Meet DFW Adventures | Small Business Bloggers

We had the good fortune of connecting with DFW Adventures and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi DFW, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Here at DFW Adventures, we are attempting to shine a light on all the wonderful hidden gems that DFW has to offer. Our metroplex has an abundance of forgotten neighborhoods and businesses that deserve to be explored and brought back to life.
Junior:
The concept of small businesses is something that is deeply rooted within us both. As for myself, I was born and raised in inner-city Dallas, Oak Cliff. I grew up surrounded by a plethora of all kinds of businesses, which were booming during the early 90s. As a child, I enjoyed visiting and getting to know many mom-and-pop owners alongside my mother. Watching the small businesses disappear before my eyes over the years has been heartbreaking, to say the least. Still, I was happy to see so many people begin to once again get behind small businesses in support. This inspired me to search for different avenues where I could be more involved within my community. I have done other forms of volunteer work ranging from soup kitchens to going out and speaking with the homeless, but I believe this blog has the potential to reach a vaster number of individuals.

Michela:
I was born and raised on Long Island, New York, so moving to the small town of Burleson, TX, at ten years old, was a major shock! Although small-town living is the complete opposite of New York city life, it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with it. The Burleson community has played a significant supporting role, allowing the small business community to grow and succeed. Growing up and seeing some of those same businesses thriving helped motivate me to branch off and become a small business freelance artist. As a fellow small business owner, I find it necessary to pursue projects like our website to showcase these fantastic neighborhoods/communities in hopes that it will motivate future small business owners.

The idea that is, DFW Adventures didn’t come into flourishing until Michela, and I (Junior), became acquainted. We quickly realized that we both had an extraordinary passion for art and a mutual appreciation for small business owners that derived from our past. The idea was born as just that, an idea, but it soon turned into this amazing project that we hope develops into something that helps our communities here in DFW.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Michela: Art has always played a significant role in my life, and it all began with dancing. At a young age, my mother enrolled me in dancing, where my love for the sport blossomed, so much so that I continue to dance as a form of art to this day. If it wasn’t for my mother, my passion for art might have never developed as it did, and I might have never become a graphic designer. I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in the fine arts field, but the idea of becoming a graphic designer didn’t fully set in until my mid-high school days. Although this is a very competitive field, I believe it is my passion that sets my work apart from others. This passion pushes me outside my comfort zone, from pencil on paper to digital design, social media, and website design. I can now include this fantastic website that I have co-created. The journey has been long and arduous, from graduating during a global pandemic where normalcy was thrown out the window to finding new and creative ways to network with clients. These challenges push me to grow as an artist and portray my clients’ visions successfully.

Junior:
This is a funny question because I am a Microbiologist in my everyday life. Although the world of microbiology is probably one of the furthest fields from art, my love for art stems from my childhood. Growing up in Oak Cliff was a difficult journey, and I would use art to help me escape those daunting times. I have always struggled with my decision to leave art behind in pursuit of a science degree where I could work in the animal medical field. My love for the sciences is absolute, but my incredibly talented friend and co-creator, Michela, is what pushed me toward change. After more than five years in the field of science, I am beginning my path to becoming UX certified. This website and the inspiration behind it are what motivate me to continue on this path.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Whenever friends come in from out of town for a visit, I make sure to start them off with some fun drinks. What’s better than a beautiful rooftop bar, like the “Waterproof bar”? This bar has a vast drink selection with spectacular views overlooking downtown Dallas. After spending some time catching up, we would cap the night off with some bachata dancing at Té Deséo. For the remainder of their stay, I would spend the time taking them on an adventure through Bishop Arts District to experience the wonderful people/culture. We could vibe to some live music while taking in the beautiful artwork spread throughout the area.

To wind down their stay here in our outstanding metroplex, we would spend the morning visiting the Dallas Museum of Art and not forgetting to try out all of the delicious food truck options just across the street. Of course, a fun week wouldn’t be complete without some mini golf, and there’s nowhere better than Another Round!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
We want to shout out the beautiful and energetic owner of Zsa Zsa’s in Bishop Arts, Lydia Arnold. Lydia has been a long-standing member of her community and offers an immense knowledge of all Oak Cliff-related things. Her shop features some amazing pieces by local artists, along with a bunch of fun prints to discover. We had the honor of meeting her on a stroll through Bishop Arts, and hearing her story was the perfect start to the beginning of our DFW Adventures.

Website: https://dfwadventures.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dfwadventures_/

Other: TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@dfwadventures

Image Credits
DFW Adventures