It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around Houston.
Tonna Cooney
I attended my first antique show in Round Top, Texas in 1998 and was instantly hooked. From then on, I spent weekends at garage sales, estate sales, and auctions looking for unique, one-of-a-kind items to decorate my home, often with my four kids in tow. Read more>>
Deana Love
I founded Texas Litter Control in September of 2012. We opened our doors on 2/2/2013. We are a Texas Non Profit Corporation and 501c3 public charity. Texas Litter Control’s primary activities are high quality, low cost spay/neuter and wellness/preventative veterinary services. We are open to the general public. We opened in an 800 square foot FEMA trailer. Read more>>
Lindsey Mitchell
I feel like I was always born to be a therapist. My Mom jokes that I picked the color orange when I was a little girl because I felt sorry for it that nobody was choosing it! So my first empathetic statement was for a color. Haha. In all seriousness – my grandmother complete suicide when I was in 8th grade. Read more>>
Colin Schickedanz
I worked in finance for over 10 years and as I started to get burnt out, I wanted to find a side hustle and focus on my entrepreneur skills. I had heard about friends buying businesses that were already existing and so I found a fun unique tour business for sale in Galveston and purchased it earlier this year. Read more>>
KERRIE SCROGGINS
Agent, Kerrie Devlin Scroggins, has over 43 years of insurance experience to ensure you have the best coverage at the best price. We have over 45 A+ National carriers to secure any commercial or personal insurance policies to meet your individual needs. I am from Australia originally and I am living my American dream. Read more>>
Linda Garrison
My journey with Goats on the Bayou Farm LLC began shortly after acquiring my property. With ample space available, I decided to bring in additional animals, quickly discovering their profound positive impact on my own wellbeing. This personal experience inspired me to develop a business model that could extend these benefits to others. Read more>>
Tequila Olige
The Story of Glowing Goddess Glowing Goddess was born during the challenges of Covid, a time that revealed true resilience and creativity. For me, skincare has always been personal. Growing up with sensitive skin meant endless frustration ,most products on the shelves were loaded with harsh chemicals that left my skin irritated instead of nourished. Out of necessity, I began making my own skincare. Read more>>
Danielle Griffin
My journey to becoming Dr. Danielle Griffin, owner of Good Life Coaching, began not with a grand plan, but with a very personal a-ha moment. Read more>>
Kristen Hart
I have loved animals for as long as I can remember, That passion shaped my career early. I started in the veterinary field when I was 17 years old and here I am 27 years later still rocking it. I earned an associate’s degree in Business Management. Became Certified Veterinary Practice Manager. I have spend decades running top-tie veterinary hospitals. Read more>>
Dr. Bernadette Smith, LPC-S
The journey towards where I am today has been filled with twists and turns, but every lesson along the way has prepared me to build my practice, Aspen Counseling and Wellness. This practice is a manifestation of persistence, faith, and my desire to care for both my family and my community. Read more>>
Tamra Pace
From a young age, I’ve been driven by a simple, powerful belief: everyone deserves to feel a sense of belonging. This guiding principle led me to a career in special education, where for seven years, I worked closely with individuals and families navigating the complexities of life with intellectual and developmental disabilities and complex medical needs. Read more>>
Alexandra Stewart
I’ve always worked a traditional 9–5, but deep down I knew my true desire was to eventually work for myself. I’ve always felt there was more I was meant to do in life, and I wanted the freedom of being my own boss. My journey began in 2017 when I started doing taxes while working for a company. Read more>>
Dena Smith
I’ve always said nursing is in my blood. My mom was a nurse, and I grew up watching her pour her heart into caring for others. Following in her footsteps just felt right. Around that same time, life threw me a beautiful surprise — I met my husband while he was stationed with the United States Navy in Florida and I was in Houston. Read more>>
Trang Nguyen
Ten years ago, I arrived in the U.S. with nothing but a dream and determination. My English was limited, I didn’t understand the culture, and everything felt unfamiliar. From those early days, I faced countless challenges adjusting to a new way of life. Yet, it was through those struggles that I grew and found my path forward. Read more>>
Tequila Olige
Glowing Goddess was born during the challenges of Covid, a time that revealed true resilience and creativity. For me, skincare has always been so personal to me. Growing up with sensitive skin meant endless frustration most products on the shelves were loaded with harsh chemicals that left my skin irritated instead of nourished. Out of necessity, I began making my own skincare. Read more>>
Jacqueline Holland
