Today we’d like to introduce you to Roxane Witte.
Hi Roxane, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The ZX really began with a spark from a podcast. I was listening to a series about revitalizing small downtowns, and one line stopped me in my tracks: “Every thriving downtown needs a story.” After my mother passed away, I began reflecting on my own roots—on my family’s history in Cameron dating all the way back to 1850—and it hit me that I already carried a story deeply intertwined with this community.
Around that time, the building that would become the ZX had already been beautifully restored through the Railfan project. The charm, the brick, the character—it was all there. I didn’t need to rebuild the space. What it needed was a heartbeat. It needed merchandise, a story, and a place for people to stay awhile.
So I started bringing that vision to life. I filled the space with Texas-made goods, partnered with artisans, shared the history of my family, and leaned into creating an environment where people wanted to linger. That’s how the ZX became a seven-days-a-week Sip & Shop featuring 18 artists and entrepreneurs, where guests can enjoy wine, coffee, or tea as they stroll through the boutique, the museum, and the curated displays. People come in for a quick visit and end up staying for the experience.
From there, everything unfolded naturally: my Mother’s Museum, curated fashion collections, the wine and coffee elements, art, community events, collaborations with local partners, and ultimately the broader vision for the Railfan District. None of it came from a standard business plan—it grew out of serendipity, intuition, storytelling, and a belief that downtown Cameron could be vibrant again.
Today, when visitors walk through the door and say, “This place feels different,” I know that original spark was right. The ZX isn’t just a shop—it’s a destination filled with history, hospitality, and a Texas-made story that continues to grow.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wouldn’t describe the journey as “smooth” in the traditional sense, but I can say without hesitation that it has been magical. The serendipity along the way has been profound. Every time I needed something—whether it was the right artisan, the right partner, the right idea, or even the right moment—something or someone appeared. It has felt less like pushing a boulder uphill and more like following a path that kept lighting up just a few steps ahead of me.
That’s not to say there weren’t challenges. Any time you create something new—especially in a small downtown that’s rebuilding its identity—there are unknowns and learning curves. But the right doors kept opening. The right people walked in. The right opportunities came at exactly the right time. And that kind of alignment isn’t accidental.
So while the road may not have been perfectly smooth, it has absolutely been guided. And that’s what has made building the ZX such a deeply meaningful and almost otherworldly experience.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I moved to Cameron six years ago to care for my then-90-year-old mother. At the time, I was coming from a very different world—Houston’s high-end real estate market—where I had built a career as a broker. That experience shaped me in countless ways: attention to detail, a strong entrepreneurial mindset, professionalism, and an intuitive sense for creating experiences that feel elevated and personal.
I also brought with me a deep understanding of branding and social media. Those skills translated beautifully into small-town life, because I quickly realized that community storytelling, visual identity, and online presence matter just as much here as they do in a big city—sometimes even more.
When I arrived in Cameron, I wasn’t planning to reinvent my career. I was simply here to support my mother. But life has a way of opening unexpected doors. As I became more rooted in the community, I saw the untapped potential of downtown and began blending everything I’d learned—real estate, marketing, entrepreneurship, and storytelling—into a new vision for what Cameron could offer.
That combination of personal history, professional experience, and a deep desire to give back is what ultimately shaped the ZX. In many ways, I didn’t just move to Cameron; Cameron called me here for the next chapter of my life’s work.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success isn’t measured in numbers or square footage or even sales—although those things matter in business. I define success by impact. It’s the feeling I get when someone walks into the ZX for the first time, stops in their tracks, and says, “This place feels different.” It’s when people stay longer than they planned, bring their friends back, or share how much they love the experience. That tells me we created something real, something memorable.
Success is also seeing downtown Cameron slowly come back to life—one person, one business, one event at a time. It’s watching The Railfan District grow into a place where people gather, celebrate, sip, and shop seven days a week. It’s knowing that I played a part in giving this community a destination it didn’t have before.
But on a personal level, success is alignment. It’s when your gifts, your story, your creativity, and your purpose all meet in one place. The ZX is where that happened for me. It’s where my entrepreneurial background, my family history, and my desire to uplift a community all came together.
So for me, success is simple:
If people feel something when they walk through the door—connection, joy, curiosity, comfort—then I’ve succeeded.
Pricing:
- From $7 candles to $4000 works of art and everything in-between
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zxmadeintexas.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/zx_made_in_texas
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/zxmadeintexas
