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.
Rebecca Wilson
Our journey began in Long Beach, California, shortly after we got married. Both of us—Rebecca and Hector—had always been deeply immersed in the arts. Before marriage and children, we surrounded ourselves with the Southern California art scene, attending gallery openings, hosting exhibitions, and embracing creativity in every way possible. Rebecca studied art in school, while Hector lived next to a gallery in downtown Los Angeles, constantly inspired by the artistic energy around him. Read more>>
Kate Angel
As I began writing my own songs, I started performing at venues, drawing inspiration from artists like Lzzy Hale of Halestorm. Her commanding stage presence, coupled with powerful guitar playing and singing, truly captivated me. I also found inspiration in Yungblud, whose vulnerability and openness in expressing his emotions through music pushed me to embrace my own feelings in my songs. This combination of influences and experiences laid the foundation for my musical journey, and from there, everything just fell into place. Read more>>
Juwon Lee
I was running the restaurant while trying to learn restaurant business. Without fully understanding the ins and outs, I couldn’t even tell if my staff was working efficiently. The biggest questions in my mind were What does ‘delicious’ really mean? How do you create a consistently great dish? How do you make sure anyone in the kitchen can replicate it? I thought I knew, but I knew nothing. These questions became the foundation of everything from menu development, ingredient sourcing, kitchen workflow, staff training and more. Read more>>
Melissa Keller
In July of 2007, we brought home a healthy, sweet baby girl with all the dreams new parents bring home with their first child. However, that would all quickly change. At Abbey’s 2 month check-up her pediatrician noticed her head was not growing as it should, so he sent us to a neurologist and he diagnosed her with microcephaly. At 4 months we found out she was blind, and at 6 months she started having seizures and diagnosed with epilepsy. At 12 months found out she had no T-cells and therefore was immunodeficient. That was only the beginning of our journey. Read more>>
Nicole Johnson
For years, I’ve immersed myself in the world of permanent makeup, honing my skills and mastering the delicate craft of creating flawless brows, mesmerizing eyeliner, and life-changing paramedical tattooing. My expertise extends to lip blushing, a revolutionary tattoo technique that enhances your natural lip color while creating fuller, more defined lips that look completely natural. Through meticulous attention to detail and a keen eye for individual beauty, I strive to deliver results that not only exceed expectations but also instill a newfound sense of self-assurance in my clients. Read more>>
Julio Valadez
When I was 16, my dad moved us to Santa Ana, California, where we lived until I was 27. That’s when I felt the itch to branch out. I landed in McKinney, Texas, and a couple of years later, my brother and parents joined me. We started small, setting up shop in a gas station corner, but with grit and skill, we grew it into what JV and Sons is now: a full-service outfit that can do it all. Sofas, restaurant booths, hot rod interiors—you name it, we build it, fix it, or make it better. Read more>>
DJ VALA
Fast forward 13 years. I am 28 now, bought my first home solely off of my DJ career. I have DJ’d the biggest nightclubs around Texas. My main goal now as a DJ is to get out of Texas. Currently right now as I am typing this I am in Las Vegas, pursuing my career, networking, trying to land a residency. My ultimate dream is to see my face here in the beautiful Las Vegas billboards. The first time I ever came to Las Vegas to celebrate my 21st birthday. I saw a DJ’s billboard and said to myself. That will be me one day. Read more>>
Emma Zinsmeister
As a solo cosmetologist, I wear many hats. I manage every aspect of my business—from customer service and bookings to website design, social media, and paperwork. Every Instagram post, every photo, every caption—it all comes from me. It’s a balancing act that requires organization, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Read more>>
Michael Tarsha
But, if we go back to the beginning of The Clutch Kings story, it all starts with my previous band AudioLight who was sharing a bill with a good friend’s band. 2 days before the gig, we got a call that the opening band had cancelled. Not wanting to let the audience or club owner down, we put together a quick 45-minute set of our favorite cover tunes, called in a favor with one of their favorite drummers and named ourselves The Clutch Kings. Read more>>
NOMA Central Texas
Over the years we have developed key programming including Project Pipeline, a NOMA national initiative that introduces middle and high school students to the impact of design and advocacy in architecture. Our Empower Design Symposium, which blossomed from our Empower Speaker Series, is a full-day event where our vibrant community comes together to share insights, research, and thought leadership on a theme that aligns with our mission. We’re also committed to supporting our student chapters. We provide scholarships, professional development, and funding for student events while helping members attend the National NOMA Conference. Read more>>
Rebecca Gindele
