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.
Nick Quintero
I’ve always been a creative person from the start but I started making music when I was a teenager. When I started making my own merch, I had to teach myself the design programs and learned the ins and outs of creating the right kind of files they needed. Read more>>
Matthew Harris
HercSupps started from a genuine passion for fitness and helping people. Before there was ever a storefront, I was the guy friends and family came to with questions about supplements, training, and nutrition. I realized there was a need for a place where people could get honest advice without feeling pressured into buying products they didn’t need. Read more>>
Carlos Machado
Martial artist since age 4, One of five brothers of the Machado Family, one of the main pioneers of the dissemination of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the US and worldwide for the past 36 years. Read more>>
Adeshile Oluremi
I’ve always loved fashion, especially African prints and fabrics. Growing up, I admired how our clothing tells stories, represents culture, and makes people feel confident. After moving to the United States, I realized many women wanted modern African outfits that were stylish, comfortable, and easy to wear for everyday life not just special occasions. Read more>>
KEVIN SPICER
.worked as a recording engineer your more than 20 years. Released first project in 2005 ‘ KMX: BREAK IT DOWN PROJECT’ ON CD BABY. Next signed DISTRIBUTION deal with RAP SY/ URBAN LIFE MUSIC DISTRIBUTION, That ended around 2016 leaving a collection of 60+ songs in limbo, I have been re-releasing one song at a time ( ongoing endeavor). Read more>>
Chris Butler
The Power of No & Betting on yourself always. You first met me as an Artist. I shared my business side of my story. I would like to share my story as an Educator & published Author. As I wear many hats. I got into education not knowing it would end up being a long going career. Read more>>
Kayla Garrett
I first became interested in Djing back in 2017… Honestly, I didn’t know Djing was a thing! Many people ask what made me want to become a DJ, and that’ll take about 5 days to get out, because I have a thousand reasons why!! However, I’ll stick to my favorite number…5! 1. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit! Read more>>
Alex Katzen
I have had such a fun journey as a speech pathologist! I started out in a school working with children in the Deaf Education program. I really enjoyed getting to practice sign language and working with this specialized population. However, I love trying new things and the thought of working in a medical setting was always in the back of my mind. Read more>>
Gretchen Young
In 2014, I was failing at everything. I didn’t get into the grad school I wanted, couldn’t land jobs I knew I was qualified for. It forced me to take a hard look at myself, and what I found was that most of my failures came down to not trusting my gut and having low self-esteem. I knew I needed confidence, fast. Read more>>
Julio Ramos
My mother, Petra, started this business in 2012. She had been working at one of the other fabric stores on the street and wanted to open her own location in a different city. When that opportunity fell through, she decided to plant her own roots right here in Dallas. Read more>>
Tawni Haynes
Sleek lines, bold prints, and elegant, form-fitted designs define the distinctive style of fashion designer Tawni Haynes. As a renowned designer, wife, mother of four, fitness enthusiast, and devoted Christian, Tawni’s journey from a passion for trendy accessories to a thriving fashion design and manufacturing business has been extraordinary. Read more>>
Cynthia Pantaleon
At the young age of 14, I learned how to manually shoot a DSLR from a very close friend of mine. From then on I carried a camera with me everywhere I went. I proceeded to sharpen my skills in high school by being in yearbook and journalism. Read more>>
Antonio Robinson
My Story I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, where sports became my first teacher in discipline, leadership, and resilience. I played both basketball and football at a high level and had opportunities to pursue a professional career in either sport. Instead, I chose to go professional in a different way—through service. Read more>>
Misty Haggerty
I’ve always been passionate about helping people, which led me to earn my bachelor’s degree in Public Health and build a career focused on healthcare, client support, and community outreach. Throughout my professional journey, I’ve worked in roles centered around connecting people with resources, improving experiences, and building meaningful relationships. Read more>>
Edward Ruiz
I got serious into magic because for me it was an extension of my art. I loved the priceless look on people’s faces when the impossible happens. I couldn’t afford to buy much from the magic shop as a kid, so I mainly performed card tricks, and used props I made myself. Read more>>
