The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we’ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below.
Viviana Arroyo
Within the year, I outgrew my first studio and have been steady busy with regular clients – I am so grateful for that. Recently I decided to add to my skills and was certified to offer permanent makeup services! So here I am once again upgrading my studio and skills and starting a new journey in the beauty industry doing things I love! Read More>>
Desiree Werland
Like many autoimmune patients, my journey began with subtle symptoms that gradually snowballed into something more. Think of it like a cup slowly filling with water—until it overflows. That overflow moment, for many of us, is the diagnosis. But I’m sharing my story not because it’s unique, but because I want others to know they have the power to take charge of their health, advocate for themselves, and prevent or manage autoimmune disease. Whether you’re already living with an autoimmune condition or want to avoid it altogether, you have more control than you think. Read More>>
Chris Crawford
During this time, I had a chance to read Howie Mandel’s book “Here’s The Deal Don’t Touch Me”. The story was fascinating, and it really made me want to start my journey as a stand-up comedian. There was no opportunity for this in the town that I live in, so I made a trip to Austin, Tx to try my hand at an open mic. It was terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. I knew that I had to bring this home with me and I did by starting my own open mic at (Stango’s Coffee Shop) in San Angelo, TX. Read More>>
Ronnie Munoz
The culmination of all ailments left my body in turmoil and high stress resulting in sever hair loss. I dedicated much time to researching a natural solution and after a couple of months, I formulated a recipe which helped stop the excessive shedding and also promoted new hair growth. Soon, I shared my hair oil with friends and family who showed interest as they were dealing with hair issues as well. After a period of time, it was evident that the hair oil I had created not only helped me but also helped those that had used it. This is when we all realized that I may have created something special, providing a solution to help those suffering from hair loss. Read More>>
Janace Griffin
I am currently living the life of my dreams as a multi published author, Fashion Designer, Artist, Creative Director and founder of the El Paso Black Art Association. My family and I relocated to El Paso, Texas after losing my father to Acute Myeloid Leukemia directly caused by the contamination of water at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base which has only recently been uncovered and currently being investigated in an effort to accommodate the families and loved ones affected by gross negligence and lack of accountability for decades. Read More>>
Deyla Elliott
When I got to college, I originally chose Business as a major/area of study, but struggled with some of the introductory classes to that area of study more than I would have like (more specifically, more than what my grade point average liked), and decided to change my major as a result. Communication ended up being the move – it isn’t a respected area of study, but there isn’t any sphere where it isn’t needed and it is one of the most challenging areas for most people. So dare I say, it’s actually quite an essential area! I planned to go into any area of media: written, audio, visual – all were attractive to me. Read More>>
Sabrina Scott
Although I didn’t realize the challenges they faced until later in life, their resilience in overcoming cultural differences and financial challenges somehow became engrained in me. They gave my brother and I the world with whatever they had. They worked tirelessly to provide for us and ensure we had limitless opportunities. Their resilience and dedication became the foundation of my work ethic, teaching me that success is achieved through persistence and an unwavering commitment to my goals. Read More>>
Morgan Taplin
I started my journey as a photographer, which naturally led me into the world of creativity and marketing. As I progressed in my career, I realized the significant lack of support for millennial Black and Brown women in business. This realization motivated me to create Female Executives of Texas in 2018. Since then, we’ve grown into a dynamic team offering memberships, hosting events, and presenting yearly awards, all aimed at empowering and supporting Black and Brown women in business. Read More>>
Jessica Murrah
That casual conversation sparked a profound realization: it was time for a new chapter. Despite my initial uncertainty, an unexpected opportunity presented itself. I received an email from Todd Durkin, a renowned life coach I had met a year earlier, inviting me to join his certification program. Read More>>
Hanna Waters
A year later, I moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to attend another drawing school, The Atelier Lack. I was accepted on merit and awarded the school’s only scholarship: to be the school’s custodian in exchange for tuition. I attended for about two years until I ran into severe health issues that would precipitate my early departure from the program. I had to put most things on hold (except for working; I’ve worked full-time since college) to white-knuckle life with the long-term effects of those health issues. Read More>>
Jennipha Ricks
Unfortunately, this pattern followed me into adulthood, where I found myself in two abusive marriages. Despite the joyful moments, the darkness often overshadowed the light in my life. However, through therapy and a deepening relationship with Christ, I learned to take accountability for my role in those relationships and began the journey of healing. My faith has been instrumental in freeing me from the guilt and shame that haunted me, and it also led me to confront and begin the ongoing process of forgiving my father. Read More>>
