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Speakeasy Venue Tour & Alpha Schools Discussion (2025-05-23)

Summary​

Gary Sheng and Samuel Armes toured the Speakeasy venue in Austin with Leslie Deann, the venue's event manager. The conversation evolved from discussing event space logistics to exploring potential partnerships for Alpha Schools events, vinyl listening parties, and real estate opportunities. Leslie revealed her background as a former cheerleading coach and single mother, while Gary pitched various business collaborations and gave her a tour of the nearby Alpha School.

Key Topics​

Venue Details & Logistics​

  • Speakeasy offers multiple event spaces: ballroom, rooftop, cabaret room, bowling alley
  • Catering options: buffet style bar food or elevated sit-down dinners
  • 20% outside vendor fee for external catering
  • Owner Michael Girard owns multiple Austin venues including Coconut Club, Neon Grotto, Pete's Piano Bar
  • Been open since 1997, Girard bought it in 1999
  • June 14th available for ballroom; June 21st fully booked for wedding

Leslie Deann's Background​

  • 43 years old, has a 21-year-old daughter who's a cheerleader
  • Divorced after 22-year marriage
  • Started in events through matchmaking business
  • Former cheerleading coach who built a gym in her garage
  • Had her daughter at 21, was told she couldn't have children
  • Currently dating a 40-year-old who works in real estate
  • Lives in Austin since right before COVID
  • Wants to live downtown but prices jumped in spring

Business Opportunities Discussed​

  • Gary proposed vinyl listening parties (connected to leading vinyl collectors)
  • Opening a record store in coming weeks
  • 30,000 square foot space near Austin Convention Center for block parties
  • Leslie mentioned condos on Lake Austin that need to be sold
  • Gary offered to connect Leslie with major real estate contacts
  • Discussed potential cheerleading/gymnastics school at Alpha

Alpha Schools Tour​

  • Gary gave impromptu tour of nearby Alpha School
  • Showed entrepreneurship-focused curriculum
  • Mentioned MacKenzie Price (founder) has 700K Instagram followers
  • Her daughter has 5 million followers, rising senior
  • Another daughter at Stanford
  • Joe Liemandt (billionaire funder) has daughter at school
  • Discussed vision for sports-focused schools with reality show components

Personal Dynamics​

  • Leslie asked if Gary was trying to matchmake her
  • Discussion about dating preferences (Leslie prefers younger men)
  • Gary joked about GOP fundraisers and drag brunches showing "dynamic" nature
  • Leslie expressed she's "good at interacting with rich people" from cheerleading background
  • Gary's ex used to watch drag podcasts to de-stress

Real Estate & Expansion​

  • Michael Girard has space for rent next to Coconut Club
  • Discussion of Austin's gay club scene not wanting strip club competition
  • Leslie previously ran Riley Building
  • Gary connected to wealthy investors looking for "fun and profitable" ventures
  • Plans for creating new clubs and venues

Notable Quotes​

  • "I'm connected to all these people that have money that want to figure out what to do with their money in a way that's fun and profitable" - Gary
  • "I was a cheerleader. Like, I can cut the A and a half again" - Leslie on interacting with rich people
  • "You shouldn't sell a product that you wouldn't even send your kids to" - Gary on Alpha Schools
  • "This was the smartest kid. And everybody always had a problem with him...He shouldn't be in the classroom. He's way smarter than all these kids" - Leslie on ADD student
  • "I didn't even know schools like this existed" - Leslie after Alpha tour
  • "Are we just going now? I just thought... Business partners of mine are like the leading collectors of vinyls in the world" - Gary
  • "He's probably the nicest person I've ever met in my life. Like, he... I couldn't even make him mad if I tried" - Leslie about her boyfriend

Action Items​

  • Leslie to send video of private ballroom space
  • Gary to introduce Leslie to real estate contacts
  • Explore June 14th for Alpha Schools event
  • Consider vinyl listening party venues
  • Potential collaboration on cheerleading/gymnastics school
  • Leslie positioned as partner/advisor for venue selection

Key Insights​

  • The tour revealed Gary's multi-faceted business approach, combining education, entertainment, and real estate
  • Leslie's enthusiasm for Alpha Schools' model suggests potential for sports/activity-based specialized schools
  • The conversation demonstrated Gary's networking style - quickly identifying synergies and making connections
  • Austin's venue landscape includes interconnected ownership (Michael Girard's properties)
  • Alpha Schools actively building social media presence through students and founder
  • Gary's vision includes reality shows for sports schools to make "all the fucking kids stars"