Neartown’s Rising Stars

Sarah Bolton, Alex Bumbaugh and Bree Brown

Sober Eve launched in 2017 as an alcohol-free pop up night club. Our goal was to create a space that felt as hot as any other New Year’s Eve party without the temptation of champagne being passed to you at midnight. Initially intended as a party for people in recovery from substance use disorder, we quickly realized that all types of people wanted to come party with us. Read more>>

Samantha Talavera

I’m a first generation U.S born citizen and the oldest of 4 siblings. My parents are from Morelos which is a very small state in Mexico, in fact you can barely see it on the map. Being the first born and the first to learn English, I was giving a lot of duties as soon as I was in elementary so I never really got to explore my creativity or talents. Read More>>

Gabriel Mattei

I was born and raised on a coffee and orange farm in the mountains of Puerto Rico, but now I live in Houston, working as a full-time geophysicist and freelance photographer in my spare time. Being raised in the jungle away from the bustle of city life sparked my interest in nature at an early age. I was also involved in the Boy Scouts where I did tons of hiking and camping and eventually became an Eagle Scout. Read more>>

Patrick Virgin

I’ve always loved food. My parents are from Colombia and my mom would cook us a meal every night for as long as I could remember. I had the dream of owning a restaurant but knew it was a difficult task, so I decided to follow my other dream of becoming an orthopedic surgeon (because 12 years of schooling and residency seemed like a walk in the park comparatively). Although I loved my mom’s cooking. Read more>>

Clarissa Rodriguez

They say that every family has a story and ours is one for the books. So much to tell in such little time, but it all comes down to being a true believer of things happening for a reason. That’s not always the easiest thing to believe because life has its way of testing you, but at some point, you open your eyes, look around and realize that the tough times always produce something positive. Read more>>

Lexi Reed

My name is Lexi and in 2016, I set a New Years Resolution to lose weight. I was 25 years old, weighed 485lbs, had a BMI of 78 and feared if I didn’t change the ways that I wouldn’t live to see my 30th birthday. I don’t follow a meal plan, have a trainer, and knew nothing about working out or eating healthy. My bestfriend challenged me to 30 days of not eating out, no cheat meals, no soda/alcohol. Read more>>

Barbara Lipohar

I am a portrait photographer from Houston, specializing in family and small business branding photography. Photography was part of my growing up. My dad used to own a portrait studio, back in Croatia, where I come from. So naturally, a camera landed in my hands early on. The very first camera I owned was a Minolta point and shoot film camera. The film roll could fit 24 or 36 exposures (each is one image). Read more>>

Shanida Littlejohn “The Beauty Therapist”

Since a very young age, I’ve always been interested in all things beauty. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the support of my parents to pursue my dreams. Then becoming a single teenage mother of 3 my desire to pursue my passions was again halted. I haven’t had the opportunity until recently to give it my all. In January 2018, I enrolled in an evening 320 hour Eyelash Extension course at San Jacinto College. Read more>>

Naturalista Nai Phalesburgh

Hair has always been “my thang”! I can recall being a school-age having braiding contests with my sisters and always smashing the competition. At the age of 11, I had proven myself equipped enough to style an adults hair! Excitement ran through my body and out of my fingertips while I braided my first client’s hair! That set of Micro braids took 12 hours to complete. Read more>>

Nicole Schindler

I started making my own products when I begin reading labels and realizing that I couldn’t pronounce any of the names of the ingredients on the back. It started as a personal idea for me. I began to be more conscious of the products I use, the food I consume, and my overall health. At this time, I began to make different things for family and friends and I noticed that the market for these types of products existed. Read more>>

Ryan and Nathalie Harrison

We both come from a background in high-level athletic competition, working out and being physically fit. We have now turned our passion for fitness into a thriving business dedicated to transforming people’s lives, educating them in body mechanics, diet and how to live a healthy lifestyle. I (Ryan) am a Disabled Combat Veteran from the United States Marine Corps. Read more>>

Jennifer Mares

Started in the Real Estate Industry when I was 21 years old while attending college. I was mentored by Mariana Saldaña the Broker and Owner of Uptown Real Estate Group. Fast forward to today, eight years later I am still a part of the Uptown Real Estate Group. I specialize in the Galleria Area and inside the loop. I’ve assisted many families to buy their future home in Houston and surrounding areas. Read more>>

Susanna Fontenot

My family moved every four years of my childhood – from northeast Texas to Michigan to Houston and several different suburbs of Dallas. Every time we relocated, my parents decided to put new roots down based on the quality of the public schools nearby, communicating the value of education to us at an early age. I moved away from my family and Texas after high school and went to undergrad at American University in Washington, D.C. Read more>>