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.

Amanda Crisel

My favorite quote encapsulates some of how I would answer several of the other Panel Discussion Questions. The quote that speaks to me deeply right now is from Paulo Coelho: “Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything. Maybe it’s about un-becoming everything that isn’t really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.” Read More>> 

Cristina Ruiz

I believe the most important thing I’ve done as a parent is teaching my children the value of respect and honesty. Beyond providing for their material needs, I’ve always wanted them to understand the importance of being people of integrity ,respecting themselves and others, and facing life with sincerity and responsibility. This foundation of values is what truly impacts their lives and prepares them for whatever challenges come their way. Read More>> 

Emilee & Adrian Velasquez

At Storytelling Duo we want our legacy to be about heartfelt connection. Not just the kind that happens between couples and their photos, but the connection people feel when they work with us. Like they’re seen, valued, and genuinely cared for. We want to build genuine relationships with our couples because we are not only taking photos of one of the most special days of their lives but we want them to remember how we made them feel. Read More>> 

Gary Robbe

My legacy… well, obviously I’d like to be remembered as a good father and grandfather, a good husband (when I was married) and a good friend and person. I was a teacher for close to forty years, working with students with severe behavior problems and students on the autism spectrum, and I would like to believe I made a positive impact on a number of lives. As for writing -it was more of a side hobby and distraction from work during my teaching and parenting years, and always took a backseat to career and family.  Read More>> 

Katie Ernst

Service is my most important value! It can be so easy at times to fall into the loop of constantly striving for our own achievements, betterment, or the like. What brings lasting fulfillment and grounded joy, however, is being others-focused in how we carry ourselves. This doesn’t mean we should not value self-work or prioritizing the things that joyfully make us feel alive, but it does mean that when we shift our mindset to consider others in our work, the decisions we make, or even the simplest of daily interactions, true meaning can be found. Read More>> 

Missy Albrecht

At the end of my career I hope to have made a lasting impact on the medical industry by being a part of this shift towards treating the body as a whole, as well as collaborating with various types of health-minded providers to be able to work together as we make this world a healthier place. Invincible will be a main driver for this impact, as a vehicle of working one-on-one with patients and providing a clinical workspace where other providers can share their manual therapy skills to help patients feel better in their bodies. Read More>>

Becca Cooper Leebove

My goal with ShuBu Creative Group is to make $1M in revenue at a minimum, and own a business that functions without me by hiring C-Suite roles, and additional creative talent. I’d love to accomplish this by year 10, which is 3 years from now.

My ultimate goal with ShuBu Creaitve Group is to be able to sell the business one day and make some money! Read More>> 

Jeffery Schuster

I don’t think I chose to be an artist, I think it chose me. It’s just a part of who I am. I come from a family filled with creativity—my parents and several relatives are not only artistic but incredibly talented. Even so, it took me some time to recognize that same spark in myself. It wasn’t until the woman who would later become my wife asked me a simple but profound question—“Have you ever thought about selling your art?”—that I truly began to consider a creative career. Read More>> 

Katie Jackson

Work life balance is a funny thing… I don’t think it exists, at least not equally. I started my business before becoming a mom knowing that when I did become a mom I would need a very flexible job since I would be the primary care taker. I didn’t have any clue to the realities I would be in for as a parent and just how much time you have to devote to a child. So the balance isn’t an equal balance. Most of my day is dedicated to my son. I work during nap time or if he’ll allow me to get a couple of small tasks done while he explore my office.  Read More>>