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.

Jacques Garnier

“One must imagine Sysphus happy” which is the last line to Albert Camus’ Myth of Sisyphus. Having first read this in my 20’s i could not imagine being condemned for eternity to carry this huge boulder up the hill only to have to kicked back down and carried back up for eternity. But upon reflection and some life experiences, it occurred to me that Camus was right. In many ways, happiness comes from accepting responsibility for one’s life. No excuses. No blame. This is perhaps easier said than done but i believe that Camus was right. Read more>>

Angela + Silvia Mortez | Wedding Planner

As we started planning our own wedding and searched for alternative vendors we realized the lack there of and were surprised. Especially since we live in Southern California you would think there would be more open minded businesses. So we decided to create our own alternative wedding planning business specializing in offbeat, unique, and themed events back in 2013. Read more>>

Ruijie Yang | Illustrator&Artist

Personally, there are various methods for generating creative ideas, such as through photography, film, and exhibition visits. I often draw inspirations from diverse media that I engage with. Once my ideas have developed sufficiently, I begin by creating preliminary sketches, selecting the one that aligns most closely with the business theme. While having numerous ideas is important, the challenge lies in selecting one to refine further. To address this, I often seek feedback from colleagues, particularly fellow illustrators, to critique and help refine my final sketches. Read more>>

Anya Nicolodi | Model

My definition of success would definitely be consistency and happiness. I don’t necessarily place my self worth in career as I find it to put me in a sort of toxic mind set sometimes; however, I think to reach one’s goals you have to be consistent and in my opinion at least 1% better every day. Lack of action was the bane of my existence and didn’t take me very far, as soon as I created a system that worked for me, I felt closer to reaching my goals. Read more>>

Lundyn Majstorovic | Founder of The Final Touch by Lundyn

Ever since I started having kids, this has been the most constant question in my heart. What is my impact on my children? Is every decision I make, business-related or not, impacting my kids in one way or another? I think the short answer to that is, yes, most definitely. However, the most important thing I’ve done as a parent is the business decision I made to start my own business and mold how I wanted it to look so that I could still stay home, be a present mom, while still building something for myself. Read more>>

Gui Cha | Photographer

My photography seeks to capture the beauty of our environment, showcasing the diverse experiences that our world has to offer. I’ve had the incredible opportunity to travel to 27 countries so far, I’ve immersed myself in various cultures and landscapes. While I recognize that not everyone can visit all the places I’ve explored, I hope my work resonates with those who appreciate the beauty of their own surroundings. Read more>>

Anya Knower | Founder | CEO of The Aesthetics Advantage

The driving force behind my business stems from a statement I heard when I worked at a device company: “We are in the business of bankrupting doctors.” This has stayed with me, serving as a constant reminder of why I do what I do. I started my business to address a significant need within the medical aesthetic space. I recognized the necessity not only to expose the unethical side of the aesthetics industry but also to support practices and med spa owners in growing their businesses organically. Too often, these professionals become reliant on exploitative marketing companies that offer little value and prey on their inexperience. Read more>>

Nkechi Nwabudike | Writer, Producer, Storyteller

Two books that have had an outsized impact on me—one fictional and one non-fiction—are Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and Yuval Noah Harari’s Sapiens. Things Fall Apart resonated with me on a deeply personal level. Achebe’s exploration of identity, tradition, and the clash between cultures felt especially relevant to my own experiences navigating the intersections of personal heritage and modernity. The character of Okonkwo, with his strengths and flaws, became a lens through which I could reflect on themes of personhood, resilience, and change. The novel has remained a touchstone in my life, guiding me through my understanding of family, cultural identity, and self-discovery. Read more>>

Geoff And Amy Mitchell | Founders of Museum of Make Believe

This is not just about individual legacy; it’s about the legacy of the Museum of Make Believe. Our mission is to evoke a timeless kind of magic through fine art and immersive storytelling. We aim to transport visitors to an era when imagination reigned supreme. We aspire to fill our guests’ experiences with joy, mystery, and wonder, and to be remembered for crafting an unparalleled journey centered around an older kind of magic. Read more>>

