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.

Alicia Sinclair

I found my way into the s*xual wellness industry somewhat unexpectedly 23 years ago, when I took on the role of VP of Worldwide Sales and Business Development at Jimmyjane. While there, I created a s*x education boot camp to train retailers on anatomy and common s*xual wellness concerns. I also had the unique opportunity to collaborate with the Department of Justice and assist the FBI in developing communication channels between the government and the adult industry as part of the Child Protection and Obscenity Enforcement Act. Read More>>

Victoria Johnson

Success, to me, is waking up genuinely excited because I get to create something that feels authentic to who I am. It’s those meaningful moments where I know I’m impacting others in a positive way. Whether that’s through a social media post or simply showing up as myself. Real success happens when your passion, purpose and peace all coexist in harmony. That’s the kind of life I’m building and that’s what I’m proud of. Read More>>

Isaiah Williams

I see risk as a necessary part of growth. For me, taking risks isn’t about being reckless, it’s about stepping outside of my comfort zone when I know there’s potential for something greater. Every major move I’ve made in my life or career came with uncertainty, but I’ve learned that avoiding risk often means avoiding progress. Read More>>

Erick Ison

In 2022, I took the biggest risk of my life.
I left my upper management career in a small Indiana town, sold my dream cars and my beautiful home, and moved to a much bigger city. Miami. I gave up the comfort of my “successful” life to chase something deeper: fulfillment.

What I didn’t expect was to lose everything almost instantly.
No money. No job. No connections. Just hope. Read More>>

Pedro Cabrera

For me, social impact is the soul of EmprenderUS; it’s our primary mission since we are just beginning. We directly address a very real challenge in the world of entrepreneurship: the high failure rate of new businesses, which is often due to insufficient preparation and a lack of access to solid resources.

Our goal with EmprenderUS is to empower Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs globally, providing them with crucial access to quality education, strategic connections, and verified resources that would otherwise be difficult for them to obtain. Read More>> 

Natali & Brian Kociak

At Holyshakes, our mission goes beyond delicious treats — we aim to nourish the soul of our community. We create a welcoming, family-friendly space where people can connect, celebrate, and enjoy high-quality, feel-good products. We believe in the power of small businesses to bring people together, and we proudly hire local staff, support neighborhood events, and collaborate with other small brands to boost the local economy. Read More>>

Stephanie Mercedes

I am inspired by rage. To be queer today is to be in a constant stage of rage. Art is my outlet. In spanish the word “aguda” is sharpness. I think and feel the word in my practice. Many of my sculptures include highly sharpened metallic points, delicate, vulnerable and yet violent, maybe even weapon-like. The sharpness of these metallic sculptures are the embodiment of my vulnerable rage, a feeling I return back to again and again in my life and in my work. Read More>>  

Sasha Atlas

I have found that slowing down and taking my time has been the best thing for my long term success. Today there’s so much pressure to “go, go, go” all the time. I used to feel a lot of guilt when taking downtime or slowing down. I constantly felt like I was not productive enough if I didn’t get every single thing on my to-do list done. It took a lot of growth to realize that I was overburdening myself and setting unrealistic expectations for what I could accomplish on a daily basis. I’d try to do it all and inevitably burn out, and feel even worse. Read More>>

 Johanna Rua

What makes me happy is helping others want better for their health.

My own health journey began in 2018 when I suddenly developed asthma, which led me down a path of deep research into not only the food we eat but also the environments we live and work in. I realized that so many of the products used in everyday spaces, offices, gyms, clinics, were filled with harmful chemicals that were affecting people’s well-being without them even knowing it. Read More>>

Claudia

What many people don’t know about my industry is that my glass art is also a way to care for the planet. Rescuing discarded materials and giving them new life is part of my process. Innovating through recycling isn’t just possible, it’s urgent. Art can be part of the environmental solution  Read More>>

 Jhon Restrepo

From a young age, I knew I wanted to live a life rooted in art. It was more than a hobby; it was how I made sense of the world. Throughout my school years, I was deeply involved in art clubs and any creative event I could find. By the time I reached my junior year of high school, I knew without a doubt that art was the path I wanted to follow. Read More>>

Suany Ortiz

Pursuing art professionally always felt natural to me, it wasn’t a question of if, but when. I’ve been creative since childhood, but it was during my teenage years that I began to take art more seriously. It became not just something I enjoyed, but something that felt necessary, like a part of who I am. Read More>>

Daniela Segura

One of the most transformative decisions in my life was moving to the United States, specifically to Miami, to pursue my dreams. I wanted to live a more peaceful life, free from the fear and limitations I felt in my home country. That shift changed everything—including how I see balance. Read More>>