Over the years as we connected with incredible from folks from almost every imaginable industry we realized that every nook and cranny of our economy is full of small business owners, artists and creatives who live and breathe what they do – and their stories are nothing short of heroic. It’s the immigrant parents who overcame the odds and kept their small business alive for decades allowing their next generation to thrive and the artisans who pour their passion into every piece and refuse to let even the most common items remain mundane that make our communities come alive. The stories below will inspire you and we hope you’ll take the time to read and connect with these incredible folks.

Ashleu Lacy

I’m the lead singer and songwriter for the indie-pop band, Astralace. We’ve played at many notable Houston venues, such as White Oak Music Hall, House of Blues, Last Concert Cafe, and Miller Outdoor Theater. Read more>>

Nikki Serenity

Absolutely! I’m very active online and on social media. That comes with some of its own issues. I feel like people judge me and assume things about me based off of what they see online. I’ve been told that people thought I was going to be mean and then they met me and I was really nice. Read more>>

Kim Kapellusch

When I started it was just me – I ran the business, staged the homes, and was the sales and marketing manager. I was lucky that early on I found another new business owner in the area at a convention and we partnered up on some first projects together and eventually she came to work for me. Read more>>

Robert Abtahi

Starting Texas Defenders was not a single moment. It was a series of deliberate, sometimes uncomfortable decisions driven by the belief that people accused of crimes in Dallas deserved better advocacy, better communication, and a defense strategy built specifically for this jurisdiction. Read more>>

Julian Talens

When I had started my personal training career, I was working at 24 Hour fitness in 2019. I spent a year there and learned a lot; I even almost became a master trainer. Unfortunately, that was cut short in 2020 due to the pandemic. I went from having 100 sessions a month to zero. Biweekly pay to unemployment checks. Read more>>

Jasmin Montoya

I had met this lovely woman in one of my grief circles who had lost her son. She was very open to believing that there is something beyond death and wanted to explore that more with me. Beyond our monthly grief circles I offer grief ceremonies for families who are open to exploring a relationship with their loved ones after they have transitioned. Read more>>

Becky Jorgeson

2006 – Present: Outreach to homeless people in San Luis Obispo County; founded Hope’s Village of SLO (received nonprofit status in 2013); gave 100+ presentations to various organizations, churches and other nonprofits regarding homelessness and how Hope’s Village can help. Have passed on 146 vehicles to local veterans and their families through the ‘RVs for Veterans’ program. Read more>>

Jennifer Rollin

When I graduated from graduate school, I had two clinical practicums under my belt. One was working with teens in a residential setting providing individual therapy and the other was working with adults in a mental health clinic doing individual therapy and co-leading DBT groups. Read more>>

Christopher Green

In the spring of 1996, I began my journey at Benedict College. It was one of the most exciting yet frightening moments of my life. As a first-generation college student, I was stepping into something completely unfamiliar—something I knew would impact my life forever. I did not know what to do, who to talk to, or where to go. Read more>>

Dr. Felisha Burleson

The most important lesson I learned in school is not really a lesson as much as it is a set of values that I carry with me. It is a mindset that has followed me through most of my educational journey, from sitting in classrooms to standing at podiums. Read more>>

Keisha Gaddis

During my senior year of college, I interned at a large nonprofit in downtown Dallas that had been founded by a very well-known tech entrepreneur. He was frequently in the office, and while I’d see him in passing, I never approached him. I was young, intimidated, and very aware of my “place” in the hierarchy. Read more>>

MasterDoula My-Ja (Certified Birth, Postpartum Doula), End Of Life Doula| Priestess| Speaker| Rare Disease Advocate| Mentor Younger, CD, CPD

I was In 9th Grade Enrolled where i tested into Ethleen Jones Crockett Technical and Vocational High School. I Had come from Private school so i was used to wearing uniform, however Crockett was Awesome still it was a public school which My mother absolutely had to Really Believe in me because she was heavy on which type of school i went to. Read more>>

Fanny Hanono

I would venture to say the best boss I ever had was my father, because he was really my only long-time boss. I had other bosses for a year or two, but my father took me under his wing and gave me space to develop professionally. He taught me, knowing I had the potential to grow the company. Read more>>