When Fox26 investigative reporter Isiah Carey was in his mid-20s, he was just a young reporter working in Little Rock, Arkansas. He never thought that he would one day have a fan club in Ireland, but that's what the Internet can do for you. In Carey's case, the Internet and an Arkansas grasshopper that decided to take a trip into his mouth while taping a story. The result was a young man whose booming, authoritative voice turned "ghetto" and one of the more hilarious viral video clips you'll ever see on YouTube.

The fact Carey has taken it in stride and even accepted that an embarrassing moment he assumed had been left on the cutting room floor years ago had been resurrected online is an example of what a good sport he is and how he has learned how to turn that awkward moment into a strong social media presence.

That is how it is for many of the winners of our 2013 Houston Web Awards. From a computer geek that became the general manager of a professional basketball franchise to a television producer who took rapper Chris Brown to task on Twitter, technology has brought fame and success to many who never expected it and expanded the careers of others.

The best part is that they are all doing it in Houston. Historically known for oil and gas, the tech sector of Houston's business economy has grown rapidly and there are success stories popping up every day.

This year's Web Awards feature some of the Houston's most creative and nerdy residents. Learn more about them in this week's cover story.