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 Dallas.
Patrick A. Lewis
Growing up without my father left a void, one that I tried to fill by defining manhood and confidence for myself. Navigating life as a young Black man in a tough neighborhood taught me resilience early on. I also faced seasons where resources were limited. I didn’t always have the luxury of a full wardrobe, but that scarcity forced me to get creative learning how to rework, repurpose, and refine what I did have. That mindset still shapes how I help clients maximize their wardrobe today. Read more>>
Ikbal Biniyaz
We would like people to know that we are not selling our services to them but rather, we are here to become their lifelong dedicated agent in addressing and serving their needs. There have been times when a valued client has called us and needed a service that was outside our coverage of services in which case we have saved them the 20 calls they had to make to hire someone. and our customer service team does this at no charge, only to maintain that trust and relationship and to stay committed to bringing absolute convenience to our clients. Read more>>
Kenadee Ramsey
What I quickly realized, however, is that to truly understand and leverage both QuickBooks and JobTread, I had to gain a deeper understanding of the construction industry itself. As we specialize in full remodels and additions, I found that success in this field requires not just financial expertise, but an in-depth knowledge of jobsite operations, project timelines, and the intricate coordination of subcontractors and vendors. Mastering both software platforms while navigating the complexities of construction has been a continuous learning process, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding to see how these tools have helped us streamline our operations, improve efficiency, and deliver better results for our clients. Read more>>
Lily Lurid
I began as a model in 2016, I immediately worked my way into gothic and alternative fashion shows. Walking for fashion designers from all over the world. I branched out into film, television, and radio after working for world renowned shows and events. I have a niche for fetish and latex fashion, which led me to becoming a professional Dominatrix. I am now a kink educator and mentor those who are interested in private play or becoming professionals. Read more>>
Vanessa Daly
In 2017, I moved to Fort Worth with my husband. Like many immigrants, I spent nearly a year waiting for my residency, unable to work or even drive. Seeing how much I needed a creative outlet, my husband built me a home studio. I began painting again, sharing my journey online, and connecting with the vibrant Fort Worth and Dallas art community. That’s how my artistic path reignited, and from there, everything started to grow. Read more>>
Joshua Clark
At a crossroads, I turned back to my roots—faith and art. I always had a love for art, and creative spaces. Minoring Art during my undergraduate studies, taking classes, exploring museums, and studying techniques. Alongside visual art, poetry had long been a quiet refuge, a space where I could express emotions, pose difficult questions, and navigate personal struggles. I’ve never been one for casual conversation; I prefer to observe and contribute insight when necessary. Poetry became my way of processing emotions, healing, grieving, and growing. Read more>>
Christina Brooke
It provides me with a family outside my home with love support from my team. It connects me with strong women in my community. Moms just like me Read more>>
Jennifer Cerda
It wasn’t until 2023 that I realized I wasn’t following my true passion! The spark came back, and I enrolled in beauty school at Salon Boutique Academy. That’s when the journey of Casa Beauty began! I started in January, and I had a whole year to soak everything in. I was obsessed and ready to learn as much as I could! I met the best teachers you could ever ask for, passionate, determined, and caring! I also met amazing people along the way! Read more>>
Thabani Dube
My wife Lady Rumby & I founded Embrace fellowship for the purpose of helping individuals to connect with God. Our vision is to help people embrace the Gospel so they can be better people. I certainly believe that the Gospel is enough to transform people however this can only happen when we help people embrace this Gospel. As we do this , we are playing our part in fullfilling the great commission. Read more>>
Ricky Chaffin Jr.
