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.

Jayla Smith | Mental Health Therapist & Fashion Editor

As a full-time therapist and part-time writer, my work-life balance has evolved significantly over time. Early in my career, I often found myself overwhelmed, trying to juggle my responsibilities without much time for self-care. Over time, I learned the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing my well-being. Read more>>

Terri Haas | Cookbook author and health coach

I came up with the idea for my business after a few years helping to admin a migraine group on Facebook. Through this experience, I developed a deep understanding of how food can be used as medicine and a powerful healing modality. Read more>>

Terrance Johnson | Husband, Father, Executive Pastor & Creative Director

Success is fulfilling your purpose in life. It’s answering the call in your life by stewarding everything in front of you well. Whether you are a husband, wife, father, mother, employee, or entrepreneur, work it with all your heart, not for your pride or to boast, but out of your love and devotion to God, Jesus Christ. Read more>>

Daniel Kraus | Artist & Photography Professor

My answer comes from my experience as an artist, but I think someone who takes whatever they do seriously has formulated a similar process to mine. Making art isn’t much different from other careers, it’s work in the best sense, and the most frustrating. Read more>>

Jay Oliver | Hair Stylist & Entrepreneur

In my own life, risk-taking has been a significant factor in my journey. Leaving a small town to move to a large city like Houston was a major risk. It required me to adapt, grow, and face challenges head-on. This bold move opened up numerous opportunities that I wouldn’t have encountered otherwise. Read more>>

Abrielle Cogen | Jewelry Designer & Yoga Instructor

I think risk is my best friend. Risk is necessary in small business ownership. Being a small business owner is all about finding the comfort in risk, because risk is such an intrinsic part of the journey. I had to take a big leaps to be a small business owner. I began knowing there was lots of uncertainty in this pursuit, and I had to feel the mission, vision, and passion strongly to be able to put my soul behind it, to be willing to take such a jump. Read more>>

Tiffany Nelson | Founder, City Girls Who Walk Houston

City Girls welcomes all women, all ages, to come together, walk, explore Houston, and experience social, cultural, and wellness activities. Whether a woman has lived in Houston a day, a year, or a lifetime, there’s a place for her at City Girls. It’s that simple. Read more>>

Hunter Jones | Multidisciplinary Artist (Photo, Video, Screen Printing, Graphic Design)

I draw inspiration from a diverse array of sources. Japanese and mid-century modern architecture profoundly influence my aesthetic sensibilities, while street and high-end fashion fuel my creativity with their dynamic interplay of tradition and innovation. Read more>>

Lauren Blyskal | Pet Photographer

By the end of my career, I want to feel like I’ve made a difference in people’s lives, giving them lasting memories of their pets. It is such a special connection we share with animals, and I love being able to celebrate and commemorate that relationship in an enduring way. Read more>>

Delaney Miller | Actress, Vocalist, Dancer, & Model

My junior year of high school I learned about the acronym “EGOT” and ever since learning more about how currently there’s only 19 EGOT winners in the whole world I’ve wanted to take on the journey of achieving that status. I know it’s a hard goal to have since there’s no true way to work your way to an EGOT, but I figure that if I’m always chasing that “status” I’ll always be working on my art. Read more>>

Whitney Valcin | Prop Rental Company owner & Former Casting Director

I am originally from Port Arthur, Texas, but I’ve lived in several places such as Atlanta and Savannah, GA, and Los Angeles, CA. My upbringing and my Christianity really shaped who I am today. It helped in building my faith so I can rest assured that I will always be just fine. I can pursue passions with ease and the sky is really not the limit. Read more>>

Victoria Guevara | Entrepreneur

I come from a very humble home in a tiny town called Eagle Pass Texas. My ultimate dream as a child was to be a model but my parents wouldn’t allow it. My upbringing was rough because my parents were extremely strict and over all very toxic so I fled town the very first opportunity I got. Read more>>

Jade Robertson | Content Creator

Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown. I like this book because it was the start to my “self” journey, self-love, self-growth, self-protection, vulnerability, and trust within myself and within my feelings. Braving the Wilderness is basically about being able to stay true to yourself in the midst of the storm, in the midst of the unpredictability that life brings. Read more>>