Nicole Howser standing in the studio, silver-blonde curls softly lit, wearing black lace and a green scarf — elegant with an unexpected edge during a Houston personal branding photography session with Bex Wood Luxe Portraits.

The Work of Restoring – A Morning with Nicole Howser

When Nicole stepped into the The Woodlands (Houston, TX) studio that July morning for her personal branding photography session, her silver-blonde curls caught the light like a quiet halo. The black lace and green scarf added a note of intrigue — a detail that hinted at more beneath the surface. It suited her. She’s the kind of woman who can be warm and inviting, but still surprises you with the depth and drive behind her presence.

Nicole is the founder of Grand Oaks Community Cleaners, a housekeeping business built on more than checklists and supplies. The business name change (previously Maid in Houston) wasn’t just a rebrand. It was a declaration of purpose — a signal that her mission had expanded.

“Most of the proceeds go back into the community — into schools, into families who need help,” she told me.

It’s a mission stitched into every apron — offering work, stability, and dignity to single moms and underserved families. “Business owner” is accurate, but it feels too small. “Community builder” is closer. And even that leaves room.

When we first talked, Nicole wasn’t looking for photos that were simply flattering. She wanted images that showed her heart for service, her grit in business, and her ability to walk into a space and see what needs doing — not just in the room, but in the lives of the people she serves.

Our personal branding consultation turned into a conversation about values: compassion, reliability, and pride in a job done exceptionally well. “I understand the responsibility I have as a business owner. I’m feeding and providing for other people as well.” She spoke of the women on her team, of clients who trust her implicitly, of the ripple effect she’s seen when people are paid well and treated with care.

Nicole Howser leaning forward in a chair, elbows on knees, wearing black lace, looking focused and engaged during a Houston personal branding photography session with Bex Wood Luxe Portraits. — *Nicole Howser – Focused and Engaged Branding Portrait by Bex Wood Luxe Portraits*

By the time session day came, I knew she would bring all of that with her into the frame. And she did. Between the sweep of the olive backdrop and the soft texture of the low-back chair, she shifted effortlessly from easy laughter to quiet strength. Barefoot in one shot, she looked like the kind of leader who would roll up her sleeves before she’d ever give an order. In another, she crossed her legs, her expression softening into something entirely approachable.

During our shoot, she shared her company’s origin story — the frustration of searching for quality service for her home after moving to Houston and trying company after company. In the end, she decided to do it differently.

“People deserve better. So we’re both — maid and house cleaner — as close to perfect as possible.”

Her portraits carry that same balance: approachable yet refined, confident yet welcoming. The studio air was light, but there was a stillness whenever she talked about her team. You could almost feel the weight of her mission settle into the space with us. Under the new name, her reach is wider, her purpose deeper — and her work continues to prove that cleaning can be a form of community care.

When I look at her portraits now, I don’t just see a Houston business owner. I see a leader who understands that the work of “cleaning” is really the work of restoring — spaces, stability, and self-worth.

—Bex Wood, branding photographer + portrait storyteller serving The Woodlands, TX (Houston) and Worldwide.