Houston Strong: Ways to Shop Small and Give Back

Houston Strong: Ways to Shop Small and Give Back

AFTER AN ALREADY tough year, small businesses in Texas are banding together to give back to the community following last week's disastrous winter storm. Here's a rundown of some of the feel-good gear and great goods you can score, all while benefiting recovery efforts!


Fifty percent of proceeds from the sales of Em Gems Creations' Texas Strong bracelets will go to Kids Meals Houston. Each bracelet is $20, which means every sale funds five meals.

Now through Feb. 28, 100 percent of proceeds from limited-edition pressed-flower prints from Designs by Andrea will go to winter-storm recovery efforts.

Texas-based illustrator Emily Griffin designed a t-shirt — size-inclusive, and in five colors! — with all proceeds going straight to the Houston Food Bank.

While not a Texas-based biz, Alabama's Lolly Crayons has created red, white and blue Texas-shaped crayons for $3 each, with all proceeds benefiting Kids Meals.

Here's another tee, designed by Yami Mufdi and released via her Levavi athleisure brand. Sales benefit four organizations across the state: Feed the People, Para Mi Gente, Austin Mutual Aid and Mutual Aid Houston.

Dallas-based gift shop Sprinkled with Pink launched a new Texas-themed collection, and all proceeds go to Genesis Women's Shelter, providing shelter and resources for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. Genesis was forced to close its doors last week for the first time in its 35-year history.

La Vie en Rose floral boutique will be donating 10 percent of all proceeds to Kids Meals through March 5.

People + Places

John Kuykendall, Showroom Manager, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove

How did you get to where you are today? Growing up I had envisioned myself as a news anchor, living in NY and enthusiastically saying into the camera “Good Morning America!”. To this day, I am still a news/political junkie. My mother owned fur salons so specialty retail, luxury retail was in my blood through the family business. Eventually, mom shuttered the stores and I was recruited to a large specialty retailer. Over the next 30 years, I was in commissioned sales on the sales floor, became a department manager, worked my way up to buyer and store manager. Although I never became a newscaster, I did live in NYC for a few years. But Texas is home and with aging grandparents, I felt the pull to come back to my roots. A headhunter approached me. I never envisioned myself in the high-end appliance market, but there are so many similarities. Clients want a memorable experience; whether shopping for diamonds and fur or remodeling their kitchen.

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How did you get to where you are today? My journey to where I am today is built on a foundation of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Every step along the way, I faced obstacles, but I approached each one with determination and a “never give up” mindset. Instead of being discouraged by challenges, I used them as opportunities to grow and improve. Consistency was key—I committed to showing up and giving my best effort every day. I also learned not to take “no” as a final answer. Instead, I saw it as a chance to push harder, adapt, and find another way forward. It’s this combination of persistence, resilience, and unwavering focus that has brought me to where I am today.

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