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.

Nicholas Ward

Visual Thinking by Temple Grandin. This book reinvigorated my sense of self-worth. Though this book can be dense and I didn’t necessarily resonate with every single word of it, it made me feel seen and understood. This book made me feel less alone as a visual thinker in a world that so values and nurtures verbal thinking. It had me in tears at a number of different points. Read more>>

Sara (schuhardt) Gisi | Flutist, Educator & Communications Professional

Yes, I have a budget! I actually find it exciting to sit down with my husband every month and talk through budget balancing and planning, and it’s super easy to see all in 1 place with the Every Dollar app. It feels freeing to track and strategize about expenses, like it’s taking that worry about if I have enough money off my plate. I see finances as a reflection of what matters to me in a way—taking care of my health, investing in my work, providing for my family, being generous towards others, enjoying experiences, saving for the future. I think decisions about spending are made based on the balance of these things, and if that baseline is there, it’s fun to decide where extra funds should go. I like the variety of sometimes saving extra or sometimes going on a vacation or sometimes giving an extra chunk away. Read more>>

Camille Collins | Designer and online boutique owner

If you’re not doing what you love, you’re not really living! Read more>>

Jeff Bloam | Chef and entrepreneur

I define success by the level of discipline you have gained through doing the things that most people won’t. I have always prided myself in my I don’t know how but I will figure it out attitude. With my discipline and my willingness to take risks I have got to travel the world, meet amazing people and build a beautiful family. My life has been scary, stressful and flat out overwhelming, but I know that if I wake up everyday try my hardest and just do things that other people won’t my success will be unmeasurable. The key to success is to be brave, consistent and disciplined. My habits and grit are why I continue to have small successes on the way to my end goal. Read more>>

Chelsey Dequaine-jerabek | Editorial Director & Outdoors Advocate

Working in journalism is incredibly challenging. It’s an evolving industry that is confronted with constant tech updates (don’t get me started on Google updates) and attention for readers’ eyeballs. Your storytelling, topics, website, format, social media presence, newsletters, and everything in between needs to constantly evolve with how readers are consuming news, or you will be left behind. We strive to find a balance between sharing the news our editorial team feels should be shared, and the stories our readers are telling us they want told. But when you do evolve – when you see the reader’s response to the changes you implement or the topics you cover – it’s a beautiful feeling. Read more>>

Tristina Pontiakos | Caregiver and Disability Advocate

Teaching and advocating for inclusion in the way they think, play, and learn has been most impactful on my children. When they play with children from all backgrounds and are included by all, their perception of life and friendship changes to one of empathy, understanding, and genuine compassion for all people. Read more>>

Adrienne Coleman | Children’s Book Author, Mom, Teacher

Working hard in a way that feels good, balanced, as well as pushing fear aside, and following my dreams is one of the most important things I feel I’ve done as a parent that will hopefully leave a positive impact on my children. I was an elementary teacher for 18 years, and I am a mom to three amazing teenage boys who all attended the same elementary school that I taught at over the years. Three years ago I chose to leave the education world, I knew it was time, and at the same time I had zero idea of what I wanted to do next. It was quite liberating and terrifying at the same time.

Joseph Wong | Software Engineer and Mental Health Ally

I continue to persevere in improving my video blog, even in the face of adversity when solving problems and issues that have occurred which I have encountered, and take the time to figure out, prioritize which task to do, take action, and address the issue with a solution. I had prioritize the issues based on the severity, and also on whether to address or accept the issue, and move on appropriately. Read more>>

Nicole Collins-barron | Owner, Floral Designer

When I first started La Luna Florals, I knew I wanted to create a space for BIPOC couples to feel like they are absolutely deserving of high quality floral designs. I had decided once we officially launched to represent the culture and background I came from. Since then, I have gotten an incredible amount of clients that have chosen us because they were able to see a little bit of themselves in the way we run our business and how we celebrate our heritage. Read more>>

