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.

Lile Koridze

For me, success is not only about results or titles, although achievements in chess are important. I see success as continuous growth: improving as a player, learning from difficult games and pushing myself to become better every day.

At the same time, success also means being able to share my passion for chess with others. Through streaming and content creation, I can connect with people who love the game and inspire more players to get involved in chess. Read More>>

Dr. Purnell Traverso

From a broader perspective, I think success is about the impact you have on the people and communities around you. It’s less about titles or milestones and more about whether the work you do genuinely improves someone else’s life. Read More>>

Lynn Lessell

I know to keep going because every time I even entertain the idea of giving up, life sends me a reminder through someone I’ve impacted. They’ll call, message, or pull me aside and share a specific way my work helped them see themselves differently, make a brave decision, or feel less alone. Read More>>

Maybeline Despagne

I did not originally set out to pursue a creative career. Photography entered my life as a passion before it became my profession. At the time, I was already running a business, but I found myself increasingly drawn to the creative process, experimenting with lighting, concepts, and storytelling through images. What started as curiosity gradually became something I could not ignore. Read More>>

 Elena Nikolashkina

I love what I do, I love rhythmic gymnastics, myself in it, seeing girls develop into amazing skilled professionals through the years with my help . I take failures very personal. That busses me all the time and need to succeed.
Nothing is easy, Everything is very hard, every day is another Challendge , test. I never give up, I try again every time. Read More>>

Jessica Zuckier

Starting my own business was driven by a combination of purpose, opportunity, and long-term vision. In 2024, my husband and I relocated to Florida with a clear goal: to create a better life for our family while building something meaningful together. We purchased a Five Star Painting franchise, allowing us to combine entrepreneurship with our complementary strengths. My husband oversees day-to-day operations, while I lead the marketing, social media, and advertising efforts. Read More>>

Cecilia (C.V.) Shaw

My work life balance changed during the pandemic. It wasn’t until then that I realized how many hours I was putting into my practice. I love what I do in the wellness industry, but catering to others’ schedules to make myself available was keeping me in the clinic long and late hours. Read More>>