Houston’s Most Inspiring Stories

Every neighborhood in Houston has its own vibe, style, culture and history, but what consistently amazes us is not what differentiates the various neighborhoods but rather what they all have in common.  From the Fourth Ward to Sugar Land (and everywhere in between) we’ve been blown away by how many creative and talented people call Houston home.  Check out some of the inspiring stories we’ve discovered throughout the city.

Lizz Gonzalez

When I moved at the age of 12 to the United States from El Salvador, we chose South Padre Island since it was the closest thing that reminded us of home. My mother took a job as a house keeper at a privately owned beachfront hotel. My father worked maintenance for the same hotel. The years passed and I was finally able to work, I decided to work as a waitress at the hotel as my parents. Read More>>

Lynn Emam

Inspired by her own positive experience purchasing her first home, Lynn entered the real estate field with a commitment to providing exceptional service to her clients. Her early success in becoming a homeowner at the age of 22 has empowered her to guide others, especially young individuals, in achieving their homeownership dreams. Outside of work, Lynn enjoys exploring Houston’s vibrant culinary scene, indulging in its diverse array of restaurants. When she’s not busy assisting clients, you can find her unwinding at the gym, soaking up the sun by the pool, or enjoying a good book in one of Houston’s beautiful parks. Read More>>

Lilian Anguiano

The medical field seemed like the most secure path I could take while also fulfilling my calling. While taking prerequisite classes to work towards being in the radiology field, I couldn’t help but question if that was really what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I continued to think about my desire to be creative while still interacting with a diversity of people on a day-to-day basis. So, I finally decided to enroll in beauty school. Read More>>

Mohamad Kandiel

When the opportunity arose to open a store on the University of Houston campus, it felt like the perfect fit—not only because it’s where I graduated, but also because of the incredible support and feedback we received from previous pop-up events there. Since the Spring Semester of 2024, New Era Thrifted has been proudly serving the UH community, and it’s been an amazing journey to see how far we’ve come. Read More>>

Chase Pearson

The creativity people were displaying. From the different styles of clothing to how they wear their hair and so much more. I wanted to be apart of it and create it. I started The Chase Dee Experience by working behind the scenes for fashion shows and photoshoots by teaching models how to pose and how to walk but I wanted more. That’s when I started directing and designing the photoshoots and music videos. That’s when The Chase Dee Experience flourished! Read More>>

Lloyd Mcbride Jr.

Like anything, there have been many successes and learning lessons along the journey. I would say early on that, when I started, the biggest challenge was figuring out if I was doing what God wanted me to do. I’ve always known that the two things I do pretty well are to motivate and inspire people to be the best versions of themselves, but I was not sure if basketball training was how I was supposed to do that. Read More>>

Caleb Ross

I moved to Houston in 2020 with my girlfriend Ariel at the time and her patience and character made me who I am today! I came along way honestly I did and I hope from reading my story you’ll learn to never give up continue to thrive throughout everything! Now look at me I have one of the best detailing and mechanic shops around! We’re in the process of opening two more locations and a school for kids to work and gain an education also! Read More>>

Jennifer Dean

Personally, though, I remember wanting to blend in and not be called up front until 6th grade. I was assigned to be the assistant director for our class play, but when the lead couldn’t perform, I was thrust into the role at the last minute. I loved it, and by the time high school came around, I knew I wanted to pursue theater. It was just figuring out that process. I joined theatre my sophomore year and it quickly became my focus. Read More>>

Teddy Tietze

I definitely wouldn’t say it’s been a smooth road, but I also wouldn’t say it’s been the most tumultuous thing in the world. There are a lot of learning curves in the technical side of music and the music business in general. I’m still constantly figuring new things out and I’ve been playing music for 20 years now. I tend to approach the struggles with excitement so it makes it feel less like a negative thing but more like a way to get better and open new doors. Read More>>

Creamatic

It’s been a bumpy road being im an independent artist and having to deal with life issues. Being that I work a 9-5, music takes time. I’m usually working on music after work and mainly on the weekends. The way I got better with my flow and breathing is by practicing my verses at work being a lot of machinery is happening. Then you have car issues and bills, it never ends but hey I’m breathing. Read More>>

Georgina Palencia

In 2022, now established in the country, I formally founded Teatro Loft, a company with very clear interests: to increase the presence of Spanish-language theater in Houston and to ensure it is of ever-increasing quality. Therefore, our main activities are training programs and a repertoire that speaks of Latin American identity through quality productions. Read More>>

Sorry, Sarah

I started writing songs as a child and picked up guitar in my teenage years. In the decade that followed, I played open mics, learned bass, and performed in multiple bands. A little over a year ago, I created my own band called Sorry, Sarah. Since then, we’ve played multiple venues in Houston and I’m now in the process of recording my first record. Read More>>

Juan Gutiérrez

My work is known for tracking the performance of Venezuelans in Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, and other important events like the recent Copa América. In this sense, our goal is to provide our community with the best sports analysis with rigorous objectivity. We conduct interviews with key figures, serving as a platform for emerging talent. Read More>>

Kat Jackson

I’ve invented something that is much needed in this beauty industry. My love for hair landed me to be published in black bride and a few other magazines. I’ve done many red carpets styling of radio personality. Ive work doing hair is media and talents during New York Fashion week, Barizon,, Fox 35 News anchor, Star Jones, Gorilla the rapper. Fashions shows, Pro bowl and Super Bowl in Atlanta. look for to what’s next for me while embracing my now. Read More>>

