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.
Kellie Cation
The start of my career began in an educational salon; the world renown Toni & Guy. After years of getting education and experience I began teaching educational haircutting classes with the company. After over a decade with this company I started searching for a salon to transiting into self-employment. Read more>>
E.J. Ybarbo
In April 2015, shortly after finding out my wife, Joelle, and I were expecting our first child, we kept crossing paths with another hairstylist and product representative, Blake Brister. It was one of those moments that felt impossible to ignore—as if something greater was orchestrating the encounters. After running into each other four different times, we finally sat down to talk. Read more>>
Nikita Agarwal
Amari Head Spa is the first and only dedicated luxury holistic head spa in Dallas. What began as an idea between two friends in January 2024 quickly grew from a dream into a reality. Read more>>
Travis Patten
My earliest memories involve sitting in front of Merry Melodies and Silly Symphonies VHS compilations, paper and pencils/crayons in my lap, and drawing on blank paper. The fascination in how these drawings came to life (a moving image) arrived before I can remember. Read more>>
Rini Bavishi
My husband and I were both trained as dentists in India, but the desire to learn more, brought us to the U.S. and here, we began our journey to grow personally, professionally, and eventually raise a family. When we moved to the U.S., we essentially started over. We completed additional dental training and earned our U.S. Read more>>
Jignasa Patel
As the daughter of first-generation immigrants, I was raised between two cultures. That experience gave me a deep understanding of what so many South Asian couples face when planning their wedding—balancing family traditions with a celebration that reflects their own love story. I understand the delicate balance of embracing your parents’ dreams while bringing your own vision to life. Read more>>
RAMI TURNER
I have lived in DFW area my entire life, Most of my family had some kind of personal business except that my mother became a nurse. I was a stay at home mom, tired and frustrated with short office visits to doctors for myself and my children and it seemed that a good diagnosis was hard to find. Read more>>
Charles Breakfield
Breakfield, is a storyteller and the CTO of the Enigma Series. He leverages his decades of technology expertise, including security, networking, voice, and anything digital, to bring innovative technothriller elements into storytelling. He has deep knowledge of World War II history, has traveled extensively, and seeks cultural exchanges to learn what makes different people tick. Read more>>
Rene Coronado
I was hired by Roy Machado, owner of Dallas Audio Post, in December of 1999, right out of college. My first task was to build my control room and all of my templates, and from there I began my career as an audio engineer in Dallas. Read more>>
Tiffany Brown
I never imagined I’d one day be helping lead a mental health practice. My background has always been in building relationships, solving problems, and helping people navigate complicated systems. Along the way, life also taught me some deeply personal lessons about resilience, recovery, and the importance of asking for help. Read more>>
Gabrielle Malbrough
Since I was a little girl, I have always been a creative spirit. I loved moving my body, singing, and drawing on the walls whenever I got the chance, and I always called it art. One day, my family was dropping off my cousin at our local community theatre. I remember asking my mom, ‘What is this place? Read more>>
Olivia (Coach “O”) Ibezim
Wellness has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It has always been woven into who I am, so turning that passion into a career felt like a natural path. Today, I help others pursue total wellness by creating opportunities for people to move, connect, and grow physically, mentally, and spiritually through W.O.W. Lifestyles. Read more>>
Air Jawson
During my time at the University of Minnesota, I first started thinking about and writing stand up comedy material. When I graduated, I moved to Pensacola, Florida and while I was job hunting, I wrote and rehearsed my first 5 minute set, but never went to a mic to perform. Read more>>
Myia Dukes-Chappell
My journey began long before I officially stepped into business ownership. I was raised by my grandmother, who helped shape not only my upbringing but also my creative spirit. Read more>>
Cookie Society
Cookie Society started in 2018 as a small family dream between husband-and-wife founders, Marissa and Jeff Allen. Marissa had always loved baking and experimenting with unique flavors, and what began with cookies for family and friends quickly grew through word of mouth. Together, we started selling online, shipping cookies from our home, and learning every part of the business as we went. Read more>>
