Houston, we have liftoff

The first-ever issue of In the Loop Houston

AuthorAuthor

Aubrie Smith & Jorge Ortiz
June 13, 2024

Introducing the first-ever issue of In the Loop Houston, a weekly roundup of great local events, insights, and other fun content for Houston business owners, founders, and entrepreneurs.

Our names are Jorge and Aubrie and we are excited to bring this to your inbox every week. We are that well-informed friend that knows where all the good spots are, so make sure to keep us in your inbox. If you want to connect drop us a line!

If this was forwarded to you, do not forget to join the community and stay in the loop.

We have a couple of Houston-sized things this week:

Upcoming Events - for business

  • June 3rd - 28th  - The Keys Summit - 2024 Business Growth Virtual Online Summit

    Tune in at 8am CST every weekday from June 3rd to June 28th and hear from 40 different business experts. 

  • June 13th - Noontime Networking

    The Cannon West Houston 

    A lunchtime networking event where you can connect with fellow business professionals, salespeople, and entrepreneurs.

  • June 14th - Cup of Joey

    The Ion District

    Opportunity to meet new and expand your current networks, talk about tech, inspire innovation, and create community.

  • June 15th - Ion Family STEAM Day: Let’s Build a Sail Car!

    The Ion District

    Hands-on learning experience about cars—a stunning blend of engineering brilliance and aesthetic design.

  • June 15th - Action Children’s Business Fair | Kidpreneur June 15th

    4009 Polk St. (Parking Lot)

    Fun-filled day at the Action Children's Business Fair hosted by TT Innovative Solutions! Kids will showcase their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit by setting up their own businesses.

  • June 18th - Climatetech Angel Investing: From Pitch Deck to Deal Memo

    Greentown Labs

    Deep dive into the process of evaluating and investing in groundbreaking climatetech startups. From analyzing pitch decks to crafting deal memos, you’ll gain invaluable insights and tools to support innovative climate solutions.

  • June 20th - Fast Tracking Innovation in Non Tech Corporations 

    The Cannon West Houston
    Practical Approach to Accelerating Innovation Implementation in Non-Tech Corporations through No Code Philosophy

  • June 20th - Visionary Voices: Leading Authentically with Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill

    The Ion District

    Celebrate Pride Month with a special edition of Ion’s “Visionary Voices” speaker series, featuring a powerful conversation between two leaders who’ve paved the way for LGBTQ+ representation in their respective fields – Woodside Energy CEO Meg O’Neill and former Houston Mayor Annise Parker.

  • June 21st - Demystifying Financials for Business Success

    Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance

    Empower yourself with vital financial skills. Learn concepts, decode statements, master budgeting and pricing. Leave confident in decisions.

Upcoming Events - for pleasure

  • April 26th - August 25th 

    Abstraction after Modernism: Recent Acquisitions

    The Menil Collection

    Abstraction after Modernism: Recent Acquisitions highlights work made by succeeding generations of artists who forged new paths in their approaches to non-representational art. The exhibition brings together acquisitions made by the Menil over the past fifteen years, including work by Agnes Denes, Suzan Frecon, Sam Gilliam, Ellsworth Kelly, Rick Lowe, and Richard Serra.

  • June 10th - 27th - Art Club: Solar Dust 

    Immersive, state-of-the-art laser show, offering a captivating blend of light and sound while exploring the interconnectedness of nature and technology.

  • June 13th - 15th - Asian Restaurant Weeks 2024

    Discover the diversity of Asian cuisine across Houston during the 5th annual AAPI Restaurant Weeks.

  • June 13th - Father’s Day Market

    Understory

    Get your old man that last minute unique gift!

  • June 14th - Detroit Tigers @ Houston Astros

    Minute Maid Park

    Go out to the ball park and support the home town team. Go Stros!

  • June 14th - Bon Jovi Tribute Band Rooftop Concert

    Outpost

    Introducing 'Let It Rock: A Bon Jovi Tribute Band' to our rooftop pavilion, Outpost. With electrifying performances, they embody Bon Jovi's timeless music transporting audiences back to the heyday of rock 'n' roll.

