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 Matt Alexander.

Fascinated by design, technology, and the written word, Matt Alexander, 28, is the current darling of the Dallas startup scene. He was born and raised outside of London but came here in 2006 to attend SMU. He had intended to return to the UK after graduation, but Dallas had other plans for him.

While working for Southwest Airlines in 2010, Alexander started his blog OneThirtySeven, which provided an outlet for his passions. In just a few months, the blog’s popularity provided the impetus to segue out of the corporate world and enter the startup realm.

Alexander’s entrepreneurial attitude led to Edition Collective, founded in 2013, a company dedicated to unique and sustainable e-commerce concepts. Edition Collective’s portfolio includes Imprint, a men’s lifestyle publication, and Foremost, a small-batch American-made clothing brand for men and women.

The innovator — and a finalist in our 2014 Stylemaker Awards — recently gave us a glimpse into his world.

CultureMap: What inspires you to do what you do?

Matt Alexander: Honestly, I think I’m most driven by the knowledge that I wouldn’t be particularly useful doing anything else. I enjoy building things and exploring creative solutions to a lot of different problems. If I was in a corporate job, I doubt I’d be able to properly express that side of my personality.

In terms of actual inspiration, rather than what essentially amounts to a survival technique, I’m inspired by people who are able to — out of nowhere — contribute to conversations much larger than themselves. Technology has democratized access to a tremendous amount of information to help you build something great. And just knowing that anyone — from all manner of circumstances — can have an idea, and through sheer force of will, turn it into something, is amazing.

CM: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to other Texans trying to make a difference by innovating?

MA: Texas is one of the best places in the country — if not the world — to start a company. There are great investors, entrepreneurs, and communities of like-minded people here.

So, if you’re in Texas, and you’re looking to build something, I’d encourage you just to meet people. Try not to have lunch by yourself. Punch above your weight and get meetings with people who inspire you. More succinctly, tap into the community around you. There’s a lot you’ll find.

CM: Sum up Texas in three words.

MA: Not like England.

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

MA: When I was 9 or 10, I had a small part in an independently produced skate movie, Wheels: An Inline Story, in the mid- to late ’90s. It was the first skate movie, apparently, to have a narrative plot. And, most importantly, its soundtrack was made exclusively by Hanson.

It’s worth noting that the existence of this film became public knowledge a while back, and I tried to buy up as many copies as possible. From a quick glance at Amazon, it appears I’ve been unsuccessful.

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

MA: It’s a good day when I forget to look at my email inbox.

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

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 Nick Marino Jr.

There are movers and shakers, and there are social changers. Nick Marino Jr. is all three: a marketing junkie, social entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He’s the director of social change at TangoTab, an app that helps fight hunger. When used from your smartphone, the app is similar to the Toms one-for-one model. You eat at a participating restaurant, and TangoTab donates the cost of a meal to a local food charity. Marino’s job is to spread the word about this awesome app.

It’s a laudable position by itself, but the enterprising 28-year-old University of North Texas graduate has funneled his passion for marketing, business, and philanthropy into building both the media firm Revolving Mind Media and Mission’d, a company that helps raise money for mission trips.

He claims to be the most energetic man you’ll ever meet, and he might be right. The Dallasite also has served on the Mayor’s Star Council, is a Guinness World Record holder, travels the country speaking to groups large and small, and is working on his first book.

Marino took some time out of his full schedule to chat about his sources of inspiration.

CultureMap: What inspires you to do what you do?

Nick Marino Jr: First, it is my faith. Second, it is my family. I am who I am because of the person my parents raised me to be. Third, it is my community.

I love seeing change for the better, and I know that I can’t make a difference if I am just sitting back and watching.

CM: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to other Texans trying to make a difference?

NM: It’s great to have an idea, but you have to take action on it. So many people say they want to do something; not many people do it.

Sometimes you may have to sacrifice one thing to make this happen. Sometimes you have to lose a little sleep. Every time it will be worth it, because whether you succeed or fail at it, you will always know that you tried it.

CM: Sum up Texas in three words.

NM: Never stops growing.

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

NM: I’m a first-generation college graduate and a first-generation Texan.

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

NM: I wake up and am able to do what I love!

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

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!

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

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 Hunter Pond.

For some people, their profession evolves, developing into something unexpected but utterly fulfilling. That’s true for 29-year-old Hunter Pond, founder and CEO of East Hampton Sandwich Co.

The Dallas native graduated from Texas Tech, where he studied entrepreneurship, and even attended St. Mary’s Law School before realizing that most of this projects involved the restaurant industry. When Pond discovered that just about every sandwich restaurant followed the same formula — bread is baked in-house, while meat and sauces are outsourced — he saw a gap in the industry he could fill.

Pond began writing business plans that focused on flipping the model — outsourcing the bread making, preparing the meat and sauces in-house — and he describes the planning stages for East Hampton as something akin to an addiction. When the first location opened at Snider Plaza in 2012, it was clear the model was a hit: fresh sandwiches, filled with handmade sauces and meats without hormones or fillers.

Pond has received loads of recognition — he has been included on Zagat’s and Forbes’ 30 Under 30 lists — and there are now six East Hampton locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth.

We relished the chance to pick his brain about doing business in Texas.

CultureMap: What inspires you to do what you do?

Hunter Pond: Knowing that East Hampton provides a product that is unmatched in quality is what keeps me inspired on a daily basis. Watching customers’ eyes bulge as they bite into one of our sandwiches really gets me pumped and motivated.

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

HP: Be very picky when taking on partners. There is plenty of money out there if the idea is solid and your product is top of its category. Dig deep and figure out what kind of people they are, if their morals align with yours, if their goals are the same as yours. I’ve been incredibly fortunate in this area recently, and it’s transformed our company.

CM: Sum up Texas in three words:

HP: Queso. Business. Proud.

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

HP: I’m a diehard Seinfeld fan. Our parent company is named Vandelay Hospitality Group.

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

HP: The weather is nice, we’re breaking sales records, and the Cowboys are above .500.

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