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.
Brigitte Mena
Over time, I saw my music teaching business expand and the need for music education that was fun, creative, and age appropriate. I received frequent inquiries by parents looking for a gentler, more encouraging teaching style — one that would help their children stay motivated rather than give up on learning an instrument. In a high-pressure, achievement-focused society, I believe music should be a source of joy, not stress. Read more>>
Amber Gipson
Eleanor and I met as neighbors when our children were classmates, and what started as casual playdates quickly grew into a close friendship. A few years later, we independently fell in love with mahjong and began playing and learning together. As we shared the game with friends, we kept running into the same frustration. Read more>>
Marie Goins
My story really begins with my family. Growing up, I watched my grandmother save greeting cards and handwritten notes from family and people in the community. She would often pull them out and reread them. My mother did the same—treating memories as something worth holding onto. Being surrounded by that taught me early on that moments and stories matter. Read more>>
Daisy Ayala
From a young age, cameras consistently captured my interest. During trips to Mexico as a young girl, I would take disposable cameras with me, capturing my family and the moments that mattered most. Photography became more than a creative outlet; it became a meaningful way for me to preserve memories. As I grew older, I actively pursued opportunities to learn and develop my skills. Read more>>
Tunisia Jones
My journey as an entrepreneur began long before Pure Essence Beauty Bar. I’ve owned and operated other businesses over the years, and each one helped shape my leadership style, my discipline, and my commitment to creating meaningful experiences for the people I serve. Read more>>
Kasi Mauldin
I started doing makeup back in high school. At the time, I was doing weddings and thought of it as just a side hustle. Makeup was always my passion, but I never imagined it becoming my full time career. I went to college, realized it wasn’t the path for me, and decided to follow what I truly loved by going to cosmetology school. Read more>>
Ted Godwin-Stremler
Most college students are experiencing real independence from home for the first time. This is scary for parents, and students. We help with that transition. And here we are on the doorstep of the University of North Texas (UNT) and Texas Women’s University (TWU) in Denton Texas. Read more>>
Dulce Luna
After 2020, I witnessed a shift in my community—more fear, more emotional repression, and more people quietly carrying anxiety and inner conflict. I kept seeing the same pattern: so many of us want peace and clarity, but we were never truly taught how to understand the mind, regulate emotions, or transform our inner dialogue into something that supports us. That realization became my turning point. Read more>>
Jordan Wells
Like a lot of people, I was always the one with a camera in my hand, capturing friends, landscapes, and little in-between memories that felt too important to forget. Over time, I realized I wasn’t just taking photos of what things looked like…I was trying to preserve what they felt like. As life grew fuller and more complex, photography became more than a creative outlet. Read more>>
Holly Gedwed
I began my career at a young age, graduating at 23 from the University of Missouri–Columbia with a Master’s degree in Social Work. While I was young—often far younger than the individuals and families I was working with—I had already accumulated a great deal of life experience. I grew up in rural Missouri with two parents who worked incredibly hard and five siblings. Read more>>
Juan Pina
Cancun Mexican Restaurant was founded on May 5, 2000, by Juan and Maria Piña with a dream of sharing home-style Mexican food with the Fort Worth community. What started as a small, family-run restaurant quickly became a neighborhood gathering place through years of hard work, long hours, and genuine hospitality. Read more>>
richard sowan
I WAS A YOUNG PARTNER IN AN INTERNATIONAL FIRM (BDO) FOR 8 YEARS AND LEFT WHEN BDO FOCUSED ON SELLING ILLEGAL TAX SHELTERS AND NOT TRADITIONAL AUDIT AND TAX SERVICES. I WENT TO A LOCAL FIRM FOR 10 YEARS AND IN 2010 STARTED MY OWN FIRMAND SOLD THE FIRM TO A LARGE NATIONAL FIRM IN 2022 AND RETIRED IN NOVEMBER 2025. Read more>>
Bernadette Warren
I relocated from San Antonio to the Plano / West Plano area in the summer of 2021 to begin a new chapter in my life and career. I left behind a salon I had owned and a clientele I built over more than 20 years, fully aware that starting over as a hairstylist would take time, patience, and rebuilding from the ground up. Read more>>
Monica McClatchey
Brynn Body Care didn’t start with an intention to launch a skincare brand. It started with a mother wanting to avoid using baby care products that contained harmful, toxic ingredients and potential skin irritants. When I began reading ingredient labels on products meant for my newborn daughter, Brynn, I realized how many contained ingredients I was not comfortable using on her skin. Read more>>
Ben Antone
