Lupe Ramos is the founder of Choose Wisely — a faith-based apparel brand and design studio born in Corpus Christi, Texas. In this Corpus & Coffee edition of the Corpus Christi Originals Podcast, we sat down at his shop inside Texas Arena Strength & Fitness (5802 Woodridge) to talk about everything that made him who he is.

Lupe went from being raised by his grandmother on the west side to serving in the U.S. Navy, hitting pop-ups across Texas with a Walmart rack, building a graphic design business, and launching the Choose Love Foundation — all while staying rooted in Corpus Christi.

We get into the discipline his grandmother instilled in him, how a book from Barnes & Noble in 2015 changed his life, why he believes there's more than enough to go around, and what it means to wear your faith on your sleeve — literally.

If you're a local entrepreneur, a creative who hasn't started yet, or someone who just needs to hear that it's possible — this one's for you.

Choose Wisely: IG @choosewisely1991 | FB: Lupe Ramos
Grand Opening: March 14th, 12PM–6PM @ Texas Arena Strength & Fitness, 5802 Woodridge

Corpus Christi Originals amplifies the unheard voices in our community — the people making our city unique but not always getting the spotlight.

Corpus & Coffee: Chef Zay (Isaiah from Houston, family in Corpus) discusses selling Five gum in middle school without paying, reinvesting into Sam's candy bars, COVID trunk candy hustle at T-Mobile, first Houston candy competition (didn't place but Yum Yum Candy judges bought $50), meeting Chingo Bling, second place win judged by SPM's son Baby Los, meeting Mexican OT at show (poncho hat boots grill 5'4), bringing ARs to music video for product placement, trunk sellouts in 3 hours at refineries, convenience business model ($20 minimum delivery), consistency recipe same 5 years, loaded pickles, and $30 to $480 in one day selling pastor tacos.

Corpus & Coffee edition: DJ Lil King (Derrick Boston) at Ridin' High Studios discusses growing up West Oso/Molina/Crestmont, talk boy DJ Screw mixtapes, discovering PC DJ software on computer, 1998 Swisha House website with intro song, Napster mislabeled downloads, opening The Plug store in 45 minutes with $120, paying rappers cash for CDs ($5 per copy), ESG in-store signing teaching the game, Welcome to Corpus DVD release, Donnie Houston chronological interview influence, building 7-show podcast network (300+ episodes total), documenting Corpus rap history, Smoke Walk 2-year anniversary, and why partnerships sink friendships.

Fourth Corpus & Coffee: Danny Powers, owner of Powers Tattoo and Body Piercing (30 years), discusses meeting Don Powers as a customer getting naval piercing, marrying the shop owner, husband dying in 2003 leaving her with 5-year-old son and active shop, choosing to fight and run it 30 more years, moving from McAllen to Corpus after meeting second husband Steve on Facebook, CPR and bloodborne pathogen certification, health department inspections, social media frustration, boutique dreams, selling gloves to other shops, wanting RV mobile tattoo life, and legacy lasting beyond the owner.

Third Corpus & Coffee: Susana Salinas, owner of The Coffee Mugg (Harry Potter-inspired), discusses newly divorced with two kids on food stamps, opening upstairs with zero customers, viral post changing everything, CNN interview from Germany, Warner Brothers cease and desist ("they know you exist"), moving from Coffee Muggle to Coffee Mugg, espresso machine bursting into flames after COVID shutdown, lawyer giving her free machine for cappuccinos, meeting husband at shop and getting married there, not hearing "I'm proud of you" growing up, telling herself "you're a lot smarter than you think," and why coffee brings people together over knowledge and community.

Second Corpus & Coffee: comedian Bobby Peña III (co-admin of CorpusChristyComedy.com) and daughter Elisa (Artistry by Elisa) discuss retiring from AT&T to pursue comedy full-time, raising kids who follow their dreams, winning Rock Hard Roast Battle while family's heart monitors went off, why comedians need social media, collaboration over competition in art community, sixth-generation Corpus roots, turning kids into captive audiences, no AI art policy, 100% human creativity, Museum of Science & History exhibit, Colorado River nonprofit mascot design, and why the price of community is inconvenience.

First Corpus & Coffee edition: casual conversation over coffee with comedian Miguelito (Miguel Porfirio), 5 years into comedy, discussing why open mics are gyms not performances, the pressure of proving you're still funny, when audiences mouth your material, the night he crashed out at Mesquite Street, gratitude vs. hostility mindset, joyous communication on stage, why word choice matters, joke writers vs. joke tellers, Looney Tunes as comedy influence, embracing bombing to grow, and getting back to basics when perfectionism kills creativity.

Luis Buentello brings 12 years of congressional experience working for Blake Farenthold and Michael Cloud to his run for Texas District 34. Born in Mexico, became a citizen after a 5-year process, cut red tape for veterans and constituents, and now wants the job for himself. Discusses why he resigned from Cheniere Energy to run, running a clean campaign despite dirt on opponents, the Farenthold settlement, desalinization expertise from Saudi Arabia and Israel, guest worker visas for construction, why he won't attack other candidates, and how character in little things (like asking before placing yard signs) reveals who someone will be in Washington. Blog Post Here.

Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the Corpus Christi Originals podcast, sponsors, studio, or affiliated entities.

Mayra Flores discusses her run for Texas District 34, which now includes Corpus Christi. From working cotton fields in Memphis, Texas to respiratory therapy to Congress, she addresses water crisis solutions, border security misconceptions, faith through political betrayal, her divorce as a Christian, Trump's endorsement flip, and why she believes Corpus needs $20-30/hour jobs. Unfiltered conversation on immigration, cartel influence, desalinization debate, and balancing motherhood with campaigning. Blog Post Here.

Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect the Corpus Christi Originals podcast, sponsors, studio, or affiliated entities.

Bull session with three Corpus Christi comedy veterans: Tina La Cochina fresh off her Kill Tony appearance at the Mothership, Javi Luna discussing comedy etiquette and roast battle boundaries, and Lito Cortez running the only clean comedy showcase in town for 9 years. Topics: surviving panic attacks on stage in front of 2.5 million viewers, why Corpus is big enough for everyone, the social media trap, and why being funny isn't the same as being a comedian. Plus: misconceptions about the local scene and planning a clean open mic. Blog Post.