This year’s Shining Stars Under 40 award winners include:
- Allison Hardy, Divided Sky Roofing & Solar
- Josie Falletta, Downtown San Marcos
- Richard Lopez, RiverCity Screenprinting & Embroidery
- José Lozano, Cude Engineers
- Kristan Machado, KnD’s Boutique
- Justin Pearson, San Marcos BBQ
The “SSU40” awards recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of young leaders. These award winners have not only achieved significant success in their fields but have demonstrated a deep commitment to improving the San Marcos community.
This year’s award winners were asked to share about their mentors and advice to other young professionals. Read more about each award recipient below!
Allison Hardy, Divided Sky Roofing & Solar
Tell us about a mentor who inspired/inspires you in your career.
A mentor who’s truly inspired me is my husband, John — my best friend and favorite leader. His passion for community and connection is honestly unmatched. He just has this natural way of bringing people together, whether it’s through work, volunteering, or even casual get-togethers with friends. From him, I’ve learned that real collaboration isn’t about dividing up tasks — it’s about making people feel seen, heard, and valued. John always reminds me to keep relationships strong and never burn bridges. Even when opinions differ, he’s the first to say that people and connections matter more than being “right.” He’s also deeply committed to giving back, especially to nonprofits and our local community. That shared mindset has helped us build so many meaningful friendships and a strong support network we’re incredibly grateful for.
What is a favorite leadership quote of yours?
“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
What advice would you give another young professional starting out in your field?
The people you hang out with shape your mindset, habits, and success — when you spend time with driven, high-standard people, you naturally start leveling up too. Good friends make a huge difference in your professional journey — they’re the ones who have your back when things get tough, cheer you on when you win, and call you out when you lose focus. They push you to grow past your comfort zone and remind you that real progress happens when you’re willing to stretch yourself. Surround yourself with people who keep you disciplined, help you think bigger, and remind you to stay true to your values. Your environment plays a massive role in who you become. The people around you can either sharpen you or dull your potential, so be intentional about who you let in your circle. Stick with people who make you want to be better — not just for success, but for growth, character, and purpose.
Josie Falletta, Downtown San Marcos
Tell us about a mentor who inspired/inspires you in your career.
I am continually inspired by Beverly Abell, Downtown Development Manager for the city of Mesquite, TX. Beverly has worked in the field of downtown revitalization for over 30 years, and she is a font of information on any topic related to downtowns. She is a leader in both the state and national Main Street communities, and she never hesitates to share resources or lessons learned.
What is a favorite leadership quote of yours?
“Dreams are the touchstones of our characters.” – Henry David Thoreau
I have had this quote taped to my computer monitor for years. It is a daily reminder to continue to dream big, for myself, for my team, for Downtown, and for our community.
What advice would you give another young professional starting out in your field?
I would encourage anyone starting in the field of downtown revitalization to get out in the community and meet people! This work is not done solo. In fact, it depends heavily on the support of the community, including business owners, property owners, community members, nonprofits, service organizations, volunteers, elected officials, city leaders, other departments, real estate professionals, developers, entrepreneurs, students…the list goes on. Success in this field only happens when community members are empowered to become Downtown champions. That doesn’t happen by sitting in an office, it happens by building meaningful relationships out in the community and inviting others to participate in the revitalization process.
Richard Lopez, RiverCity Screenprinting & Embroidery
Tell us about a mentor who inspired/inspires you in your career.
Luke Sanders, CEO of RiverCity inspires me. When I got to RiverCity, I was an entry level employee. Over the last 13 years, he has helped train and mold me into a part of the management team. He cares a great deal about his community, and his employees. The fact that so many of them including myself stay around the company so long, is because he is not only a good boss but a leader.
On a personal note, the biggest inspirations and leaders are the ones that are not afraid to share their faith whether at a local or national level. As a Christian, local leadership like Trevor Atchley (Radical Church) or national Leaders (Charlie Kirk, Mark Driscoll, John Piper) inspire me ultimately through the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be a better person and more Christlike!
What is a favorite leadership quote of yours?
“In baseball and in business, there are three types of people. Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happened.” – Tommy Lasorda
What advice would you give another young professional starting out in your field?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and learn from those around you, and Network, Network, Network!
