Libsyn Directory

Being Audacious with Fran Harris: From NCAA and WNBA Champion to Entrepreneur, and Redefining 'No' as 'Not Yet'

Release Date: 10/13/2025

Soto & Co. founder started in a truck and now suits up athletes, announcers, and even our own Distinguished Alumni

Hello Longhorn

This week on Hello Longhorn, meet the owner of Soto & Co, Meet Rick Soto, BS '08. Soto & Co. designs fine men's suits, custom dress shirts, and other tailored pieces to complement or complete your sophisticated wardrobe. Learn more about the Longhorn Business Network at . Learn more about ring week at Texas Exes and how you can get your ring! About the Show: Hello Longhorn is a weekly Texas Exes podcast introducing you to Longhorn entrepreneurs and business leaders. The show is produced by the Texas Exes and Sara Light, BS ’02, Life Member, from the second floor of the...

Safely Co-Founders on meeting in a McCombs class and creating the #1 pepper spray of 2025

Hello Longhorn

What started as a McCombs class project is now an award-winning safety tool voted the No. 1 pepper spray of 2025. Safely, creates stylish, less lethal self-defense products that have your safety needs covered. Their first product is a lab-tested, maximum strength, holographic pepper spray. Learn more about the Longhorn Business Network at . About the Show: Hello Longhorn is a weekly Texas Exes podcast introducing you to Longhorn entrepreneurs and business leaders. The show is produced by the Texas Exes and Sara Light, BS ’02, Life Member, from the second floor of...

Peachtree Group CEO on making decisions and following through, being entrepreneurial at UT and 6th street

Hello Longhorn

This week on Hello Longhorn, meet Greg Friedman, CEO of Peachtree Group. Peachtree Group is an investment firm driving growth with a diverse portfolio of commercial real estate assets and other ventures. They focus on real estate acquisition, development, and lending and manage billions in equity, augmented by services designed to protect, support, and grow their investments. Learn more about the Longhorn Business Network at . About the Show: Hello Longhorn is a weekly Texas Exes podcast introducing you to Longhorn entrepreneurs and business leaders. The show is produced by the...

Forget everything you thought you knew about cleaning. Meet the Longhorns behind Branch Basics.

Hello Longhorn

This week on Hello Longhorn, Kelly Love, BS ’08, and Allison Evans, BSPR ’08, share how they built a non-toxic, plant-based cleaning brand to help people create healthier homes Branch Basics is on a mission to help people heal. They provide information on how to identify and replace toxins in your home, body care products and diet. The company offers non-toxic and plant-based cleaning products that replace every cleaner in your home. Learn more about the Longhorn Business Network at . About the Show: Hello Longhorn is a weekly Texas Exes podcast introducing you to Longhorn entrepreneurs...

A Pink Armadillo? Learn Why the Founder of Texan Christmas Saw an Opportunity in the Holiday Ornament Category.

Hello Longhorn

A pink armadillo and a pastel snake for a holiday ornament? A Longhorn did that! Listen to how Texan Christmas founder Laura Ainsworth, BS '08, took a classic product and disrupted the industry with marketing and unique color choices. Learn more about the Longhorn Business Network at . About the Show: Hello Longhorn is a weekly Texas Exes podcast introducing you to Longhorn entrepreneurs and business leaders. The show is produced by the Texas Exes and Sara Light, BS ’02, Life Member, from the second floor of the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center. Music produced by Sharon...

Giant Noise Founder on NYC, Building a PR Agency Out of Her Garage, Longhorn Tattoos, and Study Breaks Magazine

Hello Longhorn

This week on Hello Longhorn, meet Elaine Garza, BA '94, Life Member, three-time Longhorn 100 winner and the founder of Giant Noise—a PR force in Texas and beyond. Giant Noise is a Texas-based public relations, creative, and digital media agency, founded in Austin in 2006. They blend Southern roots with national reach, helping their clients connect with audiences and deepen engagement. Their work fosters culture and connection, delivering impactful results that build brands and drive success while staying true to their values and commitment to community. Learn more about the...

