It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around Dallas.
Gary Wilkerson
I spent more than 20 years chasing my entrepreneurial spirit. I knew how to work hard, I knew how to build, and I tasted both success and failure along the way. But nothing prepared me for what happened when my last business collapsed just before the mortgage crisis of 2008. My wife and I lost almost everything—our home, our cars, our belongings. Read more>>
Rachael Watson
I was reading an article in a business journal in January of 2023 that sparked my interest. It stated that hybrid work spaces were a $1.3 billion a year business with low overhead and minimal staffing needs. Since the space next door to my coffee shop, Major Perk, was still empty, I decided to give this a try. Read more>>
Jill Spurgeon-LaForm
We have been gardening for over 20 years. In the last 7 years we have enjoyed a YouTube Channel called North Texas Vegetable Gardening and cooking where we explain the importance of growing a garden and how to preserve your harvest. Read more>>
Amanda Johnson
Cowboy This, LLC was established on September 28, 2025 by Amanda Johnson. I am driven by my passion for fashion and a love of all things western that started from a very young age, I had always dreamed of opening my own store, and am truly blessed to be able to bring my vision to life. Read more>>
Keidra Williams
KWJ Financial Services was built from lived experience, not just numbers. My journey into taxes started very personally. Years ago, I referred my family to a tax preparer I trusted. Unfortunately, my mother and sisters were filed incorrectly, and after an audit, it ended up costing them thousands of dollars. Watching that happen was a turning point for me. Read more>>
Brad Hunstable
My story has always centered on building, first through service, then through entrepreneurship, and ultimately through purpose shaped by loss. I graduated from West Point, where I learned early the values of discipline, leadership, and responsibility to something larger than myself. That foundation carried me into entrepreneurship, including co-founding Ustream, one of the earliest live-streaming platforms. Read more>>
Giesla Tucker
My path in education has been shaped by a love for working with students and supporting the people who serve them. I’ve worn many hats along the way—teacher, administrator, athletic director, and athletics coach, and have worked across private, charter, and public schools, each experience broadening my perspective on leadership and learning. Read more>>
Tolulope Aladesuyi
My name is Tolulope Helen Amusan (née Aladesuyi). Friends call me Tolu, while many of my clients know me as Helen. I am a fashion and beauty entrepreneur and a licensed cosmetologist, with a journey rooted in purpose, resilience, and vision. I originally studied Crop, Soil and Pest Management from a prestigious Federal University in Nigeria. Read more>>
Gabe Nasr
I discovered my love for woodworking while I was in college at UC Berkeley. At the time, I never expected it to become a career, but after graduating and entering the workforce, I kept being drawn back to the craft. Read more>>
Jennifer Bajsel
I didn’t take a straight path into the kitchen. I started cooking when I was 18, long before I ever called myself a chef. Cooking was something I did, not something I was. Life moved me through a lot of chapters first: retail, property management, even a career as a talent agent. Read more>>
Bailey Kidder
I have been an artist for my entire life! In March of 2020, I was accepted to the New York Academy of Art’s residency program, but the following week, the world went on lockdown due to COVID, leading to the cancellation of the program. It wasn’t until 2024 that I began really trying to create my business. Read more>>
Riley ANderson
I grew up in Mineola, Texas in a family that valued hard work, faith, and relationships. My parents, Leon and Amy, were incredibly supportive growing up and set a strong example through their own dedication and work ethic. My mom spent her career as a teacher, and watching her commitment to helping others left a lasting impression on me. Read more>>
Paul DuBriel
Growing up in the Dallas area, I experienced a lot of moving around the country as a child. Initially, my beginnings here weren’t the smoothest. However, as I matured, a significant turning point occurred. This period of transition led to a much more stable and positive trajectory. It’s remarkable how much can change with time and experience. Read more>>
Mike Hutchinson
I started as a Busboy at the Historic Holly Hotel in Michigan on my 16th birthday and knew that’s what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I later went back to become the Executive Chef. I helped grow the Rockfish, Front Burner and Kenny’s Restaurant Group brands. In 2019 partnered up with Troy and Lisa Cooper to start CraftWay Kitchen. Read more>>
