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.
Othashia Harris
My name is Othashia Harris, but everyone who knows me calls me Bobbie. My journey in the beauty industry began right after I graduated from Paul Mitchell in 2015. I started my career working at various beauty counters in the local mall, where I learned how to connect with clients, understand different skin types, and refine my artistry in real time. Read more>>
ISAIAH ROJAS
I started with i9 Sports because I believed in what the brand stood for, kids having fun, building confidence, and learning what it means to be part of a team. That resonated with me on a personal level. I’m a dad. Read more>>
Maheen Asif
I’m Maheen, founder of Pristine Planning Events. We started about four years ago from a simple love for creating beautiful moments, and it has now grown into something I will forever be grateful for. Every event and every client relationship has been built on trust alone. Read more>>
Taylor Johnson
Hazel & Olive is named after my great grandmother Hazel Olive. Grandma Hazel taught me everything about fashion and passed down her love of sewing to me! I started this business in my tiny apartment in 2012 with $300. I saved up that $300 by clipping coupons determined to make a better life for my daughter. Read more>>
Essy Imoisili
Back in 2018, I started creating content on YouTube and Instagram. I loved capturing memories, documenting life in a vlog-style format, and telling stories through visual content from travel adventures to life’s biggest moments. Storytelling has always been at the heart of what I do. In 2022, two of my friends got married, and I captured behind-the-scenes footage throughout their wedding journeys using my phone. Read more>>
Holden Gound
I went to Ubbi Dubbi as a fan for the first time in 2024. Went back to Ubbi Dubbi again in 2025 and bought everything I needed to teach myself to dj like 3 days after the festival. We were in the middle of GorillaT’s set and that’s when I knew I was going to do this. Read more>>
Aldo Bove
Above Wines was founded by Italian winemaker Aldo Bove with a simple mission: to preserve and share the authentic wines, traditions, and culture of Italy with American consumers. Born in Angri, near Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast, Aldo grew up surrounded by vineyards, family traditions, and a deep respect for the land. Read more>>
Benj Massaki
My journey into content creation started unexpectedly, but looking back, it feels like it was always part of the vision. I am the founder of Vsion, a clothing brand I started in 2022 in Iowa. The foundation of the brand is simple: everything starts with a vision. That message has always driven me, and it eventually inspired the creation of my second business, Vsion Visuals. Read more>>
Heidi Levan
My career has always centered around caring for people during some of their most vulnerable moments. I began as a Pediatric ICU nurse before pursuing my Master’s in Nurse Anesthesia and becoming a CRNA. Read more>>
Haley Madewell
The story of The Venue at Madewell Estates began with a simple question. When Haley and Jacoby first started dating, Jacoby asked Haley what her dream was. Her answer was immediate: she wanted to own a wedding venue. As a wedding photographer for nearly 12 years, Haley had the opportunity to experience hundreds of wedding days from behind the camera. Read more>>
natalie carrasco
late 2019 i decided to start my personal training business by doing free bootcamps at the park later that month, i got an opportunity to train clients in king kong nation fitness. they really helped me build my clientele by allowing me to train free there for the remainder of the year. Read more>>
Katrina Williams
My brother Brian and I grew up in a single parent household. Normally when you hear that statement a sob story follows it but that’s not my story. All of the hard times we experienced laid a solid foundation for the journey. My beautiful mother Phyllis Williams worked three jobs and owned her very own florist/crafting business. Read more>>
Liv Garwood
Dear reader, I think everybody should be raised with mandatory book time before bed. I attribute a large portion of who I am and what I’ve done to my imagination, my strongest muscle. Growing up, book time was my oasis – I yearned to be the girl in the magic treehouse teleporting around the world, fighting bad guys, witnessing good prevail. Read more>>
Imani Powell
I grew up in Louisiana, where access to real healthcare and holistic wellness is genuinely limited for a lot of people. When I relocated to San Diego and started traveling, I saw firsthand what it looks like when people actually have access to evidence-based wellness : clean food environments, intentional spaces, preventative care built into daily life. That gap never left me. Read more>>
Corina Alexander
My journey has been rooted in a simple belief: people deserve spaces where they feel safe enough to heal, grow, and be themselves. I have always been someone who cared deeply about people and community. Over the years, that passion led me down many paths. Read more>>
