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.
Mack Swans
I’m Mack Swans, a hip-hop artist based in Shreveport, born in New Orleans. I started making music when I was 15 (2014) on my phone using GarageBand & transitioned to FL Studio at 16. Trying to make musical arrangements because I was in marching band in high school, I ended up learning how to make beats unintentionally & just started recording verses over them. Read more>>
Priyanka Bhatia
I’m Priyanka Bhatia, an arts curator hailing from Dehradun, India — a small town full of eccentrics, artists, and its own peculiar rhythms. I grew up indulging in many forms of art, eventually finding my way to filmmaking and, later, curation. Curation became a way for me to bring different artistic mediums into spaces where ideas can be experienced, rather than simply observed. Read more>>
Wendy Johnson
One day I looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize myself. My life was so consumed with being a devoted wife, a mother, a career woman, and the “strong” friend, that I honestly felt as if I lost the essence of who I truly was internally. The worst part – I didn’t know how to find myself. That’s when writing became my therapy. Read more>>
Pam Magalhaes
Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary began with a love for animals and a desire to give them a second chance. I had spent much of my career in the fitness industry, but over time, rescuing and helping farm animals became a calling that I could no longer ignore. What started with helping individual animals quickly grew into a much bigger vision. Read more>>
Domi @dailyglowfactor
Hola ! I am a Latina UGC Content Creator. I am from Ecuador. I am passionate about creating, editing and photography. I am currently editing videos for brands like Loreal, Carolina Herrera and few UGC requested post around products and fun things to do in Dallas. I feel so lucky to help brands promote their successful businesses through my unique and fun ways. Read more>>
Amina Luc
Looking back, I think the real thread running through my life has been a search for identity. I’ve reinvented myself many times — through my career, different environments, travel, surfing, yoga, and entrepreneurship. Each chapter gave me a different answer to the question of who I was. But over time, I realized that my journey wasn’t really about finding the right identity. Read more>>
Alumni Royale
I was born and raised in Dallas Texas and grew up in a small church in Dallas raised by my single and widowed father who raised me until he died when I was 18. My mother whom has cancer died when I was 7 years old. Growing up in church I naturally enjoyed music and singing in the choir and indulging in youth activities. Read more>>
Jessika Angulo
I’ve been creating content for social media for about 10 years. What started as something I did purely for fun eventually became my career. I’ve always loved recording myself, talking to the camera, editing videos, and finding creative ways to tell stories. One of the things I was especially passionate about was creating aesthetic travel content. Read more>>
Carrie Mashburn
At my core, I’ve always been driven by four things: my faith, creativity, movement, and encouraging others. My background is in portrait photography and fitness instruction, so helping people step into their confidence has always been a thread running through my life. On a personal level, my husband Brian and I have been married for 30 years. Read more>>
Ebony Vick
I’ve always been a builder at heart. My journey has never been one straight line into one industry or one title. It has been a series of experiences that taught me how to create, adapt, lead, and keep expanding. I started out building in the most practical way possible — by taking ideas seriously enough to act on them. Read more>>
Hanna Jennings
To start, art has always been a part of my life, in every form. My interest in painting began in college, at the University of Texas at Austin, when I was given a bit more wiggle room to express myself. Artists like Cy Twombly, Basquiat, and Sargent encouraged me to be bold. After a residency for a month in New York, something changed a bit. Read more>>
Alexis Cendejas
I have always known that I loved art, ever since I was a little kid. I was always drawing or doing something. creative. I grew up in a small town until I was about 9 and there wasn’t much to do so I would always ask for art supplies for any birthday or Christmas. Read more>>
David Wills
My first experience with magic was during a kids’ club event while on vacation when I was 6 or 7 years old. I remember being so mesmerized by him, his lime-green clown costume and all! From there, I got a few beginner magic tricks as prizes from the arcade and started printing off instructions for card tricks from the internet. Read more>>
ivy Moses