Jesse Padilla | DJ

With the small business I have, I feel like wanting to put in the work is a really good habit I have. For example I would rather do the work to get the results I want instead of being handed over success Read more>>

Anthony Kelly | Voiceover Artist

Three habits drive me forward: practice, patience, and perseverance. Practicing art with others has helped me tremendously. In voiceover, the majority of auditions and work is done alone, so it’s easy to feel isolated from the world. Enrolling in online-virtual acting classes on a regular basis keeps me sharp, and helps keep that feeling of loneliness and stagnation stay at bay.
I think a lot of us self-isolate, put on blinders, and focus on our craft alone. The wonderful part about art and life is they’re both rooted in self expression and empowered by community. We all have our distinct styles and voices, yes, but we gain so much when we make a habit to work with and learn from others. Art and life lived is richer when we do them together. “As Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). Read more>>

Jenna Rice | Photographer and storyteller.

I really value compassion, authenticity, and courage. I think they are important to running a good business as well as being an good person in life. Compassion helps me to connect to people and image what it’s like to be in their shoes. It’s challenging for many of us to feel comfortable in front of the camera, it can be a very vulnerable experience getting your photo taken. That’s why it’s my job as a photographer to find compassionate, authentic ways to connect with my clients, so that they can relax and feel comfortable letting their unique essence shine through in their portraits. Read more>>

Margaret Josey-parker | Ceramic Artist

It is of the utmost importance to me to be able to create work that I want to make. I started making art because I love creating interesting objects . My work is narrative and primarily inspired by nature and my experiences. I love being able to take off in any direction I please and not have to worry about whether someone else will love it and want to buy it. I am lucky because I live in a duel-income family and I get to teach art. My teaching not only helps feed my family, it also feeds my creative practice. Teaching new techniques, figuring out technical and practical problems and trying to inspire expression in student work all are exercises that fuel my own practice. Read more>>

Sarah Howlett | Freelance writer and copy editor

When I was coming out of full-time work in journalism and starting to exclusively freelance, leading voices in the freelance writing and editing community would say over and over, “You need a niche!” By that, they meant that you should choose and cultivate a specific area of expertise so you can become a go-to writer for that space—for instance, fitness, technology or food. The sticking point for me was that I was interested in too many things, and was able to become interested in absolutely anything as long as the person on the other end of my questions was passionate about it. That’s what a traditional journalism school training aimed to foster in its graduates, and that certainly worked on me. Read more>>

Myles Drew | Audio Engineer and Photographer

The most important lesson that I’ve learned from running a business and pursuing a creative career would have to be, “Count on yourself”. What I mean by that is don’t depend on others not even business partners or crew members. When things are looking up the ones around you are all about you and your accomplishments, but when things get rough they’re nowhere to be found. So you can never count on anyone to truly be there for you except for yourself. It’s hard doing thing alone but at the end of the day it’s for the best because you know that you can count on YOU! Read more>>

Zariah Cameron Lovell | Model Coach Actress & Vocalist

My biggest challenge has been finding time to recharge and focus on my own healing. I’m a workaholic, so it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget to slow down. Balancing my passion for work with the need for self-care is something I’m constantly working on, to avoid burning out. Read more>>

Bacon The General | Artist Ahdasee Records

I’m from Omaha Nebraska My background and upbringing had an impact on who I am today because it’s a small overcrowded aquarium full of sharks and Im a Killer Whale so I knew I was going out grow my surroundings and travel to bigger places and dig deep in the trenches to find room to grow into the beast I was born to be!! It made me strong and confident to roam anywhere and handle myself in any situation Read more>>

Grant Adams | Musician

I”m from the midwest. I grew up in Indiana and Michigan. I’ve been living in Colorado for over 20 years and although my environment and landscape and local music have rubbed off on me, I can still see a lot of influence in my thinking from my childhood. When you grow up in a small town you have to be creative to combat boredom. That taught me to look around and explore different avenues and neighborhoods. We didn’t have a lot of formal attractions or events but we had enough mobility through our bikes and plenty of time during long summer days to explore and experience nature. Read more>>