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.
Laurie Miller
I was born and raised in Dallas, graduated from The Greenhill School and The University of Texas at Austin. I spent 20 years working in my family’s 100 year old business. I eventually came to the realization that I wanted my work to make a difference for people. Read more>>
Soledad Bautista
My story begins in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México — a place that shaped me with its storytellers, vibrant art, unforgettable food, constant laughter, and, above all, a deep love for people. I grew up surrounded by community, color, generosity, and a sense that life is richer when it is shared. Those early years taught me resilience, joy, and the beauty of holding many truths at once. Read more>>
Jazmine Perdomo
I took a photography class in 2008 where I first learned the basics of photography. I purchased my first DSLR camera in 2009 where I did photography as a hobby and spent a few years just learning and photographing every day life. Read more>>
Paloma & Wesley Elliott
Our story begins with two people whose paths aligned through a shared calling to serve. Both of us had gone through our own deep personal transformations, and we felt moved to create a place where others could experience the same kind of growth in a safe and supportive environment. That intention became the foundation of Ahó Healing Arts. Read more>>
Sierra Reams
My story begins with my mother Heather Reams. The women who birthed the business I now own and operate. 32 years ago my biological father and mother divorced. He bought my mother her very first longhorn and trailer and said if you want child support go make it on your own. My mother was a first generation American citizen and cowgirl. Read more>>
Carly Rogers
I’ve always been a perfectionist – I wanted to do everything and do everything well. I could never decide what art I wanted to do more growing up, so I more or less chose to do all of them. Slowly, I began to find my main outlets in theatre, storytelling, and visual arts. Read more>>
Chase Record
My wife, Justina, and I have over fifteen years of combined experience in the specialty coffee industry. When we set out to start Record Coffee Supply we knew we needed to do something that was quintessentially us. We wanted to share our passion for coffee and hospitality with our friends, our neighbors, and strangers alike. Read more>>
Brandon Keaton
When I was a teenager I had been a huge fan of music. My brother Chase and I had an ongoing competition to name the artist and song title of songs on the radio. We grew up on dad’s 70’s and 80’s rock music, so we were well aware of the genre and artists. Read more>>
Brandy Fields
I’m Brandy, born and raised right here in Dallas, Texas. I’ve always had a deep love for this city, its people, and the way it shaped me. After graduating from UT-Arlington with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, I began my career in healthcare and eventually stepped into my current role as an Assistant Nurse Manager in the ICU. Read more>>
DJ Warren
Hi Murchison! I’m So Excited to Meet You! 
My name is DJ Warren, and I’ve been proudly running the Athens, Tx Farmers Market since 2012—now in my 14th season supporting local farmers, artisans, meat producers, and makers who bring their goods directly to the community. Local is who I am. Read more>>
Liz Hahn
I grew up in Calabasas during the ’80s, surrounded by music, creativity, and the constant hum of the Hollywood scene. Back then, I was the one hosting backyard parties with kegs, live bands, and my girlfriends diving into wet T-shirt contests just for the thrill of it. Read more>>
Esther Huynh
I’ve always had a knack for communication, which benefited me in my interview experiences and sales positions. The older I’ve gotten, I’ve realized that I have a heart for people and empathy for everyone’s life challenges. Like many struggling college students figuring out their purpose in life, I started my college career like a dog chasing its own tail. Read more>>
Arsheya Qureshi
We started DFW Love Notes almost 3 years ago. We always had the desire to build something of our own, something creative, meaningful, and different. At every wedding and event we attended, we noticed the same thing: people take tons of photos and videos, but the voices were missing. Read more>>
JWash
I started playing football my whole life that was all I knew , I always loved music but as a fan the older I got the more it grew on me. Read more>>
Bradley Lanphear
I began my career in 2010 as a wedding photographer along with my wife in my hometown of Scranton, PA. We specialized in fine art documentary style photography and marketed towards couples doing unique stylized weddings. We did very well and gained a fair amount of recognition, both by word of mouth (the best marketing) and by getting featured in wedding industry publications. Read more>>
Josie Smith-Webster
I grew up in Arlington completely unaware that independent bookstores existed. I discovered and fell in love with these spaces in grad school, and found myself working in and managing indie bookstores across the country after that. There’s just something special about a neighborhood bookstore, run by locals and curated according to their own special mix of interests and knowledge of their neighbors. Read more>>
Shakerrinee Bills
