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.
Jayme Shiarla
Today, I’m an Executive Wellness Coach and NLP Practitioner. I work with high-achievers who’ve built strong careers but are silently questioning why it still doesn’t feel like “enough.” My coaching helps them get to the root of their burnout, blocks, and breakdowns — and rebuild a life that actually feels good. We simplify, we reset, and we redefine what success really means — from the inside out. Read more>>
Poet Elizondo
One of my favorite songs (and proudest I’ve been of myself when writing a song) is a song called on that album called “Twisted” which explains my parents falling out from my dad’s point of view. I tried to think of what a early 20’s version of my dad would say to my mom about their break up when feelings were still fresh & raw (and after a couple of drinks lol) The song also samples Keith’s sweat’s twisted which is a song that my mom absolutely loves and probably the only R&B song that my dad sings along to. So with twisted coming out in 96’ (year I was born) and them both always playing the song made it the perfect sample for what I was trying to do. Read more>>
Laura Worrick
During the pandemic, I started to feel disconnected from my fine arts roots. Two years ago, after a trip to Far West Texas, I painted a pair of overalls just for fun. A friend posted a photo of me wearing them, and by chance, the shoe brand Sabah saw it. They reached out and asked if I’d custom-paint some shoes inspired by the overalls. That one project sparked an ongoing partnership with Sabah and eventually led to collaborations with brands like Imogene + Willie, Alma Del Jaguar, Abby Jane Bakeshop, and Tito’s Vodka. Read more>>
Heather Hanson
My story didn’t begin in a glossy, successful practice or on a speaker stage. It started in a small rural town, filled with unspoken trauma—domestic violence, abuse, bullying. From a young age, I struggled with mysterious health issues that couldn’t be explained. Fatigue, rashes, brain fog, bloating, and a sudden weight gain at age 14 left me feeling confused and ashamed. No one had answers. But the truth was deeper than symptoms. Read more>>
Ashley Sanchez
As her sisters started planning to fly the nest, Cristina did, too. When we learned about a community in Kansas City that offered a remarkable level of independence coupled with practical guardrails, we realized that was the ideal sort of community for Cristina…and our family. After all, all 3 of our daughters need to have a life they love– without any of them being put in a caregiver role for one another. So giving wings to Cristina was a gift to her…and her sisters. Read more>>
Shiela Walker
Based in Austin Texas and building retail & production relationships around the world, A Wink of Yellow strives to make your fashion, decor, and gifting needs effortless. Our partners meet at least one of these standards: women owned, innovative, made-to-order, handmade, or eco-friendly. Shiela wanted to create approachable and affordable styles that are high quality, timeless, and elegant/refined and bridge the gap between cheap styles and luxury. There’s a real need out there for quality products that are made and sourced responsibly. Read more>>
Michelle Greenway
That moment sparked something bigger—word spread, and my photography business began to grow. I took a leap of faith into youth sports photography, investing in new equipment and learning as I went. Since then, I’ve photographed hundreds of local games, meets/matches and tournaments. As my business has grown, I’ve had some pretty cool opportunities, including getting to work with former NBA star Jermaine O’Neal Sr. and collaborate with Dove on a special project focused on empowering young women. Today, I’m proud to be a full-time photographer, specializing in senior portraits and youth sports—turning my passion into a dream career. Read more>>
Mark Young
I met Janet, my wife in 2015 and we married in 2016. We have six children from previous marriages. We wanted to run another type of business and bought a property in Blanco County where we live and run a small wedding and event venue. We also raise honeybees and have an extensive garden. We love to bottle honey and to can and freeze our own produce from the garden. We still run the PI company which is quite active. We love to travel and have been touring the US and abroad as much as time allows. Read more>>
Shamrock Calhoun
Starting my own clinic wasn’t easy either. There were moments of financial stress, moments where I worried if patients would come, and moments where I felt overwhelmed by the responsibility of helping others heal. Looking back, I’m grateful for the hard times, because they shaped me into the healer I am today. Read more>>
Saya Obayan
Now, I focus on treating the whole person, not just the skin. I’ve created a space where patients, especially women of color, feel truly seen, supported, and empowered in their own transformation. At every stage of my journey, from childhood to clinic, transformation has been a consistent thread. That belief continues to guide everything I build, from patient care to the skincare line and supplements I’m now developing. This work isn’t just about skin—it’s about freedom, embodiment, and creating new possibilities for how we choose to heal and who we become. Read more>>
Supora Carr
Over time, I found my strength in being an editor first and a producer second. That means I’m already thinking about the final product from the very beginning, before the camera even rolls. I help guide the whole process to avoid reshoots, wasted budget, or “fixing it in post.” I use tools like Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Blender to bring it all together, always aiming for a polished final result that serves the brand or story. Read more>>
