From rushing TKE at UTSA and becoming a local club and radio DJ to finding his passion for global sourcing at H-E-B and creating the Barbacoa & Big Red Festival, Tony Villarreal has built a career around turning his passions into opportunities. He joins Birds Up to share how his love of music led him into entrepreneurship, how he helped influence what San Antonians find in the grocery store aisle, and how an idea celebrating two local favorites grew into a San Antonio tradition that brings the community together.
From sourcing products around the world for H-E-B to helping build one of San Antonio’s most recognizable cultural celebrations, Tony Villarreal’s journey has been shaped by entrepreneurship, creativity and a willingness to pursue the things he’s passionate about.
In this episode of Birds Up, Tony shares his journey from Monterrey to San Antonio and his time at UTSA, including rushing TKE and discovering a passion for music that led him to become a club and radio DJ and eventually start his own business. He also discusses how his career took him to H-E-B, where his work in global sourcing gave him the opportunity to find products and ideas from around the world and bring them to Texas consumers.
Tony also takes us behind the scenes of the Barbacoa & Big Red Festival and the idea that grew into a celebration of two things deeply connected to San Antonio culture. He shares the entrepreneurial story behind the festival and how food, music and community have helped turn it into a San Antonio tradition.
Show Notes:
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Barbacoa Big Red Festival
Land N Texas
UT San Antonio Alumni
UT San Antonio Membership
UTSA Football