I began my journey in the lash industry about three years ago. I enrolled in a newly opened beauty school in my hometown, where I completed a comprehensive lash extension course and all the required training hours. After graduating, I went on to take my state board exam, passed, and officially became a licensed lash technician. What started as curiosity quickly turned into a passion. Read more>>
Ryan Crawford
My journey started back in 1994 when I was six years old. I grew up in a difficult environment, and martial arts became both an outlet and a lifeline for me. What began as Taekwondo classes in College Station, TX quickly became a foundation for confidence, discipline, and purpose. Read more>>
Annabelle Bragalone
I’ve always had a passion for travel and learning about different places and cultures. I never realized I could turn my very expensive hobby into a career until my family worked with a travel advisor for a safari a few years ago. That trip showed me how much impact the right planning and connections can have. Read more>>
Aida Rojas
Hi, I’m Aida Rojas. I like to say I’m an old soul with a digital mind — someone who blends deep inner wisdom with modern strategy to help people transform from the inside out. Today, I help heart-led dreamers break free from lack, less, and stress so they can glow within, grow in the world, and flow with life. Read more>>
Uko Adams
From the moment Uko first placed her fingertips on the strings of a guzheng, it wasn’t just about learning an instrument—it was as if she had awakened a voice she was born to hear. Her musical journey wasn’t accidental, nor a fleeting curiosity. Read more>>
Alexis Jones
I play basketball my whole entire life. When I picked up a basketball, I just never put it down. And I kept pushing myself every single day to be the best that I can be. And I went in the championship at Irving MacArthur. Read more>>
Savannah Warren
My journey really began back in 2018, when I was a stay-at-home mom searching for my purpose outside of motherhood. I’ve always loved calligraphy and crafting, and found so much joy creating personalized pieces for my family and friends’ events. Their encouragement and honestly, God placing the right people in my life at the right time pushed me to take my gift seriously. Read more>>
Brandon Jones
FilmFrog – We love movies. FilmFrog markets film and entertainment experiences. FilmFrog focuses on Owned, Earned and Paid Media combined with Loyalty and Rewards programs to drive more movie-goers, more often. FilmFrog represents ~4% of the domestic box office marketing more than 1,600 screens at over 160 cinemas. In addition, we serve the Independent Cinema Alliance (ICA), Cinema United, Studios, and work directly with filmmakers. Read more>>
Bettina Sastoque
I was born in Thailand, raised in Texas, and built my life around two core value…family and possibility. Real estate wasn’t just a career choice for me; it became the vehicle that allowed us to create freedom, serve others, and build community. Read more>>
Kai Kert
No it’s been a long road we are young but every year we learn something new,, and we have do what we call “pivot” or adjust, This year we we tride to include pig in our livestock, later we realized it was not the right choice, so we pivot, we re-evaluate and changed or focus back to our original livestock and service. We also decided to turn our ranch into a learning ranch and we offer goat yoga. In the few years we also lost our breeding cows, so now we are rebuilding that stock. Read more>>
Myndee Mack
Writing has always been my way of making sense of the world. I started writing short stories in elementary school and have been keeping a journal for as long as I can remember. I write to process. I write to heal. I write to help others heal and know they aren’t alone. For a while, I was lucky enough to write for a living. In my early thirties, with three little kids running around, I wrote for a parenting publication where I connected with moms across the country by sharing my parenting trials and triumphs. Read more>>
Sarah Burwell
After she passed, I moved to Denver, Colorado, where I opened Arch and started exploring restorative and cosmetic tattooing. It was my way of merging art with purpose and helping people feel whole again in their own skin. I eventually closed Arch for two years to regroup and find myself again, and in 2024, I moved to Dallas and reopened it with a clearer heart and mission. Now, every client I work with feels like a piece of that healing journey coming full circle. Read more>>
Justin Everage
The backdrop can be just as important as what’s on display. They support each other. I think that’s what got me here & keeps me going. The interest & inclination to constantly try new things, problem solve, fill a void, you know feel something? Be of positive use & make cool stuff while having fun & appreciating every moment. All thanks to a higher power, my community, my environment & myself of course. Don’t we all like a little ego stroke? “Hey mommy look at me! Look what I’ve done!” This life chose me. Read more>>
Hailey Campbell
In 2021, I graduated with my B.S. in Design Studies, a minor in Spanish, and multiple entrepreneurship courses under my belt. Later that year, I landed a job as an Art Director at an agency where I worked on well-known accounts such as Samsung, Diageo, and Frito-Lay. I refined my design skills while simultaneously working on my business after hours. Three and a half years later, I was a part of a mass layoff… which officially marked the start of running Willowfin full-time! Read more>>
