It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around Houston.
Scott Teven
About 30 years ago I began to photograph the Houston skyline as a personal project. The cityscape fascinated me when the changing weather and light coincided to create spectacular vistas. I have continued to explore Houston with my camera, capturing unique scenic views of the city and it’s architectural monuments. Over time I have produced and compiled a diverse collection of Houston photography that features distinctive photographs of the city from unique viewpoints. I have also photographed the State of Texas extensively. My collection of Texas photography features Landscapes, Landmarks, Texas culture and other iconic images of the Lone Star State. Read More>>
Alexia Domini
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. A lot of the time, I’ve had to work hard to gather the resources needed to turn my ideas into reality. Whether it’s saving up for equipment/supplies or teaching myself new software, I’ve often had to figure things out on my own. It’s been a journey of perseverance, but each challenge has taught me how to be resourceful, innovative and more determined in bringing my creative vision to life, whether it be art or music. Read More>>
Charity Bradshaw
My journey is deeply rooted in a passion for personal growth and purposeful living. From an early age, my mother, Joan Hunter, recognized the wisdom within me. Inspired by her encouragement, I began sharing my insights through writing. As an author, I focus on empowering others to discover their unique gifts and activate their purpose. I truly believe that everyone carries untapped potential. Having done it myself first, I now challenge people to break free from self-imposed limitations and step into their potential and purpose. Read More>>
John Bishop
Determined to make a difference, they returned to the United States and teamed up with co-founder Deborah Ellington. Together, they established a Texas-based nonprofit corporation under the name Aripa Arte. The name “Aripa,” which means “wing” in Romanian, symbolizes their mission: to help Romanian artists rise above their challenges and soar in their careers. Read More>>
Emmanuel Kenah
My journey to building a community in Houston has been filled with challenges, each shaping my perspective and approach. These humbling experiences not only gave me a deeper understanding of the importance of community but also fueled my determination to create meaningful connections. Read More>>
Dominique Becknel
Art shows and markets have significantly contributed to ArtXDom’s current standing. I have met so many amazing people and experienced what creative communities can offer to their patrons. I thank those who have enjoyed and purchased my artwork; these “simple” actions mean so much to a small business like mine. Additionally, I have met many other wonderful artists and creatives through these events. This community has been so welcoming! There is much communication between us of discussing business opportunities and providing support to each other on social media. Read More>>
Carina Ramos
Fifth Street Gourmet Popsicles and Treats is more than just a business; it’s the realization of a dream that began five years ago. Inspired by my roots in Michoacán, Mexico—a place where popsicles are cherished as a refreshing and beloved snack—I set out to create something truly special. I wanted to bring a piece of that tradition to Bellaire and the greater Houston area, sharing the flavors and passion that have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Read More>>
Natalie Norman
So, they agreed, and I began to research how to create an LLC and thought of names for the company. I chose Unity because we were uniting two ideas to form one, and the cakes and plates were suggested by another cousin. So, all parties agreed and Unify Cakes and Plates LLC was formed in July of 2020. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out with the cousin, and he’s no longer with the company. After this my mother became ill and passed away in April 2021. My partner and I decided to start working on a cookbook to honor our mothers. The cookbook was published in November of 2022 “Louisiana VS Texas the lighter side”. During this time, we discussed opening a corporate deli, so we could still do catering on the weekends. Unity Café opened in February 2024 almost 20 years after I said one day I’d like to have a small restaurant like my Big Mama. Read More>>
Escarlet Rodriguez
I told myself I was not capable of doing what she did. One day I found my path, it was to follow my mother’s foot steps. I become a fitness nutrition coach after failing at many jobs. When I discovered my potential at helping people I ran with it, and feel in love. Fast forward 10 years later, I am still a nutrition coach and a chef (owning my own meal prep business). Owning two businesses is not easy but possible! We have endless opportunities take them and run with them!! I am a single mother of 3 with two business going on the 3rd. Read More>>
