March 5, 2019: David and Danita Graffagnini

Co-Founders of PerkUp

David Graffagnini’s sights of being an entrepreneur began at a young age watching his parents found several hospices in both Texas and Arkansas while living in Texarkana. After moving to San Marcos to pursue a degree in communications from Texas State University, Graffagnini began not only working for Under Armor but investing in their stock at the same time. It was while sitting in class at Texas State that he sold his shares for an increase in value of over 650%. 

In 2014, Graffagnini took a job heading up Katz Coffee’s in the Austin to San Antonio Region where he managed over 100 accounts throughout the Central Texas area.  It was during his experiences with Katz’ Coffee that the concept of PerkUp began to form. He opened his first store at the age of 26.

A graduate of San Marcos High School, Danita Hayes and her family are natives of San Marcos, TX. Her parents are the owners of Gruene River Inn, a bed and breakfast, in Gruene, TX. After finishing her bachelor’s degree in history from Texas A&M, Hayes worked as an academic advisor while she pursued her master’s degree in student affairs from Texas State University. She then studied briefly at the Culinary Institute of America before writing and executing the menu for PerkUp.

As proud Bobcats and active members of the San Marcos community, Graffagnini and Hayes take pride in providing a very people-first culture to their business with an emphasis on providing quick and consistent service.