Deonna Scott-Grimes
When I was laid off from my corporate job in 2023, I went into a quick panic because I didn’t know what to do. My now husband knew I wanted to become a social media manager so he fully encouraged me to go full force into it. Read more>>
Elizabeth Furrh
My journey started as a volunteer at St. Patrick Catholic Church, where I found a passion for serving others through food and community. Over time, I became more involved in the church and eventually served on the board, gaining firsthand experience in nonprofit leadership and learning how much work goes into supporting a mission-driven organization. Read more>>
Rebecca Rawlinson
Sparrow & Hue began with a simple belief: creativity isn’t reserved for a select few-it’s something every woman carries within her. What started with paint, brushes, and a passion for making things by hand has grown into a space where fashion meets canvas. Read more>>
Kristen Abel
Harmony Housekeeping will be two in September.’ I started my own cleaning business to really protect my peace. I worked in medical before this and I just felt like I was never getting enough out of my days.. I love what the word harmony means and that’s what I try to give to my clients when they come home.. Read more>>
Maya Dezell
I’ve always been passionate about helping people and creating positive change in my community. My journey has been shaped by my experiences in behavioral health , advocacy and education , all of which have reinforced my desire to empower others. Professionally , I’ve worked in roles that allowed me to support individuals and families while gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges many people face. Read more>>
Diamond Fornosov
I was born in Chicago, but I spent most of my childhood in Ukraine. Growing up, life was very unstable. My family struggled financially, and home wasn’t always a safe place. I experienced emotional abuse, witnessed physical abuse involving my sister, and there were periods when my mom’s mental health challenges led to hospitalizations. Read more>>
Valeria Soto
Super Baked Cakes isn’t something that would exist today if it wasn’t for my mom. She’s been a cake decorator for 30+years and my love for baking began by watching her. She made every one of my birthday cakes growing up and I was enamored watching her decorate. When I discovered YouTube I would spend hours watching cake tutorials and always found it very entertaining! Read more>>
Libero Kinnear
O gosh I came to the States from South Africa in 2003, with a suitcase a dream and about 50 bucks in my pocket.I worked as a shark wrangler for the first few years, then moved on to working with sea lions, then big. Cats , elephants and then travelled all over the U. Read more>>
Jesus Monge
I grew up in Pleasant Grove in Dallas, Texas. Like a lot of kids, I had dreams and ambitions, but I also made some poor decisions along the way. Those choices eventually led me to prison, where I spent nine years of my life. While incarcerated, I was fortunate to be accepted into the Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP). Read more>>
Kiara Massey
I was always a creative person since I was little, I loved taking art classes in school or even doing it as a hobby. Junior year of high school I transferred to a STEM Academy high school majoring in graphic design. During my senior year I got my first job as a cashier at Kroger and absolutely hated it. Read more>>
M K
I started making candles in 2018. After learning from my sister, I began to fall in love with it. I took candles to work with me and sold them to my coworkers. On Fridays and Saturdays after work, I would pack them into boxes and drive around to different businesses. I went to beauty salons, tax offices, barber shops, honestly.. Read more>>
Jose arriaga
My story is deeply rooted in family, creativity, and a lifelong passion for celebrations. My parents founded our family business, Novedades Luly Wedding & Event Design, in 1995, so event design is truly all I have ever known. I grew up surrounded by fabrics, florals, centerpieces, weddings, quinceañeras, and the excitement that comes with transforming a space into something unforgettable. Read more>>
Abrey Phetluangsy
i started at a salon back in 2014/2015 as a receptionist never with a career in hair on my mind! Just a few short weeks later I was hooked and quickly began my journey to becoming a hairstylist! I quickly built and found myself opening my own salon in 2022 and fulfilling dreams and goals i couldn’t have ever imagined accomplishing! Read more>>
Sarah Siems
My favorite stuffed toy as a child was a globe, so in hindsight, the signs that this would end up being my career were probably there from the beginning. Travel has been at the forefront of my mind for as long as I can remember. Read more>>
Rain Tim
I’ve been a professional tattoo artist since 2013. I did my apprenticeship at Aloha Tattoos in Cincinnati OH. In my early 20’s i truly thought that I would be a tattooer for the rest of my life. Then Covid suddenly appeared. It changed the industry drastically. I quickly learned that tattooing is not an essential business. Read more>>
