Every day we have a choice. We can support an up and coming podcaster, try a new family-run restaurant, join a boutique gym started by a local fitness champ or we could keep giving away our money to the handful of giants who already control so much of our commerce. Our daily decisions impact the kind world we live in; if we want a world where small businesses are growing and artists and creatives are thriving then we should support them with our time, money and attention. We’re proud to highlight inspiring creatives and entrepreneurs each week in Hidden Gems series. Check out some of our latest local gem features below.
Alexis Kubiak
I was brought up in an impoverished part of the Houston inner cities by a single mother with 8 children. Within my family system and the larger community i witnessed a myriad of social issues. Poverty and little resources often breed other social issues such as trauma, addiction, and mental health concerns. I longed for change in my life and within my community. Read more>>
Amaria Webster
I’m a 23-year-old from Dallas, Texas, and one of 14 children. Growing up, I was quiet, observant, and always drawn to creating with my hands — from culinary and construction classes to knitting and crocheting. In high school, I started my first small business selling $5 lip gloss, later expanding into durags and even doing hair on the side. Read more>>
Mayra Calvillo Azide
I’ve been in the insurance industry for over 13 years, and my journey has always been about serving others with clarity, integrity, and heart. I started working with families and small business owners, helping them protect what mattered most, and over time I realized I wanted more control over how I could serve—more freedom to guide people, more opportunities to build something lasting. Read more>>
Melissa Trevino
I began my journey in 2023 with the idea of creating flower bouquets. Over time, this evolved as customers began requesting cupcakes, pies, and eventually custom cakes. As demand for cakes continued to grow, I decided to dedicate my focus entirely to that craft. Read more>>
Tonja Waring
In 1999, I became a certified feng shui practitioner after stumbling across a book at Barnes & Noble. At the time, I had no idea how much this ancient practice would shape the course of my life. But once I started applying Feng Shui, I loved seeing the magical results. Energy shifted, doors opened, and I watched people’s lives transform before my eyes. Read more>>
VJ [Vipul] JAIN
Delhi6 Indian Kitchen is the result of a dream deeply rooted in memories, flavors, and a love for community. We, Vipul Jain (VJ) and Abhishek Jain (AJ), were both born in Delhi, India, where food is not just a part of life, but the heart of it. Read more>>
Wesley Davis
I was serving as general counsel for a company going through a sale process when I recognized that my role might not survive the transition. During that time, I started estate planning as a side business, drawn to the field because it allowed me to live out my faith in a practical way. Read more>>
James Carroll
I have always had a passion for fire and smoke and the resulting mouth watering meats that it produces. I cooked for 30 years for friends and family before being encouraged to move forward with a BBQ business. While attending Community College pursuing a Business Administration degree I created Meat and Greet BBQ Catering. Read more>>
Briseida Ocana Espinosa
It all started since I was little. I always dreamed of helping others but didn’t know what career to pursue. I wanted to be a teacher, a nurse or a doctor, I just wanted to be everything. Growing up in a household raised only by your mother and having no siblings was tough. Read more>>
KS Kim Gim
Hi My name is KS Kim Gim I was born in seoul Korean. I immigrated to the United States in 1987 and have been a resident of Dallas for nearly 38 years. Like many immigrants arriving with little to no resources, I came to America shortly after completing my military service in Korea. Read more>>
Dayana Lopez
My spiritual journey began about 15 years ago, but everything truly shifted in 2020 after a car accident left me with a brain injury. Life slowed down completely, and I had to learn to manage my energy in a new way. Meditation became my lifeline I had to meditate several times a day just to have the strength to keep going. Read more>>
Grace Fuller
I was not always a Texas Certified Notary Public, I work for Lockheed Martin currently and I’m a Flight Student as well working on my Instrument License. I got into becoming a Texas Certified Notary Public because I wanted to help the community understand what Estate Planning is, which is my main focus (other than General Notary Work). Read more>>
Levi Foster
Howdy! My name is Levi Foster. Our marketing company Red Arrow Marketing began in 2017 in Granbury, TX. My friend from high school Tyler Giacoma and I had been starting up small businesses on the side and we were seeing a lot of success from marketing them on our own. Read more>>
Nisha Shah
