< Previous LIVES: LA MARQUE WORKS: CITY OF LA MARQUE Chaise Cary, 35 Director of public works WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? I choose to work in municipal government ultimately to serve. City government allows those who try and care to make a difference, improving the quality of life for the people we serve. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? Police officer or firefighter. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? AutoZone in Dickinson. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Show respect, even to people who don’t deserve it, not as a reflection of their character, but as a reflection of yours. – My Papaw, Mr. Dave Willis WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? The simple answer is my coworkers, and the people of La Marque. I find joy in helping others and seeing the positive impact we can have on this community. Every day is different. Different jobs, different people and various problems to solve – all to ensure this community continues to grow. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? To listen more and speak less. We must listen to others even when we disagree with their viewpoints or stance. Life is all about communication, whether in the workplace or at home. WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? I have a great family with many good influences on my life growing up. My parents, grandparents, close family and friends all had a positive impact on my childhood. My grandfathers, Papaw, Joel Christie, and my Grandpa, Wallace Cary, taught me all about life. They taught me the value of hard work, the meaning of respect and that we are all equal in the Lord’s eyes. Without them, I might not be the man I am today. WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? Relaxing at home with my wife, Valerie, and infant daughter, Carli, playing with our dogs and watching the Astros, Rockets and Texans. Shooting at the gun range. I’m a simple guy, all I need are the basics. HOW DO YOU HOPE TO GROW IN YOUR CAREER? To become a better leader, to help La Marque’s continued growth in a positive direction, and to become a city manager when the time is right. LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY AT GALVESTON Amy Caton, 38 Associate director of Library & Learning Commons WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? My family knew before I did that I would be a librarian, and I see now how the love of learning and curiosity drives my career. As a child growing up in Sugar Land, I was often reverse-grounded and sent outside to play, preferring to read my days away. I’ve worked in bookstores (almost everyone you can name) for all of my unprofessional life and still find joy in match making stories with the right reader. In college, I discovered databases and realized that access to and sharing information and learning was my passion. I crafted a path to Academic Librarianship to stay connected with information, teach critical thinking to my communities, and partner with like-minded futurists. Galveston not only supports my career, but creates new opportunities for expanding teaching and learning among a huge diversity of communities. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? My first job was a Barnes & Noble book monger focused on fiction, science fiction and metaphysics. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Don’t wait; do it now. No idea is a bad idea, it just may not be the right time and environment for that idea right now. You don’t know until you’ve put it out there and tried. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? My favorite thing about my work is celebrating with my students and friends as they walk across the stage at graduation. I am often the first hug they receive at Texas A&M University at Galveston’s commencement and the joy of mentoring them and seeing them succeed drives me to keep teaching and learning. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? Knowing, acknowledging and leveraging the strengths of teammates is the way great teams are built, maintain and grow. Trying to do it all by yourself leads to burn- out and isolation. WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? I think we all know the answer to this question: I read, including science fiction, speculative fiction, fantasy and science. I mentor a troop of young Girl Scouts, write for Culture Clash, garden, run and sail. The most important thing I do is being a mom and wife for my family. 10 | The Daily News | 40 Under 40 | 2020 LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: TEXAS FIRST BANK Corinna Danilevich, 31 Marketing manager WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? I got my start in marketing in a really round-about way. I originally thought I wanted to go to law school, and I actually have a degree in Political Science from UT – hook’em! But somewhere along the way, I started thinking that maybe I didn’t want to be a lawyer and decided to apply for the business school. I earned a second bachelor’s degree in International Business, and part of the degree program – as you might have guessed – was to study abroad. I went to Belgium. The school I went to had limited courses in English, and I wasn’t too thrilled about the idea of taking advanced finance or supply chain classes in French. So, I decided to take a few strategic marketing classes and was hooked! AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? A teacher or an explorer! You could always find me torturing my little sister by making her the star (and only) student in my classes or climbing trees and bringing home random animals I’d found in the field behind our house. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? Other than babysitting, my first job was a hostess at the Aquarium on the Boardwalk. