In this episode ofĀ The Crude Truth, Rey TreviƱo and co-host Kristy Kerns sit down with Blair Bravo, a sales professional and cybersecurity expert, to discuss the critical role of cybersecurity in todayās business landscape. Blair shares her consultative approach to helping companies safeguard their data and highlights the growing importance of protecting against tech failures, referencing recent incidents like airline outages. The conversation also delves into Blairās passion for networking and community involvement, including her work with The Loop ATX, a group supporting local causes like providing school supplies to students in need.
Beyond cybersecurity, the episode explores the power of community-building and collaboration. Blair and Kristy discuss their mission to create meaningful events that foster both professional growth and personal well-being. Rey TreviƱo adds insights into Austinās future growth in industries like oil and gas, technology, and real estate, emphasizing the ripple effect of job creation in small towns. Together, they highlight the importance of fostering strong connections and collaboration across industries to drive long-term success.
Highlights of the Podcast
00:01 ā Introduction
03:05 ā Introducing Blair Bravo
04:00 ā Cybersecurity Discussion
07:17 ā Consultative Approach to Cybersecurity
10:08 ā Networking & Community Work
14:22 ā Faith and Mindset
14:52 ā Morning Routines & Building Connections
18:46 ā Deeper Connections through Activities
20:10 ā Austinās Thriving Professional Community
23:00 ā Importance of Pausing & Listening
29:41 ā Job Creation in Oil & Gas Industry
Please reach out to Blair Bravo onĀ LinkedIn
Please reach out to Kristy Kerns onĀ LinkedIn
Check outĀ StatusJet HERE
The Crude Truth Ep. 102 Blair Bravo A Sales Professional Connector and Lifelong Learner
Video Transcription edited for grammar. We disavow any errors unless they make us look better or smarter.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:00:00] Cybersecurity. Networking. And marathons. We talked to an expert in all three on this episode of The Crude Truth.
NarratorĀ [00:00:08] In 1901 at Spindle Top Hill near Beaumont. The future of Texas changed dramatically as like a fountain of fortune. Thousands of barrels of oil burst from the earth towards the sky. Soon Detroit would be cranking out Model TS by the millions, and America was on the move thanks to the black gold being produced in Texas. Now more than a century later. The vehicles are different, but nothing else has truly changed. Sure, there may be many other alternative energy sources like wind and solar and electric, but letās be honest, America depends on oil and entrepreneurs. And if the USA is truly going to be independent, it has to know The Crude Truth.
NarratorĀ [00:00:51] This episode is brought to you by LFS chemistry. We are committed to being good stewards of the environment. We are providing the tools so you can be to. Nape Expo where deals happen. Air compressor solutions. When everything is on the line, Air Compressor Solutions is the dependable choice to keep commercial business powered up. Sandstone Group. Exec Crue. Elevate your network. Elevate your knowledge. Texas Star Alliance. Pecos Country operating. Fueling Our Future.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:01:26] Well, hello again, and thank you, as always, for tuning in to another episode of The Crude Truth. Today we are recording from the Real News offices here in Austin, Texas, as always. So thank you as always to them. They are a sponsor of the show also. But I love it down here in Austin because itās weird. Theyāre real weird in the vibe is just fun and amazing. Itās been a whirlwind over the last few weeks. With me, as always, is my co-host. Kristy, how are you?
Kristy KernsĀ [00:01:54] Iām doing great. How are you?
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:01:56] Oh Man. Doing good. Howās Austin treating you so far this stop?
Kristy KernsĀ [00:01:59] Weird. Like you said, it.Ā I love it here. Yeah.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:02:03] The food is great.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:02:04] People are amazing. I love it there.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:02:07] Ā Yes, You would never think that. But I enjoy the energy more than anything is why I say you never think that. Because every time I walk into this town, I got to, like, put my arm around because, you know where the oil and gas industry and itās like, thereās so many people are like, boohoo. You know, they want. So anyway.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:02:23] Your arm.Ā I got.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:02:26] To go. So but also, you know, as we continue into the year, weāve had some crazy things happening. You know, you and I are really ramping up the networking side of things. Iām trying to get out, meet people, grow this circle that we have, but also with networking. And itās not the same kind of networking, but cybersecurity has been a big thing. We had that crazy crash, what, two weeks ago with the airports being shut down, whatās going on with all of that? And so Iām just so excited that we brought on somebody today thatās an expert in these fields of networking and cybersecurity. Blair Bravo. Blair, how are you?