I’m a passionate artist, textile and fashion designer, educator, entrepreneur, and a devoted mom. Originally from India, I’ve been proud to call Coppell home for 23 years. Back in Mumbai, I taught fashion design in colleges, but when I moved here as a first-generation immigrant and new mother, life shifted. Read more>>
Waqas Muzammil
“You could say my story comes full circle. I came to the U.S. as an international student myself, completed both my undergraduate and master’s degrees there, and built a career as a Mechanical Engineer. But along the way, I saw how tough the journey can be for students—navigating applications, visas, finances, and just finding the right information. Read more>>
Katie Oceguera
From a young age, I realized my passion for animals, but it wasn’t until my wild years and various life experiences that grooming truly entered my life. Today, I can confidently say that without grooming, I wouldn’t be where I am now nor have the life I cherish. Read more>>
Jo Ann Goin
I was born in Alpine, Texas and grew up in Wink, Texas. I graduated from the University of North Texas with a BBA in Production and Operations Management with a minor in Statistical Studies in 1990. Throughout high school and college, I was involved in the food service industry. Read more>>
Tamara Redmond
For five years, I worked in Financial Services at St. Jude Research Hospital. It was meaningful work, but I knew deep down it wasn’t the career I wanted to retire from. Every day I prayed: “God, I want a career where, no matter what I do, people feel good after leaving my presence. Read more>>
Jay Medisetty
I was raised in a business-minded family, where entrepreneurship was part of everyday life. My earliest experience came from working in my father’s restaurant, where I learned the value of service, discipline, and operational grit. That foundation carried me through over two decades in Corporate America, where I built a career rooted in compliance, analytics, and strategic execution. Read more>>
Benik & Philip Motevosian
Our story really began from two very different career paths that ultimately converged. Phil started over a decade ago as a laboratory technologist in a local toxicology lab. Over the years, he gained experience across a variety of specialties, which gave him a multidisciplinary perspective on the laboratory industry. Read more>>
Yasha
As a young kid, music and art has always been a big part of my life. My parents would always have Maxwell, Isley Brothers, or Luther Vandross playing around the house. Even being in the car with my older sister and she’d have Kanye’s ‘Graduation’ CD or ‘Tha Carter 3’. Read more>>
Justin Padron
I started in the mortgage business in October of 2017, but my path here was anything but traditional. Before that, I spent years in the financial advising world — first working one-on-one with individuals, then serving municipalities. I loved helping people with their finances, but the role kept me on the road constantly. Read more>>
Staci Martin
I was a classroom teacher for many years. I truly believed teaching was my mission field. I had always prayed and told the Lord when it was time for me to leave the classroom, He would need to close the door. When I turned 50, I clearly remember the Lord telling me a change was coming. Read more>>
Lynae Vosberg
In 2016, my husband, Mark and I acquired what has now become our venue and home. The previous owner initially designed the space for birthday parties, but she quickly realized that its beautiful location, surrounded by lush trees and spacious open areas, made it ideal for weddings. Over the past nine years, we have dedicated ourselves to enhancing every aspect of the venue. Read more>>
Kruthi Kocherla
Clay Bonnets started because I wanted to save money so one day I could get a dog. At first I thought it was only about the dog, but then it grew into something bigger than I imagined. I’ve always liked rocks and crystals. I could stare for hours looking at their colors and sparkles, and to me they felt like tiny treasures from nature. Read more>>
Alysia Sims
In October of 2016, I was a full time mom and wife in Southern California with 3 children. Suddenly, on the advice of my pastor, I was faced with divorce after over 20 years of marriage. I had little work history outside of my home, yet I was faced with a major career change at the age of 51. Read more>>
Melissa Serna
For 24 years, I was a proud military wife. Through countless PCS moves, new duty stations, and the buying and selling of multiple homes, I lived the very challenges so many military families face. Every move meant adjusting to new schools, finding new friends, and once again searching for a place that felt like home, even if only for a few years. Read more>>
Johnny Praize
Johnny Praize: From the Streets of Newark to Global Pioneer in Hip-Hop, Illustration and Ministry Johnny Praize, formerly known as Def J Le Fresh, has carved out a legacy as one of the most innovative voices in hip-hop and Christian music. Read more>>
Amanda White
It all began with the matriarch of my family. She empty-nested after homeschooling all of her children and didn’t know what to do with herself, so she went and got her brows done in hopes of boosting her self-esteem. She later realized that it was such a new technique, and she thought she could do better, so she did. Read more>>
