It’s that time of year again for gift giving and, this time, socially-distanced family gatherings. But even if you can’t see your loved ones in person this year, there’s always tech and e-commerce.
Like the many people and personalities that make up your list, each person seems to want something unique. And at times that can make the holiday season even tougher, we get it. So to keep you covered this year, we’ve put together a few ideas from you, made up of products made by startups here in North Texas. So, take a look, there’s a little something for everyone.
For Foodies:
There always seems to be at least one member of the family who has gone on a vegan or vegetarian diet. And even though it’s Texas, you can still find meat-less jerky in DFW. All Y’alls Foods makes a line of jerky product developed whole non-GMO soybeans in four different flavors, most recently with the launch of a crunchy bacon bit product in July. It can be found in specialty groceries, vegan markets and other grocery chains across the state, as well as on the company’s website and on Amazon. And you can feel good about giving back because All Y’alls Foods also partners with the Rowdy Girl Sanctuary in Waelder, Texas, a vegan sanctuary that also helps farmers find ways to get out of the animal agriculture business.
Have someone with a bit of a sweet tooth? A caakie brings together the best of what makes a cookie and what makes a cake. Made by the aptly-named startup Caakie.co, its desserts come in a variety of different flavors, as well as in a pet-friendly line of products. You can order them up through the company’s “virtual kitchen,” and have it delivered through a third-party service. And in keeping with the giving back theme, the company is in the process of finding local nonprofits to donate a portion of its revenue to. The company is planning to launch in December, just in time for the holidays.
While water may not be something you think about as a gift, this brand, packs a punch. Not literally, but it does come from a source on Chuck Norris’ Texas ranch. Live to Give bottles pH-balanced and electrolyte-enhanced water in 12-packs of 1-liter or 20-ounce bottles. It has also partnered with three veteran- and first responder-focused charities – Austin-based Chive Charities, Dallas-based Task Force Dagger and Tulsa-based Folds of Honor – where it donates 50 percent of its net profits. While Live to Give largely sells its product through Amazon, it does have a presence in some 7 Elevens and gyms around the Metroplex. And if water isn’t your thing, Live to Give also sells its own blend of coffee.
For Fashionistas:
While this one may not be for the men on your list, it does solve a problem many working women have encountered when purchasing new clothes – the need for more pockets. Launched by Kimberly Borges and Miriam McDonald, the company offers a range of clothing items and accessories focused on empowering female entrepreneurs.
“It’s cute; it’s fun; its playful,” that’s how founder Emmy Hancock describes her brand. While focused on selling women’s comfy pants, Oluna also offers up accessories for all types. And behind the brand is a mission to help stop the stigmatization of periods, as well as help women who don’t have the support to purchase their own sanitary products. For every article of clothing Oluna sells, it donates a year’s worth of period products to a homeless shelter in the Dallas area.
While athleisure ware seems to be one the rise, based on the commercials running across the screen, former vet Andrew Sternke is making active ware for those looking to work up a sweat. He launched his company SweatSwat after discovering the cleaning products from his company EcoCleanFit worked pretty well at drying up sweat from his quarantine workouts. Now, the company sells a line of workout wear that incorporates microfibers and anti-odor technology, including shirts, headbands, blanket and, of course, face masks. SweatSwat uses in its products come from overseas, manufacturing is done in the company’s hometown of Keller, and much of its marketing and design work is done in DFW. And besides online sales, SweatSwat can also be found at local independent athletic retailer Bear Creek Running Company.
Tech Gadgets:
Here’s something for those all those people you’ve been seeing on who have gone out an gotten a new dog during the pandemic. While the joys of having a pup are great, training it and keeping it safe and sometime be otherwise, so why not let Cesar Milan help? As a co-founder of Plano-based Halo, the company is combining his canine wisdom with tech to make a smart collar for dogs. In addition to providing training tools, Halo’s collar can be used to set up geofences anywhere through the company’s app. And if you want to pay a little extra for the monthly subscription, you can get access to other services, like personal training videos from Millan-approved trainers.
Created by gamers for gamers, Glorious PC Gaming race takes its name from an inside joke on Reddit. But its gadgets are serious. The company launched in 2014 with a gaming mousepad and has since expanded that product lineup to include everything from keyboards and mice to wrist rests. And if they’re the person you’re buying something for is into all the technical, Glorious puts out reports on the problems encountered during development, fixes that were made and steps taken to improve on the next design.
While much of the company’s focus is on building the foundation for what co-founder Brad Hunstable calls “Energy 2.0,” especially after landing a nearly $70 million grant from the city of Fort Worth to consolidate its operations in the region, it does offer some tech to the tinkerers. Earlier this year, Linear Labs began offering a version of its electric motor, called the Honey Badger to individuals and entrepreneurs looking to build their own tech. According to Linear Labs, the motor produces more torque than competitors at a smaller size.
