J. Landa Jewelry
Jay Landa, Founder
What do you think surprises first-time customers about your brand?
First-time customers are often surprised by the variety – from 14k yellow gold and diamonds to turquoise, oxidized silver, and polki diamonds, our selection is far more expansive than they expect. Even with such a wide selection, our small team curates every piece with intention, which creates an intimate, boutique feel. People immediately notice the personal connection we build with our clients. The experience is hands-on and rooted in genuine relationships.
Are you evolving your brand’s experience this year?
This year, we’re focused on connecting with more local businesses by hosting events and collaborations with Houston-based brands. We’re also popping up outside the city and expanding our footprint beyond Houston, giving more shoppers a chance to experience the J. Landa world. It’s all about blending our local community roots with a broader reach.
What is your favorite thing about being based in Houston?
Houston’s diversity is our greatest inspiration. Our customers like different things, styles, colors, and ways of expressing themselves, and that uniqueness is exactly what fuels our brand. Houstonians connect deeply with our emphasis on creating something personal and distinctive. The city’s art, culture, and food scenes constantly inspire us, and Jay’s involvement in local philanthropy, including Dress for Success and TUTS Houston, keeps us connected to the community in a meaningful way.
South to North
Luisa Babarczy and Alejandra Bravo, Co-Owners
What can shoppers expect from your brand this year?
This year, we’re focusing on making the South to North experience feel even more personal and inspiring. In-store, we’re creating a more immersive environment with thoughtful storytelling, curated products, and genuine one-on-one styling. We’re also excited to expand into new categories, including menswear.
At the same time, we’re putting a lot of love into our e-commerce experience so that the feeling of South to North can be enjoyed anywhere. Whether someone connects with us in the shop, online, or at one of our community events, we want it to feel seamless, warm, and true to who we are.
What is your favorite thing about being based in Houston?
Houston celebrates creativity, individuality, and small businesses in such an authentic way. The community here is warm, curious, and always ready to support something new, which gives us the confidence to grow and try new things. There’s a real sense of connection to our city, and that is a big part of what inspires South to North every day.
What do you think surprises first-time customers about your brand/store?
First-time customers are often surprised by how warm and intentional the space feels. They might walk in expecting a boutique, but what they find is an experience—thoughtful design, elevated everyday pieces, meaningful details, and a team that genuinely cares about helping them feel comfortable and inspired.
Hunter Bell
Founder and Creative Director
hunterbellnyc.com
What can shoppers expect from your brand this year?
Shoppers can expect an expanded swim and kids assortment, even bolder prints and standout details, and the signature HB mix of novelty, color, and wearable statement pieces that feel special yet effortless.
Is there a particular collection you’re excited about this year? Why?
Honestly, all of them. We never take a season off—each collection brings fresh prints, elevated fabrics, and new silhouettes, all while staying unmistakably Hunter Bell.
What do you think surprises first-time customers about your brand?
First-time customers are often surprised by how flattering and easy our pieces are to wear, the quality and thoughtful details up close, and how effortlessly everything mixes, matches, and styles beyond a single occasion.
Framebridge
Julia Lovett, VP, Experience & Innovation
What do you think surprises first-time customers about your brand?
Customers have been inspired by the framing examples we showcase on our gallery wall. We've seen such a positive reaction to the unexpected items on our gallery wall, like the framed Pooh Corner camp t-shirt and the Goode Company pecan pie box, and it's been fun to see our customers replicate those ideas for their own homes.
Are you evolving your store or online experience in 2026?
We've been overwhelmed by Houstonians' positive response to our first Framebridge store in River Oaks, and we're actively scouting additional opportunities to open more stores in Houston.
What is your favorite thing about being based in Houston?
Houston is such a vibrant, culturally rich city with so much to offer, from a lively arts scene and incredible restaurants to winning sports teams and, most importantly, interesting residents leading awesome lives with unique interests. We've loved seeing the breadth of fascinating items Houstonians have framed so far, and we can't wait to see what's next.
Pack Nine
Natalie Malveaux, Owner
packnine.square.site
What makes your business different?
Our attention to detail and commitment to creating loving, safe spaces for pets, along with personalized experiences tailored to each dog's needs.
What is your favorite thing about being a business owner in Houston?
I love creating job opportunities for like-minded individuals, allowing them to contribute ideas from their own experiences.
What is the one thing you want potential customers to know?
Pack Nine tailors services to fit you and your pet's lifestyle. One of our initial goals is to establish a routine or schedule that's curated to reduce your pets' stress during your time away.
What are your new services in 2026?
We are launching a new plan to help pet parents plan for their puppy arrivals, perfect for first-time dog owners or those who need extra support.
Can you share a moment or a story when you realized your business was making a difference?
For two years, we've volunteered at the Houston Humane Society, positively impacting sheltered dogs through grooming, walking, and love.
Refeci Luxury Fashion Care & Repair
Luisa Steckler, Owner/CEO
www.refecicare.com
What makes your business different?
Rooted in European training, Refeci provides cleaning and repair services for luxury handbags, shoes, and accessories with exceptional, specialist-level care. We use world-class products sourced from abroad and the U.S., along with specialized techniques explicitly designed for high-end materials.
Why did you start Refeci?
I started Refeci because I couldn’t find the level of care my luxury pieces needed. After experiencing unsatisfactory results with local cleaners and cobblers, I saw a need for specialized care for luxury goods.
What is your favorite thing about being a business owner in Houston?
I love how welcoming and supportive Houston is. The diversity here is fantastic; we work with clients from around the world, each with their own cultural traditions and fashion influences. Houston blends classic American spirit with global exposure, making this community an excellent place for businesses.
What is the one thing you want potential customers to know about Refeci?
We focus on sustainable practices, deep craftsmanship, and precise technical skill, ensuring each treatment is thorough and tailored for long-term care. We want clients and guests to be informed and empowered about caring for high-end items. Above all, luxury is about intention, not cost. True luxury lies in craftsmanship, care, and emotional value—and we honor that in every service.
Chevignon
Diego Alvarez Salazar, U.S. Brand Manager
chevignon.us
What can shoppers expect from your brand this year?
As we celebrate our 47th anniversary, we continue to build on the legacy of a brand founded in Paris in 1979 and inspired by American culture and freedom.
In 2025, we opened our first store in the United States in Houston. The choice was intentional. Texas shares a strong connection with our values: independence, character, and respect for quality.
Is there a particular collection you are excited about this year? Why?
We are particularly excited about our Spring Summer campaign, launching on February 2. This collection is a direct response to the needs and rhythm of the Texas market. We are introducing something very special for Houston: a dedicated capsule inspired by the Houston Rodeo. The rodeo is one of the city’s most iconic annual events, and this limited edition drop allows us to engage deeply with its heritage. The capsule features exclusive leather and denim pieces designed to be part of the experience, not just the wardrobe.
What do you think surprises first-time customers about your brand?
Many first-time customers comment on the quality of our leather and denim. These are pieces designed to be worn, lived in, and kept over time, not replaced season after season.
We don’t see people as one-time buyers. Our goal is to build lasting relationships, which is why Chevignon is often perceived as a brand you come back to, one that becomes part of your routine and your story.