The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we’ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below. Check out our favorite stories from across the Voyage family.
Radicubs Robotics
In 2018, Sahil Jain and Caitlin Fukumoto founded our team as a club at Rick Reedy High School in Frisco. However, the school administration severely restricted us financially, so we established ourselves as a community team the next year. We serve as an outlet for students to explore engineering, programming, and business through the FIRST Robotics Competition. Read more>>
Girls in STEM Board
In 2015, our founder, Alice Hou, was attending junior high school when she realized the lack of representation for women wanting to pursue STEM careers. At the time, many STEM organizations were not focused on the issue of gender gaps, which Alice strove to bridge. Read more>>https://voyagedallas.com/interview/meet-girls-in-stem-board-of-girls-in-stem
William Petz
Over the last 46 years, my life has been a series of fun and interesting chapters. I grew up thinking I was going to be an artist, and even studied architecture in high school, but I eventually pivoted to computer science in college. Read more>>
Arella Fields-Collins
Career-wise, my story began as a young mother who decided to accept a dual position as a dietetic intern and graduate student at the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston. There, I also secured a neonatal nutrition fellowship at the local children’s hospital, receiving additional training in caring for infants in the intensive care unit. Read more>>
Lorena Olvera
My name is Lorena Olvera. I’m a cosmetologist and Barber Teacher of Olvera Cosmetology & Barber Academy in Farmersville Tx. I want to talk a little about me; I remember when I was little it was really impressive how people change just by doing a hair cut, make up and hair styles. Read more>>
Jaden Tolliver
My story is a bit complex — I’ve done everything from working construction to co-starring on television. Photography wasn’t always the obvious path, but it was always the thing I kept coming back to. I officially launched Jaden Tolliver Photography in 2019 as a part-time side hustle, hoping that with enough hard work and consistency, it could one day become my full-time career. Read more>>
ERICA SUTTON
Absolutely. My journey actually began in corporate America, where I worked as a customer service trainer. I loved building systems, coaching people, and creating better experiences — but after 9/11, I was laid off like so many others. It was a turning point for me. Read more>>
Cudjoe Bamfo
I’ve always had a creative eye, but growing up in Ghana, the education system naturally steered me toward the sciences. My creativity didn’t really have an outlet until college, when my roommate started a media business. Even then, I only tapped into it lightly. Everything changed when, after my undergraduate studies, I became the marketing lead for a fitness start-up in Manchester Connecticut. Read more>>
Tori Solis
Six years ago, in 2019, I decided that I wanted to become a ceramic artist. A couple weeks later, a pottery wheel for sale showed up online, and it was like divine intervention. I picked up that first wheel, and have been throwing every day since. Read more>>
DeAnna Byrd
My story has always been rooted in two things: creativity and people. I’ve been capturing stories in one form or another for over a decade — through filmmaking, design, events, and now books. Read more>>
Ryan Giniel
RXN Performance started because there is a large gap in the rehab world. I personally dealt with crippling back pain for most of my time in college and no one seemed to be able to help. I became obsessed with rehab and found a way to get back to training hard without pain. Now, that is the gap that is missing. Read more>>
Joanna Reynolds
I’ve always been a creative, I was in music and art all through high school, art in college (I would even sneak into the music rooms to play piano in between classes), etc. I was a teacher for 20 years, the last 12 of which I was the art teacher. I actually learned more about art and creativity from teaching my students. Read more>>
jonathan taylor
My path has never been a straight line, more like a creative zig-zag with good lighting. I actually got my start as a theatre director at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, which was the perfect bootcamp for storytelling, leadership, and learning how to bring big ideas to life with limited resources and a lot of passion. Read more>>
Robert Shepherd
