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.

Kervin Queliza

I had been searching for weeks for a game that was similar to what I wanted, with no luck. I remember that I was at my local HEB complaining to a friend (who would later be my business partner) about it and he made a comment about why don’t we make one. I spent the next thirty minutes in the produce aisle designing the majority of the game including the majority of opening lines for the game. Read More>>

Queen Ivade

As a hairstylist, my journey hasn’t been without struggles. Building a client base from scratch was tough, especially transitioning from fashion design. Mastering different techniques took time, and there were moments of frustration when styles didn’t turn out as expected. Balancing the creative side with the business aspect was challenging too, managing bookings, marketing, and the constant self-doubt that comes with perfectionism . Despite these hurdles, my passion for styling has kept me going, and each challenge has made me stronger and more determined. Read More>>

Me’chelle Bradshaw-jackson

Hey there! I’m a high-energy California native who kickstarted my fitness journey to boost body confidence, and now, I’m all about sharing that positivity. My classes are a safe haven for those a bit shy but eager to build strength, learn, and be cheered on by others who share similar fitness struggles and triumphs. As a certified nurse aide, acerbic trainer, business owner, wife, and mom, I bring a holistic approach to fitness, infusing my personal workouts into my classes, which feature a dynamic mix of bootcamp, twerk fitness, yoga and Pole. Let’s sweat, laugh, and thrive together! Read More>>

Ricky Cruz

i went to jail because of my addiction, went to THREE rehabs and the final one seemed to help because i met my sponsor who helped me find god and start trusting in a higher power than myself. i came back to town to show and prove to my children that i could do it. that i could pick up the broken pieces of my life and prosper. at one point i was financially , spiritually and emotionally broken but by the grace of GOD im here fighting every single day to survive . every day is a struggle . but i don’t allow myself to get in my own way today. Read More>>

Diana Tran

I was so excited because everyone in the shop was highly talented. During this time, I apprenticed there for about a year and moved to Houston with my parents because the apprenticeship did not work out as I had hoped. I started looking for shops to work at, and I reached out to a few shops and found the perfect one. I started posting on TikTok to get more clientele and hopefully reach the right audience. I’m working at Red Eye Gallery and attending school at the University of Houston. Read More>>

Kristina Braly

Fast forward to 2024, and AEMBR has undergone a remarkable evolution. With production scaled up tenfold and a dedicated studio space, every product is meticulously handcrafted with care and precision. Having amassed an impressive 11,000 orders in under 2 years, AEMBR stands on the precipice of widespread recognition, poised to transition from a scent-lovers’ “best-kept secret” to a household name in the mainstream press. Read More>>

Annie Davis

Finding space for everything, time, the demands of social media presence; wearing all the hats while being a single mother who still has another full time job. I like to think I’ve gotten better but, one of the other blessings of running your own operation is the personal growth that comes from it. You lean in, you stumble your way through, come up for air, regroup, repeat with sharper skills. Read More>>

Dr. Trinesha Hadassah Yisrael

Growing up, I was alot of young people’s inspiration, motivation and influence as I excelled greatly in school at Pershing Middle School, YWCPA in Third Ward and Smith College/Harvard. I started modeling in elementary school for Milenna’s Models and low and behold it came back again. I was big in fashion, biomedical sciences, music, modeling and hooking up with I influential local people in the Houston area. Disclaimer for those reading who may know me, my name used to be Paige Moore but it’s been changed to Trinesha Hadassah Yisrael, which is a big story for another day lol. Read More>>

Marshall Moody

That’s something I’ve been able to pride myself on, my clients don’t just get great tasting food. They also are provided with entertainment, positivity, and peace of mind. They don’t have to deal with the mental stresses of shopping and cooking and preparing meals, they can just show up and be happy so the entire experience in itself when you combine all the elements of the things that I provide together, it is all comes together so perfectly. Read More>>

Destin Jones

idk i kind of started making music just to have something me and my friends can ride around to but i’ve been in love with music and learning about the industry since i was young. i was always scared to portray myself as an artist because at the time local “soundcloud” artists were looked down upon, but as i got older and started to go thru more as a man i found it easier to express myself thru music rather than anybody i had around me. Read More>>

