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.

Dana Pritchard

With over two decades of trailblazing experience in the automotive industry, Dana Leigh Pritchard is known for her role in building more than building a custom auto shop. As one of the founding members of The Woodlands Car Club and the visionary behind The Woodlands Cars & Coffee for a Cause, charity car display at Market Street, Dana has combined her love for all things automotive with her heart for service, raising awareness and funds for countless local charities. Read more>>

Lanora (Onney the CEO) Laws

Born Lanora Laws, and carrying the legacy of the celebrated Laws family (Ronnie, Hubert, Eloise, and Debra Laws), Onney knew early on that her gifts could not be confined to a single lane. Though her first love has always been poetry, the Houston-bred creative expanded her artistry into acting, modeling, playwriting, directing, publishing, producing and authorship—refusing to let the world limit her expression. Read more>>

Bensen Kwan

At age four, I started taking piano lessons, and eventually enrolled in my middle school band as a percussionist, but not of my own volition. See, I had two older siblings who were also in band, and eventually they both became percussionists. Since they both enjoyed it so much, they “strongly encouraged” me to 1. enroll in band, and 2. enroll as a percussionist. (In reality, I had no choice. I was doing band no matter what). This turned out to be one of the best non-decisions I’ve ever made as I became extremely passionate about music, music education, and what it means to create art in today’s society, namely today’s American society. Read more>>

Genevieve Henriquez

That experience planted the seed for what I’m doing now. After selling my salon, I began teaching workshops from my salon, and the demand grew quickly. That’s when I decided to open **Tha Nail Artistry Academy** in Houston. My goal was simple: to create the kind of school I wish I had when I was starting out, one that not only teaches the craft but also prepares students for the business side, with mentorship that continues long after graduation. Read more>>

Lenelle Armstrong

My name is Lenelle Armstrong; I am the owner of Take You Away Mobile Massage & Wellness Spa. I’ve been operating this business for 9 years. I am a mother of 5 children; 3 living children, and two twins who are deceased. I’ve been an entrepreneur since the age of 9 years old. I own a Cleaning Business that’s been in business since 2010 called Spic n Span Cleaning Services where I service corporate & residential customers. Read more>>

Shaye Mueller

I fell in love with art history, psychology, and neuroscience. Discovering the art therapy profession felt like divine intervention. And in a weird cosmic alignment of events, I signed up to begin therapy, unknowingly, with an art therapist around that time. In all honestly, I was just desperate to talk to someone and found a therapist with the first opening. She turned out to be an art therapist, and thus began years of personal work on the client side of the experience. On top of a therapist, she became a sort of encouraging mentor in my process of graduate school applications and career advice. After obtaining my MA in counseling and art therapy, I began my training to become independently licensed, as well as to rack up some training credentials. Read more>>

Garett Seeba

Consistency has been the biggest unlock I have experienced in the last 5 years. Once this is mastered many doors are unlocked. Running multi day events has honed this skill for me. Most recently I completed Bigfoot 200 in the Cascade mountains over 93 hours. Moab 240 is upcoming in October followed by Tahoe 200 in June 2026. Two mantras I live are to be a practitioner and to inspire others. Meaning once something is completed move on to the next objective instead of reminiscing on past accomplishments. Read more>>

Ashley Foster

From being a commission only life insurance agent during the worst financial crises since the Great Depression, to starting and then dissolving a business partnership, to building a solo financial planning practice from scratch…..there have for sure been challenges to overcome. The main obstacle was proving a market for profitable financial planning services aimed at young professionals. When I started Nxt:Gen in 2018, a lot of industry professionals didn’t believe it would work. Everyone was going after rich Baby Boomers with millions of dollars to manage. No one believed serving next gen clients could be profitable. Most expected my business to not survive the third year. They were proven wrong. Read more>>

Madhavi Chalasani

Growing up, I often felt as though I was balancing between two worlds. One foot firmly rooted in the richness of Indian culture, the other stepping into the ever-evolving rhythm of American life. My parents taught me to take the best of both and make them my own. And for the most part, I did. Read more>>

Ramon Veras

In the early 1970s, my family immigrated to Haverstraw, New York. I continued playing baseball through my second year of high school, but everything changed after seventh grade when I discovered Goju Ryu Karate-do. The discipline, philosophy, and spirit of karate captivated me. After earning my black belt, I stepped away from baseball and fully dedicated myself to martial arts—training, studying, and competing in tournaments across the East Coast and internationally, including the Central American and Caribbean Championships. Read more>>