Shanae Ammons
I have always been passionate about helping people reach their potential. I believe we are far more capable than we think we are. Our minds are powerful, but so is our body, and when we come into alignment in those areas, we can achieve great things and positively impact those around us. Read more>>
Bri Mulenda
My journey to starting B. Aligned Co. began through a decade of working in marketing, product marketing, and marketing operations for companies such as Microsoft, Indeed, Hubspot, Avalara, Verily, and Intuit. Throughout my career, I loved helping businesses grow, but I noticed that many struggled with disconnected systems, inefficient processes, and marketing efforts that weren’t fully aligned behind the scenes. Read more>>
The Roommates
Back in 2016, Mallory and Lonnie were playing shows at dive bars and playing covers at the time. You know, the top 100 songs that were a hit at the time, and someone thought Lonnie was Jesse! Haha. This led to Jesse reaching out to us to play the breaks of the band they were part of at the time, called Radio Love Bus. Read more>>
Kristen Hanson
My journey into the world of third-party reproduction began through my own experiences as a three-time egg donor. Being an egg donor gave me a unique perspective on the incredible possibilities that assisted reproductive technology creates for individuals and couples who dream of becoming parents. Read more>>
Trevor Lambert
Found It Electronics & Video Games was founded in 2011 by Dawn Jackson. With a background in fashion merchandising and a lifelong connection to gaming through her father’s arcade business, she envisioned a different kind of video game store. Read more>>
Randy Valdez
Randy, known to the music scene as DJ Elements, has a long and highly successful track record of turning packed venues into a late-night, beat-bumpin’ frenzy. Drawing deeply from his parents Jalisco and Zacatecas Mexican roots, Randy brings a seamless, high-energy bilingual experience to the dance floor. However, his ability to blend genres and cultures extends far beyond his Latino heritage. Read more>>
Denisse Mejia
My journey into lactation support started long before I became an IBCLC or founded Texas Breastfeeding Center. As a first-generation Mexican-American woman, I saw firsthand how language barriers, lack of culturally relevant education, and limited access to support often left families feeling overwhelmed during pregnancy and postpartum. Read more>>
Lauren Torres
Being a creative young lady growing up I knew I always had to do something with my hands. From being the girl in middle school who created a club house to give my friends make overs from school! To packing my straightener in my backpack to do my friends hair. I graduated in 2010 followed up with beauty school. Graduated from Regency Beauty School. Read more>>
Jasmine DeBerry
Well hello! I’m Jasmine DeBerry. A small town girl originally from Jackson, TN. I made the move to Texas in 2022 and my “full time” job is a flight attendant! Read more>>
JENNIFER COLLIER
Photography found me at a time when I didn’t realize how much I needed it. I had owned my Sony camera for nearly two years before I ever truly used it. Every time I picked it up, I felt intimidated. It seemed easier and more comfortable to rely on my phone than to learn all the settings and technical aspects of photography. Read more>>
Janet Forney
My creative journey has taken many forms over the years. I began as a singer, studied vocal performance, and earned a degree in Communications with an emphasis in Theatre, Radio, and Television. My career eventually led me into education, where I taught music before transitioning into early childhood education and later retiring as a kindergarten teacher. Read more>>
Tapiwa Munyanyi
My journey started in Dallas, Texas where I watched the Cowboys for the first time in 2023, and I found one of my friends photography pages and thought to buy my own camera and start my journey and since then I have been published in a couple of magazines and have now transitioned into filmmaking. I am currently based in Halifax, NS, Canada. Read more>>
Kristyn Potter
My journey to becoming a live fashion illustrator was quite unexpected—if anything, it felt like a part of my life I had left behind. I’ve been ‘drawing pretty dresses’ since I could hold a pencil and have always been obsessed with all things fashion. Read more>>
Jeremiah Flores
Sure thing! My name is Jeremiah Flores, and I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. I am the Vice President of CM3 Construction Group, a general contractor that provides services nationwide. I started in the construction industry at a young age and quickly developed a passion for building projects and solving problems. Read more>>
Brian Yi
