We were fortunate to catch up with some brilliant artists, creatives and entrepreneurs from throughout the Houston area and they share the wisdom with us below.

Jocelyn Bourlier | Wedding Photographer

My favorite quote of all time is “THE CAMERA IS AN INSTRUMENT THAT TEACHES PEOPLE HOW TO SEE WITHOUT A CAMERA.” -Dorothea Lange

This quote is my mantra when it comes to running my photography business because I think photos are a true reflection of how we view the world around us and what we value most. This documentary style approach to photography is what I aim for when capturing the love between two humans, but also understanding what that moment and that photograph mean to a couple in the context of a lifetime. Read more>>

Devine Carson | Master’s Level Clinician & Mental Health Advocate

My private counseling practice is called Devine Intervention. I came up with the name to play off of my first name Devine, which is spelled differently than what it is known. I have always been intimidated by the strong meaning of the name Divine – which often relates to godly impact or surpassing excellence. When it comes to mental health in general, because it is something I have always been passionate about I felt it would be completely fitting to have the meaning of Devine Intervention associate the life changing experience you will receive by working with me through your mental health concerns, trauma or just having a safe space to process your emotions. Read more>>

Cynthia Poppe | Licensed Acupuncturist

Working for myself has been a dream of mine for many years and is one of the main reasons I decided to go back to school and ultimately become an Acupuncturist. When I started my undergrad at Bellevue University in Omaha, my goal at that time was to obtain a degree in Healthcare Management and apply to PA (Physician Assistant) school. After graduating and applying to PA schools diligently for 3 years, I was finally accepted in Des Moines, IA. I went on a cruise to celebrate and on that cruise was introduced to an Acupuncturist. I attended her 2 day presentation on the history, education, effectiveness of Acupuncture. I was super intrigued by what she shared in her presentation and decided to try a few treatments. I experienced amazing results with treating my back pain and immediately thought this could be the direction and career path I was meant for. I don’t believe in coincidences and felt strongly there was a reason I had been introduced to Acupuncture. When I returned to Omaha I made an appointment with a local Acupuncturist and asked questions about his practice and success, I liked what I heard and experienced similar results with his treatments as well. I sought out another Acupuncturist in Lincoln, NE and asked the same questions. I learned of a few schools in neighboring states and decided to apply for their Acupuncture program. I was accepted at a school in Denver and started the 3 year program a few months later. After beginning Acupuncture school and learning about the history and theories, how disease shows up in our bodies and the very different ways to differentiate and diagnose and ultimately treat those issues with traditional Chinese medicine and Acupuncture, I felt like I had been given the user manual to the human body. It truly was the most enlightening experience learning the practice of Acupuncture. I became it’s biggest fan and finished school in half the time, eager to learn as much as possible. I did extra clinic time and also became certified in Tui Na (Chinese Massage), Cosmetic Acupuncture and Cranial Sacral Therapy which are great adjuncts to this medicine. At the end of my schooling, after almost 1500 clinic hours, I realized that I would begin a career and practice in something I truly loved and believed in and in and most importantly, helping others learn how to feel their very best, naturally without prescriptions or procedures that create more health issues and side effects which then require more of the same. Im extremely blessed to have a job I can’t wait to get to every day and that is the true meaning of success. A decision I’m forever grateful I made. Read more>>

Ana Done | Wedding Musician, Violin Cover Artist & Educator

Risk is something I have welcomed since I was 10. The biggest risk my family took was immigrating to the USA from Romania. It feels like my life has been shaped by risk and held together by God’s grace. It was a risk to continue playing an instrument that no one felt I had a future in except for my parents. It was a risk to continue my journey in music by pursuing two degrees in college and it continued being a risk when I refused to cave in at the thought of possible failure. Doing music feels like a risk most days, and it’s one that has never stopped feeling rewarding or peaceful in some way. I’ve met people that tremble at the thought of risk and I’m often left perplexed as to why this word seems to shake their foundation so much. Risk is needed in order for change to occur and change is the catalyst to growth. You cannot have one without the other.  Read more>>

Richard Curtner | Word Collage Artist

Naturally when you think of an artist, I think “risk taker” is synonymous for this career. The artist is the risk taker starting with the art itself, presenting it to the public with no idea of the reaction or acceptance, The art is a reflection of the artist himself, and thus the artist allows himself to become vulnerable to everyone with eyes. I combined my two loves together visual arts and literary arts to form “word collage.” That was my creative risk. But there were two other risks involved in my career as an artist. In 2003 I jumped in head first to the art festival world doing my first fine art festival in La Quinta, California. I didn’t know that this festival was and has been one of the most prestigious art festivals in the United States.  Read more>>

Katherine Lash | Founder & CEO

In today’s world, so many business interactions have become impersonal. From AI to automated systems, connecting to a real live human being is hard. I would say that the number one factor of a successful wellness company is trust. How can one build trust if interacting with a computer? SpiritQuest Sedona Retreats strives to provide a human interaction where the potential client feels valued, heard, and understood. Our phones are answered by office staff intent on listening, providing clarity, empathizing, and helping plan an experience that will transform lives. From the moment a person calls, the SpiritQuest staff will put aside all else and become very present on the phone. Our retreats are customized for each person who calls us. That kind of service is VERY hard to find these days. We hope that by focusing solely on the person we are talking to, trust will be built. We are a company that truly cares. Read more>>

Cat Kelly | Retired lawyer, now co-owner of Heart, Body, & Soul, a metaphysical shop in Columbia, MO

Before we started this business, we worked with a branding expert to identify five words that described what we wanted our business to be. Our words were: (1) welcoming (2) playful (3) inspiring (4) powerful and (5) true. We had them engraved in a little wooden box that sits behind our counter. Read more>>

Caden Nemoff | Pickleball Professional and Youtuber

Growing up with an Asian parent made me prioritize school growing up, so when I told her that I wasn’t going to finish college to pursue my professional pickleball dream, it was heart breaking for her. As someone who loves their mom as much as I do, seeing her disappointment was heart wrenching for me but I didn’t want to look back at my life with any what ifs. Read more>>