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.
SoungYoung Park
I was inspired to pursue Art Taekwondo after watching So You Think You Can Dance in 2011. Seeing how dance could move people emotionally made me think, “What if I combine Taekwondo with dance? Read more>>
Angela Gamez
Originally, this all started because I wanted to make a homemade birthday cake for my dog Roxy. As I began researching ingredients, I found myself diving deeper into the benefits of natural, dog-safe ingredients so I could create something not only special, but also health-conscious for my pup. Read more>>
Tasiah Iman
From childhood, I have been drawn to music, storytelling, learning, and exploration. Growing up as the oldest of six, I was naturally the organizer, the planner, the one holding things together – and those instincts have shaped the path I’m on today. Read more>>
Izaiah (ZAÏ) Fortenberry
When I was 8 years old my aunt on my mom’s side was playin the piano and I just began to sing the song she was playing. That’s when she and my whole family found out I had the talent and gift of singing. As black families do she called the whole family and everyone was so joyful and happy. Read more>>
Cole Giovanni
Thank you, The Pink Collar Club started in Texas, and Houston was the second city we stepped into — and very early on, it became clear that it would play a significant role in our story. After launching our first Pink Hour in Dallas, Houston was a natural next step. Read more>>
Crxss Bonex
Ive always been an artist and embraced it but once i took my first steps into the real world it felt like a delusional dream. After awhile of feeling like a part of myself was missing I decided to embrace what I loved most about myself again. Read more>>
Marcus Bowers
I started learning early at home, even before grade school. My mother was my first teacher. She would create assignments for us on notebook paper — math problems, spelling words, writing exercises — and quiz us regularly. We even had spelling bee contests at home. Read more>>
Raya Jogi
TBM Rentals was born during COVID, when we noticed that not everyone has a reliable hitting partner when they want to get on the court. And for those who don’t, the alternatives of buying your own ball machine or joining a club are often out of reach financially. We saw that problem and decided to do something about it. Read more>>
Crystal Duval
Growing up in the 70’s, music was always in the background of every day life. My mom had a record player and an extensive record collection. I always knew every word and every artist who sang the song, so much so that it became a game later in life where I would ask anyone- do you know who sings this song? Read more>>
Nathan Montez
When people ask how the Blue Bee Project began, the answer always starts with our son, Nathan Lee Montez Jr. Nathan was 15 years old when we lost him to suicide on January 26, 2024. There are no words that can fully explain what that does to a family. In many ways, that day divided our lives into a before and after. Read more>>
Kim & Teddy Tran – Romero
Hi, my name is Kim Huong Tran, and I’m one of the co-owners of Mama Kim’s Vietnamese Cuisine here in Nederland, Texas. I was born and raised in Port Arthur, and I’m 35 years old. After graduating high school, I attended a local college where I completed my certification as a pharmacy technician. Read more>>
Brianna Byrd
I started Taaffe Vintage in my last semester of college, almost on accident. I had picked up a rough looking dresser at Goodwill and asked a local refinisher to bring it back to life. They quoted me a price I couldn’t afford. Read more>>
Rheanna Velasquez
Thinking about where my journey started, I think back to when I was in elementary school and I knew exactly who I wanted to be. I envisioned it daily. I knew one day at a very young age that I would be someone very successful in the fashion industry. I didn’t know what and I didn’t know how, but I knew. Read more>>
Mayellie Navaé
I’m originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, but I moved to Houston in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina and have lived here ever since, so in many ways, I grew up in Houston. From an early age, I was drawn to music and the performing arts. I started singing in church and school choirs, performing at school events, theater programs, and talent shows. Read more>>
Aaliyah Sherree
So it all started with a play. When I was younger I seen the play the toad and the frog live at my school and it inspired me to want to be on stage. Read more>>
Theresa Villarreal
The Storytellers Foundation, LLC is the business behind The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast, a children’s publishing podcast and growing media and education platform created to help demystify the world of children’s books. My co-host, Jackie Garcia-Morales, and I started The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast with a simple belief: children’s books matter, and the people who create them deserve more honest, practical conversations about how publishing really works. Read more>>
Benjamin Tone
When I started Tone Production, the vision was simple — great stories deserve great visuals. What began as a personal passion for filmmaking and creative storytelling has grown into a full-service video production and photography company serving businesses, brands, organizations, and individuals across cities like Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Orlando, Chicago, Lafayette, Mobile, Auburn, and beyond. Read more>>
Ashlea Bullington
Honestly, BullRose Productions started as a wedding gift. My best friend of over 20 years was getting married, and I wanted to give her something that actually meant something — not just another item off a registry. I’d spent my whole career in production, so I offered to shoot and produce her wedding video. Read more>>
Jeremy Knight
