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.
Hope Adewole
They begged me to pick up the forms and leave the rest to them. I was a very reserved person and wouldn’t want to go through the stress of convincing people to vote me. But with thier recommendations I did. And so funny, a lot of people voted for me and I won the category. This opened me up to the entrepreneurial world and I saw the possibility of building a brand. In addition I got engaged same period to a business man and he supported me in every way to see my business scaled. So my business started from the motivation the award gave me coupled with the confidence I had being a fiancée to a business man, I felt I had the supports I need to start despite the fact that I had zero experience on business and was just a medical student. Read more>>
Lynnette Prichard
I’m a fifth-generation beauty professional, and my journey started early—learning the ropes from my grandmother and growing up around the craft. I’ve been a licensed cosmetologist for 18 years, and my passion for men’s grooming really took off in 2010. Over the years, I’ve worked everywhere from mom-and-pop barbershops to large franchises, and each experience shaped how I approach my craft today. In 2024, I opened Prichard Perfect—my own space where I offer beard services, shaves, and manicures in a laid-back, personal environment. It’s all about making men feel confident, comfortable, and well taken care of. Read more>>
Lauren Garcia
I actually found out about it through my boss at my day job, she runs the Katy Moms Network in Houston. I had been following her journey and was completely inspired by the way she built a local resource for moms while balancing her career and family life. The more I watched what she was doing, the more I felt this tug to bring something similar to San Antonio. I thought: Why don’t we have this here? and here we are. Read more>>
Jemmi Damico
Then, life threw another curveball. In 2020, my marriage fell apart. It was one of the hardest seasons of my life. But with a miracle from above and a lot of therapy, we rebuilt our marriage and our family. That experience left me with one clear calling: I needed to help others do the same. I wanted to become a marriage and family therapist, because I now believe—deep in my bones—that marriage can be a beautiful, redemptive thing when people commit to the hard work of healing. Read more>>
Maricela McQueen
As previously mentioned, our focus is on elevated comfort classics. Our tagline, “Sweet moments, one bite at a time,” perfectly encapsulates our belief. We encourage our customers to take a moment to savor our treats. In a world where we often rush from one task to another, we hope our confections will inspire them to pause and reminisce about their first chocolate chip cookie or the joy of sharing an oatmeal crème pie in their youth. It’s a nostalgic experience, elevated to a new level. Read more>>
SATOO
That was no other than PAiDA!! Not only did she love aliens just like I did, but she amazed me with her music and because she also looked just like me! I never in my life seen a black idol before and she really made me feel like my dream was somewhat realistic! So I researched like crazy trying to figure out how I could become an idol, from learning dances, singing, and applying to any idol festival I could. I got denied a lot at first but finally, just this year, one day before my birthday (March 9th) I got to perform in front of a crowd for the first time at the Wings of Fate Idol Fest! I have been performing off and on since then!! And so far I have made so many friends and learned so much!! Read more>>
Danielle Aguilar
The plot twist, once desired goal of general physical therapist evolved into a sports performance therapist and owner of Reaction Rehab & Sports Performance in San Antonio, Tx. That wasn’t part of my original plan, and as I continued to grow, the realization set in quickly that many things don’t go as expected. However, it’s the way you adapt and navigate those challenges that truly shapes resilience. As cliche as the story may be, I truly feel blessed to do what I love despite the route I took to get here. As a sports performance therapist, I get to work with athletes at all levels. be able to focus on each athlete and that is where our motto was derived from “Build Better Athletes”. Read more>>
Krisann Blanchard
After graduating from college, Krisann came alongside her Mom and started rebranding and marketing the candles, officially launching the company in early 2020. What began as a family passion project has now blossomed into a mission-driven business, committed to creating clean, safe, and beautifully crafted candles that people can feel good about bringing into their homes. Today, Little Light Candle Co. continues to craft clean, high-quality candles that bring warmth to homes across the country. Read more>>
Gloria Espinoza and Desiree Pearson
