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.
Krystalynn Gier
I was stuck in a rut when I realized everything is connected to our mind, body, and planet. The more time I dedicated to taking care of those 3 things, the more in tuned with myself and others I became. It improved my anxiety, boosted my confidence, created deeper connections with my community, and led me to becoming the best version of myself. The best part is that all of this isn’t just good for yourself, but it’s also beneficial to our planet! Read More>>
Mark Perez
I front the band FLOATS. I write, record and play all the music. I’m proud of how far I’ve come from growing up in the south side of San Antonio to being able to travel and play shows across the country and that I’ve been able to organically grow and connect with so many people through music. I like to have fun and give others their flowers and help others grow just as I have. Read More>>
Alexis Rincon
Our business seems to be going on a smooth incline, which is actually really amazing to think about. Unfortunately some of the struggles have been more related to my negative thoughts. As a first year business owner the hardest part is reminding yourself this is only the beginning. Days will be slow, and motivating myself to work from home has also been a new experience. I had to learn to be more organized, have a schedule, and build a routine because I am my own boss now. Nothing is going to get done if I’m not the one doing it! Balancing between time at work and living your life can get tangled up a lot when you are working from home. Read More>>
Marisa Hernandez
There have undoubtedly been ups and downs along the way. Even though I was motivated to share my experience, I also sometimes felt discouragement along the way. I often wondered if I should risk the criticism that comes with posting content online. The encouraging comments from listeners about the interviews and stories we shared on the podcast and blog is what inspired me to keep sharing. Read More>>
Mark Tompkins
So I’m a personal trainer, and I specialize in functional training, also body building, and overall fitness health. I’m known for my biomechianics which is more focused on form, isolation movements. I’m most proud of helping my clients reach their actual fitness goals and helping them see that they could actually transform their body. What sets me apart from others is that I hold myself accountable to help my clients reach there goals and also hold them accountable. Read More>>
Adam Daoud
Vela Coffee was built with a bigger purpose in mind. I didn’t just want to open another specialty coffee shop—I wanted it to be a one-stop shop for all things local in San Antonio. From the coffee we serve to the pastries, milk, and even the merchandise we carry, everything is sourced from local businesses and artisans. I saw an opportunity to bring the community together by creating a space that not only serves great coffee but also uplifts and supports other small businesses in the city. Read More>>
Michael Simmons
Once I got my first camera, I couldn’t put it down. I’ve been spending much of my free time ever since chasing down architecture and landscapes that interest me, and doing my best to capture them in a way that is full of color and intrigue. My favorite moments in photography are when I am wandering and exploring, waiting to see what subjects and scenes catch my eye, and collecting visuals that are exciting to me in the moment so that I can share them with whoever cares to look. I always hope that the images inspire even a small amount of the wonder I experienced that morning on the shores of the Black Sea. Read More>>
Henry Berrios
In 2020 I traveled to New York to compete in The Coffee Fest, where I became the world champion for Latte Art. It was a great accomplishment! I was the first Puerto Rican in the history of the event to have ever achieved that. After that, I started receiving job opportunities from across the states and ultimately decided for San Antonio. My parents had moved to the city about seven years before, and it was something my wife and I had already been considering. After moving here, things got harder because of the COVID pandemic, so it took seven months until my wife and son moved here with me. Read More>>
Charry Beckett
I am originally from Bacolod City, Philippines and 6 years ago I decided to make a life changing decision to go to the United States as a J1 intern. As a 22 on going 23 years old girl who lived in a small town in the Philippines and coming into the United States was a bit of an overwhelming experience but as a person who can easily adapt into my environment I started to embrace the culture and make many connections with amazing people. I came into this country with nothing but a positive mindset and a confident attitude that I will somehow make it. That I will somehow make my parents proud and be able to help out my family back home. Read More>>
Alyssa Cedillo
I did not step into the mental health field with ease—I fought my way into it. The systems that claimed to heal were not built for people like me or for the communities I serve. They were never meant to hold space for those of us pushed to the margins, for those whose histories, identities, and ways of healing have been erased or dismissed. But I knew that healing could not be confined to those systems—I had to help create what was missing. Read More>>
Marina Nolen