By 2014 we had two children, Nora (now 13 years old) and George (now 11 years old) and it was then that I decided to pursue my ideal career as a full time Realtor. Since then I’ve experienced the ups and downs of the Central Texas real estate market and even in the “tough” years, I could not see doing anything else. I love what I do and I have the ability to be present for my husband and children while also providing a solid income for our family. Read more>>
Madison Jordan
I loved every second of becoming a little mommy’s helper. As I got a bit older, I would offer the same for my neighbors and the second I got my license it was game over. Family, family friends, friends of family friends, you name it. Word got out and I became the date night sitter. I loved every second of it. Earning money from playing mommy outside of school hours felt illegal. I just genuinely loved it so much and always thought a “job” wasn’t supposed to be an enjoyable thing. Read more>>
Renée Roberts
My journey into the events industry began with a deep appreciation for bringing people together. I saw a gap in the market for high-quality event execution that allowed hosts to enjoy their special moments without stress. With that vision, I founded RJ Productions, offering full-service event planning, bar services, vendor management, and top-tier event staffing. Over the years, my team and I have worked on diverse events, from intimate gatherings to large-scale conferences, always ensuring that each client’s vision comes to life effortlessly. Read more>>
Marcela
It started because I knew that in the next few years I wanted to become pregnant so I wanted to prepare my body in the best way possible for the big changes that come with pregnancy. I realized that as women we are not taught basic things about our anatomy or hormones or changes through the lifespan. I realized that with my background as a physical therapist I could truly make a huge difference. This brings me to today where I started Empowered Movement Therapy and I am getting ready to fully launch into education for women on their menstrual cycles, hormones, movement, and anything they could possibly want to know across the lifespan from teen to menopause and beyond Read more>>
Ellee’ Bartholomew
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but what is? Starting a business as a broke college student was already hard alone, until my business began paying for itself + my bills. However, one of the hardest struggles I experienced with my business was relocating from my steady, loyal clientele in DC to my hometown in Austin having to start completely over. Strangers tend to love and support you before people you’ve known all your life, no matter how talented you are. I’ve learned to just keep the faith and stay in the lane God has for me while supporting those who support me. Read more>>
Ning
I have tried a lot of different hobbies before trying out photography. Once I learned more about photography… then I knew. This is the one. It’s the one thing I can lose sleep over, miss meals for, and lose track of time for. I’m blessed to have found my creative calling, and I pray for each person to find their own. Read more>>
Angel Schlotterback
It all started when I was 11, eating the best lasagna of my life with a view of the Leaning Tower of Pisa that I came to the stark realization that traveling will forever be an integral part of my life (if I had anything to say about it). I was going to find a way to travel for a living. Here I am now, 23 (almost 24!) still waiting for that dream to be fully realized. However, I haven’t spent the last 12 years twiddling my thumbs. I have since traveled to 32 countries and many states, soaking in stunning views, trying delicious and sometimes interesting food (e.g. guinea pig in Ecuador), and having experiences to last a lifetime. Read more>>
Amanda Kay Myers
For over eight years, I’ve dedicated myself to capturing the essence of weddings in Austin, TX, and the surrounding areas. I have a knack for highlighting vibrant colors and genuine emotions, allowing me to capture the authentic laughter and heartfelt moments that define each celebration. My passion for storytelling through photography drives me to bring every couple’s unique love story to life. Read more>>
Tiffany Challis
Someone from their team was coming for a reading, and then she’d write about her experience. I was thrilled… and completely unprepared. I didn’t have an office set up. I had no systems in place. But I knew I couldn’t say no. So, for the next 48 hours, I scrambled—setting up a space, pulling everything together, and making it look like I had been doing this forever. Read more>>
Aileen Warren
True balance comes from aligning the five elements in nature to create harmony and support emotional growth: Metal (clarity and focus), Water (flow and emotional flexibility), Wood (strength and renewal), , Fire (passion and motivation) and Earth (grounding and stability). Fleur Reverie helps fill those gaps through preserved floral art, creating a complete sense of balance and renewal in any space. Read more>>
Derika Kelly
My clients frequently requested weekly dishes, and although it began as a service for them, word spread about my meal prep offerings. This led to a significant increase in demand, with orders coming in from professional football players, college athletes, and locals from Killeen, Houston, and San Antonio. With a significantly out reach I Recently, resumed Tropicalets , collaborating with events such as Austin Carnival , Afro Tech, the Spurs, and local businesses, focusing on food catering and pop-up events. Read more>>
DJ Cherry Crush