Elise Galperin
Today, I help educators recognize the value of what they already know and build something sustainable from it. That might mean clarifying a business idea, improving how they describe their work, connecting with families, or helping them see a strength they have been overlooking. I started as an artist in Austin. Read more>>
Alyvia Palileo
I studied hospitality in college and earned my master’s degree in Hospitality Management. At its core, hospitality is about serving people, creating experiences that make them feel seen, valued, and inspired. That philosophy has shaped everything I’ve done since. Read more>>
Ben C Jones
I’m a Fort Worth, Texas-based singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and performer whose been rocking as ‘Bencjones’ since the 2019 release of my first record ‘Just One Gun’. Since then I have been featured in the Fort Worth Weekly, Central Track, KERA and 91.7 KXT. Read more>>
Alicia Underwood
I spent 20 years in the dental industry before deciding it was time for a change that would give my family more flexibility before my son started school. In 2020, just as COVID-19 changed the world, I stepped away from my corporate role as an Operations Manager and took a leap of faith into real estate. Read more>>
Alissa Old Crow
I like to say I spent my 20s avoiding adulthood. I was raised by my single mother who was a teacher by day and worked a second job most evenings just to make ends meet. We weren’t able to take vacations, but I grew up watching movies filmed all over the world, and it planted this deep want to see it all for myself. Read more>>
Byron Waller
I’ve always believed that our biggest challenges don’t have to define our future. I spent much of my childhood in and out of hospital before finally being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 14. During those years, watching aircraft fly overhead from my hospital window gave me hope and sparked a dream of becoming a pilot. Read more>>
Rowdy Hakes
In 2019, my wife and I started mixing flavors into sodas at small gatherings with family and friends. We felt it was something everyone would enjoy. We then created the LLC now known as ‘Rowdy’s Soda Barn’. We take your favorite soda or lemonade and add flavors to it. Read more>>
Megan Vollmer
In 2020, after a decade as an educator, I took a leap of faith and transitioned into residential real estate. While my profession changed, my purpose remained the same: helping people navigate life’s biggest transitions with confidence. I brought with me the values that shaped my years in the classroom—education, empathy, integrity, and service—and built a relationship-driven business centered on trust and exceptional client care. Read more>>
Daniel Gunn
I’ve been creating for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I was constantly drawing, building with Legos, taking things apart, and figuring out how they worked. I was naturally curious—I just loved seeing an idea go from my imagination to something tangible. Read more>>
Azaria Delozia
My story really began during my freshman year at Xavier University of Louisiana. Moving from my hometown of Dallas to New Orleans was transformative. New Orleans is a city that celebrates creativity, individuality, and self-expression. Being immersed in that environment gave me the freedom to discover who I was, not only as a student, but as a creative. Read more>>
Roger Calderon
Like a lot of people who grew up in Texas dreaming about the arts, I left home as soon as I could and moved to New York City. After graduating from Marymount Manhattan College with a degree in theater, I spent nearly twenty years living in NYC, working in nonprofit arts and community organizations. Read more>>
Hasan Alaz
My legal career has never followed a conventional path, and I think that’s one of my greatest strengths. I began my legal education in Turkey before earning an LL.M. in the United States at Indiana University. Early in my career, I worked on complex international corporate matters, advising on major infrastructure, construction, and energy projects involving cross-border transactions and regulatory issues. Read more>>
Katharine Franco
Because I moved around so much as a kid, I didn’t really get the chance to explore or even know that I had an artistic side but my last year of high school I I thought I should try out for the dance drill team. I had little to no experience, but somehow I made it. Read more>>
Lori Walter
I became a Massage Therapist in 1994. Once I obtained my Texas license of massage. As soon as possible afterwards, I obtained my license in the practice of pregnancy, labor and delivery massage. Then I also took classes in a massage technique called Soft Tissue Release different sports. Later on I also, became a Personal Trainer so, I could teach stretch classes. Read more>>
