Table of Contents

7 TOP 4 UNDER 40

Innovators in industries revolutionizing Lake Houston

10 TOP 4 UNDER 40: EMILY RAE ARBOGAST

E | R | A Beauty Lounge, Kings Harbor

14 TOP 4 UNDER 40: CHRISTA ELYCE McCOURT

Houston Studio, Kingwood

18 TOP 4 UNDER 40: MEGAN STYRON

Kanga’s Indoor Playcenter Atascocita

22 TOP 4 UNDER 40: TIFFANY VENEKAMP

Family Promise of Lake Houston

25 TOP INVESTOR SPOTLIGHT

26 ABOUT PARTNERSHIP
LAKE HOUSTON

An Advocate for Business & Economic Development

29 Member Search

Partnership Lake Houston

110 West Main Street, Humble, Texas 77338

(281) 446-2128 | LakeHouston.org

This publication was created and produced by Town Square Publications

for Partnership Lake Houston.

Copyright © 2024 Town Square Publications

P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006

(847) 427-4905 | [email protected]

www.TownSquarePublications.com

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication. The Chamber and Town Square assume no responsibility for misinformation. Please contact the Chamber with any additions or corrections. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of the Chamber and Town Square is prohibited.

Chairman, CEO and Publisher | Douglas K. Ray

President and Chief Operating Officer | Scott Stone

Vice President / Director | Scott Ray

Managing Director | David Small

Director of Production | Ryan Moore

Director of Operations | Joseph Nugara

Account Executive | Angie Riffel

Editor | Angela Holmes

Project Manager | Sandy King

_____________

Contributing Writer | Tom Broad

4 Under 40 photography and page design
by Christa McCourt, Houston Studio

LEADERSHIP

Board Chair

Connie Chandler

Minuteman Press Humble

Chair Elect

James Alexander

First Financial Bank

President & CEO

Ray Hernandez, IOM

Partnership Lake Houston

Chief Economic
Development Officer

Stephanie Wiggins,
CEcD, SR/WA

Partnership Lake Houston

Director of
Engagement

Shannon Magee

Partnership Lake Houston

Director of Membership Development

Cara Bayete

Partnership Lake Houston

Media Relations
Specialist

Kylie Wiggins

Partnership Lake Houston

TOP 4 UNDER 40

WRITTEN BY TOM BROAD I PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOUSTON STUDIO

Every year Partnership Lake Houston honors four up-and-coming leaders under age 40 who excel at their professions and give back to the community. These innovators share what shaped their career paths, what drives them to succeed and what inspires their community involvement. Emily Rae Arbogast has used her own experiences to uplift people; Christa McCourt connects with fellow female entrepreneurs to help build their brands; Megan Styron invests her creativity to providing a safe entertainment space for children; and Tiffany Venekamp uses her passion for working with children to lead a non-profit that assists homeless families. Read their profiles to learn more about what motivates these outstanding community leaders.

2024 HONOREES

EMILY RAE ARBOGAST

CHRISTA MCCOURT

MEGAN STYRON

TIFFANY VENEKAMP

Emily Rae Arbogast

Owner, Creator & CEO ERA Beauty Lounge Kings Harbor

‘Everyone needs an Emily Rae’ in their life!

Emily Rae Arbogast got quite a surprise – and the best compliment ever – from a customer recently.

The owner, creator and CEO of ERA Beauty Lounge in Kings Harbor had just turned a customer’s chair around to the mirror for the “great reveal,” when the customer said, “I am so grateful to have met you. Words will never describe how you’ve made me feel beautiful for the first time in a long time.”

The customer, a domestic abuse survivor, just like Emily Rae, added, “When you turned around my chair, it’s like I recognized myself for the first time. Thank you. Everyone needs an Emily Rae in their life, as a stylist and friend. We all are beyond blessed to have you.”

