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.
Barbara Chang
I’m originally from Venezuela, and my journey has been shaped by immigration, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and a deep desire to create opportunities. Not only for myself and my family, but also for the people around me. I founded Chang’s Legacy after recognizing how many individuals, especially within the Hispanic community, were struggling with credit without truly understanding how the system worked. Read more>>
Penni Mathis
Cupid and His Arrows really started from something very simple: our family’s love for animals and the joy they bring into people’s lives. Our family has always had a strong connection to animals, especially horses and farm animals. Over time, I began dreaming about creating something that would allow us to share that love with other people. Read more>>
Ben White
I started GateKeepers in March 2025 after getting burned one too many times as an event organizer. Every time I threw an event, other ticketing platforms were taking 30 to 50 percent between the organizer fee and the attendee fee, and I kept asking myself what I was actually paying for. It hit me that I did not need a middleman, I just needed control. Read more>>
William Bouldin
I am the proud owner of a bakery called The Cookie Jar Bar, the only bakery in San Antonio to be reposted by Keith Lee, one of the biggest food critics on TikTok. We have been featured on KSAT twice and were even called “the cookie of the future.” After being falsely accused of a crime, and that became one of my proudest moments. Read more>>
Melanie Machin
My passion for fashion began at the youngest age I can remember. Looking presentable plus confident has always been a huge importance to me by color coordinating. Especially with a twist being plus size in this now stereotypical world. Matching outfits to street murals started naturally as a creative extension of my love for vibrant color, bold patterns, and public art. Read more>>
Jayden Roberts
My love for cars started when I first got my license at 16 and got my first car, which was a 1997 Mazda 626. Growing up in a single-parent household, we didn’t have much money, so most if not all, of the repairs were on me. Read more>>
Martina Martinez
I’ve been grooming for 12 years. I started as a bather at Petsmart then worked my way up to groomer. After two years I decided to switch to Mobile grooming and worked for a small business for about 6 years. During the COVID shutdown my boss had to let me go and so I started my own business in June 2020. Read more>>
Ana sanchez
My story really started long before real estate. I moved to San Antonio from Puerto Rico when I was 12 years old, and life definitely didn’t come with a perfect roadmap. I became a mom at a young age, and for many years, my biggest motivation was simply creating a better life and more stability for my daughter and myself. Read more>>
Tiffany Triana
My journey into the beauty industry started from a genuine love for makeup and the way it can make someone feel—not just how they look. What started as a passion eventually grew into something I knew I wanted to take seriously and build into a business of my own. Read more>>
Stephanie Esquivel
I grew up in a family of predominantly women who used beauty as a form of self-care. It’s something that they can do independently on their own without having to ask for permission to express themselves. Reflecting now, I feel like it is a form of meditation. Read more>>
Michael Arguello
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a creative. I used to take my sketchbook and pencils EVERYWHERE… school, church, out to dinner, wherever. I remember one time I was drawing in church and my mom took my stuff away and told me to pay attention. Read more>>
Juan Ramos
My journey began with a deep realization while working alongside youth and young adults in San Antonio: too many bright, capable young people were falling through the cracks simply because of their zip code, lack of transportation, or absence of consistent mentorship. I saw incredible potential trapped behind systemic barriers, where basic survival needs often overshadowed educational and career dreams. Read more>>
Casie Lomeli
My first foray into really understanding the context in which art exists was in an art history class in high school. While I had participated in arts classes prior to that, I never really thought about studying art in a historical or situational way. Read more>>
Dennis LaRue
My leadership story really started long before I ever called myself a coach. I spent 23 years serving in the United States Air Force. Like a lot of young leaders, I initially thought leadership came with rank, responsibility, and having the right answers. Over time, I learned something very different: people don’t follow a title. They follow people they trust. Read more>>
Kim Anguiano
Creating on multiple platforms is an important part of my vision,expression and lifestyle. The universal language of art for me has the power of connection. It’s my ambition to translate and exchange with the viewer while I speak through my art. Read more>>
Carla Santillana
Of course. I am originally from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. I later earned a Master’s degree in Art Education from Texas Tech University. I began my career teaching art in public schools and now work in higher education. Read more>>
Rebecca Sheer
I opened Sheer Celebrations in November 2015. At that time we opened as a baking supply and party supply shop. After a year or two, we cleared out all the party supplies and made room for a FULL baking supply shop. Read more>>
Edgar Alberto Perez
I was born and raised in Del Rio, TX. In 2006 I moved to San Antonio to continue my education at a local college. During that time I continued working in the music industry in San Antonio and surrounding areas doing parties, events, charities, and even working in Restaurants and Bars. Read more>>
Naomi Cardenas
My story is really a story about finding a part of myself that I didn’t realize I was missing. Before becoming a mom, I was very career-focused. I was working my way through project management roles at a startup and moving from position to position pretty quickly. Read more>>
Stacey Forester
Absolutely — I’d make this more personal and story-driven than your Zillow bio, while still highlighting your experience and accomplishments. Read more>>
Samara (Desdemona) Fraker
I’ve been involved in performance art my whole life. Started as a pageant kid, that evolved into theatre, and eventually a Rocky Horror Picture Show shadowcast. I played Columbia for two years. My cast mates encouraged me to do burlesque and during my first burlesque performance something clicked. I knew that was what I was supposed to be doing with my life. Read more>>
