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.
Jerry Williams
I was born and raised in Pinckney Michigan I got my start in Photography in 1976. I was exposed to Photography early on one of my family members worked in a studio in Detroit for many years. My first real camera was a Canon AE-1 I got from a neighborhood friend I purchased some 35mm film I began shooting family events, nature, landscapes and portraits. Read more>>
Glenda Semler
My first vivid memory of being artistic dates back to childhood. I would get lost in my tiny room, sketching designs for my First Holy Communion dress when I was in third grade in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I grew up inspired by my parents; my father was a carpenter, and my mother was a florist and a crafty woman. Read more>>
Camden Bailey
My name is Camden Bailey and I was born in DFW and raised in Plano, Texas. After graduating high school in 2014 I went to Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA. My time there was invaluable and after graduating in 2018 I travelled back to Dallas. Read more>>
Bukola Jaji
My Dad’s family immigrated to Ghana from Nigeria where he was born and raised. He came to the US by way of New York. My Mom came the US from Nigeria as a young adult and met my Dad in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the early 80s. They decided to start their family in Tulsa where I and my five sisters were born and raised. Read more>>
Aimee Lee
I’ve always been passionate about creating beautiful, functional spaces that help people feel more at peace in their homes. After earning my degree in Interior Design, I had the opportunity to work for a world-renowned design firm where I led projects around the globe and was recognized for my work. Read more>>
Justin Trewitt
I originally got into woodworking about 11 years ago when my wife and I bought our first house. At the time, we didn’t have much furniture, so I taught myself how to build pieces for our home. What started as a practical hobby quickly became a real passion for craftsmanship and working with my hands. Read more>>
Ricardo Sieveking
My name is Ricardo Sieveking, and my background combines entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, and investments. Originally from Guatemala, I developed an early passion for building businesses, creating experiences, and connecting people through culture, food, and hospitality. Over the years, I’ve focused on growing ventures across spirits, hospitality, real estate, and private investments. Read more>>
Christian Bennett
I was born in Long Beach and raised in Bellflower, where music became a major part of my life at an early age. Growing up in Los Angeles County came with both inspiration and challenges. I faced hardships that tested me mentally, financially, and personally, but music always gave me purpose and direction. Read more>>
David Odeleye
I was born and raised in Nigeria, where I earned my degree in Computer and Information Science at Lead City University in Oyo State. Coming to the United States meant building from the ground up in a new environment, with no shortcuts and no safety net. Read more>>
Marcellas Clay
My story started with a passion for creativity at a very young age. Growing up in a large family, I taught myself acting, singing, dancing, and even playing piano by ear. Those early experiences helped shape my love for storytelling and entertainment. Over the years, I continued developing my skills as an artist, songwriter, actor, filmmaker, and entrepreneur. Read more>>
Chef Benjamin Leggitte
Absolutely I have been in culinary now for over 16 years and I still love what I get to do every single day. I got to where I am now by constantly staying consistent and scaling my own private chef empire. Read more>>
Wilfred Obi Jr
My entrepreneurial journey started over two decades ago in the trenches of direct sales. Hustling through multiple multi-level marketing companies, I learned how to connect with people, build trust, close deals, and bounce back from rejection. Those early years forged my confidence, sharpened my communication skills, and taught me the power of relationships—foundational tools I still use every single day. Read more>>
Maressa Pinnock
I started during one of the most unexpected seasons of my life, while planning my own wedding. Growing up, I always admired my mom and the way she naturally created beautiful experiences and brought people together. I knew I wanted to follow in her footsteps in some way, but I never quite knew when that pivot in my own life would take shape. Read more>>
Jorge Gallegos
Before COVID-19, I had built a career as an LGBTQ+ content creator focused on travel, lifestyle, and community storytelling. Brands were drawn not only to my creativity and ability to connect with audiences, but also to the advocacy work I consistently did for the queer community. Read more>>
Hope Hendrix
I formed a punk band called Draven while an undergrad, but Draven disbanded when I started law school. I barely looked back for years as I pursued a career in the legal field, but recurring dreams of writing songs and performing often crept into my dreams at night. Read more>>
Tamia Denae
I started back in 2023 after dreaming about being successful as a photographer. I never thought about picking up a camera professionally, when I woke up I wrote down my dream and it wouldn’t leave my brain for days. Read more>>
Jeremiah Woodard
I started getting into photography in high school. The inspiration came from my older brother, Tommy, whom is also a photographer. Recently, I took a long break from photography due to me haing doubts and depression. I’ve been slowly getting myself back into it and so far, everthing’s been good. Read more>>
Kenneth Benson
Drumming: My wedding industry career started in 2015 as a drummer for 1564 Entertainment, a party band company that specialized in weddings, private events, and clubs. During my tenure with 1564, I played in over 200 + events and performed for notable celebrities such as Mark Cuban and Lester Smith. After 5 years with 1564, I was offered a position with the Jordan Khan Orchestra. Read more>>
Andrea Soto Rosales
My parents started their taqueria in the location right next to our current one back in 2009. Then another taqueria inside a convenience store. Opened Ana’s Restaurant in 2016. Read more>>
Rick Ramirez
I studied Marketing and Entrepreneurship at Babson College, where I really developed an early passion for building things from the ground up and understanding how businesses grow. After college, I worked with two startups in their early stages and helped scale them from very small operations into products distributed in over 50,000 retail doors nationally. Read more>>
Veronica Saenz
My art journey itself began when I was in kindergarten. I distinctly remember being in art class and it was my turn to paint on the large canvas. I just felt so drawn to it (no pun intended) and I loved everything about it, the smell the colors and to seal the deal I remember my art teacher Ms. Read more>>