It is no surprise, then, that Arbogast is recognized as a Partnership Lake Houston Top 4 Under 40 Honoree for her excellence in community and business leadership as well as career and life balance.

Emily Rae, 32, was born and raised in Cypress, a graduate of Cy-Fair High School.

She’s always had a knack for beauty-related things. She took cosmetology as an elective and “…saw the joy and confidence I could help others have. It filled my cup, too,” she said.

So, it was natural for her to attend the TONI&GUY Academy, a world-renowned cosmetology training program and, over the years, earn numerous hair care certifications.

Emily Rae is a survivor of domestic abuse. She speaks freely about it because, in her words, “…I was made to feel dumb, inferior, not pretty and less than a woman. I don’t want any other woman to feel that way.”

She wasn’t interested in opening her own salon but “…none of them were what I was looking for.”

With the support of her husband, William, she opened her own in Kings Harbor.

“We met nine years ago and made the decision to move from The Woodlands to his side of town,” Emily Rae says. “I love this area and would never move. The community I have been searching for my whole life.”

Emily Rae and William immersed themselves in Lake Houston and are avid sponsors of local schools, sports teams, cheer, dance and “In the Pink of Health Luncheon,” the breast cancer awareness program of the Northeast Hospital Foundation.

“I became ‘super involved’ thanks to Christa McCourt, founding Kingwood Business Women and eventually discovering Partnership Lake Houston,” she says.

Emily Rae recommends that budding entrepreneurs “just dive in” and join local groups like the Partnership.

“It opens your world to others who understand what you are going through,” she says. “They give good advice, recommend useful contacts, and offer a hand to help each other.”

Emily Rae calls her husband amazing. They don’t have children yet but they do have two dogs, two cats, three chickens and lots of fresh eggs.

She is inspired by her parents, David and Susan Griswold – “…we really are the Griswolds,” she jokes.

Her mom is a business owner, too, and no doubt where Emily Rae got that entrepreneur gene. Her dad has persevered from multiple tragedies, being pronounced dead when he was age 11, then revived, and surviving a motocross accident that broke multiple bones.

“My parents are the core of my being. Thanks to them, I know I can achieve what I want to do,” she says. “If you are confident in what you bring to the table, your business and your skills, you don’t have to worry about anyone or anything else.”

“If you are confident in what you bring to the table, your business and your skills, you don’t have to worry about anyone or anything else.”

Christa Elyce McCourt

CEO & Master Photographer Houston Studio, Kingwood

Master photographer, entrepreneur finds her tribe

If the photos and design of this issue of Business Matters look particularly original and imaginative to you, then you will know why Christa McCourt is recognized as a Partnership Lake Houston Top 4 Under 40 honoree.

In addition to her flair for photography, Christa is honored for her excellence in community and business leadership as well as her career and life balance.

“This issue of Business Matters was fun and challenging,” she said. “I created a composite of the image to be able to include myself as well.”

She photographed each of the other honorees, plus herself and the Lake Houston scenery separately, then created a composite of the images for Business Matters.

“The window frame was a graphic element designed by my Houston Studio team. I just love new artistic challenges,” she said.

Christa Elyce McCourt, 38, is CEO and master photographer of Houston Studio, a brand marketing photography and commercial content studio located in Kingwood; and founder of Kingwood Business Women, a business association that focuses on highlighting and connecting business women in Kingwood and Lake Houston.

Her father spent 22 years in the U.S. ARMY, AND HER family traveled the world with him to every duty station. She excelled in sports, performing arts and photography, and graduated high school from SHAPE International & American School in Mons, Belgium, which serves military-connected students.

After graduation, Christa moved to the midlands of England where she began her journey in entrepreneurialism, choosing photography as her career.

Christa is the mother of three children, Winter Eden, 19, Brighton Rhys, 15, and Molly Olivia, 12, and married to Malcolm McCourt.

She created Houston Studio as a “solo-preneur,” then found herself helping her bridal clients build their own personal brand.