I’m definitely recognized for my smooth transitions, ability to make people want to dance, and of course, a cherry. It started out as a joke between my friends and I, because I always asked for maraschinos in my drinks. It turned into the perfect dj handle and how i’ll continue to brand myself creatively. Read more>>
Jose Valentin
As I taught myself the intricate craft of silversmithing, I encountered a significant challenge. Fine silver, while stunning, is too soft for durable jewelry. Traditional sterling silver, on the other hand, can cause allergic reactions for some wearers—something I wanted to avoid in my creations. This led me to Argentium silver, a material that combines the beauty and workability of fine silver with hypoallergenic properties. Argentium became the perfect medium for my artistic vision. Read more>>
Adelle Archer
Garett, my co-founder, and I met while working in tech here in Austin. We have always known that we wanted to do something that was bigger than ourselves. Something that was impactful and improved people’s lives in some way. We had met while working at Bigcommerce and we knew right away that we wanted to build something together and we were very interested in the lab-grown diamond space, but we didn’t necessarily know where we’d start. Read more>>
Michael Hillman
Four years ago, I started applying what I had learned on myself, and soon members of my community began asking if I could guide their health journeys too. That spark led to the creation of our Executive Longevity Medicine practice in 2022. What started as a small, personalized practice has since grown—thanks to incredible partnerships—into a national platform focused on one of the most important and often overlooked issues in modern healthcare: metabolic health. Read more>>
Brandi
The property tax industry is constantly evolving—legislation changes, processes shift, and staying on top of it all takes consistent effort. On top of that, owning and operating a business is a rollercoaster. When you build something from the ground up, you wear all the hats—marketing, IT, bookkeeping, admin—you name it. Navigating those roles while trying to grow can be overwhelming at times, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Every challenge has helped shape me into a better business owner and consultant. Read more>>
Caroline Sears
My favorite part about playing live music is that it has made me a better fan. The musicians I’ve met in Austin have been so encouraging, and the dedication that people show to their crafts is inspiring. It’s an honor to have a little bit of time onstage to entertain whoever might be in the room. It’s also an honor to be in the audience and to receive whatever the performer decides to share. Read more>>
Melissa Trajano
There have been moments of doubt, wondering if I’m doing enough or if people will keep coming back. But every time I get an order, a returning customer, or a message from someone who loved their board, it reminds me why I started this in the first place. I love what I do, and I know that with consistency, creativity, and passion, I can keep growing Bluebonnet & Brie into something truly special. Read more>>
Ihor Kaika
My wife is a huge supporter and organizer. She is my manager at work, in business and especially in life! Very clear-minded and mentally strong person, that inspires me in a lot of different ways! She is also in real estate in Austin, TX. If you’re planning to move to Austin or you’re already here and would like to upgrade your living space – she can totally help you! Check out her instagram page, where she posts some of the coolest apartments and houses in Austin for rent: https://www.instagram.com/kristythelocator/ Read more>>
Sunny Faris
I grew up in Fort Collins, CO which at the time was a really small town. As a teenager it felt to me like you either played sports, was good in school and stuck to the norm, or you were “a weird kid” that was into music and theater, who got in trouble and basically did anything that made all the ‘normies’ uncomfortable. When I was a teenager I sort of wore both hats, and for a while was really confused with where I fit in. I had gone through a lot of changes in my family early on, floated between friend groups, and struggled in school. I had a really hard time. Like a really, really hard time. Read more>>
Nick Anderson
Man it is has been plenty of struggles along this journey starting with the biggest thing lack of gym space having to hustle up space just to get some quality work in and not get hit over the head with gym fees. I had a lot of people that may have noticed me from just always being in the gym so they wanted me to join their organization but instead I would ask for advice instead, but no one really wanted to give me advice just wanted to kind of in my opinion hold me back and keep me under their wing but my stubborn and resilience is a great trait of mine. Read more>>
Garrett Dailey
I ended up moving on a whim with my co-founder to Colorado Springs and shortly after, we had a huge falling out. At this point, I resolved that I was going to find a way to have to depend on no one and, as fate would have it, my trainer at the microchip factory I ended up working at suggested I go get a job at the Tesla Gigafactory in Reno. Read more>>
Lauren Calderon
There can also be a learning curve to running your small business. It can’t just be ran on passion. You have to know what products to offer and how to price them, cost of goods, small business taxes, permits and more. It’s stressful, but necessary. When you take the time to get your business admin organized, you feel a lot more confident and clear headed when you’re working on the creative and fun parts. Read more>>
