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.

Michelle Johnson, LPC

Rather than dishonoring my past, I embrace it because it allows me to sit with people in their darkest seasons and say, ‘I see you, and I’ve been there.’ My journey has fueled both Transcend Living Transformative Counseling and my new venture, Lionisticly®. In fact, the heart of Transcend Living Transformative Counseling is found in the name of the practice. Transcend means to rise above or go beyond, and transformative counseling is about guiding people beyond what holds them back so they can live with resilience and hope. Read more>>

Keith Shelby

My journey into business ownership wasn’t straightforward. I always admired my uncle, a businessman I looked up to, and deep down, I knew one day I wanted something of my own. But life had other plans at first. I worked in sales and service jobs, learning how to talk to people, serve clients, and build relationships. Read more>>

Brice Reid

Always wanted a cigar bar whiskey lounge. I saved my money. I created one in Tomball Texas next to my house. I work in the motion picture industry so I collaborated a lot of the movies and TV shows into the bar and I always wanted to call it. The office story goes on more to come. Read more>>

Gabriela Polanco

Thrive in Vida Counseling began as a dream to provide accessible and culturally responsive therapy services to communities in rural Brazoria County. Founded by Angie Gomez, LCSW, the practice was created with the mission to bridge the gap in mental health care and help people feel less fearful and more empowered to seek support. Read more>>

Janet Evans

I have always been interested in bookkeeping starting in high school. I took accounting courses in college and began working in the accounting field as a bookkeeper right out of college. I worked for several small companies in the Houston area and learned alot from those experiencesl My sister suggested I start my own bookkeeping business and after some consideration, I decided to try it. Read more>>

Mina Irfan

I lost my mother to cancer weeks before giving birth to my second child. About 8 months later I started a YouTube channel to overcome my grief and meet other women like me. I was craving community and sisterhood. I started off sharing hauls and doing handbag reviews and slowly a small group of women started assembling. Read more>>

Kelly Showalter

I worked in Oil & Gas for over 30 years! I held a variety of both technical and management positions over these many years. I retired in 2018 and decided to join a gym about 6 months prior. I had not been consistent in gym memberships or disciplined in working out. I was a bit overweight and wanted to get in shape for ‘retirement’. Read more>>

Teresa Ross

From Vision to Reality: The Story of Teresa Ross and Calendars Lounge & Event Space I began my entrepreneurial journey with a clear vision — to create a space where people could connect, celebrate, and make lasting memories. Read more>>

Sarah Bouse

As a little kid, I went to see The Nutcracker with my family. I was taken with the live orchestra, not the dancers, and started begging my mom for violin lessons. I eventually started playing piano when I was nine years old, and the rest is history! Read more>>

Naureen Alim

Dar-ul-Sukun’ means ‘house of peace’ and it is the name of a home for physically and mentally disabled adults and children in Karachi, Pakistan. It was when I volunteered here at the age of 16 that I discovered my passion for service. Read more>>

Tiara Seals

(A link to the firms website is provided for more information on resume type background: information: Degrees, Accolades (Masters 4.0 in Clinical Psychology, I graduated top of my class in law school, #4, recruited for big law my first year in law school which is incredibly difficult, etc.) , Educational/Work history, etc. Read more>>

Jillian Warren

My story begins with an autoimmune diagnosis at the age of 13. I tried western medications first, and was having a lot of allergic reactions, so when I turned 18 I decided to try to manage my symptoms through a healthy lifestyle. Read more>>

Ricole Hayes

Absolutely! My journey started with a deep love for travel, aviation, and helping others see the world from a new perspective. I’ve always been fascinated by the lifestyle of flight attendants—the confidence, professionalism, and freedom that come with traveling across the globe. Read more>>

Alexus Townsend

I started Lexurious Hair in 2018 with nothing more than a vision and determination to create a brand that stood for quality, longevity, and confidence. My journey really began with my own love for having my hair done. I was always investing in good hair because of how it made me feel; confident, put together, and unstoppable. Read more>>

Anton Igubnov

My name is Anton Igubnov, I am 36 years old, and I am a professional pianist and educator. I have been professionally involved in music my entire life, performing solo, with orchestras, and with other soloists in various countries across Europe, Asia, and North America. I am a laureate of numerous international competitions and a recipient of government awards. Read more>>