I spent 18 years in a corporate environment building systems, managing processes, and documenting everything. I was good at it. But for most of that time, I was also training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu quietly and consistently, the way a lot of practitioners do. Jiu-Jitsu has a way of teaching you things most environments cannot. Read more>>
Madison Foye
As a kid, around the age of 12, I used to watch YouTube and TikTok videos of people baking cookies, cakes, and other desserts. I watched them so often that they inspired me to try making some of those desserts myself. My family saw the passion I had for baking and supported me as I continued learning and growing my creativity. Read more>>
Charlette The Victory Queen
One of the hardest things for me was marketing myself. I had no skills in doing that. The funny thing now is I have platforms that help authors speakers and entrepreneurs market themselves! Huge learning curve for me. I feel like it’s vital for the book business. We have an upcoming book fair August first for book lovers, families, friends, and kids to enjoy. Read more>>
Sara Vivas
I’m originally from Mérida, Venezuela. I’m an only child and was raised in a family that loves to cook and gather around the table for every celebration. Looking back, I believe that’s where my love for food and my passion for bringing smiles to people through desserts began. As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been an entrepreneur. Read more>>
Billy Mitchell
I’ve been in the music industry since 2010 when I moved to Dallas from a small town called Paris, Texas. I got my start in the industry with Myron Williams. He saw something in me and heard something in my voice that I didn’t hear or recognize. I became known in the the music community because I was hungry for different sounds and worship experiences. Read more>>
Dj Waukee
Ever since I could remember, I’ve always been surrounded by music. Read more>>
Tosin Olatunbosun
For nearly 15 years, I’ve worked in cybersecurity, information security, and enterprise risk management, leading governance and security initiatives that help organizations securely scale technology innovation, including emerging technologies like AI. My career has been centered on protecting critical systems, managing risk, and building trust at enterprise scale, and it’s work I’m proud to continue doing full-time today. Read more>>
Jannett Gomez
Creativity has always been a part of who I am way before I even thought that it could be something more. Growing up my electives were almost always art classes, and I was always finding ways to create. I loved and still do anything hands on, from being crafty to experimenting with makeup. I also genuinely loved documenting life. Read more>>
Sanvi Porwal
Hi! My name is Sanvi, and I am the founder of the nonprofit organization EmpowerEd-Fi, a literacy initiative dedicated to making financial and digital literacy skills more accessible and applicable for individuals. Read more>>
Esmeralda Garcia
I am a first generation American with dreams that my family would have never imagined possible or dreams that don’t sound like a real attainable job. Yet from as early as I can remember, I have been captivated by the arts. Actresses, singers, performers, there was something about their ability to move people, tell stories, and create beauty that left me in awe. Read more>>
Jen Neitzel
My journey into the notary industry began in 2013 when I became a Texas Notary Public while working in the mortgage industry. At the time, my employer asked me to obtain my commission so I could notarize company documents. For the next four years, that’s exactly what I did. I never considered turning my commission into a business. Read more>>
Stacy Kristynik
My background was originally in Human Resources–mostly in investment banking and asset management beginning in New York City. When my husband and I got married in 1999, we moved to London for three years before we had kids. And we took every advantage of that time to travel! Weekend trips to Spain, Italy, France, Austria, etc. were easy and inexpensive– very accessible. Read more>>
Courtney S. Jenkins
I still remember my first mentor. He was a personal development coach, and at the end of our sessions he would tell me he could see me becoming a coach too. I used to brush it off and say maybe one day, probably later in life after I retire. Looking back, that was really the start of everything. Read more>>
Prophetess Sraya Fears
My spiritual journey and relationship with Gd began at twenty-five years old. Life up until that point was full of great pain, trauma, abuse, heartache, and rejection. I didn’t know what it was to be loved, truly loved. I knew I wasn’t a whole and healthy individual. I was wounded and broken. I realized that I carried a lot of baggage and past wounds. Read more>>
Elizabeth Waggle
The career I have today isn’t the one I originally set out to build – and I’m grateful for that. After graduating from Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in Advertising, I became a licensed realtor. I loved the idea of helping people find a place to call home while using my creativity to build a business of my own. Read more>>