Shane Weisberg
I have been a matchmaker since 1991, before the internet, dating sites, and apps. I started my matchmaking career in Dallas 34 years ago. I have worked in Oklahoma, Kentucky, Florida, Texas, Vancouver BC, Washington, California, Colorado, and Wisconsin. I have also owned my own matchmaking companies. Currently, I work with LUMA Luxury Matchmaking, based out of Minneapolis, MN. Read more>>
Nadine Newman
Immaculate Reception and Events began with a simple idea: creating a space where families and friends could celebrate life’s milestones in a warm, personal way without breaking the bank. What started as a vision has grown into a thriving micro-venue that now welcomes gatherings of all kinds, from baby showers and birthdays to graduations and celebrations of life. Read more>>
Derrick Silmon
My name is Derrick Silmon, and I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, now reside in Arlington. My journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t something I planned it was something life pushed me toward. Read more>>
Daymond Lavine
I’m Coach Daymond, and back in 2013, I founded Perimeter Zen — my private event loft right in the heart of the Dallas Design District. The idea came from experience. I worked heavily in the nonprofit sector, and one of my biggest challenges was always finding the right space. Read more>>
Kyle Short
My brother and I met for lunch back in 2011 at a local Pizza Hut. His face was busted up (obviously from a fight), and I wanted to know who did that to him. He explained that he had taken an MMA fight in Garden City, Kansas. I watched the video, and that same day we started ‘training’ ourselves for MMA matches. Read more>>
Alexandria Smith
My passion for this work really grew out of a lifelong curiosity about people and relationships—and the ways they shape who we are. I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology at Hendrix College in Arkansas before moving to Texas for graduate school at SMU, carrying with me the dream of one day building my own private practice. Read more>>
Amy Ryan
Flying Squirrel Coffee Company was founded with a simple vision: to bring people together over excellent coffee while creating a space that reflects faith, community, and connection. What began as a dream inspired by family values and a desire to serve others has grown into a multi-location coffee company rooted in purpose. Read more>>
Heaven McConvillle
It started with drive, the drive to be more and to be my own to have something of creative independence. I went to hairschool when i was in highschool i had moved out fairly early around 10th-1th grade and worked waitress jobs until i could finish. Read more>>
CRAIG HANNA
My journey hasn’t been an easy one; it’s been a fight against the odds from the beginning. Growing up, I moved from town to town with my mother, never staying long enough to make friends or feel settled. Money was tight, so by the age of nine, I was already working. Read more>>
Wrayanne Williams
In 2001, I was a telecom recruiter with a full book of clients—until September 11th changed everything. Overnight, my placements were laid off and my income collapsed. An industry leader I knew (my then‑husband’s boss) suggested I try mortgage lending. I joined his call center of inbound refinance leads, the only female originator in the room—a woman in a man’s world. Read more>>
Linda de Bree
We were participants of a weekly ladies shooting group that was not meeting our needs and was not focusing on safety and firearms knowledge, so we formed our own group and called it ‘Ladies of Caliber.’ Four of us became NRA Certified Instructors for pistol, one for rifle, and we became NRA Certified Range Safety Officers. Read more>>
Thomas Frantz
Born and raised in Iowa, I’ve been in the plumbing industry for well over 20 years. After moving to Texas with my wife, I saw the need for knowledgeable and experienced plumbers and went on to gain my Master Plumber license. After our twin boys were born, I decided I wanted to work for myself and in 2014 Hawkeye Plumbing was born. Read more>>
Lori Russell-Siemer
I’ve always been a dreamer. I knew while I was in graduate school, that ultimately, I’d want to open my own private practice. It was a windy, twisted road to get there! I started my career at Child Protective Services in 2001, in the legal department, which means I did case management for the children already removed from their parents’ care. Read more>>
Tony Nicks
I started in the Graphics industry in 2006, At that time we didn’t have any equipment, we had a local sign installer Shane Pentico, helping us get started. He would cut graphics and lettering for us and teach us tricks of the trade. We would install the graphics we got from him for our customers. In 2007 he encouraged us to get our own equipment. Read more>>
Grace Lauren Wong
My journey with creating really started back in middle school, when I handmade friendship bracelets for everyone in my school — even the teachers — so no one felt left out. Each piece was unique, and that’s how I first earned the nickname “Gracelette.” In 2020, life took a turn when my dad suffered a traumatic brain injury. Read more>>