Sofia Belhouari | Actor, Photographer, Model & Author

I am transcendently happiest when I’m in the flow state of creative expression. When I’m able to create and collaborate with the people I love…That’s even better. I’ve always had a very active imagination, and a hunger to build and make. I might have a camera in hand shooting a moment that sparks my curiosity, or I might be getting in the zone with a character on set, or writing for my children’s book characters… whatever creative medium I’m working in, I just find so much joy and peace in the magical state that bridges the gap between the non-physical and physical world. Read more>>

Daniel Benaron

The importance of playing. As children we learn a lot about the world through the act of playing. Even though we are having fun, games also teach us important social and cognitive skills. We learn how to interact with others in a healthy and productive way. We learn lessons in critical thinking, problem solving, mathematics, and creativity. We reduce our stress and make new friends. As we get older there is less emphasis on including play in our lives, but I think it is more important than ever that we take time to unwind and play a game with some friends. Read more>>

Phia Moore | Singer-Songwriter

Since starting my journey of pursuing music professionally, my mom has always told me “there is room for everybody.” This principle is so important to me and guides so much of my career. The music industry is cut-throat, competitive, and fast-moving. This created a breeding ground for jealousy, hurt, and ingenuine interactions. Because of this, my mom’s words always ring out loud in my head. I make an effort to talk to people at my gigs, congratulating and enjoying other performers. When people I know have big accomplishments, I praise them and celebrate with them. Read more>>

Jacob Wilson | Actor

One thing most people don’t realize about the acting industry is just how mentally taxing it can be. You have to be really grounded and secure in who you are. So much of it is a mental game. It’s all in your mindset. It’s not just about talent or who you know; it’s about how you handle rejection, keep yourself motivated, and stay grounded through all the highs and lows. I can recount so many auditions that I felt I nailed, and I still didn’t book. You have to realize it’s not personal, it’s not about you – sometimes the decision makers just see the part differently.  Read more>>

Riley Miller | Martial Arts Studio Owner

One thing that outsiders might not realize about the martial arts industry is how diverse and community-driven it is. While many people think of martial arts as purely competitive or combat-focused, practitioners strongly emphasize personal growth, self-discipline, and mutual respect. Many schools prioritize building a supportive environment where students of all ages and skill levels can learn, connect, and grow together. This sense of community can be a powerful motivator and a crucial aspect of the martial arts experience. Read more>>

Perdell Richardson | Director & Cinematographer

My ultimate goal is to direct multimillion-dollar films, and as I conclude my career, I aspire to share my knowledge and passion by teaching the next generation of filmmakers the art and craft of filmmaking. Read more>>

Mia Passarella | Voice Actor & Artist

Oh man, I think this is such a tough question because the bar is always changing, you know? As we begin to achieve some of the goals that we originally set out with, new ones begin to develop. As we grow and evolve as humans, our goals grow and evolve with us. Read more>>

Yasmine Creese-brown | Founder, Project Board Game, Steams Initiative, Steams Bible Study

In a heartfelt decision, I have chosen to walk away from my previous project, Grlpire, and retire my hobby of creating science-fiction comic books to pursue something that holds a more profound significance in my life: Steams Bible Study. For years, Grlpire provided an outlet for my creativity and storytelling, allowing me to create imaginative worlds and characters. However, my passion for education and my deep desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of others have led me to focus my energy on STEAMS and all it represents. Read more>>

Joselito Seldera | Writer, Director, Senior EDU Producer, Adjunct Professor

When I was younger, I was hungry to the point where my “success” was more important than anything else in life…relationships, doing things that completed me, balanced me, doing things that I enjoy. But as I got older, my definition of “success” changed. Maybe I grew tired of chasing my original definition of success, or realized that version of success grew less and less significant with each day. I looked around at what I had…friends, family, a place to live, just enough money to enjoy living where I do…and started taking advantage of those blessings. Read more>>