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.
Tu Epicc
“My story really began out of necessity. I was a full-time college student from an immigrant household, so supporting myself wasn’t optional — it was simply reality. I needed something flexible, something that paid quickly, and something I could balance with my coursework. That’s how I stumbled into this line of work. At first, it was just a way to cover tuition. Read more>>
Digi Thorne
I emerged from the shadows in 2020. Remember that thing that happened then? Yeah, so I was in a couple bands at the time but we were told not to hang out and jam, so I sealed myself away and figured, hey, I have all of these drum machines, samplers, and synthesizers… Why don’t I just make my own thing? I was going insane. Read more>>
Joevince CapoCapitan Canizares
Its been quite the journey coming into just my 6th year in Migrating to the United States. To settle as a local in West Los Angeles area and make my nesting ground for things to come. Moved out here mid year of 2019 just before the Pandemic and everything in between till the most recently wildfires together with rain fall in LA. Read more>>
Kemar Jewel
I have always been into theatre, art, and the Ballroom scene. Those are the only places that ever made me feel like I could be my unapologetic self. When I was in undergrad, I created a video called VOGUING TRAIN as a project for school, and my mentors and professors encouraged me to put it online. Read more>>
gregg montgomery
It wasn’t till after he passed the the idea fully sparked of me pursuing barbering , it started feeling as though he knew something about me i didn’t know and he wanted to be sure i got it before he went on to glory. Read more>>
Monique Daniels
If you would’ve told me years ago that I’d be a full-time real estate agent serving families and communities across North Texas, I probably would have laughed and said, “Maybe one day.” Real estate has always been an interest of mine, but the path here wasn’t straight, obvious, or easy. Read more>>
Dahlia and Jonathan Bermudez
It all began with one sofa. In 2021, I moved from McKinney to Fort Worth as a single woman, excited for a fresh start. Weekends became my time to explore estate sales and antique malls, searching for pieces to furnish my postmodern home. I’ve always been drawn to mid-century modern design—the sleek structure, the clean lines, the effortless elegance. Read more>>
Sean Furey
In my previous life, I was a tax accountant. After my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, we decided that accounting wasn’t how I wanted to spend my time. So I decided to pursue my passion for writing and filmmaking by enrolling in UNT’s Media Arts program. Read more>>
Rachel Kingsley
I’ve always had a mixtape brain. Music discovery has been one of my favorite hobbies for as long as I can remember. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve connected life to sound — I’m the person with a song for every situation. Growing up, I swore I’d be a radio DJ, but life rerouted me into a corporate path instead. Read more>>
Shamail Qureshi
I started photography when I was around 17 years old. My senior year around march 2019 of HighSchool, my uncle was someone in the creative space and he had used a camera (which had later become my first camera that started me on my journey). Read more>>
Ivan Alex
Started as a survival job, Then I loved the game so much that the game loved me back. And the game is women modesty wears, hired by my brother as a delivery boy during the holy month of Ramadan back in 2020. Read more>>
kalyn Scott
After getting out of the military in 2016 I cam back home with skin issues and took it upon myself to try to find a dermatologist in dallas. while searching I came across esthetics school. Read more>>
Alex Cochran
Wild Child Photography was born shortly after my own son came into the world. After taking photos of him in a bluebonnet field on a sunny Texas spring day, I knew I wanted to capture the beauty of other little ones and their families. Since then, I’ve helped families curate memories of their babies and loved ones through photography. Read more>>
Kidd Kaze
I am a full time artist / social media influencer, so I mostly focus on putting out very high quality content of me promoting my music & dances so that I could continue to receive the backend from everything. What I am most proud of is I can be my authentic self & everything I do is authentic & for my loved ones & myself & im very determined that I can do anything I put my mind to. My demeanor & swagg is untouchable Read more>>
Yessana Oropeza
My Story Among Flowers I am a Latina woman, proudly Venezuelan, whose life has always been intertwined with nature. Since I was a little girl, the trips to the countryside with my family marked my heart: the vibrant colors of the mountains, the fresh air, and the vastness of the landscape awakened a special sensitivity in me. Read more>>
Jessica Paris
As the founder of Narrative PhotoTherapy, I created a method that blends guided storytelling, reflective dialogue, and portraiture to help individuals process life transitions, grief, and identity shifts. It’s designed to move beyond traditional photography by offering a structured, therapeutic experience that allows clients to see themselves with clarity, compassion, and power. Read more>>
