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.

Justine Blanchet | Country Singer-Songwriter

As an artist, it takes a while to see the royalties that result from a song release. Budgets are somewhat dependent on the previous single’s success. Some expenses are necessary to keep my business running, such as website upkeep, social media, marketing, and business licenses. At this point, it is expected to have to front some money before seeing a return. Read more>>

Cha’ron Clark | Realtor

One book that had a significant impact on me is “Pivot to Profit: 8 Proven Principles to Shift from Real Estate Agent to Mogul” by Quiana Watson. As a Realtor myself, I found Watson’s story and her business strategies both inspiring and practical. The book emphasizes the importance of mindset, branding, and leveraging real estate as a foundation for building generational wealth. What I appreciated most is how she broke down the steps to scale a business and create multiple streams of income, which has motivated me to think beyond traditional real estate deals. Read more>> 

Robert Anthony | Owner

By the end of my career, my goal is to have built a successful digital marketing agency that not only thrives in helping businesses achieve their growth potential but also sets the standard for quality and innovation in the industry. I want to be recognized as a thought leader who provides strategic solutions, inspires others in the field, and creates a supportive and growth-oriented work environment. Additionally, I aim to give back to my community through mentorship and building opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs. Ultimately, I want to be in a position where I’m proud of the positive impact my work has had on my clients, my team, and the industry as a whole. Read more>>

Paul Bauer | Podcast host, certified master life coach, certified NLP practitioner, and author

I was born in Denver, Colorado, but I was raised in a small town called Conifer, nestled in the foothills about an hour away from the city. My childhood was spent surrounded by towering trees and rugged mountains, where I would run wild, pretending to be a ninja or Indiana Jones. My friends and I would climb rocks, explore caves, and push ourselves to the limit—without ropes or much care for the danger. It was a place where adventure felt limitless, but also where the harsh winters could freeze your spirit. Read more>>

Latrice Clines | Master Cosmetologist

Raised in Chicago, by a single mother I experienced a loving and supportive environment that impacted my life. I was taught adaptability and perseverance along with determination, empathy and resilient optimism. Read more>>

Emily Nickels | Owner + Stylist

Work life balance has taught me life isn’t a balance. You are either giving more to life or more to work, and that’s okay. Give yourself grace. I used to think it was cool to work nonstop, but now I appreciate slow mornings and simple moments. The happiness advantage, changed my outlook on prioritizing things and seeing the good. When I am overwhelmed, I remind myself that the version of me from a year or five years ago would be so proud of what I am doing, even if it’s late gifts. Planning my week or month helps me check things off the list which brings a sense of accomplishment making me want to check more things off my list, and feel accomplished at the end of each week. Read more>>