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.

Julia Ongchoco | Film, Production, Cognitive Science

My phone has a ‘shortcut’ to a finance web application that I’ve actually been developing. Every time I make a purchase, I open this app and plug in the expense — and this automatically goes into a Google spreadsheet that keeps track of my budget, all my savings, expenses, and how much I have remaining to spend per category (say, my groceries, or camera equipment). When I transitioned to the film industry, I was really anxious about how much I would actually earn and how I would be able to survive in New York. This streamlined management of my finances frees up mental space so I can just have coffee with a friend or buy my camera equipment completely guilt-free! And so while officially, my ‘day job’ is in a film production company, my sideline / favorite hobby is actually tinkering with Google spreadsheets and developing web apps that interface with these. Read more>>

Christiana Chin | Music Artist & Marketing Professional

The short answer is yes, I do prioritize budgeting. I think I may be as bad as Julius from “Everybody Hates Chris”.

Being a black woman living in Los Angeles as a transplant, it is absolutely imperative that I’m strict when it comes to not only rationing my finances, but making an actionable effort to save. To the point where admittedly I am extremely hard on myself and I begin to regret spending $7 on a brown sugar shaken expresso from Starbucks every other morning. Read more>>

Brian Cutler | Actor, Producer, Director & Coach

In the film industry most people consider success money and/or stardom. I believe success is a much simpler concept. Struggle, commitment and perseverance in doing something you love and attaining happiness & victory on the journey is what I consider success. Joseph Campbell said, “Find your bliss and you will never work a day in your life.”. If one is fortunate enough to acquire their bliss and enjoy the journey, that is success. Read more>>

Eric Sweeney | Stuntman and Actor

Keep going if the process brings you joy and the pay off is even more rewarding. Sometimes the process feels monotonous but in retrospect it can feel gratifying when you reach your goal. If neither the process or the reward brings you joy then it’s time to move on. Read more>>

Lynette Chiabai | Franchisee/Entrepreneur

First, I think loving our children unconditionally is the most important thing we can do for them. Secondly, being that role model for them is super important. When they are witness to your hard work and good moral character, I seem to think that we have established a strong foundation for them. Read more>>

Noah Reasoner | Songwriter – Producer – Musician

I think when people write music nowadays they dream of having a name that holds the same weight next to Beyonce or Nirvana. A household icon. They expect that with enough dedication and hard work, they too can be the next legacy artist. In reality, it’s easier to win the lottery than to have that much socially commercial success. Often I think about what kind of person it takes to accomplish such valkyrie feats. If we just look at where those people were at their peak it almost seems so close to the sun that we cant even see it when we squint. Everyone has a path one way or another and theirs led them to a place no one expected. Read more>>

Rosario Rodriguez | Filmmaker

What I would like my legacy to be, would be que “si se puede” or in English, that you “can do it!” I come from a very humble background, where my father was a farmworker and my mother a house cleaner. Marvin, my older brother, and I share many of the same stories of those from marginalized, immigrant and first generation communities too. So for me, it would be about representing not only my Guatemalan community, but also my Latinx community. I want people to remember that my success is our success, that we all can dream together of the impossible and get there little by little. The legacy of navigating through adversity, challenges and triumph in order to achieve both my small and big goals. That with patience, kindness and hope we can fulfill our own expectations. I want people to remember how my films gave a voice to those unheard by sharing their story or talent and the importance behind it Read more>>

Jessica Arcayena | Songwriter & Makeup Artist

I would say God and my family gives me so much joy. Experiencing God’s love overflows my life with a lot of peace and happiness. The older I get, I understand more and more how important these fleeting moments are with the people in our lives. I try my best to be present with them and create as many memories as I can. My partner, Mercii, also gives me so much happiness. He is there in every season of my life and has been my main driving force/support for my dreams and goals. He has encouraged me in so many ways. I will always have gratitude in my heart for my loved ones. Read more>>

Patrick Skiffington | Creative Director & Master Embroiderer

I love the process of creation. Starting with an idea and creating something beautiful that can be worn. As a creative, my brain is always seeing what is possible and happiness comes from bringing ideas to life. Nothing is better and nothing makes me happier than seeing the joy on a Client’s face when we unveil their piece for the first time. They are typically much more than just fashion pieces.. they are an opportunity to self express and tell the world something about yourself. There is nothing more beautiful and satisfying then helping someone tell their unique story through their fashion. That is my passion and what makes me happiest. Read more>>

Maya Tuffin | Hot Girl Evolving

I talk a lot about the importance of having an idea of what you want your end goal to look like but being open to the Universe ultimately creating the outcome, in my podcast Hot Girl Evolving. When I first began my modeling career, I felt so passionately that this was my path and all I could ever amount to. It wasn’t until I was faced with the darker parts of the industry and my personal life that lead me to create my podcast as an outlet to be vulnerable and share my experiences. The younger version of me would’ve never imagined I’d find a passion outside of the idea I had set for myself. By removing limitations we open ourself up to all the possibilities of what our life can be rather than being attached to one end goal. Read more>>

Elean Chiang | Production Designer and Set Dresser

At the end of my career I want to be able to look back and see many credits in my name. But not for the long list, but for the many memories. I want to look at each credit and remember from the moment I was sitting at the theater for the screening to the moment I got the call to the job to every single moment we had during production. The truth is: I love to be on set and I love to see that my work was able to help the vision come to life. Read more>>