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.
Nick Snyder
Everything changed when I attended a corporate retreat and realized that what I was doing professionally wasn’t where my true passion lay. Shortly after, I attended a friend’s wedding in Las Vegas, where the bride’s brother-in-law, a former sous chef, introduced me to the fundamentals of cooking on a deeper level. Over the course of several days, we prepared breakfast and dinner for all the guests, and on the wedding day, we spent the entire day cooking for the reception. That experience was an eye-opener—it was the first time I truly felt the energy, creativity, and camaraderie that comes with working in a kitchen. Read more>>
Carolyn Wells
The mission of DbD is to offer a wholesome environment with quality dance classes and training for every individual in every stage of life. This includes making sure your dancer is dressed appropriately from class to stage, music that any ears can hear, and dancing that any parent would be happy to watch. Read more>>
San Juanita Pate
While pursuing my education, I simultaneously worked as a bilingual teacher for Northside Independent School District. Upon obtaining my master’s degree in education with a concentration in counseling, I embarked on my career as a school counselor. Currently, I am employed full-time by Northside ISD as a school counselor. However, I recognized the need for high-quality therapists in the local San Antonio and surrounding areas who cater to Spanish-speaking families. Additionally, I perceived a demand for Spanish-speaking play therapists. I decided to open my own practice in 2024. Read more>>
Jon Frasier
I started my online coaching business back in college. At first I was just doing personal training, I’ve always been competitive and my junior year I decided to compete in my first bodybuilding competition, I was applying everything I was learning in school to try and improve my physique. Putting my degree and body to the test I was able to come away with a first place victory. The rest was history. Read more>>
Rachel Villanueva
I have always loved to bake, this love is rooted in my childhood and sparked by my mom. She always included my siblings and I in cooking, baking and kitchen activities. I didn’t know it at the time, but my parents probably couldn’t afford a huge birthday cake, cookie platter, or things alike. So my mom baked almost everything from scratch. After graduating Nursing school at 21, I began to question what was in all the processed things available in the grocery, and realized “Mom was right all along.” Not only was it more economical for our family during that time, but it was also better for her growing children – this is the cornerstone of why I do what I do. Read more>>
Vanessa Magallanez
The beginning was rough and painfully slow. I worked for 2 other companies at the same time I began to develop my own. In addition to that, I began as a partnership. However, that came to a sudden end when my partner was offered a job opportunity within another state. I went solo from there. Obtained mentorship, networked, and continued to grow my clinical knowledge all while balancing duties across the professional and my personal world. Read more>>
Lauren Valdez
I quickly got to work and recorded all of my surroundings. With the help of a friend, Calvin McGhee, a media director for local businesses- the very first “Lauren’s List” video was birthed. Due to the success of this video, I consistently took the time to learn how to edit and create engaging content which caught attention of local business owners and other influencers in the area. Within 6 months, I gained over 4.5K new followers. Read more>>
Goco Barrera
Soon After that moment, I had a dream. A dream of fire. In obscurity, a great abyss, cold. But a fire began to illuminate. I was the fire. My light and heat, are symbols of my passion and curiosity of life. The fire began to rise and grow and glow. More fires appeared. We grew together. Eventually our light overcame the obscurity. Read more>>
Elise Wagner
Our biggest challenge, like many home stagers or business owners in general, is keeping up with demand. When we first started, we sourced furniture for 1-2 homes. The next week, we got an order for 4 stages – this was stressful! We were still building our business and putting together processes! I am happy for the early on business, as it made us really stretch ourselves and grow quickly! Read more>>
James Longoria
I’m originally from San Antonio, Texas. I’ve always been creative since childhood. Over the past few years, I’ve become more interested in filmmaking and graphic design. I lived in San Diego, California, for the past three years. During my time there, I grew closer to God. Initially, I was unsure of my path, but as I delved deeper into myself, I rediscovered my childhood passion for art. From there, I’ve personally studied various aspects of the art market, and my knowledge has continuously expanded. Read more>>
Marco Buenrostro