Mercy Strickland
With that thought, Mercy made a simple post on a local social media page, inviting a few women — then complete strangers — to meet for a cup of chai. “We met, we talked, and we instantly clicked,” she says, her eyes lighting up. “That first meeting reminded me of what I had in the UK — the warmth, the laughter, the connection. And that’s really how Chai and Chit Chat, affectionately called as C3, was born.” Read more>>
Jess Pugh
It has not been a smooth road. I spent too much time in self doubt for far too long and decided to pick myself up and pave the road for myself. I had to learn it was ok to fail sometimes because I knew through trial and error I could do anything I set my mind to. Read more>>
Dave Sheehan
By 2011, though, I was burned out. I was good at what I did, but I was no longer challenged. I had advanced as much as I could within the firm without going back to college and becoming an attorney. I remember having to give myself little pep talks each morning just to go into the office, which was ridiculous given I was generously compensated and it was about the most relaxed and secure job I could have imagined. Read more>>
Ava Turner
As an illustrator, I truly enjoy illustrating children’s books, company product illustrations, book covers & digital downloads. These are probably my favorite. Even as I say this though, it’s kinda like choosing a favorite child! Read more>>
Crystal Daniel
My story starts at survival & though it’s still being written- I’m currently in a chapter of servant leadership by way of Director, mentor & advocate for the local youth. Working with kids has always been a passion of my heart, finally I have the privilege. Read more>>
Tracy Washington
When my sons were growing up, I worked in juvenile court. Each day I watched boys their age come through the system for things that often started with broken homes, missing fathers, or overwhelmed parents. I made a quiet decision: “That will not be my sons’ story.” Read more>>
Patricia Boyles
I am now retired, I travel all over texas to share the love of God. I have been blessed upon blessed. I now am featured at top-quality art shows all over. Read more>>
Kat Palumbo
It has been a blessing to be on social media again and meet so many great people. I am passionate about attending brand events where I am able to learn more about local small businesses and how they got started. A few of my videos have gone viral so I normally gain new followers through that, through word of mouth, and through networking. Everyone in the content creator world is super supportive and I’m excited to see where it takes me. Read more>>
Karen Sparks
I started The Great Root Movement 501(c)(3) in 2018 to support people dealing with domestic violence, grief, and trauma. In 2022, I created The Love Never Ends Trail Series, a fundraiser for our nonprofit, and I serve as Race Director. Our Love. Move. Rize. Group began as a way for women of all skill levels to connect through walking, hiking, running, and volunteering. It has since expanded significantly. On the trails and in life, I encourage us to support one another and reach goals we once thought impossible. Read more>>
Kaity Stone
These experiences taught me the importance of accessible, holistic care that honors both the mind, body, and spirit. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), AcuDetox Specialist (ADS), and Registered Trainer with 5NP Texas, I now blend counseling, training, and creative outreach. Read more>>
Ebony Coleman
My career in health care started more than twelve years ago with a desire to help people feel well both physically and emotionally. I became a Family Nurse Practitioner and spent eight years in traditional medicine, but I kept seeing women suffering in silence with exhaustion, gut issues, anxiety, and burnout while being told everything was fine. I knew they deserved more. Read more>>
Angel Leon
I have been coming to Aruba since a very young age, and for me the island has always been a paradise that inspires beauty, joy, and elegance. Many people don’t know that back in 2005 we launched a fashion and tourism magazine in Aruba called Aruba Fashion Life, where we highlighted the very best of our destination. Read more>>
LaShonda Cooks
I am the eldest daughter of an art teacher and a photographer/musician. From an early age I loved to draw and sketch. I have always been very curious about the world around me: I collected rocks, had a bird whistle that imitated different bird calls and loved exploring nature. Read more>>
Alex Hand
I grew up in Reno, Nevada. I got a guitar for my 11th birthday and started learning songs from Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and whatever was on the radio that my friends and I thought was cool. My dad played guitar and showed me the basics. Read more>>
Angel Gonzales
I started out just drawing in classrooms and always wanted to do something with art just never really put much thought into it and over the years tattooing really interested me so most of my drawings where tattoo designs the. Read more>>
Michael Hilton
My awakening as a writer occurred in 1997 when the film title ‘Star Wars’ blared onto my hometown cinema screen. The thrill of those big, bold letters and their accompanying triumphant fanfare promised an exciting adventure to follow, and sure enough, for the next two and a half hours, my six year-old self fell into a completely different world. Read more>>