Townes Lucy
I have always loved animals. Growing up, I remember having traditional pets like our dog and guinea pigs, as well as more unexpected companions, like Stinky the crawfish and Lightning the snake. Animals have always been a big part of my life, along with art. Naturally, as I grew up, I was drawn to using animals as the subjects of my artwork. Before long, people began asking me to draw their animals too. Read More>>
Thatgirlava
In 2019, I was able to get sober, and I felt a strong desire to make music again. I slowly started buying more equipment. Then COVID-19 happened, giving me a lot of time to get creative. In 2021, I released my debut album, “Aviation.” I was and still am incredibly proud of that album. Seventeen-year-old Ava never thought she would actually release her own music for the world to hear. It’s crazy to me, and I am grateful. Read More>>
Susan Boggio
I believe in helping others, human and animal and this understanding of our obligation to do so began many years ago. Even as a child I truly enjoyed helping and being with others, Trick or Treat with UNICEF, Girl Scout projects, raising funds for the underprivileged or disabled. I continued that forward trajectory after my father tragically passed away when I was a young girl. Getting my mind off just myself and focusing more on others who needed it, was an increasing theme in my life. Read More>>
Viviane Nguyen
My co-founders and I formed the idea behind Goldie during our time at Rice University for our MBA. We were tasked to find a solution to a “burning problem,” and couldn’t get over the nightmare of jean shopping. Sizing in women’s jeans is notoriously inconsistent and makes shopping for jeans online especially a challenge. Goldie is a women’s jean fit finder that uses your measurements to match you to the perfect fit. Read More>>
Jalanta Smith
Growing up, I had the privilege of watching my dad bake, and it was during these moments that my love for baking began to take shape. As I grew older, I started experimenting with baking on my own, trying out different recipes and techniques. I began by baking for friends and family on special occasions, from birthdays to holidays. The joy and satisfaction I felt when they praised my desserts were unparalleled. Their encouragement and positive feedback fueled my desire to improve and expand my skills. Each compliment and smile inspired me to bake more, pushing me to perfect my craft. Read More>>
Griselda De Leon
I grew up understanding the value of hard work through my father, who was a jack of all trades. His adventurous spirit took him around the world, and he exposed me to the fast-paced life of New York while we lived in Puerto Rico. One thing that always stuck with me was when he’d say, “I have no boss and can do as I please.” I admired that freedom and knew I wanted the same advantage—but I didn’t know how to achieve it. Read More>>
Taneisha Styner
I started my first business named after my daughter Aalyah.The business was called Aalyahsklozet. I started the company for something positive that my daughter and I could work on together and build. I realized that it was more so my dream and not my daughter’s dream. She wasn’t really into it. I knew I wanted to have a clothing boutique but felt like something was missing. I prayed to God asking him if this is for me and he said yes! God gave me the new idea to launch a clothing business that glorified him. I was so excited when I received confirmation and proud to say I’m relaunching and dropping my new business called Jesus Brand next year in 2025. Everyone please be on the look out. Read More>>
Kylan Maree
I started my social media journey during the COVID-19 pandemic as a hobby, simply looking for a creative outlet during such an uncertain time. What began as a way to stay connected and express myself quickly evolved into a true passion as I discovered my love for storytelling, content creation, and community building. Over the years, I honed my skills, grew my audience, and turned that passion into a full-time career! Read More>>
Ashley Brown
My journey started with a deep passion for design and an appreciation for the way details can transform a space. I’ve always believed that the right window treatments have the power to elevate any room by balancing functionality and beauty. That belief led me to dive into the world of custom window solutions, where I discovered the importance of tailoring every treatment to fit both the aesthetic and practical needs of a client. Read More>>
Susan Yawn
