NAME & GRADUATION YEAR:
Carolyn (Crouch) Phillips ‘09
WHO YOU ARE:
Entrepreneur, Wife, Daughter, Sister, Dreamer, and Travel Addict.
BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT SINCE GRADUATION:
Starting my own company, Alchemy Pops, as for-profit and for-purpose venture. I founded Alchemy Pops to create new market opportunities for our local farmers by sourcing produce from Texas. By supporting the livelihoods of our local farmers, I’m also able to provide the highest quality ingredients for my customers and create flavors such as Roasted Peach and Honey, Orange Creamsicle, and Cantaloupe and Mint. Being the Owner & Chief Alchemist of Alchemy Pops is my dream job because I literally dreamed it up!
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A TCU ALUMNI:
Staying involved with a vibrant network of fellow Horned Frogs through alumni happy hours, TCU sporting events, and campus activities. But the best part is seeing Horned Frogs all over the world as we travel. It’s always great to see another purple shirt in the crowd, or hear a “Go Frogs” while exploring another country!
FAVORITE MEMORY WHILE IN SCHOOL AT TCU:
Studying abroad in Vienna, Austria! I spent the Spring semester of my Junior year abroad living in a beautiful and small apartment with two other American girls in the 3rd district of the city, during which time I ate a lot of Austrian torte (cake) and fell in love with my husband, Wiley. That time was sweet in every way.
WHERE CAN YOU BE FOUND ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON:
Most likely preparing or delivering frozen pops for an event or catering delivery for Alchemy Pops! But if I’m not working, I might be taking a long weekend with my husband to visit friends or explore a new city.
WHERE CAN WE FIND, FOLLOW AND FRIEND YOU (OR YOUR COMPANY)?
Facebook – Alchemy Pops - www.facebook.com/alchemypops
Instagram - @alchemypops
Twitter - @alchemypops
Website – www.alchemypops.com
Email – info@alchemypops.com
I’m a Texas native, and I grew up in Waco. I left my Baylor roots behind to attend TCU. I studied Entrepreneurial Management and Anthropology. Each of my jobs and internships while at TCU were focused on the nonprofit sector, from church administration to programming for at-risk youth. Following graduation, I moved to Arizona to earn a Master’s in Sustainability from Arizona State University with a focus on sustainable food systems and equitable access to healthy food choices.
I moved back to Fort Worth, married my TCU sweetheart in the TCU chapel and started a career in nonprofit management and fundraising. I’ve always felt drawn to the nonprofit sector, following my instinct to focus on working where I’m needed and to help people every day. After 5 years of fundraising, and while I’ve started my own company, I still serve as a Board Member for the Arts Council of Fort Worth. I look forward to my husband and I staying active community members in Fort Worth as we have set down our roots here. In my free time, I enjoy bike rides, curling up with a good book, trying new recipes, dinners with friends, and planning the next trip for my husband and I – next up is Australia and New Zealand in early 2016!