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.

Melissa Vazquez

Things grew from there.. I’d like to say she was my first client when I decided to create STAYFIT4LIFE.. But I was the first client.. for in order to help anyone, grab your mask first. Well.. I did and I am here and I can attest to being witness to life changing goals.. I did not do it. My clients chose to do it for themselves.. The hardwork and results are seen through them . My travels.. My hardships.. – I don’t even want to continue with a “MY” because it implies I may be doing the work.. but it is the belief. the push and the drive.. that I hope to get teach of my clients to see in themselves.. This is a long winded story and believe be, I gave you the SHORT version! ) Read more>>

Wendy Sinopoli

I have women who never feel comfortable in front of the camera and show them their external beauty. I have allowed Women to feel comfortable and beautiful in their own skin. God has gifted me with a desire of encouragement. My God has taken me from a path of destruction to a new creation. I am part of an amazing church family who their passion is to disciple Christians to grow and use their God gifted talents to serve our world. I have many passions one is serving our less fortunate, in outreach and prayer. I am also a mom of 6 beautiful kids from 22 to 2. We live a busy life. I have been married to my husband for over 17 years we just marked 25 years together. I believe in restoration of hearts and new life with Christ. Read more>>

Scott Johnson

Many, large commercial properties. I helped him out with designs on some of the properties where they were looking to improve portions of the property. At one point, he purchased a residential landscaping company, as an investment, that was fairly new, but the owner wanted to relocate to the Dallas area and was selling the business. He had asked me if I’d be interested in running the landscaping portion while he continued his maintenance portion. I became the front man of the company, meeting all the customers and designing and selling all the work, while a crew that was put together for me, did all the installation, while I made sure the jobs were going in as designed and sold. Read more>>

Landry Services Unlimited

I began my career in accounting and finance in my early twenties after relocating from Louisiana to Texas. It was not my first choice to work as an accountant, but I needed a job while in college. My first accounting program was QuickBooks, which was very user-friendly. I remember the first time I processed payroll. I was trained on a Friday and expected to complete it by the following Tuesday. Talk about a tight deadline. Honestly, I was frightened, but one thing I do love is a challenge. I completed my task before my target date! Read more>>

Abigail Simpson

Art school was a big chapter for me. That’s where everything truly began to click. I discovered that graphic design was a real career choice and pairing that with photography, my creative side felt totally at home. Suddenly, I was surrounded by like minded individuals: all equally passionate, expressive and inspiring. No boundaries only possibilities. The freedom to experiment, push limits, and dive deep into my own vision was life-changing. I was able to evolve not just as a photographer, but as a multimedia artist, constantly discovering new ways to express myself. Traveling and learning peaked the interest of balancing stillness and intensity in my own work. Read more>>

Celina Lerma

After a year of trying to figure out our relationship & what we wanted in life, Jack & I went our separate ways. Deep down, I knew Jack wanted to make things work, but he started doing drugs and lost himself. During this time, I was trying to juggle being a single mom, going to school, & have what the world calls a successful career all while having a desire that Jack would come back and tell me, “Celina, I choose you & Bella.” Read more>>

Macy Turner

Once I got old enough she got me a cheap Samsung digital camera and then once I graduated high school I got a Canon G7x. I loved photos and videos and the art of documenting life. After graduating, a few younger friends asked me to take their senior photos, and that’s when something clicked. What had once been just for fun became something deeper. I saw how people’s faces lit up when they saw their photos, how a single image could tell a story. That feeling of capturing someone as they truly are made me realize this was more than just a passion. I wanted to jump into photography. Read more>>

Christine Feyrer

I suppose I needed a creative outlet for the terrible twos. Well, one of my co-workers asked me if I knew any other jewelry-making skills and a lightbulb clicked in my head. That was that. I went to the library and checked out books about jewelry making, styles from different cultures, where different stones come from, beading magazines, etc. I started participating in a craft fair at my aunt’s church, which I still do. In the beginning, it was for extra money for Christmas presents for my children, then it helped put me through college, and now it’s my full-time passion. Doing several pop-ups a week, personal styling with clients, and designing in between. I also do an annual holiday market at a local high school. Read more>>

Shandale Janee’ Johnson

Motherhood has been a profound journey filled with unconditional love, challenges, and growth. I openly admit that I have suffered from postpartum depression after having my second child in the heart of the pandemic. I felt alone thinking that I was the only one going through these unpredictable behaviors and emotions. I needed an outlet to express my thoughts and feelings. This series of events ignited my blogging journey to help mothers overcome postpartum depression and conquer the hurdles of motherhood as I had done. Read more>>

