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.

B Don | Creative

In All life If you never take any risk, you wont have a story to tell. Taking risks open doors and opportunities You miss 99% of the shots you don’t take. Read more>>

Kristine Vander Velde | Painter and Jewelry Designer

As a mother who has lost my only child, I exist in an odd, uncomfortable space where I am my daughter’s legacy, rather then the other way around. When I found out my daughter was not typical and as she developed many medical complications, I made the conscious choice to not have more children and focus on her care. In the aftermath of her death, my studio and artwork kept me from wallowing in grief during the long lonely hours in an empty house. Over the last 11 years, my paintings have evolved into capturing small, brief momenta of light and color throughout the seasons. Read more>>

Tiara V. Hinton, Ph.d. | Research Scientist and Creative

Motivation is the drive to take action. Discipline is the ability to take action, even when there’s no motivation. One of the most important factors that have contributed to my success is discipline. Discipline was instilled in me, not only by my parents, but also by the activities I participated in when I was younger. Whether it was in the arts, during sports, or AFJROTC, I learned the importance of staying focused in order to reach a certain goal. Read more>>

Ellen Sawyer | Executive Director

A few years ago I heard someone say that Work Life Balance isn’t real. The term we should use instead is Work Life Harmony. Harmony implies that both parts of your life are getting what they need, which is rarely equal and balanced. Sometimes work needs more and your home life is able to be second. Sometimes your home life erupts and your job is able to take a step back. Whichever way it goes, home and work need to work together rather than strive for an unattainable balance. After processing this concept (which I have paraphrased), I really started to see the demands on my time differently. Right now, I am in a season where my kids and their sporting events are taking so much of my time that I feel like I am squeezing in my job to whichever minute it fits in. Read more>>