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.

Amy Rivera

Every business has to make mistakes to find out what works for them. We struggled a lot at the beginning with pricing our products and services to make a profit. Working with ingredients as finicky as ours led to a lot of unnecessary waste, but over time, we learned to balance our budget and to shop smarter without sacrificing quality. Read more>>

Nelson

I finished college at University of Michigan and came out to some of my family, but not my parents. I got accepted to medical school at University of Pittsburgh and completed my doctorate of medicine falling in love with the field of Physical Medicine &Rehabilitation ( PM&R). I got accepted at Baylor College of medicine in Houston, Texas for residency in PM&R. I completed my residency afterwards got accepted to do a brain injury medicine fellowship at Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan. After completing the fellowship, I returned to Baylor College of Medicine to be faculty in the PM&R department. After several years being an attending, I had the opportunity to become a medical director of private rehab hospital, which allowed me to start my own medical practice. Read more>>

Danika Watson

As a Texas-based integrative medicine practice, we understand the unique challenges faced by high-achieving women. Our approach combines evidence-based medicine with holistic wellness strategies, delivering personalized care that fits seamlessly into your busy life. Read more>>

Kriste Babbitt

I decided to become a psychiatrist in high school, when I became aware of my intense desire to understand the human psyche and behavior, and I determined to make practical use of it. I had a few delays and changes to my plans along the way, but ended up in psychiatry residency at Baylor College of Medicine. My creative nature, which often felt stifled during medical school, lead me to pursue studies in psychoanalytic therapy as psychiatry resident, and I began my work in private practice about 13 years ago working with both medications and therapy. Read more>>

Frajai Grays

It hasn’t been a smooth road at all, but that’s what makes it a true journey, if it comes easy, can you actually say that you truly worked hard for what you want in life? I’ve gone through financial hardships in the past, family hardships, gaining friends, losing friends, but one thing I can say is, I never lost sight of the bigger picture for my family & I. Read more>>

JaiRenee McCoy

From there, I started securing NIL deals here and there. Many weren’t paid, but I was excited to have opportunities to support new businesses by trying and advertising their products. That was when I realized how much I enjoyed creating content, filming, editing, and sharing my experiences. It became something I truly wanted to continue pursuing. Read more>>

Danielle Coulanges

Our tumultuous time together led to one of my most personal projects, my first book, Cads, Princes, and Best Friends, which began as a therapeutic journal after the breakup of our ten-year relationship. That book marked the start of my journey in formally sharing relationship and life advice. My testimony highlights how faith in God, coupled with the support of family and friends, can help anyone navigate life’s challenges—whether overcoming financial struggles or healing from heartbreak. I am proof that one can rebuild, find happiness, and even embrace love again. Read more>>

Wannetta Chopane

My name is Wannetta Choapne and Ive been a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) for 20 years, building a solid foundation in healthcare. Recognizing the importance of life-saving skills, I became a CPR Instructor 10 years ago. I expanded my expertise to include training in phlebotomy Technician Instructor and as a CNA Instructor, sharing my knowledge for the past 4 years. Ten years ago, I took the entrepreneurial leap, initially teaching CPR for your employer. I then transitioned to being fully independent, building and growing my own business in healthcare education. This demonstrates my dedication to both my profession and my entrepreneurial spirit. Read more>>

Diana Pasasin

My crafting business blossomed from a Christmas gift I received from my mom—a Cricut machine. I immediately started making shirts for friends and family from my kitchen. From there, I began expanding and researching different crafting methods, like sublimation prints and print-on-demand designs. Ever since then, I’ve continued exploring new ideas, evolving, and growing within the crafting world and in what I can offer my customers. Read more>>

Fahad Siddiqi

Like many first-generation Americans, I was encouraged to pursue higher education and a stable career. I’ve always been business-minded, so studying finance and economics felt like a natural path—it laid the foundation for everything that followed. I began my career as a financial advisor at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where I gained invaluable experience working with high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and nonprofit organizations. Helping clients manage their assets and investments taught me a lot, not just about finance, but about how real wealth is built. Read more>>

