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.

Brianna Jones

To me success is when your doing something you truly love and it makes you happy. No matter how much money you make from it or how much exposure, and business you get. You are truly a successful person if your doing something good that you love and it makes you happy. Read More>>

Carl Pariso

As a musician, risk plays a huge part in the process of choosing and pursuing a career in music. I think the biggest risk in my life has been sacrificing stability. As a young performer, I lived a very transient life. Every few months I lived in a different part of the U.S or lived from hotel room to hotel room. As this was very exciting, I missed routine. I missed community. I missed consistent relationships. Financially, I never knew when or how long I’d be out of a job. However, without that risk, I wouldn’t have gotten to see the amount of the country as I did. Read More>>

Addison Oaks

Here’s the thing about “thinking” about risk…more often than not, the more you think, the less risks you take. Whether I am coming up with a content idea for social media, making a business decision or even a life decision, I have found the most success in the decisions that I am making on a whim. I mean that’s kind of the point of life right? Don’t think too much about it, the bigger the risk the bigger the reward. Read More>>

Ash Taylor

Consistency and discipline have been key for me. Whether it’s writing songs daily, staying engaged with my audience, or constantly improving my craft, I’ve made it a habit to show up and put in the work—even when it’s hard. Also, surrounding myself with great people who push me to be better has made a huge difference. Read More>>

Jennie Smythe

I disagree with needing a traditional business plan. It’s more important to focus on your business idea and test what works (or doesn’t) over having a perfectly curated document that you don’t ever look at. Read More>>

Ashley Smith

The most important lesson my career as a professional creative has taught me is the value of self-care. In a fast-paced industry where deadlines are constant and creativity is always in demand, it’s easy to burn out if you don’t take time to rest, reflect, and recharge—just like an athlete. Athletes don’t just train endlessly; they prioritize recovery because they know that rest is essential for peak performance. The same applies to creatives. Read More>>

Marlon Ngo

The most important lesson I’ve learned while running Tri-Star Koi is the significance of resilience and adaptability. Throughout my journey, I’ve encountered numerous challenges and unexpected obstacles, ranging from market fluctuations to shifts in consumer preferences. Additionally, working with live animals introduces an unpredictable element that can be particularly nerve-wracking. These experiences have reinforced the necessity of being able to quickly adapt and pivot as circumstances change. I’ve learned to stay open-minded, embrace change, and view setbacks as valuable opportunities for growth. This mindset has been essential for navigating the complexities of the business and ensuring long-term success. Read More>>

Anna-wynn Deyo

I originally thought I was going to be a teacher. From a young age, I had this deep desire to help others learn and grow. In high school, I even took classes geared toward teaching, preparing myself to go to college to pursue a degree in education. But as time went on, I began to feel a shift in my heart and a tug toward something completely different. God works in mysterious ways, and now when I look back, I see now that His plan was always greater than what I had imagined for myself. His calling for me to pursue fashion was clearer and more profound than anything I could have planned. It was a reminder that God’s plans often surprise us and lead us in directions we never expected, but His ways are always better than our own. Read More>>

Jordan Woods

I am in pursuit of a creative career because I feel like it is honestly pursuing me at the same time. I feel like regardless of what category I fall in, creativity wise, I will always have a niche for it. I started out drawing when I was in elementary school and I thought that was it for me. Then photography came into the picture (no pun intended) and I have just stayed consistent with it. I honestly don’t feel like this is the path I chose to be on, but the one I was put on. I don’t know how and can’t explain why but it just comes naturally to me. Read More>>

Anna Dicarlo

When you’re a small business owner, the ‘dream’ is to own a storefront…or just ‘make it big’. In my experience, no one takes the time to speak on the sacrifice it takes to do that.

In the beginning, when I finally decided to my hobby become my business…my work life balance looked like countless hours of research, studying, formulating, staying up way too late at night, skipping outings, skipping meals, etc. It had my head in a space of constant worry, stress and wondering how I could do better and get to that storefront. Read More>>

Nicole Carver

Ahhh, balance… the mystical creature everyone is chasing. As life evolves—raising families, managing homes, building careers, caring for aging parents, and trying to fit in self-care and time with friends—it can feel harder than ever to achieve what we think balance is supposed to be. Read More>>