Bala Co-Founder on Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Fitness Brand, Shark Tank, and Tiff’s Treats Cookies

Hello Longhorn

Those really cool Bala Bangles? A Longhorn did that! ⭐ Learn how Natalie Holloway, BA '10, bootstrapped her fitness brand on Hello Longhorn this week! Bala, believes beautiful, functional fitness equipment will change the way you move. Learn more about Bala: Learn more about the Longhorn Business Network at . About the Show: Hello Longhorn is a weekly Texas Exes podcast introducing you to Longhorn entrepreneurs and business leaders. The show is produced by the Texas Exes and Sara Light, BS ’02, Life Member, from the second floor of the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center. Music produced by...

Re-Release: Lovevery Founder on building a company that empowers parents

Hello Longhorn

This week on Hello Longhorn, we are introducing you to Longhorn 100 winner and co-founder of Lovevery, Roderick Morris, BA, BBA '95. Their goal is to make parents feel confident. Lovevery’s comprehensive support system provides stage-based learning and play for children, and research-backed guidance that empowers parents. The company is best known for its award-winning subscription Play Kits program. Hello Longhorn is a Texas Exes podcast introducing you to Longhorn entrepreneurs and business leaders. Listen to Hello Longhorn every Monday wherever you get your podcasts →

ZenBusiness Co-Founder on Her Journey from Iran to the Forty Acres, Helping Entrepreneurs and That Eggroll Cart on Campus

Hello Longhorn

Meet Shanaz Hemmati, BS '85, and co-founder of ZenBusiness on this week’s episode of Hello Longhorn! ZenBusiness is a company that provides an easy, all-in-one platform and trusted guidance for small business owners. They’ve consolidated all the tools, services, and expert support needed to start, run, and grow a successful business. Think of it as the operating system for small business success. Customers can protect their liability, manage finances, and get customers all in one place. Learn more about the Longhorn Business Network at . About the Show: Hello Longhorn is...

Loewy Law Firm Founder on Law School, Billboards, and Why More Lawyers Should Use Social Media

Hello Longhorn

This week on Hello Longhorn, meet Adam Loewy, JD ’03, Life Member. Loewy is one of the top personal injury lawyers in Austin. Learn more about the Longhorn Business Network at . About the Show: Hello Longhorn is a weekly Texas Exes podcast introducing you to Longhorn entrepreneurs and business leaders. The show is produced by the Texas Exes and Sara Light, BS ’02, Life Member, from the second floor of the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center. Music produced by Sharon Dastur, BBA ’92, and Revelation Beats.

More Episodes

Fran Harris, BJ '87, MA '91, MSTC '18, Life Member, is a former WNBA champion with the Houston Comets and a gold medalist with USA Basketball. She was the captain and leading scorer of the undefeated 1986 national championship team at The University of Texas.

Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Harris is a Fortune 100 consultant, the author of 20 books, and a sought-after media personality with appearances on Good Morning America, TODAY, CNBC, CNN, FOX Business, and Oprah’s Radio Network.

She has served as an announcer for ESPN, Longhorn Network, SEC, and ACC Networks; hosted HGTV’s Home Rules; and currently works as a TV analyst for the WNBA’s Dallas Wings. Harris is also the founder of EXALT, a developmental women’s basketball league launching in 2026; co-founder of The Athletic Club sports complexes; and creator of ELECTRA, the first electrolyte drink developed by and for women.

Learn more about our 2025 Distinguished Alum: Distinguished Alumnus Award | Texas Exes

Learn more about the Longhorn Business Network at www.texasexes.org/connect-longhorn-business-network.

About the Show: Hello Longhorn is a weekly Texas Exes podcast introducing you to Longhorn entrepreneurs and business leaders. The show is produced by the Texas Exes and Sara Light, BS ’02, Life Member, from the second floor of the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center. Music produced by Sharon Dastur, BBA ’92, and Revelation Beats

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