Portraits of Dallas

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.

Yemi Magbade

I grew up in a Nigerian household where education and hard work were prioritized. I’ve always been focused on the STEM side, but I also have a creative side–I love photography, fashion, and creating things. Read more>>

Chika Nnanna

I’ve always been passionate about helping people. That passion led me to become a registered nurse, and for more than 18 years I’ve had the privilege of caring for patients and their families during some of life’s most challenging moments. Nursing has taught me resilience, compassion, and the importance of showing up for others, values that continue to guide everything I do. Read more>>

Janet Marcum

When I was attending Texas Tech University, my then-boyfriend (later husband) bought a house near campus to live in personally and rent out to friends during his college years. He had a part-time salary and very little money for a down payment, but low home prices and lax lending requirements made the process painless. Read more>>

Marshall Ekwuruke

My journey has been anything but traditional. I spent more than a decade as a barber, where I learned the value of hard work, building relationships , and paying attention to the small details. Working with clients every day also exposed me to everyday problems that didn’t have simple solutions. Read more>>

Mariajose Cervantes

I was born and raised in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, where hospitality, food, family, and tradition were simply a way of life. Those early experiences shaped the way I see restaurants—not just as places to eat, but as spaces where people feel at home, celebrate, connect, and create memories. Read more>>

Misty Elenburg

Vandalay Designs has been part of our story for the past 10 years, but its roots go back much further. My business partner originally started the company about 25 years ago as a creative outlet and passion project. After spending 15 years in the real estate and advertising/media industry, I felt called to leave the corporate world and take a leap of faith. Read more>>

kathy Rollwage

I’ve always loved to sketch, draw and doodle. My ‘face painting’ career began from a church deacon seeing me sketch out my bible stories on a chalk board. I painted once a year, at that same church for 15-20 years. Then, I started doing vendor events and gradually began getting hired to paint at private business and residential events. Read more>>

Josh & Jonny

Husband duo who have a passion for hospitality, events, love fashion and experiential dining. We created Caviar Concierge out of pure passion and to provide a modern take on a classic favorite for our Dallas friends and associates. We’ve been blessed to provide service for Dallas, Houston, Scottsdale, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Read more>>

Sheis Floyd

I’m a host and sports emcee! I have worked in baseball, basketball, football, hockey, rugby, soccer, and the ICC cricket World Cup. I’ve done celebrity interviews, and even worked behind the scenes in production. Read more>>

Pita Castañeda

I started in the live entertainment industry in 2010 in my hometown of McAllen, Texas. I was given an opportunity to work with one of the largest concert promotion companies in South Texas, and from day one I fell in love with the fast-paced world of live events. Read more>>

Marina McLean

I was born in London, England, and have been happily married to my husband, Renrick McLean, for forty-two years. Together we have raised three wonderful children who are now thriving adults. Entrepreneurship has always been part of my journey. As a young mother, I began with businesses like Tupperware and Mary Kay before eventually becoming a full-time entrepreneur while serving in full-time ministry. Read more>>

Sevasti Ruff

I’ve never really known how to think small, so even as a kid, I imagined a life much bigger than the one I could see around me. I was born in New York, raised in North Carolina, and eventually moved to Dallas but always lived with one goal: to build something that would outlive me. Read more>>

Yvonne Jones

If you had told me years ago that I would one day be the Founder and Executive Director of an upcoming nonprofit organization, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. My journey hasn’t been perfect. Like many of the women I serve today, I’ve experienced seasons of disappointment, uncertainty, and moments where I questioned what was next. Read more>>

Stephanie Pass

I’ve been a bookworm my whole life. I’ve always lived in stories, the ones I read and the ones I made up in my own head. But for a long time, I kept my own stories mostly to myself. Instead I grew a blog for 15 years writing stories about my family in relation to crafts and recipes. Read more>>

