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.

Dionicio Martinez

In high school, I was introduced to an after-school dance program started by my counselor, Jorge Mercado. That program wasn’t just a creative outlet—it became a foundation for my identity. Through dance, I discovered the power of rhythm, movement, and expression. It taught me how music connects people, and that feeling of being in sync with a beat stuck with me. After high school, we didn’t let the program die—we carried it on into the University of Houston, continuing to perform, teach, and inspire others through our shared love for dance. Read more>>

Leticia Shirley

That same day, another friend remarked on strong organizational skills and creativity, recalling how I had previously helped in organizing parties. She suggested that perhaps turning this talent into a part-time endeavor could provide me with a renewed sense of purpose and generate additional income. At the time, I was preoccupied with enjoying the exceptional party and dismissed this idea. Read more>>

Kiswana Charmaine

Eventually, I made the decision to step away from the classroom. It was a hard choice, but I knew it was time to rediscover parts of myself that had been put on hold. I began modeling in runway and for conventions. Then took my aspirations to print. I also hosted with Vice Media interviewing music artists in Memphis, TN. A few years later, I started teaching kids modeling and acting as a part-time passion. Watching them light up with confidence, helping them break out of their shells—it brought me joy in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time. It wasn’t just about posing or stage presence—it was about showing them they had a voice, a light, and a place in the world. Read more>>

Britt Smith

During that journey, I began to clearly see the difference between true health care and what I had been practicing for most of my career—sick care. So many in the medical field are trained to treat symptoms, not the root cause. I knew I couldn’t go back to doing things the same way. I began dreaming and researching what it would look like to open my own clinic, one that integrates both conventional and holistic care. In 2023, that dream became reality with the opening of 3:6 Wellness Clinic—a space focused on prevention, healing, and supporting the body’s natural ability to thrive through a blend of medical care, nutrition, lifestyle changes, and holistic therapies. What I’ve learned along the way wasn’t something I could keep to myself. It had to be shared with my community. Read more>>

Britt Beresik

Following my mind more than my heart, I completed my Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University. I married the love of my life Bryan (going on 15 years) and enjoyed a career as a Medical Technologist, until I had my 2 littles- Bowen and Bailey. Bryan, being a petroleum engineer, moved our family all over the United States (which happens to be a VERY important detail in my line dancing journey). Read more>>

Lily Campa

Later, in September of 2024, I took my Polaroid camera to a Braxton Keith concert and shot a couple of Polaroids of him and his band. I came in contact with his media director Zach and was then invited to shoot at his next show! It only solidified my passion for photography. Within these last few months I’ve had the opportunity to capture some of my favorite artists, and even had my work featured on former F1 driver Daniel Riccardo’s website for ‘Enchante’ and I was fortunate enough to take photos at Houston Rodeo’s Hideout. Read more>>

‘Lewa Akinyemi

After working with a skincare company and gaining valuable insights, I discovered the importance of using effective, science-backed products. Although I was initially introduced to organic skincare, I focused on developing products that deliver real results. Through my research and experimentation, I created products that successfully addressed my skin concerns. Read more>>

Gabrielle Hakes

Growing up I was always working on some creative project or science experiment, but my love of pottery specifically didn’t solidify until high school! There were two pottery wheels in the back corner of the art room that we’d never been taught to use, and I begged our teacher to let us try. She brought in a friend of hers who taught us how to throw, and once we had some pieces he did raku and pit firings with us and my heart was set. I applied to The Meadows School of The Arts at SMU, and received a BFA in Studio Art in 2017, with focuses in ceramics and photography. Read more>>

Geneva Gordon

This hasn’t been easy but I am grateful for the challenges that were presented because it not only made me grow as an artist but as a person. As a self employed creative, I get to wake up every day sharing music that I love. It can be scary but it’s also so rewarding and fulfilling. Read more>>