Jazz Mills
Not only is there a surplus, but a lot of food is being wasted or misdirected. I started making meals in my house and handing them out to people I saw on the street and then realized that another friend of mine (Carrie Fussell) was doing the same thing in her neighborhood. We decided to join forces and do it more consistently in the same area so that the unhoused could rely on us showing up. We started in May of 2020 and by February 2021, we had turned the efforts into a business, had two more staff members, and we serving meals 5 days a week. Over the years, we partners with The Other Ones Foundation, Our Shared Kitchen, and Walk by Faith Ministry to ensure that every resident in The Esperanza Community would receive 3 meals a day/365 days a year. Read more>>
Jennifer Morey
For years, Jenny perfected these recipes with Grandma Moses by her side. By the time Jenny reached college, she had mastered a few more time-tested recipes and asked new friend Cathryn to be her official taste tester. For decades to come, throughout life’s moments big and small, Cathryn and Jenny were there for each other – as sisters and new business partners. And their growing families became product testers as the expanded their menu. Read more>>
Steffi Lynn Tsai
Hi! I’m Steffi Lynn! I’m a Taiwanese American artist, illustrator, muralist and a small biz owner with a shop in Austin! I started by just loving to draw, craft and create things growing up. Over time turned that into a career where I, now get to paint murals, design products, and work with brands I admire. I run my own brand called Have a Nice Day that’s all about colorful, motivating art, and I co-own a retail space called Roommate Collective in East Austin that carries gifting goods, accessories, and home products. A lot of my work is inspired by nature, color, and encouraging messages from day to day interactions! I really just love making things that brighten people’s day. Read more>>
Kinetra Stewart
I didn’t have enough hours at Wal-Mart and needed a job that would support my financial needs, so I bounced between two jobs until I realized, I may need to join the military full-time. I inquired with the Air Force first since I was already in the Reserves, however, they were not accepting prior service members. My next option was the Navy, but I had to go back to basic training to join, and there was no way I was doing that. So, I inquired with the Army and that was the more appealing option for me since I didn’t have to go back to basic training. It wasn’t until after I separated from the Army that I would finally pursue my Cosmetology degree in January 2010. Read more>>
Sheena George
When we moved back to the U.S. with our kids, we landed in Austin. It was 2020, and we opened our new shop, Bésame, as a nod to our beginnings. Starting again at Meanwhile Brewing with a walk-up window, we found ourselves surrounded by a whole new world of ingredients and possibilities. In Austin, I suddenly had access to amazing dairy, spices, chocolates, produce—everything I’d dreamed of using over the years. I got to take everything I had learned and build on it, and the ice cream only got better. Read more>>
Walking Tall
The pursuit of happiness is not a paved path. When you choose to carve a new path for healing, you must be willing to stay the course regardless of external validation, approval, or understanding from others. Solitude, sobriety, and celibacy have been my greatest teachers. Read more>>
Nisha Agrawa
These conversations sparked an idea in me. I had already been importing small gift items and décor from India, so I had some familiarity with international sourcing. The need for better Indian clothing options in Austin was so apparent, it felt like a calling. However, I had no connections in the garment industry, and the thought of just relying on online wholesale marketplaces felt risky. I knew I wanted to offer reliable, good-quality dresses and work with suppliers I could truly trust. Read more>>
Luisa Fernanda Hincapie
One of the challenges we’ve faced in moving to a different part of town is accessibility. While the city of Taylor has made significant improvements, there’s still progress to be made, especially in increasing foot traffic and attracting visitors. Like any business, we’ve also felt the impact of economic shifts influenced by politics. Opening during an election year was a new experience for us, adding another layer of uncertainty. On top of that, our new dealers had to adapt—not only to a location 45 minutes away but also to adjusting their pricing to fit the new market. Read more>>
Claire Kurio Ruwwe
Like any small business, nothing goes as smoothly as we would like! The biggest struggle in the type of business I run is building out a team that is reflective of the quality level of service that we bring to clients. Thankfully, I have an incredible team of 6 amazing women with strong academic backgrounds, the desire to serve others, and a passion for the business. It hasn’t been easy to build this team, but I am beyond grateful for it now and excited to see it grow. Read more>>
D.r. Jones
My new work extends the themes of Legends and Cowgirls in a slightly different direction. These paintings use a reduced, almost monochromatic, palette for more emotional impact. The series is called “Cutting Through the Static”. These portraits look kind of scratchy and ill-defined; a metaphor for these times where social media static fills our days and truth is only a fluid, situational concept. It’s as if the subject is coming into view on an old-school static-filled TV. Read more>>
