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.

Jodi Millies | Candle Maker & Owner of Farmers Candle Co.

I began my business as a way to utilize something that was more often than not going to waste. I worked with my cousins on their grass-fed beef and pasture raised pork farm in in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. We had a lot of cuts that most consumers deemed undesirable and I wanted to find a purpose for those cuts after putting so much time and effort into raising those animals. Read more>>

Sara Ewing | Body contouring specialist, paramedical tattoo artist , licensed aesthetician

I have been in the beauty/ wellness industry since 2008. I would take class after class but I always had a really hard time starting my own business. While I was travel bartending I was in recovery for some liposuction that I received about eight months before. A lot of the current modalities that I use for used on me at the time to resolve some scar tissue complications I had. Read more>>

Kim Montoya | Herbalist, Gardener & Owner of Enchanted Botanicals LLC

I am blessed to have home-birthed and raised two children who have grown up to be extremely compassionate and amazing adults. I think the most important thing I’ve done as a parent to positively impact my children has been to empower them to believe in themselves and to look for the good in people. I do my best to lead that example in my own life. Read more>>

Kenya LaShelle Elliott | Therapeutic Weight Wellness Coach

I was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and raised in the inner-city projects, where my early life was steeped in significant challenges, including domestic violence and sexual abuse. This environment, coupled with personal tragedies such as the loss of my daughter Kennisha, and the subsequent abandonment by my family, deeply influenced my connection with food, which became both a refuge and a source of addiction. Read more>>

Analuisa Rivera | Newborn Care Specialist, OB LNA, Postpartum Doula, Sleep Consultant

When I had my oldest daughter so many emotions and thoughts raced through my mind. While working in women and infant services, I saw the beautiful and hard moments in the journey of pregnancy and birth. Having her early, becoming a Nicu mom who struggled with Postpartum Anxiety, Depression took a toll on our whole family. The saying It takes a village to raise a child is beyond more than what people think. Read more>>

Brianne Goodine | Flower Farmer/Florist

My small business, Root to Happiness, began because there was something missing in my life. In turn, I decided to pursue what made me happiest and began this incredible journey. First and foremost, growing and nurturing plants make me happy. I have been a gardener for a long time, whether it was vegetables, herbs, or house plants. Now, flowers are my thing! Then, making others happy makes me happy. Read more>>