Fola Aruleba

There have been moments of uncertainty and times where I felt the weight of trying to be perfect in everything I put out. But through it all, I’ve learned that perfection can steal the joy from the process. I’m learning to embrace the journey instead of rushing to the destination, and that shift in mindset has made all the difference. Read more>>

Raquel De Lemos

Postpartum depression, anxiety, PTSD, I’ve suffered from them all at some point, and unfortunately, it negatively impacted my writing career. I’ve struggled with a severe bout of writer’s block, which forced me to get real with myself and ask the hard questions. In the end, I realized the fictional world and characters I’d created, the situations and challenges I set for them to overcome, were essentially my needs and wants, struggles and pain manifested on paper. And if you’re familiar with my work, it’s not always an easy read. Read more>>

Jai Holla

After college, I worked in customer support and eventually became a manager, but when I got laid off in 2008, it became one of those “this changes everything” moments. I started exploring coaching and consulting—and funny enough, I looked back and saw that all my work up to that point, whether it was personal training, financial planning, or even managing a support team, had a rhythm to it. A heartbeat. And that heartbeat was always about mindset shifting, behavior change, and identity shaping. Read more>>

Anastasia Osho

My close friends inspired me to develop my voice, so I started taking voice lessons from a couple of students that were Music majors. In 2002, I shared my original song “Power” with a local church. I was blown away by the crowd’s encouraging reaction to my song. A middle-aged woman came up to me afterwards and said that my song, “woke something up” in her that she hadn’t felt in years. That’s when I realized that my music could inspire others. I began singing at various local churches in Nacogdoches and Beaumont. In 2005, I had an opportunity to sing overseas with PIFOM, a marriage ministry based in Nigeria, led by Rev. Olufolake Ike. I was able to sing at events in Lagos, Ibadan and Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Read more>>

Blaine Johnson

I started Protégé Baseball (now Protégé Athletics LLC) back in 2014 because I wanted to provide quality baseball instruction to the youth in Houston. My initial focus was travel teams that played in competitive tournaments which grew quickly to 10 teams. However in 2019 I pivoted to more one on one and group instruction. In 2020 during covid is where our business took off, with so many kids at home during covid parents where looking for something to keep their kids active and I was the right person at the right time.  Read more>>

Diana Mencia

Opening my first barbershop, Barbers on the Lake, was a major milestone, though it wasn’t part of my original plan. It was God’s plan. He placed the right tools, the right people, and the right timing in my path. One of those people was a close friend and mentor with over 30 years of experience in the barbering industry. His wisdom, support, and guidance helped me push through some of the hardest moments of my life, and he continues to be a huge part of my journey. Read more>>

Sharna Christensen Brumfield

Like any artist and business endeavor you always make mistakes. I had to learn new techniques to keep up the quality of my work. The pandemic hit and I had to do sales from home and rely on online advertising and marketing. Learning the ins and outs of social media was a lot. The economy also affected sales as people are being more careful with spending. If it’s not a necessity they are hesitant to buy. The other thing I had to learn was to believe in my hard work and skills because of the time effort and love I had put in. I had to learn to have faith in my work and pricing because people would question the cost of my pieces not knowing the time and cost involved. Read more>>

Cinthia Barrientos

I’ve had some struggles and that was when I had a client that wanted to meet in person. I had to find an office that I could rent just for that one day and for that one hour or two and it was not easy I would pray and pray to find an office and affordable office because I had just started I had just Started this journey as an entrepreneur when I had to send documents to a client that is out of state I had to go to FedEx and print and prepare everything there and then mail out. It was time consuming. I didn’t have the comfort of doing everything in an office. Read more>>

Adaeze Okwuonu

Definitely not a smooth road, but I think that’s what’s made the journey meaningful. One of the biggest challenges has been giving myself permission to evolve — especially online, where people expect you to stay in one lane. I started out just sharing skincare, and shifting into more lifestyle, beauty, and self-discovery content felt scary at first. I had to remind myself that I’m allowed to grow, change, and explore different parts of myself. Read more>>

