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.

Caitlin Penny | CEO | Brand Expert

Copper Theory Creative helps the community and the world by empowering businesses to express their true, authentic identities through bold, unapologetic branding. We believe that every brand has a unique story to tell, and by helping businesses articulate their purpose and vision, we foster deeper connections between companies and their audiences. Read more>>

Cazoshay Marie | Speaker, Advocate, Artist, Writer & Content Creator

There have been several habits that have helped me to succeed. The first is not so much a habit, but more of a trait. It’s resilience! In May of 2017 I was struck by a car traveling 48mph while crossing the street in downtown Phoenix. I sustained numerous injuries, some of which have resulted in long-term disabilities and conditions such as a traumatic brain injury, nerve damage, chronic pain and vestibular and vision issues, to name a few. It can be extremely discouraging to live with the effects of my conditions and the ways that they limit what I am able to do. But had I not exercised the trait of resilience, I would not have become the speaker/advocate/content creator/artist/writer that I am today. Read more>>

Jedidiah Collins | NFL / CFP® / Founder of Money Vehicle

I am a great Failure! Looking at my career this quality has truly been the secret to my success. Growing up with 2 older brothers, my dad created a basketball game called ‘King for a Day’. Where we would play 1X1 and the winner was crowned king. In the 1,000 times we played I remember the 2 days that I was King. Read more>>

Faith Iukes | Media correspondent and Digital storyteller

One thing outsiders probably don’t realize about the content creation industry is just how much behind-the-scenes work goes into it. People often see the highlight reels—cute outfits, edited videos, and polished posts—but don’t see the hours of planning, filming, editing, and managing collaborations that happen to keep everything running smoothly. Along with that, there’s constant media correspondence, like responding to emails, negotiating brand deals, setting up interviews, and staying in touch with PR teams. It’s more than just snapping a picture or filming a short video. It’s about strategy, consistency, and building a brand while staying authentic to yourself. It’s a grind, but it’s also incredibly rewarding when you’re passionate about it! Read more>>

Kimberly R Silva | Licensed Realtor in Louisiana & Mississippi

One thing outsiders often don’t realize is the amount of behind-the-scenes coordination that goes into being a Realtor. My job goes far beyond just showing houses. I’m constantly negotiating for my clients, fielding calls and emails from title reps, inspectors, insurance agents, appraisers, and more. I coordinate and attend inspections, review the findings with my clients, and guide them through the appraisal and title work processes. I work hard to keep everything running smoothly, handling any issues that arise so my clients can have a seamless, stress-free experience. My goal is to advocate for them every step of the way. Read more>>

Marcus Orelias | Entrepreneur & Storyteller

Work-life balance has been a dynamic journey for me, I’ve had to evolve as my career has grown. In the early days, I often prioritized my projects over everything else, believing that sheer dedication and long hours were the keys to success. This approach led to burnout especially in 2017 while I was working to complete my 2017 album “20s A Difficult Age”. At that time I heavily considered quitting music because of it, on top of that I felt I wasn’t receiving the support I wanted from my peers and had expectations that I had to temper. This season in my life not only taught me the hard way that sustainability, resiliency and longevity are crucial for creativity. But it also allowed me to explore other outlets for creativity and expression. Read more>>