Tommy Brooks III
I have always had a love for fashion, but my history in the fashion industry began in 2013. Shortly after my first son was born, I attended Wade College in Dallas, TX to pursue my degree in Merchandising and Design. Balancing working nights and attending classes during the day became my new norm and I was determined to succeed. Read more>>
Kristen Galen
Bryan and I always wanted to start a business together after having worked at Run On! a local, running specialty store. We didn’t quite know what type of business we were interested in until we were perusing a local book store in Denton and stumbled upon The Market Gardener by Jean-Martin Fortier. Read more>>
Briana Brewer
B.B’s journey began with curiosity and a genuine love for bringing people together. After moving to Texas in 2016, she regularly hosted gatherings centered on food, laughter, and wine. Over time, she became intrigued by how differently people experienced wine, why some gravitated toward sweet varieties, others preferred dry, and why certain wines caused discomfort. Read more>>
Jana Kay McHam
I have had an interest in being a counselor or therapist for a very long time. I knew I enjoyed and was good at helping people. Growing up, I watched as my parents helped to guide couples and families in our church community and offered compassion and grace as people learned how to be in relationship with others and themselves better. Read more>>
Jana Del Nero
I was born and raised in Brazil, São Paulo State. My professional journey began in the business world, where I spent 16 years working in finance, a career that taught me discipline, responsibility, and resilience, but that one day stopped speaking to my heart. In 2015, life surprised us. Read more>>
Frederick Williams II
My story started during COVID. I lost my job due to lay-offs because people were getting sick left and right. I have always been a cigar smoker since I was 20 years old. I started taking pictures of the cigar I would smoke and post it on my instagram and write what I liked or disliked about it. Read more>>
Arreic
Arreic, originally from Denver, CO. moved to the DC area as preteen. Arreic’s musical talent started with playing drums at the young age of 10 years old. This love of music led to her being the lead percussionist in her high school band. It was during this time Arreic found her talent to write musical lyrics and dance. Read more>>
Gloria Mathur
I joined the Lions in 2007 to serve the community after I attended and volunteered a Sports Extravaganza for Visually impaired and physically handicapped children. This event provides children with the opportunity to enjoy recreation in a safe, welcoming, and non competitive environment—where fun and participation take center stage. Read more>>
Andrew Kelly
Pop punk was emerging in the late 90s and we all played in different bands. We crossed paths and formed a band called PVK, playing Vans Warped Tour in 2002. We carried on with PVK for a few years, but as our writing matured, we wanted to venture out into different styles, which led to the following band, Cityview. Read more>>
Candy Simchik
I have always loved being creative since I was a young child, but much later realized how much I enjoy bringing people of all ages together thru art. What started out as a simple love for painting, slowly grew into teaching children about famous artists and later, painting for others. Read more>>
Darwin Wade
I’d describe my life’s story as one rooted in community development and housing—not just as a profession, but as a personal calling. I grew up in public housing in a small East Texas town called San Augustine, in a community shaped by poverty, limited opportunity, and the realities that come with both. Read more>>
Dan Addante
Our team is comprised of entrepreneurs in the construction, engineering and hospitality industry. We have focused historically on Texas ranchland and light commercial. Over the years we noticed the lack of intimacy and community in the development world as Texas has grown rapidly. We are strong believers in Texas values and maintaining ranchland and community in the midst of urban sprawl. Read more>>
Jose Segura
I’ve been in construction for over 20 years, and I didn’t get here through shortcuts—I learned by doing the work, owning outcomes, and building trust one job at a time. Early on, I noticed something important: projects don’t fall apart only because of materials or labor. They fall apart when communication is poor, expectations aren’t clear, and no one takes ownership when problems show up. Read more>>
Jackie Carlino
It all started a long time ago when I was 12 years old and laid my hands on a deaf man, and he could hear again. I won’t bore you with the many details in between that, but I always felt in my heart that I was meant to help people. Read more>>