At A&A Artisan Bakery, we specialize in artisanal sourdough baked goods that elevate everyday flavors. Our offerings include freshly baked Sourdough Bread, decadent Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls, flavorful Sourdough Scones, moist Banana Bread, delicious Cookies, and chewy Bagels. Each product is crafted using traditional sourdough methods, ensuring a rich taste and perfect texture. Discover the difference of handcrafted, naturally leavened delights that will keep you coming back for more! Read more>>
Courtnay Davila
From designing my website to carefully selecting my breeding cats and attending cat shows to learn as much as I can, I’ve gone all-in. I’m on a mission not only to raise awareness about these incredible cats, but also to keep learning and improving as I prepare for my first litter. I know that once the kittens arrive, my journey will truly begin. Read more>>
Wale Adekanla
That curiosity eventually led me to pursue my Master’s degree in International Business and Leadership from Robert Gordon University (RGU), Scotland, in 2012 — right after I got a scholarship through the Presidential Honors Award facilitated by Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for my work in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Read more>>
Caya Hefner
However, during this period, I also do private events and festivals in San Antonio life fiesta , king Williams and many other festivals throughout tx. Happily to say that I’m blessed and grateful with many people I meat along the way, life experiences I got to have and now a new beginning and new life to grow with purpose for my baby girl. Yea I will still be doing CAYA’s again in some of these events and festivals. So stay tuned and yes we are growing our portfolio as we are closing a new property this month in San Antonio, Tx Read more>>
Dr. Erica
Many of those relationships helped me build my current practice to what it is today. Empowered Chiropractic + Massage celebrated 8 years in March and it has served countless families working to fulfill its name in empowering families in pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and wherever their parenting journey leads them. Over the years, we have added 5 more babies to our family, all born at home into my hands. We started a non-profit and named it “The Birth Threshold”, a name fit to honor the journey that we take as mothers and fathers, finding our way through challenges and uncharted territory, we serve military families, low income families and teen parents, bridging the gap to make chiropractic care more attainable for everyone. Read more>>
Michael Bazan
I grew up in the westside of San Antonio my father was not in the picture at all, my mom grandma and uncle frank put me through private school and I love it. They always knew I loved basketball I was even called the Mexican Jordan by teammates at school. This man named oscar got me into the spurs League and he keep me out of trouble, now I want to return the favor and give back to my city and the kids are our future and I want to have them to enjoy themselves playing Basketball and safety is #1 in my 2nd II youth league I also want to say my wife funds all this and without her help I wouldn’t be able to make all this happen alone, Yolanda Bazan Thank you so much for just being an angel. Read more>>
Sandra Salazar / Solivel
I went on to study graphic design, a field that gave me the opportunity to explore different artistic techniques and approaches. After graduating, I got married and continued painting. At one point, I received a commission to create 100 small paintings for a First Communion event. I poured myself into that project completely—ironically, during that intense creative time, after years of trying and undergoing treatments, I finally got pregnant. I truly believe that being so focused on doing what I love helped me through that journey. Read more>>
Matt Urzua
Each day I learn something new and share my work with others on tik tok under the user name 40skindofguy there I add music to the photo collages making learning fun. Although I supply many with pieces of history and inspire others in book writing, film Industry my ultimate goal is to make a film or series depicting life in 1940s with multiple characters based of real life events such as internment camp struggles the Japanese Americans faced,and all African American units and woman who picked up the pieces when the country was at war . Read more>>
Emily Ruiz
I made the mistake of trusting the wrong people, some I even added to my team, thinking we shared the same vision. But over time, I realized they weren’t aligned with my goals or values. Letting go of those relationships was difficult, but necessary for my growth. It taught me to protect my peace, trust my instincts, and always put the heart of my business first. Read more>>
Maria Guerra
We realized that what was missing was that sweet touch to complete the experience. The creative and vibrant vibe at Elsewhere inspired us to build a local concept that would become part of the fun. And that’s how Makies was officially born a cookie bar with a distinct personality, offering New York–style stuffed cookies, cold brew, and soft serve, all with a street-inspired, fresh aesthetic that stands out from traditional bakeries. Read more>>
Zainab Ghadiyali
