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.

Dina Grishin | Life and Career Coach

Really good question. I coach 9-5ers and the self-employed and the answer is different for those two groups. If you’re in a job and wondering whether to go or stay, then it’s safe to say that you’re having your doubts about your future at that company. As soon as one seed of doubt lodges into your mind, it won’t go away until you resolve that indecision. In fact, it will only continue to grow until you find yourself going crazy from going round in circles in your mind about whether you should stay or leave. Read more>>

Bobby Mass | REBL Vegan Clothing

Back in 2008, when our two daughters were teenagers, we visited a farmed animal sanctuary in upstate New York and took a tour to learn about the animals being cared for there. As parents we always stressed compassion and kindness. Seeing how happy the chickens, cows, pigs, turkeys and others used for food were, we left there understanding our impact on the food system and how it is produced. From that point forward we committed to being vegan. We educated our children on what we learned and they understood the positive impact of our lifestyle change. As a fully vegan family, we attended veg fests, animal rights marches and continued to visit other animal sanctuaries. In 2016, our family decided to advocate through our newly formed clothing business named REBL (Rebecca, Ellen, Bobby, Leah). Our messages are all positive and vegan-themed. While we do this for the animals, the environment and our health, our clothing is designed to never shame others who have not yet made the connections. We believe in encouraging others and showing by example that a vegan lifestyle is a compassionate and sustainable way of living. Read more>>

Keith Summers | a queer creative

Risk can be seen across different facets of life. Say musically, I know some great musicians who never take risks in their playing. Sure, they play all the right notes, have a great sense of time, but their playing doesn’t excite me. They can become predictable to the point of, here comes that lick or phrase again. I like hearing people “Go for It” to express some idea and to follow that idea into uncharted musically territory. To me, that’s true expression. This tasks risk and the ability to deal with being uncomfortable. I find this true across all mediums of art. One reason I love A24 Productions’ films is because they take chances. Sure, sometimes the idea they go for falls flat, but I appreciate the artistry and risks taking in trying to follow those ideas without carrying about what people think. Read more>>

Jan Thomas | Author of Books for Tweens & Teens

That’s a great question. I’d categorize myself as generally risk-adverse. I’m not very adventurous when it comes to food or travel or even, for the most part, my career. But as I think about it, I realize that there have been times when I’ve taken huge swings, always with a lot of angst, that have completely transformed my life. Read more>>

Mikaila Rae | Integrative Healer

The habits that have allowed me to find success in my business, and in my own personal development, is being a student of life. I will never know all of the answers, but I know how to ask the questions that will lead me to answer of what is needed at any time. When I’m in session, I’m typically with a client that I haven’t met before, it would be silly of me to think that I know right away, exactly what they need. I do, however, know exactly how to listen to their Spirit Team (angels, guides, oracles, ancestors etc) to get the answers as to how I can best be in service to them! I am a student, learning about the soul in front of me and how we can navigate our time together in the most beneficial way possible. I am also a student to the process for myself, always asking questions and finding answers that are in alignment with my highest timeline. Read more>>

Kylie Patterson | Tattoo Artist

I feel like work/life balance is a challenge in every 20 or 30 something’s life in today’s age. When I first started my business in 2019, I was prioritizing work over everything. Especially when first starting out, you sort of have to be on the clock nonstop. It feels like you can never slow down or your business will suffer. A few years into that mindset, I started suffering from burnout and exhaustion quite often. I was also really trying to build my online presence, which with today’s big impact social media has, it felt like I couldn’t have any boundaries or days off or people would stop seeing my posts or stop supporting my business all together. The non-stop hustle lifestyle really started to take a toll on my mental and physical health. I started working at Nest Art Collective in July of 2021 and being around such a supportive group of people really helped me change my attitude toward saying “no” to things and prioritizing rest and creating boundaries. Since then, with this wonderful community and more recently the birth of my first child, my mindset about work has really changed for the better. I truly believe that if you make a point to stop and take breaks, step away from your desk, turn off your phone every once in awhile, your work, your business, your art, will actually thrive as a result. Read more>>