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.
Chanel Amour
Meet Chanel Amour I am Chanel Amour an entrepreneur, speaker in the making, content creator, travel advisor, publicist, women in sports and founder who believes that sometimes your greatest pain becomes the blueprint for your purpose. I wear many hats because I believe in creating opportunities, not waiting for them. Read More>>
Megan Esquivel
My story has been shaped by faith, resilience, and a desire to help others heal. Throughout my life, I have faced personal challenges, including trauma, health struggles, and navigating systems that often failed to provide the support my family needed. Rather than allowing those experiences to define me, I used them as motivation to create something meaningful. Read More>>
Ricky Martinez
Basketball was my entire world growing up. I experienced success at a young age and quickly realized I had a natural ability and deep passion for the game. Living in Carlsbad, I spent countless nights watching the rivalry between Carlsbad High School and El Camino High School, imagining that one day I would be on that court. That vision fueled me. Read More>>
Alicia Padilla
Origen Artesanía Única was born from my love for Mexican culture, handmade art, and the stories behind each piece. As a teacher, wife, mother, and entrepreneur, I’ve always believed in the importance of preserving traditions and creating meaningful connections within the community. As the daughter of Mexican parents, I grew up surrounded by the beauty, traditions, and craftsmanship of Mexico. Read More>>
Omotola Danielle Falola
I came to America from Nigeria and was thrown into a world that made it very clear I didn’t belong—at least not the way I showed up. I was bullied for my skin, my hair, my accent. Basically, my entire being was a target. In a new country, still trying to figure out who I was, that kind of rejection cuts deep. Read More>>
Aaron Miles
The first thing leading me to my business was working at NYC Human Resource Administration. While escorting clients to apartment viewings, I realized that the loud rioty clients scared away all the landlord preferred clients, the good clients. Then while in shelter, I discovered a few pivotal things. One, housing Specialist worked in the real estate industry without licensing. Read More>>
Janae “JanaeMonique” Anderson
In middle school, I began writing poems and freestyle rapping with my brother. This eventually led me to record myself during my high school years. From there, I continued to pursue music and began performing live shows. However, a series of unfortunate life events after high school caused me to temporarily put my music on hold. Read More>>
Amanda Vega
What started in 2016 as a creative way to make my children’s birthday parties and family celebrations feel extra special eventually became something I never could have imagined. I quickly discovered that I loved styling balloons and transforming spaces, and over the years that passion continued to grow. Read More>>
Cyrenian Scott
I’ve always had a passion for connecting with people and discovering new experiences. Professionally, I’ve worn many hats over the years, including working in aviation and real estate, but creativity has always been a constant in my life. What started as simply sharing places I enjoyed quickly evolved into a platform dedicated to showcasing the best of Houston and experiences beyond the city. Read More>>
Randrea TaNiece
I grew up dancing in the Dallas area. I minored in dance at the University of Houston and became a 6th-grade English Language Arts Reading (ELAR) teacher after I graduated. I loved teaching, but hated teaching ELAR, so I needed to figure out what I could teach that I would love, which ended up being dance. Read More>>
Corin Gatwood
Dinesound got its start during the tumultuous times of COVID-19. Many a bands were down and out with the no-shows to play so I started to offer recording sessions for I was learning to record my own band. It seemed like a good trade.. I charged very little and the bands could get demo quality recording. Read More>>
Ivan Chavez
It all started for me when I was around 19 years old looking for a job. I started as a cook at a burger spot, which only lasted about a month because I got accepted at another placed called Henderson and Kane. Read More>>
Natalia Merino
My journey into the beauty industry began in 2017 when I became a lash artist. What started as a hobby quickly grew into something much more meaningful. I discovered that beauty services are about more than lashes, nails, or skincare; they’re about helping people feel confident, empowered, and seen. Over the years, my career evolved alongside my life. Read More>>
Angelica Hernandez
My journey as a UGC creator was something I honestly stumbled into. While recovering from surgery, I needed something to keep my mind busy, and I rediscovered how much I loved creating. It brought a part of me back to life that had always been there but had been waiting for the right moment to come forward. Read More>>
