Over the past decade we have had the chance to learn about so many incredible folks from a wide range of industries and backgrounds and our highlighter series is designed to give us an opportunity to go deeper into their stories with to goal of understanding them, their thought process, how their values formed and the foundations of their stories. Check out some incredible folks below – many of whom you may have read about already and a few new names as well.
Brent Broyles
I don’t know if we are born to do anyone thing, but I think most people will never even have the chance to think they got close. I think I have gotten very close to what I was born to do. I still enjoy what I am doing after fifteen years and keep signing up to do it for many more. Read more>>
Brian Joseph
I believe I am doing what I was born to do. I had no interest in art until I decided to become an artist at the age of 33. A decision to control my own destiny led to a career choice that has endured for the past 39 years. Read more>>
Watson Lewis-Rodriguez
Nowadays, I’m fortunate in walking a path. I’m now at a point with my work and interests to be able to pursue a long walk with clarity and direction, without feeling like I need a mobile map of my mind to give me guidance. Read more>>
Mark Del Castillo
Just recently played the Aztec Theatre for the 30th Anniversary of the movie Desperado. Being able to be a part of the celebration and to perform the iconic songs from the movie is a very surreal feeling. I remember watching the movie in a small theater back home in Brownsville, Texas and being blown away! Read more>>
Gabby Terrazas
Everything will make sense one day. Trust yourself and don’t give up. Read more>>
Tara Bianco
I’d tell my younger self, “Don’t be afraid if your life doesn’t look the way you pictured it. You’re creating something beautiful and unique that’s meant just for you. Don’t waste time comparing yourself to others — your path is your own, and that’s what makes it special.” Read more>>
Nick Barnes
The public version of me is absolutely the real me. There’s so much tension in the world and too many creative people that take their job too seriously. I always describe production days as a field trip for the clients we work with. Read more>>
Celica Ledesma
What I have been called to do right now is to branch out of my comfort zone and even out of my creative endeavors to pursue something I had never considered before until this past year. I find myself in a spot where I crave being more knowledgeable and at the service of others. Read more>>
Jay Master
In order to be successful you have to suffer. I go by two mantras in my life. The first is, be like water (Bruce Lee). Water always finds its way around obstacles and is always moving forward. The second is every thing you want is on the other side of difficult. I work really hard to be the best version of myself. Read more>>
Karen Cerezo
As a kid, I honestly thought I was basic.. Simple. Just average. I didn’t see myself as someone who would ever stand out or do anything remarkable; I thought that was for other people. I was never the quiet girl. I was always outspoken, always questioning, always pushing back when something didn’t make sense. Read more>>
Bailey (Van Cleave) Evans
Phewf – sure! As a child, I believed that being “good” meant keeping everyone around me happy. That my worth came from being easy, helpful, and putting others’ needs before my own. I was the classic people-pleaser, always trying to avoid conflict and make sure everyone felt okay, even if that meant ignoring what I needed. Read more>>
Girlyne White
First order of business: Coffee! Now, I admit, I’m a bit of a coffee enthusiast, so it’s fresh-ground beans for me every morning. But hey, when in need, I’ll settle for a Kopiko instant 3-in-1! 😅 Mornings and I aren’t exactly besties; my day kicks off with a symphony of alarms, and the crack of dawn for me is more like 9 am. Read more>>
Ariana Onyemata
I understand deeply that most may not is being considerate. Consideration is thoughtful and kindly concerned for the feelings, needs, and happiness for others. I strive to be considerate everyday because I know that by simply doing that you can save someone’s life or simply to uplift someone through action. Nowadays people tend to worry more about theirselves only and not anyone else. Read more>>
Mouna Douk’s
The biggest fear I’ve faced is the fear of taking control of my own life. Growing up, I was told what path to follow, and for a long time, I questioned whether I could ever step away from those expectations. I doubted my strength, my voice, and whether I was capable of creating something different for myself. Read more>>
Nika Urban
I struggle with a lot of anxiety and have a melancholic mind by default, it’s just how I’ve always been. My anxiety has gotten better, but I don’t think it will ever truly be healed. The thing is, I don’t want to heal it entirely. Read more>>
Emily Tolipova
Something outside of work that has been bringing me a lot of joy lately has been snail mail subscriptions! I love getting items in the mail that aren’t bills or ads, and its so great to get something physical that adds some whimsy to your day. Read more>>
Christina Olivarez
I want to leave a legacy where Latinas and Women of Color no longer have to hustle for their worth, shrink their joy, or water down their brilliance to fit someone else’s standards. I want to dismantle that generational script that says our power is only validated when it’s earned through burnout or sacrifice. Read more>>
Catherine Paker
Travel is on my daily to-do list as a travel writer. I usually travel outside of the Austin area once a month for about a week. When I am not traveling, I am writing about destinations I have visited. Read more>>
Danette Falltrick
The biggest thing that makes me lose track of time and truly find myself again is doing some kind of craft. It can be anything — from picking up a wooden butterfly cutout and painting it on my back patio, to spotting a DIY Dollar Tree Halloween project on social media and suddenly finding myself turning laundry baskets into cages for creepy skeletons. Read more>>
Sarah Greene Reed
Let’s see: beauty, color, laughter, and living life creatively on my own terms. When I was a teenager my favorite movie was the Merchant Ivory film, Room with a View. There’s a scene where the beautiful Julian Sands climbs into a tree in the Tuscan countryside and hollers his creed, “Beauty! L’espoir! Trust! Joy!”. I can get behind that. Read more>>
Evan Zwerneman
Business + personal blend: “They’d say I care deeply about animals and the people who love them—and that I put my heart into building something meaningful while still making time for the people closest to me.” Read more>>
Britny Lobas
I almost lost my life to alcohol and addiction in 2022. This moment changed everything for me. I am now 3 years sober and I see the world completely different than I used to. I am so grateful for the good, the bad, and the in between. I’m grateful to be blessed with the gift of life. I’m grateful for forgiveness and love. Read more>>
DJ Betancis
While intelligence and energy are powerful qualities, for me, integrity is non-negotiable. Intelligence can open doors, and energy can push you through them, but without integrity, neither truly lasts. Integrity is the foundation of trust—and in my life, my practice, and my relationships, trust is everything. In life, intelligence and energy might help you chase opportunities, but without integrity, those wins hold no meaning. Read more>>
Lauren Hua
Perhaps not pain, but a fear of mine that has held me back has been my fear of failure. To be seen failing, to be less then perfect or trying too hard. It is a fear that I began to realize I projected into my art. When I first started out, I would only create pieces that I believe would be universally acceptable. Read more>>
Maribel Rubio
I feel most at peace in the privacy of my home studio. late at night with my candles lit. Letting my creativity flow. Putting my favorite etta james record on. listening to inspiring podcasts and working on my songs. Read more>>