Terrorize The Neighborhood
We started as two community college friends with a shared love of the same music. Not long after covering songs together, we started gigging around Carrollton and Farmers Branch, slowly writing original music on the side. Now we play all over North Texas and are recording our own music! Read more>>
Nelly Hill Aristizabal
Piamonte coffee was born in October 2023, as a continuation of my father’s lifelong passion and the legacy of three generations dedicated to coffee. Growing up and walking with my dad at the coffee farm, I learned that coffee is not just a crop; it’s a story of family, hard work, and faith. Read more>>
Crystal Manning
My journey began at six years old when my mother placed me in a play portraying Tina Turner, and soon after into modeling because of my height. By the time I reached high school, I was determined to follow in the athletic footsteps of my brothers. Read more>>
Steve Torres
Hospitality has always been in my blood and my life. At an early age, visiting my mother at her job at a hotel started my interest in the hospitality industry. This lead me to actually move into working in hotels covering many roles from front desk, reservations and finally moving into sales where I truly found my calling. Read more>>
Douglas ‘DOUGH’ Jackson
I began my entrepreneurial journey during my freshman year of college—a time when I was learning how to navigate adulthood and generate income beyond a bi-weekly paycheck. Read more>>
Deron Coleman
My professional journey began in uniform. I spent eleven years in law enforcement, starting in 2013 in my hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I worked briefly for Milwaukee County before joining the Milwaukee Police Department, and in 2019, I made a major move to Texas to continue my career with the Dallas Police Department. Being a police officer was exciting and rewarding. Read more>>
Carla Lankford
Global Girl Voyagers officially became a 501(c)(3) in 2020, but the heart of this work began long before then. My passion for supporting young women was shaped by two life-changing moments. The first happened when I was in college. A young woman on campus—just 18 years old and eight months pregnant—tragically ended her life because she believed her worth was tied to a relationship. Read more>>
Forest Lane Pediatrics
Forest Lane Pediatrics began more than 24 years ago with a simple but powerful mission: to provide children and their families with compassionate, evidence-based medical care delivered by board-certified pediatricians who truly understand the community they serve. What started as a small physician-owned and physician-managed practice has grown into a trusted, multi-location pediatric medical home serving families across Dallas, Mesquite, and Frisco. Read more>>
Allyson Murden
My story has never been one dimensional— it’s been a series of callings that I didn’t always recognize as purpose until much later. I began my professional life in healthcare working in Pediatrics, labor and delivery, and the mother baby units. I fully expected to become a nurse practitioner but birth work found me long before I realized it was my lane. Read more>>
Ashley Asberry
I became a nurse to save people. I didn’t expect it would require losing myself. At first, I was proud and hopeful. But the years piled up. The sixteenth hour shifts, the grief you never have time to process, the holidays spent in fluorescent light. Read more>>
Tanner Scott
I graduated from the Univerity of North Texas in 2011. Did I use my degree? In a professional capacity, not one time. I kind of fell into the automotiveIn industry after graduation. In 2019, after about a decade in sales, it was time to move on, to move forward. Towards where? Read more>>
James Mathis
I came home about 2 yrs and a few month ago and move to Dallas. I was new to the town and saw nothing but room to grow and new and better opportunites to look ahead towards. I started to network with like minded individuals and the city of Dallas started to embrace me slowly but surely. Read more>>
Destinie Martin
I always knew I wanted to have my own business. For years I thought it would be in the beauty industry, and I imagined myself owning a hair salon. When that didn’t work out, I stepped away from beauty altogether. I still felt entrepreneurship in me, but I didn’t know where it would come from or what direction it would take. Read more>>
Rick Bennett
Rick Bennett, a.k.a. DJ Silver Spinner, began as a professional Disc Jockey in the early 1980s, first spinning as a local DJ in Brooklyn, New York, offering custom mix tapes. With a fast growing reputation, he was soon spinning for crowds at public and private events throughout the New York City area. Read more>>
Nick Gharivand
A few years ago, I watched people close to me go through unexpected layoffs, and it opened my eyes. I realized how quickly a family’s stability could disappear when you’re relying on someone else’s company for your income. That moment lit a fire in me. Read more>>
baron farha
I remember standing in front of an old piece of furniture, imagining what it could be. Most people saw “dated.” I saw potential, a silhouette wanting a second life. That’s where it began — the idea that I could build something of my own. Read more>>
