It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around Austin.
Krystl Fabella
I was born in the Philippines and when we immigrated to California I grew up in a tight-knit Filipino community, but I never quite fit in. My family did an amazing job helping us adapt to American culture, but in the process, I lost my connection to my heritage. I wasn’t proud of being Filipino for a long time and was attracted to different paths from the traditional expectations like nursing or medicine. My mom, would get back very late, tired from her shift, and would repeatedly say “think of an idea, learn how to make your own money!” she didn’t realize it but she planting the early seeds of entrepreneurship into me! Read More>>
Aubreea Garrett
I am a mom of two. I moved to Texas in 2020 during Covid with the father of my child and my two kids. We’ve been in Texas ever since. We are originally from Clarksville Tennessee. We have no family out here. When I moved here, the only thing that was open during Covid were the strip clubs. I have a previous history in dancing. So that was right up my alley after a year or two of dancing in Killeen, Texas I took my talent to Austin, Texas, and have been dancing there ever since. I am currently casted on a reality TV show for dancers. I’m currently in school to become a real estate agent. I’m slowly transitioning out of the club life.and focusing more on my real estate studies as well as entrepreneur work as an entertainer. Read More>>
Zacharij Martin-ned
I consider myself a creative entrepreneur because of the ways I find/create to become success, or improve. I specialize in social media marketing, as well as content marketing and online blogging. My blog @zippsquadent on Instagram has reached as many as 1M organic users in a 30-day span, and continues to grow on a daily basis. I’m known for being the one to show love, and try to make a way for everyone if there is one. I’m most proud of that facet of myself, and that is also what sets me apart from others. Read More>>
Candace Rodriguez
I always loved doing crafts and creating things for people and my home. During the pandemic, I wanted to learn how to crochet to make rugs. I looked for videos on YouTube and taught myself to crochet. I started making decorative garlands for friends and then rugs… and it took off from there. Each year, slowly I learned new patterns and completed new projects. In 2023, I made a graduation doll with cap and gown and a Funko Pop inspired by Chopper from the anime One Piece. Read More>>
Jacinta Bernard
I’m a Canadian that started with a career in music then moved to Europe for 5 years. That is where I took up the camera more seriously and ventured into the world of professional photography. Although my travels gave me amazing sceneries to capture my passion is portraiture with a creative twist. I stumbled across an interesting niche of book cover photography while in Europe and my work is now published on covers worldwide. Read More>>
Ruby Dice
Ruby Dice is a Colorado native who currently resides in Texas and has been performing music for as long as she can remember. At the age of 22, she relocated to Texas to pursue a career in music after beginning her musical career in her family’s church band. She has accumulated musical experience over the years by playing bass in a variety of bands, developing as a songwriter, and winning the respect she merits for her musical abilities. She started performing all over the country at this time, sharing stages with artists like Brian Wilson, Dale Watson, and many others. Read More>>
Mandy Castellanos
As I grew older, I never felt satisfied with just one income or staying in one place for too long. My ambition and open-minded nature led me to seek new opportunities, and I’ve always pushed myself to learn and grow. It’s the combination of hard work, dedication, and a relentless desire to better myself that has brought me to where I am today. Every day, I embrace new challenges and treat each moment as an opportunity to expand my expertise. Through perseverance and a humble attitude, I’ve come to realize that the journey of growth never ends—and that’s exactly how I want it. Read More>>
Viktoria Silk
I’d say overall it has been smooth, because I love creating music so much, that there hasn’t been a time where I would say I was struggling with being involved in music. I know I have a lot of room to grow and many more ears and eyes to reach, but I am working towards it, and steadily and organically trying to get people who genuinely like me and my music on board to join me in my music journey and enjoy the growth process together. Read More>>
Brock Birden
I grew up in Baltimore, where I developed resilience and a strong sense of community. In 2010, I moved to Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, for college, and in 2012, I began my career in the housing industry as a leasing agent. Over the years, I worked my way up to roles like property manager and regional leasing and marketing manager, gaining invaluable experience in leadership, branding, and marketing. Read More>>