Stefan Fulks
In 2012, with his support and partnership, we started what is now TexasTurf. At first, it was small, esentially an un-branded ambulance that we used as a work truck, some hand tools and one to two helpers if we were lucky— just us trying to figure things out and provide great service. Over time, with a lot of hard work, we’ve built it into a company that now generates over $5 million annually. We have a warehouse, a full operations team, many trucks and heavy equipment, and a solid reputation in both residential and commercial outdoor solutions — specializing in artificial turf and xeriscaping. Read more>>
Daniel Toback
I’ve spent the last 8 years of my career trying to understand the “WHY” behind injuries which has lead me to develop “The Run Mechanics”. The standard model of sports rehab and treatment, both on the MD and PT side, involves a lot of guessing. We consistently treat patients without actually looking at the quality of their movement. It’s sort of like prescribing a blood pressure medication without checking blood pressure. I believe that a detailed assessment of biomechanics is the future of treatment for musculoskeletal conditions. Read more>>
Joseph Qualls
While barbering I honed those skills- as a licensed educator, designing my own websites, app and more. And a very good client and friend Kwame Boler invited me to networking event filled with techpreneurs. I asked Kwame why he invited me. He told me knew there was something larger for me. Read more>>
Diego Medel
At 24, I lost my brother to suicide and decided to change my entire life, once again. I dropped out of my final year at UT and left my archeology gig in Alabama. Learned to code and got certified by UT Austin to be a full stack developer. Would you be able to guess that I hated it? Before I even applied to a coding job I stopped, the thought of being a keyboard jockey all day frightened me. Read more>>
Krystal Wiebelhaus
What started as a single weekly pickup game at Pease Park with a handful of folks quickly grew. Now, we run 3-6 pickup sessions weekly across various parks and venues in Austin. Our events typically draw 25-40 player, and many have become regulars (and good friends!). We’ve also started hosting tournaments and leagues, which have added another layer of fun and community to what we’re building. Read more>>
Gabbi Dominey
So my work right now is really a cluster of multiple interests. I do tooth gems.. I make jewelry.. I model.. I make costumes.. I’m a clown.. etc etc.. I wear many hats, but the over all goal and point of what I do is to facilitate modes of self expression! Everything I do is to empower and entice the secret *you* hiding inside. Every one has that, everyone wants to let it out and to feel SEEN and be known, often times people are to afraid. Read more>>
Karla Gonzalez
As I mentioned, my main focus right now is developing my skills as a User-Generated Content Creator. Essentially, creating ads for brands. It’s more affordable and effective for brands to have a list of creators that create the content that will get posted on the brand’s page than paying an agency or hiring an entire crew of videographers, models, etc for every shoot. More natural looking content is a bonus. Read more>>
Janice Willis
Our move to Austin provided me with a plethora of hiking trails full of new nature and inspirations. I found myself invigorated by the downtown culture and the surrounding hill country aesthetic- from all of the murals downtown, paddle boarding ladybird Lake, exploring the wildflower center or botanical garden to hiking a rocky hilltop trail. I have a strong faith and consider God the ultimate artist. Suddenly the city/area around us – full of nature trails, flowers, hills, springs -all the beauty, the people here became my inspiration. I’ve painted and created art off/ on over the last 20 years, but dived back into abstract painting as a way to deal with my fears and anxiety when I couldn’t find the words to express it. Especially when my four kids depended upon me as “Mom” to encourage them. Read more>>
Alyssa Sontag
I moved to Texas in late 2021, and during that transition, I took the opportunity to focus more on content creation while balancing work and my certification courses for a teaching credential. With a background in fashion-related social media and a genuine love for styling outfits, I leaned into creating content that reflected both my style and personality. Over time, I started blending in lifestyle elements to add variety and give people a better sense of who I am. Above all, I always aim to keep my content genuine and authentic—it’s really important to me that what I share feels real and relatable. Read more>>
Karen Ice – Burris
When you go to school for interior design, you learn how to design beautiful spaces, draw floor plans, work with codes, but no one teaches you how to run a business. I’ve learned mostly through trial and error, making so many mistakes and figuring things out as I go. No one tells you how much you’ll pay in taxes, or that you can even owe property taxes when you’re renting a building! There are so many unexpected challenges in business ownership, and just as many lessons. Read more>>
Kisha Brown