In 2021, I took the leap and became a business owner, founding my own design studio. My work specializes in creating illustrations and branding services that truly resonate with brands and their audiences. What sets me apart is my ability to blend a deep understanding of brand values, target audiences, and market research, with a healthy dose of creative freedom and design magic. I believe in nurturing wild ideas in an inspiring and collaborative environment, where creativity is allowed to thrive. Read More>>
Erica Morales
In November 2021, I decided I wanted to utilize both my licenses and start my own business. I opened up Double Polished Beauty Bar in December 2021. When I first opened the salon it was in the back of a barbershop, I wanted to try it out and see if the business would be successful. We stayed at the barbershop for about a year and a half. In June 2023, I opened up my very own storefront! Read More>>
Jason X. Hudson
I was born in Rock Island, IL, and moved to Chicago, IL 19. A natural creative, I’ve been involved in art and design since I was 8 years old drawing church posters for my grandmama. I have always had an artistic eye, but also an analytical mindset from my years of mechanical drafting classes in high school. This combination of art, structure, and functionality is the foundation of the style, perspective, and composition seen in my work today. Read More>>
Linda Medina
That changed 15 years ago when I started working for a debt collection company in the corporate world. What began as a job quickly became an education in credit, financial responsibility, and compliance. I absorbed everything I could about the credit industry—how debt was managed, how credit scores were impacted, and the legal side of collections. I didn’t just learn these principles; I applied them to my own life and began turning my financial situation around. Read More>>
Vannesa Vasquez
As I trained, I saw my body change. I built strength. Confidence. A little booty. And, naturally, I did what any millennial would do—I documented everything. This was the rise of Instagram, and I wanted a name that stood out. “ThatGirlSquats” was born. I imagined it on shirts, on merch, on a brand that would one day inspire others. Read More>>
Nataliia Lopez
My name is Natalia Lopez, originally from Ukraine, and I started my little home bakery Chantilly Custom Desserts in 2017. Bakery represents both American and Eastern European desserts and cakes, bringing the best from two such different cultures. Over the years I had opportunity to bake for so many people, be a part of special moments, celebrations, various events, including a few of my dessert tasting parties, classes – cupcake decorating and fruit board decorating parties. Read More>>
Kristina Zachary
Fast forward to my late 20s, where I found myself with three beautiful children and having just met Gabriel. It didn’t take long for me to realize he was someone truly special. Our relationship blossomed when we moved in together during the sudden onset of COVID. With nothing else to do, we had the perfect opportunity to truly get to know each other, and we grew even closer. When COVID restrictions started to lift, we received a call from his aunt that changed everything—she suggested we get into real estate. Gabriel, being the persistent and passionate person he is, spent about two weeks convincing me that this was the perfect path for us. And, of course, he was right. Read More>>
Tracey Washington
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to learn from great mentors and have had the time to develop my craft. Photography is an ever-evolving industry – constantly changing, constantly competitive. It’s easy to look at the success of others and compare, but at the end of the day, what matters most is defining what makes your art yours. There are so many talented photographers, each with their own unique style, and that’s what makes this industry so inspiring. I see it as motivation – and opportunity to keep learning, growing, and pushing myself creatively. Read More>>
Embry Flory
As I began to expand my portfolio, foster client relationships, and collect positive testimonials, the phone gradually began to ring more and more. The business was heading in a great direction, as I had opportunities to work with some high-profile clients in San Antonio. Fast-forward to 2024, when I had my best year in the history of the business, and where I found my niche in the real estate and development industries. Now, my business continues to grow as I help realtors market their listings, and developers track the progress of construction. Read More>>
Philip Thomas
I grew up in the UK, and immersed myself in the works of my favorite photographers – my mentors of sorts, like Garry Winogrand and Henri Cartier-Bresson. Their artistry sparked my deep love for photography, which was ignited by their masterful compositions, striking black-and-white contrasts, and the vibrant life captured in each image. At the age of 18, I landed my first job as a press photographer, eventually moving on to work in portrait studios. Read More>>
Daizy Maldonado-rodriguez
I’ve always been a creative soul, something I discovered at a young age, thanks to my paternal family and the incredible people who guided me along the way. Born and raised in Palm Springs, California (with a few small gaps in between), I was an eccentric high school student. My hair was always colored and styled differently, my fashion was a bold statement inspired by the late ’90s and early 2000s, and I was unapologetically myself. Though my outward expression was attention-grabbing, I was actually quite reserved—somewhat shy but always a dedicated student. Read More>>
Diana Aleman
