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.

Lisa Hasha

It was intense, humbling, and the fastest education I could’ve asked for. When I came back to the Houston area, breaking in was a whole different challenge. It’s a tough market, and a lot of it comes down to who you know. I didn’t have the right connections – just experience, work ethic, and a very stubborn belief that I’d figure it out anyway. It definitely wasn’t smooth, but every hard season sharpened me. I learned how to move fast, problem-solve under pressure, and build something without shortcuts. Read more>>

Latoshia Munoz

In 2009, I entered the field of education, where I would spend the next 16 years. I began as a teacher and later returned to school to earn my master’s degree in education, becoming a school counselor. For five years, I served—fittingly—in a middle school. I loved working with adolescents during such a vulnerable stage of life, helping them navigate emotions, relationships, and identity. However, as much as I valued that role, the increasing administrative demands of the school day often pulled me away from what I loved most: counseling. Read more>>

Farnaz Amin

One of the main challenges has been turning a lifelong passion into a new, growing business while learning the operational side along the way, from managing expenses and scheduling to building awareness in the community. As a new studio, growth doesn’t happen overnight, and there have been moments where progress felt slower than expected. Read more>>

Angela Ruiz

Ever since I was a graduate student in 2007, I held onto a dream of owning my own business. I kept that goal in the back of my mind for years, and today, that ‘someday’ has finally arrived. Although the road here was often rough, with detours and significant roadblocks, I refused to give up. Read more>>

david chacon

It all started with my dad running the business throughout the years, as Covid hit. Rember’s started to see a boost in claims. I know shocking. 2020 is when I took over the business management, with the boost in production and sales we managed to save up for a bigger property where our business now operates from 1408 W Main st La Porte Tx 77571 Read more>>

Andrew Eddings

I’m an undergraduate student attending Trinity University, where I major in neuroscience and prepare to go to medical school after college. From the day I first got my license, I’ve been obsessed with cars. I love how there’s space for all kinds of different subsects, cultures, and ways to enjoy cars. Autocross, JDM, classic American muscle, European exotics, off-roaders, tuners, track monsters. Read more>>

Courtney Morris

I went to school for hospitality, and growing up with an entrepreneurial mom, I always knew I’d end up doing something creative and on my own. After finishing school and moving back home, I came across the idea of luxury picnics. It wasn’t my original concept, but I immediately knew I could bring my own perspective to it. Read more>>

Eduardo Guevara

My story is a story of hard work, faith, and persistence. I didn’t start this business with a lot of money or resources — I started with a vision and the desire to build something honest and lasting for my family and my community. Read more>>

Melissa Pickett

My story really starts with motherhood. When my kids were in school, I made the decision to go back and become a nurse. I knew that any career I chose would take time away from my family, so it had to be something meaningful; something that felt worth the sacrifice. Read more>>

Cara Worrell

Before discovering Jazzercise, my fitness routine looked pretty typical for a college student — daily runs, time at the gym, and the occasional fitness class. I enjoyed running and still do, but I found myself craving something more fun and a place where I could truly connect with others while working out. Read more>>

Joyce Beck

I started teaching dance when I was 16 years old for various studios and programs around the Houston and Clear Lake area. In 1984 I opened my first small one dance room studio in Friendswood, Texas. I taught every class myself and my mom ran the office. We started with 50 students and have grown from there. Read more>>

Karabo Phaho

Karabo Johannes Phaho (Phago) (b. 2001) from South Africa (Mokopane, Limpopo) is a visual creative who has completed his honours, achieving a Postgraduate Diploma in Management (Business Administration) at the Wits Business School in 2023. Prior to this achievement, Karabo was an undergraduate majoring in marketing and management in the Bachelor of Commerce course. What sets his journey apart? Read more>>

Callen Douglas

I started dancing when I was about three years old. A company called ‘Dance Tree’ came to my daycare and taught us a few basic things as a fun activity for the day. After that class, the dance company told my mom to enroll me in dance classes full time, because I was hooked! Read more>>

Nick Picklo

Picklo Homes began in 1981, when Terry Picklo started building homes in the Magnolia area with a simple goal: do honest work, treat people right, and build houses that last. From the beginning, the company focused on custom, contract homes rather than speculative builds — a decision that helped establish long-term stability and strong relationships with trade partners. Read more>>

