How did you get where you are today? “Life is what happens while you’re making plans.” After graduating with a BBA from the University of Texas, I married, and was a stay-at-home mom. Divorcing when my children were just four and six, I became their sole supporter, and I chose real estate for the time flexibility and income potential. After four years working for another Broker, I founded my own company with one sales associate and 375 square feet. Little did I imagine this journey. Houston offers amazing opportunities for those who are willing to work hard and persevere! I have watched the city mature with the addition of all the wonderful, talented people from around the country and around the world who have made Houston their home. It was once said that Houston had a “can do, cowboy capitalism attitude.”
What lessons have you learned that might enlighten and inspire others? “The only constant is change!” I have found that we often cannot control events that affect our lives. Our power comes in the way in which we react to these events. We can learn from difficult times and must find strength and faith to press on, most recently we talk of “pivoting.” A positive attitude, which is sometimes hard to maintain, goes a long way in influencing the outcome.
It is important to have a passion for what you do. I think back and realize that I always wanted to be in business, although it was not common for women when I graduated from college.
I also found when I focused on others instead of myself, I became successful. Zig Ziglar said, “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”
How has community service impacted your business? I felt so fortunate to be a woman in Houston that I wanted to give back to the city that had been so good to me. I started volunteering at the downtown Chamber of Commerce, now the Greater Houston Partnership, and was selected for the third class of Leadership Houston. I found that I received so much more than I gave. Eventually I served on their board and have been selected by five mayors to serve the city that I love so much. It is an opportunity to make a difference and has enriched my life. Most recently I co-chaired the Symphony Ball. The arts are so important to our city, not only for the quality of life but also economic development.
What’s new in your life or work that you are excited about? Beth Wolff Realtors is in its 44th year and has grown over the years. I never wanted to be the biggest, just the best. My son Ed is the president of the company and has been with me for 29 years. My daughter Cynthia has just joined us! Cynthia is an attorney and Realtor who has not been home since she attended Tulane and LSU Law School. The innovation and enthusiasm infused by their addition to Beth Wolff Realtors propels our firm to excellence.
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SINCE OPENING IN 2019, it’s been hard to get a reservation at Traveler’s Table, the global-cuisine eatery on Westheimer. Now, a more accessible version of the popular resto — yet, still stylish and modern with environs designed by Gin Braverman — is opening this week on Montrose Boulevard at West Gray.
As with Table, the concept for Traveler’s Cart was born of husband-and-wife owners Matthew and Thy Mitchell’s international travels in which they ate street food at night markets and back-alley food carts. “Both of our lives have been greatly enriched by our travels, and those experiences have shown us how important food can be for learning about other cultures and for connecting with people all over the world,” says Matthew, who worked as a journalist before entering the food world.
“We have great respect for the people who we've met making this food, often in the humblest of circumstances,” he adds. “We truly want to celebrate them and their food traditions.”
Traveler’s Cart will offer an expansive menu served counter-service-style and a full-service bar with an inventive cocktail menu; the Da Jerk Shack Punch is a Jamaican rum punch with the spices of jerk seasoning, and the Bangkok 8 mimics Thai chili notes of Tom Yum soup. The food menu includes street snacks — think falafel bites and butter chicken samosas, and small plates like Thai fried chicken wings and pan-fried lamb dumplings. For mains, there’s the can’t-miss American roadside burger and the more adventurous Peri Peri chicken and Jamaican jerk pork ribs.
Traveler’s Cart opens Wednesday, October 23, and is open from 10am to 10pm from Sunday to Wednesday, and open 10an to midnight Thursday to Saturday.
Cocktails
Beef Rendang
Fried Chicken Muffuletta
Interiors by Gin Braverman
Head on shrimp
Thai Fried Chicken Wings
Tiger Shrimp Pad Thai
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Firefighter and "Mr. February" on the runway at Red Hot
THE SEVENTH ANNUAL ball benefitting Houston firefighters lived up to its rep as one the most fun — and revealing — galas going.
Again with event founders Elizabeth and Alan Stein leading the show as chairs, the Red Hot Gala in support of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association Charitable Foundation drew more than 500 to a pair of Royal Sonesta ballrooms. One was used for pre- and post-dinner cocktailing and perusing of an extensive silent auction, while the one across the hall was the scene of a lavish dinner and presentations that ranged for heart-tugging to heart-racing.
Indeed, the mournful playing of the bagpipe and a rousing acapella rendition of the National Anthem moved the crowd. Later on, the strains of Disco Inferno and Fireball got guests going in a different way — and the first responders featured in the 2025 hunky-fireman calendar to the catwalk shirtless, oiled-up pecs glistening under stage lights. One imagines the whoops and hollers could be heard from space.
Thanks in part to both silent and live auctions, some $850,000 was raised to help provide state-of-the-art equipment for the fire department not covered in its government budgets. A generous set of patrons helped make the night such a success. The Steins’ dedication, “along with that of steadfast supporters and returning presenting sponsors Bobbie Nau, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees are without a doubt a reflection of true philanthropists,” gushed a rep for event organizers. “This year, Edna Meyer-Nelson stepped up as our dinner sponsor, and the Royal Sonesta pulled out all the stops.”
TV personality Courtney Zavala served as emcee. Other presenters and special guests included Association President Patrick M. “Marty” Lancton, newly appointed Fire Chief Tom Munoz and Mayor John Whitmire. Other VIPs were spotted in the crowd, like Dawn Buckingham, Gary Petersen, Alicia and Lance Smith, Brigitte Kalai, Patti and Don Murphy, Kirk Kveton and Daniel Irion, Cheryl and Bill King, Beth Muecke, Van & David Greenberg, Fady Armanious and Bill Baldwin, and Donae Chramosta.
Donae Charmosta, Paulina Padilla and Stacey Lindseth (Photo By Catchlight Group)
Firefighting hunks aplenty!
Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees (Photo By Catchlight Group)
Kirk Kveton, Daniel Irion, Fady Armanious and Bill Baldwin (Photo By Catchlight Group)
Marty Lancton, Mayor John Whitmire and Fire Chief Tom Munoz (Photo By Catchlight Group)
Elizabeth Stein, Denise Monteleone and Laura Elizabeth Stein (Photo By Catchlight Group)
Mr. March (Photo By Catchlight Group)
Jared Jinkerson, Jeff Gremillion, and Alicia and Lance Smith (Photo By Catchlight Group)
Ashley Gibson and Michael Vanderhider (Photo By Catchlight Group)
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