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.

Jewel Canche

Life’s has ups and downs for everyone, it would be so boring without them. I struggled with starting my own business for many years. I tried the multi-level marketing route when I was young, and I learned very quickly that I am not cut out for that! I went to college to become a professional photographer and I actually got a job in a professional camera store while I was in school. I loved that store, but it wasn’t mine. I started a wedding photography business with one of my classmates.  Read more>>

Teara Moore

As a Baker: I love the smile on people faces when they see and taste my desserts. The feedback that I get is both funny and helpful to me being better. The funniest one was – a lady opened the banana pudding cookie, bit it, looked at me said how did you do this and then grabed 4 more cookies and took off running. – she did come back and pay but bought 3 additional ones. As a Author: I write everyday and being able to express myself through writing I enjoy telling the world my stories, poetry and cooking ideas. I currently have 5 books on Amazon and work on book 6. Read more>>

Jinsung Pae

What began with just 12 students quickly grew into a program serving around 6,000 children in a year. As I worked closely with families, I realized that while parents continued working after school hours, their children needed a safe, state-licensed after-school program. However, many families struggled to enroll their kids due to financial hardship. Read more>>

Von Lane

After closing Utopia in 2018, I shifted into massage therapy in Houston, but nails found their way back to me. By 2020, I was working in a Black-owned nail salon, and in February 2022 while pregnant with my second child, Lavender & Sage was born. I named it after the sage I loved to burn while pregnant with my daughter (first born), a symbol of healing and cleansing—exactly what I wanted my salon to embody. Read more>>

Joseph Oz& Tony Kaplan

At Upper Kirby Kitchen & Bath, we specialized in full turnkey kitchen and bathroom remodels. From start to finish, we guide our clients through the entire process, offering a true one-stop shop experience. We carry several cabinet lines and a wide variety of countertop options, and other materials like plumbing fixtures and lighting. We handle professional installation as well. One of the things that sets us apart is our 3D design service—this allows customers to visualize their new space before any work begins, which makes the process smoother and more exciting. Read more>>

Sabrina Franklin

My journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t planned—it was born out of necessity. As a certified educator battling an autoimmune disease, I found myself unable to meet the demands of being both an exceptional teacher and a fully present mother. During that time, one fear kept me up at night: What would happen to my children if I wasn’t here? Read more>>

Grace Talavera

I’ve been crocheting since I was seven and knitting since I was about fifteen. It’s always been more than a hobby for me—it’s relaxing, therapeutic, and a way to express myself. I first learned from a family member and later honed my skills at a local yarn shop. In 2020, during COVID, I decided to pursue my Craft Yarn Council certification to become an instructor. Read more>>

Tenisha Miche Barnes

I’m originally from New Orleans. I relocated to Houston and fell in love with the city. I started my career as an educator. However, I became discouraged with the trajectory in which public education was going. I started to explore my options. I wrote a book in 2018. The book went well but it wasn’t enough. Read more>>

Steve Adams

Steve Adams Bio Steve Adams: aka “Mr Excitement”, “The Man of A Thousand Voices!” A seasoned, gifted and high energy “ministry minded” Christian Brother! Vocal artist/songwriter/producer/presenter, Steve has been singing nearly all his life. As a solo artist, he has been producing and performing great AcaSoul Gospel (acappella) music for over 20 years. Read more>>

Chris Erhardt

I got my start in Houston — or more precisely, my initial bridge to Houston was through my work in music — with my earliest major project working with Mathew Knowles. Read more>>

Ashley Eckermann

I grew up watching my dad play golf professionally. He had all the talent in the world, but he struggled with the mental side of the game: excessive frustration, focus, handling pressure. Back then, sports psychology wasn’t something regular athletes had access to. I would sit there as a kid, praying he’d make the cut that weekend, wishing I could help him. Read more>>

Craig and Amanda Carpenter

We are the proud parents of two amazing daughters, Kelsey and Brenna. Brenna was born with an exceedingly rare random genetic defect. This defect produced several severe physical health challenges, but also cognitive developmental challenges. Brenna is an adult, but her cognitive development is best described as being between the fourth and fifth grade levels. She was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age 13. Read more>>

