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.

Crystle Jones-bond

I define success by the inspiration I bring to others and the lasting impact I have on their lives. It’s not just about personal achievements, but about uplifting those around me—whether through my work, my knowledge, or my ability to create opportunities for others. True success comes from finding joy in what I do, knowing that my passion and purpose align with helping people grow, feel empowered, and embrace their best selves. Read More>>

Third Dagree

First off, the pleasure is all mine! I’m honored to be blessed with two healthy and handsome young men that God chose for me to raise! I am diligent in all efforts to give them something that I’ve never had, a father. Sometimes I think that I’m just winging this job and be it hands on, my children and I are learning this life together! I do pride myself with instilling into them critical thinking skills, conflict resolution, as well as how to protect, provide, and defend! I’m happy to say that the biggest impact has been their impact on me as I share and teach them the greatest gift of all, love! Read More>>

Allison Molloy

Risk. A game of chance and trial and error. The way I see it, you either take a risk, or you play it safe. It can be a scary feeling knowing that the risks you take may not pay off, but if you don’t take risks, you may not get to where you want to be in life. Summoning up the courage to do something that scares you will always be rewarding regardless of the outcome because you know that in the end, you tried. You went for it. Read More>>

Lily Quinn-henrdick

One of my two life mottos is “the worst someone can do is say no” and that viewpoint has changed how I approach a LOT of things in my professional and personal life.
Risk taking is a HUGE part in starting any small business. There’s so much uncertainty in any industry, especially those that are service based like the wedding industry. When I first started as a wedding planner, it was as a side hustle to make extra money, but turned into something I absolutely adored doing and couldn’t believe I got paid for. If I stopped every time I doubted myself, got criticism, or wanted an easier path, I would still be a corporate girly hating my life. Read More>>

Gina Carrillo

I wrote about Grief, memories of loved ones, about turning my pain into poetry and Art. Overcoming the deaths of my Father and then my husband.
I’ve written about my journey in beating stage 3 breast cancer, how I felt after my surgeries and what my new life was like.
Additionally, the fight I went through in stopping the unhealthy cycle of relationships that put me into domestic violence situations.
My Poetry helps people not feel so alone in what they went through or are going through. It gives them strength, motivation and inspiration. It is so heartwarming when they come up to me after a show and express what they went through and how they can relate. It brings me joy to know others look for my words to brighten their days! Read More>>

Kier Byrnes

My band has been blessed to receive a lot of awards and critical recognition over the years. That being said, I don’t see my success as a race with a finish line or an end point in sight. I see it as a multi-tiered platform, and I always want to get higher. I am always looking to get to the next level, though it’s nice to look back and study what you did, not just to give your chance to step back and smell the roses or enjoy the view, but to examine what past choices that helped you get to where you are, then employ and refine those strategies as tools to possibly help you overcome your next set of obstacles. Read More>>

Dori Gronich

In order to be successful you must take healthy risks! Also try to be unique and standout from the crowd. I’ve found it’s better to be yourself than to copy others when it comes to trends and art. One of my favorite quotes is: “Make it happen!” This mentality keeps motivated to keep moving forward. Read More>>

Cara Davis

The most important lesson I’ve learned is to “pick yourself,” as Seth Godin said. (“No one is going to pick you. Pick yourself.”) I use that to give myself permission to do things I’m passionate about, even if I’m not being asked to. In 2024, I self-published a memoir and two children’s books because I had a vision for them and wanted to share them with the world. And I’m proud of those accomplishments. Success, for me, wasn’t about sales numbers or building a platform. It was about creating something authentic that might help others feel less alone in their struggles. It was about leaving behind a legacy piece that speaks to the universal human experience of facing our fears and finding our way through them. Read More>>

Jacquie Daniels

I chose to pursue an artistic career because I wanted to be a voice for those who feel they can’t speak. Growing up, music was one of my only outlets—one of the few ways I could truly express myself and make people listen. It became my way of processing emotions, telling stories, and connecting with the world around me. Over time, I realized that my words weren’t just for me; they resonated with others who felt unheard or unseen. Winning 2024 Songwriter of the Year at the International Josie Awards in Nashville was a validation of that—proof that my lyrics and storytelling had the power to move people. Read More>>

Kiersten Rae Lasley

I’ve known since I was a little kid that I wanted to be a musician. My parents tell me I was constantly writing songs, singing in the backseat of their car and always gathering up the family to perform little shows for them. Fast forward to high school, where I started to take the writing side more seriously. During that time, I felt so strongly that I needed to apply to Belmont University for their Songwriting Major. While at Belmont, I learned so much about the craft of songwriting as well as the music business, and discovered I had a passion for writing for other artists. Now I write songs 5 days a week and love it! Read More>>