I grow up in East Texas and was raised by a single mother of six children (after the death of my father when I was 10 years old). I was the first one of my mother’s children to graduate from high school and to go on to college. After graduating from Texas College (Tyler, Texas) with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration and a M.A. Read more>>
Suzanne Holmes
Each life challenge is an initiation and a push toward purpose. To begin my healing business, I needed to shift mentally from patient and student to practitioner and teacher. Running a business, of course, has its challenges, but each new step brings excitement and personal growth. I recently rented an office suite and moved out of my home office. This big step is equal parts challenging and exciting. Read more>>
Hector Gomez
In 2020, due to the COVID pandemic, many people weren’t taking their cars to body shops. I needed to adapt to keep my business alive, so I began offering mobile body shop services directly at customers’ homes. People quickly noticed—just like I did—that it was a more convenient and affordable option for everyone. Read more>>
Valencia Gladney
I am a founder and formulator behind Remedí Co., a Dallas-based bodycare brand dedicated to healing the skin and elevating everyday rituals through science-backed, nature-driven formulations. Many of our products were born from my own struggles with dry, sensitive skin and the challenge of finding bodycare that was effective and intentionally formulated for melanated skin. Read more>>
Noella Collins
I actually fell into this world the way most good stories start — by saying “yes” to an opportunity I probably had no business saying yes to. I began my career in corporate events, planning experiences for companies all over the world. Read more>>
Karina Zamarron
Since I was a kid, I’ve always felt deeply connected to social causes, nature, and creativity. I was the kind of child who spent hours drawing, painting, taking photos, and looking for ways to help others. That early connection to art and community shaped not only my personality but also the way I see the world today. Read more>>
Kapil Panda
My story began when I lost my grandmother to kidney failure— not because she didn’t have a donor, but because the transplant system failed her. I was in elementary school and far too young to understand anything about kidney failure and kidney’s as a whole, outside of them being some bean shaped organ in our bodies. Read more>>
Shannon Cobb
I am a life long musician singing for cover and original bands since I was 16. Ive had a couple of minor successful original bands. ‘Stompin Ground’ based out of Baton Rouge 1997-2004. One album called ‘Two Weeks’ available on all streaming platforms. And ‘Bullitt’ based out of DFW. 2006-2010. Also an EP and several more songs available to download. And one music video. Read more>>
Jon Shorterez
My wife and I launched Radical Remnant Ministries in the fall of 2017 with a mission to transform our community and surrounding areas one heart at a time. We’ve always had a passion for spiritual and mental transformation through the sharing of God’s love and message of salvation. Read more>>
Yo’el Yahudah
Music started for me in 2000 when I was 13 turning 14 in New Orleans, LA. In high school, I was a member of many groups and talent shows but my journey didn’t circulate until I turned 18. I was on my way to popular until Hurricane Katrina hit the city, causing me to relocate to Dallas, TX. Read more>>
Laiora Hadnot
My passion for hair truly started when I was pretty young, I started going to a salon to get my hair done around age 5. My Mom, Evangeline Carter, attended Mims Cosmetology School but was shortly diagnosed with fibromyalgia after being honorably discharged from the Air Force. Which didn’t give her the opportunity to finish cosmetology school. Read more>>
Trycele DeVon
I came into business as a single mom being a survivor of Domestic Violence life had pushed me to think outside of the box as far as careers go. I have school aged children so I needed to be more hands on and to be present. Read more>>
Gabriella Silvani
I knew since I was in high school I always wanted to work in beauty, I loved makeup because of the confidence it gave me and I wanted to help others with theirs, so I originallyp entered the esthetics program to do makeup but actually fell in love with waxing. Read more>>
Carol Janca
When I was 12 I thought I would like to be a hairstylist. I didn’t go to beauty school till I was 25. I moved from Haltom City to Wichita Falls right after graduating from Ogle School of Hair Design because of a boyfriend. I started working at Regis Salon at Sikes Senter Mall. Worked there 13 years. Read more>>
Tiffany Ross
