Moth to Flame enjoys working with Austin Phoenix because not only is it a startup itself, but also it is a magazine and online platform for other startups in Austin, Texas. To promote the launch of Funemployment, our feature film about the Austin startup culture, we have partnered up with the Austin Phoenix to showcase several issues about startup life. Our first issue about co-working spaces in Austin will be out in a week.  If you watch the trailer, you’ll even notice that we filmed at an event sponsored by Austin Phoenix!

Founder Kelly Holt, tells us a little bit about this awesome company.

What is the startup story for your company?

The Austin Phoenix is a magazine and online content platform for and about local entrepreneurs in Austin, Texas. We feature local start-ups, entrepreneurs, and self-starters that are creating new businesses, innovating, and instigating change.

What made you decide to start your company?

I started the company because I was looking for something to do with my time and energy that I believed in. When I was searching for inspiration of my own I realized that a publication like The Austin Phoenix, that features like-minded people, didn’t exist yet. What I was searching for became what I started working towards.

What is the best moment of having a startup?

For me, the best moments during this process are during team meetings or when I’m brainstorming and sharing ideas and collaborating with others. The quarterly networking/issue release events are another favorite time of mine because its a time to celebrate the hard work that The Austin Phoenix team put into that issue. We get to share our work with the start-up community.

What is your greatest challenge as an entrepreneur?

The greatest challenge for me is learning to maintain a balance between work and personal life. I tend to push myself too hard to do everything in a short amount of time. It results in periods where I refuse to work because I’m tired or mentally exhausted from pushing myself too hard instead of giving myself space and time as I go. Starting this business has been scary at times because I have to do things I’ve never done before and I have to do them well. It’s a learning process and it can become easy to doubt yourself. I’ve had to push past periods of doubt and fear while also giving myself time and space to reflect and remain balanced.

What is your tip for aspiring startups/entrepreneurs?

Remain positive and confident. Believe in yourself and believe in what you’re doing and you’ll have the strength to push forward.