Raven Faye Ramirez

I’ve always been obsessed with Halloween and the macabre, which naturally led me into the world of professional special effects makeup. Fun fact, I wasn’t allowed to celebrate Halloween when I was younger. But I started out working in haunted houses for National Honors Society, and eventually running the makeup department. Read more>>

Megan Fish

Rooted Home began as a dream ten years ago. I wanted to bridge my love for writing, gardening, and creating beautiful spaces and community together in one place. Our passion is to celebrate local vendors and artisans alongside uniquely curated goods that you cannot get at a big box store. Rooted Home brings a beautifully intentional approach to home styling and gift-giving. Read more>>

alexandra uceda

It started in my mom’s bathroom when I was four years old. Digging through her bathroom vanity, letting my hands paint my face as a canvas, I had successfully used a mascara wand as face paint. That was when I knew makeup spoke to me. Growing up, learning how to express myself became a priority, even if I didn’t understand it at first. Read more>>

Farah Gilani

My path actually started with me studying Journalism in undergrad with a desire to be a news reporter. Looking back, the connection makes a lot of sense. What I loved about journalism was listening to people’s stories, and that is still such a big part of my work today as a therapist. Read more>>

Lynda Kingsley

After raising three children and running a family business, and then moving to Mckinney from New Mexico, I decided to change from creating crafts and ballet costuming to fine arts. so I enrolled in the Studio art program at University of N. Texas.  Read more>>

Heath Dollar

My family has lived in Texas for generations, and I was raised on the stories and songs and legends of this place. So it perhaps comes as no surprise that one of my earliest memories is of my grandfather singing “The Old Chisholm Trail” to lullaby me to sleep. Read more>>

Briana White

My name is Briana White, formerly Briana Pass. I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, and my journey as a writer began long before I ever published a book. I’ve always loved writing, but everything truly started during the summer of 2013, just before my junior year of high school. Read more>>

Lindsay O’Connor

I grew up in a family that is deeply curious about what God is like and what makes people tick. I was a quiet kid who often had my nose in a book and my pen and tablet at the ready to record ideas for poetry and stories. I have always been captivated by great storytelling. Read more>>

Kimberly Patterson

I grew up in a small town with big love in Spencer, Oklahoma. Dallas has been home for the last 15 years. God gave me the vision for Kindred Kollection years ago. I’ve always enjoyed doing things that involve letters or words. Things like riddles and word searches. I looked forward to the weekly spelling tests in elementary school. Read more>>

Sean Cooper

As long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to start my own band and become an entertainer. Ironically, I was a very shy kid growing up. But anytime when I saw an opportunity to put myself out into the public eye, I couldn’t get enough of the attention. Read more>>

Fabian XIV

I started my journey 15 years ago. After being terminated from my job at the time, I decided that I was done with the corporate world and that from then on, I would pursue my passions with the talent I was blessed with. So I became an actor. Read more>>

Fharren Mason

The Spark (2018) I launched Infinite Styles by Fharren with a clear, sharp vision: helping people elevate their image through a look that is simple, clean, and chic, yet instantly grabs attention. The Pivot & Growth Like many entrepreneurs, I had to navigate a major pause when the pandemic hit. But instead of standing still too long, I had to level up. Read more>>

DEVENDRA JANI

My journey has been driven by two passions—technology and nature. Professionally, I have spent over 21 years in the telecom and technology industry, leading product innovation at Amdocs. Alongside my career, I founded Bee-The Lead initiate , a mission dedicated to conserving India’s native bees and reconnecting people with nature. Read more>>

Taneisha Tennard

I’ve always been the person documenting experiences, whether it was trying a new restaurant, exploring a new city, or capturing the little moments that make everyday life fun. What started as simply sharing those experiences online gradually turned into a passion for creating content that people genuinely enjoy and find helpful. I never set out trying to become an influencer. Read more>>