My story starts in Jr high, growing up in an African household, I’ve always been the ‘heavier’ one out of my three sisters. I never really cared much about my appearance until Jr high. Before then it was big t shirts and jeans. Then came High School, where everything changed for me. Read more>>
Anaïs Avilez
Being a life long musician, singer, and performer music is always something I have done. Until, one day I was on the verge of abandoning it. What really helped me get started on this path was a near death health crisis that made me face all of my unrealized dreams. I left the hospital knowing I never wanted to live without doing what I loved. Read more>>
Irma Garcia
My journey has definitely been one of growth, creativity, and learning to believe in myself. Interestingly, my journey didn’t start in the beauty industry. In high school, I was involved in the finance field, and I really enjoyed it. Read more>>
MarKus Leather
My path as an educator has never really followed one straight line. Over the years, my interests and studies have taken me through a number of different disciplines, including Chi Kung, Tiger Crane Kung Fu, behavioral sciences, and alternative lifestyles. Each of those areas has influenced not only what I teach, but how I approach teaching and working with people. Read more>>
Lukas Oliver
I think my story really starts with being fascinated by storytelling before I fully understood that I wanted to be a filmmaker. I’ve always loved movies, photography, and the way an image can communicate something before anyone says a word. Eventually, that interest stopped being something I only consumed and became something I wanted to create myself. Read more>>
DJ Miss Haze
Inspired by my brother, my DJ journey began 16 years in Germany, where I was born and raised. My first 5 years were focused on being a Club DJ with some work at concerts, festivals and artist tours. My first corporate event and wedding gig were both in 2015, which introduced me to different event types. Read more>>
Latia Patterson
Baddie Book Nook really grew out of two important parts of who I am: my love for helping others and my love for reading. I’ve always had a helping heart, One of my earliest memories of that was during Hurricane Sandy when I was just 6 years old. Read more>>
Liberty Shumake
I was 20 years old when I made the decision to leave college, where I was studying pre-dentistry, and pursue a career in real estate. At the time, I truly had no idea what I was doing or exactly where the decision would lead me. Read more>>
Jennifer Moore
Organizing has always come naturally to me, long before I ever considered turning it into a business. In the early 2000s, when feng shui was becoming really popular, I was fascinated by the idea that the way we arranged and organized our homes could affect how we felt in them. Read more>>
Toben Opurum
Grew up as a first generation Nigerian in Dallas, TX. First and only athlete of my family. Played collegiate and professional football. Went from sports to sales career and now also a multi franchise business owner. Part podcast host. Passionate about helping athletes transition into next phases of their life. Read more>>
Peyton Mullins
My photography journey actually started long before I ever imagined turning it into a business. When I was 13, my grandpa gifted me my first camera, and that’s where my love for photography began. I photographed on and off throughout the years, but I never really thought of it as something I could build a career around. Read more>>
Grant Maloy Smith
I started playing guitar when I was five years old, but I got real serious when I was 17. I was going to be an artist, but the music bug hit me at that time, and there was no going back. I completely changed my focus from art to music. Read more>>
Regina Harris
Who I Am – Regina A. Harris From Hamilton Park to the School Board — the long way around, with a stop for pizza. Growing Up in Hamilton Park I’m a Hamilton Park girl. Read more>>
Crystal Valdez
I originally pursued social work with the intention of working in Child Protective Services. Having spent a short time in foster care as a child, I had a personal understanding of what it meant to navigate difficult circumstances, and I knew I wanted to advocate for children and families in a meaningful way. Read more>>
RICKY WOODALL
Hello, I have been building scale models since I was around the age of 9. Took a few years break from the hobby when my daughters were transitioning to high school from grade school. My career took a lot of my free time as well. Read more>>
Faniyah Garrett
When I was around the age of 2 I did my first photoshoot. I was always told by my parents that since then I was made to be in front of the camera. After that I focused more on music and never really did anymore photoshoots until I was 18 years old. Read more>>
Elijah Hanif
Born and raised in South Florida, Elijah is a self taught photographer with an affinity for wildlife, landscapes, and nature. As the son of a journalist and fiber artist, creative expression was a prominent theme of Elijah’s childhood. Read more>>
