Today we’d like to introduce you to Mindy Hofman.
Mindy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Six years ago, I walked into a new chapter of my life and realized I had no idea where I belonged.
After my divorce, I was craving connection and community, but I struggled to find a place where I truly felt at home. So many networking groups seemed focused on a specific industry or career path, and I wasn’t a woman in tech, real estate, or any of the other niches I kept seeing.
I realized there were probably other women feeling the same way, so I decided to create the community I was looking for.
What started as a simple desire to connect with other women has grown into Women of Austin, a community that brings women together through events, conversations, and shared experiences. My goal has always been to create a welcoming space where women can show up exactly as they are, make genuine connections, and feel supported.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to host hundreds of events, launch an award-winning podcast, and connect thousands of women across Austin. But at its core, Women of Austin is still about the same thing it was on day one: helping women find community and reminding them that they don’t have to do life alone.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I think that’s true of most things worth building.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that not everything is meant to last forever, and that’s okay. A couple of years ago, I made the decision to end the Women of Austin podcast after an incredible run. I’m incredibly proud of what we built and the conversations we had, but it felt like the right time to close that chapter and focus my energy elsewhere.
As the community has evolved, I’ve also had to adapt. Building a business and community can be lonely, especially when you’re working for yourself. That’s actually one of the reasons we started offering co-working days and smaller gatherings. Not everyone can make a large evening event, and sometimes the deepest connections happen in smaller, more intimate settings.
There have been challenges, pivots, and plenty of moments where I had to figure things out as I went. But every change has come from listening to the women in our community and asking myself how we can continue creating meaningful ways for women to connect. That’s still what drives me today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Women of Austin?
Women of Austin is a community designed to help women build real, meaningful connections offline. We host a variety of events throughout Austin, from happy hours and coffee meetups to co-working days, wellness experiences, workshops, and social gatherings. Whether someone is new to Austin, working from home, recently divorced, an entrepreneur, or simply looking to expand their circle, our goal is to create a welcoming space where women can show up as themselves and find their people.
What sets Women of Austin apart is that we’re not centered around a specific profession, industry, or stage of life. You don’t have to be a business owner, a mom, or part of a particular social circle to belong. Our community is built on connection first.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the impact we’ve had on women’s lives. Over the years, I’ve watched friendships form, businesses launch, collaborations happen, and support systems grow because two women met at a Women of Austin event. Those stories mean more to me than any metric ever could.
I’m also proud that we’ve been able to create a space where showing up alone is completely normal. In fact, most women attend their first event by themselves. That can feel intimidating, but it’s often the beginning of something really special.
At the end of the day, Women of Austin isn’t just about events. It’s about helping women feel seen, supported, and connected in a city that can sometimes feel surprisingly lonely. If readers take away one thing, I hope it’s that community doesn’t happen by accident. Sometimes all it takes is showing up once.
What’s next?
My plans for the future are actually pretty simple: continue listening to the women in our community and creating experiences that meet them where they are.
Women of Austin has always evolved based on what our members need, not based on a rigid business plan. That’s how we expanded into co-working days, smaller gatherings, wellness events, and different ways for women to connect. The community has helped shape the direction every step of the way.
Going forward, I’m excited to create more intentional events that foster genuine connection. While large events can be a lot of fun, I’ve learned that some of the most meaningful conversations happen in smaller settings where women have the opportunity to really get to know one another.
I’m looking forward to continuing to grow the community in ways that feel authentic and sustainable, while staying focused on the mission that started it all: helping women feel less alone and more connected. As long as women keep showing up and sharing what they need, I’ll keep listening.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.womenofaustin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women_of_austin/ and https://www.instagram.com/mindy.hofman/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomenofAustin/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WomenofAustin