Faith Ann Cheek
Opening a franchise of Gideon Math and Reading was a team effort! Using my experience in education and the business acumen of my business partner, we used the researching and purchasing process as part of our joint project during our MBA program at Baylor University. Read more>>
Sierra Reed
I founded Brand Alchemy Marketing to help businesses turn bold ideas into measurable growth. Based in Dallas, my agency partners with small businesses, mid-market firms, and enterprise organizations to deliver branding, digital campaigns, SEO, paid advertising, website design, and social media strategies that don’t just look good—they drive ROI. Read more>>
Kimberly Elmer
I got into real estate because I’ve always loved helping people and sharing my knowledge of the community I’ve called home since 1982. What began as friends and family asking me for advice turned into a true passion and career. Over the past 12+ years, I’ve had the privilege of guiding hundreds of families—many of them veterans—through one of life’s biggest decisions. Read more>>
Linda Parks
Hi I’m Linda Parks, the owner of the Heron House Gallery. So you can get to know me a little bit better-I’m going to start by telling you 6 fun things about me 1. I love color- (Turquoise in particular) 2. Michael J Foxx is one of my favorite actors 3. I talk to stuffed animals 4. My love language is Salmon 5. Read more>>
Kristy Sheikh
Born and raised in the wide-open landscapes of Southeastern Montana, Kristy Sheikh grew up in a hardworking ranch family where grit, resilience, and integrity were a way of life. Read more>>
Patrick Scott Pattersobn
I’m a lifetime goal chaser. As I hit 50, I’ve done almost everything I’ve ever wanted to do… from being a pro wrestler to running my own business, to working in television and film to meeting Drew Barrymore. Read more>>
Karen Nguyen
It all started when I was a teenager in high school looking for a job. I started out as a server at a new restaurant to earn some money before college. Upon graduation, I got accepted into a California State University while still working for the same restaurant. Read more>>
Carmen Fisher
From an early age, I was fascinated by household finances. I wanted to write the checks, balance the checkbook, and update the budget spreadsheet. My mom always prepared our family’s taxes, and I remember reading through the tax booklets and even practicing returns on paper. In high school, my economics professor introduced us to Wall Street and financial statements, and that sealed it for me. Read more>>
Shelby Tolar
Honestly, Love to Mama was born out of my own messy, beautiful postpartum season. After my first baby, I remember sitting in the quiet hours—exhausted, emotional, and wondering why nobody had warned me just how much support a new mom needs. I kept thinking, there has to be a better way for parents to feel cared for. Read more>>
Eden’s Play Cafe
As sisters and now mothers, we (Mavia and Maria) created Eden’s Play Café out of both our sisterhood and our motherhood. Growing up together in the late 80s and early 90s, our imagination was everything to us. Read more>>
Kiauna Linzer
Bella Vita Ranch, meaning ‘beautiful life’ in Italian, was established in 2010 as a wedding and event venue nestled just outside Stephenville, Texas. Designed in a distinctive blend of Tuscan and Medieval architectural styles, the venue offers over 6,000 square feet of thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor event space—perfect for unforgettable celebrations. Read more>>
Melina Wikoff
Like all small businesses, The Mosaic Market is the result of a culmination of years of dreams and passions. We have been friends since the 5th grade, and over the decades we have spent many hours shopping together, crafting together, and dreaming that “some day” we could have a shop of our own. Read more>>
Margine Biswas
I started my journey with a deep love for design and a curiosity about how spaces shape experiences. After studying architecture at the University of Texas at Austin and gaining early experience in Dallas, I founded Archiphy Architects and Interiors more than twenty years ago with a mission to create efficient, beautiful spaces that support both business goals and human connection. Read more>>
Debra Carter
A little bit about me: I am a second-generation designer-art director, working nationwide via the internet. I grew up producing Slurpee cups and other items for my dad as he did projects for the former Southland Corporation (7/11). I was trained by working professionals in college who gave me superb insight into real world business and trade practices. Read more>>
Lee Dean
A little bit about me: I am a second-generation designer-art director, working nationwide via the internet. I grew up producing Slurpee cups and other items for my dad as he did projects for the former Southland Corporation (7/11). I was trained by working professionals in college who gave me superb insight into real world business and trade practices. Read more>>
Brandon Adams