Reagan Elam
I’m Dallas raised, and I often say that I’ve been wearing multiple hats long before “multi-hyphenate” became a popular term. Even as a child, I was always involved in something—creative projects, leadership opportunities, school activities, communications and finding ways to connect with people. I’ve always had a natural curiosity about how stories are told, how people are brought together and how ideas become something tangible. Read more>>
Marnelle Durrett
Kiepersol: Faith, Family, & Fine Wine *A 25-Year Journey of East Texas Hospitality, Viticulture, and Heart* Kiepersol was founded on the principle of creating a farm that can sustain multiple generations. It was established by Pierre de Vet and is now lovingly run by his daughters, Marnelle and Velmay, along with their amazing team. Read more>>
Jaiden Adkins
I started Young Believer of God because I wanted to use my creativity and my faith to build something meaningful. As a young entrepreneur, I’ve always enjoyed creating and working with my hands, which led me to start making custom wood art. I can create personalized wood pieces in different sizes and designs for my customers. Read more>>
julianne@bottimals.com Julianne
From Bottle Refusal to Invention: The Story Behind Bottimals The idea for Bottimals began with a very personal parenting challenge. After my son was born, I was exclusively breastfeeding and eventually wanted to have some flexibility with feeding. I remember going to get my first postpartum haircut. Read more>>
Uylanda Dennis
Uylee’s Boutique started with a simple goal: to offer women clothing and accessories that are stylish, unique, and not always easy to find in traditional stores. Over time, the boutique has continued to grow and expand based on what our customers are looking for. Today, we carry a wide variety of fashion, including dresses, skirts, jumpsuits, two-piece sets, accessories, wigs, head wraps, and African-inspired clothing. Read more>>
Jester Juicer
I have only been doing drag for a little over a year. I had previously been cosplaying for five years before this and did clown makeup as a hobby. In 2024 I lost my drive to create new cosplays and struggled for a while to find a creative outlet. In June of 2025 I attended a local Pride celebration in Longview, Tx. Read more>>
Travis Hitt
I started my career serving five years in the U.S. Army as a Black Hawk Crew Chief, and that experience shaped a lot of who I am today. It taught me discipline, accountability, teamwork and the importance of showing up for the people around you. After the military, I became a licensed Realtor in 2012. Read more>>
Angelica Ocampo
Informally, I’m a first-generation Latina who embraces the happy accidents that led me to my dream career. More formally, I’m a Client Partnership Supervisor at Saatchi & Saatchi with a background in arts and marketing, and a passion for bringing creative ideas to life through strong partnerships. Read more>>
Elizabeth Gassos
I was born in Mexico and moved to Anaheim, CA when I was five. My mom’s job transferred us to Dallas when I was 12 just in time to start 7th grade in Coppell. I graduated from Coppell in 2004 and Texas Women’s University in 2009. I was a Business major with a marketing concentration. Read more>>
Tamir & Yasmeen Ahmad
Eyeconic Productions really started from a shared love for storytelling, photography, and film. As a husband-and-wife team, we wanted to create something together that felt personal to us while also giving couples an experience that was different from the traditional wedding photo and video approach. Read more>>
Emma Killingsworth
My path into real estate was pretty unexpected. After high school, I did what I thought I was supposed to do — I went straight to college. The problem was, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I changed my major three times, never really found my direction, and eventually flunked out. Read more>>
Michele Fennema
I moved to Dallas in 2015 after graduating college with a degree in Exercise Science and Fitness Management. I had been a competitive dancer, cheerleader, and gymnast since I could walk, so a career centered around movement, fitness, and performance felt like a natural fit. What wasn’t so clear was exactly what that career would look like. My move to Dallas was random. Read more>>
Kate Cobb
My music journey began when I was in the 7th grade. Every morning I would call the station and try to be caller number 8, which I got almost every time. I had it down to the exact sciene and would win CDS and concert tickets all the time. I won so much that eventually Rock 108 just told me to ask. Read more>>
Maria Spada
I’m Maria Spada, a book cover designer and artist based in Cebu, Philippines. I’ve been designing book covers professionally for more than a decade now, and over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to create more than a thousand covers for authors and publishers around the world. Creativity has always been a huge part of who I am. Read more>>