My experience in animal rescue began relatively late in my life but my love of animal welfare was a big part of my childhood. In 2018 my husband and I adopted a Doberman from Houston Area Doberman Rescue. I was touched by the tireless work of the volunteers, stories of Dobermans who had been brought from certain death and given a second chance at life. And I knew I wanted to be a part of this team. To do a small part in in restoring the dignity to this noble breed. Read More>>
Brad Johnson
My first job at age 13 was mowing lawns and gardening, and I’ve always had a passion for growing plants ever since. When I was at home on paternity leave in 2022 with a two year old, a recovering wife, and a newborn I decided it was time to start a small project that would provide a healthy escape and a moment of peace after long days of dad duty. Having become recently obsessed with the show Hot Ones and starting to get a higher and higher spice tolerance, it sounded fun to try my hand at growing a couple pepper plants and making my own hot sauce. Turns out I still had that green thumb and ended up with around a hundred bottles of homemade hot sauce. In order to fund my growing hobby I decided to take the bottles to the Houston Hops and Hot Sauce Festival and sold every single one. Read More>>
Huey Walters
I grew up in a modest city where resources often felt limited, yet I always had a profound desire to help others. This passion led me to pursue higher education immediately after high school, where I embarked on a diverse academic journey majoring in forensic psychology and fashion, with a minor in music. Though my fascination with the human mind remained strong, I realized forensic psychology wasn’t my ultimate calling. During college, I ventured into sales, where I discovered the psychology behind consumer behavior and buying power. This revelation ignited my interest in business and personal development, leading me to work with several prestigious Fortune 500 companies. Read More>>
Helaina Payway
My journey as a braider isn’t the typical story. I didn’t grow up braiding the hair of close friends or family, nor did I ever imagine or desire that I’d become a hairstylist. In fact, it’s the complete opposite. Growing up, I had a deep love & adoration for all things beauty—makeup, fashion, hair—but I only expressed my creatively on my myself. At 13, I started braiding my own hair after realizing that many traditional braiders couldn’t quite achieve the looks I had in mind. I vividly remember one day in particular when I came home from a disappointing hair appointment and decided to cut the braids off entirely. My Liberian mother, who had spent over $200 on the style, told me, “You’ll figure out how to put those back in your head.” And whew I took that challenge! After watching a few YouTube tutorials, I slowly but surely learned to create box braid styles on myself. Read More>>
Maria Lopez
I launched Marybon in October 2021 with just 13 carefully curated statement pieces. My site officially opened to customers on October 13, and I remember seeing my live site visitors that day; mostly Facebook friends and family. My heart raced with excitement because this was something I had always dreamed about but feared starting. For years, my dreams of owning a clothing shop were just words, never actions. I constantly said, “I want to do this, I want to do that,” but I never took the leap—until then. Read More>>
Brie` Moutra
From a young age, I watched my mother and grandmother create a harmonious home, sparking my appreciation for the beauty of an orderly space. While this instilled a sense of pride in maintaining a clean environment, my journey to founding a luxury cleaning business was shaped by far more than childhood memories. Read More>>
Jackie Beaird
The idea took root when our co-founders, each bringing unique lived experiences and professional expertise, came together with a shared goal: to build a community hub where young people could connect with themselves, the planet, and others. We envisioned a space that offered more than resources—it offered belonging, resilience, and hope. From our early days in research and planning, we have been guided by a mission to foster holistic well-being through sustainable practices, community engagement, and youth development. Read More>>
Artonique Nelson
I started off with social media influencing when I was in college. I used to work in journalism so I learned the basics about editing and video production. After I graduated college I noticed I loved the process of building businesses so I decided to keep at it . Now I am a full time social media influencer . I’ve worked with brands, done modeling jobs, and I have a subscription page on my Instagram where I teach other women to do the same thing. I love working for myself because I don’t have to deal with workplace drama or the glass ceilings that can come with working for someone else. I get to decide how far I want to go with it. Read More>>