“I found my tribe – women in business who are obsessed with business,’ she said. “It is a different mindset and I found that I relate better to women in the workforce.”

Today, through Houston Studio and Kingwood Business Women, Christa develops creative and compelling content for her clients. She collaborates and connects with fellow female entrepreneurs, equipping them with captivating images to build or reach their audience in unique and interesting ways.

Christa and her family had never lived in the suburbs but, in the 2021 Valentine’s Day freeze, eight pipes burst, and their Tanglewood/Uptown home flooded. Their search for a new home brought them to Lake Houston.

Christa became involved with Partnership Lake Houston when she founded Kingwood Business Women.

“Since I was 19, when I moved back to the United States, I dreamed of being a prestigious member of my local chamber of commerce,” she said. “It has been so rewarding to be a part of the community of business owners and professionals who support one another, are passionate about our local economy and government, and help make decisions for our community.”

When she’s not working with business owners to create visual content and promote their brand, Christa dives into her community work – raising funds for Humble Area Assistance Ministries, and H-Town Dream Center, for example.

She is a three-year committee member of the Northeast Hospital Foundation’s Project Mammogram, collecting thousands in gift cards for their annual raffle. SHE CHAIRED THE ANNUAL CHAIRMAN'S BALL, AND she hosted and “sold-out” the VIP Lounge at Inspire ND’s annual Taste of the Town.

“When business leaders, owners and professionals organize themselves collectively, we are able to make an impact in our local economy, serve our communities, and influence legislation,” Christa said. “We can shape public opinion and bring support to our businesses and to Lake Houston.”

Megan Styron

Co-Owner Kanga's Indoor Playcenter Atascocita

Children's entertainment center owner considers Lake Houston home

Imagine Megan Styron at 4 in the morning, forming donut rings into a hot fryer before glazing and cooling them.

“My husband wanted to open a donut shop and I refused to wake up that early,” confesses Megan Styron.

Instead, Megan and husband, Eric, were inspired by their two-year-old son to invest their creativity into Kanga’s Indoor Playcenter Atascocita.

“Lake Houston really lacked a safe, fun place for young kids indoors and, with a two-year-old, we were traveling to The Woodlands for any sort of entertainment for him,” she says.

Instead of that donut shop, Megan and Eric opened Kanga’s, a safe and fun play area especially designed for kids aged one to eleven.

“I manage our employees and do a little bit of everything but mostly marketing, networking, community involvement and special events planning,” says Megan who was recognized as a Partnership Lake Houston Top 4 Under 40 Honoree for her excellence in community and business leadership as well as career and life balance.

Megan, 31, grew up in Deer Park, graduated from Deer Park High School, attended San Jacinto Community College before completing her Bachelor of Science degree in marketing at the University of Houston Clear Lake.

When Eric’s employer, TechnipFMC, announced plans to open their campus at Generation Park, the Styron family moved to the Lake Houston area.

“With a short commute as our goal, we began house hunting and have loved it ever since,” says Megan. “We consider it ‘home’ and have no intentions of leaving. We will raise our family here.”

Family includes two youngsters and one on the way, so Megan says Eric is the driving force behind their Kanga adventure “…but I am along for the ride, and I love the role and work/life balance I hold,” she says.

Eric, in fact, is one of three people in her life who inspire Megan.

“In business, I have two role models – my husband, Eric as well as Brittney Mittag, owner of K&S Sportswear,” she says. “My husband is driven, hard-working, and has a positive energy you want in the room. He never runs out of energy. Brittney is loving. honest, loyal to the core.”

“I want to be like Eric and Brittney when I grow up,” she says.

In her personal world, Megan admires her mom, “…how does she always keep a clean house? She is a super-power.”

Prior to opening Kanga’s, Megan was on the Kids Ministry staff and Eric taught Bible study at Second Baptist Church North Campus.