Valley Floyd
Born and raised in Dallas, Texas—specifically on the southern side of the city—my upbringing came from a close-knit immediate family: my mother, my father, and my older sister, who is seven years older. My mother, who wasn’t originally from Dallas but from the East Texas city of Texarkana, played a major role in shaping the influences and culture I still value to this day. Read more>>
Anna Clemente
My story is one of reinvention. I didn’t grow up with a clear roadmap or the perfect path laid out for me. What I did have was grit, ambition, and two little blessings watching me and depending on me to create a better life. Read more>>
Michael and Kandi Thompson
Meet Kandi: with 25 years of experience im a visionary in the salon industry in men’s and womens trends with hair and Fashion Meet Michael: the one always bihind the scenes making the visions truly come to life’ With an impressive 25 years of experience in the hairstyling industry, Kandi has established herself as a prominent stylist specializing in blonding and extension services! Read more>>
Brittany Lewis
My passion for the arts began while studying at the University of North Texas, where I explored Graphic Design, Photography, Printmaking, and Pottery. I always knew I wanted to work in a place where creativity mattered and where art wasn’t just something you look at, but something you do with your hands and your whole heart. Read more>>
Trish Lynn Smith
Biography of Trish Lynn and the Cowgirl Chicks Trish Lynn is a highly respected country music artist and rodeo entertainer who has carved out a remarkable place for herself in both industries. At just 18 years old, she completed her first album and charted four singles on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles Charts. Read more>>
TINA LONG
Back in 2011, a friend asked me to officiate their wedding, and that’s when I discovered my passion: being a small but meaningful part of couples’ most special day. Since then, I’ve officiated thousands of weddings and met some truly wonderful people, many of whom have become friends over the years. Read more>>
Courtney Johnson
Timeless with Coco really started long before it had a name. As a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, I’ve spent years caring for patients in some of the most vulnerable, transformative stages of their lives. Over time, I noticed a pattern—women weren’t just coming to me with medical concerns. Read more>>
Andrea Perez Bustos
Since I was a little girl, I’ve always had a strong passion for fashion — looking good, expressing myself through style, and helping others feel confident. My mom loves to remind me how I insisted on choosing my own outfits even as a toddler. Read more>>
Erin Baima
I never thought I’d end up in insurance. In fact, when I accepted a job at Goosehead Insurance (then TWG Insurance), it was supposed to be temporary. My plan at the time was to go to law school. Instead, I started as a customer service associate and ended up finding a career that changed the entire trajectory of my life. Read more>>
Heather Gregory
My career path is a pretty winding one. My degree is in Architecture and I worked in that field for about 6 years during college and after. I got out of that industry because I was feeling called to do more community based work. This led me into non-profit management, program development, and event production. Read more>>
Melvin Heath
2nd struggle- growing on social media. Back when all u had to do was put your work up and your audience would find you Now almost have be a character just to get views on your work It’s a double edged sword, I guess. People get to connect with you on a person level through putting a face to the art. The negative to is when your not really into putting your face out there, it can be challenging especially when your a private person. Read more>>
Shumaila Huda
I’m Shumaila Huda, originally from San Francisco, California, and I relocated to Texas with my family in 2021. I began my career as a Registered Nurse in emergency medicine in 2010, where I developed a strong foundation in patient care and clinical precision. My lifelong goal has been to help others feel their absolute best—physically and emotionally. Read more>>
Blessed By Vaztin
My story really began long before I ever knew I was building a career. I started braiding hair at 15 while living in California with my Dad—my cousins had a booming braiding salon, and every time I visited them, they poured into me. I didn’t realize then that those moments were planting the seeds for my purpose. Read more>>
LeRamsey
I started doing music when I was a kid, growing up in a single-mother household. From singing to songwriting and recording, I’ve also released music on SoundCloud. I took a break from college to really focus on my life. Read more>>
Erika Riboni
In 2021, I had been with my full-time employer for four years and had just welcomed my second baby in 2020. My husband and I knew we wanted to invest our savings into a business, but we had no idea where to start. Read more>>
Sika Lawson
Absolutely. I always joke that I’ve been hustling since I came out of my mother’s womb. From a young age, I had this natural ability to recognize my gifts and find ways to monetize them. Read more>>
Nick Reed
I started my business in July of 2016 back in my home state of Colorado. I started as an absolute ‘one man band’ with one truck and minimal tools as well as knowledge, but with the passion to own a business of my own. Read more>>