Shanaé Elbert

My journey has been a blend of passion, purpose, and continuous growth. I began over a decade ago in the nonprofit sector, where I gained extensive experience coordinating programs, managing operations, and supporting community initiatives. Over time, I realized that my natural strengths in organization, communication, and leadership could create a greater impact when paired with entrepreneurship. Read more>>

Zac Mooney

My background is in teaching and writing. I taught college and high school literature and writing for many years, and I write fiction myself – when I get around to it. Read more>>

Rhea Enifo

I was born in the U.S. Virgin Islands to a teenage mother, the first of her three daughters. When I was six years old, my mother had an opportunity that took us to New York. For five years, we built a life there until a fire destroyed our building and left us with nothing. That moment became a turning point for my mother. Read more>>

Girish Bharwani

I was born in Belgium, and moved to the US when I was 2. I grew up in Ohio, and lived there till I was 22. I went to dental school at NYU and after I graduated spent about 6 months in Chicago, before moving to Houston in early 2011. I am married, with two kids, and enjoy my life in the Houston area. Read more>>

Shayn Robinson

The journey started in 2001, when Shayn Robinson (Co-Founder of New Magnolia Brewing) gave his then-girlfriend’s father (John Ferguson) a homebrew kit for Christmas. John, a chemical engineer by trade and recently returned from a two-year project in Switzerland, and well-versed in European beers, was ecstatic about the Christmas gift and immediately started brewing on the kit. Read more>>

Carolyn Hudson

I went to school for travel and hospitality and while at school I worked for an airline in Des Moines, IA. and I was immeditaly hooked. I went on after school and became a flight attendant and flew the friendly skies for many years. In 2000 I married my husband and we have to adult children, Emma (24) and Evan (22). Read more>>

Cindy Vaughn

My background has always been in technical writing, but I began grant writing as a “stream of income” in 2016 after a job layoff in the energy sector lasted longer than anticipated. Read more>>

TaMeca ‘Such A Lady’ Jones

I’ve always had a deep passion for storytelling, film, and performance, but once upon a time, I believed dreams only happened while you were asleep. Once I woke up and realized that your dreams happen anytime you put forth effort, my entire life changed. Taking the leap into the acting industry has truly been the best decision I’ve ever made. Read more>>

Kelly Perkins

I have been a real estate agent here on Lake Conroe for 7 years. I grew up south of Houston, but call Montgomery and the Lake Conroe area ‘home’ now. I moved here to be closer to family, and to enjoy the lake life year round. Little did I know – this place would capture my heart, and my career would take off. Read more>>

Joy Davenport

My journey into the foster care and adoption field began more than two decades ago, sparked by a single moment that forever changed me. While working at a homeless shelter for domestic violence victims and children, I witnessed a mother lose custody of her child. Read more>>

kintrissa hunter

With over 20 years of experience in credit repair, I’ve built a company dedicated to helping people achieve real financial freedom. Backed by 100+ five-star Google reviews, my passion lies in making credit repair both affordable and effective. I believe that credit repair should be accessible to everyone, which is why my company is built on affordability without ever compromising results. Read more>>

DJ Strother

First off I had an excellent upbringing in a middle class family in Pineville Louisiana. My wife and I (Journee Strother) met in highschool and are still married today. (Y’all did a story on her as well) I was in the military/Louisiana national guard/Army aviation. Read more>>

Mel Beauty

My journey really began when I was just two years old, entering pageants and falling in love with the stage. Modeling has always been a passion of mine, but for a long time it lived only as a dream. In 2021, I made the decision to turn that dream into reality. Read more>>

Alexander Nicholson

In 2019, my workplace held a fitness competition where I placed second. My manager, who was also a bodybuilder, invited me to meet her coach that weekend, and that moment really changed everything for me. I learned how to eat properly, take care of my body, and my physique started to transform quickly. Read more>>

