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.

Kristina Atkins

“Dreams don’t work unless you do.” I saw this on a sticker my nine-year-old had on his water bottle and I instantly fell in love. Normally platitudes aren’t my thing, but I feel like this is one that seems simple on first glance, but then you look closer and realize how rich it is. I dreamt for so many years of being a published author. But I had to do the work. Not just writing, but when I decided to traditionally publish, I had to do literally everything else. I had to learn formatting software. I had to figure out the best strategy for printing and distributing. Read More>>

Jillian Livingston

I came up with the idea for Aspen Business Connect organically through my blog, Aspen Real Life, where I share stories about the incredible people and places I encounter in my travels. Over time, my audience began reaching out with constant inquiries—not just about where to go and what to do, but who to trust in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley.

Traditional directories often lack personal insight and real community vetting, so I saw an opportunity to create something different—a referral-based business directory built on professionalism, reputation, and trust. Every business listed in Aspen Business Connect is by referral only, ensuring that people don’t have to guess when looking for the best services, professionals, and experiences in the valley. Read More>>

Daniel Klehm

As a youth I was in and out of incarceration. After that for most of my working life I have ran corporate restaurants as an Operator and Executive. With experience in multiple brands (Cheba Hut (COO) , Illegal Pete’s (COO), Rock Bottom Brewery (Brand Vice President) and Applebee’s (Vice President of Operations) ) I had been directly exposed to the corporate greed at the top level of the industry and knew that was an issue as well. I had the idea for Convict Coffee Company ( convictcoffeeco.com ) on Christmas Day of 2023.  Read More>>

Hiren Lad

If you’re passionate and committed, keep going—every setback is just part of the journey. Growth comes from persistence, and as a photographer, every challenge shapes my vision. Adapt, learn, and push forward—quitting isn’t an option when you love what you do. Read More>>

Grace “grey” Pak

For me, success transcends the conventional metrics of profit margins and brand visibility, though those are certainly relevant considerations. True fulfillment lies in a far more nuanced and, dare I say, profound metric: how many smiles can I create?

In the summer of 2022, I was invited to Madrid, Spain, to teach and film an online Cake Painting Course through Domestika. Weeks after the course launch, I was looking at the number of students who had enrolled in the course and wondered, how many smiles can one cake create? Consider the inherent nature of cake. Cakes, especially those meticulously crafted and decorated, are rarely enjoyed alone. They are emblems of celebration, the focal point of gatherings, big or small. Read More>>

Brad Reed Nelson

My wife and I prioritized time with our daughter over financial success. By us working less for the first five years of our daughter’s life, we created a bond and trust that has only grown through time. We just took our daughter to the first semester of college, she chose to go to the East Coast where we both grew up. She’s at Hamilton College, thriving.  Read More>>

Garett Taylor

Risk is something I’ve had to embrace from day one. It’s not just an occasional factor—it’s a constant companion in my line of work. From capturing the raw energy of live performances to producing video content for larger-than-life events, every project involves stepping out of my comfort zone.
At the start of my career, risk looked like a leap of faith: investing in expensive equipment, navigating unpredictable schedules, and sometimes committing to projects without guaranteed returns. There were countless sleepless nights, wondering if I was making the right call, if my creativity and vision would be recognized. But over time, I’ve come to see risk as a necessary ingredient for growth. Read More>>

Nathan Margosian

Risk taking is a tricky thing as a small business owner. On one hand you have limited resources and the thought of losing them can be scary. But on other hand, if you never take any risks, you’re guaranteed not to grow and very likely to fail altogether. Like many things, it’s about finding a balance. You want to do a certain amount of planning in preparation of any major decision, but you also have to accept that you can’t account for everything and sometimes you just need to go for it. I generally have a high tolerance for risk. Largely because I believe that you can learn a tremendous amount from any new situation. Therefore, even if a risk doesn’t play out to my favor in the short-term, I know that the lessons I learn from it will be a huge benefit in the long run. With the right perspective, risk promises growth in one way or another. Read More>>

Lora Winseman

Never in a million years did I think that when I first started posting pictures of the food I was eating to help manage my autoimmune disorder, that it would turn into what it is today. Exploring Autoimmune on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok is all about exploring the autoimmune life the way I LOVE to explore the outdoors. With curiosity and determination, we can reach new heights. I have now reached over 38k (on Instagram) people in the world. Creating a supportive online community for people with autoimmune disorders through relatable, humorous content. Living with an autoimmune condition can feel really isolating, so I focus on making my friends (followers) feel seen and understood through sharing my own experiences and challenges.  Read More>>

Eric Nonamaker

The Colorado Triumph Riders make a positive impact on the community by promoting motorcycling as a fun, safe, and inclusive activity. Through monthly rides, events, and advocacy for motorcyclists’ rights, the organization brings together enthusiasts of all skill levels. They also support local causes like humane societies and Toys for Tots, using their events to raise funds and donations. By fostering a sense of camaraderie and giving back, they strengthen the local community and the broader motorcycling culture. Read More>>

Anna Ternova

One of the biggest habits that has helped me succeed is consistency; whether it’s improving my photography skills, networking, or building my business, I show up even when motivation isn’t there. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but small, intentional efforts compound over time.

Another key habit is curiosity and continuous learning. I’ve always been someone who dives deep into new skills, whether it was transitioning career fields in my corporate life or turning my passion for photography into a business. I believe adaptability and a willingness to learn have been huge assets in my journey. Read More>>

Erin Kittelson

Creating makes me happy. I think it almost instinct that humans want to create and express. I am lucky enough to have chosen a career that lets me do both of these all the time as they give me fulfillment. Read More>>

Sarah Turnidge

Working in a service-based job is a rollercoaster. The volatility of maintaining a consistent book of business can be overwhelming at times. It’s a unique challenge to continuously show up, provide value, and build trust in a client-facing role. The stress of uncertainty is real, and unless you’ve experienced it, it’s hard to grasp how demanding it can be. Read More>>

Mark Woolcott

This is a solid question. One of the least known things about my industry is how much time images and video take to edit on the back end. Post production for video and stills is at least 1/1….meaning for every hour I am out shooting there will be AT LEAST one hour of post production to get the images ready for the client. This is often overlooked when people see the price of a shoot. They think “wow that is expensive for an hour worth of work”. What they fail to realize is the back end time doubles the total amount of time put into the shoot. Read More>>

Doublewide

Coming from traditional kitchen backgrounds, we were constantly working long days, overtime hours and holidays. As we’ve opened our own business and gained more freedom, we have found much more comfort in spending time doing the things we love outside of work, and spending more time with our loved ones. We believe that it’s very important to balance work and life. It’s very easy and common in this industry to be very invested in work life, but we believe it’s important to take the time you need as well. Read More>>

Deborah Freeman

I started Just Between Friends when my third daughter was only three months old, so I was juggling work and life right from the start. In those early days, balance wasn’t even a thought—I was in survival mode, figuring out how to grow a business while managing life with three little ones.

At that point, balance looked like working during nap times, late at night, or any stolen moment I could find. But as my kids grew, so did my business, and I started realizing that I couldn’t keep operating in constant hustle mode. I had to be intentional about how I spent my time, set boundaries, and learn to give myself grace. Read More>>