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.
Sylvia Sierra
As I sat rocking my newborn baby daughter one day, an adoptions counselor friend of mine asked me to create angel themed name cards for a banquet of foster parents. I had never drawn or painted before, however it was comfortable for me to combine my love of quilting/sewing, and lots of color into my designs. Thirty four years ago, color copiers were a new phenomenon so each of the place cards were hand painted. My whimsical lighthearted designs were such a hit, that soon thereafter, requests were flowing in from folks seeking my little angels wearing patchwork clothing and, Voila! Sierra Art was in business. Read more>>
Eduardo Maria D’Avino
After that, in 2022, I transferred to another school in South Florida and took a position as a Head GK coach for a club called Hollywood FC. I was taking care of the program, curriculum and coaching all the GKs there. In my time there I also started to collaborate with other institutions such as Rome City Institute and Serie A Elite where I am involved in finding young talents to bring to Italy to study and play soccer. In 2024 I also had an experience as Head of Soccer for an important summer camp in Maine (Camp Laurel) where I was in charge of 200+ kids everyday. Read more>>
Danario Edgar II
In the early days, designs were made a bit simpler because resources to do more complex designs were very expensive and time consuming, they needed to be outsourced. Ten/18 apparel is now on the verge of staggering expansion as the brand takes over the Prairie View A&M campus since releasing their new Collaboration with the #1 promo team on campus: MOST officials. He now works closely with Stu, Oz, Irish, Chin, To, and Mouk of MOST officials to completely dominate PV and work to stretch Ten/18 and MOST’s influence far beyond. Read more>>
Lexus Thomas
In 2018, I applied for a role as a Tax Preparer with a Tax Professional that had her own Tax business here in Houston, Tx and I must admit that I was nervous. I was walking into something new and I wanted to do it right. Year 1, I had a few clients and by Year 3 I was her one of her top Performers. Year 5 I decided to branch out on my own and developed Thomas Tax Service. Now, I have tax preparers that work alongside me. an office and most of all I have God. I thank him for his grace and mercy and the opportunity to do what I’m doing today. Read more>>
Jimmy Fekadu
I started my Christian Assistants, counseling and consultation service out of a deep desire for helping others in my community and beyond. For years, I noticed many people struggled with emotional, spiritual, and life problems. I felt it’s my call to provide a safe, supportive space where anyone could find healing and direction through knowing the love of God in day to day practical bible based teaching. I wanted to create a space where individuals, couples and groups could not only overcome their struggles but grow closer to God in the process. It’s been such a fulfilling journey to walk alongside with hurting people as they experience both personal transformation or deeper connection with their creator. Read more>>
Jada Wade
Last year, a couple weeks before my birthday, I lost my dog and went through a break up within the same week. Til this day, I can’t believe that all happened so fast! I wanted to cancel the whole month of October and my birthday entirely. I was devastated. But I thought to myself, regardless of whatever happens in life, and as cliché as it sounds, keep going. Doesn’t mean I stopped grieving both of those incidents. I’m not a robot. Any tears I had or anger I felt, I let it all out. It’s so many obstacles that can block physically and emotionally and I knew if I were to mope around, I’d dig myself in a hole of depression and not do anything for myself. Read more>>
Christina Keeler
My husband and I lost our first baby. I later discovered reborn doll art therapy & created my YouTube channel 4 years ago to educate others on this therapeutic art form. I’m on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, & YouTube where I create entertaining content in hopes to help normalize this art form (or at least get rid of the stigma associated with it). Read more>>
Enrique Nieves
I started my love for culinary arts as a child preparing and cooking food with my father in Hawaii. He always had me do the simple tasks or tasks that he did not like to do like peeling garlic, peeling green bananas and shredding and soaking salted cod. As a kid i thought it was punishment but as i got older i realized it was a gift that my father passed on to me and i began to love cooking for people because it brought people together. Read more>>
Percy Gaston
When I returned home, friends and family raved about my cooking. Time and time again, I heard the same words: “You should sell this!” With that encouragement and a leap of faith, I began taking bookings, sharing food with more than just family and friends. What started as a passion turned into a business, and today, Fingatipcookin is a veteran-owned LLC with a growing customer base. Read more>>