Although, that was also my case. I remember going on a school field trip & simply snapping away at anything & anyone that was in my frame. When it came down to developing those images, I felt so proud to have taken everyone of them all on my own. Some of which I still have! However, that’s not why I intended to find my purpose from this role. Read More>>
Brooklyn Morrow
She gave me my first real shot at learning how to dance by setting up a simple exchange; I taught classes for her and she paid for my dance/competition fees. This was a godsend to a kid with a lot of siblings and a single mom. I didn’t mind the 45 minute drive weekly through snow and freezing temperatures to spend 8-10 hours in the studio every Sunday, it was also my favorite thing about my week. In fact, I was so persistent about dance being my life that I actually opened up a dance studio at the age of 15 (with my big sisters help) and I ran it for 2 whole years before officially letting it go. I learned very early how difficult the business journey could be but it didn’t discourage me. Read More>>
Douglas Galloway
Doug, I wish you would go back to doing your art; you as an artist is where you are at your best.” A few months later, my father suffered a massive stroke and passed away. Amid my grief, I kept hearing his words and thought, “Why not?” I returned to San Antonio, the city that first believed in me, the place where I felt most alive, and began to paint again. This time, I approached my work with clearer wisdom and a renewed sense of purpose. Today, my art celebrates the things I hold most dear. On canvas, I tell the stories of the people and places that have been part of my journey. I hope that you, as the viewer, find yourself in these works, recalling memories of time and place that are part of your own story. Read More>>
Vanessa Lynn
My first year of apprenticing I got pregnant so everything came to a halt for me when it came to learning tattooing. While I was still able to be present and help do daily tasks at the shop, I could still feel myself taking ten steps back. It was so discouraging. There was a point in my maternity leave where I knew I had to figure out how to be a first time mother but also get back into the tattoo shop so I can finish what I started. I knew nothing else but art and now the world of tattooing, so I was stubborn on wanting to find the balance between motherhood and an unpaid apprenticeship. Read More>>
Kathleen Day
Given my innate handicaps, I’ve struggled in various areas throughout my growth in business, as well as in life. “Adulting” has always been difficult for me despite having been considered a highly gifted student growing up. Now we’ve collectively become more informed when it comes to how neurodivergence affects different aspects of an individual’s life, aptitude and ability to navigate real-world situations. Prior to understanding my neuro complexity, I honestly thought there was something wrong with me; why was everything harder for me than it seems to be for others? Read More>>
Toni Davenport
Red Truck Home Solutions is my new decluttering and home organization business I started in 2024. This all started after I’d helped several friends downsize and move. I realized we all have so much stuff and started to declutter my own home. I realized with clear spaces comes a clear mind. I decided I wanted to help people who are overwhelmed by clutter create peace in their own homes. Read More>>
Alex Fields
The idea for our product came about when my son, Maddex, was born prematurely. He needed physical therapy to improve his hand-eye coordination. During that time, I discovered that if he could hold his own bottle, it would accelerate his development. Plus, as a dad, let’s be honest—I didn’t want to hold the bottle all the time! Read More>>
Precious Brown
Fly.girlz.style is a business that resells pre-loved clothes from all different sizes and styles and each piece has a unique look to it . One thing that I would say sets me apart from others is that when I go to pop-up markets , I am bringing my entire set up from home to the market which I find pretty amazing . I’m really proud of my setup – it’s a lot of work, but it’s totally unique and I think that’s what catches people’s attention. It’s just really different from what you usually see! Read More>>
Alma Torres
Hi my name is Alma Torres, I’m a Certified Makeup Artist. I started my makeup journey in 2020 I believe when COVID-19 hit, at that time I didn’t have any passion, til my cousin told me to do makeup lives & content. I didn’t know anything about makeup, didn’t know how to blend my eyeshadow or put lashes til I practice and practice, I kept going & love what I was doing entertaining my views on my live by doing makeup. I had gotten better with my makeup techniques, the next step i wanted was to work on clients better my work more. I went to school in 2024 got Certified for Makeup Artist, I learned a lot when I was in the beauty school from sanitation, to technique & business. I honestly came along way & just love what I do. Read More>>
Pedro Lujan
Once I decided to return to the training world, I knew I would do things a little differently. I wanted to present a lot of the behind-the-scenes to the public. I wanted my clients to see how their dogs were adjusting, performing, and progressing. I believe this approach made for a personable experience. Potential clients, upon our first meeting, would ask about my dogs or dogs currently enrolled in training since they were able to track their experience with us. By the end of the first year, we moved into our first training facility. Wag-A-Holics was able to expand its reach, helping more dogs than ever. We won Best of Dog Training in the City of Seguin and Top 3 Best Dog Boarding in New Braunfels. Read More>>