Blair BravoĀ [00:03:05] Iām good. How are you?
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:03:07] Well, we cannot complain. It is just awesome to have you here in Austin, So thank you so much.
Blair BravoĀ [00:03:13] happy to be here? Excited?
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:03:18] Well, for those out there that donāt know who you are, you know, the tell us a little bit about yourself.
Blair BravoĀ [00:03:23] So I am a sales professional connector and lifelong learner is what I would say. Go on west or run on the side.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:03:34] I love it. So, you know, in the teaser and kind of building up, you know, I like your connector, which is not networking, itās your connector. And then also, you know, you said youāre the sales side of cybersecurity. You know, thereās just so many things going on right now. You know, tell us about the cybersecurity industry as a whole and, you know, maybe a little bit about that. Airport debacle a few weeks ago. I know we you and I kind of talked about it.
Blair BravoĀ [00:04:00] Yeah. And I actually experience I was part of the many people that experienced delays in their flights. But yeah, so, I mean, the threat landscape is constantly changing. Thatās one thing that I learned ever since I started in this industry. Thereās always going to be something that happens in there are best practices that organizations and business owners should have for themselves. But again, thereās always going to be something that itās not if itās when. So making sure that you have the right controls in place for your company and your business to protect that investment and it should be an ongoing process.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:04:40] Wow. So with with what happened with the airline, you know, what did happened exactly with that.
Blair BravoĀ [00:04:45] So donāt get too technical on me, because I will never pretend to be somebody super technical. But I will say there was an update that went out that was pushed out and be as a result, they call it the blue screen of death, where obviously you probably saw that on news headlines or even saw photos of it were basically delta specifically, you know, experienced outages and that, you know, it had a ripple effect and delayed flights. People werenāt able to check in. They had to reboot everything. So, yeah, it was an update that was actually pushed out. I think Microsoft was also involved as well. So.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:05:18] Yeah, I know Kristy had some friends that were involved in that as well.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:05:22] Say was coming from London.
Blair BravoĀ [00:05:24] Yeah.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:05:25] So yeah,.
Blair BravoĀ [00:05:25] And it was, I mean it, it permeated everything. And I think the lesson and all that, I mean, CrowdStrike is thereās this running joke in the cybersecurity industry where itās like nobodyās ever been fired for implementing CrowdStrike. But it also shows that even the biggest, strongest vendors and service providers out there are still well, this was more of an internal thing, I think. So thereās probably going to be some repercussions from the legal side, I think maybe with that. But I think that no no matter how large you are, thereās always a risk of, you know, there being either a human error or it being, you know, an actual attack, which the actual attack, I donāt think was the case in this situation. It was more of a company error.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:06:12] So what about like AT&T was out I think a couple of months ago. Is that very similar in a sense.
Blair BravoĀ [00:06:19] From a probably from like an Internet and wi fi information?
Kristy KernsĀ [00:06:23] Yeah, All of it was down. You know,.
Blair BravoĀ [00:06:25] From a CrowdStrike standpoint, they provide managed security services in form of either a service or a product thatās deployed within an organization. I mean, thatās either handled internally for internal teams or in co managed fashion. That thatās what I know about it. Obviously, they donāt work at CrowdStrike, but thatās what I do know about it. Think so. And the I think the lesson also is or just the key takeaway, you mentioned the outage with AT&T. Itās weāre so reliant on all of these different pieces of technology. And as someone thatās, you know, a business owner or an executive, how do you mitigate that risk and how do you you know, those people are not given a blank check to do that. So how do you do that in a cost effective way but spend where itās appropriate to?