Smoking Gun began with a simple belief. Creative should be beautiful, and it should prove that it works. That belief was shaped in Dallas, where I graduated from The Art Institute with a focus on 3D animation and multimedia. Read more>>
Aaron Gauding
I got started back in June of 2021 accidentally in supplementing income from my original pallet business. I started with 2 moving apps then slowly got into more moving apps as I heard & worked with other moving contractors. One of the apps then slowly rolled out junk removal as an addition to their services. Read more>>
Osmin and Alma Sariles
The DUO Casa Mia Latin Cuisine is owned and operated by husband and wife duo, Osmin and Alma, who are creative entrepreneurs, accomplished businessmen, strong team builders, customer relation gurus, and who, most importantly, have a passion for authentic Latin Cuisine! Two Locations: Lewisville and Little Elm TX Osmin was born in New Jersy sometime after his parents immigrated from El Salvador in 1972. Read more>>
Cora Moncibaiz
During my sophomore year at Dallas Baptist University, I began working part-time for an organization on campus that planned large-scale events for donors and friends of the university. At the time, I had no background in floral design or event coordination, but I quickly discovered a love for both. Read more>>
Ryan Grubbs
I never set out to be just a “mortgage lender.” For me, this job has never been about numbers or paperwork, it’s about people. When I first started in the industry, one of my close friends almost lost out on buying her first home because she felt overwhelmed by the process. No one was taking the time to explain things in a way she understood. Read more>>
Melinda Dzinic
I originally started in the dental industry, believe it or not but once I saw the displacement of the refugees of the former Republic of Yugoslavia, I knew I had to help them in some way. Most of them were craftsman and after helping them trying to get jobs with remodelers and builders, the language barrier proved to be the main barrier. Read more>>
Ryan Mills
I’ve been a professional body piercer for over two decades, but my journey really started long before that — with a fascination for adornment, ritual, and how people choose to transform their bodies. Read more>>
Keith Spurgin
I’m one of the few people around here who actually grew up in the DFW metroplex. I was raised on a farm, went to Allen High School, and graduated with a business degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. After college, through a crazy story I ended up at Youth With A Mission in Tyler, where I met my wife. Read more>>
Santanu Patra
Our story began with children in our own family and circle of friends—children who were clearly on the autism spectrum. Twenty-five years ago in India, there was little awareness about Autism. Divergent behaviors, delayed learning, cognitive challenges, and speech or communication difficulties were often dismissed as “phases” that children would eventually outgrow. Sadly, we witnessed how that lack of early support shaped lives. Read more>>
Farhan Fallahi
Wedding Erah really started with the power of social media. I was creating tablescapes, floral designs, and full wedding concepts right on my own dining table at home, capturing the details, and posting them online. What began as small creative projects quickly grew into a platform where couples and industry peers could see what I was capable of and the kind of experiences I envisioned. Read more>>
Korina Medrano
The genesis of Korina, I was born in Texas but raised in Miami, and after losing my father at just three years old, I learned early how to adapt and find my own strength. I decided that my life would be about creating meaning and building something lasting, not just getting by. Read more>>
Peter Rabbit Jr
I have always been in music as a child. Involved in church choir, school choir and community choir. I went to college at Prairie View A&M university. I was working for a local magazine in Dallas and all the new artists would show up to interviews and didn’t have the basic knowledge or skills needed for a new artists. Read more>>
Chris Cagle
I’ve been teaching martial arts professionally since 2007. I have an extensive competitive background in which I have ranked at the local, regional, state, national, and international level. I have owned my own school since 2018, thrived in spite of Covid, and have given away over $60,000 in training scholarships since the school’s conception. Read more>>
Francheska Wright
First, I am a God fearing African American woman from Dallas TX. Second, I am a housewife and homeschool mom. I have two children. Caught up in the life of being a wife and mother I needed something that was just for and controlled by me. The 9to5 life didn’t fit my schedule so I decided to start a business of my own. Read more>>
Kim Casale
Elke’s Market Cafe was originally founded in 2004 by Elke Kuby Marsh. After working for her father in the iconic Kuby’s in Snider Plaza, a staple in Dallas since 1961, Elke decided to branch out on her own. Elke built a business in Allen with home made soups, salads and sandwiches. Read more>>