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? You can’t control what others do, but you can control how you react. ... I’m a rule follower, so I’ve struggled with wishing people would just “do the right thing” my whole life. It wasn’t until I started to fully understand that phrase that I learned to let go of trying to get people to act one way or another and being disappointed if they didn’t meet my expectations, and started focusing on trying to understand, educate myself and others, and accept more. It’s led to a happier life. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? Every day is different. Some days I’m going to events, other days I’m dealing with numbers or working on messaging or planning strategy, you name it. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? How important it is to get to know your coworkers in all departments. WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? Play with my 1-year-old son or watch TV. I love a good sitcom or silly reality show. CONGRATULATIONS AMY CATON With the Aggie Core Values of loyalty, integrity, excellence, leadership, respect and seless service lighting our way, leaders like Amy Caton are steering Texas A&M University at Galveston students through both calm waters and stormy seas. Amy Caton Learning Commons Associate Director Cinna! C o n g r a t u la t i o n , Corinna Danilevich Assistant Vice President - Marketing Manager We are so proud of you! Lov, your Texa First Ban amil 2020 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 11 LIVES: CLEAR LAKE WORKS: BILL DE LA GARZA & ASSOCIATES Teal de la Garza, 39 ATTORNEY AT LAW WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? While in education, I realized there was more I could do to help the children with whom I was working. This led me to go back to school where I ended up in a clinical program that allowed me to act as a student attorney in family law and child welfare matters. I ended up working on this one case that changed everything. After that, there was no question I would end up where I am. WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? While working in education, I realized there was more I could do to help the children with whom I was working. This led me to go back to school where I ended up in a clinical program that allowed me to act as a student attorney in family law and child welfare matters. I ended up working on this one case that changed my everything. After that, there was no question I would end up where I am. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? I always wanted to be a writer. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? My first paid job was working in an investigative firm as an administrative assistant. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? I have received a lot of great advice so this is a hard question to answer. However, my paternal grandfather once told me while I was working on my undergraduate degree that I should never be afraid to take a break. I think he specifically said to put down whatever I was working on and take a breather. The caveat was that you have to go back to it eventually ... and finish. This is great advice for life. And at the time, it was great advice for an overwhelmed senior writing two theses. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? Helping children and families. Meeting people and learning about their lives. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? I wish I had realized earlier not to take things so seriously. And to take more breaks. See best advice above. WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? In my free time, I enjoy cooking. I also love spending time with my husband and the family. LIVES: ALVIN WORKS: TEXAS TAIL DISTILLERY Nick Droege, 34 Owner WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? Back in college, my business partner and I would spend our weekends brewing beer as this was a popular hobby for many of our peers. When it came down to it, we realized we would brew batches of beer to only end up finishing our nights by drinking vodka or whiskey. This is when a hobby turned into a dream. After years of working in banking, I came to a point in my career where I knew I needed to take the leap and try to build Texas Tail. The rest is history. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? I always had a dream of owning my own business. Growing up, my parents never missed any of my or my sister’s activities, and I hope to be the same way for my kids. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? My first job was working for my parents’ company, TDEC Inc. My dad made sure I had the most labor-intensive jobs during those summer months, but it was worth every minute to learn alongside him and the crew. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? “Give back to the community who gives to you.” WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? Every day when I walk into the distillery, I am overcome with joy. This was a dream for so many years, and to see it actually come true still amazes me. I truly enjoy getting to design products from the ground up and look forward to expanding our lines. Working for myself has proved to be challenging at times, but it is worth every second. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? Every no means there is another opportunity for a yes. It’s so easy to hear the word no and immediately become discouraged. You have to take the no as an opportunity to work harder! WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family! I currently have a 2-year-old daughter named Caroline with a second baby girl on the way, so being with them is my number one priority. WHAT IS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW? I’ve won multiple first-place awards at barbecue cook-offs for brisket and chicken. 