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.
Carleeka Basnight-Menendez
My journey began long before I launched my company. With a background in biology and more than a decade of experience in healthcare, I always knew I wanted to improve people’s lives. However, my own health experience changed the direction of my career forever. At 30 years old, I underwent a total hysterectomy, which thrust me into surgical menopause. Read more>>
Jessica Riggs
Since I was young, I’ve had a strong desire to help others who are suffering. I would befriend the elderly women at my church and was sought out by peers who needed a listening ear. I was always intrigued by the counseling profession and thought it would be a dream job for me. Read more>>
Julie Williamson
My journey into healthcare has been anything but traditional, and I believe that is precisely what has made it so meaningful. Nearly 17 years ago, I relocated to Texas after making the difficult decision to pivot away from dental school. At the time, it felt like stepping into the unknown, but looking back, it became the turning point that shaped the rest of my career. Read more>>
Gregory De Anda
MANNISH started in thrift stores and hand me downs and understanding quality through secondhand clothing. There I found a passion for finding quality and my journey into understanding it began at Goodwill at eight years old. Read more>>
Vivian Le
For a few years, I worked as an ER nurse while creating lifestyle content on the side as a creative outlet. I’ve always loved storytelling through video, but I never imagined it would eventually become part of my career. In 2025, I got engaged to the love of my life and started planning my own wedding. Read more>>
Michelle Chica
Curiously Cursive started when I found a passion for lettering around 2015/2016. When I started it I wasn’t sure what I wanted to sell or what my overall goal for it was, but I just wanted to create things that people enjoyed. Read more>>
Roman Svengali
My introduction to music began at about age 7 when I started playing the piano. I had a tiny kid’s-first-keyboard that my mom had gifted me. I didn’t come from any kind of true musical background at all, but one day, to my mom’s surprise, I was just playing a tune on this keyboard and that lead me to play in the band at church. Read more>>
Shandese Williams
My name is Shandese Williams, and I am a woman, single mother of 4 children whose life has been shaped by resilience, faith, and an unwavering commitment to growth. Born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut, I have spent much of my life learning how to turn adversity into purpose. Like many women, my journey has not been without challenges. Read more>>
Aakansha Jagga
I was the kid who watched way too many Marvel movies and came away convinced that building technology was the coolest thing in the world. That curiosity turned into coding, AI, hackathons, and a lot of projects that probably shouldn’t have seen the light of day. I spent years building random stuff just because I enjoyed it. Read more>>
Noreen Kane
In November 2022, a friend’s mom and several of her friends—all seniors—patiently taught me and a group of girlfriends how to play Mahjong. At first, staring at the tiles and trying to remember dozens of rules felt completely overwhelming. But the first time I called “Mahjong!” I was thrilled—and instantly hooked. Read more>>
Katlyn Nwangwu
Creativity has always been second nature to me. From a young age I had a natural eye for beauty, for the way a room should feel, for the details that turn something ordinary into something memorable. It wasn’t something I learned, it was just something I knew. That instinct is what led me to study event management in college. Read more>>
Angela Garcia
Ellis County Event Center was originally created by our father back in 2012 for his daughters! In 2017 Angela and Grisela started working together to create better all inclusive packages for our clients that were stress free for our Paris Hall including DJ services, centerpieces, catering and more. In June 2022 we were able to buy our dad out and completely take over the business. Read more>>
Roman Canoy
My name is Roman. A DFW native, Musician, Father of two, and DJ for 7 years. I started DJing not really intending for it to become serious. But today it has flourished into a full-time business! Read more>>
Shay Harmon
Im am the youngest of two daughters of a loving but chaotic household. The term used to describe us sisters was that she was born perfect and I was born pissed off. This led to me feeling isolated from my family and the world. Having an outsiders view was not easy. I raged against the unfair and injustice to no avail. Read more>>
Gypsy Hafer