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:07:17] That was Iām glad you brought that up because I was going to be my next question is like, you know, you have so many companies that are smaller companies. You know, how do you explain to them about, hey, you probably could use some cybersecurity because everything is going to the cloud like the networks, you know, You know, I feel like it was a play on words. You know, weāre talking about networking, connecting. But, you know, networks are a huge part of the computer. Yeah, right. And so how do you convince these people and I guess are even convinced, how do you show them that, hey, all your data is up in the cloud and weāre going to be that protector that protects all. Iām sorry. Yeah.
Blair BravoĀ [00:07:51] Definitely. So every conversation that I had with a client or new client, it always starts with a consultative approach. What is going on right now in your business and what is most important to you as a business owner? We start high level and then we kind of narrow in from there. And thatās the thatās what I like so much about working at Thrive specifically, is the consultative white glove approach that we have when we have conversations with our clients. So itās really understanding, okay, what is in place today from a networking cloud cyber standpoint? And then. Going from there to really understand, okay, well, maybe your networkās great. And thatās something thatās covered by your cloud. Everythingās on prem right now, so do we need to have a conversation around? Migrating you to the cloud or doing. You know, thatās not done overnight. Thatās a phased approach. So itās really meeting them where theyāre at. And I can get into all the technicalities. Well, some of the technicalities we have them fill out, you know, a worksheet form to kind of understand what exactly is going on right now and where do they want to go because. Protecting the business as a whole. That investment is so important and it looks different for each type of company or business owner or whoever that weāre speaking to. So itās really meeting them where theyāre at now and really aligning the goals of the business with technology.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:09:20] Yeah. So there are just so many things which all are up to for individuals out there that have more cybersecurity type questions. You know, how can they get a hold of you at Thrive.
Blair BravoĀ [00:09:31] LinkedIn? LinkedIn, I would say, okay, weāll keep it easy one one method LinkedIn or personal cell phone number. Thatās really the two mode that I like to collaborate.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:09:41] Analysis and.
Blair BravoĀ [00:09:43] Not yet. One day. One day we will, Put it out there.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:09:48] Well, I wanted to switch gears here and talk networking, connecting with other people. Youāre part of a great group here in Austin and youāre even growing your Connect network even more. You know, letās talk about that a little bit to dive into that and all things that youāre up to.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:10:06] The backpack one.
Blair BravoĀ [00:10:07] Yes.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:10:08] Is that a network?
Blair BravoĀ [00:10:08] Yes, that was networking and that was through. So the Loop ATX. Okay. Is a social performance social networking group that myself and four others have started here to really bring together diverse, driven minds to ignite Austinās next wave of leaders. And when I say diverse, I mean from different types of verticals and skill sets where I think we have like 67 different roles and titles that have either attended our events or shown interest. So I say that because I want someone to I want to be around people that constantly challenge me and also learn from people in other industries that, you know, I might not come across being in in the cybersecurity and cell space. So I really wanted to bring people together to connect, genuinely offer professional development opportunities and then give back to the community. And the topic, why So how many backpacks? So 90 backpacks we were able to fill every every student that received a backpack had all of their school supplies for the entire year online. We help support the kit sales school down in South Boston. Okay. And I was fortunate enough to partner with Rob Espinosa at Austin for the Kids. It is his nonprofit. Itās really centered around helping children in need and providing for them in the Austin area. So he had reached out and said, Hey, would you like to partner with me on this event? And I said, Absolutely. So we did. It learned a lot about the nonprofit space as a result of that. So and obviously that specific event was super close to my heart because I was previously a special education teacher. So itās always great to be able to start kids off on the right foot because itās so important.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:11:59] Yeah, start in your right mindset, right? Letās go and then you can attack this year.
Blair BravoĀ [00:12:04] Ā So next year we hope to be able to provide backpacks for all four.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:12:09] I was going to ask you, what is your goal for next year?
