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.

Judy Z.

For me, success isn’t just about the number of events I book or the size of the celebration. It’s about the experience that my clients have along the way. If a couple, family or organization can look back on their event and say, “I was fully present, I didn’t have to worry about a thing and out event felt like us,” then I consider that a success. Success also means creating balance for myself as a business owner, wife and mother to 3. Read More>>

Susie Schwartz

For me, the answer has always been clear: keep going.
I’ve been nurturing LIFE—Look Inward for Excellence—since graduating from the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in 2012. Originally, I planned to name it “New Beginnings,” because transformation always marks a fresh start. But life happened, and I had to put the vision on hold. Still, I never let go of it. I knew deep down that I’d return to it when the time was right. Read More>>

Willie Hall

Taking risks is what got me to where I’m at today. Many people are uncomfortable with the thought of losing it all or being down bad. I can care less, and this is allowed me to put myself in positions that made me successful in my endeavors. Read More>>

Tran UGC

I founded UGC Foundations to make social media education and career opportunities accessible to anyone, whether they’re looking for a side hustle or a full-time career. Since 2022, I’ve taught over 4,000 students, made +1000 free educational videos for the public, helped generate more than $5 million in creator earnings, and opened doors for paid career opportunities with over 1,000 brands. Read More>>

Asim Hanif

At the heart of aikido is a heavy emphasis on “harmony”. Of course the concept of “harmony” can be extremely broad but I’ll try to simplify it or at least attempt to make it more tangible to those not familiar with my particular practice.
The kanji for aikido is based on three characters: Ai meaning harmony, Ki which is spirit or energy, and Do meaning path. So aikido can be translated as the path to harmonize with the spirit.  Read More>>

Renelle E Nelson

One book that has truly impacted me is “Conscious Language” by Robert Tennyson Stevens. As a Black woman, I’ve seen firsthand how society often tries to write our stories for us. This book reminded me that words carry power—they shape how we perceive ourselves and how we navigate the world. It taught me to be intentional with the language I use, especially when speaking to myself. The shift was powerful—I began to see how changing my words could change my narrative. Read More>>

Ibis Valles

I find the principle of giving back to the community the simple yet profound act that we can all do. This isn’t just about charity; it’s a fundamental principle that has been part of my life and, through my volunteer work, has shown me the incredible power of community. Read More>>

Robin Berning

The end goal for me is to build a legacy through my art and design that outlives me — creating work that not only transforms spaces but also inspires and uplifts communities. By the end of my career, I want to be recognized as an artist whose installations and designs brought people together, sparked conversation, and honored resilience, sustainability, and human connection. Read More>>

Luu Dagda

I’ve always been drawn to the arts because they create space for people to express themselves in ways that words sometimes can’t. For me, creativity is deeply tied to kindness, and I see it as a way of connecting, uplifting, and seeing each other more fully as humans. Being part of that process, whether through my own personal work or by helping bring someone else’s vision to life, is something I feel really grateful to be a part of. Read More>>

Stephen Sylvia

Music has always been my passion. Playing the saxophone grounded me through my childhood and well into my 20s, and for a long time I never believed it could be a real career. I worked in the insurance industry for years, and as I added musical performances as a side hustle, I realized I needed to make a paradigm shift. Eventually, I left the security of my job and took a deep dive into the creative and unpredictable world of being a full-time musician. Read More>>

Shannon Hendrickson

Earlier in my life, balance looked very different than it does now. My entire focus was on school – earning my Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology – and eventually building a successful career as a psychologist. That season of life required significant sacrifice. Read More>>