We are so thrilled to be able to connect with some of the brightest and most inspiring entrepreneurs and creatives from across the city and beyond and this series in particular gives us the honor of introducing these folks to you in a unique way – we go beyond the story of how they got to where they are today by asking them to reflect on a variety of deeper questions that we hope will help you better connect with them, their stories and their brands. Ultimately, our hope is that more of us will spend more of our money with independent artists, creatives and small businesses and we think getting to know one another at a deeper level is step one.
Laura Sanders
Last year, I began financial coaching a client who was living paycheck to paycheck, had a negative net worth, and struggled with a scarcity mindset. Because of past experiences from their childhood, they substantially overspent on food due to experiences with food insecurity, in addition to other things. Read more>>
Milagros Salazar
I would tell her to trust herself more. Everything she dreams of is already on its way, even if she can’t see it yet. The hard moments will shape her, not break her. And one day, she’ll look around and realize she became everything she once prayed for. Read more>>
Dequandre Liburd
People shouldn’t take a risk on what’s actually risky and fresh. Somewhere along the line, the industry convinced itself that playing it safe is what sells when, in reality, the world is starving for authenticity. In today’s society, our everyday stories are what matter the most. Read more>>
Kionna Ashley
As a duo Kristin and I have both been called to do things that we never thought we would be doing before. Since the last time you all have spoken to us, Kristin has become mother and I (Kionna) have enrolled Esthetician school. Which are very big changes! I feel like these life changes has matured us and made us stronger business entrepreneurs. Read more>>
Caitlin Turner
What I’m most proud of building are the parts no one sees—the foundation. The discipline, the resilience, the belief in myself that had to exist before any of this became real. Read more>>
Jovana Anić
I believe suffering is one of life’s greatest teachers. It forces us to persist, to find strength within ourselves, and to stop leaning on everyone around us. In moments of success, people gather easily—they applaud, celebrate, and share in your light. But in suffering, when the light dims, many quietly disappear. Through pain, I’ve learned that I am enough. Read more>>
Magan Brown
Growing up in a small town as a young Black girl, I used to believe I had to be perfect to be successful, seen or taken seriously — that every move had to be right, and every plan had to be in place before I could start. Over time, I’ve learned that perfection isn’t the goal — growth is. Read more>>
Jade Harper
I think the biggest fear that has held me back the most, especially when it comes to selling merchandise or offering new services, is the fear of failure. I often find myself questioning what if a product doesn’t sell well, or isn’t received positively by the public? What if someone doesn’t like the design or feels the price is too high? Read more>>
Tina Wiggins
Losing my daughter was a profound loss that forever changed the core of my being. It’s the kind of pain that shifts your entire perspective on life, love, and purpose. For a long time, I felt broken—like a part of me had gone missing. But over time, that loss quietly led me back to something that had always been there for me: my art. Read more>>
Mavi Rodriguez
My divorce was one of the most defining moments of my life. It broke me open in ways I never expected, but it also became the start of my healing and transformation. Walking through that chapter forced me to rebuild my sense of self — not as a wife or a partner, but as a woman rediscovering her own power, beauty, and purpose. Read more>>
M E Klesse
I believe integrity is one of the most important objectives in life because it forms the foundation of trust and authenticity, fostering self respect and respect from others. Unlike intelligence or energy, which can be utilized for developing life elements which may be either good or evil, integrity ensures that our abilities are directed toward what is just and meaningful. Read more>>
Kendramia
I stopped hiding my pain and using it as power when I created Healing Adam. Working on Healing Adam is an answered prayer and a way to finally grieve and find peace in why some relationships I had did not work out. Read more>>
Kuron Franklin
Here at Pull-Up Vibes we feel most at peace, after an accomplish show. Simply, by seeing the smiles on our audience face and having the opportunity to professionally work with local artist. We greatly appreciate our Pull-Up Vibes team. We look forward to year 2026 as we jump off our first show January 9th 2026. Pull-Up!!!! Read more>>
Kowa Mattern
A favorite quote that my mom used to repeat to me whenever I was torn about a decision is ‘Whatever decision you make will be the right one.’ It was her way of telling me that she had confidence in my ability to seek solutions for myself, and also a way to build my own confidence. Read more>>
Fabian Zavala
My mom enrolled me in summer classes for hairstyling and haircuts when I was 14. At that age, I think everything you learn is ingrained in you. You’re so innocent that everything seems fun and effortless. I think she saw something in me that she could develop, and here we are at 39, with 23 years in the same industry. Read more>>
Marion DuBose
I was a student of my parents and school trying to make it in the corporate world to be ‘successful’ in the normal society’s eyes. Trying to get straight A’s through high and college and being hired by a Fortune 500 company to fit inside the esteemed hierarchy of the business until retirement. Read more>>
Melody Millhollon
I love this question, and I think it’s so important to look back every few years and remember your younger self. Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a deeply curious, imaginative kid; always creating something, always feeling everything so deeply. Being ‘myself’ was never scary and I didn’t fear being judged. I just let wonder and excitement guide me. Read more>>
Wayne O’Neill
The most misunderstood thing about RESET is that people can’t figure out what box to put us in — and that’s exactly the point. We’re not lobbyists, and we’re not developers. Lobbyists sell influence; developers sell land. We build momentum. We engineer deals that actually move — capital projects that fund themselves, generate revenue, and create real economic engines for the institutions behind them. Read more>>
Sasha Chada
I work in college consulting, a field which is much maligned in the popular perception because of incidents like the Varsity Blues scandal. Read more>>
Tonia odili
1. Feeling “not good enough.” Imposter syndrome is more common than we realize. Even high-achievers often doubt themselves, fearing they’ll be “found out.” 2. Loneliness in a crowded room. You can be surrounded by people and still feel isolated. Many keep this to themselves, worried it will sound like weakness. 3. Silent anxiety. Read more>>
Kathleen Shields
A normal day for me starts early. I wake, drink coffee and scroll social media for about an hour. I juggle 5-6 different platforms each day in hopes of finding something relevant to say, share, comment on, or promote. I then feed the dogs, water the plants, straighten the house and head to work. Read more>>
Jake Mulder
A normal day for me right now is getting out of bed around 4:30am. I start my energy drink and wake up a little before taking a shower and usually leave my house around 5:45-6:00a. I have no patience for Houston traffic, so leaving early helps me miss that whole headache. Read more>>
Linh-ly Vinh
One truth that feels really foundational for me is the importance of moderation and balance. Extremes on either end rarely bring peace or clarity… they often feel more limiting. Life isn’t just black and white; so much of it exists in the gray spaces in between. It’s in that gray area where we really learn, grow, and start to understand ourselves and others more deeply. Read more>>
Megan Frazier Salch
It wasn’t necessarily ‘failing hard’, but it was a wake-up call. I was a sophomore in college at SMU and was home for lunch when my dad called. ‘Megan, what is your ideal dream job when you graduate from college with this journalism degree?’ he asked. ‘I’d love to be a starting reporter at Texas Monthly magazine,’ I replied. Read more>>
Ra’Sasha Payne
I’ve had to bet the company more than once but the most defining moment was when I decided to expand from being just a lash artist to opening my own beauty school. I invested everything I had my savings, my time, my faith into building a space that could educate and empower others. Read more>>
