“I’m Mexican American. My parents are from Mexico, and I was the first one born here. I’ve always been working to help out the family. It’s mostly been in sales. But in my last position, I realized that I was not completely happy working for somebody else.

“On the side, I started doing some pet sitting. I love animals and I love to hustle. I’m always going to make money somehow. I just wanted my pet sitting business to become my hustle. So I decided to go for it.

“I began doing it full-time last July. I take care of people’s furbabies at my home. I check on them at the owners’ homes. And I do dog walking, too. I’ve also taken care of other animals, like little turtles and parakeets.

“It started slow, mainly because of COVID. People didn’t want anybody in their homes. They weren’t traveling much anyway, so they didn’t need my services. It got a little discouraging there for a while.

“Then a few months ago, things started picking up. People were ready to get back out there and go on vacation. So right now it’s going really well, and I love what I’m doing. I enjoy being my own boss, having that freedom to kind of make my own schedule. And I’m getting to be around animals all day, which is great.

“I just have this big old heart. I have a lot of compassion, even for the smallest of animals. I told my fiancé that if I could have all the dogs in the world, I would. But with the house we’re in right now, that’s probably not the best idea.”

— Natalie Salazar

Learn more about Natalie’s business, PawsFirst, @pawsfirstinbaytown on Facebook and Instagram.

The post Pet sitter enjoys being her own boss appeared first on The Baytown Project.

“My talented and crafty sister and niece have given me beautiful wreaths for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Their gifts were so meaningful that they inspired me to do the same for my friends and other family members.

“I have always enjoyed decorating my house for each holiday, as well as my classroom when I taught. Around Christmas in 2018, I made wreaths for three of my close friends and my sons’ families. After Christmas, those friends came over for a wreath-making party, and they created spring and Easter wreaths.

“I certainly don’t consider myself an expert. But other friends have asked if I would share what I know, and I enjoy doing that. Throughout last year, I continued to create wreaths because it was fun, relaxing and even therapeutic.

“Under our current circumstances, it also provides peace for me in this chaos. I’m busy thinking of someone who might find joy and a distraction from the daily reports through my Facebook posts. It’s a catch-22 right now, but I wish I could host a wreath-making party. Hopefully, after the restrictions have been lifted, I can have that party.

“I made 20 to 30 wreaths last year. Except for one Astros wreath, I never kept any of them. I considered this wonderful hobby a form of ministry. I donated to nursing homes and various fundraisers.

“As more people saw my wreaths, they encouraged me to start selling them. That took courage to even consider because I never thought of myself as marketable. I never wanted the joy of making wreaths to be overshadowed by pressure or a deadline. But this January, I finally decided that I’d give it a go.

“There is a plethora of fabulous wreath makers. Just as a flower doesn’t compete with another flower in a garden, wreath makers don’t, either. We all have our own appeal. My style has certainly evolved and, hopefully, improving with each wreath I create.”

— Paula Groberg

See Paula’s wreaths on her Hang It Up page on Facebook. Find information there on how to order one of her creations.

The post Making wreaths provides ‘peace in this chaos’ appeared first on The Baytown Project.

“I started having this pain in my breast. It was getting really bad. When I went to the doctor and she felt the lump, she said, ‘You need to get tests done right now.’ I learned that when the radiologist comes out to talk with you after the mammogram, it’s something bad.

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2012. The first time I went to MD Anderson for blood work, one of the ladies said, ‘You have the Cadillac of breast cancers.’ I had the HER2-positive. I had the ER/PR-negative. Everything that could make it worse, I had. They said if I had walked in there five years prior, I probably would have had zero percent chance to live.”

There was chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy, followed by more chemo. With support from family and friends, she made it through. Only to face another health scare, which at first she thought was severe acid reflux from the chemo.

“I was out Ubering on a Sunday, and one of the ladies I picked up said, ‘Mam, you don’t look good.’ I said, ‘I don’t feel good.’ By the time I drove to the hospital, my chest was really hurting. They took me to the back for an EKG. The doctor standing outside the room said, ‘You’re having a heart attack.’ There were nurses all around me, one trying to put in IVs. I was all alone. I was crying, and was like, ‘Please don’t let me die.’ One of the nurses asked, ‘Do you want me to call a priest?’ My dad had died of a massive heart attack at 34. He was so young. That kept going through my head. It ended up that I had 100% blockage, so they put in stents.

