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.
P ‘Dr. J’ Theodorou
I’ve always been drawn to work that centers around people—helping, connecting, and building trust. That mindset was shaped early on through my time in the military, where I learned the importance of service, discipline, and showing up for others no matter the situation. It’s something that continues to guide how I approach both life and my work today. Read more>>
Wayne Dominick
After 25 years in the corporate world, including serving as a Vice President, I made a purposeful transition into the nonprofit sector. Community service was a value instilled in me by my parents who volunteered and donated to support a variety of causes. When I decided to shift careers, it was important for me to fully understand the community I serve. Read more>>
Cindi Harwood-Rose
I started drawing portraits as a child with my mother, a fine artist and architect. She could also do paper cuttings from various countries in Europe, specially France, England. Poland, Germany. I was paid for portraits of families and pets as a child. As a teen I got a summer job at Six Flaggs to draw portraits in the park. They needed a silhouette artist. Read more>>
FUTOSHI Wada
I have been interested in expanding authentic Japanese food in the United States since I moved here from Japan about 30 years ago. Now Japanese food is very popular because of the healthy ingredients and beautiful presentations. Sushi is now deeply saturated in American society and people, and now Japanese Ramen noodles are on track for being loved by everyone. Read more>>
Ethala Caldwell
🌟 THE STORY BEHIND THE VISION I didn’t start DFW’s Children Got Talent just to create another talent show — I started it because I saw a gap. So many children are incredibly talented, but they don’t always have access to platforms where they can truly be seen, heard, and supported. Read more>>
Kennedie Donaway
Hmm, where do I start. I feel like there are so many things that led me to this exact moment. But, how I ended up in Dallas? How I ended up in Insurance Sales? How I ended up being co-founder of a social group in Dallas? Let’s get into it! Read more>>
Deborah Colleen Rose
I didn’t arrive where I am today in a straight line. It was more like a winding road with a few hard stops that forced me to look at my life honestly and decide what mattered. I began my career as a private investigator, where I learned quickly that facts only tell part of the story. The real work is in reading people. Read more>>
Brittany Thomas
Growing up, I always felt that God had placed a calling on my life. There was a growing hunger that I had for God that couldn’t be explained. Unfortunately, as a teenager, I had no one close to my age who could teach me what that hunger was. Oftentimes, I felt like Samuel without an Eli in the Bible. Read more>>
Sravanthi Patil
My journey into adaptive fitness is very personal. As a parent of a child with special needs, I saw how limited the opportunities were for kids like him to simply move, grow, and feel confident. That experience pushed me to become a certified adaptive fitness trainer and start working with individuals with mental, physical, and cognitive challenges. Read more>>
Nijo Mathew
Tucked away from the noise of city life, Kyros Lake House isn’t just a destination—it’s an experience shaped by intention, community, and a deep love for hosting. What started as a vision to create a peaceful lakeside escape has grown into a sought-after retreat where memories are made, celebrations come alive, and guests feel like they truly belong. Read more>>
Nicole Loud
My journey didn’t start with opportunity it started with adversity. I was raised in an community where drugs, alcohol, and instability were the norm. For a long time, it felt like the path in front of me had already been chosen. But deep down, I always knew there had to be more. Read more>>
Nancy Corrales
Beauty has always been my passion for as long as I can remember. I used to sneak into my mom’s room as a child just to play with her makeup when she wasn’t home. I’ve always been drawn to anything beauty related. After graduating high school, I originally planned to go into cosmetology, but I became a mom at 19. Read more>>
Liza Slaughter
I was on the stage dancing and acting since I basically could walk and my story started with years at the ballet barre before I ever stepped in front of a camera. My mom was actually my first acting teacher. She wrote and directed all our plays at school and church. Read more>>
Troy Sage
I was born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, and honestly, my story doesn’t follow a straight line, which I think is exactly why I approach real estate the way I do. From a young age I was drawn to music. I started playing drums and writing music early on, and that creative drive has never really left me. Read more>>
Sonia Zitley
I was born and raised in Mexico, where I built my academic and professional foundation. I earned a degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Special Education, and I worked as a university teacher, which gave me a deep understanding of people, communication, and human behavior. Read more>>
