GIVING IT 210 PERCENT

San Antonio banks top spot among America's most entrepreneurial cities

San Antonio's entrepreurial spirit is alive and well

San Antonio businesses may seem to be shuttering at a rapid clip, but a new report from GoDaddy says that’s not curbing the city’s hustle. The 210 took the top spot on the web hosting company’s new list of America's Most Entrepreneurial Cities.

Alamo City jumped 11 percent year-over-year in small business growth, launching 9,232 new businesses. Each of those projects averaged five new jobs, according to GoDaddy's research, creating a ripple effect in the local economy.

The new business ventures took on various shapes, from traditional storefronts to online shops, and probably underestimated San Antonio’s real entrepreneurial spirit. During the recent NBA Finals, many locals took the opportunity to hawk Spurs merch that was not exactly sanctioned, but certainly kept spending in the city limits.

One thing driving the can-do attitude? Affordable housing. For the first time in the report’s history, GoDaddy partnered with real estate marketplace Zillow to dive deeper into what makes entrepreneurship work.

Zillow data revealed that the city's typical home value sits at $278,644, well under the national average of $366,712, and average rent runs $1,398 against the $1,930 national norm. The group’s Market Heat Index landed squarely at a neutral 50, giving no advantage to buyers or sellers — allowing business owners to plant roots without sticker shock.

"A thriving local economy and a thriving housing market tend to go hand in hand," said Zillow Chief Economist Mischa Fisher in a release. "When housing is attainable and plentiful, entrepreneurs feel more confident putting down roots and businesses find it easier to attract and keep talent.”

Elsewhere, Sun Belt states like Florida and New Mexico dominated the rankings, but El Paso was the only other Texas city to make the list. GoDaddy said a lack of state income tax was a particular draw for Texas and Florida founders. Much of the list diverged from what’s seen as the traditional hubs of business.

"The footprint of American entrepreneurship is shifting deeper into non-traditional places," said Alexandra Rosen, GoDaddy's small business economist. "The idea that you need to be in a major coastal city to build something has evolved.”

The top 10 most entrepreneurial cities in America are:

No. 1 — San Antonio, Texas
No. 2 — Miami, Florida
No. 3 — Milwaukee, Wisconsin
No. 4 — El Paso, Texas
No. 5 — Portland, Oregon
No. 6 — Fresno, California
No. 7 — Bronx, New York
No. 8 — Tampa, Florida
No. 9 — Albuquerque, New Mexico
No. 10 — Washington, D.C.

rankings reports business entrepreneurs

BODY POLITIC

City Hall politicians ink tattoo shop on San Antonio's gay strip

Photo by AI25 Studio/ Pexels

A tattoo shop from a pair of San Antonio politicos? Sure, why not?

San Antonio’s councilmembers may be subject to term limits, but two City Hall vets are hoping to make a more permanent mark. D2’s Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and former mayoral candidate Melissa Cabello Havrda are opening a tattoo studio, Zorra London, in late summer at 1428 N Main Ave. in the heart of the gay strip.

The pair announced the new venture in a social media post timed to San Antonio Pride. Perhaps anticipating a flood of constituents that might have thought the video was a goof, Cabello Havrda said, “You heard that right.”

The project is not quite as wild as some might think. Though McKee-Rodriguez’s resume is full of service gigs like City Hall staffer and Teach for America educator, he is an accomplished artist who decorated his East Side field office by creating a mural dedicated to civil rights leader Rev. Claude Black.

In April, he launched the Community Canvas Small Business Mural Program to collaborate with small businesses on public artworks. Each mural is free, painted by the councilmember himself.

An attorney, Cabello Havrda isn’t exactly known for her wild style. But the former D6 councilmember has long advocated for San Antonio’s diverse communities, serving on boards like Magik Children’s Theater, MOVE Texas, and UTHSC Center for Aging. And she is an LGBTQIA-plus ally, backing the nondiscrimination ordinance during her time in office.

Equality matters to the business. Not only is McKee-Rodriguez the first openly gay, Black man elected to any office in Texas, the tattoo parlor is also steps away from the nightclubs and shops that make up the Pride Cultural Heritage District.

That’s reflected in Zorra London’s art. During a pop-up on June 27, the shop featured designs like rainbow unicorns, a heart reading “Protect the Dolls,” and a pair of decidedly sapphic scissors. And, of course, the name has its own zest. We wouldn’t be at all surprised if a baby drag queen swiped it for her Pegasus debut.

And let’s hope it inspires other San Antonio councilmembers to take on their own entrepreneurial efforts. Coming soon to a PetSmart near you: Sukh Sacks, Dr. Sukh Kaur’s line of fashion dog slings.

openings city council main strip lgbtqia+ tattoos