Brennan John
Music started for me when I was five years old; my mom signed me up for classical piano lessons, and I did that for 12 years. Read more>>
Sebastian Benga
My co-founder, Iulia Armburster, is an architect who spent years working in architecture and interior design. While she enjoyed the discipline and attention to detail that architecture requires, she was looking for a more creative outlet, one where imagination wasn’t limited by physical constraints. That curiosity eventually led her to explore the world of CGI and digital visualization. Read more>>
Victoria Hamilton
It all started in 2022 when I became a certified life coach. My mission was simple: help people unlearn the limiting beliefs that keep them from becoming the best version of themselves. That mission is deeply personal because I know what it’s like to live under the weight of limiting beliefs. Read more>>
Maricia Johns
There was a moment when the phrase ‘aged out’ hit me in a way I never expected. Years ago, I was flipping through one of my favorite magazines—the kind I eagerly waited to arrive every month. It had always been filled with articles that felt relevant, inspiring, and written with me in mind. Read more>>
Maymee Witcher
It all started during my junior year of high school. I needed an extra credit class, and one of the options was Floral Design at the Arlington ISD Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center. My mom had previously worked for a wedding florist, so I thought it would be something fun and different to try. Read more>>
Charlie Waters
Like a lot of people, my story didn’t begin from a place of success…it began in a place so dark I wasn’t sure I’d ever find my way back into the light. In 2019, after discovering my wife’s affair, my marriage ended in divorce. It forced me to rebuild every part of my life from the ground up. Read more>>
David Choute
I started in 2018 with a desire to document people and moments in a way that felt honest and authentic. Like a lot of photographers, I started by photographing anyone who would give me the opportunity. I spent years shooting portraits, nightlife, community events, fashion, and cultural moments using every assignment to sharpen my eye. Read more>>
Kali Kepple
My story starts at fifteen, living in Denton, Texas, when my mom started a plumbing company from inside our house. She had been the office manager at a plumbing company that ended up needing to be dissolved. The owner knew she already managed all of the operations, so he handed her the company. It was exciting but terrifying for my mom. Read more>>
Penny Sadler
Most things in my life happen because I just do what I like doing–what feels most natural.. I was interested in the metaphysical world since I was a teen in the 70s. When I was with friends we did all the things: Ouiji Boards and aura readings. I used to sit in the dark trying to see my aura in the mirror. Read more>>
Eddie Hudson
I grew up in Dauphin, Manitoba, a small town in Canada. By the time I was 12, I already knew that whatever I did with my life needed to involve music. Maybe I would become a band teacher. Maybe I would write songs. Maybe I would perform for people. I didn’t know exactly what form it would take, but music was it for me. Read more>>
Callie Koch
I started Paper Disco on December 31, 2019, while I was living in my sorority house at the University of Oklahoma. At the time, it was really just a creative outlet. I began by designing stationery and stickers because I loved creating products that felt fun, colorful and personal. As the business grew, so did my interests. Read more>>
Lauren Womac
Originally from Slidell, La, I moved to Baton Rouge to attend LSU (Geaux Tigers!) and that’s where I met my husband. After college, he was accepted into Loyola University Law School in New Orleans so he was moving back home. I decided to go with him, so I’d be closer to my family since New Orleans and Slidell are only about 30 minutes away. Read more>>
Stephanie Lindsey
The Therapy Lounge and Performance Center (TLPC) just celebrated its 5th anniversary; and since its inception, a lot of cool changes have happened! TLPC was built from a passion for helping people perform at their highest level-not just in sports, but in every area of life. Read more>>
Fredricka Fonta
My story began many moons ago, sounds “Woo woo “ as they say, right, but It’s the truth. Not just for me, but for all of us. I think we forget that our journey begins before we even make it to the planet. I was an artist, even before I realized it. Read more>>
Lauren Marks
Photography has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up running around my grandma’s garden with her old film camera, completely obsessed with chasing the morning light. Over the last 16 years, that childhood passion turned into a professional career centered on capturing human connection. Read more>>
Camereon Smith