Shelly Kirkland
I come from a military family; my dad was a physician for 11 years in the Air Force. My grandfather served in the Army and my cousin was a Marine during Desert Storm. However, more than a decade ago, I met several veterans who changed the course of my career, and frankly, my life. Read more>>
Megan Wells
I grew up in a family where mental health challenges were present, so I saw early on how deeply they can affect individuals and relationships. Those experiences shaped my understanding of both the struggles people face and the importance of having the right care and support. Read more>>
Kristin Williams
I decided to become a registered dietitian after being diagnosed with an eating disorder at age 13 years old. Though I was diagnosed at age 13 years, my body image struggles began prior to that and my poor relationship with food would continue well into my late teen years and early twenties. Read more>>
Rondregus Underwood
My story began long before I ever stepped onto a stage, produced a fashion show, or became a speaker. At seven years old, I entered the foster care system and spent the rest of my childhood navigating uncertainty, instability, and the challenges that come with growing up without a permanent family. Read more>>
Nigma
I started my writing journey as a script writer. I was always a movie buff and had dreams of seeing my stories on the big screen. I had a couple of my scripts optioned, but they never went anywhere. Determined to get my stories out to the public, I decided to turn some of those scripts I had developed into novels. Read more>>
Erika Ayala
I started Ayala Balloons & Events six years ago with just a passion for creating beautiful celebrations. What started with balloons has grown into a full event planning, design, and rental company serving clients all over DFW. We’ve been fortunate to grow through referrals, repeat clients, and a lot of hard work. Read more>>
Vanny Tonon
I’m a guitar player from Italy, I started playing when I was 6. I’m graduated at MMI and at the Italian Conservatory in jazz and fusion music. I played ‘The Flight of The Bumblebee’ at 340 bpm on the set of Lo Show dei Record on the Italian Television. I have 2 albums out and I played with Jennifer Batten from M. Read more>>
Rahmar Duffy
I’m an open-format DJ of 10 years, based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and hailing from St. Louis, USA. I like to think of myself as an artist/creative full circle, as I’ve worn a few different hats over the years. From dancer to model to designer, I’ve always been drawn to anything artistic and expressive. I grew up as the youngest of 3 siblings. Read more>>
Jennifer Smith
Solmade’s story really started in my childhood. I practiced fine art from a young age, but I went to college for graphic design and landed on the corporate path for 10 years after college. Read more>>
Csillo Domingue
My story began in Brașov, Romania, where I was born before being adopted and brought to Texas by a family who would give me opportunities I never could have imagined. Growing up, I often felt different and struggled to find where I belonged. I faced years of bullying, questions about my identity, and challenges that tested my confidence and sense of self. Read more>>
Donaldo Estevam
Starting out I wanted to be a gaming streamer and I tried that out for about 3 years never getting anywhere. I think I had 150 followers on twitch by the end of 3 years. But what I did come out of the other side with was a new learned ability in video editing. Read more>>
Sydney (Syddy) Martin
Growing up, my mother taught me how to hand sew, which quickly became one of my favorite childhood memories. Not long after, I brought home leftover fabric from my elementary art class and hand-sewed my first dress. It was my first experience creating something entirely on my own, and I fell in love with the process. Read more>>
Omari Booker
I’d like to call my story a small town kid with big time dreams. I grew up in a small town east of Dallas (Kaufman, Tx). This is where majority of my family is and this is what I consider “back home”. Where i’m from , a lot of people don’t live. Sometimes people will judge you for wanting to leave. Read more>>
Roneka Turner
My entrepreneurial journey began with Kultured Essentials, a business I started out of a desire to create something of my own while providing for my family. Like many small business owners, I started with a vision, a lot of determination, and a willingness to learn as I went. Read more>>
Fatima Delgado
My journey began in August 2023. At the time, I was working a full-time job and looking for a way to earn extra income. I decided to take a chance and invest in marquee numbers. Every party I attended seemed to have those beautiful light-up numbers and letters, and I knew there was a demand for them. Read more>>
Adil Jawed
My name is Adil. I’m 27 years old, a husband, father, and serial entrepreneur. I’m married to my college sweetheart, Sarah, and together we’ve been blessed with three beautiful children. I often joke with my wife that I thought we’d make Forbes 30 Under 30 by now—but instead, we joined a different club this year: 3 under 3. Read more>>