Salma Eltoukhy
Before Art Queens, I was an artist trying to find my own place in the art world. I was a painter. After graduating from the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice, I entered the art world with the same hope many artists have: to create, show my work, and build a life around art. Read more>>
Kaleigh Kirkpatrick
My story really starts with a love of travel and a curiosity about people and places that has been with me for as long as I can remember. I’ve always believed that travel has a way of expanding your world—not just by seeing new places, but by meeting people, experiencing different cultures, and coming home with a different perspective. Read more>>
Troy Wood
My story start in Las Vegas, Nevada, where I was born a little over 39 years ago my family traveled around a lot as a child. It was incredible to see all of the country. I moved to Dallas 1999 and grew up here I started painting just outside of high school and quickly fell in love with it. Read more>>
Amanda Roberts
I began my face painting journey almost 8 years ago. Up until that time I had worked a variety of jobs from teaching art, ministry, caregiving, ABA therapy assistant, and cookie making. I have 2 degrees from the University of Texas: Rehabilitation Studies and Studio Ceramics. I was on track to be an art therapist, but life took a few detours after college. Read more>>
Angela Edwards
So starting my health journey, 15 years ago, losing 100 pounds competing in women’s bodybuilding as a single mom, working for myself, decided to open up a Meal Prep company, do training and be a health coach with partnering with a (Gym) and Nutrition store in San Antonio Texas. Read more>>
Hunter Green
I’m a native New Yorker with humble beginnings who wears many hats, but isn’t just a hat rack. I am a professional archer by day and a cabaret/variety theater manager some nights. I also dappling, graphic design of photography and performance art. Read more>>
Mariadna Chavez
My interest in hair and makeup developed in middle school, but it really took off in high school. I was the girl doing her makeup in class, then doing my friends’ hair and makeup just for special occasions or just for fun. Read more>>
Saira Waheed
My journey to Diggers Cove started long before I ever thought about opening an indoor playground. A few years ago, I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. Like anyone who hears the word “cancer,” my world suddenly became very different. Life became appointments, treatments, uncertainty, and trying to continue being a mom while processing something I never imagined I would have to face. Read more>>
Elijah Beckham
I was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware. Despite a good upbringing with both parents, the decision to use drugs recreationally and hang with friends led to me choosing the streets. After a battle with addiction and committing crimes to fund my addiction and still be able to provide for my family I was sentenced to 4-10 yrs in a state prison in Pennsylvania. Read more>>
Molly Sydnor
I have intentionally built my practice at the intersection of art, culture, community, and creative strategy. I studied Fine Art at The Maryland Institute College of Art, and began my career as a working artist while traveling the world as a textile designer (rugs, pillows, interior design focused work). Those early experiences gave me a better understanding of how expansive a creative life could be! Read more>>
Aby George
I have always been a fan of EDM music since I was a kid and have gone to many shows and festival around the country and world but I got into DJ’ing about three years ago. Read more>>
Wy’ Brown
My author journey began from one of the most difficult seasons of my life. I never imagined that my personal health struggles would eventually lead me to becoming a published author, but sometimes purpose is born from the very experiences we never would have chosen for ourselves. For more than 30 years, I built my life around working, leadership, customer service, and being a mother. Read more>>
Caroleen ‘Jett’ Green
I can finally say , I am a proffessional artist. My paintings are sold at Viewpoints Gallery in Makawao , Hawaii. I have developed into a ‘Fine Artist’ and consider myself to be on an endless experience of transforming into my best artist self. Until death do my muse and I part. I have always found myself to obsessed with art of some kind…. Read more>>
Jordan Sloan
I’m 26, and I’ve always been a creative person. I knew I wanted more for myself and wanted to build something that gave me the freedom to create while also bringing value to other people. That’s what led me to start my photo booth business. Read more>>
Lesley Chamberlain
I’ve always loved capturing moments, going all the way back to disposable cameras and waiting for photos to be developed at CVS or Walgreens. But photography became something more serious for me about three years ago, when I bought my first professional camera in preparation for a trip to Kenya. Read more>>