Rosa Agliata

My journey began in Naples, Italy, where I was raised surrounded by beauty, history, craftsmanship, and the simple yet profound philosophy of la dolce vita. From an early age, I learned that style wasn’t about following trends—it was about expressing who you are, appreciating quality, and finding beauty in everyday life. Read more>>

Gabrielle Dunn

My journey has never followed a straight path, but every chapter has led me exactly where I’m meant to be. I’ve always been drawn to creating beautiful things. In 2020, I founded Saint Akir as a creative outlet, combining my love for design, storytelling, and timeless style through jewelry. What started as a passion project quickly became a brand that reflected who I was becoming. Read more>>

Jocelyn Perez

I always say my photography journey started when I begged my parents for a DSLR camera for my 15th birthday. I found one on eBay, and from the moment it arrived, I was obsessed. I had no idea what I was doing, but I spent hours teaching myself, taking photos of absolutely anything I could, and just having fun creating. Read more>>

Nekiah Torres

Hey You! I’m Nekiah – but everyone calls me Kiah. The first question I’m always asked is, ‘what are you?’ So, let’s just get that out the way. I’m half Native American (Dad) and half Black (Mom). I’m a believer in Jesus Christ, Wife, Mom (human and dog), and a member of Corporate America. Read more>>

Natalie Eickhoff

My Journey as an Entrepreneur I’ve always been in the service industry in one way or another, from growing up in my family’s restaurants to running my own baby equipment rental business. Over the years, I’ve worn many hats, but creativity has always been at the heart of everything I do. Read more>>

Scott OReilly

My career has taken an unconventional path: musician, accounting manager, IT professional, video producer and director, video strategist, and now Creative Director of Video. Looking back, none of those chapters were detours. They were building blocks. Every role solved a different piece of the puzzle, culminating in a video production methodology that blends strategy, creativity, technology, and efficiency. Read more>>

Aj Byrd

I’ve always been creative and driven by one life motto: give meaning by being meaningful. Whether I’m creating, serving others, or building a business, I want my work to leave a positive impact. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and started my career as a teacher, but around the same time, I discovered my passion for natural hair. Read more>>

Tracye Johnson

My journey into the world of coffee began in a way I never expected. While working at Ellen’s Southern Kitchen in the West End, I was introduced to the art, creativity, and experience behind coffee and specialty drinks by the owner, Joe Groves. What started as simply being part of my work environment quickly grew into a genuine passion. Read more>>

Sumaya (Maya) Hassan (Youssef)

Started designing jewelry for myself. Family & friends started asking me to design for them and we grew from there. Read more>>

Linda Lieffers

I began painting in 2018 in my garage with a simple goal: to give myself one year to see if I had what it took. I had no formal plan beyond that—just a strong desire to create. That one year turned into a lifelong passion, and I never stopped. Read more>>

Chris Oliver

Board games have been a part of both of our lives as long as we can remember. We both grew up playing with our families, and we introduced our own kids to classics like Sorry! and Chutes and Ladders as soon as they could confidently pick up the game pieces. Read more>>

Graciela Lomas

I started Texan Belle Crafts in 2023 as a way to turn my love for creating into something I could share with others. What began as a small hobby to help me have a creative outlet has grown thanks to the support of my family, friends and the amazing community I’ve met through pop up markets and events. Read more>>

Ines Bautista-Yao

I’ve always wanted to write stories. I think I started writing when I was in grade school – I carried notebooks with me everywhere I went so that if I had free time, I would write. Read more>>

Turiya Om Guidry-Mohamed

It all started in New Orleans, Louisiana, where I was born and raised. My mother was part of a spiritual community known as the Purple People, a metaphysical and esoteric group rooted in Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. Read more>>

Kayelyn Roppolo

First off l would like to thank Voyage Dallas magazine, for giving me the opportunity to share my story, what a privilege and a blessing! I don’t really remember a time where art or creativeness was not a part of me. I always loved coloring and painting. I would also make little dresses for my pony dolls out of paper towels. Read more>>

