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.

Cagatay Sevil | Co-Founder Youthinn

When you move away from your own country, you are already starting a journey into the unknown. The unknown journey starts with finding housing. At that point, you are already a foreigner to everything. You don’t know the culture and the system. Also, English, or the local language is not your first language, which creates an extra barrier between you and others. You don’t know the geographical location where you are going to live. You don’t know anyone. Additionally, currency differences can make a financial challenge, particularly if your country’s currency is weaker compared to the US dollar. So, as an international student, you have really limited money in your pocket. You don’t want to be scammed or spend extra money for nothing. Even now, if you have extra money in your pocket for renting a house, you still might not be able to rent a house with the current student housing crisis. These are already big issues and create lots of stress for you. Read more>>

Danielle Gray | Founder of Train Like A Gymnast, Celebrity Trainer & Fitness Model

In the realm of success, I find inspiration in Ralph Waldo Emerson’s profound words, particularly his timeless poem that encourages an individualistic interpretation of triumph. Emerson’s insight resonates deeply with me, as I navigate defining success in a world often dominated by external benchmarks and keeping up with the Joneses. One line that speaks volumes to me is, “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived – this is to have succeeded.” This encapsulates my belief that success isn’t solely about personal accomplishments but also about positively impacting others. Read more>>

Kiana Nicole Washington | Actress & Filmmaker

As a young actress, I was always told if there is anything else you would be happy doing in life, pursue that instead, because acting is a tough career path. There is always going to be a lot of rejection and hard times. However, I have always believed that if there is anything that you are passionate about, you should give it your all and never give up! I know that there is nothing that brings me as much joy as performing whether on stage or in front of a camera, so I believe that love for my craft keeps me going and pushes me to never give up no matter have tough it may be. There will be ups and downs for everything in life, but so long as you are learning and growing as a person and artist, it will all be worth it. It’s only a matter of time. Read more>>

Haven Livingston | Artist, Field Biologist, Educator

There have been times I wonder if the art I’m making is important or if I should keep on with it. I try to picture myself in another sort of job and how that would feel. Every time I imagine feeling frustrated that I won’t have time to get all of the images and emotions out of my head and body through another work of art. Even if I tried to give it up or do another job I think the creative process and my desire to make something with my hands would never go away. I would always be daydreaming about what I could create. So now, I never question if I should keep going. I know it’s inevitable. Read more>>

Juel Bergholm | Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist

One of the most pivotal and impactful decisions I’ve made in my life was when I chose to uproot my life and move to the opposite side of the country to pursue my dream of becoming an agency-signed hair and makeup artist. This decision wasn’t just about chasing a professional goal; it was about demonstrating to my children that dreams are worth pursuing, and you have the power to turn them into reality. Read more>>

Camilla Boemio | Art writer and curator of contemporary art

I’m born in Roma and has travelled the world working art. I’m nomadic, but a part of my is linked with LA and California. There are several ley lines that intersect on California, creating a unique energy that has attracted cultural and spiritual seekers for decades. Despite my frequent travels, the allure of the LA remains irresistible, drawing me back to my art experiences, my life’s purpose, the sky and the sea, landscape and the inclusive sence of community; LA is still the best place in the world. Read more>>

Eva Zheng | Executive Producer at Ease-In Film & Screenwriter

Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to share my journey. As a storyteller, I often find myself immersed in the narratives of others, sometimes overlooking the fact that I am also the central character in the film of my own life. Read more>>

Blake Mellgren | Owner & Executive Chef of Craft House Dana Point

Growing up in Orange County, there was a lack of creative culinarians and culinary options. Having food that blew your mind was something that excited me at an early age, but there wasn’t much in the scene that did that. Read more>>

Paul Rho | Artist, Photographer

I somehow left Korea and spent nearly 20 years in Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Argentina. I returned to Korea for military service and spent four years there before moving to the United States. I spent 14 years in Korea, followed by another four years as an adult. I spent half of my life in Korea and the other half abroad. After leaving Korea and living as an expat, I learned a lot from a variety of sources, but ironically, my childhood memories of Korea have served as the motif and inspiration for my recent work. Read more>>

Andrew Moran | Artist/Rapper/Song Writer

I want my legacy to be about working through the tougher things in life. Being able to withstand any adversity at its highest form, and coming out with something to show… never giving up on your dreams and always bringing your loved ones up for the ride to success, never forgetting where we come from is most important. Read more>>

Meg Nunes | Yoga Instructor, Usuii Reiki Master Energy worker, & wellness influencer

Taking care of myself in all its forms — mind, body, soul. I’ve learned the hard way that the more I give from a place of lack, the less I actually have to give. So taking care of myself in the morning with a guided meditation, vitamins & nutrients, a chuggable iced coffee & a long walk outside can do wonders for me & allows me to really be able to show up for my clients & my work on such a greater level and higher vibration of energy. Read more>>

Dr. Cindy Tsai, MD | Physician, TEDx Speaker, Author, Chief Wellness Officer

Having a consistent self-care routine has been crucial in my well-being and success. For me, this includes taking care of different areas of health including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. When I’m in good health, I’m happier, inspired, more focused and energized to do my best work. Self-care looks different for each person but the key is to find practices that work for you. Read more>>