Dr. Caren Cooper

My journey into the field of mental health began with a deep awareness of the stigma that often surrounds mental health conversations within the Black community. I wanted to give a voice to the voiceless, those who felt isolated, misunderstood, or afraid to seek help, and to play a role in normalizing these important discussions. Read more>>

E.J. Santillan

I started my journey with The Roula & Ryan Show with Eric in 2010 as an intern, and it’s also where I met my wife, Caroline. From there, I moved into the digital department, teaching myself photography and videography along the way. Read more>>

Zubin Kuvadia

I began my career in the chemical industry, spending over a decade at Dow leading innovation and digital transformation. With a PhD in Chemical Engineering and an MBA in Business Analytics, I had built a strong technical and business foundation, but I felt a strong pull to create something of my own — something tangible, consumer-facing, and rooted in passion. Read more>>

Nereida Granado

Two years ago, I took a leap of faith and opened my own spa, Derma Radiant. What inspired me wasn’t just a love for skincare — it was the deeper purpose behind it: helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin. Read more>>

Chris Conrad

The story of Republic Boot Co began in 2011, when founder Chris Conrad answered a divine calling to “Save Texas” by preserving its rich culture through handcrafted boots and leather goods. Read more>>

Tracy Thompson

As a dedicated community leader in the Spring area of Houston, I foster economic growth by connecting businesses and community organizations, empowering entrepreneurs, and supporting local schools. Through my initiatives, including the ‘Tracy Thompson Speaks’ network and the annual Excellence Gala, I unite the community to address pressing issues and create a brighter future for all. Read more>>

Dan and Stacie McKaughan

I (Dan) was in the Navy for 20 years, and the last duty station was in Monterey, CA. While there, we were members of the same church as Thierry Croquette, who, along with his business partner, Daniel Peron, owns the original Crepes of Brittany. Their store is located in the beautiful and tourist-packed Fisherman’s Wharf area on Monterey Bay. Read more>>

Dionne Kepeden

I’ve always known I wanted to be a business owner ever since I was a kid watching Shark Tank. It was never a matter of if, but what kind of business I’d build. I like what I do because I get to blend with creativity with strategy. Getting started was far from easy. Read more>>

Minh Chau Pham

Dr. Minh Chau Pham is an accomplished dentist originally from Philadelphia, PA, and moved to Texas for warmer weather and southern hospitality. She was one of the seven students accepted into the Accelerated Dental Program at Temple University in Philadelphia, where she completed her undergraduate and dental education within seven years. Before deciding to take over her cousin’s dental practice from Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Read more>>

Meredith Nudo

When I was a kid, girls only had two options for what they could be when they grew up: pretty or smart. I ultimately didn’t end up as either, so I went for funny. Read more>>

Dr. Kimberly Rose

I grew up with my mother, who was a deeply caring and loving nurse. Watching how much she poured into her patients inspired me to want to help people too—but I also saw firsthand how the traditional medical system often focused on treating symptoms rather than the whole person. That experience planted the seed for my passion for holistic care. Read more>>

Lisa Hull

 Our Haunted Journey Our love for the paranormal started with ghost tours in the shadowy streets of Chicago, where we explored haunted landmarks and soaked in spooky stories. In 2018, we moved to Houston and celebrated Valentine’s Day with a ghost dinner and tour in Old Town Spring. That night sparked something deeper—a fascination with the town’s haunted history and unique charm. Read more>>

Valeria Collins

I’ve always loved planning trips, birthdays, dinners, honestly anything that needed structure and a creative touch. I’ve always been that Type A friend who finds joy in making things run smoothly and look beautiful. But I actually didn’t start in the wedding world! Read more>>

Zac Shoulders

I was the director of physical activity at the exxon mobil campus until 2020. My dream had always been to own a gym, but I had an amazing job and would have never taken the risk to leave and start my own. But, because of covid, I lost that cushy job. I started the process of opening MoCo Bouldering and Fitness in 2021. Read more>>

Mayura Chambal

I was born and raised in Thailand, where massage and holistic wellness are deeply woven into our culture. From a young age, I learned that touch has the power to heal not only the body but also the mind. When I moved to Houston, I realized there weren’t many places offering authentic Thai massage — the kind that blends traditional techniques, mindfulness, and genuine care. Read more>>

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>>