I’ve always had a passion for celebrating life’s milestones and creating beautiful, meaningful experiences. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing someone’s face light up when they feel celebrated and reminded of just how special they are. Read more>>
Miguel Castellanos
I was born in California but grew up in Tijuana Mexico until I was 8 years old. I found football in the 90s and loved the cowboys. I started dressing up and created a character called supercowboy in 2016 and started going with fans to watch the cowboys on tv. Read more>>
Leslie Jackson
I’ve always loved helping people, which is what led me into nursing. I’ve worked in emergency medicine for the past six years, and while I genuinely love being an ER nurse, I realized that so much of healthcare is spent treating diseases that could often be prevented through healthier lifestyles and earlier intervention. That realization sparked a personal journey. Read more>>
Aspen Calhoun
As parents of a special needs kiddo and now an adult as life progresses and time passes you come to know that there is a life transition ahead for your child as the get older. We began transition planning for Shane in middle school, into high school and now continue it while he is in school transition or work training. Read more>>
Tito Bachez
Like many entrepreneurs, my journey wasn’t a straight line. I was born in Calgary, it wasn’t until I started exploring the Canadian Rockies that I truly fell in love with the mountains. I realized that what made these places special wasn’t just the scenery. It was the stories behind them, the history, the wildlife, the geology, and the feeling people took home after experiencing them. Read more>>
CeCe Lima
I’d love to say my dream began as a little girl watching The Wedding Planner with Jennifer Lopez. While that movie certainly sparked my love for weddings, I explored several different career paths throughout college before ultimately finding my place in the events industry. Everything changed when I landed an internship with Pearl Events in Austin. That’s when I knew I had found my industry. Read more>>
Eva Quintero
Katnyx started because of one very determined little cat named Tito. Tito has Pica, a condition that causes cats to chew and swallow things they shouldn’t. Over the span of a year, he required multiple emergency surgeries after ingesting parts of toys and other household items. Read more>>
Petrina Tate
The year 2020 Petrina envisioned having a food trailer. The year 2021 we had our food trailer custom made with nothing in it but the plumbing and electrical. Our great friend John Scott blessed us and did our wrap! We made it out of a vacation and went to Willacoohie Georgia to pick up our trailer. Read more>>
Meghan McNamee
When I was a teenager, I fell in love with styling hair. Read more>>
Jenna Bichler
NOVI Society was born out of a problem we kept seeing over and over again. Talented nurses wanted to offer aesthetic and wellness treatments, but they were overwhelmed by the legal, compliance, and medical oversight requirements that vary from state to state. We realized there wasn’t a single solution that combined education, medical director coverage, compliance, technology, and ongoing business support in one place. Read more>>
Emily Gorman
People often ask how I got started, and honestly, it all began with a job I fell in love with. I started working in the bridal industry when I was 16 years old, and it didn’t take long for me to realize this was where I was meant to be. Read more>>
Dani Gittens
I grew up playing video games and watching anime with older siblings. Staying up late watching toonami. I love how the characters sounded in Tekken ,Metal gear and Devil may cry ,Dragon ball and my whole life I was told I sound like a cartoon character. My mom was heavily influenced by Asian culture as well. Im mixed I’m white and black. Read more>>
Toria V. Najomoh
I’ve always been drawn to communication and to the power of storytelling ever since I was a child. Looking back now, I don’t think I realized where that passion would lead me. I simply enjoyed connecting with people and sharing ideas capable of making a difference. My journey officially started in media when I explored broadcasting and digital communication. Read more>>
Kara Rainer
I grew up in a deeply musical family. My father was a professional tenor who performed everywhere from Lincoln Center in New York, to stages in our hometown of Tyler, Texas. Music and performance were woven into everyday life, and from an early age I was captivated by the arts. Read more>>
Tyranai Johnson
I’ve always believed that where you start doesn’t determine where you finish. My journey hasn’t been easy, but every challenge has shaped the woman I am today. I’m a single mom, content creator, and entrepreneur who built my platform from the ground up with consistency, faith, and a refusal to give up. When I first started creating content, I had no blueprint. Read more>>