John Miller
Up until just recently, The Skate Gym has been operating in an underground, unofficial “pirate” fashion while they wait on permits. Local parents have put their kids in classes, and adults who have always wanted to learn to skate in a safe place have taken the adult classes. John has provided a safe place for skaters to learn, and meet up. He provides free water and snacks and a friendly drug and alcohol-free environment. In cooperation with 512 Skate Project, he has also been able to provide boards for students to ride for free. In his classes John focuses on strength and mobility for skateboarders as he is also an NASM Certified Personal Trainer working as a coach at the functional fitness style gym, next door called Elevate Fitness. Read More>>
Sierra Blacc
Fast forward to 2019, I went through a traumatic loss of someone I loved and cared for and I blamed myself. A few months later, the pandemic hit. I was no longer able to distract or consume myself with work to avoid the pain of my loss. The quarantines from friends and family only added to my depression and made me feel like I was losing my entire life. That’s when I realized that “now” was the right time to pursue music again. Not only to keep me busy or distract me from what was going on in my world as well as the rest of the world, but to heal. Read More>>
Cherri Maley
My family and I moved to Wimberley (just southwest of Austin) in 2010 and have been raising our son here. Our family bought the first vacation rental in 2012 and started our family-owned and operated business Wimberley Getaways. I earned my certification for meeting and event planning from Austin Community College. Along the way, I also took hospitality courses and we added 4 more vacation homes. Then in 2014, we purchased what is now the Messina Inn on Cypress Creek. Read More>>
Chloe Poustovoi
The road to get to where I am now has definitely not been smooth. While I see purpose in every part of it, there were times when it wasn’t easy. In general, I think that going into the creative field is challenging no matter what one specializes in. Things are constantly changing – there are always new programs to learn, new methods to master, new equipment needed to not fall behind. Additionally, the field is so broad that it can take a significant amount of time to find which aspect you truly enjoy and want to pursue. I myself have been through many such phases – I used to want to focus on animation, then on UI/UX, etc. It definitely took me a while to learn which parts of this field I truly enjoyed. Read More>>
Casey Wells
Hi, I’m Casey, one of the co-founders of Trademark Sports Cards & Memorabilia. What started as a dream—something my best friend Jeff and I used to joke about—has turned into the most rewarding journey of my life. Let me take you behind the scenes of how two high tech workers turned their passion for sports cards into a thriving business. Read More>>
Maribel Sierra
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has shaped the journey of MSM Design Solutions. Starting a business like this means wearing many hats—you’re not just a designer but also a web designer, social media manager, warehouse manager, accountant, and salesperson. It can be overwhelming, but my 16 years in a large corporation gave me valuable exposure to all these areas. That experience, combined with my realtor background, gave me a unique edge in understanding how to start a business, where to add value to the staging business and how to showcase a home’s full potential. Read More>>
Paul Bennight
I was watching Saturday morning cartoons and stumbled across Yu-Gi-Oh! In that show they battled with their cards and got to summon giant monsters to try and win high-stakes games, they were essentially heroes that used card games instead of super powers. When I found out that a physical version of the game on this show existed, I was stoked! I went on to continue using my prowess in card game trades/sales to support my interest in this game. It quickly led to me having a pretty sizeable collection and some pretty powerful decks to boot! Read More>>
Jeremy Backwoodz
after I grew some traction I decided to go back into the metal scene and see what I could do cause that was my calling . I did some fill in work here and there with bands to re-get myself back in the metal scene. soon enough I found some respectable musicians that wanted me to join up the band is called ‘mourning sun’ I was able to re climb back up the ladder playing good/headliner shows with them as well as taking all the connects I made with rappers and other artist and keep the grind going.I won’t stop music, life is a big mess and drums/music is the only thing that makes it make sense.-JeremyXBackwoodz Read More>>
