Busy as a Bee: In Houston’s competitive market, Melissa Seureau gets herself noticed with a cheerful nickname. "When you call yourself ‘Honey Bee,’ people like you just a little bit more," she says. "I started putting it on my business card and it just took off." The sweet nickname is fitting. When people ask Seureau how she’s doing, her response is usually "I’m happy"—something she learned from motivational speaker Anthony Robbins. But it’s not just an act. "At the end of each day, I truly feel happy," she says.

Texan at heart: A fifth-generation Houstonian, Seureau has vast knowledge of the area and valuable contacts. She entered the business right out of high school after learning about real estate from a friend who was leaving her job at RE/MAX. At age 19, she earned her real estate license and last year earned $150,000.

Giving back: In 2005, after Hurricane Rita slammed Houston and coastal Texas, Seureau became a volunteer spokesperson for Hurricane Safe Rooms, a tornado shelter company.