Cherquentia Crawford
I’m a creative entrepreneur and the founder of Tha Closet Studios, a multi-dimensional creative platform that began in 2016 and officially became an LLC in 2021. My work spans music production, visual storytelling, branding, and digital content creation. I don’t limit myself to one lane—I build across multiple creative spaces. Read more>>
Brion Brown
I started my balloon business during a time in my life where I was trying to figure out how to be present as a mom, while also building something for myself. I didn’t have everything planned out — I just knew I wanted more, not just for me, but for my kids. In the beginning, it wasn’t easy. Read more>>
Tina Tremble
Being a Military Brat, I was raised in Killeen/Ft.Hood, TX but moved to DFW to attend University of Texas at Arlington. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Journalism- I decided to stay in the DFW metroplex area. Read more>>
RYNDI Burnett
My journey into early childhood education began with a genuine love for working with young children and a desire to make a lasting impact during their most formative years. With over 15 years of experience in both preschool and elementary education, I became a certified teacher and later obtained my director’s license, which gave me a strong foundation in both instruction and leadership. Read more>>
Joy Mpezeni
I didn’t start Pink Girl Teaches as a brand, I started it as a response. A response to surviving narcissistic abuse, identity loss, and the kind of silent warfare that most people don’t even have language for. Read more>>
Rich O’Toole
My name is Rich O’Toole. I’m a Texas County Singer from Houston,TX that now lives in Oak Cliff, TX (Dallas) I have sold over half a million albums with over 50 million streams on Spotify & Apple Music and 23 top ten songs charted on the Texas Country Billboard top 40. Read more>>
Michael Boler
“My story really starts with where I come from and the values that shaped me. I grew up around a farm in Dublin, and that kind of life teaches you a lot early on—work ethic, responsibility, and the importance of showing up every day and taking care of what’s in front of you. Those lessons stayed with me. Read more>>
Riauna Clarke
I started culinary school in 2023 because I knew I needed a change in my life. I wanted to challenge myself, learn new skills, and build something meaningful for my future. From the beginning, I committed to working hard and taking every opportunity seriously, and that mindset is what helped me get to where I am today. Read more>>
KaSei C. Foster
I’m a founder, strategist, and transformational leader operating at the intersection of ministry, marketplace, and mission. My work is centered on how people think, lead, and build from the inside out. I help high-capacity individuals, especially women in leadership, identify misalignment, rebuild their internal frameworks, and expand their capacity so they can lead and execute with clarity, discipline, and integrity. Read more>>
Rajita Singh
The People’s Impact Network (PIN) was born from a simple act of compassion that sparked something much greater. In 2020, a group of friends launched an initiative called Clothes for Caring to support a friend facing a life-altering ALS diagnosis. They began collecting and selling gently used south asian clothes to help cover medical expenses. Read more>>
Karen Saunders Pellecer
I was born in Guatemala, and the first time I ever boarded a plane, I was just 11 years old, flying from Guatemala to my new home here in Texas. That flight changed my life. Looking out that window, I felt something shift in me, and from that moment on, my love for travel and the world never stopped growing. Read more>>
Brian Launius
Some businesses start with a plan. Ours started with a feeling, a need for flexibility and adventure. Baja Quesadilla grew out of a pull toward something different—a life that made room for adventure, for time with family and friends, and for experiences that leave a lasting mark. Long stretches on the road, traveling across the United States, shaped that perspective. Read more>>
Kimberly Richardson
Growing up, using my little brothers and friends as models, I became very passionate about sharing stories and documenting whatever vision I had. Over the short span of my teenage years, I made it my life’s ambition to pursue a career I could confidently say I found purpose in. Read more>>
ROMA PITHADIYA
I came to the United States with nothing but determination, a suitcase, and a belief that life could be bigger than the one I left behind. My early years here were about survival learning the culture, working multiple jobs, and trying to understand a system that wasn’t built for someone like me. I didn’t have connections, mentors, or a roadmap. Read more>>
The Wildlands
For Brian Patterson, music has never been just something to listen to—it’s a lifelong language. Singing and writing since he was fifteen, Brian has always viewed songwriting as a profound way to connect with the world and the people around him. That same deep-rooted passion is shared by guitarist and backing vocalist Dean Short. Read more>>
Adesewa Okusolubo
