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.

Monica Baweja

The idea for Layla’s Barkery was inspired by my first rescue pup, Layla. She has always been a huge part of my life, and I wanted to give her the very best—especially when it came to treats. But I noticed that most dog treats on the market were full of ingredients I couldn’t even pronounce. Read More>>

H Roundtree Black-G

Success to me is being able to be free to do what you want. Having good health is being successful. Raising your children and seeing them accomplish goals is being successful. Read More>>

Felicia Cooper

“Let’s be honest, we’ve all been there, right?” That moment when you’re pouring your heart and soul into something, whether it’s a business you’re trying to get off the ground or a personal goal that feels incredibly important, and you hit a wall. Doubt creeps in. Read More>>

Raven Pearson

That’s such a great question, because the thought has crossed my mind more than once to give up. The cost of doing business isn’t just financial—it’s social, physical, and time-consuming. I pour so much into my clients, and the hours I spend behind the scenes often go unpaid. But I keep going because I love it. Read More>>

Elizabeth O’Neill

Sometimes you have to take risks in life just to grow and learn—even if things don’t work out the way you hoped, there’s always something to take from the experience. I’ve learned that timing plays a big role too. What feels right in one season of life might not be right in another. Read More>>

At the heart of my business is healing—especially through paramedical tattooing. I help women transform scars and stretch marks into symbols of resilience, not shame. Whether from surgery, trauma, pregnancy, or rapid body changes, these marks often carry emotional weight. Read More>>

Her Eminence Dr. Eloisa

As an older woman who has worn many hats—preacher, educator, retired Chief Master Sergeant in the Air Force, and businesswoman—I am inspired by the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of faith, education, and service. Read More>>

leida

My motorcycle. The ability to feel and live in the moment is so surreal! Read More>>

Aydin Mathews

Simply being alive is the joy in itself. Read More>>

Temitope Okeseeyin

Most people still think HR is about forms, policies, and payroll. But what they don’t see is how much the industry has evolved, especially with technology at the center. Read More>>

Mahnoor Nasir Khan

I grew up in a world where silence often echoed louder than words — where stories were left untold and pain was buried beneath tradition. Photography became my way of giving form to that silence. It wasn’t just a creative calling; it was a necessity. I pursued this path because I believe art can disrupt, document, and heal all at once. Read More>>

Danielle Cowdrey

I used to be a complete workaholic. I wouldn’t let myself disconnect and often took meetings while on vacations and on the weekends. The biggest change came about a year ago when I was laid off from my job of 12 years. Read More>>

Christina Singleton

For years, I worked almost every single day—juggling Inked & Blinked while also working part-time as a contractor for NASA. At the time, I thought I could manage both, but it was simply too much. Read More>>