Chika Kingo-Okafor

Honestly, the journey has been one with tremendous peaks and valleys that almost resulted in the composition of a requiem for the company. But I had to build and maintain the muscle of resilience that necessitates the success and staying power of any business. My biggest struggle is the constant presence on the hamster wheel that is marketing. However, focusing on my ‘why’ and honoring this calling makes it all worthwhile. Read more>>

Shadab Kazi

What began as a late-night conversation between two sisters in Karachi, has now spread across three countries and four continents. The idea for Crateful Mom came about when we realized there was a great lack of gifts that had sentimental value. As creatives, we knew we could address the gap, so we got to work! Read more>>

Chandler Getzinger

Inspired by the intersection of leadership and human behavior, Chandler founded Eminent Coaching, working with executives and professionals to unlock personal and professional growth. This passion for human development eventually sparked a deeper interest in psychology and therapy, leading Chandler to pursue a degree in psychology full-time at the University of Houston-Downtown, with plans to integrate therapy into an already thriving coaching practice. Read more>>

Gabby Roberts

Through a ton of hard work, determination + belief in myself, I not only made that dream come true but also met my husband and some of my best friends along the way! After my 2nd season as a Rockette, we moved to Houston, where my husband grew up, into our first home we were able to design together. We have absolutely loved getting to slow life down a little bit; hosting at our home, traveling and now raising our new puppy! “Dancer” will always be a part of my identity, but with this transition I’ve continued to teach fitness as well as create content for my personal brand. I full heartedly believe in going all in on yourself and trusting your gut to lead you to exactly where you are meant to be! Read more>>

Robbie Madison

As a recording artist myself, I know that building careers within the performing arts can be quite challenging, so my company seeks to identify craftsman, and to help provide more opportunities for them to build sustainable careers through their art. We moved to Houston in 2021 in collaboration with the Houston Texans NFL organization. I provided music, and chaplain services for the players, coaches and staff, while collaborating with the local arts scene. Since then we’ve been able to collaborate and host musical programs with wonderful organizations in Houston. Read more>>

Reese Haisler

I was the original creator of Etro Lounge which I opened back in 2007 in the Montrose and which became a staple in the Houston nightlife scene. Etro Lounge later rebranded to Etro Nightclub and even later then relocated to the downtown location in 2018. I had sold Etro to my bar manager in 2010 and he continued its success until August of this last year. I was already looking for a place to start a new project and taking over my old business current location just happened to work out. So ironically, I have come full circle with my original endeavor from many years ago. Read more>>

Amy Lee

As I got a little older I started to explore and research the paranormal. When I was 18 I moved out of my parents house and into my own apartment. I quickly realized something was wrong and felt that I had a malevolent entity in my apartment. In the 90’s there were no known teams to call on for help. I only lived there for 6 months but during that time my friends and I experienced apparitions, noises, objects being thrown, shelves being cleared, chairs rocking on their own, etc. I continued my amateur investigations for fun here and there up until 2012. At this time I started going to paranormal meetups with my good friend John. Soon after we decided to start a professional paranormal team and Spring Paranormal Investigations LLC., S.P.I. was born. Read more>>

Amber Carroll

When I first began making candles, they were not very fragrant. In fact, they smelled like air. At first, I was discouraged, but I kept at it and continued to educate myself on what makes a great candle. I also had an issue where I had to change the name of my business. This too was a little discouraging, but I continued to believe in my products and trust the process and today. I am proud to say that we have been in business for 4 years. Read more>>

Meagan Davis

This industry is gruelling and demanding but always walk with your shoulders straight and your head held high. There have been ups and down, like with anything else, but my career has exploded so fast that I haven’t have time to sit and analyze much. I love it! Read more>>

Orna Feinstein

As my education included science and art, my art reflected just that. For almost 30 years , the focus of my art is the tree trunk, and other plants. My art reflects the balance between the organic and geometric in nature, as seen with the naked eyes, and as seen under the microscope. Order and disorder, life cycles, colors and patterns are all playing a role in my art. The journey continues as I keep experimenting with material and processes to explore new ways to express new ideas, and balance in nature Read more>>

Dr. Sanaz Rouhani

For over a decade, I practiced as an associate, honing my clinical skills, building trust with patients, and embracing every opportunity to grow. I’ve completed over 600 hours of continuing education, staying at the forefront of dental technology and techniques. My commitment to lifelong learning earned me the distinction of Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry—an honor held by only 11% of dentists nationwide. Read more>>

