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    All Keyed Up

    Passion for travel inspired this humble young Dallasite to change the industry

    Megan Winkler
    Sep 22, 2016 | 10:49 am
    Jon Alsup of OpenKey
    Jon Alsup, vice president of product development, OpenKey.
    Photo courtesy of Jon Alsup

     Editor’s note: This is the inaugural year for CultureMap’s Top Texans Under 30, a program that celebrates the twentysomething power players making a difference in their industries and communities across the Lone Star State — and, in some cases, the world. The full list is here. For now, read all about Jon Alsup.

     

    Travel, economics, and technology fascinate 25-year-old Jon Alsup. Since sixth grade — when he sold well-written book reviews to his peers — the Dallasite has been building companies and exploring new ways to do things.

     

    As the vice president of product development at OpenKey, the well-rounded, well-traveled Alsup has helped build the innovative hospitality company that changes the way people experience hotel stays. When guests arrive at their hotel, OpenKey allows them to access their rooms without stopping by the front desk first — or getting a new key if they lose theirs while out on the town. Users can check-in virtually from the app, and even contact the front desk should they need something.

     

    A bilingual graduate of West Texas A&M University, Alsup is said to be the youngest ever executive in the hospitality technology industry, and he completed a multimillion-dollar acquisition before he turned 22. He may be passionate about technology, but he’s also an artist in his free time and makes a hobby out of adding stamps to his passport, having traveled to 10 countries so far. As if that weren’t enough, he also is a founding partner at Nuckols Real Estate.

     

    We chatted with Alsup to find out more about his work and what gets him out of bed in the morning.

     

     CultureMap: What inspires you to do what you do?

     

     Jon Alsup: My childhood inspires me the most. I didn’t grow up in the nicest of neighborhoods or with a ton of material possessions. I remember the feelings of seeing my family struggle, and I never want to be in that position again. Regardless, every day I wake up and I want to make my life 10 times better than the day before.

     

     CM: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to other Texans starting a business?

     

     JA: Texas has always been a land of entrepreneurs, from the time the oil barons built up West Texas to the multibillion-dollar tech deals now. Well, it might seem you have big footprints to fill when starting a business, but my biggest advice is to step into your boots and make your own footprints. Do not follow anyone else.

     

     CM: Sum up Texas in three words:

     

     JA: Beer, business, family.

     

     CM: What’s one thing that people might not know about you?

     

     JA: I have a ridiculous shoe addiction, with over 80 pairs of sneakers. I’m out of space; otherwise, I’d have more!

     

     CM: Finish this sentence: “It’s a good day when … ”

     

     JA: It’s a good day when my to-do list is less than one page long!

     

    ---

     

     RSVP now for the CultureMap Social: Top Texans Under 30 Edition, October 3 at Fearing’s, to celebrate Alsup and his fellow Dallas winners.

     

    young-professionalsawardstop-texans-under-30
    series/top-texans-under-30-dallas
    news/innovation

    On the Scene

    Dallas socials honor Top Texans Under 30 at swanky Uptown mixer

    Anna Fialho Byers
    Oct 4, 2016 | 10:51 am
    Jade & Clover mini terrariumsplay icon
    Photo by Sylvia Elzafon
    Courtesy photo

    Dallas’ partying young professionals swarmed the patio at Fearing’s Restaurant on October 3 for the CultureMap Social: Top Texans Under 30 Edition. The happy hour honored the Dallas winners — Adam Kraus, Hunter Pond, Jon Alsup, Nick Marino Jr., and Matt Alexander — in our first-ever Top Texans Under 30, in which we celebrate the twentysomething trailblazers making stuff happen across the state and, in some cases, the world.

     

    Upon arrival, guests checked in and grabbed their drinks of choice. There were plenty of options — from a signature cinnamon apple Moscow mule at the main bar and an interactive drink station from sponsor Patron tequila, to two beers from Deep Ellum Brewing and a sampling station with more.

     

    Bites were provided by celebrity chef Dean Fearing’s team and included everything from passed hors d’oeuvre like lobster nachos to a food station with a variety of tacos and some of the tastiest elotes that we’ve had yet. For dessert, guests nibbled on brownie bites (dark chocolate and sea salt were our favs) from Miss Naughty Brownie, paired with a Patron XO liqueur of your choice, either Cafe (coffee) or Incendio (spicy).

     

    In typical CultureMap fashion, there were also plenty of fun activities, including a photo booth from My Event Is the Bomb, tarot card readings by Megan Benanti of Tarot Dallas, and a build-your-own succulent bar by Jade & Clover. At the succulent station, owner Giselle Ruggeberg herself was on hand to help guests build their terrariums, offering tips and guidance as guests chose between an array of options, including colored sand, crystals, moss, and floral accents.

     

    After a brief announcement highlighting Dallas’ five Top Texans by editor in chief Jennifer Chininis, guests were treated to a surprise pop-up performance by Red Bull Flying Bach, who delighted with dance moves that at times defied gravity. Throughout the entire evening, DJ Feezy kept the beats flowing.

     

    As the party wound down, guests — including Top Texans Under 30 judges Trey Bowles and Bryan DeLuca, Linda Snorina, Nnamdi Anozie, Choni James, Kelle Knight, Chris Lussier, Rebecca Quinto, Christian Gudino, and Brittany Stovall — grabbed their swag bags, full of goodies from Foot Cardigan, Jack Black Skin Care, Plum Yoga, Read Between the Lines, and SusieCakes.

     

    Sweetest of all, though, is the fact that all ticket sales from the event went to charities selected by our Top Texans Under 30:

     
       
    • Alzheimer’s Association, selected by Matt Alexander
    •  
    • Behind Every Door, selected by Hunter Pond
    •  
    • Dallas Autumn Ball, selected by Adam Kraus
    •  
    • Project Ladybug, selected by Jon Alsup
    •  
    • Union Coffee, selected by Nick Marino Jr.
    •  
     

    We will honor the remaining Top Texans Under 30 at CultureMap Socials in Austin and Houston.

    Nnamdi Anozie, Choni James

    Nnamdi Anozie, Choni James
      
    Photo by Sylvia Elzafon
    Nnamdi Anozie, Choni James
    young-professionalstop-texans-under-30happy-hoursjwvideo
    series/top-texans-under-30-dallas
    news/innovation
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