I started it when I realized how many busy people (like me!) loved the idea of home-cooked meals but didn’t have the time or energy to plan, shop, cook, and clean. On the flip side, there were incredible chefs who wanted to do what they loved—cook for people—without the pressure of running a restaurant. Read more>>
Samantha Sommerlatte
Throughout this journey, one thing became clear: I truly missed being part of a team. More than that, I realized I had a genuine desire to lead. To create a space where people felt supported, inspired, and excited to come to work. Today, Proper has five chairs and an incredibly talented team that I’m so proud of. What once felt like just a dream has become a living, breathing space where creativity and community thrive. Read more>>
Purvi Bharani
I studied at St. Mark’s Sr. Sec. Public School, where I absorbed everything science and tech had to offer. From the start, I wasn’t just interested in memorizing formulas — I wanted to understand how things worked. That mindset carried me to Mody University, a women’s only univeristy, where I earned a BTech in Computer Science with a specialization in Cloud Computing. I wasn’t just another student; I built. I led. I served as Head Coordinator of the Robotics Society, was a member of CSI, SWE, and volunteered with Gramiksha, working for educational equity in underserved communities. Read more>>
Madison Moran
She was flea ridden, had ticks latched onto her, suffered from overgrown teeth, and struggled to move with heavy fur matting. Even with the best medical attention and vet-backed, informed decisions, she succumbed to her rough upbringing and our first rescue also became our first loss. In the end, she enjoyed her time with us learning what love and safety were, became our Dungeons & Dragons mascot, and feared absolutely nothing. Read more>>
Zainab Olaore
there aren’t enough distinctive African design alternatives available for individuals to choose from and wear with pride. I decided to take a bet on developing something significant a brand that combines heritage and style after that straightforward observation gave me an idea I started off with the sole intention of showcasing the beauty of Adire, a traditional resist-dyed fabric from Nigeria, and reimagining it in wearable, modern forms. For me, adire is more than simply cloth; it’s a representation of tradition, identity, and creativity. I respect African craftsmanship by using it as a signature fabric to create bold, contemporary pieces for today’s style-forward person. Read more>>
Whitney Axley-Andrews
No it has NOT, I have never ran a business before so there was a huge learning curve for me. I am so lucky because my husband has ran organizations and he is excellent at it. I and the front end (creative) and he is the back end (behind the scenes). We have a great working relationship and compliment each other every well to get where we are today! Read more>>
Teena-Louise Moyer
Once I left the military in 2009, I was hearing impaired/deaf which was new to me to navigate; I finished college while still working on gear sparingly before going back full time in 2014. I took a break for medical things in 2021 and came back strong creating the Saffron Gear Branding instead of under my name solely in June 2024. I left Nebraska in January 2025 made the 868 mile trek to San Antonio to continue forward in my career with diverse artistic opportunities in sight and not turning back. Read more>>
Stephen Kramer
I rented a small office just north of downtown and grew our firm to 4 people before moving to the north side, renting a larger office and growing to 7 employees. I built an office in the Shavano Park area and was located there for about 15 years. By that time, we had moved south of downtown, and I looked for an office closer to home. In 2023 I found a larger building and we relocated there. Now we have 10 employees and are doing strictly commercial projects, including general office, retail, warehouse and specializing in design of medical, dental and veterinary clinics as well as day care facilities and fast food and other franchise work. Read more>>
Wendy Gordy
The school never opened at that location unfortunately. Desperately looking for another location I found where i am currently at. Struggled with signage people providing our signs, failing inspections, working long extended hours again to open the school for our estimated scheduled grand opening date. Feeling exhausted and almost defeated… We finally opened November 12, 2022. We had 3 enrollments immediately at Grand opening. Felt like a fresh beginning and knew this was going to be a great story one day to share with others mostly because of the struggles and hard work we faced to achieve our dream and show the determination. Read more>>
Peter Pollock
So, I taught one class, within my unit, and word spread, and I ended up teaching leadership across the base. When I got to USAA, I was asked by someone, who knew of my leadership class, to bring that class to USAA. I ended up teaching the class to more than 2,000 folks over the next 5 plus years. Many people who took the class at USAA suggested that I write a book on my life and the stories and learning experiences I have about leadership. What leadership is, and what it is not. I wrote that book and published “Leadership: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” in 2023. Read more>>
