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.

Toni Renee

I don’t look at risks as a negative thing. Rather than calling it a risk, I’d like to call it taking a chance. Every risk/chance/ decision we make from our own gut or intuition is meant to be made in order to shape us somehow. Over time I coached myself into saying yes to things more. Even if they were scary, self doubt kicked in, or If i felt like I wasn’t “qualified” enough. From me doing so I’ve elevated in my crafts and learned so much. So really there is no down fall in taking a chance. It’s a win win when you’re coming out with a learning lesson on the other end. Read more>>

Jill Haley

In creating my music, authenticity matters the most to me. I place value on writing music that reflects the environment I am in, such as our National Parks. I want the listener to experience, in an aural sense, how that place sounded through music. I do not want to draw on other composers ideas, so I do not study them closely at all. The place or experience must give me the impetus for the musical expression. Read more>>

Alexander Uithoven | Artist and Game Dev

For as long as I can remember I have had an overactive imagination. As a child I could focus on shadows in my room and make them dance at night. I would have vivid and life-like dreams that seemed so real when I would wake up. My mind was always running, thinking, creating, and yearning for adventure. Read more>>

Tonight’s Sunshine

Anastasia (Vocals/Ukulele): I don’t think I really had a choice in the matter. Growing up, being a musician was always my dream, the way being an astronaut or firefighter was for other kids. But while most other people’s life goals change as they grow up, mine always stayed the same. I have never been able to see myself doing anything else. In fact, I feel more myself performing on stage than I do in other areas of my life. Music, especially writing or performing it, makes me feel alive in a way that nothing else does. I also know that it does the same for others when I share it with them. Read more>>