Steven Green

My wife Diana Green and I always dreamed of owing a family business. I was working in the transportation business managing truck drivers and a distribution site while Diana worked as an oncology nurse. I walked away from my corporate job to start DSG Luxury Transportation with my wife. Read more>>

Travis Weaver

In November 2012, Travis launched Manready Mercantile from his Houston apartment with minimal money and no investors. He began by hand-pouring soy candles on his stovetop, using reused whiskey glasses as containers—products designed to appeal to men as much as women. He sold these candles locally—door-to-door, at flea markets and craft shows, gradually building a customer base one person at a time. Read more>>

Xinwei Liu

I started my medical career in Emergency Medicine, working in high-acuity environments where decisions matter and you often meet people on the worst day of their lives. I did my residency training in Southern California, in San Diego. Read more>>

Cerita Gaddi

After moving to Texas in 2011 for a fresh start, I decided to attend massage therapy school while awaiting decisions from physical therapy programs. I enrolled in a massage therapy program that was conveniently connected to Parker University’s chiropractic college in Dallas. Read more>>

Tiffany Mantooth

I was regional Director of operations over inpatient skilled nursing facility, rehab department for several years. During the Covid pandemic, the quality of care at the larger facilities was nonexistent. Not only was this heartbreaking. It was exhausting. I knew I could do better and give the quality of life I believe people at this stage their life deserve. Read more>>

Julie Morvant

Julie Morvant: Healing Through a Mind, Body, and Spirit Lens For Julie Morvant, founder of Happy Couch Counseling, counseling is more than a profession — it is a calling shaped by personal loss, lived experience, and a deep commitment to whole-person healing. Her work is grounded in the belief that lasting wellness comes from supporting the mind, body, and spirit together. Read more>>

Edith Hernandez

Personally I didn’t see my self in the floral business up until a year ago. My business partner Concepcion Fernandez Who is my aunt, she has over 15 years of experience and this is her passion and her dream was to open a flower shop. She has always been in love with her work and she does and amazing job. Read more>>

Leslie Kuhn

Welcome to the world of hats where the country meets the city! My name is Leslie Kuhn, AKA The Hat Chick and I am thrilled to introduce our story, hats and offerings to you. The Hat Chick started as a space to share my love of hats while incorporating personal touches to make a hat a unique accessory to each person who wears one. Read more>>

Dat Tran

Tulane undergrad and medical school, pediatric residency at BCM/TCH, allergy/immunology training at NIH. Returned on Houston in 2010 and did immunology research at McGovern Medical School. Promoted to tenured professor and resigned my position in 2017 to pursue private research and clinical care. Opened Innovative Allergy in 2017 and currently expanded to 8 clinics around Houston. Read more>>

Rachael Wade

My journey into this field is deeply personal and profoundly professional. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate and a doctoral candidate, but long before the titles, I was a parent navigating the realities of raising a child with an Autism diagnosis. That lived experience changed the way I understood mental health, development, and access to quality care. Read more>>

Enrique Arriens

Our journey in pet care began over a decade ago in Costa Rica, where we founded a boarding and daycare business called “PerruTribu.” At that time, we were inspired by our own family: we had young children and wanted to create a loving and trustworthy environment for pets, similar to the one we desired for our own children. Read more>>

Eric Blacher

I’ve always seen medicine as both a calling and a responsibility, and in many ways that started long before my own training. I’m a third‑generation physician. My grandfather was a family doctor in Boston, and my father was a cardiologist in Miami. I grew up around medicine—literally. Read more>>

Manish Wani

Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston officially opened its doors on October 2, 2023 (Gandhi Jayanty Day). The concept of bringing such a museum started in 2016 and was inspired by the Gandhi Multimedia Museum in Dehli, India. The effort was led by Co-founders Atul Kothari, Dev Mahajan and Manish Wani. Read more>>

Lauren Leal

Hello, I got started as a Sports Host while attending University of Houston. I noticed there was no host during UH football games but only public announcement reads. As an eager student wanting to grow and develop her skills in sports broadcast, I brought this attention to UH Athletics. Read more>>