Melanie Bell

I love an organic feel when I’m creating. Using cool or neutral glazes and different clays to achieve the look and feel on each piece. My hanging or wall art is created using natural fibers and real wildflower impressions. Texture is a big part of my art. Knowing what glaze I will use when I’m laying down texture has been a trial and error process. Read More>>

Santosh Bhanu Kumar Mande

Throughout life, certain moments leave a lasting impact. For me, that moment came At 14, my fascination with invention was ignited by the cartoon Dexter’s Laboratory. This early interest in science led me to pursue mechanical engineering. During my second year of college, a Tech fest challenge inspired me to transform a toy car into a robotic walking creature. Despite my initial nervousness, the positive feedback from my peers boosted my confidence and drove me to create more innovative designs. Read More>>

Angel Lee Hickman

However, God gave me another chance, and now I am determined to pursue my dreams despite being wheelchair-bound momentarily. I am fighting every day to regain my strength and learn to walk again. I am a living testimony of God’s grace and mercy, and I believe that anything is possible through Christ who strengthens me. Luke 1:37 I will use my platform to encourage others. No matter what happens in life never give up on your dreams. Read More>>

Kennedi Leigh

My name is Kennedi Leigh, widely known as KEN KA$H or simply KA$H, and I’m 26. I’m a creative marketing professional, director/producer, musical artist, and content creator. Since I can remember, my passions and interests have been rooted in the arts, entertainment, media, design, technology, organizing & planning just about everything in immense detail. Having acquired a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing from Prairie View A&M University in 2021, I’ve now streamlined my passions and actively seek out opportunities to monetize them.  Read More>>

Charles Bales

I started playing music a few years ago when my sister passed away, I picked up the guitar she just got a few months beforehand. I was 13 when that happened so when I turned 16 and COVID hit the Texas I got a job at our local grocery store H-E-B where I spent 3 years saving money to build a custom PC which would be the core of everything I do today. Read More>>

Maryna Lasseigne

My passion for flowers was ignited during a floral workshop on Valentine’s Day—a thoughtful gift from my fiancé. With each passing year, my love for floristry and the event industry has only grown stronger. Floristry is like fashion; it’s ever-evolving, and I am committed to staying on the cutting edge. I continually learn new techniques and designs from industry leaders like Intrigue Design, JennyTFloristry, and Joseph Massie, to bring modern and fresh ideas to my brides. Read More>>

Olessya Marlen

We offer tutoring services to kids from K to 12 grade. We help kids who struggle in school. We have different programs such reading, math and etc. Read More>>

Oceania Johnson

It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Starting a business, especially one in healthcare, comes with its challenges. One of the biggest struggles has been funding. I started The Blood Fairy Mobile Phlebotomy LLC using personal funds, and managing finances to keep everything running smoothly has been tough. Read More>>

Sara Manning

That program ended up helping me find my job at The DRL Group, a financial investment firm. I started doing assistant work a few hours a day while I went through my senior year. After that year, I decided to go to college for Finance. I had fallen in love with the work and, even with the little I understood at the time, I was passionate about learning more and discovering what else I could do. Read More>>

Jasmin And Saylor Love

When we moved to Katy she wasn’t able to make the trip to make her cake, so she encouraged me to make her cake after I told her I was thinking about it. I was SO nervous because the cakes I had made prior weren’t the greatest, but she talked me through it and was so sweet in answering all my questions. She continued to encourage me and answered all my questions and I loved sending her pictures of the cakes we were making and skills we were learning. She unfortunately passed away from covid in 2021 and the world is much less sweeter without her. Read More>>

Maria Alejandra Tafur

The market crash of 2007 really hit our family hard and I found myself shifting gears and attending Lonestar College Cy-Fair to work through all of my basic college courses. At this time I also worked for Wells Fargo Bank where I learned a great deal about finances from various perspectives. To continue to pursue my passion of dance I heavily trained at Allegro West Academy. This time in my life really cemented in me the meaning of hard work, grit and pursuing a bigger purpose by daily sacrifice and action. Read More>>

Latoya Crick

What sets me apart from other astrologers is that I’m studying Hellenistic Astrology and have participated in over 80 metaphysical markets and events at occult/metaphysical shops over the years and have an astrology podcast (Real Life Astrology) with Andreya of Universal Answers. Read More>>

Christian Diaz

San Antonio is where we first debut our shirts we didnt have them for sale yet but the love we got from the people of San Antonio was surreal. Being a vendor at the Lone Star Rally where the idea came from is something out of a movie. The four people that made this happen are myself Chris, my wife Steph and my in laws Velia and Art, but i cannot stress enough or even beging to express how much graditude I have for Steph, Velia and Art. I truly believed it was just a silly idea that will never come to fruition. Also all the love we have gotten from the biker and low rider community is unreal and we are forever grateful for them. Read More>>

Mark Lederman

Lederman’s approach to artist management eschews the superficial in favor of substance. From day one, he works side by side with his talent, immersing himself in their creative process and leveraging his extensive network to open doors that were once firmly shut. His connections span across major streaming services like Spotify, SoundCloud, and Apple Music—platforms that have become battlegrounds for new artists striving to be heard above the din. Through these connections, Lederman’s artists gain exclusive access to editorial playlists, significantly amplifying their reach and impact. Read More>>