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.

Liliana Vega

It hasn’t always been a smooth road. We’ve had good days, bad days, and truly amazing days. Like any small business, there are moments of doubt, long nights, and learning curves. But through it all, we’re incredibly thankful for the community we’re a part of and the amazing people we’ve met along the way. They’re a big part of what keeps us going. Read more>>

Roben Armstrong

As I grew professionally, I realized I wanted my work to be more strategic, community-centered, and long-term in its impact. That clarity is what led me to make a deliberate pivot back into aviation. I’ve always seen the aviation sector as a place where infrastructure, economics, and community development come together, and I knew my skill set could create meaningful value there. Moving into airport planning and strategy wasn’t a coincidence; it was a decision to realign my career with the field I originally set out to be part of. Read more>>

Shellyn Shoenthal

From humble beginnings, with some farmland from a nearby church and a group of dedicated teachers and supporters, PIF launched its first farm. Nearly 15 years later, we are a mighty connection of five PIF managed farms, and a larger network of 50+ farms that sell into our Food Hub and collaborate to share resources with fellow farmers to feed Houstonians.  Read more>>

Cooper Sukaly

I have worked in media but I never directed my own film until this year. I have a professional career that is very gratifying and rewarding but it is mostly separate from film. And I have plenty of other things that keep me busy—including a family—so I did not expect to ever be making a film. It was “not on my bingo card,” as the very overused phrase goes. Read more>>

Leah Chapman

The turning point for me came the day I read my insurance plan, praying I had IVF coverage. I did — but only because my employer is based in Massachusetts, one of just 15 states in the U.S. that require insurers to cover fertility treatment. Without that mandate, I don’t know what we would have done. One IVF cycle at my clinic would have cost about $20-30,000, and we’ve needed four. Sitting in the fertility clinic waiting room, hearing the receptionist tell other patients, “That will be $20,000, please,” made something inside me shift. The financial barriers are so high that many people never even get the chance to try. I knew I had to do something. Read more>>

Chris Walker

I was born and raised in Houston TX, where I began singing before I could speak. I started in the church as a member of my family’s gospel group, The Walker Brothers. I play the bass upside down like one of my early hero’s Jimi Hendrix. My parents raised us with a strong hand, and once I graduated from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, I was all too happy to high-tail it to New York, with only forty dollars, in pursuit of my dreams of doing my own music. Read more>>

Scott Paul

I got my start in New Jersey. I fell in love with music early and spent years grinding as an independent artist — recording wherever I could, handing out CDs, doing shows, and building a fanbase one person at a time. Read more>>

Dr. Lisa Cortez

My path really began long before I ever imagined becoming ‘The Anxiety Dr.’ I grew up in a community where mental health wasn’t openly talked about, especially within Latino families. Anxiety was something people carried quietly, often believing they just needed to ‘be strong’ or push through it. This was back in the 90s. Read more>>

April Crowe

I did not grow up in a world where mental health was talked about openly. Emotions were something I learned to manage on my own. From a young age, I had many battles with mental health. For me, it was very much internal disarray not having the language or support to share what I was feeling. Read more>>

Jennifer Wisler

The Sunshine Kids Foundation was founded in 1982 by a volunteer at MD Anderson Cancer Center who saw firsthand the loneliness and depression that children battling cancer experience. Our Foundation’s goal is to provide these young cancer patients with opportunities to participate in positive group activities which promote self-esteem, personal accomplishment, and just plain old-fashioned fun! Read more>>

Sarah Allison

I used to care for clients in settings that allowed only 30 minutes for an intake and 15 minutes for follow-ups—nowhere near enough time to truly understand someone’s story. I often couldn’t sleep at night because I knew my clients deserved more. It regularly took four separate sessions to fully understand their concerns and establish a treatment plan we both felt confident in. Read more>>

Amanda Allard

My background is communication research. I have all three of my degrees in communication studies. My doctorate research focused on interpersonal relationships. While I was teaching at Michigan State University I taught a intorduction course to public speaking. In this course students were required to present 3 speeches: informative, persuasive, and a Bestman/Bridesmaid speech. Read more>>

Jada Clark

I earned my cosmetology license in high school and later studied fashion in college with the goal of becoming a stylist. After graduating, I moved to New York City, where I interned in the fashion industry—working backstage at fashion shows, red carpets, and photo shoots, assisting with wardrobe for models, actors, and talent. Read more>>

Candy Hattingh

I was born in South Africa, and I think that early sense of community, resilience, and creativity shaped who I am long before I had language for it. I’ve always been an artist, someone who notices stories, textures, and possibilities in people and places. Read more>>

