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.

Stanley Gonzalez | Traveled , Food lover & content creator.

I define success as the ability to generate authentic connections with people through my talent and passion. For me, success is not measured solely in numbers or material achievements, but in the impact I have in sharing what I love with others. Read more>>

Aries Ali | Mixed media artist

Something like that is hard to gauge. I’ve wanted to quit several times but art and being a creative is all I know. I wouldn’t feel fulfilled if I didn’t spend my time making art or designing clothes. Everytime I’ve been at a breaking point this curren$y interview replays in my head, where he explains that most people give up right before they pop and most people don’t realize how close they were to success. You have to have patience with yourself. 2 years ago I decided to go to art Basel alone to gauge what the week had to offer. I didn’t know what to expect but for some reason I believed my life would change by just being there. I was completely wrong and had the worst experience of all time. I was walking down a random street in wynwood ready to pack it up and just quit art all together. But I decided to stick with my passion and didn’t concede. Fast forward to this year i had 3 pop up events, on the same exact block, that I was ready to give up on. Your time is coming, that full circle moment confirmed that for me. I realized that my art wasn’t even up to par to showcase at the time. I wasn’t ready for that stage but I’m grateful that I gave myself grace and allowed myself to grow as an artist. Read more>>

Liz Giraldo

The single most important decision I made was making time for this business and leaning on my husband and family, who have been my backbone throughout this journey. But above all, it was deciding to get up every day and pursue this dream for my son, Julian, to ensure I can give him the best life possible. Read more>>

Samah Abukhodeir

One of the most important decisions I made was to focus deeply on process improvement and building a well-structured team. In a law firm, especially in family law, probate, and estate planning, the ability to deliver consistent, high-quality service depends on having solid systems in place. By prioritizing efficient workflows and hiring people with both strong technical skills and emotional intelligence, I was able to ensure that the firm runs smoothly even during busy or challenging times. Read more>>

Anna O. | Branding Expert & CEO

At its core, my business is all about helping businesses of all sizes, especially entrepreneurs and small business owners show up as the best versions of themselves. I work with clients to clarify their brand identity, build authentic connections with their audience, and create content that feels true to who they are. By empowering business owners to tell their stories with confidence and consistency, I’m not just helping them grow their brands—I’m helping them build meaningful connections within their communities and beyond. Read more>>

Silvio Porzionato | Painter – Artist

I was an interior designer, but I wasn’t happy, so I quit my job and after a year I planned to open a farm and make wine. During this sabbatical year I traveled to Asia and once I arrived in India I was a guest of an elderly painter, who claimed that I was a painter too. But I had never painted before. Read more>>

Karla Paguaga | Founder of The Social Meets

“When Bad Things Happen to Good People” by Harold S. Kushner. Last year, I was going through a tough situation and one of my best friends recommended the book. As human beings we question things that happen to us, “I am a good person, so why me?” “Why is life unfair?” Read more>>

Vanessa Sirni | Travel Blogger & Content Creator

I am truly inspired by the beauty of our Earth. Ever since I was little, I knew I wanted to see as much of this planet as possible. From the lush rainforests to the deep blue seas, I learn something new everytime that I feel connected to nature. It is easy to get caught up in everyday nuisances, but I always find that balance when I am surrounded by nature. I am constantly reminding myself to slow down and be patient with myself as I am only human. We are more connected to our Earth than many tend to realize. The inspiration for my creativity and business is lead by that connection, and I hope to inspire others to feel the same. Read more>>

Meredith Stern | Interior Designer & Home Stylist

I want my legacy to be defined by the relationships I build with my clients and the deeply personal, transformative spaces I create for them. My approach to design goes beyond aesthetics; it’s about truly understanding each client on a detailed, individual level—their lifestyle, preferences, and aspirations—and translating that into spaces that are not only beautiful but also uniquely tailored to their needs. Read more>>

Alexa De Leon | Certified Professional Mindset & Alignment Coach

When I think about legacy, I think about impact—the meaning we create in the dash between the day we are born and the day we leave this world. My deepest desire is for my legacy to ignite a spark in others, reminding them that they are powerful and magical beyond belief. I want people to feel the truth that their potential is infinite and that a purposeful, fulfilling life is not just possible—it’s waiting for them. Read more>>

Ari Grossman

Work life balance is a struggle for everyone, especially when you have more than one business. In my family, we break it down to three pillars of life: personal, people, and prosperity. On any given day I rate my pillars on a scale of one to ten, with one being unsuccessful and ten being absolutely perfect in that pillar. Any area in my life that has an 8 or below, I examine what I can be doing better for that, or the, next day. I find that the prosperity pillar is the easiest to adjust, as this pillar covers all things business and finances. If I give myself say a six or seven in my prosperity pillar, I look at my business funnel. How many leads am I bringing in, what is my conversion rate, are my services fulfilling the needs of my community, and lastly, what actions can I take today to convert into more business tomorrow. Often times it’s as simple as a follow up phone call, a dialogue with my current happy clients, or sometimes my business simply needs more visibility. To find balance between work life, and everything else, us human beings encounter, I simply look at my other pillars in a similar way. A lot of people struggle most on the personal pillar, as this is all things you personally need to manage. This includes mental and physical wellbeing, mindfulness, and personal time. Though writing these out it seems so simple, when we have family depending, and work demanding of us, it feels really difficult to prioritize one’s self. For this reason, I utilize therapy, personal training, and my life mentor for coaching on the path to personal fulfillment. A great quote for self happiness, from author Byron Katie, “The only time we suffer, is when we believe a thought that argues with what is.” In other words, what is reality? What is the reality of my business, my personal life, and the people around me? With the pillar system we get rid of the noise that clouds a clear path to success. Lastly, the people pillar is the single most challenging pillar to work as a busy, hardworking entrepreneur. What is your relationship like with the people you work with, live with, choose to be around, and forced to be around? At the end of the day, all the blood sweat and tears we put into our work, we do for the ones we love so we can live a life of abundance and ease. When examining my three pillars, I view it as spokes on a bicycle. Without integrity in my spokes, my life is bound to collapse. Over the last decade, I’ve made serious changes in how I prioritize my pillars as I approach my third decade in life. I used to be focused on the personal pillar, with little to no regard to how my others scored, but with an amazing girlfriend, a loving family, and a great work environment, I find myself dedicated to having balance in all three major areas of my life. Read more>>

Danielle Enzinna | Digital Marketing Expert, Certified Google Ads Specialist, Founder & CEO of Pink Paradigm

At the end of 2022, I was severely burnt out and had no energy for fun or happiness. So when I started my own business in 2023 it was important to me to create balance so that I had the mental and physical energy to enjoy my life. Now I look at my personal and professional obligations as two halves of one whole, rather than two separate realms. Keeping up with household chores, health and wellness, and hobbies and friends are all just as important as keeping up with client work and business operations. Read more>>