Beatriz Rico
My passion for animals began in childhood, where I often found myself caring for and attempting to rehome stray animals (it always got me in trouble with my parents lol). I graduated from high school and never went to college. While I was trying to figure out what wanted for my future, I was working as a hostess. Read more>>
Crystal Willis
My story has really been one of reinvention, resilience, and learning how to turn every chapter into purpose. I started my career in communications and marketing over 20 years ago, and over time, that evolved into public relations, media strategy, storytelling, brand development, and now thought leadership. Read more>>
Alex Nolasco
Music has always been a place where I have found I’m most at peace and comfort. As just a listener and lover of all genres, I would usually curate playlists for myself and sometimes friends growing up but I always had the want and really felt a need to contribute or do more to this thing that I loved. Read more>>
Isis Colbert
My name is Isis Colbert, and I am a licensed cosmetologist, entrepreneur, and proud mother of my 3-year-old daughter. My journey began when I discovered my passion for the beauty world while attending cosmetology school. After becoming licensed, I worked hard to build my skills and grow my clientele, eventually creating a successful braiding business in East Texas. Read more>>
Cali Robles
I started Cali Cooks Meals with a simple goal: to provide convenient, high-quality meals that help people live healthier lifestyles. What began as a small operation has grown into a business serving customers throughout Houston and Dallas, with partnerships in gyms and retail locations. Along the way, I’ve learned the importance of consistency, customer service, and building relationships. Read more>>
Natasha Turner, LCSW-S
I recognized a significant gap in access to high-quality, culturally responsive mental health services for African American individuals in my community. In response, I founded my practice to provide therapy that is relatable, relevant, and affirming—care that truly understands and addresses the unique experiences of women of color. Read more>>
Monica Woody
Woodsy Floral was founded by accident believe it or not. Flowers have always been a part of my husband and I’s marriage. Every Friday or every other Friday my husband, Lonnie would go get fresh stems from the floral shop down the road from our house. Read more>>
Lisa Cooper
I never set out to become a content creator. Like many women, I spent years focused on raising my family while putting much of my own identity on the back burner. As I approached 50, I found myself entering a new season of life as an empty nester and began asking what was next for me. Read more>>
Stephanie Gaete
We are the owners of Gracie Barra Lindale, a family-owned and operated martial arts school built on our passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, personal growth, and serving our community. Although our individual journeys in martial arts began in Brazil around 2008 and 2009, our family’s Jiu-Jitsu journey truly started in Texas in 2020. Read more>>
Karin Furui
I am a dancer based in New York originally from Japan. I first became aware of dance as a profession when I attended a live concert by Japanese artist I admired in elementary school. Since it was my very first concert, I was incredibly excited to see my favorite artist perform. However, when the show began, it was the dancers who completely captured my attention. Read more>>
Shay Holloway
I’ve been creative my whole life. My creativity just looked different when I was younger. Instead of painting and creating art, I wrote poetry and short stories, and always had a craft project going. I really enjoyed using my hands to create things…still do. Read more>>
Diego Morales
This has to be my 3rd or 4th time on here so i’ll try to catch yall up. Last time I had too many kids, and now I have one more. I finally have a son. Well, the DNA test results said 99.99999999% so I am still getting a second opinion but for now he’s mine. Read more>>
Mattie Rose Kelton
Throughout my younger years, I did all the activities a normal Texas kid does. I played sports, found out I’m good at math, and even learned to ride horses, but music was always the one place I felt truly at home. Read more>>
Heather Metzger
Creativity of any kind has always been my wavelength. I was a Myspace girly that loved photography and built my own websites for fun. I didn’t truly find hair until my late 20’s- after years of pushing back because my mom was a hairstylist. I grew up being the little salon assistant. Sweeping hair and watching the old school stylists pump out client after client. Read more>>
Justice Collier
