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.
Kendra Patterson
people ALWAYS tell me i need to write a book about my story and my life. My story is truly a great story. I often say that if you had met me years ago, you probably wouldn’t have imagined I’d be where I am today. I grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, in an environment where survival was often the priority. Read more>>
Gigi Justiniano
My content creating journey really started in 2020. I had always wanted to be on the big screen as a kid, so when social media blew up, I realized that I could make my own ‘movies’ whenever I wanted to. Short form content became a side hobby that eventually turned into something I really loved doing. Read more>>
Savvi Hue
Hailing from the north side of Houston, Texas, my mother is from Trinity Gardens and my dad is from the historic Fifth Ward community. However, I grew up not to far away in a section we called Homestead, named after the main street that ran through several neighborhoods in northeast Hueston. Yes, I made that spelling up. Read more>>
Al Heilman
I started with my hands in someone else’s body. Four decades as a spine surgeon. Founding partner at Texas Orthopedic Hospital in Houston. I opened people up, rebuilt what was broken, and closed them back together. That was the work. That was who I was. Then my own body turned on me. Latex sensitivity. Chemical sensitivity. Read more>>
Abigail Rodriguez
I didn’t have “become a beauty creator” on my bingo card, but when I became a mom, I knew I wanted more for our lives than working away from home most of the time. I knew my current job wouldn’t afford the vision I had for my family, the opportunity or the freedom to choose. Read more>>
Killa D
I started at the age of 12 years old and walking around with a karaoke machine I use to walk from my side of town in minden Louisiana which was the westside to the east side of the town to record my music with my cousin Dj Timmy . Read more>>
Heavyw8 Chop
I was born in Arlington Texas to 2 Nigerian immigrants. I was raised in Atlanta, and grew up in St. Louis. I was always interested in fitness as a child. Growing up in the early 2000’s, it was kind of always seen as something the cool guys did. From WWE, to comic books, anime, movies. Read more>>
Lilibeth Azua
I started my crafting business back in 2025 thinking nothing of it. I thought I’ll make a few t-shirts here and there and slowly but surely I started expanding. Read more>>
Bear Thomas
Bear Thomas – Founder, Co-Founder & Executive Publisher of Awakened Souls Media People often ask me how a former professional rugby player became a Medium, Shamanic Healer, Spiritual Life Coach and, ultimately, the founder of an international media platform dedicated to consciousness, wellbeing and human potential. The honest answer is that none of it was planned. Life rarely unfolds according to the plans we make. Read more>>
Myra Morado
Purple Studio Waxing has been in business for almost four years, and we’re excited to celebrate our fifth anniversary this September. My journey into the beauty industry actually started long before opening my own studio. I’m a licensed cosmetologist, and early in my career I did everything from hair and makeup to other beauty services. Read more>>
Kristin DeLeon
When the pandemic hit in 2020, I decided to move back home and finish up my Advertising degree online at the University of Houston. I had always struggled with self-esteem issues and lacked true confidence in my appearance and personality, which was heightened coming into adulthood and especially during college. Read more>>
Ronald Taylor
My journey started with a passion for music and storytelling. From an early age, music became my outlet a way to express emotions, experiences, and ambitions that couldn’t always be explained with words. I started writing and recording independently, dedicating myself to perfecting my craft and developing a sound that blends melodic R&B with hip-hop influences. Like many artists, the path hasn’t been easy. Read more>>
Britt Huckabee
When I was a little girl, I visited a local flower farm and my heart was immediately captured. In college, I became a florist and absolutely loved the creativity and beauty I experienced everyday. As a young mom, I began growing Zinnias with my sons, desiring to teach them to cultivate and notice beauty in their everyday moments. Read more>>
Brandi Reid
My story with Posh Little Designs™ began in 2012. It started as a way to share my passion for baking and entertaining, centered around my two young daughters and their birthday celebrations. While they were my initial inspiration, the evolution of the brand was heavily shaped by my parents. Read more>>
Yetro Caraballo Franco
I was born in Venezuela and began my career in media at the age of 19, working in radio. From an early stage, I discovered a passion for storytelling, content creation, and connecting people through meaningful conversations. Over the years, I have worked across multiple areas of the communications industry, including radio production, digital content, sports media, advertising agencies, and content management. Read more>>
