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.

Tina Germain | Intuitive Healer & Metaphysical Spiritual Coach

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness That most frightens us. We ask ourselves Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Read more>>

Katie/yiwen Hou | Art Director, Designer, & Craftsperson

“Every witch making magic happen deserves a unique altar centerpiece.”
As a practitioner of spirituality and witchcraft myself, I once wished for a personalized space filled with tools made just for me. In 2023, I began carving wands, symbolizing the pointing finger of witches. Wands are intended to gather and direct energy to specific spots, enhancing the strength and effectiveness of spells. Read more>>

Demirhan Erim | Socially Responsible Engineer & Entrepreneur

The idea for uLouder came from a simple but powerful vision: imagine putting a megaphone into everyone’s pocket. I wanted to create a mobile application where, in any situation—whether it’s an emergency, a local event, or a neighborhood announcement—everyone’s voice could be heard instantly, and help or connection could come from anyone nearby. Read more>> 

Sydney Marguleas | Entreprenuer & Artist

The most important decision I made when starting the business was to focus on one specific product and do it really well. The process of launching a business is daunting, so it was important to take the time to figure out what I enjoyed making, develop my own style around it and then understand how to make it appealing to customers. For me, that product was dog bowls. Read more>>

Jasmine Pablo | Co-Founder & Chief People and Operations Officer at WORKHERO

At WORKHERO, our mission goes beyond traditional HR consulting—we aim to create a lasting, positive impact on both the community and the world by transforming workplace cultures from within. We recognize that healthy organizations don’t just benefit the company; they contribute to the well-being of individuals, families, and entire communities. When employees feel valued, supported, and empowered at work, their mental health, personal fulfillment, and productivity improve, which can have a ripple effect throughout society. Read more>>

Sophie Becker | Film editor

In 2020 I read Elena Ferrante’s ‘My Brilliant Friend’. I was struck by the vivid portrayal of female friendship, and by how involved I felt with the characters and their lives. I’ve often thought about Ferrante’s translator, and the set of skills needed to translate a text while preserving the rhythm and essence of the author’s language. The work of a translator interests me because of similarities I feel it shares with my work as a film editor. To be a good editor is to understand the essence of a director’s vision, and use our tools to find the best way of expressing that vision. Read more>>

Mildred Opendi

– African Enthusiasm. One of my favorite quotes from Chinua Achebe is “Until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter.” Having been born and raised in Africa, I know there is so much beauty and opportunity in Africa that the rest of the world is yet to appreciate. Through sharing my African travel content on social media, I aim to highlight some of the gems and therefore create some visibility. I want people to remember me for my love for Africa. Read more>>

Wentao Zhong | Visual designer & Landscape Architecture Designer

Design ideas don’t come out of nowhere; everyday motivations, constant observation, and much practice shape them. Outsiders might think creativity is spontaneous, but it’s a process of learning from real-world challenges, studying how people interact with spaces, and refining concepts through trial and error. Designers pull inspiration from daily life, paying close attention to details like how light hits a surface or materials feel. The key is persistence, research, and hands-on experience, which lead to meaningful and functional design solutions. Read more>>

Alejandra Macouzet | Illustrator

I find it difficult to answer this question because my career goals have been changing. When you’re passionate about what you do, it’s easy to come up with new ideas, but this can also be a challenge. I’ve been wanting to explore different techniques and media, which can be distracting and make it easy to lose sight of the path I’ve set out on. Read more>>

Euni Lee | Professional Makeup Artist

Moving cross country from Virginia to LA was definitely the most difficult decision I’ve ever had to make. I knew what I was leaving behind – a really good job working at the news station, a well established bridal business, and all my friends and family. Building up my business to what it was in VA I was booked and busy, and I knew moving to LA would mean having to start all over again. I didn’t want fear to be something that kept me from pursuing my dreams and furthering my career, so even though it was a difficult decision it was a risk I was willing to take. I also knew if things didn’t work out in LA I could always move back to Virginia. Read more>>

Camille Waldorf | Fine Art Painter, Singer Songwriter, Actress, Producer

The most difficult decision I ever had was to accept my journey ahead and let people who were toxic or abusive from my life. It’s important who has access to you and that the love you give is reciprocated. Read more>>

Cindy Herrera | Consultant Personal Injury lien negotiations

The most important lesson my business has taught me is the value of adaptability. In an ever-changing landscape, being able to pivot and adjust to new challenges, market shifts, and unexpected obstacles has been crucial to my success. Networking played a crucial role building and maintaining relationships with the right people has lead to business opportunities for collaborations, mentorship, and resources that opened doors that may not have otherwise. I’ve learned that while having a clear vision and plan is important, it’s equally vital to remain flexible and open to new ideas. Read more>>

Cassandra Sisson | Costume Designer

The most important lesson my career has taught me is even when faced with a decision that frightens you, it is imperative to focus on the potential for a positive outcome. As I’ve come into my adult life, I’ve learned that confidence in myself and my work are two things that don’t come naturally to me. I spent many years letting opportunities pass by out of fear of rejection or failure. Although that fear never goes away, allowing yourself the opportunity to be considered, whether obtaining it or not, has benefitted me far more in the long run. Read more>>