Aira Choi
I am a painter based in Seoul, South Korea. Art has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Over time, I developed my own visual language through oil painting, creating dreamlike scenes that often feature leopards, moons, flowers, and imagined paradises. Read more>>
Brandon Travelstead
Real estate wasn’t just a career choice for me, it was an opportunity to combine my passion for people, entrepreneurship, and serving others in a meaningful way. Like most journeys, it didn’t happen overnight. We started by simply saying yes to the opportunities in front of us, working hard, and focusing on doing the right thing even when no one was watching. Read more>>
Lwanda Jawar
I started as a theatre actor and mode way back in 2009, I become Mr.kenya in 2010. Started doing film. Read more>>
LaMonica Jackson
The Learning Lighthouse was born from my passion for teaching and helping children reach their full potential. As a kindergarten teacher, I saw many students who needed more personalized support than a traditional classroom could always provide. That inspired me to create a space where children could learn at their own pace in a nurturing, engaging environment. Read more>>
Jalen/ Eric Mathis/ Stafford
Off Tha Rip started as a passion project built around authentic conversations and community. We wanted to create a platform where people could speak freely about sports, culture, business, and life. What began as a simple podcast between friends has grown into a media brand that hosts live events, creates original content, and highlights voices from our community. Read more>>
Lisveth Cardenas
Hello! I greatly appreciate the opportunity to share my story. My journey into the Photo Booth industry began with a simple love for celebrations and bringing people together. Read more>>
Kyara Ofuani
I’ve always believed that law should be more than a profession—it should be a tool for service. Growing up in Janesville, Wisconsin, I experienced firsthand how access to opportunity, justice, and resources isn’t always equal. Read more>>
Camille Pierre
This addition helps show the dedication and balance you’ve maintained while building your business: My photography journey began with a simple passion for capturing moments and helping people see their beauty, confidence, and purpose through photography. When I first started my business, it was called Millie’s Photography. Read more>>
Laila T
During my last semester of college before graduating, I started modeling part-time. I was able to book shoots in both the East Texas area and Houston after creating a profile on site called Model Mayhem. Three to four months later, I got published on the front/back of a novel that was sold overseas. Read more>>
Hailee Carswell
My journey into the wedding industry started when I was in high school. I took a part-time job assisting a wedding photographer, and from the very first wedding I experienced, I knew I had found something special. Read more>>
Kia Howard
My story started just before COVID hit America. I got tired of the corporate life, left the IT field and joined the hospitality sector in Dallas. I wanted to showcase my personality through events, but then COVID hit. HARD. Lol. It was actually kind of depressing, but it kind of motivated me. It forced me to tap into my creative side. Read more>>
Da’ Kassha Holmon
I started my journey in a very real and personal way—experiencing financial setbacks, learning credit the hard way, and having to rebuild from the ground up. I know what it feels like to be overlooked, overwhelmed, and unsure where to start. Over time, I committed myself to learning how credit truly works, how funding systems operate, and how financial decisions impact long-term stability. Read more>>
Leslie Shelton
For more than three decades, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the most respected publications in Texas, including Texas Monthly, D Magazine, and Luxe Interiors + Design. Along the way, I learned from some of the very best in the publishing industry—both on the editorial and business sides. Read more>>
Elyce Arons
I started my first brand, Kate Spade New York, in 1993 alongside my best friend Katy Brosnahan, Andy Spade, and Pamela Bell. Katy and I had always dreamed of going into business together, but the experience of building Kate Spade into a multi-million dollar brand was beyond anything we could have imagined. In 2006, we sold the company and took some time with our families. Read more>>
Te’zha Jones
My work began as a personal search for healing. I was navigating chronic pain and illness connected to my menstrual cycle, along with a deep disconnection from my body. That experience led me into herbalism and natural healing practices as I tried to better understand and care for myself. Read more>>
