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.

Frandy Pena

For a little background to Mission Barbers: I had a successful career in IT Project Management. I began cutting hair in NY in ’96 for fun. However, 5 years ago, 3 months before COVID, he opened MISSION BARBERS, one of the most popular non franchised barber shops in the east valley. Read More>>

Ryan Swanson

At first, while studying architecture, we were interested in activating underutilized spaces and began experimenting with low-cost ways of making this happen. At that time is when we first realized the power play had in breaking down social barriers and physically connecting people within a space. From that point, we began focusing our work on looking at the value of play beyond the playground. Play is our natural driver as humans to discover, explore, and empathize with others. Read More>>

Kelly Raber

I am inspired by the world around me which is part of why we travel! All of the amazing places we visit wind their way into the design portion of my business and bring new and exciting ideas for me to bring to life. Read More>>

Jaylah Johnson

The one habit I’ve learned over time that has really helped me succeed is discipline. And it didn’t just start with my work life, it began at home with my personal life. Creating a schedule and establishing a routine became essential, especially as a parent. Read More>>

Brianna Skumlien

My and my wife opened up our own shop because we were tired of bouncing around to shop to shop. We’d find a cool shop and then some type of drama would happen and we’d have to leave, it’s hard to find the perfect spot, drama free. We wanted to open up A safe place for clients and artists. Somewhere where our artist can come and be creative and make artwork and love what they do. No competition just artist all helping another grow and thrive. Read More>>

 Jessica Maeve

One of the most important lessons that this career path as a performing musician has taught me is perseverance. You will get a lot of “no’s” and rejection, and you need to keep going. People will care about what you do as much as you do, so be sure to stay positive even with the set backs and other challenges. Read More>>

Jacqueline Kirby

The most important lesson my business has taught me is the power of surrounding myself with a strong, supportive network. It’s so crucial to work with vendors who not only share your vision but also genuinely encourage and inspire you. When you have people who believe in what you’re doing, it creates a positive, motivating environment that helps you grow. Read More>>

Kylee Clark

I pursued an artistic and creative career because storytelling has always been an integral part of who I am. As a child, I was rarely without a book, and reading became my gateway to exploring the world and understanding different perspectives. Throughout school, I gravitated toward creative writing, thanks to the encouragement of teachers who recognized and nurtured my passion. Read More>>