Marjaana Rakai

Right now, I’m deep into my”50 by 50″ marathon journey, and I’m also build new ways through Tired Mom Runs to make sports science more accessible for everyday women. What started as my own outlet has become a way to show women that it’s never too late and you’re never too busy to go after bold goals. Read more>>

Courtney Suddath

I grew up in a home where service was modeled to me, my mom was a teacher, and my dad was a teacher and coach. Watching them make a difference in the lives of others made a lasting impression on me. I earned my undergraduate degree in psychology from Texas Tech, and quickly realized the next step would be graduate school. It took a little exploring, but eventually I found the direction that felt right. Read more>>

Cindy Siple

For more than 20 years, I was an educator, teaching students from PreK all the way to college seniors at Sam Houston State University. Most recently, I served as a music teacher in Montgomery ISD, where I directed choirs, mentored young teachers, and helped generations of children find their creative voices. Along the way, I was honored to be recognized as Region 6 Teacher of the Year, Montgomery ISD Teacher of the Year, Taco Cabana Teacher of the Year, and as an H-E-B Excellence in Education State Finalist. In 2024, I retired from teaching — closing one chapter of my life so I could open another: helping to guide the future of The Players Theatre Company. Read more>>

Victoria Pittman

Feeling stuck in Corporate America, I prayed for a way out early in my career. The response I received was unexpected yet profound: stay where you are, learn from the experience, and trust that the second part of your life will be on your own platform. So, I endured, using the time to explore my passions and interests. One of those experiments led me to coaching, which resonated deeply with me. A friend introduced me to coaching techniques a few years prior, and I was hooked. Read more>>

Brock Shepard

Of course not. Anytime you have a business you have your ups and downs. The economy is a big factor. The saying “If it were easy everyone would do it” is very true. I am also a firm believer if everything is easy, then you don’t appreciate it. We grow from the hard times. Read more>>

Brenda Olivar

In working with families and professionals in Houston, I’ve seen how overwhelming life transitions—like moving or remodeling—can be. That experience reinforced my belief that organization is not about perfection, but about creating systems that bring peace and functionality to daily life. Read more>>

Pooja Goradia

One of my long-standing passions has always been helping friends with their wardrobes—whether it was shopping for new clothes or rediscovering pieces in their own closets to create fresh looks. I found immense satisfaction in crafting ensembles, often mixing high-end designer items with everyday fashion to achieve that perfect blend of luxury and affordability. There’s a unique energy that comes from seeing how an outfit can truly boost someone’s confidence and empower them to present their most authentic self. Read more>>

 Jenna Stubbe

I started as the buyer at Abejas almost 10 years ago. During COVID my Twin, Blair moved to Houston and we started the process of buying Abejas’s together. We love working together and are the perfect ying/yang team. Jewelry is both of our Weakness but also print and color have a strong focus for us. Read more>>

Rubi Nunez

From a young age, I dreamed of becoming a cosmetologist because of my love for helping people feel beautiful and confident in their appearance. I began pursuing that dream in high school, completing my cosmetology program during my junior and senior years, and graduated with both my license and diploma. Over the years, I built experience in haircuts, waxing, and other services—skills I credit to many mentors, especially my cousin, Yesenia Jaimes Ramirez, a hairstylist and business owner who encouraged me from the very beginning never to give up. Read more>>

Ariana Boyzo

The journey wasn’t easy. There were times I wanted to give up. Balancing school with a newborn who often cried through the night was extremely challenging. Yet, with the support of my teacher and the amazing friends I made along the way, I kept pushing forward. Their encouragement gave me the strength to continue when I felt like quitting. Read more>>

Richard Varr

When it was time to move on, I found that I could still be a writer and reporter — but this time not covering hard news, but instead telling stories from around the world. Yes, places we would all love to visit with shimmering shorelines, majestic mountain panoramas and rich cultures, including historical perspectives that have shaped a country, island or destination to what we find today. As a part-time travel writer since 2000, I have visited more than 80 countries and overseas territories on six continents and island chains. My advice: travel when you can. Life is too short and the world too big. Read more>>

Shanita Jeffery

When I stepped into ministry, it was like entering a whole new world. I didn’t always know how to navigate it, but I knew one thing: I could never turn back. Now, after 15 years of walking with God, I am still growing, still learning, and still striving each day—not for perfection in my own strength, but to allow His perfection to shine through me. Read more>>