Jeanette Lira
I am known for a lot of things. One is that I take risks and get big returns. Two even through hard times I’m able to persevere and get things done three inspire people to do big things in life. Four I have a lot of knowledge and many different areas from how to start a business how to create systems in a business how to hire how to market, branding the business, credentialing for medical practices and so many other things. Read More>>
Amanda Hernandez
In high school, I was very active in various organizations. I played tennis and served as the President of the Bluebonnets (a Junior Women’s Club organization), my 4-H Club, and the 4-H County Council. I was also honored as Queen of the Kleberg Kenedy County Junior Livestock Show my junior year. My involvement extended to media technology, where I hosted a talk show for a local station. I graduated with honors, ranking in the top 10% of my class. Read More>>
Attie Jonker
I have some good stories of these projects. My business partner Peter stared with me as an employee not long after high school and has worked his way up. I am so proud of him and how far he has come. The wood business is a labor of love and not for the faint of heart. it’s hard work that takes a lot of patience, time and resources to keep all the cogs turning. Its a very for filling path were we get to serve so many different clients form all walks of life. all the wheel we get to express our gifts and talents trough rescued wood, Read More>>
Gailina
After being paralyzed I enrolled myself back into college, started my own business, released my first music video, grew my social media accounts to over half a million followers collectively with my witty personality, relatability, dark humor, and disability advocacy, and I’ll soon be starring in a children’s book exploring the history of people with disabilities who have done extraordinary things. I’m hoping that people can look at my story, what I’ve gone through, and what I’ve achieved and be inspired and motivated to push forward and excel. Read More>>
Rebecca J. Hopp
At Texas Tech, Rebecca was Director of the SRO Gallery of Photography, a fine art photography Instructor of Record, and a Teaching Effectiveness and Career Advancement Fellow (TEACH). A graduate school summer internship with Ogallala Commons, led Rebecca to teach photography to rural Great Plains students, exploring the importance of community and agriculture. In 2014, Rebecca was named a Houston Holocaust Museum Warren Fellow for Future Teachers and in 2017 she traveled to Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya to teach photography in coordination with FotoFest and FilmAid. Read More>>
Paris De’vil
My mom had me when she was just 15, and as the oldest of three children, I often had to step up early on. This taught me resilience and the value of hard work, which helped fuel my dreams in music and photography. Today, I’m able to combine those two loves, turning my passions into my career. Read More>>
Salina Rose Moreno
These trials taught me to trust the process, be patient with myself and ultimately to never give up. I started my business (RoseRoyce Beauty) just after eight months of working at a lash salon. It took some faith and determination to get my business started but I owe it all to my family, friends, and clientele for their endless support. I’m so grateful for the support system I have, they’ve been the ones who’ve helped me keep going and without them I wouldn’t be where I’m at today. Read More>>
Andrea Izaguirre
This started a whole chapter in my life where I got the chance to travel all over the country, roleplay a character while working, and be a part of amazing projects, be it for events, customers, movies, or TV shows. I learned how to leather work, expanded my sewing skills, and how to move in the professional world, working with clients, conventions, private events, and even the entertainment industry. Read More>>
J. Daniel Escareño
Photography has since evolved into a fulfilling side hustle, allowing me to explore my creativity and grow my skill set. It’s become a bucket list of achievements, pushing me to tackle new challenges and continuously improve. While I maintain a full-time job as a creative professional, where my photography skills are invaluable in storytelling for my employer, I also sell my photographs as art. This dual focus has not only enriched my professional life but also provided a meaningful personal outlet. Read More>>
Katia Dominguez
Before starting my business, I had always worked in the hotel industry and spent time working with children. I loved the customer service aspect of both fields, and I was drawn to the delicate care required when working with young children. Inspired by my experiences, I founded Cleaning Made Simple to reflect those values. I wanted cleaning to be uncomplicated—no need for a dozen products or sacrificing your health to maintain a clean home. I wanted to offer a service that not only met high standards but also aligned with my values of sustainability and health Read More>>
Lauren Garcia
I had always made baked goods growing up but never had a feeling I could do something significant with them until I met my husband. We started dating, I would bring him goodies and he encouraged me to start posting them on Instagram. After about a year of making cakes for family and friends, I dove into more education on baking, design, and started to build my own recipes. I invested my time and energy to make my small business grow. Read More>>
