The heart of our mission at VoyageHouston is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our city. In the recent weeks we’ve had the privilege to connect with some of the Houston’s finest artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with our city’s incredibly deep talent pool. Check out Neartowns’s rising stars below.
Ivonne Gonzalez Zuniga and Salvador Flores Herrera
Granel #spicemarket is a brick & mortar/eCommerce concept created by Terra Provisions’ Ivonne Gonzalez Zuniga and Salvador Flores Herrera. Many of the aspects are derived from bodega and boticas found throughout North, Central and South America -combined with spice markets of the old world. Salvador “Sal” Flores Herrera grew up working at his parents’ business in the produce terminals, before starting his food & beverage wholesale company in 2006 – while completing his undergrad at the University of Houston. In 2016, he joined Terra Provisions and currently oversees wholesale and is developing granelglobal.com. Read more>>
Robert and Ryan O’Bannon
Nine years ago, I sold my company and thought retirement (at 47) would be the way for me. What I did not realize was a passion I have to work and retirement lasted about 5 months. I bought into an existing construction company and began researching how I wanted to spend my next working 25 years. Everything pointed towards a population that quickly was moving into an age bracket where health, wellness and fitness will become a priority if not a necessity. My son, Ryan, and I started studying, have become certified as a personal trainer, nutritionist and working on other certifications knowing that there will be a growing need. Read more>>
Mohammed Kamara
Though, I’m a filmmaker by profession and my trade name is Talking Drum Productions (TDP), I got into the passport and visa business coincidentally. I had an office across the hall from a lady who managed a passport courier company for many years. So, one day, she decided to move her business to her home. But she left no change of address for her patrons to follow. They kept coming and asking for her. All I could tell them was, “I don’t know…” At the time, I had written a script for a movie and I needed resource to bring my movie to fruition. Then it occurred to me, maybe I should consider this passport business. Read more>>
Elizabeth Earle
I began writing plays in the early nineties; in order to learn more about the practicalities of producing plays, I started stage managing at Company OnStage, a local community theater. I also began taking classes through the University of Houston with Edward Albee, where I learned the benefits of readings, and with Lanford Wilson. While I was taking Lanford Wilson’s class, Company OnStage’s board told me if I formed a company, they would let me produce my play and the play of one of my classmates at their theater. Read more>>
Megan and Jacob Spacek
We’re a brother & sister team who both studied Fine Arts at Texas State University. After graduation, we decided to move to Houston and get involved in its bustling art community. BLUEorange started as a way to share the art and artists we love with those around us and also build lasting relationships within the art community. We began primarily showing Central Texas based artists with the idea of bringing new artists into the area and have since expanded to exhibit both Houston and out of state artists. Our main goal is to support the artist and their visions and typically host installation based shows that encourage artists to push their boundaries and take over the space. Read more>>
Kim Clark Renteria
I started Lighthouse Glass 24 years ago. We do site architectural stained glass. The work is site specific, and we collaborate with architects, interior designers and individuals. Most of our work is in Texas but there are installations throughout the United States. International commissions include residential commissions in Paris, France and Antigua, Guatemala. We also have a stained glass window at the Highland Sherpa Resort in Pangboche, Nepal. In the past five years, I have been creating one of a kind functional art in fused glass. Some of the items are sets of dinner plates, platters, bowls and a variety of items for the home. Read more>>