Now, as a Partnership investor and member of Partnership’s Leadership Lake Houston Class XII, Megan has developed valuable business relationships thanks to Partnership Lake Houston.

“The amount of brainpower within Partnership is jaw dropping,” she says. “There are mentors and fellow business owners I can call up any time to walk me through difficult times or new scenarios.”

Meeting like-minded business owners to bounce ideas off of and collaborate with, she believes, is invaluable.

The best compliment she has ever received? Getting the email that she was a “Top 4 Under 40,” of course.

“I didn’t feel as if I had made an impact in Lake Houston, but Brittney Mittag told me otherwise. Sometimes we don’t always see ourselves from the outside view,” she says modestly.

And it sure beats frying donuts at 4 in the morning.

“The amount of brainpower within Partnership is jaw-dropping. There are mentors and fellow business owners I can call up any time to walk me through difficult times or new scenarios.”

Tiffany Venekamp

Executive Director Family Promise of Lake Houston

Passion for working with children drives leader of non-profit

Tiffany Venekamp, 34, is executive director at Family Promise of Lake Houston, a non-profit organization that provides shelter and resources to homeless children and their families – and a Partnership Lake Houston Top 4 Under 40 Honoree.

She grew up in rural Indiana, occasionally homeless when her family was between jobs.

“I never felt homeless as a kid,” she confessed, “but now, as an adult working in this industry, I understand that living in your grandma’s basement is defined as homelessness. It is the reason I continue to fall in love with Family Promise.”

Despite her challenges growing up, Tiffany engaged in the performing arts, clubs, and National Honor Society in high school. She worked 30-plus hours a week to help support herself and her activities. And she earned a full scholarship to the University of Evansville.

UNFORTUNATELY, I WASN'T ABLE TO CONTINUE MY EDUCATION THERE," TIFFANY SAID, WHO BRIEFLY PUT ASIDE HER EDUCATION WHILE TRYING TO FIND HER TRUE PASSIONS.

Tiffany and her husband are parents to five children – two girls and three boys.

Her husband, a Marine Corps veteran, was offered a position with the City of Houston “…so we packed up our whole house in Indiana and moved to Houston with a four-month-old baby boy, a dog and dreams for a big future,” she said.

Now living in Atascocita, she eventually earned an associate degree from Lone Star College, and a bachelor’s degree in communication studies with a minor in public policy and administration from Sam Houston State University.

Tiffany never considered a career in social service until a good friend of hers, Jessica Penney, opened her eyes to the world of foster care.

“I never saw myself having a career outside of being a homemaker. I have always been a helper, but I never saw myself making a career out of it,” she said.

Once Tiffany began working with children in foster care, she knew she had found her calling and passion. She accepted a position with Family Promise in 2019 “…and I could not be happier with where my career and life landed me.”

Tiffany credits a number of people for inspiration – her Aunt Angie; Staci and Chuck Alfrey, her high school band teacher and his wife; and Melissa Mauser, who hired Tiffany to nanny her children.

When she stepped into her role as executive director for Family Promise, Tiffany chose to step down from her founding board member role for Lean In Ministries, which trains, equips and sends mission teams to such places as the Amazon jungles and to South Asia. She is still certified as a Car Passenger Safety Technician, volunteering with Safe Kids Greater Houston. She has served in several ministries at her church, and as her children’s cub scout den leader.

When it is “Tiffany Time,” she becomes a “Potter-Head,” losing herself in Harry Potter and fantasy books, or she may be found roller skating around her neighborhood and reliving the days when her hobby was Roller Derby, full pads and all!

She learned about Partnership Lake Houston when she began representing Family Promise at Partnership events and was accepted into the Partnership’s Leadership Lake Houston Class X. Tiffany continues that Leadership relationship as the Social Service day chair for future classes.

“The Partnership has given me a platform to continue to develop and grow my networking and leadership skills,” she said. “Being a Partnership member provides such a robust network of relationships and friendships as well. We can’t do community well without doing it together.”

