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.

Vanessa Sanchez | Co-Founder & CEO

I have always been a fashion lover but these past few years I have become increasingly aware of the impact fashion has on the environment. Not only that, but keeping up with ever changing fashion trends is expensive. Miami is such a fashion-forward city that I still wanted to look cute but not at the expense of the planet or my wallet! For these very reasons, my co-founders and I had been swapping clothes with one another, as well as being avid thrifters and active on the clothing resale apps. It wasn’t until one of my partners traveled to Germany a few years ago and saw the growing trend of sustainable fashion choices that we realized we could digitize the in-person swap events and introduce this to the American market. Read more>>

 Jacqueline Renee Albir | Founder of Jacqueline Renee Wellness

I came up with Jacqueline Renee Wellness about a year ago, in May 2023 which came to fruition by finally merging my two passions in life: food and fitness. Read more>>

C. David Durkee | Author, poet, songwriter, musician and actor, under the pen name, Broken Poet

As an artist here in South Florida, a songwriter, a poet, an actor, it can seem like you are talking, and no one is listening. There is such a diverse and talented group of artists here in South Florida, if you do not listen to yourself, the feeling to just give up or the feeling, “Why does what I do matter?” can be overwhelming. However, if you listen to yourself and you look for the simple rewards, this will help you sustain your art. I have written most of my life and participated in music and acting most of my life. I mainly did this for fun and really did not try and share my art. One day, a girl I was dating found my cache of writing. She sat on my bed with wide eyes and said, “Why haven’t you published these?” I asked her in all seriousness, why would I publish such silly little thoughts and where would I publish these silly little thoughts. So, she pushed me to create a Facebook page for my poetry, Broken Poet. Social media can be a welcomed cheerleader for an artist. Immediately, people started to read my poetry, and “like” my poetry, and comment. The response was overwhelming. However, after you get over this initial buzz, art can get to be like work. Eventually, you start asking yourself, is all this work worth it. When these thoughts start to enter your head, you must listen to yourself and no one else. Keep true to your silly little thoughts. Keep writing in your style. There is no formula to art, and do not anyone ever tell you that you are doing it wrong. I am sure they told Edgar Allen Poe to not to write such dark poems. I am sure they told Bukowski that he was rude and crude. But they listened to themselves and kept going forward. The other important lesson I have learned is to cherish the simple rewards that are given from art. Someone moved to tears. Somone who gives you a heartfelt hug. Someone hears one of your songs and/or reads one of your poems and just says, “Wow, I really need to hear that,” or “Wow, I never knew other people had those feelings, thanks for sharing, now I don’t feel so alone.” I once had a person who read one of my poems become so moved that they put it on the headstone of her husband because the poem meant so much to them. However, big financial rewards, and/or moving someone to put your poem on their headstone, is not the goal. It is the simple act of touching another human’s heart. No matter how lightly. This world needs a little more love and light and understanding in it. If your art is THAT to ANYONE, at ANYTIME, keep going. Listen to your heart and you will know. Read more>>

Aadya Chaudhary, Ayushi Patel, and Harshita Chintapudi | The young girls behind international non-profit uEmpower

Aadya Chaudhary, Ayushi Patel, and Harshita Chintapudi | The young girls behind international non-profit uEmpower

The young girls we’ve had the opportunity to meet and learn from. Through their determination and commitment to equality and empowerment, these girls endlessly fuel our drive to continue bringing resources and opportunities to individuals around the world. Our chapter leaders are some of the most inspiring individuals we’ve ever met, combatting daily struggles at home and continuing to bring opportunity into their community regardless of societal challenges. This bravery and advocacy keeps us going and only strengthens our drive to help those around us. Read more>>

Sherjuana Carr | Minister, Author and Business Owner

This question is a loaded one. It puts me in the mindset of a show I was watching one day, and the character was in therapy and the therapist asked her what are you afraid of” She said that when I die, I won’t be missed”. And that moment I thought about that I said God I want my legacy when I leave this earth to be that I did exactly what you ordained me to-do before the foundation of the world! I know that God has called me to impact the world though love kindness and service. I am here to be of service to others, my family and women in particular. I am a woman and I understand the dynamics of a women, we’re diverse, were complicated. Women are made up of love, pain, and passion. I want people to say she was someone who served others with a purity of heart. She loved fiercely, she gave generously, and she impacted everyone she touched with the love of Christ! Read more>>

Susan Schultz | Owner of Healing Waters Health Center- Practitioner and teacher

Healing Waters Health Center is a testament to a shared vision of transformation and empowerment. Founded by Denise Gunderson, whose sudden passing is a profound loss, the center continues to be a beacon of hope and healing. Denise’s vision for the center was to help people understand themselves and move past their own resistances, and that vision has indeed created a legacy that will endure. Read more>>

Salva Alba | Conscious Music Artist & Producer

Human connection is one of the things that excite me the most. It’s pretty much the reason I make music. There is something about sharing a story and seeing other people relating to it, being inspired by it and seeing themselves in that story that really brings joy to me. Read more>>

Remone Benjamin-Gordon | Mom, Author, Public Health Nurse

The smile on my son’s face. The happiness in his laughter. The joy in knowing he is a direct manifestation of God’s love to this earth. He is my gift from God through which a part of me; and his dad, will always be living on. So my responsibility to him is to keep going, is to do the best that i can, no matter how tired, frustrated, or overwhelmed I may feel. I just cant quit. Read more>>

Sabrina Victoria | Community Builder

I’ve realized that entrepreneurship runs through my veins; it’s innate. Thriving under pressure, I always give my all, no matter what. My journey began during a toxic relationship. I needed financial independence in order to escape. Despite many ups and downs, I remember the exhilaration of earning my first $6,000 after years of financial struggle. That day I found a new empowerment and changed my entire outlook on life. Though the path hasn’t been easy, my vision and passion for business has kept me going. Read more>>

Sonya Tapia | Mixed-Media Artist and Performer

Lately, my work life balance has been great! I think I’ve finally gotten into a routine that is really working out for me. But it took me a long time to get to the point where I am today. Read more>>

Sharon Johnson | Content Creator & Influencer

Working a 9-5 while setting myself up to become an entrepreneur as a creative has really changed my outlook on a lot of things. I always thought it was easier to run your own business, but that’s the farthest thing from the truth. It takes a certain mindset and willpower to wake up every day and take intentional steps to push yourself towards a goal that only your imagination has seen before. Adding a 9-5 to the equation feels like jumping off the deep end because if you don’t have structure, you won’t be able to sustain yourself. Read more>>