Hutchison Hornet Support Squad
The Hutchison Hornet Support Squad (HSS) serves Hutchison Elementary, a Title I school within Lamar Consolidated Independent School District (LCISD) in Richmond, Texas. HSS was born from a simple observation: our teachers and staff were giving everything they had to support students, but the campus had no organized parent group consistently supporting them in return. Read More>>
Emily Foster
I started Emily Foster Creative because I wanted to help creative business owners feel more confident in how they show up online. What began as a design business has grown into a brand and website studio for wedding professionals, photographers, planners, venues, and service-based brands. Read More>>
Niq Ortiz
I’ve always been an entertainer since I was a kid and adored the performing arts. I sang in school and in church, as well as danced and acted in a few plays. It wasn’t until my senior year of High School that I took dance seriously and started taking classes and eventually joined a dance company in Philadelphia. Read More>>
Aaron Gavri
My journey into orthodontics is a very personal one because I’ve experienced the transformation of orthodontic treatment myself. Growing up, I had significant orthodontic issues and went through my own journey with braces and treatment. Read More>>
David Reyna
I started out as the frontman of several rock bands, but after running into too many creative differences, I decided to pursue my own artistic vision and create what I wanted! Read More>>
Hanari
I started singing as a little girl and knew right away that it was my first love. At 16 I began posting covers on SoundCloud and started dipping my toes into songwriting at the same time, then released my first single at 17. Read More>>
Jennifer Prell
My path into therapy really started with my first psychology class in college. As I learned more about mental health and human behavior, I found myself gaining language for experiences I had gone through personally, while also developing a deeper understanding of the people I cared about. Read More>>
Denaron Babineaux
My journey in music began at a young age, gospel roots shaped my ability to deliver deeply moving music and perform. Singing at school or over the phone to females, my shyness began to drift away, more confidence started showing everywhere I went to sing. Read More>>
Mustapha Musa
In 2023, Pro Prospects Program started with a simple vision — to create opportunities for talented young athletes in Nigeria who had the potential to compete on the world stage but lacked exposure, resources, and support. Read More>>
Helen Buck
In the beginning, Spirit created. By Spirit, I do not mean a deity confined to a single tradition or doctrine. Rather, I speak of the oneness of our collective energy—a timeless presence that permeates all things, visible only in fragments through the limited lens of human perception. Read More>>
Cyndi Dinh
I didn’t set out to become an entrepreneur. In fact, if you had asked my parents what they hoped for me growing up, their answer would have been simple: get married, raise children, and take care of the home. They came to America from Vietnam and worked incredibly hard to provide opportunities for their family, but they also held traditional beliefs about a woman’s role. Read More>>
Princess Diggs
If you would have told me years ago that I’d be running a physical commercial catering storefront, I would have laughed. Nah, not me. My journey didn’t start with a sleek business plan; it started in my home kitchen by way of heaven, raw grief, and a desperate need to feel connected to my granny. Read More>>
Kayla Daniell
I was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and if you asked my family, they’d probably tell you the signs were there from the beginning and I’ve always been creating something. Growing up as the youngest of eight children, I often felt like I was living in a completely different world than my siblings. Read More>>
Kylee Gilmore
I started my journey with a love for creativity and storytelling. Through volunteering, and school projects I discovered a passion for helping organizations and small businesses with content and social media, which eventually grew into a desire to help brands show up intentionally and connect with their audience. Read More>>
Renee Back
I was a studio photographer for 10 years and always wanted my own business but never thought I could make it work. When I was 40 (it’s never too late!), I decided to take it seriously. I first started with portraits and weddings but after two years realized my true passion was with helping other businesses succeed. A local chiropractor helped me make incredible connections. Read more>>
Kayla Oliver
When I was around 12 years old, I would constantly tell my family that one day I was going to have a company called Divìn Artistry. At that age, I didn’t know exactly what Divìn Artistry would become, but I knew I wanted it to be something that helped people and allowed me to connect with others in a meaningful way. Read more>>