Keana Hollie
My love for makeup began when I was just 16 years old. I still remember getting my very first makeover at MAC Cosmetics and feeling so excited that my parents had finally given me permission to wear makeup. That moment sparked something in me, although I never imagined it would one day become my career. Read more>>
Dipal Desai
Ever since my family immigrated from India to the United States, my biggest dream has been to make my parents proud. Leaving India wasn’t easy. My parents took an incredible leap of faith by moving to a country where they didn’t know the language, the culture or what the future would hold. Read more>>
Gina Arefi
I’m an elementary school teacher who became a travel advisor and, somewhere along the way, a children’s author. I spent more than 30 years teaching elementary school, and I’ve always loved to travel. As retirement got closer, I knew I wanted a second career that would bring in some extra income, but it also had to be something I genuinely enjoyed. Read more>>
LENA PAVLOVA
My relationship with art has always been anchored by a beautiful sense of timelessness, but the way I paint has undergone a profound evolution. For years, my work was structured and deliberate. I found inspiration in external sources—magazines, masterworks, and the styles of other artists—and my process was a meticulous cycle of planning, sketching, and erasing. Read more>>
Mulki Daud
Founded in 2025, The Setup Society was born from years of party planning and decorating celebrations for family and friends. As a passionate team of two, we specialize in transforming spaces into beautifully styled settings for life’s most memorable moments. Our goal is to create an unforgettable experience that reflects each client’s unique vision. Read more>>
Esperanza Moses
My story is one of grace, growth, relentless determination, and a passion that has transformed my life. In March 2024, I stepped into stand-up comedy for the first time and within that same month, I also became a producer and a booker. What began as a challenge quickly turned into a comedy local career. Read more>>
Andre’ Williams
I was born in Shreveport, Louisiana and then primarily raised in Dallas. I am just a kid who could tune. . .I have always been involved in the arts since I was a kid as far as I can remember. I was involved in dance teams and choirs in school but never considered Theatre as a career when I was younger. Read more>>
Javier Herrera
I picked up my camera in high school and dabbled a bit in the photojournalism and portrait world. I’ve had a camera with me ever since- first with a Nikon FE 35mm film camera, and now I shoot primarily with Sony full-frame and Fuji XT-5 cameras. I do mostly Commercial and Advertising style work now, but thoroughly enjoy fine art portraits and experimental photography. Read more>>
Snoop Robinson
Vernon ‘Snoop’ Robinson – Biography Vernon ‘Snoop’ Robinson is an accomplished producer, director, writer, actor, playwright, and entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry. He began his career as a musician, producing and managing musical groups while performing alongside and opening for several nationally recognized recording artists. Read more>>
Deitra Greene
My name is Deitra Reeves-Greene, and I am the CEO of DeZoil. With over 35 years of experience in the hair industry, I have dedicated my career to promoting healthy hair care. DeZoil Hair and Scalp Growth Oil was originally formulated 30 years ago, born out of a personal need to find a natural solution to stimulate hair growth for my then three-year-old daughter, Dezaree’. Read more>>
Bebe Bloch
I’ve always been musical. My dad said I’d be rocking on all fours as a baby to his piano playing, or that I was always singing. My sister said as kids, I would enter a room LOUDLY and command an audience. Read more>>
Tammie Wilson
First and foremost, thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my real estate journey. It is both an honor and a privilege to reflect on the experiences, challenges, and accomplishments that have shaped not only my career, but also my passion for serving others through real estate. In 2017, I became a single parent of three extremely active teenagers. Read more>>
Nyasia White
I’ve always been drawn to capturing moments and preserving memories. What started as a creative interest gradually became something I realized I wanted to pursue more seriously. Over time, I invested in learning photography, practicing my craft, and building my confidence behind the camera. Like many small business owners, my journey hasn’t been a straight line. Read more>>
Zachery Kirby
I’ve always appreciated high-quality photography, even back in high school when all I had was my phone. At the time, photography wasn’t my main focus, I was in the engineering program, played football, and had several other interests. After high school, I met my now-fiancée, Lauren Serna, who has always encouraged me to pursue whatever I felt called to do. Read more>>