My story starts with a simple belief — creativity has the power to make people feel seen. Five years ago, I launched Remarkable by Tiffany with nothing more than a small setup, a big imagination, and a commitment to bringing meaningful, personalized designs to life. Read more>>
Blake Herbst
Hello, my name is Blake and I first started cutting my own hair when I was 16 years old. I had always had an affinity towards the hair industry and once I met my wife who was also a barber we knew that one day we would own our own shop. Read more>>
Nicole Blackwell
I’ve spent more than 20 years working in education, communications, media, mentoring, and leadership, but my journey really began long before any fancy titles and positions. I’ve always been passionate about people — how they grow, how they learn, and how the right support can change the trajectory of someone’s life. Read more>>
Mari Cait
In 2002, my mom was watching The Shining on her little tube tv. I must’ve been reading a book next to her, but got very caught up in the story on her screen. I was forever changed because of Horror. The Haunt Spot itself would not exist if it weren’t for Cinemeal, our sister company. Read more>>
Derrick Miles
I spent the first major part of my career achieving success in the traditional healthcare world. I was a young, ambitious executive, eventually becoming a CEO at a specialty hospital at the age of 31 and holding high-level operational roles at major systems like Advocate Healthcare, UHS and WakeMed . Read more>>
Nate Coffin
At Rivertop Roofing, we bring Minnesota-level craftsmanship to Texas. I grew up in the roofing and construction world in Minnesota — a state with some of the strictest contractor licensing and continuing education requirements in the country. When I moved to Texas, I realized anyone could call themselves a roofer, and homeowners were paying the price for it. Read more>>
Ashley Urban
My career began in interior design, but my love for creating beautiful environments started long before I ever made it official. I’ve always been drawn to the way a space can shift someone’s mood, spark emotion, or make a moment feel unforgettable. That passion eventually led me to launch Ashley Urban Designs, where I learned how to use creativity with intention and heart. Read more>>
Rojina Thapa
“I’ve always been passionate about the beauty industry because it allows you to share confidence, positivity, and transformation with people. But when COVID hit, I had to pivot. Direct customer interaction became risky, so I shifted to remote work, completed my Master’s in Data Analytics, and eventually built a career as a project manager. Read more>>
Mckenna Lewallen
Doing something with hair was always in the picture since I was little. I’m a third generation, so I was frequently found in my grandmother’s salon, and helping out color my mom’s hair. The passion only grew as I got older but the dream and vision didn’t truly settle until I was fully behind the chair. Read more>>
Jami Pease
My story starts when I was in middle school. I had no idea what to do with my curls and was bullied to the point of tears daily. I hated my curly hair and tried to contain it as much as possible. Read more>>
Terrence Etheridge
BBQ has been a passion since I was about 15. Tried one time and was hooked on the entire process including the prep all the way to cooking/smoking of a meat. I started out just grilling small stuff like ribs, chicken, burgers and links. While doing that my interest in smoking meat, not just grilling, peaked! Read more>>
Dusty Pressley
Once I graduated hair school in 2019, I did what I was ‘supposed to do’ which was get a job assisting at a salon then move up the ranks that way. The salon I ended up at wasn’t a fit and I ended up leaving. Read more>>
Lexi Ford
I have always been interested in the inner and finer workings if business. I have an extremely analytical brain but it’s coupled with creativity and efficiency. 11 years ago I was given an opportunity to build a business from the ground up. Read more>>
Fronce Barnes
Dr. Fronce Barnes, PharmD Bio Dr. Fronce Barnes is a pharmacist, entrepreneur, and owner of Kearney Park Compounding Pharmacy in Mesquite, Texas. Born and raised in Bassfield, Mississippi, he was shaped by the challenges of growing up in a rural community with limited access to healthcare — an experience that inspired his lifelong passion for helping people through personalized medicine. Read more>>
Manuel Campos
hosted by me and my friend Devontay along with the help of our producer Jaden.. basically if you wanna laugh every week and act like you’re hanging out with your friends we got you. Read more>>
Silvia Thornton