Check out the above for an entire day full of fun!

Top Picks of The Week

We are going to look amazing wearing these at the coffee shop!
Image Credit: Sightful.com.

Foodie Spot of the Week: We recently visited Burger Bodega and have not stopped dreaming about those world-class Smash Burgers. Grab one ASAP! Shout out to Chopped and Food for the recommendation.

Interesting Story of the Week

How "Rocky" Knocked Out Hollywood

It was the mid-70s, and a struggling actor named Sylvester Stallone was fighting his own personal bout with failure in the heart of Hollywood. With just $106 in his bank account and a head full of dreams, he sat down to watch Muhammad Ali take on Chuck Wepner in the ring on March 24, 1975. Little did he know, this match would forever change his life and our lives.

The Birth of a Script

Inspired by Wepner’s underdog story—holding his own against the greatest boxer of all time—Stallone penned the script for "Rocky" in just three and a half days and even went to great lengths to paint his windows black to avoid all distractions. He poured his heart and soul into the story of Rocky Balboa, a small-time boxer given a shot at the world heavyweight championship.

Create your Own Luck

With the script in hand, Stallone hit the pavement, knocking on every door in Hollywood. He faced rejection after rejection, but he refused to give up. Finally, producers Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff saw the potential in Stallone’s script. They were ready to bite—but there was a catch. They wanted a big-name star to play Rocky not the no-name actor want to be standing in front of them.

Stallone, embodying the spirit of his character, stood firm. He turned down offers as high as $350,000 (remember, he had just $106 to his name!) unless he could star as Rocky. It was a gamble, but Stallone was all in.

The Producers' Gamble

Winkler and Chartoff believed in Stallone's vision. They convinced United Artists to greenlight the film with Stallone as the lead, but on a shoestring budget of about $1 million. It was a fraction of what they wanted, but it was enough to get started.

Making Movie Magic

With budget constraints tighter than a pair of spandex shorts, the production had to get creative. Friends and family members filled in as extras, and Stallone's own dog, Butkus, even made it into the film. Filming took place in Philadelphia, and those famous steps Rocky runs up? They belonged to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The Underdog Triumphs

Released in 1976, "Rocky" was a smash hit. It grossed over $225 million worldwide and scored ten Academy Award nominations, winning three, including Best Picture. The film's message of perseverance and determination resonated with audiences, turning Stallone into an overnight sensation and launching one of the most beloved franchises in movie history.

The Legacy

"Rocky" isn't just a movie; it's a testament to the power of the human spirit. Stallone's journey from a broke dreamer to a Hollywood star mirrors Rocky Balboa's rise from underdog to champion. It's a reminder that sometimes, all it takes is one shot and some determination to change everything.

So next time you're feeling down and out, remember Stallone and Rocky. Blackout the windows, lace up your gloves, step into the ring, and keep punching. Your knockout moment could be just one round away.

Hot Reads of the Week

  • Texas is coming for Wall Streets Lunch
    Texas is bringing its wildcatter spirit to wall street and starting its own stock exchange.

  • Rice accelerator names innovative second summer cohort
    Rice University's Liu Idea Lab for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Lilie) has selected eight teams for its second Summer Venture Studio cohort, supporting innovative concepts in areas such as healthcare, running shoe design, and automated recruiting, with each team receiving $15,000 in non-dilutive funding and personalized mentorship.

  • Houston Home Price Tracker
    Interesting tool: The Houston Home Price Tracker by the Houston Chronicle provides an interactive tool for exploring current and historical real estate prices in various neighborhoods and ZIP codes across Houston, helping users understand market trends and compare home values over time.

  • The Cannon partners with nstAI to fuel startup growth
    NSTAI (NextGen Strategic Talent Acquisition & Innovation) and The Cannon have launched a partnership aimed at enhancing Houston's innovation ecosystem by providing entrepreneurs and startups with access to valuable resources, mentorship, and support to accelerate their growth and development.

Thank you for joining us! We look forward to being a part of your Thursdays.

Be epic!

-Jorge & Aubrie

How did we do?

Please give us your take on this newsletter

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.