We asked some of the city’s leading artists and creatives to tell us about how they decided to pursue an artistic or creative career. We’ve shared some highlights below.

Justin Jackson | Chef & Food Explorer

Growing up in the small country town of Cleveland, Texas, there wasn’t too many outlets for individuals of the creative and artistic side to express themselves. I was always taught to get a good paying job and build from there, not to follow my dreams and seek a career that would makes me happy in the long run. Growing up in a community like this builds decades of condition learned behaviors that will end up generational curses. You end up doing something that you truly don’t love and look back and years have passed and you beat yourself up because you never truly followed your dreams. And I didn’t want to be that person to have regrets that will carry into my future. Read more>>

Han Nguyen | Esthetician – Lash and Brow Artist

Growing up I have always been told that I have hands for creation. I have always believed that I was made for the beauty industry. Since I was a young girl I was steady into fashion, hair, make up, and creative projects. My love for the beauty industry along with my passion for helping women feel more confident and beautiful is something I can do effortlessly for the rest of my life. My craft is for sure an art, and the business/marketing side of it definitely requires creativity! There is nothing I would rather do than what I do now! Read more>>

Heather Abern | Sustainable lifestyle blogger

For the longest time I thought something was “wrong with me” because I could never answer the “ what do you want to be when you grow up” everyone was always so set on their career path but I always bounced around never knowing where I would fall, once becoming a mother and taking a step out of the work force I decided either I had to create my own job, or simply wait until all the kids were in school. My lifelong friend Joscelynn had become pregnant and asked me for a bunch of advice. I decided to type it all up that way she wouldn’t forget (because ya know mom brain) this my blog was born. I still have that email and it contained over 8000 words of “ what you really need for a baby” Read more>>