Smooth road, I don’t know. It was hard work, but I’ve had a life doing what makes me happy and exactly what I want to . I worked with a partner painting large murals for many years. When that slowed down I switched to faux finishing. Always doing my own art. I had a couple good galleries during that time, but didn’t rely on them to pay the bills. Read more>>
Brenton B-Eazy” Barge”
I made waves as a featured guest on two of the hottest radio shows in the Southwest region: The Sun-Debut Show with DJ Steve Nice on K104fm and Street Heat with DJ Big Bink and Dallas legend, The D.O.C. on 97.9 The Beat. My breakout single “Dirty” turned heads, followed by fan favorites like “Before U See Me,” “I.H.O.P. (Strip Club Song),” and “No Feedback” from his debut album By Any Means. Read more>>
Ashleigh Hasselbusch
I recently decided to start my own company on the side (for now!) as a way to channel my true passion: bringing interior spaces to life. I’ve loved interiors for as long as I can remember. I studied design in college and worked in the field for over three years after graduating. Read more>>
Sadaf Habib
It’s funny how life unfolds, I never imagined I’d become a School Psychologist, mostly because I didn’t even know such a role existed. I started undergrad thinking I was going to be a dentist (which now feels impossible to picture, lol). Read more>>
Michelle Carranza
Our story started as sisters who shared the same dream of building something that mattered and brought change. I originally planned to go to school for fashion merchandising and buying, but life took an unexpected and exciting turn when we decided to build something of our own. What began as a small creative idea quickly became our shared passion. Read more>>
Peyton Lehrer
I have been fortunate to spend my career working for nonprofit organizations serving children and families. A college internship at Lena Pope sparked my passion for fundraising and development, and when I came home from college, I joined the team at Communities In Schools of Greater Tarrant County. When an opportunity to lead Gill Children’s Services came along, I couldn’t pass it up. Read more>>
Ne Childs
G.Hustle The Brand originally came from my first clothing Brand Gorgeous Hustle. I started my brand because I’m a single mother of 4 and I believe there’s no such thing as having too much money. I’ve always worked a 9-5 but that wasn’t enough for me and my kiddos to live a good life. Read more>>
Sarah Maverick
Absolutely — I started like so many other female photographers I know. I was a mom who wanted beautiful photos of my daughter, but as a young mother working a little-better-than-minimum-wage office job, I couldn’t afford it. So I started on an old Olympus camera. My husband bought me my first nice camera in 2011, and I never looked back. Read more>>
Ashley Lilburn
Hi! My name is Ashley Lilburn. I earned a B.S. in Psychology from TCU in 2007. I had a short but lovely stint at Lockheed Martin and then had the privilege of staying home with my children for seven years. However, my daughter was chronically ill as a young child. Read more>>
Sevin Christian
My name is Sevin Christian, a passionate motorsport driver hailing from Desoto, Texas, a town that’s synonymous with football, but for me, it became the starting point of an extraordinary journey on the racetrack. I graduated from Desoto High School in 2017, and I’m proud to have been part of the school’s first state championship football team. Read more>>
Shelli Bishop
Thank you so much for thinking of me. My name is Shelli Bishop. I graduated from Ferris State University and was an X-Ray and CT scan technologist for 15 years prior to being a hairstylist. I enjoyed my career caring for patients. I started off training as an apprentice hair stylist 11 years ago. Read more>>
Abigail Ezmerlian
I have been an esthetician for over 4 years now. When I was 19 I didn’t know where life would take me next so my mom was the one who told me to go to trade school and get my esthetician license! I started school and my main goal was the fix my skin — I had the worst acne. Read more>>
Jessica Espinoza
“Yeah, absolutely. I’m a real estate professional whose story is rooted in resilience, creativity, and a deep connection to people. A little backstory, I grew up in a very difficult environment — my family struggled financially, and eventually we lost our home. For a period of time, I didn’t have a stable place to stay. Read more>>
MacKenzie Hughes
I worked in the photo specialty channel for over 20 years. First, in Redding, CA, at Crown Camera & then in Texas, with Fort Worth Camera + The Print Refinery. I was fortunate to have the freedom to launch projects like the Fort Worth Foto Fest (later Funkytown Focus) and an ambassador program that gained industry attention. Read more>>