Rosaline Abiodun

I made samples and had some of my friends and families tried them, the feedback was profound. So, I created an Instagram account where I made the announcement and that was how I started. Initially, the business name was Rozzyn Shawarma. However, I had a revelation in January of 2022 to rebrand and expand my menu, so I adhered. The name of the business was changed from Rozzyn Shawarma to Rozzyn’s Kitchen. As the business was growing, I was expanding my knowledge as well, and because I have always loved the creative world, I was able to carve a niche for myself. Read more>>

Julius Greenhouse

I began my photography journey with a desire to create something and share the way I see things through portraits. I knew I wanted to create something that I would see everywhere and would last forever. A quote that resonated with me — “No one sees what you see, even if they see it too” — deepened my commitment to the craft. As a child at my grandparents’ house, I was drawn to magazines like ESPN, JET, Ebony, GQ, and SLAM, studying every detail of the images: color, composition, fashion, and emotion. Read more>>

Abigail Lynn

Things started smoothly but when COVID hit, it posed a unique challenge. For one, I couldn’t go out and meet people the way I could before. Second, a lot of these COVID puppies lacked the proper socialization and therefore struggled with lack of confidence. I had to change the way I worked in order to maintain everyone’s safety by offering virtual sessions and other means to avoid exposure. Read more>>

Meg Stolt

Future services|events include participating in pop-ups throughout the city, continuing to sponsor in the world of endurance and multi-sport, sharing brewing techniques, and hosting a course on brewing various coffee blends. The participants receive 12oz of the various blends chosen. Read more>>

Tom Segesta

The hotel business is a fascinating one, and like anything, there are challenges along the way. But I’ve learned over the years that the Golden Rule (treating others the way you’d like to be treated) is a great way to run the ship. It also happens to be the founding principle of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and our founder, Issy Sharpe. Read more>>

Celso Olmos

Thank you so much for having me! Our journey at Celebria began with a simple but ambitious idea: to create the ultimate online shopping experience for customers while ensuring quality and convenience. We wanted to offer a vast range of products without the hassle of managing inventory, so we partnered with the Sellvia warehouse in California. This enables us to provide fast shipping, quality control, and a streamlined shopping process. We’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come, and we’re just getting started! Read more>>

Ozell Butcher

In 2021, I had the idea to open a beauty bar. But I didn’t want to just own it—I wanted to work in it. So, I enrolled in cosmetology school to get my license. At the time, I was still focused on makeup, but six months into school, I landed a job at a salon that specialized in textured hair. That was the moment everything changed for me. I didn’t even realize that salons catering specifically to textured hair existed, let alone that “curl specialist” was a career path. Read more>>

Sherrie B. & Aaron C. Bennett & Clayborn

Another challenge has been tailoring the season to match the skill level of each team. It’s important to me that our athletes are able to compete against teams that are equally matched—not just to avoid discouraging losses, but to ensure they’re developing in a healthy, competitive environment. Finding the right balance in scheduling games and tournaments has been key to keeping the experience positive and growth-focused. Read more>>

Camron Francis

Gupa’s latest EP, “WHILE THE REST OF US DIE” (released October 20, 2023), is an experimental alternative rock project featuring five tracks, with standout “BACK!” amassing over 100k streams. Notably, Gupa recorded much of this EP while homeless, blending beautiful vocals with raw grunge beats to create a sonically pleasing and emotionally resonant project. Read more>>

Beth Richards

My path to becoming an author didn’t come from a quiet season of reflection—it came in the middle of the loudest, messiest, most beautiful season of my life. I’m a full-time mom to two amazing kids. My son has cerebral palsy, is legally blind, and lives with a severe form of epilepsy. He has taught me more about strength and advocacy than I ever imagined. My daughter is a firecracker—outgoing, passionate, and deeply involved in church and dance. Her energy is contagious, and her calendar rivals mine. Read more>>

Cindy Cisneros

She signed me up for school during my senior year so after highschool I’d have something to fall back on. But then life happened, I ended up homeless, bouncing between jobs, dealing with shady shop owners and people who didn’t respect me or what I do. It was rough, but I didn’t give up. I kept going, even when it felt like everything was against me. Now I have my own practice, a space that feels safe, where I set the rules, and where I can actually help people the way I’ve always wanted to. It’s taken a lot to get where I am and I’m still learning and growing. But choosing myself? That was the scariest part of it and what changed everything. Read more>>