Alberto Garcia

This used to be my dad’s painting business, he started it when I was young maybe early 90s. Just like any business he had ups and downs but by the time I entered high school, the business started to be more steady and growing. Read more>>

Nobphon Jantree

Chalong Thai Eatery is a small, cozy Thai bistro located in Midtown, Houston. We have been open for 10 months. The food is known for its bold authentic Thai flavor and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, despite its small size. It is perfect for a quick lunch or relaxed dinner. My passion for cooking was inspired by my father. Read more>>

Genessis Fernandez Gibbons

I’ve always been someone who naturally gravitates toward planning, organizing, and bringing people together. Even early on, I was the person coordinating gatherings, managing details, and making sure events ran smoothly behind the scenes. What started as something I genuinely enjoyed doing for friends, family, and my community grew into a real passion for creating meaningful experiences for others. Read more>>

Lauren Sander

I have dreamt of working with animals as a career for as long as I could remember. I have been training, teaching and caring for our family dogs since I was about 6 years old. Upon graduating Texas A&M (WHOOP), I found myself pursuing other careers and this dream never faded. Read more>>

cassandra Abercombie

I am the manager of the only non alcoholic, tiki mocktail and kava/ elixir bar in the whole houston area. We are a botanicals bar serving tiki style mocktails, teas, coffees, frozen drinks and elixirs with extracts added to them upon request. Read more>>

Traci Pyle

My husband and I bought Must Be Heaven in 1999. We had both worked for Sysco Foods and just fell in love with Brenham and the downtown restaurant.. Read more>>

Peggy Bishop

Started in Insurance while still in High School and grew in the business from Carrier operations and sales, Independent agency account Executive, Sales on the direct writer and independent side. Started my first business in 1996 then sold to have more time 16 years later. Missed owning so started this business in 2017 adding my daughter to the business in 2018 Read more>>

Joi Keeling

I’m originally from Kenner, Louisiana, and moved to Houston after Hurricane Katrina. I started playing piano at nine years old and later earned my degree in Music Theory from the University of Houston. Nearly 15 years ago, I stepped into the world of dueling pianos — an industry where Black women are rarely represented — and built my name through skill, showmanship, and audience connection. Read more>>

Bright Akhigbe

On behalf of BriNat Rehab Services, We welcome you to our BriNat family. A little history about us is that we were founded by our President/CEO Dr. Bright Akhigbe, PT,DPT,DC in the Houston metro in October of 2024. Dr. Akhigbe has been in practice for 19 yrs as a Texas licensed Chiropractor and Physical Therapist. Read more>>

Adolfo Lara

Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like. My ideals and personality was shaped by a mix of two cultures Mexican culture and American culture. Read more>>

Nithya H

It takes a lot of grit and determination to build a dancing school catering to all age groups and dance forms. Nithya founded Bollywood Dancing Stars from her garage and has made it a popular destination for all age groups performing across Houston and beyond. Read more>>

Matthew Holmes

I’ve always loved the water. Ever since I was a little boy. My dad was in the Navy and he showed me and my brother and sister how to swim the old school method. (By throwing me in the deep end when I was three.) I don’t remember how that went but I obviously didn’t drown. Read more>>

Sierra Harralson

I’m not personally based in Houston, but I’m very much part of the Next Chapter Weddings Houston team, just planted deep in the heart of the Hill Country. A couple of summers ago, I jumped in to help my lifelong best friend, Brandi Swanson, who owns Next Chapter Weddings. Read more>>

Craig Eubanks

I started learning my trade in 1993 at the age of 15 working for my father’s construction business in Savannah, Georgia. We specialized in old/historic homes in Savannah and surrounding areas. I learned the finer craft of restoration which has helped with the older homes here in Galveston, Texas. Read more>>

Sharon Catchings

When I first started, we were called Totally Tidy Maid Service because we only cleaned homes. As word spread, businesses began asking us to clean offices, banks, and even city buildings too. That growth is what led to our name change to Totally Tidy Maid & Janitorial Services. The name changed, but the heart of the business stayed the same. Read more>>

Gabriela Fiscu

Vivid memories of early childhood mark the beginning of my story, in the northern region of Romania known as Bucovina. Read more>>