Blair BravoĀ [00:12:11] Yeah, all 400. Okay. Well, weāll get Rob on here some time to talk about his nonprofit.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:12:17] That would be amazing
Blair BravoĀ [00:12:18] Austin for the kids.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:12:19] Okay.
Blair BravoĀ [00:12:19] Yeah,.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:12:20] Love that
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:12:21] And the fact that yāall are out here, you know, helping the community, doing things, thatās, you know, something that Christy and I have talked about in the past is what are you sharing and giving and not expecting? Receiving as I.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:12:36] Expect return And you give it and not expect anything to return. Yeah yeah.
Blair BravoĀ [00:12:39] Just non transactional. Yeah. You know as being a human being in person and without wanting anything in return, you know when you want thatās when you. Yeah. It backfire. And we live in a society today that everyone wants something in return or wants to get something from someone else. And itās our work,.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:12:58] Not get me or.
Blair BravoĀ [00:12:59] Yeah, thatās not where your heart should be. And I think that is one of the key differentiator specifically for this group is that, you know, for me, you know, Iām a runner, like I mentioned, and I could go to a run club every Monday morning with the same people, but not be able to dive deep and get to know them. Obviously, you have one offs, but generally speaking. Thereās deep conversations arenāt happening. So letās create an environment where we can work, have a recurring cadence of meeting to build those deep connections, understand what the group is going through, What development opportunities do you need? How can the group support you from a community standpoint? And weāre all better when we are giving back to the community. Something special happens when you are around a group of people thatās giving back to the community without wanting anything in return, and you form a special bond that way for sure. So.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:13:56] And then acknowledgment, I think people want acknowledgment for what theyāre giving to. And thatās, you know, look at your type thing. But if you do it, you know, like the Bible says, give without basically acknowledgment and you will receive.
Blair BravoĀ [00:14:07] Absolutely.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:14:08] The gifts of lands.
Blair BravoĀ [00:14:10] Now, I think thatās been a key thing. Just the religious piece, too.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:14:13] Okay. So you donāt mention the religious right. You are telling me about your prayer.
Blair BravoĀ [00:14:18] Yes,.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:14:19] I obviously I know itās very long, but what is the prayer that you pray.
Blair BravoĀ [00:14:22] So itās called the Armor of God prayer.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:14:24] Okay.
Blair BravoĀ [00:14:25] Itās basically calling on God to set you up for success in your day and your mind, in your body and in your heart. In any situation that you walk into, you should have a calming, confident presence about you and through you get that through the Lord. So yeah, itās a great prayer. And like Rocks Church in Austin.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:14:44] Okay, good to know. Yeah. I like to say spread your light. You know what can relate to everybody?
Blair BravoĀ [00:14:49] Yeah, absolutely.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:14:50] Love it. Yeah, Yeah.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:14:52] I tell you what, yāall are on it over here. And I mean, because morning routines are something thatās so warm and itās talking about it. I mean. Right. And I know I do my best with one eye. You know, everybody should, you know, has a pretty good the morning routine for the most part. Even if you just got roll out of bed to the couch. But you know that you know. But what do you talk about? Your prayer and the body of our and you know you just speaking it and youāre putting it out there and thatās the awesome part also in what youāre doing. You know, you guys with your loop of Austin, yāall yāall meet, you know, how do yāall implement the whole because youāre saying, hey, we want to get into these direct conversations through, you know, giving back in these deals and do we want to so what are yāall doing to obviously youāre there, but how do you talk to people? Because you know, as anybody that knows me and so how do you open up know.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:15:50] Just be yourself.