Azalea Moncada

Other than my new business, I am a full time nurse, specializing in Obstetrics, and mother of 3 kids. As a nurse, it has taught me to have compassion, empathy and respect for people’s needs and wants, which may come hand in hand when it comes to creating an event as if it was my own. I try to put my special touch in what I do, but always communicating with my clients, keeping in touch and making sure their vision comes true. Read more>>

Abrahm “Abe” Turner

His love of literature and words opened the doors for him to have a poem, entitled ‘State of Life,’ published in Rolling Out Dallas Magazine in 2003.” “In 2004, he was featured in a collection of literary works for his college magazine, Duck Soup, for his “Seeing Green” short story. In addition to writing, he frequently travels outside the U.S., immersing himself in new cultures, translating into many of his more contemporary works in progress. His first book, “My So Called Life, It’s My Turn to Speak”, was a significant achievement, completed at 19 years old and self-published in 2002. The work was revised and re-released in 2017, marking a milestone in his writing career. His second book, a 31-Day Journal, The Subtle Art of Choosing You, was released in 2022. Read more>>

Breanna Rodriguez

The road hasn’t been completely smooth, but I’m thankful that building a client base came naturally thanks to my 12+ years of experience in the dental field. People trusted me from the beginning, which made the transition into my own business a little easier. The real challenge has been managing everything behind the scenes—starting from home, building my studio space, learning how to promote my business, and investing in the right tools and materials. On top of that, I’ve done it all while being a full-time mother and working a full-time job. Many evenings were spent serving clients after hours, sacrificing rest and personal time to grow Smiles by Bree. It hasn’t always been easy, but my passion for changing smiles and helping people feel confident keeps me going. Read more>>

Billyne Piquion

It has not been a smooth road, one of the things that people do not tell you is that you have to find people who are kind and willing enough to teach you. There are egos in the industry that get in the way of paving the road for future writers, filmmakers and storytellers. When you find a community that is big on helping you grow and learn do not let go. That is what I found here in the indie film community in Houston a big difference from back home. Read more>>

Dia Smith

What sets me apart is my ability to curate and lead diverse teams of creatives—stylists, photographers, models, writers—each person playing a role in bringing the full vision to life. I don’t just create content; I build worlds that speak to culture, community, and authenticity. Read more>>

Hope Dorsett

With a graphic design degree and roots in interior design and hospitality, I mix bold visuals, practical elegance, and a curated touch. I’m known for adapting to any style—modern, traditional, whatever works—and bringing a positive, hard-working mindset to every project. I’m most proud of making that blend uniquely mine. What sets me apart? My versatility and upbeat drive to make every space shine. Read more>>

Edwardo Reyes

DAM Trucks isn’t just a mobile LED advertising company — it’s a mission. A way to give voice and visibility to local businesses that move culture, fuel dreams, and do good for the community. It’s also a second chance for me to create something meaningful with my own two hands. Every ad we run, every business we highlight, is part of a bigger purpose: to help entrepreneurs win and to show people that no matter how hard life hits, you can come back stronger, smarter, and more driven than ever. Read more>>

Chidera Ugwokaegbe

I feel like I can speak for a lot of people when I say that growing up as an African child in America was not always easy. There was a brief point in time when I was little when I just wanted to fit in with everyone else. I remember in second grade when I was introducing myself to my teacher and she asked me what name I wanted to go by, I gave her my middle name, “Precious,” because my Igbo name didn’t sound like everybody else’s name. My mom quickly told my teacher, “No, her name is Chidera. Call her Chidera.” I’m so glad my mom did that because my name alone is a beautiful piece of my culture that will remain with me for life. Read more>>

