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.

Paul Morris | Singer Songwriter/Photographer/Artist

So i’ve heard plenty of cool quotes and affirmations over the year, One that stood out to me was a quote from my father. Paul Morris Sr. He told me to remember during my biggest trials and tribulations that “everything is happening around you and not to you.” He’s big on protection, spirituality and our ancestors. On a more simplistic level, his quote made me feel more calm knowing that most of the things that I thought would be a bad situation just made room for the good outcomes and growth. Read more>>

Liza Lazaro-Matz | Wife, mom and entrepreneur

My favorite affirmation is just two words…Feed them. Several years ago I was meditating and praying about what I should do with the rest of my life. Two of my three children were already living on their own and my youngest was about to graduate high school. For the past 19 years, I had been a stay at home mom and prior to that I worked in corporate America. Whether I was working towards marketing goals, meeting work deadlines or trying to manage the lives and schedules of three children, my life had a distinct purpose. As my husband would say, “The days are packed” and they certainly were. Now, I was approaching the day when I would be an empty nester and then what? Read more>>

Keiana Jones | Software Architect and Entrepreneur

Science and technology is my passion and at the core of everything that I do. Growing up I did not get much exposure to STEM and as I got older and more interested in the field I did not see many people who look like me in this field. Therefore, I wanted to be able to expose more children, especially in underrepresented communities to the world of STEM and what better way to do that then though play. I started to do more community and volunteer outreach and then finally decided to open up a store that focuses on STEM toys for children curated by me. Read more>>

Natalia Ojeda | Personal Stylist – Personal Shopper

I want to leave behind a remembrance of a woman who was real, and genuine, for better or worse, and in the process, learned to accept life as it’s presented. I want people to remember me for my kind heart, humbleness, curiosity, and adventurous spirit. I want to leave behind a legacy that will contribute to people’s lives long after I’m gone. To practice compassion towards themselves and others, to take risks and travel the world, to experience different cultures and expand the mind. To get out of their comfort zone and inspire them to experience this beautiful earth and everything that it has to offer. I want people to remember me for being adaptable, spontaneous, and fearless. Read more>>

Maryann Rivera-Dannert, MSL | Podcaster, Author, Life Coach

I love this question. I’ve looked at my values numerous times over time, and three always come out in my top 10: Community, Happiness, and Freedom. The first time I was asked about my values, and did a values exercise, was during my undergrad studies at Roberts Wesleyan University. I honestly never thought about what my values were, or why they were important until then. And they’re what make life worth living. Read more>>

deborah dimare | chemical and cruelty free interior design consultant

The principles that matter to me most are doing my best to ensure clean, ethical spaces. Design that is zero to low toxins and non animal based (vegan). This philosophy encompasses and connects to many things. It’s slow design, emotional design, biophilic design. it’s all about creating spaces for optimal mental and physical health. Read more>>

Jessica Cachaldora | Community Foundation Development Director

There are common misconceptions about what nonprofits are and what they do. In my opinion the most fundamental confusion lies with the term “nonprofit.” Nonprofits can make a profit and actually should in order to have some level of positive revenue to build a reserve fund to ensure sustainability. The key difference between nonprofits and for-profits is that a nonprofit organization cannot distribute its profits to any private individual. This prohibition against “private benefit” is because tax-exempt charitable nonprofits are formed to benefit the public, not private interests. Read more>>

Patrice McCreath | Founder & CEO of Patreats

One aspect of the food industry that outsiders are probably unaware of is the extensive amount of experimentation, testing, research and development that goes into creating and perfecting food products. Above developing products that appeals to our consumer preferences, there’s standards and regulatory requirements that can’t be overlooked. Overall, it’s a labour of love and I enjoy the entire process for idea to delivery. Read more>>

Nataly Stein | Bakery and pizza shop owner

I think one of the most difficult decisions Ive had to make, was closing one of our stores. It was the original store, and a bakery that had been there for 50 years. I closed it in 2021, after years of battling with the shopping center improvements and many other factors. Sometimes I still regret it to this day. However, I had to hope that the brand I built was strong enough to keep most of our customers coming to our other locations, and we did! Read more>>