My introduction to tax preparation began in high school while working with my mother, who was an immigration attorney. Many of her clients returned to her each year for help with their tax returns. Read more>>
Laken Byrd
Building Dreams, Curating Spaces: The Story of InspoSpaces & Southern Luxe For Laken, creating beautiful homes is more than a business—it’s a calling. Together with her husband, Chris Turner, she co-owns Southern Luxe Home Innovations, a custom home building and renovation company serving Montgomery County and the greater Houston area. Read more>>
Claire O’Neill
I’m originally from Glasgow, Scotland and spent years working in events and communications. However, my passion for sports and fitness led me to pursue a career in personal training. I decided to formalize my passion by obtaining a fitness qualification. I enrolled in college to earn a certification that included group exercise and personal training. Read more>>
Tony Ortiz
“The rose that grew from concrete” can be really subtle to deaf ears but really has a deep meaning behind the disenfranchise and the hopeless. Where that pertains to my life, I was raised but my parents who migrated to the states to avoid the civil war in El Salvador. Read more>>
Yama Nazary
As the Marketing Director of Y.N. Marketing Solutions, Yama Nazary oversees the daily operations of his firm with a focus on driving performance and developing talent. With a background in Political Science, Yama brings strong leadership, strategic communication, and an unwavering work ethic to every aspect of the business. His passion lies in creating opportunities for others, guiding them toward personal and professional success. Read more>>
Sasha Chada
I began working with students in college, helping them study for the SAT and ACT. At the time, I also had a position working with the admissions office at Johns Hopkins, and gained some unique insights into how admissions works, and how stressful it can be for students. With that in mind, I started working in admissions counseling out of undergrad. Read more>>
Sanjana Sharma
I began my career as a teacher in Fort Bend ISD, but as a mother of two—one in high school and the other in elementary school—balancing the strict schedules of teaching with the demands of family life became increasingly difficult. With my husband having a travelling job, our lives were dictated by rigid timetables, leaving me longing for more flexibility. Read more>>
Eric Wargo
Hello my name is Eric and I am and the founder of Lion Drive Realty. When I first started out as a realtor it was because I was interested in investing. I ended up flipping about 15 houses. I kept some for rentals, had an AirBNB in Galveston, but sold the rest. In between flips I decided to start representing buyers and sellers. Read more>>
Aimee Falavolito
I’ve always loved working with children and getting to know the stories behind who they are. That curiosity is what led me to study psychology at Baylor University. When I first learned about a career in early intervention, it felt like the perfect fit for me. Read more>>
Brent Law
I was raised in the small country town, where life on a farm taught me the values that still guide me today—responsibility, hard work, and service to others. From raising cattle and tending a garden to driving tractors and fishing, I learned early that life may not hand you much, but you can always create something out of nothing. Read more>>
Lacy Isenburg
My journey to becoming a Sexual Health coach has been long and interesting. I have a BFA in Theatre from Sam Houston State University. During my last year I took a course in Human Sexuality that blew my mind! It astounded me that I was in a place where sex was talked about so openly without judgment. Read more>>
Ashlyn Brooks
I have a bit of an untraditional background. I was a Houston Texans Cheerleader in college, then began my career as a civil engineer for a construction company, and moved into writing as a way to achieve a better work/life balance. Read more>>
Sylvia Sierra
As I sat rocking my newborn baby daughter one day, an adoptions counselor friend of mine asked me to create angel themed name cards for a banquet of foster parents. I had never drawn or painted before, however it was comfortable for me to combine my love of quilting/sewing, and lots of color into my designs. Thirty four years ago, color copiers were a new phenomenon so each of the place cards were hand painted. My whimsical lighthearted designs were such a hit, that soon thereafter, requests were flowing in from folks seeking my little angels wearing patchwork clothing and, Voila! Sierra Art was in business. Read more>>
Eduardo Maria D’Avino
After that, in 2022, I transferred to another school in South Florida and took a position as a Head GK coach for a club called Hollywood FC. I was taking care of the program, curriculum and coaching all the GKs there. In my time there I also started to collaborate with other institutions such as Rome City Institute and Serie A Elite where I am involved in finding young talents to bring to Italy to study and play soccer. In 2024 I also had an experience as Head of Soccer for an important summer camp in Maine (Camp Laurel) where I was in charge of 200+ kids everyday. Read more>>
