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.

Jay Taylor

The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears by Mark Batterson I loved reading this book and gaining a deeper understanding of prayer and, in turn, making a more consistent practice of prayer. Along with an entrepreneurial mind comes the willingness to be a professional problem solver. However, with that comes the tendency to feel like you are always in control and can “make something happen.” This book helped me cast my worries and my plans on God – who is ultimately in control and knows the plans He has for me. Read more>>

Chelsea Woodhall

Client relationships are the most important part of my small business. I have long term customers that have turned into friends. I’ve made sweets for every major event in their lives and feel like I’ve come to know them them and their families in a way. Those people go on to promote my brand to their friends, they shout out my business on social media, they leave rave reviews. I put a ton of work into building those relationships because it’s the pillar of my growth as a business owner. Read more>>

SlideRide Funk

When you’re looking at business especially your own, it’s literally a certain type of mindset. What you think about 24/7 or even majority of the time is VERY IMPORTANT. I believe in the art of “Law of Attraction”, what you put your energy in is what you’ll get out of life. Being Gullah and raised in Charleston, South Carolina helped me understand that growing up. Read more>>

Ashanta Coleman

I have two: 1. To be kind, always in all ways. You never truly know what someone is going through so it’s best to be a little light, joy or peace of their day/season. 2. To never shy away from sharing your story. Whether your afraid, unsure or not truly understand why it matters, there is a person/people out there who need to hear what you have to share. They may see/hear versions of themself allowing them to feel seen and/or they may realize that whatever the thing you went through is that they can too! YOUR STORY MATTERS. Tell it! Read more>>

Vickie Zambrano

It was never in the cards for me to start my own business. Early in my career I was the Executive Assistant to the CEO/Owner of a local small business. We had 6 different brands that we managed. I learned SO much in that role on how to run a business, all the good and bad parts of it. After that job, I swore I would never own my own business after getting a deep dive into what the day to day of owning a business was like. I moved on from that job to find something less stressful. After working a few different corporate jobs, I got the crazy idea to open up my own restaurant. With ALOT of encouragement from friends, the restaurant came to fruition. Read more>>

Emily Nelson

I was born and raised in Florence, SC. I get asked a lot about how long I have been doing massage, and I jokingly tell them “I’ve been doing massage all my life”. But, it’s not far from the truth. My mother taught me, from a young age, the value of physical touch and how it can be an expression of Love from one person to another. We would often trade back rubs or foot rubs while watching television in the evenings. It was a way for us to connect, bond, and opened up an avenue for communication. Over the years, as I would massage a friend’s or loved one’s shoulders or neck, I would watch them visibly relax and the tension would just melt away. Read more>>

Ashley Kaufman | Charcuterie Caterer

I grew up in a home that hosted all the parties and I loved every moment of it. We shared potlucks, bbq’s, grilling out, the list can go on. Charcuterie to me, brings the best of both worlds together. Sharing beautiful and delicious food with people you enjoy being around while taking your mind off of real life for a little while is the whole reason Gather was created. Gather Charcuterie LLC was thought out and brought to life through the soul purpose of people gathering and sharing their love of food. Read more>>

Dr. Julia Platt | Doctor of Chiropractic

There is this overall thought process that if you are starting a business, you have to work day and night and never sleep, and not take care of yourself during the process. You are told to never take days off, work until it’s done, never take breaks, and never sleep because you just have to. While I agree, that you have to absolutely work harder than you ever have, I do not agree with most of it. I think to add value and to be successful, you have to find somewhat of a balance. Learn to work as hard as you can while also taking breaks, getting sleep, and checking things off your to-do list little by little. It is a grind and it will be the hardest thing you’ll ever do. BUT with that I think it’s equally as important to take care of yourself in the process. Read more>>

Mitch Smith | Cannabis Coach & Connoisseur

Originally, I am from California; however I moved around a lot over the years until I went into the military. While in the Army, I began working in Emergency Medical Services as an EMT before completing my schooling to become a paramedic. I moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where I ended up working for Mercy Ambulance before officially getting hired on with the Clark County Fire Department as a Firefighter/Paramedic. After 22 years on the streets of Las Vegas, I retired and moved back to California where I now reside with my wife, Christina. Read more>>

