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.

ALBERT MIZUNO

Starting my own business was driven by a passion for creating lifelike, immersive experiences through hyper-realistic 3D visualization. I saw an opportunity to enhance communication and marketing for luxury properties by focusing on detailed and realistic representations. Read more>>

Lucas Ksenhuk | Artist, Art teacher & Speaker

‘My art tells a story, there is no art without a story.’This is my favorite quote.
Since I started drawing at the age of 9, creating my own artistic identity, I understood that art communicates what we express through it. Art speaks, touches, tells a story and activates emotions. I have been telling stories through art since the beginning of my journey. And through my art I have been able to communicate, inspire, tell my story and encourage people to don’t give up on their dreams. Each of us has a story, and I make a point of not wasting mine! Everything has a purpose! Read more>>

Chris Lee PMHNP-BC | CEO, DreamCloud | Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Working with my patients at DreamCloud is the greatest inspiration. Each day, I am captivated by their resilience, courage, and determination to overcome life’s challenges and achieve their dreams. Their heartfelt stories of hope and perseverance ignite a deep passion and sense of responsibility in me to deliver exceptional mental healthcare. Each individual journey is unique and impactful. Some of our patients have won Grammy awards or major league sports trophies, some are social media influencers or own established brands, and still some are recent newlyweds, college graduates, or first-time parents. Watching patients overcome barriers and reach their goals through hard work and dedication reinforces my commitment to my career as a psychiatric NP and fuels my drive for excellence. If I could help one more patient achieve their dreams, I would seize the opportunity. The triumphs of the human spirit that I witness each day are what inspire me. The deep, personal connections I build with patients make every day at DreamCloud not just rewarding but truly meaningful. Read more>>

OneK Quan | Music Artist

The habits that helped me is waking up at 5 am to pray and start my day and set goals that I can accomplish in the near future , I also read a lot more and watch less tv I also started investing more money into projects that will build me residual income . Read more>>

Tanuj Amalean | Bespoke Tailor

I knew very early on in life that I wanted to be in control of my own future and be immersed in something I’m passionate about. Once I gained enough experience in sewing and patternmaking I knew the next step on my journey would be to start my own venture. Read more>>

Nick Mahshie | Artist & Textile Designer

I build challenges into everything I do because this excites me and leads to the most invigorating results. I have this undying belief that in order to achieve something spectacular, it’s imperative that you work like a dog to get to it. I suppose labor (often physical) is my medium, and I find arguably more satisfaction in the process than in the product. My maximalist and buoyant artwork style is achieved through an intimate knowledge of materials and their physical properties. I have a passion for fabrication and rarely outsource any aspect of my work, whether it’s woodwork, welding, printing, sewing, dyeing etc. You might trace that back to my blue collar, new-immigrant roots (my late Palestinian father was an airplane mechanic at MIA, my Polish maternal grandparents worked at a pants factory in upstate New York) – and perhaps I always felt like I had to earn my spot in this very alien art world through sweat equity. Read more>>

Regina Watkins

The most important lesson that our business has taught us is perseverance. Having been in business since 2006, we have experienced many changes and, as with all projects, there are highs and lows. It has been our team’s philosophy to be tenacious to ensure that our projects turn out as intended. There are often a lot of moving pieces including dozens of contractors and hundreds of pieces of materials including furnishings and fixtures to bring a project to fruition. Often times there can be uncontrollable delays and unforeseen circumstances that we have to overcome. We have learned that its important be positive and steadfast to bring any project from its infancy to completion. It’s been a lesson that has proved to be important in all aspects of our lives both professional and personal. Read more>>

Parker Greenwood

It is no secret that my generation faces an unprecedented mental health crisis correlated with increased social media dependency. In this age of social interconnectedness, new perspectives can spread like wildfire from screen to screen, and many of them are confining rather than freeing. With just a glance at our little black boxes, we can quickly fall into someone else’s narrative about what we need in order to be happy, discounting what we have for what we could have. I see my role as an artist to be a voice that lifts others out of these tight confines, reminding those around me of life’s inherent spaciousness that we give away so freely. Inspiring music has a capacity to halt our mundane thought patterns and focus our attention on the here and now. It is in these moments that we realize we are not defined by our desires and fears, that we have everything we need in the present moment. If I can play even the smallest part in this process of awakening, then I will be happy with my time on this earth. Read more>>

Melissa Rodriguez | Music Marketing Director

I feel that most creatives could say that we don’t choose this career, this career chooses us. Honestly speaking, the path of a creative is a very difficult one, filled with a lot of ups and downs. It’s the kind of career that when you are in college they ask you: “So what’s your plan B?”. But if we look at the other side, art is simple limitless, there’s no limit to creation, so it’s also a world that allows you to explore different passions while having fun doing it. It’s more of a calling, rather than a choice. In other words, I had no option other than pursue this path, and not because of lack of career alternatives, but because I would have been extremely unhappy and not true to myself if I would have gone any other way than this. Read more>>

Maria Alejandra Quintanilla | Transdisciplinary Auteur

I’ve embraced the notion that balance is constantly in flux, living and breathing. Even in moments of stillness, balance is found through awareness and flexibility. The older I am, the more I realize I must invest as much (if not more) love, space, and encouragement in myself as I do in my duties and responsibilities to others. I thrive by nurturing my mind and body with a morning walk, meditation, stretching, reading, writing, and a whole foods plant-based diet. I am at my best when I am not in a rush and trust the flow of living. I know healing when I carve out deep pockets of emptiness, of doing nothing. I find balance when I laugh in surplus, when I can celebrate amongst trusted friends, and when I am found lost doing what I love, whether in intentional solitude or community. I have realized my balance is unearthed when I prioritize my creative life. I am stronger and softer when I hear my instinctual voice over the noise of too much information. This way of living requires clear boundaries and learning to mother myself, which has been difficult for me in the past as I do not wish to disappoint people (eldest child syndrome). Still, boundaries help me clarify what I do and do not want to invest my time and attention to. Read more>>

Angiebeth Avendano

Born in Miami but raised in Venezuela, I’ve had the unique privilege of experiencing two vibrant cultures that have influenced my perspective and approach to design. Growing up in Venezuela, I was immersed in the warmth and richness of Latin American culture, which instilled in me a deep appreciation for bold colors, textures, and functional and timeless design. Using materials that last for decades. Read more>>

Deana Fidler

I was born in Ukraine but grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania with my mom and American family. I would say my upbringing has everything to do with who I am today and, more so, the decision to start my own business. I think moving to the United States from other parts of the world that are so much less privileged really influences your perspective on life. In Ukraine, you could work hard your whole life, save every cent you make, and you still wouldn’t have much to show for it when your time came. But it’s not like that in America, and if you don’t take advantage of the opportunities here then someone else definitely will! Especially during this time of War, I feel even more motivated to work hard towards my aspirations because I feel it’s a way to honor my community and make sure I never take anything for granted. Read more>>