Rising Stars: Meet Samuel Mora and Ryan Gonzalez of Central Houston

Today we’d like to introduce you to Samuel Mora and Ryan Gonzalez

Hi Samuel and Ryan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hello, we are Samuel Mora and Ryan Gonzalez, founders of Photon Blitz Air Hockey. Our journey began separately but converged into a shared passion that led to the creation of this exciting venture known as Photon Blitz Air Hockey here in Houston, TX.

My name is Samuel Mora, and I proudly call Houston my home. I am the youngest of six siblings raised in a vibrant household deeply rooted in our Mexican heritage from Michoacán. With a fascination for art and design, my journey led me to the University of Houston, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture. It was during my time at university that I discovered my entrepreneurial spirit, which inspired me to carve out a fulfilling career as an interior designer. I would’ve never guessed I would be immersed in playing professional air hockey,

My name is Ryan Gonzalez and I was born in Corpus Christi and graduated from Texas A&M in 2020 as a Software Engineer, I’ve always had a deep affection for Houston and the Astros. My move here at the beginning of 2022 was influenced by friendships formed in College Station. My journey into the heart of the air hockey community began unexpectedly one evening at Bad Astronaut when I showed up to play some pool.

We both started playing air hockey around the same time and quickly realized we shared a vision to revitalize and expand this beloved sport.

The more we immersed ourselves in air hockey, the more we felt a drive to share this experience. Photon Blitz Air Hockey was born at Bad Astronaut from the original professional gameplay of Air hockey that has been prevalent for many years in the city of Houston. It started when we came together with the hope of making Air Hockey nights more social, engaging, and fun. We had an opportunity not just to participate but to innovate, thus Photon Blitz was born. We wanted others to feel the rush and joy of air hockey, to become part of this amazing community that had welcomed us so warmly. Our goal was clear: to make air hockey more dynamic and accessible, so that more people could fall in love with it, just as we had. Each game, each event, each gathering is a chance to make new connections, challenge ourselves, and most importantly, have a ton of fun.

The overwhelming level of participation and enthusiasm from our communities has exceeded our wildest expectations to even hosting a World Tournament at the Air hockey World stage. Inspired by this incredible support, we’ve expanded our reach to collaborating with Houston social groups and continue to look for more. Our goal is to continue to grow our sponsors and host a dynamic calendar of events, including networking sessions, sponsored tournaments across the U.S., and skill-building workshops. By fostering these connections and collaborative opportunities, we’re poised to elevate the air hockey experience for players of all levels throughout the region.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting Photon Blitz has been a journey close to our hearts, filled with passion but also some hurdles along the way. When Sammy and I first introduced our new style of air hockey to Houston, a city with a strong tradition in the sport, there was a bit of hesitation from the community. It wasn’t easy to propose changes to a game that has been loved for decades, but we were driven by our love for air hockey and our desire to see it flourish and grow.

The support from key community members, who believed in our vision, was pivotal. They allowed us the freedom to innovate and experiment, which was both humbling and empowering. As we worked through the details of the game’s new rules and dynamics, our focus never went away from our main ambition: to grow the sport that means so much to us.

We faced a significant challenge with player retention after an enthusiastic initial turnout. Holding matches on Mondays and the intense summer heat presented unexpected obstacles. However, we saw these challenges as opportunities to learn and improve, rather than setbacks. Our venue has been incredibly supportive Bad Astronaut Brewery, helping us to adapt and continue to offer an exciting, engaging experience for all players even moving our Air Hockey nights to Thursdays.

We didn’t start this project for recognition or financial gain. It was all about our passion for air hockey and our dream to make it even more exciting and engaging, hoping to draw more people into the beautiful, fast-paced world of this sport. Each challenge we faced only strengthened our resolve and deepened our love for air hockey, making every moment of this journey truly worthwhile.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Ryan: I’m a software engineer specializing in front-end and back-end development, AI, and DevSecOps. What sets me apart is my deep passion for problem-solving, a trait I inherited from my dad, coupled with my ability to really analyze and actualize missing elements into vibrant solutions. I take pride in continually pushing the envelope in technology to create impactful innovations

Samuel: I’ve made a career out of breathing new life into homes and businesses across the city and state. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for envisioning the full potential of a space, I work closely with each client to craft custom designs. From gut renovations of outdated kitchens and showers to thoughtful updates that maximize a room’s existing layout, my remodeling expertise and team have earned a reputation of creating beautiful spaces. I approach every project with the same dedication to turning a client’s vision into reality. My time in architecture school invigorated my passion for design and helped me realize what I wanted to pursue. In 2025 I hope to open my own studio with a dedicated team.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck is an intriguing concept—one that we wholeheartedly believe in. Luck occurs when a unique combination of events aligns to create a rare opportunity. That was certainly the case when Ryan and I crossed paths last New Year’s, marking the beginning of our incredible journey together.
Since then, we’ve been fortunate to receive tremendous support from our beloved city. From the Houston Astros, House of Blues, Houston Dynamo and Bad Astronaut Brewery, the backing we’ve experienced has been nothing short of amazing. This unwavering support exemplifies the spirit of Houston, a city that consistently invests in its community! We are lucky and grateful voyage has reached out to us to tell our story, as we are currently looking for sponsorships to create greater events for the city of Houston and across the US. So come on out to one of our nights and come ready to blitz!

Pricing:

• Gold Sponsorship: Logo Placement, Social Media, Event Perks
• Platinum Sponsorship: Logo Placement, Social Media, Event Perks, Co-Sponsor Rights, Ad Placement
• Diamond Sponsorship: Logo Placement, Social Media, Event Perks, Event Naming Rights, Ad Placement, Free Corporate Event, VIP Seating
• Inquire more at our Website.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.photonblitzairhockey.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photonairhockeyleague
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Photon-Air-Hockey-League/61559634724221/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@photonairhockeyleague
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@photonairhockey

Image Credits
@gonzalezpear
@sammymora
@Ennocreate
@photonairhockeyleague
@the_air_hockey_centerline
@flyonthewall_htx