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.

Tony Donn Rich | Performing Artist & DJ/MC

That’s a question I ask myself regularly. I initially interpreted success from the beliefs that modern day society imprinted on me. However, I’ve recently found that as long as I’m healthy physically and mentally, spiritually centered, in service to humanity, being an artist on my terms, and enjoying the relationships in my life with loved ones…then I’m incredibly successful and don’t need the other lavish accoutrements associated with success to feel complete. Sure, I can still appreciate designer clothing, exotic cars, etc. But I don’t base my happiness or belief of being successful dependent on whether or not I have those luxuries in my life. Read more>>

Harry Zimmerman | Photographer / Film Producer

How do I define success? Let me first say that I don’t believe most people would look at my career as some sort of exemplar of “success” as defined by vast recognition or monetary standards. How I define success is satisfying my internal need to achieve artistic creativity first, and then recognition, if there is to be any, from my peers and any audience I may have second. Read more>>

Ana Fierro | Photographer & Library Technical Assistant

Encouraging my kids to pursue their dreams has been such a great part of the process of being a business owner AND parent. Not only am I teaching my children that being an entrepreneur can be an adventure, I also show them that hard work and dedication to something you love is worth every bit the effort poured into your business. Read more>>

Abigail Solis | Los Angeles Mom & Creator

As a parent, I believe the most important thing I’ve done is creating a safe and loving environment where my children feel supported and valued. I strive to be present for them, not just physically, but emotionally, so they know they can always come to me with their thoughts, questions, or challenges. I’ve also worked to instill values like kindness, empathy, and resilience by modeling those behaviors in our daily lives. Whether it’s through open communication, encouraging their passions, or simply showing up for the small and big moments, I hope these efforts give them a strong foundation for their future. Read more>>

Julie Matheney | Lactation consultant

Always keep a posture of learning. The healthcare field is constantly advancing and growing. There is more research and education every day. If you get stuck in doing things “how they’ve always been done”, you can do a great disservice to patients. Read more>>

Sam Eisenberg | CEO @ Design For Decks

Working with good people. People who are not only experts in what they do, but also genuinely good to work with. Read more>>

Katie Marshall | Artist

A fun fact about me: before becoming an artist, I majored in Russian literature in college and spent several years working as a translator for a university based in St. Petersburg, Russia. I love to read and a lot of my ideas for paintings emerge from things I’ve read. Read more>>