Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Bowen
Hi Molly, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
For nearly a decade, Molly and Micah Bowen have called Wimberley home, cherishing its unique charm and close-knit community.
Molly, an ex-attorney turned design and hospitality maven, along with her
husband Micah, an accountant and investment strategist, have dedicated
their time to enriching—not changing—their beloved town. With a passion
for design and a deep love for Wimberley, they have introduced a
thoughtfully curated portfolio of homes for visitors, vibrant retail spaces,
and immersive dining experiences that celebrate local culture.
Their Wimberley Way initiatives include Creekhouse Kitchen & Bar, Jacob’s Well
Vineyard, Neon Armadillo, and the revitalization of a satellite city centre known as “The Junction” (currently underway) have brought new excitement to the town while maintaining its
quaint appeal. Together with their three boys, the Bowens have infused
their creativity and warmth into every project, fostering a spirit of
community and enhancing the town’s allure for residents and
visitors. Their efforts have not only beautified Wimberley but have also
reinforced its identity as a cherished Texan gem.
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?
I took the Texas bar exam 8 months pregnant with our first son Sam. I passed and immediately started working for a fast-paced litigation firm in Houston, Texas. We had two more babies in three years. My husband Micah and I were both running the rat race in Houston and barely seeing our kids. We would escape the city every chance we could and drive out to the hill country, and I just knew we needed to make a change. We had already started flipping houses and small apartment complexes on the side and in 2015 before Sam started kindergarten, we sold everything in Houston and bought a ranch in Wimberley. My firm in Houston graciously allowed me to work remotely – this was pre-covid and unheard of for a young associate at the time.
Once in Wimberley, our side gig of investing in real estate became more than just a side gig. After years of trying to balance it all – motherhood, practicing law, design/build projects, and managing our investments – I knew I needed to take something off my plate. I was on the verge of burnout and there was too much at stake. Wimberley Hospitality & Design was growing and it needed more of my time and attention. Plus, my heart was no longer in law. I’m too creative, and I was head over heels with the idea of transforming the town we love one project at a time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Founder of Wimberley Way Hospitality and Design Molly Bowen – attorney turned designer and real estate investor – honed her design skills while working on hospitality projects and investments over the last decade, When she began sharing her work online, Wimberley Way was born. With every project, her goal is to create spaces that evoke emotion, inspire creativity, and redefine the concept of hospitality.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
We’ve taken a lot of risks over the years, and I can definitively say we would not be where we are today if we had played it safe. I’m a visionary and a dreamer and sometimes my excitement and enthusiasm for a project has led us to make investments that others may not have pursued. Like opening a restaurant during Covid with very little restaurant experience. Opening Creekhouse was a big risk. But something in me just knew it was going to work out. That beautiful spot on Cypress Creek needed to become something special. Locals and visitors to Wimberley needed a place to sit and marvel at those ancient cypress trees and appreciate one of our most precious natural wonders in Wimberley. But it was rough getting here. There were so many hoops to jump through with the City and the County and floodplain issues. I was overseeing the design and construction and building prices skyrocketed during Covid. We were way over budget and our friends had invested in this with us. It was rocky to say the least. When we finally did open, we dealt with a national staffing shortage and struggled to stay open. That was one of the most stressful years in my career and in our marriage. I definitely would not have called it a slam-dunk investment. But we rolled up our sleeves and didn’t quit. I kept telling myself – if it was easy anyone could do it. We kept putting one foot in front of the other and did everything we could think of to make it a success. Today, Creekhouse is thriving and has become a favorite spot for both locals and tourists. I’m very proud of that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wimberleyway.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewimberleyway/
Image Credits
Rick Cortez Photography
