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Houston - A City For Success

MSA: Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX
Best places ranking: #4 among large metro areas
Population: 5,728,143

Traditionally known for its lax zoning, low taxes, dominant oil industry and heavy traffic, Houston has evolved rapidly over the past decade. The city government has moved aggressively to curb pollution and diversify the economy. In 2003, the Metropolitan Transit Authority committed $1.46 billion for a public transportation system. The Texas Emerging Technology Fund, an early-stage venture fund created by the Texas legislature, allocated $180 million for research grants in the last two years, targeting the energy industry as well as the fast-growing aerospace, information technology, nanotechnology, biotech and medical sectors.

Houston now boasts the world's largest medical center and the nation's top-rated cancer hospital. And this summer, Houston became the largest municipal purchaser of green power in the country, according to the EPA.

Houston has performed surprisingly well during the current recession, adding 500,000 new jobs during the past five years. The Greater Houston Partnership, an economic development group, forecasts that the metropolitan area will attract an additional 600,000 jobs and $60 billion in capital investment by the end of 2015.

One downside to launching a business in Houston: Mother Nature. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina inflicted $81.2 billion in damage on the Gulf Coast. Three years later, Ike devastated nearby Galveston. Some local businesses find hurricane insurance hard to come by. -Megan Erickson

Brian Caswell - Houston, TX

I grew up in Houston, but spent nine years training and working as a chef in New York City, Bangkok, Barcelona, and Hong Kong. When I returned to open Reef in 2007, I was blown away by the revitalization of the downtown area, which reinvigorated the city.

It's a big small town -- people here are incredibly personable. They make loyal customers, and they appreciate hometown heroes as much as homegrown heroes. A friend of mine has bumper sticker that says, "It's alright that you're not from Texas, as long as you got here as soon as you could."

Because of lack of zoning in major areas, people are much more open to some guy or gal opening a business in a little hallway on a shoestring. You don't have to have a multi-million dollar budget. As a small business owner, I don't have to compete with corporate America low-cutting: in Houston we're not set up that way. Walking around the city, you could come upon a cafe in the middle of a residential street.

The recession hit us like everybody else, but not nearly as bad as in New York and LA and Chicago. At Reef, we're up 25 in sales since last year. -Megan Erickson

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