Elke Gilbert
I actually started my career in the medical field, but deep down I always knew I wanted to build something of my own something rooted in love, community, and food. Cooking has always been my way of showing love, and I knew one day I wanted to share that with the world. Becoming a single mom changed everything for me. Read more>>
Tierra Starks
I was born in Germany and raised as a military child, which meant my family moved almost every 18 months. Constantly adjusting to new environments, schools, and people shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand until adulthood. Being the “new girl” so often came with its own challenges academically, socially, and emotionally. Read more>>
Mirka Rodriguez
I started off 5 Years ago After my Dad passed away. Loosing My Dad Was the absolute hardest and most painful thing I had ever experienced. I was only 6 months away from walking down the aisle so everything changed in a blink of an eye for me. Read more>>
Emili Urdaneta
My story began in Venezuela, where I discovered my passion for makeup and beauty at a very young age. There, I worked at my own modeling academy, where I had the opportunity to train many girls and teenagers. It was something I deeply enjoyed, as I was born with a gift for teaching and I love sharing my knowledge. I always knew my purpose was to enhance beauty, but I never imagined how far that path would take me. Read more>>
James Burleson
My story started with my family. My father served for 26 years in the United States Air Force and eventually retired honorably. I always knew I wanted to be an Actor since I was about 5 years old. Read more>>
Denise Hall
I began painting in 2005, but my love for creating art goes all the way back to my earliest memories—I can even remember sketching pictures from my family Bible when I was five. My true passion for art ignited in December 2001 while I was pregnant with my first child and placed on bed rest for two weeks. Read more>>
Natalie Schock
I’ve always believed that home is more than a place- it’s a feeling. My journey in real estate actually started long before I ever held a license. I began in home staging + styling, helping clients create spaces that felt intentional, welcoming and lived-in. Read more>>
Blanca Barajas
As far back as I can remember growing up I’ve always been creating art. Most of the time it was drawing, painting, sculpting and even playing music. Those were the foundations of my love for art. As I continued to grow older I realized that the art I created would always bring me a sense of happiness. Read more>>
Ty Green
Hey everyone, my name is Ty Green, and I started Carrington Pickstock because of my grandad, Reginald. There was always something unique about him — the way he carried himself, the way he dressed, and how effortlessly he stood out without even trying. He had this quiet confidence and timeless sense of style that felt different from everyone else. Read more>>
De Anna Young
Before the pandemic i taught music. During the pandemic, I focused on finding creative ways to earn income and enrolled in online interior design courses. I collaborated with both local and out-of-state designers, assisting with sourcing decor and creating mood boards. This led to a permanent position with an event designer. Read more>>
Chase Bray
A Texas native, began his real estate career in 2012 as a real estate investor, eventually entering the brokerage world in 2016. As an MBA student at Texas Tech, he purchased his first rental property. This lead to his interest in the residential real estate market. He now owns several rental properties, while brokerage remains his true passion. Read more>>
Jazmin Hornbeck
I was introduced to Esthetics in early 2019 and fell in love with it. Read more>>
Raul Gonzales
It all started one weekend my community had their community yard and food sale. I rode with a buddy to a neighbors home that he spoke so highly of that was selling tacos. Let’s just say, I came home and I told my wife this area doesn’t know what a legit street taco is and that I was going to show them. Read more>>
Rebecca Miller
I founded Dry Eye & Aesthetics DFW with one mission: to create a practice 100% dedicated to helping people finally find relief from chronic dry eye. My passion for this work comes from my own journey—I’ve struggled with dry eye for over 15 years. I know firsthand how exhausting the burning, tearing, blurriness, and daily discomfort can be. Read more>>
Skye Day
I first got interested in cameras after starting my podcast. I’ve always loved hearing other people’s stories, so I set out to capture that same honesty on film, not just audio. Read more>>