Christian Lewis
Hey My name is Christian Lewis founder of Continuum, back in 2021 I was playing football for Plano West Senior High School — I had played my entire life. But I always loved cameras. I grew up watching YouTube, running around with a broken camera pretending I was vlogging myself. Read more>>
Enrica Tseng
Ms. Tseng is from Italy, Chiavari, where she began her training studying classical ballet with teachers such as Mr. Erik Bruhn, Ms. Yvette Chauvire’, Mr. Bruno Telloli, Mr. Ricardo Nunez, and Ms. Ekaterina Maximova. Ms. Tseng started her professional career in Italy where she danced with Teatro Comunale of Florence, Teatro Regio of Torino, and Teatro Nuovo of Torino. Read more>>
Calvin “Cray” James Jr
I got my start back in 2012 when I first began dabbling in marketing. At the time, I was young, over optimistic, and honestly just curious. I didn’t know exactly where it would take me, but I was fascinated by the idea that marketing could help a business get noticed, tell a better story, and create real opportunities. Read more>>
Victoria Espinoza
Before becoming a mom, I was living my dream career as a Construction Project Manager. When I became pregnant, my husband was working in the oilfield, and we made the decision that I would stay home with our son. It wasn’t something I had ever envisioned for myself, but it has been one of the greatest blessings and biggest life transitions of my life. Read more>>
Canon Herring
I started learning music at a very young age and am blessed to come from a musical family. As I grew up, my love for music grew with me. It became more than a hobby; it became a passion and a calling. I didn’t want to do music only as a career, I knew I was called to make it my personal ministry too. Read more>>
Ali McNew
I grew up on a horse ranch in a small Texas town where neighbors helped neighbors. While the town has grown a lot since then, I still remember the strong sense of community that surrounded me growing up. Those early experiences shaped how I see the world and gave me a deep appreciation for the people and places that bring communities together. Read more>>
Deanna Hill
If you had told me years ago that I’d become a Realtor, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. Looking back now, though, every step of my journey has prepared me for this career in ways I never imagined. Before real estate, I worked in the pharmaceutical industry. Read more>>
Joshua D. Reed
My journey as an artist began long before I understood that it would become a lifelong calling. Growing up in Dallas, Texas, I was introduced to storytelling through church productions and performances at The Potter’s House of Dallas. Read more>>
Lisa Emmick
Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My mother was my very first piano teacher, and those early lessons sparked a lifelong love of music. As I continued my musical studies, I discovered that I not only loved playing music, but I also loved helping others learn. Read more>>
Dorkas Arroyo
About Me – My Story I founded Sweet Projects in 2009, but my journey began a little earlier—when I made chocolate pops for my sister’s wedding. What started as a simple favor quickly became a passion. I fell in love with the creativity, the precision, and the joy that comes from making something beautiful with your hands. Read more>>
Bianca Tucker
Valley Wings was born out of a dream to bring our family back together. At the time, my husband was playing professional basketball overseas, and while we were grateful for the opportunity, it meant I was home raising our children and managing everything on my own. Read more>>
Iván Alejandro Rangel Salas
Ever since I was a kid, art has been a huge part of my life. I spent hours drawing at school and was always known as “the kid who was always drawing.” That passion led me to study art, technical drawing, industrial drawing, and graphic arts. Later, I chose to study Industrial Design because I’ve always loved creativity and turning ideas into reality. Read more>>
Tamika Taylor
People often assume I woke up one day and decided to become a mindset coach. The truth is, this career was born out of asking one question that completely changed my life: Why do so many successful people still feel disconnected from themselves? Before entrepreneurship, I spent years in corporate America, working in leadership and business development, helping organizations grow and develop people. Read more>>
Taylor Artman
We began as a ‘Golf and Social Club’ In 2016 in Southern California. 2 PGA Professionals and 3 Playing Professionals on PGA Tour Canada at the time started the brand…. We then started getting high demand for our branded apparel that were ‘gifts’ initially….to the events and members of our club. Read more>>
