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.

Kiara Patterson | Reiki Master and Teacher

Honestly, I feel like this business came to me! I never believed in energy healing, oracle cards, or natural healing, it was all hocus pocus, weird and I didn’t want any part. But when my mental health declined and medication didn’t work for me. I began to seek other ways to manage my anxiety and depression. I felt overwhelmed and stressed daily until I found reiki. Reiki is energy healing, that brings your mind and body to a space of peace and relaxation. You are guided to slow down and intentionally rest, outside of sleep. After a session, there is clarity, less pain, and feelings of relief. Once I saw the impact reiki had on my daily life, I knew I had to share it with others. Read more>>

Tim Gray | Public speaker & Talent Consultant

That’s a great question. My definition of success has evolved throughout my life. I grew up with the illusion that success is an accumulation of money, fame, and everything that is glamorized in society. I remember being a kid watching all my childhood idols on TV who were wealthy, famous, and everything that came with it. It wasn’t until the death of the great Kobe Bryant, I realized that there was something greater than all the things mentioned above, and that was the impact and legacy he left. Today I define success as the impact and legacy you leave on those you encounter. One of the models I live by is “Leave people in a better place than when you found them.” It does not matter how high I go, if I don’t have an impact or help those around me nothing else matters. I am very thankful for all of the mentors and successful men/women who have impacted me on my journey in life and I want to do the same for others. This has become the motivation that pushes me to continue to impact and help those around me reach their full purpose and destiny in life. Read more>>

Shirley Lee | Grand Rapids Wedding & Lifestyle Photographer

Risk is a big part of doing anything, especially in business. I don’t see risk as just a chance you take; it’s more like making a careful decision to move forward, even when things are uncertain. It’s like taking a leap of faith, but you have to do it if you want to achieve your goals.Taking risks has been really important for me. It’s helped me grow personally and professionally, and it’s shaped some important moments in my life and career. Read more>>

Steve Taylor | Singer/Songwriter

I grew up playing in bands. When my original band Vudu Hippies broke up in 2004, I began playin g solo acoustic shows. It was a big risk, because I was used to playing with other musicians. I wasn’t sure how to do it. It was scary at first, facing a room full of people and performing alone. But, like anything else, you get better at it the more you do it. You develop a repertoire. You learn. You move forward. I’ve always felt that in order to grow, both as a person and a musician, you have to put yourself in situations that are uncomfortable. No risk, no reward. Read more>>

Katie Oswald | Peer Support Leader & Community Builder

We provide a sense of belonging and a place to be themselves for over 1,000 autistic adults all over the country (and some other countries). Autistic adults tend to have poor mental health outcomes including a much higher than average suicide rate. We have 80-90% underemployment and unemployment rate, even among those with advanced degrees. This puts many of us at or below the poverty line, and even at risk of homelessness. With all these challenges, it is so important to have a community, a place where you can relate to others and feel a sense of belonging. Yet many adults in our community have been extremely isolated and excluded from society. We provide that sense of community for our members. Read more>>

Mandy Vanderhill | Bridge Builder & Executive Director

The older I get, the more I realize how much I live my life with one foot in one world, and the other foot in another. For most of my life, I saw this as confirmation that I never belonged anywhere. But now, I’m seeing it as a gift of being a bridge between these different worlds. For example, I grew up in a very conservative Christian environment, always going to private schools and church every Sunday. When I started the Woodfield Community Center, I knew that I would hold firm to my Christian beliefs and use them as a foundation for my work. But I also fully realize that many other people, especially in this community, do not believe the same things I do. It became my goal to be a space that was inclusive, welcoming, and open to all backgrounds, where two things could be true at the same time. We could still be neighbors and friends without trying to change each other, because in the end, belonging is a core human need for all of us. I hope that I am remembered for being a good neighbor and that people felt seen, known, and loved in my presence. Read more>>

Danyell Bragg | Loc Specialist

In 2022 I was nominated to be featured in the Detroit Historical Museum. There were over 800 nominations of Detroit business; from there 32 honorees were selected. Out of the 32 honorees selected I was the only hairstylist of the group. This opportunity allowed my business and talent to be showcased in the museum. The name of the exhibition is “The Hustle”; this campaign was designed to showcase Detroits un-sung talent and pillars of the community. The exhibition was first showcased in 2022 and will continue until April of 2024. Being able to be recognized on such a grand stage has propelled my business and brand to new heights. No matter what level my business soars to I will always be a part of Detroit history, which is an important factor to me and the story of my success. Read more>>

LouCresha Fair | Wine Ambassador

Helping others make me happy. When I do a good deed for someone it makes me happy. Every day I ask God to please use me in whichever way he sees fit. Read more>>

Michelle Williamson | CTO- Chief Toffee Officer

I have been in the food industry as long as I can remember. I started off working at a retreat home (Manresa in Bloomfield) when I was a Freshman in high school. I left there to work the counter at McDonalds. My first waitress job was at Pizza Hut. I moved into the Kruse and Muer Corporation and waitressed there for many years. I did this to pay my way thru college I graduated from CMU with a BAA in Corporate Health with a minor in Marketing ( I know, crazy…not even related to food, right?. I worked in Cardiology at Beaumont for 8 years. During those 8 years, I got married and started having kids….what would become the E and L in Mel’s. I am the M. Through this time, food was always front and forward in my brain. I used to come home from my 8 hour shift and watch the latest and greatest on the Food Network. Read more>>

Arika Jimenez | Creations By Ari.J

I’ve always had a creative streak and enjoyed making things. This passion to create is ultimately the driving force behind my decision to start my own business. However, there were a few other factors as well. Before starting my business I noticed people in my life showing interest in my art and creations. This validation from the ones around me served as encouragement to start this business and showed the demand for the art I was creating. I would always have a surplus of creations sitting around gather dust so I let the individuals who showed interest find them a new home. While creating art is rewarding and fulfilling on its own I recognized (with the help of those closest to me) the potential to turn my passion into a source of income. In summary, the thought process behind starting my own business is driven by a combination of passion, recognition of demand, and the desire for independence. Read more>>

Adam MacArthur | Chicago based Artist and Educator

Deciding to pursue an artistic career was actually a very rational decision for me. I was working a very regular and boring 9-5 office job and painting on the side whenever I was home. After about a year or 2 of that, it became very clear that I was investing most of my time and energy towards my artistic practice than my career at that time. I would do art history research at the office all day and then paint all night. It gave me a sense of possibility and achievement that I hadn’t gotten from anything else. Rather than putting my art on the back burner I decided to make it the focal point of my life and career path. Around this time I sought out and met very key mentors that showed me how being an artist could turn in to a real career and life path. Read more>>