Alden Chance | TropiRollz

To Chase the Dream or Go Find a Job. Read more>>

April Irene Donelson | Senior Vice President Haute Media Group

The answers can be found in the micro. And simultaneously you have to be able to understand and align your actions to the broader horizon and bigger picture. Everyday. Read more>>

Work N Days | Professional Ballet Dancers & Small Business Owner

As full time dancers with Miami City Ballet, we’ve had to redefine what “balance” means and looks like. Opportunities presented themselves that tested our capabilities but allowed us to discover a newfound sense of confidence that translates in the studio and onstage. Our perspective and mindset changed through trial and error. To adapt became our strength, rather than hindering our performance resulting in careless efforts. Most recently, we had the privilege of dancing in a new ballet choreographed by Ricardo Amarante, “Delight” for Miami City Ballet with tights we produced. Our two passions met for the first time yet not one step of the way did it feel like “work”. We love to laugh, lean on each other in times of need, and are realistic each day with what we are able to put in in order to maximize our efforts in pursuing our careers. Read more>>

Sip Halbertsma | Commercial Director – Feadship America

I think this is one of the questions most important to our generation. A good work life balance will ensure better results in the future. Personally I divide my time 50/50 between Miami where I work, and Amsterdam where my son lives. I truly believe that spending 50% of my time full time with him allows me to have a stronger presence at work. Read more>>

Mina Taskiran | Luxury Real Estate Specialist

Choosing a specific niche in real estate and becoming an expert in that area has been the single most important decision contributing to my success as an agent. Specializing allows me to position myself as a trusted authority, attract more clients, tailor my services, and expand my professional network. Read more>>

Emiliya Poptsova | Elementary teacher | Licensed miami realtor | licensed boat captain & world traveler 77 countries +counting

Most important is growing on your self love, self care, what is important in your life or I should say who is important and what pushed you to achieve what you ave. Achieved today. Is it ambition? Is it the fact that I love boats and being out on the water? Is it because I love animals and look forward to my next destination like seeing penguins in Antarctica or seeing the sloths up close in Costa Rica. What is important to you? For me is helping others realize to not give up on your goals and dreams. Out it in writing change your lifestyle start eating healthier get into those fitness classes. Write down everything it manifests on its own with hard work and dedication. And doing what you love you won’t even notice that it’s work it just becomes a hobby. My motivation was my mother knowing her osteoporosis may grow so I want to do the best I can to show the world to my mother and to spend as much time possible as I can with her. My motivation was always my mother. Seeing what is happening with the world today makes me think how grateful we should be for being able to do the things we can. I live for adventures, I live for self love, my family and my puppy. If you love yourself everything will come. Read more>>

Shcarra Benn | CEO & The Creative Leo

Being authentically me in my business has made for many lasting client relationships. As an event planner this was very important. Covid made event planning an afterthought for many months and the uncertainty during those times required a pivot and quick. Stepping into the commercial printing space was something that was on my five-year business plan, but Covid made it become number one on that list. Now offering graphic design to print services was a game changer and allowed the business to scale up. Scaling up also brought many learning lessons as well- understanding how and where to purchase paper during a paper shortage was a challenge. Once this challenge was no longer an issue, I could then focus on printing an array of prints since I had access to a better range of quality paper. In 2021 we began offering memorial tribute services, this was something as a designer I did not think I would be able to handle until I looked at it from a different lens. I took the approach to be honored to create a moment in history that is tied to someone’s life and family. Creating a lasting memorial tribute to honor a life as a designer became the biggest accomplishment for me and also made me apart of real history. Being a part of history is very important to me, as my ancestors made it possible for me to be a business owner today. This same thought is why I refuse to give up, no matter the challenges that may come my way. I was given my gifts of being a creative and it is my purpose. Read more>>