Inspiring Stories from North Dallas

Vanshika Prasad

I have always been ambitious in doing things in a way that truly reflects who I am. The subtle focus, the undercurrent of consistently putting others in need before myself has been my primary goal. I have always, since middle school, aspired to utilize my evolving skills and strengths to further my fascination in making the future better than the past in actions that can help inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, in cultivating empathy and delivering hope to children in particular, around us, who are less fortunate, less privileged, and less resourceful. Read More>>

Nora Lints

I am a first-generation Mexican American whose parents came to the States in search of better life opportunities. Both of my parents chose to open their own businesses as a CPA and Tax Preparer and Hair Salon where, in my teens, I learned how to prepare my taxes, style women’s hair, and, most importantly, I learned how to run a business. As kids, we were also taught to give back to our community. I remember my dad would take us to the Houston Food Bank to hand out whole turkeys for Thanksgiving and help load huge trucks taking food and clothes to other countries after a natural disaster. Read More>>

Kofoworola Clayton

After moving to the US, I realized that many bi-cultural relationships were challenged with navigating culturally relevant food preparation. I began spending a significant amount of time training couples to meet the culinary needs of their partners. Over the years, my work as a personal chef grew from catering and teaching Nigerian cuisine to include New American cuisine and charcuterie. Read More>>

Carson Aday

However, it was Carson’s journey into songwriting and performing that truly ignited his passion for music. Inspired by the likes of Albert Hammond Jr. of The Strokes, Carson taught himself to play guitar, drums, and bass, laying the foundation for his unique sound. His musical influences range from the timeless classics of Michael Jackson and the Beatles to the contemporary rock vibes of The Strokes and Red-Hot Chili Peppers. Read More>>

Melanie Akon and Melinda Waters

My name is Melanie Akon and Melinda Waters and I are the founders of Mélange Aesthetics & Company. We are both trauma and acute care surgery nurse practitioners at a level one trauma center. The hospital we serve is a county hospital that treats every patient regardless of their socioeconomic or insurance status. Considering our hospital demographics, the population of patients that we serve do not obtain primary care routinely, thus making treatment plans complex and confounding. Read More>>

Jaye Johnson

With courage, determination, and support from my friends, family, and partner, I made the bold decision to start Artfully LLC, fully embracing the artistic path laid before me. Now, as I navigate the life of an artist in Dallas, I am not only following my dreams but also shaping a narrative uniquely my own, where creativity knows no bounds and every moment to create tells a story of growth and endless opportunity. Read More>>

Betsy Gunter

From a very young age, I had a special connection with dogs. Despite attending college and getting a bachelor’s degree, I knew working in the dog industry was my true passion. After college, I bounced around, exploring different options in the pet industry. I also volunteered with dog rescues. I began my career as a dog walker and noticed more of a need for training over time. Read More>>

Brooke Jolly

Guiding individuals on their journeys of self-awareness and watching them emerge with clarity and confidence ignites my passion for this profession. Ultimately, it’s the opportunity to make a positive difference in people’s lives that motivates me to be a counselor. Read More>>

Ejiroghene Mary

Whenever I am faced with the difficult task of answering this question, I am always unsure of where exactly to start from. I start to think of all the possible answers I could provide and all the different experiences I could include. To get the ball rolling, I will start by introducing myself. My name is Ejiroghene Mary Ukiri, and I am a first-generation Nigerian American with an immense passion for helping others achieve their dreams and life goals.  Read More>>

Breanna Campbell

I can say that my story honestly starts back in my childhood, where my love for learning science and the ability to apply it to real life started. I grew up in a unique environment where we lived in the suburbs of Denton, Texas, but my parents both had roots in agriculture (ranching and crops), and my dad raises black Angus cattle, owns horses, donkeys, etc. In school, I fell in love with nutrition and wellness, and I pursued education to become a registered dietitian nutritionist at Baylor University and Texas Woman’s University. Read More>>

Hannah Rose

I taught myself to play the guitar in middle school with a book of chord charts and my dad’s six-string. I started and quit learning maybe four separate times before it actually stuck. As a young kid, I struggled to commit myself to learning, but eventually, the desire to create music with my own two hands outweighed my lack of discipline. I started to accompany singers performing old hymns at my church.  Read More>>