Olatunde Leo
She feels taking pictures of her client(s) after the makeup is very important. So, we decided to get a camera and use my living room as the studio. But before the proper set as a professional i went for series of training both online and physical classroom engagement. We are a registered member of Professional Photographer of America. Since the establishment of the photography outlet in Houston Texas, Tlconnect Photography has won 2 awards namely; Afrocentric Eva Award 2023 as the Best Photography and Videography of the year in Houston Texas and AMA Award 2024. Read More>>
Abby Ketcham
I have always seen the unique beauty the city of Austin had to offer ever since I was a young. Too bad I wasn’t old enough to invest in property back in the early 2000s… haha! As of now, I am working on other means of being creative such as learning how to sing. I have been learning how to sing for the past 9 months, & it has helped me in many different aspects of my life, that I initially wouldn’t have thought of going into it. I will also be getting married this March, & will be a step mother to two beautiful children! <3 My life has always been filled with unexpected opportunities, & it has always put me exactly where I need to be, & I thank God every day for the life I live. Read More>>
Lauren Licarione
At the end of the article, there was a call for people who liked sports and enjoyed working behind the scenes to come interview for a job. Intrigued, I decided to take a chance and apply. I had no formal experience, but I was eager to learn, and my passion for making videos was enough to get me through the door. To my surprise, I was offered the job. The Video Lab team taught me everything I needed to know—from the technical aspects of film production to the art of editing and producing highlight films. I was even involved in broadcasting live events. Read More>>
Shaq Mo
Since then, we’ve grown into a trusted repair shop offering services for cell phones, tablets, laptops, and gaming consoles. We’ve expanded from onsite repairs to a physical location in Pflugerville, always staying true to our commitment to quality and customer care. Along the way, we’ve celebrated milestones like gaining 370+ five-star Google reviews and helping countless customers keep their devices running smoothly. Read More>>
The Peterson Brothers
Our love for music began when our mom and grandma gave us a crate of assorted albums and a turntable they found at a garage sale. We immersed ourselves in music, listening to artists like The Isley Brothers, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Brothers Johnson, and B.B. King. We honed our craft by studying the nuances of their music. Read More>>
Juan De Los Rios
The growing pains of small businesses are not few and far between, but we definitely added to the uncertainty with the timing. Coupled with the transition into parenthood for the first time. It was all a lot to take on. We were researching, Googling, and troubleshooting double time. Learning two different worlds, and two new roles. It wasn’t until year two when our human baby became a bit more independent that we were able to focus on the workflow, efficiency and improvements of what we had been working on in the business. Read More>>
Sara & Isabel Davila & Mendez
We are a pair of sisters, Sara & Isabel, who took a flying leap into starting a jewelry business in 2019 while at huge life shifts for both of us. Our business name, 4 BeanS, is named for the close bond we have with our siblings (4 kids = 4 beans). We work with resin alongside varying materials, like wood, acrylic, our own pressed flowers/plants and glitter, to hand make each and every one of our pieces. Read More>>
Christa Lopez
My name is Christa Lopez and I’m a proud mom, a hard worker, and a passionate creator from Austin, Texas. I started as a balloon artist, turning my love for creativity into a business that brings joy and beauty to people’s special moments. Now, I’m embracing a new chapter as a content creator, sharing my journey, celebrating life’s little wins, and inspiring others to pursue their passions. My story is rooted in hard work, creativity, and the drive to balance motherhood with chasing my dreams. It’s all about showing others that it’s never too late to evolve, grow, and create the life you love. Read More>>
Ryan Duplant
The response to our name, branding, and packaging is priceless and we truly enjoy the experiences at local farmers markets. Our customers, new and old, love the aesthetic and lingo around our products. Even more than that, they love that it is homemade by health-conscious people who love what they do! In addition to hot sauce we started making a fermented spice called “psycho dust” and also introduced merchandise. Read More>>
Erin Markland
