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.

Lauren Arnke

Tell me what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life.” -Mary Oliver

This quote found me during a coaching seminar while I was attending the Aveda Institute in 2007. I had just gone through some major life changes and was feeling quite lost. While I had always been interested in both personal development and poetry, something about this quote shifted something in me. It was then that I realized then that I was exactly where I was meant to be. Read More>> 

Leslie Silverman

Progress over perfection.

That phrase keeps me moving. As someone who helps people untangle their brand mess and find their voice, I see how often perfectionism stalls momentum. We wait until it’s “ready,” “perfect,” or “polished,” and in the meantime, the people who need us can’t find us. Read More>> 

Ashley Patchen

I fell in love with dance when I was in college, which was much later than most “dancers.” I found it really difficult to find a place to dance that was accepting of “older” dancers (I mean… I was an ancient 22 years at the time). The club scene was too gross for me, and the regular dance studios felt competitive, catty, young, and too perfect. I would find myself in a “beginner 14+” class with a whole bunch of 10-16 year olds who were so clearly not beginners. I was intimidated, frustrated, and had no idea where to begin. Read More>> 

Mariah Chere

For me, success is not a destination or a dollar amount. It’s a feeling of alignment, of impact, of living in your purpose and helping others live in theirs. It’s about doing what you love in a way that uplifts others, honors your values, and creates real connection.

I believe success is communal. It’s not something we have to compete for—there is enough for all of us. We each carry something unique, and when we come together with intention, collaboration, and care, we can create something far greater than we ever could alone. Read More>>

Adam Wagoner

I love jointly parenting our kids with my rockstar architect wife, who also works full-time. It’s not always easy, but we work hard to share all the household responsibilities. I don’t know if this is the biggest impact that I’ve had on my children, but I’m the one who does all of the grocery shopping and cooking in our house. I had a proud moment when our four-year-old daughter saw a woman cooking dinner on TV and said, “That’s silly, moms don’t cook!” For me that was a (small) proud moment where I could show our kids that things in life don’t have to be done only one way. Read More>> 

Danielle Varda

I’m a single mom to three spirited girls (16, 13, and 11 years old). I have spent my entire career taking risks, embracing change, and leaning into new opportunities. I became a mom and professor in my 20’s, build my first business and got tenure in my 30’s, started my second business and was elected to public office in my 40’s, and I hope to continue to show them that they never have to stop growing. Read More>>

Indy George

I want SkyyLo’s legacy to be one of wonder, warmth, and wild imagination. Not just a cupcakery, but a ritual—a celestial pause in the day where joy feels edible and intention is baked into every crumb. Behind each handcrafted flavor is a story: of softness, of celebration, of rebellion wrapped in buttercream. Read More>> 

JAMES LAFLEUR

In my humble opinion; habits play a very important role in our daily lives. They lay the foundation of a successful and fulfilling career as an artist and sole proprietor. Habits shape our daily actions, influence our mindset, and help us stay focused on our goals. By consistently practicing positive behaviors—like discipline, punctuality, and self-care—we build momentum toward long-term growth and well-being. Read More>> 

Justin Dennis

Showing up. Even when I don’t feel like it. Even when the motivation isn’t there. Discipline always beats motivation, and that mindset has carried me through a lot.

I try to get a little better every day. Whether it’s as a business owner, a dad, or just a human being. I’m always learning, always adjusting. I’ve failed, pivoted, and rebuilt more times than I can count, but each time I’ve come back sharper. Read More>> 

Katherine Stribakos

Seeing other people genuinely enjoy life and feel content and happy is something that truly makes me happy. My work is about making people feel cared for and pampered while also helping them feel confident in their skin. When someone enjoys their facial or body service so much and leaves my studio with glowing skin and radiating calmness, I feel happiness in my soul. Read More>>

Lisa Myklak

Creativity—especially graphic design—can feel subjective, but good design is actually rooted in the objectivity of psychological principles, particularly Gestalt theory. These principles explain how our brains process visual information, and they give us, as designers, a way to explain why one layout will be more effective than another. It’s not necessarily because we like a design or think it’s “pretty,” but because we understand how a specific audience will interact with it—how they’ll read it, process it, and ideally take action. Design is more objective than most people realize. Read More>> 

Maggie Jacobson

A Postpartum Doula is somewhat revolutionary in America. Parents get minimal time off from work and no maternal support once the baby is delivered. This is not the case in most cultures.
For example, in Japan, there’s a tradition called satogaeri bunben, where the mother goes back to her parents’ home for several weeks after giving birth to rest and be cared for.  Read More>>