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.

Brandi Brooks

Not at all! Throughout my acting career, I have experienced death, heartbreak, betrayal, sickness, and depression. I am in a much better place today than I was 6 months ago. At one point my career was at a standstill. I got booked for a major commercial, then nothing. Ghost. It is discouraging but you have to learn to keep going. I would not be where I am today without God. Read More>>

Snehee Chaplot

Determined to find a way to enjoy dairy again, I embarked on a journey of research and experimentation. With my background as a Food Safety Scientist and over 15 years of experience in research and development, commercialization, and manufacturing, I delved into Ayurvedic principles of dairy processing. Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine, offered insights into how dairy could be consumed in a way that was easier on the stomach and more nourishing for the body. Read More>>

John Adelman

After graduating with a BFA in Drawing, Painting, and Printmaking, I spent 11 years working in the printmaking industry before returning to academia. I earned my MFA while relocating to Texas in 2006. During this time, I began the representation and exhibition of my work before graduating through the Holly Johnson Gallery in Dallas. Read More>>

Cassandra Love Lambert

Between the ages of five and eight, I suffered abuse. My mother was emotionally immature, avoidant, and exhibited narcissistic behaviors, while my stepdad had a short temper and would yell, cuss, and name-call. These early experiences shaped my patterns of being in troubled relationships as I got older. I always seemed to end up with the worst men and in bad situations, feeling like I was cursed and couldn’t escape. But these hardships ultimately led me to my calling of helping others transform their pain into power. Read More>>

Shakeria Coffield

I am working on presenting my very own hair product line. Hair products for all your hair needs, whether it’s styling, maintaining, or hair growth. I would love to also start a non-profit giving back to those less fortunate to receive beauty care. I do see Shakeria’s Studio expanding in the beauty industry, offering more than just getting your hair done  Read More>>

Adeseye Omole

I was not always a dreamer even though I believe everyone has the capacity to dream. I lacked the ability to see beyond the confines of my reality, and I resigned to a life of mediocrity as I struggled to attain my desired high expectations. When I discovered my voice, I realized that I had something to say, and gained the confidence to speak while people stopped to tune in and listen. This experience initiated the desire and pursuit of my dreams. Read More>>

Paige Baker

We grew our Team in 2021 and added an amazing Team Member, Tony Mendez, and he has been such a force in the industry ever since he hit the ground running. He is the ultimate resource for New Construction homes and advocates so incredibly well for his clients in the resale market as well. He has truly been such a blessing in our lives and we are forever grateful for him. Read More>>

Tiffynee Terry-thomas

Through sheer determination, I learned to balance my health with my academic responsibilities, supported by the unwavering encouragement of my teachers, family, and friends. On June 13th, 2011, I proudly graduated from Central Washington University with a 3.0 GPA—on time! My battle with this illness not only strengthened my resolve but also rebuilt my heart, which now functions at an impressive 55%, without the need for a transplant or medical devices. Read More>>

William Bossen

As I matured, photography emerged as a medium accessible to me, given the familial and socio-economic cultural influences I existed in, because of its practical vocational application. This choice allowed me to engage with the world around me and express my evolving perspectives. Beyond commercial work, which provided invaluable lessons in connecting with people and developing essential soft skills, photography became a way to capture the essence of moments and emotions. Each project, whether personal or professional, taught me the importance of empathy and communication, enriching my artistic practice and broadening my perception of the human experience. Read More>>

Kendra Eustache

After culinary school I worked at a couple restaurants and culinary companies in Ohio and loved every minute of it. Some years later moved to Houston for a change and to be closer to family. I needed to reinvent myself because this was all in the middle of the pandemic and establishments were closed. So after some time and making connections I started building my clientele and became a private chef. I have been blessed with some amazing clients and opportunities. Read More>>

Atlanta Ellington

I became a licensed cosmetologist, and my story took flight from there. At just 22, I ventured into salon management, a challenging yet transformative experience that molded me into the multifaceted creative I am today. Currently, I am in the thick of my manifestations, Residing in Houston, TX, managing a fantastic salon in the Heights. I always focus on service—identifying and meeting needs for the collective good is at the core of everything I do. Read More>>