Brittany Boudreaux

That realization fueled my passion. Throughout my healing journey, I learned how to ask for help and gained a deeper understanding of mental health. I wanted others to have access to the same support and education that I had once needed—resources to recognize the signs of declining mental health and guidance on how to seek help. This led me to start Bobcats Breaking the Stigma (BBS), a student organization at Texas State dedicated to providing students with the knowledge and support I once longed for. BBS became a space where students could learn, connect, and see that they weren’t alone in their struggles. Read more>>

Eboni Wafer

Honestly, Eb & Flow Wellness wasn’t something I set out to create—it grew out of who I am and what I love. Movement has always been a big part of my life. I’ve been a dancer since I was a little girl—long before I understood how deeply it would shape me. Dance led me to become a high school dance team director, where I spent years helping students grow in their skills, confidence, and discipline. But what I didn’t realize at the time was that I was sleeping on a gift. God had given me the gift of movement, teaching and the ability to connect deeply with others—not just for performance, but for healing, growth, and purpose. Read More>>

Ramone Dixon

The road has not been smooth but I have been resilient in how confident I am about what I do and how i will continue to get better. I have been able to do events where people remember me and wanted to continue to work with me. Those companies wasn’t the best at being the best they can be to their customers and their workers. It was frustrating and had me hesitant in how to trust others BUT fortunately, there were 3 other DJ that came up in the industry with as we training together and are close friends. Read more>>

Noemi Perez

Scrolling through social media made me realize how much the the dental community was connected. That’s when the idea hit me. Why not do something to engage more into the dental community not just in my city, but in other parts of the world. I started creating funny, relatable content about dental care, skits about dental clinician problems, & hilarious day to day experiences as a dental hygienist. To my surprise, it took off. My followers loved my mix of humor & positivity, & I quickly found a community of people who not only enjoyed the humor in my content, but also the transparency through my journey. Now, I’m a full time dental hygienist, full time content creator spreading laughter & positive vibes while still helping people take better care of their teeth. Read more>>

Stephanie Bennett

I created Houston’s first all-encompassing puppy-focused training programs in 2008 with the help of my mentor, Dr. Ian Dunbar. Believe in Dog is now recognized as Houston’s Original Puppy Experts. My unique and effective puppy programs have been emulated by other trainers and facilities around the world, and it is my mission to educate new puppy owners and veterinarians on the importance of safe, early puppy training and socialization. Read more>>

Shavon Eal’ease

But in that moment of rock bottom, I discovered a lifeline in my passion for Beauty and Wellness. With nothing to lose, I pursued my dream by becoming a licensed Esthetician and founding DeLa Femme Beauty Spa in 2018, starting with just $5,000 from my savings and learning the ropes while working at icon Brickell Spa as a receptionist. Read more>>

Kevin

Growing up in Southeast Washington, D.C., life was anything but easy for me. Poverty was a constant shadow, and losing my mother at the age of 17 left a void that no teenager should have to endure. Without my mother’s guidance, I found myself navigating life’s toughest lessons alone, making mistakes that eventually led to spending most of my teenage years and twenties going back and forth to jail. Read more>>

Marjorie Eldira-Dieujuste

But over time—especially after becoming a mom in 2023 and settling into life in Houston—my heart started to shift. I felt called to something that captured all of me: the wife, the mom, the entrepreneur, the woman navigating life with faith and purpose. That’s how I found my yearning for digital content creation. Today, I share my world through fashion, motherhood, lifestyle, and entrepreneurship—hoping to inspire, encourage, and connect with others who are showing up and building lives they love authentically and unapologetically. My mission is simple: to live purposefully and help others feel seen and empowered to do the same. Read more>>

Ashley

Touch Grasss started in 2024 after I noticed how hard it had become to make genuine connections as an adult. Post-COVID, so many of us were working from home, glued to our screens, and slowly losing basic social skills. I saw how that shift was causing more social anxiety and awkwardness in everyday interactions—not just for me, but for a lot of people. Read more>>

Destiny Davis

I was already creating fitness content on Instagram and getting paid for it, so I was super excited and honored to be chosen. Few months later, I am much better with my moves on the pole, I have a hobby that makes me feel sexy, and I am still able to create my Instagram content as I please. My favorite part about pole is that it is also like a sport, if you aren’t in shape, it will definitely get you there! I just want to thank God and all of my peers around me who support me so wholesomely. I have gotten thus far, let’s see how far I can take it. To the moon! Read more>>

