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.

Dadou Francinord

My favorite quote is “Dribble with your left.” It means to try some different and see if it helps improve your current state. In basketball, you have your favored moves and motions just as we do in our careers/goals. Sometimes in the midst of our efforts, we hit a wall and can’t figure out why yet we’re reluctant to hearing sound advice because we already stuck in our way.  Read More>>

Anastasiia Smorgun

It’s difficult for me to choose just one quote or affirmation — I find guidance, peace, and strength in many. My compass in life is the Bible. It’s more than a book to me — it’s a source of identity, hope, and unwavering truth. Here are a few of my favorite scriptures that deeply shape how I see myself and the world:

1.”Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
(John 1:12) Read More>>

Gaby Coburn

To me, success is when purpose, creativity, and freedom come together. It’s doing work that lights me up and helps other people show up with confidence. I love helping brands find their voice, tell better stories, and post like they actually enjoy social media again.

But real talk? Success is also being able to pick up my kids from school without asking for permission. It’s showing up to the class parties, being there for the school plays, and saying yes to the random weekday moments that matter most. I didn’t start this business just to work for myself. I started it to build a life that fits around the people I love most. Read More>>

Patricia Schnall Gutierrez

In terms of my career, the notion of giving up doesn’t enter the equation. Because of necessity, I’ve held a wide range of jobs throughout my life, and those experiences clearly led me to know that making art is not only what I’m meant to do—it’s what sustains me. It’s not a matter of persistence as much as it is a recognition of purpose. Read More>>

Michelle Fu

I’ve always had a habit of romanticizing life. I’ve never really outgrown that part of myself—seeing the world through rose-colored glasses. That lens has shaped the way I see the world, and it’s also why The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer means so much to me. This book has become an extension of myself as I grow older; it’s more than just a book, it’s a piece of who I am—a reminder that childlike wonder isn’t something we have to grow out and the belief that there’s beauty in seeing the world with a bit of magic. Read More>>

Lucca Saviello

I’m inspired by my culture. Brazil is incredibly rich in music, with so many unique genres—it inspires me every day. Miami also plays a big role in fueling my creativity. The cultural mix here has taught me a lot and helped me expand my musical vision. Read More>>

Jackie Pesce Sieron

I love this question and it’s an easy one to answer for me. I’d like to be so authentically myself (without ever feeling the need to explain myself to anyone) that everyone around me feels like they can be their authentic selves as well. I want the concept of just being true to who you are, the good the bad the ugly, to spread to anyone that I meet. Read More>>

Natalie Reyes

I want people to remember me as the girl who showed up with a camera, captured the raw and the real, and turned moments into memories you could feel. Whether it was horsepower on the road or heart in the arena, I chased passion through every lens. My legacy isn’t just about photos — it’s about telling stories with grit, soul, and style. I want to be remembered for capturing life exactly as it is: bold, wild, and true to its core. Read More>>

Mirna Franco

Success in any field, whether professional or personal, depends more on daily habits, starting with exercising, eating healthy, and getting enough sleep. I call this the foundation of success because if your mind and body are healthy, a solid foundation makes running a career easier!
That said, the habits that have helped me the most over the years are: Read More>>

SiNNY N0VA

Happiness is music. Happiness is seeing my peers and myself success, staying true to ourselves despite all the odds. As long as I have music in my life I will always experience happiness. But also like Koreans and Chinese dramas, anime, naps and food. It makes me feel calm. Read More>>

Mehdi Taifi

My ultimate goal is to be known as a tech founder who built something that truly impacted our generation and those that come after us. I want to create meaningful innovation that not only solves real problems but also inspires a shift in how we live, connect, and consume. Legacy matters to me. I’m not just building a product, I’m building a movement, something that leaves a lasting positive footprint on the world. By the end of my career, I hope people will look at what I’ve built and say, “That changed the game.” Read More>>

Christopher Gioitta

Before I started Parea Travel, I always thought work-life balance meant grinding all week and then traveling in your free time. Travel was always my thing. I’ve been to over 80 countries, but I always assumed travel was too niche to be a serious career path. Read More>>