Misty Alexander
I’ve always had a passion for the fashion industry. My initial dream was to open a shoe boutique for women. That dream never came to fruition. Fast forward 10 years later, I was finally in a position financially to make my boutique a reality. I opened Pinkk Envyy Fashion boutique in June of 2025. Read more>>
Sam Mohsin
Design has always been an instinctive strength for me—an inherent way of thinking rather than a trained profession. My formal background is in supply chain engineering, grounded in advanced mathematics and systems optimization, and my early career path was firmly technical rather than entrepreneurial. Business ownership was never the original plan. However, the convergence of analytical discipline and intuitive design ultimately shaped a new direction. Read more>>
Richard Lox
My boxing journey began at the age of six. Growing up, many of my uncles were caught up in drugs and crime, and they opened a boxing gym as a way to create a safe place for my cousins and me—a place to stay out of trouble and focus our energy on something positive. Read more>>
Doug Knight
I am a single dad, and for a long time I felt like I was never going to get ahead—financially or in terms of lifestyle. I reached a point where it became clear that if I did not make a meaningful change, nothing was going to change. Read more>>
Ryan DuBose
My wife and I began our ministry journey in 2007 in youth ministry at Northplace Church in Sachse, Texas, where I served as Associate Youth Pastor for about 18 months. That season was formative, helping shape both my calling and my leadership, and it eventually led us to Sherman, Texas, where I served as Youth Pastor for the next 16 months. Read more>>
Kylie Johnson
From a young age, sports were a constant presence in my life, shaping my character long before I fully understood their impact. They became more than games to me; they became my classroom. Sports taught me discipline when things were hard, confidence when I doubted myself, and resilience when quitting felt easier than continuing. Read more>>
Kimberly Leonard
In May 2025, I stepped away from my role as CEO of a training company to start my own business, called First Things First. My thought was that there are so many moms and couples out there who are trying to find the right balance between working from home and trying to raise a family. Read more>>
Veerin Akarasinchirakij
My Story I have over five years of experience in Thai massage, and my journey began while I was in university. During that time, I discovered Thai combination massage and quickly fell in love with its ability to heal both the body and the mind. Read more>>
Whitney Morris
In a nutshell, I am an almost legally blind housewife who loves to dance! In 2011, I was diagnosed with an eye condition called Optic Atrophy due to optic nerve damage caused by a parasite that has caused me to lose a lot of vision and color vision over the last 14+ years. Read more>>
Annie Tyson
Believe it or not, I didn’t start out in the legal field. I was an Air Force Crew Chief, born and raised in California. I worked as a lead jet mechanic on the F-16 and the F-15. While I was stationed in Idaho, I met a man who would be my 2nd husband. Read more>>
Chris Valka
I currently serve as the CEO of Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP) – a non-profit with primary locations in Houston and Dallas aimed at increasing the success of incarcerated individuals re-entering society through the power of entrepreneurship. Read more>>
Luke Sorrell
Growing up in Coppell, TX I always knew I wanted to be a doctor. I loved studying biology and loved helping people and it seemed like the perfect fit. After high school I attended Abilene Christian University where I studied biochemistry and pre-med and solidified my drive to become a doctor. Read more>>
Gabrielle Johnson
From a very young age, I knew I was called to something greater, even if I didn’t yet have the words to fully understand it. That sense of purpose followed me into adulthood, but it wasn’t until later that I truly grasped the depth of that calling. Read more>>
Serena Mastin
My journey has been shaped by profound personal and professional adversity. I spent my earliest years navigating the instability of witness protection and foster care, experiences that later gave way to teenage addiction and homelessness. Those seasons tested me deeply and ultimately revealed a resilience I hadn’t yet learned to claim. Read more>>
David Jarquin
Growing up I always knew that I wanted to do something involving math or science, preferably in the medical field where I could help people. Going into college I was set on going to medical school and becoming surgeon, I even began studying for the MCAT. Read more>>
Jonathan Pharr