I am the founder of Operation Dog Tags and House Keys, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting veterans in need. Born in California, I earned the nickname “TANK” from my parents, a testament to my tenacity and willingness to face challenges head-on, often quite literally. As a young kid, i was initially upset with the name until my parents introduced me to the film “Kelly’s Heroes,” which ignited a sense of pride in the nickname, reassuring me that i wasn’t being compared to a fish tank. Read more>>
Jay Shaw
I started by reading books, watching YouTube videos, and practicing on anyone who’d sit still long enough. My family wasn’t sold on the whole “mind control” thing, so I had to fund my own education. Once I joined the military, I used my income and travel opportunities to train with some of the best hypnotists in the world—Mike Mandel, Igor Ledochowski, the Jacquins—and eventually became an honor graduate from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute. Read more>>
Zach Harden
I first started combining metal legs with Home Depot dimensional lumber and soon began to make sales. Even though it was a slow build I was open to doing any project I could get my hands on for the experience. After a year of hiatus working in a sauna studio I came back swinging with a new shop and new designs. Transitioning from rustic designs made from pine lumbers to creating beautiful mid-century pieces from local hardwoods. Now my focus is on becoming a successful furniture designer store selling anything from rustic to modern furniture, saunas to cold plunges, and for fun on the side tobacco pipes. To all who read this and purchase my products thank you, I am honestly grateful and God bless! Read more>>
Jodi Wieser
Over the years, I have judged for various competitions, such as the Good Food Awards and Coffee of the Year. I had the privilege of serving as vice chair of the SCA Tasters Pathway Committee during the merger of the SCAA and SCAE curricula. Through a project with the UN, alongside Graciano Cruz and Willem Boot, we worked with over 200 farmers on honey processing—the first time this technique had ever been explained and implemented. Before opening RHQ, I traveled the globe teaching sensory workshops and leading roasting seminars alongside renowned roasting expert Mark Michaelson, former head roaster of Onyx Coffee. Read more>>
Mallory Anderson
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road, but that’s part of the journey. When I first had the idea for The Ghoul Gang, I knew I wanted to bring in friends who shared the same love for all things spooky. When I asked everyone if they wanted to be a part of it, I was shocked when everyone was in. I honestly didn’t expect all six of us to say yes! With busy schedules, work, and some of us being moms, I thought it might be tough to make it work. Read more>>
Denisa Laskowski
White Box Roastery was born from that passion. I wanted to create a space where people didn’t have to travel halfway around the world or pay an outrageous price to experience high-quality coffee. Every decision—our meticulous sourcing, our brewing techniques, our service—was made with the intention of bringing those global experiences home. I believe that coffee should be more than just a morning routine; it should be an experience that transports you, tells a story, and fosters connection. Read more>>
Megan
When the studio space was complete, I was ready to wrap up landscaping and focus solely on reading people. The Universe responded by sending me more business and connections to help me advertise. Then, social media developed, and my business exploded. I was suddenly booked out solid for six weeks for over a year. I took a break after that pace. Today, I still maintain a solid and steady practice, and at a pace that suits me well. Read more>>
Austin Lewis
My interest in chiropractic care deepened after experiencing a significant spinal injury in high school. Chiropractic treatment played a key role in my recovery, and it introduced me to an area of healthcare that resonated with me. During undergrad, I looked up to Dr. Jordan Shallow, a chiropractor whose ability to break down complex biomechanics and apply them to real-world training greatly influenced my perspective on the field. Read more>>
Karen Vanderpool-Haerle
The thing that sets me apart from others is creating art in both traditional mediums as well as immersive technology. I created the artwork for a virtual reality experience that went on the the Tribeca Film Festival for immersive media. I am currently working on several virtual reality experiences directed at the non- gaming market, potentially to help with pain management. I continue to embrace traditional art as well as immersive technology. I am certified in virtual reality software programs such as Gravity Sketch and continue to explore new technologies. Read more>>
Dailynn White
I got my undergraduate degree from University of Colorado, Colorado Springs in Sociology and went on to get my Doctorate in Chiropractic from Parker University in Dallas. While in chiro school, I fell deeply in love with how the body functions, and how nervous system based chiropractic care is able to help the body thrive! This helped spur me on to open my nervous system centered chiropractic office in Bonham; a town that has had very little exposure to the possibilities of holistic health. Read more>>
Ashley Adair
In 2021, after the loss of my father, I made the decision to return to Dallas to bridge the gap between my business and that of my mother, Deborah Adair Hayes. This transition set the stage for my next leap—into leadership. In 2023, I sought to expand my skills and had a pivotal conversation with Brett Caldwell about what it would take to become a Team Leader/CEO of a Keller Williams Market Center. Read more>>
Miles
Success is never a solo journey—it’s built on collaboration, vision, and the right people coming together to create ! Through trial and error, I discovered what it truly takes to bring ideas to life. I explored different creative avenues, constantly evolving, until I found the perfect space where creativity, business, and conversation could collide. That’s when The 13th Grade Productions was born—a powerhouse for marketing, PR, and entertainment designed to be a platform where creatives thrive and connect. Read more>>
