We caught up with Chamber Member, Roka, an eyewear, technical apparel and storage solution company founded here in Austin. Here’s an insight into Roka and what the company has to say on all things ATX:

Q: What’s your favorite Austin event to participate in as a company? If you haven’t participated in Austin events, what’s your favorite activity you do as a company?
A: Since we've only been here less than a year, we still have a lot more events to check out as a company. However, all ROKA employees love a good challenge so when one employee challenged the rest of the company to complete the 3m half marathon, half the company signed up! Everyone beat their personal goal, and I think it will be an annual challenge!

Q: What’s your favorite food to cater at the office and/or events?
A: For special events, we love to order Franklins BBQ! Besides that, we're big Chipotle fans.

Q: What makes Austin special to you/as a company?
A: Austin is so special to us because it's where our co-founders, Rob & Kurt, first thought of and created our first product, The Maverick Elite wetsuit. After challenging each other to the Austin 70.3 many years after college, they bought a bunch of expensive gear to make up for their lack of being in shape. They realized all the wetsuits on the market were so restricting and started creating prototypes of wetsuit of their own. The first place the Maverick wetsuit was ever tested out was our very own Barton Springs!

Q: What’s your current favorite Austin business? What should people go check out?
A: We're big coffee enthusiasts here and could not live without our Flat Track Coffee!

Q: What’s one thing you want people to know about your company?
A: We have a mission to disrupt a monopolistic marketplace. Every time we find an opportunity to innovate or create something better, we go all in, This is why we've recruited top talent in product design and some impressive athletes on our staff so we can design the best for athletes by athletes.

Q: Favorite memory as a company?
A: There are so many. As a partner of Ironman, we're lucky to have the opportunity to travel around the country to Ironman activations. One that stands out in particular was a trip to Chattanooga, TN. We stayed in a 1900's home overlooking the mountains, and really bonded as colleagues. The best part was how busy our tent was that weekend and the blood, sweat and tears we all poured into the weekend to make the crazy-busy event a success.

Q: What do you want your impact in Austin to be?
A: We want to enhance the lives of the large active community here in Austin, which is why we create eyewear that transitions seamlessly from everyday life to the trails. We also are very excited to be partnered up with the Trail Foundation, helping raise awareness and money to keep the trails here clean. We're excited to explore more ways to get involved & make a difference.