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.

Juli Jergensen

I’ve been a pastry chef for almost 25 years, creating custom cakes and providing in-home professional chef services. Cancer forced me to reevaluate my career and find another stream of income. The scars and damage from treatments and surgeries rendered me unable to withstand the rigorous physical demand of the culinary industry. Read More>>

Joey Simmons

Knowing whether to keep going or to give up is a deeply personal crossroads, and it’s rarely as simple as one being right and the other wrong. When I was laid off from my agency job after three years, it felt like the rug had been pulled out from under me. Read More>>

Erin Waynick

The best decision I made after deciding to start my business was joining my referral based networking group, called Team referral networking. It’s similar to BNI but much smaller. The relationships are strong and no matter who comes and goes, we are like a family and fully support each other, making us confidant to refer each other out to our peers. Read More>>

Jacob Maness

I am inspired greatly by many photographers and artists before me. There are many artists I consider mentors, but have never met. To name a few, Alex Webb, Stephen Shore, Mitch Epstein, Annie Liebovitz, Faizal Westcott, and Virgil Abloh. Read More>>

Dana Coert

Everything! I kid, my main inspiration is the great outdoors. I often find myself in the passenger seat of the car (or driver seat) and I see particular scenes/moments like a flash and I just know that I am going to return home and put that mental or physical image on some canvas and have it hanging in our home as a memory my husband and I will forever cherish. Read More>>

Shelby Cannon

A few habits that have helped me succeed include having a structured workday, setting clear boundaries, and always making time to work on my business, not just in it. Creating a daily routine allows me to stay focused and productive, while setting boundaries ensures I maintain a healthy work-life balance. Read More>>

Jayla Nicole

Discipline is everything and it took years to really narrow down, I constantly have to remind myself that it’s not about how I feel or what I feel like doing, you have to keep working towards your goals. You don’t have to give 100% everyday but you have to remain disciplined. Read More>>

Jessie Fliss

Painting pets and showcasing their unique personalities. Whether it’s a thoughtful present for a pet parent or a way to memorialize a pet, it makes me so happy to be able to gift a portrait of someone’s beloved companion. I’ve painted dogs, cats, horses, goats… you name it. I always have a smile on my face as I bring a blank canvas to life, full of color, expression and love. Read More>>

Giseleine Chain Dogon

Empowerment is the value I hold closest. I want everyone who crosses my path—whether it’s through a service, a conversation, or simply witnessing how I move—to feel more capable of taking control in the areas of life that matter most to them. Whether it’s skin, confidence, business, or boundaries, I believe in helping people reconnect with their own power. Read More>>

Christi Chisum

You need to have a business plan to start a business. I started without a plan in place. I just knew I wanted to help people on a deeper level. Read More>>

MARKETA DISTASI

I come from a tiny village in the Czech Republic where my grandmother was the queen of baking! A self-taught wizard, she whipped up kolache, cakes, breads, and anything else your sweet tooth could dream of. She’s the one who sprinkled the magic dust of baking love in my life. Her apple strudels and poppy seed kolache still dance in my memory every time I think of her. Read More>>

Aubrey Jordan

I was born in Troy, Alabama, and raised in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, where my family settled in the summer of 1995, just before I started third grade. I owe much of who I am today to my grandparents, who taught me invaluable life lessons, and my mother, whose unwavering support and dedication provided me with the freedom to explore my ever-evolving interests. Read More>>