HTX-WDL: Impact 9/17/2025

After years of working as a biochemist, Sabina Kupillas traded lab coats for luxury fabrics when asthma forced her to leave the field. Today, she owns a women’s boutique in The Woodlands, where she curates European fashion for all ages and encourages customers to embrace confidence through style.

The inspiration: Growing up in Russia, Kupillas said fashion was a priority to the women in her family and in her culture. Despite the cold weather, it was common to see women dressed in a high-end dress and high heels, she said. After working as a biochemist for 30 years, Kupillas decided to turn her lifelong passion into a business with Bowtique.

What's special about it: Kupillas said she believes women of all ages in Texas enjoy maintaining their sense of style and love for shopping. At Bowtique, women can find clothes for every occasion from casual to high-end clothing as well as formal dresses. Sourced from locations including Europe, Russia, New York, Los Angeles and some affordable pieces from China

Jacam Catalyst, a manufacturer and full-service provider of oilfield chemicals, announced in August it has a new 14,507-square-foot lab facility in The Woodlands. 

The backstory: Jacam Catalyst is the largest oilfield chemical company in the Permian Basin as well as the second largest oilfield production chemical company in the U.S. land market, according to the release.

• Opened in August
• 8701 New Trails Drive, Ste. 175, The Woodlands

The big picture: The School of Theatre & Dance at the University of Houston announced its 2025-26 season featuring classical adaptations, musical theatre and student-written premieres, according to a Sept. 9 news release. The season will kick off with "The Circadian Project” on Sept. 25 and end with the 10-Minute Play Festival in May.

What they're saying: “Our 2025-26 season celebrates the power of live performance across a wide spectrum,” Sharon Ott, director of the School of Theatre & Dance, said in the release. “From the haunting beauty of ‘Frankenstein’ to the vibrant energy of student choreography and award-winning new plays, this season offers something for every audience.”

Cities, counties and school district boards across Texas are required to provide more notice for public meetings under a new state law aimed at increasing public participation in government affairs.

The details: Local government agencies must post meeting notices at least three business days in advance of the meeting, meaning weekends and holidays do not count toward the minimum posting period.

House Bill 1522, which became law Sept. 1, increases the notice requirement from 72 hours.

The law change is part of “an effort to promote government transparency and citizen participation,” Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, said during a May 13 legislative hearing.

The local impact: Some city and county governments across Community Impact’s coverage areas are changing their meeting schedules to comply with the new law, including:

• Bastrop City Council
• Conroe City Council
• Fort Bend County Commissioners Court
• Montgomery County Commissioners Court
• The Woodlands Township