Kenneth Fomunung
I’m the founder of My Rich Brand and the creator of the MRB ecosystem — a digital-first suite of creative and AI-powered solutions that helps entrepreneurs build, launch, and grow modern brands with speed, clarity, and confidence. My Rich Brand started in a very simple way — I kept meeting incredibly talented people with unclear, inconsistent, or outdated branding. Read more>>
RJ Avery
I personally only think a complete Psychopath would grow up wanting to be a Real Estate agent. It definitely wasn’t the dream, it was something I had never considered, even though I had built a For Rent website called RentDenton.net that I eventually sold to Denton Tx Broker Scott Brown when I was 18. Read more>>
Jennifer Overfield
Lucinda Cobley and I met in 2013 when she and June Woest curated a poem of mine into an outdoor sculpture exhibition in Russ Pitman Park, HTX. In 2020, we reunited to discuss the relationship between poets and visual artists throughout time. We shared abstract and deceptively minimalist styles and mutually admired the works of Emily Dickinson, particularly her envelope poems. Read more>>
Catherine Hudson
Layla Rose Ranch was born from an unexpected and deeply personal transformation experienced by founder Catherine Hudson. During COVID, she and her husband would take daily walks through the backroads of Annetta, Texas, During these walks, Catherine encountered Cletus – a worn, withdrawn horse whose spirit seemed nearly extinguished. Yet something in his guarded eyes mirrored the exhaustion she carried within herself. Read more>>
RAY NIXON
I am a certified personal trainer, nutrition coach and professional basketball player with over a decade of training experience. Being the skinny, big foot, lanky guy practically my entire life, who would have thought that health & fitness would become one of my biggest passions? Read more>>
Kristie and JulieAnna Howes
They’ve stepped back from daily operations over the past few years and this transition feels like the next step in continuing their legacy. We feel incredibly lucky to have learned from the best — from two of the most knowledgeable, hardworking, and kind-hearted people we know. Our goal is to carry forward everything they built and continue serving Dallas drivers with the same honesty and care that have defined Southwest Auto since day one. Read more>>
Nakeya Divine
My name is Nakeya Divine, and I’m a Certified Interior Decorator, Professional Organizer, and Planning & Productivity Strategist based in Addison, Texas. I’m the founder of Divine Elements of Design, a brand that helps people create homes that are both beautiful and functional. I’m also the founder of Decorator’s Voice, a lifestyle blog and YouTube channel that inspires intentional living. Read more>>
Remina Panjwani
My journey has been anything but linear — but each chapter prepared me for the next. From serving in the military to becoming a physician, author, speaker, and entrepreneur, I’ve learned that true strength comes from alignment, not exhaustion. I started my career in traditional medicine, driven by a deep desire to help people heal. Read more>>
Nishant Sinari
Our story began the summer after 10th grade. I was interning at an e-learning company, first in their SAT department and later with their marketing team. One of my tasks was to identify areas to target their SAT prep materials. I assumed the focus would be on underprivileged areas, students who didn’t have access to high-quality prep resources. Read more>>
Angielic Smith
I moved to Texas, with a three month old baby, when I was 26 years old. My first job in Texas was a professional bather for a corporate pet salon and retail chain. I ended up going through their grooming academy, and then interning with the company. After a few years, I went into management for their pet salons. Read more>>
Brianna Burpo
It all started when my husband was deployed and I was eight months pregnant with baby #2. I had just gone on leave from teaching and planned to take a full year off to adjust to life as a mom of two while he was gone. I moved in with my parents in Arkansas so I could have extra hands and support. Read more>>
Steven Sotello
City To City Junk Removal & Trash Disposal Service was born out of pure necessity. I had just bought my first home — something I was proud of — and then my steady W-2 income slowly slipped away. What I depended on to pay my mortgage was gone, and I found myself in a spot where I had to figure things out fast. Read more>>
Jessica Wilson
My path to Travel Advisor began as kid in a military family where I was fortunate enough to live in and visit many places, both nationally and internationally, while growing up. Read more>>
Leisha Phipps
My career began in social work, where I provided clinical individual and group therapy to children, teens, and survivors of sexual assault. When I joined The Turning Point (Rape Crisis Center) in 1997, I was both inspired and empowered by the resiliency of the survivors we served. Read more>>
Jessica Setnick
The three consistent threads in my career have been eating disorders, public speaking, and learning as I go. I have a strong sense of justice and a deep desire to be useful, so when I spot something that needs to be done my first instinct is to get started. Read more>>
Sandra Rios
