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.

Gregory Toplis | CEO and Tavel Guide

So been a guide and manager of some premium 5-star safari lodges in South Africa Lead me to the importance of a travel agent/ operator. Seen what clients want out of a Safari in Africa listing to what they had planned by agents and what they wish they had.
Lead me to the Idea of putting together tailor made packages to Africa and South Africa and meeting the client’s needs and Budget. Read more>>

César Fión Góngora | Production Sound Mixer & Sound Designer

After almost a decade of being a part of and working in the film industry, I can safely say that I’ve made more life-changing decisions than I thought I would. While each one has brought me some level of success, the decision that truly opened the big door for me was immigrating to California from my native country of Guatemala. Although I had worked in the film industry for some time before the move, having contributed to reality TV shows and films in various roles, it wasn’t until I started working in the LA industry that I truly achieved the level of success I have now. Read more>>

Rachelle Show | Artist

The most important decision I made, aside from working for myself, was choosing to fully commit to myself and my dreams. I made the difficult decision to leave a toxic environment at home and step into the unknown, betting on myself with everything on the line. It wasn’t just about pursuing a career—it was about believing in my potential and being willing to take that leap, no matter the risks. That decision to prioritize myself and my future has been the foundation of my success. Read more>>

Laura Maged | Curator passionate about art, people, sports and all things LA

I am a big believer in the benefit of connection as well as experiential learning. Computers and phones are used for such a large part of our communication as well as our source of information and my curated experiences offer both social interaction and engaged learning that you simply cannot get from.a phone or computer or the internet. It reflects how I like to learn and grow and live and it’s a joy to see people so happy to be out in the world as adults expanding their minds and making connections with people and places. Read more>>

Dilana Ismailova | Heavy Metal singer, Snifters

When it comes to legacy, I want to be remembered as a force that helped revive neoclassical metal and brought it back into the spotlight. My goal is to create music that stands the test of time – powerful, intricate, and undeniable true to the genre. I want people to remember me for my commitment to artistry and passion, not just as a female singer, but as a serious musician making waves in a genre that deserves recognition. If my work can inspire a new generation to embrace neoclassical metal, than, that’s the legacy I’m aiming for. Read more>>

Spencer Kramber | Actor – Casting Session Director – Acting Coach

As a casting session director and acting coach, what makes me happy is when the talent I’m working with knows they’ve done a good job. I’ve developed a statement over the years that I say to actors at the end of the audition when they’ve done exactly what I’ve asked and brought a little more to the party. I say, “If you don’t get a callback, it’s not because you didn’t get it right.” To see the way the artists response to this comment is very rewarding. As an actor, that’s what I need to know. Read more>>