Alex Hernandez
I first got into photography and video while doing a summer job at an events hall in Mexico as a teenager. I was instantly hooked by everything audiovisual. When I moved to the United States I was able to learn more and train professionally what started as a hobby is now my business. Read more>>
Debra OBanion
My story starts during the most difficult time of my life. My son was critically ill and on life support. He spent six months in the hospital, followed by four more months in outpatient rehab. His survival is considered a miracle in the medical world. Living through that changes you. Read more>>
PG Brown
Absolutely — my story starts in New Orleans. Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up singing in middle school and high school choirs, doing competitions, and realizing early that performing was where I felt the most myself. After graduating high school, I took that passion into college, majoring in Musical Theatre at KD Conservatory. Read more>>
Mohammad ‘Talal’ Shaikh
My story didn’t start with repairing devices — it started with business. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by how companies operate, how brands grow, and how people turn ideas into something real. I’ve always wanted to build something of my own, something I could scale, optimize, and take full ownership of. Read more>>
Monte Barlo
All right, so here’s the story the way I’d tell it. Gotta give credit to my folks off rip. They both had an ear and a genuine love for music; Always had good s*** playing in the house whether it was MJ, Sade, Celine Dion, Marvin Gaye…. I could keep going. With that said, around age 10 or 11, they slid me a Casio & a Fender one Christmas. Never asked for ’em, and never knew it’d have the influence on me that it did. It was over after that, you couldn’t keep me off of ‘em. Read more>>
Andrew Oliver
My story started since I was young sitting on a surfboard waiting for waves staring out at the horizon this is where I learned meditation without ever being taught. I didn’t know that it was meditation until later I got into my deeper practices in 2012. In 2016 I opened up a studio before I even became certified with a friend of mine who was. Read more>>
Jasmine Xavier
I began my journey as a music educator through my own artistic path, shaped by my love for music, my aspirations to become a professional singer, and my desire to give back to the community. Teaching students to sing and play piano is one of the greatest joys in my life. Read more>>
Dusty Walker
I’m Dusty Walker, the owner of Walker’s Crazy Lil Farm in Mineral Wells, Texas a place that started with one bottle baby and has grown into a community of animals, families, and unforgettable experiences. My journey into the farm world wasn’t something I planned on paper. It began with a simple love for animals and a passion for creating joy for kids and families. Read more>>
Johana Jimenez
Johana Jimenez, M.Ed., LPC, NCC. At The Phoenix in Every Human Being. My journey into mental health began long before I ever sat across from a client. Since childhood, I felt a deep responsibility to protect others, advocate for them, and help restore what had been harmed. Read more>>
Alexandra Garza
Interviewee: Alexandra Garza, Ignacio Garza, Ricardo ‘Rick’ Sanchez and Sylvia Sanchez. Alexandra: LFG Academy was born out of equal parts vision and necessity. As parents and professionals, we saw firsthand that the traditional education model wasn’t preparing kids for the rapidly changing world — a world where AI, entrepreneurship, and adaptability matter just as much as academics. Read more>>
Dr. Angela Stiff
Every year without fail, one of my students would bring me a box of assorted chocolates. It usually occurred around one of the holidays or during Teacher Appreciation Week. My reaction was always the same. I love chocolate, so I would dive head first. Each piece was perfectly put together on the outside, encased in a decadent, smooth shell. Read more>>
Maurizio Schaltegger
I never wanted to live a life that felt routine. I saw too many people spending decades in jobs they didn’t love, just waiting for the weekend to feel alive. That was never going to be me. At least not anymore. I wanted ownership of my time, my direction, and my ceiling. Read more>>
Solara
I started out singing in kids choir actually. It was so funny because I was always so nervous it was insane. I had started getting into it seriously in my freshman year of high school, where I was in an unnamed band with some upper class men. Read more>>
Federico Resendiz