A Lifetime of Resilience, A Vision for Compassion I was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and raised in Garland, surrounded by a loving family who shaped who I am today. My mother, Dianna, my father, Kenneth, my oldest sister Keva, my brother Demetrius, and my youngest sister Bianca — they taught me the power of perseverance, gratitude, and heart. Read more>>
Missi Kennedy
I began my career as a hairdresser 33 years ago, and over the years I had the privilege of working with clients of all abilities. But everything changed after the birth of my fourth child, who is autistic. In 2017, I shifted my entire focus to becoming a special-needs-only hairdresser, dedicating my work to creating safe, sensory-aware experiences for families like mine. Read more>>
Adrian Reed
It is kind of a long process. First I wanted to be a photographer at young age. Looking for different angles, trying new things, adding different effects and making pictures lighter/darker. Growing up, no one really believed in me, I was always the odd man out, I didn’t really get along with my family. The ‘friends’ I had didn’t care. Read more>>
Michelle Lewis-Hefley
Crowned by Jewlz started from pure passion and purpose…nothing more, nothing less! I’ve had a love for hair since I was a little girl, and I never imagined that childhood curiosity would grow into a full career and brand. What began behind the chair has now evolved into beauty, wellness, education, and empowerment. Read more>>
Steve Hill
I wouldn’t say it’s always been smooth, but it’s been steady and I’m grateful for that. In the early years, like most small firms, we had to earn every client one relationship at a time. There were long nights and plenty of learning moments about how to balance growth with quality. Read more>>
Brittany Realzola
My mission is to evolve with the market — and to help my clients evolve with it. When the data isn’t there, I rely on deep market intuition and years of experience to guide clients through smart, strategic decisions. People trust me with the properties they’ve owned for a lifetime because they know I’ll protect their equity and their future. I often get appraisers calling me asking me for insight. Read more>>
Andrea Alvarez
Aware that many of the challenges I have faced come from a place of privilege, the path that has shaped me has always required resilience, intention, discipline, and a constant pursuit of growth. From my early teens, I learned how to be financially responsible for myself. My time in Florence required me to be completely financially independent if I wanted to remain there. Later on, securing financial aid for college, and working internships to cover tuition, supplies, and everyday expenses. Read more>>
Tai Colon
My journey into interior design was not a straight line, but it was definitely meant to be. I have always been drawn to creating beautiful spaces. Even as a child, I was rearranging rooms, playing with color, and paying attention to how a space could make someone feel. I did not realize it then, but I was already studying design. Read more>>
Meghana Aduri
My journey began during the pandemic, when I started taking Carnatic (Indian classical) music lessons from my teacher, Mr. Rao. I quickly learned that he was blind, yet his musicianship was extraordinary. It surprised me how naturally he navigated a skill most people assume requires sight. Read more>>
Daniel White
When we first got our Rottweiler, the experience wasn’t as smooth as we’d hoped. Communication with the breeder was challenging, and the buying process lacked the clarity and care we expected. That made us promise ourselves that if we ever bred Rottweilers, we would offer every buyer a positive, enjoyable experience, ensuring they feel confident and happy with their new puppy. Read more>>
Maranda Martin
I graduated from Ogle College then immediately got a job in a salon, called Girl Talk! In the beginning I was only an hair stylist. That’ is until my best friend , who is a makeup artist , noticed how talented I was applying full face makeup! She encouraged me to take make up serious and that’ is when everything changed . Read more>>
Regena Lance
I grew up in the area and the local store known as Charlie Browns was the go to place for everything you needed. As a kid I took all my glass pop bottles in and exchanged them for money to purchase toys from the toy rack and no kid every left the store without a handful of candy from Lucille. Read more>>
Cindy Newton
My journey actually started long before fitness. I spent 21 years as a social worker, and that experience showed me just how connected mental health is to overall wellness. I saw every day how much women juggle, how heavy life can feel, and how important community and support really are. That understanding is what eventually led me into the fitness world. Read more>>
Kim Nguyen
I’ve been in the beauty industry for over 10 years, starting out with acrylic nails. But after years of working around strong chemicals, I began experiencing constant migraines. When I moved to Dallas and transitioned into a holistic day spa, everything clicked — I realized the fumes I had been inhaling were affecting my health. Read more>>
Eric Hattey
It all started with curiosity and a camera I probably couldn’t afford at the time. I’ve always been drawn to the way light and emotion interact — how one split-second can say everything about a person, a place, or a feeling. But I didn’t pursue photography seriously until much later in life. Read more>>
Bianca Yturralde.
