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.

Jess + Heather Lindsley + Bahlmann | Community Creators + Flock Finders

“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.” – Rumi This quote speaks to the power + potential that lives within each of us. In the spaces Hey Birdie curates, we encourage one another to seek a deeper appreciation and love for themself. It also emphasizes the importance of being witnessed—of not healing and growing alone, but doing so in community. Read more>>

Greg Salinas | Pit Boss

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” Viktor Frankl. I listened to the book “Man’s Search For Meaning” one day before I was laid off of a job that I had for over 22 years. It helped me keep a positive attitude in figuring out what I would do in response. Read more>>

Paige Berry | Acupuncturist and owner of Cosmic Collective

I was actually in Pharmacy school and working in the hospitals when I realized there was an intense need for preventative medicine. The United States tends to focus on a problem after it has become a problem, and not so much on maintaining optimal health and wellness. I decided to switch to integrative and holistic medicine to become an acupuncturist. After that, I wanted to create an integrative medicine clinic that would basically serve as your routine healthcare between your yearly physicals. Read more>>

Katie Reinhart | Founder of Refound Goods

I’ve always had a passion for interior design, especially finding unique pieces that really make a space stand out. I love the thrill of finding vintage or pre-loved pieces at a great price. But I realized that for a lot of people, including myself, the process of finding these gems wasn’t always easy, safe or enjoyable. That’s what inspired me to create a platform where shopping and selling pre-loved furniture could be easier than buying new. Read more>>

Jen Ikuta | Professional Cuddle Therapist and Real Estate Agent

Most important thing I have done as a parent in terms of the impact on my children has to be parenting with incredibly high expectations of them, while simultaneously providing them with high levels of support. They have seen more life events, traumatic AND beautiful, all of which they have taken in stride, due mostly in part to my ability to offer them support in all facets of life. Read more>>

Schakara Arrazola-tiscareno | Founder, Producer, & Director

Southern Colorado Fashion has a significant impact on the local community by fostering creativity, promoting inclusivity, and driving economic growth. Southern Colorado Fashion provides a platform for designers, models, stylists, and artists to showcase their skills and creativity. This helps local talent gain visibility and experience, creating new opportunities in the fashion industry that might not otherwise be accessible in smaller cities. Read more>>

Ranae Call | Founder and Veterinary Assistant

The habit that helped me succeed the most is leaving things better than I found them, Whether I am in nature, the city, on-the-job, or just out with friends. I never separate myself from my environment, because I am part of the environment. Sometimes, this means setting aside time in my week to do litter control or help a neighbor with landscaping. I never consider my actions to be wasted, I know that showing up and putting in the work will change my community for the better. Read more>>

Erin Gilmore | Yoga Instructor/Mentor, Yoga Model, & Content Creator

I dropped out of college, twice. When I started teaching, my parents constantly encouraged me to return to school. They wanted me to have a clear path toward success and stability. For too long, I thought being “just a yoga teacher” was some abject failure. I constantly played around with the idea of going back to school to become a therapist. I remember talking to my brother about this and he said something along the lines of, you know you have to sit and listen and not give your opinion, right? And at that moment, I realized that would never work for me! I am filled with opinions I can’t keep to myself! That moment freed me. So, I suppose it was scarier than it was difficult, but I decided to bet on myself and go all in on making a career out of teaching yoga and finally put school behind me. Read more>>

Allison Bray | Business Owner

The most important lesson I’ve learned from starting my own business is that you need to lean into the things that scare you. That’s where growth happens and often a great opportunity. If you feel intimidated or nervous about going into a meeting or event, that’s a sign you are in the right place. I try to remind myself of that anytime those feelings come up before something major so I can do it confidently. It takes time to get used to that feeling, but it has always steered me in the right direction. Read more>>

Kate Bradway | Realtor & Mother

Work life balance is very important to me. Since becoming a mother and raising littles over the last seven years my mindset has shifted tremendously when it comes to work. I used to work 6-7 days a week, non-stop, always grinding. I’d drive all over the Denver metro willing to assist clients far and wide. Early in my real estate career I’d let the stress of difficult transactions get to me. I’d worry about tough issues at work to the point where I’d often fixate on them all day, not allowing myself to shift gears and take care of other aspects of my daily life. Flash forward 10+ years and I am able to not let work stressors get to me. Read more>>