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.

Amir

One of my favorite quotes comes from my godfather. Anytime I tell him about a project I’m starting or some new ideas I have for my photography, he always tells me the same thing: Make it happen. It might seem like a simple phrase to some people, but to me, it’s a powerful motivator. Those words constantly replay in my head whenever I catch myself slacking, start to feel unmotivated, or when overthinking clouds my mind. Read More>>

 Jérôme Scullino

Brian McLaren wrote, “We were lovers who … decided to make the world a better place by slowing down long enough to pay for its improvement — by paying attention, the reverent, even holy attention of love.”

This quote transformed my career and shaped my work and I could say the way I approach life as well. It helped me understand my photography process. It was an “eureka” moment. When I am behind the camera, “I pay attention”, with one intention, to see the extraordinary, with no judgement… with compassion. Read More>>

Rick Lesser

Ask yourself do you love what you do? If you answer yes then there’s no giving up. There may be a point in which you hit a wall and you’re not as engaged or as excited as you once were. Ok it happens to everyone. But if at the end of the day is only seeing yourself as whatever your chosen profession is, then there is no giving up you just look within that community and see what else you can do to expand your profession Read More>>

Louie Forte

What inspires me is the ability to freeze moments of real joy—people laughing, embracing, simply being themselves around the people they love. Capturing those genuine, happy moments is priceless to me. It’s what drives me to keep growing, to keep learning, and to give more with every session. Read More>>

Sherry Platt Platt

Humans! Our journey in this lifetime is so physically, emotionally, and spiritually challenging, and yet, most of us keep trying the best we know how. Emphasis on “know-how.” People who want more, who want to heal, grow, and evolve – these are the humans who inspire me the most. The ones who seek to explore the unknown. Those who are afraid and try anyway. Those who struggle with trauma, depression, and pain but keep on trying, these are my clients, and their stories are truly inspiring. Read More>>

Chef Elizabeth Willard

Persistence – It takes time for a newly launched business to find its footing. You have to stick with it during the slow start-up period.

Courage – To grow a company, you have to be willing to spend money you don’t have yet based on the unshakable belief that “if you build it, they will come.” Read More>>

Sabrina Brown

Integrity. Especially in the biohacking and wellness space. With so much conflicting information and marketing noise out there, I believe it’s essential to be someone people can trust. Integrity means I only share what I’ve personally researched, tested, or truly believe in. It means turning down brand deals that don’t align with my values, and being honest with my audience even when it’s not the trendiest thing to say. Read More>>

Ella Magers

I’ve got a complicated relationship with the old-school phrase “No pain, no gain.” I’m a Muay Thai practitioner, and let me tell you – there’s plenty of pain involved in that martial art (I’m actually currently recovering from tearing my ACL while sparring, which involves plenty of pain!)

But let’s pull back and look at the bigger picture. I believe that growth doesn’t happen in our comfort zone. We need challenge. Whether it’s pushing through the last few reps in a workout or sitting with a craving without immediately reacting, discomfort is often where the transformation starts. Read More>>

Luna Lombardi

My main goal is to become a full-time international mentor and educator. I’m building an online academy, planning to travel the world training professionals who share the same passion I do, and want to create a lasting impact that educates, empowers, and elevates the beauty and wellness industry.

I’m also planning to create my own skincare brand that aligns with my vision. It will be results-driven, rooted in skin health, and built with integrity. The brand will reflect everything I believe in: science, simplicity, and sustainable beauty without the noise. Read More>>

Pascale Pierrot

The most important lesson my business has taught me was that success is not linear . I remember being at a standstill many times during my business journey where i may have felt like giving up because i was not getting the feedback that I thought i was worth. It was always so stressful for me because I felt as though i had to choose between my business and my education and I wanted both just as bad. Read More>>

Rosa Maria Nuñez Valdez

Patience.

Starting a business from zero takes a lot of patience. It’s something I’ve really had to learn, and honestly, it’s still a skill I struggle with.

When I first started, there were so many times I’d check my phone and just feel so disappointed—not a single message, no orders, nothing. It made me feel like a failure. People would say how amazing everything looked, but no one was actually buying anything. I started doubting myself. Was I doing something wrong? Read More>>

Karen Shiers

I grew up in Connecticut in a multicultural, interfaith home – my mother is a first generation Jewish woman from Turkey, and my father comes from a Roman Catholic family in New York. From a young age, I was immersed in diverse traditions: my mom spoke French, Turkish, and English, and I have vivid memories of her making her signature baklava or taking me to Istanbul to visit my grandparents, aunt and cousins in the summer. My dad, on the other hand, instilled in me a love for the energy of New York City – he’d often take me into Manhattan to explore, eat, and soak in the city’s vibrancy. Read More>>

Natalie Kwait

For much of my life, I was constantly on the go, living in survival mode without even realizing it. Growing up, I never felt truly safe to slow down or just be—I learned that staying busy was a form of protection. This pattern followed me into adulthood, where I poured myself into work, always doing, achieving, and giving, yet rarely stopping to ask, What do I actually need?

Without knowing it, I was operating from fear—fear of stillness, fear of not doing enough, fear of what might surface if I slowed down. This created an undercurrent of stress that shaped how I approached balance (or, rather, how I didn’t). I equated productivity with worth, so rest felt unnatural. Read More>>

Magaly Guerra

My priority has never changed and I believe that my work balance goes after having everything set up with my kids and family.. in order to be inspired and work efficiently, I need to first have my home in order and balance so that way I can have the creativity and inspiration for work.
My husband has helped me with “time management”. Read More>>