Zaria Conner

In 2024, inspired by his belief in me and my mother’s resilience, I enrolled at The Hair Mayor Beauty College in Missouri City, TX, to formally pursue my cosmetology license. Balancing school, motherhood, and work was not easy, but I remained focused. That same year, I rebranded my business as Lavishhairstylez, rooted in the belief that hair is a crown and deserves to be treated with care, quality, and luxury. At Lavishhairstylez, every client receives more than just a style—they receive an experience, I believe healthy hair begins with proper care and premium products. Read more>>

Favour Obasi-Ike

This spilled into business when I started to upgrade from selling compact discs and floppy disks to selling websites for e-commerce and service-based companies. This happened when I was studying my Entertainment Business Masters degree program in Full Sail University located in Orlando, FL. In my program, I had to create a business idea and this consisted of website building which I hired out but never got the website which made me to disrupt my original business idea. This propelled me to learning how to build websites and apply search engine optimization using podcasting and Pinterest for evergreen visibility and topical authority. Read more>>

Kelsey Schad

But as I grew up, I reflected on how I spent a majority of my time and where my interests as well as passions reside. I was born and raised in a sports fanatic household (Go Broncos!) and dedicated a lot of time to playing soccer. Therefore, I figured I’d thrive in a similar career. I decided to pursue Kinesiology at Houston Baptist University with focus on being an athletic trainer. I knew going into this major that I would have a couple of barriers, but what I didn’t expect was my inability to hear the heartbeat when using a stethoscope. I was told by a professor that I should probably consider a different path, which brought me back to the drawing board. Read more>>

Harry Park

This made my submerged dream of my teen age emerged and I decided to study the acupuncture and Oriental medicine in Houston at the age of 55. I was the second oldest student in the school and I completed the master’s degree of acupuncture and oriental medicine from American College and Oriental after four and half a year and sent on to study and earned a degree of Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in 2019. Now I am a practitioner and owner of Spring Green Acupuncture and Herbal Clinic since 2018. I feel especially grateful to be an acupuncturist as it combines my profession and my personal passion healing others. Read more>>

Patricia Watkins

Though it didn’t last long i moved into a different building where i grew my business and have been on a grind to maintain it. Covid hit pretty hard but it didn’t stop me from grinding. I went viral on TikTok for floor length braids i did on my assistant 1.8 million views. I also started traveling servicing travel nurses who were on the front line but still needed me. As Covid died down so did the business and Over the past year business has become slow so I’m entering a phase of rebranding and new marketing and i only pray that the economy becomes better for entrepreneurs all over the country. Read more>>

Nisha Sangani

During my senior year of high school, I wasn’t sure what career path I wanted to pursue, but I knew I had a strong interest in business—particularly marketing and its creative aspects. I sought advice from my parents, sister, advisors, and teachers, realizing that I had always loved expressing creativity but just didn’t know how to channel it. By my junior year of undergrad, I had gained a significant following on social media, and brands started sending me PR packages. I vividly remember the excitement of receiving my first PR package—it was the moment I truly realized what I had accomplished and that my dream was to become a content creator and influencer. Read more>>

David Selvin

It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I’ve faced major challenges, from financial hardship and broken family dynamics to making life decisions I had to later correct. There was a time my family and I were homeless, and I had to completely rebuild my life, credit, and mindset from the ground up. I struggled with confidence in the beginning. I didn’t have a blueprint. I had to learn how to navigate credit, funding, and real estate the hard way: through experience, failure, and persistence. Most people didn’t see the vision at first. I had to push through the doubts and keep building anyway. Read more>>

Melise Rider

When word got around about how amazing this was for my family and how the energetic healing played a big role and us getting well, people were asking me to do my therapy on them, especially during the pandemic. After I saw amazing results and healing, I felt called to open up a space that I could bring others into to do my work. Healing the Whole Person is at the heart of my mission. As a Christian, I pray with my client and we ask God for his guidance to the root cause, and this always leads to clarity and some kind of healing in body mind and spirit. I learn something new from each client and the unique process in their healing journey. I’m blessed to have a peaceful office inside Alpine Yoga in Conroe. Read more>>

Olesya Webb

This realization lead me to earn certifications in various disciplines, including yoga, personal training, barre, and Pilates. In 2017, I launched Elevate Pilates HTX, a private Pilates training studio where Houston’s high achievers come to train. My ambition has always been to extend the business beyond the studio walls and establish a corporate branch for wellness services. I felt that there were many people who don’t go to a gym for a variety of reasons so I thought why not built a concierge-style service where I can come to them for workshops and help to create change. Read more>>

Maysha Talat

Two weeks later, in the midst of a global pandemic, I leased a small suite in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood. I christened it Montrose Skin Club and chose a delicate lace-moon logo in tribute to my sister’s nickname. With no existing clientele, I spent my early months offering complimentary services to friends and family, generating content to make our schedule look busy—even as I waited tables to keep my dream alive. I sought out pop-ups and small-business collaborations, believing that community would lift me higher than any solo effort. Read more>>

