Thrive + Inspire: Why Dr. Barrow Went Public With Covid Diagnosis Early On

Al Torres
Thrive + Inspire: Why Dr. Barrow Went Public With Covid Diagnosis Early On

Dr. Vanessa Barrow

AN INTERVIEW WITH Dr. Vanessa Barrow, DPM, Owner, Sole Aesthetic

You had to deal with the pandemic crisis in a big way, before most of us, didn't you? In early March of 2020, I tested positive for Covid. This was before masks, before social distancing, before knowing as much as we do now. Everything came to a screeching halt. It was devastating more so because my practice had just celebrated its two-year anniversary. Unfortunately, I had to let my amazing staff go and focus on keeping my business thriving from bed, behind closed quarantined doors while recuperating from the virus.


How did you find hope in those early days? During my downtime, I felt that my story could educate and inspire others. I went public with my diagnosis and reached out to the media so that others would be more aware of the experience from symptoms to testing to recovery.

Dr. Vanessa Barrow

How did you adjust and overcome? How did you reset? Returning to my practice with no supporting staff in the midst of a pandemic forced me to reassess how to manage my business while keeping it safe for all of my patients. I never imagined having to face this type of obstacle, but I am thankful for the learning experiences it has created — which in turn have only made me a stronger, better and more resilient entrepreneur. Inspiration and motivation can come from the most unexpected of places and can change your perspective about how you run your business and who you are as a business owner.

What has the whole experience taught you about yourself? I have ultimately realized that, even presented with the unprecedented trials of 2020, there is no place I would rather be. It only reignited the entrepreneurial fire within me to keep fighting, push through and rise above. And for this I am beyond grateful.

Fried Chicken, Fancy Bubbles, and a Side of Glamour: Sundays at The Marigold Club Just Got Fun

Chef-owner Austin Waiter of The Marigold Club, now serving fried chicken and Champagne on Sunday nights.


IF YOUR SUNDAY nights could use a little sparkle—and a lot of fried chicken—The Marigold Club has just the thing. Starting May 25 at 5pm, the Montrose hotspot known for its playful mix of Southern charm and London polish is rolling out a new weekly tradition: Fried Chicken & Champagne Sundays.

This isn’t your average comfort food situation. We're talking a shareable fried chicken dinner for two, made with farm-raised birds from Deeply Rooted Ranch, and served alongside buttery whipped potatoes, minted peas, aged cheddar scones, and some over-the-top sauces — including a foie gras sauce supreme that’s as extra as it sounds.

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Food

Kristi Ison, Rebecca Pritchard, Nora Jarrard, Katie Tsuru, Ronda Carman

H-TOWN FOOTBALL JUST got a fashion upgrade. The Texans teamed up with Houston’s own Christy Lynn to debut a first-ever capsule collection that swaps jerseys and hoodies for silk sets, chic dresses, and elevated knitwear — all in the team’s signature colors.

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Style

Sonja Kostich, Margaret Alkek Williams, and Jim Nelson

HOUSTON BALLET’S 2025–2026 season opened in high style with a double celebration. After the curtain fell on Onegin — John Cranko’s tale of love and rejection — more than 220 patrons gathered on stage at the Wortham for the annual Opening Night Onstage Dinner, one of the company’s most anticipated traditions.

The evening paid special tribute to Jim Nelson. Nelson, who took the helm as Executive Director in 2012, guided the Ballet through the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and the challenges of COVID. During dinner, Nelson was honored with a proclamation from the City of Houston. Even Nelson’s mother attended and received a special shout-out during his dinner toast.

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Parties