Hello, my name is Ben Antone. I’m a second-generation contractor—but for most of my life, construction wasn’t my dream. My dad taught me the ropes early: hard work, discipline, and dedication. Those lessons were constant growing up, but if I’m being honest, I didn’t love the work. I loved soccer. I loved being a kid. Read more>>
Rashonna Moore
The Architect of Influence: An Exclusive Feature on Rashonna Moore From a 15-year-old radio prodigy from the Philippines to a 4x Emmy Award-winning powerhouse, Rashonna Moore has spent 25 years redefining what it means to be a ‘mediapreneur.’ Today, she is the entertainment and corporate industry’s secret weapon—a master strategist who turns brands into icons and celebrities into household names. Read more>>
Ashley Shovel
In my early childhood, I experienced two very different worlds – chaos and disconnect disguised as independence. The conflicting messages led to hyper-independence as well as a lot of confusion and internal conflict as I tried to make sense of the world. Read more>>
Brittiany Jefferson
My work in mental health began with children and quickly expanded into working with families and couples. Early in my career, I became deeply interested in how relational dynamics shape emotional well-being—not just in childhood, but across every stage of life. Patterns formed early often echo into adulthood, influencing how we communicate, manage stress, and relate to one another in our personal and professional lives. Read more>>
Chinelo Onyeador
Very often, my patients ask me ‘what made you become an optometrist?’ And I’m always like ‘honestly, I’m not sure.’ It has pretty much been the only job I’ve wanted to have since I was a kid. Thankfully, it worked out for me because I did not have a back up plan! Read more>>
Dr. Jacqueline Campbell, ND, LPC-S
As a child, I could see there were so many areas that could be improved with the systems in our community. I wanted to make a change but I grew up in an unstable home. Generational trauma was passed down from my grandparents, to my parents, and then to my siblings. I was disconnected, cold, and aggressive. Read more>>
Kirby Harris
I grew up in Carrollton, started dating my wife, Jan, in high school, went to college in Denton, and then started a long corporate career with Ford Motor Credit Company that took us all over the country and to England. My last job there was running three of our insurance subsidiaries – two based in Michigan and one in Ireland. Read more>>
Nic Korzeniewski
I grew up in Flower Mound, Texas, and that’s where I currently live. I graduated last May with a degree in marketing. I started my college career not knowing exactly what I wanted to do, but growing up in a sales-oriented family always made me think that might be my path. Read more>>
MANUEL ROMERO
My name is Euclides Manuel Romero, although many people know me affectionately as Don Manuel, “El Margariteño.” I arrived in the United States with my family in November 2018, accompanied by my wife María Alejandra and our children Euclides Jr., Fabiola Alejandra, and Luis Alejandro, coming from the beautiful Island of Margarita, Venezuela. Read more>>
Keneshia Lindsey-Green
I am a visionary leader who builds and impact through education, creativity, and community. My journey began in the classroom as an educator, where I saw how representation, mentorship, and access can fundamentally change lives. Read more>>
Ember Medeiros
I started my wedding photography journey in 2023. It was a slow start, and I really had no idea what I was doing. It was a dream and a beginner’s camera that eventually sparked into a full-time job. I assisted other lead photographers in the DFW area, which gave me enough experience to jump into my own weddings. Read more>>
Andre Whatley
I started in the mist of Covid so 2019 when I got laid off from my full time job at that time. I was already doing meal prepping on the side to help with bills. Once I had no choice but to go full time with it thats when I started using Instagram as my platform to reach others all over dallas and DFW area. Read more>>
Lilly Benitez
My story has always been shaped by people, place, and possibility. As a Salvadoran-Texan and first-generation entrepreneur, I learned early that building something meaningful requires more than talent. It requires trust, structure, and community. I didn’t begin with a blueprint, but I did begin with a commitment to creating experiences that made people feel seen, confident, and cared for. Blade Craft grew from that commitment. Read more>>
Shae Carpenter
My love for photography started long before I ever considered it a career—back when cameras came with film you dropped off at Walmart filled with with horrid shots and selfies and hoped for the best. As a kid, the zoo was my favorite place, and I rarely walked through it without a camera in hand, often trying to capture my favorite animal-lemurs! Read more>>
Summer Alexander
I began my career at a global telecommunications company, where I worked in a technical role for several years. Like many people early in their careers, I assumed stability was a given until I was downsized. That experience forced my first major pivot and pushed me to rethink how I wanted to build my career. Read more>>
Amanda Kirkham
The Style House started the same way a lot of good things do – with a dream, a whole lot of hustle, and a belief that women deserve a place that feels fun, personal, and inspiring every time they walk through the door. Read more>>