Megan Tugman
Despite the challenges, we were embraced by the autism community, and while we initially grieved the life we had imagined for our son, we soon realized how beautifully our lives had changed. My daughters, in particular, amazed me with their understanding, patience, and love for their brother. Seeing Kenzie on the playground explaining to other kids, “I’m sorry, he has autism and is nonverbal. If he could, he’d definitely say hi,” melted my heart. They took on an unspoken responsibility—not one they were asked to bear, but one they embraced out of love. Autism awareness and advocacy became a cornerstone of our household. Read more>>
Sahar Marand
Honestly, my story feels like a mix of taking the safe path and constantly fighting the urge to break free and create something of my own. I’ve spent years working in talent acquisition as a recruiter — climbing the ladder, learning the ins and outs of corporate life, and doing what I thought I was supposed to do. But deep down, I always knew there was more I wanted to explore — stories I wanted to tell, people I wanted to reach, and impact I wanted to make outside of the typical 9-to-5. Read more>>
Tiffany Stewart
In 2015 We were also featured on an episode of L.A. Hair on WE TV. GIMINI dis mantled in 2017 and in 2018 I was struck by a vehicle when I was walking across the street. And on the other side on my recovery I decided to continue on my solo path. Which prompted me to change my name from T.Stewie to STU6. 2019 I released my first debut solo called “Back to the Future”. By 2020 I moved to Houston and released 3 more singles. By 2023 I reunited with Noonie B and we released a song called “Dat Yike” in 2024 Read more>>
Tam Curl-Grimes
The inspiration for this idea came from my own career shift—from accountant to teacher. Since I was a little girl, I dreamed of becoming a teacher, and in 2017, after passing my certification on my third attempt, I finally achieved that goal. Although I taught for only two years, those years offered me valuable insights into what our children truly needed, which was guidance in learning their self-love, self-awareness, and self-discipline, Read more>>
Marcy Jackson
After the death of my husband in 2019, I vowed to never open another boutique but my desire to serve and style customers were short lived as I married for the 2nd time in 2021, and opened Cremme de la Creme in Texas City, Tx in 2023, but 4 short months, my spouse was transferred to Chicago and my dreams were shattered, Low and behold, we learned that his time was up and we were notified that Houston would be on the radar, gladly we moved back home and I immediately started planning my next move. Read more>>
Donna Butler
Everyone loved it so much I turned it into a business. When doing research, I felt that soap businesses were over charging for their soaps. I believe that good soap and skin care should be affordable to all. I made it my mission to make wonderful products that people could afford. Read more>>
Odiila Chavez
I am a Houston native. My passion for hair styling started as a young girl in a family friend’s 2 chair hair shop. I loved the vibe so much that I decided that’s what I wanted to do. There’s something about making people feel beautiful that I love.. Read more>>
Jonathon Lewis
I had an amazing opportunity to work with a billion dollar group travel company that allowed me to travel, learn the industry from experts, make money, and grow a huge network. I did that for 5 years. after seeing things that I felt I could do better or different I eventually left that company and started JetQuest in 2020. covid slowed us down for about a year and a half but I quickly pivoted and started attacking every place that was open or had the least restrictions. fast forward I have done 19 group trips with jetquest and we are starting to scale and recruit other host into our company. Read more>>
Irma Kavazovic
I had to grow up overnight. My mother was lost without my father and my brother was only 9 years old. I had to become a strong person for both of them. But life had to continue. I finished High School and went to College. I completed my bachelors degree in Education and literature. I started working as a High school professor. In my country it is very hard to find a job in your field. I was only able to work in my field for a short period of time. So I focused on other things and being a beauty advisor was one of them. I really enjoyed working with ladies and making them look fabulous. Read more>>
Nelson Valente Aguilar
My initial response was a big fat NO! I didn’t have a band nor a singer. He suggested I sing and his new band would back me up. I never thought of singing much less as a lead vocalist. I told him I would think about it. After a few weeks of soul searching and conversations with my wife, I decided to bring back Como Las Movies from the dead. To my surprise things picked up rather quickly and we ended up playing several music festivals including ACL in Austin, Texas. We also released an album on TryHard/Spaceflight records along with winning a Sonic Guild Awards grant and got nominated for a music award at the Austin Music Awards. We are currently working on a new album for a fall release, Read more>>