UPTIME Film’s owner, Jeremy Knight, began his journey in the film world as a passionate movie buff. He often spent hours browsing the various titles at his local Blockbuster in Chicago, where his father worked. This early exposure to film set the stage for a lifelong passion for the medium, which has only grown over the decades. Read more>>
Torrie Ferguson
I have 2 stories of how I started because music came before my acting career, with music it was 2019. Music has been my passion since a kid, from me being in the marching and jazz band in school to my adult years recording my first single after being told at a previous 9 to 5 from someone I should use my voice to sing. Read more>>
Janai Paz-Mejia
I’ve always been drawn to creativity, storytelling, and building meaningful connections with people. Professionally, I built my career in marketing, working with brands and companies including HEB, McDonald’s, Baylor, and currently SkinCeuticals SkinLab by Dr. Roth, a role that I truly love and feel incredibly passionate about. Those experiences gave me a strong foundation in branding, content strategy, and community building. Read more>>
Santos Albert
I’m originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and my journey has honestly been anything but traditional. I’ve worn a lot of hats over the years — entrepreneur, real estate operator, creative, content creator, writer, marketer — and most of my story has been built through trial, error, resilience, and learning how to adapt in real time. Read more>>
Vernica Pitcher
My name is Vernica “V. Marie” Pitcher. I am a proud native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, making an entrepreneurial imprint in Houston, Texas for over 15- years. I am a devoted mother to my son, Jaydin, who helps me to see the World through the amazing lens of Autism, and advocate for the awareness and acceptance needs of ASD. Read more>>
Mosunmola A
I started my Bookstagram journey in April of 2025 when I finished writing my PhD dissertation and I just knew I had to rest. I wanted to enjoy what had made me interested in English and Literary Studies, the novels and stories. So, I planned to have a reading vacation, started reading everyday and then I decided to start documenting my reading and reviews. Read more>>
Christa McCourt
When I first picked up a camera nearly 20 years ago, I honestly had no idea where this journey would take me. I just knew I was deeply passionate about creating, storytelling, and capturing emotion in a way that made people feel something. Read more>>
Sabrina Smulders
Growing up on a farm, local food wasn’t considered a trend or luxury — it was simply life. We had fresh produce from the garden, farm-raised meat, fresh milk, and eggs right in our backyard. Looking back, it truly felt like the good life. There was something special about knowing exactly where your food came from and the people behind it. Read more>>
Daija Cortez
My mother was adopted and brought to America from Vietnam as a baby. I’ve moved a lot as a child, just as much- or more, after serving time in the Navy. I moved to Houston with my daughter and hardly any income. I completely started my life over- and honestly, I feel like I’ve just started getting my footing. Read more>>
Wael Aboughali
Thank you for inviting me to share my story. From a very young age, my father wanted me to become a physician. My mother believed I was destined to be a doctor or lawyer — a conviction sparked by the day I came home from school and recited the story of Moses for nearly an hour from memory. Read more>>
Stephanie Andrews
I’m a native of Oklahoma City, and there’s a small bakery in Bethany, Oklahoma that completely changed the way I think about cheesecake. Growing up, cheesecake was the very first dessert I learned to make. I made it for every holiday gathering and for my family’s birthdays, but nothing I created compared to the cheesecakes at Not Cho Cheesecake. Read more>>
Tipville USA
My introduction to the acting industry was an unconventional one. It was a Thanksgiving 2021 and my cousin Sarah asked me to be the red carpet host at her daughter Layla J co-birthday celebration. At the time I didn’t know my little cousin was an actor and a young music artist in Houston. Read more>>
megan che
MTea & Coffee started in 2018 with a simple idea: to create a place where people could enjoy good drinks, feel comfortable, and connect with the community. When we first started, we were learning everything day by day, from creating the menu and training the team to understanding what customers really loved. Like many small businesses, the journey was not always easy. Read more>>
Kerizma Clark
I first became a content creator back in 2022 when I found UGC. I saw people talking about it online, decided to give it a try, and I ended up securing my first client in my first week. Because I became successful really fast, I was able to quit my job just a few weeks later and have UGC brand deals support me full-time. Read more>>
Brittany L. Goshay
I am from Union Springs, Alabama. I have been writing since the 3rd grade. While growing up, I spent Saturdays and summers at the local library. I credit my mother for my love for reading, which lead to securing a library page job during my undergraduate studies. I am graduate of Alabama State University and Troy University. Read more>>
Ivonne Rivera
I’m the owner and creative director behind Bell Ciel Balloons, and my journey started from a genuine love for celebrating people, creating beautiful experiences, and bringing creative visions to life. I’m a proud girl toddler twin mom, a graduate of the University of Houston, and attended the C. T. Read more>>
Jennifer Martinez-Medina
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my journey! I started my real estate journey where I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. After a few years doing what I love here, I had decided on a change of scenery, and I followed my heart to Austin, Texas. Read more>>