Elizabeth Schutz
My passion for mental health began for me in Jr. High as I watched my mom advocate for her patients as a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. At the time I had no idea it would lead me into my own healing journey and career as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Read more>>
Oluwatobi (Tobi) Babatunde
I’ve always been business-oriented. Growing up in Nigeria, I started helping my mom run her business at a very young age, around 10 years old. Watching her manage customers, finances, and daily operations planted the entrepreneurial seed in me early on. During the COVID pandemic, my original plan was to open a beauty supply store. Read more>>
Jesus Carmona
I started my own taco place back in 2015 called Tacos Mariachi on Singleton Blvd. and I was open for six years. The restaurant was a big success, I won all of the Accolades you could imagine! Read more>>
Joseph Hale
Hi! We’re Kate and Joe Hale, owners/operators of Hale on Wheels Mobile Italian Eatery. Joe hails from New England where he was formally trained in culinary arts. His recipes are inspired by his memories of holiday cooking with his mom and grandma, perfecting time honored familial Italian traditions. Read more>>
Gabrielle Kirven
My journey began with a deep interest in branding, storytelling, and how businesses connect with people. I started my career in the marketing industry over seven years ago, initially working with beauty and lifestyle brands, where I gained hands-on experience in social media strategy, content creation, and brand positioning. Read more>>
Zak Keller
I was always interested in healthcare, but a back injury in college shifted my focus towards physical therapy. The idea of helping people improve their quality of life seemed very rewarding, and it also included elements of wellness and human performance which I was interested in. I am now in my 20th year as a physical therapist, and running my own mobile physical therapy practice. Read more>>
Jessica Bennett
Elysian began as a personal turning point for me. I spent many years working closely with homebuilders and land developers, immersed in an industry where precision, long timelines, and trust are everything. Through that work, I gained extensive experience shaping brand identities, launching communities, and connecting developments with the people they were built for. Read more>>
Amanda Delapass
My business came about very organically. I worked in furniture for 10 years and my husband wanted me to stay home with my daughter at the time. That is where I determined I am a worker bee and began teaching myself to build websites to get us both out of standard workforce and into entrepuniership. Read more>>
Bonnie King
Creating a business such as Counseling and Nature Therapy Center is something I never even dreamed was possible for myself. Getting to lead people on a path to healing, help counselors grow as clinicians, and to give to the community on a larger scale than I could on my own, is truly humbling. So here is the story that has somehow led me here. Read more>>
Angela Majerus
I have always been a lover of people, communication and their stories and very intriqued by the medium of photography. My professional photography journey started when I left corporate America shortly after my first child was born and started my own advertising business for restaurants. Read more>>
Corri Gidden
My journey didn’t start in design or marketing — it started in aviation. I spent years working as an aircraft mechanic for various airlines and companies, taking on roles as a technician, trainer, quality assurance specialist, supervisor, and even a stand-in manager occasionally. Read more>>
Chase LoBello
I got into the fashion and apparel manufacturing world only a few years ago, and honestly, it wasn’t something I ever planned on. I spent most of my life working in the grocery business, but after getting really sick and spending several months in the ICU and physical therapy right after moving to here from Austin, I realized I couldn’t continue down that path. Read more>>
Ciarán Strange
Working as a full-time creative of almost two decades, I’m pretty sure I’ve amassed an entire bakery of “creative pies” I love getting stuck into — from authoring gay sci-fi thrillers to touring multiple continents as an indie rock musician. Read more>>
Duane Varan
I used to be an academic at an Australian university. I created a research center that studied the emotional response of people to media content and new ad models. Read more>>
Lindsay Cross
I started working at The Preschool at Church Eleven32 in August of 2020 and became Director in January of 2021. The Preschool at Church Eleve32 opened in the fall of 2014 as a two-day-a-week Mother’s Day Out program, beginning with just eight children. In the fall of 2016, it transitioned into a fully licensed, five-day-a-week preschool. Read more>>
Noble Green
Growing up, I always knew two things about myself. I liked encouraging people, and liked proving them wrong too. Read more>>
Tammi Wilson
After a full career in the corporate world, I reached a point where I knew God was calling me to something more purposeful. Horses had been a constant in my life for over 25 years—through training, competing in horse shows, and simply finding peace and clarity in the barn. Read more>>
