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.

Chloe Rhea | Founder of Not Guilttea bakery

Since I was very young, I have always helped my dad in the kitchen. Whether he was making dinner or baking a dessert, I was always eager to do my part. As I grew older, I started to bake on my own trying recipes that interested me the most. When I became a teenager, I learned the importance of health and I started integrating it in my everyday life. Experimenting in my baking during the COVID quarantine, I substituted many ingredients for healthier alternatives. Whether it was a gluten-free flour or a low glycemic sugar, I always noticed how good I felt in comparison to when I ate the commercial baked goods. Read more>>

Tatiana Freitas | Influencer and Creator of Content

I’m very focus in helping moms and families in the community. I was born and raised in Brazil, I moved to the US back in 1997 with my 9 month daughter and my parents. I really didn’t get the time to go pursue school because I was already working as a Baby sister and had to learn English first! So I did that for years, when I had the opportunity to go back to school I got a Medical Assistant Certification and worked for several years in that field. Then I got married in 2010, had another baby and I was a stay home mom taking care of the house. And I trying to get busy with something.. Read more>>

Judit Peralta | Brand Strategist & Life Enthusiast

My mother taught me something profound: when she sees a new business, she doesn’t just see a company; she sees their dreams. She’d say, ‘Look at that family putting together a new business, the husband moving everything around, the wife helping. They’re investing their money, maybe they want to put their son in a better school or travel. They have a dream of creating this new company.’ Read more>>

Giselle Colon | Event and Wedding Planner

The key to my success as an event and wedding planner has been really listening to my clients and understanding what they want, not just on a surface level but on an emotional level, too. Every couple or event is unique, and my goal is to bring their vision to life in a way that feels true to them. I think people trust me because I put my heart into every detail and make sure their day feels special, not just another event on the calendar. I’m also always learning and adapting to new trends, which keeps things fresh and exciting, but at the end of the day, it’s all about making my clients happy and giving them an experience they’ll cherish forever. Read more>>

Marvel Franccesca (chynadollbabi) Cruz Taylor | Media Personality & Communications Entrepreneur

Consistency and being persistent have both been essential in laying the root, the foundation for every aspect of the Airing With Chynadollbabi brand and now In The Air Communications. I really put in the work ethic and sweat in this entertainment industry. Along with that the hunger to learn and being humble also helped me acquire a network that has been essential in making me a branding fixture in South Florida. I learned the ins and outs of the entertainment business, especially the behind the scenes operations. Read more>>

Caitlin Mccall | Caitlin McCall | Social Media Marketing Agency Owner & Agency Educator

That you have to follow a specific timeline to be successful. I think with social media, it’s easy to look at everyone you’ve ever met in life’s big moments and think they’re ahead or behind you and what that means about your own life. For me personally, if I had gotten that corporate job I thought I wanted right out of college, I would’ve never actualized and started my own business and this is so much more meaningful to me! Your timeline is your own, so it’s better to just focus on yourself and working to continuously better yourself. Read more>>

Sunny Chen | Non-Profit Organization Founder & CEO

Reflecting on my journey with ReSoap Foundation, the most important lesson I’ve learned is the incredible strength found in resilience. When I embarked on this mission as a high school student with limited experience, the challenges of launching a nonprofit were daunting. There were moments when the weight of it all felt overwhelming. I recall numerous times when plans unraveled—events that didn’t materialize, initiatives that struggled to gain momentum, and phases when progress seemed agonizingly slow. Each setback felt like a personal failure, causing me to question whether I was truly equipped for this path. Read more>>

Jordan Feigelis | Baby Proofer

One of the most important lessons my career has taught me is that embracing failure is essential for success. No matter how much I prepare or try to anticipate challenges, I’ve learned that true expertise comes from learning through mistakes. Each setback has offered valuable insights that have shaped my skills and resilience. It’s this willingness to fail and grow that ultimately drives progress in my work. Read more>>

Luissette Guerrero | Artist/Singer-Songwriter

I am from Valencia, Venezuela. I grew up in the suburbs of the city. Surrounded by farms and country, simple people. As my parents wanted me to pursue my passions for arts, they made the sacrifice to enroll me in the bests arts institutes in my hometown that where located of course in the bests areas of the city. Which were private and of course, I was surrounded by wealthy kids. To them I was the country girl but In my little town I was “that girl”. Therefore, I had the opportunity to live the best of both worlds and also the bad… that helped become very adaptive but also very true to myself, because in a way I was the “different one” in both scenarios. Read more>> 

Katlyn Jones | Author

I am originally from San Diego, California, but I have called Panama City, Florida my home for over 25 years. While I have always had a wide variety of skills and jobs throughout my life so far, nothing has made me as happy as the title of author. I do believe everything I’ve learned up until being an author has helped mold me to handle this new title. My upbringing will forever hold a special place in my heart, as I had two of the most amazing grandparents along side me helping through it all. They helped mold me into the woman that I am today. They raised me to love fully, enjoy life and to never be afraid to chase your dreams no matter how scary they are! They will forever be in my heart. Read more>>

Samantha Alavi-jackson | Co-Owner Economic Electric Motors/ Co-Founder 2MamaBees

My approach to work-life balance has definitely evolved over time. As a mom of five it can be challenging, but setting clear boundaries is key. I strive to give my all in everything I do, but I’ve learned that there’s simply not enough time for everything, and some things can wait. Looking within myself has helped me gain clarity on what truly matters most to me. This reflection has allowed me to align my priorities and focus on what brings me joy, whether it’s quality time with my kids, pursuing my career, or taking time for self-care. It’s a continuous journey, but finding that balance is worth it! Read more>>