My journey into LuxeBridalAssist started in a very organic way. A friend of mine reached out because she needed help with her photoshoot, getting dressed, styling her outfits, and coordinating everything so it aligned with her vision. I agreed, and that experience ended up being a turning point for me. Read more>>
Eder Enciso
As a child born and raised in Mexico City with extremely supportive and kind parents, I grew up with many opportunities to practice different things. From sports like soccer and track to arts, drawing, and design, my parents always allowed me to enjoy different activities. Read more>>
Grace Cacho
I grew up in a really creative environment where music and church life were a big part of my world. A lot of my early years were spent in spaces that valued expression, storytelling, and helping people step into who they’re created to be. I spent time teaching and mentoring students in voice and songwriting, and that season really shaped how I see people. Read more>>
Adeline Merrick
We’re Adeline and Valerie, a wife-and-wife photo and video team based in the DFW area, and we started Hey Love Studio because we looked around the wedding industry and realized our community deserved better. Read more>>
Rajan Acharya
I started my journey in the event industry over a decade ago, driven by a passion for music and creating unforgettable experiences. What began as a hobby quickly turned into something more as I started getting opportunities to DJ at small events and private parties. Over time, I built my skills, expanded my music knowledge, and invested in better equipment. Read more>>
Beth Teran
I began my career in physical therapy in 2000, thinking my job was to fix injuries. But early on, I noticed something deeper—no two bodies experienced pain the same way. People weren’t just dealing with physical limitations; they were navigating stress, fear, setbacks, and the desire to get their lives back. That realization changed everything for me. Read more>>
Dennise Castro
It was the summer when I graduated high school in 2009 I was visiting my family in Monterrey, N. L. My aunt had recently finished a three week nail course and I was her model to practice on at home. Read more>>
Tony Daussat
We’re a husband-and-wife team—Tony and Devin—behind Function Coffee Co, roasting small-batch specialty coffee right here in Northlake, Texas. We started Function because we were tired of coffee that tasted old, bitter, and burnt. But we also didn’t connect with the pretension that so often comes with specialty coffee. Read more>>
Joshua Moody
I’m a Dallas-based entrepreneur who believes in visualizing success and executing on it. I started out flipping cars—especially during tax season—learning how to spot opportunities and turn quick profits. This year, my mindset shifted. Instead of just flipping vehicles, I started focusing on solving a real need. Read more>>
Jennifer Swoope
I’ve always had a love for beauty, confidence, and helping women feel like the best version of themselves. J’Lous Beauty was born from that passion. I wanted to create a brand that feels luxurious, feminine, and bold. A brand that doesn’t just sell hair, but sells confidence. For me, hair has always been more than an accessory. Read more>>
Ferry Jatikusuma
We are a group of friends who have been in restaurants business over 20 years in New York mostly Japanese cuisine and several others. Our partners each own a different restaurants including Japanese cuisine. In 2023, we decided to move to Texas and settled in Frisco and start planning to open Japanese restaurant by combining our expertise. Read more>>
Aixa Barbera
As a first-generation Latina business owner and the founder of XOXO Events, starting this business has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. My family migrated from Argentina to give me a better life, and that is something I carry with me in everything I do. Read more>>
Bre Hardin
I’ve been pursuing music since I was about 13 years old. I started taking music lessons at Destiny Studios and that’s where I met my current band mates of Crash Through the Floor (Everyone accept our drummer). There I learned not only skills to further me as a guitarist, but how to cultivate myself as an artist in the industry. Read more>>
Tyler Jones
I first started DJing as a simple hobby. I loved the fact that I could mix music and create a vibe for a room, whether it was just me being a bedroom DJ in my room or playing at small house parties. The first house party I ever did was for my best friends, Ki and Mylles. Read more>>
Kailtin Wise
Jackson, my husband and our bartender, started bartending weddings on the side a few years ago. He’s very social and found that he enjoys it so much that it doesn’t even feel like work to him. Also, when we got married in October 2024, I planned our entire wedding myself and really enjoyed it, as I’m a super creative, type-A individual. Read more>>
LaShaunn Bold
There wasn’t a clear, linear beginning to my work—it started in a moment when I was simply trying to find a sense of safety within myself. My first real experience of healing didn’t happen in a classroom or a formal setting. It happened during a time in my life when I was in an unhealthy and unsafe relationship that limited my ability to move freely. Read more>>