Blair BravoĀ [00:15:51] Just to be yourself how. They also just. Being vulnerable, I think is so great because itās okay to not know the answer to everything weāre not supposed to. We are all still figuring it out. But I think with what weāre wanting to create and again, weāre still very much in in the building phase. I mean, this started less than six months ago for us. So itās, you know, offering a place in a community that people can come to no matter, you know, what stage in their life that theyāre at, whether theyāre really seeking connection in their life, they really need more community. Thereās a spot for you here if you really are really aligned with the philanthropic piece. And thatās the only thing that, you know, youāre interested in and youāre only coming to our philanthropic events. Maybe, you know, I think offering a regular cadence of meaning to we were able to have a large event at the beginning of the summer, but then also we actually had a leadership meeting this past week and really kind of getting into more offering more niche events. So for example, cybersecurity, people in those areas to meet other people in that industry. We also somebody thatās very involved in financial services and the private equity space, space, wealth management, maybe those, you know, offering opportunities for those people to connect on a deeper level around business and maybe the challenges that theyāre going through so that they can help each other exceed in their careers as well. So I think weāre very much in a building phase still and weāre still figuring it out.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:17:26] Thatās what them.
Blair BravoĀ [00:17:27] Exactly. And what I do know is that weāre on to something because people are craving community c.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:17:34] Onnection, everybody so wanting that so bad.
Blair BravoĀ [00:17:36] Yeah, I definitely think that was something that came out of Covid. We were all, you know, remote. And then right now, you know, thereās a mix of hybrid in office, but thereās still a very large component of people that, you know, are working from home. And I am one of those people. And you you know, we are made to be around others and to have a sense of community. So,.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:17:57] So important.
Blair BravoĀ [00:17:57] Yeah, I think that thatās thatās really the goal is is community around young professionals and whatever that looks like obviously thereās you know it can take a variety of different ways which is why, you know, connection can mean, you know, a happy hour. But connection could also mean a yoga that, you know, intentional development could be a cold plunge event or a Ted TEDTalk esque type of panel, you know, if anything, anything. So.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:18:28] It doesnāt have to be limited to your typical networking connecting events because youāre actually tapping more when you actually separate from the focus part and like cold, plunging, are golfing or anything like that, people actually absorb more. You can talk and they absorb more. And when youāre doing something.
Blair BravoĀ [00:18:46] Absolutely.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:18:48] Very knowledgeable.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:18:49] Yeah. You know, she mentioned health and I feel like our last several guests in a row have and she mentioned it first, just like our other guest. Yeah, yeah. Iām beginning like, you know, more things just as far as connecting goes. But health is sold or did itās something that said to our CEO thatās something that I think in a good way that that Iāve been able to focus on more in the last year getting more into a Lisa routine to that because it is a disruption. You know we talked about that before the episode a little bit about eight your routines that help you de-stress, you know, as youāve moved here in the Austin area, You know, where do you see Austin going? I mean, you have more and more people coming into town. You have, from my standpoint, you know, yeah, LA or California is coming and finally going to California. I did it while youāre here and you got those hills of California yet? The hill country here. So I see where theyāre like, I look so similar, you know, where do you see Austin? You know, how do you see it growing?
Blair BravoĀ [00:19:45] I think that we have such a large talent pool here that especially within my age group, but also the cross collaboration tour with more seasoned executives collaborating with, you know, the 20s 30s. I think thereās such a large talent pool here where people want to see other people succeed.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:20:10] Yes.
Blair BravoĀ [00:20:10] And I think thatās where weāre weāre in it. But thereās I donāt think that thatās going to change. And I think that seeing the growth of businesses and real estate and just obviously you can look outside the window and you could see skyscrapers all around, thatās indicative of growth. And I really I donāt see that stopping because of the type of person that lives in Austin I donāt think is going to be leaving anytime soon because thereās something about the type of person that lives here and the genuine or the people that Iāve come across. Weāre all there. Theyāre cheerleading.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:20:46] Each other.
Blair BravoĀ [00:20:46] Each other on. And I just donāt see that changing.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:20:49] Like, attracts like.
Blair BravoĀ [00:20:50] Yeah,.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:20:51] They are attracting this.
Blair BravoĀ [00:20:52] Yeah. Donāt ask me anything about business. I mean, weāll get it again, but Iām going to. I donāt have a full report to show all of them. But I can tell you from what Iāve. Seen in community based events that itās not going anywhere. In fact, weāll probably see even more of it, which is great because I know thatās something that we all want to do shows, though. Yeah.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:21:13] Like this. Said in it. So in it to win it?