James Tran
I started doing photography in high school when i was living in California at the time. I had met all the requirements to graduate and had an open period, so I took a leap of faith and applied for the Yearbook team for my senior year. I was following in my dad’s footsteps as he did photography in high school and college. Read more>>
Monica Martin
I never thought I’d be an entrepreneur. But looking back, I can see God working in my life all along, giving me the skills and abilities entrepreneurs need: the desire to build something for others that doesn’t already exist, the desire to create something that makes other people’s lives easier, and the hunger to leave a legacy for my family and the generations after me. Read more>>
Kimberly Sinclair
I had lived and worked in Los Angeles, in the same busy diner for more than 15 years. Sure I had previous experience but this was the job that really reminded me that hospitality was at the center of my life for a reason. Working for one man with a small budget and a big dream in such a small place was really life-changing.. Read more>>
Yasmeen Fatima
It honestly started by accident. I’d go out to eat and end up with my phone full of pictures of food — random close-ups, weird angles, whatever caught my eye at the table. I wasn’t trying to build anything, I just liked capturing food that way. Read more>>
Adam George
I’m still the same shy person that I’ve always been but I’ve learned that expression is a necessary part of life. If it all ever feels like too much- I can count on creative expression to pull me to the other side more reliably than any other modality, therapy, or exercise I’ve experienced. I use art as integration for life’s transitions. Read more>>
Vincent Garza
I’ve always been drawn to creating. Long before SwoleNerd Productions existed, I built a career around content creation and fitness, growing a large online presence through YouTube and social media. When that chapter came to an end, I found myself starting over from scratch. Read more>>
Merari Reyes
My love for photography began at a young age. As a little girl I was always taking photos with toy cameras, and later with my first phone, never imagining that one day I’d own a real camera. In 2019, my aunt started a photo booth business and invited me to help capture behind the scenes moments at events. Read more>>
Frankie Benz
I was funny the second I got spit out of the womb. I saved my parents’ marriage for a solid few years — not permanently, but hey, I’ll take the assist. Laughing was how my siblings and I coped with the conditions we grew up in. Read more>>
Stacey Washburn
I picked up and played with cameras all throughout my childhood and family photos were a huge part of my life growing up. My first sort of decent camera was the one I sort of inherited from my mother after she passed away when I was 11. Read more>>
LaJoy Grant
Beauty has always been part of my story. During my first few years of college, I did hair in my dorm room to earn extra income, and I continued serving clients even after graduation. I had always planned to attend beauty school and become a cosmetologist, but I ultimately did not pursue a formal cosmetology license. Read more>>
Andrea Aberdeen
I was born in Brooklyn, New York grew up spending an equal amount of time in Brooklyn and on Long Island, where I was an honor student and a dedicated track athlete. After high school, I entered community college as a Pre-Med major. Read more>>
Brooke Phillips
For most of my career, I’ve owned an interior design business, helping clients create beautiful, welcoming homes. As a designer, I was constantly frustrated by one small detail that seemed impossible to solve—tissue boxes. No matter how beautiful a room was, the cardboard box sitting on a countertop or coffee table always felt like an eyesore. Read more>>
Michyra Mallard
The little girl that skipped up a grade in elementary school, the little girl that cried about getting a 90 on a test instead of a 100, the little girl that confidently stood on stages to recite poems, quote her lines, and state scriptures. Read more>>
valarie kerby
People often ask me how I got into real estate, and it’s a story I love to share. I spent 19 wonderful years with AT&T in Business Marketing. I truly enjoyed my career, but after nearly two decades in corporate America, I felt ready for a new challenge. Read more>>
Chi Majesti
I was born and raised by two Nigerian parents in Long Island, NY as a first-generation American where music was always around. One of my earliest inspirations was my dad, the biggest musicophile I knew growing up, whose love for music was contagious. Read more>>
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>>
