We had the good fortune of connecting with Beth Younger Purpich and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Beth, when you are approached by someone at a networking event, what makes you want to connect with someone? What makes you want to avoid them?
It’s always so much fun to meet new people at events. I love hearing others’ stories and learning about them, their background and creative or entrepreneurial journey. People are fascinating and in Houston we have the most interesting people. It’s pretty easy to tell who to talk to and who to avoid. I gravitate toward happy and interested people. If you look kind and open then I definitely want to talk to you. On the other hand, if you appear to be trying to be “better” than everyone else, then I steer clear. Listening is key. If you actually listen to other people as they talk and seem genuinely interested in what they have to say then we can be friends. Body language is very telling and it’s easy to spot those that are listening versus those that are simply waiting for their turn to talk.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m an entrepreneur in a creative field of fashion design. My education (MBA from Case Western Reserve University) has given me a head start on my career and made it easier for me to understand the in’s and out’s of running a business. However, the majority of what I have learned had to be done through trial and error. Mistakes happen and successes happen. I just got better at failing fast and coping on how to recover and move ahead after the failure. It’s not easy and I’ll repeat – It’s not easy. Anyone who makes it look easy is clearly a master at their craft. The reason why everyone thought they could “Be Like Mike” back in the day, is because Michael Jordan made playing basketball and flying through the air look effortless and easy. It’s obviously not easy. I try and be as authentic as possible but it’s hard to always be upbeat and project a positive attitude, especially when things aren’t working out like you have planned. Social media shows only a snapshot of a brand’s life and story and the projection to the world is usually very calculated and happy. Business is not always rainbows and unicorns.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
Assuming I didn’t have to work… Thursday afternoon/evening – Happy Hour at Perry’s on West Gray. Great and inexpensive menu in the bar area. Order the pork chop bites, sliders and of course, an “Old Fashioned”. Sit in Eric’s section! Listen to the piano player and singer. Thursday night – go hang out at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston “Bayou and Bottle” and have an “Old Fashioned” from Daniel at the bar. People watch! Friday morning – get our hair done at Full Blown Dry Bar in the River Oaks Shopping Center, meet the owner Patty Peeples Busmire. Friday lunch – Brasserie 19 to people watch and sit outside if the weather is nice. Then do some shopping at Sloan/Hall and visit with Shannon and Destiny. Have some rose. Friday afternoon – go to Republic Boot Company and hang out for the afternoon. Learn about Texas history (from Chris “El Jefe” and Brett “Life Coach”), talk with some of the most interesting people in Houston and take shots of Fireball with “Fireball” Bill. Of course get measured for a pair of custom cowboy boots by Brad “Blanco” and to meet the artisan, Raul, who made boots for John Wayne, Steve McQueen, Roy Rogers and Gary P. Nunn. Stay there for a couple of hours and maybe a private Texas music concert would spontaneously happen. Friday night – Dinner at “B&B Butcher’s” and get the bacon, of course. Saturday morning – sleep in lol Saturday lunch – tacos from El Tiempo taqueria on Washington Ave. then day drinking at Clutch bar. Saturday evening – bone-in ribeye from Del Frisco’s and then to OKRA charity saloon in downtown.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Louise Upshaw-McClenny is the reason I landed my first big and most successful account at the Four Seasons Hotel Austin. We met at an Auburn University networking event many years ago and she took an interest in me and what I did. She made the introductions with the Four Seasons and I can’t thank her enough. Michelle Hundley and the Influential Circle have enhanced my network tremendously. They are a group of strong female business leaders.

Website: www.elizabethpurpich.com
Instagram: @elizabethpurpich
Linkedin: @bethyoungerpurpich
Twitter: @EPurpich
Facebook: Elizabeth Purpich Collection

Image Credits
Todd Parker | STP Images Tracy Ketcher