Blair BravoĀ [00:21:15] Yes.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:21:16] That came to my mind. Itās in it to win and not youāre attracting and associating with. And so that says a lot.
Blair BravoĀ [00:21:21] Yeah and I think I mean and Iāll. Let you get on to the next side. I could use.Ā Itās like Wrap it up. no, no, no. No.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:21:33] Iāve been. Terri. learning
Blair BravoĀ [00:21:38] Iām just also Kind of intuitive, too. So.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:21:39] High five me too We just had a three hour. Thanks for the
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:21:46] Yeah.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:21:47] Sorry.
Blair BravoĀ [00:21:50] No, no, no, no. Where was I going with this? The chai.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:21:55] Is it to win it.
Blair BravoĀ [00:21:57] But just on, you know. But going back to your comment around or our conversations around genuine connection, thereās people that want. Without a connection about last night. People just want to see others rise up together as a group. And that is unique from where I come. You know, I lived in Italy and I did not I do not see that or experienced that. And maybe I was just at a different point in my life there. But here itās people are running their own race and theyāre cheering on the person next to on their right and left. So itās really cool to see that.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:22:31] Itās not I want to get ahead of you. Itās weāre all here together. Weāre locking arms and weāre all going to succeed. I wonāt. Ever. Yeah, sure. Where.
Blair BravoĀ [00:22:38] And how can I help? I mean, even just from the few group events that weāve had, you know, had people that have reached out for just, you know, contact, Hey, do you need help with content? Or we can take photos here and just wanting to genuinely help and they would want anything returned. My gosh,.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:22:56] It sounds a lot.
Blair BravoĀ [00:22:57] A lot, So Yeah.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:23:00] Yeah.
Blair BravoĀ [00:23:01] And then.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:23:01] Yeah. Well yes.
Blair BravoĀ [00:23:02] Letās all mean.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:23:03] Well yeah again like attracts like so yeah. Very giving person from your heart not expecting anything and so youāre attracting the same people. So.
Blair BravoĀ [00:23:11] Thank you.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:23:12] The community aspect and collaboration, thatās something that would you go back and look every time all the successful a generational is what theyāve always collaborated with the other Sadat generation and somehow weāve been in in my industry, in our industry, the only gas, you know, same thing. Itās like, you know, itās pretty much, you know, youāre on an island on a rock. I think being one of the season to people.
Blair BravoĀ [00:23:37] And I met that call for you, by the way, I had a very cordial.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:23:40] Message that people want to work with the 20 and 30 year old.
[00:23:44] Well, I felt like that if youāre going to. Stay that way.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:23:49] That we do have to do a better job of just sharing our knowledge. I mean, you know, we had all a lady the other day when we asked that she just poured out her knowledge. And thereās people that weāve met that theyāll know more. Like, you know, I use my dad will know more stuff. I forget more than a lot of them as well. Yeah. And so the more we can tap into that, you know, I know Kristy, he was talking about that, but sheās got one gentleman thatās like all itās like just that knowledge that they want to sit there, they want to sit and they want to talk and share, take the time to listen. And thatās what she tells me to do, too. I mean, thatās on.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:24:20] Pause And, you know, and listen, thatās all you have to do. You have no idea how you would change somebodies life. I mean, Iāve been and interacted with people that they if I didnāt pause and smile and listen to them, they were going to commit suicide like right after that interaction. So itās like, just pause, be still and listen to people. Thatās all. People want to be heard. They want to be seen and heard and shared. And so itās been yeah, with him, itās been like just itās okay. Like we donāt have to hustle and go and stuff like that. The relationship has to be still this thing and itās, itās so powerful because you change one personās like absolutely always leave people better than the way you came across.
Blair BravoĀ [00:24:59] Absolutely. Always. You say that with my students and.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:25:02] Really,.
