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.

Jody Wheeler | Writer. Filmmaker. Teacher

The poet and essayist Muriel Ruykeser wrote “The world is not made of atoms. It is made of stories.”. When I was a therapist, I often asked my clients to thell me their story: their hopes and dreams, pains and problems, understandings and doubts. To my writing students, I’ve mentioned that stories aren’t true, they just feel that way. As I’ve gotten older and used that expression in more places, I’ve added, “That’s their power and their peril.” Stories have always resonated with me. Read more>>

Evian Le | Multidisciplinary Artist

“Letters to a Young Poet” by Rainer Rilke is one of those timeless book that defined my understanding of “a true artist.” One of my favorite quotes from the book is: “It is a matter of living everything. Live the question now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, one distant day live right into the answer.” Read more>>

Coloma Muro | Empowerment Coach

To be in my Truth no matter what. I feel that when I don’t attach to outcomes I am more present with what is, I enjoy where I am, and things align by themselves. In other words, if I focus on a goal, I abandon my feminine. When I am connected to my body, I can make decisions that come from my heart rather than from a place of agitation or conditioning. When I am one with my breath and I am proactively keeping my integrity I become more powerful in who I am – more whole -. The external is a reflection of the internal. Read more>>

Michael Paranal | CPA Lawyer, Professor, Founder

Through the creation of USC GEMS (Guiding Exceptional Minds to Success), our mission is to empower promising young leaders by providing them with personalized mentorship and coaching to navigate their career journeys and create impactful lives. We are committed to cultivating a new generation of changemakers who not only achieve personal success but also contribute meaningfully to their communities and the world. Read more>>

Stella Wu | Fine Artist & Illustrator

I’m inspired by a variety of creative influences that shape my artistic journey. My fascination with cute intellectual properties such as Sanrio, as well as artists like Kanahei and comic creator Takagi Naoko, deeply resonates with my passion for charming and engaging visual storytelling. From a young age, I was drawn to the playful and endearing world of cute illustrations, appreciating how they often extend beyond traditional art to become immersive experiences through peripheral goods. Read more>>

Nicole Lise Feingold | Author & Nonprofit Professional

I’m inspired by the beautiful messiness of human interactions—the unexpected laughter, whispered secrets, fleeting eye contact, awkward glances, unplanned moments of vulnerability, silences that linger just a moment too long. These encounters break the rhythm of routine, inviting me to slow down, reconsider and open myself to layers of existence I might have overlooked. In those delightful, bewildering and even frustrating exchanges, I rediscover the flawed yet extraordinary nature of being human. Each connection, however brief, enriches our shared stories, reminding me that life is neither perfect nor meant to be perfectly understood. Read more>> 

Cynthia Archuleta | Refinery Worker, Real Estate Investor & Cocktail Enthusiast

The most important thing is to make sure that you’ve been true to yourself, and you’ve lived your life the best that you could. Perhaps everyone will ask themselves “What are you going to do with the time you have?”’ or you reflect on the impact you’ve had or could have. I was lucky enough to work with my father as a teenager in a machine shop, I got certified as a machinist, went to school for mathematics, and eventually found myself as a Head Operator at the Chevron oil refinery during a time when females were the exception. I’ve started a rental business and more recently have begun ground-up construction of a mid- century inspired home in Big Bear, CA. Read more>> 

Josh Brandon | Filmmaker

I swear by making lists. I divide tasks into categories of urgency and I chip away at them. Sometimes I will just get a couple of easy / non-urgent tasks off my list as a way of procrastinating, but the list doesn’t lie, and if there are still important and urgent things, I know I’ve got to do them. Read more>>

Kurt Yaeger | Actor, Writer, Director

Tenacity. Never giving up. Now, that doesn’t mean you just keep on doing the same thing over and over again. I’ve given up on ideas, projects, people, pathways I thought would work but I reformulated how to approach the same problem; i.e. pivoted. Tenacity allows you to try hard enough, and long enough to learn the key factors of what you’re doing wrong, then you adjust your ideas or methodology, and try, try again. Read more>>

Ziwen Zhang | DJ/Sound Designer

I feel happiest when my body syncs with sound in a rhythmic way. For me, it’s the ultimate sensation of wholeness in my physical form. When my auditory senses align perfectly with my body’s movements, it creates a profound joy, almost like merging my mental energy with my physical self. When I’m DJing, it takes this experience to another level—I’m not just feeling the rhythm; I’m controlling it. That’s when my creative energy fully channels through sound, allowing me to express myself in the purest way possible. Read more>>

Aurelio Bocanegra | Traveling Comedian

I believe the end goal for me is to be remembered for making people laugh, inspiring others with my life experiences and ultimately be known for making a positive impact on our world. Read more>>

Anna Danilova | Designer/ Small Business Owner/ Artist

The most important lesson my career has taught me is to trust the timing of life and embrace each phase of the journey. As a multidisciplinary artist, I’ve woven diverse paths—from designing art jewelry inspired by our modern relationships with nature to crafting spaces inviting people to connect in meaningful ways. Every experience has deepened my understanding of what I want my work to stand for. Read more>>