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.

Kyle Palmer | Beauty Industry Educator

My personal quote is “Do not go anywhere. Glow Everywhere.” My soul’s manifesto. To me, it means that life isn’t about chasing after something external. Instead, it’s about standing exactly where you are, grounded, and radiating your light unapologetically. It’s about embracing who you are, letting your energy speak louder than your words, and making every space you enter shine brighter simply because you are in it. Read more>>

Ava Ramirez | Student in Professional Division at Houston Ballet Academy

I think the factor that determines whether or not you should keep going or give up is whether something makes you happy and brings you joy. As a dancer, ballet is not always easy and there are some days that are harder than others. Some days we are tired and some days things are frustrating but ultimately there is nothing that I would rather be doing than training. I feel so lucky to be able to chase this dream. I think as dancers go along in their training, there are encouraging people and opportunities that help us to keep our head in the game and work harder each day. Read more>>

Lala Wilson | Candlemaker

My end goal is to have an actual candle store. I’d love to teach classes and sell my candles. Read more>>

Alison Gaspard | Illustrative & Color Realism Tattoo Artist

The most challenging decision I made was leaving a stable career in education as an art teacher to pursue the unpredictable path of becoming a tattoo artist. After years of studying and working in academia, including earning a BFA, working at an art museum, and teaching art history and visual arts, I became captivated by the evolution of tattoo art into the fine arts world. Despite the risks—such as no benefits, unstable income, and the need to build a clientele—I chose to leave the security of teaching to apprentice at a tattoo studio. This transition required learning new skills not only in tattooing but also in marketing, photography, and communication. I find tattoo artistry to be a rewarding career that requires dedication, offering both personal growth and the opportunity to contribute to the field’s ongoing development as a recognized fine art form. Read more>>

Eddy Specter | Paranormal Investigator and Consultant and Owner and Operator of Eddy Specter’s Ghost Tours of Galveston County

I was born in Webster, Texas and I was brought up by a father with a background in the Marines and my mother who opened my mind to the spiritual side of life. For example, she gave me a ouija board to bring to school for show and tell. So I am a Mulder and Scully in one. I am open to all things paranormal but I always must find the scientific side of any situation. This all led to one day getting a job for a ghost tour company. It went great, then after the owner passed away, I continued to pursue the strange and unusual here in glorious haunted Galveston Island. For 15 years I have provided historical haunted walking tours, cemetery tours, mystery island tours, and also have attended Ghost Conventions and driving my 1989 Cadillac Hearse “Vincent” in their Mardi Gras parades and Ghost parades. Soon the hearse will be available for rides around the island. Read more>>