Keith Cothroll

I knew I wanted to be an attorney before I knew what an attorney was. In fact, I started writing loan agreements at age 11 and demand letters at age 8. My first demand letter was to Hasbro asking for a new Transformer to be sent to me or else I would tell all my friends in the second grade to stop buying Transformers. Read more>>

Charisse Hurst

I started my career in the senior care world back in 2008 as a Medicare agent, long before I ever imagined I would become an Elder Care Navigator and Dementia Care Crisis Planner. Over the years, I sat with thousands of families who were overwhelmed, scared, and unsure of how to care for an aging parent. Read more>>

Heather Crane

My journey with Sea Dog Animal Training began long before it became a business. I’ve always believed that most behavior challenges aren’t a sign of a “bad” pet or a ‘bad’ animal — they’re a sign that no one has shown that animal how to succeed yet. Read more>>

Melissa Joy Drobek

I grew up is metro Detroit MI. I move to TX in 2009 and began working again when my ex husband lost his job. I became self employed in 2013 and built my skill, clientele and have stayed passionate about the hair industry. I have a deep joy for what I do and feel it is a gift God has blessed me with. Read more>>

Rhonda Parmer

I started my career as a substitute teacher and spent more than three decades in public education, eventually serving as a National Distinguished Principal and an Associate Superintendent. Along the way, I learned how much leadership shapes culture, performance, and well-being. After surviving cancer and navigating my own season of burnout, I shifted my focus to helping leaders avoid the same path. Read more>>

Maritza Gonzales

When I was six months old we moved to the US from Mexico, My dad worked hard to support our family of nine kids while my mom stayed home to take care of us. Growing up, the kindness of our community helpd carry my family forward. Read more>>

Morgan Calhoun

Sweet Texas Treasures started long before it ever became a storefront. Fashion has always been my thing — I majored in fashion merchandising, worked as a visual manager for Dillard’s, and eventually became a high school fashion design teacher. I loved every step, but deep down I always knew I wanted something that was mine. Read more>>

Lauren Ardite

My journey began in Cuba, where I grew up with big dreams but limited opportunities. In 2021, I stood up for what I believed in: FREEDOM FOR THE CUBAN PEOPLE, during the July 11th protests. Because of my involvement, the Cuban regime authorities actually tracked me down and imprisoned me for almost two weeks. Read more>>

Luis Williams

I started my career not in tech, but on the operational front lines. With over 15 years within Supply Chain and now as an Applied AI Leader, I gained deep expertise in high-stakes fields like strategic sourcing, procurement, and logistics. Read more>>

Jeff Sauer

Started an electrical repair, Installation and upgrade business to help take bake the trade from the one truck chucks with their break light warranty, and the Handyman that are performing electrical work resulting in more repairs and corrections for incorrect installations Read more>>

Gabriela Palacios

My name is Gabriela Palacios, and my journey begins in Venezuela, where I earned my degree as a general dentist and discovered my passion for caring for children. Dentistry was not just a profession for me—it was a calling, a way to bring comfort, confidence, and health to others. I arrived with a dream and an unwavering determination to continue growing professionally. Read more>>

Laura Siegelman-Moran

Royal Caliber Ranch was established since 2017. We started as a small goat farm with the purpose to maintain regenerative food practices. The agenda was simple, create a system to be able to live and support our family off of the land. That meant breeding nice quality goats that were multifunctional for the ranch. Read more>>

Michael DeAses

Started a company with 2 other electricians things didn’t work out so I went back to work for a company I was previously working for. I kept getting calls from clients so I started doing work after my regular job and on weekends. Read more>>

James Marshall

I was born and raised in Louisville, KY, and I went to Western Kentuck University to study Architecture and Real Estate Investment Management; Circumstances lead me to delay the completion of my studies for two years while I enter the US Army to get the funding I needed to finish school. When I returned back to WKU and completed my studies. Read more>>

Angela Hoover

16 Hands of Love was created out of my calling/desire to help the children I served as a public school teacher in a different way. When I was guided to leave teaching, I asked “what’s next?” and was reminded of my desire to help others through the sacredness of healing with horses. Read more>>

Terry Weaver

Another resource we stumbled upon was a book by Texas Filmmaker, Robert Rodriguez, called Rebel Without A Crew. In it, he writes about making his first film for $7,000 and selling it in Hollywood for $250,000. Rodriguez blazed a trail. He did everything himself: wrote, filmed, edited, did sound, and more. He just figured it out. That inspired us with unwarranted confidence. Read more>>