Jasmine Sepulveda

I’ve always had a passion for being behind the camera and capturing meaningful moments. What started as a hobby eventually grew into something I wanted to pursue more seriously. One day, I made the decision to turn that passion into a business, and since then I’ve been focused on developing my skills, building my brand, and creating memorable experiences for my clients. Read more>>

Alisha Wendell

If you had told me years ago that I’d be formulating skincare and running my own business, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. My professional background has always been in education, and I still work as a private dyslexia therapist. Read more>>

Ismael Alvarez

I was born in Arlington, Texas to my mother, Laurie Ann Nuñez & my father, Jose Alberto Alvarez. Growing up, I was encouraged by my father, to forge my own path, pursue excellence, and never lose sight of the importance of family. Read more>>

LyricallyGifted Brother

It’s funny because I started out with hopes of being a rap legend in New Orleans but, when I auditioned for a few rap labels, they all said I sounded like I was doing poetry. Of course, I was offended in a way because I thought of poetry as only being filled with love and mushyness lol. Read more>>

Shinette Amoh

Our business started like many other small businesses did, during the midst of the pandemic. We are a pair of spiritual best friends, and our business was initiated out of a literal necessity. One of us became unemployed, and the other of us was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2020. Read more>>

Erika Castro

I have always felt drawn to the idea of helping people heal through touch and really enjoy building relationships with people as well. After college I was working as a physical therapy tech and decided I would start going to massage school at night. Read more>>

Zach Cornell

I grew up in a little speed trap town in the Texas Panhandle. My dad ran a feed store out there and we logged about a million miles in his single cab pickup delivering feed to ranches in the area. Read more>>

Tiffany Hannah Frame

The truth is, I didn’t find art, art found me in the middle of everything I was trying to survive. Long before it became my profession, it was both my refuge and my sanctuary; the one constant in a life marked by chaos, loss, uncertainty, and constant change. I started creating at a very young age. Read more>>

Adeline Brewer

I grew up in a rural town in Malaysia and immigrated to the United States during a time of economic instability, when the Malaysian ringgit dropped to approximately one-quarter of the U.S. dollar. That transition marked the beginning of decades shaped by financial pressure, persistence, and constant effort. Read more>>

Shubam Shrimaali

I want to be an actor, and I wasn’t sure where to start. I was in college taking film classes, and during one of them, I wrote an original scene. It turned out so well that my teacher gave me 200 out of 100. That grade shocked and inspired me, so I decided to write a whole story based on that scene. Read more>>

Dr. Brian Tregellas

Growing up in the Texas Panhandle, I was raised around nature. Farming and ranching is a way of life in that area of the country and my family has been farming for five generations there. Read more>>

Grace Lands

I was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Pastor Warren and First Lady Marilyn Lands, where music and faith became part of my life from the very beginning. I began playing piano at just four years old and started singing in local choirs by the age of eight. Read more>>

Ranesha Coleman

My journey into the tax industry started in 2022 with a $300 investment and a leap of faith. At the time I knew absolutely nothing about taxes I had simply come across my mentor Shanice promoting a tax class on social media and something told me to take a chance on myself. That one decision changed my life. Read more>>

Araceli Quezada

Audrey’s Butterfly Effect began with our daughter, Audrey our youngest of four children, our baby girl, and our family’s St. Patrick’s Day lucky charm. Audrey was born on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, and from the moment she entered our lives, we knew there was something incredibly special about her. Our family was blessed with four children. Read more>>

Patrick Ellefson

I immigrated to the United States from a third-world country with a dream of building something meaningful. Like many entrepreneurs, my journey wasn’t a straight line. There were plenty of setbacks, uncertainty, and moments where giving up would have been the easier option. Read more>>

Adriana Garza Contreras

Adriana Garza Contreras is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, aesthetic entrepreneur, nationally and internationally recognized educator in advanced medical aesthetics. She is the founder and owner of Higher Level Skin + Beauty, a premier, multi-location medspa in Texas known for delivering refined, natural-looking results through innovation, artistry, and clinical excellence. Read more>>