Vaughn Charay* | Actress, Writer, Producer, Director, Talk Show Host

In short, I’ve always enjoyed entertaining people growing up, and I have a passion for ministry. What a way to be able to combine both, by writing stories and creating a platform, that when God’s people watch, or read it, it can help enhance one’s life for the better in one way or another. Read more>>

Chris Wilson | Stand Up Comedian

I could never figure out what to do with my life. I don’t think I was particularly great at anything and I couldn’t think of anything to do as a career. I always thought it would be a cool job to be a comedian. I would always watch comedy specials growing up. Making people laugh for a living seemed like a neat thing to do. I always wanted to try it. I did, and it went ok. It terrified me and I never did it again, as I had severe stage fright with public speaking. Years went by and I always wondered what would have happened if I had stuck with it. It took a long time, but even if I didn’t get far with it, I wanted to try again, because I didn’t wanna spend the rest of my regretting it. So, I did. Now, I’ve been doing it ever since. Read more>>

Lala Nicole Black | Human Resource Professional / Actress

Proverbs 3:5 ESV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. I live by this bible verse. I always think on both aspect of not taking the risk and taking the risk. If i don’t take it, I will never know what could truly come out of it, the blessing, the lesson and so on. However, if i take it, I will not only learn but add experience in whatever I am doing. I will then be able to add two more paths (to go left or right) on whatever life journey I am taking. Read more>>

Ashley Valdivieso

Risk can be a scary word. But it can also mean opportunity and reward. Isn’t that the old saying? No risk, no reward. And it’s true. My husband, Victor, and I took a risk with the food truck, and four years later, here we are taking a risk with our own brick-n-mortar. Risk is also having faith in yourself, your process and your product. If you believe in what you have created and work hard, not giving up, it will pay off. And I believe that will be the case with our restaurant. At least that is the hope I will always tell myself. I don’t believe in failure, but an opportunity to learn from something. I wouldn’t even call it mistakes. Life is a learning process, some things work out and some don’t, but it is never a bad thing if it doesn’t. Read more>>

Kristen Ferrigno | Founder & Jewelry Designer

Before starting Kristen Ash Designs, I had a great corporate, job in Manhatten running business operations. I had been approved to work remotely, which opened up the opportunity I had been waiting for, to move to Charleston. Shortly after I was let go from my job. I spent many months trying to figure out what my next move should be. I had career coaches, meetings & less than exciting interviews. I always loved jewelry, from the time I was a young girl. I loved to wear all my grandmothers bobbles, long beaded necklaces & dangly clip on earrings. I studied fashion in New York & always enjoyed jewelry, fashion & design. Read more>>

Michelle Stress | Chief Dog Mom and Founder of Pavlodoh, the original ready to bake dog treat dough.

Integrity. There are times in life when you may not stand out, are not the wealthiest, the smartest, the fastest, the prettiest, and the list goes on…but you can always be the one who stands behind what you say, what you do, the promises you make, the loyalty you profess, and the purity of heart you offer. Sometimes all you may have to give is your word and you better make sure it is good. Read more>>

Tommy Thomas | Carolina Bluegrass Style

Carolina Bluegrass Style is a four piece Bluegrass Band consisting of Guitar, Banjo, Fiddle and Bass. The Band was born 18 months ago when musicians David Prosser (Banjo), Tyler Chasteen (Guitar), Don Ashley (Fiddle) and Tommy Thomas (Bass) were asked to put together a band to perform with Palmetto Chamber Orchestra. Every member of the band had performed professionally for years but this band had a different concept. Everyone wanted to bring to an audience a variety of music genres played in a Bluegrass Style. Thus the band Carolina Bluegrass Style was born. Read more>>