My journey into technology, entrepreneurship, and education has been anything but traditional. Today, I am the Founder of Techpreneurship Academy, Founder of Devon Design Agency, UX Designer, educator, speaker, and business owner. However, my path started with a simple desire to create a better future for myself and help others do the same. Read more>>
Emily Bradford
The Empress House is a Mahjong Social club in McKinney TX. It opened in May as a place to build community through the wonderful game of Mahjong. Emily Bradford found the game of mahjong in February of 2025 and fell in love! Playing multiple times a week and building an amazing community of friends. Emily knew that downtown McKinney needed a Mahjong house. Read more>>
Meredith King
Hi! I am Meredith King, I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. After graduating high school (JJ Pearce) in 2019, I decided that college wasn’t the right path for me. Around the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and over the next few years, I found myself feeling stuck. Read more>>
Jordan Thomas
I started in nightlife. I used to work the lights for a club in Dallas and would be around all these different celebrities but it just seemed normal. They would come into the bar and be just regular people. Read more>>
James Smith
I started with a cassette tape freestyling and recording on a recorder, they told me and my artist partner that it sounds like an album. Read more>>
Claudia Zelaya
My journey as an entrepreneur didn’t begin in fitness; it began with design. I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design from the University of North Texas, one of the top design programs in the country. After graduating, I worked at a couple of design agencies in Dallas, focusing on brand identity and visual storytelling. Read more>>
Destiny Acevedo
I’ve always had a passion for travel and a talent for planning memorable trips for myself, friends, and family. Over the years, countless people encouraged me to consider becoming a travel advisor because of my organization, attention to detail, and ability to create seamless travel experiences. After having my son, I decided it was the perfect time to turn that passion into a career. Read more>>
Adrian Garcia Mendez
I’ve always believed that the most compelling stories aren’t found in a single, perfectly planned frame, but in the grit, the contrast, and the moments when you have nothing but time to look at the world differently. My journey really began during the COVID-19 lockdown. Read more>>
Otis Ross
I’m an ex con of 17 years. Once I got out I had good jobs in spite of my circumstances. But time was running out on building an actual legacy for my children and grand children. I started with just vegan ice cream. Unlike the others my brand was actually nutritious. With wholesome ingredients. Read more>>
Madilyn Gutowski
After graduating from TCU, I found myself missing the sense of community and connection that had been such a big part of my college experience. As many of my friends moved away, I realized I wasn’t alone. So many women were navigating post-grad life, moving to a new city, or simply looking to make new friends. Read more>>
Rodolfo Bianchi
Before embarking on my entrepreneurial journey, I spent 20 years at Pollo Campero, the renowned Guatemalan restaurant chain that expanded into the US market in 2002. My journey in the hospitality industry began in Guatemala in 1998, while I was still studying industrial engineering in college. Read more>>
Molly Smith
For most of my career, I did what many ambitious professionals do—I chased achievement. I spent nearly 15 years climbing the corporate ladder, collecting promotions, taking on bigger responsibilities, and tying my sense of success to external validation. From the outside, everything looked great. Inside, I was increasingly disconnected from myself. Read more>>
Megan Pyo
I was born and raised in California and spent more than eight years working as a healthcare consultant. It was a great career, and I’m grateful for everything it gave me, but deep down I always sensed it wasn’t my end-all-be-all. There was a creative life calling to me, though for a long time it felt like something waiting on a distant horizon. Read more>>
Charlotte Ford
I began my career in education in 1998 as a science teacher in Arlington ISD, where I spent seven years in the classroom developing a passion for student achievement and instructional excellence. From there, I moved into campus leadership as an Assistant Principal at the same high school where I started my teaching career, serving in that role for five years. Read more>>
Gabriel Montgomery
I’ve always been the planner among my friends, even from a young age, so stepping into the world of events felt like a natural progression. More than 13 years ago, I launched Alltogatherlovely, planning baby showers, special events, and gatherings for the restaurant where I worked, along with other small celebrations. Read more>>
Shalom Gibtsawi
Growing up, I always imagined myself on a big screen in Hollywood. Playing the main character in the next Blockbuster hit. I was a big fan of Tv/Movies as a young girl, and would always reenact my favorite show or a scene in a film. I was in every church play as a kid, and participated in theatre all throughout grade school. Read more>>