Adoriyun Hannah Johnson
As I waited to be accepted into dental school, I decided to explore something completely different. I taught myself how to create epoxy resin art, make Cricut crafts, and even design sculptural wall art. Over time, I figured out how to blend these different forms of art to create new, meaningful masterpieces. I embraced these hobbies not only for their creative outlet but also to sharpen my patience, attention to detail, and manual dexterity; skills that will serve me well in dental school. Read more>>
Desmond Monette
Fashion has its ups and downs likes any other creative field. My mom always told me, “Trying to be a fashion designer is like trying to to be a singer or painter.” Late nights finishing projects, unpredictable financial times, and failed projects are some struggles. But ever trial and tribulation is worth it. I wouldn’t trade this for anything else in the world Read more>>
Trenton Tebow
I got started doing stand up in my hometown of Mineral Wells in September of 2022, during my senior year at Tarleton State University. After doing a few open mics I was picked up by a headliner and feature act and started traveling doing shows with them. My first show was at Hyenas Fort Worth and I’ve been hooked ever since. That first year I traveled all across Northwest Texas, Oklahoma, and out to East Texas. I’ve just never stopped and met a lot of cool people who have helped me along the way. Read more>>
Mackenzie Caputo
I was introduced to the fitness community back in 2018, I started off on my universities powerlifting team, and gradually developed a love for everything health and wellness related. Over the years I’ve shared my journey of finding personal growth, exploring lifting styles, yoga and ways to connect with yourself at a higher degree. A graduate degree in mental health counseling brought me to Dallas. Early this year, I launched a supplement company, based on what I’ve personally taken daily. Read more>>
Britney Robinson
It has not been a smooth road. I often battled with myself, not because I didn’t love what I do, but because I questioned if I was truly capable. Was I passionate enough? Was I efficient enough? There were moments of doubt, times when I gained and times when I lost. But through it all, I remained true to myself and constantly reminded myself why I do what I do and that is hold space, create and nurture. Read more>>
Kelley Rach
Jeana introduced me to Kangen water, and my curiosity was piqued. Hydration is crucial, and the science behind Kangen resonated with me. However, finances were tight. A year later, prioritizing my sweet Bella, my 7-year-old beagle-blue heeler mix, whose arthritis was causing her immense pain, I used my tax return as a down payment on a K8 Kangen Medical Grade Water System. The vet’s prognosis was a lifetime of medication with potential kidney failure, a risk I couldn’t bear. Read more>>
Fredi Ramirez
Just like anything else though I knew that there was always room for improvements, so I continued to study and learn. I was inspired by makeup artists like MakeupbyMario, MakeupByAriel, RokaelBeauty and my absolute inspiration Patrick Ta. The beauty creators and makeup artists I have looked up to have become my mentors just by learning through their art. I have received immense love and support from my family and friends I would practice on, the clients who trusted me for their special events, my siblings, my father and most importantly my first ever canvas, my mother. Each and everyone of these individuals have played a significant role in where I stand today. I have been doing what I love as a makeup artist now for 8 years. To me this is only the beginning of my career. Read more>>
Conner McKibbin
When I moved back home, I began focusing heavily on music. I downloaded Ableton and began to learn how the program worked, as well as bought my first DJ controller. This is when I fell in love with dance music. I booked my first gig DJing at La Reunion in Bishop Arts in 2023 and things kind of snowballed from there. I eventually started listening to a genre known as Garage that is very prominent in the UK. This genre consists of 2-step kick patterns, heavy swing, and big bass. This led me to start my first concept party hosted by Lady Love that I called Rude Boy Rodeo. Read more>>
Carlos J. Duran
To overcome it, I had to start studying like a child going to kindergarten for the first time. The second obstacle, and the most complicated, was learning the laws, rules, and regulations that govern this country and what makes it work the way it does. This obstacle is the reason why I decided to study taxes and legal terminology, so I could understand how the United States of America works. Finally, the mental and physical exhaustion from the long work days, the type of work, and the tired and fatigued nights forced me to study to improve my present. Read more>>
Meredith Pardue
By 2011 my career had gained momentum, and my work was widely published and collected by institutions including BBVA Compass Bank, ExxonMobil Headquarters, J. Crew Corporate Headquarters, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Oceania Cruise Lines, Ritz Carlton, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Savannah College of Art + Design, SCAD FASH Museum, and SCAD Hong Kong. I am currently represented by five galleries across the United States and will have my 56th solo exhibition in April 2025 at Laura Rathe Fine Art in Houston. Read more>>
Chris D. Bentley
Hello, I’m Chris D. Bentley. The Broker/Owner of Bentley Fine Properties located in Dallas. I’ve been selling real estate for over 21 years now and started my career in the Maryland, District of Columbia, and Virginia area before moving to the Dallas area over thirteen years ago. Our brokerage just turned five years old and we currently have fifteen agents. Most people know me from my story of being bankrupt to selling million-dollar homes. Read more>>