Being the youngest of three in a Mexican family of migrant workers wasn’t easy. Growing up in a traditional household, working for someone else was the only path I knew. I don’t often talk about this because I don’t want it to define me, but seeing my family work tirelessly for others—who lived at a completely different standard—pushed me to dream of something more. I always envisioned becoming an entrepreneur, but it wasn’t until my late 20s that I realized I needed to take that leap and start something of my own. Read more>>
Marcy McChesney
I was chosen to show at a wonderful gallery in Los Angeles called La Luz de Jesus, a dream I’ve had since I first went there decades ago. I was also chosen to participate in a show in Helsinki, Finland and will be exhibiting in Seattle, Washington in May. I was the 2024 Individual Artist Grant Recipient for The City of San Antonio and completed an artist residency at the Kolaj Institute in New Orleans in January. Read more>>
La’Rhonda Lane
Once I left the military, I moved to San Antonio and began singing at open mics, such as Coffee in Color and New Soul Jam Sessions, as a start. In an effort to throw myself out there, I began singing at The Moons Daughter with DJ Mars in 2022 until 2023. Gaining an audience and ears, I opened up for Juvenile and Tweet at the Alamofest with EBO in 2023. Shortly after, I released my first E.P., 11. 12, on December 4, 2024, which features my hit song, Lock Screen Love that is already in rotation on the radio and is dedicated to my little brother who committed suicide November 12, 2023. Read more>>
Caitlin (Zando) Garza
I spent so many years working in the retail field but never felt fulfilled. It wasn’t until I graduated from college and moved to San Antonio, and I knew I wanted to do something that brought me joy and I eventually realized I found that in painting. I decided to look up “wall painters”, and I found out about muralists. I was filled with so much excitement and inspiration that right then and there I just did it. I contacted my first client and that’s how it all started. Eventually I left my previous job so I could give 100% of myself to this, and I am so happy that I stepped out of my comfort zone to get to where I am today. Read more>>
Brandi Shaler
This has not be a smooth process. A side from typical first time business owner stress and having to build and create everything from the ground up. It’s been challenging trying to figure out a service that not only best serves our population but also how to cultivate in away that people can understand and see its benefit. That in its self has been a struggle because people tend to automatically fear what they don’t understand instead of seeking to understand if its for them or not. Other struggles are staying strong in my convictions knowing I am doing what is most helpful for the community and not caving to societal pressers of whats expectable or expected. Read more>>
Amy McRae
Due to litigation and the non-compete, I could not work at any bank in Gillespie or Kerr county, but the mortgage brokerage company was out of Dallas and having been in finance for over 14 years, I had plenty of resources to do mortgages all over Texas and not violate the non-compete. So I took a chance and I had my mortgage license by September 2020 and had input my first mortgage loan in November. I officially opened my office in Fredericksburg in spring of 2021 after the non-compete ended and it has been thriving! I have brought on 2 other lenders and a processor/loan assistant to complete my 4-person team of amazing, hard-working women. Read more>>
Enkayia Parra
Photography is something I never considered until post covid. My girlfriend at the time, bought a camera to pass the time. Then eventually we brought it out to clubs and took pictures for free. Soon after I bought my own camera and the rest is history. I’ve been doing photography for Bewitched for about a year now ( Bewitched is a local goth/ alternative/ dark music event group) But you can also catch me from time to time at Paper Tiger taking pictures of bands. Or at my newest favorite local store Noirceur. I do photography for them as well! We use local talent and models to showcase their latest clothing selection. Read more>>
Ashleigh Pandora “AP” Montford
With that in mind, I founded The Opia Designs Company, a strategic growth agency specializing in grant writing, business development, and marketing. Through this venture, I’ve helped businesses, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs secure funding, build sustainable strategies, and amplify their missions. My work in grant writing has led to funding for initiatives ranging from STEM education and youth mentorship to nonprofit expansion and community development. Read more>>
Crystal Holmes
Running a business is never a smooth road. Someone once said that it is comparable to jumping off a cliff and building your plane on the way down. Some of my initial struggles were believing that everybody in business was honest. I still have the belief that there are mostly good people out there, but after almost 12 years in business, I definitely ask more questions before making decisions or working with new people. And I get every promise in writing. Read more>>
