Today we’d like to introduce you to Brad Ernst.
Hi Brad, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Well, twenty years ago, I lost everything I owned in Hurricane Rita in Beaumont, TX. It turned out to be the best thing that had ever happened to me. I spent the next ten years working various jobs in the live events industry in Austin. Frustrated at the disparaging gap between what I learned companies charge their end client vs what the actual worker takes home; I decided to close the gap a bit. So, when Austin stagehands were being paid $10/hr, we started paying them $15. Our folks are earning a much higher wage now, and I am happy to say, so are the folks at the other places. I am happy to have done my part to begin the trend of giving local event management professionals the opportunity to earn a living wage, and afford to live in this city that needs them so dearly.
We are Event Tex, and we ARE the techs you’re searching for!
We have exceeded expectations everywhere we have gone. You have surely seen our work, if you have attended an event in Austin in the last ten years. We have had our hands on everything from the Austin Trail of Lights, to Bevo Blvd at University of Texas home football games, to SXSW, ACL, F-1. We even built the stage for the Governor’s Inauguration and the Texas Women’s March. Have you sat in a chair at Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park? We did that. Have you seen a show at Whitewater Amphitheater? We did that too. Much of the work of a stagehand is behind the scenes, and often thankless. We have managed to do well, because we treat our people like people. We make sure that the work our folks do is rewarding and rewarded.
I could go on and on…. but I won’t.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has never been, is not, and will likely never be a smooth process, running an event labor outfit. We are often working on very short notice and last minute changes, always on the ready. Sometimes, we are expected to gather 50 to 70 people together for a 2am load out, and sometimes (like in February), there is virtually no work for us to do. We are familiar with feast, and famine. Yes. Things have gotten easier as we have evolved, but it is not something I would describe as “smooth.”
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Event Tex, LLC?
I am so proud of what we have developed here at Event Tex over the years. What started as passing out some business cards to some out of town production companies in town for SXSW, has become a relevant faction of the event labor in Austin. When WEEZER wrote us a check in 2017, we were beside ourselves. When we became the preferred labor provider for Willie Nelson’s LUCK Ranch in 2021, we were over the moon!
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I have learned to work hard, and mind my own business.
I have learned how to stay in my own lane.
I have learned to be nice, work hard and stay humble.
I have learned that people just want to be treated with respect.
I have learned that having the respect of your peers is clutch.
Pricing:
- Competitive Rates
- Effective Communicators
- Professionals
- Range of Staff
- Always on time
Contact Info:
- Website: https://4hourmini.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eventtexaustin
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/event-tex
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/event-tex-austin-2