Russell Strong
I’m Russell Strong, and my story starts in Richland Hills, Texas…a small town of about 8,000 people that a lot of folks drive past without even noticing. People confuse it with North Richland Hills all the time, and I always laugh and correct them: “No, not North Richland Hills… Richland Hills.” It’s blue-collar, humble, and it’s home — and it shaped everything about me. Read more>>
James Hammer
My story begins in a theater classroom, but it transforms into something I never could have imagined. For 23 years, I was a theater educator: teaching at Northwest ISD, directing award-winning productions, managing technical teams, and working with 400+ students annually. I loved the creative problem-solving, the collaborative energy, and watching students discover capabilities they didn’t know they had. Read more>>
Jax White
Jax White is a 10-year-old athlete from East Texas with a passion for baseball and football. He began playing baseball at just 4 years old, and from the very start, his love for the game and natural talent stood out. Read more>>
Kevin Hughes
Wow I was blessed enough to have a grandfather that served our country, and came back home from war and committed himself to his craft as a barber! I am is oldest grandson, so he decided to teach me how to cut hair when I was around 10 or 11 years old! Read more>>
Cordarius Williams
Everything started when I made the intentional decision to heal. For a long time, I was functioning, achieving, and surviving, but I wasn’t actually whole. I reached a point where I knew I could no longer carry unspoken trauma while expecting clarity, peace, or purpose to show up in my life. Read more>>
Taylor Kieschnick
In November of 2022, I took my art students on a field trip to a pottery studio in Fort Worth, unaware that the experience would mark the beginning of a deeply transformative season in my life. As I sat at the wheel to throw my very first bowl, my hand slipped and my thumb went straight through the clay, collapsing the piece. Read more>>
Eric Peterson
My journey into mortgage lending started in the most humble way possible—working in the mailroom of a local mortgage company in Southern California alongside my father. While I was pursuing my business degree with an emphasis in information technology at Cal State Fullerton, that mailroom became my first classroom. Read more>>
Jessica Hayden
I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, where I attended various schools throughout the city. I completed my high school journey at L.V. Berkner High School, achieving personal goals through AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination Center), Track and Field, and Cross Country. Those experiences were filled with laughter and prepared me for new challenges in college. Read more>>
Jaricka Thomas
My passion for financial education and literacy is rooted in my personal financial challenges. Leaving graduate school with $66K in student loan debt, taking out $30K more in consumer loans without thinking, and living beyond my paycheck caused a lot of anxiety and uncertainty about my day-to-day life. Read more>>
Aimee Ashley
I entered real estate in 2019 after spending a decade in the fitness industry as a personal trainer. The move into entrepreneurship was not strategic on paper—it was necessary. I was leaving an emotionally abusive marriage of 16 years with three children to support and no financial security. I moved in with my parents and started over from absolute ground zero. Read more>>
Hector Cano
I came to the U.S. in 2015 with very little figured out. I arrived alone, without money, without speaking English, and without a clear plan — just the conviction that I needed to rebuild my life and create a future that didn’t depend on surviving day to day. Before coming here, I was a youth and community leader in Venezuela. Read more>>
Ruth Corley
Our Story Nearly three years ago, I was working as a full-time caregiver for a private family providing round-the-clock care for both a husband and wife. Each had different diagnoses, abilities, and needs, along with unique strengths that shaped their daily lives. It quickly became clear that while some caregivers did the bare minimum, others went above and beyond. Read more>>
Ebony Simmons
Founded between 2018 and 2019, Kingdom Family Children’s Learning Center was born from a vision rooted in service, faith, and community. The founder, Mr. Chaz Simmons, who is the older brother of the current director Ebony Simmons, saw a growing need for affordable, high-quality childcare where children would be genuinely loved, nurtured, and cared for. Read more>>
Stephanie Jones Old Souls Ink
Old Souls Ink was born out of faith, family, and a deep respect for the stories people carry. What started as a dream between my husband Cameron and me grew from years of hard work, sacrifice, and a calling we couldn’t ignore. Read more>>
Lisa Delashaw-Silveira
So, I guess you can say those memories I shared with her I have been able to keep alive by sharing them with my daughter and my grandsons. After many years of canning my granny’s recipes for friends and family, I was repeatedly being told what a special and unique recipe I have and that it needs to be shared with the world. So, I did just that. I decided to take a leap of faith and turn my passion into a small business! Read more>>
