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.

Katherine Kesey

I’m inspired by objects which are normally overlooked. When I see a discarded can of Modelo on the sidewalk, I can’t help but take a photo in order to paint it later. I love the shine and color of a crushed can, or the haphazard placement of glasses on a table after a party. These things become luminous to me, when taken out of context like that. It’s because they aren’t trying to be important that I feel inspired. I can feel a sense of implied life and possibility there – like something did happen or could happen at any moment, and they were the focal point. That’s what makes me want to paint them. Read More>>

Lelia Woods

For me the big turning point. The point where events became a lot larger and more successful and I had a more solid idea of what I wanted to do with this little circus I’ve built; was when I started accepting on a deep level that I needed help. There’s a lot of pressure in the world to act like Atlas, to take on everything and be willing to do anything to accomplish your goals, to be and in a way you always have to be prepared to do that in some form. Being in any sort of leadership position means wearing a lot of heavy hats while still having to stand up straight. Read More>>

Gabriele Maria Bussetti

I learned early on that everything has to serve the story – that’s just how I’m wired as a filmmaker. There’s this moment in every edit where you’re staring at this gorgeous shot you’re personally attached to, but you can feel it’s not quite capturing what the story is asking for. Now when I’m working, I find myself asking: ‘Am I living up to this story, or am I settling for something that’s just close enough?’ It’s not always comfortable – sometimes that means admitting you haven’t found the truth of a moment yet, or that you need to dig deeper – but the story deserves your best attempt at honesty. When you actually match what the story is asking for, that’s when the real connection happens. Read More>>

Brett Robert Culbert

The one piece of conventional advice I’ve always rejected is to ‘follow the rules.’” The second you decide to play by someone else’s rulebook, you’ve already lost. You’re competing on their terms and erasing your single greatest asset: your unique perspective. It turns innovators into cover bands.

So my philosophy is simple: It’s not about being a rule-breaker, it’s about being a rule-maker. Don’t just follow the map—your job is to draw a new one.” Read More>>

Suzi Landolphi

Don’t follow conventional advice!
The definition of “conventional” is a person concerned with what is generally held to be acceptable at the expense of individuality and sincerity. That right there says it all and definitely doesn’t describe me. I have always been a disruptor of the conventional, especially when following conventional thinking and acting means creating and accepting the same ineffective results. Read More>>

Elina Katrin

One thing outsiders are probably unaware of about the poetry world is how vibrant, diverse, and accessible it really is. There’s so much more to poetry than Robert Frost or the inspirational snippets that go viral on Instagram or TikTok. From chapbooks and themed anthologies to full-length collections and online literary journals, there are so many opportunities to interact with this genre. Read More>>

Natalie Sakamoto

One of the most important lessons I have learned over the years, not just as a business owner but also as an employee was the value of my time. When you choose to work for someone or for yourself, you are either choosing how much your time is worth or someone will determine how much it is for you.

The more years of experience and expertise you have the more value your time is worth. That’s is why I prefer to be an entrepreneur, I set my value. I also take the time to make sure I continue to grow and learn and so I can be the best version of myself for my clients, and my family. Read More>>

William H Morgan

This is a very relevant question to me, as it’s something I’ve come to appreciate and be more mindful of these days. As a freelancer, I have learnt that work life balance requires both adaptability and discipline, and at this stage of my life, I find that balance needs to be more flexible. Read More>>