Christa Lollis
I started out online several years ago. I was doing pop ups as much as I could on weekends while teaching in Katy ISD full time. I fell in love with the boutique world more than I thought I would. I have been a diehard shopaholic since I was little. Read more>>
Sarah Nelms
I launched this business solo after realizing the traditional 9-to-5 corporate world wasn’t the right fit for me. Photography had always been my creative outlet, so when my husband and I relocated to Houston, I took the leap and turned my passion into a profession. Read more>>
Glancing
ELLI: I had been wanting to start an electronic and/or trip hop project for a while. I was introduced to Ryan at Third Eyeland Festival in Galveston in 2024. He was just leaving another project, and we agreed to get together and see what we could create. Read more>>
Hannah Stewart
I’m the eldest daughter of a single mother, and I think that shaped who I am long before I realized it. Growing up, I naturally stepped into a caregiving role, helping raise my younger siblings and learning early on what it meant to support the people around me. Read more>>
Jackie Chaney
I am a self taught baker from a young age, I’ve enjoyed baking and cooking. I also work full time in Corporate. The catalyst that really drove my desire to get more involved in my passion for baking was over time the unbearable toxic environment corporate breeds. Read more>>
Dominique McGhee
My story started back in college when I co-authored a blog with a close friend. What began as sharing our weekly food adventures quickly blossomed into a radio show and some really awesome opportunities. After our joint blog was no longer being written, I continued to share my love for all things Houston via social media and a new blog called Days With Dom. Read more>>
Ian McPhee
I was born raised and educated in Scotland before being commissioned in the Royal Air Force Regiment in 1973. During my service, I served in Northern Ireland, Europe, the Middle East, USA and the South Atlantic, leaving the Service as an Air Commodore (Brigadier-General) in 2005. Read more>>
RaShona Best
My story started with God giving me a glimpse of what I could be!!!! From there I have put my trust in HIM and because of this, I have taught choirs for over 30 years. Read more>>
Art Hall
My journey really started at Prairie View A&M University where I began curating events through an organization I co-founded alongside the same team I still work with today. During that time, we built an environment that felt creative, collaborative, and community-driven. It became more than just events — it was a space where people could express themselves, connect, and feel inspired. Read more>>
brandon surrett
My name is Brandon Surrett, and I’m 29 years old. I was born and raised in Texas, and from a young age I’ve always been drawn to working with my hands. Whether it was taking things apart, learning new skills, or spending time around cars, I’ve always enjoyed figuring out how things work and finding ways to make them better. Read more>>
Debby Ditta
As a teenager, I was brokenhearted when I didn’t make the high school drill team. I had danced for many years prior to trying out, but I just didn’t make the cut. I had a class schedule that needed to be filled so I enrolled in the black and white photography class in my high school. Read more>>
Clay Hirsch
I started professionally wrestling in 2020 at my local training facility. I was 24 years old and felt late to the game and honestly didn’t know if I had what it took to get it done,but I persevered and got through it and I’m much better for doing so. Read more>>
Joseph Salinas
As a child, I was always seen as creative. Film, storytelling, art in general was so fascinating to me. I remember my mom and I would stay up for hours watching movies that she really loved. I also believe I get my love of film in general from my grandfather. Read more>>
Melissa Martinez
My journey to becoming a professional organizer isn’t the typical story. I wasn’t the person who grew up with a picture-perfect bedroom or a passion for labeling bins. While my parents taught me the value of maintaining a clean and organized home, it was life’s transitions—many of them marked by trauma—that taught me the true purpose of organization. Read more>>
Channing Bell
My journey into tech began with a technology entrepreneurship program at Cal State San Bernardino, designed for STEM majors from historically Black colleges and universities. That program is where I discovered my passion for product development and marketing technology. Read more>>
Melissa Sneed
I’m a club promoter first and foremost. Read more>>
Jimena Marin