Athirai Baskaran
My Montessori journey spans more than three decades, beginning in the classroom as an educator and later as a school director and owner. Those experiences gave me a deep understanding of what children, teachers, and school communities need to thrive. Read more>>
Ray Gulam
I began my career in financial services in 1989, and from the start, I found a deep sense of fulfillment in helping people strengthen their financial future. That passion has guided my career for more than three decades and is the reason I still love what I do every single day. Read more>>
Victoria Gorpin
Our story began long before the doors of our school officially opened in August 2015. In many ways, it started in my childhood home in Moldova, where I grew up surrounded by music. Coming from a family of professional musicians, music has been in my blood since birth. Read more>>
Paul Westbrook
In high school, I was good at math and science, but also enjoyed playing in the band – specifically the jazz ensemble. I debated being a music major, but settled on mechanical engineering. The engineering path was due to my interest in solar energy – specifically solar thermal energy. In college, I played alto sax in the marching band and the basketball band. Read more>>
Yamilette Rodriguez
I began my journey in online education working with established companies like Qkids, ClassShareUSA and All Kids Spanish, where I gained valuable experience teaching young learners from diverse backgrounds. After three years of working within those platforms, I decided to take the leap and start my own classes—tailored specifically to meet the needs of ESL students in the U.S., Mexico, Puerto Rico and Saudi Arabia. Read more>>
Brian Daw
Brian Daw – Pianist, Composer, and Recording Artist Brian Daw is a pianist, composer, and recording artist whose career blends academic achievement, decades of teaching, and a deep commitment to sacred music. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in trumpet performance from Brigham Young University in 1976, followed by a Ph.D. in Music History from the University of Southern California in 1984. Read more>>
David Huse
I Quit Pre med for a career in Sales. I worked retail for large Audio Video stores, national chains. Making 6 figures a year in sales as a very young man. In 2007 the company I was working for was going under so I took every dime I had and invested in myself. Read more>>
MPower Marketing Group
MPower Marketing Group started with a big dream and a clear vision—to change the lives of business owners. My business partner Amanda and I came from corporate and dental backgrounds, and we saw firsthand how many businesses—especially dental and healthcare practices—were not just overwhelmed by marketing, but often taken advantage of. Read more>>
Vanessa Dennis
Our food truck “The Dennis’ Grill” is a husband-and-wife endeavor, and neither one of us has a culinary background. We are both self-taught cooks passionate about food and serving people. My background is in social services and my husband is in construction. Read more>>
Diona Hamilton
My story starts off as a little girl who was born and raised in a little town called New Iberia, Louisiana who always dreamed of traveling the world and living in a big city. Life was hard in the beginning, but I used my experiences to help make me a stronger person. Read more>>
Christopher Winkler
With over 3 years of QuickBooks Online experience, and decades in business and real estate, I started Golden Bookkeeping to help business owners save time, reduce stress, and run a more profitable operation. Golden Bookkeeping can help you reclaim your time – saving you about 10 hours a month (that’s 120 hours a year!) by taking bookkeeping completely off your plate. Read more>>
Todd Lawson
In 2004, I was selling a few things on eBay from a drop shipper in Wisconsin. I was approached by a factory in Taiwan to do some Importing of Guitars and after probably a year of negotiations and mostly fears. I decided to take a loan and Bought couple hundred Guitars they turn sent more Guitars in fact a whole container load to my house. Read more>>
Barbara Miller
The Story of APN Behavioral Healthcare: A Legacy of Compassion and Growth In 2002, Barbara Miller, a visionary nurse practitioner with a deep commitment to mental health care, planted the first seed of what would become APN Behavioral Healthcare. With nothing more than a rented room in a doctor’s office and a one-day-a-week schedule, Barbara began her journey. Read more>>
Adriana Geffen
Our journey began on our family farm — in the soil, the sun, and the simple act of choosing to live more intentionally. By growing and eating clean, organic food from our own land, we experienced firsthand the power of natural living. The changes were undeniable — improved energy, clarity, vitality, and peace. Read more>>
Madlyn Lackey Natalie Calloway
When Natalie got engaged in 2016, our family began imagining more than just a space for her wedding. We (Natalie and Madlyn; sisters, along with our mother, Lisa) saw an opportunity to not only design the perfect venue but also to create a legacy we could build together. Read more>>