Elda Rata
My path to Acquario reflects much of my life’s journey intentional, relationship-driven, and rooted in service. I come from a legal background and spent years building a career while managing complex responsibilities, which taught me discipline, problem-solving, and leadership. In 2019, I met my husband, Nino, whose dream was always to return to Keller and open a high-quality Italian restaurant in Keller. Read more>>
Rita Stevens
My name is Rita Stevens, Author of Unexpected Patterns of Purpose, Transformational Speaker, and Founder of Silent Voyces. My youngest son suffered from a traumatic brain injury and induced glaucoma leaving him with cerebral palsy and visual impairments. We struggled for years and continue to understand the daily commitment it takes to care for a child with special needs. Read more>>
Demi Brydie
My journey in the beauty industry began about six years ago when I trained as a full-body waxer. I quickly fell in love with the confidence-building side of the work the way people walk out feeling lighter, empowered, and more connected to themselves. Read more>>
Nel Dorn Byrd
I am very competitive & enter national watercolor competitions – it has been a struggle to earn my signature in various organizations. I entered American Watercolor Society for so many years before I was accepted & finally earned my signature status in 2004. I attended the reception & opening in New York City & received a cash award on my painting, Viewing Versailles. It is one of my top achievements. It was also thrilling to earn signature status in National Watercolor Society, Watercolor USA, and several others. Read more>>
Candisha Smith- Brown
A major turning point for me was the loss of my Nana. She was one of the greatest influences in my life, always encouraging me and my siblings to get an education, follow our gifts, and become strong, independent women. Losing her shook me, but it also opened my eyes. It pushed me to step into a path that brought joy and purpose. Pursuing cosmetology was my way of honoring her and becoming the woman she always saw in me. Read more>>
Daelan Jefferson
I am a musician and producer. I play multiple instruments: piano,guitar, bass and I compose, produced, mix and master tracks. I cover a multitude of genres such as hip hop, rnb, edm, pop, rock I am most proud of the possibilities and networks I’ve managed to open up for myself as a once timid/shy personality. Read more>>
Didi Nduka
For the last 5 years, I immersed myself in the shop-local community, vending at events, attending markets, and connecting with other small business owners. Through conversations with fellow founders, one gap became clear: while pop-ups and parties offered exposure, many emerging brands still felt overlooked. There simply weren’t enough spaces that centered them, and as a founder of a growing brand myself, I could relate to wanting more visibility. Read more>>
Lyric Bae
I started writing songs and teaching myself piano at age 12. I experimented with my voice, began classical vocal training, and slowly started developing discipline. It wasn’t glamorous — a lot of late nights after school, practicing until dinner, studying song structure, learning music theory, and building the mental and physical stamina needed to perform. The more I trained and pushed myself to compete and step outside my comfort zone, the more confident I became. Read more>>
Niki Calabrese
Our no-cost, family-friendly, all-ages, -abilities, & -levels group has become an uplifting & addictive hobby to the majority of our members and we all find immense pride in being part of such a positive & inclusive
group that exists solely to bring smiles to the faces around us. Our group is made up of and run entirely by volunteers, so everyone is here for only one thing–fun & enjoyment! Read more>>
Maddox Macy
I dream of my clients having jobs in their communities, living and actively participating in them. I believe everyone has something to contribute to the community. Hiding away people who are different is not the correct answer. In Native American culture, the Inuit believed that disabilities, such as autism, were special and that the person had a unique connection to the world. It was seen as valuable. We are all valuable. Read more>>
Ric Maddox
Playhouse West was founded in 1981 by Jeff Goldblum and Robert Carnegie in Los Angeles with a small group of students led by Mr. Meisner himself. Many of the students have gone on to great careers such as: Mark Pelligrino, James Franco, Scott Caan and so on. My story begins in 2009 with my journey with Playhouse West. Read more>>
Susy Luna
Ever since I was little, I’ve always been interested in the world of beauty. But I hadn’t had the opportunity to study it formally, and it wasn’t until 2019 that I started getting certifications in makeup, hairstyling and eyelash extensions. Then I started perfecting my makeup and hairstyles. People liked it and started hiring me for events. Read more>>
Tara Walker-Joseph
I started my career in the behavioral health and autism therapy field right after I graduated from Southern University, where I spent more than a decade serving families, leading teams, and helping children thrive. That work taught me patience, empathy, and how to guide people through important decisions with clarity and compassion. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, my world shifted. Read more>>