When I was 15 my dad got very ill — a rare illness that put him in a coma, and my family was fractured by it. He was our main provider, and we didn’t know if he would make it. I remember a constant struggle from my teens to the end of my 20’s. Read more>>
Kelesia Kinchen
My story didn’t start from a place of comfort—it started with challenge, uncertainty, and a lot of hard lessons. I experienced setbacks early on, including moments where stability felt out of reach. But those experiences didn’t break me—they built me. I started my career at the ground level in property management, learning every role, every responsibility, and every detail of the business. Read more>>
Eamber Reynolds
Hello, my name is Eamber, and I started out as a young woman in Indianapolis, Indiana. Like many people, my life has been filled with moments of challenge and struggle—but who hasn’t experienced hardship? Growing up, I had access to both sides of life. Depending on which parent I was staying with that week, I was either living in the suburbs or in the hood. Read more>>
Aaliyah Divine
I’m Aaliyah Divine, a performer, actress, model, makeup artist, personal trainer, and content creator. My passion is helping women build confidence—whether that’s through fitness, beauty, or sharing my story. Although my career has taken me down many creative paths, each one has given me an opportunity to help others discover confidence, purpose, and the gifts God has placed within them. Read more>>
Ezra Hezekiah
I’m Ezra Hezekiah, a multidisciplinary creative and entrepreneur based in Houston. My work spans visual art, music, fashion, and poetry to name a few. With each discipline contributing to a larger, interconnected story. Several years ago I founded Province 8 as a creative hub where visual art, live music, creativity and community can come together. Read more>>
Susie B.
2021 I went to Los Angeles for the first time and when I came back home to Texas I was just inspired so I went to the studio with my friends and made my first song Stay Down a song to my children. After that music became a hobby for me. Read more>>
Sauvignon Blanca
My drag journey technically began in 2018, when my partner Paul Chavarria ( @gayingmantis, a sensational designer, who also makes many of my costumes) and I were living in Marfa, Texas. We missed the nightlife while working out in Marfa, so we decided to throw a party at Cochineal. Dj’s, drag, the whole thing! Read more>>
Sara Walker
I’ve loved animals for as long as I can remember. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, and that passion led me to take animal science classes in high school, where I discovered a natural ability to connect with animals. I was always drawn not only to animals themselves but also to the relationship they share with the people who love them. Read more>>
Marcus Powell
My journey started with a personal struggle. For years, I dealt with eczema and sensitive skin, and I know what it’s like to constantly search for products that promise relief but leave you disappointed. I reached a point where I decided to stop relying on products that weren’t working and start learning about ingredients that truly nourish the skin. Read more>>
Sean and Andrea
Our journey hasn’t been a straight line, but that’s exactly what has given our work meaning. I am Sean King and alongside my wife, Andrea, we’ve dedicated ourselves to building businesses and organizations that create opportunities for others while providing a better future for our own family. Life has taught us resilience. Read more>>
karenn murga
My journey with B|A started in 2017 when I left the corporate world because I realized I was working just to pay for daycare. It felt like my entire paycheck was going toward childcare, so I knew I needed to find another way. I grew up in an entrepreneurial family, so starting a business never felt impossible to me. Read more>>
Bianca Barona Abud
For many years, I worked as a Sales Director for Latin America and absolutely loved my career. Everything changed when my son was diagnosed with leukemia. Between hospital stays and years of treatment, I realized I needed a career that would allow me to be present for my family. Read more>>
ashley hicks
My story really begins with two things I’ve always cared deeply about: hospitality and purpose. I’ve been the friend planning the dinner, designing the experience, making sure every detail felt intentional — for as long as I can remember. And alongside that, I’ve always carried a heart for giving back. For using whatever I’ve been blessed with to lift others. Read more>>
Creme Truck
I was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. The “Bricks” helped shape me into the person I am today. It’s a place where you learn to hustle and push yourself to be the best. A lot of people don’t know that I’m a restaurant kid. Read more>>
AUDRA ‘THE JUGGERNAUT’ Smith
This all started with my personal game nights. They became so popular that I had to make a waiting list to rotate the guest list around. Folx would often say to me ‘You should really do something with all of this’ That is how Juggercade Games was born. Its me sharing how I game with the world. Read more>>