My journey into preventive and wellness care began in my early twenties while working on a cardiac hospital floor. During that time, I witnessed firsthand how many of the health complications my patients faced could have been prevented through mindful lifestyle choices such as regular movement, balanced nutrition, and consistent self-care. Read more>>
Chelsea Asante
My journey started long before I opened the doors of Orchid Wellness. I was born and raised in Ghana, and moved to the United States when I was 17. I originally began my career in Human Resources after earning a BSBA in Marketing and HR from the University at Buffalo. Read more>>
Alfonso Apodaca III
My story begins long before I ever called myself an artist…back when I was a kid mesmerized by the way light danced across ordinary things, revealing their hidden drama. Over time, that quiet fascination grew into an unshakeable pull toward creation. I sharpened my eye, trained my hands, and learned to trust the heat of inspiration when it hits. Read more>>
Mary Celeste
It all started with *want* — I really wanted a charcuterie board, but when I saw the price, I nearly dropped my wine glass! So I thought, “Why not make one myself?” That first DIY board was for me — no frills, just cheese, meat, pickles and crackers served with pride. Read more>>
Jennifer Jones
When my youngest started school, I suddenly had a little more room in my days, and I wanted to put that time into something meaningful. I’ve always loved tea, and I noticed our area didn’t have many artisan options. So I started small—researching, learning, and partnering with a blender who could help me create quality teas. Read more>>
Kendra Wiggins
The Rosie Orchard came about very organically. It’s not something I necessarily planned out or had any sort of business plan for. I moved to Midlothian when I got married in 2015. I was a recent MFA grad and was pursuing my art career. Landing in town that did not have an art community felt isolating in a lot of ways. Read more>>
Monique Rucker
I started Mon’Ami Sweets from my little kitchen in Melissa, Texas, but the heart of this bakery was born long before I ever sold a single cake. Baking became my safe space during some of the hardest seasons of my life. Read more>>
Lauren Titsworth
I always knew I wanted to help people, but I didn’t know what that would look like when I was younger. I spent time exploring what I wanted to be when I grew up and eventually realized that working in mental health and substance use would be the ideal path for me. Read more>>
Melissa Stephen
I began working with Carson’s Village 3 years ago. After hearing about the organization and a position with them, I was really moved by the opportunity to work with bereaved families. I was hired on as an Office Manager and that role has evolved into the position I am in today, which is Operations Support Manager and Continuing Support Coordinator. Read more>>
KelliAnne Pratt
My photography story is really just a journey of a simple curiosity turning into a passion I’ve loved for over 15 years. I started exploring photography around age 10, messing around with my dad’s camera and convincing my friends to do little “photoshoots” with me. Read more>>
Sacred Doula Collective
We were both called to this work long before our paths ever crossed. As mothers, our own birth experiences—beautiful, challenging, unforgettable—shaped the way we see the world. Birth has a way of leaving its mark on you, and each of us carried stories that were impossible to forget. People process those stories differently. Read more>>
Evan Barnes
I’ve been around music for as long as I can remember. I would harmonize with my mom in the car as a kid, play the guitar on Rockband 2 for the Wii, and sing in choir all through HS. Read more>>
Sushma Malhotra
I had always been a community service-oriented person and had seen my parents helping the people in need. I am not sure how and when it all started as I was always involved in different group activities. My personal journey started when I had a difficult marriage and stayed in the relationship for my two kids and finally left for the sake of my kids. Read more>>
Canden Porter
My journey has honestly been anything but traditional. Before I ever picked up a pair of clippers, I spent almost ten years in the Air Force as a firefighter. I served in South Korea and Alabama. Those years taught me discipline, service, and how to stay calm in situations most people never see. Read more>>
Dan Hall
Where I am today is very different from where I started back in 2013. Today, I work fully for myself as a Yoga Instructor and Energy Work Practitioner. My focus is to support others in their physical, mental/emotional and energetic well-being. I moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area back in July 2013. Read more>>
