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.

Lacey Ladgenski | Real Estate Agent, Home Design, Fitness

“She was ready to become a version of herself that was going to thrive.” I saw this quote on Instagram (@herinnerglo) and I immediately felt energized! I was a stay at home mom of 5 sons who recently found myself suddenly single and raising these boys 100% on my own. I realized I didn’t just want to survive-I was eager to thrive! I love people and being a part of the community and I found an outlet in sharing my passions. I have a love for all things fitness, home design, and real estate…and am thrilled to show my boys an example of making opportunities out of obstacles! Read more>>

Jaime Brown | Arbonne Consultant + Wedding Planner

I consistently let my kids know that they are loved, seen and heard. I don’t think there has ever been a harder time to be a child with all of the influences and things around them, and really just letting them know, that while sometimes their problems might be “small” it doesn’t mean that it’s not hard, and it doesn’t take away from how it’s affecting them. I have used what I have learned while building a business to also build up my children and family. Read more>>

Catherine Chamberlain | Family & Newborn Photographer

One key moment that really boosted my success in photography was when I decided to invest in my education. At first, I tried to go it alone, figuring things out as I went. I learned a lot, but my business was moving at a crawl. It wasn’t until I started investing in courses, workshops, and mentorship that things really took off. Learning from experts gave me the tools and insights I needed to accelerate my growth. So if there’s one piece of advice I’d give, it’s to never underestimate the power of continued learning and seeking guidance from those who’ve been where you want to go. Read more>>

Bryce Miller | Founder of Lightspeed Industries, AV/IT Contractor

The most important decision I’ve made that has contributed to my success is twofold. The first part of the choice was to keep my options open and build new skills when I can, which led me two the second part of the choice: When presented with an opportunity, don’t say no. I make it a point to never stop learning, whether it be concepts or skills, if theres a chance to learn or do something new, I take it. There have been a number of times where I have taken jobs that have been well outside of my zone, and I’ve needed to quickly adapt myself. Read more>>

Gary Allen | Co-Executive Director of Mindfulness Peace Project

Since I teach meditation and spirituality, I think it’s important that these are active principles for me personally–they’re something I have to engage with in a living way, or they easily get stale, and I’m just repeating things I’ve already been told and have already thought. You’re always going to be less useful to others if you end up just mouthing the words. Your own active engagement with evolving your understanding personally is something that does communicate to others, even if it’s at a subtle or unspoken level. I would go so far as to say that it’s part of my job to continue to cultivate my scholarship, understanding, meditative skills, and familiarity with my own psychological landscape, especially if that’s what I’m going to ask anyone else to do. Read more>>

Makenzie Brown | Art Director & Brand Designer

I try to compartmentalize my time. It can seem very rigid some days, but when I can focus on one thing at a time, it makes my brain more available when I need to do the creative work. Read more>>

Erin Richardson | Children’s Book Illustrator

Happiness, for me, is an inspired mission to create, to bring my art to life! Every day is a new adventure, and I’m on a quest, taking steps towards my goals, no matter how tricky or how long the journey might be. That’s when the magic of life starts to sparkle! I keep my eyes on why I must draw, focusing on the pure joy of doing what I love and knowing why I’m doing it. Happiness isn’t something you find; it’s something you are! It’s an inside job, a little spark within that lights up everything else. Read more>>

Clove Love | Multidisciplinary Theatre Artist & Educator

In terms of my theatrical career, I do what I do to contribute to the continuation of live theatrical performance as an art form, in addition to introducing and popularizing movement performance art and intimacy professionalism in production teams and rehearsal rooms. I do not believe theatre will survive doing what it’s always done. I strongly believe theatrical communities need to lean on bright, young, innovative minds to lead them into the future of American theatre. This includes allowing the introduction of new and necessary practices into the work of a theatre artist, including the Director and Actors. As a professional and multidisciplinary theatre artist, I aim to introduce these new concepts and practices to as many of my peers and collaborators as possible. Read more>>

Katie Young | Senior Content Specialist, Drone Operator, Ski and Outdoor Photographer

I’m the Senior Content Specialist at Keystone Ski Resort. It is a lot more than just going on-mountain and shooting then editing content and calling it a day. The planning that goes into shoots with models includes organizing everyone’s schedules, scoping out locations, planning wardrobe and gear check, and once you’re done with the execution and editing then you have to go into organizing the assets and planning out how to use them. Then there’s running the social media channel, updating KPIs, strategy planning, shoots for lines of business at the resort, meetings for go-to-markets and partner deliverables, and a bit of office work in general. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a fun process overall and that’s why I love what I do. A big thing to remember is we are working with mother nature, and you don’t always get the perfect powder bluebird day to get the content you’re looking for, and so pivoting and making the best with what you can is vital to being successful. Read more>>

Madeline Campbell | Licensed Professional Counselor

I’m a Colorado native, born and raised in Colorado Springs until I went to college in Southern California! Since then, I’ve lived in Denver, Austin and Charleston, SC. Growing up certainly had its challenges with many uncertainties at home. Through custody arrangements and divorce proceedings, I went to therapy intermittently throughout middle school and high school. Though reluctant at first, I grew to love my counseling experience in high school. My therapist helped me heal from hurts, understand my emotions, and feel more free. She made me a believer in the counseling process and gave me the inspiration to become a therapist. I wanted to be able to do for others what she had done for me. I’m incredibly grateful that now I can say that I am! Read more>>

Melly Nguyen | FOUNDER + NAIL ARTIST + OWNER of MAINSTREAM NAILS

“The grass is greener on the other side” is a phrase that describes that something else is better or someone is in a better situation than they are. I believe “The grass is greener where you water it” and I try to keep this mindset! Regardless of how we look at different people and different situations, we should focus on our own goals and purpose in life. If we continue to think what we have is not good enough, then we will stay unhappy and forever compare ourselves. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to be inspired and motivated by others but don’t let what you perceive consume you. It is up to you. Read more>>

Aaliah Hartley | Visual Storyteller

I would disagree that in order to be successful, you need to adhere to a formulaic method to gain success. There’s not one single way to achieve (what you define as) success. First of all, success means different things to different people. Some people may define success by how much money they make, while others like myself define it as doing the most fulfilling and meaningful work I can be doing (while still getting a healthy income). The prescribed method is to go to school, get a job, climb the ladder, etc…but I actually didn’t finish my four year college degree until I was in my 30’s, unfortunately because I was denied higher education in my early 20’s. Some people like to be way more hands on in their field, which I admire. I went an unconventional route by interning for a media station before going back to school for what I wanted to do. Read more>>

Clarissa Lawton

I think what sets me apart from some others but not all others is how passionate I am about the connections I make through my work. To me it’s not just about the haircut or color or style. It’s about meeting someone for the first time and having a true connection with them. Getting to know who they are, how old their kids are, where they’re from, how their finance proposed and being excited about their life with them and looking forward to our next visit or just being able to see where a brides life leads after their wedding day whether they continue to see me at the salon for color appointments or even if it’s just through social media. I believe every client or bride that has come to me has purpose whether they continue to come to me long term or not and I really cherish meeting them regardless. Read more>>