Blair BravoĀ [00:25:02] They better they will leave the classroom always better.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:25:06] Thatās my purpose.
Blair BravoĀ [00:25:08] You donāt have to be doing algebra when we leave, but we need to be better than when we walked in. But back to your point around hurried and I struggled with that too, by the way, of just being like, just spinning multiple plates all the time and just having time to stop and think. And also not just having meaningful conversations to where itās like, okay, my time. Extra ten minutes to. Ask someone, you know, how are you really?
Kristy KernsĀ [00:25:45] What, ten minutes out? Yeah. So it can have a shortened lunch. Ah, eat lunch, you know? Yeah. Yeah. Extra ten minutes is not going to hurt.
Blair BravoĀ [00:25:55] Now, I think back, like, any time Iāve done that, or Iām sure you have this experience, Junior, thankful that you spent the time.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:26:03] Yeah. Itās a life changing. I mean, he. He actually. We were having a conversation. He calls me Gravity, and so it says a lot about just what I am doing with the people. Iām not. Iām not. Iām just being me. But it shows that they get value of whatever I tap into with them. They needed that. That was a divine appointment. Everybody that you mean as a divine appointment. And you have to take that as a gift. Yes. And be present. Because thatās why I call present. Itās a gift. Yes, itās a present that you get to open at that. So super. If you just tap into that aspect of life, then youāre going to be skyrocketing.
Blair BravoĀ [00:26:42] Well, I can talk more about that,.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:26:44] Of course.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:26:45] Oh no.
Blair BravoĀ [00:26:56] Ā I know. We were going to make fun. Find my twin thatās also just brought out. I love that.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:27:02] I love that. Here. So.
Blair BravoĀ [00:27:05] Thatās what party? Yeah. Put on a wig.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:27:09] That would be anyway. Yeah. Yeah. De Kristy. Yeah. Wow. Blair.
Blair BravoĀ [00:27:17] I have a question for you. Am I allowed to ask you a question on this?
Kristy KernsĀ [00:27:21] Good luck with this, yeah,.
Blair BravoĀ [00:27:24] Yeah,.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:27:24] Yeah, yeah.
Blair BravoĀ [00:27:29] Would you rather that youāre. You mentioned. Where do you. Where do I see Austin going? From a business standpoint, with your experience in networking, and what are you hoping to see in Austin and maybe what are your goals?
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:27:42] Wow. You know, Iām hoping to see Austin only continue to thrive. You have more and more affluent individuals moving in. And what Iām hoping is here in this city, we can get to a common sense approach and, you know, policy along with economic development. Growing up in North Texas and all of our family in San Antonio, weāve taken 35 right here. Has it is is it been a journey in itself? You know, and because you always go by 35 and you would, you know, see it. And since 2007, it has just said nothing but expand. The University of Texas has a. Strong positive foothold on this state as far as bringing out great students out of there. And Texas, we still lead the charge from an economic standpoint and, of course, from the oil gas. But actually from an energy standpoint. You know, weāre one of the biggest solar power countries. Texas is wind power along with obviously the oil and gas industry. So if we can just get our economics here in on the grid in Austin, because again, Austin is gorgeous. So thatās a very good question. So I do see a lot of development here with connecting with the growing here in this area. And we have several oil and gas companies that are moved into also because of a more healthier lifestyle. Yeah. And so I really think that Austin is on its way, I hope in a direction of great prosperity itself. Just again, the policy and the economics has really got to be able to play a good hand of that to continue to grow.
Blair BravoĀ [00:29:27] In the over the next 12 months. In the short term, what would you like? Well, what would make you excited as somebody in the oil and gas space if something were to change, what would that one thing be over the next 12 months?