Hassani Thomas
I’ve always been curious about a lot of different things, which is probably why my journey hasn’t followed a completely traditional path. I originally became interested in digital media, which led me into content creation because I loved the idea of building something from scratch. That interest led me to explore photography, video, design, and eventually storytelling through different forms of content. Read more>>
Ebony Starr
Houston’s Women’s Brunch Collective was born out of a desire to create genuine connections among women. Like many women in their 40s and beyond, I realized that building meaningful friendships and finding like-minded women becomes more challenging as we get older. Between careers, family responsibilities, and busy schedules, many women are looking for community but don’t always know where to find it. Read more>>
Shawn Carson
Carson’s Art School is a family owned art school that has recently expanded with the addition of our Christian Art Gallery, Kingdom Fellowship Gallery. I (Shawn K. Carson), have been teaching students young and old for almost half a century. I opened my own school in Katy Texas 14 years ago in a small room of a young church, The Waters Church. Read more>>
Aury Ruiz
This idea started when I resigned from my career job because I became a mom for the first time. My husband and I always talked about opening a business, but with 2 full time jobs we never had the time. Becoming a stay at home mom gave me the opportunity of having a “side” hustle. Not realizing this would become into a full time job. Read more>>
Kris Kandy
My entrepreneurial journey began in 2015 with fashion. Inspired by my love for women’s heels, I took a leap of faith and opened my own shoe boutique. That first business taught me the value of vision, resilience, and believing in myself. Every venture since then has been another step toward building the life and legacy I envision. Read more>>
ELIH NORTH
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Elih North (he/they), and I am the founder of Trans Voices. The seeds for Trans Voices were actually planted a few years ago. I originally started a podcast with two friends called Trans Brothers, as we were three transmasculine guys sharing our experiences. Read more>>
Oscar Melo
When COVID was at its peak, I was unexpectedly fired from a company where I had worked for about six years. At that moment, I had over 20 years of experience in the millwork and installation industry, but I had never owned a business and didn’t know where to start. Read more>>
Arriana May
If you would have asked me a few years ago where I thought I’d be today, I probably wouldn’t have imagined this. I’m originally from Chicago, but I moved to Houston to attend Texas Southern University because I knew I wanted to build a future bigger than myself. The biggest reason behind everything I do is my mom. Read more>>
Jose and Patty Sierra
The Semper Amici story officially begins in 2018, but to truly understand our roots, you have to go all the way back to 2006. That was the year Jose was selected for the Military Working Dog (MWD) program in the U.S. Marine Corps. Jose went on to serve two tours in Iraq alongside his first ‘soul dog,’ MWD Gris. Read more>>
Sound Hounds
BRIAN: When I think back over the years, there are certain moments that stand out. If I had to pick a beginning date, it would be the night of February 9, 1964, when The Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. That was the moment the British Invasion really hit America and popular music became a phenomenon. Read more>>
WYND
I started making music at the age of ten, just as a little hobby after school. Making dubstep and hip/hop beats for fun. It took me almost another ten years to finally realize music might be my calling. After two decades of producing and recording just being a hobby and what seemed to be such a far fetched dream. Read more>>
Isa Machado
All my life, I have always been magnetized to music. I was always the kid picked to sing during school events, and showcases, but it wasn’t until I was 12 when I finally picked up a guitar and taught myself how to play. As soon as my skills were good enough, I began writing original music. Utilizing it as an outlet. Read more>>
Christian Cordan
It all started at three years old with a microphone. I don’t know why my parents gave a three year old a microphone, but they did — and honestly, that might be the most important thing that ever happened to me. From that moment, music wasn’t something I chose. It chose me. Read more>>
Ellis Mukes
I’ve loved editing and producing my own content since I was 10-12, whether it was making my own comedic skits, gaming videos, or just dumb YouTube challenges. I just always strived to be a creator of some sort since I dabbled in a lot of things. Read more>>
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>>