Dani Cee Tworek
A little over one year ago, I was sitting in a training workshop at work, when I was asked the questions, ‘Who are you? And what are you doing here?’ The questions sound rather benign, like something one might ask an intruder. The truth is I was an intruder. I was inhabiting this body and it was controlling my mind. Read more>>
Allison Cleary
Well, I guess I should start from the beginning. I graduated with both my Bachelor’s and Master of Science degrees from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, TX. I suppose at that point I could have called it quits and worked just as a nutritionist, but I knew I wanted more from my career, so I pursued the Registered Dietitian (RD) credentials. Read more>>
Edgar Castillo
It all randomly started. I was working out pretty hard at the time and was liking the gym scene. I Didn’t think much of it, i just started buying machines without even having a location yet. I had a storage and would put the machines there while i looked for a place. Read more>>
Deavian Hulitt
My turning point came when my husband’s best friend asked for help with his wedding. Week by week, I walked them through decisions, details, and timelines, eventually coordinating the entire day. That experience reminded me how overwhelmed I felt on my own wedding day—trying to handle everything instead of soaking in the moment and enjoying the experience. I knew from that moment I wanted to offer brides something different: the chance to actually enjoy their big day while someone they trusted handled the rest. Read more>>
Julie Wende
In 1972 I got a job as an ink and cell painter at Filmation Animation Studios in Northridge, CA. That was the start of my lifelong involvement in art. A delightful detour from the line of paper and ink illustrations I began doing, was learning photography while working at a photo gallery. I still love photography and I’m sure my work shows it. Read more>>
Larry Enmon
I retired from the U.S. Secret Service, where I acted as liaison between the USSS and FBI, working in the Joint Terrorism Task Force. I received training from the CIA in the investigation and production of weapons of mass destruction. After retirement, I wanted to try my hand at writing, so I wrote my debut novel, The Burial Place. Read more>>
Geoff Harold
My family has always been part of the entertainment industry. From talent shows to plays. Acting to music production. My grandfather on my dad’s side was a Congo drummer & my mom’s father owned a few liquor stores & would take care of the blues singers performing that night. I was raised in it lol. Read more>>
Kylie Nash
When I was younger, sixteen, I got grounded. Only thing I could do was paint, so my mom took me to the art store to get art supplies. That’s when I found out painting wasn’t just a hobby for me, but a way to express what I couldn’t say in words. Read more>>
Leila McGlothen
I started baking with my nana when I was just 12 years old. I came to realize that baking was my passion because when I began baking, all my problems would seem to disappear. I’ve been wanting to start my own business for a while, so I decided to open my own at-home bakery. Read more>>
Brooke Romere
At the time of my own wedding all I had was a solid checklist, a tiny college-grad budget, and a dream of hosting a night our people would talk about for years, and we pulled off the best party ever. Unsure of where my professional career was headed after COVID, I decided to try something different and assist a local wedding planner. Read more>>
Scott Dalrymple
I studied business in college and was always on the look out for a business to buy. I have an ophthalmic background so I bought an optical shop about 12 years ago. The broker I worked with had Atomic Candy come up for sale. Read more>>
Stephen Dunn
My pen name is Stephen Daingerfield Dunn. I discovered my love of writing about 8 years ago, and since then I have authored close to 4,000 poems, and have published twelve books of poetry, including several illustrated children’s books, and a book about dogs, which I am currently in the process of marketing. Read more>>
Scott Lathrop
Absolutely. My journey has been anything but traditional, and I believe that’s what makes it powerful. I grew up with a competitive spirit that eventually took me to Division I athletics, where discipline and leadership on the Football field became part of my DNA. Read more>>
Ashley Lambert
Big Time Hoops was founded in 2011 in the Washington, D.C.–Maryland–Virginia (DMV) region, starting as a single local showcase built to elevate youth basketball exposure. What began as a grassroots idea quickly transformed into a movement. Coaches, parents, and athletes gravitated toward the brand’s professionalism, competitive structure, and energy — and Big Time Hoops rapidly outgrew its hometown roots. Read more>>
Dawna-Diamond Brothers
“Absolutely. Before anything else, I always start with this because it is a big part of who I am. I am adopted, and I am proud of that. I say it often, but I am finally at a place where I can talk about it in a deeper way. Being adopted shaped how I see family, responsibility, and opportunity. Read more>>
