Carol received her Architectural Degree with the Design Option. Carol worked for several design firms in Dallas, such as MBI, Inc. and Medical Space Design, before starting Carol Eix Design in 1984. She worked mainly in commercial design and for several years designed and produced couture gowns for the Dallas debutante community.

Tom began his career in the building business as a carpenter's helper at the age of 14. In 1972, he co-founded B&B Improvement Co. in Fort Worth. This company did all phases of remodeling and building both commercial and residential. During this time Tom personally worked in all phases of the building business from installing the foundation to nailing on the roofs, and from drywall/tape and bedding to cabinet making. There is not a part of the construction process that Tom has not done with his own hands. In December of 1977, Tom graduated from UTA with a BA in Foreign Language. Following college, B&B Improvement Co. became one of the larger remodeling firms in east Fort Worth.

Carol Eix and Tom Blackwell were married in 1981 in Dallas. Tom and his partner, Jay Brown, dissolved B&B Improvement Co. and Tom moved his "B" to Dallas and founded Tom Blackwell Renovations. It operated in the Lower Greenville Avenue area of old East Dallas, specializing in the purchase and rehabilitation of the many old homes in that area as well as some commercial construction. Tom entered Baylor College of Dentistry in September of 1982 and graduated with a D.D.S. Degree in 1986. Tom and Carol founded Eix & Blackwell at that time to handle the many remodeling clients while Tom was in transition to his full time dental practice.

Tom Blackwell DDS opened in Preston Center in the spring of 1987. His dental career was cut short by a serious back injury suffered in a boating accident in June of 1993. Tom was forced to retire from his practice in 1994.

Carol and Tom moved to Austin in June of 1998. Their reason for moving to Austin was to live some place fun and good for the family. They have two daughters, Katie 24, and Caroline 22. Katie became a licensed Real Estate Agent in December of 2006 and works in the Austin/San Marcos area. In April 2009 she aquired a Broker's License. Caroline graduated from Texas State University in December 2007 with a degree in Psychology as well as Spanish and a minor in business.  She works full time as the bookkeeper, office manager and site supervisor for Eix & Blackwell.  She also works part-time at a dog daycare and boarding facility in the heart of South Austin, Austin Dogtown.

Eix & Blackwell, Inc. is successful due to the unique combination of vision, artistic talents and space planning skills of Carol Eix with the construction experience and "a dentist's meticulous eye for detail" of Tom Blackwell. In 2006, Tom and Carol celebrated 30 years of partnership and 25 years of marriage.