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.
Jake Knows IT
JakeKnowsIT is a tech concierge service — and I use that word intentionally. Think about the concierge at a Marriott or a Hilton. You walk up, you ask for help, they take care of it, and you go on with your day. You don’t sign a contract. You don’t get locked into a monthly subscription. Read more>>
Liliana Flores
Liliana, originally from Mexico City, is an accomplished professional in the beauty industry with over 15 years of experience. Her career began in Los Angeles, California, where she positioned herself as one of the pioneers in offering eyelash extensions on Ventura Boulevard, setting trends in a constantly evolving market. Read more>>
Carmela Morales
I’m a small-town country girl at heart, and from as early as I can remember, I’ve always wanted more out of life. Not in a vague way, I’ve always had a real drive to build something for myself, to create opportunities, and to see how far I could go. That entrepreneurial spirit has been with me from the beginning. Read more>>
Carlos Burrell
I started creating content as a way to document my everyday life, simple things like grooming routines, outfits, and the parts of my day that felt intentional. At first it was just a creative outlet, but over time I realized people connected with the clean, modern aesthetic I naturally gravitated toward. They weren’t just watching the content; they were relating to the lifestyle behind it. Read more>>
Key Frager
I didn’t have a perfect plan getting into this just knew I wanted to be around sports and find a way to create opportunities, not wait on them. I started by reaching out to people, building relationships, and putting things together on my own. Read more>>
Jojo Trumbly
My path wasn’t linear. I actually pivoted a few times to get here. I started out in the arts as an actor and choreographer, and then in 2016 I shifted into teaching. From there, I stepped in to help grow our family HVAC business, Affordable Air Repair, and that’s really where I found my lane in marketing, relationships, and building systems. Read more>>
Paul Prior
Founded in 1937 by Aubrey and Nona Lankford, Lankford’s began as a mom-and-pop grocery store in Houston’s Fourth Ward, also known as Freedmen’s Town. Read more>>
LaKisha Mosley
My story is really a story about unlearning before it was ever a story about building. I spent years showing up in rooms that were not quite designed for me, doing meaningful work, and still feeling like something was fundamentally missing. Not just for me but for the women around me. Read more>>
Jenelle, Mariah Foster, Clark
Your Favorite Cousins didn’t just happen overnight it grew from something real, something rooted in family, energy, and natural connection. Back in 2018, at just 17 and 18 years old, we were already stepping into something bigger than we even realized at the time. Read more>>
Monica Pedroza
This is only my second year of photography, but if I’m being honest… the love for it has always been there. Long before I ever called myself a photographer, I was the one documenting everything. If you looked through my phone, you’d probably laugh seeing over 45,000 photos saved….crazy, right? But to me, every photo meant something. Read more>>
Christian Walker
I grew up in Nederland, Texas. Music wasn’t some master plan early on, my mom actually signed me up for The Voice and I made the pre-rounds. I didn’t make it through, but that experience flipped a switch. It showed me I could actually sing, and more importantly, that I wanted to do this for real. Read more>>
Nicole Forney
I was born and raised in Sugar Land, Texas. I grew up enjoying all types of crafts but found my passion in sewing. My sewing journey started in 2011, taking a sewing class. I didn’t have a passion for it at the time or cared much for sewing, and it was just an interesting elective. Read more>>
Alex Griffin
I was just a child when I saw my mother live her full live in a wheelchair, And just like any son I made it my mission to take care of my mother and my two sisters even though I am the middle child I made it my responsibility to become a man for my family. Read more>>
Priscilla Gil
From doing brows in middle school to owning a top rated business in Conroe, Texas. My focus is far more than just brows. I have designed THE HAIR AND BROW BAR to be a modern self-care destination where beauty, wellness, and luxury align. Read more>>
Sean Cole
Hey, just a brief overview about me — my name is Sean Cole. I’m 26 years old and originally from Chicago, Illinois. I’m a singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, producer, and engineer — pretty much everything that comes with creating music, I do it all. I grew up singing in the church, and that’s also where I began taking piano lessons. Read more>>
Mariah Milburn
My journey started long before I ever launched a business. At a young age, I always felt I was meant to be impactful — to create, to influence, and to build something of my own. I’m proudly from Baltimore, and a lot of my foundation comes from the environment I was raised in. Read more>>