“Having gone through all of this, and so many other challenges in life, I feel so fortunate to be here today doing what I love to do most: cook. This is where I’m meant to be.”

— Sarah Wright

Sarah and her husband, Tyrrell, run Sarah’s Restaurant, 3321 Market in Baytown.

Related:

• ‘I’m just so determined to make this a success’

• ‘Doctor said he was nothing but a miracle’

The post Despite major health scares, she’s still cooking appeared first on The Baytown Project.

“Living with my grandmother back in Louisiana, I would always be in the kitchen while she was cooking. So I guess it just came natural to me.

“I remember being 7 years old, standing on a chair, trying to fix some gravy from scratch. I could eat rice and gravy every day, so I figured I needed to learn. As the years went on, I got in there with her and learned how to make all sorts of things.

“I’ve never found cooking to be a chore. I’ve always enjoyed it. And I just love to see people eat my cooking. When the holidays roll around, all the family looks to me to cook. Like for Thanksgiving, I’m usually making 15 sweet potato pies, 10 pecan pies, dressing, ham, and all the rest. 

“Opening this restaurant is literally a dream come true. It’s something me and my sister had talked about for years. But just one thing after another kept getting in the way. To finally see it happen, I’m overjoyed.

“When you’ve been poor, and you already know what that life is, you strive for something better. I think that’s why I have this determination to never give up. Every day, I’m here from opening until close. I’m just so determined to make this a success. I’ve been wanting it too long.”

— Sarah Wright

Sarah’s Restaurant is at 3321 Market, the former location of Baytown’s Historic Cafe. They specialize in “Southern comfort and Cajun eats.”

Related:

• ‘Doctor said he was nothing but a miracle’

• Despite major health scares, she’s still cooking

The post ‘I’m just so determined to make this a success’ appeared first on The Baytown Project.

Name
Angel Middleton

Age
43

How long have you lived in Baytown?
11 years

Most interesting fact about you
I’m almost embarrassed to say it. I’m 43 years old, and I’ve never learned to roller skate.

Background
I’m originally from Miami, Florida. My family and I relocated to Houston in 2004. In 2008 we found ourselves in Baytown, and we’ve been here ever since. It’s kind of reminiscent of Florida, with all the palm trees and water.

I’m the mother of four (ages 27, 23, 21 and 15), and I have two beautiful grandchildren. My family are my biggest fans. I’m also blessed to have the support and encouragement of the best friend in the world, who happens to be their dad.

I own GNE Massage and Wellness Spa, as well as a non-profit organization, Grace Never Ends Inc. I admit to being a workaholic, maybe because I grew up seeing the women around me work much harder than most. I have a do-it-yourself work ethic. If I don’t have work to do, I think something is wrong and create work for myself. At 43, I’m just learning how to relax. I’ll have it mastered soon.

I’m the oldest of four, and I come from a really large, loud and colorful family. We are definitely some larger-than-life characters. Family is extremely important to me. Women, like the ones in my family, are often the glue that holds it together. I learned at an early age that women can do everything. Oftentimes, we pour ourselves into caring for the ones we love and put caring for ourselves on the back burner. We burn ourselves out.

I saw it and swore I wouldn’t do it when I grew up. Yet, I found myself recreating that same scene. I was trying to do it all and succeeding, just like the women before me. I didn’t know how to accept help, take a break or say no, even when it was desperately needed. Call it a pride thing. I was overwhelmed, overworked, overly stressed, financially strained, and I felt under-appreciated. It was a recipe for disaster.

I hated my job. It paid well, but it was just that — a job; no passion behind it. I did the work-from-home, stay-at-home mom thing, too. But I was still just as, if not more, stressed and tired. I had no time for myself. I was juggling life, work and my son’s illnesses, and recovering from my second car accident and major surgery. I was in the darkest place of my life. I struggled with my weight from stress, overeating and lack of energy. It was a killer combo. I developed body image and self-esteem issues. I found myself irritable and isolated all the time. I didn’t want to be bothered with anyone or anything. I just wasn’t me. I battled depression and stress-induced anxiety for a long time.