Throughout my teaching career, I mentored college students and first-year teachers—encouraging them to make their lessons fun, inclusive, and meaningful. I conducted professional learning committees within our district, served on school-based decision-making councils, and led fundraisers to bring new programs to life—especially for students who missed out on related arts due to tight schedules. I also spent many spring and summer breaks working on district-level curriculum revisions in physical education, health, financial literacy, and consumerism to ensure content was relevant, engaging, and aligned with student needs. Read more>>
Sonnet
I grew up in Los Angeles with my parents in the entertainment industry. I wrote my first single in middle school, Euphoria. I feel like I have always been into music . The only thing that expanded was my taste. I really love rock music. I feel like it feeds me. Life experiences and opportunities continue to guide me today. I am currently working between three cities: New York, LA, and Austin. It’s all home to me. Read more>>
Jessica Becerra
In the summer of 2022, our youngest daughter Regina had a simple goal: to earn her own money for school supplies. Determined and full of curiosity, she decided to host a bake sale. At first, she planned to make classic chocolate chip cookies — but we saw an opportunity to introduce her to something even more special: our family’s recipe for polvorones, a traditional and versatile Mexican shortbread cookie. Read more>>
Manreet Singh
When I got my first job after undergrad, I was living at home with my parents—which, honestly, wasn’t the most fun. So I was always out exploring and eating at new spots (mostly to avoid being home), and I’d post pictures of what I was eating on my Instagram stories. Every time I posted a food pic, I’d get tons of replies from friends asking where the restaurant was or what I ordered. That’s what inspired me to create my food Instagram—so I could easily keep track of everything and share it with anyone who asked. Read more>>
Industry Influence
Industry Influence was founded by a group of creatives who shared a bold vision—to redefine how media is experienced through music events, YouTube sets, and social content. Alongside Alejandra Sanchez and Julian Juarez, better known as @twentyeightmade, who started off as a one time event working together, we always knew we had the same goals when it came to the music world. We set out to build a team that could take any event and elevate it through the lens. What started as a passion quickly turned into a mission: to make every beat, every moment, and every story look unforgettable. We’re hungry, driven, and never stop creating—and this is only the beginning. The grind doesn’t end here. The vision is alive, and the future of Industry Influence is just getting started. Read more>>
Samantha Escamilla
Strength training, especially during pregnancy and postpartum, is powerful. It helps reduce the risk of injury, supports posture and pelvic health, and builds functional strength to carry and care for our babies. And even more importantly, it plays a critical role in preserving bone density—a key concern, as women naturally begin to lose bone mass during pregnancy and as they age. Lifting weights and loading the body through strength-based movement supports our skeletal system, boosts metabolism, and sets the foundation for long-term health. Read more>>
Anderson Mccarthy
As an active-duty Army paratrooper with 25 years of service, including multiple deployments to combat zones, I understand firsthand the importance of maintaining peak physical fitness under extreme stress. This experience shaped my belief that fitness is more than just working out — it’s a disciplined lifestyle built on knowledge, structure, and consistency. Read more>>
Jay Corder
Today, being an architect is an innate part of my personality that is completely entwined with my personal life. I can’t imagine doing anything else. It’s sort of a selfish passion because it is a pretty cool thing to help people bring their dreams to life. But the privilege of doing that comes with responsibility, and it’s on me to develop a trustworthy partnership with each of my clients by making sure I understand their desires, dreams, and goals. To get there, I developed a design process that sets clear expectations, establishes optimal momentum, prioritizes value, and generates predictable outcomes while providing beauty, joy, confidence, and peace. Read more>>
David Heisler
David built a thriving career working with major brands and emerging labels across Austin, Los Angeles, and New York. Now based in Western Massachusetts, he has launched theSTUDIO x DAVIDHEISLER — a natural light creative space in Easthampton designed for brands, artists, and entrepreneurs to bring their stories to life. Read more>>
Victoria Sueiro
In my early 20s, I started exploring social media content creation and modeling. Over time, I honed my skills in video production, photography, and social media strategy. As a content creator, I quickly realized the power of building an authentic personal brand and engaging audiences through meaningful storytelling. My experience in modeling expanded as I took on fashion editorials, commercial beauty projects, and e-commerce campaigns, learning to adapt to various styles and themes. Read more>>
Elianna
After graduating, I threw myself into Austin’s pop-up scene—booking shows before I even had prints or merch. I bought tons of different styles and shades of clothing and printed many different designs to see what would stick, and unexpectedly fell into fabricating my own merchandise. Pop-ups helped me build a strong network, collaborate on creative projects, and grow from printing on my kitchen floor to setting up a small bedroom ‘studio’. Read more>>