Brittanny Gormer

My motivation truly started with my children. One of my sons, in particular, was diagnosed with autism, and that became a pivotal moment in my life. Everything shifted — from my availability to work to how I balanced being a single mother of four. That experience strengthened my purpose. Read more>>

Linda Obi

My name is Linda, and I was born and raised in Houston, TX. From a young age, I knew I was called to children, but I never knew in what capacity the Lord would use me. Fast forward, I became a teacher. Read more>>

Zahir Nashid

I was introduced to real estate at a young age — around 10 years old — helping my mom with her subcontracting work and spending countless hours watching HGTV. That’s really where the spark started. I became fascinated with how spaces are built, transformed, and brought to life. As I grew older, that early curiosity turned into a genuine passion for real estate and design. Read more>>

Henry Graves

Hello, first of all I would like to thank everyone who reads my story and feels inspired to help others. My story really began with my grandmother as she was the one who raised me and taught me the value of education and being selfless to help others. Read more>>

Manny Gill

My life’s purpose has always been to construct things but my development as a person emerged from my early entry into the world and my encounters with experienced individuals. Read more>>

Miriany Hornberger

Family has always been at the heart of my life. As a wife, mother of three, and proud grandmother, I love creating spaces where loved ones can relax, laugh, and make memories together. My love for outdoor living started in Puerto Rico, where I was born. Life is lived outside, in the sunshine, by the water, and always surrounded by family. Read more>>

Niki Coleman

Niki Coleman — The Minister of Laughter Niki Coleman, a proud native of Lorman, Mississippi, has turned life’s challenges into a source of laughter, purpose, and inspiration. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Niki served with honor before discovering her true calling on stage. Her resilience and raw honesty have become her comedic superpowers—transforming pain into punchlines and adversity into art. Read more>>

Alfred Green

Fashion saved my life and gave it a sense of purpose and now I utilize to help others see themselves through the lens of Christ. I quit my job in 2015, to walk the streets and help people. Read more>>

Tamyria Knighten

I was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and grew up in a single-parent household with a mom who always nurtured my creativity and encouraged my love for self-expression through style and performing. Her unapologetic femininity and confidence deeply inspired me as a child. Like many kids, my early and middle school years were challenging. Read more>>

Ashley Mitchell

Before I ever held a pair of shears, I thought I’d be designing buildings. I studied architecture at Prairie View A&M University with a minor in business marketing, but life had other plans. Somewhere between late-night study sessions and early morning classes, I started doing hair for students, faculty, and even a few of my professors. Read more>>

Tamika Baker

My cancer journey started October 2021 after finding a golf ball sized lump on the side of my right breast, after a clear mammogram report in January of 2021. At that time I was transitioning over to a new GYN physician with concerns that was ignored by my former GYN physician. Read more>>

Alexandra Heinle

I remember having a desire to form connections with others from a young age, a longing that initially stemmed from my multiracial background. As someone who is half Korean and half White, and who was raised with the implicit cultural elements of both, I often looked for people around me that I could relate to. Like many children, I sought familiarity in my surroundings. Read more>>

Kimberly Brezik

My parents moved to Texas when I was only six years old to pastor a group of people who were meeting in their house and praying that God would send them a pastor. My father had been a successful CPA in California when God called him into the ministry. Read more>>

Mariela Callaway

I started MC Social Agency in 2017 in the McAllen/Edinburg (RGV) area while I was working full-time at a hospital and part-time as a graphic designer for a funeral home. At first, I was creating content for local restaurants, dental offices, and a health and wellness company. Read more>>

Nico Daily

I was born in Indonesia, moved to Singapore for high school when I was just 13, and then headed to the U.S. for college and work. I’ve kind of been figuring life out on my own from a pretty young age, but with the constant love and support of my family every step of the way. Read more>>

Erin Smith Feges Patrick Feges

My husband Patrick and I opened Feges BBQ in 2018 in Greenway Plaza, and went on to open our second location in Spring Branch in 2021. Our story is one of hard work, lots of love and dedication to our crafts. Read more>>

