Brandon Webb
My story is a story of perseverance and faith. At the age of sixteen I was diagnosed with cancer. The experience strengthened the bond between my family but going through that period of life was tough. I couldn’t give up because that would mean I would be giving in to cancer. Read more>>
Deira Lacy
My interest in photography came about through a project at my full time job at Parkland Hospital. I was asking to develop an in house photography program for the babies at Parkland. Through the research and develop I became fascinated with photography. Read more>>
Kisha L. Allen
I like to keep things simple. I have a heart for people. I love seeing them win and life fruitful lives. I am a big networker, so I meet tons of people. Over the years, I realized that everyone wanted to be or do MORE, but many struggled with how; because I am a Corporate Trainer by Trade and a Teacher by gifting, I had this nagging desire to teach them what they wanted and/ or needed to learn I fully understood and connected with their desire for more and I wanted to help in any way I could. Read more>>
Freddie D. Harris
LineRcize began about four years ago in a small hair salon in Downtown Dallas. The instructors of the line dance class met overtime through mutual friends at social events. Having dance in common, we decided to create a fun class that incorporated both dance and exercise for the entire family. Read more>>
Lizzie Somabut
I began my life coaching business a few years ago on the side, mainly hosting goal setting workshops here and there around the area. I stepped into this coaching role when I no longer wanted to pursue my career in counseling. I loved my time in that setting but I felt a tug on my heart to share those types of messages and exercises with others outside of that environment. Read more>>
Ty Bishop
I got the idea for Friend of The Artist after I attended Creative Conversation at Moody Performance Hall in April of 2016. The evening was a panel discussion among some of the top art educators in the area with Major Rawlings opening up the evening conversation. Read more>>
Katie Portmann
Well I think I’ve always been a “planner” in the broad sense of the word. More specifically, I’ve always had a knack for organization. Even from a young age, I was the one who decorated the house for the holidays and coordinated vacations for myself, family and friends. Read more>>
Adam Littke
My career began in Los Angeles working on large commercial shoots. For 3 years I worked as a production assistant getting coffee, picking up trash and assisting on shoots. In 2007 I directed a music video that got the attention of record labels and musicians. Read more>>
Ted Hoffman
I think the expression, “Life is a Journey” fits well for the FLY story. After spending a career in finance (equity trading) between New York, running a trading desk and Dallas, a partner in a hedge fund, I find myself in uncharted territory. A former relationship that started in 2012 led me into a passion project. Read more>>
Shiloe du Vall
Camera Shi got it’s witty name from my college roommate joking around in our one bedroom apartment after shooting my first engagement session. Little did I know where a Facebook page could take this business and how much JOY comes with meeting new faces, capturing the sweetest moments, and adventuring with strangers that become friends. Read more>>
Chris Harmon
In the beginning, I never knew that I would be in the place that I am now. I attended Grambling State University and majored in Mass Communication with plans on going to film school. While attending Grambling, I was involved with the campus newspaper (The Gramblinite), the GSU TV Station, my Fraternity Omega Psi Phi, and I was SGA President. Read more>>
Jerod Couch
I was born and raised Wilmer, Texas – a small town right outside of Dallas, I graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 2007 with a degree in Radio-TV-Film where I found my passion for creating television and video content in general. Read more>>
Stefanie Swanson, Shane Rollins
Rockit lab was started over 5 years ago by a local company “Jumble Tribe” that held EDM shows and after hours events. The intent was to have a location for local producers and musicians to have a home base an thrive in a musical environment. Read more>>
Maria Jones
It’s the funniest thing how this all began. A friend and I use to watch the show Storage Wars Texas when it first came out and we decided that we could do that. So we did just that, we went to storage sales and had guys that would go through all the things and bring me all the best stuff. Read more>>
Daryush Parsi
A U.S.-born son of Iranian immigrants, I lived for many years in Europe: France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the Netherlands. As I met people from a range of backgrounds and nationalities, I noticed that many Europeans had something in common: They regularly gave each other gifts of tasty, ornately packaged sweets. Read more>>
Kelli Watts