Alli Martens

For me, cooking transcends being just a hobby; it’s a vital life skill. I soon realized that not everyone has had the opportunity to learn this craft, which prompted me to start sharing tips and inspiration on social media. However, it wasn’t until the birth of my son, Atlas, that truly inspired me to consider a professional path in cooking. Following the unexpected loss of my father, I felt even more called to share this gift he left me with. I began my business pursuit just weeks later in January 2022. Read More>>

Kirsten Dowdy

My photography journey began in 2012 when I was still in high school and first got my hands on my very own camera. Back then, it was all about fun- my friends and I would dress up and explore the town, driving around to find the coolest backdrops for impromptu photo shoots. Those days sparked something in me, a love for capturing moments and a passion for photography that never left. Read More>>

Greg Hamby

With experience across four states, Texas, Florida, Missouri, and Virginia; I’ve built my career on a foundation of trust, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to my clients. Whether you’re buying your first home or expanding your investment portfolio or consolidating debt, my mission is to guide you through the process smoothly, ensuring you have all the tools and options available to succeed. Read More>>

Laide Alexander

I have been blessed to hold several executive positions in the education industry, including campus leadership roles, regional and national roles, college president roles, and several other operations roles. One of my most recent roles was serving as Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Success for an engineering and technical college. My passion for equity in education is unwavering. I am committed to changing the way we see education, believing in creating methodologies that will ensure the applicability of learned content rather than just reading to pass a grade. Read More>>

Lorena Aguilar

One day I had the courage to look into creating my own business and becoming a great entrepreneur by pursuing my teething whitening specialist journey.Along the way I met incredible and inspiring business owners and let alone I found a suite.I invested my all into my business and now I thankfully have a successful business. Read More>>

Afzal Kaba

With a degree in hospitality management from London, Afzal’s commitment to continuous learning is evident through his qualification as an educator for WSET UK. His talent extends beyond industry experience, as highlighted by triumphs in prestigious bar competitions like the MMI Mixology competition, The Havana Club Master Bartender competition, and Emirates ELR competition in Dubai. Read More>>

Melba Smith

If I had to choose a song to title my journey it would be “Sweet Dreams.. or Beautiful Nightmare” by Beyonce. Entrepreneurship is like two sided mirror meaning your biggest struggle will be YOU. One of my biggest struggles was procrastination and coming out of a service provider only mindset.My talents and skill could only get me so far. Also learning to stay authentic to my brand and vision, despite what’s trending. Read More>>

Victoria Mahabir

Achieving my Reiki Master certification was a significant milestone. It represented a culmination of extensive study and practice and a commitment to helping others heal and find balance in their lives. I am continually looking for ways to expand my knowledge and refine my practice. I offer several complementary modalities to integrate with Reiki, such as crystal healing, meditation, and sound healing. Additionally, I offer workshops and training for those interested in learning about the healing arts. Read More>>

Pamela Killian, Rachel Jarrell

Our childhoods taught us the value of hard work and ignited the desire for more opportunity. Our paths crossed as dedicated nurses at a plastic surgery practice. We spent almost a decade working together, but progressively realized that we needed an environment the better aligned with our vision and values. Thus, The Facial Refinery came to fruition. While its inception was no easy feat, we couldn’t be happier with how far we’ve come and where we’re headed. Read More>>

Dean Remmi

I started painting again and met my ex wife around the same time, I felt motivated and happy and was painting regularly while going to school and working full time. In 2021 I got my heart broken and went through a divorce that crushed me internally, painting and creating was the therapy I needed to save me from my depression. I use my art to share a message that hopefully helps people feel less alone in their own struggles and through color and music I want to motivate others to find a creativeness in themselves. Read More>>

Natahia Corsey

I began to network; ask questions. Eventually, a friend introduced me to the job I have currently. I now work for a major vehicle manufacturer. The opportunity was great and the pay was more than I have ever made. I finally had another chance at success! I still work for the manufacturer and my son now has his own room for him and all of his monster trucks! I also create content with hopes to eventually develop a second stream of income for myself. I have a YouTube channel and I create content for brands on Instagram and TikTok. Read More>>

Moneyfien Ghost

The road has definitely been rough. Being from where i am from, the recources to the support, its definitely rough. When you’re on a road to something that can be acheived by luck or years plus of the hardest work, the road is always gonna be rough. My music wasnt the best up until maybe mid 2022 when i finally developed my sound  Read More>>