Sara Helmy
I started Tribu in my early twenties as a recent college grad (Marketing degree from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi), fueled more by belief than by experience. I come from a hard-working immigrant family with risk-taking and entrepreneurship in their blood. I didn’t have a roadmap, but I had a strong entrepreneurial itch—and a deep belief in creativity, in people, and in the power of brands to truly connect. With some experience in SEO and digital, I set out to build something more than a standard marketing agency. Read more>>
Dr. J. Desiree Rodriguez
My research and classroom experience revealed that when children see themselves reflected in stories, they are more likely to connect with reading and feel empowered to continue learning. That realization fueled my passion to not only support literacy for diverse youth but also uplift underrepresented authors. Through this mission, I’ve created space for children and storytellers to connect, reflect, and inspire each other through literature. Read more>>
Gilbert Garcia
While pursuing my coaching dream, I discovered my passion for business. I made the tough decision to step away from football and founded a software company, which led to an opportunity with Vertical Raise. In my role there, I connect with coaches throughout the city, helping programs raise more money than ever before, some even breaking previous records. I take pride in building relationships with coaches, fine arts directors, and JRTOC instructors across San Antonio. Read more>>
Bianca Turner-Parker
In fact, my journey into acupuncture was catalyzed by a deeply personal experience. On April 8, 2021, my beloved Chihuahua, Lio, suffered a spinal cord injury while playing with one of my other dogs. He became partially paralyzed and could no longer stand or hold himself up. At the emergency vet clinic, I was told he might never recover—and was even encouraged to consider euthanasia. But I couldn’t accept that outcome. He was otherwise a healthy dog, and his bloodwork showed no abnormalities. His condition didn’t seem like a reason to give up. Read more>>
Rhea Patterson
Early in my teaching career, a client noted my ‘good eye for the body and a playful ease in my Pilates side manner,’ a compliment that guides my approach today. My core mission is to empower individuals not to look like me or move like me, but to feel present and embodied in their own skin. I don’t see myself as an authority dictating movements, but rather as an experienced mover dedicated to guiding clients toward their highest, most functional, and embodied selves through the transformative Pilates Method. Read more>>
Lariesa Hodges
It didn’t take long to move into a bigger place, and then a bigger place yet again. Eventually I had a large studio with 7 employees, and a busy business that became famous in the community, and a central location for physical rehab and health and fitness. 15 years later, one of my employees purchased the business which allowed me to move to New Braunfels, TX to start all over again!! Pilates Barre is now an even better version, serving the community with both group classes and private sessions. We have only been opened for a month now, looking forward to being an important part of this community… serving up health, fitness, and happiness! Read more>>
Carley Hyden Groseclose
Instead of closing up shop though, we found that there were still couples who wanted to move forward with their original dates, even if they could not have the big party they had hoped for. We wanted to help and in that pivot, I found my love for elopements and more intimate events. This is when Feverfew & Co. was born. Feverfew is a type of flower I use often in my whimsical, wildflower designs (many people ask!). Through Feverfew & Co., my destination and adventure elopement company, I have had the opportunity to travel to places like Big Bend National Park, Costa Rica, Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest, celebrating love. Read more>>
Fabiola Serra
One of the struggles I faced early on was trying to make every client happy—until I realized that it’s simply not possible. Every person has their own style, preferences, and expectations, and not every match will be the right one. I’ve learned not to take it personally when things don’t work out. Instead, I focus on what I can control: clear communication, setting expectations, and staying true to my own creative standards. In the end, mutual understanding and trust are what lead to the best results. Read more>>
Maria Love
I was born in Pearsall and raised in Cotulla, two small South Texas towns where community, faith, and hard work were a way of life. Those early roots instilled in me a deep respect for resilience and the importance of lifting others up. My love of creativity and storytelling led me to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Communication Design from Texas State University—an experience that opened doors and helped me see how design and messaging can shape culture and change lives. Read more>>
