I would like to make the claim that Austin is user-generated. The whole city (the atmosphere, the environment) is greater than the sum of the people who live and work in it. Or, in other words, the people make Austin what it is. Personally, I find the creativity, the individualism, the drive to excel while being unique, the ambition, and the dynamic vitality of Austin to be magnetic and contagious.

It would seem that if everyone stood out of the crowd in their own unique way, then it would be difficult to pick the people, the businesses, the ideas that actually do stand out. However, the beauty of this diverse city, is that everyone can stand out– together, and the end result is greater. We push ourselves to improve, to pursue our passions, and the people surrounding us may have the tools necessary to help us do so.

Here comes our chance to nominate the local businesses that stand out in our minds–to give them credit for excelling in the sea of excellers. The Austin Young Chamber of Commerce is hosting their first annual AYC FAVE (Favorite Austin Ventures & Enterprises) Awards in November. The nominations are crowd-sourced– by US, and the winners will be recognized at this fantastic event that is already in the works. I’ll send more details about when and where to buy tickets when it gets closer, but for now, have your voice heard! Tell Austin who your favorite local businesses are so that they get recognized and feel just a little bit greater that their vision has come to life and makes an imprint in our scene. Nominate here!