Mace Perez
I used to think Christianity was a bunch of wishful thinking and that there are no rational, historical, logical reasons for believing it. Furthermore, I wasn’t a fan of Christians. To me, they were all a bunch of anti-intellectual, hypocritical bigots. That changed when I met a Christian (the girl who would eventually become my wife) who didn’t just talk the talk; she walked the walk. She was so kind, gracious, and patient. And she was willing to sit and listen to my questions, doubts, and criticisms without judgment over many conversations. And eventually I met some more Christians who made a thoughtful case for the truthfulness of Christianity. These experiences opened my mind and my heart as God broke down these false narratives and caricatures I had in my mind. Read More>>
Skylines Clothing
About 4 years ago, me and my friends were hanging out in a Cleveland metro park smoking cannabis after a long day of hooping. While we were there talking smoking and laughing about how funny it would be if there was a clothing brand made for people like us. We were occasionally have a couple drinks but we’re a group of athletic people who enjoy smoking cannabis and hooping. So we set out to see who else was like us? Turns out there’s a ton of people in all professions such as the medical field, judicial systems, professional athletes, and many more blue collar workers that enjoy smoking cannabis yet they conceal that information due to of fear of backlash from society. Whether it’s their job or how their family or social group will view them for enjoying cannabis. So after two summers of traveling being able to connect with so many people from different walks of life we knew there was a unique market for an athletic cannabis inspired lifestyle clothing brand. Read More>>
Linda Orlandi
Sewing since age 11, I have designed and constructed everything from bridal & formal wear, countless Halloween costumes to community theater costumes, men’s wear, upholstery, hand beaded belly dance costumes (I used to perform) to what I love doing today, sustainable fashion. I studied fashion design, drafting and tailoring but most of my knowledge is from my 52 years of just going for it. In 2008 I relocated from Seattle to Milan, not for fashion, but to join my now husband, an Italian with 2 little ones. Read More>>
Cherell Nelson
Hello! My name is Cherell, but I go by Evon for my business, Gems by Evon. Now that you know my name, let me tell you more about me. I chose to use my middle name, Evon, because it holds personal significance to me. I’ve been in the dental field for about 8 years now, and my passion for teeth runs deep. From a young age, I’ve been fascinated with dentistry and even dreamed of becoming an orthodontist. Although I didn’t pursue that path due to the lengthy schooling required, I’ve always believed it’s never too late to chase your dreams. Read More>>
Justin Chavez
I was born in Brooklyn, New York, where growing up in the vibrant and fast-paced NYC environment instilled in me a strong work ethic from an early age. Life in the city taught me resilience, hustle, and the value of perseverance. After spending my formative years in Brooklyn, I made the move to Dallas, where I began to explore new opportunities and expand my horizons. Eventually, I found my way to Houston, a city that welcomed me with open arms and gave me the platform to channel my ambition into the real estate industry. Read More>>
Hagit Bibi
Today, I own my business, Hagit Bibi Photography, where I work as a natural light photographer specializing in events, families, children, food, and product photography. In the past 4 years, I’ve also had the privilege of serving as a writer and photographer for the Jewish Herald Voice. These days, I’m shooting a bit of everything, from family portraits to product photography, and I love the variety of covering events like wedding, galas, showers, parties, and receptions while writing stories that accompany them. Read More>>
Neapolitan Scoop Podcast
They chose Neapolitan Scoop Podcast due to the vanilla, strawberry and chocolate details of the ice cream which resembled each of them and their different backgrounds. Their first podcast episode launched on September 17th, 2023, since then they have added 3 series to their podcast. Scoop Tuesdays are live interactions with the public on Instagram, What the Fudge Wednesdays is an opportunity to get the opinions and perspectives from male counterparts, and Saucy Sundaes are post and pictures that feature networking and socializing events. Since launching on September 10th 2023 they have created over 40+ episodes, have had several guest features on the podcast, and have collaborated with other podcast shows. Read More>>
