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.

Yuding Lin

The renowned American photographer Stephen Shore, once said: “A photograph without structure is like a sentence without grammar—it is incomprehensible, even inconceivable.”

This quote has been particularly instructive for me in my photography journey. I pay close attention to structure and composition in my photography. When a photo is well-composed, it looks pleasing, orderly, and professional. I really appreciate this quote because it captures the importance of structure and composition in photography in just a few words—and reminds us of the principles we need to uphold. Read More>>

HANA NEUGEBAUER

One quote that stands out to me is: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” — Steve Jobs.

I really like this one because it highlights the importance of passion in achieving excellence. When you genuinely enjoy something, you’re more likely to put in the effort and creativity needed to truly make it great. It reminds me that finding meaning and joy in the process can be just as important as the outcome itself. It’s about dedication and bringing your best to whatever you’re working on, because you’re connected to it on a deeper level. Read More>>

Ayçe Mısırlılar

Science, technology, and art have always been a part of my life as long as I can remember. From a very young age, I started drawing pictures, learned to use a computer, and by the age of 5 or 6, I was publishing the drawings I created on my blog. I would watch science programs and read science magazines. I was always interested in music as well, and I always prepared for my music lessons. Read More>>

Emil Diaz

I want people to look at me and feel like they can chase their own goals and dreams too. I want them to feel inspired to go after what they really want. Like, if they see me and think, ‘Hey, if he could do it, maybe I can too. I can be disciplined, I can put in the work.’ That’s the kind of impact I want to have. Read More>>

Robert Burcar

I think consistently putting the time in to work on my craft for the past 20 years no matter what’s going on has been key. I didn’t learn to draw and paint well overnight, it’s taken me years of showing up whether I wanted to or not. I’m now glad I did push myself because it’s paid off enormously professionally.

I also believe studying, understanding and applying self discipline helps with self development. I’ve learned taking small, consistent steps towards goals are far more effective than attempting to move a mountain all at once haha. Read More>>

Jonathan Fesmire

I like this question, because understanding how to form good habits do important to being productive.

As an author, I have a drive to tell stories, but the world has many distractions, especially now, with social media and the daily bombardment of crazy news. Plus, we all need to make a living, and our day jobs take a chunk of our energy. We have relationships to navigate, chores, and so much more. So, as much as one might feel driven to create, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and to put the work off. Read More>>

Brianna Grace

Authenticity matters most to me. In a world where we are told how to act, what trends to follow, and what a “successful” life looks like, following your own path is a powerful act of resistance and self love. Each of us has something unique and special to offer. The more we can tap into our authenticity, the more diverse, creative, and engaging the world will be. Read More>>

Keith Robinson

Let me begin by saying there are two of us, that make up our brand. Brother in-laws to be exact, but friends first. We share the same values and principles, so I speak for both of us here when I explain value that matters most to us? Easy—integrity. It’s the heartbeat of everything we do, especially in the wine world. We believe in keeping things real—whether that’s being honest, putting in the hard work, or paying attention to the little details that make a big difference. It’s all about delivering quality, whether it’s the wine or the experience, with a whole lot of passion and heart behind it. Read More>>

Marvin Valencia

Our work-life balance has definitely improved over time. In the beginning, things were a bit all over the place—we didn’t have a set schedule, and shoots would happen randomly depending on our availability. But as we got more creative and started taking on more projects, we realized how important structure was. Now, we’ve dedicated Saturday mornings as our consistent shoot day. Having that set time each week has really helped us stay organized and maintain a better balance with everything else we have going on. Read More>>

Chani Ronez

When I first started my business, I was a victim of it. I was so focused on growing it and making everything work that I completely missed out on life. It reached a point where I was on the verge of burning out. That’s when I realized I needed to set major boundaries. I redefined my work-life balance, prioritizing my personal time without sacrificing the success of my business.

Now, I’m able to run my business just as well, if not better, while still being present and enjoying life. It’s been about finding that sweet spot between working hard and living fully, and I believe it’s made me a better business owner and person overall. Read More>>