Through therapy, prayer, support of friends and family, and learning to make myself a priority, I’m in an amazing place in my life now, and it’s only getting better. I finally found my passion. It’s helping people feel like their best selves, especially encouraging women to take care of themselves — mind, body and spirit. And in giving back to say, ‘Thank you. I appreciate you.’ That message can mean the world to someone who desperately needs to hear it.

Goals
Early in my massage career I focused more on the medical aspect, the physical benefits. I worked primarily with the special needs population and active seniors. In building a relationship with my clients, I also got a chance to bond with their families. I started developing a new appreciation for the caretakers of the world. It reminded me of myself and the caretakers that I grew up emulating.

The concept of GNE Massage and Wellness Spa, and Grace Never Ends Inc., was born. I began catering packages to help people relax, de-stress and receive relief through therapeutic touch to aid in recovery from stress, trauma, injury, training, etc. — total wellness. That, in addition to gifting massage, event planning and other services to those who couldn’t afford it, has become my passion.

I hope to obtain a space just as unique as the community of people I serve to accommodate the combined efforts of GNE Inc. and GNE Premier Services LLC. I want to continue to grow, provide better service and give back to the community on a larger scale. I have a huge vision. Things are slowly beginning to manifest, and I couldn’t be happier.

Challenges
I almost shut it all down after three crucial blows dealt to me by life. First time was a few years ago due to physical setbacks. I was in four car accidents during the course of a year. One was an almost fatal rollover accident on Christmas Day 2016. Lesson: tomorrow isn’t promised. The second was when my son, who had finally gotten his kidney transplant after over a decade of fighting kidney failure, began to reject the kidney for the second time. Lesson: take care of yourself. The third was when God called my beautiful grandson home to be with him. That almost took me out. Lesson: appreciate life.

From it all I realized that there is something greater than us. It’s the power that lives within us that causes us to grow stronger with adversity, overcome any obstacle, dig deep and stand firm when we feel like we are going to fall apart. To keep progressing and pursuing our dreams despite the circumstances. Pain produces passion, becomes purpose.

Happiest or saddest moment
The saddest moment in my life was when I questioned my existence. I didn’t know who I was, why I was here and what I was supposed to be doing with my life. The happiest moment was realizing my purpose, relentlessly pursuing my vision, and watching it manifest now.

Advice
Collaboration — working together — is key. Just because you can do it all doesn’t mean you have to. It’s OK to take a break or say no sometimes. Taking time for yourself isn’t selfish, it’s a necessity. Put pride aside and learn to better give and receive help when needed. Lastly, give each other grace.

Reading/watching
Favorite reads right now are “Fervent,” “Becoming,” “The Worn Out Woman” and “Girl, Wash Your Face.” I’m not much of a TV person, but I do watch a lot of educational videos regarding my field on YouTube.

Favorite thing to do in Baytown
I love to visit Baytown Nature Center and sit by the water or relax in the butterfly garden under the gazebo. It’s beautiful.

This profile was received through the Submit Your Story page.

The post Angel Middleton: businesswoman overcomes obstacles appeared first on The Baytown Project.

“March 4, 2016, was my last day sitting in a 6-by-6 cubicle at a job that is no longer fulfilling. With the support of my husband, I took a year off from looking for another same old job to be stuck at.

“During this time I did a lot of soul searching. I volunteered for a local Presentation Power event, listened to podcasts, and binge watched nearly every documentary on Netflix. ‘Jiro Dreams of Sushi’ stood out above the rest. Jiro Ono, now a 93-year-old sushi chef, created his own legacy. People travel from all around the world to eat at his restaurant.

“I believe everyone has a purpose and a great story to tell. I just needed to figure out what mine was. With my attention to detail and wanting a creative outlet, my search led me to portrait photography.

“It’s not about creating a legacy for myself, but more of a photographic biography of a moment for the people I photograph. My goal is to convey an emotional connection between the subject and the viewer.

“Today, I am focusing on building my portfolio specializing in high school senior portraits, and in my spare time volunteering for The Baytown Project.”

— Olivia Garza

Olivia recently started taking photos to go along with some of The Baytown Project stories. You’ll begin seeing her work here very soon. For more information on her business, check out her website. She’s also active on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

The post Seeking fulfilling career, she turns to photography appeared first on The Baytown Project.

