A day in the life of four entrepreneurs shaping East Austin over the past decade and beyond
Words Codi Chen | Photos Baptiste Despois
Over the years, East Austin has changed in both visible and intangible ways, shaped by the people who have chosen to build their lives and businesses here. Among them are women who have committed to the long days, the constant shifts of behind-the-scenes production, and the dedicated persistence it takes to create something that lasts. Their work spans kitchens, publications, gathering spaces, and digital platforms, but what connects them is a shared dedication to showing up, adapting, and continuing to build, day after day.
For more than a decade, Jane Ko has built a career that did not exist when she first started. What began as a personal blog has grown into “A Taste of Koko,” a platform that has shaped how people experience Austin’s food and travel scene. Today, her work extends far beyond content, spanning consulting, investing, and brand partnerships, all built on a foundation of curiosity and storytelling.
Before the line forms and the doors open at la Barbecue, Ali Clem is already moving through the space, checking in with her team, scanning prep lists, and making sure everything is in place for the day ahead: inventory, organization, and stepping in wherever she is needed. She’s part of the operation, not just overseeing it.
Early in her career, Chef Reina Morris was told the restaurant industry was not a place for her.
Early mornings come quickly for Ashley Bowling, co-founder and Editor-in-Chief at EASTside Magazine. Coffee in hand, she’s out the door before most of the city has settled into the day, driving one child north, another south, moving through a routine that rarely slows down with three kids. By mid-morning, she’s at her desk, working through emails, edits, and the steady flow of decisions that keep EASTside Magazine, and her newly-founded tour company, Locals Know ATX, moving forward.
