Partner, Hye Rum
By Lauren Jones, Photo by Caitlin Candelari
Stephanie Houston is a founder of Hye Rum, a craft distillery in Hye, Texas, located just outside Austin. A University of Texas graduate, Houston began her professional career in Dallas. After a successful career as a founder of Platinum Select, a nationwide medical-staffing firm, she helped pioneer the Deep Ellum resurgence with music venue LaGrange and opened the first trailer-park eatery in Dallas. She currently co-owns Gourmaleo, a paleo-meal-delivery company set to expand to Austin in 2018. In Dallas, she met Benjamin Calais, owner of Calais Winery, and a chance meeting in Hye led to their current venture with distiller James Davidson. At Hye Rum, Houston’s day-to-day work includes forecasting, brand awareness, cocktail design and event planning, a role she loves. Hye Rum will be available in stores soon. Houston lives in East Austin and loves getting to experience the city’s vibrant culture.