Khristopher Scott

I started Saved From the Trap in 2021 while working in Juvenile Probation. One day after hosting an incentive lunch with the youth in my unit, we had a real conversation about why they kept reoffending. One young man told me he would rather violate probation and attend school while incarcerated than go back to his regular school. Read more>>

Samantha Griffin

Savvy & Sam was started with the idea in mind to teach our daughter (who is the Savvy portion of our name) that hard work pays off and you can do anything you set your mind to. The bakery also honors the memory of my grandmother who currently is struggling with advanced Alzheimer’s disease. Read more>>

Alex Reichert

My coffee story started with a home pourover setup that my wife (girlfriend at the time), Ashley, gifted to me for Christmas. We had just started drinking coffee a couple months prior to make it through our junior year at Baylor. I got a little obsessed with coffee and began experimenting with all sorts of recipes, syrups, and coffees with different origins and processes. Read more>>

Michelle Puckett

Absolutely. My story is really a journey of faith, resilience, and a desire to turn hardships into something beautiful that could help others. Years ago, my son Charles survived a life-threatening accident that forever changed our lives. Walking with him through that experience, and watching him fight his way back, showed me how important it is to create opportunities for people who are often overlooked. Read more>>

Lindsey Mangold

I’ve loved to travel my whole life. From my first plan ride at 6 to growing up going to Disneyland and Universal Studios, to countless cruises (my husband and I actually met on a cruise and just celebrated our 20th anniversary in June), I enjoy experiencing new cultures, foods, and wine. I’m a huge history buff and love architecture, ruins, and museums. Read more>>

German Caldera Avila

I have built Da Cakes Houston side by side with my wife, Maria Isabel Romero. Most of our customers know us simply as Mike and Gaby. It is a funny story, but those names stuck years ago because they are easy to remember and they make every conversation feel friendly. I was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela and moved to Houston in 2015. Read more>>

Michelle Garcia

I had always thought I would work in private practice seeing children and adolescents, so I spent my educational career getting the most varied experience I could to prepare me for this type of practice. Read more>>

Sky Muller

Since I was young, I have always felt people were drawn to me, especially when they needed help or advice. This led me to the field of counseling! After taking Mental Health class as an elective in high school, I knew what my calling was. Read more>>

KB Strawder Jr

I actually got into public speaking by accident or at least that’s what I thought at the time. I was going through a series of life lessons and started posting quotes and bits of wisdom on social media. Back then, Facebook was the main platform and Instagram was just starting to gain traction. What began as me simply sharing my reflections turned into something bigger. Read more>>

Stephanie Fuller

When I was 17 I was medically diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Rheumatoid arthritis. My hands were by far the most painful joints. When x-rayed, my doctor told me I should have children young because I would likely be in a wheelchair by the time I was 30. By the grace of God, I did not accept that reality. Read more>>

Fallon Evans

Cold Start Construction began with a simple but powerful desire for freedom and independence. Fallon, a 25-year-old veteran, was working as a heavy equipment mechanic for a mining company when he realized he was ready for something more. He had always had an entrepreneurial spirit and wanted to take his future into his own hands instead of working for a large corporation. Read more>>

Rev. Jason Moreno, AICP

I was born here in Houston and grew up in the Northline neighborhood. At the age of 5, I gave my life to Christ; I was baptized at age 6. Read more>>

Holly Cron

My husband, Brandon, and I moved to the Houston area in 2012, and since then, we’ve been committed to building strong roots in our community. From serving in our church youth group and worship team to volunteering on the HOA board, and even at a local animal shelter. Giving back has always been part of who we are. Read more>>

Ace (wife) PJ ( Husband) McGowen

During the time of COVID- 19 our business did take decline in client engagement due to the catastrophic circumstances of social distancing and the shock of financial responsibility along with the health protocols. Although it was a hard time facing unprecedented challenges, our business was able to meet the challenge head on and we were actually able to build a intricate part of our tutoring side of our business; offering virtual educational support services worldwide. Read more>>