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:29:41] Man. I think for the industry as a whole, I want to see jobs pick back up. I want to see everybody get back out. You know, thatās one thing that Iāve enjoyed that Iāve learned. And again, weāre nobody special. But when you go into the small towns and you are using their band, their crews, you are providing more into a community. It is not just those men in those crews. Itās the restaurants you visit, the dad station that you go to once the warm little burrito is up. Yeah. You know, and so to me, it is a community and weāre all strong. The oil field, I know thatās something thatās even. Itās even different from where Iām at. Yeah.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:30:24] I like, my gosh, I was in hog heaven, literally. Why are the corn? Yeah. Pure like milk. Youāre getting sprayed in the leg. Thatās what I want to, you know.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:30:34] Yes. No, but being out there in that community is even different than the other. Like, thereās just so much, but yet you can sit down somewhere. Itās almost like when youāre at the coast somewhere and you can sit there and you can have a beach bum and a multi-millionaire at the same little tiki bar. Shoot the shit every night as well. Yeah, itās an equal place.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:30:55] Yeah, itās like breaking bread with them. But obviously youāre watching, you know, the whole crew, everybody do their thing and the the formula and the flow. And it was just like the ebb and flow of everything. It was literally like youāre you have your family there because without them tapping, then youāre not going to be successful. And this it was very, very amazing.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:31:14] Wow. Yeah. So over the next 12 months, I want to see the industry as a whole only grow. I end up I donāt know about the price. Weāll see where that goes. But I think as long as the industry grows, then that means everything else is going really your question?
Blair BravoĀ [00:31:28] How can I help?
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:31:30] Oh My Good.
Blair BravoĀ [00:31:30] From a networking standpoint. Really? Any standpoint.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:31:33] Man. Thatās a thatās a tough.
Blair BravoĀ [00:31:37] You can go back to me, I just say that thatās. Yeah,.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:31:39] I feel like.
Blair BravoĀ [00:31:40] Yeah,.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:31:40] Ponder on that.
Blair BravoĀ [00:31:42] Ponder. Yeah.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:31:43] My partner on.
Blair BravoĀ [00:31:43] Homework.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:31:45] I tell his schoolwork.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:31:50] Well, Blair, I cannot thank you for this time, you know. You know, we talked about the loop. How can people get connected? You know, even if theyāre seasoned, they were. Surely just.
Blair BravoĀ [00:31:58] Sees it. I just want to let me reiterate here. season is allowed. Season is allowed. Anyone is allowed on LinkedIn, Instagram, Blair Bravo.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:32:09] And itās ATX Loop.
Blair BravoĀ [00:32:11] The Loop ATX on LinkedIn and Instagram, and then B Bravoon Instagram or Blair Bravo on LinkedIn. I donāt know many other. Blair Bravoās out. Thereās a whole. Point if easy to find
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:32:26] Well. Again Blair, we cannot thank you enough for this time. I will say this. This dynamic, that was awesome.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:32:33] That was amazing.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:32:35] All through of today. Yeah. Or is it? Well, yes, for a reason. But I just you know, it was the.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:32:41] Podcast Iām talking We just met. We were supposed.
Blair BravoĀ [00:32:43] Yeah, this was supposed happen.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:32:44] Yes. And I think thatās awesome. Yeah. So it was fun watching YouTube, you know, kind of have your own little mini podcast.
Blair BravoĀ [00:32:52] Are we We made you feel excluded.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:32:55] No no no, Trust me. No, I have more than that. So Kristy is always ready to get on the air.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:33:03] Yeah. Kick a butt.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:33:04] Well, letās kick butt. Blair, Iāll get back to you on that question.
Blair BravoĀ [00:33:07] Please do.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:33:08] We look forward to doing more.
Blair BravoĀ [00:33:09] Absolutely. Thank you guys so much for having me on. This is so fun. I love it.
Kristy KernsĀ [00:33:14] Love it.
Rey TreviƱoĀ [00:33:15] Itās all our listeners and our viewers out there. Thank you, as always. And weāll see you again on another episode of The Crude Truth.
NarratorĀ [00:33:23] Again The Crude Truth would like to think todayās sponsors LFS Chemistry, Nape Expo, Air Compressor Solutions, Sandstone Group, Exec Crue, Texas Star Alliance, Pecos Country Operating and Real News Communication Network.
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