Ziesook You
Ziesook’s art form always involves communication with the subject. She strives to have her work project the individual’s personality. Ziesook’s goal is to create an intimate visual that incorporates multiple layers of meaning. By experimenting with various media and combining fresh flowers and dry flowers, Ziesook creates an image with characteristics that lie somewhere between photography and painting. Read more>>
Chef Krystyna Cibelli
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—but I don’t think anyone in this industry expects it to be. The culinary world is fast-paced, competitive, and constantly evolving. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is being a woman in professional kitchens and in leadership roles. There’s still a lot of old-school mentality out there—where you’re underestimated, talked over, harassed, and expected to prove yourself twice as hard just to get basic respect. Read more>>
Anne Sharkey
After completing a three-year surgical residency, I spent over a decade in traditional medical practice. Over time, I saw a gap in patient care. This inspired me to step outside the traditional medical practice model and launch Solely Podiatry, a direct-care podiatry practice. In addition to Solely Podiatry, I also own and operate Solely Nails Salon, which is located inside of the podiatry practice, medical nail salon specializing in dry pedicures performed by advanced-trained nail technicians. Read more>>
Elizabeth Buckley
I was fortunate that I had just executive produced a TV Special for KERA in Dallas, and they were looking for someone to find underwriting with some producing on the side. I was so grateful to get that job and go to work with some wonderful people. I had the opportunity to work as an Executive Producer for Trailblazer Studios in Raleigh, NC, and when I came back to work for 1080 Entertainment in San Antonio, it was great until the recession of 2007 – 2009 when I lost my job and found myself in an unfamiliar market — and older. Tom Copeland who started the Cinema Arts program at Texas State hired me to start teaching, and that was a great fit, allowing me and my family to build a house and move to the Hill Country near San Marcos, and equidistant from San Antonio and Austin. Read more>>
Joyful Genia
My curiosity about what makes people truly happy has always been a driving force for me. I wanted to know what makes people genuinely happy, successful and creatively fulfilled. Why do some struggle while others find a way to thrive, often despite the most challenging circumstances? My curiosity about human potential drove me to explore everything from entrepreneurship to psychology, fitness, and even spirituality. My unique mix of skills and interests was the key to creating something truly special for me and others who needed an extra boost of joy in their lives. I channeled all that energy into Create a Magical Day, eager to share my personal tips and experiences with the world. Read more>>
Amaka Nwachukwu
I have never been a fan of store bought desserts because it doesn’t satisfy my taste buds, I am a bakery girlie through and through. When the pandemic hit, we were very limited on where we could go to eat, this is were I started cooking and baking a lot more and I shared them with my family and friends. Fast forward to October 2024, I decided to start a legit cottage baking business and birthed Ada’s Treats LLC. Read more>>
Aisha Reese
In 2021, I took my passion further by studying Esthetics and opening my own studio, offering custom facials and waxing part-time. But as life evolved—preparing for my daughter to start college while my middle son was right behind her—I made the decision to close my studio and step into the corporate world full time. Though the shift was necessary, I remained committed to Chaotic Fix, refocusing my energy on growing but as a product-based business. Read more>>
Hamid
With nearly 20yrs experience of leadership roles, food management, content creating, marketing, advertising and coaching others on how to take something from idea to income, it was finally time for me to launch Churros la Catrina. A much cleaner and more Mexican (BFY) better-for-you CPG brand that truly showcases a 360 of Mexican culture whether it be traditional or through trendy pop culture. Read more>>
Audrey Scheck
As I shared these projects, people began asking for my help. It all happened naturally. We moved to Austin in December 2020, and by March 2021, I launched Audrey Scheck Design. My earliest clients were predominantly friends and family who were very casually “hiring” me as their designer. I soon realized I needed to make it official, so I created a name for the company. I purchased a logo on Etsy and hired my first employee two months later. Now, four years later, we’re a team of fifteen females with clients around the country. Read more>>
Ailena Nguyen
As time passed, I developed a deep passion for the work here. But let me tell you… nails and toes weren’t exactly my thing. My mom once told me, “You better figure out what you like to do here because you’re not going anywhere.” One day, she brought me in as a model for her lash training. She hated it and never picked up the tweezers after that session. I questioned her about it, and then I decided to give it a try myself. At 16, I had my “aha” moment. I was like, this is what I want to do. This is my passion. (Meanwhile, my mom was looking at me like I was crazy.) Read more>>
