Bryan/College Station Edition • Howdy, Texas VIPs! 👋
Welcome to this week's Bryan/College Station business roundup, where we spotlight the entrepreneurs, businesses, and opportunities making our community thrive. Whether you're here for networking events, business news, or to discover your new favorite BBQ joint (with an original song to boot!), we've got you covered.
This week's flavor: Slow-smoked brisket, business connections, and homegrown Texas pride. Let's dive in! 🔥
🎸 Texas Drifter Music of the Week
🎵 "C&J's Chips Legacy"
Honoring: C&J's Barbecue
The Texas Drifter is our AI country artist creating custom songs for local Texas businesses. Each week, we feature a different business and their one-of-a-kind anthem.
About this song: C&J's Barbecue is a beloved local barbecue joint in Bryan/College Station with three locations serving up authentic Texas BBQ. This song celebrates their legacy of slow-smoked meats, family recipes, and the community they've built around great food. It's a tribute to the chips, the smoke, and the heart that goes into every plate.
Listen on your favorite platform: 🎵 Spotify | 🎵 Apple Music | 🎵 Amazon Music/
Want your business to get its own Texas Drifter song? Contact us here →
🔥 Featured Business Spotlight
C&J's Barbecue
Local Bryan/College Station Legend with Three Locations
This week's Texas Drifter song honors C&J's Barbecue, and here's why they deserve the spotlight:
Their Story: C&J's Barbecue has become a cornerstone of the Bryan/College Station BBQ scene, serving authentic Texas-style smoked meats across three locations. Known for their dedication to traditional smoking techniques and family recipes, C&J's has built a loyal following among locals and visitors alike. Their commitment to quality and community has made them a go-to spot for everything from quick lunches to catered business events.
What They're Known For:
🥩 Perfectly smoked brisket with that signature bark
🔥 Homemade chips that keep customers coming back
⭐ Three convenient locations to serve the BCS community
Why We Love Them: C&J's represents the best of Texas BBQ culture - authentic flavors, generous portions, and genuine hospitality. They've become more than just a restaurant; they're a gathering place for families, friends, and business colleagues to connect over great food. Their multiple locations make it easy for anyone in Bryan or College Station to enjoy their legendary barbecue.
Visit C&J's Barbecue: 📍 Three locations in Bryan/College Station 🌐 Find a location near you
Special for Texas VIP Readers: Tell them the Texas Drifter sent you!
🌟 Know a Business That Deserves the Spotlight?
Every week, we feature a "Business of the Week" - local businesses making a real impact in our community. Think a business deserves recognition? Whether it's your own business or one you love, we want to hear about it!
Suggest a business spotlight: Submit here →
We look for businesses with great stories, strong community involvement, and stellar reputations. If selected, we'll interview the owner and feature their story in an upcoming newsletter!
💼 Business Events This Week
Your guide to networking, learning, and growing your business in Bryan/College Station
🗓️ Thursday, January 9
Your guide to networking, learning, and growing your business in Bryan/College Station
🗓️ Thursday, January 9
BCS Chamber After Hours Networking
The Stella Hotel | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Free for Members, $10 Non-Members
Join fellow business professionals for the monthly Chamber After Hours networking event. Connect with local entrepreneurs, business owners, and community leaders. Great opportunity to expand your professional network in the Bryan/College Station business community.
Category: 🤝 Networking
"AI in Small Business" Workshop
The Forge Coworking Space | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | $25
Learn how to leverage AI tools to streamline your small business operations. Hands-on learning with expert instructors. Ideal for: Small business owners and entrepreneurs.
Category: 🎓 Workshop
🗓️ Friday, January 10
Startup Aggieland Pitch Night
Texas A&M Memorial Student Center | 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM | Free
Watch student entrepreneurs pitch their startup ideas to a panel of judges including local investors and business leaders. Networking reception follows. Connect with investors, mentors, and fellow entrepreneurs.
