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.

Neal Oates, Jr.

The most important factor behind my success—and the success of my brand—is intentionality. From the very beginning, I decided that everything I do in business and in life had to be aligned with a clear vision and executed with purpose. Read More>>

Karly Ortega Martinez

Coming from a city as colorful and creative as Miami, I felt inspired to bring that same crafty energy to Southwest Florida. An arts and crafts studio here felt like the perfect addition to the city-for locals, for tourists, for anyone ready to get a little creative and a lot sparkly. Read More>>

Dmitry Orel

The most important thing I’ve done as a parent is simply being present. No matter how busy life gets with work, projects, or travel, I prioritize quality time with my daughter. Whether it’s building something together, exploring nature, playing chess, or just being silly, I make sure she knows she has my full attention and support. Read More>>

Elena Sanchez

I always like to say, “it is better to have tried and failed, than not tried at all.” One of the biggest risks I ever took was deciding to pursue a career in film and television, without knowing anyone in the industry, and with no guarantee that anything would work out. However, I approach risk differently as an actress than I do as a stuntwoman.  Read More>>

Moises Worthalter

I hope people remember me as someone who lived by honor. To me, that means showing up with respect, fairness, and compassion—whether I was leading a team, guiding a family through one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives, or simply being present for my own family and friends.  Read More>>

Lauren Bercuson

The most important factor behind my success has been leading with warmth and honesty. When founders are starting their businesses, talking to a lawyer is usually the last thing they want to do. They’re nervous — they’ve heard horror stories about costs, complexity, or making a mistake that could derail everything. Read More>>

Jay Toledo

The principle that matters most to me is creating and sharing music out of pure love for it. For me, music isn’t just about following trends or chasing quick success-it’s about staying as true as possible to my own sound while constantly pushing boundaries. I want to explore new ideas, experiment with energy and emotion, and grow without losing that authenticity. Read More>>

Gisel Castillo

Life is a journey of lessons, challenges, and unexpected experiences. No matter how intelligent, loving, or caring we are, none of us can escape the truth life brings and the transformation it demands. Read More>>

Shreni Shah

Growing up in India, I often heard my social circle say things like – “Take the safer path. You have great grades. Just become a doctor, an engineer, or a Certified Public Accountant (CA in India).” I am blessed to have parents and a sister who believed in me, and who stood by my side as I decided to bid farewell to my budding career in Chartered Accountancy (CPA here in the USA) Read More>>

Jennifer Phan

Wow this is a loaded question! I guess as someone who grew up playing piano every day since I was six, always singing and humming around the house, pursuing an artistic career was never really a question for me.  Read More>>