Jazmyn Haywood
I am the eldest daughter of a teenage mother and a father who spent much of my childhood incarcerated. Today, I am a first-generation college graduate, a world traveler, and the founder of Jazz Network, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Read more>>
Beverly Williamson
My story starts in Dallas, Texas. I was born to a Salvadoran woman and an East Texas gringo. I was raised in Latino culture, and I’m deeply grateful to my parents for making sure that part of me always stayed present and alive. As a teenager, I went through cancer treatment and underwent chemo and radiation. Read more>>
Ally Bunton
I always knew I wanted to do hair, I grew up in a salon. Sweeping hair and folding towels took up my weekends and days after school most of the time. When I finished cosmetology school in high school, I knew I didn’t want to work in a salon. I didn’t want to be stationary or do the same thing every day. Read more>>
Dave Fulson
I am currently 66 years of age. Since my first job at 16, I have been involved professionally in the Hunting\Shooting\ Production and Conservation space. I’m a lifer. I am a Hunter\Conservationist who believes in, and globally promotes the Conservation Through Hunting narrative. Read more>>
The 12th House
Four years ago, Lea Roache and Monica Dyess-Martinez met in a pottery class. They soon discovered they shared the same dream: to one day open a coffee shop. Knowing every dream starts with a first step, they launched The 12th House as a beverage cart. Read more>>
Alexi Marshall
I grew up in a small town in northwest Ohio with big dreams of moving south! When COVID-19 hit, I finally found my chance! I graduated with a degree in Animal Science, packed up, and moved to the Lone Star State. After a couple jobs, I found my place with Kimes Ranch in the Fort Worth Stockyards. Read more>>
Lizette Najera
I’ve always been someone who dreams big. Growing up in a small town in West Texas in a proud Mexican-American family, I learned early on the value of hard work, faith, and community. My parents taught me to show up for others, serve with humility, and create opportunities instead of waiting for them. Those values continue to guide me in everything I do. Read more>>
snack braff
i started painting in 2017 because i wanted to be like KAWS, Matt Gondek, and Uncle Strawberry. i enjoyed their work and wanted to try my hand at recreating that bold, flat, clean pop art genre. Read more>>
Char’Nese Turner
My story starts before I could even tell it myself… As my mother remembers it, she was grilling on Memorial Day when her water broke, about three months before I was due. I weighed one pound, ten ounces at birth, small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Read more>>
Honey Beigh
I’m originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, and I’ve called the Dallas area home for the past three and a half years after making the decision to choose myself and create a better future for my son. My journey has been anything but easy, but every challenge has been worth it. Before becoming an entrepreneur, I served in the U.S. Read more>>
Audrey Cuenca
If you had told me years ago that I’d be a hairstylist, educator, content creator, and business owner, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. My path has never been linear. It’s been built through resilience, reinvention, and a willingness to keep moving forward even when life became incredibly difficult. Read more>>
Nancy Nelson
My name is Nancy Nelson and I am a yoga instructor and board certified reflexologist based out of Denton, Texas. I’ve always been fascinated by the human body and learning about its many intricate systems. I studied Dietetics and Nutrition at Ouachita Baptist University and graduated with my Bachelor in Science in 2010. Read more>>
McKinlei Polite
I started Gorgeous Couture Creations in 2018, before the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve always had an eye for design and a passion for party planning, but working at Party City during my first year of college truly opened my eyes to how much I loved bringing people’s visions to life and creating unforgettable moments. Read more>>
John Smith
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset. Early in my career I worked as a developer while building a portfolio of investment properties before the market crash. Read more>>
Taylor Nicole
Let me start by saying I would have never thought I would be in front of the camera. I always was more of a behind-the-scenes girl. I went out to Okc for a couple of years and end up working in meeting a guy from California who needed someone to manage his upcoming record label. Read more>>
David Geary