Robin Jones

I am not a licensed therapist but I believe that there is always a deeper root into behavior. I began to follow the path of mental health as I believe that it is so important and it helps set the tone for your day by regulating your thoughts and emotions. I also practice meditation at home with my own son; whether it is sitting still quietly or taking some quiet time to mediate with God. Overall, the goal is to become a better version by indulgimg in self help tools and I want to make sure that every youth sees fit to it. Read More>>

Natalie Thomas

We realized that something as simple as underwear could have a profound impact on a child’s self-esteem and overall mental health. Since then, AUA has been on a mission to help thousands of students start their school year on the right foot. We provide a week’s supply of undergarments to families in need, ensuring that no child has to face the discomfort or shame of not having the basics. We have grown to provide scholarships to those less fortunate entering college and offer programs to stimulate self-empowerment. Read More>>

Sam Malone

Then it was off to the frozen tundra of Buffalo, NY radio. I finally arrived in Houston in ’93 to take over the morning show at 104 KRBE. That turned into ratings dynamite. I have proudly spent 30 years on Houston Morning radio. Then 11 years ago, I opened up 512 New Media, Houston’s leading Marketing/Content Creation firm! Read More>>

Gregory Clark

I am also deeply grateful for the belief and encouragement from my parents, Terrell and Dr. Chantail Green, whose support has been instrumental in my journey. Additionally, my uncle, Cornell Price, has been an incredible mentor, guiding me through the complexities of business and helping shape the path to where we are today. Read More>>

Gwendolyn Jackson

My non profit organization provides Outreach resources and case management to cancer warriors and survivors. I am devoted mother, loving grandmother, author, Community leader, Cervivor Patient Advocate, Cervivor Noir, Active Member, 2024 Black Cervix Chat Speaker, 2024 Cervivor in Action. I have been blessed to share my powerful testimony on my platforms. I share my story to give God the ory and to inspire others to walk by Faith and not by sight on this journey through life Read More>>

Carrissa Kai

Next I focused on moving my body, I started with home workouts, then progressed to working out at the gym until eventually I made the decision to become a qualified personal trainer because I had fallen in love with fitness and the way it made me look and feel. Fast forward to today and I am a Trauma-informed Body Transformation Coach and founded my own company Keep Me Curvy which supports women to transform their bodies and their lives through the power of fitness, nutrition, self-love and healing. Read More>>

Jehu & Jojo Trumbly

We started Affordable Air Repair in 2018 (3 days after we got married). It has been a whirlwind blessing ever since. We have been able to serve thousands of local residents and businesses in the North Houston area. Affordable Air Repair is a family owned, licensed, insured and local company. Read More>>

Noel Comrie

I transitioned into fitness in 2016 after 10 years in oil & gas. As a former collegiate athlete, the importance of physical activity was always important to me. Fitness wasn’t only a physical outlet, but also a mental place where I could be free from everything happening in my life. Read More>>

Stephanie Garcia

I’ve always craved to create much more but I didn’t really know how to go about that until I started researching a laser engraver. I felt like this is something I would really love to use, learn and grow with. Read More>>

Jerry Fu

While I had more opportunities for work, those jobs weren’t financially viable. In early 2017, I had the idea to pursue a career in people development as a leadership coach. But it took another three years before I learned how to start and build a business. I’ve been able to appear on over 150 podcasts and get published while I straddle two fences and am looking to pivot fully sooner than later. Read More>>

Patty Williams-downs

BreakingBounds®️Media launched a podcast last winter called Boundary Breakers, hosted by Patty Williams-Downs. The goal of the show is to amplify the voices of leaders who are using their unique gifts and talents to transform the world. But what exactly is a Boundary Breaker? A Boundary Breaker is someone who has defied the odds, broken barriers, and created new paths that foster growth and evolution for themselves and others. Read More>>

Jeremiah Solomon

What a journey it’s been so far! My path like many, has has it’s ups and downs. But one thing that has always remained the same is the love and grace I’ve received from God and loved ones along the way. Since the very beginning, I’ve tried to capture and share those experiences through my art. There’s no way I’d be standing here today without them. Read More>>