Ruth Legesse

My story begins in Nairobi, Kenya, where I was born and raised. In 2004, my immediate family and I moved to the United States, seeking better educational opportunities. From third grade through twelfth grade, I attended a predominantly white Christian private school. I always had a passion for fashion and beauty, specifically my natural hair. Throughout my high school education, I always kept my hair straight in order to fit in and look like all the other girls in my school. Read More>>

Kelli Esquilin

This year, in January 2024, I launched my services as an Online Business Manager (OBM). With this level of service, I could work with my clients with even more of their business, such as their social media, email marketing, and product/service launches, along with my help with their customer experience. Read More>>

Aideé Granados

When undergoing cancer treatment in 2013, Aideé Granados—who immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico in 2012—witnessed other Hispanic women seeking treatment later, forgoing treatment altogether, having poorer outcomes, and missing out on potentially life-saving preventive care. Aideé witnessed firsthand the role that social determinants of health, such as economic status, acculturation, language barriers, and a lack of health literacy, play in preventing good outcomes.  Read More>>

Riley Rogers

The Infamists is a blues-based hard rock power trio from Denton, Texas that began in 2012 as a result of the three members responding to “Musicians Wanted” advertisements on Craigslist while they were attending the University of North Texas. The band has since retained the same solitary lineup for over a decade and has consistently performed hundreds of shows, released four full-length albums, 2 EPs, multiple singles, and has had music featured in a major motion picture.  Read More>>

Chris Schnabel

Hello, I’m Chris Schnabel, originally from New York and now based in Dallas. With over a decade of experience in video production, I have a diverse background that spans sports, music, scripted content, and business videos. My career highlights include working with Minor League Baseball, USL Soccer, prestigious institutions like Gonzaga and Harvard, and professional teams such as the Vegas Golden Knights and even the Boston Red Sox—despite being a die-hard Yankee fan. Read More>>

KCO

My story is one of grace, transformation, and boldness. I have always had a passion for music and would often freestyle all throughout middle and high school. I saw this rap thing as kind of a hidden talent that was entertaining, but nothing more. I grew up listening to Eminem, Tupac, and many other mainstream rap artists. Little did I know that these artists were planting seeds in my mind that led to aggression, violence, and paranoia. Read More>>

Arte Locs

Who am I? Well, I’m Eache Arte, and I chose my social media handle based on my government name. It just so happens that the word “Art” is in there, which fits perfectly because my content is all about self-expression, which I consider a form of art. Dancing is one of the main ways I express myself, along with my fashion sense, hairstyles, and makeup looks. I have a big personality, but at the same time, I’m reserved.  Read More>>

Chace Rains

I have been writing songs my entire life, but I only began seriously performing about 7 years ago. I come from a long line of musicians and performers stretching back all the way to Vaudeville. Coming from the poorest county in the state, I have made the most out of what little opportunities I was given. While it has taken a good long while, the proof is in the pudding as I have already had 3 charting singles from my very first offering to radio. Read More>>

Dakota Oubré

Growing up, I never thought of being a photographer. I was so focused trying to get by. I never thought I could even afford a camera. I grew up in homeless shelters and hotels throughout my childhood, and when I could finally work, I’d walk as far as 3 hours to get to work and work as much as 70-hour work weeks sometimes. My freshman year of college, I had a lot of free time when I wasn’t at track practice, so I tried to figure out things to pass time by. Read More>>

James Vincent

I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, a city known for its creativity in food and music. I was naturally drawn to creating music; my mother sang and played the piano and would teach me and my brothers. I began to sing and perform in church at an early age, learning the trumpet, piano, and a number of other instruments. At the age of 16, I was in a service at the church I attended with my family. Read More>>

Craig Daigle

I spent most of my adult life living under the opinions and judgments of other people. Overweight, depressed, and anxious. In August of 2015, I separated from my then-wife after an 8-year relationship of ups and downs. A lifestyle filled with abuse, emotional, physical, drugs, and alcohol.  Read More>>

Pasha Cartet

I began my entrepreneurial journey at the tender age of 23 with a modest $500 investment. My ambition and dedication transformed that initial investment into a multi-million-dollar empire, establishing me as a prominent figure in the industry. Ranked among the “Top 15 Female Networkers in the World,” I have earned recognition on a global scale among over 14 million women. Read More>>