Meredith French

I don’t know if there is ever really a smooth road when it comes to business and passion. As a 501 C 3, it is always a struggle to find sponsors and donors to help us grow our program. We rely on our numbers for 95% of our funding. Unfortunately, that number is always changing with the economy. We have been blessed to have a few community sponsors throughout the year. At the moment, almost all of the funding we receive goes to hiring and paying highly qualified instructors for all classes and then to providing reduced or full scholarships to our dancers who have financial burdens. Read more>>

LaTrecia Mallet

My name is Trecia Mallet and I am the Owner and Director of Xtreme Level Dance & Fitness Studio in Pearland, Texas. Dance has always been my first love with a lifelong mission to develop diversely trained young dancers while building self-confidence, passion and a higher level of respect for the art of movement, how it benefits the body as well as serving the community. My journey began at the age of 3 dancing at local studios and grade school which later progressed to earning a spot on Texas Southern University’s “Motion of the Ocean” dance team for 4 years, serving as Captain and a professional career in dance post college. Read more>>

Micah Malone

Today, Micah and Leah both remain in the “discovery phase” of Micah’s own health journey. Each day brings new insights. Micah lives with the legacy of a father who was widely admired as a talented basketball player—a legacy that casts a long shadow. He has spent the past decade grieving that loss while also managing ADHD and other medical challenges that complicate his daily life. Read more>>

LaToya Greene

Running a business will have its bumps in the road. It’s not always a smooth process and you will take some gains as well as some losses but the end result is worth the journey. With all businesses you will have challenges but that’s what builds you up and makes you stronger as you move forward. Read more>>

Miraj Bhakta

Becoming a business owner brought an entirely new set of challenges. Suddenly, I wasn’t just focused on the creative side — I had to look at the bigger picture of management, finances, operations, and strategy. Balancing the multiple perspectives of running a business while still delivering exceptional designs and experiences was overwhelming at times, but it pushed me to grow both personally and professionally. Read more>>

Lindarose Amuzie Onyemaeke

I started my career in healthcare as a nursing assistant in Chicago, which gave me my first real exposure to patient care. From there, I advanced to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)—called a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) here in Texas—while also pursuing my bachelor’s degree. Balancing work, school, and personal responsibilities during that time was extremely challenging, but I remained focused on my ultimate goal of becoming a nurse practitioner. Read more>>

Priscilla Garza

Covid happened and then I was stuck home for a bit. Then I started to do some research and found that being an esthetician might be the type of work I was looking for. A way to be a creative but also a way to help other woman feel beautiful. That moment started my mission for a new life for myself. I started working for a coffee shop that now my brother owns he didn’t at the time. I also love serving the community and making coffee. Read more>>

Bonnie Harmanson

What started as word of mouth, family here, friends there, quickly became more than just a fun side project. Before I knew it, I was baking thousands (yes, thousands!) of cakes over six years, catering corporate events, and delivering sweet little moments straight to doorsteps, offices, and hospitals all over. Read more>>

Noel Frederic

I started saying yes to everything. I joined my high school’s football team, took AP and honors classes, and when we moved to Houston, launched our detailing business as a senior in high school. At first, it was just me, a bucket, and some soap. But I learned to treat it like a mission. I studied paint correction, ceramic coatings and most importantly learned about H-Town’s vibrant car culture. I started off by cold-calling strangers, knocking on doors, and built a slowly built clientele from scratch. Read more>>

Janet Ireland

Being a woman in the Landscape business world was a little unusual, so I looked for other ways to enhance my credibility. I became a Master Gardener through Harris County Agricultural Extension office classes. I also got certified as a Texas Parks and Wildlife WILDSCAPES instructor. I took a Spanish class to be better able to communicate on the job sites–but ended up with my own English version of “landscape Spanish”. I signed up for any seminars provided by suppliers who offered classes to promote their products. Read more>>

Juliane

Thinking back to childhood, I spent a lot of time sitting with my mother poring over design magazines. My mother was a significant influence in my creative life, and I distinctly remember her and my dad designing a custom house. She involved me in the selection process for my room, and we talked about all the choices she was making for each room. I remember her excitement about going to market, but specifically, I recall her search for the perfect antiques. She did a fabulous job of mixing clean, modern pieces with beautiful antiques on a small budget. Read more>>