Lizz Grimm | Realtor, ERA Wilder Realty

After spending almost a decade in Education, my priorities changed after starting my own family. My son, Jackson, was born in late 2019 and the pandemic erupted a few months later. Teaching online and in person for two years was taxing while trying to juggle my responsibilities as a first-time mom (with a kiddo that was sick often) and as a wife. I gave my all 100% of the time to my students and their families, but felt as though I was only giving my family the leftovers of my time and energy. While I was pregnant with my second son, Luca, in 2022, I made the difficult decision to step down from my position and did not renew my contract for the following school year.  Read more>>

Holly Collins | Owner + Maker

My husband and I have always embraced a ‘do-it-yourself’ approach. When it came to our wedding in 2018, we struggled to find statement pieces that truly resonated with us, so we decided to craft them ourselves. The positive feedback we received was so overwhelming that we saw it as a perfect opportunity to turn our passion into a business and let our creativity flourish. Read more>>

Paa Kutortse | Photographer/Videographer

The one hour spent at the shoot represents only 0.1% of the time required to complete the entire project. Too often, people compare the time spent shooting to the price, asking, “Why is a 20-minute shoot $500?” They overlook the time invested in perfecting the craft, enabling a photographer to accomplish in 20 minutes what might otherwise take two hours of experimenting with angles, lighting, and poses. They also forget the hours spent editing, as well as the time dedicated to learning and refining those editing skills to deliver photos within 48 hours instead of four weeks. The value of photographers and videographers extends far beyond the time spent at the shoot; it encompasses the countless hours, days, weeks, and years devoted to mastering their craft. Read more>>

Paulette Criscione | Executive Director

My vision is to grow Cancer of Many Colors into a statewide support system for cancer patients in South Carolina, providing assistance with basic living expenses during treatment to offer some relief. Treatment is often grueling, making it difficult for patients to work while fighting to survive and support their families. My goal is to establish CMC in all counties across South Carolina. By the end of my career, I aim for CMC to be a sustainable and impactful organization, continuing to make a difference in the lives of those battling cancer. Read more>>

Patrick Panella | Restaurateur

It’s hard to think about the end. I don’t have any plans on stopping what I do because in addition to my professional career, it’s also my hobby and passion. Working hand in hand with my wife contributes to that as well. Our current project has us in Paris opening a wine bar in the 3rd arrondissement. But if I had to think about the end, I think my goal is the same as the beginning. I want to open food and beverage establishments that become institutions of sorts and aren’t just capitalistic enterprises. I’d like the aesthetic side of the businesses to leave a lasting impression. The minute I’m no longer proud of what we’ve created would perhaps be the beginning of the end. Read more>>

Alyssa Franco | Founder & CEO of The Digital Touch

I’m originally from Long Island, NY, and I grew up as an only child in a close-knit, old-school Italian-American family. Family means everything to me—they’ve always been my biggest supporters, especially when I made the leap from my previous job to owning my own business. Seeing my family members successfully run their own businesses over the years was inspiring. While it wasn’t my childhood dream, their dedication showed me that with hard work, I could achieve anything I set my mind to. Their support and the values I grew up with have been instrumental in shaping me into the business owner I am today. Read more>>

William Jacobs | Filmmaker

I come from Peoria, Illinois—the Heartland of the United States. I would like to believe that “heartland” means land of the heart in addition to the heart of the land. That is the existence which I familiarized myself with while being brought up in the Midwest: living by the heart. Midwesterners are charitable and obliging people. I was blessed with a family that serves as an epitome. “Family is the most important thing in your life,” was one of the adages my grandfather often repeated to me. This truth is lost in the din and distraction of our modern preoccupations. There are those that see being surrounded by cornfields as a curse; I came to see it as a sanctuary. Read more>>

Jordan Richards | Photographer

“You don’t have to be the best- you just have to do your best.” I like it because it’s realistic, no matter who you are. We’re always our own worst critic, but this allows a measure grace for oneself. Read more>>

Amber Lowden | Yoga Instructor, Flexologist, & Energy Healer

Being authentic is a very important principle in my life. No matter how discombobulated things in life get, I’ve learned through personal experience that being authentic is a person’s greatest value. Not only are you expressing a version on love towards yourself, but you’re also reflecting your own unique qualities out into to the world. Read more>>