Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Wright.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Kristin Wright. I am the co-owner of a venue in the Heights called State of Mind. My cousin A.D. is my business partner and we began this journey by renting space (for a night) and hosting parties with great music and our good friends. AD is an amazing DJ, working in New York, Atlanta and now Houston. Music and clubs come naturally for him. I’m a former elementary school teacher and am way more comfortable planning and coordinating! We decided to combine efforts and passions to form State of Mind HTX, an event venue/bar lounge that would be THE place to be for Houston’s urban professional 28 and up. Great music, fun staff, creative drinks in a space that could be both a club and a rentable space for private events.
Then COVID-19 hit. Social gatherings were banned and bars closed. We weren’t even open and it didn’t look like we’d ever get off the ground. We had just gotten the keys to a space with great potential but our original plan went out the window. We didn’t want to give up, so an advisor asked, “What do you have at your disposal?” Well, we had a new liquor permit and a really spacious parking lot. We began to connect with local food trucks and eventually vendors about participating in a series of market events. Our first was a month-long campaign called “Let’s Eat August.” A lineup of food trucks in our lot, along with clever frozen cocktails in pouches, sealed to-go. And of course, amazing music.
Since then, our markets have grown from just Fridays to Friday through Sunday every weekend (weather permitting). We host 3-5 food trucks and up to twenty vendors at each market. We discovered that so many of our vendors had to turn their side hustle into their main source of income. By providing a regular space for them to set up along with a very low vendor fee, we could help some people supplement their reduced income. Our markets are growing in attendance and vendors spread the word about our State of Mind community. People come and shop, eat, sip and groove all while outdoors and socially distanced. The forced pivot was actually a blessing in disguise!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has NOT been a smooth road for us. We are a two “man” team with very little starting capital. We have done everything by hand and relied heavily on the donated time of friends and family to make each market happen. We couldn’t afford our own seating for the first two months so we borrowed picnic tables from a couple of local businesses that had to be returned at the end of each weekend. That was hard. But, as our markets improved, we were able to buy our own and borrow less and less. We also got some push back from some neighbors about our noise (police were called every night), although we are always well below the City’s permissible levels and we never operate after midnight. That was a challenge because it became evident that we were being bullied into shutting down. It was our loyal vendors, guests and neighbors who encouraged us to not give up.
We’ve been impressed with State of Mind HTX, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
State of Mind is not just a venue or a club. We are a vibe. It begins with the moment you first interact with our fun and personable staff, have your first cocktail, make your first retail discovery or reach the patio and EVERY song is now your favorite song. You get the vibe and you know this won’t be your last visit.
Right now, our main focus is on our outdoor market events. We host a night market every Friday and Saturday night from 7 PM to midnight. Our markets are more like a community block party. Tents are erected, each lit to show their product table. Food truck generators are humming, music is pulsing from the patio and the energy is inviting. We welcome singles, couples, families, fur babies and even bike groups. Our newest event is our Sunday brunch market from noon to 5 PM. Hosting in the day means craft mimosas and food trucks with brunch items already packaged to travel (even if you’re just walking to the closest picnic table!).
We also host yoga classes on select Saturday or Sunday mornings outdoors on the patio. Most recently, our yoga class included a few adorable baby goats! State of Mind is always open to fun and creative ways to use our space. Typically, we get great ideas from our guests and then collaborate to make it happen.
One thing that makes us stand a part is that our business model is designed to include other small businesses. We are intentional about helping other small businesses have a location to showcase their talent. My cousin and I, along with our support staff, work very hard to be create an experience each week that connects small businesses to the surrounding community with music and food and even a cocktail or two! We welcome new guests, additional event info is posted on Eventbrite (search State of Mind), parking and admission is always free and we have vegan options at every market.
State of Mind is well on its way to opening as an indoor-outdoor venue that will continue to bring great music, fun cocktails and excellent service to the Houston community. Stay connected because we will be adding much more than weekend markets to your social calendar.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory was spending time at my family’s barbeque restaurant. Watching my Dad serve customers and delight in their enjoyment was one of my favorite pastimes. He would come out and mingle and his smile could light up the entire lobby. My aunts and cousins worked there as well and the bell attached to the door always brought excitement. It either meant we had a new customer (soon to be a regular) or there was another family member or neighbor dropping in for dinner.
Pricing:
- Cocktails between $8 & $14
Contact Info:
- Email: connect@stateofmindhtx.com
- Website: www.stateofmindhtx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofmindhtx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stateofmindhtx
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/StateofMind2632