Sirron Ward
I was supposed to be a red shirt basketball player for Blinn but didn’t work out because of COVID -2020 .That only allowed me to open up my decision thinking what can I do to make a way. Long story short I was inspired by another young barber that motivated me to start cutting with no charge while I was in college ,so I decided to go to barber school my second semester of school instead.Have worked in a shop before and now I have my own private suite it’s been a blessings to be able to satisfy people look and give them the power they need for the world . It’s still been a journey thankful for every part Read more>>
Wayne Ortiz
Most of the struggles has been the continuous strain through trying to keep the music and band going. Alot of the stuggle has just been having the right members and right people have the same wants and the same push. Read more>>
DeSharquel Craven
I joined the Air Force straight out of high school, looking for purpose, structure, and stability. But what I really found was a deeper search for identity, expression, and self-discovery, trying to figure out who I was outside of the uniform. It was a powerful and humbling experience, and it taught me resilience, discipline, and the value of leadership. After active duty, I transitioned into the National Guard and traveled back and forth to Houston, Texas—a transition that was both a fresh start and a leap of faith. Read more>>
Jordan Dial
In 2023, we decided that if we were ever going to do this, that we needed to start with brand recognition, so I started Kentucky Ginger on Instagram. I didn’t really know which direction it was going to take, but ultimately cocktails + mocktails really resonated. Since then, it has become my goal to teach people that you can make delicious cocktails at home using quality, seasonal ingredients. Making delicious dinners and drinks at home doesn’t have to be hard! Read more>>
Athena Nice
Today, I work independently and volunteer with organizations across the U.S., including Redeemed Ministries – home to the oldest safe house in Texas, which partners with Homeland Security to provide emergency placement for women rescued from trafficking. Redeemed offers holistic, trauma-informed care including housing, healthcare, counseling, and spiritual support. I’ve had the honor of serving as a grief coach for newly rescued survivors, helping them process trauma and begin the journey toward healing. Read more>>
Angelina Mindiola
From industry giants like Maybelline, Innisfree, and Good Molecules, to luxury names like Prada and Valentino, my journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Each collaboration, each partnership, has been a stepping stone to growing my platform and expanding my reach. I’m more excited than ever to see where this journey will take me. The beauty and fashion world is constantly evolving, and I can’t wait to see what opportunities await. My passion for creating content is stronger than ever, and I’m ready to continue sharing my story with my audience, all while embracing new challenges and growth. Read more>>
Claude Sanon
Fashion has always been a part of me—it’s in my DNA. I’m the son of a seamstress, Michelle Sanon, who’s been crafting garments for over 40 years. She started in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and watching her work inspired me from a young age. In the early 2000s, I began working in department stores like K&G and Nordstrom, selling suits and styling mannequins. That’s where I really started to understand menswear and the art of presentation. Read more>>
Ariel Noelle Lopez
Growing up in Southern California’s surf culture, I developed a very chill, low-fuss approach to life, which naturally carried over into my work. I believe beautiful things should feel effortless and be easy to live with. My Japanese heritage also plays a significant role in my aesthetic. I was incredibly close to my grandmother, who emigrated to the U.S. in the late 1950s. I spent my childhood with her—shopping at Japanese markets and playing dress-up in the kimonos she cherished from her own girlhood. That sense of simplicity, beauty, and reverence for craftsmanship she instilled in me remains at the heart of everything I create. Read more>>
Raguel Gabriel
It is also probably my most ambitious project yet. I am not one to ever really look back and it is usually other people that make me do it. In encouraged reflection there is a lot to give thanks for as to how I am where I am today. It gave me goosebumps that I am about to perform on the same stage where I sang in my first opera, as a young classical student singer. And now to return 14 years later as the person, man and artist I am today, it is incredibly moving. I give thanks that I never compromised or ignored the voice of my heart. Read more>>
Brandie Lyons