Liliana Delgado

When School opened back up manicurist students didn’t have a full time instructor the rest of the year due to Covid. During it all I worked a job 6 days a week 10 hour shifts a day to pay my tuition. Attending school and work with clashing schedules and no instructor did get discouraging at times. With no excuses and ambition I found the time to complete my manicurist course. A few hurdles and a longer school year than I anticipated, I managed to achieve my goal. Read more>>

Karla Collazo

I am a bilingual in English and Spanish Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas. I specialize in working with teens and adults that struggle with anxiety, depression, past trauma, life transitions and unhealthy patterns that have them feeling stuck. I believe in the power of having one’s story witnessed in order to move towards health and healing. I am passionate about walking alongside my clients as they navigate growth and change, once they have the tools to break old patterns and learn new ways of thinking and doing things. Read more>>

Desz

One day I must have the courage to do an open mic. Believe it or not, it was not the greatest experience nor the greatest performance lol but I had a familiar feeling and as an adult was able to process it differently and found a passion within it. From that moment, I was in all the open mic singing background for gas money for all the local artist until I made the decision to become my own. In 2019 I moved to Los Angeles with no money and I hoping a prayer did one audition and ended up in Kanye West Sunday Service. Made a lot of connections the opportunity open doors for me to be on The Voice and other national syndicated shows. Read more>>

De’Von And ShaKeena Gray

I’ve loved cooking since I was in the 5th grade. Growing up in Rochester, NY, I was the first generation of my Jamaican family born in the United States. My roots run deep with rich traditions, and my love for food was nurtured by my mother, aunts, and grandmother. My grandmother, who passed away in April 2018 at 93, was a remarkable woman who brought my mother and her siblings to the U.S. when they were teenagers. She worked as a nanny to provide for her family and later invested in property, renting out homes—something my mother, aunt, and cousin continue to do to this day. Read more>>

Keara Jewel

I have completed a webseries titled “Struggles of a pretty girl”, and i am starring in an action film this fall in Atlanta. Everyday i am learning more and more about acting. I am a singer-songwriter as well and have just crossed over 400,000 spotify streams and i receive apple play and shazam’s around the world. I am so proud that u have taken time to follow my dreams and i also am studying veterinarian medicine and volunteer as well. I believe my empathetic heart and knowledge of so many areas of life have really made me the person i am and i encourage others to follow their own path. Read more>>

Ulisa

I started my small business back in July 2020 with Spotify music frames and moved my way up from there. I would jump all over the place wanting to try something new, but I love crafting it brings me peace. I’ve gone through so much, but I’m grateful for all the obstacles, the people I’ve met along the way and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for me. Read more>>

Kenya Marie

After being misdiagnosed twice, I just knew something with my body was “off”. I discovered a scam lump in my breast which tripled in size in a year. I finally received a proper diagnosis after advocating for myself and not taking “no” for an answer due to my young age, clean medical background, gene testing, and family history! I refused to be turned away from a mammogram. Read more>>

Susan Paul

Some struggles along the way have included the personal challenge of stepping out of my comfort zone with each transition. Every shift—whether from education to ministry or from Saving Grace to launching Timothy Connection Internship—required a leap of faith into what I call a “Godventure.” At the time, I didn’t always realize these transitions were preparing me for what has become a vital component of TCI—the willingness to customize the experience to meet the needs of each intern. Read more>>

Laura Rizzi

Shy, sweet and studious young Laura couldn’t believe it… I’d never known loss in my life until that moment. How do you make sense of someone dying so young, especially when they’re your age? The school went into deep mourning. Unprocessed pain led to quieter hallways and classrooms. Then 6 months later, it happened again. Another classmate, a young boy, was suddenly killed in a skiing accident. It was too much… Overwhelmed, I didn’t know how to express or process the grief, and neither did anyone in the conservative environment that surrounded me. Grief became too familiar, and so did silence. Read more>>

Jason Turner

A significant turning point came during my time in the military. That experience, along with the impact of personal relationships and loss, greatly influenced both my perspective and my work. It deepened my understanding of human emotion and resilience, which I now strive to convey through my art. Read more>>

Khristopher Fields

Through those efforts, over 170 at-risk youth received top honors from the White House, U.S. Congress, U.S. Department of Education, the State of Texas, and the City of Houston. My motivational presentations have reached more than 700 people, and my programs have served over 800 meals to underserved youth and their families—proof that dignity doesn’t require a dollar, just heart. Read more>>