Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam Weedy.
Hi Adam, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Weedy Bars is a guide to the local bar scene in Austin, Texas. I had the idea about 20 years ago, shortly after moving to Austin. As fate would have it, I forgot about it for 15 years. The idea was reignited when I ran into a fellow writer who reminded me of the concept, which is to provide Austinites with a list of old and new bars which will guide them to the Austin they miss.
Over the past few years, it is evolving into a resource for new Austinites who want to discover the soul of the city. It features everything from neighborhood bars, new bars and secret speakeasies. The website is monetized in a variety of ways. Fans of Weedy Bars, the Instagram page has grown to almost 7,000 followers, recently took a tour of Speakeasy’s that cannot be found unless one is “already in the know.” We enjoyed a great turnout, and I’ve also opened a shop in the last 30 days for Weedy Bars T-shirts on WeedyBars.com.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been smooth. While I do the photography, writing, web design, video and run the social media for Weedy Bars, there have been up’s and down’s that include, but not limited to: Website crashes, funding constraints, day-job priorities, lack of visibility on google and the challenge of brand building. People often ask: What is Weedy Bars? It is it a vitamin bar? Can you smoke weed at these bars? How do you pick the bars?
I laugh and say: My last name is Weedy (note to aspiring entrepreneur’s: Pick a name that’s generic and immediately identifiable unless brand building is something you are “down” for); I then explain that the number one ingredient for picking a bar to “make it” on Weedy Bars is the people, and I’m referring to people behind the bar. If the people are genuine, then I’ll look past imperfect service, quirky infrastructure, and a lack of instantaneous accessibility.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I was awarded a full scholarship to the University of Oslo Summer School program in 1990 for winning a writing contest with an essay focused on American culture. Shortly after moving to Austin in 1994, I published poetry in the Austin Chronicle, an alternative newsweekly. I’ve performed as the lead singer of a band at Maggie Mae’s, a local mainstay on 6th street. I am the most proud of being able to create music and perform it.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The lesson is to stay optimistic, even if it’s deemed unrealistic by yourself and others. You may have to hit the pause button, you may have to pivot in ways that involve a creativity you didn’t know you have. The point is: Keep going.
Pricing:
- 25.99 for T-Shirts
Contact Info:
- Email: WeedyBars@gmail.com
- Website: WeedyBars.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weedybars/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeedyBars/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/weedybars
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJK692ETW13FzorfBN5U64g