Robbyn Rivera
In 2019 I found myself coming out of my 15-year marriage with little to call my own. I had a part time job paying $11 an hour and 3 kids to now provide for. It was time to get busy. Read more>>
Marina Escobedo
My name is Marina Escobedo, from M.E. Photography, founder and creative director I’,m a Latina photographer based in Dallas-Ft Worth. My journey as a photographer began in 2019 when I started working with Abaunzas Photography. That experience taught me so much about the world of quinceañeras and weddings, and it’s really where I discovered my passion for capturing life’s most meaningful moments. Read more>>
Robin Dunivan
Good Company Coffee Creates a Community Hub Amid a Culture of Screens and Solitude In a time when daily life is increasingly dominated by screens, isolation, and remote work, Good Company Coffee was founded with a simple but powerful mission: to restore genuine human connection. “I was working from home and rarely getting out,” says the founder of Good Company Coffee. Read more>>
cami goff
I’ve been in the modeling game since I was nineteen, starting out with Linda Ngo and moving on to crush multiple fashion shows. It’s been an incredible ride, and I’m finishing this year strong come check me out at my next show on December 7th! Lately, I’ve been channeling that energy into acting. Read more>>
Ben Jensen
In college I found a strong desire to invest in real estate and become an entrepreneur. This journey started by doing a door to door sales job in the summer my junior year of college. A mentor of mine and big real estate investor recruited me to sell security systems in an all commission role. Read more>>
Nicole Webb
My story really started with a simple desire to capture the moments that mattered most to me and my family as we healed from the loss of my husband about 6 years ago. During this healing journey I created a bucket list and started capturing my adventures. Read more>>
Dee Dee Burington
I was always active as child, and that carried over into my young adult years. I was involved in competitive sports like gymnastics and track and field. I was also actively involved in the dance and theatre arts. My parents put me in everything! I remember even trying diving, but I hated always being wet and going in the water head first. Read more>>
Leecy Chiles
I built my career in healthcare marketing long before I realized it would become the foundation for my own business. I spent nearly a decade directing marketing within a Fortune 100 healthcare company. This is where I learned how real growth happens when you understand the full patient journey and build marketing that reflects how people make decisions about their health. Read more>>
Mylee Flores
I’ve always had a passion for the beauty industry since I was a little girl. I would ask my mom for the Barbie head for my birthday and always bug her to paint her nails and do her makeup. Read more>>
Kristy Johnson, LPC
I’ve always known I wanted to be a therapist. Growing up, I was basically the vault keeper of secrets for lots of my friends. I also was non-judgmental, inquisitive, and fascinated by other people’s life stories. Throughout the years, I’ve maintained those traits and have gained trust with clients as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Read more>>
Ann Skaehill
My medical journey and quilting journey go hand-in-hand. In 2010 I began to experience muscle, dexterity, and autoimmune issues that deteriorated to the point of me having to step down from my position on staff at a local church. For a period of time I was just about bedridden and relied on my family to care for all of our household needs. Read more>>
Sanskrithi, Diya Kokkonda, Srinivasan
CapitalLink really started in a classroom. We both applied to the Young Entrepreneurs Academy in Frisco, a nine-month program that helps school students turn an idea into an actual business. After several rounds of interviews and pitches, the top twelve ideas were chosen to move forward, and both of ours made the cut. Read more>>
Brittany Doweidt
Growing up I always knew I wanted to help people, but I was unsure where exactly I wanted to be. I received my first degree from Tarelton State University in 2016 in Biomedical Science. Read more>>
Nicci Benavides
Hey there! We are Benny and Sons, a family-owned custom furniture and upholstery business since 1994. Our founding father ‘Benny’ started crafting furniture in the mid 90s with little more than a small space and a vision. In 2015 His son Luis took over the reins, rebranding and revamping as Benny and Sons. Read more>>