My name is Jonathan Pharr, and my journey has been shaped by a deep love for people, the local church, and building things that matter. I grew up in the Dallas–Fort Worth area and came to faith at a young age, where my relationship with Jesus became the foundation for everything I do. Read more>>
kellie mckee
Founded in 2024, when our local City Council decided to dismantle the Rowlett Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission, DEI Community Project began as a small group of inspired individuals who wanted to make a positive impact in our community. Read more>>
Barbara Garcia
Our land has been in my husband’s family for over 100 years. After raising cattle for generations, we just recently decided to begin selling directly to the consumer. We are truly a family business; husband, myself, daughters, and sons-in-law are all involved in one way or another. Read more>>
Gus Gonzalez
Grew up in a violent home where I was verbally and physically abused. My parents got divorced when I was around 8/9 yrs old. That’s what drove me to anger and begin to get in trouble. I started selling drugs, being involved in drugs, at the age of 13. Had a kid at 15. Read more>>
Brij Gupta
Driven by faith, compassion, and a lifelong commitment to service, Dr. Gupta built SimpleVet to redefine accessible, transparent veterinary care. His mission is to remove fear, confusion, and financial intimidation from pet healthcare while delivering modern medicine with heartfelt communication. Today, SimpleVet serves thousands of families across North Texas and continues to grow as a trusted, community-centered brand. Read more>>
Nathan Coughlin
In 2016, my wife and I took a leap and opened our first dental office. After working in corporate dentistry, we knew we wanted to build something more personal—beautiful spaces where patients feel comfortable and cared for. We believed then, and still believe now, that high-quality dental and orthodontic care should be affordable and accessible to everyone. That belief continues to guide everything we do. Read more>>
Abigail Krohnfeldt
Personal Story- I grew up in a small town that truly felt like a family. People showed up for one another, relationships mattered, and I saw firsthand how strong community support can shape children and families. That sense of belonging stayed with me and continues to influence how I build organizations and lead people. From a young age, I was very people-oriented. Read more>>
James Hoff
I began my career in the beauty industry over 26 years ago with a deep love for hair and creativity, but very little formal education around the business side of our industry. Like many stylists, I learned by doing—building a clientele, refining my craft, and discovering early on how powerful this industry can be when education and support are prioritized. Read more>>
Hanna Adams
When I started in Community Action over 26 years go I had no idea what I was signing up for. As I better understood the history of Community Action dating back to President LBJ and the impact we have had over the years to families and communities I knew this was much more than a job, it is a calling. Read more>>
Ladda Love Hawkins
I would like to explain the evolution of my business from My Own Lane Consultants to Red Ink Safety Co. LLC. My Own Lane Consultants was established in 2020 as a lead-generation and marketing company focused on small fleet trucking insurance. The company exclusively supplied qualified leads to a family-owned insurance agency, LoveJoy Risk Management Corp. Read more>>
Montana Payne
My plumbing journey started when I was 23 years old. I applied to a local plumbing company that specialized in slab leaks and began as an apprentice, assisting licensed plumbers on job sites. From day one, I learned the fundamentals—drain and water line fittings, different materials, and the degrees they come in. Read more>>
Mari Cicconi
We came from Brazil to teach Jiu Jitsu. It’s a family business. Myself, my husband and our 2 daughters. Read more>>
Ivohe Flores
My name is Ivohe Flores, and my journey in the United States began in 2016 when I arrived alone in Miami, Florida, with a suitcase, a background in marketing and events, and the determination to start over. During my first years in the country, I continued working in the field I knew best. Read more>>
Arie Midkiff
I’ve always known I was going to be a business own/entrepreneur. It took some trial and error to figure out what venture I would be in but after scaling my hair business back I really became intentional in planning and creating the lifestyle I wanted for myself. Read more>>
Obi Eboh
Urban Collective was created from a shared challenge we faced as young professionals in Dallas. 3/5 of our founding members played college football together at Stanford before relocating here, while others connected through working together and tangentially in commercial real estate. Read more>>