Linda Wade
Linda Wade has been actively involved in many forms of art since 1989 as an artist painting in oil on stretch canvas, having some of her work shown at places such as Firstar Bank, Waupun First Gallery, Channel 10/36 Auction, & a host of private showings. Read more>>
Airy Choi
My name is Airy Choi, and I’m the owner and general dentist of Airy’s Family Dentistry in Keller, Texas. Opening my practice on March 14, 2024 was the realization of a dream that started long before I ever held a dental handpiece — a vision of creating a space where patients feel safe, heard, and genuinely cared for. Read more>>
Maxwell Rasor
I’ve been sculpting as long as I can remember. My father was a wire sculptor and an art teacher, and I grew up in a house filled with artwork. My mother was a hairdresser and a sculptor in her own way. I’ve spent the better part of my life carrying around wire and pliers and making things I see or things I like. Read more>>
Tre Nagella
I started having a serious interest in music in middle school and began to learn guitar. By high school, I was consumed with music, playing in a garage band, running live sound for my high school musicals, orchestra and choir shows, working at a music store, and interning at a local recording studio. Read more>>
Carson Childress
Richardson Adult Literacy Center (RALC) was founded in 1990 by the Junior League of Richardson, Altrusa International, Richardson Public Library, and local residents to provide free ESL and literacy services for Richardson’s growing diverse population. The goal was to address gaps in adult English language services impacting employment, community engagement, and children’s education. Read more>>
Kathleen Mann
Hello there! I grew up in Hurst with a love of all things Disney, Harry Potter, and Star Wars and I never outgrew it. I participated in the Disney College Program at Walt Disney World and my love for Disney grew exponentially, but so did my longing for home. Read more>>
Mollie Jones
For the last 50 years I have been a working artist. I started my journey honestly because my family needed money. For the next 28 years I successfully traveled and sold my pen&ink paintings all over the US. I got my children out of college (paid for by my art) and stopped traveling. Read more>>
Kenyatta Black
I didn’t set out to be a therapist or a business owner. I set out to make rent. Right after college, I landed my first corporate job as a contractor inside Verizon during the GTE + Bell Atlantic merger, translation: layoffs on repeat. Read more>>
Big Lando
I was always a creative soul with aspirations to impact others to give them a certain energy to connect to and a Brand that they can relate to that doesn’t feel like they’re just getting sold something. Read more>>
Tania Molina
TLBSnapshots started as a simple love for capturing real, raw moments. What began as taking photos for family and friends slowly grew into something much bigger. Over time, I realized how much joy it brought me to freeze memories people could hold onto forever. Read more>>
Florentino M
I’ve done art my whole life, started with pencil and moved my way to pastels. It wasn’t until I was about 20yrs old that I started using oils and acrylics. At first it was always just a hobby, but it turned into a career unexpectedly. 16 years later here I am living off my art. Read more>>
Maria Munoz
My entrepreneurship started in 2012. With the grace of God and my clients, Lifestyle Advocates, LLC has flourished into something beyond what I could have imagined. What started as a passion for helping others through personal training now offers a variety of services through my two DBAs Studio XXII and Subtle Designs by Saidy. Read more>>
Krysten Griggs
A Chicago native, the eldest of nine children, and a recent transplant to the DFW metroplex, I am often asked to share my story—and my first thought is always, Where do I begin? When I reflect on my journey, I am filled with gratitude for the adversity that shaped me into the tenacious, fierce, and unstoppable woman I am today. Read more>>
Jeanine Johnson
Providing decorative and wearable art. j9sTyle&Co. was created in 2010 by artist Jeanine Johnson Jeanine Johnson (aka JJ) had an interest in art at a very early age, pursuing it from middle school through college. After getting married and raising a family, however, art was put on the back burner. Read more>>
SimplyCiandBre
Ci;We started our YouTube channel because we wanted to share our everyday lives and the fun, close-knit sister dynamic that really represents who we are. At first, we posted vlogs, but we realized we could grow faster by expanding to TikTok. Our dancing videos started gaining traction, and since we’re big Dallas Cowboys fans, we used that to connect with a wider audience. Read more>>
Liran Friedman
Thank you to Voyage Magazine and to everyone reading. We’re grateful for the chance to share our journey – and if you enjoy this even half as much as we enjoy what we do at Malka, then this interview already served its purpose! Read more>>
Decorian Wofford Dadrian Mallard
We both meet in elementary school. We actually hated each other at first but the more we started hanging out and getting to know each other we been brothers since Read more>>
