Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephan Hester.
Hi Stephan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in Houston’s 5th Ward, I faced the same harsh realities that shape so many young men in our community—poverty, violence, and limited opportunities. I was even shot as a young man, a moment that could have ended everything, but instead became the turning point that pushed me to fight for a better life. Basketball became my escape and my discipline, eventually taking me to college, where I learned how far focus and resilience could carry me. After college, I returned home with a different mindset and in 2015 started my own company, HTX Bio Clean, which grew into a successful, self-made business. That success opened the door for my true passion: rebuilding the neighborhood that raised me. Today, I’m transforming vacant houses into community spaces—Sweet Minds Books & Baked Goods and the Frenchtown Fine Art Gallery—creating a place for culture, learning, and opportunity in the heart of Kashmere Gardens and the 5th Ward.
My dual venture—Frenchtown Fine Art Gallery and Sweet Minds Books & Baked Goods—officially opens December 24, 2025, with weekend-only hours to begin. Inspired by the 5th Ward’s deep African and African-American roots, the space blends a bold Egyptian-themed aesthetic, original artwork, hand-crafted ceramic installations, and community-driven storytelling.
More than just two businesses, the project serves as a community development hub. The gallery also hosts clay workshops, drawing classes by Danny Russo, local author readings, and poetry gatherings, giving neighborhood creatives a platform to shine.
My broader mission is to revitalize Kashmere Gardens through culture, commerce, and collaboration. With a background in entrepreneurship—owning HTX Bio Clean since 2015—and a passion for restoring abandoned properties and elevating local stories, I sees this project as one of my life’s greatest works.
Stephan J. Hester
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Growing up in Houston’s 5th Ward, my path wasn’t easy. I was shot at a young age, and that experience forced me to completely reprogram the way I thought about life, discipline, and my future. I had to rebuild myself from the inside out—learning how to become a serious student, elevating my mindset, and eventually earning my college degree while playing basketball. After graduating, I carried that same determination into entrepreneurship. When I took on the project of transforming abandoned homes into Sweet Minds Books & Baked Goods and the Frenchtown Fine Art Gallery, I did it with no loans, no grants, and no outside investors. Every nail, every board, every inspection—I paid for out-of-pocket over time, pushing through delays, setbacks, and moments where the project felt impossible. And even recently, when I was hit by a truck while riding my bicycle—a situation that could have ended everything—I still found the strength to get back on my feet and keep building. My journey has been full of challenges, but perseverance has always carried me through, and today that same resilience is reflected in the spaces I’m creating for my community.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
1. HTX Bio Clean
Founded: 2015
Type: Biohazard & Specialty Cleaning Company
What It Does:
• Provides professional biohazard cleanup, trauma scene cleaning, hoarding remediation, and hazardous waste removal.
• Offers deep cleaning and sanitation services for residential and commercial properties.
• Known for reliability, discretion, and high-standard safety practices.
• Has generated millions in revenue and operates as a trusted essential-services company in Houston.
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2. Frenchtown Fine Art Gallery
Location: 4602 Falls Street, Houston, TX 77026
Opening: N/A
What It Does:
• A community-centered art gallery inspired by 5th Ward African/Egyptian aesthetics.
• Showcases local artists, hosts exhibitions, and celebrates the creative history of Frenchtown and Kashmere Gardens.
• Offers workshops such as clay sessions, drawing classes, and community art events.
• Serves as a cultural anchor for the neighborhood, combining art, history, and revitalization.
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3. Sweet Minds Books & Baked Goods
Location: 4602 Falls Street, Houston, TX 77026
Opening: N/A
What It Does:
• A cozy community bookstore and bakery offering books, pastries, and a welcoming space for learning and conversation.
• Hosts local author readings, poetry nights, and youth literacy programs.
• Focuses on empowering young readers and creating a safe, creative space for the community.
• Complements the art gallery next door as part of a larger neighborhood revitalization vision.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Resurgence of Independent Bookstores
• Indie bookstores are thriving, positioning themselves as community hubs and “third spaces” where people come not just to buy books, but to gather, connect, and attend events. 
• This revival is being fueled in part by social media communities (like BookTok
• Sweet Minds Books & Baked Goods is well-positioned: as a physical, community-centered bookstore, you can lean into the trend of indies as third spaces. Hosting events, building a strong online presence, and offering digital ordering can help you ride the hybrid bookstore wave.
Pricing:
- 10$
- 15$
- 25$
- 35$
- 50$
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetminds_/
- Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/frenchtownart_/
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/NzGWDu9ttZ0