Lindsey White
My path into bodywork began when I had the intention of creating a safe space where everyone feels seen, safe, and cared for in the wellness industry. I believe everyone deserves to feel comfortable in their body and through education and intentional touch, I work to continue to show my practice Kneading Touch as trusted provider in longevity and wellness care. Read more>>
Jodi Pena
My path to pet care has been a natural blend of creativity and compassion. I come from a background in commercial photography, where I learned the value of patience, attention to detail, and truly understanding my subject. Read more>>
Nancie Schwartz
My Bio: Nancie Schwartz is a seasoned fashion designer with over 20 years of industry experience, known for her versatility, creative eye, and dedication to thoughtful design. Originally hailing from Detroit, Nancie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design before making the leap to New York City, where she immersed herself in the heart of the Garment Center. Read more>>
Chris McMullen
I always had a love of understanding what made people tick and observing people as a young teen and wondering how they became who they were. These questions lead me to a lifetime of trying to understand people, their motivations, their beliefs, and how that becomes who they are. Read more>>
Kazuki Uchiyama
I was born in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. It is located next to Tokyo and is the second-largest agricultural prefecture in Japan, after Hokkaido, in terms of production value. My family has been involved in farming for four generations. I grew up in an environment where fresh vegetables and fruits were always on the table, and agricultural machinery was a familiar part of daily life. Read more>>
ALLI HUO
I’ve always been in love with fashion throughout my entire life. During college, I interned for a stylist which gave me my first real exposure to the world of professional styling. It consumed me and became my passion. I began styling editorial shoots, runway shows and individuals. I’ve learned fashion can be both expressive and deeply personal. Read more>>
Patrick Collins
My major at Texas Tech was advertising and I thought I was going to be the next Don Draper until I looked behind the curtain through a few internships. I wanted to be in a career that I my effort and results directly dictate growth, longer term stability, flexibility and know what I’m doing matters. All of those thing pointed to a role in sales. Read more>>
Isaac Baeza
I started my car detailing business two years ago during my senior year of high school, at a point in my life when most people were focused on graduation parties and college decisions. I didn’t have a long-term business plan or investors backing me—I just knew I wanted to build something of my own and take control of my future. Read more>>
Ann Shaw
My restaurant career started when I decided to take a semester off from college! I started waiting tables, slowly got into bar tending a bit and then worked into managing. All for the same owner and with college degree and a different job, playing into it. My heart kept coming back to the restaurant industry. Read more>>
Barbara Lopez
I first picked up a camera during my freshman year of high school simply for fun, without any real expectations. As I kept shooting, I was given the opportunity to be my school’s football photographer, which became a turning point for me. Read more>>
Asia Eidson
My name is Asia, and photography has been the most natural extension of who I am because people have always fascinated me. More than a decade later, owning and running my own photography business continues to bring creative challenge, meaningful work, and opportunities to see the world in ways I never imagined. Read more>>
Kenny Dynda
Kenny Denda has been steadily building a career in the entertainment industry from his base in Dallas, Texas. His interest in performing started early, going back to middle school theater in 2001, where he first found a real connection to storytelling and life on stage. Read more>>
Bryan Delgado
I began my SEO journey in 2019 after realizing I no longer wanted to rely on and pay another $1,600 monthly fee for organic SEO services. I decided to fully invest in learning SEO myself so I could apply it directly to my business. Read more>>
Cheyne Hickey
My family has been in the food industry at the State Fair of Texas since 1949. My great grandfather, Joe Nevins, got his start at the fair with good old fashioned cheeseburgers and fried chicken. His fried chicken stand was so iconic that my family still gets asked where the chicken stand is. My grandfather, Gary Nevins, then built the empire to 30 something stands. Read more>>
Alonso Rappa
I did not grow up in the industry. I am from El Paso, Texas, and acting was not something that felt immediately accessible or practical where I was raised. For a long time, it was more of a quiet pull than a clear plan. Read more>>
Billy Kilgore
I am originally from Louisiana. I Graduated from Southern University in the fall of 1988. I move to far north Dallas in 1990, with the expectation of conquering the world, like any recent college graduate full of energy. Read more>>