Mark & Emily Vasquez

OMORFIA Imagery began long before there was ever a camera involved. Mark and Emily met in first grade and spent much of their lives growing up side by side. They attended the same church, the same schools, and eventually the same university. What began as childhood familiarity turned into a high school relationship, and later, a marriage in 2019. Read more>>

Mike King

We started Powered to Move Ministry in November of 2013 which provides fitness opportunities for people affected by disability and shares the Love of Jesus Christ with them by providing fitness opportunities like hand cycling, 5k to marathon distance races, dance, drumba, and bootcamp workout classes along with social events at the Powered to Move Community Center. We do weekly hand cycle rides at the local park where those interested can come try hand cycling and see the benefits of sharing life and community together. Read more>>

Ann Papayoti

People often ask how I became a coach, and my answer is that I didn’t choose a career as much as I answered a calling. Looking back, I can see that every chapter of my life was preparing me for the work I do today. As a child, I was convinced I would become a fourth-grade teacher. Read more>>

Kyle Draper

I spent 10 years as a youth pastor. I thought I would do that my whole life until God called me to love on people in the business world. Got into roofing. Learned sales and marketing. Started teaching Realtors about marketing to win their business for the roofing company. That led to starting a web design company in the real estate space. Read more>>

Anay Goyal

The idea behind Nature’s Note did not start in a classroom or a business plan. It started with my mom. She kept having allergic reactions to the colognes I wore. Watching that happen repeatedly made me look at something I had never questioned before: why are the fragrances most men wear so harsh, so synthetic, so indifferent to the people around them? Read more>>

Gilberto Quintero

I never imagined that knocking on doors would become the foundation of my business. Back in 2021, I was a veteran struggling to find steady work. Landing a good job wasn’t easy, and I had kids depending on me. Lawn care felt like my only real opportunity to bring money home and build something of my own. Read more>>

Yolanda & Lola Herrera

Our story began in 2021 as a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law team with one simple goal: to create fresh, preservative-free dog treats made with ingredients we could trust. After adopting our dog, Blu, we realized that many treats on store shelves had long ingredient lists and shelf lives of two years or more. We knew there had to be a healthier option. Read more>>

Jennifer Patricio

I am a 29 year old, latina general contractor and co-owner of a residential construction company that I founded with my husband, Erik Patricio, in 2021. Over the past five years, we have built and expanded our construction business while developing a strong foundation in residential construction and project management. Read more>>

Alyssa Simpson

I grew up believing that being capable was the safest way to survive. After losing both of my parents in my twenties, I doubled down on that belief. I became incredibly good at holding everything together but underneath it all, I was exhausted. Building my business taught me how to make money. Read more>>

Manatsu Tanaka

I started doing immersive theater because I was looking for a performance media that was rooted in both movement and storytelling, but wanted to do something different from musical theater. That was also the time I was very inspired by the long running off Broadway immersive theater, Sleep No More. Read more>>

Ramon Munoz

If you had told me in 2017 that a two-day trip to Dallas would completely change the course of my life, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. I came here to visit my brother for what was supposed to be just two days—and I never left. Before Dallas, my path looked very different. Read more>>

Johnathon Thompson

First, my name is Johnathon Thompson East Texas native but Dallas raised. What I coined as “ City made Country Bred.” My story of being raised by a single mother for a good portion of my life know & understand how important complete family structure is when you’ve seen struggle in early life. Read more>>

Kit Mallari

My name is Kit, I am a 25-year-old registered nurse and singer-songwriter who also owns a pop-up open mic group in the DFW area. Growing up I had always been around music and/or singing to some capacity; to give a timeline of sorts, I was part of the elementary school choirs, then I learned the clarinet and bass clarinet in middle school. Read more>>