Ramon Gamboa

Creativity has always resided within me, leading to several awards throughout my journey. Like many young individuals, I was filled with dreams and uncertainties. I believed in my talent but struggled under the weight of my aspirations and doubts. At the age of nine, I witnessed my father create his first piece of bird feathers on canvas. It captivated me, leaving an indelible mark on my memory. Despite our different artistic styles today, he imparted valuable wisdom that helped nurture my creativity. Read more>>

Destiney Locks

One thing that sets me apart is my focus on friendly budget pricing and providing detailed information upfront. As a former bride, I understand how expensive things can add up, so I made it my mission to help future brides plan beautiful weddings without breaking the bank—all while still valuing and being fairly compensated for the work I put into each project. I’m also proud of creating a brand that is inclusive and welcoming to everyone. I want my readers and clients to feel confident knowing I’m passionate, dedicated, detail-oriented, and wholeheartedly committed to my work. Staying organized is incredibly important to me because it allows me to give each client my full attention and deliver the best possible results. Read more>>

Benjamin Steinsholt

Nothing is easy. It takes a lot of “don’t call us, we’ll call you” messages to marketing outreach before things begin clicking. To be an entrepreneur, you have to learn what works for your line of business, and what doesn’t. I’ve had some ideas that I thought were great that have fallen flat. And then I’ve had other ideas that have created repeat customers I never would have thought would work. Read more>>

Delicacy Studios

The joy I get from making people laugh or smile or momentarily forget their problems is almost unmatched. now as for the other aspects of Delicacy Studios (comedy and hosting is a relatively new aspect of it) it actually came from a dark place. About 2 years ago June I was considering suicide due to the fact that for the first time in about 4/5 years I had lost my job and I felt as if I was useless to my family. And as the oldest son in an african community there’s a lot of pressure to be perfect. within those months I turned to prayer and coincidentally my mother stumbled upon a library that has the technology to make clothes and I had already previous graphic designing slightly. and I began to work. Read more>>

Phoenix Hendrix

I was first introduced to the world of radio and television when I was just 14 years old. I got my start on 1490 AM KXRE, a local gospel station, and soon after, I became a teen host on KKTV Channel 11’s Teen Talk during 1991–1992. That early exposure lit a spark in me—a fascination with media, communication, and the power of having a voice that could reach people beyond the room. Read more>>

Amy Lindemann

fter becoming a mom to both of my daughters, I’ve come to truly appreciate photography as a creative outlet. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how supportive my clients have been throughout my journey into motherhood and balancing life as both a business owner and a mom. I feel so blessed to have a career that not only allows me to spend quality time with my family but also fulfills me in ways I never imagined. Read more>>

Scott Hill

Things haven’t always been easy. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in my twenties and suffered heavily from mental illness. Additionally, as a gay man, I’ve encountered my own share of negativity in certain spaces. I’ve also suffered from trauma accumulated from previous relationships I’ve had. However, all of this has been channeled artistically into poetry that I hope resonates with people. I want readers to connect with my work and know that they can heal from pain because they are not alone in their experiences. Read more>>

Melissa Balderas

My journey began as a stay-at-home mom with a passion for fashion. What started as a hobby on Instagram quickly evolved into a platform where I could share my outfits and inspire other mothers. I wanted to create a space where moms could feel connected and confident, showcasing that they can embrace their style without insecurity. Instagram became the perfect tool for fostering this community, allowing me to empower mothers to wear fashionable outfits and celebrate their individuality Read more>>

Denisha Mathews

During our time there, my faith deepened significantly. The church community we found was so diverse and supportive, and it really transformed me. When it was time to move back to the States, I felt a strong pull towards real estate. It’s always been something that interested me. So, I got my license, and then, surprise! Another baby! Balancing a newborn and a new career was definitely a challenge, but I just kept pushing forward. And honestly? God has been so faithful. The clients have just kept coming. Looking back, it’s amazing how life unfolds. From corporate director to globetrotting mom to real estate agent, it’s been a wild, wonderful journey, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” Read more>>