Brittany Ellis-Kennedy
My journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t something I planned — it was something I felt called to do. With over 15 years of experience in human resources and business management, I constantly found myself face-to-face with the realities of unemployment in underserved communities. Read more>>
Samya Jackson
Fashion has been a part of my life since childhood, shaped by a culturally rich home and a mother who poured time into my wardrobe and hair. Influenced by the style and versatility of artists like Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z, and Kanye West—and inspired by iconic on-screen fashion from Raven-Symoné, Vivica A. Read more>>
Sammy Kidd
Well, I had written a few songs that I was excited about and found an old friend to fill in on drums. So it started as a kind of 2 piece. Guitar/vocals & drums. We signed up for an open mic night that was popular at the time in downtown FW. Read more>>
Jessica Ashley
My name is Jessica Ashley, and I serve as Head of School at Guidepost Montessori at Hurst, where I lead our campus alongside our Assistant Head of School, Samantha (“Sammi”) Peek. I joined Guidepost in October 2022 and helped open our Hurst campus the following month. I’ve spent 22 years in Early Childhood Education—it’s truly my life’s work. I always knew I’d be an educator. Read more>>
LaSteshia Ekeocha
In 2018, while pursuing our own doctoral journeys at Texas Woman’s University, a nursing student approached us, captivated by the sight of five women of color striving for excellence in nursing. During our lunch break, we discussed both the challenges and triumphs that come with our pursuits. Read more>>
Quincy L Johnson
I can truly say that I’ve been interested in fashion and style since I was a little kid. I feel like I have always had an eye for patterns and the details of clothing. I remember as a young boy getting in the car with my grandmother, mom and aunt early every Saturday morning to go shopping. Every Saturday. Read more>>
Sarah Lee
My story began long before I ever imagined becoming a Certified Eating Disorder Recovery Coach. I spent the early part, almost two decades, of my career in the corporate financial services world, all while secretly struggling throughout my 20s with bulimia. On the outside I seemed to be overachieving and climbing a corporate ladder, but behind closed doors I was struggling mentally and emotionally. Read more>>
Kaitlynn Gutierrez
When I was younger, I always knew that I was created for more. I grew up in a small town in West Texas called Lubbock. Read more>>
Tamara Taylor McDougal
I am the youngest of nine children, born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in the South, mostly in Arkansas. Out of the nine of us, four were my mother’s children, and my other five siblings were from my father’s earlier marriage. My father passed away when I was two years old, so my mother raised the four of us on her own. Read more>>
Lucas Tyler Polk
I’m a graphic designer whose creative journey began in high school, where I first discovered a natural talent for visual storytelling. I carried that passion with me to the University of Washington, earning a degree in Computer Science. But after graduating, I realized that my true calling wasn’t in code, it was in design. Read more>>
Anna Vickers
I have been a makeup artist for over 10 years and during 2020 I had lost all of my clients due to covid 19 shutdowns and my husband, being the entrepreneur that he is, suggested that I look into making my own cosmetics! I had all the free time to figure it out! I started with false lashes and then it grew from there! Read more>>
Colton Ryan Armstrong
At the age of 13, I began playing bass guitar for a local band until the band eventually broke up. Not long after the band broke up, I wrote my first song, ‘Talk of The Town’ at the age of 13. Read more>>
Fernando Alvarez
I studied Marketing in Mexico and finished in Madrid, Spain. Went back to Querétaro and worked for a media company for 3 years. Then, I started my first business, a Media Buying Agency. We worked with national clients and handled OOH campaigns. Read more>>
Annette Blackham
We got started when my kids wanted to do a kid market but it was gonna be too expensive so we just did a pop-up in our neighborhood and they did great and sold out everything they had made and baked. Read more>>
Layna Dull
My story starts when I was 7. My mom took my sister and I to walk through the Boneyard haunted house for the first time. I was so scared and excited at the same time. I remember walking as slow as possible just so I could take in the set designs and being fascinated with how detailed they could make just 1 scene. Read more>>
Duwayne Brown
My name is Duwayne Brown, professionally known as Dooney “Da Barber.” I am a proud native of the Oak Cliff community in the southern sector of Dallas, Texas—an environment that shaped my resilience, discipline, and passion for uplifting others. Read more>>
Scott Cooksey
I started getting tattooed in 1994, and I fell in love with the whole experience so hard that I knew right away I wanted to be on the other side of the needle. One of my best friends had already been tattooing for years, so I spent countless hours hanging out in his room, watching him work, listening to music, and soaking it all in. Read more>>