Loan Tang
My name is Loan Tang, and I am originally from Vietnam. I have been living and working in Arlington, Texas for more than 13 years. I was born into a family where my mother was a teacher and my siblings became doctors in Vietnam. After moving to the United States, I started my journey in Texas with fashion design as my passion and career. Read more>>
Lisa Foster
Fifteen years ago, I started this company with a passion for creating unforgettable events in Downtown’s non-traditional venues, including warehouse spaces, art galleries, and other one-of-a-kind locations. Those early experiences taught us how to transform unique spaces into extraordinary celebrations that truly reflected each client’s vision. The process was often challenging, but incredibly rewarding. Over the years, we’ve expanded beyond Downtown and throughout the Valley. Read more>>
Mike Creeps
I grew up in Forrest City, Arkansas, and I’ve always been drawn to creativity, entrepreneurship, and finding ways to build something meaningful from the ground up. Over the years, I’ve worked in education, social services, and community-focused roles while continuing to pursue my own creative ventures on the side. Read more>>
Renee Caldwell
At Stork Vision®, it all started with one location in 2004 in North Richland Hills, Texas and a simple mission: to give expectant families a special opportunity to connect with their babies before birth. Over the years, we’ve grown into a family of franchise locations across Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, Texas, and Utah, helping thousands of families create unforgettable memories along the way. Read more>>
Alaa Saffouri
My journey into the insurance industry began in 2017, I experienced firsthand how confusing insurance and many financial products can be for individuals and families trying to build a life in a new country. I noticed that many people, especially within immigrant communities, were purchasing insurance without fully understanding their coverage, exclusions, or how to protect themselves properly. Read more>>
Deanna, Diana, Gracie Worth A Conversation
This idea first started while having coffee together and quickly we realized how valuable and meaningful our conversations are. We always left the conversation feeling like the topics we discussed would be great for a podcast, which is something we all had envisioned. In January, we attended a vision board party and we all realized we had podcast related images on our boards. Read more>>
Brenda Woolley
Hi friends, my name is Brenda Woolley, and I am a licensed esthetician based in Arlington/Pantego, Texas. I’ve been in the industry for three years, but my journey with skincare started long before that. I struggled with acne from the age of 13. For me, it was genetic, hormonal, and deeply personal—and ultimately, it’s the reason I’m in this field today. Read more>>
Huxon Fitzer
We are the Fitzer Family: Nick, Harmony, Huxon(5)and Krew(3) we have built a life around 2 wheels, outdoor adventures, and a shared love for riding together. Nick grew up around bikes. His dad was really into biking and was known for his wheelies, so riding was a huge part of his childhood from the very beginning. Read more>>
Lacey Brutschy
My path into real estate wasn’t exactly a straight line. I graduated from SMU in 2009 during one of the toughest job markets in recent history. Like a lot of people coming out of college at that time, I quickly learned that the career path I imagined and the opportunities available weren’t always the same thing. Read more>>
Zauria Thomas
How I got started? Honestly, it was a fluke or rather, what I would call divine intervention. I originally started creating content on TikTok by reviewing romance books. That account was doing fairly well, and I built a genuine community of readers who shared my love for books. Surprisingly, that wasn’t even my main account. Read more>>
Reem Baqeri
I am a 23-year-old Bahraini singer-songwriter. Music has always been a part of my life. I grew up playing classical piano and singing karaoke with my Filipino mother. From family gatherings to any opportunity I could find, I was always singing and performing. Read more>>
Elliott Jackson
BLAST Media LLC Founded in 2021 By Elliott Jackson and Troy Saha, BLAST Media LLC has positioned itself to be the top resource for Independent and Unsigned Music Artists, Independent Film Makers, Comedians and Content Creators. Our mission is and always will be to help these entertainers get their art in front of audiences in the United States and throughout the world. Read more>>
Crystal Robertson
I’ve always been someone who loved beauty, style, and the way presentation can tell a story before you ever say a word. But for a long time, I didn’t necessarily see that as something I could build around. It was just how I moved through the world; how I dressed, how I traveled, how I hosted, how I paid attention to details. Read more>>