Toby Powell
This is what’s featured in the About US Section of our website. It’s the best way to describe my story…… Toby Powell, Owner and Founder is a former Division 1 basketball player who at the age of 30 became addicted to golf. Read more>>
Alexandra Turner
Thirteen years ago, I started my business in the most humble of spaces—my garage. What we lacked in square footage, we made up for in passion, grit, and countless late nights. With faith as our foundation and a heart full of purpose, doors began to open. Read more>>
Denise Frazier
Real estate has always been my passion, but for a long time I let fear hold me back. I would take the classes, but I never had the courage to sit for the state exam. Then one of my closest friends, who has always been my biggest supporter, blessed me by paying for my class again and even covering my prep courses. Read more>>
Dulce Luna
My journey began as an immigrant who arrived in this country with almost nothing but a heart full of determination and a deep desire to serve. From my grandmother, I inherited the gift of natural healing, and through years of training I added the knowledge of modern therapies. Read more>>
Ashley House
I was a teacher and a coach for ten years of my life. I loved it and was very passionate about it, but around 2019 I started to see the impact of mental health for people. Read more>>
Karen Haggard
My background is in education. I have a B.A. in Special Education and an M.Ed in Reading. I’ve taught in a variety of areas, from high school Spanish to college English. We’ve lived in Granbury for 12 years and about 11 years ago, I was asked by a friend at church if I could teach him to read better. Read more>>
Antoinette N. Harris
I’ve always known that my purpose in life was to serve God’s people through the practice of law. That calling started early, and it has shaped every step of my journey. I was raised by a single mother who sacrificed everything to give me the opportunities I have today. Read more>>
Kayla Carter
I am a full time junior high school teacher, but I was getting burnt out and felt like I needed to do something more. I have always loved permanent jewelry, but in our area, there isn’t much of an option unless you drive into downtown Fort Worth and make an appointment. Read more>>
Austin Corder
Greenskeeper Lawns was born from years of experience in the agronomics of the golf industry, rooted in a deep passion for sports, sports fields, and turfgrass. My journey began with a strong interest in turf management, leading me to study at The Ohio State University. After completing my education, I started my career as an intern at Hyde Park Country Club in Cincinnati, Ohio. Read more>>
DeAnna Golsan
Currently I serve as the Senior (and only) Pastor of Disciples Christian Church. I have served here since I graduated from Bright Divinity College with my Mastor of Divinity degree. Prior to this, I have had a varied work history. I worked Animal Control for Williamson County which required me to become a Deputy. I am not meant to be a law enforcement officer. Read more>>
Gloria Campos
Gloria Campos, Chief Operating Officer A proud McKinney native, Gloria Campos has spent more than 20 years building a career defined by leadership, compassion, and operational excellence. Today, she serves as the Chief Operating Officer of McCraw Law Group, where her influence is woven into every aspect of the firm’s success. Read more>>
Allison Byrd Haley
Allison Byrd Haley has built a distinguished career spanning more than 30 years in the medical and insurance field. Currently serving as the National Director of Carrier Relations, she is recognized for her ability to cultivate strong partnerships, drive strategic initiatives, and deliver solutions that positively influence both clients and industry stakeholders. Read more>>
Aidan Haspel
I can’t say it’s been the smoothest road. Life is certainly gotten in the way at some point. I’ve had personal struggles, but I always try to push through and pull my passion back whenever I feel it slipping the hardest thing about being a photographer is where the line between your hobby and your business is because if you focus too much on the business, you could lose your hobby and vice versa. Read more>>
Heather Lampe
It was also during my time at Fossil that I started using my lunch break to doodle in a sketchbook every day, which ended up leading me to freelance illustration. I’m currently doing both fashion design and illustration freelance work as well as teaching aerial fitness classes, which I highly recommend to anyone looking for a fun alternative fitness option with a supportive community. Read more>>
Jennifer Dulin
I firmly believe that lack of funds should never be the reason to hold a dancer back from achieving their dreams. Ballet is a beautiful, healthy, strong art that uses only one instrument, the human body and spirit. It is the most difficult of the arts, and a culmination of all of them – music, visual art, and performing arts all in one. My wish to pay forward the generosity I received from my instructors has already made a difference in the world. My enthusiasm for the adventure is, hopefully, contagious. Read more>>
