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.

Speech Thomas

A young South African boy once said, “do what you can, with what you have and with the people around you”. That quote has been a mantra for me for the past 35 years! What I find so amazing about this quote is it gives me a way to move forward no matter what your situation is and where you find yourself at in the moment. Read More>>

Michelle Lowe

“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” -Toni Morrison

This speaks to me because there are stories I would like to read or see on screen, but may not be around, yet. Being a writer myself, I have the power to create the types of stories that interest me, with characters I want to follow through a world I have built for them, while having complete control over it all. And that is a wonderful thing. Read More>>

Maria Barannikova

There’s a really fine line between knowing when to keep pushing and when it’s time to let go. I learned that the hard way a few years ago when my brother and I set out to launch a pizza truck together.

We’ve always been close—just 13 months apart and bonded not just by family but by a shared drive to build something of our own. Naturally, we both brought that “I’m the captain here” energy to the project. We got pretty far too: found an investor, bought a truck, even got approved by the LA Department of Health (which, if you’ve been through that process, you know isn’t exactly a walk in the park). Read More>>

Trina Haire

I’ve shown my 3 kids that you can do anything you work hard towards. All of the dreams and goals I make for myself, I achieve them because I know that I can do it if I work hard enough. My kids understand that you can choose the life that you want because I show them that everyday. I chose to work for myself regardless of the initial fears, and it’s turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made for myself and for them. I’m able to be there for all of their activities while also creating my own schedule, income, and accomplishments. Read More>>

Breana Otey

There have been MANY times in my career where I wanted to throw in the towel and move on from photography, but for me personally I knew that I needed to continue when my thoughts kept going back to photoshoot ideas and my dream jobs. We all want to be successful and make sure our bills are paid, but It’s also important to listen to your body and mental health. If you need a break, relax. If the passion is still there, keep going at your own pace, it’s not a race. Read More>>

Jeannie Baik

I became a single mother in 2019.

That single-handedly changed everything in my life as far as goals and what I was working for.
Life was no longer about me, but became about making sure that I provided the best life I could for my son.
I went through a few corporate jobs in the past but I was unable to afford daycare and spend time with my son by working a 9-5. Read More>>

Ryan Hessberger

The underground music and fashion worlds inspire me. Ive worked with some truly inspiring artists. Hair was always the outlet I felt the most comfortable using as a canvas. The hair scene is so beautiful and artistic right now and people are doing some really cool and experimental stuff worldwide. As for drag, again, the underground scene is where I pull a lot of inspiration from. I’ve been so lucky to perform with some incredible parties that are held deep with in the Los Angeles forest and get to experience it all first hand. Read More>>

Chaeeun Kim

My Collection builds a connection between the ubiquitous textile denim and the ceramic material porcelain.

The collection is inspired by the imbalance of access to and usage of water across the world is imbalanced and the forms and delights of the human body. The forms are designed to be held comfortably under an arm. The vases riff on body shapes, offering forms held in an unpredictable balance, atypical when viewed from all sides. Read More>>

Allison Sellers

I want people to remember my heart. I want them to know that to me, it was always more than just taking their picture. I want to connect, get to know each other, make their experiences with me memorable and have them walk away with a smile on their face.

I care so much, maybe too much at times. Read More>>

Avik Pandey

Asking for what I want. Sense of humor.

1. All of my great mentors have instilled this belief in me – “the greatest obstacle between you and what you want is you asking for it.” It is that simple. I can give this habit other names as well – boldness, proactivity, confidence. Yes, credentials are necessary. Yes, self-work is too. But preparation can be a never-ending pursuit that can quickly become an excuse against actually going for it. Read More>>

Naomi Townsend

Listening, patience, and empathy has been crucial to navigating the ups and downs of an artistic career. I think all three of these come hand in hand, but the one that can lead to the other two is listening. Listening, not just to people, but to the rhythms of the world, allows me to be grounded. Whether I’m sitting in a cafe, observing the conversations of daily life, or riding the subway, tuning into the sounds and stories of strangers, I find that listening just helps me stay connected to the world. Read More>>

Robert Keefe

Appreciate everyone who gives you their time, because it’s something that can never be given back. Embrace every opportunity that life presents to you, because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.

Whenever family events happen or if friends want to spend their time with me, I try to make the most of those occasions, because otherwise I am always doing my best to be on set when I can. As actors, people put their trust in us to bring stories to life, from paper to screen or stage, and those opportunities don’t come around every day. Read More>>

 Quinn Holmes

outsiders are probably unaware of the hustle that the industry takes. People talk about it quite often, but no one actually gives individuals credits when they succeed. The industries I’m involved in often have no set path, so that means you constantly have to be on top of everything to have any chance of mainstream success. Read More>>

Emile Touri

When people ask me about my industry… I kind of smile, because it’s not just one. It’s a fusion of many worlds—filmmaking, entrepreneurship, national security, and cybersecurity—and truthfully, it’s all gray. But that gray zone is where I thrive.

As a filmmaker, I’ve found storytelling to be more than just an art form—it’s been a lifeline. Directing, producing, writing… these things helped me process the world, connect with people, and inspire change. The accolades never mattered as much as the impact. If one person walks away feeling seen, or motivated to be a better version of themselves, then the film did its job. Read More>>

Landon McClure

The end goal for my career is to become a Sports Agent/Attorney and open up my own Law Firm in Los Angeles and NYC. I am in the process now of studying for my LSAT exam ( Law School Admissions Test) and plan to go to Law School next Fall 2026. Read More>>

Cora Badey

The most difficult decision I’ve ever made was to move to Los Angeles to go back to school and build a career here.

I had been working for over 10 years as an actress, acrobat, and director in France. My life was fairly comfortable, and I decided to leave the theater companies I was working with — including my own — and “start a new life here.”
I think I needed a breath of fresh air because of the COVID pandemic; it was really hard to get back into a creative flow. Inspiration just… wasn’t showing up anymore. Read More>>

Lauren Miller

One of the most important lessons my career has taught me is that authenticity will always get you far. In every space I’ve worked, whether it’s been in accessibility, education, or leadership, I’ve found that being honest about who I am, what I value, and how I approach my work has opened more doors than trying to fit into a mold that wasn’t made for me. Read More>>