When I was 18 years old, I was working as a nanny and attending college in Southern California, and I answered an ad in the Pennysaver to sell makeup. I thought, “I can do that!” and I thought it’d be fun to earn some extra money. Fast forward four years, I managed a team of over 200 women in my region by the time I was 22 years old. Read More>>
Amy Gouldie
It is heartbreaking to think of the amount of children who have lost their lives so young and the devastating effects it has on these families. This is the reason why we don’t have a set monetary donation goal going into 2025. Our hope would be that no child passes and zero families need our support. Our main goal is to continue to be able to help every family possible who needs us. Read More>>
Miguel Kaiser
Their recipe for success includes authentic tortillas imported directly from Agua Prieta, Sonora and steamed buns imported directly from the southside of Tucson both of which has helped them make many “best of” lists, including Yelp’s 2022 “Top 100 Places to Eat in Texas” and Lovefood 2024 “The most delicious hot dog in every US state, Ranked T-Loc’s Austin #1 Read More>>
Aaron Waldock
I was so excited to set them up. With two records—one by DMX and another I can’t even remember—I was ready to dive in. But as soon as I started playing, I realized I had no clue how to DJ or even where to start. I played around with them casually for a couple of weeks before putting them away, and eventually, I sold them. So, I finished high school, not as a superstar DJ but just as a regular graduate. Read More>>
Helaine Knapp
After college at the University of Michigan, I landed in NYC’s tech startup world, working at companies like Buddy Media (acquired by Salesforce) and Olapic. I was thriving in sales and account management, but also falling in love with boutique fitness. After years of struggling with my weight, I’d finally found my groove, booking classes with friends and taking clients to workouts. Read More>>
Emily Hart
The turning point came when I faced challenges in a previous role. It was a tough moment, but it taught me an important lesson about betting on myself. That’s when I started exploring social media, marketing, content creation, and analytics—taking as many online classes and earning as many certifications as I could. It was a lot of trial and error, but every step forward showed me I was capable. Read More>>
Yeydiel Barroso
There were a lot of struggles along the way, especially before I joined the military. When I came to this country I was struggling to keep a roof over my head, I was trying to manage school, and work, and help my mother all at the same time. I didn’t have any stability in my life until I joined the military. It was a great opportunity for me and I think back on it in a very positive light, the military had given me so much and I am grateful for my time in the service. Read More>>
Maryna Mykhalska
Overall, I am an experienced and versatile graphic designer with a passion for art and design. I am always looking for new opportunities to apply my skills and creativity in the field of art and design. My experience includes working with various industries such as real estate, food, cosmetics, and more. I have a strong knowledge of graphic design techniques and have also received training in calligraphy and lettering. In my free time, I enjoy dancing, singing, mountain biking, running, and traveling. Read More>>
Elle Blooms
It’s part spiritual work and part high vibrational language work. The discipline, advocacy, and boundary work I learned as a Dominatrix are vital parts of the work I do. I teach my clients how to tap into their inner power (their voice) and how to speak to the Universe so they can have the life they deserve. Read More>>
Abby Daigle
Another challenge was finding the right location for our studio. We have worked out of tiny historic building, a home-based studio, a warehouse lease, and we outgrew them all. It took 16 years and a lot of hard work and dedication, but now we own a custom-built combination office/warehouse/studio space that is our forever home – thoughtfully designed around our unique needs. Read More>>
Luisa Alberto
My journey into the world of finance started when I almost lost my housing when I was 6 months pregnant. I live in an expensive city, where affordable housing is limited. I realized that I would only feel secure knowing that I always had access to cash. At the time, I was in a mountain of debt and living paycheck to paycheck. I immersed myself in the world of personal and business finance and started my first business. 10 years later I am debt free, the CEO of a profitable agency and a net worth that grows exponentially year over year. Read more>>
Sarah Romer
After 20 + years wearing a variety of hats… from corporate America, to retail business ownership, to venture-backed start ups, I’ve taken my experience and knowledge and now offer it in the form of advisory services to founders of early-stage start ups and small business owners. Read more>>