Saba Bherani
I began my journey in the wedding and events industry as an event designer, and over the past three years, I’ve worked closely with established planners, quietly building both experience and a deep passion for creating elevated celebrations. Saha Events was officially launched just last month, but even in its earliest stage, the response has been overwhelming. Read more>>
Emily Prinz
I’ve been a licensed massage therapist for 11 years, and I spent about 10 years working in massage chains. That environment works well for clients who simply want their muscle knots worked out, but I started realizing it wasn’t the best environment for people dealing with chronic stress and anxiety. Read more>>
Chase Bailey
I first got curious about cutting hair when I was about eight years old. I grabbed some old trimmers and tried to edge myself up for school—of course I pushed my hairline way too far back and got clowned for it for the next two weeks. After that, I stayed away from clippers for a long time. In 2016, I came back to it. Read more>>
Raquel Lopez
I started Amira Aesthetics with a very intentional vision: to create a space where clients feel comfortable, respected, and truly seen—especially those who may not always feel represented in traditional aesthetic settings. My connection to the medical field actually started early. I grew up watching my mother, who works in healthcare, and her passion for caring for others had a huge influence on me. Read more>>
Jamison Leff
LEFFway. On his latest single “Power Trip,” LEFFway ponders over his journey to the top. “I’ve been up for four days, five nights, sacrificed for the Broadway bright lights,” he coos. The New Jersey bred artist is a quadruple threat of singer/songwriter, rapper, producer, and engineer. Sometimes he’s all four in one studio session, a nod to his understandable lack of sleep. Read more>>
Natalie Hernandez
I had what some would consider an unconventional entry into the tattoo world starting with I had actually never met my mentor until our first meeting. Between the 5 years of coffee gigs, I was participating in local art shows. Art had always been the first love, just never knew how to turn it into a career… the collage route was definitely not for me. Read more>>
Lisa Brenskelle
In 2010, Lutherans Restoring Creation started operations. At that time, they began in only 5 synods (geographical regions of the U.S.) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. One of the 5 was the gulf coast synod. I was an inaugural member of the synod Lutherans Restoring Creation team. When the original team lead stepped down a few years later, I took over this ministry. Read more>>
Liz Elgin
My name is Liz Elgin, and I’m the owner of Luna Face and Body. My path into esthetics wasn’t something I originally set out to pursue. In my twenties, I explored a range of industries including travel, banking, home building, and working as a flight attendant. Read more>>
Robyn Dalberg
Absolutely, thank you for giving me the opportunity. I love to share my story. I didn’t arrive here through a straight line. My work today sits at the intersection of three roles I’ve lived deeply as a learner, an educator, and a parent. Read more>>
Heather Browand
Photography has always been the heart of my story. I was drawn to it because of the connection, the emotion, and the ability to preserve moments and people in a way that felt real and lasting. Read more>>
Reagan Eaton
I’ve been a plus-size woman my whole life, and for as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to see someone like me walk a runway — confidently, unapologetically, in a full-figure body. As I got older, something unexpected happened: people started looking to me for confidence. Read more>>
Deserea Noriega
My career is rooted in the arts and education. I hold degrees in Performing Arts and Theatre, which informed my five years in the classroom as a teacher. During that time, I discovered my true passion: using creative storytelling to foster growth and learning in children. The transition into entrepreneurship was driven by a personal mission to stay connected with my nieces. Read more>>
Charlize Cao
My name is Charlize, and my journey into the wedding and event industry has been anything but straightforward. I first discovered my passion for planning back in 2016. I was drawn to the beauty of bringing people together, creating meaningful moments, and turning visions into reality. But at that time, life led me in a different direction. Read more>>
DENNY MURPHY
A good friend of mine who works in the permanent make up industry brought scalp micropigmentation to my attention. She knew that I was struggling with hair loss and she was aware of all my attempts to cover it up. After looking into different SMP artists I decided to go ahead and give it a try – BEST decision ever! Read more>>
Deidre Carter-Briscoe