For the Movie Lovers:
Tired of watching reruns on the various streaming options available out there? Created by Michael Maponga, who is a film star in his own right, AfroLandTV serves up shows and movies from the Pan-African diaspora. The AfroLandTV platform offers content from places ranging from the African to African American, Black European, Afro Latino and Caribbean communities. After beginning with access with a Web browser, it launched its app earlier this year. The platforms include iOS devices, Android, Amazon’s Fire TV and others – with more on tap. Still, this is a service with a global audience in mind. And it’s got a price tag that reflects that at $3.99 a month.
For the Health Conscious:
During these times, many are looking for a little way to calm the anxiety. And based on the number of stores cropping up around the region, CBD seems to be one of the leaders of that. But if you’re looking for something different than what you find at the local strip mall, K’dara offers an organic, full-spectrum lineup of CBD products, developed in part with a pharmacist, for both humans and dogs. The brand is created Katrina Thompkins, who, as a registered nurse, has been helping fight the pandemic in New York City.
It wasn’t more than a few months ago husband-and-wife team Christie Zwahlen and David Taffet moved to Fort Worth to launch their company. Designed to help dispose of waste sanitarily without having any lingering smell, Petal’s product uses freezing technology that stops rot and odor in organic waste. It can also be used for composting, for that person on your list who has gone deep into the home projects.
For the Outdoorsy:
A trip to the great outdoors often means mornings start before the sun rises and the evening ends long after it sets. Entrepreneur and outdoorsman Chris Grider found himself in that position, juggling all the lights and batteries he needed at camp. So he launched HEADSPIN. The company offers a convertible lighting system. A single, rechargeable light anchors the system and can be placed on different mounts, eliminating the need for multiple lighting devices.
Maybe you have someone on your list who is looking to get outside but in a way that can involve the whole family. Enter Bunch Bikes. The Denton e bike maker sells cargo bikes, something that was inspired by a family trip to Sweden. The company currently has a lineup of three different models, including the Original, the K9 and the Preschool, all of which feature a three-wheel bike with a large bucket-like attachment to help carry kids, pets or groceries. Founder Aaron Powell said it’s a way to connect more with family while out for a ride. And he likely knows, since he can often be found cruising the streets of Denton on his own Bunch Bike.
It is Texas, so we all likely know someone deeply into football. If you do and they’re looking to get some practice in while keeping socially distant, Monarc’s tech combines AI and athleticism into its robotic quarterback. Called The Seeker, robot can operate in manual mode, throwing the ball to a desired location and body position, or robotic mode, which, using a wearable device can track a player’s movement on the field and throw a pass directly to them. Already, the company has been working with major players, including SMU and LSU.
For Some Family Time:
Highland Point Games – Ghosts on Oak Island
Sometimes to spend time with loved ones, old fashioned board games can do just the trick. Local entrepreneur Timothy Smallwood and his company Highland Point Games, who has a background in IT and development recently landed the $3,200 on Kickstarter needed to launch his new game Ghosts on Oak Island. The game is based off of the TV show he spent hours watching with his mother while she was sick. Part strategy, part card game, Ghosts on Oak Island has players collecting the items they need going around the board to find the buried treasure in the center.
Because Why Not?
If you’re in the market for a new vehicle and are looking for something eco-friendly, Kandi America, the Garland-based subsidiary of China-based EV maker Kandi Technology Group, has begun selling its compact electric cars in North America from DFW. Currently, Kandi is selling two of its vehicles - the K23 and K27.
Still Can’t Decide?
This one was made for the last-minute shopper, especially since part of the inspiration for it came after founder Matthew Frye found himself digging through a drawer of old gift cards for a birthday his kid forgot to mention they had yet to buy a gift for. The newly launched CardNow offers pack with 25 custom-selected, unloaded gift cards. Then, you can decide which one and how much you want to load on it, depending on who has been naughty or nice. And if you are buying a pack for someone else who may be a little forgetful, the packs come in sleek packaging, so you can still look like you remembered.
While this one isn’t something you can package and send off, if you’re still looking for that perfect gift, consider buying local. LocalOnly.US is an online directory for small, local North Texas businesses created by Colt Mercer. Since it’s hyperlocal, not all DFW cities are up on the platform yet – it did just launch a few months ago. However, whether you’re shopping for clothes or looking for something to eat, or if you are looking for a locally owned mechanic or barber.
And if you still can’t find that perfect gift, you can check out our 2019 gift guide here. Happy shopping.