My journey began at my apartment with a point-and-shoot Kodak camera, a box of airsoft weapons, and a closet full of random clothing. At the time, I was attending the Art Institute of Dallas, where I met a handful of awesome artists (most of whom became a part of my work). Read more>>
Olivia Baxter
For The Girls was born out of a simple but very real problem: making friends as an adult is hard. I noticed that life after college, especially with the rise of remote work, had left a lot of women in Fort Worth feeling isolated, craving connection but unsure of how (or where) to find it. Read more>>
Kaye Flewellen
I am the owner of Flewellen’s Hair Salon which is the longest continuously running African American Salon in the city.. I inherited the salon from my mother and collectively we have been in business for 56 years. My mother founded the salon with the mantra “Building Community Builds Business “. As a result she always sponsored and supported community centered events. Read more>>
Tam Phan
Started in real estate 10 years ago. Lost in the industry with not much help. Built a good business in Boston and surrounding cities but I wanted more. Wife and I moved to Dallas about 5 years ago. Started over from scratch because we knew the opportunity is here! We had no friends or family in the DFW area. Read more>>
Carla Marcom
I’ve always loved fashion, but for me, it’s never really been about the clothes. It’s about helping women feel confident, beautiful, and seen. For many years I worked alongside my husband in our family businesses while raising our two sons. Opening Bella Bliss Boutique wasn’t something I did in my twenties. Read more>>
Alrecus Ford
Honestly, my story starts in a small town. Reynolds, Georgia. I didn’t grow up imagining I’d be leading a global prayer movement. I just grew up around faith, around people who believed God actually listened when you talked to Him. That stuck with me more than I realized at the time. Read more>>
Karolyna Olmedo Rocha
Growing up in Southern California, being the daughter of immigrant parents afforded me a unique perspective. Regular visits to Mexico during the summer months strengthened my bond with my cultural roots. After moving to San Antonio and then Dallas, I developed a profound respect for Mexico’s vibrant cultural legacy. Read more>>
Rebeca Salazar
My journey into the beauty industry began long before I ever earned my cosmetology license. At just 14 years old, I found joy in styling hair and applying makeup for my friends before parties and special occasions. Even then, I knew I had discovered something I truly loved. Life, however, had different plans. Read more>>
Janet Jack
https://www.a-listbranding.com/post/who-is-janet-jacque see my blog and personal story I have spent over three decades mastering the art of high-level branding, merchandising, and corporate strategy. My career was built in the trenches of the traditional retail landscape, where I served as a C-Suite Company Officer driving Merchandise strategy, sales, product development, and multi-million-dollar enterprise marketing for legendary giants like JCPenney, Neiman Marcus, and elite boutique chains. Read more>>
Jazmine Reyes
Hi everyone, I’m Jazmine Reyes, a.k.a. Jazzy G. I am 25 years old and I’m from Dallas, Texas. I started dancing when I was about seven years old (2007). I was always freestyling to songs on the radio or on YouTube. My biggest inspiration at the time was Michael Jackson and Bruno Mars. My style started from grooving, funk, and waving freestyle. Read more>>
Valeria Hernandez-Villa
Beauty has always been my passion, and I’ve dedicated my career to helping people look and feel their best. In high school I joined a cosmetology program where I was able to graduate with my cosmetology license. I would go to school every day with a full glam. I worked as a beauty advisor for 3 years. Read more>>
Miquie Crislip
I started my photography journey my freshman year of high school where I took a film class. In this class we learned everything from taking a picture to developing and printing our film. I was hooked. As time went on, I ended up buying my first ‘big’ digital camera my sophomore year of college and started doing creative shoots and graduation photos for my friends. Read more>>
Roseé Washington
A local artist who goes by the name Roseé known as The Latina Songbird born in Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico 🇵🇷and from Chicago, Illinois (The Windy City!) 🥳 This fiery songbird came to Dallas Tx hungry for better opportunities to pursue her dreams! Read more>>
Alexander Murray
I started out in science at John Carroll University. I’d originally planned on medicine, but after taking ecology classes my second year and doing some salamander fieldwork, I realized I was far more excited to study the natural world and try to make a difference in it through conservation. Read more>>
