Today we’d like to introduce you to Kylie Harris
Hi Kylie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I first moved to Dallas from Austin in January 2022, I really struggled to make friends and find a sense of community. It was a tough transition because I had always been so involved—through high school, college, and beyond—surrounded by an amazing group of friends. But suddenly, I was in a new city where I didn’t know anyone.
Where I was once around people 80% of the time and alone only 20% of the time, it completely flipped. I found myself alone most of the time—working from home, going to the gym by myself, and just doing life solo. I deeply missed the community I had always been a part of, but when I looked around for groups to join, nothing really appealed to me. I saw one small running group, but I’m not a runner.
However, I realized that I was a walker. Almost every day after work, I’d walk the Katy Trail alone, and I started noticing other girls walking alone too. That’s when the idea hit me—to start a walking club.
I posted a simple TikTok, asking if anyone wanted to meet on the Katy Trail on a random Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m., starting in front of Ice House and grabbing drinks afterward. At the time, I had fewer than 1,000 followers, so I didn’t expect much. I figured even if no one showed up, at least I had put myself out there.
But to my surprise, 40 girls showed up that night. It was incredible—connecting with other women who felt the same way I did, craving community and friendship. I recorded a quick recap for TikTok, thinking nothing of it. The next day, I woke up to find the video had gone viral—today, it has over 500,000 views.
That moment was the start of something special. It showed me just how many women were searching for connection, just like I was. The following week, we had our second walk, and as I looked around, I thought an ambulance was coming through the trail because the crowd was so big. But my friend turned to me and said, Kylie, all these girls are here for you. They saw the video.
I was completely blown away. So many women were looking for exactly what I had been missing—a place to belong. And that’s how, in June 2022, what started as a simple idea turned into what was then called the Dallas Hot Girl Walking Club—now known as Dallas Hot Girls Wanting Community.
Fast forward to spring 2025, and Dallas Hot Girls Wanting Community has evolved into so much more than just weekly walks on the trail. Since its inception, Dallas HGWC has proudly partnered with national brands like Tito’s Vodka, Kendra Scott Jewelry, Cetaphil Skincare, Bondi Boost as well as some of our favorite local Dallas businesses, including Training Mate Fitness, The Pilates Bar, DTX Sports Medicine, Harwood Hospitality, and many more.
But more than the partnerships, the most rewarding part of Dallas HGWC’s growth has been seeing firsthand how many women have connected and built real friendships through this group. When I first started, I had no idea what it would turn into. Now, I’ve seen women find their bridesmaids, roommates, and best friends—someone to laugh with, cry with, walk with, grab dinner with, and even travel with.
At its core, I created Dallas HGWC to make the big city of Dallas feel a little bit smaller—through friendship, connection, and meaningful events. I know that’s been true for me, and I hope it has been true for the countless women who have joined us over the years. I am so excited to see what this year holds!
LINKS – https://www.instagram.com/dallashgwc/
Viral video – https://www.tiktok.com/@kylieharris/video/7122657219547548974?lang=en
3rd walk with 300+ attendees – https://www.tiktok.com/@kylieharris/video/7128154052323527978?lang=en
Bondi Boost – https://www.instagram.com/p/DFWKBdPyWiP/
Cetaphil – https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-k82JUvreq/
Training Mate – https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBMRZf1PimC/
Kendra Scott – https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8tLcFnsYCq/
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like anything in life, creating and maintaining Dallas Hot Girls Wanting Community has come with its challenges—but they are challenges I don’t regret facing. When I first started the group, I wasn’t prepared for how quickly it would grow, almost overnight. Suddenly, I had to learn how to essentially run a business, manage my time, and communicate effectively, all while balancing my 9-to-5 job and personal life. It was a crash course in leadership, and I’m grateful for the lessons it taught me early on.
The biggest and most challenging issue I’ve faced throughout this journey has been navigating a trademark dispute over the term “Hot Girl Walk.” Although I was using the name Hot Girl Walking Club, it led to unexpected legal complications.
As a result, my Instagram account was temporarily taken down—which was incredibly difficult for me. Instagram is everything; it’s how I connect with women in Dallas, how I share our events, and how I demonstrate legitimacy to brands. To make matters worse, I was already having a tough day personally, and this just felt like the cherry on top.
While I was able to recover my Instagram, the legal situation forced me to pivot to a new name, avoid any direct mentions of “Hot Girl Walk,” and be extra cautious moving forward to prevent further trademark issues. It was a tough lesson, but it also pushed me to evolve, adapt, and ensure Dallas HGWC could continue growing without limitations
Running DHGWC has also taught me how to persevere and pivot. There have been plenty of moments when things didn’t go as planned, and I’ve had to make quick decisions to keep an event running smoothly. Since I run everything by myself, there are also times when I feel anxious, overwhelmed, or emotionally drained—but when I step into a walk or an event, I have to leave all of that behind and show up not only for myself but for the women who are there looking for community.
Lastly, learning to say no. I naturally want to say yes to everything, but I’ve realized that I can’t do it all. Whether it’s a matter of time, energy, or simply having too much on my plate, I’ve had to learn that saying no isn’t a bad thing—it’s necessary.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
When I think about Dallas HGWC, what I’m most proud of isn’t just the growth—it’s the incredible community of women who make it what it is. At every event, girls thank me for hosting and organizing, and while I always appreciate it, I remind them that they are the ones who make Dallas HGWC special. I’m just the facilitator. It’s the kind, welcoming, and supportive energy they bring that has created such a safe and uplifting space at every walk and event.
Over the past few years, it’s been exciting to challenge myself and push forward, even in moments when I doubted if there was room for the group to grow. Every time I’ve been hard on myself, something happens that reminds me why I started—and I don’t think that’s a coincidence.
As I’ve said before, my goal has always been simple: if I can make the big city of Dallas feel just a little bit smaller for even one person through our events, then I’ve done my job. And even as we’ve evolved, that mission remains the same.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Honestly, I think I got really lucky with my first walk recap going viral on TikTok—that was the catalyst that put everything in motion and launched Dallas HGWC. But I also believe that video went viral for a reason. It resonated with so many women—not just in Dallas, but across the country—because they felt the same way I did. They felt alone, isolated, and missing a sense of community, and when they saw that video, they realized this was such a simple, free way to change that.
If you scroll through the comments, you’ll see just how many women across the U.S. wanted to start their own walking groups in their cities. Fast forward a few years, and now if you look on TikTok, Instagram, or even Google, you’ll see walking clubs popping up all over the country. It’s proof that something as simple as a walk can bring people together—regardless of location, financial status, or background. Anyone can do it.
Pricing:
- Walks – free
- Event’s – vary from $20 to 50
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dallashgwc/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kylieharris
Image Credits
Katherine Hughes – https://www.instagram.com/fotosbykatherine/