Founder, Kelli Watts, taught herself how to bake French macarons and then went on to develop her own proprietary recipes. Born to a French mother, Kelli always had an interest in French culture, even though she grew up in West Texas. After earning a degree in design, she moved to NYC where she first discovered macarons. Read more>>
Greg Parish, Whitney Cheatham
We are second & third generation popcorn artisans. My father the late great Robert L. Parish Jr started our company in 1983. It was originally called The Popcorn Factory. He along with my mother, master chef Norma Parish ran the family business and in 1986, they were selected to become concessionaires at The State Fair of Texas. Read more>>
John Paul Valverde, Miguel Vicens
John Paul – We started Coevál Studio because we thought there was a need in the market. We were looking for properties for a few of our earlier restaurant clients and some did not know what to do besides cook. I loved design, food, and environments, and my business partner Miguel was working as a project architect on hospitality. Read more>>
Denae Richards
I grew up surrounded by music. My mom played the piano & organ. I sang in the choir at church and in high school. I played a variety of instruments in the band in high school and in college. Music has always been a key factor in my life. Helping others has always been what brings me joy. Read more>>
Jen Bertrand
As a kid growing up in Houston, I was surrounded by photography – my next-door neighbor was a professional photographer, my mom worked for the NBC affiliate in Houston, my Dad ALWAYS had the camera or video camera in his hands, and my older sister (whom I idolized) took photography in high school. Read more>>
Laura May-Roelse
The story of how I got to where I am today is not a short or straight forward one. I can now look back and see the defining moments that were instrumental in leading me to opening my practice. I guess you would need to go back to my early life of say middle school where I like many others started developing my sense of self and establishing my body image. Read more>>
Brittany Peterson
We are a family of violinists who began performing together at very early ages and have continued to perform ever since! Our mother, Allison, was taught to play violin by her sister. She then taught her five daughters to play and for that we are forever grateful! Read more>>
Rachel Smith
When I was five, I heard a recording of a Vivaldi violin concerto being performed with orchestra, and I was mesmerized by the sparkling sound and the energy of the group. I was currently studying piano (my mom is a pianist), but asked for violin lessons. My parents said I had to wait a year, but then if I was still interested, I could take violin lessons. Read more>>
Sarah Forsyth
Growing up, I always loved styling the hair of friends and family. From something as simple as braiding a friends hair to styling for weddings, it’s something I was always knew I loved. As I got to the point in life where I needed to decide on a career, I knew that there was nothing else I would love as much as being a hairstylist. Read more>>
Jeffrey Clark
I started in the bar/restaurant business in Arlington working as a door guy on the side while I was leasing apartments. The fast paced environment and interaction with guest are what caught my eye to leave leasing and pursue advancement within the entertainment industry. Read more>>
Jessica Ladd Lefterova
I have had a passion for Women, Birth, Pregnancy and Babies my entire life. I was the girl breastfeeding her baby dolls and babysitting 1/2 the neighborhood by 13 years old. I also have a deep passion for fitness, health and mental wellbeing and pursued my passion to be a Yoga Teacher and Doula, a few years after college. Read more>>
Julie Buckner, Jeff Fritz
My partner Dr. Jeff Fritz, a native Texan, was raised growing his own fruits and vegetables and digging around in the dirt. His interests in plants & the human body guided his decision to major in bio-chemistry and eventually become an anesthesiologist. Read more>>
Carlyn Ray
Carlyn grew up around art in her mother’s gallery Carlyn Galerie. Being diagnosed with learning differences including dyslexia and being ADD at a young age, Carlyn Ray struggled with academics and finding different ways to grasp core subjects. Read more>>
Rick Birt
I retired from my dream job – a Marine Corps Jet Pilot – in 2014, when my wife brought me to a Photography Conference in Vegas. There was a married couple that spoke there about their photography business, and it made me wonder about my wife and I doing the same thing. Read more>>
Jonathon Link
From an early age I felt a strong calling into filmmaking. Film work has taken me all over the world, and my passion goes beyond just creating a beautiful film that will entertain or help market, but using film as a tool to share powerful stories that inspire us. Read more>>
Jodi Philippson
I fell in love with food tours back in 2011 and realized Dallas didn’t have one. I’ve always loved showing off my city. I believe Dallas has fascinating neighborhoods and amazing food but that it isn’t an easy city to visit if you don’t already know it or have a friend here. Read more>>