Lisa

Go grocery shopping and carry heavy bags and also be in charge of inventory. And other little stuff you need to take care in order to make everything perfect. And it’s never been perfect for me. Once I made a different flavor for a wedding cake and had to bake the whole new cake from scratch in couple hours. Other time I remembered about an order too late and had to stay up all night to finish it on time. Having a business means that you have to work all the time, and sometimes I’d come home from a party or vacation and go straight to the kitchen with no rest. And I can’t tell how many times I said no to a friend’s gathering just because there’s orders I have to work on. Read more>>

Kathy Juarez

I would be lying if I said it has been an easy journey for me. Even after almost five-years, I still face challenges. One of the biggest—and still occasional— struggles is the feeling of self-doubt. In the beginning of my journey, I often questioned whether I was truly cut out for this. I doubted my skills, especially since I was still learning and experimenting with balloon styling. Self-doubt made me second-guess myself, whether it was about a new design or the overall quality of my work. Read more>>

Jessica Loyola

That small thought turned into bold action, I took a leap of faith and The Cesta was born in August 2019. I envisioned a service that would bring peace and order into the homes of families like mine. What began as a simple idea has grown into something much bigger—an opportunity to give busy households, especially overwhelmed moms, a helping hand, providing convenience and a touch of luxury. If I could ease this burden for even one family, it would be worth it. Read more>>

Shruti Desai

Building trust as a new photographer has definitely been one of my biggest challenges—it often feels like a catch-22. On one hand, I need clients to build my portfolio; on the other, potential clients want to see a portfolio before booking. To overcome this, I’ve focused on showcasing my work and stepping outside my comfort zone to put myself out there. I see this as an ongoing journey of growth, and I’m sure I’ll look back on it one day and appreciate how these challenges helped me develop both personally and professionally. Read more>>

Celeste Moore

Inspired by them, I started working in bake shops in my early 20s. I loved learning techniques, creating recipes, developing menus, the whole thing. But I also saw how broken the industry could be. While I never tired of the work itself, after a decade of long hours, relying on overtime, toxic kitchens, zero work-life balance…still barely making ends meet took its toll. It was a cycle of constant pressure to deliver with no valuable return. Literally and figuratively, nobody can afford to live this way. Read more>>

Coretta Talbert

Hair was a different kind of journey. I started experimenting in college—trying pixie cuts, and playing with different variations of blonde. Then, I started pushing the limits – trying colors like blue and red on my relaxed short haircuts. After damaging my hair from all of the changes, I had no choice but to cut it all off. I was bald—and I loved it. It became another canvas. I started bleaching and coloring my hair myself while trying different haircuts. I realized that hair, like makeup, became a form of art for me. Read more>>

Imole Ladipo

Film became my way of making sense of the world. I launched my own production company, Lumiere Films, with nothing but grit, passion, and a refusal to wait for permission. I poured that energy into What Happens Now?—a raw, emotional short film exploring grief and healing. To my amazement, it’s set to premiere at the Oscar-qualifying Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival in August 2025. That moment alone still feels surreal. Read more>>

Hope Foster

Recognizing the uniqueness of every individual’s personality and taste preferences, the Zillionaire Zodiac collection offers a delightful array of flavor choices aligned with each astrological sign. From the intelligent and independent Aquarius to the brave and ambitious Scorpio, Signature Sipz ensures there is a wine in the collection that will resonate with every personality. The stylish 12-bottle line boasts an assortment of vibrant colors and flavors tailored to each zodiac sign, including mouth-watering options such as Mango, Blueberry, Pear, Strawberry, Green Apple, Coconut, Raspberry, Pineapple, Peach, Bubble Gum, Grape, Watermelon, Kiwi, and more. Read more>>

Ade Mabo

In addition to my work with Beats By Dara, I founded the Roli Mabo Foundation. Named in honor of my late mother, the foundation is dedicated to supporting underprivileged families by facilitating free medical services to all, provide educational support to children, and empowerment initiatives to young adults. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background. The foundation provides scholarships, mentorship programs, and resources to help students excel academically and personally. Our goal is to break down barriers to education and create a brighter future for the next generation. Read more>>