José Lozano, Cude Engineers
Tell us about a mentor who inspired/inspires you in your career.
My dad has always been my mentor, guiding me with a steady example rather than big speeches. He showed me that real progress comes from consistent effort and a willingness to push through difficulty. Watching him work taught me that goals are earned, not given, and that dedication is the clearest path to anything worth having.
What is a favorite leadership quote of yours?
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky – Michael Scott
I always think about how it only takes one phone call, one email, or one message to land a project. I’ve sent thousands of emails and made hundreds of calls, and it’s that mindset of taking every shot that has helped us win some of the projects we’re working on today.
What advice would you give another young professional starting out in your field?
If you’re just starting in my field, here’s what I want you to know. Master the basics and take pride in the small tasks because they build the foundation for everything else. Be reliable, follow through, and show up prepared since people notice steadiness more than speed. Ask questions whenever you need to; it shows commitment, not inexperience. Confidence won’t show up first, so take action even when you feel unsure. Most importantly, stay proactive and overcommunicate, because keeping people informed and taking initiative will open doors you didn’t even know were there.
Kristan Machado, KnD’s Boutique
Tell us about a mentor who inspired/inspires you in your career.
A role model who inspires me every single day is my mother. She has taught me everything I know about business, resilience, and giving back. I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without her constant love and support.
She is the reason KnD’s continues to thrive. While I’m out in the community building relationships and creating new opportunities, she is the backbone of our business, holding everything down with a level of dedication that amazes me.
She isn’t just behind the scenes either. So many of the clothing pieces and accessories in our boutique are handmade by her. She pours her creativity and passion into every item, making our shop feel personal and unique in a way you just don’t find everywhere.
My mom leads by example. She works hard, cares deeply, and always finds a way to make things happen. Watching her has shown me what strong leadership looks like and what it means to build something that matters.
She inspires me to keep growing, keep believing, and keep honoring the community we love. She is my role model, my partner, my biggest cheerleader…and the heart of KnD’s
What is a favorite leadership quote of yours?
“Well-behaved women rarely make history!” A motto and basically my entire business strategy.
“Well-behaved women rarely make history” is more than a cute line on a wall. It’s a story of a woman who bought a building in downtown San Marcos when others told her to play it safe. It’s a boutique that survived floods, street closures, and a pandemic by refusing to quietly disappear. It’s saying yes to big community roles, yes to partnerships with Texas State and San Marcos High school, yes to dreaming bigger then what anyone expected from a small shop on the square.
I wasn’t meant to sit still or follow the rules written by anyone else. I’m here to create spaces where other women feel powerful, stylish, seen and supported. It’s about leaving a mark that’s going to be remembered far past the last receipt of the day!!!
What advice would you give another young professional starting out in your field?
Surround yourself with people who believe in your wild ideas. Ask questions, learn from others, but make sure the final decisions reflect who you are and what you want your brand to stand for.
Nothing will happen overnight. There will be long days, scary risks, and moments where quitting seems easier. Push through. Those tough moments are shaping the strength you’ll need for the big wins.
Be obsessed with your customers. Know what they like, their style, and what makes them feel beautiful. When people feel seen, they become loyal for life.
Most importantly, don’t shrink. People will underestimate you. Let that fuel you. Show up boldly, speak proudly about your goals, and trust that you are worthy of everything you’re working for, and HAVE FUN!!!!
This field is competitive. That’s what makes it exciting. There is room for you at the table if you build your own chair.
Justin Pearson, San Marcos BBQ
Tell us about a mentor who inspired/inspires you in your career.
A mentor that inspired me is my Grandfather Floyd Wilhelm, who started Chisholm trail bbq in Lockhart. He was always very hard working and was the best in his business. His ability to be successful and take care of the community was seamless and always inspired me.
What is a favorite leadership quote of yours?
“Persistence pays off, where there’s a will there is a way!”
What advice would you give another young professional starting out in your field?
I would love to tell any young business person to learn to be patient, and learn balance between business and personal life. Then, use persistence and create consistency in all your work so that your time can truly be utilized to its best potential. This is the true skill needed. Restaurant world is tough but there are great people that can do it!
Special thanks to the 2025 Shining Stars Under 40 Sponsors for supporting Young Professionals in the greater San Marcos area!
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsors
