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.

Madeline Massingill | Professional dancer and choreographer

I am a firm believer that if there is still an itch for something even after you’ve failed at it then there is reason to scratch it and try again. When your passion for something has died out it might be time to move on. Fail upward. It’s the only way to learn and grow. Give it a second go and you might just succeed. Read more>>

Anna Howell | Personal Trainer & Mom

As a Christian mom I try to seek God and pray for my children and how I can obey what God is calling me to do. 8 years ago, I was a personal trainer at a large gym and was loving it. I loved my clients, I loved my schedule that allowed me to spend time with my oldest child and my youngest who was 4 months old at the time. We had just bought a fixer upper and planned to use my income to pay for renovations, but God had a different plan for us. I started to pray about possibly staying home. Read more>>

Phil Dumontet | Husband to Alexa Squillaro | Father of 2 | CEO, Brooksee | Founder, Boulderthon | Forbes 30 Under 30

I have a 3.5 year old son, Dante, and 8 month old daughter, Chiara. Clearly I’m still in the very early innings of parenthood, but the most important thing I have done is remember to lead by example. Your children are always watching. Ed Mylett has a great line on this: everything that kids learn is “caught”, not “taught”. Actions truly do speak infinitely louder than words. Read more>>

Lindaann Rogers, Sphr, Shrbp, Cbc | Human Resource, Leadership & Business Strategy Consultant/Executive Coach

Early in my career, I realized that finding the courage to speak up was essential, especially in situations where something was done poorly or went against my sense of integrity. It was a pivotal moment when I understood that if no one speaks out, nothing changes and at that point I would be part of the problem. Finding the courage to improve a situation or to uphold my integrity has been key in my professional growth. Read more>>

Jennifer Bigler | Business Owner & Author

Other than working for myself, the most important decision that contributed to my success was no longer allowing self-doubt to control my choices. I realized that giving myself grace, embracing mistakes as part of the process, and allowing time for growth were key. Once I stopped letting self-doubt take up space in my mind, I was able to move forward with confidence and trust in my abilities. Letting go of that fear opened up doors I never thought possible and gave me the freedom to truly thrive. Read more>>

Jacob Hacker | Adventure Guide

I have three basic practices that help me stay level, collected, and sharp witted that play into my overall success. These three things are exercise on a regular basis, introduce myself people I don’t know, and remembering people’s names. I think exercise is one of the most important things we can do to maintain a healthy mind and body and luckily in Colorado there are many varieties of exercise we can choose ranging from mountain biking, climbing, hiking 14er’s and more! Read more>>

Shelby Schulz | Broker Associate

What makes me happy is helping people find a home they love and guiding them through one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives. There’s a deep sense of fulfillment in knowing that I’ve contributed to someone’s journey—whether it’s a first-time homebuyer excited about their future, a family finding more space to grow, or someone downsizing to the perfect place for their next chapter. Seeing the joy and relief on my clients’ faces when they find a home that feels just right makes my work incredibly rewarding. Building those long-lasting relationships along the way is what keeps me passionate about what I do. Read more>>

James Steinbach | Lead Guitarist of Float Like A Buffalo

I value curiosity the most. It drives learning, exploration, and understanding, which are fundamental to my purpose in music. Curiosity leads to new discoveries and helps us see the world from different perspectives, fostering growth and innovation. It’s the engine behind meaningful conversations and problem-solving. Read more>>

Tammy J. Mclain | Artist & Creativity Guide

Wow ok picture this. Waking up without an alarm clock. Grabbing a cup of fresh coffee (not because I need it but because I want to enjoy it). and sitting down in a cozy sun-room. I will be surrounded by art supplies, and may still have some paint in my hair and some clay under my finger nails. After I finish my coffee, my friends and family may drop by to have an art play date. There is no rushing or hurry in this space. Just music, friendships, creativity, and fun. Read more>>