Category: 🚀 Startup
🗓️ Monday, January 13
Young Professionals Lunch & Learn: "Building Your Personal Brand"
Downtown Bryan | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | $15 (includes lunch)
Professional development opportunity for early-career professionals. Speaker: Maria Rodriguez, CEO of BCS Digital Marketing. Lunch provided.
Category: 🎓 Workshop
📅 Weekly Recurring Events
Every Tuesday • 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM Business Referral Network (BRN) @ Ronin Farm & Restaurant Structured networking for professional service providers. Contact BCS Chamber for guest invitation.
Every Friday • 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM Entrepreneurs Coffee Meetup @ Sweet Eugene's House of Java Informal gathering for entrepreneurs and startup founders. Drop in anytime.
📰 BCS Business News
What's happening in the Bryan/College Station business community
🚀 Research Valley Partnership Announces New Business Recruitment Initiative
Research Valley Partnership has launched a comprehensive program to attract technology and manufacturing companies to the Bryan/College Station area. The initiative offers incentives including tax breaks, workforce development programs, and access to Texas A&M research facilities. Read more →
💼 Downtown Bryan Sees Surge in New Business Openings
Downtown Bryan has welcomed five new businesses in the past month, including two restaurants, a boutique retail store, and two professional service firms. The growth reflects ongoing revitalization efforts and increased foot traffic in the downtown district.
🏢 Texas A&M Innovation Platform Secures $10M in Funding
Texas A&M's technology commercialization arm has secured $10 million in venture capital to support startup companies emerging from university research. The funding will help bridge the gap between academic innovation and commercial success.
📈 By the Numbers:
$50M+: Total venture capital invested in BCS startups in 2024
1,200+: New jobs created by BCS businesses last year
15%: Growth in downtown Bryan business activity year-over-year
⭐ Featured Article
Why Business Lunches at BBQ Joints Are a Texas Tradition
And how local spots like C&J's become unofficial boardrooms
In Texas, some of the best business deals happen over brisket and sweet tea. There's something about the casual atmosphere of a BBQ joint that makes conversations flow easier, relationships develop faster, and partnerships form more naturally than in any formal conference room.
The BBQ Advantage
Unlike stuffy restaurants where you're worried about which fork to use, BBQ joints level the playing field. Whether you're a startup founder or a Fortune 500 exec, everyone's equal when they're reaching for napkins and digging into a plate of ribs. This relaxed environment creates authentic connections that translate into real business relationships.
Local spots like C&J's Barbecue have become unofficial business hubs in Bryan/College Station. With three locations, they've made it easy for professionals across the area to grab lunch, discuss projects, and close deals in a comfortable setting.
Why It Works
The informal atmosphere encourages honest conversation. You're not performing in a business lunch - you're just two people sharing a meal and talking. The food becomes a shared experience that builds rapport. And in Texas, showing someone a great BBQ spot is a form of hospitality that creates goodwill.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Choose local spots: Supporting local businesses while doing business creates community connections
✅ Keep it casual: The relaxed atmosphere of BBQ joints facilitates better conversations than formal settings
✅ Make it regular: Having a go-to spot builds relationships with staff and creates a familiar environment for important meetings
The Bottom Line:
Next time you need to meet with a client, pitch a partner, or discuss a deal, skip the corporate restaurant and head to a local BBQ joint. You'll find that the best business relationships are often built over brisket, not boardroom tables. Plus, you get to enjoy some amazing Texas BBQ in the process.
🍖 BBQ & Business
Because the best deals happen over brisket
This week's recommended spot for your next business lunch or networking meetup:
C&J's Barbecue 📍 Three locations in Bryan/College Station ⭐ Try: The brisket and their famous homemade chips 💡 Pro tip: With three locations, you can pick the one closest to your meeting partner - convenience meets great BBQ!
Know a great spot? Submit your recommendation →
🤠 Upcoming: Next Week's Texas Drifter Feature
Coming next week: We're featuring another beloved Bryan/College Station BBQ institution with their own custom Texas Drifter song. Get ready to hear their story and discover what makes them special!
Want to nominate a business for a Texas Drifter song? Submit here →
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