Zlatin Milev
I am a Bulgarian, classically trained guitarist and a self published author, based in London. I started playing classical guitar over 11 years ago and gradually made my way through rock music and onto heavy metal. I am currently a guitarist in 3 different music bands and have been working with amazing musicians. I also play piano, drums and sing. Read more>>
Cheyenne Payne
Before becoming a full-time makeup artist, I was actually working in car sales at BMW of Tyler while building my makeup business on the side. Read more>>
Edward Digges
People usually ask where I’m from and I’ve never had a clean answer. My dad was a Navy captain, so we moved about every two years. I was the fourth of five kids, homeschooled the whole way through. Read more>>
Joe Crenshaw
DFW Dad Squad was founded by Joe Crenshaw and Ladrell James, out of a growing burden for fathers who were silently struggling in isolation. What began as informal online conversations and small meetups between dads quickly revealed something deeper: men were craving real brotherhood, not surface-level networking. Men were isolated, trapped, and feeling alone in their struggles. Read more>>
Javier Rojas
Our story really starts with a leap of resilience and faith. About nine years ago, I moved to the United States from Venezuela with my wife, two young daughters and a suitcase, a lot of dreams, and probably more courage than common sense! I started working hard, learning how things were done here, and taking on whatever opportunities came my way. Read more>>
Rona van Rensburg
This whole journey actually started with curiosity. I came across someone creating coloring books, and it made me wonder if I could create one myself. Read more>>
Demetrica Williams
Thank you, this means a lot to me. My story of Vassé Rendezvous really begins with quiet butterflies. Originally I bought this 10 acre piece of property for my two children, especially for my daughter, Talyia, so she could have some normalcy. Read more>>
AMPHAYVANH SINGTHIN
From Passion to Purpose: The Story of Chef Mia Singthin Founder & Owner of Sakhuu Thai, Thai in Town & Mun Gai Thai Street Food For Chef Mia Singthin, food has always been more than a business. It is a connection to family, culture, memories, and the flavors of home. Read more>>
Michelle McClain
There was a season in Michelle McClain’s life when everything seemed to be falling apart. After losing her job, she found herself on her knees, looking upward and asking God, “Why? How did I get here?” She wasn’t living the healthy, active life she teaches today. Read more>>
Alexia Rodrigue
At the center of Easy Nest is Alexia Rodriguez, our Founder and Owner, whose passion for helping people through life’s biggest transitions is what makes our work so personal. Alexia started Easy Nest after helping a close friend navigate a stressful move during a divorce. Read more>>
Neo AKA ‘El Niño’ Mamaregane
I got bit by the music bug while still in high school and I’ve been stuck on go ever since. Read more>>
CALADIUM
Guitarist Brandon Keaton and drummer Marshall Mack were members of the Northern California rock band, A Thirsting Soul, when heeding a hirer calling, Marshall moved to Dallas to care for his elderly grandparents. Read more>>
Taharkha Allen
You may be wondering what has sparked determination well when I was born Hydrocephalus meaning I had too much water on the brain which caused me to undergo 13 major brain operations it was said that I wouldn’t live over age past two if I did it would be a miracle well I’m here telling my story Read more>>
Justin Moose
I’ve always been drawn to the things people tend to pass by, the details in a building, the atmosphere of a room, the energy of a live performance, or the way light can completely change an ordinary scene. Over time, that way of seeing things grew into Moose Frame Media. What started as a creative outlet gradually became something much more intentional. Read more>>
Fernando Balderas
My story started when I was a young teenage kid with dreams of creating videos! I began my journey in film. I transitioned into photography as I entered my junior year of high school. I was just a kid who was a drummer, had a camera, a computer, and way too many ideas. By that time I was already covering events and taking portraits. Read more>>
Paola Ventura
I was born and raised in Veracruz, Mexico, and moved to Dallas about 17 years ago for a work opportunity. My professional background is in project management, but I have always been the person my friends come to for recommendations—where to eat, what to do, and which new places to discover. Read more>>
Zachary Loredo
I grew up being raised around strong women alongside my older brother Matthew. My mother was a single mom and did what she could with the resources she had to make sure we always had a roof over our heads. Read more>>