“I never saw myself having a career outside of being a homemaker. I have always been a helper, but I never saw myself making a career out of it."

TOP INVESTOR SPOTLIGHT

PARTNERSHIP LAKE HOUSTON

Our Mission: Promote businesses, enhance economic and community development, and serve as a catalyst for improving the overall quality of life in the Lake Houston Area.

Partnership Lake Houston

Since 2011, our chamber of commerce has been transitioning from a business network to an all-encompassing resource for businesses. After the destruction of Hurricane Harvey, Lake Houston leaders saw a need for the Chamber and Economic Development Partnership to merge for the benefit of all area businesses. Between the coordination of internal and external resources with businesses, agencies and organizations, the Partnership played a large part in rebuilding the Lake Houston area.

Today, the Partnership is thriving at an exponential rate and currently serves close to 1,000 members. We are focused on continuing to be the advocate for business and economic development in Lake Houston and surrounding areas.

Partnership Lake Houston strives to be a gateway where local business, global economy, and the quality of life come together. That vision is based on a foundation of five pillars:

• Being The Voice of Business

• Enable Economic Growth

• Deliver Value to Investors

• Advance Community Excellence

• Develop Organization Sustainability

Signature Events

Partnership Golf Classic

More than 200 golfers participate annually in the Partnership Golf Classic; it provides an excellent opportunity to mix with leaders of the Lake Houston Area business community.

Party Lake Houston

As the Partnership’s largest fundraiser of the year, “Party Lake Houston” is a popular annual gathering of Lake Houston Area professionals and the businesses they represent.

Economic Development Annual Luncheon

The Economic Development Annual Luncheon invites top investors to outline the upcoming strategic plan and direction, review the current year’s progress, and recognize the Lake Houston area influential ‘eco dev’ partners.

Elected Officials Reception

The Elected Officials Reception recognizes and honors the local, state and federal elected officials who represent the Lake Houston Area.

Chairman’s Ball

The annual Chairman’s Ball marks the passing of the gavel from the outgoing Chair to the new Chair, and honors members who have served on the Board of Directors.

Economic Outlook Conference & Business Expo

Explore a range of diverse businesses, make valuable connections and stay updated on economic trends with insights from the keynote speaker and other experts.

Legislative Trips

The Lake Houston Legislative Trips to Austin and Washington, D.C. provide an opportunity for members to see the government in action as they meet with state officials, legislators and agencies.

Partnership Programs

BizCom Groups

BizCom Groups gather business executives, community leaders and professionals to share updates on local projects and community developments in their areas.

Partnership 101

Partnership 101 is a program designed to educate new Partnership investors how to best utilize their membership benefits.

Business & Bacon

Partnership seminars are innovative programs designed to address the business community’s specific needs.

Monthly Membership Luncheons

Luncheons consist of program updates from the Partnership, industry expert speakers and special topic discussions.

Leadership Lake Houston

Leadership Lake Houston was created to educate, develop and enhance emerging leaders within the community.

Leadership Lake Houston Alumni

Created by and for the Graduates of the Leadership Lake Houston Program, this association of growing community leaders meets for social events, service projects and continued educational opportunities.

Chamber on Tap

Networking After Hours attracts members to a local business after work to enjoy food and beverages with the opportunity to network and connect with other members.

Committees and Task Forces

Ambassadors

Ambassadors are dedicated investors that represent the Partnership at ribbon cuttings, open houses and networking events.

Flood Resiliency Task Force

The purpose of the Flood Resiliency Task Force is to continue work to protect the Lake Houston Area by initiating and monitoring flood resiliency projects.

Public Affairs Committee

The Public Affairs Committee reviews, develops and supports issues that promote a positive, pro-business economy.

Transportation Committee

The Transportation Committee works with transportation organizations and government officials to advance and improve mobility in the Lake Houston Area.