jyoti kandel
My name is jyoti kandel, born and raised in Nepal, butwal. Graduate from One of the prestigious Collage NATHM and did post graduate from Londonand complited masters in hospitality from Cal state. worked as hospitality instructorin nepal, later worked in london in varous stars hotels and also worked in Losangeles and fortworth in brands like hilton, IHG ,viceroy, omni as food and beverage managers. Read more>>
Miosotis Lopez
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and from a very young age I was drawn to the beauty industry. Growing up, I struggled with self-esteem, and salon visits weren’t something my family could afford. I remember dreaming about what it would feel like to sit in a chair and finally feel beautiful like in the movies. Read more>>
Adriana Zapata
What began as a simple love for coffee slowly became a calling I never expected. While working in the healthcare field, coffee was my daily companion during long days, but it was also something I loved sharing. I would make drinks and bake for coworkers, friends, and family simply as an act of love. Read more>>
Amanda Tisdale
I didn’t come into flower farming with a business plan or a horticulture background – just a love for gardening, a willingness to learn, and the support of my family. Gardening has always been my creative outlet, but this journey began out of a deeper need: to find joy in the day-to-day and to feel like I was creating something that truly mattered. Read more>>
Cameron Gamel
Well, I’m 43, so I’ve been drawing since I can remember, my interest in tattooing started in the early 90s when I accompanied my older brother to get his first tattoo. It must’ve left quite the impression because I never shook the possibility that one day I could make a living doing art and tattoos. Read more>>
Kristen Cairns
I have wanted to be a counselor for as long as I can remember. I have always been the person others feel comfortable confiding in and the one who knows everyone’s story. Majoring in psychology and attending graduate school for counseling felt like natural choices. Read more>>
Ashley Castaneda
Gordo’s Mexican Cocina was born during a season of uncertainty and faith. Just six weeks away from welcoming our first child, my husband and I both lost our jobs. Read more>>
Jim Welch
I spent the early years of my career as a composer and sound designer for FUNimation Entertainment (now Crunchyroll) creating original compositions and sfx for properties like Dragon Ball Z and Full Metal Alchemist. Transitioning from FUNimation into video game audio gave me my first close encounter with software development and I was hooked. Read more>>
David Mudry
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Marketing, graduated, and quickly realized I didn’t have a clear direction. I struggled to find a job that felt relevant to my degree, so I took a manufacturing job through a friend at my church and worked there for about a year. During that time, I started building a simple mobile video game just for fun. Read more>>
Teresa Burleson
In 2010 I was working for an equine magazine group and they had a massive layoff. I was one of 17 people that lost their job. An acquaintance was working as the interim Director of the Stockyards Museum and suggested I interview for the job. I did and started working as the Director of the Stockyards Museum on January 11, 2011. Read more>>
Jaime Ellithorpe
For years, I followed the formula for success — high-achieving corporate jobs, big titles, great income. On paper, everything looked amazing. But inside? I felt empty. I kept wondering, ‘Is this really it?’ I finally walked away from that life and started my own business. But instead of freedom, I ran straight into burnout. Read more>>
Andy Bergfeld
I went to college in Dallas and Law School in Houston from the fall of 1988 until the fall of 1997. During that time, I saw both Dallas and Houston begin to see their urban core transform from strictly catering to office users (although those are important) to more of a mixed use seeking to attract people seeking a destination with character and history. Read more>>
Kevin Godfrey
**Tobacco Junction** is a locally owned tobacco and vape retailer established in 1996 built on the idea that great service and genuine relationships matter just as much as the products themselves. What started as a small, customer-focused shop has grown into a trusted destination across East Texas, now serving communities through multiple locations. Read more>>
Joelle Jackson
I grew up always ready to work. I got my first job at 15 years old, and funny enough, it actually cost my parents more to drive me to and from work than I was making an hour—but they were proud that I wanted a job, and I was proud to have one. Read more>>
victoria kayode
I started doing nails as a way to stay productive, and over time, with consistent practice and personal investment, I took a leap of faith and opened an Instagram page for my nail work on January 22, 2023. I have always had a love for beauty. I originally started with hair, then gradually moved into nails as a hobby. Read more>>
Brooke Cates
When I stepped away from the elementary classroom after 16 years in May 2024, the foundation was already established and thriving as a volunteer-led organization. Read more>>