Yvette Barboza

As our clientele grows so does the demand for fun ways to be creative and inventive. I have continued to expand the services we offer and are consistently learning and creating in order to keep up with the new trends in this industry. I still look back sometimes and think, what if I had never started this journey. I wouldn’t have the opportunity to learn the things I have, made the mistakes that turned into valuable lessons, met the people I have had the pleasure of working with or received the blessings that were meant for me to succeed and keep pushing forward. Read more>>

Iryna Nemova

In New York, I founded a mathematics school where I combined my work as an educator and psychologist, helping children not only solve problems but also build confidence in themselves. Later, I developed two original methods — Astretta Method and The Power of Words — both protected by a U.S. patent, which opened the door to a new approach in coaching and personal transformation. Read more>>

Clevaria Smith

In 2016, my journey in the tax industry began. At the time, I was a single mother of two boys, working hard to provide but tired of the constant struggle. I knew I wanted more for my family, but I stayed under someone else’s tax office because it felt safe and familiar. For years, I was comfortable—but I wasn’t growing. Read more>>

Allison Vitek

In 2018 I decided to become a bookkeeper and gradually phase out teaching completely. All musicians need good bookkeeping, but only a few of us are actually good at it, so I created A-Sharp Bookkeeper to service this niche market. I took online courses and eventually earned two bookkeeping certifications. In 2020 I got my first monthly clients, and taught my last lesson in mid-2024. This entire time I was also gigging and performing, but not enough to satisfy my artistic itch. Read more>>

Aaron Javon

I started out as a freelance videographer and photographer, offering affordable media services to help bring equality and visibility to businesses in my community. That passion grew into doing food reviews for local restaurants, bridging the gap between small businesses and the community. Today, I’m a Houston-based food influencer and also provide media support for a local nonprofit, Kommunity Krew Read more>>

Ronnetra Green

I’ve gotten to where I am in my business by choosing not to worry about what others are doing or about competition. Instead, I focus on my purpose. While many accessory businesses may primarily focus on dollar signs, my priority has always been how people feel. When someone shops with me, I want them to know I genuinely care about how they feel when they wear my accessories. My focus on individuals over profit has allowed me to build authentic connections and grow my business with meaning and integrity. Read more>>

Dr. Tameitha Hicks

The 300 Black Women Awards is a ceremony dedicated to celebrating the remarkable achievements and contributions of African Americans in various fields, including Medicine, Education, Law, Arts, Culture, Religion, and Business. This year, in a special tribute to 11 years of Excellence, we celebrated 30 phenomenal women who have made impactful strides and demonstrated outstanding dedication in their respective areas. Read more>>

Naijah Allen

A Mother’s Choice is because the choices that mother make can determine a child’s future. I wonder if my future would have been different if I was guided? My mom wasn’t the worst mom but, she also wasn’t the best at educating me on things that I struggled with. I took the lessons that I learned on my own and turned it in a curriculum to teach young adults how to maneuver through this world. Most of the time, our community service is done out of my pocket but, it does not matter to me. I want to ensure I educate as much as possible to ensure our young adults are supported and heard fully. Read more>>

Adan Munoz

Chef Adan surly loves to be a “Mad Scientist” in the kitchen, coming up with new flavor combinations and his own sauce and seasoning creations. He is known for giving his food creations the best flavor possible. He loves a challenge from customers, looking to “add that heat” to something, Chef Adan can defiantly bring “the heat” for sure. He has a great ability to make each customer happy. He takes the time to make each order with joy and happiness. Chef Adan also enjoys collaborating with other local Chef’s like Lindsey Parker from Parker Pickling Co. to make wonderful and new flavor combos for customers to try. Read more>>

Daniel Blain

My training spans a wide range of styles—from hip hop and contemporary to tap and ballroom. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with many of the major ballroom dance companies, experiences that shaped me not only as a performer but also as a studio owner and mentor.  Read more>>

Mari Kidd

In 2023 I found out we were having twin girls, and decided to balance motherhood while also starting my own private practice. An important piece of who I am, is being able to support clients in the counseling space, and whilst my priorities shifted in becoming a mom, I was not ready to let go of my dream in showing up for clients. That is when Rooted Well Counseling PLLC was founded and I continue to provide counseling services, just like I always envisioned. I specialize in trauma and anxiety, see all ages, including kids as young as 3 years old. I often find myself filled with gratitude that I get to do this – truly a dream come true! Read more>>