Katy Girres
My story with Trinity Forest Adventure Park and The Southern Cross really began when I was a child. My parents, Brad and Judy Lee, are the founders and owners of both businesses. They started out as event planners and talent agents when I was a newborn, and over the years, as their companies grew, they decided they wanted to create a venue of their own. Read more>>
Glory Rodriguez
My story starts off like every other artist’s. As a little kid, I drew all the time and had an expansive imagination, but as my teenage years and adulthood came around, I was influenced to take the more traditional path. Read more>>
Chef Victoria-Lee Lewis
I grew up in a family where food was how we showed love, so being in the kitchen always felt natural to me. But my real journey into veganism started in 2015 after dealing with severe migraines, constant ER visits, and feeling frustrated with medications that only masked the problem. Read more>>
Duante Taulton
My story started with a vision bigger than my circumstances. I’ve always been passionate about motivation, faith, and inspiring people through real-life experiences and encouragement. Growing up, I faced challenges, setbacks, and moments where I had to stay strong mentally and spiritually, but those moments helped shape who I am today. Read more>>
leah murray
First off, my parents started a company called Trips Unlimited Inc. back in the 1970s. They guided people into Mexico, Venezuela, and Brazil, primarily for fishing and hunting trips. As life unfolded, their business was hit hard after 9/11 when tourism around the world dramatically slowed. Eventually the company was put on hold, and not long after, my father became ill and passed away. Read more>>
Trycele Dotson
I was called into ministry at an early age but I gave my official yes last June of 2025. I started Pretty Warriors In Christ because I saw there was a need to create a space where women can discover their identity in Christ and help them along their healing journey from domestic violence, any kind of abuse and childhood traumas. Read more>>
David Adame
I started Primo Drinks after spending more than a decade working in restaurants, bars, and fine dining environments throughout Dallas. Hospitality has always been second nature to me. Over the years, I realized that people remember how you make them feel just as much as the food or drinks themselves. Read more>>
Menal Ismail
People often see 2020 as the year ASTRELLE began, but the truth is, this brand lived in the margins of my childhood notebooks for as long as I can remember. Growing up Kurdish, jewelry was never just fashion to us. It was history. Read more>>
Florentino Soriano
What began as a childhood dream of riding horses soon grew into a lifelong passion. As I got older, that passion only became stronger. I remember telling my girlfriend at the time — now my wife — that one day I would train horses professionally. At 17 years old, I bought my very first horse, and that moment marked the beginning of an incredible journey. Read more>>
Amanda Lutes
My family life growing up was full of love, laughter, and hard work. I am the youngest of five children, and we were all expected to pitch in, whether it was at home or at my parents’ businesses. My mom and dad owned and ran their own businesses for nearly their entire careers. Read more>>
Adriana Gafencu
I started content creation very naturally, just by sharing products and everyday moments from our life as a homeschooling family. I’ve always loved finding things that truly made our home, routines, and motherhood easier, so I would post honest recommendations without even realizing people could monetize content that way. Read more>>
Kaeja Malone
When I was younger I had to learn how to do my own Hair and Makeup. Then after High school I started Cosmetology school and I was working at the Lancôme counter inside Dillard at the same time. I stopped going to school for a little bit to just work and I eventually went back a few years later. Read more>>
Amber Thompson-Snell
It all started when one of my clients came to her with one of my hardest cases in my career. A high end attorney out of San Antonio, Tx came to me and explained his daughter had a serious suicide attempt and she almost succeeded. My job was to find an insurance that would be in-network with her therapist. Read more>>
Simrat Singh
I’ve always been drawn to language, words, and the way they create intimacy. Words are powerful, especially in moments people cherish so deeply. It’s a privilege to create pieces that declare something lasting, whether it is a couple’s names, a phrase, a memory, or a feeling they want carried through their wedding day. I’ve also always loved making things with my hands. Read more>>
Astra Morris
My journey began after my divorce and I was sitting in the bleachers at my oldest son’s football game and trying to map out in my mind how my life would be as a single parent. Read more>>
Mara Duryea
I started writing in small journals from the store when I was in middle school. Not only did I need to get the stories out of my head, but it was also a coping mechanism. I detested middle school and I had to escape somewhere. Many students went to drugs, gangs, and alcohol. I escaped into my world. Read more>>
Neha Kapoor
I started The Cocktail Mama as a creative outlet with a simple goal — helping people make easy, fun, and approachable drinks at home. I loved creating cocktails that felt elevated but were still realistic for everyday entertaining, and I began sharing recipes and ideas online. Read more>>
Jamis Cary Faithe Williams
The Divine Edit was born from a shared vision between two creatives who believed branding should feel deeper than aesthetics alone. Before becoming co-founders, we both spent years building independently in creative industries; developing brands, directing visuals, creating content, and helping businesses find clarity in how they present themselves to the world. Read more>>
Shannon Littlehale
Most people have at least one space in their life that feels completely out of control; the kind of space you avoid because it’s just too overwhelming to deal with. For some, it’s a garage. For others, it’s a coat closet. For others, it’s the inventory room in their small business. And the frustrating part is, it’s usually not for lack of trying. Read more>>
Amanda “Renee” Ambriz
Hi, my name is Amanda Renee, I am a hair colorist located in Plano. I began my cosmetology training when I was in Highschool through a program that is a part of the Lewisville school district. Read more>>
joleen kolk
That’s a good question. Well sence the age of 12 I suffered with ‘lock Jaw’. Or as the medical field calls it, temporal mandibular joint disorder. I tried sooo many treatments over the years. I never had relief. It was when I turned 21 my father gave up the masonry business and decided to become a massage therapist. Read more>>