I was introduced to acupuncture through a dear family friend who was a chiropractor. I was using chiropractic care to help heal and move through some health challenges at that time. I was amazed at how well and quickly my body responded and I started to look more into the world of acupuncture and its herbal medicine. Read more>>
Genesis Galea
My story begins in my home country, where I first trained and worked as an esthetician. From the very beginning, I knew my passion was helping people transform not only their skin, but also their confidence. Still, I dreamed of growing, expanding my knowledge, and taking my career to a higher level. Read more>>
Elvira Piskalova
I’ve always been passionate about skincare, partly because I’ve dealt with rosacea. When I finally decided to address my broken capillaries. Through my cosmetologist, I learned about methods, ingredients, and techniques that could help calm my rosacea — and that opened an entirely new world for me. Read more>>
Janet Sherlip
My journey into floral design began in one of the most inspiring places in the world—New York City. I moved into a tiny apartment in Hell’s Kitchen and spent six immersive weeks training in the Chelsea Flower District. I attended floral school, learned directly from experienced designers, and earned my New York floral license after interning at a boutique shop on the Upper East Side. Read more>>
Christian Kelley
I graduated college and went straight into a job at a beverage distributor, where I spent about two years. I loved the people I worked with, but not the job itself, and I constantly worried I’d be stuck in the industry forever. Read more>>
Abubakri Hamod Opeyemi
My journey started with curiosity, hunger, and a deep desire to create something bigger than myself. I wasn’t born into tech I grew into it. I started by experimenting with small digital projects, learning how technology, business, and human behavior connect. Over time, that curiosity turned into passion. Read more>>
Rijaa Khan
Absolutely! Here’s my story: My journey with content creation started in the most organic way back in 2021. A lot of my close friends were getting married around the same time, and I naturally found myself capturing little clips of their events and stitching them into short, heartfelt edits. Read more>>
Eyolf Woolf
I started out was a fluke to be honest. My spouse of which I was married to for five years, finally came forward with me and expressed how hard it is for him on the Internet because he doesn’t feel he can express himself truly in Foley without fear of retribution or judgment. And it broke my heart quite frankly.. Read more>>
Frances Jimenez
With immense dedication and the unwavering support of my incredible husband and family, that spark evolved into Jimenez Rentals Co. We are proudly a family-owned and operated business, deeply rooted in the vibrant community of Dallas, Texas. Every piece we offer, every service we provide, carries the imprint of our family’s commitment to quality and genuine care. Read more>>
Jim Trimble
Law is actually a second career for me. I studied political science at Texas A&M, and like many political science majors, I did not immediately end up in politics or law. My first career was in distribution. After college, I went to work for a wholesale building supply distributor. Read more>>
Justin DelRio
Fabiola and I quit our jobs and decided to start selling stone on facebook marketplace. We met each other when I was a vendor for National Pool Tile and she was an office manager at a stone yard and my customer whom i regularly dropped donuts off to. Read more>>
Yao Li
I’ve loved photography since high school—I even took a film photography elective – but I never imagined it would one day become my career. Back then, it felt more like a beloved hobby than a professional path. Read more>>
Kaitlyn Winters
I started with the passion for photography in high school. Doing film and black rooms and digital, and then including editing software like Photoshop and Lightroom. Read more>>
Maci Munro
Growing up, my mom and her side of the family had always been the creative type, while my dad and his side leaned more technical. Looking back, my favorite subject in school was art, and one of my highest grades was in math—even though I needed tutoring, once I got it, I got it. Read more>>
J Saenz
I started back in 2017 as kind of as a hobby during my college baseball days. At the time, I was only doing it for fun, until I had several people encourage me to write music and release it. In 2018 I traveled to Austin tx and recorded a 7 song project. Read more>>
Aziza Ankh
I have always wanted to be a creative person from my childhood. It started with art and travels. Read more>>
Argenis Rodriguez
I am Jose Argenis Rodriguez, the owner of Señor Brims Barbershop & Hat Studio and the creator of SB Hats. I’ve been a barber for almost 10 years, and over that time I became known as the barber who always wore a fedora. Clients, strangers, and people in the community would constantly stop me to ask about my hats and where they could buy one. Read more>>
Sariyah Wilson
From Passion to Purpose My name is Sariyah Wilson, and I was born in Denver, Colorado. I’ve called Texas home for about seven years now. From a young age, I was drawn to anything creative, art, crafting, sculpting anything that allowed me to express myself and think beyond the norm. Read more>>
Traydale .