12 | The Daily News | 40 Under 40 | 2020CONGRATULATIONS to Galveston County's "40 Under 40" Honorees. LIFE INSURANCE? CONSIDER THIS SOMETHING IMPORTANT THAT DOESN’T SHOW UP ON YOUR PERSONAL BALANCE SHEET IS “YOUR HEALTH”. THAT MIGHT BE YOUR MOST VALUABLE ASSET. YOUNG FOLKS CAN BECOME UNINSURABLE TOO. LOCK IN YOUR INSURABILITY WITH AN AFFORDABLE, CONVERTIBLE TERM LIFE POLICY WITH ROCHKIND INSURANCE TODAY. CALL US. PROTECT WHAT YOU VALUE MOST! Homeowners . Flood . Windstorm . Life . Commercial Business . Annuities . Long Term Care . Disability Income to Texas Tail Distillery Owner, Nick Droege on being named one of Galveston County’s 40 under 40! We offer a little something for everyone! Stop by to try our vodka, whiskey, and moonshine products, enjoy the view, and even snag a bottle of hand sanitizer! 4116 Seawall Blvd Galveston, Texas texastaildistillery.com Congrats Congrats 2020 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 13 LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: GALVESTON POLICE DEPARTMENT Heather Gates, 36 Lead chaplain WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? I would say police chaplaincy found me. I was doing youth ministry and got to know some of the officers who worked at the church. One of them asked me to come do a ride along to see how we could work together out on scenes. As I got more involved, I learned more of how I could be supportive of the officers and be helpful in their work. Thankfully, grant funding became available for a chaplain position to be full- time, giving me the opportunity to devote more time to the department. The full-time position greatly expanded what I could do and what the chaplain program could offer. I’m so hopeful that funding continues because I absolutely love getting to work alongside the officers. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? Being a teacher was my first plan and one that continued to come up when I was a kid. I always taught my stuffed animals and probably my sister when she was younger, too. At one point, I had a solid plan for becoming a marine biologist and working at SeaWorld. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? I had lots of babysitting gigs in my early teenage years. Once I was old enough, I started a job at Target and kept that through college. I still can’t bring myself to wear a red shirt and khaki pants! WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? There are two things that come to mind. The first one is “Just hit send.” One of the pastors I served under would often say this to me when I was working on a paper for school or trying to complete any sort of project. He was saying not to stress and worry so much over it, but to trust yourself and your work. The other is, “God can do more with a step in the wrong direction than if you’re standing still.” A college roommate of mine said this to me. It’s always been a good reminder to take the step and not allow fear to hold you back. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? Presence and silence are not only okay, but often very powerful. I have often felt like I had to have a solution to offer or advice to give. I wish I understood earlier how meaningful it is to be fully present and how healing it can be to leave space for silence. LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH Brandon Goodwin, 37 Assistant professor of dermatology and dermatopathology WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? I chose a career in medicine specializing in dermatology and dermatopathology for a variety of reasons. Chiefly, skin disease is an outward and public phenomenon that is wrought with emotional distress, self-esteem issues and social stigma. The ability to cure and heal people suffering from skin conditions treats not only their skin but also their mind. Seeing the smile and the uplifted mood after clearing a person’s acne, psoriasis or eczema brings me great joy in what I do. It was this idea that always fascinated me and mainly drove me to the specialty of dermatology. Additionally, the skin serves as a template for the various pathology of both the body and the mind, and the ability to make complicated diagnoses with only your eyes and mind always intrigued me. As a visual person and artist, both dermatology and dermatopathology seemed a perfect fit! AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? The honest answer as a child was a sanitation worker, as I always thought it would be so fun to ride on the back of the garbage truck! However, with my artistic nature, I thought of careers within the creative realm, such as a T-shirt designer, architect, graphic design or as an artist. Nowadays, if I were to do something different, I would be a National Park Ranger! WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? My dad had me working around the house as long as I can remember, and I am grateful for this as it instilled in me a sense of hard work and pride in anything you do. However, my first “real job” with a W2 paycheck was my sophomore year of high school as a busboy at Joe’s Crab Shack in Mobile, Alabama. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? “Grow old, not up.” WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? Becoming a physician is a stressful endeavor for even the thickest-skinned person. I find doctors hold themselves to an impossible standard of perfection, and rightfully so, given the task of a healer. However, self-doubt, anxiety and mistakes are part of the process and normal for medical students and young doctors to experience. I wish someone had emphasized this to me when I began my career as a physician. 