Tammy Robertson
I grew up admiring my grandmother’s sense of style, decor, and the way she created meaningful moments through entertaining. That appreciation for celebration and connection started the thread. As a stay at home mom to three beautiful active kids being the sports mom- dance mom-homeroom mom- I found creative fulfillment through planning birthday parties, family holidays, school events, and community celebrations. Read more>>
Isatta Thorlu-Bangura
I have always had a love of literature. I started reading at the age of 2 and never stopped. In 2017, I got tired of being the friend who talked about books ad nauseam. I created a blog called The Abominable Bookgirl. I had that blog for about 6 months before I was brave enough to create a social media page. Read more>>
Catherine Myers
I came to this from psychology, not food. When the idea of Boerne Brand was forming, I was a Marriage and Family Therapist, Associate working mostly with teens — but heat had been on my plate since elementary school. The question in our kitchen was never what we put hot sauce on; it was what didn’t we put it on. Read more>>
Noa Sakamoto
I started TAMBI FLOWER in 2022 in Nishinomiya, Japan. At first, I was simply fascinated by flowers themselves, but over time I began to feel uncomfortable with the way flowers were often treated only as decoration or something “beautiful.” I became more interested in the emotions hidden underneath beauty — shame, desire, loneliness, violence, fragility and human contradictions. Read more>>
Stephanie Jones
When people hear that my husband and I opened Pure Barre Conroe, they usually assume fitness was always the plan. It wasn’t. We’re both engineers by background, and for years we lived a life that revolved around projects, deadlines, and constant travel. We met through work and spent years moving from city to city for different assignments. Read more>>
Ebony Trahan
Growing up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, my journey was shaped by profound challenges that often made me feel unwanted and forgotten. I navigated a childhood marked by abuse from those who were meant to protect me, which left me feeling inequitable and alone. I became a mother for the first time at 17, and as life continued, I welcomed another daughter and a son. Read more>>
Eshal Lakhani
In a world obsessed with fast success, Veloura was created slowly, intentionally, and with heart. In 2024, while most high school seniors were still searching for what came next, I was spending late nights in my parents’ kitchen testing recipes, packaging orders, and unknowingly laying the foundation for what would one day become Veloura Desserts. Read more>>
David Davidian, Alexander Laris, Jorge Marmolejo
The band’s idea started around the peak of COVID-19, but wasn’t fully realized until 2022 when our first song “Water” released. It started off as two individuals in Sam Houston State University who wanted to make something that stood apart from other groups and sounds. It grew to four members, but after some turbulence, dropped back down to two. Read more>>
Brenton Reed
My name is Brenton Reed I grew up in a single parent household with my younger brother raised by my hardworking mom. Growing up she would have to work a lot so I would tend to get in trouble at school and out with fighting. Read more>>
Carl Nnabuife
My story always starts with God. I want to thank my Lord and Savior for creating my story before I was created. Creation Brand was inspired by my mental health struggles. In 2022, I was going through betrayal of a close friend, workplace drama, health issues, panic attacks, and struggling in graduate school simultaneously. I was drained, overwhelmed, and suffering in silence. Read more>>
Esmeralda Luna-Ramos
I was born in Puebla, Mexico, and came to the United States at just five months old when my father earned a scholarship to pursue his doctorate at NC State University. Growing up, my parents instilled in me the values of hard work, resilience, and possibility. These principles that would shape every chapter of my journey. Read more>>
Kindall Tyson
“The journey of 1000 miles begins with one step,” has always been a salient quote that has guided my decisions and my life. My story began as a young, precocious little girl from Huntsville, TX who admired her diligent and caring mother, Chris, a counselor, and who loved tagging along with her hard-working and creative father, Phillip, a man who could do and build anything. Read more>>
Harmony Sewell
I started my business with one simple desire: to give back. I have always wanted to help people, to make them feel seen, heard, and cared for. For me, it was never just about sweet treats and drinks. It was about creating a moment of joy, a space where someone could feel special while sharing a piece of their life story. Read more>>
Jennifer Lancaster
I’ve always been a very creative person. In college, I studied studio art and wanted to be a photographer. But a psychology elective changed everything. I became fascinated by the human mind and the way life experiences and relationships shape people’s health, and I never looked back. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of St. Read more>>
David Williams
My name is David, I’m 27, and I’m from Baltimore, Maryland. I started acting at 15, doing print ads and industrials after encouragement from my mom and my 11th-grade English teacher. When my mom found a casting call for a short film and I booked it, something clicked I knew this was what I wanted to pursue. Read more>>
Alyssa Vasquez
I am Alyssa Vasquez; I am a German Mexican American who was born and raised in Houston. I attended college at Texas Tech University where I obtained a undergraduate degree in Business and a graduate degree in Medical Administration. As my full-time job – I am a jack of all trades. Read more>>
