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.

Fig Heel | Author, Podcaster, YouTuber, TikToker, Content Creator

There’s an overused saying that goes “hard work pays off”. While I do believe hard work is a necessary ingredient for success, I don’t think it’s most important. A lot of people start off hard-working and scale it back once results aren’t immediate. I always emphasize *CONSISTENCY*. So, I like to adjust that quote to say “Consistent hard work pays off”! Read more>>

James Booth | Rock & Roll Musician and Writer

“Follow your dreams”. It’s a dangerous bit of advice that I’ve become wary of over the years, as I feel it should only be given to people who have some innate ability within the particular field they want to pursue. Otherwise, you’re running the risk of filling people’s heads with unrealistic goals and potentially embittering them. I’m much fonder of Christopher Nolan’s variation on the phrase, that being “Pursue your Reality.” Read more>> 

Sera Jo | Pianist & Songwriting Instructor at Musicians Institute

My business involves selling digital sheet music PDFs for download. When I started, I wasn’t aware that I could sell my product. However, through my YouTube channel and Instagram account, many people reached out, asking if they could get the charts for what I was playing.

My process began by organizing the charts as individual products. I named them, provided descriptions, and performed each piece so that potential customers could decide whether to purchase. Gradually, I created more charts, which eventually evolved into my curriculum. I managed to organize certain subjects into different steps, writing charts and recording my own performances. Read more>>

Maria “koko” Sal Idi | Hair Stylist

Hair styling has always been a part of my life specially during my childhood years. Born into a working family where there was minimal amount of time to spare. At 7 years old I found myself wanting my hair done like “my primas” ❤️ I began to practice on my Barbie’s hair and let me tell you! That sparked up a spark of inspiration and passion. I began to do my own hair and the compliments fueled my passion. As I grew older my passion grew into Motivation and I found myself wanting to learn more and expand my knowledge and skills. I am now an Experienced Hair Stylist that shares her passion by bringing individuals hair inspirations alive! Experiencing my clients expression and Joy when they first see their hair transformation is the fire that keeps lighting my spark for the love I have for Hair. Read more>>

Mike Hakimi | Private Investigator

1. Consistent Learning and Self-Improvement
Why It’s Important: Staying relevant in the investigative field requires keeping up with the latest tools, laws, and methodologies.
Habit in Action: I dedicate time regularly to professional development—whether it’s attending seminars, obtaining certifications, or studying new investigative techniques. I also make it a point to learn from past cases and adapt my approach for future ones. Read more>>

Tan Jazz Mont | Artist-Professor-Badass

Art making. In my youth, I created art to cope with my surroundings. As I started to get older, I wanted to change the world by using my voice as a Queer Chicanx person. Now, I cannot help but feel a little Nihilistic. What even matters anymore? That said, we have one life to live, and I choose happiness!
Seeing a viewer smile or chuckle while looking at my art also makes me happy because I feel joy in our shared humor, especially from disenfranchised people (because they get it).
I can’t help but be inspired by my interests or the memories I am working through, but I’m mostly a painting nerd! I love setting up the rules of formalism only to destroy them purposefully. I love the figure, color, texture, absurdity, campiness, and play, which are factors in my painting style. Read more>>

Gus Rico | Founder of Braves Baseball Academy

I can’t narrow it down to just one because Integrity and responsibility are the values that matter most to me.

When integrity is present, trust is built, and relationships are strengthened. I believe without it, even the most skilled or talented individuals can struggle to achieve lasting success. This can pertain to business or personal life.

Responsibility is the ability and willingness to take ownership of one’s actions, decisions, and obligations. It’s about being accountable for what you do or fail to do and recognizing the impact your choices have on others and the world around you. Responsibility also means being proactive in fulfilling commitments and having a good work ethic doing what you say you will do and showing up every day, as well as acknowledging when things go wrong, rather than avoiding or passing blame. Read more>> 

Lu Diodovich | Wine Specialist

At the moment, I split my time between my two businesses. I am the happy owner of Eight Wine Eight, a boutique online wine shop and the writer behind Wine With Lu, an educational blog to learn about wine. Also, I studying to finish one of the most prestige certificates in the wine world called WSET Diploma. But this is just the beginning. My goal is to have a brick and mortar place where I can, not only sell wine, but also provide wine education and a space for small family oriented wineries to showcase their wines. Also, travel around the world choosing the best wines for my shop is my dream. Read more>>

Nikos Isihos | Bespoke Jewelry designer and motorsports enthusiast

Back in 2023, when I decided to move to LA. My family has owned a restaurant in South Jersey my entire life, and i’ve worked there since I was about 13. Long hours and no freedom were the issues I could not let my late 20s/30s be defined by. I decided to move to LA and help my friends with their picture car company and decided to push for myself and start something I can claim as my own. When I made the decision, I had no idea at all what world my claim would live in, and certainly didn’t see a future in bespoke jewelry. As many if not most of the current LA demographic, I had to make the decision to leave my parents and family/friends in search of something bigger for my future; something immigrant parents are famously not entirely supportive of hahah. Read more>>

Fadaïla Chaouch | FRENCH PASTRY CHEF

“The most difficult decision I ever had to make was the day I chose to leave what I thought was my comfort zone, but it didn’t really make me happy anymore. I realized that I had spent too much time prioritising safety at the expense of happiness. That day, I decided, for the first time, to think of myself, my happiness, my independence, and what made me find my peace. It was an incredibly difficult decision, which required the greatest of sacrifices from me. But it also gave me the hope of opening the eyes and hearts of those who matter most to me, to give them, too, a chance to believe in their dreams.” Read more>>

Nick Hughes | Commercial Product Photographer and Videographer

I’m originally from the East Bay near San Francisco. Growing up, I spent a lot of my summers in Sonoma County by the redwoods. I think those summers surrounded by family and the quiet landscape of the forest shaped a bit of who I am. Growing up in that area and around San Francisco has definitely influenced my creative process and vision today.
Living in the Bay Area I was also exposed to a lot of different artistic influences like street art, skating culture, the punk scene at the Gilman in Berkeley, other live music venues like Rickshaw Stop, and Bottom of the Hill. Another main Bay Area influence of mine was George Lucas. I grew up watching star wars and I was obsessed. I watched all the special features on every VHS over and over again until the tape gave out (now I have the blu-rays haha). It felt like when I was growing up in the Bay I was surrounded by artists expressing themselves anywhere I looked. Read more>>