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.

Ciara Hendrix

For me, when I’m deciding if it’s worth it to give up or persevere, I have to sit with and make room for my my grief around the circumstances. If the situation requires me to sacrifice too much of myself, I try to find other possible resolutions before walking away. Read More>>

Jennifer Lord

I often question why am still doing this? Running a business while rarely making a profit. Creating imagery and art while receiving minimal recognition. And then I’ll get a review or watch a young girl open my coffee table book. The joy it is to see her face light up from being affirmed. Often it’s a grown woman and often she will cry expressing how much she wished she had this when she was growing up to empower her. Then I remember why I must keep going and why I will never quit. The representation and creative contributions from my brand matters to Black women. Read More>>

Denise Torres

The Risks of Running Chic Wig Boutique

Entrepreneurship is about stepping into the unknown, taking calculated risks, and believing in a vision before the world sees it. Chic Wig Boutique is more than just a business; it’s a mission to help people feel beautiful, confident, and empowered. However, behind every successful boutique lies the reality of risk-taking and the challenges that come with running a business in a competitive industry. Read More>>

Dalton Loughlin

Djing and any carrer that is your passion and doesnt have a corporate structure is always a gamble. You have to really believe in yourself. Your only as good as your last performance. Read More>>

Danilo Vargas

It’s no secret that the world and our country are changing in unprecedented and fundamental ways. As a result, minority solopreneurs or microbusiness owners like myself are now facing many dangers, many unexpected, but also a new set of possibilities and opportunities. It will take vision, courage, intelligence, and community to see and pursue those new opportunities and that’s what I’m trying to facilitate through my online platform, STRIVER Confidential (https://striver-confidential.ghost.io). Read More>>

Elena Pezzo

The secret sauce behind my success—and the success of Elena AI Agency—is a mix of authenticity, innovation, and a deep passion for empowering women.

I don’t just teach women entrepreneurs how to use AI—I help them own their brilliance and step into their power in a world that’s evolving fast. I know firsthand how overwhelming technology can feel, but I also know the freedom, confidence, and game-changing growth that comes when you learn how to use it to your advantage. Read More>>

Yanira Martinez

Being a photographer truly makes me happy. I get to capture beautiful women and families. As a woman I love being able to help other women feel and look confident. I want to capture all the little and big moments for others to have for a lifetime. Read More>>

Erika Alonso

Work-life balance has been an evolving journey for me. When I started Cakeology, I was baking from home during the pandemic, trying to support my family while navigating uncertainty. At that stage, there was no real separation between work and home life—every surface in my kitchen was covered in cake supplies, and my days stretched long into the night.

As Cakeology grew, I had to be intentional about creating structure. Balancing business expansion while raising three kids meant setting boundaries—learning to delegate, organizing efficient processes, and prioritizing time with my family. It’s still a work in progress, especially as I take steps to scale the business nationally. But I’ve come to see balance not as a perfect split between work and life, but as a rhythm that shifts depending on my goals. Read More>>