Sarah Hixson
I first picked up a camera in 2017, though my path into photography was a little unexpected. At the time, I was working as a dental ceramist, creating porcelain veneers for a cosmetic dentist. Our office wanted to elevate its marketing, so I was asked to photograph patients after their transformations for print and advertising. Read more>>
Dora Toma
My journey into women’s health and fertility coaching began with my own story. After experiencing pregnancy loss, I carried the grief and questions so many women silently face. Read more>>
Jane Gray
I spent my early years disconnected from my body. Life experiences proved over and over that it wasn’t safe to feel what I felt. Whether that was thru invalidation, emotional neglect, or lack of boundaries, I learned not to trust the feelings in my body. Read more>>
Lauren Kerschen
Here is the article that was posted about me in CEO Weekly magazine. It is a good explanation of my story. Before real estate, Lauren was thriving in corporate America. As an Ecommerce Supply Chain Strategist and Six Sigma Black Belt, she rose quickly through the ranks at Fortune 500 companies like Bell Helicopter, Pier 1, and Sally Beauty. Read more>>
Brad Nowlin
I could be the luckiest man alive as I’ve had 2 fulfilling careers. I worked in advertising and marketing for about 20 years in Fort Worth, New York City, Houston and Kansas City. My second career as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist started inauspiciously with divorce, job loss and the decision to quit drinking. Read more>>
Chi Nguyen
I come from a Vietnamese background and have always been drawn to the beauty and wellness industry. For more than eight years I managed salons, mostly focused on nails and esthetics, but about three years ago I discovered the head spa service while training in Hanoi, Vietnam. Read more>>
Sallie Brigance
I was born in Greenville, South Carolina and I grew up in Arlington, Texas. I went to school at the University of North Texas where I earned my bachelor’s degree in marketing and advertising. I started my career in marketing right out of college with Hormel Foods and later I went to work for Frito Lay. Read more>>
Stephen Scott
When I was stationed in Europe during my time in the Army, I had the opportunity to build relationships with top trainers in Germany, Holland, and France. Over the five years I was there, I learned directly from them and gained a deep understanding of the foundations of European dog training. Read more>>
Mark Nagel
Sparrows Gallery was founded in 2015 by Tamie Odom. It opened in Downtown Denison when the right building became available, allowing Tamie to fulfill her long-time dream of starting an art gallery. A successful artist herself, Tamie’s passion for creativity translated into developing a truly special art experience. Read more>>
Susana Gibb
I started with a very (not) lucrative Theater Degree. My dad had an insurance agency in Tyler. After college, I worked in restaurants while auditioning and trying to secure gigs. He told me there was a desk for me in Tyler if I wanted a job. I did NOT want to go back to Tyler. Read more>>
Dr. Sheraye Henderson
I started in the tax and real estate space with a simple goal—helping people get their finances and homeownership dreams in order. What began as doing returns for a few clients quickly grew into running a tax firm, training other preparers, and eventually launching a service bureau. Read more>>
Taylor Chesnut
I have worked in corporate America, in the semiconductor field for 13 years. I knew I wanted out, and be my own boss doing work that was meaningful for people. HVAC has allowed me into a recession proof industry that helps people in need, particularly in the summer. Read more>>
Craig Spillman
As an undergraduate I discerned a vocation that would include helping people and after deliberation and consultation with advisors I choice to go into the field healthcare and specifically mental healthcare. Knowing at the time, that additional education would be required I sought an MA in Educational Psychology followed by a Ph.D. in Counseling from the University of North Texas. Read more>>
Kimothy Sanders
Finding balance between family and work life can be challenging, when both demand your time and energy. It often means setting clear boundaries. Learning to say no, and being fully present in each role.While work provides for the family. It’s the moments spent together that truly builds connections.Striking that balance isn’t about perfection-it’s about making intentional choices each day. Read more>>
Mahi Shah
As I delved deeper into pressing issues like sustainability and soil degradation, I came across the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—17 transformative objectives aimed at building a more equitable and sustainable world. Inspired by Goal 2: Zero Hunger, I set out to create a tangible solution: an innovative app named AgroEtopia, built on that same model. I have recently started deploying it to local farmers for initial testing—something my late grandfather would surely have appreciated Read more>>