As a 39-year-old Dallas artist with 34 years of creative experience I have built a life-shaped by relentless curiosity and artistic exploration. Beginning as a child with a passion for drawing, I grew into a multidisciplinary creative with work that spans short stories, poetry, painting, graphic design, photography, and even a brief venture into tattooing. Read more>>
Becca Wingard
What started my channeling was the passing of both my mother in law father in law. Losing both of them opened up my senses even more. I channeled my father in law a few times, but I didn’t open up more until after I became a Reiki Master. Reiki helped me calm my mind and open the doorway to so much more. Read more>>
Channelle Colbert
Nails have always been apart of me. When I was little I would go to the nail salon with my Cousin and watch her get her nails done. When I became older, I wasn’t allowed to get my nails done. My mom just didn’t trust it and I understand why so she told me if I ever wanted to get my nails done. Read more>>
Hannah Midkiff
Photography found me in high school. I had a little point-and-shoot camera and a bunch of friends who were always down to model for fun. Before long, I was the one holding the camera more than posing, and I kept practicing on friends and my younger brothers. Read more>>
Dhaisha Mitchell
Growing up crochet / arts in general was a huge part of my childhood. It was an outlet to help me express myself creativity and also help with anxiety and depression I didn’t know I had . I’ve always crocheted small items for myself , until a few online friends durning covid suggested that I should start posting and selling my work. Read more>>
Beth Patton
My career actually started far from massage therapy. I spent over 20 years as a primary school teacher, which meant long days on my feet, carrying stress in my shoulders, and doing my best to ignore the constant aches that came with the job. Like a lot of people, I tried to push through it—stretching, heat packs, muscle cream—but nothing really solved the problem. Read more>>
Jessica Jones
Founded by Jessica and Blake Bartnick in 2014, Foundation for CHOICE was born out of a passion for helping underserved students unlock their potential. As a first-generation college graduate, Blake experienced firsthand the obstacles low-income students face when trying to pursue higher education and build a successful career. Read more>>
Samuel Richmann
I moved here from out of state, and I knew I didn’t stand much of a chance breaking into a creative market as someone young, new, and without a single connection. I understood early on that skill alone wasn’t going to open any doors. Relationships would. Read more>>
Stephen Goodson
If by ‘started,’ you mean in music, then that goes back to when I was 7 years old ( I was born May 22, 1983, I’ll let y’all do the math), taking piano lessons from a crotchety old lady who was strict and ineffectual. I didn’t pick up another instrument until 5th grade, where I expressed interest in clarinet and percussion. Read more>>
Maximus Adamson
As someone who has always been interested in art, I started to gravitate towards photography as a way of self expression in school. I went to Collin College, located right next to Dallas, and was able to create personal work and dive deeper into my photographic practice. Read more>>
Ashley Kuehne
I was born and raised in Dallas and attended Episcopal School of Dallas before heading to Boston College for a Bachelor of Arts in English and Women’s studies. After graduating, I returned home and began building a career in advertising. Read more>>
Kathryn Williams
I was born and raised in Alexandria, LA. My father, William H. Wooding was employed in the air force and my mom, Catherine E. Sparks Wooding, was a stay at home mom until my parents separated. My mom was then forced to work as a maid for several years to help make ends meet. Read more>>
Brandon Nicolas
My clothing brand was originally just an afterthought of my never ending love for expressing myself in arts and fashion. Dating back to when I was even in grade school, I would have visions of what I clothes I liked to wear, and what outfit combos I liked to put together. Through that, it started to turn to me envisioning clothes beyond what I knew. Read more>>
Betsy Jones
While traveling the world with a non-profit group, I fell in love with photography. I was inspired by the singers and dancers I was traveling with, entranced by their performances and being able to capture the tiny moments that you’d miss if you’d blinked during the moment. Read more>>
Koby Spurgin
I’ve always had a passion for sports cars and talking to people. As a kid I loved playing Need For Speed on PlayStation and driving the high-end cars on those beautiful mountain, forest, desert and coastal roads. Read more>>
Sylvia Yi
Our little restaurant got its humble beginnings from a family whose stubbornness outweighs fear and grit that can sand concrete. From Korea, to Hawaii, to Texas where all three Yi sisters were born, one thing remained constant: my dad was always a fan of fried chicken in all its forms—especially my mom’s Korean fried chicken. Read more>>
Jarrett Browning
My journey to chiropractic and NetworkSpinal® began with an immense curiosity about how people heal. I wanted to gain an awareness beyond just the physical. I sensed that there must be a link with people’s emotions and energetics. Early in my career, I realized that traditional approaches to pain often overlooked one essential piece: the nervous system. Read more>>