Becky Devine
My path into this work wasn’t a straight line. I grew up in a small town in northern Michigan in a family impacted by substance use, so I’ve seen firsthand how addiction doesn’t just affect the individual — it ripples through entire families. Those early experiences shaped me, even when I didn’t realize it. Read more>>
Clinton Palmer
I moved to Dallas in 2017, not knowing exactly where life would take me. I started out working regular jobs — at Victoria’s Secret and Valero — just doing what I had to do to stay afloat. But my real turning point came when I landed a position at the House of Blues Dallas doing security. That’s where I really started to find my rhythm. Read more>>
Leslie Luscombe
Honestly, I never set out to start a pepper jelly business. I just loved making jellies, experimenting in the kitchen, and sharing my creations with friends and coworkers. When people kept asking for more, I realized I might actually have something worth pursuing. That passion eventually grew into a commercial kitchen on my sixth-generation farm in Anna, TX. Read more>>
Sarah Losey
My dream of becoming an artist began in high school. That dream led me to the beautiful campus of Texas State University in San Marcos, where I earned my BFA in Communication Design and Printmaking. After graduating, I worked in graphic design, but when the economy took a downturn in 2008, I pivoted toward another lifelong dream of travel. Read more>>
Kaitlyn Jewett
I’m Kaitlyn Jewett! Im 23 years old and I’m from Cleburne Texas. I grew up in a musical family. Both of my parents Sing and Played Guitar. I started singing way before I started playing guitar. I started playing guitar when I was 5 and wrote my first song at 5. (Though it wasn’t the best). Read more>>
Jiawei Wu
I started my design journey with a strong interest in how visual systems can shape human experiences and communicate emotion. Growing up across different cultural environments made me especially aware of how storytelling can bridge people, places, and memories—an idea that naturally became central to my work. Over time, I gravitated toward projects that required deep research and close collaboration. Read more>>
C.M. Healy
What’s interesting is I never dreamed of becoming an author. I had always written silly little poems and such when I was in grade school, Shel Silverstein being a big influencer. But it wasn’t until around 2010 that I came up with the Beyond the After series idea. It’s all about the three famous princesses Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. Read more>>
Patrick Arnzen
Since I was a kid I had a pretty narrow view of what my future might look like. I wanted to fly airplanes. Aviation was the only path that ever really made sense to me, but getting there wasn’t simple. My dad wasn’t a professional pilot, but he loved airplanes and that shaped a lot of my childhood. Read more>>
John Hunter
I’ve always felt that music is the heartbeat of life, a universal language that tells stories beyond words. Born of Japanese and German descent, I grew up immersed in a beautifully diverse musical world. From a young age, I was surrounded by an eclectic mix of influences—traditional Japanese melodies, classical German compositions, and everything in between. Read more>>
Jollin Nguyen
My name is Jollin Nguyen, and my journey is defined by resilience, service, and an unwavering commitment to creating a better future for my family and the people I serve. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy, a real estate agent, a real estate investor, a business owner, and a mother of two beautiful children—a six-year-old daughter and a six-month-old baby boy. Read more>>
Eliyah Hightower
I’ve always had a desire to go into a helping profession. When I was a kid I dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, doctor, or teacher because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. As I got older I was introduced to the field of counseling, and it felt like the perfect fit. Read more>>
stevestevesteve
I was born and raised in Chicago, and I started writing poetry back in the fifth grade. What began as simple poems gradually grew into songwriting as I got older. Writing became more than just a creative hobby; it turned into my outlet, my way of processing life when things got heavy. Read more>>
Daisha Sherls
I started the Flavor Haus CO June 2024 due to me losing my job. I always told myself that I never wanted to work for anyone else so I needed to figure out a way I could generate income on my own. I had no idea what I was going to do so I prayed and talked to God and he gave me the answer. Read more>>
Josselyn Sosa
I was born in El Salvador and raised in Oakcliff, Dallas after moving to the United States as a child. I lost most of my vision around age ten due to congenital glaucoma, and adapting to blindness at such a young age shaped both my experiences and my commitment to redefining what’s possible. Growing up, I found a powerful sense of belonging through adaptive sports. Read more>>
Mychal Taylor
MY JOURNEY — PROFESSIONAL INTRODUCTION Sixteen years ago I started at the very bottom—literally washing dishes in the back of a restaurant. I didn’t know business, I didn’t know leadership, I didn’t know systems. But what I did have was hunger, discipline, and a refusal to stay average. Read more>>
