Jovan Marin graduated from Texas State in 2016 with a degree in Economics. His family immigrated to the United States from Mexico, so Jovan was a first generation college student. Jovan was passionate about development, but after his grandfather died he found himself stagnant. For two years after graduating, Jovan bartended for Mayloo’s in San Marcos and blamed his lack of interest in other jobs on the loss of his grandfather. That was until everyone started telling him he was wasting his potential.

“All of life's beautiful opportunities are passing me by,” Jovan said. “It was a slap in the face I needed.”

Jovan decided to use his years of bartending and management experience to purchase a bar. He saved up for six months thinking it would be enough, but it wasn’t. Everyone rallied behind Jovan and eventually the previous owners sold Jovan the bar for just $300.

Axis bar was founded in 2018, and opened just 2 days before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Jovan Marin and his friends Henry Hogensen and Miles Altgelt founded Axis bar together after seeing the need for a bar where women felt safe. Now, the bar is nominated San Marcos’ Best Bar by Barstool.

“Our bar is a college bar,” Henry Hogensen said. “We want to give back to the community that’s been so good to us.”

Jovan, Henry and Miles all co-own Axis bar. They worked hard to hire a new team and inspire them get the bar running. Axis was opened for two days and then closed because of COVID-19.

“All the pillars I learned in the Housley Principled Leadership class got me through it,” Jovan said. He’d look back through his workbooks from class to remind himself why he was following his passion.

Axis Bar was able to reopen months later and quickly grow. Not only are they committed to be a safe space for women to drink, but they also give back to the San Marcos community. They recently sponsored a Stelos Leaders Scholarship for Nisha McDonald, find her story here.

“Anyone can sell a Bud Light,” Jovan said. “It takes a culture to involve the community.”

Axis is located in San Marcos, Texas at 202 N LBJ Dr A.

Alumni Profile: Jovan Marin and Axis Bar