My journey didn’t begin in travel. It began in real life—raising a family, building a career, and navigating the complexities of relationships. For over 20 years, I worked in civil litigation and employment law as a paralegal, a role that sharpened my attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and ability to manage high-stakes situations with precision. Read more>>
Cherika Edwards
My ‘why’ started in grade school. My cousin, who I’ve always called my brother, was sentenced to prison, and I remember my family saying it was because he didn’t have a good lawyer to tell his story. I didn’t fully understand it then, but it planted something in me. Read more>>
Amber Bradford
My name is Amber Bradford, and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor. Looking back, there have been many chapters in my life that led me here. I’m a small-town girl at heart, but I’ve always had a big desire to help people in a meaningful and deeply personal way. Read more>>
Breanna Garcia
Hello! I began my journey with Charmed Fantasia Holdings LLC in January of this year, inspired by my love for reading and my connection to the bookstagram community. What started as sharing book reviews quickly grew into something more when I realized I wanted to create products that readers could physically connect with, especially within the romantasy space that I’m so passionate about. Read more>>
Antonio Torres
It all started with my wellness journey and running. I wanted to be a runner so bad, but I was also trying to get in shape for my health. As I started exploring running, I found run clubs, and through those run clubs, I met so many people. I made connections, built friendships, and found community. Read more>>
Jeff Dumé
I started without a clear path, but I always had a strong work ethic and a belief that I could build something meaningful if I stayed consistent. Early on, I worked construction jobs and focused heavily on sports. Read more>>
emily tong
I founded Katy Cattery in 2018, beginning with a genuine love for cats and a deep admiration for the beauty, gentle temperament, and unique personalities of Ragdoll and Maine Coon. What started as a personal passion soon grew into something much more meaningful as I became fully dedicated to learning every aspect of responsible breeding, from genetics and lineage to structure, health, and early socialization. Read more>>
Brittany Villacorta
Snaparoo started because of two things: My marketing experience and my journey as a bride years earlier. In 2018, while working in marketing and helping coordinate events, I noticed companies were hiring photo booth vendors from out of town to come to Houston. Read more>>
Jovanna Aguilar
As a first-generation Mexican-American woman, I’ve always been determined to build a name that reflects where I come from—one that celebrates my heritage, amplifies Latina voices, and stays grounded in my origins. Driven to achieve the opportunities my parents never had, their sacrifices paved the way for me to graduate high school, attend university, and earn a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication. Read more>>
Adriana Rico
I started my journey almost two years ago after the passing of my grandmother, Evangelina Rico. Her birthday was on February 14th, and she would have turned 100 in just a few months. She absolutely loved flowers, every year her birthday was filled with beautiful arrangements and love. Read more>>
Sugar Joiko
I’ve been a musician and producer for over two decades, but my journey really shifted when I decided to stop waiting for permission and create my own lane. I started as a pianist and vocalist, eventually becoming one of the leading dueling pianists in the country—performing everywhere from high-end weddings to major stages like the Houston Rockets halftime show and even Disney Cruise Line. Read more>>
Hannah Bohacek
I’ve always had a camera in my hands. Back in high school, I started freelancing and entering photo competitions whenever my school offered them. When I went to ministry school, I was asked to join the team capturing images at church, and that’s really where everything began to grow. Read more>>
Olga Miliuta
Belcanto Music School began from a very personal place — a deep passion for classical music and a desire to share the beauty of the bel canto tradition with others. I started by teaching a small number of students, focusing on building strong vocal technique and musical understanding. Read more>>
Francisco Goodrich
Originally from Killeen Ive been writing song since my youth, but as soon as I moved to Houston, I learned how to produce music and events as well as play guitar! Seven years later I’m curating shows and playing the blues! Read more>>
Kathleen (Cisarik) Benkendorfer
The business idea started from always having the urge to learn how to sew. Back in 2018, I started watching YouTube videos of how to sew, where I stumbled upon a video about how to sew a handbag…and that’s where it clicked. Read more>>
Kelly Hall
In 2013 the Tomball Renewal Center was acquired by a new board and Executive Director, and was an answer to the prayer and dreams of the community. Read more>>