Stephanie Valadez
Honestly, it all started with just wanting to create a space that felt different. Not just another workout studio, but somewhere people actually wanted to come to, where they felt comfortable, confident, and taken care of. In the beginning, there was a lot to figure out. We were building everything from the ground up… the space, the classes, the systems, the experience. Read more>>
Rachel Benat
Rachel Benat, Owner of The Velvet Paw Lounge Rachel’s journey in the pet care industry began the week she turned 18, when she stepped into her first role at a veterinary office, grooming facility, and pet daycare in Uptown Dallas. Read more>>
Isis Mckinney
Before my transition to Texas, I had not lived outside of the Mississippi/Texas area. After graduation, I decided to take my degree to Texas and begin a career in interior design and residential construction. During my free time, I worked hard to bring my creative ideas to life. Read more>>
Eyvonne Eleko
My story does not start with a plan. It starts with a moment I could not explain at the time but have spent years understanding since. I spent over a decade in senior leadership, governance, risk management, regulatory compliance, large-scale program delivery. Boardrooms, high-stakes strategy, significant responsibility. Read more>>
Terri DeBonillas
I didn’t start L.A. FARM GIRL as a business. It came out of a really personal place. After losing my son to brain cancer, I needed something that grounded me. I went back to what I knew, what I grew up around, and what felt like home. Cooking, preserving, slowing things down. Read more>>
Yevizy Ovo
In 2016 I moved in with my cousins and begged her to take my pictures on a daily. I’d ask her to take HUNDREDS of photos and I’d actually look through every single photo, analyze the and pick my favorites. We would choose different outfits and different locations and then it even got to the point of us making little funny skits. Read more>>
Emily Edwards
I didn’t start Tease & Toss to start a business — I started it as a coach. I’ve been in cheer for over 20 years, and one thing I kept noticing at practices and competitions was how much athletes struggled with their hair. It either wouldn’t hold, didn’t have enough volume, or just didn’t match the level of performance they were putting on the mat. Read more>>
Brandon Piper
Some would say I was born with a wrench in my hand, but my family will tell you it really started when I was about three years old. My first “project” was taking apart my tricycle. I got it apart pretty quickly, but putting it back together was a different story. Read more>>
Chuntavia Frazier Scott
Hi, I’m Chuntavia Frazier Scott AKA Tay— CEO and founder of TAYFRAI “LET ME STYLE YOU”. A beauty & fashion brand rooted in love, God, community, confidence, and care. I’m a Natural Hair Specialist that works with Locs, I also do Silk Press and Braids/Twists. I’m originally from Minden Louisiana, now based in Lewisville Texas. Read more>>
Ashton Preston
I started making content at the beginning of 2025 as a hobby. I created a vision board and made the decision to just start making content because I thought it would be fun. I had no intentions of ever becoming an “influencer” but it just started to grow rapidly where I realized oh wow I have to take this a little more serious. Read more>>
Amir Fard
I began my journey in photography at the age of 19 while studying Civil Engineering at university. Although I successfully completed my degree, my passion for photography continued to grow alongside my academic path. Shortly after graduating, I joined Fujifilm, where I spent over a decade immersed in the world of imaging and visual storytelling. Read more>>
Ria Urs
I didn’t start out in design, I actually began my career in engineering. I spent about 15 years as a software engineer, and while I loved the structure and problem-solving, I always had a deep passion for design. Over time, that passion became harder to ignore. I went back to school for interior design and slowly started taking on projects. Read more>>
Eric Wright
I didn’t start from a perfect setup or a clear plan; it was more like figuring things out in the middle of chaos. Music and creativity became my way of making sense of everything I was going through, not just something I did for fun. It was survival first and expression second. Over time, that turned into something bigger. Read more>>
Kamri Hickman
I’ve always been a very independent and business-oriented person. Even before starting my tarot and intuitive business, I launched a clothing line, so building something of my own has always been important to me. At the same time, I’ve always had a deeply intuitive and creative side. Growing up, I was very curious about life and felt there was always a deeper meaning behind things. Read more>>
Linda Dillard
My story begins back in August of 2013, when I treated myself and my adult daughter to a furniture painting class. Painting furniture was a big thing in 2013, with the ‘country chic’ thing going on. I thought it would be a fun way to spend time with my daughter. Read more>>