Rachel Dickson

I moved to Houston in 1997 with the plan to stay one year. One year to the date, I thought “This isn’t so bad. I think I will stay a little longer.” I was working at the time at The Ensemble Theatre as the Touring and Education Coordinator which I filled for just shy of 2 years. I worked in the arts all over the city but often found a home in TET. After serving this institution and others as actor, teaching artist, director, dramaturg, playwright, administrator, and volunteer, I was fortunate enough in 2018 to interview and be given the opportunity to serve The Ensemble Theatre as the BOLD Artistic Associate, which later became Associate Artistic Director. A master’s degree, a marriage and 3 children later, I am still here. Read more>>

Dr. Ilka Tamar Candelario

It hasn’t been a smooth road—my journey has been shaped by challenges and growth at every step. Early on, when I worked in the traditional medical field, I was frustrated to see patients struggle with chronic issues that conventional medicine often couldn’t fully address. This left me questioning whether there was a better way to help people heal It truly pushed me to step outside of the comfort zone of established systems and pursue holistic and functional medicine. Read more>>

Kareem Amado

My entrepreneurial spirit led me to co-found “Rhythm Addict TV,” a media company and YouTube channel that celebrated the world of dance. Through this venture, I had the opportunity to film dance showcases, competitions, and classes, as well as conduct interviews with top industry choreographers and dancers. This exposure opened doors to starring in films, commercials, touring overseas, and appearing in magazines and music videos. The most thrilling aspect of my career is the ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and learn from their unique perspectives. I’m passionate about the creative process, taking an idea from conception to reality, and watching it inspire others – it’s incredibly fulfilling. Read more>>

Charlene Holmes

After undergoing bariatric surgery, I realized that true transformation extends beyond physical weight loss it begins with mindset. Determined to break generational trauma and embrace self-acceptance, I documented my journey, inspiring others to do the same. This passion led to Talk Bari To Me, a podcast that creates a safe space for honest conversations about bariatric surgery, mindset, and personal growth. Now a mindset coach and content creator, I hope to empower others to reclaim their lives, proving that transformation isn’t just about shedding pounds it’s about unlocking potential. Read more>>

Jeff Hodges

I am starting this story as I considered where to go to college in 1980. I was a decent High School student but am not a great test taker and therefor didn’t have good scores on my ACT and SAT. I wanted to go to a big school and decided I would try to get into one of Universities of the Big 10 Conference. The college entrance process was very different, as today it is much more competitive. I selected the University of Iowa as they accepted me into their Business College while other schools would only accept me as a liberal arts major. Read more>>

Tenneisha Brown

It forced me to become comfortable with pivoting after rejection and seeing denial as a not yet. For the challenging days, I rely on my vision for the future to keep me motivated and on track with walking in my purpose. When I close my eyes, I can envision myself doing many things such speaking on panels, becoming a top producing agent in Texas, and educating realtors on scaling their real estate business etc. Having a clear idea of who I want to become motivates me to work harder, show up to networking events weekly, attending seminars/webinars weekly to gain more knowledge, and to simply be 1% better each day until I am who I aspire to be. Read more>>

Taylor Cotton

I have been a creative since I was a child!However,I didn’t want to fall into the starving artist category as I got older.So,in college,I chose to pursue graphic design as my field of work.I absolutely love it and I have created my own business where I wake up and do what I love everyday!I have been in the graphic design field for five years now.I love being able to meet and connect with people from all walks of life and create the vision they have for their brand! Read more>>

King Nwaozuru

During that visit, I saw firsthand how photography had transformed his life—giving him the freedom to travel, meet new people, and pursue endless opportunities. He shared how the industry offered more than just creativity; it provided a fulfilling and dynamic career. That conversation gave me a fresh perspective, and in that moment, I realized photography was more than just a hobby—it was my calling. Read more>>

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>>