Brooke Hoogendoorn | Abstract Artist

As a creative, happiness is found in ways that’s almost hard to explain. I know there’s many others out there that understand these deep emotions yet, describing them can be tricky. It actually doesn’t take much to bring me joy. But on top of that list are my amazing family and actually, my job. Being able to have my job listed up there on what is essentially a long list of things that make me happy.. I realize is a huge blessing. Creating art, that sometimes even come as a surprise to me is one of the most rewarding things. For me true happiness equals tears… yes, I’m a crier. And yes, I’ve cried after a flood of emotions hit me when finishing up a painting because it made me …happy. I really enjoy the simpler things in life. From music with a good beat or seeing an older, happy couple in love. Oh my goodness…. I cant take it! I cant even began to explain the happiness my incredibly supportive husband and children bring me. Both of my kids have only know me as an artist their whole lives. My 21 year old daughter has now become my part time assistant. And nothing could be better then spending extra time with my favorite girl as she helps me follow my passion even further. Read more>>

Diana Kathryn Penn | Author, Editor, Book Formatter, Writing Coach

Since the beginnings of our organized society, the way we have given honor and credence to thoughts, ideas, parables, edicts, and even our own daily history has been to write them down. And, when we wanted to disappear any trace of that history, those same writings were erased, destroyed, and ignored. They were wiped out of our social and intellectual existence. Read more>>

Kate Walker | Executive Consultant, Human Resources Expert, & Bestselling Author SPHR and SHRM-SCP Certified; Certified Life Coach

Two values that have been on my mind lately are authenticity and humility. In this day and age of online business, I see many people boasting and bragging oftentimes in the name of coercive sales tactics. They’re shouting revenue numbers and program success which may or may not be true. I’m more attracted to those who are a quiet, humble force. Those who are providing value and doing good things in the world without shouting, craving bright lights, or hyping accolades. Read more>>

Sivon The Radiiance | Recording Artist & Creative

“Fake it til you make it.” I think that saying sets a dangerous norm for the quality of anything created. Of course, anyone who would recommend that as a way of living isn’t exactly concerned with the creativity or the quality of it thereof. But even if they were, it would still be strange to suggest to someone that they present themselves in a false manner in order to succeed. Any industry that rewards fictitiousness should be questioned anyways. Especially if it’s rooted in art. Read more>>

Phuong (Chelsea) Le | Graphic Designer

For me, graphic designers are behind-the-scenes busy bees. Most of the time, the creative work is for the audiences, not just for ourselves. I find it intriguing to figure out the “perfect” formula for producing work that can satisfy not only personal aesthetic cravings but also is approachable and comprehensible for people who are not surrounded by design every day (in this case, a good example is my mom, a neurologist). When I was in school, I would sometimes show my work to her, and if she understood the ideas and intentions through my design execution, I felt validated, and my projects seemed to be heading in a good direction :-). Meaning serves as the base, and beauty is the cherry on top, always! Read more>>

Dave Young Kim | Artist/Muralist

There’s a perception that mural-making is sexy and glamorous, what you might see on social media is a 6-sec clip of a mural magically appearing out of nowhere, with cool music in the background and maybe some dancing interspersed throughout the process. When the reality is there is so much time spent inside before any paint is even considered, hours/days/weeks/months of sitting at the computer researching the subject, as well as, all the communication with the people funding the project, budgeting, planning the logistics. And then once the mock-up of the mural is done you have to meticulously go through it and determine what colors you’ll need. After which you have to mix the colors yourself or get them mixed in preparation. Once at the wall at the beginning and end of each day, you have to load and unload, all the paint which weighs 11 lbs and 2.5 lbs for a gallon and quart, respectively. And then a full day of standing mostly on one spot rolling paint or constantly moving your arm up and down, the same repetitive motion, with resistance from the friction of the wall. Every day for as many days as it takes to paint the wall. In the heat and the cold. It’s a literal workout. I always say mural-making is an exercise in troubleshooting, you show up as prepared as possible but also with the knowledge that something will inevitably go wrong: the lift stops working, someone steals your paint, I’ve even had the battery of the lift get stolen, you’re outside in the elements anything could happen, even if it rains you’re on a schedule so you figure out how to work despite it. The closest thing I could compare it to is construction, everything down to sitting on Home Depot buckets turned upside down to have your sandwich. Don’t get me wrong, I love doing it and it’s a blessing to get to imagine something and then put it up at such a grand scale for the world to see, but it’s much more than meets the eye! Read more>>

Jacob Delgado | Makeup artist

The end goal for me is to have my own makeup brand as well as fashion brand I love the beauty world as well as the fashion world.I spend my free time creating looks on myself as well as my friends and uploading to social media.The fashion part really makes the whole idea of my makeup look come to life as well makeup has always been my life since I was in high school and having my own makeup brand would be such an accomplishment as well as starting some sort of fashion/clothing brand. Read more>>

Roya Yazdi | Artist

A significant and challenging decision I made two years ago was resigning from my role as a senior property manager to wholeheartedly pursue my passion Read more>>