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.
Deniece A. Beaumont Walters | Attorney-at-Law | Forensic Consultant | Educator
One of my favourite ‘quotes’ is actually a Bible verse, Proverbs 3:6 – “In all your ways acknowledge God, and He shall direct your path”. What this means is that if we submit everything we do to the Lord, He will guide us and make our path straight, in other words, direct us along the right path. Read more>>
Kristina Baker | Artist and Painter
There is a quote by Pema Chödrön, an American Tibetan-Buddhist nun, that I have carried with me for years. It reads, “Only to the extent that we expose ourselves over and over to annihilation can that which is indestructible in us be found.” From this quote, I’ve gleaned the importance of vulnerability and taking risks, which are major components in my quest for self-knowledge and personal/professional fulfillment. Making progress towards my goals entails repeatedly putting myself in positions of potential failure; to fear failure of any kind would be to stagnate. This quote has helped me believe that perseverance is the answer to moving through perceived setbacks so greater potentialities can be discovered. Read more>>
Lisa Perez | Corporate Trainer & Keynote Speaker
After 20 years in the workforce, I noticed, through all my years working in hospitality & HR, there is a need for management training that not only positively improves morale, production, and growth but also ensures every employee feels supported and walks out of their manager’s office with their dignity intact. Too often, people managers are not provided the resources, knowledge, and real-world experience to handle the many challenges their teams are facing, especially when it comes to managing the people they serve and lead. Therefore, I launched, HBL Resources & my legacy, “The Complete Manager Makeover,” to educate and support all managers of people at every stage of the employee life cycle. Together, my team is on a mission to make an impact by highlighting the importance of ensuring HR practices and managerial skills focus also on supporting and acknowledging the human element of management & leadership. Read more>>
Saida Gutierrez | Saida Gutierrez Owner Manager by Drupí´s Gourmet en Latin Food.
Since I was very little I shared a lot with my dad in the kitchen, we cooked together every weekend, he always invented something new and I helped him since I was 5 years old, I remember. And so I grew up learning and trying new things in the kitchen. My friends and my environment, my family have always liked how I cook, and they say that everything suits me well. EVEN BOILED WATER is good they say. And I have always had the illusion of learning more and more and I like to please the palates of others. I had a son and he grew up loving my food. Unfortunately I lost him at the age of 22. Out of affection I called him DRUPI since I was little, and between my passion, which is cooking, and his memory, the name DRUPI’S Gourmet was born. Read more>>
Nicole White | Owner of Sunny Side Up Market
I believe that my business helps the community by allowing other small businesses show case their products and hard work. Over the four years I have watched the community grow and build together. We have become a family of support and any new businesses that join Sunny Side Up Market I always tell them they will never feel alone because someone will always help them. Another aspect is forging friendships with visitors that come to the events to support. It was amazing seeing them to catch up on our lives, giving advice and also seeing our dog friends! I love supporting local businesses, even if they are not a part of mine, in any way I possibly can. For instance, a local bakery needed bakers and I shared her flyer. Luckily enough someone saw it and was able to secure a job! I love that I was able to connect them. Hopefully, after my new life change I will continue to help grow local businesses in even more creative ways! Read more>>
Enrique García | Entrepreneur, Architect, Designer, Painter a good human
Great question! My coffee startup emerged during the pandemic when two old university friends and I decided to bring coffee from our native Honduras to the US. However, I’ve always been a passionate advocate of sustainable practices, whether in architecture, construction, or our café. I convinced my former partners that our business, formerly known as Cafécito de Honduras (now cdh), must embody the principles of sustainability. Read more>>
Mulher Arara | Medicine Musician, Property Manager & Mama
I am inspired by learning and understanding the purpose of life. I am inspired by, seating with my darkness. I am inspired by composition and channeling. I am inspired by force, faith, firmness and Power. I am inspired by truth, community and family. I am inspired by my ability to keep searching, seaking and living with humility but like Royalty. I am inspired by magic and the universal connections. And I am inspired in music, embodyment with soul and spirit and transcendental journeying. Read more>>
Suzanne Hughes | Abstract artist
I love solitude and quiet, wide open spaces – especially on a windy beach with the sound of the ocean. It’s just me and the waves, and that’s when I feel most inspired. There’s a quote by Rumi that says, “the quieter you become, the more you are able to hear,” and it really clicks with me. Read more>>
Rachel Loebs-Hertlein | Master Instructor at SoulCycle
I truly believe the hobbit that helped with my success is my work ethic. I have always been someone who felt like showing up and working hard paid off. I know being a reliable person goes a long way, showing up early and putting in real work almost always ends in success. Read more>>
Larnett Glenn | Owner SKINN MIA & Liscia by SKINN
I feel that actually writing down your plan and being consistent are two habits that help businesses succeed. And that stands true for me and my brand. Read more>>
Karrita Renzelmann | Queen Bee Pottery
Many facets of life can elicit moments of happiness. Currently, I am delighted about a new flower brick vase design, where I integrate my love for gardening, floral design, and pottery making. Witnessing the realization of inspiration or vision in the pottery studio consistently brings me joy. Read more>>
Adriana Machado | Founder of Briyah Institute Corp.