14 | The Daily News | 40 Under 40 | 2020 LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: CENTER FOR VIOLENCE PREVENTION/ UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH Shannon Guillot-Wright, 36 Assistant professor/director of Health Policy Research WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? My father was a minister and my mom was a teacher, so it was ingrained in me from a very early age that the purpose of life is not wealth accumulation or only looking out for yourself. Through their words and actions, I learned to create a better society that is infused with justice, mercy and humility. I started in urban studies as an undergraduate and then moved into health and human rights as a graduate and doctoral student; this training helped me understand social and structural injustices as well as strategies to dismantle them. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? I went back and forth between lawyer and teacher, and now I do health policy work and teach medical students, so I didn’t end up too far off. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? My first job after college was as an AmeriCorps volunteer in Baltimore, Maryland. AmeriCorps is an anti-poverty program that was initiated by President John F. Kennedy and created as the domestic version of the Peace Corps (originally named Volunteers in Service to America – VISTA). My placement was at a Jesuit home called Boys Hope Girls Hope, which works to remove obstacles for youth, support them in their educational endeavors, and provide safe environments. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Leave something better than you found it – whether it’s a house, people, the environment or social conditions. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? Listening to people’s stories and co-creating better programs and policies based on those stories. Many of the research participants I work alongside have experienced deep trauma because of their ethnicity, skin color, immigration status and precarious working conditions, and it’s a humbling experience to be a small part in bringing those narratives to bear on academic scholarship and community equity. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? Listen deeply. Don’t be afraid of mistakes. Ask lots of questions. 2020 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 15 LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: FAMILY SERVICE CENTER OF GALVESTON COUNTY Torrina Harris, 25 Communities of Care coordinator AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? Everything. Literally everything. A lawyer, a cosmetologist, a singer, a dancer, a poet. Literally all the things. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? My first job was as a houseman (kind of like a housekeeper, but cleaning everything outside of the rooms) at Springhill Suits by Marriott in Webster. Shout out to John Bryan for giving me a chance, bless my 18-year- old heart. After two weeks, they moved me to front desk and bar and oh my goodness, y’all. Be nice to hospitality staff, tip your bartender, tip your housekeeper, and on everything I love the front desk receptionist is not out to get you. I promise. Be nice to them, too. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? “Pretend we are on an airplane now – because it feels like we are. And that the cabin is undergoing rapid decompression – because it is. And that the oxygen masks have dropped – because they have. And the adults – that’s you, despite your excuses – the adults now get about 15-20 seconds of consciousness to help themselves, so they can help the children at 39,000 feet in the clouds. Listen we, we can stick anything into the fog and make it look like a ghost. But tonight, let’s not become tragedies. Y’all, we are not funeral homes with propane takes in our windows looking’ like cemeteries. Cemeteries? That’s just the Earth’s way of not letting go… Step into this with your airplane parts move forward…” – Buddy Wakefield WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? I work in the healthiest work environment I have ever experienced. I get to be open and honest with by boss, shout out to Dr. Julie Purser, who believes in me and means it. Her commitment to what she believes this community deserves is bigger than ego, valued over fragility, and far more dependable than the internet service in our office (which is usually pretty dependable but it has its days). I get to work under and with and through and around people who not only believe in me, but believe in the things and people and rights that I believe in, too. Read more about Torrina at galvnews.com/40under40 LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: CITY OF GALVESTON Dustin Henry, 38 Coastal Resources and Floodplain manager WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? When I was young, I remember seeing homes in my neighborhood being demolished by the city. I learned it was a project to remove homes that had frequently flooded because they were built in the floodplain of a nearby creek. I asked my parents if they knew what the city’s plans were for the land after the houses were removed, and they told me that the city had not yet made a decision. I decided to go to a city council meeting and get more information about the project and offer them my suggestion that the land should become a park. It took the community several years to complete the project, but I am glad to see that the land is now a linear park that is enjoyed by many in that community. This experience taught me the importance of community input and participatory planning. And since that time, I have found myself back in city hall, in one capacity or another. I went on to serve on a youth advisory committee for their city council, and later worked part-time in the parks and recreation department. Combining these experiences with the value of community service the Boy Scouts instilled in me, I suppose you could say I was predestined for a career serving the public. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? As far back as I can remember, I wanted to be an astronaut. I still haven’t ruled that career choice out, either. I suppose if humans decide to build a settlement on Mars someday that they’ll need an urban planner. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? In my high school years, I was a docent at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. It was an unpaid but very rewarding job. My favorite activity was teaching visitors about the live animals that the museum would rescue and rehabilitate. It was a great opportunity to give back to a place where I had some of my earliest experiences learning about nature, history and science. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Don’t be afraid to make a mistake; everyone makes them. If and when you do, be accountable for it, learn from it, and share what you have learned from that experience with others. 16 | The Daily News | 40 Under 40 | 2020AS AGGIES, WE STAND BY OUR CORE VALUE OF SELFLESS SERVICE TO PROTECT OURSELVES AND OTHERS WE AREN’T JUST A CAMPUS COMMUNITY WE ARE AN ISLAND COMMUNITY WWW.TEXASPROPERTYCHICKS.COM on your on your nomination as nomination as one of Galveston one of Galveston County’s 40 under County’s 40 under 40 outstanding 40 outstanding professionals!professionals! C o n g r a tula t i o n s 2020 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 17 LIVES: TEXAS CITY WORKS: TEXAS CITY HIGH SCHOOL Keith Henry, 35 Special education teacher WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? My profession gives me the opportunity to “pay it forward” to some of the most vulnerable among us (e.g., children, the indigent and senior citizens). I was once and at-risk youth with very limited opportunities. Nonetheless, Coach Mark A. Roy, Coach Joe Denke, Coach Trent Ellis, Principal Amy Sachs and countless others never gave up on me. I am forever grateful for their belief in me. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? Growing up, my two primary goals were to be an Olympian, in addition to aspiring to become the first African-American governor of Texas. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? Through a work permit, I landed my first job at 14 years old as a custodian at a senior citizen facility in Galveston. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? My grandfather’s sage wisdom is invaluable, I’ve learned a great deal from him. One of my favorite gems of his is “A vision with no action is just a dream.” Yet, it was my mother who would always tell my brother and I that “nothing worthwhile comes easy.” WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? I get to wake up each day with the opportunity to learn from students/citizens and to make a positive difference in someone’s life. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? Listen more than I speak, take calculated risk, and persistence will always be the key to unlocking your dreams. WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? I have too many mentors to give credit to. Nevertheless, if I had to choose the principles I live my life by, my greatest mentor is my Lord and savior Jesus Christ. WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? I am an avid reader, runner and dedicated family man. For me, a relaxing evening with a book and cigar, date night with my Wife, or family movie night with our children is how I take brief respites. WHAT IS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW? Most people think am a stoic introvert! However, once individuals get to really know me, I love to crack jokes and be silly. LIVES: TEXAS CITY WORKS: SOUTHERN BELLE PHOTOGRAPHY/ REALTY EXECUTIVES ADVANTAGE Ashley Hirsch, 29 Owner/Realtor WHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? At a young age, I discovered my passion for photography. Once I received my first camera, it never left my side. Growing up, I was involved in multiple organizations, one being 4-H. As a member of 4-H, I was provided with many opportunities to submit my work into photography competitions. With each photo I took, my love for photography intensified. At the age of 24, I was able to turn my passion into a business and Southern Belle Photography was established. Over the years, I have gained additional dreams and aspired to push myself closer to obtaining them. I recently began my career as a real estate agent based out of Galveston. One of the greatest perks of my job is being able to combine my passion for photography and real estate by photographing our office’s listing and marketing materials. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? As a child, I aspired to become a veterinarian. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? At the age of 16, I began working as a barista at Smoothie Espresso. This was the only local coffee shop in my hometown of Alvin. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? To never give up on my dreams. As cliché as it sounds, without the people in my life who continuously reminded me to pursue my dreams, I would not be where I am today. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? I absolutely love meeting new people and helping them bring their dreams to life. With both of my careers, I am able to accomplish this through capturing the perfect photograph and unlocking the door to their forever home. WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? I wish I wouldn’t have been so hard on myself in the beginning. Everyone has to start somewhere. Regardless of the field you are in, it takes time to grow and find your niche. Although there are exceptions to this, most people don’t become successful overnight. 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