Austin Huette

I guess you could say it all started at Taco Bell. My first paycheck went to the local record store, and to the nearest gas station, so I could get to and from the local record store.

From there, I had an illustrious career at Domino's Pizza. My star rose quickly from humble pizza-maker to manager, who also makes pizza, but now has to also count stuff at the end of the night.

Eventually, I managed to escape foodservice and landed a job in my desired field. I started out designing website layouts and eventually taught myself how to develop them as well. Naturally, those skills translated into a memorable stint selling men's shoes at Macy's.

At the same time, I was working for a non-profit in the city as an ad-hoc graphic/web/print designer. Chicago is great, as long as you can afford it. Unfortunately, Macy’s and a modest part-time salary at a non-profit weren’t quite enough to support the lifestyle I was trying to achieve (which, to be clear, was literally just owning a dog).

It took months of cold calls, interviews, and physically mailing my resume to dozens of design studios before I finally caught a break. People like to say it’s about skill, effort, or some kind of strategic maneuvering, but I’m fully convinced it’s all luck and timing.

My first game with the Chicago Bears was at Soldier Field against the Packers in 2014, and it’s been a rollercoaster on and off the field ever since. I don’t count in years anymore, just seasons.

And I still love Taco Bell.

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