Michele Tays-hopkins

My Journey of being a jewelry designer began with my mom and also my huge supporter since day one (Norma) in 1998. I was so intrigued about how she would use wire to design. She taught me how to create my first design. And that’s how my passion started, which enabled me to create my first set using semi-precious stones. Read More>>

Rickale West

Creating  visual art was something that felt natural considering my deep relationship with the arts including music and literary arts. However this relationship with art was different and a bit more intense. Around the time I began painting was also the first time in my adult life I had decided to go to therapy and art became a part of my personal management plan for the things I was navigating through mentally at that time and ongoing many days.  Read More>>

Maria Beaujean

I’m Maria, the founder of Mamá Leticia, and I’d like to share a story that’s very close to my heart. My mother, Leticia, was an extraordinary woman—an entrepreneur who embodied optimism, innovation, and creativity. She was not only my mother but also my greatest inspiration and the best gift God ever gave me. Read More>>

Krista’lynn Powell

It may sound surprising, but becoming a dancer wasn’t my goal until just a few years ago! I started at the age of 6 as a tumbler at my home studio back then, Star Rhythm and Tumbling. From there, I went on to be a Jr. Texans Cheerleader and soon after joined competitive cheer. My new studio at the time offered dance as well, and although I was only interested in cheering, it wasn’t long before I was asked to take dance classes there too. Long story short, I was open to it and began taking recreational ballet and other dance genres while still cheering. Read More>>

Darius Gonzalez

My school was very small and still was in the development stage while attending so extracurricular activities were few. Those activities are apart of my character til this day. Being apart of everything they had basketball, modeling, a step team, the royal court and participating in any competition I can (winning a couple) made a bright future for me. I had everything I needed for amazing social skills and the hunger for learning and successes has been within me ever since. Read More>>

Mike Watts

I am a 6th generation Texan who grew up in the greater Houston (Angleton) area with a passion for outdoor activities like surfing, fishing, and hunting. I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit beginning from the time I was in middle school selling candy out of my backpack and even listed my dream job of being an inventor during a 4th grade assignment. Between the age of 15 and 21, I worked at a 13 different jobs ranging including sales, construction, landscaping, pizza delivery, city recycling coordinator intern and even manual tunneling (which was the worst). Read More>>

Sahira Balouch

The store quickly grew beyond just a business; it became our entire world. We invested every ounce of our energy, creativity, and resources into nurturing our small business. The phrase “blood, sweat, and tears” took on a whole new meaning as we worked tirelessly to ensure our store didn’t just survive, but thrived in the face of adversity (and there was plenty and external negativity always fueled us to push further) Read More>>

Tanner Jones

Education is of utmost importance and is the path forward to you understanding that you can take hold of your health. One of the main differences between Hold The Rope Physical Therapy and other outpatient clinics is that we are a cash-based physical therapy practice, which means that we do not accept insurance. As this may seem like a huge downfall in the business plan, I assure you it is not. Patients have more skin in the game, so they are more likely to want to get better faster. Read More>>

Moufid Rabieh

In 2008, after years of dedication and growth, I transitioned from a partnership to start Elite Auto Experts with my two sons. We opened a three-bay garage, laying the foundation for what would become one of the largest family-owned auto repair and body shops in Cypress. Elite Auto Experts is now known for delivering exceptional auto repair, maintenance, and bodywork services, with a focus on quality and community engagement Read More>>

Tiffany Johnson

CNC Tax Vault was built on the values of transparency, integrity, and dedication. Tiffany is committed to giving 100% to her clients and never compromising on ethical practices. Along her journey, she’s learned a valuable lesson: to always stay humble and continue learning. No matter how much success she achieves, she remains a student of her craft, knowing that growth comes from being open to new knowledge and experiences. Read More>>

Babacar Faye

My journey into photography is quite the story, but I’ll try to keep it short! It all started in college when I was studying to become a music educator. While I loved the idea of teaching, I quickly realized the kind of impact I wanted to make in education couldn’t be achieved just by being in the classroom. That’s when I decided to switch my major into business administration, and later the idea engendered of pursuing my own businesses. Read More>>