The journey of Jai Renaé Events has been anything but easy—it’s been slow, sometimes disappointing, but always filled with purpose. As a fairly new business in the world of event design, we haven’t yet reached the level we’re striving for: a full-scale design production company. We know the talent, creativity, and dedication we bring to the table, but breaking into an industry dominated by well-established names with 10+ years of experience has been a challenge. Read more>>
Erik Dorn
It was slow grind. We didn’t know anyone here outside of a few people at our church. I started by handing out free haircut cards to anyone who would take one, posted in community groups on Facebook and anywhere else I could for free. Especially since I wasn’t in an established barbershop, word of mouth was really important and I’ve been able to grow substantially every month I’ve been here. I’ve been blessed with some great clientele. Read more>>
Darla Murray
I started my boutique out of the love for fashion and how to help women look their best in an affordable way. Read more>>
Mahnoor Nasir Khan
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I think the challenges have helped shape the depth of my work. One of the biggest struggles has been finding the confidence to trust my artistic voice — especially in a world that often values clarity, speed, and instant impact. My work is quiet, emotional, and sometimes abstract — and it took time to realize that there’s power in that stillness. Read more>>
Bella Fan
I’m incredibly grateful—grateful to my father for bringing me to this country, to my family and friends who supported me every step of the way, and to every student who has walked through our doors. As a teacher with 5000 hour teaching experience and a RYT 500 hour certificate holder, I felt that Keep Fit Yoga Pilates is more than a business; it’s a dream born of passion, perseverance, and purpose. We will continue to work hard to offer rich, inspiring, and empowering classes to our growing community. Read more>>
Shannan Victoria
In May 2023 I graduated with my degree in Digital Media Arts & Photography from Cornell University. It has been my mission to bring back the old school community focused walk-in portrait studios with a major modern twist. By mixing today’s technology, digital advancements, streamlined online ordering and high quality luxury products I aim to provide all my clients with the most beautiful, effortless and enjoyable experiences. I also believe your photographer should be your neighbor and your friend there for you through all of you and your children’s milestones throughout life. Although boudoir, bumps and babies are my specialty, I enjoy all studio photography including commercial and editorial as well and anything that lets me jump out of the creative box in new, challenging and exciting ways. Read more>>
Sarah Zaver
The doctors there inspired me to pursue a career in optometry. I graduated the University of Houston College of Optometry in 2014 and completed a residency at UHCO in Brain Injury and Vision Rehab in 2015. After completing the residency, I worked for a private practice for 3 years and decided it was finally time for me to open my own! I always knew that I wanted to be a practice owner. I opened a cold start practice in Richmond, TX in 2019. We’ve been here since then! Read more>>
April Jourdan
Immediately after I went solo with no clientele. I settled renting a suite inside Up Close Beauty Max Salon. With the help of ownership I was able to start getting clients on the books and maintain a healthy relationship with them all. Yes every month was not always the busiest or busy at all, sometimes months without 1 client. Now over a year later April & May of 2025 I serviced clients everyday of the week. I prayed for this. Currently working on digital product, adding skin tag removal services and mastering my client retention. Read more>>
Dan & Martha Vee
Most of your typical schools out there only teaches straight from the books, which is not enough proper training to prepare the students for what’s to come on the actual field when they graduate. We are a Vietnamese and Spanish owned establishment and everyone that works here is family. So the vibe here is welcoming and our instructors are really here teaching with a passion to help people not like other schools where instructors are there to just collect a check. With that being said are success to this business is due to the way we teach and prepare our students for a better future in this beautiful beauty industry. Read more>>
Junior Ochoa
Definitely a struggle having multiple amputations and now in kidney transplant list , shop was torn apart in the barel storm of last year I broke my femur and shattered it at my shop during the construction of it and ended bed bound for 6months out of the year my artist took my appointments and worked out of the back area and kept the name alive until I was able to return and have our shop back to normal so yeah it’s been tough but god knows what is meant for me and surely wasn’t done yet so here we are still thriving in the community and still pushing art Read more>>
Vienna Julien