Coherence has become increasingly more relevant to me at this stage of my life. Isn’t it fascinating when everything falls into place at the right time and life happens as a beautiful dance? It’s hard, if not impossible, to keep that flow all the time, but don’t we wish we could? The flip side is how miserable we get when everything that can go wrong does, and at the same time! Read more>>
Alejandro Alex” Ramos | Professional Speaker & Leadership Coach”
In the many conversations during my travels as a speaker and leadership coach, I’m frequently asked about the principle I hold in the highest regard. It’s a question that always brings me to the essence of what drives us: courage. Read more>>
Melissa Mastrangelo-Diaz | Artist and Instructor
Realistically in the next decade, not so much the end of my career (as I’ll prob be painting until I am no longer able) the end goal is to have a brick and mortar business. As much as I love the mobile aspect of my businesses, the pop ups and classes, it would really be nice to have a store front and gallery of my own. Would love to have a permanent place to teach out of as well. Read more>>
Cassie Wegeng | Photographer
The most important takeaway from starting and running my own photography business has definitely been the value of time. Being able to call my own shots and shape a career that flows INTO my life rather than dictate it is such a gift, and has greatly enhanced my overall wellbeing in every way. I say yes to jobs that align with my “why” and inspire me, so that at the end of the day my cup is full and I can be the best version of myself. Read more>>
Dr. David Silverman | Former board-certified foot surgeon. ASEA Ambassador Triple Diamond Executive. ASEA Mentor and Business Builder of the Year. ASEA Medical Professionals Board member.
First, I am one of those people who is “pychologically unemployable.” I cringe at the thought of having a boss and having someone else contolling me and my freedom and life-balance. I went to school for 4 yeara after college to become a foot surgeon and to own my own practice. Though I loved what I did, I found myself on a “work treadmill.” And having 3 growing children who were all going to go to college, I had to stay on that treadmill and found myself falling way out of balance. The contrast that with my ASEA home-based, residual-income-generating wellness business is immeasurable. With my ASEA business, I get to even more dramatically impact people’s health and… I have no risk, I have no employees. I have no traditional business “headaches.’ But, now, with the weekly ASEA residual income stream, my wife and I have complete time freedom Read more>>
Bailey Da Costa | Chief Engineer & Cofounder of OutSail
Discussing work-life balance as a startup founder can be challenging. There’s a common perception that success is directly tied to working around the clock for your fledgling company. As a collective, founders often boast about the countless hours invested, believing it’s a condition for success. It’s true, there are many instances where putting in extensive hours is necessary and you just need to work, work, work. However, I’ve found for myself and others, working 24/7 is not always the ideal approach when the right course of action is unclear. In such moments of uncertainty, allowing yourself the space to breathe becomes essential. Instead of relentlessly pushing forward, it’s valuable to be patient and take the time to reflect. Whether it’s going for a walk, spending time with a friend, or having a full night’s rest, taking breaks allows your mind the opportunity to unravel complex issues, and you’ll find that the challenges you struggled with become surprisingly clearer. Read more>>