United barbers Club
United Barbers Club began as the Sacramento Barbers Club, founded by Master Barbers and shop owners Timmel Pittman and Lonnie Horne. Sharing a passion for the barbering industry, they recognized there was incredible talent within the profession but not enough opportunities for barbers to truly connect, learn from one another, and celebrate the culture that brings everyone together. Read more>>
Aimi Asowata
My name is Aimi (eye-me), and honestly, I think I’ve been preparing for this long before social media ever entered the picture. From the time I was little, I talked too much (my teachers would definitely confirm that), but I was also the friend who believed in people. Read more>>
Ramsey Baker
My path into the creative world has been a little unconventional. I actually have a degree in environmental engineering and spent seven years working in the landfill industry (yes, literally trash). About five years into my career, I realized I felt pretty disconnected from the work I was doing every day. Read more>>
Shilpa cacho
For a long time, I thought I knew what love was. Read more>>
Ana Serna
KOCOROKO Munchies’ journey began in January 2022. I had started noticing the years of hard work in my father’s eyes. He looked tired after spending most of his life working in the construction industry, enduring extreme heat and cold. One day, while driving through Mabank, I saw a building with a ‘For Lease’ sign. Read more>>
Nick Raschke
I’ve always been entrepreneurial. Even as a kid, I was constantly looking for ways to build something. I loved skateboarding and paintball, so naturally my first “business” was a backyard skatepark that my friends and I built when I was really young. We’d charge neighborhood kids a small fee to skate, then reinvest the money into building new ramps. Read more>>
Sonja Tisdale
Photography is a hobby that I have always loved. It was introduced to me by my mother, Cynthia. As far back as I can remember, she always had multiple cameras (Canon’s, Fuji, etc.). She loved taking pictures of almost anything and she started to teach me how to look for the best shots. Read more>>
Chuck Tate
Hi! I’’m Chuck! Most people know me through fitness and motivational content that I post reflecting my mentality and how I push myself to be better. However, that’s not all to me. I am actually more than muscles. I ended relocating from Jackson, Mississippi to Dallas, Texas after graduating college in 2018. Read more>>
Tiree Hooper
My journey started with a passion for creating beautiful, memorable experiences for people. What began as helping family and friends with event décor quickly grew into something much bigger as I discovered my creativity and love for transforming ordinary spaces into unforgettable celebrations. Read more>>
Jasmine Stewart
My love for DJing really started with my love for music. Long before I ever touched a controller, I was always the person in charge of the music at college get-togethers, house parties, and kickbacks. I’ve always loved discovering music, building playlists, and curating an atmosphere that brings people together. My passion for music actually began with dance. Read more>>
Eunique Wilson
Hair has been a part of my life since I was 12 years old. I started by braiding the hair of family and friends simply because I enjoyed making people feel beautiful. At the time, I had no idea that a childhood hobby would eventually become my career. In August 2020, I officially began taking clients, and this year marks six years in the industry. Read more>>
Nadin Kharchenko
Just before turning 40, I moved to the United States with my family and suddenly found myself starting over. A new country, a new language, a new career—and the opportunity to build a life that truly reflected who I wanted to become. Before that, I had a technical background and worked in a completely different field. Read more>>
Omar Tinajero
I started Texas Junk Boys back in 2023 with a good friend of mine. We were looking for a side business we could run on the weekends to earn some money and start saving up for college. Read more>>
Siri Vemireddy
Growing up, I always had a passion for art. Throughout high school, while volunteering at local children’s hospitals, I had the opportunity to interact with pediatric patients and see firsthand some of the challenges they faced during treatment. Read more>>
Allyson Brooks
My entrepreneurial journey started while I was a student at the University of Kentucky. I always knew I loved marketing, storytelling, and building relationships, but I quickly realized there was a gap between what many small businesses needed and the support they could realistically access. What began as helping a few local businesses with social media soon grew into something much bigger. Read more>>