The house was backwards from the pictures, I didn’t like the surrounding areas, it’s too small, I just wouldn’t have picked my house. On top of that, about 27 days after we closed on our house, we flooded in Hurricane Harvey. Our realtor and lender told us we did not need flood insurance! So we were young, new to Texas, and our new house was ruined. It drained our entire savings, caused a little bit of PTSD of rain because everytime it rains, or street floods, and we had to live in remodel mess for over a year! Read more>>
The Usual
We’re gonna be known for saying what most people won’t say, but everybody’s thinking. For representing the culture with honesty, humor, and heat. You’re gonna come for the laughs, stay for the debates, and keep coming back because you feel like you know us—and because no topic is off-limits. Read more>>
Hannah Bretting
The road has been far from smooth, with significant challenges shaping our journey. The COVID-19 pandemic was a major hurdle, disrupting operations and straining resources. It forced rapid adaptations, like implementing telehealth services, which required staff training and infrastructure investments. Since then, recruiting dedicated, full-time, in-person healthcare staff has been an ongoing struggle. Many candidates prefer remote or part-time roles, making it difficult to fill critical positions. Additionally, retaining staff has required fostering a supportive culture. These challenges have taught resilience and the importance of adaptability, positioning us stronger for future growth. Read more>>
Aniqa Khan
With their support and my growing passion, I decided to take a leap of faith and start my own business. I started small—birthday parties, baby showers but the joy I felt creating those events was unmatched. From there, things began to grow through word-of-mouth, social media, and lots of hard work. Now, based in Houston, Joyful Journeys creates stylish, playful, and modern events of all sizes. It’s been an exciting journey, and I’m so grateful to be doing what I love. Read more>>
Mikayla Malik
For the first time, I was able to dedicate time and energy to my craft. Unfortunately, my season was cut short due to an injury and foot surgery. However, being an art major fulfilled me in so many ways that I was able to remain positive even though I was unable to play. I had my first art show in December and since then, I’ve been focusing on evolving as an artist. I’ve been learning so many things and have been doing as much as I can to actualize the vision I have for myself as an artist. Read more>>
John Blair
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. The biggest struggle I’ve faced was having a stroke a couple of years ago. That changed everything. Physically, I couldn’t keep up with the 18-hour days that come with coaching in Texas, and that forced me to step back and rethink my path. It was tough to accept at first, but it pushed me to shift from the grind of full-time coaching into more of a training and development role — where I could still impact quarterbacks without sacrificing my health. That shift is what led to the full focus on building Blair Quarterback Academy. Read more>>
Justin Adams
At JdoubleA Trailer Rentals, we provide dependable, ready-to-work trailers for all kinds of hauling needs — from equipment and hay to livestock and moving jobs. What sets us apart is our commitment to quality, service, and flexibility. Every trailer is well-maintained, cleaned, and comes equipped with the extras you need like straps, winches, E-track, and flat tire changing equipment. We’re a small, locally owned business based in Cleveland, TX, and we take pride in treating every customer like family. With quick response times, honest communication, and a growing fleet, we’re here to make your job easier, safer, and more efficient. Read more>>
Brittni Sparks
I’m most proud of the lives I’ve touched and the trust I’ve earned. Whether it’s helping a child get access to early literacy support or empowering a parent who feels overwhelmed, I show up with compassion and consistency. I’ve also taken initiative to carry forward the mission of the Early Learning Quality Network by building programs that extend early learning resources through libraries—a space where knowledge, family, and community meet. Read more>>
Diavion Ross
My journey began in 2019, organically growing from initial promotions on Snapchat to a fully realized e-commerce platform, www.theeslaywaybundles.com which I designed and developed myself. This evolution reflects not only the growth of the brand but also my personal dedication to understanding and meeting the evolving needs of my clientele. It’s been an exciting journey of continuous learning and refinement, driven by a deep passion for empowering others to feel their absolute best.” Read more>>
Tamika Cross
What sets me apart? I don’t just deliver babies—I deliver change. From serving on hospital committees to shaping policies that address Black maternal morbidity and mortality, I use my voice to advocate for systemic reform. I also mentor, educate, and uplift future generations of physicians and leaders. Read more>>