Isela Lezama Martinez

I made the sacrifice to quit that job I love to work a part time cashier job to pay for my education to get license in the state of Texas. After that I work, learned, trained, and perfected my techniques for 6 years before taking the leap of faith and going solo. Isela Skin Aesthetically Pretty has been in business for 3 years now, thanks to God, I’m in awe every day of my life since because I get the opportunity to not only do what I love but to help women in my city look, and feel their very best. I take pride in my work and I’m so thankful for all the amazing people I’ve met along the way. Read More>>

Jasmine O’bryant

Starting out, I worked at a makeup counter, which was invaluable for gaining knowledge and boosting my confidence as a makeup artist. When I made the switch to freelancing, it was more challenging than I anticipated. Building a clientele and establishing a reputation are crucial in this field; it takes patience and consistency. Overall, this has been a tremendous learning opportunity and remains a continuous work in progress every day. Read More>>

Kay

Kay’s oracle readings, passed down through generations, are timeless and deeply transformative. Her psychic abilities offer insights that resonate long after the session, leaving those who seek her guidance with clarity, purpose, and a renewed connection to self. A service with Kay is an experience that blends art, intuition, and spirit. Read More>>

Karlil Wilso

My story started in my apartment in College Station, TX, three years ago. I had just recently moved to College Station, and I remember sitting on my couch, feeling like I wanted more from life. I was in a brand new environment where I had no friends, family, or extracurriculars, and overall, I had nothing to do to help ease the emptiness in my everyday life. I felt like I was going through the motions.  Read More>>

Todd Hughes

I was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. I learned the art of preparing delicious “New Orleans Inspired Dishes” from the Phenomenal Women who raised me, My Grandmother (Mazie), My Mother (Pamela) and my five aunts: Debra, Brenda, Janice, Lesia and Karen. Each and every one of them played very vital roles in my life and provided the ingredients for my brand “Todd’s Cajun Cuisine”. Read More>>

Steve Hofmann

Through that, we launched ENG Aviation, that was built on three core pillars: People, Planes, & Technology. We observed that most private aviation companies mistake the airplane for their customer, instead of the aircraft owner or passengers as the customer. We wanted to bring the people aspect back to private aviation and provide a rewarding and lasting experience for aircraft owners and passengers. Read More>>

Maeve De Voe

In 2016, I trained on producing in Logic Pro X and learned music theory at the Frost School of Music for the summer. In 2018, I left high school to start college, and train my voice classically with opera. I’d take numerous technique classes, along with being in choir, and taking music theory until 2020. In summer 2023, I doubled my time as the princess pop star with my dream of being a scientist: I studied meteorology with Harvard online, passing with a 100, and in the fall, I studied neuroscience with Harvard again. Read More>>

Taylor Miles

I am looking to expanding my audience by getting my art and nature photography seen by many. I am currently in school receiving my BS In Human Resource Management, While still embracing my love for Art and Photography. Since my last interview I’ve had some trying times in life but art and photography has always been my outlet at this point I want others to enjoy my art and See life in another perspective. Read More>>

Lea’h Sampson

In 2016, I was working two jobs: One as a bartender and the other as a bank teller I was also in school focused on graduating. Whenever I was at work bartending, people would tell me that I should do stand up because of my banter with customers. I always loved the arts but doing stand up comedy was never my plan or something I even thought about.They finally convinced me to do my first open mic and from that day forward, I had the “comedy bug”.  Read More>>

Ikem Nzoiwu

As far back as I can remember, I have always loved to entertain others and put smiles on their faces. I started doing music back in 2009 when I used to freestyle with my friends to Beats and we would always have a good time. But I officially started music in 2020 with the release of my record Olajuwon. It was a different sound and people gravitated to it and gave a lot of positive feedback. It has been a tough road so far, but I believe it’s about the journey and not the destination. This is what I love doing, and I hope to keep doing it for as long as I live. Read More>>

Jarrell Campbell

So Poppin’ Tea was created to fulfill something I wanted! It all started in July of 2023 when Tiffany and I were at my parents house drinking some sweet tea. We were just enjoying ourselves when I got a random idea and said out loud, “Why haven’t they carbonated sweet tea?” Tiffany looked at me with intrigue because she hadn’t heard of it either. For context, Tiffany had recently gotten me hooked on sparkling water so I was curious. So we took a little time and quickly researched on our phones if there was a brand that sold it because, “Duh, it has to exist already!” But after a good 30 minutes of research, we realized that a carbonated sweet tea brand didn’t exist! Read More>>