We had the good fortune of connecting with Jonathan Tease and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jonathan, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve always been passionate about the intersection of creativity and entrepreneurship—what I like to call ‘artpreneurship.’ My motivation stems from a desire to empower creatives to leverage their talents in a way that generates income, enabling them to pursue their passions while achieving financial stability. Seeing many talented individuals struggling to monetize their skills, I recognized a gap in the market for strategic, empathetic marketing guidance tailored to creatives and entrepreneurs. This realization propelled me to start my journey, aiming to fill that gap by combining my expertise in social media marketing with my passion for entrepreneurship.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The ExperTease is about empowering creatives and entrepreneurs to live fulfilling lives on their terms. What sets my approach apart is that I focus on whole-person wellness. It’s not just about the hustle and the dollars – true success means being physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally healthy, along with financially secure. My clients, who I affectionately call “artpreneurs”, crave this balanced approach, and I’m incredibly proud of the results we achieve together.

My journey here definitely wasn’t easy! Balancing a full-time job with building a passion-driven business meant countless late nights and early mornings. There were times I doubted myself, but I was determined to create the life I envisioned. I learned the power of seeking help from mentors, investing in personal development, and building a community of like-minded people. These are now the cornerstones of what I offer others through The ExperTease.

I want the world to know that creative fulfillment and financial stability aren’t mutually exclusive. You can build a business around your passion while caring for your well-being. It might not always look glamorous, but staying true to your values and investing in yourself is the real key to making a lasting impact.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The interesting thing about my company is that when I started building it, I wanted to be intentional about being able to work with anyone anywhere. And so when I do connect with people in real life, It’s always a pleasure getting to see the culture of the different cities I travel to.

If a friend was coming to Houston, here’s a taste of how we’d explore H-Town’s mix of iconic and under-the-radar spots:

* Soul Food & Street Art: Gotta start with The Breakfast Klub (expect a line!) and some serious mural-hunting in EaDo.
* Culture + Chill Vibes: Museum of Fine Arts, then browsing the eclectic shops at Rice Village.
* Houston Nights: Snag food truck eats and catch a free outdoor film at Discovery Green.
* Space City Staple: NASA Space Center is a must, followed by a classic Texas steak dinner.

If they were visiting me in DC and want to explore and try new things then we’d hit up U Street for its street art and unique local shops, and maybe catch a show at the historic Howard Theater. I’d plan a day exploring the National Gallery of Art, fueling our creative spirits. Not to mention, the food scene is so diverse in the DMV!

I’d want to expose them to an Ethiopian restaurant for the unique communal dining experience, or St. Vincent Wine for a nice ambiance and live music as we dine and drink locally produced bottles of wine. Foodie markets like Union Market or Eastern Market are also fantastic.

Ultimately, it’s about tailoring the experience. I believe in finding that perfect mix of the well-known and the unexpected. That’s also how I love to help my clients build businesses – tapping into their unique strengths while uncovering the hidden gems within them!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely! I firmly believe that none of us achieves success entirely on our own. Throughout my journey, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have mentors and coaches who believed in my potential, even when I sometimes doubted myself. Whether in a traditional job setting or as I built The ExperTease, having someone to offer guidance, challenge my thinking, and celebrate my wins has been invaluable.

I’m also a lifelong learner, so books have played a HUGE role. Classics like ‘Think and Grow Rich’ and ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ ignited my entrepreneurial spirit. ‘Never Eat Alone’ opened my eyes to the power of networking and building relationships. On the personal growth side, ‘The Power of Now’, ‘The Strangest Secret’, and ‘The 5 Love Languages’ were transformative. They helped me understand myself better, become more empathetic toward others, and build the emotional foundation I needed to step into my full potential.

It’s important to me to pay this support forward. That’s why offering mentorship and personalized coaching is such a core part of The ExperTease.

Website: www.TheExperTease.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexpertease/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theexpertease/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnRtpwWXzFhGKJRXM5P2bHTQGf6KCRfXr&si=KMq2EMpXzb68n8FJ

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.