Company ($123k–$189k). Lead IT teams and drive technology innovation. Apply now!

Infrastructure Service Delivery Analyst Sr at ERCOT ($109k–$185k). Manage hardware capacity, infrastructure lifecycles, and IT service delivery. Apply now!

Production Manager 2 at Hunt Electric Corporation ($90k–$115k). Lead manufacturing operations, manage materials, and ensure on-time product delivery. Apply now!

Logistics-Ops Professional at Samsung Electronics ($57k–$156k). Oversee shipping and receiving operations and manage logistics service providers. Apply now!

Business Analyst at Amazon/Whole Foods Market ($66k–$143k). Analyze customer and transactional data to drive assortment strategy and business insights. Apply now!

Want your job featured? Reply to this email and give us the info and link!

Background: Technology strategist and entrepreneur with 20+ years leading complex initiatives in enterprise and founder-led firms. Rooted in WilCo, partnering with growth-focused owners wherever they are.

He's a longtime mentor at Capital Factory and an active member of Front Row Dads, an Austin based community of family-first founders and entrepreneurs.

What He Does: Fractional Integrator for profitable, growth-focused businesses. He steps in as a strategic partner to build the systems, accountability structures, and execution plans that let owners stop working in their business and start working on it.

Skills: Accountability structures, strategic roadmaps, automation, AI initiatives, and turning big ideas into measurable results

Who He Wants to Meet: WilCo business owners generating $750K+ in EBITDA (or $3+ million in revenue and profitable) who want to scale without the chaos.

About Integrify Solutions: We helps small and mid-sized business owners build the systems and processes that support real growth. SOPs, integrations, outsourcing, operational efficiency. The behind-the-scenes work that most owners know they need but never have time to tackle. The goal is simple: help owners actually own their businesses again.

Learn more about Emilio or reach out at his LinkedIn page here

Bank OZK, headquartered in Arkansas and operating over 240 branches across the U.S., opened its Round Rock location on February 4, planting a flag in one of Texas's fastest-growing suburban corridors. The branch offers a full suite of services including personal and business banking, home loans, credit cards, and wealth management.

Competition reshapes rates and relationships. Every new bank entering a market increases pressure on existing institutions to compete for deposits and business accounts. For local business owners, more competition typically means better loan terms, lower fees, and more leverage when renegotiating with your current bank.

Regional banks move faster than nationals. Bank OZK built its reputation on commercial real estate lending and relationship-driven banking, a model that often means quicker decisions and more flexible underwriting than the big four. Small and mid-sized businesses that feel underserved by Chase or Wells Fargo have a credible alternative worth evaluating.

Branch placement is a growth signal. Banks don't open branches in markets that aren't moving. OZK's Palm Valley location puts it squarely in the path of Round Rock's continued residential and commercial expansion, the same growth corridor attracting retail, medical, and mixed-use development. Follow the branches to find where the money expects the market to go.

Bottom line: New bank + high-growth market = more options and more leverage for every business owner at the negotiating table. Shop your banking relationship now.

If you think AI is just for coders, this breakdown will completely change your perspective. It cuts through the noise to show you the practical skills that will actually drive revenue in the next few years, like optimizing your business so AI assistants recommend you, not just Google.

This is a perfect watch for anyone who wants to understand how to "hire" AI agents to handle the grunt work without needing a technical background.

Fizz Fuzion, the Texas-based custom beverage franchise owned locally by Bill and Rosie Rhoades, is making its brick-and-mortar debut in Round Rock with a March 2026 opening, marking a significant step beyond its food truck roots. The Rhoades' expansion from mobile operation to permanent retail reflects the wider push by independent franchise owners to capture Williamson County's growing suburban consumer base.

The confirmed location sits at 2000 Sam Bass Road, Suite 101, Round Rock, opening March 7, 2026. The drive-thru concept anchors a destination-style space featuring a video game room, library corner, card and board games, and free Wi-Fi, built to extend customer dwell time beyond a standard beverage stop.

What this shows:

Williamson County's expansion continues attracting locally owned franchise operators who recognize the region's population growth as a foundation for long-term commercial anchoring. Businesses like Fizz Fuzion bring neighborhood identity and direct employment while converting rooftop growth into durable retail spending.

This 2020-built hacienda on 11.24 gated acres delivers hand-carved Cantera Espinoza stonework, arched brick ceilings, Jalisco chandeliers, and mesquite doors sourced straight from Mexico. At $3.2M for 8,807 sq. ft., with a tornado shelter, whole-house generator, and fishing pond out back, it's Texas estate living with serious soul.

🥂 Network in Luxury – Broker Open | 120 Woodland Hills Dr | Georgetown | 02/18 | More
Mingle with top brokers and investors inside a stunning luxury estate setting.

☕ Talk and Coffee | Remedy Roofing | Cedar Park | 02/19 | More
Free coffee, real conversations, and genuine community connection every Thursday morning.

🍳 Small Business Breakfast Series | Holiday Inn Express | Hutto | 02/23 | More
Fuel your network over breakfast with hands-on strategies for business growth.

🤝 WilCo Networking | Santiago's Tex-Mex and Cantina | Round Rock | 02/24 | More
Meet like-minded local pros in a relaxed, trust-building environment.

🌆 After Hours Networking | Jimmy Pierce Designs | Hutto | 02/24 | More
Unwind after hours and build genuine connections in a creative local setting.

🍽️ Networking Luncheon | Cross Tracks Church | Liberty Hill | 02/25 | More
Connect with local pros while learning about Liberty Hill's water management journey.

Thanks for reading our newsletter! We’ll have more updates for you next week!

See you around!