Shaurya Kante

I think my journey towards community organizing started in 8th grade, with the images we saw during the pandemic with the Australia wildfires, and the smoke that we saw cover NYC, the literal snow we had in the state of Texas. As a result, like a lot of young people, I had a ton of climate anxiety. There was also a loss of hope, of course with the political situation at the time, with climate seeming like it was on the bottom of the agenda. Read More>>

Victor Cruz Ii

To me, that makes business a win-win that also creates a positive ripple effect in the community. As a kid, I started small—selling pencils in elementary school and mowing lawns in the neighborhood, saving every dollar. By the time I finished middle school, I was determined to launch my own business. I tried everything: making ties, making candles, drop shipping products online, & even designing wrought iron doors, all of which failed. It was tough to lose the money I had worked so hard to save, along with the time and effort I invested. Read More>>

Sj Knowlton

When I got out of college I worked in marketing because I was a Creative Writing major and I thought I’d like to write for a living. I quickly realized it wasn’t a good fit for me. I wanted to help people and be more of a problem solver. Being a therapist was always something that appealed to me and when I realized it essentially was me listening to other people’s stories and getting to be a part of helping them craft their own I was sold. Now I work with ambitious people, mainly women and LGBTQ folk, who are feeling lost in their own stories and lives and try to help them find empowerment in it. Read More>>

De’jay Nightingale

Inspired by the nightingale, known for its beautiful and resilient songs, De’Jay channels his own adversities into heart-stirring music. His notable tracks, including “STARZ,” “Stay Strong,” “Family Reunion,” and “By Da River,” reflect his journey and transformative approach to music. His diverse range spans R&B/Soul, Zydeco, Country, Pop, and Afrobeat, defying genre constraints and showcasing his versatile talent. Today, De’Jay continues to make waves, proving that, like a nightingale, his artistry cannot be confined. Read More>>

Shay Blaché

My journey into Life Coaching began when I transitioned from my role as a Family Support Case Manager into coaching, combining my extensive background in social work and personal experiences. This has allowed you to empower women in postpartum wellness and mid-life rediscovery, helping them navigate transitions and rediscover their purpose and passion, eventually leading to the creation of your company, Ignite Within Life Coaching. Read More>>

Herb B

I’ve been writing music for five years and performing at open-mic spots like “The Local Seat” and “Frozen Paradise” since 2019. After my accounts were deleted, I went full-fledged into the music industry, officially rebranding myself as an artist in 2023. I also did go ghost during 2021 and 2022 to add more structure and strategy to my approach, which added to my overall competence when it comes to navigating within the music industry. Read More>>

Chris Pena

For beginners and experts alike, this is very frustrating. I decided to open an indoor golf entertainment venue that allows golfers of all skill levels to enjoy a full round of golf, solo or with a group, have the bar right behind them, and have TV’s throughout the facility so they can enjoy watching their favorite sports teams at the same time. It’s also a great place to host corporate events, company happy hours, birthday parties, or host your very own tournament as a fundraiser for a sports team or group you are involved with. We love helping people enjoy the game of golf and provide them a space to do just that! Read More>>

Alberto Pineda

Not smooth at all. Talking only about Houston…. We are JUST this last couple months breaking even… 2.5 years later!!! Labor is hard to get… prices on whatever we buy have been going up more than we can logically adjust prices. Surprise expenses like a broken ac and broken meters have take a toll on us too…. Sudden closing beacause of the weather…. Read More>>

Godbodies Fit

“When we decided to get closer to God, we really started to see a spiritual change that impacted our lives forever. We lost our home, cars, and jobs all within 90 days. It was devastating and rewarding because it pushed us into a positive mindset to fight back as entrepreneurs. We took time to rebuild our faith and replaced our homes, cars, and jobs within those same 90 days. God is good!” Read More>>

Randy Gonzales

I was not crazy about my options in stores and online. I also was not a fan of how I had seen the barong presented and worn to that point. They were usually worn oversized, baggy, and unflattering to the wearer. The embroidery was ok, but not great. I waited for someone to come along and make a barong that would fit my personal preference for clothing: a tailored fit and a proportionate length to my body, plus impressive, complex, and memorable Philippine embroidery. Read More>>