I was an actor before I got into comedy. I was doing a play called 50 cent jewelry line where I met Corey cherry, I always knew I was funny I didn’t believe I was comedian funny but I always loved stand up. Read more>>
Jodi Guyton
Hello I am Owner/CEO of Jodi’s Dream Physiques llc. I’ve been Body Sculpting for 6 years. I knew I wanted to provide a beauty service of some sort. Read more>>
FERNANDO PANDA CHACON
I was always the happy-class-clown-kid. My God given gift is me waking up happy and I try and share my gift as much as possible. My first performance was not on purpose! I was the co-best-man at my best friend’s wedding and I did an 8-minute speech and things went well. Read more>>
Ashley Leftwich
Ever Atelier began her 1st chapter in late 2019. The studio was born intentionally to create a space in the luxury interior design industry for wallcoverings created by varying artful practices. All of the patterns had different stories and artistic practices within their inspiration. Read more>>
Jen Adame
I was a stay at home mom raising my kiddos, running the PTA and Booster Club and then ended up running a community theatre for awhile. I then worked at a t-shirt shop and learned graphic design. A friend’s family owned a costume shop and they asked if I would like to join them to be a theatrical costumer. Read more>>
Derrell Ealim
My real name is Derrell I go by Sketch. I’m a visual artist. I been drawing and creating since I was a kid. Through the years I’ve always found ways to express my creativity by the way I dress or the way I talk. A few years ago I decided to make the leap into becoming a full time artist. Read more>>
Jana Renee
I have always been making things. As a child, I was constantly drawing, writing stories, and searching for any scrap of paper I could leave a mark on. I was certain I would become an illustrator, and graphite remains the medium that comes most naturally to me. Read more>>
Ed Hall
After spending 15 years in an illustration/design position at Hallmark Cards, I needed to leave the corporate world. I had the desire to work for myself and transition into a full time abstract painter. In those early years, I began exploring artists and their work to understand and develop my voice and visual style. Read more>>
Ryan Polite
My journey has really been about service and education—finding ways to help people both on and off the clock. For my primary career, I serve in law enforcement for a local municipality here in North Texas. My day job is rooted in public safety and protecting the community, but behind the scenes, I’ve always had a deep passion for financial literacy. Read more>>
Latorcha Bronson
My creative journey didn’t begin as a business, it began as love, family, and a moment that reminded me of who I’ve always been. The project that changed everything was an oversized dollhouse I built for my granddaughter’s 18‑inch dolls. Read more>>
Tanya Walker
For years, I was the woman who looked like she had it together, but inside, I was deeply insecure. I was a people pleaser and I questioned myself, worried about what everyone else thought, had become very good at walking on eggshells to keep the peace and I had lost touch with my own voice, and in many ways, with who I was. Read more>>
Lauren Gilmore
I learned very quickly that Twin motherhood is a very unique experience for more reasons than people realize. I also did not travel down the beaten path as many twin moms do, which made me look even more like a freak in society’s eyes. I had my twins fully unmedicated in the privacy and peace of my home. Read more>>
Carrie Spivey
As a young girl, I was always fascinated by photography and the idea that you could see something, click a button, and freeze that moment in time. I also loved that a camera could be more than a way to document life; it could be a tool for creating art. Read more>>
Dr. Ollie
Greetings my name is Dr Ollie and I have currently been based in DFW area seven years, I have been known to wear multiple hats, but the one that I am most known for is a Filmaker I’ve been working in Film production for the last 10 years. Read more>>
Goodlookinlee
I grew up in Marcy Houses in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. My grandmother was my only parent, and we shared a three-bedroom apartment with more people than it was ever meant to hold. It wasn’t always easy, but it taught me resilience long before I had the words for it. Looking back, I was the kid who fell through the cracks. Read more>>
Nasya XO
I’m originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, where I grew up dancing, singing in church, performing in theater, and participating in choir. After moving to Texas, I was introduced to recording music for the first time, and it inspired me to take my artistry to the next level. Read more>>
Deran Wright
There is no real stage of my life I can point to and say, ‘that’s where I became an artist’. My mom says I was drawing as soon as I could hold a crayon. As a kid, I was always drawing, I was never without a sketchbook, and I was also fascinated by sculpture. Read more>>