“When you’re a hairdresser, you talk about everything with them. You help solve their problems, and sometimes they help you. But I tell you what, the men were bigger talkers than the women. Boy howdy. You get a man in there and get him talking about something, and he’ll go on and on and on about it. If there’s not really anyone in the shop but maybe one lady under the dryer and you’re doing the man’s hair and he’s had a bad day, he’ll tell you all about it.

“After my divorce I moved to Coldspring, where I had an antique shop and a beauty shop. I would do men’s haircuts there, too. I like to talk and I’ve always been very friendly, so I guess some of the guys took it the wrong way. While their wife was outside walking around in the little town square, the men would ask me out. That happened several times. And I would say, ‘Just a minute. As soon as your wife gets back in here, I’ll ask her if it’s OK if we can go out.’ And they’d go, ‘No, no, don’t do that.’ Of course, I never did. But I thought that was pretty interesting.”

— Betty Arabie

Related:

• She’s never let hearing loss slow her down
• Her son stays strong while battling colon cancer

The post For her, it was about more than just cutting hair appeared first on The Baytown Project.

“We not only shared a room growing up, we had to share a bed for as long as I can remember. I guess that’s just what our parents had for us. So we were pretty close. I shared her clothes all the time.”

“I started working at Dairy Queen, so I would buy my own clothes and everything.”

“And they were cool, so I wore them, too.”

“We eventually moved down here for Dad’s job. But while he and Mom came down first, they let me finish out my school year back in Indiana. I was just turning 16, and the two of us lived together in our family’s house for four or five months. She’s five years older than me, so I guess our parents trusted her.”

“I was almost 21 and had a 2-year-old child by then. So I had to work hard and make some money. She babysat in the evenings because I would work all kinds of hours. She was left alone with my daughter a lot of the time. But it was just kind of how it had to be.”

“I had obligations, so I couldn’t do some of the things that I normally did, like gymnastics and cheerleading. But it was fine. It was what family did for family, you know?”

— Cara Protain and Beth McAuliffe

Related:

• Crafty sisters inherit creative instincts from parents

The post Sharing sisters remain close in new business venture appeared first on The Baytown Project.

“I’m hoping to patent a device for the bottling industry that would help reduce the plastics that we use, while also allowing products to stay fresh and safe longer. I’m still in the research and design process. But one day I hope to have it patented, start my own business and get my stuff all over the world. I’ve always had a passion for creating, wanting to make things better. I’m one of those people who sees something and thinks, how can I make this better?

“I chose to study business — and I hope to get into international business — because I want to travel and I love meeting people who are different from me. I love cultures in general. I’ve been trying to teach myself Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. I have a friend who’s been helping me with Spanish. But the Mandarin thing is all me. Mandarin Chinese is one of the more prominent languages used in the business world. So if I ever want to work for an international company, I feel like that’s going to be a major help. It could open up some doors for me. I’ve been teaching myself through online courses. I’m still not very good at it, but it’s coming along.”

— Michaela Jones

Related:

• Overseas friends help her win depression battle

The post She sets her sights on international business career appeared first on The Baytown Project.

“Like my mom says, we are not here to be rich. We are here to get by and to live. And we do that by helping others. We are income tax preparers, insurance agents, notaries and defensive driving instructors. We also help people with their immigration paperwork.

“With everything going on in this country right now, that’s a pretty big deal. A lot of people are in panic mode because they don’t really know what’s going to happen to them and their families. Everything is just this waiting game.

“That’s pretty scary for people who were brought here as kids from another country, and have been here for years and years. I know people who are in that situation, and it’s very hard on them. They are super scared of being taken away and thrown back to a country they know nothing about. So we’re here saying, what can we do to help during this challenging time in their lives?

“My mom is the backbone of our family and of this business. She is very giving, very loving and very helpful. She’s not a lawyer, but she’s a very smart person. And what she doesn’t know, she does a good job of educating herself on. She goes beyond her means to try to help people. She’s a pretty awesome person.”

— Angelica Mercado

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• Acting career serves as example for daughters

The post Mother-daughter team help in challenging times appeared first on The Baytown Project.