Startup Finds Home in Dallas

Name: Rob Andrews

City: Dallas

Neighborhood: Northeast Dallas, Greenville Area

Company/Title: Executive Producer of ProjectUX, UX Lead & Content Strategist at The It Collection LLC

When did you move here? From Where?
September 2014, from Nashville, Tennessee

Where else have you lived?
Miami, Florida

What made you decide Say Yes to Dallas?
I was accepted into the Health WildCatters accelerator program with a startup of mine, BreathalEyes, and that’s how I first came to this area. After participating in the program and connecting with the startup community, I made the decision to make the move permanent. To me, Dallas seemed to offer more of what I was looking for in life, and I couldn’t be happier I made the choice.

How did you choose Where to live in the Dallas Region?
I chose to live in the Village Apartments because it’s convenient to many areas of Dallas, relatively affordable, and has a nice nature setting that allows me to feel like I’m not living right in the city.

How has your opinion of the Dallas Region changed since moving here?
I have simply grown fonder of the city with each passing year.

Tell us about your city/neighborhood.  What do you like best? What makes it different?
My area has a lot to offer – good restaurants, bars, music venues, nature areas – and it’s convenient to most parts of Dallas. My favorite thing may be being so close to Central Market, my favorite grocery store of all time.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to move here?
Take the plunge, and get out here! I had to start from near scratch creating a social and business circle here in the Dallas Region, but by getting out to networking events and using services like meetup, I’ve grown my network more rapidly than in any other place I’ve lived. Dallas is a fantastic place for newcomers.

What is your passion, and how does Dallas help fulfill it?
My passion is entrepreneurship and film. Dallas has a great community supporting both of these passions! I have also become enamored with User Experience design as part of my most recent endeavor with ProjectUX, a web TV show where UX experts help startups improve their products. We launched the show here, and it’s  been an incredible place to connect with members of both the UX and startup communities. And in video production no less — which is what I studied in college and has been my main career!

What would you miss most about the area if you had to leave?
All the connections I’ve made and business opportunities that I’ve created. And of course my girlfriend and partner, Deanna Theis, who I met at startup week last year and also work with on her startup, The It Collection.

Tell us about the work environment here.
I’ve found Dallas to be very much a “go-getter” type of environment. People are hungry to work and do business, and it is a very engaging community. I work from home, but I go to networking events and meetups on a regular basis to connect with others.

What is your favorite restaurant?
Royal Thai

What is your favorite outdoor activity, and where is your favorite place to do it?
Biking at White Rock Lake

Where do you go to experience culture? Why do you like it?
Deep Ellum, for great offerings of music, food, entertainment, and people watching.

Who is your local hero? Why?
Michael Sitarzewski. He’s a leader in the startup community and was one of the main people who convinced me to move down here. I am forever thankful for him!

Where do you feel you are nearest to your “tribe” in the Dallas Region?
Summit Climbing Gym – I do yoga and climb there. It’s a great place to unwind and connect outside of a work environment.

How do you interact with your community?
I interact by going out to networking events and meetups. Particularly, I’ve been involved with the UX community by attending UXPA meetings and registering for the UX certification program at SMU. This is my first experience with post-college education. It’s been an amazing way to connect and interact with the UX community.

Do you travel often? Is it easier or harder to do here?
Yes — much easier with the two great airports the Dallas Region has to offer!