Morgan Thomas
I didn’t grow up thinking I’d be a designer. I started my career in semi-custom new construction: walking job sites, customizing floor plans, and helping families navigate the highs and lows of building a home. That experience shaped everything about the way I design today. Read more>>
Tannaz Zakeri
When I became pregnant with my son, I was gifted a cricut machine and at first it just started off with me just making cute little onesies for him or game day outfits for the both of us to wear to his dad‘s games. I was in full-blown mom mode at the time so a hobby was really all that I ever saw this as. Read more>>
Andrew Kelly
Me, my brother, and my father started the food truck during Covid. We were worried when people couldn’t go to work and wanted to be in charge of when and where we could provide for our family. Read more>>
Hilario Martinez
After graduating high school I didn’t want to continue the medical field career i chose. And I wanted to be part of the automotive community but didn’t know exactly what specialist I wanted to pursue. I started working as a car washer. Read more>>
Victor Peña
I started playing music around the age of 13. My first instrument was bass guitar, and I challenged myself to learn a new song every day. Later, I got my first electric guitar for my birthday and fell even deeper into rock and metal, learning as much as I could. Read more>>
Dena Guyette
My path to DASF blends two lifelong threads: a deep passion for animal welfare and a career grounded in leadership, business strategy, and program management. I’ve spent more than 20 years volunteering in shelters and rescues, gaining firsthand insight into the challenges families and their pets face. Read more>>
Elena Nakhoumovski
Back in 2020 when we were all spending all our time indoors, I was working a couple different jobs, having recently moved to LA. I was in my early 20s just trying to figure out exactly what to do with life, while surviving living in one of the more expensive cities in the country. Read more>>
Marianne Barclay
From a young age, I learned that the love for plants can be a stubborn, beautiful thing. I saw it in my grandfather, who, year after year, would coax a vibrant garden to life from stubborn, unyielding soil—a garden that gifted us with juicy tomatoes, fiery jalapeños, and even the occasional sweet orange. Read more>>
Ashley LaCombe
Fitness has been woven into my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up playing sports, but my true passion was always on the water with my mom! (She was a national champion barefoot waterskier) water skiing and wakeboarding were my world my whole childhood. Read more>>
Daniella Oyaga
My journey began as a spiritual calling rather than a career strategy. In 2022, I felt led by God to start sharing messages of faith, healing, and identity on YouTube. I obeyed even without a roadmap, and within two years our community grew to over 100,000 subscribers. Read more>>
Paula MERRELL NWAEZE
My path was different — but just as essential. I handled the accounting, the finances, the sales, the marketing, and the structure that allowed a dream to become an actual business. Without the business side, the artistry wouldn’t have had a home. Without the artistry, the business wouldn’t have had a purpose. That balance was the foundation of everything we built. Read more>>
Glensy Alvarez
I am a woman filled with dreams, someone who believes in the power of work done with love. I enjoy challenges, learning new things, and proving to myself that there is always another step to take. Life taught me to be optimistic, to be grateful, and to find magic in human connections. Meeting new people, listening to their stories, and building bonds is one of my greatest joys. Read more>>
Ruby Lopez
I started taking photos about seven years ago, mostly as a hobby and for my family. My business didn’t officially begin until 2021, right after I moved to Texas while pregnant and in my last trimester. During that time, I began serving at my local church, which helped me meet new people and open new doors. With the encouragement of my husband and the support of that community, I finally decided to turn my hobby into a business—and that’s how my photography journey truly began. Read more>>
Dimond RéYon
When COVID-19 emerged in May 2020, I faced a crossroads: pursue an MFA in Set Design or relocate to Houston. I chose Houston, determined to navigate my path through such uncertain times. Needing financial stability, I began teaching middle school mathematics. While it wasn’t my passion, I committed to it for the security it provided. Read more>>
Andrew Liu
To be honest, I didn’t start with the idea of an “organization” at all. It started with a piano and a question: why should something as beautiful and formative as music education be limited to those who can afford it? Read more>>
Ayaan Magoo
Our story really began when my twin brother and I realized how many students around us were dealing with stress without having an approachable place to turn. We wanted to create something built by teens for teens, so we launched Help Youth Cope (HYC) together. Read more>>
