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.

Avani G. Dilger

When I was a young person growing up in a small town in Germany two of my friends died in connection with their drug use. As a young person that left me angry that none of the grown-ups around us understood what was going on. Nobody stepped in to support us or understood that the stereotype of the “addict” was far away from the truth of who these young people were: creative, deep, spiritual, amazing…. Read More>>

Stacey Barch

I’m a parent to two authentic and wonderful kids. My son is 17 and my daughter is 13.

I think the most important thing I’ve done as a parent is to be myself. I want to teach my kids that being true to themselves will keep them grounded with a “big picture” mindset. We can help others around us when we are feeling most connected with ourselves. I always tell my kids that this is my first day parenting them at the age they are and we’re all learning each day. I want them to know that the often quiet voice they hear within themselves is one they shouldn’t ignore- it’s their intuition. Read More>>

Stefani Harris

Professional organizing is so much more than just tidying up or putting things in bins—it can have a surprisingly powerful impact on individuals and the community as a whole.

First and foremost, it supports mental health. Living in a cluttered space can be incredibly overwhelming, especially for those dealing with challenges like depression, ADHD, or trauma. By helping clients create calm, functional environments, organizing can reduce stress and anxiety and offer a real sense of peace and control. Read More>>

Yael Roush

What inspires me most is watching a child who was once terrified of water suddenly light up with confidence and joy. That transformation doesn’t happen by accident – it happens because we’ve created an environment where kids feel safe, supported, and genuinely excited to learn. Read More>>

Danica Minor

For us, the most important factor has been authenticity and vision. Viperwitch was never about chasing trends or fitting into a mold—it’s about building a world that feels true to who we are: fierce, theatrical, and deeply rooted in the wasteland mythos we’ve created. Everything we do—our music, stage shows, visuals, even the banners we just debuted—is connected to that vision. When people see us live, they’re not just hearing songs, they’re stepping into a story. I think that commitment to authenticity, and never compromising on who we are as artists, is what draws people in and keeps them connected to our brand. Read More>>

Isaiah Mitchell

The most important factor behind my success is consistency and authenticity. Staying true to who I am, pushing through challenges, and always putting in the work, even when no one is watching, has been key. Building a brand or career isn’t just about talent it’s about showing up every day, improving, and making real connections with people. Staying consistent with my vision, while also evolving, is what keeps me moving forward. Read More>>

Mary Pappas

Being Grateful for what I have(family, food, house to live in etc…) Owning my flower and gift shop and being able to spread joy through flowers. Why being grateful-it makes my life less stressful
Why Gardening & Spreading Joy through Flowers-it’s therapeutic. It’s my therapy Read More>>

Kollette Decker

I value being authentic, having integrity, humility and never asking my staff to do something I’m not willing to do myself. If they clean bathrooms, I clean bathrooms. If they clean drains, I clean drains. I believe in leading from a place of example and integrity and humility. We don’t talk badly about each other or our competition, and we make sure we speak positively about each other, customers etc. Read More>>

Amy Harris

Empathy & therapeutic relationships are most important to me in my massage practice. Building trust and respect with the client is the foundation of a successful massage. When there is trust and respect between the client and myself, it opens up communication which helps me address the clients’ challenges and concerns more thoroughly and effectively. Having empathy for each individual client’s needs and wants is the kind of caring approach I like to uphold in my business practice. Read More>>

Tif Choate

One piece of conventional advice that I’ll happily—and cheerfully—debunk? “Color inside the lines.” Please. Those lines are nothing more than gentle suggestions framed in marker—not walls meant to cage your imagination.
For me, stretching a mural around a corner, or spilling onto a sidewalk? That’s not just artistic flair—it’s a little act of joyful rebellion. It’s saying: I see these limits, but I choose to expand beyond them. Because art isn’t about neat obedience—it’s about resistance. Plus, let’s be honest—it’s way more fun. So yes, I color way outside the lines… where real life actually happens. Read More>>

Elenah Davis

My end goal is to build a creative hub that lives beyond me. I see myself not just as an artist, but as someone who opened doors for others — through music, videography, branding, and community work. By the end of my career, I want to have established $incerelyHEAT™ as a platform that gives opportunities to artists, entrepreneurs, and hustlers who need support. Professionally, I want to be known for turning my pain and story into something that created freedom, stability, and motion for a whole community. That’s the legacy I’m aiming for. Read More>>

Ashlea Dillard

For me, one of the most important lessons that I have learned in my career so far is that we all heal together. So often we think that our own mental health journey and healing is done in isolation, but it isn’t. It is impossible for me to sit in a session with a client and not have my own life impacted in some way. We are all here doing the human experience, and it is that human connection that makes healing in community possible. Read More>>

Rouan Kruger

The most important lesson I have learnt is to be flexible in your approach to solving problems, setting goals or learning from failure. When you have a rigid approach to achieving something often you can get frustrated if that approach doesn’t work. As long as you stay focused on the end destinatio, even if you have to change your approach, that is the key to building momentum. Read More>>

Jennifer And Cody Jeanneret

Cody: I’m from a small town in Wyoming, where life was simple but full of lessons that shaped who I am. Growing up there, if something broke or needed doing, you either figured out how to fix it yourself or went without — which taught me responsibility and problem-solving early on.
Hard work wasn’t optional; it was just part of everyday life. Whether it was helping around the house, committing to sports, or just finding ways to stay entertained, I learned the value of perseverance and following through on commitments. Quitting simply wasn’t part of the vocabulary. Read More>>

Justas Marcink

Because I didn’t have much of a choice. My career has been a process of elimination with my weaknesses and strengths, and all roads lead back to creativity. My full-time job as a stylist and merchandiser aligns with my degree in art because it involves creative problem-solving and creating visuals, which is my ultimate strength. I’ve learned to nurture my well-being by pursuing careers that highlight my skillsets, instead of focusing on the income or job status. Read More>>

Deena Taylor

I came from a corporate background where I typically worked on average 50-60 hours per week. While I am very grateful for the leadership opportunities it afforded me, it wasn’t something that I can say I was passionate about or found rewarding. I love working with my clients, it has allowed me to blend my outgoing creative side with meaningful impact. Read More>>

Brette Huff

The nature of being a stay-at-home mom while simultaneously running a full-time wedding planning business means there is very little “true” work/life balance. Instead, I have learned over the last two years to be truly present in whatever I’m doing. If I’m playing with my kids, I’m all in—reading with them or playing with Elsa! But when it comes time to work, I have figured out the best times of day (mostly naptime) to really sit down and get everything done.  Read More>>

Megan Thompson

Interior Design greenList is a membership based platform aimed at bringing “done for you” resources, and accredited continuing education modules to Interior Design professionals. Members have varying levels of access to our interactive sustainable sourcing directory, bi-monthly zoom group coaching, trade show meet-ups, and more. I wanted to create a community of support and resources to help designers future proof their business as more clients and municipalities are demanding sustainability. Read More>>